by Ben Catley

Every year, it seems to be a different guy we love to feature on Bird Droppings.

Last season (OK, keeping in mind that we only started to do this full-bore last March, but still …), it was Paul Goldschmidt (2009 Osprey), who hit his second home run of the season this past weekend, and could be one of those guys who help the D-backs to a NL West repeat. This season, we have moved from the Goldy Watch (because it was a matter of when, not if, he was getting a call-up to the D-backs), to EatonMania.

OUR Adam Eaton (2010) is drawing attention everywhere nowadays. And when you are hitting .410 and leading the Pacific Coast League in batting, attention tends to follow. (more…)

Some quick hitters so you don’t go a whole week without your fix of Osprey news …

-  Well, the D-backs picked up a nice win tonight in a game where a pair of former Osprey delivered big hits. Paul Goldschmidt (2009) ignited the D-backs 3-run top of the eighth, while Scott Hairston (2001) also delivered a two-run, game-tying double for the New York Mets. In fact, every former Osprey who had an at-bat in the game had a hit.

- Speaking of one of them, Miguel Montero (2002-03), we came across a great story on him from Fox Sports writer Ken Rosenthal on Montero. It goes into the background on how Miggy started his road from Venezuela to the Major Leagues, by way of Missoula, of course.

Which reminds me – the D-backs are on Fox tomorrow, one of the games to be featured across the country.

- One more little bit of Fox … this fantasy update has CarGo at the top of the list. Carlos Gonzalez (2003) is indeed starting to heat up, which is good for former Osprey followers, the Colorado Rockies and fantasy baseball players.

by Ben Catley

Remember when there were all of those trade rumors swirling around Gerardo Parra?

Funny how a jammed thumb and a take-out of the left-center field wall at Chase Field can change things, isn’t it?? Especially with Chris Young now on the 15-day DL because of that collision. (more…)

There have been a few roster moves involving former Osprey throughout the D-backs’ system over the past few days. A summary …

- OF Adam Eaton (2010 Osprey) has been promoted to Triple-A Reno from Double-A Mobile.
- RHP Chase Anderson (2009) is back healthy and pitching in Double-A Mobile. He pitched two-hit ball over four innings in his first start on Wednesday, but also had three walks and five strikeouts while surrendering just one run. Eury De La Rosa (2009) came on and pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Montgomery to pick up the win.
- Anderson comes in and takes the roster spot of 2B David Nick (2009), who has landed on the 7-day DL with an injury. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Henry (2007) has also landed on the DL.
- Ryan Court (2011) was moved from Class A South Bend to Class A Short Season Yakima. Court, for now, is back in Arizona at Extended Spring Training.
- Two other players on the DL – right-handed pitcher Jeremy Erben (2010) and outfielder Ollie Linton (2008).

Three other players have been released by the D-backs in the past couple of days – right-handed pitchers Casey Upperman (2090-10), Miles Reagan (2008-09) and Daniel Stange (2006). Stange was the most surprising, being a right-hander with Major League experience. Upperman’s growth was slowed by injuries, while Reagan battled control issues throughout his stints with both Missoula and Yakima. However, Reagan will forever be a part of Osprey history – he started the game back on June 30, 2008, which was the most recent Osprey no-hitter, a 1-0 win at Helena.

Ironically, none of those three pitchers are in the D-backs minor-league system – Reagan was released, Jesse Orosco moved on to the Padres’ organization after being released in 2009 (not sure he is still there) and Bryan Shaw is currently in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen.

We’ve learned that Adam Eaton (2010 Osprey) has been promoted to Triple-A Reno to take the place of outfielder AJ Pollock, who was promoted to the D-backs to take the roster spot of DL’ed utility player Geoff Blum. Eaton had raised his vatting average to .300 after a slow start at Double-A Mobile, and his on-base percentage has also risen, to a more Eaton-like .451. We’ll post more information as soon as possible.

OK, the past couple of days have been hazardous for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielders. If you missed it, Chris Young had to leave Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh after running into the wall to make a catch in the fourth inning; and Justin Upton had his right thumb examined and drained of fluid, an injury that he suffered nearly two weeks ago.

However, none of that has outfielder AJ Pollock headed to the D-backs from Reno. Instead, that would be Geoff Blum, who has also been injured and was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday.

But before you write Adam Eaton (2010 Osprey) his plane ticket to Phoenix, keep in mind that both CY and Upton are listed as day-to-day, and the belief is that, at the moment, neither are quite headed to the DL, albeit Upton is still 50-50. However, that could change on Wednesday.

So why Eaton? Honestly, because he has become one of Gibby’s guys – someone in the minors who has proven himself to be a worthy candidate. Eaton stuck around until late March in Major League camp as a non-roster player, and despite not having the kind of numbers he posted last spring, still left an impression with the D-backs manager. Oh, and after a three-hit game on Monday, look who’s back hitting .300 with an on-base of .451? Yeah … OUR Eaton.

So keep your ears to the ground … that train may be ready to pull out after all and head down the tracks. Details will be released when it does …