2013 Season in Review, Part 12. Josh Bell, West Virginia Power

I spotted him hitting in the batting cage hours before a playoff game atHagerstown September 6th, and noted instantly from the way he conductedhimself around the cage and stroked the ball inside, I’d need some posedshots of him that day.This young Texan turned out to be special in other ways too. He went to aJesuit High School (Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, TX) so youknow he got an outstanding education and learned a few values that wouldsustain him in a very secular baseball environment.Signing with the Pirates for 5 million dollars in August, 2011, he turneddown the dream of every young Texas youth, a full ride scholarship to playbaseball at the University of Texas (Austin).And after a serious partial meniscus tear the first month of the 2012season at West Virginia Power, he came back successfully the followingseason to hit 279 BA in 459 AB, 75 RS, 37 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, and drive in 76RBI to lead his team, the Pittsburgh Pirates Low Class A West VirginiaPower affiliate to SALLY League championship playoffs.Seeing Josh swinging a bat in the batting cage that hot summer day, workingwith him on the photo shoot before the game, and focusing on his all outhustle, and timely bat in the first playoff game at Hagerstown thatSeptember day was another highlight for me during the 2013

Season 2013 In Review, Part 11. Dave Machemer, Richmond Flying Squirrels

I can’t let a season go by without seeing my favorite manager of all time,Dave Machemer, who in 2013 was at the helm of the San Francisco Giants, AA-Eastern League, Richmond Flying Squirrels.It took me until July 11th this season, but finally I caught up to my oldbuddy at Bowie, MD. I first met Mr. Machemer back in 1986 at the oldStockton CA stadium, where he was managing the Milwaukee Brewers Fast A –Stockton Ports to a California State League Championship.In the past 28 seasons since, I have seen Dave at least once a season, andmany seasons more times, helping him to weather the phenomenal 1,604 winsof his minor league managerial career.At Bowie this season, I had fun showing his young ball players an old postcardHOF photographer JD McCarthy took of him in 1978 at old Tiger Stadium whenhe played for the Detroit Tigers. The players couldn’t believe that Dave hadso much curley hair sticking out from beneath his cap in his younger days.I also gave him a reprint Bowman baseball card of old Satchel Paige, whomhe has admired since he met the old HOF RHP back in Kansas City many yearsago.With over thirty years as a manager and a player in the minors and thewin-lost record he has under his belt, let’s hope the Giants or some othermajor league team gives this man a chance to coach or manage in the majors.I’d sure love to terrorize him next time I see him at at the NationalsStadium or somewhere else in the Show, which is exactly where he deservesto be.

2013 Season in Review, Part 10. Jake Johansen, Hagerstown Sun

I always like taking the 178 mile round trip down Route 15, past a“Saturday night,” motel where I count the cars, the little house for salein the mountains that like Walter Mitty, I dream about living in, acrossthe upper Potomac into Maryland, down alternative Route 40 through themountain hamlets of Middletown and Boonsboro to Hagerstown, MD, the home atleast for another year, to the Washington Nationals Low A – SALLYHagerstown Suns.Seeing the home club Suns make the playoffs, and beat West Virginia threestraight games in the semi-finals could have been the highlights of myseason in themselves, but my supreme pleasure was seeing an unknown 22-yearold right hander, Jake Johansen, come out of nowhere to pitch 5 innings ofshut out ball to beat the Savannah Sand Gnats in the first game of theSouth Atlantic League Championship Series.The Nationals drafted 6-6 Jake out of Dallas Baptist University in the 2013draft and assigned him initially to Rookie A- Auburn where he was 1-1, witha 1.06 ERA, in 10 GS, walking 18 and striking out 44 batters in 42.1 IP.They then sent him up to Hagerstown where the first week in September, hegot two starts, pitching 9.1 IP with an undistinguished 5.79 ERA.After he had opened my eyes with his distinguished performance againstSavannah, I made a note of asking Jake to pose for a photo shoot beforethe next playoff game. He turned out to be a personable, clean cut, youngman, who personified the type of person you want to see succeed.And if there’s any justice in this hard world of professional baseball,you’ll see him succeed, and me get the house I want high up in the mountains.

2013 Season Review, Much Promise at Aberdeen, Part 9

After watching them end their regular season on schedule their first 12 seasons, it was pure pleasure seeing the Baltimore Orioles Rookie A youngsters at Aberdeen win their first ever McNamara Division championship, and finally compete in the NY-PA League postseason playoffs.I had several special days during this stellar season but best recall a day late in the regular season when I shot posed shots of the Iron Birds leading hitter, OF Conor Bierfeldt, and both of the Orioles’ 2013 18-year old, #1 draft picks, RHP Hunter Harvey and CF Josh Hart.I got a chance for my favorite posed shot, “Racing Back for a Line Shot,” with the two outfielders, Conor Bierfeld and Josh Hart who went through my photography gyrations enthusiastically, without question or complaint.Being a pitcher in whom the Orioles have a lot invested, and just off a long throwing session in the bullpen before I arrived, Hunter was limited to my standard poses of “Pitching from the Stretch with a Runner at 1B.”During the regular season and playoffs, Bierfeldt punished NY/PA pitching, hitting 262 BA, 15 2B, 3 3B, 12 HR, 36 RBI in 231 AB in 62 GP.At GCL until September 1st, Harvey got a chance to show his wares in only 3 GP for Aberdeen, but still showed much promise, striking out 15 and walking only 4 batters in 12 IP.Josh Hart played in only three games for the Iron Birds, but the speedster showed a lot of promise with some sensational catches and timely hits at GCLI felt good about my experience at Aberdeen this season. The youngsters never played harder, and won more ball games with smarts and hustle than ever before. I left Aberdeen after each game believing the Baltimore Orioles had much promise at Aberdeen this season.

Season in Review, Tennessee Smokies, Part 8

Much of the Chicago Cubs future played for AA – Tennessee Smokies last season, Justin Bour at 1B, Arismendy Alcantara at 2B, Javier Baez at SS, Christian Villanueva at 3B, Matt Szczur in CF, Rudi Silva RF, and LHP Eric Jokisch, RHP Dallas Beeler, and RHP Tony Zynch on the mound (Alberto Cabrera and Kyle Hendricks had moved on by the time I got there).During the August 14-16 Chatttanooga Lookouts series I was at, they smoked the ball. When Baez was not hitting the ball out of the park, Villanueva, Bour, Silva or Alcantara were, usually with speedy Szczur on base.The nice thing is they can also play their positions defensively. I saw Villanueva make Brooksie Robinson type plays at 3B, Alcantara play the ball behind second base, Baez goes in the hole at short and Szczur turn his back to home plate and high tail it to the fence to catch a fly ball.Seeing them all on the field was a highlight for me in 2013, and they will also light up Wrigley Field starting the 2014 season. Cubs fans will have some exciting moments in store for them with these youngsters.

2013 Season in Review, The Two Michaels, Part 7

I saw the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals Fast A Frederick Keys and Potomac Nationals play a total 13 games against Carolina League opponents, including four games against each other, during the 2013 season.The highlight of all those games was seeing Potomac CF, Michael Taylor, and Frederick catcher, Michael Ohlman play better and better each game and develop into bonifide major league prospects.Leading the Carolina League with a 313 BA, 13 HR, 113 hits, and 53 RBI in 100 GP and 361 AB, Michael Ohlman looked an awful lot like Orioles catcher, Matt Wieters both at and behind the plate when he also played at Frederick. It must be nice to have an All Star catcher on the major league club and one rising in their minor league system.With 10 HR, 87 RBI’s and 51 SB in 133 GP, the five tool Michael Taylor led his teammates to a first and second half first place finish and Carolina League championship runners up during the season.I got to know both these fine young athletes during the course of the season, in fact well enough, to tease Michael Taylor one day at Frederick that he needed to smooth his swing out, as it was too jerky for me to get a good shot of him swinging at the plate.In his first at bat, he took me to heart, swinging fluidly at the third pitch, knocking the ball high over the right center field fence.When he ran back past me to the dugout after rounding the bases, he yelled over to me, “Was that swing smooth enough for you?”It’s good to see these decent young men rise to the top of their game in Fast A, and hopefully, they’ll keep suceeding in AA, AAA, and major league baseball as we need these two first class Michaels to serve as role models for our youth.down the road.

Click above to see the slideshow.

2013 Season in Review: Part 6 The Big Swing

I don’t think many folks would think getting hit in the head, breaking a expensive 500 mm lens, and stopping a game a season highlight, but the way the Frederick Keys medics, fans, and team officials responded to aid me that day stands out in my mind as very special.At Camp Day at Frederick MD on July 18th, I was sitting behind the Salem Red Sox dugout on the 3B side, focusing on Keys RHB, Allan De San Miquel, when he swung ferociously, the bat slipped out of his hands, and unbeknowst to me, headed in my direction.I found out where the bat went, when it hit the end of my lens, richocheted down my chin, neck, onto my chest, buckling me over in distress.The game was stopped, the medics came to my aid immediately, They stuck to my side until I was able to tell them what day it was, who I was, talk intelligently and convince them I was all right.When the relief left my side, Salem players and coaches outside the dugout looking up at me, the Frederick players looking over from the other side of the field, and the fans in the stands gave a roar of applause happy that me, the Old Photographer, was all right.Several nice ladies, probably the mothers or camp leaders of the large number of children in attendance, came over to me during the game offered their good feelings, aspirin, and water, all of which made me feel very good about the Frederick folks.Later in the press box, Keys media relations manager, Adam Pohl, counted all of my teeth and made sure I was all right.And to prove that out of everything that is bad, comes some good, I had to buy a new, faster 500 mm lens, and 60D camera body, which improved my photography, increased the interest editors had in my baseball photos, and the number they published.

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part Five

Steve Luebber, Wilmington Blue RocksI always get a kick out of seeing Steve Luebber, who has been the pitching coach for Wilmington Blue Rocks the past two seasons.This season I got to see him three times when Fast A Carolina League Wilmington played at Frederick and Potomac.The former Twins RHP was the first to teach me how to squat right behind a catcher in the bullpen and have a pitcher of my choice throw the ball at me and the catcher to capture the great shot of the ball floating right in front of my eyes and camera lens..At first, I wasn’t too keen on the approach, but after I stepped behind catcher Doug Robbins at Hagertown that hot July day in 1991 to face the pitches of the fire baller, Arthur Rhodes, and later saw the shots, I thought it was a great technique and tried it many more times afterward through the years.Now every time I see Steve, he is still laughing about that day back in Hagerstown when he showed me how to get the “great shot.”

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part Four

Mike Wright, Bowie Bay SoxI drove around the beltway and up Route 50 to Bowie, MD five times this season to see the Baltimore Orioles AA Eastern League affiliate, Bowie Bay Sox.Having 23-year old 6’6” RHP Mike Wright help me out by posing for shots for the Orioles Kid Magazine before a Richmond game and seeing him shut down a good New Hampshire Fisher Cats team later in August were a couple more 2013 highlights.The pose shots were unique in as much as I got Mike to simulate pitching from the mound rather than the bullpen which justly earned me a lecture from the team media relations for not coordinating the photo shoot in advance.Mike was 11-3 W-L, 3.26 ERA, 136 K and 39 BB in 143.2 IP last season, and the 2013 Eastern League All Star Game MV.He may just take his pitching wares to Baltimore next season, replacing Dylvan Bundy as the Birds next #1 prospect pitcher.

To see more images, click the Photo Galleries link in the above menu and see the Featured Galleries.

2013 Minor League Season In Review: Part Three

Brian Goodwin, Harrisburg SenatorsI love driving down scenic Route 15 all the way to Harrisburg, PA to see the Washington Nationals AA Harrisburg Senators play at newly renovated Metro Bank Park on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River.This year I made the trip three times, and each trip’s pleasure was heightened by a winning Harrisburg club, exciting base running, timely hitting, and the smiling face of Senators’ center fielder and lead off hitter, Brian Goodwin.If Brian can get his batting average up and strikeouts down a bit, this youngster will soon fill the lead off hitter and center fielder need the parent club now has.

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part Two

Manuel Margot, Lowell Spinners

Working with a 19 year old Dominican center fielder, Manuel Margot, was the highlight of my road trip to Pawtucket RI, Norwich CT, June 16 -17th and later Aberdeen MD.Typical of short season NY Penn Leaguer players, Manny was very excited to have his photo taken, and his catchy enthusiasm made it fun for me to take several photos of him.As soon as he realizes his power at the plate potential, the young Red Sox minor leaguer will be a five tool player who will find a home in center field at Fenway Park.

2013 Minor League Season in Review: Part One

by Rodger M. WoodEven though committed to teaching Latin at Freedom HS, South Riding, VA, 9 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, until June 8th, and having a slow start to the 2013 Season, shooting at only 9 games by June 2nd , I ended up shooting photos at a total of 59 minor league ball games, including 6 SALLY, Carolina, and Eastern League playoff games.I can’t possibly recount all of the great moments this season because I count seeing old friends in that count and I saw a lot of them. I will limit myself to describing only the season highlights.Javiar Baez Vine Line Cover, February, 2013Before the season even started, Vine Line used one of my posed shots of Baseball America’s Top Chicago Cubs prospect, Javier Baez, on the cover of their February issue. This was my first cover for Vine Line and started the 2013 season on a very high note.Trenton NJ, April 27th – 28th Xander Bogaert and Brandon WorkmanOn my first road trip of the season to Trenton , NJ, I shot posed and action shots of two Portland AA players, who the baseball world would see play in the World Series six months later.Red Sox BA #1 prospect, Xander Bogaert played shortstop in 56 games for the AA Portland Red Sox before advancing to play in 60 games AAA Pawtucket and the parent Boston Red Sox in September to play in the post season classic.Before the first game April 27th, Xander posed for my camera gyrations cheerfully and also gave me a lot of good game shots the two days I was there.After a grueling daily pre game work out, RHP Brandon Workman stopped to pose for some shots too. Little did I know, I would see him pitching against the Cardinals in the World Series only a few moths later.

Another First Round Pick! Tim Anderson, Kannopolis Intimidators

By Rodger M. WoodI photographed another 2013 1st Round Pick, my fourth top pick this season, playing shortstop for Kannapolis at Hagerstown, MD Sunday.The 19-year old East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, Tim Anderson was drafted by the Chicago White Sox 17th overall in the June amateur draft and is getting his first professional exposure at full season Low A SALLY League Intimidators this season.Noted for his speed in junior college, he was second in the nation in college with 41 SB, Anderson is playing a deep shortstop and already stealing a few bases (13 SB in 43 GP) in the pros.Baseball’s soothsayers say he’ll have to change his swing to power the ball  of the park but for the time being, he’ll probably keep hitting for average and getting a lot of base and extra bases hits. His statistics at Kannopolis are 45 hits for 169 AB in 43 GP, 0 HR, 7 2B, and 3 3B.

Some experts project his future position in center field, but his speed can also help him cover lots of ground at shortstop. Sunday, he was practicing his between innings throws from deep in the hole, but his natural position will depend largely on what type of hitter he becomes down the road.

Two #1 Draft Picks!

By Rodger M. WoodRome Braves pitching coach Derrick Lewis is blessed with the responsibility for not only one but two #1 draft pick pitchers this season at the Atlanta Braves Low –A SALLY affiliate.With a 4-4 W-L record, 3.28 ERA in 71.1 IP in this his first full professional season, Atlanta Braves 2012 #1 (21^st overall) Snelville HS RHP Lucas Sims is showing  positive results from Lewis’ savvy pitching instruction.Although 2013 #1 (31^st overall) 21-year RHP Jason Hursh is just getting started with his professional career, Lewis has gotten him showing some encouraging signs throwing his 91-96 fast ball past 7 batters in just 6.2 IP in 3 starts.

Refresh the page if the slideshow does not load. Thanks. Coming off Tommy John surgery in 2012,  Hurst just has to polish his secondary pitches under Lewis to become a bonafide major league prospect.**********************************************************************************It was a pleasure seeing my old friends Rome manager, Randy Ingle, who I have known since he played at AAA-Richmond in 1986,  and hitting coach Bobby Moore, who I first met when I shot his picture at Richmond in 1992.I missed seeing pitching coach Derrick Lewis, as he was on paternity leave celebrating the birth of his first baby girl.  I have known Derrick since he was a young pitcher in the Carolina League at Macon in 1998.The three of them are a class act – I always enjoy seeing my old friends.**********************************************************************************Rome also has a number of other prospects in their lineup:  2013 #8 round draft pick OF Kyle Wren, who is hitting 333 BA, 1 HR, and 6 RBI with 16 hits in 48 AB, RHP Maurico Cabrera, Baseball America’s #6 Braves top minor league prospect, shortstop Jose Peraza, BA #10, BA #19 C Josh Elander, who is crushing the ball with 11 HR, 61 RBI, 318 BA, and BA prospect #21, 3B Carlos Franco.

2013 Altoona Curve Photo Gallery

The 2013 Altoona Curve photo folder has been added to our photo galleries. You can view the Altoona players listed below at this link or by entering the photo galleries.

See it here: Altoona Curve 2013

Henry Urrutia’s for Real!

Rodger’s Pick: Henry Urrutia, Right Fielder, Bowie Baysox

See more Henry Urrutia pictures here.

By Rodger M. WoodI knew that Baltimore Orioles’ 26-year old Cuban defector Henry Urrutia was a bonafide major league prospect in the first inning of the AA - Bowie game on Sunday against Altoona, when Curve’s RHP David Bromberg threw him nothing to hit with a man of 3B and two outs.Another good indication of his potential is his Eastern League leading 355 BA, with a 420 OBP, 7 HR, and 35 RBI in 48 GP.Double A baseball is a good acid test for major league potential and Henry’s passing the test, hitting clean up and playing right field for the Bowie Baysox.Bowie Baysox coaches and Orioles minor league staff swear by him and all indications are he listens to them closely in the batting cage hoping to shorten the time before he can use his five tool potential in right field at Camden Yards.The son of Emidelio Urrutia, Cuban national team OF, Henry starred for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and hit 397 in the Cuba Series Nacional 2009-2010.The Orioles signed him as a free agent for $775,000, but had to wait for him to pay these dividends on their investment until he cleared up visa problems in the 2012 season.

Tigers #1 Jonathan Crawford, Another Frank Lary?

By Rodger M. Wood

See more Jonathan Crawford images here.While I shot photos of Detroit Tigers 2013 #1 (20th overall) draft pick, Jonathan Crawford, in the Norwich Dodd Stadium bullpen on June 17th, I couldn’t help but remember the Tigers’ old Yankee Killer of the late 1950s and early 1960s, RHP Frank Lary.I asked the 21 year old if he had ever heard of Frank Lary, but of course, pitching forty years before he was born, I had to tell him who he was and added that unlike Lary, he would also miss out pitching in old Briggs Stadium, which brought many days of joy to my childhood.Although Jonathan had not heard about the Tigers’ past, he could well be a large part of their future.At Florida the past two seasons, the 6-2, 205 RHP pumped a 92-96 mph fastball and wicked curve past opposing batters. Pitching for a young Gators team in 2013 without much hitting early in the season, he went 0 - 4, but bounced back with a3-2 record to close out the season with a 3-6 W-L record. The highlight of his season was pitching a 2-hit shutout against Ole Mississippi, who went on to do big things in the NCAA tournament.Statistics are deceiving as Baseball America ranked Jonathan the 24th top prospect in the 2013 draft and he had a good 2012 collegiate season. In the opening round of the 2012 NCAA tournament, he limited Austin Peay to one run and four hits over 6 1/3 innings pitched and made the all tournament team.Jonathan has lots of promise and while he reminded me of one of my old favorite, someday the reverse may be true. Looking at my old baseball cards of “Tatoes” Lary, I may well be reminded of an intense young Jonathan Crawford pumping his fastball in the bullpen that day in Norwich.

Another Kaline on the Way in Detroit? Nick Castellanos, Erie Sea Wolves

By Rodger Wood

Older Tigers fans are praying young Tigers BA #2 minor league prospect, Nick Castellanos will develop into a HOF right fielder just like Al Kaline did back in the 1950s.Tigers brass invited comparisons of the 20-year old to the HOFer, who patrolled right field at old Briggs Stadium for over 20 seasons, when figuring 29-year old Miquel Cabrera would be holding down their hot corner for awhile, they moved young Castellanos from 3B to right field at AA-Erie Sea Wolves this past July.Erie manager Chris Cron thinks the youngster has all of the tools to be a good right fielder at the major league level.“He has a strong arm, good speed, moves, and catches the ball well, but he’s playing in only his 46th game in the outfield, and needs to learn the position through a thousand repetitions and lots more hard work.”
Castellanos says he’ll do his best to help his team at the new position. “I never played right field before, I played only shortstop and third base in high school, and minor league ball so I have to learn the hard angles I have to read to catch fly balls and especially line drives off a left handed batter. Right field is a tough position to to play but I’ll do it.”Drafted in the First Supplemental round of the 2010 MLB draft, 44th overall, after he hit 542 BA his senior year at Archbishop McCarthy HS (Southwest Ranches, FL), the young right handed hitter proved he could hit beyond his years at Rookie GCL, Low A - West Michigan, Lakeland. When he stops chasing bad pitches and develops better plate discipline, he has the swing and hitting instincts to develop into a 300 BA and 30 HR major leaguer.He’s advanced fast through the Tigers minor league organization, and while one of the youngest players in AA, he’s proved he can hit the more savvy Eastern League pitchers at AA Erie with a 276 BA in 74 games played, 15 2B, 1 3B, and 7 HR in 301 at bats. As he advanced from rookie to AA - ball, his power statistics have progressively increased against the tougher competition and has done better as the pitchers demonstrated better command of their pitches.When asked about comparison with the Tiger great, Castellanos modestly reflected, “Al Kaline was a great rightfielder, and I don’t think I can ever fill his shoes, but if given a chance, I’ll do my best to give the Tigers another good right fielder. “

Kaline was soft speaking and thankful off the field too. Maybe Nick Castellanos, thankful for the opportunity to play right field, will also be the answer to Tigers fans’ prayers when he runs out on the field.

Top Draft Pick’s Happy To Be A Red Sox: Pat Light – Lowell Spinners

By Rodger M. WoodEven though he was born in Colts Neck, NJ and raised deep in New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies’ territory, Red Sox 2012 MLD 1st round sandwich, and 37th pick overall, Pat Light is overjoyed to be a Boston Red Sox.The 6’6” Monmouth University right hander said the Red Sox drafting him was “a dream come true. The Yankees/Red Sox rivalry across New Jersey is tough, and I probably will lose a few friends saying this, but I consider it to be a privilege to be with the Red Sox and part of that old rivalry. I’d love to beat the Yankees in Fenway Park some day.”Light started 13 games, pitched 75.2 IP, and struck 61 batters for the Blue and White this past college season. Before the 2012 season, he was a Golden Spike or college baseball’s Heisman Trophy Award candidate, and #53 on Baseball America’s pre-season draft prospect list.
After going 20-0 in three seasons at Christian Brothers Academy and winning a New Jersey high school state championship, he was the Minnesota Twins 28th round pick in the 2009 MLD but elected to go onto Monmouth rather than sign.Light throws a four seam fastball as fast as 99 mph, a solid slider, which breaks down and away on righthanded batters, and a split change up in the upper 70s.He knows how to pace himself to go the distance, throwing his fast ball in the low 90s and only occasionally slipping in a fastball in the 96 – 97 mph range to keep the opposing batters honest.
Sometimes victimized by an inconsistent, varying arm slot when throwing his off speed pitches, Light is working on repeating his most effective delivery every pitch at Rookie A NY Penn League Lowell.“Lowell pitching coach Paul Abbott is working with me every day to improve and maintain my mechanics. My slider and change up sometimes lose their effectiveness late in the game when I tire and change my delivery.”The 21-year old hurler must be learning his lessons. At Lowell, he is 0-2 W-L with a good 2.96 ERA in 10 starts and 24.1 iP. He’s stuck out 25 batters and walked only 5. The opposition has scored only 8 earned runs against him.His potential, work ethic, and the way he’s performing at Lowell most certainly make the Red Sox happy too that he’s a Boston Red Sox.****************************************************************************Click here if you want to view more Pat Light and Lowell Spinners photos.See a slideshow.

Cubs 19-Year Javiar Baez Promoted to Fast A

By Rodger M. Wood19-year old shortstop, Javiar Baez,  fed so well off Midwest League pitchers in his first 57 games in his first full professional season at Peoria that the parent Chicago Cubs decided to give him a tougher test at Fast A- Florida State League Daytona midway through the 2012 season.The Cubs $2.625 million dollar investment after they drafted him first (9^th overall) in the 2011 Major League Draft appears to be paying off  handsomely.The promotion came after Baez was named Midwest League Player of the July 9-15 week, after hitting 478 BA, 11 hits in 23 AB, 3 HR, 2 2B, 2 3B, driving in 6 RBI, stealing 2 bases, and scoring two runs. He had hit safely in 11 games and carried a 331 BA for the week.The 6-1, 205 youngster looks like he has the range and speed to play major league shortstop, but still growing, maybe into a Cal Ripken sized shortstop, and competing for the position with another stellar prospect in the Cubs minor league system, Arismendy Alcantara, and Starlin Castro at the major league level, may face a position change to 3B, 2B, catcher or even outfielder in the near future.In 57 games played at Peoria, Baez compiled a 333 BA, 71 hits, 10 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, and 33 RBI in 213 AB. With a 9 BB/48K ratio, he can work on his plate discipline by laying off the bad pitches which Midwest pitchers occasionally fooled him with.Opposing Fast A- pitchers will be more cunning, and throw more good strikes, but once Javiar Baez becomes acclimated to Fast A baseball, it could be just a brief time before he progresses up through AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa to hitting third in the Cubs lineup at Wrigley Field.You can view the photo Peoria Cubs galleries and featured photo folders below:See the slideshow.See the gallery.