Best of MLB.com Mailbag

Hughes has continued his hot streak since your e-mail, Kevin. The Perth, Australia native is currently in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak in which he has two four-hit games over the last four days. He's batting .378 over 28 games this season with nine home runs, 20 RBIs and a .440 on-base percentage.

The nine home runs already matches Hughes' home run total from last season. And he's never been expected to be a power hitter considering his 5-foot-11, 180-pound physique. But not only is Hughes, 23, showing versatility at the plate, he's doing it in the field as well. So far this year, Hughes has played second base, third, shortstop and even some center field.

If this power binge continues, Hughes could find his home at third. Right now, the prospects for third base in the Twins' farm system are lacking and Hughes might help give the organization another option at the spot.

As a longtime A's fan, I'm always watching the Minors for future Major League stars. Can you tell me about what is going on at Kane County and who is responsible for their terrific record?
-- Ken G., Newark, Calif.

Kane County, Oakland's Class A affiliate in the Midwest League, got off to a blazing start behind one of the best starting rotations at that level. The headliner is right-hander Craig Italiano, a second-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Flower Mound High in Texas, who was picked up as compensation for the free-agent defection of Damian Miller.

Now 21, Italiano is listed at a sturdy 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, and he's been dominant for the Cougars, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his first five starts of the season, striking out 37 with eight walks and 17 hits allowed over 24 innings for a 1.04 WHIP.

Do you think it will take the A's going in the tank to get Carlos Gonzalez up from Triple-A and playing every day in center field? Or do you think they will continue with the status quo as long as the A's are in contention?
-- Mike B., Sonoma, Calif.

Gonzalez needs to get 100 percent healthy before anything else happens. He got hurt near the end of Spring Training, and he's already been sidelined in Sacramento by a jammed thumb and a banged-up ankle.

He is a terrific talent, though, so I don't think the A's would have to fold before calling him up. In fact, if he gets healthy and tears it up for the River Cats, he'd make just as much sense as a callup with the A's right in the thick of the division race. Given that Emil Brown is on a one-year deal, I could see a 2009 starting outfield of [Ryan] Sweeney in left, Gonzalez in center and [Travis] Buck in right.

Do you know what happened to Minor League catcher Matt McBride? Baseball America has him listed as [Cleveland's] No. 13 prospect, and he is not on any rosters. Where did he go?
-- Nathan K., Cleveland

McBride was dealing with a shoulder issue at the time the Indians drafted him in 2006, and that issue was firmly addressed over the winter, when he had surgery performed. He is rehabbing in extended Spring Training camp, and farm director Ross Atkins said he's expected back in July. McBride will probably start out in Class A Advanced Kinston.

How is [Cleveland's] Shin-Soo Choo's rehab coming? All those Choo mailbag puns are just aching to be told.
-- James E., Charlotte, N.C.

Big League Choo is basically on schedule down in extended Spring Training camp after September elbow ligament replacement surgery. He recently began playing in the outfield and was up to about six innings of work per game this past week. Once Choo proves he can handle a nine-inning workload (he'll get his first chance this week), he'll be ready for a rehab assignment.

It's likely Choo's rehab will take place at Triple-A Buffalo. Rehabbing position players can remain with the Minor League clubs for 20 days before the team must make a move. Because he is out of Minor League options, Choo is expected to join the Indians when the rehab is over. It's looking like early June.

What happened with the Tribe's quest to sign young shortstop phenom Edward Salcedo in the Dominican Republic? Has Salcedo signed with anyone?
-- Gary M., Brunswick, Ohio

Salcedo hasn't signed with anybody yet. I've written before that Salcedo has become something of a mythical figure. As it turns out, the real myth might be his age. Last I heard through the good folks at Baseball America, MLB was investigating whether Salcedo really is 16 years old. He might be several years older, which would make him less of a purported phenom, obviously.

Because he trains at the Indians' Dominican Academy, Salcedo has always been linked to the Tribe. But given his affiliation with Scott Boras and this latest age wrinkle, it's possible the Indians have elected to drop out of the running. The international scouting picture is very muddy and therefore difficult to predict. The coverage of the Salcedo situation proves as much.

When will [Orioles] infielder Scott Moore be back?
-- Steven B., Silver Spring, Md.

Nobody with the Orioles knows that answer at the moment. Moore was expected to play a key role as a reserve this season, but [manager Dave] Trembley decided that he'd rather see the infielder play on a regular basis at Norfolk. The former first-round Draft pick got off to a slow start in Triple-A, and he recently dealt with a minor injury before returning to the lineup Sunday night.

Moore, a natural third baseman, has worked out at second base and shortstop this season in the hopes of increasing his versatility for the Orioles. Baltimore felt he was blocked from major playing time by the presence of veterans [Kevin] Millar, [Aubrey] Huff and [Melvin] Mora, all of whom combine to clog the majority of at-bats at first base, third base and designated hitter.

Trembley has said that he sees Moore as a future starter, which is why he wants him to play every day at Norfolk. Moore may be waiting for a hot streak to get another callup, and he may need roster help in the form of an injury or trade. One thing is certain: At 24 years old, Moore should have plenty of chances to break through in the big leagues.

Even if it doesn't happen this season, Moore should get a long look next year in Spring Training. Millar's contract expires this offseason, and Huff and Mora may not be back after 2009. Moore, however, should just be entering his prime at that point.

Is there anything new on the [Orioles'] Vero Beach, Fla., situation?
-- Jim M., Malabar, Fla.

No, there's nothing new. The Dodgers did indicate to Vero Beach that they intend to play in Arizona next season, but they can still change their minds by July 15 without incurring a monetary penalty. The Orioles, by contrast, are still waiting to hear on potential renovations to their spring facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a process that has taken longer than expected.

There was one interesting development in another Spring Training city that may ultimately affect the Orioles. There have been some initial rumblings that the Red Sox may leave their complex in Fort Myers, Fla., and relocate to Sarasota, Fla., where the O's hold their Minor League camp. If that were to take place, Baltimore would have one fewer future option.

Baltimore, like almost every other Major League team, would like to have its Minor League and Major League camp run in the same city. The present arrangement makes it difficult for the big league staff to evaluate potential mid-season options, and it also makes it difficult to lightly expose young players to the pressures of big league exhibition games.

The Orioles do appear to be on track to replace the Dodgers in Vero Beach by 2010, at the latest, but there are a ton of intricate details that could prevent it from being a done deal. Baltimore has trained in Fort Lauderdale for more than a decade, but the end of an era may be upon us. Like the denizens of Vero Beach, we'll all have to stay tuned to see how it turns out.

When do the Rangers get Chris Davis up here? He is off to a great start in Double-A Frisco.
-- Danny R., Arlington

Davis will play for the Rangers this year. It's just a matter of when. You'd like to give him as much development time as possible, but as of Saturday afternoon, he has 20 home runs and 48 RBIs over 211 Double-A at-bats at Frisco. The inside word is his swing isn't quite Major League ready yet.

What is going on with [Rangers prospect] Kameron Loe? Why has his name not come up in talks about spot starts this season?
-- Brendan S., Carrollton, Texas

Loe is pitching in relief at Triple-A Oklahoma and has a 5.30 ERA, having allowed 24 hits and eight walks in 18 2/3 innings. He has not put himself in a position to be a part of the Oklahoma Shuttle.

With Brett Tomko struggling right now and John Bale out, what are the chances that the Royals will call up one of their Minor Leaguers, such as Tyler Lumsden or Kyle Davies, for a couple of starts?
-- Andrew G., Blue Springs, Mo.

Manager Trey Hillman said that he'll give Tomko another start or two to get back on track. If the Royals do dip into the Minors, Davies is 3-2 with a 2.61 ERA for Triple-A Omaha after losing Sunday in Fresno. One note of caution is that Davies, who's had trouble harnessing his fastball in the past, has issued 13 walks. But he also has 22 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Lumsden, a lefty, has struggled at 2-1 with an 8.59 ERA. At Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Carlos Rosa is doing great. He's 3-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 32 strikeouts against just five walks. He's still learning, though. If anyone gets a call, it's likely to be Davies, because he has considerable Major League experience, and general manager Dayton Moore likes his potential.

With the success Jorge De La Rosa had this season in Triple-A, why did the Royals trade him when he's shown to be a better candidate than some of the pitchers on the 25-man roster?
-- Heath K., Houston

The Royals recognized that De La Rosa had great stuff, but he just couldn't get anything going over the long haul and they just ran out of patience. In some cases, it's just best for the team and the player, as well, to part company and, in the end, that's what happened when De La Rosa was traded to the Rockies. He had trouble in his first outing in Colorado, but the change might do him some good. De La Rosa is a fine person with great potential and, hopefully, he'll fulfill it.

Why don't the Royals call up Mike Aviles from Triple-A Omaha and give him a chance at replacing Tony Pena, who has been struggling with the bat?
-- Brenton D., Yonkers, N.Y.

Aviles, last year's Minor League Player of the Year in the Royals organization, is hot again for Omaha with a .347 average through Sunday with six homers and 26 RBIs. He's been playing mostly second base, because the Royals don't believe he has enough range to play shortstop in the Major Leagues.

Aviles might surprise them, but he's always been considered a big league utility type. Hillman will stick with Pena as long as possible, because he's been excellent defensively, and that's crucial at shortstop. Omaha's primary shortstop is Angel Berroa, who is hitting .297 and playing well, but whether or not the Royals would bring him back after cutting him the past two springs is a big question.

I remember watching the First-Year Player Draft last summer, and remember the Twins taking Ben Revere as their first pick. Where is he in the farm system and how is he doing?
-- Shea H., Utica, Minn.

Revere began the 2008 season in extended Spring Training after spending all of his time in '07 with the Twins' Gulf Coast rookie league club. Last season, Revere played in 50 games at Gulf Coast and batted .325 with 10 triples, 29 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

The Twins recently moved Revere to Class A Beloit to play the outfield. In seven games for the Snappers, Revere is hitting .393 with two doubles, four RBIs and two stolen bases. Revere's speed is clearly his biggest asset, but there is still plenty of room for him to develop as a hitter. It's too early to start putting too many predictions or expectations on the outfielder, but now that he's moving up in the system, it should be interesting to see how he adapts to the different levels.

What happened to Alexi Casilla? I thought he was supposed to be the future second baseman or shortstop. Then, Minnesota got Adam Everett, who is just like Nick Punto. Good at defense but struggles at the plate.
-- Tyler J., Brookings, S.D.

Casilla's constant mental mistakes cost him the opportunity at a starting job for the Twins this season. It began when the infielder was called up last season, and while he was in competition for the opening at second base this spring, Casilla did nothing to prove that he had changed. Minnesota wants him to get more comfortable in the field and to quit hurrying so much while he's in the field and at the plate.

But it will take a lot more now for Casilla to earn a spot. The Twins have added speed to their lineup in center fielder Carlos Gomez, and Brendan Harris is starting to take hold of that second-base spot. Casilla's golden opportunity appears to have passed, and he's not doing anything in the Minors to make a push right now either. He's hitting just .212 through 28 games with Triple-A Rochester with only two RBIs in his 85 at-bats. He has drawn 16 walks in that span, but he'll have to prove he can be more consistent in the field -- recording five errors already this season.

You probably get this question a ton, but I keep hearing how [White Sox third-base prospect] Josh Fields is an "athlete." What I don't understand is why can't they move him to second base? There have been a ton of notable players that have made that move -- Ryne Sandberg. It seems as if the move would be a good one, because that position is where the White Sox get the least production. What do you think about the idea?
-- Jeff, Frankfort, Ill.

As one White Sox executive told me, if they wanted to go with a lineup based purely on offense, then Fields could be a possibility at second. When I asked Fields about this position switch during a recent conversation we had, he talked about playing middle infield throughout high school, so the adjustment could be made. Then again, that was high school, and the White Sox still like the defensive skill at second Juan Uribe brings to the lineup.

Fields will remain the starting third baseman for Charlotte. If the unexpected happens and Joe Crede stays long-term past the 2008 season, then the White Sox have a decision to make as to where Fields fits.

I am a firm believer that [the Yankees' Phil] Hughes and [Ian] Kennedy will come through eventually, but I see [Darrell] Rasner is pitching well, as well as Dan Giese and Steven White. Will they have opportunities this season? Also, are there any updates on Kei Igawa's progress?
-- Brian M., New York, N.Y.

I don't think anyone expected the Yankees to get through the '08 season with only five starters, especially after what happened in the first half of last season. Use Rasner as a perfect example -- here's a guy who was cut loose as a free agent over the winter, but elected to re-sign with the Yankees on a Minor League deal because he knew his opportunity to pitch in the big leagues was arguably better in New York than with any other club he could have signed with. The decision paid dividends on Sunday for Rasner, and it should send a message to the rest of the pitchers. As for Igawa, Cashman said that he would be next in line when the Yankees need a starter to fill Kennedy's spot, which will happen this weekend in Detroit.