I’ve never been inclined to believe that I have any sort of special powers, but there’s no doubting the fact that the lives of several of the players I mentioned in my That Minor League Game I Went to… post have had their lives severely altered within a one week span. Divine? Probably not. Coincience? I can’t say that either.

Just kiddin’. It’s hot today, ok?

Chin-Lung Hu - Since I wrote he was hitting .159 for the Las Vegas 51s he’s been on absolute fire and is 13 for his last 23 and an awfully nice seven for his last eight with seven runs scored and four RBIs. He just missed the cycle by a home run in a July 26 game versus Iowa in which he singled, doubled, and tripled twice. Looks like a return trip to the minors didn’t agree with Mr. Tainan (appologies to Jackson).

Joe Meloan - Part of the deal that sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers. It’s been interesting to read what different blogs and media have been wrting about Meloan. They’re quick to say his 5-10 record and 4.97 ERA at Las Vegas is more reflective of the hitter friendly ballpark in LV than his talent. Perhaps, but I saw a “power pitcher” throwing 88-89. It was just one start, but from my perspective writers lauding the move seems more indicative of their approval of Mark Shipiro than Meloan’s talent.

Eric Patterson — Called up and leading off for the A’s today. Patterson has been on fire since arriving in Sacramento hitting .349 with an .414 OBP and he was great in the game I saw him — except for  some surprisingly clunky footwork in the field. My guess is he’ll mostly play LF for the A’s and in fact Matt Murton was demoted to make room for him.

Jason Repko — The player I mentioned in the piece that hasn’t done anything newsworthy…yet. He is eight for his last 16 and unlike Hu, he takes the occasional BB (he has four since 6/21). Could an NPB signing be far off? Probably not. I don’t think the Dodgers are quite done with him.