Around the Farm: April 26

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday's performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday's game.

Lonnie Chisenhall-3B, Columbus: 4-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, K:

No, "Chiz" didn't win the game, hit three homers or drive in five runs. What he did do was go 4-5, perhaps ending a season long slump. Chisenhall's four hit game now gives him hits in five of six games. While it sounds like the Tribe's top prospect is bursting out of his slump, he was only five for his previous 33. While there is no timetable on the Clippers third baseman, there is hope that he will make a strong push to get some big league at bats in July, if not earlier. While the early-season slump has given pause, this is a good sign that "Chiz" is either back, or at least on his way.

Jason Kipnis-2B, Columbus: 2-for-5, R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K:

After back-to-back three-hit games on April 15 and 16, Kipnis had been mired in a 3-for-21 slump. Much like Lonnie Chisenhall, Kipnis is in line to make his major league debut at some point during the 2011 season. Also like Chis, the Clippers' second baseman got out of the gates a lot slower than was hoped. After a triple and a homer tonight, it appears as though Kipnis is right back on track.

• Cord Phelps-SS, Columbus: 2-for-4, 2 runs, BB, K: Not to be outdone by his slightly more high profile teammates, Phelps continued to hit the ball well.  He's currently batting .328
• Chad Huffman-RF, Columbus: 3-for-4, 2 RBI: There isn't a player hitting as well as Huffman. He's hitting .429, with five homers and 17 RBI in his last nine games.  Yeah, I know.
• David Huff-SP, Columbus: 7 IP, 9 H, 5 R/4 ER: Huff didn't blow anyone away, but he still went seven innings and got the win.
• Zach Putnam-RP, Columbus: 2 IP, 3 K, S (3): Putnam has apparently become the long-term save guy, with his third save of the season.
• Jason Donald-3B, Akron: 0-for-3: Donald moved down to Akron to continue rehab, and he didn't fare very well.  If Kipnis and Chiz are truly on the uptick, his move down could turn into something a bit more permanent.
• Chun-Hsiu Chen-C, Akron: 1-for-3: Chen has no pop right now, and is struggling with a .255 average.
• Matt McBride-1B, Akron: 2-for-3, 2 R: McBride throws out another nice night with the stick.
• Tim Fedroff-LF, Akron: 4-for-6, R, 3B, RBI: He's gone 9-for-his-last 22, not a bad zone he's found himself in.
• Austin Adams-SP, Akron: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, BB, K, HR: Adams got shelled tonight.  It's not the end of the world, but he's got to stop up with Pomeranz knocking on the door.
• Eric Berger-SP, Akron: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K: Berger got the start tonight, and had one of his better outings of the season.
• Nick Hagadone-RP, Akron: 3 IP, H, 4 K, W (1-0): Hagadone celebrated his award for minor league player of the week with one of his best outings of the year.  The three inning, piggy-backish relief appearance sure is curious.
• Jesus Aguilar-1B, Lake County: 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K: No home run tonight, but I bet you looked to see if he did..
• Jason Smit-RF, Lake County: 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 BB: Smit's average is still over .300.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

Posted in: Around the Farm,Jason Kipnis,Lonnie Chisenhall