Road Trip to Lexington

A rare three post day yesterday, which should be followed by at least two posts today. I'm planning on getting through rundowns of Lexington and Tri-City today before finishing up with Greeneville and the GCL Astros on Thursday. So, without further ado, let's get to Applebee's Park for all the news and notes on Lexington:

Right-hander Ross Seaton continues to do some good things in Lexington, but overall hasn't been as impressive as some make him out to be. Take his two August starts, for instance. In the first, the 18-year old threw six shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out four. In the second, he lasted just four innings, giving up four hits and six runs (four earned) while striking out three and walking two. His average game score this season is 52 over 20 games and he has amassed 72 strikeouts against 33 walks in 115 1/3 innings. His FIP of 4.14 is a little high, but his HR/9 rate is strong at 0.72.

Right-hander Jordan Lyles has gotten over his mid-July bump in admirable fashion, allowing just three runs in the past 19 innings, striking out 21 and walking four over that stretch. His game scores in his last three have been 72, 57 and 75, though he's gotten just one victory out of this stretch. Lexington has scored one run total in his last two starts, but Lyles maintains an excellent K/9 rate and a Power/Finesse Ratio, while his Defense Efficiency Ratio is a bit low at .660.

Right-hander Kyle Greenwalt has also made two starts in the past 12 days and has a better FIP (3.13) than his ERA (3.97). Greenwalt has thrown 11 1/3 innings, allowing 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out eight and walking four. Greenwalt lost both games, but still has a good G/F rate of 15/10. His BABiP of .314 is right in line with where it should be, so he's pitching close to his true level. Greenwalt didn't make Baseball America's Top 30 list, but has been almost as valuable as Seaton has this season with a Pitching Runs Created total of 36.6.

Left-hander Brad Dydalewicz started two games as well over this stretch of games and had arguably the best streak of the four. The 19-year old threw 11 innings, giving up nine hits and four earned runs while striking out eight and walking four. His ERA of 3.27 was higher than his FIP of 2.84. His G/F ratio of 16/9 is also very good and Dydalewicz continues to avoid line drives, having just one in his past four starts.

Right-hander Kyle Godfrey has been a reliever this season, but is putting a solid season together. In four appearances this month, Godfrey has thrown 8 2/3 innings while giving up six hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking one. The 23-year old has one hold and a sterling G/F ratio of 17/4. His FIP is a bit high at 3.89, especially considering his ERA sits at 1.04, but he doesn't miss many bats. Godfrey has been good all season, starting out in Tri-City and earning a promotion last month.

Second baseman Albert Cartwright leads the Legends with 6.9 runs created in August after going 12 for 43 with four walks, eight runs scored, four RBIs, and three doubles. The 21-year old also stole seven bases in nine attempts, making up for his lack of power. Cartwright has struck out seven times in 49 plate appearances, which is a bit high. Still, it's encouraging to see Cartwright shake off the rust after his hand injury and finally get back on track offensively.

Center fielder Jay Austin has only appeared in five games in the past 12 days and was removed from a game two days ago in his only appearance since last week. Austin is 4 for 16 with three walks, three rusn scored and a triple while striking out once. Austin also stole one base but also was caught stealing once. His season average is hovering around .260, which is much better than what it has been earlier in the season.

Shortstop Brandon Wikoff started out the month strong, but a 1 for 16 stretch over the past four games has dropped his average down to .225/.311/.225 for the month. Wikoff is hitting .321/.387/.321 in 15 games with Lexington and has an average of .299 overall since being drafted out of Illinois-Champagne.

Outfielder Steve Brown was selected as one of farmstros players of the week last period. Indeed, the 22-year old is having a good month, going 13 for 39 with one double, one triple, three home runs, nine runs scored and 11 RBIs. Brown has a couple black marks on his resume, though, as he hasn't walked yet this month and has been caught stealing or picked off five times without a successful stolen base. In fact, Brown has only walked 12 times in 241 at-bats this season. Still, home runs are hard to come by in Lexington and to hit three in one week is impressive. One other note I hadn't realized about Brown...he was signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2003, which means he decided to sign for the minimum possible and play baseball professionally than go to college. Think about that next time you hear that Aaron Crow won't take 3 million from the Royals or that Stephen Strasburg may not sign.

Right fielder Eric Suttle may not have an impressive batting average at .207, but he does manage to walk quite a bit. In fact, he has more walks (8) than hits (6) this monht. Suttle has cooled off some after his hot start in Lexington, but has still been a valuable, and consistent, outfielder after guys like Russell Dixon were sent down and Marquis Williams battled injuries.