(Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
New Britain Rock Cats, Second in the Northern League (Double-A)
(13-12), 4.5 games back
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, the Rock Cats are a team after the Twins' own heart; having many solid pieces but finishing just over the .500 mark. As mentioned above, the Rock Cats lost a few key players this past month, not the least of whom were Delaney and Valencia.
Twenty-two-year old Carlos Gutierrez was promoted to New Britain this past month, and has compiled an ERA of 6.26 in his first five starts. He has struck out 10 and walked nine, but has a 1-2 record.
Barring an incredible turnaround, Gutierrez will start next season with the Rock Cats and most likely finish it with the Red Wings. Assuming all goes according to plan he could be in the Minnesota rotation in 2011.
Kyle Waldrop was promoted from High-A, and has just four games under his belt so far. He hasn't surrendered a run to date, striking out one while walking two.
Hitter of the Month
Twenty-two-year old Rene Tosoni remains the best batter on the Rock Cats roster, now with a triple-slash line of .279/.388/.498 and an OPS of 886. In 71 games, Tosoni has belted 10 home runs and a total of 28 extra-base hits.
Pitcher of the Month
Delaney left behind another great reliever in Anthony Slama, who the Twins felt needed a little extra grooming before moving up a level. Slama is out to prove them wrong, with an ERA of 2.53, a 4-2 record, and 15 saves through 35 games. He has struck out 59 batters while walking just 21.
At the midpoint in the season the Rock Cats are still in the thick of the playoff race, but another mediocre month like they suffered in June won't help them at all.
Fort Myers Miracle, First in the Florida State League South (High-A)
(13-13), 6.5 lead
The Florida State League is known as a pitcher's league, and the same is true on this squad. The Miracle are sitting comfortably atop their division thanks to their stellar pitching.
Tyler Robertson has continued to be his dominant self, putting up pretty numbers while waiting for the ever-protective and cautious Twins to promote him to the next level. Robertson has a record of 5-3 and an ERA of 3.48 in 14 starts this year. He has 50 strikeouts and 30 walks.
Twenty-one-year old David Bromberg has done an outstanding job as well from the Miracle rotation. He has an ERA of 2.57 to go with his 6-0 record through his 14 starts this year. He has 72 strikeouts to go along with 35 walks. Also worth mentioning are starting pitchers Gutierrez, who was promoted this month, and Michael McCardell.
The bullpen has remained one of the best in the league, with pitchers like Santos Arias, Alex Burnett, Steven Hirschfeld, and Ludovicus VanMil, who all have ERAs under 3.00.
From the plate, Ben Revere continues to display his awesome potential. Listed by some as the No. 2 prospect in the entire Twins' system, Revere is hitting .319/.388/.381 with an OPS of 770, 23 strikeouts and 22 walks through 72 games. His incredible speed has also been put on display, with 28 successful steals.
Hitter of the Month
I had originally intended to give Joe Benson this award, but a broken hand really prohibits any swinging. Instead, Chris Parmelee and his batting line of .271/.355/.458 and OPS of 812 take home the title of Hitter of the Month. He leads the team in home runs, RBI, and walks taken. The 21-year old has done a great job at the plate during his first year with the Miracle.
Pitcher of the Month
Spencer Steedley has been unbelievable so far this year. His 0.95 ERA through twenty-eight games is the best on the team, and he has four saves, a 4-0 record, and a 37:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. At 24, he is one of the oldest on the team, and could be in Minnesota in a few years.
The Miracle won the first half of the season over the Charlotte Stone Crabs, guaranteeing them a place in the postseason in a few months. Assuming their rotation and bullpen stay in tact, they will have another great chance to bring home a championship.
Beloit Snappers, Eighth in the Midwest League West (Single-A)
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