You guys are generally very good at explaining these things, so I have to ask, what the heck is up with Brendan Ryan? I'm assuming it's a simple sample size issue, but I'm not really familiar with the Cardinals' system. This guy had 7 homers in 1401 minor league ABs, and yet has hit 4 in 83 major leagues ABs. He only had 71 2Bs (and 14 3Bs) in the minors, so it's not like he had exceptional doubles power that just translated to homers at 25. And in the minors this year he's been his normal powerless self (a HR, 9 2Bs, 5 3Bs in 323 ABs). To me all signs point to some combination of luck and small sample size, do most agree?

And what should we expect of him in the future? Below average regular or super utility player? Other? My guess is that his early success has guaranteed him a Ramon Martinez type of career, but can he amount to more than that?

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061024&content_id=1722211&vkey=ps2006ne ws&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

--As far as the June First-Year Draft is concerned, teams will now get same-slot compensation if they don't sign their draft picks, meaning if a team fails to sign it's No. 3 pick in one draft, it will get the 3(a) pick in the next year's draft. More important, teams will no longer have until the next draft to sign their picks, but must do so by the following Aug. 15 or the player goes back into the pool. Minor League players that fall under the Rule 5 Draft can now be protected from an extra year. Currently players with four to five years of experience can be selected. It will increase to five to six years.

--Type C Major League free agents will no longer carry draft pick compensation for the club that loses the player, beginning this year, while Type A and Type B free agents will continue to carry compensation. Next year the Type A and Type B pools shrink. Right now, Pool A is the top 30 percent at their position, but in succeeding with decrease to 20 percent. Pool B is the top 50 percent, but it will decrease from 21 percent to 40 percent.

The player pages are now a lot different over at MiLB.com, now with some splits, last 10 games, and some biographical information (as opposed to the old ones, which were just stat lines). The MinorLeagueSplits.com pages contain a lot more information, and these news pages don't really supply any new information (except runs), but I figured some of you might be interested.

Example:
http://minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Andy%20LaRoche&pos=3B&sid=milb& ;t=p_pbp&pid=451188

Billingsley made it to one out in the 8th inning without giving up a hit against the Colorado Springs SkySox in Vegas, before Carlos Rivera hit a single just past the diving center fielder, Jeff Duncan, who had just entered the game for defensive reasons. Broxton closed out the one-hitter. His final line:

8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 109 pitches

He now has a 1.59 ERA in 28.1 IP. Given in the context of the PCL, that's pretty incredible, although the inning total isn't that impressive

Left Field

It had been announced a little earlier that Guzman's new position would be announced after today's Dodgers/Suns intrasquad game. I'm still a little surprised that they didn't choose right field, but it's not my decision. The Dodgers had Delwyn Young slated for left this year in Vegas, so I have no idea what they will do now, unless Young can play right and Ethier center

I've become very interested in the Marlins lately, in no small part due to their youth movement. But I haven't decided who I like best for their rotation, and I can guaruntee the Marlins feel the same way

Willis is a given, so I didn't include him. The rest of the rotation seems to be some mix of Vargas, Moehler, Johnson, Sanchez, Mitre, Olsen, Petit, Pinto, and Nolasco, with Megrew, Kensing, and Bump if all the others fail. That's a lot of guys to consider. Many have dominated AA, and the Marlins know Albuquerque is a bad place to send pitching prospects, although Florida could be worse. So who has the best shot?

Billingsley and Broxton opened up their series vs Birmingham with a no hitter. Billingsley went 7 innings (he was approaching 120 pitches), and Broxton pitched the final 2. Billingsley had 7 strike outs and 3 walks, Broxton had 2 strike outs and no walks

The Suns managed only 2 runs, but that was enough

The 2003 Dodgers look like their getting back on track. Edwin Jackson and Greg Miller combined to shut out the Lookouts on just 3 hits

Jackson
8 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 BB, 8 Ks, WP

Miller
1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 BB, 2 Ks, HBP, WP

Jackson looked like his old self. Miller is using a new arm angle (it's now at 3/4) and was a little wild as expected

The Dodgers have called up both Jonathon Broxton and Dioner Navarro for tonight's game. Navarro is up to restore order to the Dodgers' opponent running game more than he is to hit (Phillips and Rose have caught a combined 18 baserunners out of 102 chances). Broxton should pitch out of the bullpen for right now

Rockies traded Chacon to the Yankees for Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra. What are the thoughts on these guys?

Ramirez
AAA Columbus: 1-3, 5.33 ERA in six starts
AA Trenton: 6-5, 3.84 ERA in 15 starts

Sierra
AA Trenton: 3-1, 3.28 ERA, 2 saves in 33 appearances

Both are 23 and will be assigned to AA