Pitchers of the Week

International League
Jeff Karstens, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
1-1, 2.25 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 16 SO
Karstens got off to a rough start this year, as he lost his first two starts by giving up a combined nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. However, his last two starts have been solid, bringing his ERA down from 6.11 to 4.55. In his last start, Karstens tossed 6 2/3 innings while allowing only two hits and one unearned run en route to a victory and an improved 2-3 record.

Pacific Coast League
Gio Gonzalez, Sacramento
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO
Unable to earn his first win until his ninth start of the season, it could have been pretty easy for Gonzalez to get frustrated and lose control. But after his last start he proved that surely isn't the case. Gonzalez pitched his best game of the year against Fresno on Wednesday, as the hurler tossed eight innings of shutout ball while allowing just one hit and striking out 12 batters without a walk. Gonzalez earned the win and improved his record to 3-5.

Eastern League
Joseph Martinez, Connecticut
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
After starting off the year losing three of his first four decisions, it has been hard for opposing teams to get a hold of Martinez. The starting pitcher has not allowed a run in his last 31 2/3 innings pitched and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his starts this season. Martinez only allowed two hits in seven innings without yielding a run in the Defenders' 9-0 win over the Fisher Cats. That start brought Gonzalez's record to 4-5 and continued his streak of dominance. He now boasts an ERA of just 1.73

Southern League
Carlos Torres, Birmingham
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 8.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
Torres started off the year solid, winning four of his first five decisions, and has continued to be a solid option for Birmingham in the rotation. Torres' most recent start was yet another gem, as he pitched eight innings of shutout baseball while striking out five batters, leading Birmingham to a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville Saturday. Torres earned the win and brought his record up to 8-3 and he sports an attractive 3.23 ERA on the season.

Texas League
Steve Garrison, San Antonio
1-0, 1.39 ERA, 2 G, 2GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 13 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 18 SO
It would be hard for the Missions to complain about the output Garrison has given them in the starting rotation this year, and this past week was more proof as to how important he has become to the ballclub. Garrison, who hasn't lost in his last six starts, pitched two games this week, allowing just one run in each of them. Garrison led the Missions to a 3-1 victory over Midland Saturday with seven strong innings, notching a season-high 11 strikeouts. Garrison is 5-3 on the year with a 3.09 ERA.

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<%-- END POLL --%> California League
Keith Weiser, Modesto
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
It has been rather hit or miss with Weiser this year in terms of his performance. One day he will give up just one run and the next he'll get shelled for six. This week, Weiser brought his best stuff to the ballpark and led his team to a victory over Visalia Wednesday. In that start, Weiser threw his first complete-game shutout of the season, giving up five hits and striking out six in the process. The win brought him up to 5-8 on the season, but he does have a sub-three ERA at 2.98.

Carolina League
Carlton Smith, Kinston
1-0, 0.75 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
Before this week, Smith was struggling, as he gave up a combined eight earned runs in his previous two starts. This week was different. On Tuesday against Lynchburg, Smith threw seven shutout innings and struck out four en route to the win. In his next start against Salem Sunday, he threw five innings and gave up a run before being pulled for the no-decision.

Florida State League
Jeremy Hellickson, Vero Beach
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO
Hellickson has been the prototype for reliability this year mainly because he has only lost one game and his season-high for earned runs allowed in a start is four. Hellickson was back at it again this week in his two starts, most notably in Vero Beach's game against Clearwater Sunday. In the start, Hellickson threw seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit. Following the start, Hellickson received word that he, along with teammate and 2007 No. 1 overall Draft pick David Price, would be joining the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits.

Midwest League
Luis Perez, Lansing
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO
After losing his first four decisions and not gaining his first win until his 10th start, Perez seems to be settling down. In June, Perez allowed a combined six runs in four starts, and the dominance continued again on Thursday when Lansing took on Fort Wayne. Perez pitched seven scoreless innings while striking out nine batters on his way to the win, brining his record to 3-5 and lowering his ERA to 3.56.

South Atlantic League
Madison Bumgarner, Augusta
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO
After being shelled in his season debut for five runs, Bumgarner has only given up nine runs in his last 12 starts. His last start in Augusta's game against Asheville was not one that added to that total. Against the Tourists, Bumgarner threw seven shutout innings while striking out 10 batters and bringing his ERA down to 1.77. Bumgarner, who's now earned two consecutive SAL Pitcher of the Week nods, has held opponents hitless in seven of his thirteen starts this season.

Appalachian League
Garrett Johnson, Bristol
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO
In two appearances this season -- one start and one relief -- to begin the year, Johnson has been on target. He came on Tuesday in relief in Bristol's game against Johnson City Tuesday and threw two scoreless innings while striking out five batters. Four days later he got the start against Burlington and fared better, as he threw 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and allowed an earned run en route to his first win in professional baseball. He is already off to a comeback year in his second season after going 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in 15 appearances as a reliever in 2007 with the Sox.

New York-Penn League
Brock Huntzinger, Lowell
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO
Huntzinger is already two starts deep into the season and he has yet to give up a run. Huntzinger, Boston's third-round selection in 2007, threw five innings in each of his two starts this week, allowing just seven total hits and 11 strikeouts. Huntzinger earned his first victory of the season on Tuesday when Lowell defeated Tri-City 4-2.

Northwest League
Brett Lorin, Everett
1-0, 1.13 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 15 SO
In his first season in professional baseball, it could have been easy for Lorin to be intimidated. But Lorin threw two shutout innings with two strikeouts in his debut on Thursday. Just three days later in his second start against Boise, Lorin pitched 5 1/3 innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out a career-high 13 batters. The performance gave Lorin his first career win in professional baseball and a strikeout total that will be hard to beat.

Pioneer League
Bryan Casey, Idaho Falls
1-0, 0.90 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO
In 2006 with Idaho Falls, Casey went 0-6 with a 6.04 ERA. Shortly into this season, Casey has already surpassed his win total from 2006 and looks to be on the fast track to a successful season as a starter. On Tuesday as the Opening Day starter against Casper, Casey threw four scoreless innings with four strikeouts before eventually being pulled. When called on again Sunday against Casper, he picked up right where he left off, as he tossed six innings while allowing three hits and one earned run en route to the win.