Pitchers of the Week

After two ugly losses to start the season, Vasquez rebounded in a big way this week. The 24-year-old hurled five scoreless innings on Monday and six more on Saturday to lower his ERA to a respectable 3.48. Vasquez struck out 19 batters in those 11 frames, and now leads the IL with 28 on the season.

Pacific Coast League
Philip Humber, New Orleans
1-0, 1.38 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO

Humber yielded just two runs over 13 innings this week. On Monday, the 6-foot-4 Texan surrendered a run over six innings against Nashville and picked up his second victory of the season. On Saturday against Albuquerque, he allowed one run over seven innings, but failed to factor into the decision. Opponents are batting a measly .211 against Humber this season.

Eastern League
Aaron Laffey, Akron
2-0, 1.50 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO

Laffey turned in a pair of near-identical starts this week and earned a victory in both of them. The 22-year-old southpaw allowed a run over six innings against Erie on Tuesday, a feat he also accomplished five days later against Reading. Laffey, in fact, has allowed a run over six innings in all three of his starts this season. The guy is nothing if not consistent.

Southern League
Mark Holliman, Tennessee
2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 15 IP, 10 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO

Holliman allowed an unearned run over seven innings against Chattanooga on Tuesday, but was even better five days later against Mobile. The 23-year-old fired eight shutout frames and contributed an RBI single as his Smokies blanked the BayBears, 3-0. Holliman has yet to allow an earned run over 21 innings this season.

Texas League
Luke Hochevar, Wichita
2-0, 1.38 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 18 SO

Hochevar, the No. 1 overall draft pick last year, picked up his first two wins of the season this week. While he was strong in both outings, he dominated against San Antonio on Tuesday. Over 7 2/3 shutout innings, the Tennessee product allowed two hits and struck out 11. After walking seven batters in his first two starts, Hochevar did not issue a base on balls over 14 2/3 innings this week.

California League
Dave McKae, San Jose
2-0, 0.71 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.2 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 SO

McKae picked up two wins in as many starts this week. On Tuesday against Modesto, he struck out eight over 6 2/3 scoreless frames. The 25-year-old was only slightly less impressive against Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, surrendering a run on four hits over six frames. McKae's 1.59 ERA is tied for sixth-best in the California League.

Carolina League
Chorye Spoone, Frederick
2-0, 0.71 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 12 SO

After a nine-day layoff, Spoone went up against Lynchburg on Tuesday and allowed two runs -- one earned -- on two hits over 6 2/3 innings. It's tough to improve on such a solid outing, but the 21-year-old did just that on Sunday. Facing Potomac, he fired six shutout innings and lowered his ERA to a superb 1.56 on the season. Opponents are batting a mere .164 against Spoone thus far.

Florida State League
Kyle Waldrop, Fort Myers
2-0, 0.73 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO

Waldrop's stats look pretty nifty with a 2.11 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 21 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old's performance this week was exemplary, as he started and won both times he took the mound. On Monday against Lakeland, the Tennessee native struck out six over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Five days later, Waldrop surrendered a run over seven innings against Tampa.

Midwest League
Daryl Thompson, Dayton
2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.0 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO

Thompson hurled 12 shutout frames this week en route to becoming one of just three pitchers in the Midwest League to reach the three-win mark. The 21-year-old Maryland native's 0.53 ERA ranks third in the league, and he has allowed just 10 hits and a walk over 17 innings thus far.

South Atlantic League
Wade Townsend, Columbus
2-0, 1.64 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 15 SO

Two starts resulted in two wins for the ever-reliable Townsend. He yielded a run over five innings against Asheville on Monday and a run over six innings against Rome on Saturday. The Texas native struck out a season-high nine batters in the latter outing, and he now ranks fourth in the league with 25 strikeouts.