Levine, on Mier

Nice profile by Zach Levine on 2009 1st-Round pick Jiovanni Mier, who's having a bit of a tough time in Lexington.

Mier:
"The year's not going as I want it to be, but it's still a blast to be out here every day, and it's definitely a blessing to be out here out here every day with the opportunity to play this game. (It's been a struggle) offensively, and a lot defensively, too. It's kind of an up-and-down year, but it's still real early, and I'll continue to work and try to turn it around."

Legends manager Rodney Linares:
"Jio's going to be all right. I said it last year and I say it with my word that he's going to play in the big leagues for a long time as a shortstop."

Ricky Bennett:
"The encouraging thing is that he's not striking out, he's taking his walks, he's making consistent contact, and I think as he goes through the next month or six weeks, we'll start to see his average increase."

Levine:
The near certainty that Mier remains at shortstop leads to a near certainty that he will control his own trajectory through the organization. The position in the Astros' minor league system is relatively thin, meaning he'll ascend as fast or as slowly as his readiness allows.