Earlier this week, we returned to the legendary Hall of (Place) Names with an All-born-in-Japan Turning Japanese? (I Really Think So). It was our 13th foray into such a team-building exercise, one that has mostly visited US cities like St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit, with occasional looks into cities on foreign shores like Santo Domingo (D.R.) and of course the legendary San Pedro de Macoris.

Only twice before our excursion into Japan have we peered into an entire foreign country -- Canada, of course, and Colin Jaffray's British Isles (England/Scotland/Wales) trifecta.

Since we've at least dabbled in the home countries (or large cities of those countries) of the three most prolific foreign producers of big league players (Dominican Republic, 410; Puerto Rico, 215; and Canada, 205 through the end of the 2005 season), let's take a look at the next three on the list this next week or so -- Venezuela at 181; Cuba at 150; and our #6 foreign exporter, today's feature with 98 ballplayers having reached the majors, our friendly neighbors to the south ...

As a huge fan of Vinnie Chulk's entrance music, I was really pleased to see him back in the bigs. Plus, according to Alex Rios, Chulk speaks the best Spanish on the team (or at least, he did last year).

Oh yeah, and he can pitch, too, you know?

To celebrate my arrival as an official member of the Roster (huzzah!), I think it's time to play a little game I like to call "Draft and Follow".  There are prizes to be won... yes, prizes.

The Blue Jays made their choices last week in the draft. This week I take a stab at who I would have taken with the top 5 picks.

Casey Janssen must be getting sick of the sight of Kris Benson, I'm feeling the same way.

A Jay exploits the AAA landscape.

Yesterday, we had the prospect poll for the hitters. Today, it's the pitchers. Drawing the eligibility lines is a little unclear- what does one do with Janssen, Rosario, Taubenheim, McGowan, League and Marcum? Let's draw the line at the 25 man roster, which means Janssen, Rosario and Taubenheim are ineligible and McGowan, League and Marcum are eligible.

Alomar Division: A new leader, plus relationship advice.
Barfield Division: Pohnpei Papayas use 25 pitchers, throw 900 innings in one week.
Carter Division: Sox defeat Underpants in Battle Of The Garments.

Don't forget to write in Rios on your All-Star ballots!

Here's the man himself, the red hot Alex Rios:

The Alfonzo Watch is over. Russ Adams is back from Syracuse and John McDonald is back from the disabled list. Luis Figueroa has also been sent back to Syracuse, lowering the number of Gibby's Boys on the active roster by two.

Today is Hideki Matsui's 32nd birthday. Is it just me, or does that seem awfully young for Godzilla, arguably the greatest Japan-born position player in Major League Baseball history? (You like Ichiro better? That's fine.)

But it comes down to just those two and Padre speedster Dave Roberts (born in Okinawa) and any other "best of" candidate was or is a pitcher. But Matsui and Ichiro flanking Roberts? That's a fine starting OF. Now, can we fill out a complete roster of MLB players born in Japan?

Let's see ...

Three wins in four games.  Dustin McGowan pitched well for the Chiefs and was supported by lots of runs.  Chip Cannon and David Smith drove in four runs each as the Fisher Cats won, Cannon had two dingers.  Both Dunedin and Lansing have fallen out of first place in their divisions as the first half of the season is coming close to its end.  AJ Burnett starts tonight for the Chiefs.

The draft picks have been made, and assignments to the short-season clubs are being planned. It is a good time for a prospect poll, or, in our case, two polls, one for position players and one for pitchers. We will start with the position players. 2006 draftees, including Travis Snider, are ineligible. If you'd like to check statistics, career statistics are available here, and splits can be reviewed here.

Why do I hate the Tigers so much?

Fresh from Sunday's Jays - Tigers tilt, here's a photograph of Aaron Hill diving back to second base to avoid the pickoff.

Note that his gloves are in his back pocket. I hope the Rogers Centre dirt is soft on hands.