Minor League Ball daily notes, April 2, 2016

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the Saturday, April 2nd, edition of Minor League Ball daily notes. The big project for today is the organizational rankings list, which I hope to have completed and posted later this evening. Tomorrow is MLB Opening Day and then the minor leagues get going on April 7th.

Here are some news links of interest for your edification and amusement:

****Are you hungry? If you live in the area you might want to check out the ballpark menu of the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League. Hookslide at Bless You Boys, SB Nation's Detroit Tigers community, does some food blogging. Photos included. I need lunch.

****Although professional baseball is just getting started, college baseball has been active for several weeks now. Carson Cistulli at Fangraphs gives us an update on the top statistical performers so far.

****More college baseball statistical analysis from Carl Triano at Beyond the Boxscore.

****Brian Stultz at FakeTeams gives us 23 Bold, Fearless, and Insane MLB predictions for 2016.

****Al Yellon tells us about Chicago Cubs uniform changes at Bleed Cubbie Blue.

****Erick Hahmann at DRaysBay interviews Matt Silverman, Tampa Bay Rays President of Baseball Operations. They discuss international scouting and the general philosophy of the organization.

****The Rockies released former hot prospect Kyle Parker. I liked his potential as a power hitter but it just never came together for him. You have to think he'll get a chance elsewhere as at least a useful Triple-A bat.