BY JUSTIN LADA
INDIANS BEAT WRITER
August 3^rd; Beyond the box score; Indians minor league roundup

AAA Columbus Clippers W 1-0 vs. Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles)

SP Jeanmar Gomez (7 IP 3 H 8 K) after a rough two game stretch (11.2 IP 10 ER), Gomez rebounded in a big way, still hoping to work his way back to Cleveland before the season ends. With Chris Seddon likely getting the call next week to take the recently departed Derek Lowe’s spot, Gomez may have fallen back in the pecking order at this point in the year.

AA Akron Aeros W 7-4 vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays)

OF Thomas Neal (3-5 2 R) Neal is now 5-8 to start the month, continuing a strong season at a level where he probably shouldn’t have been at to begin with. The power still isn’t 100% where it used to be, and with wrist injuries, it can take a while to recover. Now that Johnny Damon is gone and Ezequiel Carerra was the choice to replace him, Neal might have a shot to get back to AAA where he belongs.

1B/C Chun Chen (2-5 2B 1 R) after a disappointing season in terms of average last year, Chen’s average has risen back up and with 27 doubles his gap power is still a factor, and could argue some of those doubles at home (14) could be home runs because of a very large Canal Park. Chen takes advantage of the spacious outfield in Akron and is hitting .333 at home above a .301 road average.

High A Carolina Mudcats L 7-2 vs. Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta Braves)

1B Jesus Aguilar (1-4 2B 1 RBI) Aguilar drove in one of the runs in a disappointing night for the Mudcats, even though starter Will Roberts struck out six despite allowing four runs. Aguilar has only driven in two runs over the last six games and is only hitting .235 over the last 10. While Aguilar still holds a good .385 OBP, his K/BB ratio is creeping towards that 2/1 ratio again (85/44)

RHP RP Cole Cook (2 IP 0 ER 2 K 1 BB) Cook hasn’t allowed a run since June 28^th (9 outings). Over his last 11.2 Cook has struck out eight and walked four in the scoreless streak. At his size 6-6, Cook is going to get time to develop because of his size and physical tools but his results as a reliever now as getting much more consistent in a tough league.

Low A Lake County Captains W 5-3 vs. Western Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)

2B Jose Ramirez (3-5 2 R) after breaking up the Whitecaps no hitter last night, Ramirez is looking to have an even better month of August than he did in June or July, when he hit above .300. On a personal note, I am looking forward to seeing Ramirez in action for the first time in person on Saturday.

OF Jordan Smith (2-4 2B 2 RBI) Smith continues to be a force and almost overlooked in a talented outfield at Lake County. Once again is cranking out doubles almost nightly. He has 29 extra base hits out of his 108 total hits.

Short season Mahoning Valley Scrappers W 2-0 vs. Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland A’s)

SS Jairo Kelly (2-4 RBI 2 SB) another switch hitting shortstop with some slap hitting skills and some speed. He will be 20 next month and is playing against higher competition for the first time. He could move to second base if Doryss Paulino comes to Lake County next year from the Arizona League, but Kelly could find himself in the glut of solid middle infield prospects.

RHP SP Luis DeJesus (7IP 3 H 0 ER 6 Ks) DeJesus has been solid since being moved to the Scrappers and his longest outing in some time. At Mahoning Valley he has a solid 33/10 K/BB ratio. The 6’3 lanky righty won’t turn 21 till around Christmas and should find himself back in Lake County next year, maybe even Carolina.

Rookie Arizona League Indians W 9-6 vs. AZL Dodgers

2B Jorge Martinez (3-4 HR 2 RBI 1 R) yet another switch hitting second base prospect at 6’2 and one of the leading hitters with the AZL Indians. Will have to really impress the Indians to advance himself in the next year to find a spot amongst the glut of middle infield prospect, but at 19 he does have age on his side and some results, however at a low, undeveloped level.

Rookie Dominican Summer League Indians W 2-0 vs. DSL Astros

OF Andri Santana (2-3 HR RBI) a 6’2 switch hitting OF is hitting .337 in his first pro action.

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POSTED 08/04/2012  02:51