Austin Jackson (pictured right) – Following a full season of Double-A ball in Trenton, the speedy Jackson is emerging a legitimate competitor for a position in the Yankees outfield.

Last season, Jackson batted .285 with 33 doubles, 5 triples, 9 HR, 69 RBIs and 19 SB in 131 games, leading Trenton in hits (148), doubles, stolen bases and RBIs.  His named appeared at the top of the Double-A stats charts in several categories, including at-bats (second), hits (third) and doubles (fourth).

As is his nature, Jackson hasn’t slowed down any in 2009, despite a promotion to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.  In his first seven starts, the Denton, TX native is 12/25 (.480) at the plate, has driven in six runs and stolen seven bases.  His versatility could assist his chances of being called-up to the Yankees, as he has spent time patrolling both center and right field this season.

Jackson’s Season Stats – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
AVG – .480; 2B – 0; 3B – 1; HR – 0; RBI – 6; BB – 5; SO – 7; OPS – 1.123

Andrew McCutchen – The Pittsburgh Pirates expected their prize center field prospect to have his bags packed and ready for a trip to their Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis as soon as the doors closed on spring training.  Boy, were they surprised.  McCutcheon did everything in his power, including six hits in his final six at bats, to convince Pittsburgh he was ready for a chance at the show.  In the end, he’s still being reassigned.  But an impression was certainly made on the Pirates staff.

“In Andrew’s case, we probably thought it was a much-later-in-the-summer-type progress,” general manager Neal Huntington told MLB.com. “Andrew still had a lot of things to tick off on that checklist. But he’s beginning to check them off a lot quicker than anticipated. The checklist is getting shorter.”

McCutchen continued his hot streak for Indianapolis with three multi-hit games in his first seven games and first-inning triples in back-to-back starts.

McCutchen’s Season Stats – Indianapolis (Triple-A)
AVG – .281; 2B – 2; 3B – 3; HR – 0; RBI – 1; BB – 4; SO – 3; OPS – .892

Matt Wieters – As expected, the Baltimore Orioles assigned their start prospect to their Triple-A affiliate (Norfolk Tides) to start the season.   Wieters return to the minors didn’t start the way he had invisioned.  Held without a hit in his first two games of the season (0-7), Wieters rebounded by hitting .363 in his next three.

Wieters Season Stats – Norfolk (Triple-A)
AVG – .222; 2B – 0; 3B – 0; HR – 0; RBI – 0; BB – 4; SO – 7; OPS – .586