MLB Prospect Watch

Odds and Ends - 9/8

• Andrew Brackman's strong 2010 season was a long-awaited award for the patient Yankee brass, says Bailey Stephens of MLB.com.
• Dillon Gee was impressive and may finish out the year as a part of the Mets rotation, says Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com.
• Delvi Cid continues to open eyes with his base-stealing prowess, and now that he's given up switch-hitting, the Indians hope he can focus on letting his bat catch up with his legs, says Bill Lubinger of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 
• The Cubs drew over 1000 fans to watch Korean pitching prospect Jim-Young Kim throw his first bullpen at Wrigley Field, says Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
• Dayan Viciedo has rejoined the White Sox for the remainder of the season, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
• Michael Bowden is back with the Red Sox for the third time this season, says Ian Browne of MLB.com.
• The Rays have called up Mike Ekstrom, says Bill Chastain of MLB.com.
• Jonathan Singleton is getting some playoff experience as the Phillies Low-A affiliate in Lakewood enters the Sally League playoffs.

Best and Worst from 6/29

BEST

• Derrik Gibson (BOS) - 3-3, 2B, 2 SB, batting .471
• Delvi Cid (CLE) - 3-5, 2B, 2 SB, batting .312
• Caleb Gindl (MIL) - 4-4, 2 2B, HR, batting .284
• Cutter Dykstra (MIL) - 2-4, HR, batting .200
• Austin Romaine (NYY) - 2-5, 2B, HR, batting .288
• Michael Taylor (PHI) - 4-5, 2 2B, batting .351
• Reid Brignac (TB) - 3-4, 3 2B, batting .302
• Michael Burgess (WAS) - 2-4, 2B, HR, batting .241
• Chris Marrerro (WAS) - 3-5, 2B, HR, batting .288
• Jarrod Parker (ARI) - 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K/2 BB, 2.87 ERA
• Dylan Owen (NYM) - 7 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 7 K/1 BB, 6.00 ERA

WORST

• Michael Bowden (BOS) - 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 K/2 BB, 3.39 ERA
• Chris Withrow (LAD) - 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 K/1 BB, 5.22 ERA
• Phillip Humber (MIN) - 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 K/0 BB, 6.03 ERA

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Austin Jackson (NYY) - 1-3, HR, batting .320
• Anthony Hewitt (PHI) - 1-3, 3B, batting .171
• Joe Savery (PHI) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K/4 BB, 3.08 ERA
• Tim Alderson (SF) - 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 K/2 BB, 2.36 ERA
• Wade Davis (TB) - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K/2 BB, 2.90 ERA

Prospect Ranking: Leadoff/Speed Players

Chicks may dig the long ball, but someone has to do the dirty work.  After all, without a good leadoff hitter, power hitters could only drive in themselves.  These players offer little in the way of power, but their best tools are plus speed and the ability to get on base.  They must be able to play the toughest defensive positions (CF, SS, 2B) and they must do the little things right to make up for what they can not do.

Here the top-20 potential future lead-off men currently in the minor leagues:

1	COL	Dexter Fowler	CF
2	PIT	Andrew McCutchen	CF
3	ATL	Gorkys Hernandez	CF
4	TB	Desmond Jennings	CF
5	NYY	Brett Gerdner	CF
6	LAD	Ivan DeJesus, Jr.	SS
7	OAK	Jemile Weeks	2B
8	COL	Eric Young, Jr.	2B
9	SEA	Tyson Gillies	CF
10	CHC	Tony Thomas	2B
11	ARI	Evan Frey	CF
12	MIL	Cutter Dykstra	CF
13	LAA	Clay Fuller	CF
14	BAL	L.J. Hoes	2B
15	PHI	Quintin Berry	CF
16	PIT	Brian Friday	SS
17	SD	Blake Tekotte	CF
18	BOS	Derrik Gibson	3B
19	CLE	Delvi Cid	CF
20	BAL	Matthew Angle	CF