There has been minimal organizational movement among Chattanooga Lookouts position players this season, and that could continue barring injuries at the major-league level or in Triple-A.
The Lookouts played their third game of the second half and their 73rd overall Saturday night, defeating Jacksonvile 5-2 before a crowd of 4,951 at AT&T Field.
"As far as where they are in their development, I think the guys are where they should be," Los Angeles Dodgers player development director De Jon Watson said. "Scott Van Slyke is having a bounce-back year, and Kyle Russell has made some adjustments to where I think you're going to see him play better as we continue to progress in the second half. Position-player wise, I like where we are, but I think we can get a lot better."
Three Chattanooga pitchers - starter Rubby De La Rosa and relievers Javy Guerra and Josh Lindblom - were promoted straight to Los Angeles during the first half, with Lindblom getting optioned back to Lookouts this past Thursday. The only position players to advance have been infielders Corey Smith and Wilberto Ortiz, who went to Albuquerque before returning.
Smith went to Triple-A a second time last Sunday.
Watson is in town attending this five-game series against the Suns. The Lookouts improved to 2-1 in the second half after finishing the first half 35-35.
"They're in a good spot," Watson said. "They battled their tales off to get back to .500, and when you look at a developmental standpoint, you see guys making big jumps and strides. I think we're challenging guys. I'm excited about where we are as an organization and for the players we have here in Double-A."
Chattanooga trailed 2-0 through five innings but surged ahead 4-2 on Travis Denker's three-run home run to right in the sixth. The Lookouts have scored 31 runs in their last four games, which dates back to last Sunday's 11-6 win at Tennessee that ended the first half.
"We were getting hot before the all-star break, and I think it has just rolled over to this half," said Brian Cavazos-Galvez, who is in his first Double-A season. "As many as can get hot at one time is the key. If we have two or three spread out in the lineup who are hot, it's hard to produce runs, but if you've got four or five who are pretty close, then you can get some runs every time."
Will Savage (7-2, 3.70) is scheduled to start today's 2:15 game for the Lookouts, with Joey O'Gara (4-4, 3.96) scheduled for the Suns.