Written by Al Ciammiachella

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Beau Mills, 1B-AKR: 1-4, HR (10), 3 RBI, R

The 24-year old Mills is doing everything he can to put himself back on the prospect map in the Indians organization. This is his 3^rd year in AA Akron, so it was truly put up or shut up time for the 2007 1^st round draft choice. Another disappointing year in AA, and he would have pretty much worked his way out of the organization. Fortunately for Mills, he’s finally showing that he can hit AA pitching. He now has 10 HR and 47 RBI in 222 at bats on the season, and his hitting for average (.302) as well as power. Color me skeptical until he can do it for a full season and see the success carry over to AAA, but at the very least he is worth watching again for the 1^st time since 2008 when he won the Carolina League MVP for Kinston.

 

• Mitch Talbot, RP-COL: IP, H, 2 K. Talbot unleashed the fury on the Yankees out of the bullpen last night. His 1^st relief “rehab” appearance at AAA was a success, and hopefully this is an indication of how he can pitch as a reliever.
• Tyler Sturdevant, RP-COL: S (1), 3 IP, R (0 ER), 2 H, 4 K, 2 BB. In his 1^st ever AAA appearance, Sturdevant nailed down a 3-inning save. He had a 1.98 ERA in 41 IP for Kinston this year.
• Cord Phelps, SS-COL: 2-4, RBI, BB, R. Phelps is now 5 for his last 11 with a HR and is settling back in nicely at AAA.
• Jason Kipnis, 2B-COL: 1-5, HR (12), RBI, R, 3 K. Kip is in a bit of a rut lately, hitting just .132/.195/.237 in his last 10 games.
• Jared Goedert, 3B-COL: 3-4, 2B, R, K. Goedert has hit a disappointing .197/.261/.333 overall for Columbus this year, and could find himself off the 40-man roster if the Indians need to make a move.
• Matt Packer, SP-AKR: W (4-9), 8 IP, 2 H, 7 K, BB. Packer turned in his most dominant performance of the season last night, allowing just 3 baserunners in 8 innings while striking out 7.
• Rob Bryson, RP-AKR: IP. Finally back up in Akron after starting the season late due to a broken foot in the offseason, Bryson is a power arm that will be pitching in the back end of the Cleveland bullpen next year.
• John Drennen, RF-AKR: 2-3, RBI, BB, 2 R. Since returning from his suspension, Drennen is just 3-24 at the plate.
• Abner Abreu, RF-KIN: 1-3, HR (10), 2 RBI, BB, R. Abreu’s power surge continues, as he now has 4 HR in his last 9 games. His season OPS is “up” to .695, but it has come up almost 70 points in the last week alone.
• Adam Abraham, 3B-KIN: 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB, R. Abraham is the only Kinston player with an OPS over .800 (.814).
• Jordan Smith, RF-MVS: 1-2, 2 R, 2 HBP. State College finally figured out how to keep Smith from recording a multi-hit game. They hit him twice. Interestingly, Smith was in RF last night instead of at 3B.
• Tony Wolters, SS-MVS: 2-5, 2 RBI. Wolters was in a 1-16 mini-funk going into last night.
• Cody Elliott, CF-MVS: 3-5, R, K. Over his last 10 games, Elliott is now hitting  a solid .333/.442/.417.
• Felix Sterling, SP-AZL: L (2-3), 5 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 3 H, 9 K, 3 BB. Sterling has tremendous upside as a starter, and he’s now recorded 31 K in 26 1/3 IP in the Arizona Summer League. Also, he was born in 1993.
• Manuel Carmona, RP-AZL: IP, 2 R (1 ER), H, 3 K, 2 BB. Carmona has been working out of the bullpen in Arizona, and has 31 K in just 19 IP this year.
• Luigi Rodriguez, CF-AZL: 3-4, 2B, 2 R, SB. Rodriguez is hitting .400/.439/.567 in 17 games in the complex league, and is still just 18.
• Jose Ramirez, 2B-AZL: 2-5, 2B, RBI, R, K. The 5’9, 165LB switch hitter has put up a solid .338/.358/.468 line so far in Arizona.