One of the leading publications for minor league baseball is Baseball America, and one of the men who helped build Baseball America into a definitive source for amateur and prospect information was Jim Callis. That chapter is over. Callis has left Baseball America and is joining MLB.com.
The good news is that we will not be losing access to Callis as a prospect analyst. MLB.com is getting a welcome improvement into their prospect department, and I am happy to see it. I suspect we will notice that improvement when MLB.com begins reranking the top prospects in all baseball and for each team later this year. Whether or not you think he is too high on Cubs’ prospects in specific or athletic toolsy types in general (and there could be some credence to both those charges), Callis knows his stuff. I’m glad he’s staying around the prospect scene.
But it will seem strange for him to no longer be with Baseball America. That publication is in great hands will continue to be among the best sources out there – I imagine Brett and I will continue to cite them about once or twice a pick when the 2014 draft rolls around – but it will be a little strange. Callis and Baseball America have been synonymous for quite some time now in no small part because he has been their most public face. It will be interesting to see who steps into that void.
Of course, that also means there is an opening for a national writer with BA. If you’ve ever dreamed of living in Durham and writing about baseball, this is the job for you.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa committed five errors in this game, but somehow they still came away with a 7-6 win.
Tennessee – Tennessee over came three errors and still won 4-2.
Daytona – Daytona won twice and had one suspended game resuspended by rain. The first win was 6-4 over Dunedin, and the second was a 1-0 combined no hitter.
Kane County – Kane County tied it in the ninth, and then lost it in the ninth 8-7.
Boise – Boise had the day off.
Arizona – The AZL Cubs erupted for five runs in the first inning and won 8-3.
Performances of Note
[Iowa] Justin Grimm gave up 6 hits and 2 walks over his 5 innings, but he escaped with just 2 runs crossing the plate. The bullpen generally pitched pretty well once Grimm left. Zach Rosscup did give up 4 runs, but they were all unearned.
[Iowa] Mike Olt walked two more times in this one and finished 1 for 3. Two of the team’s 5 errors went to Olt as well.
[Tennessee] Arismendy Alcantara hit his 15th home run (and committed his 33rd error) for the Smokies.
[Tennessee] Eric Jokisch gave up a walk and just 2 hits in his 6 shutout innings. He struck out a pair.
[Daytona] Let’s start with the no hitter. Ben Wells started it off with an inning back on the 21st, but yesterday the hero was Kyler Burke. Burke struck out 4 over 5 innings and walked a pair. Zach Cates struck out 2 more to finish it. Even though it was seven innings and a suspended game, it still goes in the books as a combination no-hitter.
[Daytona] Ben Wells actually took the mound yesterday as well. He pitched 2.1 innings the first game, gave up a single hit, and struck out 2. Pierce Johnson goes into the books with 3 strikeouts in 3 innings in that game, and Frank Del Valle struck out both men he faced to finish the game.
[Daytona] Kris Bryant and Elliot Soto doubled once and Anthony Giansanti doubled twice in the 1-0 win.
[Daytona] In the other game Dustin Geiger launched his 15th home run, one of his 2 hits in the game. Pin-Chieh Chen finished with 3 hits and Chadd Krist and Soto each hit 2 of their own.
Kane County] Jeimer Candelario doubled (his 34th) and homered (his 10th) in this loss. Reggie Golden also homered (his 9th). Marco Hernandez finished with a pair of doubles and his 18th steal.
[Arizona] Mark Malave walked twice and finished 2 for 3 with a walk. He played both catcher and third base.
[Arizona] Ryan Sweeney, Luis Valbuena, and Rafael Dolis all made rehab appearances for the Cubs.
[Arizona] The conversion of Johermyn Chavez into a pitcher continues. He pitched 2 hitless innings in this game, walking one and striking out one.
Other News
If Iowa completes the sweep of Omaha they will be just two back as they head to Nashville. And if they can sweep Nashville and Omaha splits their final series at home against Round Rock, then Iowa and Omaha will be tied for first. If the Redbirds also play .500 ball over that stretch, it will be a three way tie. This is doable, but Iowa just about has to win out. If they lose even a single game to Omaha, for example, they will be eliminated with their next loss or the next Storm Chasers win. The margin of error is non-existent and the odds are ridiculously against them, but Iowa isn’t done yet.
Daytona’s magic number is down to two. They could clinch their own playoff ticket today.
NEWSLETTER
