coming attractions

Desmond Jennings is listed in the new Sports Illustrated as one of five minor leaguers on the cusp of breaking through in The Show. The former Itawamba Community College standout, who had a brief trial with Tampa Bay in 2010, is hitting .271 with seven homers, 20 RBIs and nine steals in Triple-A. Yes, he’s ready, but he’s got company from several other Mississippi-connected players also banging at the big league door. In addition to Alex Presley (see previous post), Ole Miss product Zack Cozart, a shortstop, is hitting .282 with four homers in Triple-A for Cincinnati. Another ex-Rebel, Lance Lynn, is 4-3 with a 3.93 ERA with St. Louis’ Triple-A Memphis club. Another step back is Justin Henry, an Ole Miss alum who is batting .330 as a second baseman in Double-A for Detroit. Southern Miss product Brian Dozier, a middle infielder who was in big league camp with Minnesota, is batting .317 with 12 stolen bases in high-A ball. Drew Pomeranz, Cleveland’s first-round pick out of Ole Miss last June, is 1-1 with a 2.09 ERA in high-A. A power lefty, he’ll move up swiftly.