Should there be anyone out there who was saying "let's not get too excited over a guy who's never pitched above A ball" -- well, Michael Pineda is not exactly struggling with the transition to AA:
4/12 -- 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
4/17 -- 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Last night -- 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Or, 1.76 ERA, 0.6 HR/9, 2.3 BB/9, 10.6 K/9
He's 21, seems to be healthy, and producing everything you ask for in AA. You can't rule out seeing him in Seattle before the year is over.
Also of note: Ackley dropped down from leadoff, where he was struggling, to #3 for the last three games. Hitless in the first one, but then 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk and then 2-for-3 with a double and walk.
Two other quick spotlights:
Pitcher:
Anthony Vasquez is from San Antonio via Southern Cal, where he was the everyday centerfielder and sometime pitcher. Started every game in 09 at one spot or the other. Ms took him in the 18th round as a pitcher, apparently convinced that he could make a big improvement once he stopped playing in the field.
He's a lefty of Moyer-esque proportions (listed at 6-0, 175). Was sent to Pulaski rookie ball after the draft, where he whiffed 27 in 23.2 IP and got promoted to the Midwest League, where he was OK. Back at Clinton to start this year, he's reeled off three straight strong starts:
4/9 -- 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
4/14 -- 5.3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
4/19 -- 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Seems to be extra-tough on LH hitters, with 13 K and 0 BB vs. lefties.
Don't know much more about him, but he's worth spotlighting as an 18th-round pick that has some promise.
Hitter:
Dennis Raben entered pro baseball with a splash -- 16 XBH, 5 HR and 19 BB in 112 PA (.971 OPS) at Everett, after being taken in the 2nd round out of Miami, thereby generating his share of internet buzz. Then he missed all of 09 with injury, got passed on the depth chart by import Carp and 09 draftee Poythress, and seemed to fade off the radar a little bit.
Well, put him back on there. He's already mashed 4 doubles, a triple and 4 HR in just 67 PAs in Clinton, for a nifty .590 SLG. His eye ratio has slipped some (so far), but still has 5 BB for a .295/.358/.590 line, one of the few big hitting bright spots thus far.
Are an interesting contrast to the other three hot prospects, Hill, Hensley, and Cortes. All of those three are getting a 'welcome to the league' April ... whereas Pineda and Robles are brushing the hitters away like gnats.
It wouldn't be any different for Pineda or Robles at Tacoma, am quite sure. Both would fan 9-12 men per nine with huge CTL ratios.