Minor threat

Tim Stanford couldn't buy me a beer even if he wanted to

Michael Ballard was admirable in his first Triple A start: 6 IP - 6 hits - 3 runs - 1 walk - 5 K.

Jamey Newberg made this excellent point: The solution to a new, veteran arm for the bullpen may already be here in Kiko Calero insteading of spending prospects to get someone. He's been solid in OKC with a 3.60 ERA in 5 IP. Five hits hurt.

Not to mention Wes Littleton, Bill White, Kam Loe and Brian Gordon could all be used in the 'pen.

There are rumblings that Joaquin Arias might be better trade bait than a prospect. He's showing no power ability and still strikes out (45) way more than he walks (12). His .318 on-base percentage is putrid. However, he is back playing shortstop full time.

Can the Rangers get anyone else interested in Chris Shelton's .347/.409/.561 in OKC?

John Mayberry Jr.'s fallen back down to Earth with a normal .271 average. Still, his emergence should be noted.

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J.B. Diaz has emerged. In 12 Double A innings, he's scattered four hits and one walk. And allowed no runs.

Something's got to give with Ben Harrison. He's hitting .318 with 17 homers and 64 RBI and 17 stolen bases. The strikeouts hurt (85), but he's ripe for a promotion.

Julio Borbon has 44 strikeouts for the season. And 43 stolen bases.

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2008 draftees Tanner Roark, Tyler Tufts and Erik Morrison have all made the jump to Bakerfield a month after becoming professional baseball players.

Roark, especially, has impressed going 3-1 with a .93 ERA and 19-6 K/BB ratio in Arizona and Bakersfield combined.

Tufts sported a 1.35 ERA with a 15-1 K/BB ratio. Morrison was hitting .318 in Arizona when called up.

Glenn Swanson was also promoted to California. He schooled batters in Arizona and Spokne: 1.35 ERA, 20 IP and 15-2 K/BB ratio.

Grant Gerrard (6-4, 220) came off the DL the other week. He's hitting .326 in his last 10 games. But he still has 85 K in 79 innings.

After a very solid 2007, K.C. Herren's having a bad year hitting a meager .226.

Chad Tracy was drafted two rounds before Chris David in the 2006 draft. He's hitting .349 in his last 10 games with 55 RBI on the season.

Renny Osuna's hitting .365 between Clinton and Bakersfield. Even better: His on-base percentage is .428.

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How far is Engel Beltre from the Majors? He's got 74 strikeouts and eight walks.

Mitchell Moreland is having an insane year: .322, 66 RBI and 38-40 BB/K ratio.

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Richard Bleier has been fantastic since being drafted: 3-1, 2.27 ERA, 8 ER - 27 K- 8 walks.

Dennis Guinn is a less-touted first baseman in the 2008 Rangers draft, but just under half of his pro hits have been for extra bases and he's hitting a .294 clip. His on-base percentage: .388.

Remember David Paisano? He was traded with Brandon McCarthy from the White Sox for John Danks and Nick Masset? He's a 20-year-old right fielder hitting .294 with 4 home runs in Spokane.

The Rangers signed eight-round pick Michael Bianucci and assigned him to Spokane.

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Australian signee Tim Stanford is 19 years old. I wish I was 19 years old.

2008 draftee Adam Cobb is hitting .333 with 8 stolen bases.

Not to be outdone, Joe Wieland is 18 years old. His pro career: 1-1, 2.57 ERA, 17 IP, 6 ER, 4 walks, 12 K.