Down on the Farm- Bucco Minor League Report

First an update on the Miguel Angel Sano situation. The MLB investigation on Sano's age should be completed in the upcoming days. Sources close to the situation leave the Bucs and Orioles as likely landing places for the 16 year old super prospect. It's been reported that Sano has said he wants to sign with the Pirates, but his agent wants him to take the highest offer. We all know how that goes with this organization. It's time for the Bucs to open up the checkbook.

Indianapolis (AAA) (41-49)- Brian Bixler made a position switch, as he is seeing time in center field. Steve Pearce is the team leader with 12 homers. Once second baseman of the future Shelby Ford continues to struggle, hitting .167 with no power. He doesn't appear to be in the plans any longer

On the mound, Daniel McCutchen has 8 wins, but is allowing nearly a hit an inning. There are already too many pitchers like that in the organization. Brad Lincoln has an ERA in the 4's, and is 1-1. Guys who could get a late call up include Tom Gorzelanny, Chris Bootcheck and Steven Jackson- all throwing well at Indy. Ian Snell has thrown 20 innings and is 1-1 with a 0.45era. Snell has fanned 27 to only 3 walks. It makes me sick, but maybe he has figured things out.

Altoona (AA)(33-58)- Curve fans have to be pretty excited. Most of the Bucs future resides in Altoona at the moment. In 16 games with the Curve, Pedro Alvarez is hitting .230 with 4HR and 9RBI, also has K'd 27 times. Jose Tabata is starting to get healthy and has seen the average climb to .275, still waiting on the power at the moment. Second baseman Jim Negrych is hanging in well, but has seen the power drop off. He is hitting .270, but only 3 long balls. After a slump, Brian Friday has picked it back up. The average is only at .250, but has gone yard 6 times.

I've heard good reports on Gorkys Hernandez. I've heard the ball just jumps off his bat and has good gap to gap power. He is currently hitting .285. Jason Delaney is leading the Curve in RBI's with 40

On the hill, I hear Daniel Moskos has been throwing well. Before you ask, my source on that is drug free, because I thought the same thing. Moskos leads the Curve in innings pitched and his era is down to the low 4's, with a 6-7 record. However, almost 1 walk per strike out and well over a hit per inning Kyle Bloom has only 2 wins, but a very nice 3.30 era. Jared Hughes has been up for seven starts and, while only having a 1-4 record, he has posted a 1.89 era. One reliever has shown some promise at the moment and that has been Sean Smith.

West Virginia (A) (38-49)- This years first round pick, Tony Sanchez, has made an immediate impact, starting off hitting .408 with a homer in 12 RBI's in 10 professional games. he isn't the only one to get off to a good start with the power. Outfielder Starling Marte, who the Bucs are very high on, got promoted to West Virginia 15 games ago. He has hit .369, with a homer, 8 RBI and 7 steals in that time.

Last season draft pick Robbie Grossman is hitting .279 with 4 homers and 33 RBI. calvin Anderson and Quincy Lattimore are also performing well for the Power. First Baseman Anderson leads the team with 9 Hr and 52 RBI and Lattimore has 7 bombs and 49 RBI's.

On the hill, Rudy Owens has been the story all season. His 10-1 record and 1.87 era have opened up eyes. As is his 88 strikeouts to 13 walks. It's a wonder why he hasn't been bumped up, but the Bucs say they have a schedule for him and they are sticking to it. Brian Leech and Casey Erickson have also been dominant, and Kyle McPherson is coming along nicely as well.

Lynchburg (A) (51-36) Lastings Milledge homered twice yesterday and should be on his way to Indy, then hopefully to PNC Park. I have heard he has been a model citizen down there, excited about the fresh start. A couple names to keep an eye on are shortstops Chase d"Arnaud and Jordy Mercer. I hear they have opened up some eyes. On the mound, prospects Jeff Locke and Bryan Morris have struggled, both have battled injuries as well.

State College (A) (13-12) Not much to report here, but keep your eye on Evan Chambers, who has got off to a slow start.

GCL (A) (5-12)- Brooks Pounders has debuted here and is throwing the ball nicely. One note is that the two pitchers for India the Bucs signed, Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, have made their professional debuts. Patel has appeared in 2 games, pitching 2.2 innings without allowing a run and allowing only 1 hit. He has struck out 2 without a walk. Singh has pitched in 4 games and has picked up a win. He has allowed 4 runs in 3 innings of work, striking out 3 while walking 2.