Padres MiLB July 22, Players of the Day

Ground-rules: you won’t see a too-old-for-his-league non-prospect get an award. The award may not go to the best performance of the previous night, but what I deem the most significant performance of the night…

Minor League Hitter(s) of the Day

Eric Sogard (High-A): 2-5, HR, 2 R, RBI, SO, SB
Kellen Kulbacki (High-A): 1-3, HR, 3 R, RBI, SO, 2 HBP
Mitch Canham (High-A): 2-5, 3B, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 SO

Minor League Pitcher(s) of the Day

Drew Miller (High-A): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR
Wade Leblanc (AAA): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR

Other Commentary

As I said yesterday, it is too early to give up on Antonelli. But I think Sogard is the Padres second baseman of the future…

Drew Miller is an important prospect for the Padres. Kevin Goldstein, of Baseball Prospectus, rated Miller the #4 Padres prospect and said, “On pure arm strength Miller trails only Latos in the organization.” However, Miller has disappointed so far this year.

2007: 80.2 IP, 74 H, 24 BB, 87 SO
2008: 102 IP, 119 H, 34 BB, 81 SO

Obviously Miller’s peripherals are trending in the wrong direction. Hopefully Tuesday's start is a stepin the direction and he’ll get himself straightened out and back on track.

Wade Leblanc is tough to figure… In his last 10 starts he has allowed 0-2 earned runs in 7 games (Leblanc has averaged 6.0 IP and 1.71 ER in those 7 starts). In his other three starts he has allowed 7 earned runs each (13.0 IP – 4.1 IP per start – and 21 ER). Overall Leblanc has a 6.17 ERA in 100.2 IP with 109 hits, 39 walks, and 100 strikeouts. But what’s really hurt Leblanc is 17 HR allowed.

Programming Note: I will be in Los Angeles Wednesday and may not be able to post my Players of the Day. I will try, but no promises...