Keeping Up With The Prospects

There's been a flurry of moves within the Rays system, so I figured a check-in at each level was in order. I've included players who have recently moved as well as some guys who might be looking at a promotion soon, though the latter is by no means an exhaustive list.

Durham Bulls
LHP Matt Moore - Up from Montgomery, Moore struck out seven in 5 innings in his first start with the Bulls.
RHP Dane De La Rosa - He got a taste of the big leagues last week and should be back in September if not before then. Aside from a disastrous month of May, he's been close to dominant.
RHP Joe Bateman - The former Bull is back in Durham again after being released by Oakland. He had a 1.66 ERA last year in the International League but it was over 5.00 in the Pacific Coast League this year.
RHP Andy Sonnanstine - 3.18 ERA in three starts, but five walks and just four strikeouts in 17 innings.
C Nevin Ashley - Suddenly the starting backstop after Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos were called up. Was having by far his best season in double-A with a .280/.387/.412 line.
OF Brandon Guyer - He's more talented than Justin Ruggiano, so you have to figure Guyer is the favorite to be called up if a B.J. Upton trade happens.
OF John Matulia - He was called up from Montgomery to replace Desmond Jennings, first for his injury and now for his call-up.

Montgomery Biscuits
RHP Alex Colome - Bumped up from Charlotte to take Moore's rotation spot. Results still haven't quite matched up to his scouting report as his strikeout rate has dipped to 7.7 per 9 on the year.
RHP Marquis Fleming - Got a quick sip of coffee in Durham (two appearances) before heading back to Montgomery, but he should finish the year with the Bulls considering his strikeout rate over 13 per 9.
RHP Matt Bush - Bush does Fleming one better, striking out 14.2 per 9. The Rays have been cautious with his inning total and spacing out his appearances, but from a pure talent standpoint deserves a promotion.

Charlotte Stone Crabs
LHP C.J. Riefenhauser - He's filling Colome's departed rotation slot after posting a 2.31 ERA with the Hot Rods. Especially tough on lefties, he allowed one run in his first high-A start.
RHP Kirby Yates - Started the year on the DL but has joined Charlotte after a GCL rehab stint. Striking out a batter per inning (nine in 9) but control has been a little off.
IF Tyler Bortnick - His power is slightly down, but he's hitting .297/.412/.420 with 31 steals (and he's been caught twice). Montgomery's middle infield is jammed and Hak-Ju Lee might be first in line for a promotion, but if a non-SS infield position opens up I think it'll be Bortnick.

Bowling Green Hot Rods
RHP Jason McEachern - Finishing out the Merry-Go-Round Moore's promotion started, McEachern fills Riefenhauser's rotation spot. In seven starts totaling 34 innings with Hudson Valley, he struck out 35 and walked nine. He struggled mightily in Bowling Green last year.
SS Derek Dietrich - He's the indirect victim of the Montgomery infielder pile-up, as he'd likely be in Charlotte if Bortnick and Lee weren't stuck there. Hitting .325/.417/.625 in July.

Short-Season
LHP Ryan Carpenter - Recently signed for $200k and was assigned to Hudson Valley. It'll be interesting to see how many innings he gets this year, as his velocity at Gonzaga was down compared to his first two seasons.
1B Jeff Malm - Probably THE breakout player of the system, Malm is hitting .308/.439/.633 with the Renegades. It's disappointing he's "still" in short-season ball, but keep in mind that 2011 would be his sophomore year at college.
OF Kes Carter - Has only played three games since signing due to leg problems.
RHP Lenny Linsky - Second-round reliever has struck out eight and walked four in 6.2 innings.
RHP Jeff Ames - JuCo draftee with a plus (maybe plus-plus) fastball has racked up strikeouts (17 in 12.1 innings, with only one walk) but has been an extreme flyball pitcher and allowed three home runs.
1B Cameron Seitzer - Blocked by Malm, but Seitzer should really be at Hudson Valley with a Princeton line of .347/.445/.574.