The former Kentucky product has displayed tremendous improvement at each advanced level, cultivating an all-fields approach with contact rates (specifically line drives) on the incline. Despite the absence of top end physical tools (5’9 185), Cowgill has put it all together thus far in 2011.

In the last calendar month he has a cycle and 17-game hitting streak under his belt. His accolades are difficult to ignore, leading Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers to classify him as a potential promotion alternative in July come the All-Star Break. Arizona has been trying to ship out Gerardo Parra for quite some time. Expect to see Cowgill roaming the spacious Chase Field gaps before too long.

The 2009 2nd round pick is putting up his typical steady numbers in the International League, hitting .292 with nine HR and 44 RBI (.307/16/74 between High-A and AA last year). He’s stolen a perfect 10/10 bases, drawn 36 BB (55 K), has posted a .302 mark against LHP and is producing with ducks on the pond at a .304 clip.

Kipnis is a “baseball player”, plain and simple. He doesn’t possess a single breathtaking tool, but the statistics are always present and his teams don’t win games by accident.

His plate discipline continues to progress with experience, and he’s always been a natural line drive hitter with a compact stroke and good pop for a middle infield spot.

He’s far from an elite athlete at second base, however, which could be holding back his rise to the show. With that said, Orlando Cabrera is wallowing in futility, and Cord Phelps is behind Kipnis on the Indians food chain long (and possibly short) term.

In 22 MLB AB’s last season he hit .207, striking out ten times against zero BB. Obviously those figures are not encouraging, but that sample size is hardly worth making a fuss about.

The 7th overall selection in 2008 is having a stellar first half in the INT, hitting .306 with nine HR and 42 RBI. Perhaps more importantly, Alonso is finally showing signs of life against left-handed pitching, batting .300 with four long balls in 90 plate appearances.

He’s a mechanically sound, smart hitter, but it would be a pleasant sign to see him turn on the baseball with authority more frequently. Standing at 6’2 240, he should be leaving the park not just accumulating doubles. His slugging percentages have left something to be desired along his MiLB journey, as it seems he’s sacrificing power for BA.