Around the Farm: August 10

Toru Murata

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.

Toru Murata – RP, Kinston: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.
Murata is very quietly having a good pro debut this season. He has not allowed a run in his last 10 outings (16.1 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 21 K). The hit he allowed on Wednesday night was also his first hit allowed in seven appearances. With his unique arm slot he has been just as tough on lefties (.158 AVG, .498 OPS) as he has been on righties (.183 AVG, .452 OPS). He is not a big time prospect, but his success this season should put him on the bullpen map for Double-A Akron later this season or to start next season.

Chad Huffman – RF, Columbus: 4-for-4, 2 2B, RBI.
Huffman has been en fuego over his last four games where he is 11-for-15 at the plate with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 7 RBI. He is not a big league option however because he has been very inconsistent all season hitting .301 with a .996 OPS in April, .220/.630 in May, .243/.734 in June, .082/.446 in July, and now .640/1.80 in August. He also is hitting well against righties with a .269/.369/.483 line but is not hitting lefties well with a .193/.324/.298 line.

• Luis Valbuena – SS, Columbus: 2-for-4, BB, SB. He just continues to hit and is having an MVP-caliber season for Columbus.
• Corey Kluber – SP, Columbus: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR. He arguably has the best stuff of anyone in the Clippers rotation, but continues to struggle with consistency.
• Mitch Talbot – RP, Columbus: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K. The Indians love his stuff and still value him, so there is a good chance he could return to Cleveland this year or next year in the pen.
• Nick Weglarz – DH, Akron: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K. A forgettable year for the Indians top outfield prospect. The walks (34) are still there, as are the strikeouts (39), but the power is not.
• John Drennen – LF, Akron: 1-for-2, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB. His first homer since April 17th.
• Paolo Espino – SP, Akron: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. He needs to be challenged at the Triple-A level as he is 6-0 with a 2.44 ERA in 22 games (81.0 IP, 66 H, 18 BB, 78 K) with Akron.
• Eric Berger – RP, Akron: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. He is having a nice bounce back season where in 30 appearances for Akron he is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA, and has 22 BB and 62 K in 54.1 IP.
• Tyler Holt – CF, Kinston: 2-for-4, 2B, BB. The batting average may not be there, but he is one of the top players in the Carolina League in getting on-base and stealing bases.
• Jesus Aguilar – DH, Kinston: 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 K. Like many hitters who graduate to High-A the going has been tougher for him, but he hit the game winning solo homer in the 10th.
• Mike Rayl – SP, Kinston: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. Solid outing third outing with Kinston for him, and moving up in the Indians pitching prospect ranks.
• Carlos Moncrief – RF, Lake County: 3-for-6, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB. Hitting .262/.386/.479 against right-handers with 11 HR and 36 RBI.
• Luigi Rodriguez – CF, Lake County: 2-for-6, R, 2 K, SB. After a hot start with the Captains he has cooled in the last few games and is now hitting .275/.362/.325 in 11 games.
• Ronny Rodriguez – SS, Lake County: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, SB. A fast rising prospect for the Indians, but that 5 BB to 61 K ratio is concerning.
• J.D. Reichenbach – SP, Lake County: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Versatile lefty has had a solid season going 7-1 with a 3.14 ERA and in 83.0 innings has allowed 71 hits, 20 walks and has 60 strikeouts.
• Bryson Myles – RF, Mahoning Valley: 3-for-7, 2 R, 2 2B, BB, 2 K, SB. One of the Indians’ best prospects picked up in the 2011 Draft, and is hitting .302 with 12 stolen bases in 29 games.
• Tony Wolters – SS, Mahoning Valley: 3-for-8, 2 RBI, 3 K. Hitting .342/.419/.342 in 10 games in August.
• Will Roberts – SP, Mahoning Valley: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K. A solid outing and in six appearances so far is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA (25.2 IP, 24 H, 5 BB, 18 K).
• Daniel Jimenez – SP, Mahoning Valley: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Getting a chance to start and having a nice season. He is dominating lefties holding them to a .132/.233/.170 line in 53 at bats.
• Jose Ramirez – 2B, Arizona: 2-for-5, SB. A very nice pro debut for the small switch-hitting infielder who in 37 games is now hitting .331/.361/.471.
• Leonardo Castillo – 1B, Arizona: 2-for-4. Is really coming on of late hitting .419/.432/.628 in his last 10 games.
• Jake Sisco – SP, Arizona: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K. He allowed just 5 runs in his first 7 outings covering 24.1 innings. In his last 3 starts he has allowed 13 runs in 7.0 innins.

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).

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