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This week:
- INF Tyler Saladino has had a rather odd season, culminating with a promotion to Charlotte. Prior to this season, the 2010 7th rounder was 12 for 23 in stolen bases for his career. This season, he became the stolen base threat he was in college, successful on 36 of 43 attempts for Birmingham. Prior to this season, he had shown decent to good plate discipline and decent to good power (with a spike last year in a hitter friendly environment). This season, his walk rate shot up to 16.7% for the Barons and his power basically disappeared. In all, the .255/.391/.354 line he produced in Double-A was difficult to assess, even keeping in mind that his home ballpark suppresses offense. How he reacts to the higher level (and a better offensive environment in the International League) is going to be closely watched this month, as one suspects that the White Sox have it in mind to bring him up in September to bolster their now thin infield bench.
- CF Keenyn Walker and SS Marcus Semien, who were both injured last week, spent just the minimum on the disabled list and were back in the lineup for Winston-Salem last night. With Saladino vacating an infield spot in Birmingham, Semien and his .270/.350/.470 line should be in line for a call-up to the Barons. He would be the first 2011 draft pick to reach that level.
- 1B Keon Barnum also finally returned after missing more than a month with a shoulder injury, which interrupted a hot start to his pro career with Bristol.