Written by Al Ciammiachella

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Chun Chen, 1B-AKR: 1-3, BB.

Chen has been on fire of late. In his last 3 games, he's a combined 8-12 with a pair of doubles, 7 RBI and three runs scored. He's hit in 9 of his last 10, and has put up a .436/.500/.590 line with 6 2B. Chen is hitting, but is he hitting for enough power to be an everyday 1B in the major leagues? In my humble opinion, no, not yet. He's repeating AA Akron, and has a solid .324/.401/.439 line in 37 games, but has hit just 1 HR and driven in just 15 runs despite hitting in the middle of the Akron lineup all season. His 13 doubles are good for 2nd in the league, which is an encouraging sign, but for a guy repeating a level he's already had success at, one would expect some of those 2B to be HR by now. Between a glut of talented catchers in the organization, a lack of talented 1B and Chen's defensive deficencies behind the dish, the move to 1B made sense. Chen hit 16 HR and slugged .451 for Akron last year, and he's going to have to match or preferably exceed those numbers to be considered a prospect at 1B. As a catcher, Chen was an elite hitter. As a 1B, he's merely average right now. Hopefully the power stroke can return for Chen and the 23-year old can move up to AAA Columbus next year.

David Huff, SP-COL: W (2-1), 5 IP, 3 H, 4 K, BB. Five shutout innings for Huff, who's now 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA, 16 K and just 3 BB in 20 1/3 innings of work over  5 appearances for the Clippers after beginning the season on the DL.

Scott Barnes, RP-COL: 2 IP, 2 K. Barnes has been throwing regularly every third day since May 8, which was his 2nd appearance out of the bullpen. In 5 apperances including May 8, he's thrown 8 2/3 innings, allowed just 1 run while striking out 10 and walking just 1. Barnes could be a really effective lefthanded reliever, but I still think his real value lies in the rotation.

Beau Mills, 1B-COL: 2-4, 2 HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 R. Mills has been struggling of late, and even after yesterday's big day is only hitting .147/.184/.324 in his last 10 games.

Russ Canzler, LF-COL: 2-3, 2B, BB. Canzler had a bit of a slow start this year, but has been on fire of late. In his last 5 games, Canzler is 10-18 with a HR, 3B and 3 2B.

T.J. McFarland, SP-AKR: W (8-1), 7 IP, ER, 12 H, 6 K. I'm contractually obligated here to tell you that McFarland "scattered" 12 hits over 7 innings of work. When you strike out 6, don't walk anyone and induce 4 doubleplay grounders, you can allow just one run on 12 hits. McFarland's breakout continues, as he lowers his ERA to 1.79 in 55 1/3 AA innings pitched.

Bryan Price, RP-AKR: S (2), 2 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K. Price picked up his 2nd save on the season, and has now posted a 2.96 ERA with 27 K and 8 BB in 24 1/3 innings of work for the Aeros.

Mike Rayl, SP-CAR: L (3-5), 6 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 K, 2 BB. Rayl was roughed up early for 3 runs in the 1st inning yesterday, then settled in to allow one run on a solo HR for the rest of the afternoon. For the season he's now 3-5 with a 3.83 ERA, 35 K and 13 BB in 49 1/3 IP.

Shawn Armstrong, RP-CAR: 2 IP, 2 K, BB. Another solid outing for Armstrong, who lowered his season ERA to a miniscule 0.35. He was working mostly between 91-95 with his fastball yesterday, and doing a nice job pitching backwards to hitters and inducing weak contact with his secondary stuff.

Tyler Holt, CF-CAR: 1-4, BB, K, SB. Holt has now hit in 6 straight games, and is 9-26 in that timeframe. He's stolen 10 bases this season and been caught 4 times, and is showing off an improved throwing arm.

Ronny Rodriguez, SS-CAR: 1-4, HR (3), RBI, R, K. Rodriguez sent a flyball right down the line and over the 315 sign in Potomac yesterday for his 3rd HR of the season. He's still chasing way too many offspeed pitches in the dirt, and pitchers are getting him off balance and out on his front foot way too often. He can hit a fastball a long ways, but is struggling with anything other than that. The good news is he's playing an excellent SS, showing off impressive range and an outstanding throwing arm.

Cody Anderson, SP-LCC: L (4-2), 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 8 K. Anderson pitched well, allowing 2 runs on 2 solo HR's, but his offense didn't support him as the Captains were shut out yesterday. On the season, Anderson is now 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA, 39 K and 9 BB in 44 IP.

Luigi Rodriguez, CF-LCC: 1-4, 2 K. Rodriguez was one of the few Captains with a hit yesterday. More on him in a special scouting notebook coming up later.

BONUS ROUND!

Adam Miller, SP-TRN: 4 1/3 IP, 4 H, K. Miller signed with the Yankees in the offseason, and after 10 relief innings for AAA Scranton, the Yankees decided to put Miller back in the starting rotation. He threw 4 1/3 shutout innings for AA Trenton yesterday, allowing 4 hits and striking out one. I know Miller isn't in the Indians organization anymore, and in fact is with the hated Yankees, but I just can't stop pulling for him. After all of the injuries, all of the surgeries and all of the rehab, it would be awesome if Miller could someday pitch in the major leagues. Of course I'd have preferred that be with the Indians, but what can ya do. Asked by reporters after his start about the move to the Yankees, Miller said "There's nothing bad I can say about the Indians. They were awesome to me. The Yankees seemed like a good fit." Good luck, Adam. Hope you make it to the show someday.