Minor League Check - Starting Pitchers

The Capuano injury had a chain-reaction effect throughout the Brewers' farm system, with several of their top pitching prospects moving up a level to back-fill...we all know about Gallardo getting promoted to the bigs, but how are the other top prospects faring?

AAA Nashville - Manny Parra

Parra seems like he's been in the minors forever (which he has) - drafted in 2001, he's struggled with shoulder problems for years. Finally healthy, he made 21 appearances in '06, and made his first start in AAA yesterday after being promoted from AA. Parra took the loss but pitched OK, giving up 2 earned over 6 innings, striking out 6.

AA Huntsville - Will Inman

After dominating at High-A Brevard County, Inman was promoted to AA and has struggled, to say the least, in his first two starts at Huntsville. 0-2, 9.35 ERA, 8 K's in 8 2/3 innings. Jim Powell was comparing Inman to Villanueva on the Brewers broadcast yesterday - they had very similar stats in A ball, and they both are similar pitchers as far as stuff goes. Hopefully he can be as good as Villanueva in the bigs...I'd take that.

A West Virginia - Jeremy Jeffress

Jeffress has made 4 starts at low A West Virginia, and has been relatively impressive, going 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 14 K's in 18 innings. Already significantly better than what Mark Rogers has managed to do so far...