• In the wake of the MLB Futures Game, John Sickels dedicated one of his ‘Prospect Profile’ installments to the Rays’ Matt Moore.  Moore was the most impressive pitcher at the Futures Game, and at the rate he’s going may force the Rays’ hand earlier than anticipated. Since entering the Minor Leagues in 2007, Moore has compiled a 615/192 K/BB ratio over 439 innings and really has nothing left to prove at Double-A.  On Tuesday morning Moore was promoted to Triple-A, which leads me to believe that we will see him in the pros fairly soon.  Since the Rays have been rumored to have most of their starters on the trading block, maybe they want to get Moore several starts at Triple-A before someone is dealt and he gets the call…Just a thought.

• ESPN prospect guru Keith Law recently updated his Top 50 Prospects list, and because guys like Dustin Ackley, Mike Trout, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas have all received promotions, it has a much different look.  Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prospectus also reorganized his Top 50 list, which is a much bolder (and exciting) list if you ask me.

• Jonah Keri argues that the Angels gave Mike Trout the call too soon.  Currently hitting .125 (and granted that it’s only through six games), Trout is yet to truly flash all his tools.  And according to Keri, the news of Peter Bourjos hitting the DL may only intensify the 19-year-old’s early struggles.

• On July 11, Braves’ outfielder Stefan Gartrell slugged 16 total home runs to win the Triple-A Home Run Derby.  His opponent in the final round: 17-year-old high school junior Kayden Porter.  Using an aluminum bat, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound first baseman dropped 14 bombs, one of which traveled an estimated 545 feet and cleared the batter’s eye in center.

• Also at Fangraphs, Matt Klassen explores the potential reasons why the Indians are yet to call up Jason Kipnis.  Regarded by many as a more projectable prospect than teammate Lonnie Chisenhall and with Minor League numbers comparable to those of Dustin Ackley, Kipnis’ arrival is imminent. Like Klassen, I say the sooner the better.

• Playing for Triple-A last night, San Francisco Giants prospect Brandon Belt turned in an ugly and disconcerting performance: 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and a walk – a golden sombrero. In 190 Minor League at-bats this season, Belt has struck out 30% of the time but maintains a 20.8% BB/PA.  The Crazy Crabbers explore whether the Giants should recall him with Aubrey Huff slumping, or if the kinks should be smoothed out before he’s forced to face big league pitching.

What is it about Fridays and MLB Debuts? On June 10 we celebrated Mike Moustakas Day here at the Sombrero, and just one week later we celebrated Dustin Ackley Day.  Today we are thrilled to celebrate another prospect debut: Mike Trout.

Ranked as The Golden Sombrero’s No. 2 Prospect headed into the 2011 season, Trout has done everything (and more) at Double-A to deserve the call to the Big Leagues.  At the time of his promotion, the 19-year-old outfielder was slashing .324/.415/.534 with 12 doubles, 11 triples, nine home runs, 27 RBI and 28 stolen bases.

However, like most Trout enthusiasts (namely MTD over at Off-Base Percentage), none of us sincerely expected his arrival until this time next season – maybe a bit earlier.  But after a hamstring injury to fellow speedster Peter Bourjos during last night’s game, the door officially opened for Trout.

So, to usher in the Mike Trout Era, here are several videos of the phenom in action from the last two years.  I’m now more excited about his debut than seeing Jeter collect his 3,000^th hit (to an extent). Regardless, this is a great day to be a baseball fan.

And cue the celebratory tunes:

Dex even rocks his sombrero to the right

Bottom 1: Dexter Fowler struck out swinging against Matt Cain

Bottom 2: Struck out swinging against Cain

Bottom 4: Infield single off of Cain

Bottom 6: Called out on strikes against Dan Runzler

Bottom 7: Struck out swinging against Guillermo Mota

NOTES: Fowler’s golden sombrero on Wednesday was the ninth of the 2011 season, and the third straight by a leadoff hitter (Peter Bourjos and Andrew McCutchen).

Not a bad effort from the Angels’ leadoff hitter

Bottom 1: Peter Bourjos called out on strikes against Carlos Carrasco

Bottom 3: struck out swinging against Carrasco

Bottom 5: struck out swinging against Carrasco

Bottom 8: struck out swinging against Vinnie Pestano

Bottom 11: grounds out on bunt against Chris Perez

Final line: 0-5, 4 strikeouts against Cleveland Indians (4/13/2011)