Minor League Ball Gameday, April 11

Good morning prospect watchers. I finally did my taxes last night, and if any of you would like to help me out with that, remember that the 2013 Baseball Prospect Book is still for sale!

Let's get to it.

HOUSEKEEPING

***I will have a Jim Thome Prospect Retrospective for you tomorrow morning. Andres Galarraga and Cesar Cedeno are the next two. After that I'm going to shut the series down for a bit unless something really topical happens, so I can keep my focus on current events.

COOL STUFF THAT HAPPENED APRIL 10TH

***Yesterday's Minor League Ball Gameday thread.

***Jorge Soler's apparent issues with anger management are the big news today. I had never heard anything negative about his makeup previously; there was a lot more concern about Yasiel Puig having some personality issues, but nothing about Soler. Obviously we'll have to stay tuned on this one.

***Chicago White Sox prospect and 2012 first round pick Courtney Hawkins slugged two homers yesterday for High-A Winston-Salem, driving in four in a 5-2 win over Frederick.

***Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Archie Bradley fanned 10 over six innings of work for High-A Visalia against Bakersfield in California League action.

***Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Zach Lee fanned seven over seven innings for Double-A Chattanooga in a 6-2 win over Tennessee, allowing one run on five hits and a walk.

***New York Yankees prospect Tyler Austin went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a walk for Double-A Trenton. He is 6-for-26 (.231) so far with a pair of homers, two walks, and 10 strikeouts.

***Oakland Athletics shortstop prospect Addison Russell has been placed on the disabled list at High-A Stockton with a back injury. It isn't supposed to be serious but back stuff can escalate, so it is wise for the medical staff to be cautious.

***Houston Astros infield prospect Nolan Fontana went 3-for-5 for High-A Lancaster, moving his season line up to .476/.586/1,000. The former University of Florida star was best-known for his defense and ability to draw walks, but isn't supposed to be a power guy.

COOL STUFF TO TRACK FOR APRIL 11TH

***Complete schedule of games. There have already been three rainouts.

***Hard-throwing Blue Jays prospect Aaron Sanchez will take the mound for High-A Dunedin against the Tampa Yankees and sleeper prospect Corey Black in Florida State League action.

***Orioles prospect Kevin Gausman will take the mound for Double-A Bowie as they take on T.J. House and Akron.

***Battle of the Marginal Lefties in Round Rock tonight, as Brad Mills goes up against Brooks Raley and the Iowa Cubs.

***Cubs prospect Starling Peralta takes on Phillies prospect Perci Garner in the scheduled Daytona/Clearwater battle.


ITEMS OF INTEREST

***Matt Garrioch has a Top Prospect Performance list. Make sure you check out the complete list at MLB Prospect Guide.

***Steven Goldman puts the achievements of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey within their historical American context.

***Rob Neyer interviews Carl Erskine. That's right, former major league pitcher Carl Erskine, age 86, who played for the Dodgers along with Jackie Robinson.

***Stephen Loftus examines the intersection of speed and batting average. Can you really steal first base?