Written by Al Ciammiachella

---

Nick Weglarz, LF-AKR: 3-8, 2 HR (10), 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 4 K.

Weglarz is hitting .290/.436/.645 with 2 HR and 8 RBI in his last 10 games, but has hit 4 HR in his most recent 8 games. Confused? Well, the Aeros first game last night was the continuation of a contest that was suspended by rain back on June 3. Weglarz hit a pair of HR in that game, but he hit them yesterday and not back on June 3. So although those HR weren't in his past 10 games, they were in his past 8 at bats. Clear as mud? Ok, moving on. Back in 2010, most of us thought Weglarz was the Indians LF of the future and the solution to a long-standing problem that dates back to 1999. That's right, 1999 was the last time the Indians had a decent LF, when David Justice posted an .889 OPS for the playoff-bound Tribe.

Look it up if you don't believe me...the last time the Indians had an effective offensive performer at the least important defensive position on the diamond was 1999. If you want to split hairs and tell me that Justice was having a good season in LF before he was traded in 2000, fine. But Justice was followed by guys like Matt Lawton, Marty Cordova, Jason Michaels, David Dellucci and the like...guys who maybe had success elsewhere, but for whatever reason couldn't put it together in Cleveland. Which, in a very roundabout way, brings us back to Weglarz. In 2010, Wegz was a 22-year old coming off a season where he'd posted an impressive .889 OPS in 50 AAA games. All that remained was some fine-tuning in AAA in 2011, and Wegz would be a mid-season call-up to add some power to the middle of the Indians order. But Weglarz suffered a torn meniscus during spring training in 2011, and was never able to do anything of significance when he did return to the lineup as his .666 (creepy) OPS in 41 AA games would indicate. Weglarz was all but written off as a prospect at that time, and he entered 2012 needing a huge season to put himself back in the mix for a big league job. A no longer young 24-year old back in AA, he needs to mash to even earn a call-up to AAA Columbus. The nortoriously-slow starter put up just a .189/.317/.283 line in April, and most wrote him off. He improved slightly to .232/.30/.375 in May, and few were impressed. In 17 June games however, Wegz has roared back to life with a .328/.443/.810 line that includes 7 HR and 7 2B to raise his season line to a respectable .251/.357/.497. I'm not saying he's back to "LF of the future" status, but it might be a bit early to say that he'll never play in the big leagues. While 24 in AA isn't young, it's not exactly ancient. IF (and it's a Canada-sized IF) he can stay healthy, he has a chance to at least play at AAA this year and set himself up for a shot at next year's Indians club. Just two months ago, that didn't seem possible.

Cory Kluber, SP-AKR: W (6-6), 6 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 9 K, 3 BB. Kluber has been outstanding over his last 3 starts, going 2-1 while allowing just 2 ER in 19 1/3 innings and striking out 19. For the season, he's 6-6 with a 3.54 ERA and an impressive 87 K in 76 1/3 IP.

Matt Langwell, RP-AKR: 1 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K. Langwell has a 1.56 ERA between Akron and Columbus this year, with 32 K in 34 2/3 IP.

Jason Donald, 3B-COL: 4-6, HR (2), 3B, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, K. For those of you scoring at home, that's a cycle for Donald last night. Chiz couldn't quite get his in Cleveland the other day, but Donald managed to finish it off last night for the Clippers. The big day for the infielder pushed his season line to .302/.396/.466 for the Clip Show.

Russ Canzler, LF-COL: 2-4, HR (7), 3 RBI, BB, 2 R. Canzler has been scorching lately. He's hit in 9 of his last 10 games, and has a .406/.475/.875 line with 3 HR and 17 RBI in that timeframe. He's pushing hard for that 2nd IL MVP award.

Jared Goedert, DH-COL: 3-4, RBI, BB, R. Goedert snapped a 4-32 slump with three hits yesterday, but his season line has dropped to a so-so .252/.312/.468 in 30 AAA games.

Trevor Crowe, RF-COL: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 K. Crowe is hitting .281/.337/.438 in his "rehab" stint with the Clippers. I know that some are calling it a rehab stint, but Crowe belongs at AAA even when healthy, so I don't really see it as such.

 Bryan Price, RP-AKR: 1 2/3 IP, 2 K. Solid night for Price, as he didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two of the five batters he faced. His season ERA is down to 2.19, and he's recorded 35 K and issued 11 BB in 37 AA innings.

Bryce Stowell, RP-AKR: S (2), IP, K. Stowell recorded a save in the June 3 game that was finished last night. I have to think he's ready for AAA, as he's struck out 26 in 16 1/3 for the Aeros on the season.

Thomas Neal, RF-AKR: 2-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, CS. In his last two games, Neal is 4-7 with a HR and two 2B. The power outburst pushed his season SLG over .400 for the first time (.407), and all three of his HR this season have come in his last 7 games.

Shawn Armstrong, RP-CAR: 2/3 IP, 2 K. Armstrong pitched to the first two batters in the 9th inning as part of the Carolina League All-Star team, and he struck out both California League batters that he faced. Great performance from a guy who's having an outstanding season for the Mudcats.

Jeremie Tice, DH-CAR: 1-3, RBI, R, K. Tice was the other Mudcat rep to the All-Star team, and started the game as the Carolina League's DH.

Francisco Lindor, SS-EAS: 2-4, RBI, R, SB, K. Staying in All-Star game mode, Lindor led off and started at SS for the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star game last night. He struck out to open the game, but came back with a pair of hits and stole a base in the East's 18-2 romp.

Cody Anderson, RP-EAS: IP, BB. Anderson was the other Captain on the East squad, and pitched a clean inning of relief.

Jake Sisco, SP-MVS: L (0-1), 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 3 BB. Last night was the first start outside of the complex leagues for Sisco, the Indians 3rd round pick in 2011. He struggled a little with his command, but it was far from a disaster.

Nicholas Pasquale, RP-MVS: 2 IP, H, 3 K. Pasquale was the Indians 20th round pick this year out of Diablo Valley Junior College, and he had an impressive professional debut last night for Mahoning Valley.

Juan Romero, RF-MVS: 1-3, HR (3), RBI, R, K. That's Romero's 3rd HR in two games for the Scrappers, an impressive power display for the wiry 19-year old out of the Dominican Republic. Mahoning Valley managed just three hits yesterday, and Romero was responsible for the Scrappers only run.