Around The Minors; Sano Tearing it up

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder Miguel Sano at bat during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Some notes from around the minor leagues on the anniversary of the first ever televised Major League game – A Reds-Dodgers double header from Ebbets Field.

> Twins’ 3B prospect, Miguel Sano, launched his 32nd and 33rd home runs of the season for the AA Rock Hounds last night. Sano became the youngest player since 2008 to hit that many home runs in the minors. The guy wh0 did it then? An 18 year old Giancarlo Stanton

>The third overall pick from the this year’s draft, Jonathan Gray, tossed five shutout innings for the Rockie’s A+ affiliate, surrendering only 2 hits while striking out 8. The 21 year old Gray has been ungodly since his promotion from the rookie league, going 4-0 with an 0.75 ERA. He has now struck out 36 of the 86 batters he’s faced in the league, for a ridiculous strike out rate of 42%. Already polished out of college, the flame throwing right hander could see the majors as soon as next summer.

>Interesting note, Athletic’s prospect D’arby Myers was out of the Midland Rockhound lineup again tonight. The 24 year old outfield prospect had been carrying the longest active hitting streak, 28 games, in American professional baseball. The streak is alive but the young hitter has been out of the lineup since August 22nd

>Red Sox AAA firstbaseman, Bryce Brentz, ripped a two run homer to deep centerfield in last night’s Pawtucket victory. The 24 year old Brentz had been declared out for the season with a torn meniscus as recently as last month, but managed a speedy recovery, and returned from the disabled list last night. With already 19 home runs in just 322 at bats, the major league power is real, but it remains to be seen if the first baseman, who has struck out over 100 times in each of his two preivous minor league campaigns, will make contact enough to be a quality regular.

>Former Blue Jays’ pitching prospect Deck Mcgurie took a perfect game into the 7th in last night’s 7-3 AA Fisher Cats’ victory. Mcguire would go on to give up a pair in the 7th but still finished with a solid final line of 7 innings pitched, 2 earned runs, and 7 strikeouts. Its been a rough go for the former first round pick as he’s posted an ERA near 5 this year after a 5.88 ERA last year. Still, with a good fastball and a prospect pedigree, he may yet have a future as a reliever in the big leagues.