Carolina%2520Mudcats%2520

What could top another dominating day from the man known as #WashTime, the top prospect in the system continuing to make his case for a quick promotion to Double-A, and even a former top prospect doing his best to mash his way back into the major league picture? How about winning a game in extra innings at the plate and behind it? To find out who our late-inning hero is tonight and to find the rest of the action from around the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik as he goes Around The Farm.

Carolina Mudcats catcher Charlie Valerio’s second home run of the year came at just the right time. His tenth inning, game-winning home run lifted the Mudcats past the Potomac Nationals 3-2. With the win on Wednesday night, Carolina stopped a four-game slide. Owen Dew earned the win in relief for the Mudcats. The right-hander tossed a scoreless eighth inning and allowed just one hit. Jeff Johnson closed the ninth for his fifth save.

Today is the first “stock watch” of the 2013 season for players in the Indians’ minor league system. This report is a snapshot of a few players up and down the system and how their value may be decreasing or increasing as prospects. In today's report, Tony looks at all four levels in the Indians system and touches on the likes of Jeremy Hermida, Mike McDade, Preston Guilmet, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Moncrief, Jerrud Sabourin, Jordan Smith, Dorssys Paulino, Nellie Rodriguez and more.

Michael Taylor lined the game-winner off the left field wall in the bottom of the seventh as the Potomac Nationals rallied past the Carolina Mudcats 4-3 in game two. The walkoff, coupled with a 5-0 shutout in game one, earned a doubleheader sweep for the Nationals (12-13). The Mudcats (10-15) have lost four straight.

In this week’s first edition of Minor Happenings this week, Tony takes a look at several pitchers throughout the organization. Right-hander Jordan Cooper has used last season’s late success as a springboard to a good start to this season and is starting to round into form as a solid pitching prospect, and he touches on where he has improved and what kind of future he may have. In addition to that he provides an update and outlook on Diasuke Matsuzaka, shares some comments made by the front office this past week on the likes of T.J. House, Trey Haley, Austin Adams and others, and also some insight and updates on the progress of the likes of Giovanni Soto, Bret Brach, Jacob Lee, Luis DeJesus and others.

The IBI Hot List is back for another week and ranks the hot (and some cold) performances in the Indians system over the past week. Last week saw LeVon Washington return with a fury with five hits on Saturday, Diasuke Matsuzaka looked to turn a corner, Preston Guilmet is squarely on the big league radar, Jordan Cooper is rising, Cord Phelps’ struggles continue, and much more. Tony ranks the good and bad performances and provides some commentary on each player.

The Carolina Mudcats took the field on Sunday afternoon in hopes of winning the weekend series against the Frederick Keys, but walked out 10-5 losers Sunday afternoon at Harry Grove Stadium.

FREDERICK- A back-and forth-battle got away from the Carolina Mudcats, who lost to the Frederick Keys 5-4 Saturday. Mudcats closer Jeff Johnson surrendered a one-out walk and a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning. With runners on second and third, Johnson gave up a two-out two RBI walk-off single. Those were the first runs surrendered by Johnson this year, and this was also his first blown save of the year.

Jordan Cooper tossed his best outing of the season as the Carolina Mudcats dominated the Frederick Keys 10-2 at Harry Grove Stadium on Friday night. The win is Carolina’s fourth in five games, and improves their record to 10-11. The Keys fall to an equal record, and under .500 for the first time this season.

While the big league team was rained out, the Indians took three out of four games in the minor league circuit on Friday night. The two biggest highlights of the night came from Columbus where starter T.J. House was impressive in his Triple-A debut and Yan Gomes settled back into his everyday catching duties and raked.

The 2013 baseball season is already now into its fourth week. While players at various levels of the Cleveland Indians farm system are starting to settle in, Tony Wolters is just now beginning his full-time transition from the middle infield to the catching position. The IBI's Tony Lastoria recently sat down with Wolters to discuss his move to catcher.

It's always good to see your first round picks leading the way down on the farm. Tyler Naquin and Francisco Lindor played pivotal roles in leading the Carolina Mudcats Thursday, flashing the potential that makes them both top prospects in the organization. You never want to see players hurt, however, and Cleveland saw two of their better pitchers injured in Columbus. To help make sense of all that went on, join Andrew Zajac, as he goes Around The Farm...

Despite early home runs by both teams on Thursday night, the Carolina Mudcats took the four-game series over the Potomac Nationals with a 4-1 win. In the first inning, Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor worked the count to full before he hit a home run over the left-center field wall and pushed the score to 1-0. Mudcats centerfielder Tyler Naquin countered the early Nationals home run with a homer over the scoreboard and evened up the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first.

In this week’s second edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the hot start that Akron first baseman Chun Chen is off to, what has changed with his approach, and when he may get to Columbus (or Cleveland). He also has a ton of comments from the front office regarding the Columbus roster on things such as the presence of so many six-year free agents as well as the plans for Carlos Carrasco and others. Finally, he touches on the return of Austin Adams and Trey Haley, the release of Delvi Cid and who may be replacing him, the blistering bat of Jerrud Sabourin, the potential of Dylan Baker and much more.

Wednesday night was a cold and wet one in Northeast Ohio, as anyone who braved the weather to catch a ballgame can attest. Despite this, a few players found a way to overcome the weather, including Akron designated hitter Chun Chen, Columbus starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, and others. Jim Piascik was one of those who froze last night (as he watched the Aeros hold on to a 5-4 victory) and he will recap the night in the minor leagues as he takes you Around The Farm.

Potomac Nationals first baseman Kevin Keyes hit a two-run homer that shattered a light bulb in left field to give Potomac the 2-0 win over the Carolina Mudcats on Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. The Nationals held the Mudcats scoreless for the first time this season. With the offense failing to score, Shawn Morimando suffered the loss for Carolina despite an impressive outing.