10-2

Who would have thought that Kyle Lohse would be perhaps the best signing of the offseason...for any time? Maybe that's an overstatement, but I am not so sure anymore. Tonight he threw 7 innings and gave up a single (unearned) run. That puts him at 10-2. Without hesitation, he is the reason, along with Ryan Ludwick, that the Cardinals are in a pennant race. There is no reason to believe that Lohse will miss the All Star cut. I believe that he, Ludwick, and Pujols all deserve the call this year. Either way, 48 wins going into July is pretty darn good. I am a believer now. Why not? This team might regress back to the mean, but they could improve. Mulder threw a scoreless inning tonight. Clement did the same in AAA. Who knows, maybe they are the answers to the mounting bullpen questions. Now to the scores...

Bigs
7-1W
Notables:

Kyle Lohse---7 IP, 5 H, 4 K, 1 R
Chris Duncan---HR
Albert Pujols---2 for 5, 2 RBI....Ho hum
Troy Glaus---2 for 3, RBI, R (This guy has really come around; good pick up)

Memphis
3-3 (10TH)
Notables:

Bryan Anderson---2 for 3, 2B, 3B
PJ Walters----5 IP, 2 ER, 5 K

Springfield
5-4 W
Notables:

Allen Craig---2 for 4, 3 RBI
Andrew Brown---2 for 3, R, BB (Under the radar guy to keep a close eye on!!!)
Tyler Greene--3 for 4 (Mr Tools needs to have more of these games)
Fernando Salas---2 ER, 2 IP, 3 K! (Might be the fastest riser in the organization)

Palm Beach
4-3W
Notables:

Tyler Norrick----7 K, 5 IP

Quad Cities
17-4 L
Notables:

?????

Batavia
5-0W
Notables:

Scott Gorgen---3IP, 5 K (Perhaps my favorite pick this year; He could be a fast riser a la Jess Todd)
Beau Riportella---3 for 4
Blake Murphy---2 for 4, HR, 2RBI (Interesting prospect here; May be worth a watch)


Johnson City
4-3 L
Notables:

Ivan Castro---2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI (Another catcher with some potential)


Looking through these scores, I find that our catching prospects are getting a lot of the print. Here is a quick breakdown:

1) Bryan Anderson: He is the top catcher in the organization and one of the top 5 in minor league baseball. He will get a lot of Joe Mauer comparisons. He has a nice stroke, but lacks power. Hopefully, he can develop into a 10-15 HR guy. That would give him maximum value.

2) Arnoldi Tony Cruz: He has made the switch from 3rd to Catcher, although he still does play some 3rd too. His bat just keeps him here. That would be a great bat for a catcher.

3) Ivan Castro: Although a very small sample size, you gotta like what is here.

4) Blake Murphy: This guy could be a draft steal. His collegiate numbers suggest a very versatile player with plus plus tools for a catcher.

5) Luis De La Cruz: He is playing over his head a bit this year, but he has some serious potential. Give it time.

Others to watch:

Brandon Yarbrough
Nick Derba