Q: What do you get when you hit one home run every 9 at-bats?

A: Anything you freaking want.

Word on the street has it that Kevin Melillo (right), 2004 Vancouver infielder and bona fide Oakland prospect, is headed up yet another level of ball, and will shift sometime in the next 24 hours to the AA Midland Rockhounds club in the Texas League.

Melillo, currently hitting .400 in 90 at-bats, with a slugging percentage of .800, and an on base percentage of .471, is just destroying pitchers in the High-A California League, so though a shift upwards will be no shock to anyone paying attention, the fact that he will have jumped from two levels from Low-A ball to AA-ball, in just 22 games, most definitely is.

Melillo’s only possible downside, his defense, is apparently something he’s been working very hard at, and if he can improve that aspect of his game and maintain his devastating form with the lumber, he’s going to push very hard for a Major League spot in the next few years.

Ex-Canadians rumored to be tradebait
In Midland, former Vancouver K-meister ‘Diamond’ Dallas Braden has been bandied about as potential trade bait to bring a right handed power bat to Oakland, along with 2004 Canadians catcher and current Stockton Ports favorite, Kurt Suzuki (left). The object of these trade rumors? Mr Adam Dunn, monster home-run/strike-out machine from the Cincinnati Reds. In the end, nothing came of the rumors, which is good for Suzuki and Braden, because I’ve lived in Cincinnati before, and though it isn’t the end of the world, you can sure as hell see it from there.

Rookie Ball Report:
On the mound in ‘Zona, new signing Thomas Italiano has thrown a few innings of ‘you’ve gotta be kidding me’ speed ball this week. He’s now appeared in 2 games, thrown 3 innings of ball, given up one hit, a walk, and racked up a strike-out per inning pitched. Most worthy of note - he’s hitting 98mph on the radar gun. And he just graduated from HIGH SCHOOL.

Steve Sharpe (right), who helped Vancouver along to the NWL Western Division title last year, has taken his recent demotion to rookie ball in stride, throwing solid innings, and plenty of them, to rack up a 1.71 ERA over 21 innings. He’s struck out 12 and walked only 4 in that time, though he is still getting hit more than he’d probably be happy with.

Clay ‘Pigeons’ Tichota, has thrown 3 innings of rehab ball in rookie league action this week, giving up one earned run on 4 hits, a walk and a strikeout. Solid return to action for Tich, who will be expecting a starting assignment in the next seven days if all goes to plan.

Recently demoted infielder Frank ‘Ladies Man’ Martinez (left) has been picking up his game a little in Arizona, moving his average up to a ‘needs work, but not as much as last week’ average of .181. Here’s hoping he continues the upsurge in confidence and gets back to Vancouver soon.

2004 Vancouver catcher/1st baseman/DH, Don Sutton III (how awesome would it be to have a number in your name?), has been struggling since his recent return to the line-up in Arizona. Still unable to find out if he was injured or in extended training for the early part of the year, but at present he’s managed one hit and a walk from 10 appearances at the plate. Perhaps most alarming - the 5 strikeouts he’s racked up in those appearances.

Don, if you’re reading this, take some advice… don’t be angry at your form, and don’t try to hit the cover off the ball - just be the Zito. Chill out, be cool, and stroke the ball. Take it from me; I went 5-5 with 2 doubles and 6 RBI in my beer league softball game last Wednesday - I know my stuff! (Go Abbie’s Sports ‘B’!)