|
18 September 2005
OK ... with almost all of the leagues having completed their playoffs (the CAL
the only one left in play) it may be a good time for a little break ...
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- Toledo, the DET franchise, over the PIT affiliate.
PACIFIC COAST (AAA) -- MIL's Nashville nine
downed SEA's Tacoma club 5-2 in 13 innings Friday to capture the PCL crown ...
Nelson Cruz MIL, three-run homer in the 13th for the win
EASTERN (AA) -- Akron, the CLE affiliate over
Portland, the BOS AA club, for the title ... Sat - Jake Dittler CLE 7 5 0
0 2 5 ... Ryan Mulhern CLE 1-3, double, 2 RBI ... Hanley
Ramirez BOS 2-4, double ... Fri - Jonathan Van Every CLE
1-2, double (one of only two hits for the winners), 2 RBI ... Wade
Miller BOS 5 1 0 0 2 6 ... Anibal Sanchez BOS 2 1 2 2 1
1 ... Craig Hansen BOS 1 0 0 0 1 0
SOUTHERN (AA) -- Dodgers' kids over the young
Cubbies for the title ... Sat - Justin Orenduff LA 5-1/3 7 1 1 0 7 ...
Brandon Sing CHN 3-4, 2 doubles ... James Loney LA 2-3,
homer, walk ... Russell Martin LA 2-4, double, 2 RBI ... Fri - William Juarez LA, another
outstanding playoff effort, 6 8 1 1 0 4 ... Greg Miller LA 2 0 0 0
0 2 ... Joel Guzman LA 1-3, homer, walk, 2 RBI ... Todd
Donovan LA 3-5, 2 triples, 5 RBI
TEXAS (AA) -- OAK affiliate tops the ANA
franchise to take the title series ... Daric Barton OAK 2-4 ...
Jerermy Brown OAK 1-5, homer, 3 RBI ... Kendry Morales
ANA 2-4, homer
CALIFORNIA (A+) -- SF affiliate up 2-1 over
the Padres in the final ... SAT - Kevin Frandsen 2B SF 3-4, homer, walk,
4 RBI ... Fri - Eddie Bonine SD, 6.47 ERA
during the regular season, 8-1/3 2 1 1 0 9 ... Colt Morton SD 1-2,
homer, walk
CAROLINA (A+) -- BAL's Frederick over CLE's Kinston in
the final.
FLORIDA STATE (A+) -- Palm Beach Cardinals over the
Lakeland Tigers in the final series.
MIDWEST (A) -- ARZ took the title over SEA as
Steven Jackson (5.33 during the regular season) tossed a gem, 8 5 0 0 0 9
... Fri - Michael Wilson OF SEA 3-5 double,
homer, 3 RBI ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 2-4, double, 2 RBI ...
Jeff Clement SEA 1-3, double, walk ... Carlos Gonzalez
ARZ 2-5, double
SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) -- Kannapolis CHA over
Hagerstown NYN for the 2005 title ... Ryan McCarthy CHA 2-3, double,
homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Jack Egbert CHA 6 4 0 0 1 5, W
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- Yankees over the Jays
affiliate.
NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) -- Texas NWL team topped the
OAK club to take the championship.
APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) -- Twins affiliate over the Braves
for the title.
PIONEER (ROOKIE) -- Orem Owlz ANA the league
champs over the Brewers affiliate.
GULF COAST (ROOKIE) -- Yankees the champs over
the Mets.
ARIZONA (ROOKIE) -- Giants winners of both halves of
the season.
Troop
Movements ... PIT - Matt Capps, Bryan Bullington,
Tom Gorzelanny, Jose Bautista, Ronny Paulino
up, Zach Duke activated from DL ... SEA - activated Gil Meche from the DL,
recalled Rene Rivera, Shin-Soo Choo, sent Bucky Jacobsen outright to AAA ... WAS
- activated Junior Spivey from DL, placed Tony Armas Jr on the 60-day DL
... FLO - Joe Dillon up ... NYN - Anderson Hernandez up, designated Dae-Sung
Koo for assignment ...
Scott Rex, OnDeck,
puts the finishing touches on his California League prospect chart :
1. Ian Stewart, 3B, COL 6. Chris Lubanski, OF, KC
2. Brandon Wood, SS, ANA 7. Kurt Suzuki, C, OAK
3. Cesar Carrillo, RHP, SD 8. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, SEA
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL 9. Micah Owings, RHP, ARZ
5. Eddy Martinez-Esteve, OF, SF 10. Juan Morillo, RHP, COL
John Sickels, MinorLeagueBall,
makes his picks as the top A-Ball talents for 2005 :
California, Hitter "Shortstop Brandon Wood ... Led the league in
slugging percentage, doubles, homers, second in RBI, fifth in batting average,
while playing a premium defensive position at the age of 20."
Carolina, Pitcher "The two guys I like here are Chance
Douglass of Salem and James Johnson of Frederick. They tied
for second in the league with 12 wins. Douglass led the circuit with a 2.90 ERA
and also posted a nice 128/44 K/BB ratio in 168 innings. Johnson's ERA was
higher at 3.49, but he was more dominant, fanning 168 in 160 innings, although
his control was weaker. I'll go with Douglass."
Florida State, Hitter "Vero Beach outfielder Matt Kemp,
who hit .306/.349/.569. His slugging percentage led the league. He finished
fifth in hitting, second with 27 homers, second with 90 RBI, and he also stole
23 bases, giving him a broad base of contribution."
Brian
Pelowski, CREATiVE SPORTS, begins to check in with some prospect
reports, first with some high level talents bound to attract much attention over
the winter (and, very likely already gone in your leagues).
" ... Daric Barton ... one of the best offensive prospects in the
minors ... began the season at high
Single-A Stockton where he hit .318 with eight home runs, 16 doubles, 62 walks
and 49 strikeouts in 292 at-bats. He moved up to Double-A Midland where he
remained patient walking 35 times with 30 strikeouts in 212 at-bats while also
hitting five home runs and 20 doubles. Barton has the patience that the A’s love
and seems like he could develop the power teams covet in the middle of the lineup."
" ... Howie Kendrick ... 22-year-old Kendrick spent the
first half of 2005 at high Single-A Rancho Cucamonga where he hit .384 with 12
home runs, 23 doubles, 13 stolen bases and a 1059 OPS in 279 at-bats. The Angels
promoted him to Double-A Arkansas at mid-season and he went on to hit .342 with
seven home runs, 20 doubles, 12 stolen bases and a 961 OPS. Kendrick will likely
spend most of next season in the minors but could get an opportunity to start at
second base for the Angels in 2006 when Adam Kennedy’s contract expires."
" ... Ian Kinsler ... debuted at Triple-A Oklahoma this season
... displayed solid power ... hitting .274 with 23 home runs and 28 doubles ... hit for a higher average in the lower minors so the dip in average at
Triple-A is a bit of a concern. He has a decent eye so it possible his average
could rise with a little more experience. The Rangers could give Kinsler a shot
at winning a job as the team’s starting second baseman this spring depending on
what they do with Alfonso Soriano this offseason."
Chuck James ... quite a charge in 2005, all the way from A-Ball to
Atlanta :
" ... James enjoyed an outstanding
season while sweeping through the Atlanta farm system. He opened 2005 with
Myrtle Beach of the Class-A Carolina League and was 3-3 1.08 in seven starts. He
struck out 59 in 41.2 innings as a Pelican while holding opponents to a .139
batting average. He earned a promotion to Mississippi and dominated Southern
League hitters. James was 9-1 2.09 with 104 strikeouts in 86 innings with the
M-Braves. James joined Richmond in August and was 1-3 3.46 in six starts. James
held Triple-A hitters to a .176 average. James was a combined 13-7, 2.12 for the
season. He was fourth in all of minor league baseball with 193 strikeouts in
161.1 innings." (Richmond Braves)
16 September 2005
Off for a few days ...
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- Ryan Raburn DH DET 3-4, R, BB ... Marcus
Thames LF DET 1-4, 1st HR, R, 3 RBI, BB (and a promotion to DET)
TEXAS (AA) -- Jered Weaver ANA 7 6
3 3 2 7 ... Kendry Morales ANA 2-4 ... Daric Barton
OAK 2-3, double, homer ... Jeremy Brown OAK, having a nice 2nd
half and playoffs, 1-3, homer
CALIFORNIA (A+) -- Colt Morton SD 3-4, double,
homer ... Cesar Carrillo SD 5 5 4 4 5 3
CAROLINA (A+) -- a title for the BAL affiliate,
Brian Finch BAL 5 4 0 0 5 5 ... Garrett Olson BAL 2 0 0
0 0 3 ... Mario Delgado BAL 3-4, homer ... Nolan
Reimold BAL 1-3, double
MIDWEST (A) -- Robert Rohrbaugh up from
the NWL for the playoffs, 8 3 0 0 2 7 ... Koley Kolberg ARZ 6-1/3
6 0 0 2 10
SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) -- David Cook CHA 1-2, homer, 2 RBI, 3 runs, 2 walks ... Chris Getz CHA
2-5, 2 RBI
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- Eric Fowler
TOR 6 4 0 0 1 6 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 3-5, double
PIONEER (ROOKIE) -- Jose Arredondo ANA 7 2 1 1 3
8 ... Dallas Morris 3B ANA 3-5, 2 triples ... Mark
Trumbo OF ANA 2-5
Troop
Movements ... ATL - Chuck James up ... DET - Marcus Thames, Mark
Woodyard, Jason Karnuth, Jason Grilli
Bryan Smith, TheBaseball Analysts,
with more of his year-end MVP picks :
" ... Southern League Pitcher
of the Year: Ricky Nolasco - Second year in AA, really tightened things
up. Has emerged as a similar pitcher to Sergio Mitre."
" ... Eastern League Pitcher of the
Year: Jon Lester ... season was fantastic, probably the best of
any prospect in a now-loaded Boston system. But like last year, if you take out
the first couple starts, the season looks even better."
" ... Texas League MVP: Andre
Ethier ... likely made himself a part of Billy Beane's plans for the
future ... In a sense, reminds me of current 'A' Jay Payton, who was drafted
high after playing at Georgia Tech. His AA season in 1995? .345/.397/.535.
Ethier's? .319/.385/.497. Payton showed better contact skills, while Ethier is
more disciplined. Similar power as well as speed in the outfield should give
Ethier a similar career path."
John Sickels with his picks as the top guys in Double-A :
Eastern League, Pitcher of the Year " ...
lefty Jon Lester. He led the league in ERA, strikeouts, and tied for
third with 11 wins. He should be ready to contribute in Boston sometime in
2006."
Southern League, Player of the Year
" ... Several candidates among the hot prospects, including Delmon Young,
Jeremy Hermida, Russ Martin, and Chris Young. I think it boils down to Young
and Hermida, and that's a "pick your blessing" type thing since both were
outstanding. Hermida has better plate discipline and a higher OBP, but Young has
more power. I think I will go for Hermida, on the strength of his .975 OPS
compared to Young's .968. Hermida has broader secondary skills as well."
Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, reviews his pre-season prospect picks (his top
150) :
" ... 141. Willy Aybar
... Considering that he was a 22-year-old in Triple-A, Aybar’s season
wasn’t a fatal setback. Still, he should have done better than a 775 OPS while
playing in the best hitter’s park in a hitter’s league. Complicating things is
that he might not fit at second base."
" ... 138. John Maine
... Orioles bypassed Maine to bring up Hayden Penn from Double-A earlier
this season, but Maine is up now and has been pretty effective despite a
discouraging strikeout-to-walk ratio. Maine’s below average fastball limits his
upside, but it’s not always easy to make solid contact against him. He could be
a fourth or fifth starter."
" ... 137. Chris Young
.. Even though he’s always going to strike out too much, Young is a
borderline top-20 prospect right now. An excellent defensive center fielder in
the mold of Mike Cameron, he’ll be ready to break into some team’s outfield in
2007. He was mentioned in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade talks at the deadline and he
remains a candidate to be dealt because the White Sox have Aaron Rowand and
Brian Anderson ahead of him."
" ... 132. Erick Aybar
... Unfortunately, the most notable thing Aybar did this year was keep Brandon
Wood in the California League ... has the potential to be a quality regular and
he has more range at shortstop than Wood. Still, it’s hard to see where he fits
in the Angels’ plans."
" ... 114. Jeremy Sowers
... doesn’t have the fastball of Liriano or Lester, but he’s one of the top
lefty prospects in the game. He has command of four pitches and he can touch 90
when he needs to. There’s not much more for him to learn in the minors."
15 September 2005
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- Marcus Thames LF DET 1-4, 2B, RBI ...
Kenny Baugh DET 4 2 2 1 3 5, 2.25
PACIFIC COAST (AAA) -- Jesse Foppert
SEA 2-2/3 6 7 5 2 3 ... Nelson Cruz MIL 2-5, double, 3 RBI ...
TJ Bohn SEA 2-4, homer
EASTERN (AA) -- Hanley Ramirez
BOS 2-4 ... Brandon Moss BOS 2-4 ... Ryan Mulhern
CLE 1-4, double
SOUTHERN (AA) -- Renyel Pinto
CHN 7-2/3 3 1 1 4 7 ... Eric Hull LA 7 5 0 0 0 9
MIDWEST (A) -- Ross Ohlendorf
ARZ 7-2/3 5 1 1 1 8
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- Brett
Gardner CF NYY 1-5, R, 2B, 2RBI, K ... Jon Poterson RF NYY
0-4, K ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 1-4, K ... Jason
Stephens NYY 5.2 4 1 1 2 5 ... Robert Ray TOR 5 5 4 1 0 7
Troop
Movements ... BOS - Gabe Kapler out for the season, Adam Hyzdu up ... HOU
- Charlton Jimerson up ... SF - Doug Clark up ...
Dayn Perry, FoxSports,
makes his picks for MVP in A-Ball. Brandon Wood ANA was the easy
pick as the top position player with an ATL catching prospect the runnerup.
The top pitcher comes from the Yankee farm :
" ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia
... Despite toiling for the entire year at Myrtle Beach, the toughest
park for hitters in all the minors, Saltalamacchia authored a batting line of
.314 AVG/.394 OBP/.519 SLG. The power numbers are excellent for a 20-year-old
playing half his games in Myrtle Beach, and he also showed solid plate
discipline. As for his defense, his throwing arm isn't especially powerful, but
otherwise his receiving skills are good enough for him to stick at the
position."
" ... 1. Philip Hughes
... one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball. Hughes hits the
mid-90s with his fastball, and his changeup and breaking ball are both quality
pitches, particularly considering his age. This season, Hughes split time
between the Sally and Florida State Leagues and dominated at both stops. Check
out his combined numbers: 86.1 innings, 93 strikeouts, 20 walks, one homer, 2.19
ERA. He has Cy Young-contender potential at the highest level, provided he stays
healthy. "
" ... 2. Justin Verlander
... Heater that touches 99, hammer curve, plus-potential changeup —
Verlander's repertoire is indeed imposing. This season, Verlander spent most of
his time in the Florida State League, but also saw action in Double-A and in
Detroit ... has ace stuff, and thus far the numbers back that up."
A leading WSox prospect heading for off-season surgery :
" ... Rookie outfielder Brian
Anderson will undergo surgery after the season to remove a plate near his
right wrist. Anderson has played with the plate since the 2004 season after
surgery that ended his first professional season at Class-A Great Falls. The
surgery will include the removal of seven screws that were inserted to aid the
healing." (Chicago Sun Times)
Ryan Mulhern CLE making a positive impression :
" ... While Mulhern hasn't moved
ahead of the oft-injured Michael Aubrey at first base on the Indians
organizational depth chart, he certainly has opened some eyes this season with
his bat, both at Class A Kinston and with Akron. Mulhern was hitting .348
(8-for-23) through six playoff games ... slugging a pair of homers and sporting
a healthy .739 slugging percentage. ... An 11th-round pick out of the
University of South Alabama in 2003, Mulhern had a breakout season, combining to
hit .315 with 32 homers and 94 RBIs in the Carolina and Eastern Leagues ...
Akron manager Torey Lovullo said. "He's put himself right squarely on the
Cleveland Indians map with the type of year he's had. He deserves a lot of
credit. He's a very hard worker, and his success is a direct result of his
dedication." (MLB.com)
John Sickels selects BJ Upton as the Player of the Year in the
International League.
" ... Upton, Durham. Ranked
third in on-base percentage, slugged .490, hit .303, second in league with 44
steals, third in league with 36 doubles, giving him the best balance of power,
batting average, and other contributions among regular player who spent the
whole year in the league. Red flag here is 53 errors at shortstop, but even
considering his defensive problems, I think he made the biggest impact in the
league this year."
Scott Rex, OnDeck, with his
final prospect ranking for the Carolina League :
1. Adam Miller, RHP, CLE 6. Neil Walker, C, PIT
2. Troy Patton, LHP, HOU 7. Adam Loewen, LHP, BAL
3. Gio Gonzalez, LHP, CHA 8. Garrett Olson, LHP, BAL
4. Jimmy Barthmaier, RHP, HOU 9. Ray Liotta, LHP, CHA
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, ATL 10. Hunter Pence, OF, HOU
Delmon
Young TB, not getting much support for his outburst against the D-Rays.
" ... I don't think anybody in this
locker room is feeling sorry for him," rightfielder Aubrey Huff said. "A lot of
guys worked hard to get here. ... He rubbed a lot of people in here the wrong
way. It was the wrong thing to say. He showed a little immaturity and that's why
he's not here. It takes a lot of nerve to say the organization is cheap when you
got $5.8-million (to sign)." Young, the top pick of the 2003 draft, said Monday
that the Rays were cheap and inconsiderate and that their decision to not call
him up would damage his future relationship with the team." (St.
Petersburg Times)
Such
talent ... such a headache.
" ... Outfielder Elijah Dukes
was scratched from the Arizona Fall League roster Tuesday, the same day he
turned himself in at the Orient Road Jail on a misdemeanor count of operating an
unregistered vehicle. Dukes, a Tampa native who has had several legal problems,
was released about two hours later after posting $250 bond. He was replaced on
the Phoenix roster by Jason Pridie." (St. Petersburg Times)
14 September 2005
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- Marcus Thames LF DET 2-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB,
HBP ... Bryan Bullington PIT 2 4 5 5 4 0, 22.50
PACIFIC COAST (AAA) -- Bobby
Livingston SEA, gave up 5 homers, 5 8 6 6 0 5 ... Nelson Cruz
OF MIL 2-4, 2 homers ... TJ Bohn OF SEA 2-4, homer ...
ShinSoo Choo OF SEA 3-4, double
EASTERN (AA) -- Jon Lester
BOS 6 4 3 1 3 6 ... Jeremy Sowers CLE 6 9 6 4 2 4 ... Brandon
Moss BOS 1-4, homer ... Ryan Mulhern CLE 2-4, homer
SOUTHERN (AA) -- Chad Billingsley
LA, a no-hitter one night and then ... 2 3 6 6 4 4 ... James
Loney LA 1-4, homer ... Eric Patterson 2B CHN 3-4, double ...
Brandon Sing CHN 1-4, homer, 3 RBI
TEXAS (AA) -- Jeremy Brown
OAK 3-4, double, 3 RBI ... Howie Kendrick ANA 3-5 ... Mike
Napoli ANA 2-5, double, homer ... Kendry Morales ANA 1-4,
triple
CALIFORNIA (A+) -- No games, final begins
Thursday.
CAROLINA (A+) -- Adam Miller CLE
5-2/3 5 1 1 2 5 ... Stephen Head CLE 2-4, 2 doubles ... Nolan
Reimold BAL 3-5
FLORIDA STATE (A+) -- a title for the STL
affiliate, Reid Gorecki OF 3-5, triple, homer ... Brent
Clevlen DET 1-5, homer
MIDWEST (A) -- Matt Tuiasosopo
SEA 1-4, homer ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 2-4, double ... Jeff
Clement SEA 0-4, walk
SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) -- Ambiorix
Concepcion NYN 1-3, 2 RBI, run, 2 SB ... Jose Sanchez NYN 6 6
1 1 1 2, W
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- No games,
final series begins Wednesday
PIONEER (ROOKIE) -- Angel Salome MIL
1-4, homer ... Ken Holmberg 2B MIL 2-4 ... Mark
Trumbo ANA
2-3, double ... Flint Wipke
ANA 2-3, homer
Troop
Movements ... PIT - J.J. Furmaniak up ... CHN - Ben Grieve up ...
SD - activated Pedro Astacio from the DL ... NYN - Dae-Sung Koo up ... SEA -
Jaime Bubela up ...
Bryan Smith, TheBaseball Analysts,
on why Brandon Wood ought to have been the Minor League Player of the Year ...
along with notes on some A-Ball stars :
" ... I believe Brandon Wood
was the minor league baseball player of the year. Wood's future is a little
murkier than Delmon's, to be sure, but his 2005 season was damn near flawless.
Sure, you can attack his environment and non-perfect patience numbers, but Wood
more than made up for that. Add his premium position into the mix, and out comes
one of the top ten prospects in baseball ... Few players in minor league
baseball history had a season like Brandon Wood in 2005. We can't provide
perspective to his numbers by using historical context, but simply put, Wood was
the minors most lethal hitter in 15 years. That, my friends, is a lot more
deserving than just a Cal League MVP trophy."
" ... Midwest League MVP: Carlos
Gonzales ... lost amidst a deep Arizona system before the 2005
season. However, his play in the Midwest League has catapulted Gonzales into the
Diamondbacks' top ten, and gained respect from various Midwest League insiders
and observers. Gonzales teams fantastic defensive value with solid offensive
tools across the board. Not fantastic, by any means, but there are no clear
weaknesses. Contact? Check, .300+ average and below 100 strikeouts in more than
500 at-bats. Patience? 48 walks in about 550 plate appearances isn't ideal, but
for a 19-year-old, it's fantastic. Power? Oh yes, as his 52 extra-base hits
attest."
" ... South Atlantic League POY:
Ray Liotta Lost in the shuffle likely because of Gio Gonzalez ...
Liotta is a pitcher of the rare variety: strikeouts and groundballs. While in
Kannapolis, Liotta had a K/9 over 8.00, while his GB/FB was very close to 2.00.
In fact, in six of his twenty starts in the South Atlantic League, Liotta
provoked more than ten groundball outs. His three-pitch arsenal held up when he
moved to the Carolina League in late-July, as the southpaw had a 1.45 ERA in
eight regular season starts. Liotta's mixture of control (51 BB in 165 IP) and
movement (6 HR allowed) make him a can't miss prospect in a solid system...even
if he's a far cry from Gio."
John Sickels, MinorLeague Ball, on
Adam Jones SEA :
" ... supplemental
first-round pick in 2003 out of high school ... mediocre in 2004, hitting
.267/.314/.404 in the Midwest League, with shaky plate discipline. But he broke
out in a big way in '05. He began the year with Inland Empire in the California
League, hitting .295/.374/.494 in 68 games, knocking 20 doubles and eight
homers. The Mariners promoted him to Double-A at midseason. At the time, I
thought this was a big mistake. Given his struggles in '04, I thought it would
make more sense for him to stay in the Cal League and build on his success. It
looks like I was wrong: Jones didn't miss a beat after moving up, hitting
.298/.365/.461 in 63 games for San Antonio in the Texas League. He maintained
reasonable strike zone judgment at the higher level, and remained productive
across the board. On the season, he combined for 30 doubles, eight triples, 15
homers, and 13 steals. He still has some work to do, polishing up his defense
and tightening the strike zone further, but overall this has to be regarded as a
very successful season and an easy transition to Double-A. He didn't turn 20
until August 1st. He looks like a premium prospect to me."
Fingers crossed, Cubs hoping for big things from one-time top prospect.
" ... Cubs player development
director Oneri Fleita .... reported that highly-regarded pitching prospect
Angel Guzman might yet overcome all his injury issues that have held him
back and emerge in the mix next spring for a big-league job. Guzman is scheduled
to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, which begins next month, and Fleita is
expecting great things. ''We are going to learn a lot in the fall league if he
can make all his starts,'' Fleita said. '''He has always thrown free and easy.
He's a mature guy.'' (Chicago Sun Times)
Joe Kaiser, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, with his Mariners' Top 20
" ... 1. Jeff Clement ... His
bat isn't far from major league ready, but his glove needs another season or two
in the minors. If all goes right, the Mariners could have one of the few
power-hitting catchers in the majors. 2. Adam
Jones ... Whether his future is at shortstop or center field, Jones
made huge strides at the plate in 2005, showing the ability to drive the ball
into the gaps and over the wall ... 4. Asdrubal
Cabrera ... He backed up his breakout 2004 season with another fine year
split between three teams. The well-rounded infielder could be close to the
majors by the end of 2006 ... 7. Matt
Tuiasosopo ... Solid but unspectacular, the teenager from Woodinville
started strong and stayed consistent for much of the season at Wisconsin. His
power numbers will rise as he matures ... 9. Luis
Valbuena ... At 19, the infielder dominated the Northwest League like Ismael
Castro did a few years back. His fielding needs to improve, but there's little
denying his ability at the plate ... 11. Wladimir
Balentien ... Power is the name of the game for Balentien, who led the
organization in home runs. The question is whether he can reduce his strikeouts
as moves through the system."
13 September 2005
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- No games
PACIFIC COAST (AAA) -- No games
EASTERN (AA) -- No games
SOUTHERN (AA) -- No games
TEXAS (AA) -- Shane Komine OAK 7
5 1 0 3 2 ... Brian Stavisky OF OAK 3-5, 2 doubles ... Kevin
Melillo 2B OAK 2-3, walk
CALIFORNIA (A+) -- Michael Johnson
1B SD 3-4 ... Kevin Frandsen 2B SF back for the playoffs, 1-3,
double ... Phil Avlas catcher ARZ 2-4, triple ... Nate
Schierholtz OF SF 2-5, homer, 3 RBI ... Jonathan Sanchez SF, just up
from the SAL, 6.2 6 0 0 2 5 ... Ian Stewart COL 0-4, just .100 in the
playoffs ... Chris Kolkhorst OF SD 3-4, triple, 2 walks, 3 RBI
CAROLINA (A+) -- Adam Loewen BAL
4 5 3 3 4 8 ... Sean Smith CLE 7-2/3 3 0 0 0 7 ... Stephen
Head CLE 2-3, walk, 2 RBI ... Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B CLE 1-2,
3 walks
FLORIDA STATE (A+) -- Jordan Tata
DET 7 2 0 0 0 9 ... ooops, Tyler Greene SS STL 0-4, K, 3 errors
MIDWEST (A) -- No games
SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) -- Chris Getz
CHA 2-4, double, RBI ... David Cook CHA 3-5, 2 homers, 3 RBI, 2
runs ... Carlos Torres CHA 8 3 1 1 3 6, W
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- Andrew
McCutchen CF PIT 1-4, RBI, BB, K ... Todd Redmond PIT 5 3 1 1
1 6 ... David Seccombe NYY 6-1/3 2 1 1 1 3
NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) -- Taylor
Teagarden TEX 2-5, double
Troop
Movements ... CLE - recalled Fausto Carmona, Jason Davis from
AAA ... OAK - recalled Hiram Bocachica, Jairo Garcia, designated
Seth Elarton for assignment ... SF - activated Barry Bonds from DL ... TEX
- Jason Botts, R.A. Dickey, Josh Rupe, Esteban
German up ... SEA - Dan Wilson announced his retirement ... STL - Reggie Sanders
activated from DL ... PIT - Ian Snell up, Tom Gorzelanny
promoted to AAA ... CHN - Ryan Theriot up ...
Delmon Young gets Baseball America's vote as Minor League Player of the
Year :
" ... Young, who dominated at
Double-A Montgomery before his promotion to Durham on July 15th, batted .285
with 13 doubles, six home runs and 28 runs batted in through 52 games with the
Bulls. "It's a great honor, since a lot of guys who have gotten the award went
on to have success in the big leagues," Young said. "I don't think too much
about awards, but it's definitely an honor to be recognized by Baseball
America." ... Young ranks second in the minor leagues in hits since the start of
the 2004 season with 341 ... He was on pace to win the triple crown at Double-A
Montgomery this season, hitting .336-20-71 in 330 at-bats before being called up
to Triple-A Durham ... also won Best Hitting Prospect, Best Power and Best
Outfield Arm in the Southern League this season in BA's Best Tools survey. "It
is obviously a tremendous honor for Delmon Young," Devil Rays GM Chuck LaMar
said. "At his age, to be able to dominate at the Double-A and Triple-A level is
a credit to his ability and his work ethic, and the manner in which he has
handled all of this is a testament to his upbringing as well. "He has the chance
to become a tremendous major league player. The Devil Rays look forward to him
joining what we think may be the best nucleus of young players in all of major
league baseball." (Durham Bulls)
John Manuel, in the chatroom at BA, did a little tap dancing trying to
explain why Delmon topped Brandon :
" ... I don't want to speak for anyone, but at least
one staffer was strongly for Brandon Wood and presented his case, and
presented it well. There was no formal vote, just a sense during the meeting
that more people believed Delmon was the choice for BA, being that we're a
magazine about player development and prospects, and the best prospect had
essentially the second-best year in the minors."
" ... you have to really nitpick to
be against Wood. First, what do you think Delmon would have done in the Cal
League? That's hard to judge, but considering he dominated the Sally League last
year (while Wood hit about .250 with 11 homers in the MWL last year), I'm going
to guess Delmon could have put up Wood-like numbers in the Cal League, and in
fact, I think he would have exceeded Wood's production. Also, Wood his 16
homers--16!--at High Desert and Lancaster in I believe 22 games. That still
leaves him 27 homers, but he just destroyed the ball in those two parks, the
best hitters' parks in baseball aside from Coors Field. That's a factor in his
ungodly numbers. Conversely, what would Wood have done in the Southern League
and the International League? His plate discipline is similar to Delmon's, so
it's not like such a polished hitter. I have a hard time believing he's slug
.447 in Triple-A over an extended period, even in the PCL, or be a triple-crown
threat in the Southern League. Sorry, i just do. Wood's also six months older
than Young. These are some things that came up. But again, we chose Young
because the case for Young was very, very good, not because the case for Wood
was flawed. Wood's case is very, very, good."
Delmon criticizes TB for leaving him down on the farm :
" ... Asked why he felt he was not
called up, Young replied: ``The only thing I can think of is they're being
cheap.'' ... ``When it comes to free agency, no use trying to stay around there
for the long haul,'' he said. ``Get your six years and leave.'' ... After
initially telling reporters on a conference call that he was not disappointed
with the Devil Rays' decision, Young changed his stance and criticized the
organization. ``I put up great numbers, better than a lot of players who got
called up around the majors. A lot of them were on contending teams,'' Young
said. ``Tampa's going nowhere this year, so they could at least call up the guys
who are going to be there in the future.'' ... Young said he will prepare
for spring training this winter with intentions of making the big league team
but that he wouldn't be surprised if the Devil Rays wound up sending him back to
Durham for part or all of next season in order to hold down his service time in
the majors and extend the time the team unilaterally can set his salary."
(Associated Press)
DET's top young arms ... Joel Zumaya shutdown for the season ...
Justin Verlander not likely to see any more 2005 MLB time.
" ... Zumaya, the 20-year-old phenom
who finished second in the Minor Leagues in strikeouts, has been shut down for
the season after a disappointing start in Game 2 of the International League
division playoffs for Triple-A Toledo. Manager Alan Trammell said what was
thought to be a case of the jitters also had something to do with a tired arm.
Thus, he won't be pitching for the Mud Hens or the Tigers until next season. The
decision ends what had been a breakout season that saw Zumaya rise from Double-A
to the fringe of the Major Leagues. "He's basically knocking on the door,"
Trammell said. "Talking with [Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish], there's no
question that he's got a special arm. He's a little raw."
Verlander was somewhat more polished despite being in his first pro season. He
made his Major League debut July 4 at Cleveland and made another start for the
Tigers on July 23. However, he hasn't pitched anywhere since early August due to
a tired arm. Though Verlander continues to work his arm back into shape and will
pitch again this season, Trammell is sure it won't be in Detroit. "There's a
good chance he stays down in instructional ball," Trammell said." (MLB.com)
Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, on outfield prospects Brent Clevlen and
Carlos Quentin :
" ... While Clevlen was not a
call-up candidate, as he was only playing at High-A Lakeland, the 21-year-old
has been putting a nice finishing touch on what has been a very strong season.
After hitting .302 in 130 games with 18 home runs, 102 RBI, and 14 swipes in the
regular season, Clevlen began the Florida State League playoffs right where he
left off, hitting four home runs in the team's first three playoff games ...
after his disappointing year last season and his drop down prospect lists
everywhere, Clevlen is certainly back on the map."
" ... Quentin has been halted
at Triple-A Tucson and will have to wait until next spring before making his
Diamondbacks debut. After turning 23 last month, the former Stanford University
standout expected to get his first taste of major league action, but
Diamondbacks officials decided to wait another year before Quentin gains his
first year of big-league service time. Regardless, Quentin played strong for the
entire season at Tucson and posted an excellent stat line of a .301 average, 21
homers, 89 RBI, nine stolen bases and a .422 on-base percentage."
Kendry Morales ANA, after an adjustment period, zooming up the ANA chart
:
" ... Morales ... was
instrumental in the three-game sweep of the Tulsa Drillers in the Texas League
East Division playoff ... batted.400 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI in the
series ... He was promoted to Arkansas on June 13 after hitting in.344 in 22
games at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, his first professional experience in America.
Morales started slowly, then blossomed. In 22 games from Aug. 13 to the regular
season finale at Springfield on Sept. 4, Morales raised his average from.240
to.306, hit seven of his 17 Class AA home runs and earned the season’s final
Texas League player of the week award. Gamboa [Manager Tom Gamboa] said the key
was Morales learning to wait back on off-speed pitches ... When his average was
bouncing around the high.100s and low.200s early in his stint with Arkansas, it
looked like Morales was headed for another full year of Class AA ball next
season. Now the speculation is he will have a good chance to contend for a Major
League roster spot in the spring. "Wherever they send me I’m going to do my
best," Morales said. "And when I’m given my opportunity, wherever it is, I know
I’m going to perform there." (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
The one kid didn't turn out too bad! Came across this in doing some other
research.
Calgary Daily Herald, June 23, 1923. Caption on the photo read: "Lou Gehrig (at right), pitcher, first baseman and home-run hitter of the Columbua
University baseball team, and Edward Vanderbeck, who was an all-round athletic
star at Fordham, have been signed up by Miller Huggins, manager of the New York
American League team. Gehrig is a New York boy, 20 years old. He is
5 feet 10 1/2 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds."
12 September 2005
INTERNATIONAL (AAA) -- Fri - Ryan Raburn 2B DET 1-4, RBI ...
Marcus Thames LF DET 3-3, 3 R, BB, SB ... Kenny Baugh
DET 7 3 2 1 4 8, 1.29 ... Brandon Phillips SS CLE 0-5, RBI ...
Jason Cooper LF CLE 0-3, HBP ... Fausto Carmona CLE 7 5
4 4 1 5, 5.14 ... J.J. Furmaniak SS PIT 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP ...
Angel Pagan CF NYN 1-3, 2B, R, BB ... Anderson Hernandez
SS NYN 1-4, 3B, RBI ... Sat - Ryan Raburn DH DET 1-4 ... Marcus
Thames LF DET 2-3, BB ... Brandon Phillips SS CLE 0-3, BB ...
Jason Cooper LF CLE 0-4 ... J.J. Furmaniak SS PIT 1-5, 1st
HR, R, 2 RBI ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 0-4, Sac ... Anderson
Hernandez SS NYN 1-5, R ... Sun - Ryan Raburn DH DET 2-4, R, 2 RBI
... Marcus Thames LF DET 0-3, BB ... Brandon Phillips
SS CLE 1-5, 2B ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 0-3, BB ... Jason
Davis CLE 3 4 3 3 0 0, 4.00 ... J.J. Furmaniak SS PIT 0-3, R, HBP, SB
... Angel Pagan CF NYN 1-5 ... Anderson Hernandez SS
NYN 0-4
PACIFIC COAST (AAA) -- Fri - Josh Rupe
TEX 8 4 1 1 2 5 ... Jesse Foppert SEA 5 3 3 3 3 2 ... Jack
Cust OAK 3-4, homer ... ShinSoo Choo SEA 4-4, walk ... Sat
- Nelson Cruz MIL 2-3, homer ... Andre Ethier OAK 3-5
EASTERN (AA) -- Fri - Tom Gorzelanny
PIT 9 4 0 0 0 13 ... Sat - Brandon Moss BOS 3-4, double ...
Sun - Hanley Ramirez BOS 2-4, double, homer ... Brandon
Moss BOS 2-4, double, homer ... Pat Osborn 3B CLE 4-5
SOUTHERN (AA) -- Fri - Brandon Sing CHN
3-4, 2 homers, 5 RBI ... Joel Guzman LA 1-3, double, 3 RBI ...Sat
- William Juarez LA 9 7 0 0 1 6 ... Joel
Guzman LA, at DH again, 3-4, double ... Russell Martin LA 2-5
... Andy LaRoche LA 2-5
TEXAS (AA) -- Fri - Adam Jones SEA
2-4, homer ... Sat - Daric Barton OAK 2-5, double ... Jeremy
Brown OAK 2-3, double, 2 walks ... Adam Jones SEA 3-4, double
CALIFORNIA (A+) -- Fri - yikes, Garrett Mock
ARZ 1-1/3 10 7 7 2 0 ... Chris Lubanski KC, unreal, 4-5, the
cycle, walk, 4 RBI (13 for 15 in the playoffs) ... Sat - Cesar
Carrillo SD 5 6 2 2 2 9 ... Colt Morton, catcher SD, 2-3,
double, homer, 3 RBI ... Matt Miller COL, up for the playoffs
after a 30-homer regular season in the SAL, 4-4 ... Ian Stewart
COL 1-2, 2 walks ... Kevin Frandsen 2B SF 4-5, double ... Nate
Schierholtz SF 3-5, walk, 3 RBI ... Juan Morillo COL 1/3 3
6 6 3 0 ... Phil Avlas catcher ARZ 2-3, homer, 3 RBI ... Danny
Richar SS ARZ 3-3, 2 triples ... Sun - Troy Tulowitzki
SS COL 3-4, walk, 2 RBI ... Joe Gaetti COL 1-4, homer ... Colt
Morton SD 2-3, double ... Danny
Richar 2-2, 2 walks, 2 doubles, 3 RBI
CAROLINA (A+) -- Sat - Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B CLE
2-4, homer ... Sun - Kouzmanoff 2-4, homer ... Jeff Fiorentino
BAL 4-5, homer ... Garrett Olson BAL 7 2 0 0 1 6
FLORIDA STATE (A+) -- Fri - Brent Clevlen
DET 2-5, homer, 4 RBI ... DH Brian Martin 4-5, homer, 6 RBI
MIDWEST (A) -- Fri - Kevin Slowey MIN 7 5
2 2 3 5 ... David Winfree MIN 3-5, double ... Sat - Jeff Clement
SEA 3-5, 2 homers, 5 RBI ... Sun - Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 2-3, homer
... Jeff Clement SEA 1-4 ... Oswaldo Navarro SS SEA
4-5, 2 doubles, 5 RBI
SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) -- Fri -- Jose Coronado
NYN 3-5, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Carlos Perez BAL 2 6 4 4
3 1, L ... Juan Gutierrez BAL 2-4, 2 solo homers ... Sat -
Ambiorix Concepcion CF NYN 3-4 walk, 2 doubles ... Luis Ramirez
BAL 2 5 5 5 1 2
NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- Sat - Ryan Patterson
TOR 2-6, double, homer, 3 RBI ... Nick
Thomas TOR 3-5, double, homer ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 1-4, 3 Ks ...
Sun - Cory Patton RF TOR 2-5, 3R, 3B, HR, 3RBI, BB, K ... Ryan
Patterson CF TOR 1-4, R, 2B, 2K ... Jacob Butler LF TOR 5-6,
3R, 2 2B, 6RBI, K ... Jeff Larish DH DET 2-5, 2B, 3K ... Jay
Sborz DET 2 6 7 7 3 1
NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) -- Fri - Taylor
Teagarden TEX 2-3, double, walk ... Sat - Michael Madsen OAK 7-1/3 1
0 0 1 9
PIONEER (ROOKIE) -- Fri - Ken Holmberg 2B MIL
4-5, double, 2 homers ... Angel Salome, back for the playoffs, 3-4
... Jay Bruce CIN 2-4, homer ... Jose Arredondo
ANA 8 2 1 0 1 13 ... Sat - Travis Wood CIN 4 4 3 3 2 6 ... Ryan
Crew SS MIL 3-4, double ... Ken Holmberg MIL 2-3, walk ...
Brandon Roberts CIN CF & leadoff, 3-5, double, triple ... Nick
Adenhart ANA 6 3 0 0 1 7 ... Sun - Daniel Hawkins ANA 5 1 0 0 2
... Mark Trumbo ANA 2-4, double, homer
Troop
Movements ...
WAS - Ryan Church activated from DL ...
ATL - Eddie Perez
activated from DL, Adam Bernero designated for assignment, Mike Hampton
activated ...
PHI - Cory Lidle
activated from DL ...
PIT - Oliver Perez activated from DL ...
KC - Donnie
Murphy activated from DL ...
HOU - Jeff Bagwell activated from DL ...
FLO -
signed Paul Quantrill, designated Ryan Jorgensen for assignment ...
OAK - Ron
Flores up ...
ARZ - Shawn Estes activated from DL ...CHA - Joe Crede activated ... NYN - claimed Todd Self off waivers from HOU,
activated Mike Piazza, Jeff Keppinger up ...
Baseball
America has the details on the bizarre happenings in the Luke Hochevar
negotiations with LA ... and, just for fun,
John Sickels has posted a forecast
of the MLB career of ... Delmon Young.
On the Texas farm ... top kids selected :
" ... Texas Rangers announced today
that right-handed pitcher Thomas Diamond was named the organization's ...
Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Additionally, third baseman Travis
Metcalf was named ... Minor League Player of the Year. Diamond, the Rangers'
first selection (10th overall) in last year's June draft, combined to go 13- 4
with a 3.53 ERA (59 ER/150.1 IP) and 169 strikeouts in 28 games/starts for
Bakersfield (A) and Frisco (AA). The 22-year-old right-hander ranked first among
Texas full-season minor leaguers in wins, ERA and strikeouts ... Diamond
earned California League Postseason All-Star honors after going 8-0, 1.99 (18
ER/81.1 IP) with 101 strikeouts in 14 games/starts with Bakersfield in 2005.
Metcalf, the Rangers' 11th round selection in last year's June
draft, batted .291 (147-505) with 32 doubles, 22 home runs and 94 RBI in 132
games for Bakersfield this season. The former University of Kansas standout led
the Blaze in games played, home runs and RBI. Metcalf tied for 2nd-most among
Texas farmhands in RBI and ranked 3rd in home runs." (Bakersfield
Blaze)
Scott Rex, OnDeck, with his
final Southern & Eastern League prospect ratings.
1. Chad Billingsley, RHP, LA 6. Andy LaRoche, 3B, LA
2. Jeremy Hermida, OF, FLO 7. Chris Young, OF, CHA
3. Joel Guzman, SS, LA 8. Felix Pie, OF, CHN
4. Jeff Niemann, RHP, TB 9. Stephen Drew, SS, ARZ
5. Scott Olsen, LHP, FLO 10. Greg Miller, LHP, LA
1. Cole Hamels, LHP, PHI 6. Jon Lester, LHP, BOS
2. Justin Verlander, RHP, DET 7. Matt Moses, 3B, MIN
3. Dustin McGowan, RHP, TOR 8. Hanley Ramirez, SS, BOS
4. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS 9. Anibal Sanchez, RHP, BOS
5. Lastings Milledge, OF, NYN 10. Nick Markakis, OF, BAL
David
Regan, RotoAmerica, on an ARZ sleeper :
" ... Another guy to watch is Diamondbacks 1B
Chris
Carter. If he ever learns to be an adequate 1B, he could be an All-Star because
his bat is incredible. Look at this line: CAL League: .296/.370/.522 (21 HR);
Texas League: .297/.397/.563 (10 HR). Overall, he hit .296 with 31 HR, 115 RBI,
65 walks, and 77 K's. Impressive."
Our league correspondents : INTERNATIONAL
Herb Walters
/ PACIFIC COAST JDM / EASTERN Ralph Marston /
SOUTHERN
Jason Collette
/ TEXAS Aman Reaka / FLORIDA STATE
Wayne Stevens / CAROLINA Troy Salvior /
CALIFORNIA JDM / MIDWEST
Bob Reed / SOUTH ATLANTIC
Dave Scott
/ NEW YORK-PENN
Harry Almquist / NORTHWEST
JDM
/ APPALACHIAN Scott
Howes
/ PIONEER
Joe
McAnally
/ GULF COAST JDM
/ ARIZONA JDM
|