This week:
Today we got confirmation of the first round of September call-ups: SS Eduardo Escobar, RHP Addison Reed and RHP Shane Lindsay. A.J. Pierzynski also re-joins the club today. I went over Escobar and Reed last week but here's the quick and dirty about Lindsay:
Shane Lindsay is a 26 year old right-hander from Australia. This season: 50 G, 70.1 IP, 32 H, 59 BB, 90 K. Yes, that's a 7.5 BB/9, which is nothing unusual for him. He also added 10 wild pitches and 9 hit batters. Why he merits a call-up is anyone's guess. Maybe minor leaguers are so afraid of getting killed that they don't hit (4.1 H/9) and just strikeout (11.5 K/9). We'll see how that works out in the majors.
You can probably expect some more pitching reinforcements to arrive for Monday's doubleheader, and perhaps a Jordan Danks on Tuesday after Charlotte's season is over
On to the other news:
- Labor Day marks the end of the minor league regular season for the full-season affiliates. The Barons have already qualified for the playoffs as the first half division champions. The Intimidators are currently a half game back of Greensboro, who they play in the final four games. If they take three, they're in for sure. The Dash are also a half game out. The Knights, per usual, are not even close.
Bristol's season ended last Tuesday, mercifully. With a 24-44 record they were last place and, outside of a rehabbing Jacob Petricka and perhaps Rangel Ravelo, it's unlikely that anyone who played for them this year is ever deemed a prospect, let alone makes the majors.
The other short season affiliate, Great Falls, will wrap up their regular season next Thursday. They are currently tied for the second half division lead. The Voyagers also have featured a less than impressive roster, though they did see the pro debut of 2011 top pick CF Keenyn Walker. RHP Erik Johnson, 2011 second round pick, pitched in all of two games and for a total of two innings. It wasn't because of injury but an effort to not add to his already prodigious inning total from his college season and to work on his mechanics. Like many minor leaguers, he will be participating in the instructional league that begins September 19. Some like 2011 7th round pick C Kevan Smith; however, any enthusiasm for his .353/.440/.627 with Bristol and Great Falls should be well-tempered by the fact that he's 23. Comparing Mike Blanke's numbers from last year and this year should help in that tempering.
The first four White Sox participants in the Arizona Fall League were announced this week. I covered them here.