Hello Baseball fanatics, once again it is Jeffrey Snedden here to update you on the call-ups and rookie status changes of the week in Major League Baseball. Welcome to “Moving On Up” for May 21 – 27.
Remember, if you like these columns I am writing here, please check out all of my sports writing and podcasts at www.jeffsnedden.com!
Let’s jump right into this weeks “Moving On Up”!
The St. Louis Cardinals called up 1B Matt Adams from AAA-Memphis of the PCL. Adams is expected to take over the first base position while Lance Berkman recovers from an ACL injury that should keep him shelved up to 10 weeks. Adams will be seeing regular at-bats for the Redbirds, so far playing in six games and hitting .318 in 24 PA.
The Miami Marlins called up prospect INF Donovan Solano on May 21. Solano has played in 4 games and is hitting a robust .667 in 3 PA thus far., splitting time between 2B and SS. Solano was recalled from AAA-New Orleans to help the club while injuries to starters Omar Infante and Emilo Bonifacio are worked out.
The Pittsburgh Pirates called up OF Gorkys Hernandez from AAA-Indianapolis on May 21 to serve as the fourth outfielder after pending the release of veteran Nate McLouth. Whether Hernandez will be with the club long is unknown, but he has been used sparingly thus far (5 PA with no hits and 1 BB).
The Angels called up OF Kole Calhoun from AAA-Salt Lake of the PCL in May 22. Calhoun has played in four games, getting nine PA and hitting .286 thus far. The 24-year old outfielder is probably ticketed for another trip to the minors once the Angels re-evaluate their roster this coming week.
The Detroit Tigers recalled prospect OF Quintin Berry on May 23 from AAA-Toledo of the IL. Berry has played in three games, netting 15 PA and hitting .333 with two doubles, an RBI, and a stolen base in his first taste of big league play. With OF Austin Jackson on the DL until June 1, Berry will split time with fellow OF Don Kelly in CF while Jackson heals.
The Cleveland Indians recalled prospect SS Juan Diaz from AA-Akron of the EL. Thus far, he has played in only one game and netted one at-bat – a K. His future will be determined by the teams need for a utility player on the roster during the upcoming Interleague games in NL parks.
The Kansas City Royals recalled prospect P Will Smith on May 23 from AAA-Omaha of the PCL. He has pitched in one game thus far, taking the loss in his first major league start.
The Minnesota Twins recalled P Cole DeVries from AAA-Rochester of the IL on May 24. He started one game thus far, going five innings and taking the loss in his first big league start.
No Longer Prospects, Welcome to Your Rookie Season
Players who are beginning to reach the MLB thresholds to be considered a rookie, and thus are no longer prospects.
Oakland Athletics OF Yoenis Cespedes is at 119 PA through May 27 and should pass the 130 PA mark this coming week, making 2012 his official rookie campaign.
Washington Nationals OF Bryce Harper is up to 107 PA in 2012 and will be crossing over to rookie status within the next week as well.
The next group of prospects who will be coming up on the change-over to their rookie campaigns are as follows. Remember, a player needs 130 PA to be considered a rookie and a pitcher must pitch 50 IP.
Milwaukee Brewers OF Norichika Aoki is at 86 PA.
Boston Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks is at 84 PA.
Minnesota Twins SS Brian Dozier is at 81 PA.
All three players should reach rookie status sometime in early mid-June if their playing time remains the same.
The Texas Rangers SP Yu Darvish passed the 50.0 IP plateau and is now considered a rookie.
The Detroit Tigers SP Drew Smyly will pass the 50.0 IP plateau in his next start, he is currently at 48.2 IP.
The Baltimore Orioles SP Wei-Yin Chen is at 48.1 IP and will officially be in his rookie season after his start tonight.
The next group of Pitchers who will be passing the rookie threshold very soon are as follows:
The Toronto Blue Jays SP Drew Hutchinson is at 37.2 IP.
The New York Yankees RP David Phelps is at 31.1 IP.
That’s it for the Week of May 21-27. Please check back next Monday for the next edition of “Moving On Up”.
In the meantime, get all of your prospect information right here at www.mlbprospectwatch.com.
You can follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden
Thank you for reading and enjoy a safe and happy Memorial Day with your loved ones.
