Kaupe leads team with a .462 on-base percentage

Baldwin High School graduate Branden Kaupe — the New York Mets' fourth-round draft pick last month — is hitting .250 (7 for 28) through the first 10 games of his professional career, with no extra-base hits, but he does lead the Kingsport (Tenn.) Mets in on-base percentage with a .462 clip.

That is thanks in large part to his 11 walks, which is more than double the next-highest number for the Appalachian League rookie-level team that is off to a 4-10 start. The on-base number has also helped him lead the team in runs, with 10.

The switch-hitting Kaupe is 1-for-8 vs. lefties and 6-for-20 vs. right-handers.

Checking up on another Maui minor leaguer, Kanekoa Texeira is tearing up the Triple-A International League for the Louisville Bats (Reds) with a 1.21 ERA in 18 appearances covering 29 2/3 innings pitched. The former major leaguer has given up just one home run and four earned runs, but he needs to work on his 15-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

That final number might have been what kept him off the IL All-Star team announced last week. Still, if his ERA stays anywhere near what it is right now, he is a good bet to return to the majors this season with his third organization.