WHEN WILL THE PHONE RING?

You must earn your way up the ladder in baseball. Unlike any other pro sport, baseball has steps to become a big name. There are only a 32 teams in the league, but each team has approximately 5 minor league teams to it;you do the math.

There are teams out there that need help now and have already called upon the young stars of tomorrow. The New York Mets have called upon 1B Ike Davis, the Texas Rangers called up Justin Smoak.

OF Mike Stanton is waiting for his call with the Florida Marlins. Staton who has 9 home runs in the last 17 games is in Double-AA. Stanton has made quiet a name for himself, as he hit .286 in spring training this year. Although Stanton does have a problem with striking out alot, he will hit just as many home runs. I will say he is a Mark Reynolds type of ball player as far as his offense goes.

SP Stephen Strasburg is still working in AA Harrisburg for the Senators. Shawn, Ryan and I did get to visit Harrisburg last week, and I must say very nice park. Strasburg has posted some outstanding numbers, he is 2-0 carrying a 0.73 era. Strasburg also brings with him a 17K:3BB ratio. I do not see him being in AA much longer, although he may skip AAA altogether and hang in Harrisburg till mid-May.

SP Aroldis Chapman a Cincinnati Reds prospect is also turning heads in AAA ball, and also raises the question of, when? Chapman is putting up Strasburg numbers with a record of 1-1, 0.60 era, and a 18k:10BB ratio. I also predict a mid-May call up, as the reds will be a contender this year.

C Carlos Santana from the Cleveland Indians will be needed. Lou Marson, nor Redmond is making an necessary contact on the ball not to call up Santana. Marson who carries a .088 BA is good with the glove, however, that does not put runs on the board. Santana is batting .333 with 5 HRs, and 16 RBIs in 51 AB's for AAA Columbus. Santana was also named IL player of the week for the first week of baseball.

SP Jordan Lyles from the Houston Astros is producing really good at the early start of AA. Lyles is 1-1 with a 2.30 era and carries a 16K:2BB ratio.