Minor League Ball Gameday, April 13

Good afternoon prospect watchers. I hope your weekend is going well. Here is today's gameday discussion thread for your enjoyment, entertainment, and edification.

COOL THINGS THAT HAPPENED APRIL 12

***Yesterday's Gameday thread.

***Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee went 3-for-5 for Triple-A Durham, moving him up to .393/.485/.500 on the season. He's also stolen five bases in six attempts. Lee has had fast starts before but can be streaky.

***After warming up with a couple of pinch-hitting jobs for Triple-A Memphis, Oscar Taveras got things going with a 4-for-5 night yesterday. He's 6-for-12 so far in Triple-A with a walk and a strikeout.

***No problems for Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer in his second start for High-A Wilmington, with six innings, two walks, two hits, eight strikeouts, and an unearned run against Frederick. Scouting reports are excellent and he won't be long for A-ball at this rate.

***I mentioned Blue Jays infield prospect Andy Burns as a sleeper to watch a couple of weeks ago. He went 3-for-4 with a double and triple for High-A Dunedin yesterday and is hitting .344/.417/.531 on the season thus far.

***San Diego Padres prospect Burch Smith threw five shutout innings with eight strikeouts for Double-A San Antonio against Tulsa. I like Smith a lot and have since he was in college.

***Pirates prospect Jameson Taillon fanned 10 over six innings for Double-A Altoona. He now has a 14/4 K/BB in 11 innings of work over two starts.


COOL THINGS TO WATCH FOR TODAY

***Today's minor league baseball schedule.

***Phillies prospect Adam Morgan takes on Tanner Roark as Lehigh Valley tackles Syracuse in Triple-A International League action.

***Pirates prospect and West Virginia starter Tyler Glasnow goes up against the Asheville lineup (no starter announced yet) in their South Atlantic League game.

***Cardinals prospect Michael Wacha will try again for Memphis in their contest against Jose Cisnero and Oklahoma City.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

***Is there any hope for a long-term contract extension between Matt Wieters and the Baltimore Orioles?

***Matt Garrioch looks at the implications of the international bonus pools and potential draft.

***Brian Kenny vs. Hawk Harrelson on sabermetrics.

***Red Reporter looks at Xavier Paul and the concept of late-blooming prospects.

***MinorLeagueBaseball.com interviews Jasha Balcom, a former Chicago Cubs farmhand who was the stunt double for Jackie Robinson in the new movie 42. Check out Balcom's minor league statistics.