21-year old righty starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi came into this season as the Brewers’ #1 prospect. He was the key return in the Zack Greinke deal with Milwaukee over the winter. He has pitched in 23 games (all starts) in A+AA-ball so far this year and he is 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has whiffed 135 batters already this season in 123 2/3 innings in the minors so far this year and he has only allowed 112 hits and 39 walks. Odorizzi has now pitched in 69 games (57 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 18-15 with 1 save, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He is likely on the fast track to Kansas City.

The Royals have called up 24-year old righty swinging 2B Johnny Giavotella. He came into this season as the Royals’ #18 prospect according to Baseball America. Giavotella played in 109 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 152 for 449 (.339 avg, .872 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 9 homers, 72 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He has now played in 444 games in his first four years in the minors and he is 526 for 1,725 (.305 avg, .812 OPS) with 292 runs scored, 28 homers, 215 RBIs and 58 stolen bases. Giavotella will likely bump 27-year old lefty swinging 2B Chris Getz right out of the starting lineup. Getz has played in 97 games for the Royals so far this year and he is 90 for 351 (.256 avg, .600 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 0 homers, 24 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

The Royals have recalled 30-year old righty swinging infielder Mike Aviles from AAA-ball to replace Wilson Betemit on the active roster. Aviles played in 47 games earlier this year for the Royals and he was 36 for 169 (.213 avg, .647 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 5 homers, 30 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He was then sent to AAA and instead of moping down there, he played well. Aviles has played in 35 games in AAA-ball this year and he was 43 for 140 (.307 avg, .915 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 9 homers, 25 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. I have a feeling that the Royals will be showcasing Aviles for a trade to a team like the Pirates who could really use a player like him.

28-year old switch-hitting outfielder Anthony Seratelli is having a very solid year in the minors for the Royals in 2011. Seratelli has played in 74 games in AA-ball so far this year and he is 70 for 249 (.281 avg, .837 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 8 homers, 39 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He has now played in 549 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 484 for 1,783 (.271 avg, .776 OPS) with 295 runs scored, 38 homers, 250 RBIs and 129 stolen bases. Seratelli isn’t much of a prospect but he deserves credit for the year he’s turning in so far for the Royals.

30-year old righty swinging 2B/SS/3B Mike Aviles is ripping the ball since he was sent to AAA by the Royals. Aviles has played in 17 games in AAA-ball so far this year and he is 22 for 66 (.333 avg, 1.010 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 6 homers, 12 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Aviles played in 47 games earlier this year for the Royals and he is 36 for 169 (.213 avg, .648 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 5 homers, 30 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Aviles has now played in 295 games in his first four years with the Royals and he is 323 of 1,123 (.285 avg, .734 OPS) with 153 runs scored, 24 homers, 121 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. I think the Royals are going to find a market for Aviles next month and I think they are going to deal him.