What does it feel like to be Eliezer Mesa right now? Well, we know thanks to Keith Jarrett from the Asheville Citizen-Times:
"I've never been on a streak like this," Mesa, a 6-0, 168-pound outfielder, said through an interpreter.
"It feels like I haven't made an out in a month. I just feel awesome at the plate, seeing the ball real good and swinging with a lot of confidence."
Mesa continues to ride roughshod over South Atlantic League pitching, going four for four with three doubles last night, and as each day passes with this kind of ridiculous output from the outfielder, it becomes more clear he doesn't belong at this level anymore. That said, Mesa's hot start does bring up a question that inevitably arises of just how much/how long does a prospect have to succeed for the organization to consider giving them an in-season promotion? The answer, of course, will depend on a lot of factors. If there's an organizational need up the ladder for players of that particular prospect's position, the chances of a promotion are far more likely than if there's a logjam. Players closer to requiring rule 5 protection are more likely to be put on a fast track than those that have some years left. Players who have skills that are likely to diminish in value as they get older, such as Mesa's speed, also will likely get pushed faster.
In Mesa's case, we'd probably be needing another week or two of near this level of play to really start thinking about if the Rockies are going to move him, and it would be typical of the organization to not actually do it until May. In the above linked article Asheville manager Joe Mikulik provides a couple other reasons for the start, which as prospect fans we should be very happy about. Mesa isn't feasting on mistakes, but instead using quick hands and a patient approach to drive his success.
The rest of this is going to be very short after a power outage caused a short circuit in my wireless modem yesterday (this seems to be an annual thing here, in Cincy) and has me pirating Internet in public spaces until Time Warner comes by to replace the thing tomorrow.
Colorado Springs: L 0-1
Alan Johnson pitched well in defeat. Can't say much about the offense.
Tulsa: L 1-5
Keith Weiser pitched well, Al Alburquerque did not.
Modesto: W 5-2
Brian Rike went three for four with a home run and double to drive the offense, Dan Houston pitched well in the win.
Asheville: W 10-2
Don't let Mesa's start overshadow Angelys Nina's nifty beginning to his 2010 season. Nina had three hits, including his second HR of the year following Mesa. Jonathan Vargas had a solid outing starting for the Tourists.