Written by Greg Fertel | 07 July 2009

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Sorry for the extended absence everyone but I'm just getting back from my weekend trip physically as well as mentally. So let's jump right into it, we're going to have up our System wide all-star teams sometime soon as well.

Kevin Russo-AAA-2B

2-for-8, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Russo doesn't really have an impressive line to muse on from last night's double header but I wanted to throw him in here anyway. Russo currently has reached base safely in 29 straight games and 35 out of 36 games this season. Russo has future utility infielder written all over him. Russo plays an above average 2B and also can hit a bit. He's an OBP guy without a ton of K's, very Gardner-esque (not much power) and can also run well. He's also only 25. The utility field is a bit muddled with Ramiro Pena's emergence this year. Nunez was the other name being tossed around earlier this year but he doesn't reach base like Russo and has also made 17 errors in 67 games this year. Russo and Trenton's Reggie Corona might be possibilities for future bench players.

Zach McAllister-AA-RHP

6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

That line isn't going to wow anyone but if you look at what he's done on the season prepare to have your jaw dropped. McAllister leads the eastern league in ERA with a 1.87 (yes, big pitchers park and all that) while racking up 72 K's in 86 innings with just 26 walks. As most of you know McAllister isn't going to blow anyone away with his stuff. He's more of a control guy who can work the zone and change speeds effectively. He gets a lot of ground balls with a good sinking two seam fastball and most of his success comes off of that. With Brackman completely lost and Betances not really dominating I think it's probably safe to assume McAllister has passed them on prospect lists. Coming into the season he was rated the 6^th best prospect by Baseball America. McAllister certainly doesn't have the upside of a Brackman or a Betances but he's furthest along, is only 21 and has dominated at every level (career 3.23 FIP in the minors).

Neil Medchill-R-OF

1-for-4, 1 R

Not a huge line for Medchill last night but the guy just keeps hitting and he's been the star of Staten Island so far. 3 HRs in his first 53 AB's is nice to see from the lefty and he's backed it up with a .360/.368/.604 line. Medchill HAS been striking out frequently but adjustments are necessary when switching to professional ball. A lot of guys had Medchill as a steal for the Yankees in the 11^th round and if he can keep this up he'll certainly live up to that label.

Kelvin De Leon-GCL-OF

2-for-4, 1 2B, 2 RBIs

De Leon has been tearing it up in his state side debut. He ranked 27^th on Baseball America's top 30 Yankee prospect list and figures to move up considerably if he continues on this pace. He has struggled a bit with the strike outs but that's to be expected from an 18 year old in his first baseball experience in the US. In his first 33 AB's he's stolen some bases (3), hit some HRs (2), hit for average (.364) and hit for power (.608 SLG). It's an extremely small sample size, yes, but it's a good start from a promising kid so it's certainly something to hang your hat on.

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