Padres Report - July 29th

Padres’ Minor League Report

Hitters:

AAA – Paul McAnulty --- 2-4; 2B (26), RBI
AAA – George Kottaras --- 1-2; HR (2), 2 RBI
Hi-A – Nic Crosta --- 1-4; HR (3), R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SO
Lo-A – David Freese --- 2-4; 2B (7), R, RBI, SO
SS – Tom King --- 3-6; 2B (9), HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI
SS – Matt Antonelli --- 1-5; 2B (6), SO
R – Cedric Hunter --- 1-2; 3B (2), R

Pitchers:

AA – Matt Ekstrom --- 3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR
SS – Orlando Lara --- 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR

Commentary:

I HAVE to find out more about Olando Lara. Here’s what we know so far. Lara now has 41 SO and only 11 BB in 33.1 IP. His ERA isn’t stunning (4.32) but he’s only allowed 28 hits in those 33+ innings… Plus he isn’t old (he’s not exactly young, but not so old that you dismiss him as a prospect); he turned 21 in May.

David Freese keeps doing what David Freese does hit extra-baggers (25 of 51 H are extra-base hits).

Nic Crosta and David Freese are both old enough that their prospect status-door is closing due to their age. However, both are hitting well enough to hold that door open. It will be interesting to see if David Freese is promoted yet another level this season and if either of them start 2007 in Hi-A or go straight to AA.