MVN - Most Valuable Network

Jeremy Sowers brilliant for the Bisons

Jeremy Sowers showed the Tribe brass that he’s got the pitching make-up to start for the big league club. Less than a week after making a solid start against the Yankees pitching for the Tribe, Sowers came up with another gem against the AAA Charlotte Knights on Thursday night. Sowers went seven innings, giving up five hits, four walks and an earned run, while striking out six in getting his first victory of the 2008 season for Buffalo.

The one win is misleading, as Sowers has a very polished 2.73 ERA so far.

It’s a good sign that Sowers is showing no effects after being sent down. The reality is that he didn’t really do anything to get sent down, other than have the bad luck of not having his next start fall in line, while Aaron Laffey did. Still, Sowers again showed Mark Shapiro that the 2008 Tribe will need him before the season ends. The only question is whether or not it’s as a starter, or as a piece in a deal to bring more offense.

Michael Aubrey is making his first appearance in AAA, when the Indians promoted him to Buffalo on Friday. Aubrey was promoted to replace Bisons’ first baseman, Jordan Brown with a left knee injury.

Aubrey, a 2003 first-round draft pick of the Indians, is a tantalizing offensive prospect. Aubrey has 41 homers, and 194 RBI in 268 minor league games. He not only is a solid offensive player, but has an above average glove as well. The only issue with Aubrey has been injuries. If Aubrey can manage to stay healthy, he could be a bat we look to as the season progresses.

Nick Weglarz may be slowly creeping up towards that #1 prospect ranking for the Indians. This season, the 20 year old left fielder is playing at Kinston, and having himself a fine start. Weglarz is batting a solid .286, with two homers, and seven RBI. No, those aren’t eye-popping numbers for Weglarz, but the power is there, and will be there. He belted out 23 homers last season. Still, Weglarz has a more than impressive OBP of .455, and an OPS of .897. He’s walked 24 times in 23 games, and only struck out 16 times. Last season, Weglarz walked 82 times, with 129 K’s. There’s certainly improvement there. If Weglarz can find the balance of taking pitches with his power swing, this kid could be special.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 pm and is filed under Nick Weglarz, Jordan Brown, Michael Aubrey, Akron Aeros, Minor League Report, Kinston Indians, Mark Shapiro, Aaron Laffey, AA, AAA, A, Buffalo Bisons, Jeremy Sowers, James Pete, Cleveland Indians. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.