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Golden Sombrero: Travis Snider (again)

Bottom 1: Travis Snider struck out swinging against Alfredo Simon

Bottom 3: Snider struck out swinging against Simon

Bottom 5: Snider struck out swinging against Simon

Bottom 7: Snider struck out swinging against Troy Patton

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K, 5 LOB

Notes: Snider’s golden sombrero on Wednesday was his second of the season, both of which having come in the last two weeks.  He was also the only Blue Jay starter not to record a hit.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 79

Golden Sombrero: Dan Uggla

Bottom 2: Dan Uggla struck out swinging against Jeremy Guthrie

Bottom 5: Uggla struck out swinging Guthrie

Bottom 7: Uggla struck out swinging against Guthrie

Bottom 8: Uggla called out strikes against Brad Berken

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: DUggla’s sombrero against the Orioles on Friday night highlights what is arguably the most disappointing season across the MLB.  The Popeye-armed second baseman is currently slashing .175/.241/.330 with 11 doubles, 12 bombs and 29 RBI.  He’s now struck out 76 times in 315 at-bats while coaxing just 26 walks.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 58

Top 50 Prospects Update: Montgomery, Machado, Minor, Lamb & Freeman

With a quarter of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 24-20, which includes: Mike Montgomery, Manny Machado, Mike Minor, John Lamb and Freddie Freeman.

24. Mike Montgomery, LHP, Kansas City Royals

Triple-A: 2-2, 5.18 ERA, 57.1 IP, 34 BB, 48 K, 1.57 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9

23. Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles

Class-A: .333/.450/.611, 20 R, 6 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 3 SB, 19 BB, 14 K

22. Mike Minor, LHP, Atlanta Braves

Triple-A: 2-2, 2.56 ERA, 52.2 IP, 14 BB, 54 K, 6 HR, 1.158 WHIP

MLB: 0-1, 5.40 ERA, 10 IP, 6 BB, 7 K, 2.00 WHIP

21. John Lamb, LHP, Kansas City Royals

Double-A: 1-2, 3.09 ERA, 35 IP, 13 BB, 22 K, 1.314 WHIP

20. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

MLB: .249/.332/.390, 22 R, 10 2B, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 21 BB, 42 K, 2 SB

Golden Sombrero: Alex Gordon

Top 1: Alex Gordon struck out on a foul tip against Jake Arrieta

Top 3: Gordon hit a ground-rule double to left-center off Arrieta

Top 5: Gordon struck out swinging against Arrieta

Top 7: Gordon struck out on a foul tip against Jim Johnson

Top 9: Gordon struck out swinging against Mike Gonzalez

Final Line: 1-5, 2B, 4 K

Notes: Although Gordon did a lot of whiffing in his sombrero on Wednesday, he did salvage some respect by doubling in the fifth.  The hit saved the rejuvenated slugger from falling victim to the platinum sombrero—or as a reader suggested it be called, “The Mongolian War Helmet,”—a feat yet to occur this season.  One thing is certain: Gordon was involved in one hell of a game of just a tip on Wednesday.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 28

Top 50 Prospects Update: Lawrie, Perez, Mesoraco, Kipnis and Britton

With a quarter of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 29-25, which includes: Brett Lawrie, Martin Perez, Devin Mesoraco, Jason Kipnis and Zach Britton.

29. Brett Lawrie, 2B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Triple-A: .342/.401/.638, 16 2B, 3 3B, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 16 BB, 39 K, 10-for-11 SB

28. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas Rangers

Double-A: 1-0, CG, SHO, 2.31 ERA, 46.2 IP, 23 BB, 48 K, 1.286 WHIP, 0.2 HR/9

27. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: .288/.371/.473, 12 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 18 BB, 32 K

26. Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians

Triple-A: .292/.368/.497, 10 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 20 BB, 31 K, 8-for-8 SB

25. Zach Britton, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

MLB: 5-2, 2.35 ERA, 65 IP, 21 BB, 35 K, 1.123 WHIP