Going into the third week of baseball, players are starting to settle in and the inflated averages of early April start to fade back down to reality.  The minor leagues started out with a lot of firsts and a lot of crazy box scores.  Early in the week Eddy Martinez‑Esteve (OF, Giants) hit for five extra base hits in one game in the High A California League.  The following day teammate Eliezer Alfonzo (C, Giants) also hit for five extra base hits.  On Wednesday, Cardinals catching prospect Brandon Yarbrough hit for the cycle for Low Class A Peoria in the Midwest League.  Also in the Midwest League, the first pick overall of the 2004 Amateur Draft Matt Bush hit his first pro Home Run as he starts the season out for the Fort Wayne Wizards.  Finishing the week was BJ Upton, who tied the major league record by doubling in seven straight games which has been achieved only six times.

Fernando Cortez-2B (TB, AA): Fernando who is in Montgomery for the second straight season (Batted .287, 3 HR in 2004) shows that he might be ready to be brought up to AAA Durham. He has started the season batting .510 with 4 extra base hits, 18 runs and 11 RBI.  However, it doesn’t help Cortez any that the AAA affiliate of Tampa has shifted BJ Upton over to his natural position of second base, which puts a temporary roadblock of him reaching Durham.

 

Scott Baker-SP (Min, AAA): Scott who had a chance to make the major league roster out of spring training has come back to AAA to dominate.  In his first four games he has started, he has put up a 1.80 ERA and has a complete game.  In 20 Innings Pitched, he has tallied a 13:5 Strikeout to Walk ratio while only allowing 22 hits. 

 

Mitch Jones-Utl (NYY, AAA): Mitch has played all over the field for the Columbus and has become their early season MVP.  Moving around the diamond, he is listed as an OF but has also played 1B, and 3B for the Clippers.  Only a few weeks into the season, Mitch has already hit for the cycle and a has had a walk off home run. Single handedly leading the defending West Champions to a 10-8 start.  He has batted .394 with a .467 OBP.  Jones also has 8 doubles, 1 triple, and 6 HR in only 66 ABs.     

 

Joshua Fields-3B (CWS, AA): Fields was drafted out of Oklahoma State last year with the 18^th overall pick and is on the quick track to making the major league roster.  In his first April of pro ball, he has put up huge numbers.  He is batting .347 with a .439 OBP and 4 extra base hits.  With only the disappointing Joe Crede ahead of him throughout the system, Josh could be a guy to watch this summer.

 

Giovany Gonzalez- SP (CWS, LOW A): 2004 first round draftee Giovany has been one of the most dominating pitchers in the minors thus far this season.  He stands only 5'11 off the ground and produces only a fastball that tops out at 91. So what has he done in the Sally League that is so impressive?  In 22 Innings Pitch, he has struck out 38 batters while only walking 6.  He has also put a 2-1 record while allowing only 3 earned runs and 11 hits in 4 starts giving him a 1.23 ERA. 

Charles Tiffany- SP (LAD, HIGH A): Drafted in 2003 in the second round, Tiffany is a LHP who came right out of high school.  In his first four starts this season, he has put up four quality outings resulting in 4 Vero Beach wins.  He has compiled a 1.23 ERA in 22 Innings while striking out 32 batters and walking only nine.  The stats are very impressive for the young man but you shouldn’t jump on his bandwagon quiet yet, the Florida State League is known to be a pitchers league and Charles could just be reaping the benefits.