Clip Joint's Got New Talent

Beau Mills

It might be a couple of years later than expected, but 2007 1st round pick Beau Mills has arrived at AAA.  After Mills posted 49 RBI and an .880 OPS in 61 AA games, the Indians organization has demoted C/1B/OF Matt McBride (.156) back to Akron and had added the hot hitting Mills (.459, 5 HR, 14 RBI over his last 10 games) to the Columbus roster.  Do not get too excited that there might be help for the big club on the horizin, Beau is a left-handed hitter.  Still, a bat is a bat and if he can duplicate his Aeros success with the Clippers, you will see him soon.

The Clips dropped their second straight to Scranton yesterday, 6-5.  Jason Donald (.336) stroked three more hits and is batting .528 since July 7th.  Nick Johnson (.194) launched a pinch-solo home run in the 9th.  I actually saw that one and it was no cheapie.  A mammoth shot on a 3-2 pitch, the ball bounced high off of the scoreboard in right center and almost left the park altogether.  Chen Lee relieved an ineffective Justin Germano (6 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 2 K) in the 7th and, although he allowed an unearned run, maintained his perfect AAA ERA.  In nine appearances Chen has won twice and has struck out far more (21) than he has put on base (8 H, 4 BB) in 14.1 innings.  There has been some chatter that Lee is the type of trade chip that could help to bring the Indians that bat they need so desperately for the pennant race.  Do it.

The Clippers begin a four game set with Lehigh Valley at 7:05p tonight with Jeanmar Gomez (9-3, 2.40) on the mound.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Fireballing RHP Felix Sterling (2-3, 4.10) has been promoted from the Arizona League to Low-A Lake County.  Go check him out, he is fun to watch.

Catching prospect Chun Chen cracked 2 hits, including a double, and drove home a pair in Akron's 8-4 win last night.  I have recently heard Chen (.283, 9 HR, 47 RBI) compared to former Indians farm hand Max Ramirez.  That is good news for the club (he can bring back a haul in a trade), bad news for Chun (he will be released about 17 times).

Catcher Jake Lowey, the Tribe's 2011 4th round pick, drove in six runs yesterday in Mahoning Valley's 17-4 win.  The 2011 Johnny Bench award winner as the nation's top collegiate catcher, Lowery (.274) singled twice, doubled and walked.  He has 25 RBI and an .862 OPS in 29 professional games.

Luigi Rodriguez continues his blazing start for the AZL Indians.  L-Rod (.406) finished a homer short of the cycle yesterday, stole his 10th base and drove home his 11th run.  Remember the name.

Cheers.