• 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.

Top 2: Jay Bruce called out on strikes against James Shields

Top 4: Bruce struck out swinging against Shields

Top 6: Bruce called out on strikes against Shields

Top 8: Bruce struck out swinging against J.P. Howell

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Oh Jay Bruce, when will you show some consistency? As a Bruce fantasy owner, his hit-or-miss (literally) performances can be rather frustrating, and his sombrero on Wednesday is the epitome of his struggles. But I’ll let our good friend Mevs over at Diamond Hoggers do all the talking.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 54

Top 3: James Shields struck out swinging against Wandy Rodriguez

Top 5: Shields struck out swinging against Wandy Rodriguez

Top 7: Shields struck out swinging against Fernando Rodriguez

Top 9: Shields called out on strikes against Aneury Rodriguez

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Shields’ sombrero was the second by a pitcher this season, and both were due to the face they fired a complete game.  For Shields it was his third-consecutive CG, as he allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out nine on Friday against Houston.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 49

With a third 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 take an expanded look at 9-1, which includes: Brandon Belt, Jarrod Parker, Jesus Montero, Eric Hosmer, Domonic Brown, Jeremy Hellickson, Dustin Ackley, Mike Trout and, of course, Bryce Harper.

9. Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants

Triple-A: .337/.470/.525, 7 2B, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 27 BB, 31 K

MLB: .211/.328/.281, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 9 BB, 15 K

8. Jarrod Parker, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Double-A: 5-5, 4.95 ERA, 56.1 IP, 27 BB, 52 K, 1.385 WHIP, 0.2 HR/9

7. Jesus Montero, C, New York Yankees

Triple-A: .292/.338/.421, 10 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 13 BB, 50 K

6. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals

Triple-A: .439/.525/.582, 5 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB, 19 BB, 16 K

MLB: .288/.341/.442, 7 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 2 SB, 12 BB, 29 K

5. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

High-A: .368/.429/.737, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K

Triple-A: .341/.431/.537, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 BB, 9 K

MLB: .228/.311/.443, 5 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB, 10 BB, 11 K

4. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB: 7-5, 3.09 ERA, 84.1 IP, 33 BB, 54 K, 1.138 WHIP

3. Dustin Ackley, 2B, Seattle Mariners

Triple-A: .303/.421/.487, 17 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB, 55 BB, 38 K

*Set to make MLB debut on Friday night against the Phillies

2. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Double-A: .329/.431/.559, 9 2B, 8 3B, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 23 SB, 33 BB, 44 K

1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals

Class-A: .326/.421/.585, 14 2B, 3B, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 12 SB, 35 BB, 55 K

With a third 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 14-10, which includes: Jameson Taillon, Julio Teheran, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Moustakas and Desmond Jennings.

14. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Class-A: 1-1, 3.10 ERA, 29 IP, 4 BB, 24 K, 1.103 WHIP

13. Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Triple-A: 4-1, 2.36 ERA, 49.2 IP, 16 BB, 41 K, 1.188 WHIP, 0.2 HR/9

MLB: 0-1, 5.19 ERA, 8.2 IP, 4 BB, 2 K, 1.615 WHIP

12. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: 0-1, 13.50 ERA, 4.2 IP, 2 BB, 8 K, 2.357 WHIP

MLB: 2-0, 6.92 ERA, 13 IP, 20 BB, 15 K, 2.000 WHIP

11. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals

Triple-A: .289/.355/.497, 12 2B, 3B, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 18 BB, 39 K

10. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Triple-A: .272/.376/.467, 10 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 28 BB, 41 K, 9 SB