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Taylor hits for the cycle

That second double is just gravy

Michael Taylor, OF, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley)
Wednesday's stats: 5-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, HR (4), 2 R, 4 RBI, CS
Taylor was a Minor League Update regular during the first half of the season, but not so much since he moved up to Triple-A in mid-July. After going more than a week without an extra-base hit, he more than made up for it Wednesday by hitting for the cycle and doing it in style, with his home run coming in the ninth inning. This one game increased his slugging percentage more than 100 points for a total batting line of .286/.368/.490 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) that is much more in line with expectations.

It's official -- I'm blowing this guy up

Robert Stock, C, Cardinals (Short-season Johnson City)
Wednesday's stats: 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (5), 2 R, 4 RBI

When Stock signed on to play at Southern California as a 16-year-old in 2006, everyone expected him to be an elite first-round pick three years later. Disappointing performances dropped him to the second round this June, and it's almost like people forgot how young he was. So now we have a 19-year-old catcher with outstanding tools and three years of major college play under his belt, and after last night's outburst, he's batting .356/.424/.606 in 28 games. The breakout is official.

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