Hot Pitcher: David Holmberg. He only made one start this week but it was a start to remember. Holmberg gave up just 1 hit over 5 innings of shutout ball against Pulaski, issuing 1 walk and striking out 5. Holmberg’s debut season has been up and down but overall I would consider it a success. His ERA (4.63) and WHIP (1.43) may be a little on the high side but his strikeout rate is good (8.74 K/9) and his K/BB sits at almost 2:1. Holmberg won’t overpower anyone but he has three average or better pitches and could be a fast rising high school pitcher.

Hot Hitter: Miguel Gonzalez. The 18 year old catcher from Venezuela has been a revelation in his first season of pro ball in the States. Over the last week he is 10-17 (.588), with 2 walks (.632) and 5 doubles (.882) giving him a 1.514 OPS. On the season he is hitting .311 with an .888 OPS in 45 games. He has shown surprising plate discipline for a player of his age and experience with 16 BB/25 SO. It would be foolish to proclaim him as one of the organisation’s top prospects based just on some rookie ball numbers, but Gonzalez has been very impressive and a good season next year, presumably in Kannapolis, would launch him onto the prospect map.

Cold Pitcher: Steven Upchurch. Of all the prospects from the lower minors I was perhaps most excited about Steven Upchurch but his season hasn’t gone to plan, most notably in his last start. On August 30 against the Elizabethton Twins Upchurch gave up 10 earned runs in just 1.2 IP on 7 hits and with 3 walks. His ERA for the night was 54.00 and on the season his ERA is now 6.95. Upchurch is still very young and his numbers are somewhat deceiving, prior to his last start his SO/BB rate was very good at 3:1 and his ground ball rate is excellent, he’s just being hurt by an extremely high hit rate and a declining K/9.

Cold Hitter: Dan Black. One of my favourite picks from the ’09 draft, Black has endured a tough week for the Intimidators picking up just 3 hits in 24 AB’s (.125). His walk rate did remain very good however as took 6 free bases (.300 OBP) with just 1 double (.167), giving him a .467 OPS. Black has been a disappointment in the early goings but I still think his combination of power and plate discipline could make him one to watch in 2010.