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MINOR LEAGUE REPORT - Inman could find himself in Portland before season's end by Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com posted 5/11/08 Still just 21 years of age, there probably is no reason to fast-forward Will Inman's ascent to the major leagues. But if he continues to dominate on every minor league level, there really isn't a reason not to move him quickly. Inman started his career by breezing through rookie ball, A ball, and A+ ball for Milwaukee, going 20-5 with an unbelievable 1.75 ERA with 291 strikeouts in 236.1 innings. After a promotion to AA midway through last season, the right-hander struggled for the first time in his professional career. He was traded to the Padres after going 1-5 with a 5.45 for AA Huntsville. He was better with the Padres, but not close to the pitcher he was prior to his promotion to AA. So far in 2008, he is showing the Padres why he was among the top prospects in the Brewers organization before last season. Off to a 4-1 start, Inman has not allowed an earned run in five of his eight starts, while holding the opposition to a .187 batting average. More stats that confirm his dominance: 1 HR allowed, 29 H, 44 K, in 43.2 IP. His walk total is a bit high at 18, but it hasn't made much of a difference. If he can keep it up, look for Inman to get his chance to pitch in Portland before the season's end and depending on how the season is going for the Padres, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to get the call this season. One scenario could have a struggling Padres team trading starters Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf at the trading deadline, which would open the door for a few guys, including Wade LeBlanc, Josh Geer, Cesar Ramos, and Inman. OTHER MINOR LEAGUERS WHO COULD BE PROMOTED TO A HIGHER LEVEL THIS SEASON: AAA: All - If the Padre continues to struggle, they could have as many as 10-12 Portland Beavers join the club at some point this season. AA: Inman, RHP - see above Greg Burke, 25, RHP - 1.67 ERA, 27 IP, 27 H, 4 BB, 33 K in 13 games Brett Dowdy, 26, IF - .353 BA, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 SB Chad Huffman, 23, OF - .333 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 10 2B, .430 OBP Neil Jamison, 24, RHP - 1.61 ERA, 22.1 IP, 19 H, 8 BB, 14 K in 18 games Hi A: Eric Sogard, 21, 2B - .386 BA, 0 HR, 21 RBI, 16 2B, 29 BB, 13 K, .494 OBP Cedric Hunter, 20, OF - .319 BA, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 7 2B, 19 BB, 15 K, .404 OBP Sam Carter, 24, OF - .297 BA, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 9 2B Mitch Canham, 23, C - .257 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 25 BB, 21 K, .402 OBP Michael DeMark, 24, RHP - 2.55 ERA, 17.2 IP, 12 H, 6 BB, 22 K Nate Culp, 22, LHP - 2-2, 3.60 ERA, 40 IP, 53 H, 6 BB, 20 K Ernesto Frieri, 22, RHP - 2.84 ERA, 25.1 IP, 27 H, 11 BB, 27 K in 16 games Lo A: Bradley Chalk, CF - .282 BA, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 3 2B, 2 3B, 6 SB, .380 OBP Allen Harrington, LHP - 4.04 ERA, 35.2 IP, 35 H, 6 BB, 34 K Jeremy Hefner, RHP - 3.73 ERA, 31.1 IP, 32 H, 9 BB, 34 K Mat Latos, RHP - 2.57 ERA, 14 IP, 14 H, 6 BB, 12 K Andy Parrino, IF - .286 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 SB, .421 OBP |