MiLB Report: AAA

To download the Excel sheet with the valuation data, click here. Please note that some players who may have already received callups to the bigs will still be included in these stat reports, as there is no way to filter them out.  This is why Max Scherzer still shows up here.

Best HR Source: Mike Hessman - DET [16]
Best R Source: Bradley Coon - LAA [35]
Best RBI Source: Brad Eldred - CWS [35]
Best SB Source: 3 Players [12]
Best AVG Source: Terry Tiffee - LAD [68 H in 155 AB]

Thoughts:

• Nelson Cruz, OF - TEX [$56.49]: He's finally starting to cool off, only hitting .229 in his last ten games.  Cruz is still having a ridiculous season, with 2 more HR and 2 more SB in his last ten.  There still doesn't seem to be much budge in the Rangers OF, so Cruz is still a wait and see.
• Jay Bruce, OF - CIN [$32.16]: Bruce continues to rake.  In a surprising and pleasing note for fantasy owners, he's stolen more bases [7] than he's hit home runs [6].  He'll be a legitimate five category contributor once he reaches the bigs.  If the Griffey/Mariners trade actually goes down, Bruce would figure to get the regular gig in Cincy.  Don't hold your breath, though.
• Andrew McCutchen, OF - PIT [$27.59]: McCutchen is still putting a great season together that will shoot him into the big leagues sooner rather than later.  Once the Pirates come down from their current success, I'd bet there will be a push to make room for the future of the franchise.
• Seth Smith, OF - COL [$24.92]: Smith has good power, not shown in his current .444 SLG.  He's a career .500 slugger, and could probably hit 15-20 HR in the big leagues right away.  The encouraging sign for fantasy owners is that Smith is running more; his 8 SB this season are only 1 away from his career high in the minors.  With Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday firmly entrenched, Smith's best case scenario for big league PT is in a part-time platoon in CF with Willy Taveras.  Even that doesn't seem likely, though.

Best W Source: Eddie Bonine - DET [7]
Best SV Source: Blaine Neal - DET [12]
Best SO Source: J.A. Happ - PHI [55]
Best ERA Source: Lance Broadway - CWS [48 IP of 1.13 ERA]
Best WHIP Source: Max Scherzer - ARI [23 IP of 0.65 WHIP]

Thoughts:

• Lance Broadway - CWS [$32.24]: Still pitching well with regards to ERA [1.13] and WHIP [0.90], Broadway's K rate has dipped all the way down to 4.88 K/9.  With the ChiSox rotation as it is, Broadway is not likely to have any immediate impact.
• David Purcey - TOR [$26.82]: The 16th overall pick in 2004, Purcey is finally delivering on what the Blue Jays thought they were drafting.  Sporting a 10.59 K/9 rate, it's not hard to imagine he'll force his way into the Toronto bullpen sooner or later.  He'll be a solid AL-only add once he makes the bigs.
• Ryan Feierabend - SEA [$23.61]: Last year's #5 prospect in the Mariners' system, Feierabend logged too many innings last year to qualify for this year's list.  Just 22 years old, he has plenty of upside.  He logged an 8.03 ERA last year, but looks like he's gotten things under control at AAA.  Feierabend won't be a K guy, but could be capable of good rate stats.
• Charlie Morton - ATL [$18.47]: His track record doesn't really show that he's likely to keep this up, but 41 IP of 1.76 ERA is still impressive.  His 7.12 career K/9 is respectable, but his 1.52 K/BB is why there's concern about his ability to keep it going.  If he does keep it up, he'd have to be considered for Atlanta's injury stricken bullpen.