Down on the Farm: Monday July 21st

Star of the Day:
Justin Jackson - SS - Lansing Lugnuts
Jackson has to be the hottest Lugnut prospect. He had another 3 for 5 game and hit his 7th homerun of the year. He was able to score twice in the game and added 5 RBIs. Over the last 10 games he has hit .475. In the month of July he is hitting .356/.413/.589.


AAA:
Michael Aubrey - 1B - Buffalo Bisons
Aubrey went 2 for 3 with a double, a run and an RBI. Over the last 10 games he is hitting .375.

High A:
Jordan Walden - SP - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Walden was finally promoted to High A and continued his consistently great pitching. He went 6 shutout innings, allowing only 3 hits, 3 walks and he struck out 3.

Low A:
Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess is hitting .269/.360/.521 after going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Matt Dominguez - 3B - Greensboro Grasshoppers
Matt went 1 for 4 with a walk and a run batted in. On the year he is hitting .301/.368/.435.

Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
After a few games where he only pinch hit, Heyward bounced back with a 2 for 5 game. He doubled once, and was able to both score a run and drive one in.

Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - Florida Marlins
Galloway seems to be coming along lately as he has hit .244 over the last 10 games. Today he went 3 for 5 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI.

Aaron Hicks - CF - GCL Twins
Hicks went 0 for 3 on the day, but was able to walk twice, steal his 4th base and score a run. On the season he is hitting .304/.402/.392. He is proving he can hit for average and shows patience, but power is currently lacking behind.

Devin Shepherd - LF - GCL Cardinals
Shepherd went 2 for 3 with a walk. One of his hits went for a double and he was able to drive in a run. On the year he is hitting .325/.400/.425.

Kyle Skipworth - C - GCL Marlins
Skipworth went 2 for 5 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI.

Down on the Farm: Tuesday July 15th

Star of the Day:
Kyle Skipworth - C - GCL Marlins
Skipworth had his best game of his young career and hit his 1st professional homerun. He went 2 for 5 with 3 runs driven in and scored 2 other runs.

Low A:
Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess went 3 for 5 with a double, a run scored and 2 RBI's.

Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
In the second game of a double header, Heyward went 2 for 4 with 2 singles. He was able to score once in the game.

Justin Jackson - SS - Lansing Lugnuts
Jackson has been on a great streak and continued that today with a 3 for 5 game. One of his hits went for a double and he was able to also score a run and steal a base.

Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Walden made is final Low A start. He went 7.2 innings, allowing only 1 run on 6 hits, 1 walk and 9 strikeouts. Walden will now move to High A Rancho Cucamonga and join Posse prospect Hank Conger.

Shortseason:
Tim Beckham - SS - Princeton Devils Rays
Beckham went 2 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and also drove in 2 runners.

Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - GCL Marlins
Galloway makes the list for the first time in a while. He went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI.

Devin Shepherd - LF - GCL Cardinals
Shepherd went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored, a double and an RBI.

Walden promoted to High A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

After dominating Low A ball over the first half of the year, the Angels have promoted Posse prospect Jordan Walden to the California League. "Walden has been unbelievable this year and we are extremely happy with this promotion", stated Posse GM Luddington. On the year, Walden has made 18 starts and has accumulated a 4-6 record and a 2.18 ERA. He tossed 107.1 innings while allowing 80 hits, 32 walks, 91 strikeouts while only giving up 3 homeruns.

Walden has been a member of the Angels minor league system for just over a year now and in that time he has thrown 171.2 innings, allowing 129 hits, 49 walks, and 154 strikeouts.

Down on the Farm : Thursday July 10th

Prospect of the Day:
Michael Aubrey - 1B - Buffalo Bisons
Aubrey makes rare appearance on this list with a big game. He went 3 for 5 in the game with a double and a couple of singles. He scored twice and drove in 3 runs.

Low A:
Dellin Betances - SP - Charleston RiverDogs
Betances went back to his old style of not allowing many hits, while walking and striking out tons...but it worked, he tossed a shutout. Over 5 IP, he allowed 2 hits, 5 walks and struck out 6.

Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess hit a solo homerun in back to back days. He went 1 for 3 in the game and added a walk.

Matt Dominguez - 3B - Greensboro Grasshoppers
Dominguez had a strong game going 2 for 4 with his 5th homerun of the year. He scored 2 runs in the game and also added 2 RBIs.

Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
Heyward went 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Mr. Consistently Awesome tossed another 7 innings of 4 hits ball. He walked 3 batters tonight while striking out 8 batters and giving up one run. He has only allowed 2 runs over his last 30 innings.

Short Season:
Josh Vitters - 3B - Boise Hawks
Vitters went 2 for 5 today while hitting his 2nd homerun of the year. He scored twice and drove in 3 runs in total.

Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - GCL Marlins
Like most of the Posse's first year prospects, Galloway is struggling at the plate. Today he went 1 for 4 with a run scoring double.

Devin Shepherd - LF - GCL Cardinals
Second time on this list. Devin had another multihit game this time going 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Down on the Farm : Friday July 4th

Star of the Day:
Yu Darvish - SP - Nippon Ham Fighters
Darvish threw 8 innings today allowing only 6 runners (5 hits and 1 walk). For the second game in a row he struck out 10 batters. On the season he is 9-3 with a 1.93 ERA. He has tossed 130.2 innings, allowing 94 hits, 30 walks and has struck out 123 batters.

Low A:
Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Jordan has been the most consistent Posse prospect pitcher this year. He tossed 7 innings today, allowing a single run to score via 6 hits and 1 walk. On the season he has allowed 98 runners over 92.2 innings while striking out 74. He has a 2.33 ERA.

Short Season:
Josh Vitters - 3B - Boise Hawks
Vitters went 1 for 4 today with a double and a run scored.

Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - GCL Marlins
He is not doing a ton in any of his games but keeps making the list because he is doing enough. Today he went 1 for 4 with a run and a RBI. On the season he is hitting .250/.250/.321.

Kyle Skipworth - C - GCL Marlins
Skipworth went hitless in his first four professional game, but he broke out in his fifth game. He went 3 for 3 on the day with all three hits going for singles.

Down on the Farm : Sunday June 29th

Star of the Day:
Tim Beckham - SS - Princeton Devil Rays
It took Tim until his third professional game to make this list...but he did it. He went 1 for 4 on the day with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

AA:
Cameron Maybin - CF - Carolina Mudcats
Another typical Maybin day. He went 1 for 4, hitting his 12th double of the season. He scored twice and walked once.

Low A:
Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Walden extended his scoreless inning streak to 16 by tossing 5 innings tonight. He allowed 3 hit, 4 walks and struck out 7 in the process.

Justin Jackson - SS - Lansing Lugnuts
Jackson went 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.

Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Down on the Farm: Tuesday June 24th

Star of the Day:
Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
After not pitching in eight days due to the all star break, the Kernals held Walden to only five innings. He pitched another 5 shutout innings, allowing only 3 singles and 1 walk. He struck out 4 on the evening. Walden has only allowed 3 runs over his last 23 innings.


Low A:
Matt Dominguez - 3B - Greensboro Grasshoppers
Not a super game but Matt continues to hit for average. Last night he went 2 for 4 with an RBI. The two hits helped raise his season average to .337.

Short Season:
Josh Vitters - 3B - Boise Hawks

Vitters is starting to show his talent. He went 3 for 6 on the night, with a couple of doubles and a run scored. His average is now .345/.387/.483 for the Hawks.

Juan Duran - RF - DSL Reds
Duran hit his 3rd triple of the season after only 19 ABs. He went 1 for 3 on the evening, scoring a run and adding a walk. So far he is hitting .316/.480/.632 on the season.

Down on the Farm: Monday June 16th

Star of the Day:
Justin Jackson - SS - Lansing Lugnuts
Jackson has a rare big game going 2 for 5 on the evening. One of his hits were a double and he added a couple of runs and an RBI to the boxscore. He also walked once, his 36th on the year over only 212 ABs.

High A:
Hank Conger - DH - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Conger went 2 for 4, driving in 2 runs on the night.


Low A:
Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess has his 2nd game in a row with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a solo homerun


Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Jordan has been the most consistent pitcher for the Posse this year. Today he threw another six shutout innings, allowing 5 runners on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4 to give him 60 on the season.

Down on the Farm: Tuesday June 10th

Star of the Day:
Neftali Feliz - SP - Clinton LumberKings
Neftali has a dominating appearance over five innings. He gave up only one run after allowing six runners on base. The highlight of the game were his nine strikeouts. On the season he has thrown 63 innings, allowing 43 hits, 21 walks and striking out 72. Opponents are only hitting .198 against him.

AAA:
Jeff Clement - C - Tacoma Rainiers
Clement went 1 for 5 with his 14 homerun of the season. On the season in Tacoma Clement is hitting .364/.484/.746. Makes you wonder when Seattle will give him a full breakfast to go with his recent cup of coffee.

Low A:
Matt Dominguez - 3B - Greensboro Grasshoppers
Dominiguez is on a roll as he got his 3rd consecutive multi-hit game on the year. After being a first round draft pick in 2007 and then hitting .158/.183/.246 in short season ball, Dominguez is showing his true talent. He is hitting .333/.403/.467. This strong defensive youngster needs to start showing some power.

Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Jordan had a solid start going 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. On the season he is has pitched 69.2 innings, allowing 55 hits, 20 walks, and has struck out 56 batters. Walden has only allowed 3 homeruns on the season.

Hank Conger - C - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Conger has his second multi-hit game in a row. He went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and 3 RBI's. He is now hitting .273/.306/.455 on the season.

Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess went 1 for 3 with a double, a run, a RBI and a walk. He has struggled the last 10 games by only hitting .219 but has supported that with 6 walks over 32 ABs and 5 of his 7 hits being for extra bases.

Down on the Farm : Wednesday June 4th

Star of the Day:
Jordan Walden - SP - Cedar Rapids Kernals
Walden tossed a great game today, going 7 innings and allowing only 1 hit and 2 walks in a complete game shutout. He struck out 9.

AAA:
Jeff Clement - C - Tacome Rainers
Not a typical night for Jeff, but he did go 1 for 4 with an RBI.

AA:
Cameron Maybin - CF - Carolina Mudcats
This list is becoming a common occurance for this red hot player. Maybin goes 2 for 4 with a walk tonight. He got his 5 extra base hit in the last three games with a double. Cameron also added a run and 2 more RBI's.

Japan:
Yu Darvish - SP - Nippon Ham Fighters
Darvish threw another strong complete game for the Fighters, but took the loss as he did not get much support. Yu went 9 innings allowing 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 7. He allowed 5 of his 6 hits in 2 innings to give up 3 runs.

Walden expecting to light-up radar guns again

Believe it or not, Jordan Walden thinks he can make the radar guns go higher. The Oak Ridges Posse prospect pitcher created quite a buzz last season when his fastball was clocked at 100 mph in the last game of the Rookie-level Pioneer League's championship series. Walden struck out 10 in eight innings that day and his Orem Owlz claimed the PL title.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound righthander from Mansfield, Texas, hasn't approached triple-digit velocity thus far in the low Class A Midwest League. His heater has regularly sat around 93 mph and has gotten as high as 96. But as the weather finally warms up around these parts after a particularly cold spring and his arm strength increases, Walden thinks reaching a pitcher's holy grail is again quite possible. So is surpassing that coveted 100 mark."Yeah, (100 miles per hour) was kind of shocking to hear, but I've always been a hard thrower," said Walden, who idolized fellow Texan Josh Beckett growing up. "It was just one of those games. A lot of adrenalin, my arm was feeling really good. I'm trying to get to 101 this year. We'll see later on in the season when I get my arm back in shape and I'm throwing good."

It's not like he has thrown badly for the Kernels, his current low A assignment. His win-loss record has been sabotaged by a struggling Cedar Rapids offense that has produced two or fewer runs in six of his first nine starts. He has been outdueled twice in low-scoring games by Clinton's Neftali Feliz, a hard-throwing Dominican righthander who is another one of the Posse's top prospects. Walden's other numbers look fine. His earned run average was 2.56 and he had limited opponents to 42 hits in 52.2 innings for a .213 opponent batting average. He had a 41-15 K-BB ratio.

Rising Stock. No, he's not a finished product. There's work to be done on his slider and changeup, and he needs to be more consistent with the command of his fastball. But, yes, there's certainly a lot there to like."I mean, my record doesn't show it, but I feel I've had quite a bit of quality starts," said Walden, 20. "So far, I'd say I've thrown the ball all right. I wouldn't say I've done that good. I'm working on a lot of things right now, so it's hard to say. I haven't really gotten it going, yet. I haven't gone out there and had everything I have.""We're happy with his progress," said Posse General Manager Shawn Luddington. "He's a big, strong power arm. He's commanding the baseball, which is important, especially at this level. You want to go out and throw strikes, and he's doing that. He's pitching deep into games."Walden was the nation's No. 1 prep prospect but had a drop in his velocity toward the end of his prep season. He then decided to pitch for a year at Grayson County Community College in Texas, a school that also produced Angels ace John Lackey. After a successful year at Grayson County, he went 1-1 with a 3.08 ERA last season for Orem, holding opponents to a .209 batting average. "My last game in high school, I was throwing like upper 80s," Walden said. "I just kept pitching with the injury. I didn't go to the doctor until after the season was over. It bothered me a lot, actually. I know it probably hurt me in the draft. But after it was all said and done, college wasn't that bad of a decision. Going to a junior college, I couldn't really go wrong. I went there to get healthy and pitch healthy, which I did. It worked out good.""He's been solid," said Kernels Manager Keith Johnson. "The biggest thing for us is to try and make sure he gets through the year with a healthy arm and a healthy body and develops, in terms of being able to pitch and locate his fastball and stuff like that. He's on schedule right now."Learning From The BestWalden even got the opportunity to attend big league camp briefly this spring, just kind of sitting back and trying to soak in the atmosphere and instruction.The Posse plan on him permanently being in big league camp before too long."We just wanted him to come in so we could see what he's all about," Luddington said. "We didn't really want him to get too much game action. We just wanted to get him around the major league staff and kind of work on some things and basically show what he has. It's an impressive arm, and we're keeping our eyes on him."

Just like everyone else is keeping their eyes on him to see if he's got any more of those 100 mph fastballs left in that talented right arm."It's very possible," Kernels pitching coach Brandon Emanuel said. "Right now, you're looking at guys coming out of spring training. Until they get to midseason form, you don't know. They hit little dead spots in the road. But, shoot, right now he's been up to 96. He sits around 93 or 94, which is plenty."

Down on the Farm : Monday May 19th

Prospect of the Day
Neftali Feliz, SP, Clinton Lumberjacks
Welcome to the organization Neftali! Feliz was great in his first appearance as part of the Posse franchise, going 6 strong innings and allowing three hits and no walks. Feliz added 6 strikeouts to his line.

Low Class A
Jason Heyward, DH, Rome Braves
Jason went 2 for 4 with two singles in a losing effort. He is now hitting .327 on the season.

Jordan Walden, SP, Cedar Rapids Kernals
Walden went head to head against recently drafted Posse prospect Neftali Feliz. Walden took the loss but pitched great, tossing 7 innings while only allowing four hits and one walk. Jordan struck out three in the process.