Minor League Ball Gameday, April 23

Good afternoon prospect watchers. Here is your daily thread. I apologize again for the brevity but I'm a little overwhelmed here. I hope to be fully operational tomorrow.

***Yesterday's gameday thread has all the highlights.

***The most stunning performance yesterday was Jesse Biddle's domination of Harrisburg, as the Phillies prospect allowed just one hit over seven innings for Double-Reading, two walks, no runs, with 16 strikeouts. He now has a 2.16 ERA over four starts with a 30/9 K/BB in 25 innings with only 11 hits allowed. Left-handed hitters are batting .091 against him.

***Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Erik Johnson had a great start for Double-A Birmingham yesterday, fanning 10 over seven innings of work in a 3-1 victory over Huntsville. He now has a 1.07 ERA with a 25/5 K/BB in 25 innings with just 14 hits allowed. A second round pick from the University of California in 2011, Johnson does not get nearly as much attention as he deserves. He has a low-to-mid-90s fastball, along with a curve, slider, and changeup. He's throwing strikes and has a good statistical track record. Performance and stuff plus an early-round draft pedigree equals prospect. Don't ignore him.

***Okay, okay, so maybe Byron Buxton isn't having any problems with rawness. I never doubted his tools but thought the Twins uber-prospect might have a few growing pains, but he's rapidly put aside any doubts about his skills with a .404/.514/.614 start for Low-A Cedar Rapids, with 12 walks and 12 strikeouts in 57 at-bats. He's also stolen seven bases and by all accounts is looking good on defense too.

***San Diego Padres outfield prospect Everett Williams was an almost-forgotten man entering 2013, after poor 2010 and 2012 seasons and losing '11 to injury. However, he's quickly reminding people why he was a second-round pick in 2009 with a .395/.480/.488 opening for Double-A San Antonio. He's still only 22 and while we need to see a larger sample size, he's back on the radar.

***Today's schedule of minor league games. There have already been three weather postponements.

***Interesting starting pitchers going to the mound today include Nick Tropeano of Double-A Corpus Christi, A.J. Cole of High-A Potomac, Trevor May of Double-A New Britain, Adam Morgan of Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and Noah Syndergaard of High-A St. Lucie.

***Grant Brisbee sings the praises of Cincinnati Reds prospect Tony Cingrani.