Cruz to replace Jason Ellison:

http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/cruz_for_ellison.html

75 words

The Rangers are calling up outfielder Nelson Cruz from Triple A Oklahoma. He'll replace Jason Ellison and is expected to get substantial playing time... He'll be in Kansas City

The Rangers are calling up outfielder Nelson Cruz from Triple A Oklahoma. He'll replace Jason Ellison and is expected to get substantial playing time... He'll be in Kansas City

Created a database with a bunch of info for each minor league in which the Rangers play, including:

5 youngest and oldest Rangers

10 youngest and 5 oldest players in the entire league

Comparisons of average age for every team in each league, and counts of players above and below particular age points.

http://rangers.scottlucas.com/site/2008minorage.htm

A few players have moved (Hunter, Pina) since I updated the database, the there's still food for thought.

I compared Cruz's 2008 to other great AAA seasons by guys aged 26-28 to test the likelihood of him having a decent MLB career:

http://www.rangers.scottlucas.com/archives/2008/07/can_nelson_cruz.html

Farewell, farewell! but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.

He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all."

The Mariner, whose eye is bright,
Whose beard with age is hoar,
Is gone; and now the Wedding-Guest
Turned from the bridegroom's door.

He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.

Through three innings, 1 hit (to lead off the game), 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  All other outs on grounders.

To hit the character limit, the press release re the MWL pitcher of the week:

Midwest League
Michael Ballard, Clinton
2-0, 1.42 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.2 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO
Ballard was lights-out this week, as the Virginia native allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings in Cedar Rapids on Monday before hurling five shutout frames against Dayton on Sunday. Perhaps most impressively, the 23-year-old did not issue a walk in either contest. In fact, Ballard has not walked a batter since April 17, his second start of the season.