On Monday morning May 7th, I will post all the details and start signing people up for the 2012 Minor League Ball Community Mock Draft, which is one of the biggest events of the year around here. It is tentatively scheduled for May 26th but there is some chance it may slip to June 2nd. I will figure the exact day out this weekend. Obviously we can't get the process started until we know what day it will be.

Prospect of the Day: Patrick Corbin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

When the Arizona Diamonbacks demoted Josh Collmenter, his replacement in the starting rotation wasn't Trevor Bauer or Tyler Skaggs, but rather Patrick Corbin. Although he hasn't received as much attention as his organization-mates, Corbin is a fine prospect in his own right and deserves more notice than he's received. Let's fix that.

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A few links of interest for you this afternoon:

**Mike Newman over at Fangraphs has a very interesting in-person scouting piece about Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Trevor Bauer. In particular, he discusses Bauer's propensity to throw fastballs high in the strike zone. Check it out. The piece includes video.

**Willie Mays Aikens was not a character in Major League. Until his career foundered on the rocks of drug abuse, he was an excellent hitter who could have been one of the star sluggers of his generation. Check out this outstanding piece about success, failure, redemption, and tragedy by SB Nation's Amy K. Nelson.

**We had 50 Pick 6 entries from Minor League Ball members yesterday, which ranked just 16^th among SB Nation baseball blogs. Given that we are one of the most heavily-trafficked sites on the entire network, this is disappointing. C'mon guys...play the game, it is free and doesn't take long. It is too late to lock in picks for today's game but you can lock in for tomorrow.

Minor League Notes, May 3^rd, 2012

**Philadelphia Phillies southpaw prospect Austin Wright had a decent start last night for High-A Clearwater in the Florida State League, going seven innings, allowing four hits and three runs on two walks, with four strikeouts. This was actually one of his weaker outings: he fanned 10 in seven innings on April 27^th, and another 10 in a five-inning relief stint on April 22^nd. On the season he is now 4-0, 2.40 ERA with a 37/12 K/BB in 30 innings with just 20 hits allowed. His control isn't perfect but he's made a lot of progress keeping his mechanics more consistent, while refining a changeup to complement his low-90s fastball and strong curve.

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Prospect of the Day: Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Kevin Youkilis has a balky back, and the Red Sox have brought prospect Will Middlebrooks to Boston a year ahead of schedule.

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I have a question for you: what time zone are you in?

Minor League Notes, May 2^nd, 2012

**Atlanta Braves shortstop prospect Andrelton Simmons went 2-for-5 yesterday for the Double-A Mississippi Braves in the Southern League, giving him a season line of .325/.383/.434 with eight walks and just nine strikeouts in 83 at-bats. He's also stolen six bases in seven attempts, and has made only one error so far. He shows excellent range in addition to his superior reliability. Simmons is a better long-term prospect than Tyler Pastornicky, and we should be seeing him in the majors within the next year. He was drafted out of Western Oklahoma State Junior College as a second-rounder in 2010, but originally hails from Curacao.

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Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS, Lousiana

Cecchini is 6', 175 LBS and is the younger brother of Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini but are very different players. Defensively, Gavin will be a shortstop but may have to move to 3B if he fills out and slows down, or even 2B if that occurs. He has a solid average arm, very good actions and average range.

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Prospect of the Day: Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs fans await the arrival of top outfield prospect Brett Jackson. You will forgive them if they keep their enthusiasm on a low burn: they've heard the "future outfield star" stuff before. Corey Patterson, Felix Pie, Ryan Harvey, David Kelton, Tyler Colvin. . .can Jackson succeed where others have failed? Let's take a look.

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Tampa Bay Prospect Tim Beckham Fails Drug Test, Suspended 50 Games


The big news this evening is the suspension of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Tim Beckham. The former number one pick has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a "drug of abuse." This is the second time he has tested positive: minor leaguers receive a warning after the first positive test, then an automatic 50-game suspension for a second violation.

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