This may be the weakest minor-league team in the Padres organization. In a league that emphasizes scoring, the Beavers’ offense is a little below average, while their pitching and defense are considerably worse.

The roster features a mix of legitimate prospects, suspects, guys who could have a career on the fringe if everything breaks right, and veterans who aren’t going anywhere soon. The best of the lot are second baseman Matt Antonelli (whom I ranked as the Padres #2 prospect entering the season), center fielder Will Venable, and left-hander Wade LeBlanc (#7). Others potentially in the mix include outfielder/third baseman Peter Ciofrone, first baseman Brian Myrow, infielder Craig Stansberry, right-hander Josh Geer, and left-hander Cesar Ramos.

Matt Antonelli: .213/.335/.314; .872 BB/K, .142 BB/PA, .101 ISO, .309 XB/H

Antonelli’s game fell apart this year, and I don’t know why. When he’s right, the 23-year-old out of Wake Forest possesses a broad base of skills that should translate into a top-of-the-order hitter at the big-league level. Unfortunately this season he hasn’t been right. He’s still showing a good batting eye, which is nice, but every other aspect of his game has fallen apart for no obvious reason. I’ve heard that he’s become too tentative at the plate, although I haven’t seen him in person this year, so I can neither confirm nor deny those reports. On the bright side, Antonelli seems to have reaffirmed his status as a legitimate second baseman and his numbers since the All-Star break are a respectable .264/.378/.408, which seems like a decent baseline for him going forward. Unless, of course, I’m being overly optimistic. Anyway, my inclination is to give the kid a mulligan and hope for better things (yes, possibly even a starting gig with the big club) in 2009.

Will Venable: .292/.361/.464; .427 BB/K, .089 BB/PA, .135 ISO, .341 XB/H

I still have concerns about Venable — he’s old for a prospect (25), he’s inexperienced in center field — but he’s making it more difficult to maintain my stance, which pleases me. At worst, he’s solidifying his status as a future reserve outfielder in the big leagues; at best, he’s transforming himself into a destitute-man’s Jody Gerut, although that may be a stretch. Venable is hitting, hitting for power, and drawing a few walks. Venable has always played in pitching-friendly leagues, and now that he’s finally in an environment that favors offense, he’s not dominating in the way you’d like to see a guy his age dominate. His second-half fade (.250/.322/.390) isn’t real encouraging either. I like Venable’s chances a little better now than I did at the same time last year, but he still looks like a fourth outfielder to me.

Peter Ciofrone: .313/.388/.510; .581 BB/K, .090 BB/PA, .197 ISO, .309 XB/H

In the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual, I compared Ciofrone to ex-Padre Rob Mackowiak. The 24-year-old Ciofrone has decent on-base skills and some pop (although probably not as much as he’s showing this year), and can play multiple positions. The latter skill may eventually get him to the big leagues. Ciofrone exhibits no appreciable platoon splits and has improved his numbers as the season has progressed, which is always a good sign. He’s not a future star, or even a future regular, but he could have a career.

Brian Myrow: .315/.454/.497; 1.129 BB/K, .197 BB/PA, .182 ISO, .343 XB/H

Myrow is a 31-year-old first baseman who crushes baseballs. He made a brief cameo with the big club this summer and even hit his first career homer. He’s too old, he’s too limited defensively, he’s not the right build, but he just rakes. Once upon a time Myrow played a little third base. If he could’ve stuck there, he might have been Corey Koskie.

Craig Stansberry: .249/.356/.396; .818 BB/K, .140 BB/PA, .147 ISO, .338 XB/H

The first Saudi-born player to reach the big leagues, Stansberry can play anywhere on the infield. Offensively, he features a nice blend of on-base skills and gaps power. He was strictly a second baseman while in the Pirates system from 2004 to 2006, but has played a lot of shortstop and third base since joining the Padres last season. In fact, this year — thanks in part to the departure of Oscar Robles, and injuries to Luis Rodriguez and Khalil Greene (which forced Rodriguez to the big club) — most of his playing time has come at shortstop. At age 26, Stansberry isn’t a future regular, but he could have a career as a utility player. His best case is maybe a poor-man’s Mike Lansing.

Wade LeBlanc: 5.54 ERA, 2.87 BB/9, 8.95 K/9

There was some talk during spring training that the 23-year-old LeBlanc might break camp in the big-league rotation. I don’t know how serious that talk was, but what actually happened is he went to Triple-A, where he has struggled. There is no way to put a positive spin on his overall performance — the ERA is atrocious, and he’s coughed up too many home runs — but we can find a few bright spots if we dig a little deeper:

• LeBlanc’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is better than 3-to-1. This isn’t a guarantee of future success, but it’s a fairly strong indicator. I like the fact that he is controlling the strike zone.
• He’s allowing about a hit an inning. That’s not great, but it’s not like guys are constantly making contact against him. Again, most of his problems stem from the long ball.
• After a miserable start to the season (7.88 ERA through May), he’s come on strong, posting a 4.29 ERA since — remember, the league ERA here is 4.84. LeBlanc has pitched particularly well since the All-Star break (3.16 ERA, 5 BB, 38 SO, .197 BAA).

I expect LeBlanc to vie for a spot in the 2009 rotation. Long-term he could be a Sterling Hitchcock type who slots in nicely toward the back end.

Josh Geer: 4.54 ERA, 2.43 BB/9, 5.78 K/9

I don’t get the fascination with Geer. He is hittable, his strikeout rate is terrible (5.60 in 567 1/3 career innings), and he is a bit long in the tooth (25) for a guy touted as a prospect. Sure, he won a lot of games last year at San Antonio and posted a nice ERA, but Geer looks to me like another Justin Germano, although Germano’s minor-league track record is stronger. I’m trying to think of things to say about Geer’s skill set, and all I can come up with is that it appears to be unexceptional in almost every way. As always, I hope the player proves me wrong, but I’m not seeing a lot to get excited about here.

Cesar Ramos: 5.26 ERA, 3.51 BB/9, 6.33 K/9

He’s 24 years old and a lefty. Otherwise, most of the comments in the section on Geer apply to Ramos as well (career K/9 of 5.43 in 507 2/3 innings — no thanks). His ERA looks pretty bad, but it could be worse: he’s also allowed 20 unearned runs this year.

* * *
Elsewhere in the minors, the Padres have extended their player development contract with Lake Elsinore through 2012. I’m hoping to make the trip up there this weekend to get a look at Allan Dykstra, who collected his first professional hit — a double — at Petco Park on Wednesday.

* * *
On another note, you’ll be happy to learn that I’m finalizing plans to reinstate commenting functionality early next week. We’re going with a different approach that represents a philosophical shift from the way we’ve done things in the past; I’ll have full details on Friday so everyone has a chance to let the new model sink in over the weekend before we get back to the business of talking about baseball.

Triple-A — Fresno 11, Portland 10

Craig Stansberry (SS): 3-for-5, 3B, BB
Peter Ciofrone: 1-for-4, BB, HBP
Will Venable: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
Justin Huber (1B): 0-for-5, SF
Vince Sinisi: 2-for-5, BB
Colt Morton: 3-for-6, HR
Matt Antonelli: 0-for-4
Cesar Ramos: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 SO, HBP
Adam Bass: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Joe Thatcher: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO
Dirk Hayhurst: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Justin Hampson: 0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

On our way back from Oregon, somewhere around Mt. Shasta, we passed a place called Bassholes Bar and Grill. For some reason, seeing Bass’ name made me think of that. Bassholes. Pretty clever. It’s like a play on words. And it really gets me in the mood to eat… Game time temperature at Fresno was 103; sounds like fun…

Double-A — Tulsa 5, San Antonio 4

Drew Macias: 2-for-6
Craig Cooper (LF): 4-for-6, 2 HR
Kyle Blanks: 0-for-0, BB, HBP
Chad Huffman (PH): 0-for-1
Jose Lobaton: 0-for-2
Steve Garrison: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, WP
Mauro Zarate: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO
Jonathan Ellis: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 1 SO

Blanks was plunked in the third inning, after the first of two Cooper home runs, and lifted for a pinch-runner. Here’s hoping Gigantor is okay… I don’t know why I keep tracking Zarate. He threw well when I saw him in spring training, and I just haven’t been willing to let it go… Somehow David Parrish, son of Lance, ended up on the Missions. I wasn’t crazy about him when he played at Michigan and my opinion hasn’t changed since then.

High-A — Lake Elsinore 4, Bakersfield 1

Eric Sogard: 0-for-4
Cedric Hunter: 1-for-4
Kellen Kulbacki: 2-for-4, HR
Mitch Canham: 1-for-3, BB
Ernesto Frieri: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 SO

Another day, another Kulbacki homer; that’s six in his last 10 games… I remain intrigued by Frieri, who has made a smooth transition from reliever to starter this year; he isn’t young and he isn’t overpowering, but I like him.

Low-A — South Bend 6, Fort Wayne 0

Luis Durango: 1-for-4
Lance Zawadzki (SS): 1-for-4, E (20)
Justin Baum: 2-for-4
Danny Payne (RF): 1-for-2, 2 BB
Yefri Carvajal: 1-for-4
Felix Carrasco: 0-for-4
Brad Chalk: 1-for-3
Matt Teague: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO
Robert Woodard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Carvajal is quietly putting together a decent season in the Midwest League. No, a line of .280/.319/.377 is nothing to write home about, especially for a corner outfielder, but he’s hitting a ton of doubles and he doesn’t turn 20 until January… Since May 1, Carvajal is batting .296/.352/.381.

Short-Season-A — Spokane 6, Eugene 3

Shane Buschini: 1-for-4
Jeudy Valdez: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Emmanuel Quiles: 0-for-3, BB
Tyson Bagley: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, HBP
Rob Musgrave: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO, WP
Anthony Bass: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

So a day after I tell you Valdez hacks at everything, he draws two walks… I got to see Quiles while we were in Eugene, too; he’s hyperactive behind the plate (always looking to make a throw) and he doesn’t turn 19 until the end of October… Bagley has fanned 21 in 14 2/3 innings so far.

Rookie — AZL Padres 7, AZL Rangers 3

Kevin Hansen (2B): 2-for-4, 2B, BB
Keisy Marte: 3-for-4, 2 2B
Edgar Garzon (1B): 1-for-3, 2B, HBP
Kevin Cameron: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (2 GO)

Cameron makes a rehab start; good for him…

Rookie — DSL Tigers 8, DSL Padres 4

Jonathan Galvez: 1-for-4, BB, E
Rymer Liriano: 0-for-5

Triple-A — Portland 7, Colorado Springs 2

Matt Antonelli: 2-for-4, BB
Chip Ambres: 2-for-4, SF
Will Venable: 0-for-1, 3 BB
Nick Hundley: 1-for-4, HR
Peter Ciofrone (LF): 0-for-4
Wade LeBlanc: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO; 1-for-2, SH

Thanks to his poor start, LeBlanc’s overall numbers (5.91 ERA) still don’t look great, but he’s pitched extremely well in June: 35 IP, 25 H, 9 BB, 43 SO, 3.34 ERA.

Double-A — San Antonio 10, Northwest Arkansas 1

Drew Macias: 0-for-3, BB, SH
Chad Huffman: 3-for-4, 3B, HBP
Kyle Blanks: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, BB
Manny Ayala: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 6 SO, WP
Paul Abraham: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO
Mauro Zarate: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

The Missions continue to roll. After Ayala allowed a solo homer in the top half of the first, his ‘mates scored seven runs in the bottom half and the rest, as they say, was history.

High-A — Stockton 14, Lake Elsinore 9

Eric Sogard: 2-for-4, BB, SF
Rayner Contreras: 2-for-6
Cedric Hunter: 1-for-5
Mitch Canham: 2-for-4, BB, E
Kellen Kulbacki (DH): 2-for-4, HR, BB
Corey Kluber: 3 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO, 2 WP

Sogard has been batting leadoff recently for the Storm and seems to enjoy the role… Another day, another homer for Kulbacki; that’s nine in June if you’re keeping score at home…

Low-A — Dayton 11, Fort Wayne 6

Brad Chalk: 2-for-4, 2B, BB, SB
Lance Zawadzki (SS): 2-for-4, 2B, BB, E
Danny Payne (DH): 1-for-5
Felix Carrasco: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Yefri Carvajal: 2-for-4, 2B
Matt Teague: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 0 SO, WP
Robert Woodard: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO

Payne is back with the Wizards after rehabbing in the AZL. He’s DHing and batting cleanup? Uh, okay… More coverage at MadFriars.

Off the field, Drew Cumberland is back on the disabled list.

Short-Season-A — Eugene 7, Vancouver 1

Sawyer Carroll: 1-for-5
Emmanuel Quiles: 2-for-5
Pablo Menchaca: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 SO
Tyson Bagley: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO
Anthony Bass: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO

Rookie

AZL Padres had Saturday off.

Rookie — DSL Tigers 10, DSL Padres 1

Jonathan Galvez: 1-for-3, BB, 2 E
Rymer Liriano: 2-for-3, BB, E

With the injury to last year’s first-rounder, Nick Schmidt, you’d think the Padres would want to err on the side of extreme caution. I guess they are, but the timing seems a little strange. Here’s hoping it all works out okay.

Triple-A — Portland 5, Colorado Springs 4

Matt Antonelli: 2-for-5, 2B
Luis Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB, SH
Chip Ambres: 1-for-4
Brian Myrow: 0-for-4, BB
Will Venable: 0-for-4, BB
Nick Hundley: 2-for-5, HR
Vince Sinisi: 1-for-4, 2B
Peter Ciofrone (PH): 0-for-1
Clay Hensley: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 8 SO, WP, 2 HBP (99 pitches)
Dirk Hayhurst: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 3 SO

Welcome to the Nick Hundley show. His two-run homer in the ninth tied the game, and his single to center the next inning won it… That’s Hensley’s second straight six-inning stint. Whenever anyone decides they’ve seen enough of Cha Seung Baek is okay by me.

Double-A — San Antonio 8, Northwest Arkansas 0

Drew Macias: 2-for-4, BB
Chad Huffman: 0-for-3, BB, HBP
Craig Cooper: 0-for-4, BB
Colt Morton: 2-for-4, HR
Steve Garrison: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 WP
Mike Ekstrom: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 4 SO
Paul Abraham: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (7 pitches, 7 strikes)
Mauro Zarate: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO

I’m not sure why Garrison left the game early.

High-A — Stockton 4, Lake Elsinore 2

Eric Sogard: 0-for-4
Rayner Contreras: 0-for-4
Cedric Hunter: 1-for-3, BB, SB
Kellen Kulbacki (DH): 0-for-4
Mitch Canham: 1-for-4, 2B
Cesar Carrillo: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 1 SO (7 GO)

Carrillo’s third outing since returning from elbow surgery is his longest so far.

Low-A — West Michigan 6, Fort Wayne 5

Luis-Durango (LF): 3-for-5, SB
Lance Zawadzki (SS): 0-for-5
Justin Baum (3B): 2-for-5
Felix Carrasco: 0-for-1
Brad Chalk (DH): 4-for-5, SB
Aaron Breit: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO, HBP

Short-Season-A — Spokane 10, Eugene 6

Sawyer Carroll: 2-for-5, HR
Emmanuel Quiles: 1-for-4
Cooper Brannan: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO, HBP

Rookie — AZL Padres 13, AZL Athletics 4

Kevin Hansen: 0-for-3, BB
Keisy Marte: 2-for-5
Jaff Decker: 2-for-4, 2 BB, SB
Danny Payne (DH): 1-for-4, BB
Edgar Garzon (1B): 2-for-3, 2B, BB, HBP

Rookie — DSL Nationals2 8, DSL Padres 1

Jonathan Galvez: 1-for-4, HR
Rymer Liriano: 0-for-4

My wife and I particularly enjoyed watching Headley and Khalil Greene homer, as well as watching Paul McAnulty battle in the eighth to work a walk against Detroit’s Joel Zumaya and then fall over the fence along the right-field foul line to make a game-ending catch. We saw all three of those players when they were at Lake Elsinore (not at the same time), and it’s cool to see them now contributing at the big-league level.

The only irritating aspect of the game is that Heath Bell was credited with the victory despite being the least effective pitcher the Padres ran out there. No disrespect to Bell, who usually does a terrific job, but nobody was less deserving of the win on Friday…

Triple-A — Portland 4, Tucson 3

Matt Antonelli: 0-for-4 (.190/.314/.278, 43 BB, 45 SO)
Vince Sinisi (LF): 1-for-4, E (.266/.296/.344, 4 BB, 13 SO)
Chip Ambres (RF): 1-for-4, HR (.305/.391/.587, 35 BB, 58 SO, 7 SB)
Brian Myrow: 0-for-4 (.343/.473/.548, 60 BB, 55 SO)
Will Venable (CF): 1-for-3 (.314/.359/.474, 11 BB, 41 SO)
Peter Ciofrone (PH): 1-for-1 (.292/.372/.443, 24 BB, 33 SO)
Clay Hensley: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO (2.90 ERA, 5.81 K/9, .229 BAA)
Dirk Hayhurst: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO (4.94 ERA, 11.29 K/9, .267 BAA)
Enrique Gonzalez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (4.34 ERA, 7.71 K/9, .275 BAA)
Joe Thatcher: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO (1.26 ERA, 9.42 K/9, .192 BAA)

Hensley threw 81 pitches in his longest outing of the season.

Double-A — Midland 2, San Antonio 1

Drew Macias: 0-for-2, BB (.275/.388/.427, 46 BB, 44 SO, 12 SB)
Chad Huffman: 0-for-3, HBP (.287/.380/.419, 38 BB, 45 SO)
Kyle Blanks: 1-for-4 (.308/.401/.425, 34 BB, 34 SO)
Craig Cooper: 0-for-3 (.282/.340/.410, 17 BB, 50 SO)
Seth Johnston: 0-for-3, BB (.240/.303/.404, 24 BB, 39 SO)
Jose Lobaton: 0-for-3, BB (.255/.313/.382, 15 BB, 39 SO)
Matt Buschmann: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 BB, 5 SO, WP (3.48 ERA, 8.69 K/9, .271 BAA)

Someone suggested I track Johnston a while back, but a 25-year-old third baseman should dominate Double-A. I’m not sure he’s really worth following.

High-A — Lancaster 9, Lake Elsinore 8

Eric Sogard: 2-for-5, 2B (.321/.424/.419, 49 BB, 31 SO, 6 SB)
Rayner Contreras: 2-for-4, 2B, BB, SB (.319/.417/.431, 21 BB, 30 SO, 9 SB)
Cedric Hunter: 2-for-5 (.306/.368/.405, 31 BB, 25 SO)
Kellen Kulbacki (DH): 2-for-4, BB (.238/.357/.420, 36 BB, 45 SO)
Mitch Canham: 2-for-5, 2B (.297/.414/.420, 46 BB, 39 SO, 7 SB)
Cesar Carrillo: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO (4 GO)
Drew Miller: 4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO, WP (6.08 ERA, 7.30 K/9, .307 BAA)

I don’t have a pitch count for Carrillo, but he faced six batters so I’m guessing in the 20-25 range. Of course, with all the time he’s missed, anything is good at this point… Contreras and Kulbacki stay hot… Kulbacki is hitting .328/.443/.656 in June… Canham’s line calls to mind Scott Hatteberg circa 2004.

Low-A — Lansing 6, Fort Wayne 5

Luis Durango: 0-for-2, 2 BB (.271/.379/.325, 36 BB, 33 SO, 9 SB)
Drew Cumberland (SS): 0-for-4 (.271/.335/.333, 16 BB, 22 SO, 14 SB)
Justin Baum: 1-for-4 (.259/.345/.448, 29 BB, 58 SO)
Felix Carrasco: 1-for-3, BB (.259/.321/.486, 20 BB, 88 SO)
Yefri Carvajal: 1-for-3, HR, BB (.269/.299/.379, 12 BB, 54 SO)
Brad Chalk: 0-for-4 (.239/.344/.291, 21 BB, 22 SO, 7 SB)
Wynn Pelzer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Robert Woodard: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 5 SO, HBP

Short-Season-A — Boise 7, Eugene 6

Jeudy Valdez: 1-for-5, 2 E
Sawyer Carroll (RF/3B): 1-for-4, HR, BB
Logan Forsythe: 0-for-1, BB
Logan Gelbrich: 0-for-2, 2 BB, E

Matt Antonelli: 1-for-3, BB
Peter Ciofrone (3B): 1-for-3, BB
Chip Ambres (RF): 2-for-4, 2B
Brian Myrow: 1-for-3, 2B, BB
Will Venable (CF): 1-for-4
Nick Hundley: 2-for-4
Vince Sinisi (LF): 1-for-3, BB
Justin Germano: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 BB, 5 SO; 1-for-2, 2B
Joe Thatcher: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Double-A — San Antonio 2, Corpus Christi 0

Drew Macias: 1-for-3, BB, SB
Chad Huffman: 0-for-4
Kyle Blanks: 1-for-4
Seth Johnston: 2-for-3
Jose Lobaton: 2-for-3, 2B
Stephen Faris: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 6 SO (90 pitches, 62 strikes)
Jonathan Ellis: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

Faris is on a roll. His last four starts: 25 IP, 18 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 27 SO. Yeah, that’ll work…

High-A — Lancaster 7, Lake Elsinore 3

Eric Sogard: 2-for-4, 2B
Keoni Ruth (DH): 1-for-4
Cedric Hunter: 0-for-4
Mitch Canham: 3-for-4, 2B
Javis Diaz: 0-for-4
Cory Luebke: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO

Luebke’s ERA is an even 7.00 in 70 2/3 innings.

Low-A — Lansing 4, Fort Wayne 0

Luis Durango (DH): 2-for-4, 2B
Drew Cumberland (SS): 1-for-3, HBP, E (19)
Lance Zawadzki (2B): 0-for-4
Justin Baum: 0-for-3, BB
Felix Carrasco: 1-for-4, E (11)
Yefri Carvajal: 2-for-4, 2B, E (6)
Brad Chalk: 0-for-4
Jeremy McBryde: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO
Matt Teague: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO, WP

Short-Season-A — Eugene 8, Boise 4

Jeudy Valdez (SS): 2-for-5, HR
Sawyer Carroll (RF): 0-for-4, BB
Logan Forsythe (3B): 2-for-4, E
Emmanuel Quiles: 0-for-4
Cooper Brannan: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

A day after plating six in the ninth to win, the Emeralds scored four in the eighth and one in the ninth to do it again. This sounds like a fun team to watch…

Triple-A — Portland 4, Tucson 3

Matt Antonelli: 2-for-4, BB, SB
Peter Ciofrone (3B): 1-for-5
Chip Ambres (RF): 1-for-5
Brian Myrow: 1-for-4, BB
Will Venable (CF): 3-for-4, 2B
Nick Hundley: 1-for-5
Vince Sinisi (LF): 0-for-4
Luis Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2B, BB, 2 E
Josh Geer: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 4 BB, 2 SO
Enrique Gonzalez: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO

Antonelli extends his hitting streak to six games. He’s 10-for-24 during that stretch. It may not be much, but it’s a start…

Double-A — Corpus Christi 7, San Antonio 2

Drew Macias: 2-for-4
Chad Huffman: 0-for-3, BB
Kyle Blanks: 2-for-4, E
Seth Johnston: 1-for-3, HBP
Colt Morton: 0-for-4
Craig Cooper: 0-for-2, E
Will Inman: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO, WP
Paul Abraham: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO
Mike Ekstrom: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

Rare bad outing for Inman…

High-A — Rancho Cucamonga 9, Lake Elsinore 6

Eric Sogard: 0-for-4, BB
Keoni Ruth: 1-for-4, HR, BB
Cedric Hunter: 0-for-4
Mitch Canham: 1-for-3, 2B, SF
Rayner Contreras: 3-for-4, SB
Kellen Kulbacki: 2-for-4, 2B
Javis Diaz: 0-for-4
Corey Kluber: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 4 BB, 5 SO

Sogard moved up to the leadoff spot, with Hunter dropping to the #3 hole. Interesting… The Storm led 6-4 headed to the bottom of the eighth before entering Full Bullpen Implosion mode… Kulbacki is hitting .317/.432/.667 in June (74 PA).

Low-A

No games scheduled in the Midwest League.

Short-Season-A — Eugene 9, Boise 4

Jeudy Valdez (SS): 1-for-5, HBP
Sawyer Carroll (RF): 3-for-6
Logan Forsythe (3B): 1-for-4, 2B, HBP
Logan Gelbrich: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Pablo Menchaca: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO, E
Anthony Bass: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO
Robert Musgrave: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO

As I mentioned in the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual, Valdez was born on my 20th birthday… Two pro games for Carroll, three hits in both… Gelbrich was taken with the 1065th pick overall in the 2008 draft, but he’s a USD guy so I’ll be pulling for him… Bass was taken at #165, Musgrave at #435…

I’m trekking up to Oregon at the end of this month, and I’ll get to catch an Emeralds game as well as a Beavers game. Here’s hoping first-round pick Allan Dykstra is in uniform and playing games by then.

Matt Antonelli: 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Peter Ciofrone (3B): 0-for-5
Chip Ambres (RF): 0-for-5
Brian Myrow: 1-for-4, BB
Will Venable (CF): 1-for-4, HR
Nick Hundley: 2-for-2, HR, 2 BB
Vince Sinisi (LF): 2-for-3, BB
Luis Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB
Wade LeBlanc: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 9 SO
Dirk Hayhurst: 2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO
Wil Ledezma: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO, HBP
Adam Bass: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO

LeBlanc rebounds from a miserable last start… Ledezma proves he can get shelled in Triple-A just as well as in the big leagues.

Double-A — San Antonio 6, Corpus Christi 4

Drew Macias: 4-for-4, 2B
Chad Huffman: 1-for-4, 2B
Craig Cooper: 1-for-4, 2B
Seth Johnston: 1-for-4, 2B
Jose Lobaton: 2-for-4, 2B, HR
Kyle Blanks (PH): 0-for-1
Manny Ayala: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO

Nice night for Macias; in addition to the four hits, he also threw out a runner from center field.

High-A — Rancho Cucamonga 4, Lake Elsinore 3

Cedric Hunter: 1-for-3, SF
Rayner Contreras: 1-for-4
Eric Sogard (DH): 2-for-3, BB
Mitch Canham: 0-for-4
Kellen Kulbacki: 3-for-4, HR
Ernesto Frieri: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO

Kulbacki’s homer was to right. According to the box score, the wind was blowing out 13 mph in that direction. Still, dude is on a serious tear.

Low-A

The Midwest League played its All-Star game on Tuesday. Felix Carrasco, who won the Home Run Derby a day earlier, doubled and struck out in two trips to the plate in a losing cause.

Short-Season-A — Boise 6, Eugene 5

Sawyer Carroll (RF): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B
Emmanuel Quiles: 1-for-4

Opening Day for the Emeralds featured a nice pro debut from Carroll, taken at #111 in the recently concluded 2008 draft. Quiles is a catcher out of Puerto Rico whom the Padres took in the 6th round of the ‘07 draft; he doesn’t turn 19 until the end of October.

Matt Antonelli: 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Peter Ciofrone (3B): 2-for-5
Chip Ambres (RF): 1-for-4, 2B
Brian Myrow: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Will Venable (CF): 1-for-3, 2B, BB, E
Vince Sinisi (LF): 1-for-3, SF
Cesar Ramos: 5 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 2 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO
Enrique Gonzalez: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO

Antonelli is slowly putting his season back together… Ramos, not so much.

Double-A — San Antonio 2, Corpus Christi 1

Drew Macias: 0-for-2, 2 BB
Chad Huffman: 3-for-4
Kyle Blanks: 1-for-4
Craig Cooper: 1-for-2, 2B, BB
Seth Johnston: 0-for-3, SF
Colt Morton: 0-for-4
Steve Garrison: 6 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 7 SO
Paul Abraham: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO
Jonathan Ellis: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Garrison and Will Inman continue to make the Scott Linebrink trade look brilliant.

High-A — Lake Elsinore 5, Rancho Cucamonga 4

Cedric Hunter: 0-for-5
Rayner Contreras: 1-for-4, BB, SB
Eric Sogard: 0-for-4
Mitch Canham: 2-for-4
Kellen Kulbacki (DH): 1-for-3, BB
Nathan Culp: 6 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO (11 GO)

Low-A

No Midwest League games scheduled on Monday.

Matt Antonelli: 2-for-4, SF
Peter Ciofrone (LF): 1-for-5
Chip Ambres (CF-RF): 3-for-3, 3B, 2 BB
Brian Myrow: 1-for-3, 2 BB
Vince Sinisi (RF): 0-for-4
Nick Hundley: 1-for-4
Luis Rodriguez (SS): 1-for-4, 2B, E
Clay Hensley: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, HBP, WP (74 pitches, 42 strikes)
Mauro Zarate: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO
Adam Bass: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO
Joe Thatcher: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Antonelli led off for the first time since — well, it’s been a while… Very inefficient start for Hensley, but it’s good that he was able to throw so many pitches.

Double-A — San Antonio 13, Midland 1

Drew Macias: 2-for-3, HR, 2 BB
Kyle Blanks: 2-for-4, 2 BB
Craig Cooper (LF): 2-for-5, BB
Seth Johnston: 0-for-5
Jose Lobaton: 1-for-4, 2B, BB
Matt Buschmann: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO (11 GO)
Mike Ekstrom: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO
Jonathan Ellis: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO

Each of the first six batters in the Missions lineup collected at least two hits.

High-A — High Desert 11, Lake Elsinore 6

Javis Diaz: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Cedric Hunter: 3-for-5, 2B
Kellen Kulbacki: 1-for-3, BB, HBP
Rayner Contreras: 3-for-4, 3B, BB
Drew Miller: 5 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO, WP, HBP
Cesar Carrillo: 1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, HBP

Carrillo got shelled, but who cares? He pitched in an actual game for the first time since April 2007 and faced 10 batters. At this point, the rest is just details…

Low-A — Fort Wayne 8, West Michigan 4

Luis Durango (CF): 1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB
Drew Cumberland (SS): 3-for-4, 3B, BB, E
Lance Zawadzki (DH): 2-for-5, 3B
Justin Baum: 2-for-5, 2B
Felix Carrasco: 1-for-5, 2B
Yefri Carvajal: 1-for-5, 2B
Jeremy Hefner: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, WP

It’s a small sample, but Cumberland is hitting .478/.556/.609 in June, without a single strikeout in 27 plate appearances. That’s not too shabby for a teenager playing full-season ball.