Padres Report - August 19th

Padres’ Minor League Report – August 19, 2006

Hitters:

AAA – Terrmel Sledge --- 2-4; 2 2B (17), R, SO
AA – Luis Cruz --- 1-4; HR (12), R, RBI
Hi-A – Chase Headley --- 3-7; 2B (30), SO
Hi-A – Nic Crosta --- 1-4; 2B (), R, 2 BB, 3 SO
Lo-A - Will Venable --- 2-4; R, RBI, SO
Lo-A – David Freese --- 2-4; 3B (2), 2 RBI
SS – Matt Antonelli --- 3-4; 2 2B (10), R, RBI, SO
SS – Craig Cooper --- 2-5; 2B (14), R, 4 RBI, SO
SS – Chad Huffman --- 3-5; 2 2B (15), RBI
R – Luis Durango --- 3-6; 3 R, RBI, BB, SO
R – Matt Bush --- 0-1; R, RBI, 3 BB
R – Cedric Hunter --- 2-5; 3B (4), R, 4 RBI, BB, SO
R – Sam Carter --- 2-3; 2B (8), HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SO
R – Kyler Burke --- 0-3; R, 3 BB

Pitchers:

…none worth noting…

Commentary:

In August Terrmel Sledge is hitting .388 with 11 BB compared to 12 SO. He also has 11 XBH (2 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR). I think someone wants to play in San Diego. Terrmel and Ben Johnson will make re-signing Dave Roberts a tough decision. But then, Dave Roberts is making that decision tough as well…

Luis Cruz, the one Double-A hitter who interests me, hit a HR today. This is good, but then his overall numbers still depress more than they impress (going into tonight: .263/.303/.429). He does have 34 doubles, 3 triples, and now 12 home runs, but then in 445 AB he has only walked 25 times while striking out 55. If a prospect isn’t going to walk much he needs to hit over .300. I still think Cruz could have a major league career, but It’s likely as a back-up/defensive replacement.

Welcome back Matt… I think Antonelli took exception to my comments yesterday. Well Matt, since you’re paying attention, we’d like to see a couple balls leave the yard as well…

Luis Durango hasn’t gotten much ink here. He’s not going to get Cedric-level praise, but he deserves some. As sublime as Cedric’s numbers are, Luis Durango, not Cedric Hunter, leads the AZL league in hitting (.407). Furthermore Luis has impressive BB/SO numbers (20/12) in 118 AB. He’s not young for the league; he’s 20 – but he’s not old either. This kid deserves to be watched.

Matt Bush resurfaced. He started, played SS, had 4 plate appearances and was pitch-hit for in the 6th. I’m not ready to give up on the kid, but it wasn’t good for him to lose this year…

Cedric was Cedric…

I don’t know much about Sam Carter (I’m looking…) other than he’s 23 (OLD for Rookie ball), but he turned in the line of the day… His overall numbers (not tonight’s line) are why I’m looking deeper (going into tonight: .277/.417/.458).