I watched the New Hampshire game last night on MILB. There were no radar guns and the camera angle was the not the greatest.

On Chad Jenkins: Jenkins is a big, burly right hander. He has slimmed down from previous years and looks the type of a major league innings eater. I remember Andrew Tinnish saying as much when Jenkins was drafted and then again when MacGuire was drafted. Jenkins is not going to "wow" you with his pitches or pitching, but he has a nice easy, repeatable delivery with what looks to be a fairly heavy fastball when he works it down at the knees. There's not much movement though. I couldn't really get a handle on his pitches or movement from the camera angle, but hitters don't seem fooled by his overall package of pitches and he did leave a significant amount of pitches elevated and down the middle. He threw four pitches--a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. The slider seemed to be the pitch he went to get a strikeout, but it's not necessarily a strikeout pitch. For that reason alone I don't think you can ever project anything more than a mid-rotation starter. He also doesn't work fast enough for me. If you've got three or four average offerings, with fairly average command, you've got to play-up your offerings. I wouldn't say he laboured, and he wasn't Steve Trachsel like, but it wasn't methodical. I would've liked him to get the ball and throw as opposed to his throw the ball walk down to the grass, catch it and go back to the rubber after taking off your hat and wiping your brow every other pitch. He does battle and he gets people out so he will pitch in the big leagues, but in terms of success I don't know. For me he's a guy you might not be too hesitant to trade away in a package for an established player and a guy who a bad team might slot into the rotation right away.

Mike McDade - Has tree trunks for legs. He is a big guy and like a Prince Fielder is still quite athletic considering his size. He plays the game hard and had very good at-bats. He was swinging at his pitches and not the pitchers which is something to note in his favour. However, he doesn't center the ball up enough at the moment. You'd like to see him really put a charge into a lot of the pitches he sees that are good offerings, but he fouls a lot of them off. He's got some power in the swing and he might just be a late bloomer in terms of him really realizing his power. The swing seems a bit long with some holes (at least from the left side), but the tools are there and I'm sure he knows he's got to hit some homeruns this year to be in the conversation for a first base gig at the next level. Certainly one to watch.

AJ Jimemez - I think of all the players at AA, Jimenez probably has the look of being a ML the most. He is an excellent defensive catcher. Blocks the ball well, throws well, has feel for the position and looks a good receiver. He's a guy you don't have to worry about back there which is very important. I don't think you'd be far off if you said he might have a career like Carlos Ruiz.

Jon Diaz - is a nice looking short stop who will probably play in the big leagues. He's got good instincts and is fluent at the position. He doesn't possess the strongest of arms, but he makes the routine plays.

I'm sorry if this report lacks substance, the camera angle wasn't the greatest.

I think I saw big leaguer in all these guys. However, all have things to work on before any of them get a call-up or before any of them are "contributing" pieces.

Thanks Sam. I love the reports and honest opinions so keep em coming. :)

I like Jimenez for the same reasons as Sam describes.

Sanchez/Nicolino are throwing tonight for the Luggies.  Sanchez went 4 innings, and Nicolino has gone 3 so far.  The total damage- 2 hits and no runs.  Neither has allowed an earned run this season.

There were a number of positive stories for the 51s again last night.  Gose and Hechavarria both had good games, and Igarashi closed out the game without blemish.