| |
11 April, 2004 Pitching line = IP H R ER BB
SO
 Game
action ... INT -- John Stephens, picked up by BOS, 5 2 0 0 0 3 ...
Brandon Phillips CLE 1-3 & 2-3 ... Kazuhito Tadano CLE,
starting, 3.1 3 1 1 1 3 ... Grady Sizemore CLE 1-2, 2 walks & 1-3
... Pete LaForest TB 1-2, double, walk, 2 RBI & 0-2, 2 walks ...
Pedro Liriano MIL 6.0 6 2 2 2 2 ... Wilson Betemit
ATL 0-3 ... Mike Fontenot BAL 3-5, 2 runs ... Jason
Arnold TOR 4.1 4 6 3 2 4 ... Justin Morneau MIN 1-3 ...
Alexis Rios TOR 0-4 ... Jonny Gomes TB 2-4, 2 homers, 4
RBI & 1-4, double ... Jeremy Reed CHA 0-3, walk ... Joe Borchard
CHA 1-3, walk, homer, 2 RBI ... Dane Sardinha CIN 2-3, walk
PCL -- David DeJesus KC 2-4, double
... John VanBenschoten PIT 6.2 7 2 2 0 4 ... Juan Dominguez TEX
5.0 5 1 1 1 5 ... Adrian Gonzalez TEX 0-3 ... Calvin Pickering,
once so highly ranked, now with KC 2-2, walk, 2 homers, 3 RBI ... Chad Qualls
HOU 6.0 2 0 0 0 5 ... Travis Blackley SEA 5.0 9 5 5 2 2 ... Jose
Lopez SEA(2B) 1-4, homer ... Scott Hairston ARZ 2-4, double, homer
... Rich Harden OAK 5.0 6 3 3 3 6 ...
EASTERN -- David Wright, NYM, 3-4, 3 2B, SB … Aaron
Hill, TOR, 2-3, HR … Dioner Navarro, NYY, 2-3 … Franklin
Gutierrez, CLE, 1-4, RBI … Jason Kubel, MINN, 2-4, HR ...
Shawn Hill MON 6.2 8 3 3 2 3 ... Dustin McGowan TOR 6 1 1 1 0
4 :
" ... McGowan ... demonstrated why scouts have
gushed over the 6-foot-3 righty since the 2000 draft. Toronto’s first-round
pick, making his debut for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, pitched a nearly
flawless six innings as the visitors won their third straight ... What’s
all the fuss about? Painting corners with 94-mph fastballs. Knee-buckling
curveballs. Mound presence of a major leaguer. It was all there in New
Hampshire’s 3-1 triumph ... He could have pitched at least two more
innings, but McGowan settled for six frames, earning the win after allowing one
hit (a homer) and no free passes ... So believe the hype, fans. The high-kicking
McGowan made the Rock Cats resemble Rockettes in a 73-pitch debut. New Britain
flailed at the plate for the third straight day. “There were not a lot of good
swings on him today. That’s how you judge pitchers. It’s how the hitters react.
Just look at the type of swings they’re getting,” manager Mike Basso said ...
threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of 20 Rock Cats. The fireballer even mixed in
four changeups, a devastating pitch for someone able to locate the fastball. And
this youngster located with Mapquest-precision yesterday. “He needs to be able
to trust that fastball. That’s what translates into being a successful
big-league pitcher,” pitching coach Rick Adair said. “He’s got the make-up and
the four pitches. At this point, it’s a matter of fastball command . . . On some
pitches up in the strike zone, he still got away with them.” (Manchester Union
Leader)
SOUTHERN -- Jason Stokes FLO 2-3 & 0-3, 3 Ks
... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 1-1, then taken out, injury? ...
Kelly Johnson ATL, in LF, 2-2, walk , homer ... Joey
Gathright TB 4-4, double, walk, SB ... BJ Upton TB 2-5,double, 2 RBI,
error ... Rickie Weeks MIL 0-4, error ... Prince Fielder MIL 2-3,
walk, 2 homers, 3 RBI :
" ... With father Cecil signing autographs in the
stands at Joe Davis Stadium – where Cecil once played against Huntsville in the
Stars’ inaugural season of 1985 – Prince Fielder recorded his first Southern
League hit, an opposite-field solo homer to left. In the sixth, with his dad
offering commentary on the radio broadcast, Fielder muscled up again, this time
a gargantuan two-run blast to dead-center. Two hits, two homers, three runs
batted in for Fielder." (Huntsville Stars)
TEXAS -- Shin-Soo Choo (SEA) 1-4, 3B, RBI ...
Alberto Callaspo (ANA,2B) 3-4, walk, 2 R, seemingly unfazed
by seperation from double-play partner Erick Aybar ... Casey
Kotchman (ANA,1B) - 2-5, R, RBI ... Dallas Mchpherson
(ANA,3B) - 1-5, R, RBI ... Jeff Mathis (ANA,C) - 2-5, R, RBI
... Willy Taveres (HOU,CF) - 2-6, R, RBI ... Tommy
Whiteman (HOU,SS) - 2-4, 2B, RBI ... Josh Kroeger (ARI,RF)
- 1-4, 2B, R ... Ezequiel Astacio (HOU,SP) - part of the deal that
brought Billy Wagner to Philly, putting up some impressive numbers in his
Houston debut: 6IP, 6H, 2ER, 9k's ... Christian Guerrero (HOU,RF)
- former top prospect for Brewers and relative of Vlad went: 1-4, HR
CAL -- Jamie D`Antona ARZ 2-4, double ...
Gary Harris SEA (CF) 3-4, walk, triple, homer, 4 runs, 5 RBI ... super
return for Joe Saunders, ANA's top draft pick in 2002, 5.0 2
0 0 0 7
Friday late games ... Jamie D'Antona 3B 3-5, homer, 4 RBI
...
" ... Highly touted Mariners prospect Felix
Hernandez may not have been perfect, but for an 18-year-old pitcher making
his California League debut, his outing Friday certainly was impressive.
... "He was aggressive in the zone, and he had a pretty good fastball," Storm
manager Rick Renteria said of Hernandez, who allowed two runs on three hits and
a pair of walks while fanning six. "And he had a pretty good hammer. Overall, he
did a pretty good job." ... the right-handed Hernandez pitched to two batters
more than the minimum before running into trouble in the sixth. He walked the
leadoff batter and allowed an infield single, and after he left with one out in
the inning, reliever Miguel Martinez gave up a three-run home run to the Storm's
Michael Johnson. "He's got a great arm, and he showed it tonight," Sixers
manager Darren Brown. "He just ran out of pitches in the sixth." (North County
Times)
FSL -- Ugueth Urbina TEX 1.0 3 3 0 0 1 ...
Hanley Ramirez BOS 1-4 ... Blake Hawksworth STL 5.0 3 3 3 2 7
CAROLINA --
Tripper Johnson BAL
(3B) 2-3, 2R, HR, 3 RBI, BB … Doug Gredvig BAL (1B) 1-3, R, double, BB …
Rommie Lewis BAL 3.1 7 6 3 1 3 … Rajai Davis PIT (OF) 4-5, 4R,
double, 2 SB, 2 RBI … Victor Mercedes PIT (2B) 3-4, double, triple, 2 RBI
… Chaz Lytle PIT (OF) 2-5, R, 2 RBI, SB … Brad Eldred PIT (1B)
2-4, double, 2 RBI … Jonathan Albaladejo PIT (W) 5.2 6 2 2 1 6 … Jonah
Bayliss KC 4.1 2 3 2 5 2 … Shawn Shiery KC (W) in relief 3.1 0 0 0 0
2 … Ryan Braun KC closing the door 1.1 1 0 0 0 3 SV … Jeff Francoeur
ATL 0-3, BB, K … Gregor Blanco ATL (OF) 0-4, 2R, BB, 2 SB … Matt
Merricks ATL 5 0 1 0 2 6 … Casey Ragowski CHA (1B) 2-3, 2R, HR, 2
RBI, BB, 2 SB … Michael Aubrey CLE 2-3, R, RBI … Pat Osborn CLE
(3B) 3-5, HR, 5 RBI … Dan Denham CLE (W) 5 6 3 3 2 5 … Juan Lara
CLE 2 1 0 0 0 3 … Tony Blanco CIN 2-3, R, 2 doubles, RBI, BB … Brad
Correll CIN (OF) 3-4, 2R, HR … Wade Robinson HOU (SS) 3-4, HR, 2 RBI
… Jason Hirsh HOU 4 5 2 2 1 2 … Friday night late games … Hector
Tiburcio CIN (SS) 3-5, 2R, double, 3 RBI … Tony Blanco CIN (1B) 1-4,
2R, HR … Ricardo Aramboles CIN 4.1 3 2 0 3 3 … Juan Frias CIN in
relief (W) 2.2 4 0 0 1 1 … Gavin Wright HOU (OF) 2-4, R, BB …
Christopher Samson HOU 5 3 2 2 2 9
MIDWEST -- Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5, double ...
auspicious debut Carlos Marmol CHN 7.0 2 0 0 1 8 ... Eric
Duncan NYA 1-3, double ... Chris Lubanski KC 0-3 ... Lou
Palmisano MIL 2-4 ... Matt Moses MIN 2-4, 1st HR ...
Adam Jones SEA 1-4, double ... Joey Votto CIN 1-3, BB
SAL -- Brandon McCarthy CHA 6.0 2 0 0 1 6 ...
Robert Valido SS CHA 0-3 ... Delmon Young TB 0-3,
walk ... Xavier Paul LA 2-5, walk ... Ian Stewart COL 2-5, double,
2 RBI
College -- Justin Verlander, Old Dominion,
9.0 3 0 0 3 16 ... Wade Townsend, Rice, 7.1 4 2 2 3 9 (113 pitches)
... Philip Humber....... 9.0 8 1 1 1 12 (125 pitches)
Troop
movements ... HOU -- recalled pitcher Brandon Backe from AAA (Andy Pettitte DL)
... ALTOONA -- catcher Ryan Doumit placed on the Disabled List due to a
case of mononucleosis. He has been diagnosed with a mild case of the ailment and
it is hoped that he can return as soon as next week ...
A
few more notes from the prospect update from Scott Rex at OnDeck :
" ... Adriano Rosario ARZ ... a power pitcher
with excellent command and I think he could pull a Merkin Valdez for Arizona
this season. Rosario challenges hitters with a high-90s fastball. He won't back
down from anyone with the gas. When Rosario has his slider or change-up working
with the heater, he becomes devastating. And that will be the key for him at the
higher levels of the minors. He must gain consistency with his slider and
change. A huge season by Rosario will send his stock through the roof."
" ... Ryan Harvey CHN ... knee
injury really slowed Harvey down in his first year as a pro, but he looks to be
healthy now, and he should be ready to put on a power display this season.
Harvey's game is based on power. He has a big, powerful swing that projects to
30-plus homers in the bigs. His arm is also a major weapon. Harvey could become
the next Austin Kearns."
" ... Clint Everts MON ... has the
potential to be a #1 or #2 starter in the majors. His best pitch is a
drop-off-the-table curveball. The pitch stones hitters. Everts' fastball sits in
the low-90s and his change-up is showing promise. The key for Everts is command.
He's not a wild thrower, he just has a tough time taming his nasty curve. Once
he reels this pitch in, he's going to post many zeroes."
John
Sickles, ESPN, on some guys who could win MLB time this season :
" ... Adam Wainwright ... quickly took the
top notch in a thin Cardinals farm system, and is a step ahead in development
compared to prospects Blake Hawksworth and Chris Narveson. Wainwright features
sharp control of a three-pitch arsenal. Remember when someone like Jason
Simontacchi was the hot midseason call-up in St. Louis? That day is nearly
over."
" ... Joe Blanton ... Blanton's
2004 should look a lot like Rich Harden's 2003: excellent minor league numbers
followed by a mid-season promotion, and flashes of success at the major league
level. He combines a 92-94 mph fastball with a nasty curve, an almost-as-nasty
slider, and good control of all three pitches. Polish on the changeup will
finish the package."
" ... Dustin McGowan
... he's as good a prospect as Jackson or Greinke. McGowan is a power
right-hander just a few small adjustments away from being ready for major league
action. He compares favorably with Roy Halladay at the same stage of
development, and if he remains healthy he has a good chance to become a rotation
anchor. Of course, "good chance" is still something less than 50 percent when
you're talking about young pitchers. But as young pitchers go, McGowan has
everything you look for."
Get
'em while he's hot :
" ... He's barely 20-years-old but a veteran by his
own admission. Visalia Oaks pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez had the look of a
polished expert Friday in helping the Oaks to their first victory ... The
right-hander was in complete control through his six innings of work ...
"That's a lot of experience," Jimenez said of his minor league career, which
entered its fourth season ... "Now I really trust myself out there with
all the pitches I throw." A 6-foot-6 Dominican with an easy delivery that belies
his power (his fastball was clocked at 97 mph a year ago), Jimenez struck out 12
of the 20 batters he faced and gave up only two hits. Jimenez faced the minimum
number of hitters through five innings, sending 10 batters back to the Giants'
dugout as strikeout victims. Until San Jose third baseman Julio Cordido lined a
double with two outs in the sixth, only three Giants had even been able to put a
ball in play. The performance was hardly an aberration. The No. 4 prospect in
the Rockies organization according to Baseball America, Jimenez is coming off a
2003 season in which he went a combined 11-6 at low Class A Asheville in the
South Atlantic League and Visalia. Opposing batters hit just .228 against him.
... "I can throw a curve and a change-up, but the biggest thing is my
fastball. Inside or outside, tonight it went wherever I wanted to throw it. "It
was really working." (Visalia Times-Delta)
10 April, 2004
Game
action ... INT -- Pete LaForest
(TB, C) 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB ... Jonny
Gomes (TB, LF) 1-4, 1st HR, R, 3 RBI ... Dewon Brazelton (TB) 2.0 7 7 6 2 1
... Nook Logan (DET, CF) 1-3, 3B, R, BB, SB ... Stephen
Smitherman (CIN, LF) 2-4, 1st
HR, R, 2 RBI ... Dane Sardinha
(CIN, C) 2-4, R ... Brandon Claussen
(CIN) 6.0 3 1 0 2 11 ... Jason Bartlett (MIN, SS) 3-4, R, BB ...
Justin Morneau (MIN,
RF) 2-5, R ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 1-3, 2B, HBP ... Chase
Utley (PHI, 2B) 1-4, 1st HR, R, RBI ... Jorge Padilla (PHI,
RF) 1-3, 2B, RBI ... Tim Raines Jr
(BAL, CF) 1-4, R, SB ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-4, 2B, R, SB
... Darnell McDonald (BAL, RF) 0-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB ... Brandon
Phillips (CLE, 2B) 2-4, 1st HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB ... Jeremy
Guthrie (CLE) 4.2 7 4 4 3 3 ... Kevin
Youkilis (BOS, 3B) 2-4, 2B, R, BB ... Jeremy
Reed (CHA, CF) 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, Sac ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 7.0 2
0 0 0 7 ... Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 4-6, 2B, 1st HR, R, 3 RBI
...
Ben Hendrickson (MIL) 5.0 3 1 1 0 4 ... Craig
Brazell (NYN, 1B) 1-5, 1st HR, R,
RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 2-5, R, SB ... Jeremy
Griffiths (NYN) 5.0 5 1 1 1 0 ... Catch up Corey Hart
(MIL, RF) 2-4, RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 1-4, 1st HR, R, RBI
... Aaron Heilman (NYN)
5.2 3 1 1 2 9
PCL -- Brad
Hawpe COL, 2nd homer ... Taylor Buchholz
HOU 5 4 2 1 2 3 ... John Buck HOU 0-4, error ... now that's more
like it, Adam Wainwright STL 6 0 0 0 1 6 ... Ryan
Drese TEX 5 6 1 1 0 0 ... Chris
George KC 6 7 3 3 3 1 ... Bobby Jenks ANA 7 6 4 4 1 9
...
Brian Specht ANA 3-4,
double ... Tagg
Bozied SD 3-3, 2 doubles ... Joe
Blanton OAK 5.0 5 2 1 1 6 ... Ryan Church MON 5-5, double
... Clint Nageotte SEA
5.1 6 3 3 1 4 ... Edgar Gonzalez ARZ 6.0 9 5 5 1 2 ... Jamal
Strong SEA 4-5, triple ... Jose Lopez SEA (at 3B) 2-5,
homer ... Scott Hairston ARZ 0-4, 2 Ks
TEX -- Shin-soo Choo (SEA) 1-4, HR, 2R,
RBI ... Freddie Bynum (OAK,CF) 3-5, 3R ... Jeremy Brown
(OAK,C) 1-4, 2R, HR, 3 RBI ... John Baker (OAK,DH) 3-5, 2R, HR, 4
RBI ... Alberto Callaspo
(ANA,2B) 2-6 ... Casey Kotchman
(ANA, 1B) 0-4, R, But no injuries! ... Jeff Mathis (ANA,C) 2-5,
2R, RBI ... Dallas McPherson (ANA,3B) 0-4, R ... Nick
Gorneault (ANA,RF) 2-4, 2R,
RBI ... Ruben Gotay
(KC,2B) 2/3, SB ... Sergio Santos (ARI,SS) 0-3, R ... Chris
Snyder (ARI,C) 1-4, RBI ... Willy Taveres
(HOU,CF) Recently acquired in the Jeriome Robertson trade, but off to a tough
start: 0-5 ... Tommy Whiteman (HOU,SS) 1-4, R ... Shane
Komine (OAK,SP) 6IP, ER, 4K's
SOUTHERN -- Edwin Encarnacion CIN 2-4,
double, but 2 errors ... Ryan Ketchner LA 5 2 1 0 2 6 ... James
Loney LA 0-4 ... Eric Reed Cf FLO 4-5, homer ... Josh
Willingham FLO 2-4, 2 walks, 2 homers, 3 runs, 3 RBI ... Josh
Barfield SD 1-5 ... BJ Upton TB 1-3, homer, 3 RBI ... Rickie
Weeks MIL 4-4, 2 doubles, SB, error :
" ... Second baseman Rickie Weeks ... went
4-for-4 with a game-winning, two-run single in the Stars’ 5-3 victory ...
their second straight over Montgomery (0-2) at Joe Davis Stadium. After
Thursday’s solid 2-for-4 start to his Southern League career, Weeks began Friday
night with a second-inning infield single. Then his run-scoring double capped a
go-ahead, three-run rally in the third, and another double led off the sixth. In
the eighth, Weeks snapped a 3-3 tie, blooping a base-hit over the drawn-in
infield to plate Tony Gwynn, Jr. and Ryan Knox. Over his first two games, Weeks
is 6-for-8 with three doubles and three runs batted in." (Huntsville Stars)
EASTERN -- David Wright, NYM,
2-4, HR, 2 RBI, SB … Chase Lambin, NYM, 3-4, 3 RBI … Ken
Chenard, NYM, 4.1 2 1 1 3 3, W …
Daniel Ortmeier, SF, 2-4, HR, 2 RBI … Boof Bosner, MINN, 4.2 6 1 1 4
1 … B.J. Garbe, MINN, 1-2, SB … Jason Kubel, MINN, 2-5, 2B …
Dominic Rich, TOR, 2-3, 2B, RBI … Abe Alvarez, BOS, 4 6 5 5 3 0 …
Josh Bonifay, PIT, 2-3, HR, 3 RBI … Denny Bautista, BAL, 5 2 0 0 2 8,
W … Val Majewski, Bal, 1-3, RBI … Larry Broadway, PITT, 0-4, 2K …
Ryan Howard, PHI, 1-4, RBI, 3K … Jason Cooper, CLE,
0-3, BB … Jake Dittler,
CLE, 5 5 1 1 3 5, 1.80 ERA … Dioner Navarro, NYY, 0-3, BB, K …
Wilfredo
Ledezma, DET, 3.2 5 3 1 2 3, 2.45
ERA
CAROLINA -- Don
Levinski BAL 5.1 2 3 3 2 2 ... Paul
Maholm PIT 5.2 4 1 1 2 5 ... Jeff
Francoeur ATL 2-4, R, double
... Scott Thorman ATL
(1B) 2-4, 2R, RBI, double ... Blaine Boyer ATL (W) 5 2 0 0 2 5 ...
Ryan Sweeney CHA (OF) 1-3, R, 2 RBI, double ... Brian
Anderson CHA (OF) 1-4, double, RBI, BB, 3K ... Ricardo
Nanita CHA (OF) 1-3, 3R, 2 BB ...
Michael Aubrey CLE 1-2, HR, 2 BB ... Ivan Ochoa CLE
(SS) 3-5 ... Fausto
Carmona CLE 5 6 4 4 3 7
CAL -- Connor Jackson ARZ 3-5
... Ubaldo Jimenez COL
6.0 2 0 0 1 12
FSL -- Travis Hanson STL (2B)
3-5 2 doubles ... Scott Olson FLA struggles in debut 3.2 6 3 3 1 1
... Hanley Ramirez BOS 2-4 1 RBI ... Jon
Papelbon, BOS 5 2 0 0 0 5 ...
Justin Huber NYM 0-4 ... Jonathan Figueroa, LA 3 1 0 0
1 5 ... Ryan Bathelemy
PHI (1B) 3-4 ... Francisco Rosario 5 3 1 1 0 5 ... Raul
Tablado 3B TOR 3-5 2 doubles
2 RBI 1 homer (2) ... Francisco Liriano
MINN slowly working his way back 3.1 5 4 3 1 4 ... Francisco Rosario
TOR 5 3 1 1 0 5 ... Alejandro Machado MTL (SS) 3-5 2RBI ...
Shawn Norris MTL (3B) 3-6 2 RBI ... Felix Pie, CHN (CF)
3-4 1 RBI, 1 HR 1 SB
MIDWEST -- Chris Lubanski KC 1-3,
double, 2 BB ... Mitch Maier KC 2-4, HR, triple ... Lou
Palmisano MIL 1-3, SB ... 18-year-old SS Adam Jones SEA 1-3,
double, E ... Wladamir Balentien SEA 3-4, 2 doubles ... pitching
in relief John Danks TEX 2.1 2 1 1 1 5 ... back for another shot
at the MWL Joey Votto CIN 1-4, 2 K ... Cody Haerther
STL 2-4, HR ... Eric Duncan NYA 0-2, 2 BB ... Matt Chico
ARZ 5.0 1 0 0 2 8
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Adam Loewen BAL 3.0 4 3 3 3 3
...
Jesse English SF 3.0 2 2 2 5 2 ... Andy
LaRoche LA 2-5, homer, 2 RBI ...
Delmon Young TB 1-4, RBI ...
Ian Stewart COL 2-4, triple ...
College -- Jeremy Sowers, Vanderbilt
7.2 7 4 4 1 11 (116 pitches)
Troop
movements ... MIN -- recalled outfielder Lew
Ford from Triple-A ... BOS --
recalled LHP Mark Malaska from Triple-A ...
BAL -- designated outfielder-DH Jack Cust
for assignment ...
Kris
Honel CHA, hurtin' :
" ... "I think I'm going to be down for a little
bit," Honel said somberly. "I've got to get some X-rays." Honel, the Chicago
White Sox's No. 1 draft pick in 2001, will have an MRI today at HealthSouth to
determine the extent of the injury. "The last three fastballs I threw I felt a
sharp pain in the back of my elbow," Honel said. "I called the trainer out and
told him it was hurting. "It's a downer, but what you're gonna do. I have to
take it in stride and hope it's nothing." (Birmingham Post-Herald)
Sight
of relief in New York :
" ... Left-hander Scott Kazmir, who
left the game opening night after pitching just 1 2/3 innings, has been
diagnosed as having a slight abdominal strain. "It hurts him when he covers
first base," Teufel said. "We don't know if he's going to miss his next start or
not." Kazmir was New York's first selection during the 2002 Free Agent Draft and
was a spring training invitee this spring. His current status is day-to-day and
the organization will make a further determination after he throws a side
session this weekend. "It shouldn't be too long," Teufel said." (Vero Beach
Press-Journal)
Matthew
Pouliot, RotoWorld, some names on his AL ROY list :
" ... Zack Greinke ... should spend
the final three or four months of the season in the Kansas City rotation. That
might be enough time for him to pitch himself into Rookie of the Year
contention. Greinke has outstanding control of four pitches, including a low-90s
fastball. He might have a little trouble adjusting to the majors initially, but
he’ll still be worth picking up in AL-only leagues as soon as he’s recalled. A
sub-4.00 ERA is a realistic short-term goal."
" ... Alexis Rios ...tools prospect
who turned into a real player last year (.352/.402/.521 in 514 AB for Double-A
New Haven), Rios should take over as one of Toronto’s regular outfielders before
season’s end. Whether he’ll immediately push Vernon Wells to right field is
uncertain, but he is the superior defensive center fielder. Offensively, he’s
not all that dissimilar to Wells. He figures to be a .300 hitter with 30-homer
power. It’s unlikely that he’d be quite that good this year, but he should be an
upgrade over Reed Johnson. Like Greinke, he’s someone who will arrive in June or
July and make a real impact in the second half."
The complete rosters for all the minor league clubs now posted.
Minor league rosters Thanks to Baseball
America for the superb work on getting the base data available so early.
09a April, 2004
Game
action ... From Thursday ... FSL -- Ryan Bathelemy, PHI 1B 5-6,4 RBI, 3
doubles ... Matt Murton, BOS 3-4, 5 RBI, 2 homers ...
SAL --
Delmon Young TB, three-run homer (" ... Despite a home run by highly touted
outfielder Delmon Young in his minor league debut, the RiverDogs couldn’t keep
up offensively with the Bats, falling to Greensboro 9-5 in front of 4,341 fans
... Young’s homer, a three-run shot off the batter’s eye in center field
approximately 400 feet from home plate.") ... Adam Loewen BAL on the hill
today for Delmarva SAL ...
Troop
movements ... BOS -- recalled LHP Mark Malaska from Triple-A ...
NYN -- recalled RHP Jae Seo from Triple-A ... KC -- acquired RHP
Justin Huisman from the Rockies for RHP Zach McClellan,
1B Chris Fallon and cash considerations ...
Oh,
oh more YPW (young pitcher worries) :
" ... Top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir left
last night's opener for Class-A St. Lucie after 1-2/3 innings, favoring his left
side. Kazmir originally hurt himself running Wednesday, but made the start
anyway. "I felt like, when I stopped, that my midsection, my abs and both my
groins were on fire," Kazmir said about his pain while running. "I thought it
was all right, but then it felt tight again tonight." (New York Daily News)
" ... Double-A Birmingham righthander Kris Honel
lasted four innings in an 11-1 loss to West Tenn before leaving the game
with unspecified pain in his elbow. He is expected to be examined by doctors
today." (Baseball America)
Joltin'
Joe, successful surgery :
" ... Joe Mauer underwent successful surgery
on his left knee on Thursday and is expected to miss three to four weeks. The
surgery was performed in St. Louis Park, and a moderate to large piece of his
left medial meniscus cartilage was removed. Minnesota Wild surgeon Dr. Joel Boyd
and Twins team physician Dr. John Steubs performed the operation, which lasted
45 minutes. "It's a shorter recovery time than if he had had it repaired," Twins
General Manager Terry Ryan said. "He should be fine." Mauer is expected to begin
rehabilitation of the knee within a week. The team is unsure if he will need to
go to the minors to complete his rehab." (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
09 April, 2004
Game
action ... things are, as expected, a little spotty to kick off the minor league
coverage ... now seem to recall there is a new agency doing the official minor
league stats, replacing SportsTicker ... results very, very slow in coming in on
this first day of regular season play ... a few of the highlights ...
INT -- Pete LaForest (TB, C) 2-3, 1st HR, 2
R, 3 RBI, 2 walks ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 6 3 2 1 1 4 ... Jason
Bartlett (MIN, SS) 2-4, 2 R, HBP, 1st SB ... Justin Morneau
(MIN, RF) 1-4, R ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 1-5, 2B ... Guillermo
Quiroz (TOR, C) 1-4, 2B, R ... David Bush (TOR) 4 9 7 7 1 3
... Chase Utley (PHI, 2B) 1-3, walk ... Josh Hancock
(PHI) 5 5 2 2 0 4 ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 1-3, walk ...
Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 1-3, 2B, R, walk ... Grady
Sizemore (CLE, CF) 0-2, RBI, walk, SF ... Jeremy Reed (CHA,
CF) 1-4, RBI ... Jon Rauch (CHA) 5.2 6 1 1 1 3
PCL -- JD Closser COL 2-4, double ... Brad
Hawpe COL 1-4, homer ... Jason Young COL 5.0 6 2 2 3 2 ...
Nic Jackson COL 2-4, 2 triples ... Kirk Saarloos
3.0 7 6 3 1 3 ... Alfredo Amezaga ANA 1-4, triple ... Todd
Linden SF 2-4 ... Ricardo Rodriguez TEX 5.0 7 3 3 1 4 ...
Alexis Gomez KC 3-4, double ... Adrian Gonzalez TEX
2-4 ... Dan Haren STL 6.0 2 2 2 2 6 ... Yadier Molina
STL 2-4 ... Edwin Jackson LA 5.0 3 2 2 0 5 ... Dennis Tankersley
SD 6.0 5 3 3 3 6 ... Chin-Feng Chen LA 3-4, 2 doubles ... Dan Johnson
OAK 4-6, double, homer, 4 RBI ...
EASTERN --
Brandon League, TOR, 2 1 0 0 0 0 … Aaron Hill, TOR, 1-3 …
J.D. Durbin, MINN, 5 4 2 2 1 5 … Ian Snell (Oquendo), PITT, 5
4 0 0 1 6 … Elio Serrano, PITT, 1 2 1 1 0 1, SV … Charlie
Zink, BOS, 5 5 2 2 5 2 … Dioner Navarro, NYY, 2-4 …
Kenny Baugh, DET, 5 5 1 1 1 2 … Val Majewski, BAL, 2-4,
2 HR, 4 RBI … John Maine, BAL, 5 1 1 0 2 7 … Francisco
Cruceta, CLE, 7 5 1 0 1 6. … Keith Bucktrot, PHI, 3.2 6 2 2 3
2
TEX -- Jeff Francis COL 5.0 6 2 2 0 6
... Jayson Nix COL 1-4, homer ... Sergio Santos ARZ 2-5,
triple
SOUTHERN -- Skip Schumaker STL (CF) 3-5, 1
run ... Clint Narveson STL 4.2 4 4 4 4 4 7.71 ... James Loney LA
(1B) 1-4, 2 RBI ... Brian Pilkington LA (3B) 2-4, 1 run, 2 doubles ... no
wonder CLE is interested in Andrew Brown LA 4.0 3 1 1 2 10 !...
nice effort too by Bobby Brownlie CUBS 5.0 3 1 1 1 7 ... Kris
Honel CHI SOX 4.0 2 3 3 3 7 ... Aaron McNeal CHA (1B) 1-3, HR, 1 RBI
... Aron Weston CHN (OF) 3-5, 2 doubles, 1 R, 1 RBI ... Richard Lewis
CHN (2B) 2-4, double, 1 R, 2 RBI ... Josh Barfield SD (2B) 0-4, 1K ...
Jason Stokes FLA (1B) 2-4, 2 runs, HR ... Joe Dillon FLA (3B) 2-4, 2
runs, 2 homers, 2 RBI ...
CAL -- KJ Hendricks COL 2B, 2-4, homer, SB
... Bobby Livingston SEA 8.0 2 0 0 0 3 ... Daniel Tosca ARZ
3-4, 2 homers ...
FSL -- Andy SIsco CHN 6.0 7 2 1 1 5 ...
Michael Hinckley MON 6.0 4 1 1 1 2 ... Felix Pie CHN
1-4 ... Lenny Dinardo BOS, rehab, 3.0 2 0 0 0 2 ... Hanley
Ramirez BOS 2-4, RBI, error, CS ... Scott Kazmir NYN 1.2 2
1 1 3 1 ... Joel Guzman LA 1-3, homer, walk ... Justin
Huber NYN 2-4 ... Josh Banks TOR 2.0 4 4 1 0 3 ... Miguel
Negron TOR 4-7, double ... Vito Chiaravalloti TOR
2-5, homer ... Joel Zumaya DET 4.0 3 1 1 2 7 ... Ugueth
Urbina DET 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ... Brent Clevlen DET 1-2, 2 RBI, 2
walks
CAROLINA -- Devon Lowery KC, six innings of
one-hit shutout baseball, one walk, two Ks
MIDWEST -- Joey Votto CIN 3-5, double ...
Brandon Wood SS ANA 2-4, triple ... Alex Frazier 4-5, 2
doubles, homer, 3 RBI ... Lou Palmisano C MIL 2-3, walk, double, 2
RBI ... Matt Moses 3B MIN 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs ...
SAL -- Nate Schierholtz, SF, 2-5, 2
RBI ... Josh Burrus, ATL, 2-5, 2 RBI ... Brandon Weeden,
LA, 5.0, 5, 2, 1, 0, 8 ... Andy LaRoche, LA, 0-4 ... Tyler
Davidson, NYM, 1-4, 1 2B ... Jake Blalock, Phi, 3-5, 1 RBI
... Robert Valido, CHW, 3-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI ... Chris Young,
CHW, 2-3, HR, 2B, 3 R
College -- Jered Weaver (10-0) won his 10th
straight ... hurling seven strong innings, giving up three runs on six hits,
striking out six. (longbeachstate.com)
Troop
movements ... Rick Reed PIT, assigned to AAA earlier, has decided to
retire ... BOS -- claimed pitcher John Stephens off waivers from the
Baltimore Orioles and optioned him to AAA ... CLE -- claimed pitcher Jason
Anderson off waivers from the New York Mets and optioned him to AAA ... MIN
-- recalled catcher Rob Bowen from New Britain ...
If
he didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. Brandon Larson
CIN. On rehab, first time at the plate, hit on the elbow. No
fracture found in the X-rays. To be evaluated again Friday.
Fingers
crossed in Philly, Hamels with sore elbow :
" ... Lefthander Cole Hamels, the Phillies'
top prospect, had an MRI on his left elbow yesterday in Philadelphia. Results
were negative. Hamels, who was scheduled to open the season with single-A
Clearwater, has "mild soreness" and won't pitch for four weeks. "Obviously,
we're going to take a cautious approach," said Mike Arbuckle, the Phillies'
assistant general manager of scouting and player development. "We don't view it
as anything significant, but we're taking a conservative approach to the
treatment." (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Matthew
Berry, RotoWorld, on Antonio Perez LA :
" ... He’s actually a really nice little 2b who
somehow got lost in the Tampa Bay system behind minor league phenom B.J. Upton
and the force of nature known as Rey Sanchez. Perez is a “toolsy” (always fun to
write) middle infielder type, with nice speed and a little pop ... Considering
that second base for the Dodgers is currently something named Alex Cora, I bet
we see Perez before the All-Star break. File it away - he’s a good one. Paul
DePodesta knows what he is doing."
Dayn
Perry, FoxSports, has kicked off updates of his team-by-team prospect
reports. In the ANA system, Dayn goes with catcher Jeff Mathis as
the top dog :
" ... Mathis, part of the soon-to-be-legendary
Angels draft of 2001, is one of the ten best prospects in the game. He's young,
plays a key defensive position and wields a very promising bat. He's a career
.301 hitter who's smacked lots of doubles at almost every stop, despite always
being younger than his peer group. His defense behind the plate is strong, and,
since he was a shortstop in high school, doesn't have much wear and tear on him.
If he manages to improve his plate discipline, he'll be a complete hitter. His
upside is somewhere in Lance Parrish territory, which is a nice place to be."
Dallas McPherson is the runner-up,
with Casey Kotchman 3rd and Ervin Santana 4th.
Another
of the great things about our prospect page -- the great cooperation from our
visitors. Our lineup of correspondents for the new season includes a few
vets ... Bob Reed is back handling the Midwest League (Bob is a freelance
writer, former Inside Sports staffer, and Encyclopaedia Britannica contributor)
... Herb Walters returns to check out the happenings in the International
League. Herb is a computer programmer for the state of Kansas.("I enjoy baseball
and have multiplied that enjoyment through Scoresheet baseball leagues for 14
years. I have teams in three perpetual combined leagues at this time. I live in
Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the baseball analysts / writers / sabermetians
Bill James and John Sickels.") Herb has an amazing collection of prospects on a
new Scoresheet team he picked up this winter -- the team had Cole Hamels, Joe
Blanton, Denny Bautista, Andy Marte, and Chris Snelling. But by the end of the
draft Herb had picked up a few more -- Edwin Jackson, Dioner Navarro, James
Loney, J.J. Hardy, Franklin Gutierrez, Lastings Milledge, Jeremy Hermida, and
Jered Weaver! ... Kevin Dunshee has joined the group to help
out with coverage of the Florida State League (Kevin played at Monmouth
University and has coached at the high school level. He's currently
president of the North Howell Babe Ruth League in his NJ area) and among his
fantasy teams is one which drafts as far down as the high school level ...
Troy Salvior, the Assistant Controller of a major financial institution, was
a pitcher in the STL organization in the early 90's (I managed to find his '92
stats, 1.61 ERA in 16 games in A-Ball) career curtailed by arm woes. Troy will
be looking at the young guns in the Carolina League ... some of you are
likely familiar with Brad Dowdy from his work on the BravesBeat weblog.
The South Atlantic League is Brad's beat ... Ken Savage, of Harrisburg,
PA has volunteered to check out the Southern League ... and Ralph
Marston is on top of the Eastern League. Ralph already covers the FLO
and PIT for Fantasy Baseball HQ ... likely our youngest correspondent is
Harry Almquist of Boston. Harry is a high school student and intern
with the Red Sox. He's looking at the Texas League ... Tom Love is
also back for another season, in the pen to help out with FSL coverage ...
Wayne Stevens, another veteran correspondent, is back to help out with
general prospect news ... Charlie Long, is gearing up to take on a
short-season league when they begin play in July ... and, we have some kind
folks who will be keeping tabs on their hometown teams ... Greg Stipkovich,
Pawtucket Red Sox, and may be taking a crack at the Pacific Coast League ...
Whitney Byers on the Charlotte Knights (WSox AAA affiliate) ... and Vince
Egan on the new Jays' AA franchise, the NH Fisher Cats. Please ... a
round of applause for our 2004 minor league correspondents !!
08 April, 2004
Game
action ... Minor League ball kicks off today ... Bobby Crosby OAK 0-3
... Kurt Ainsworth BAL 1 2/3 7 7 7 3 1 ... Kazuo Matsui
NYN 1-4, 2 walks ... Adam LaRoche ATL 2-5, 2 RBI ... JJ Davis
PIT 0-3, walk ... Jose Castillo PIT 1-4 ... Bobby Hill
PIT 1-1 ... Aaron Miles COL 2-5 ... gotta love this kid, Chad
Bentz MON, a hold in his MLB debut 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 :
" ... While Bentz's control and work ethic grabbed
(Frank Robinson's) attention, his appearance and roots might draw more as the
Expos open the season ... A birth defect left Bentz without a right hand, and
his approach to baseball recalls former major leaguer Jim Abbott, a one-handed
lefty who threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993. It was Abbott's
diligence and grace that led Bentz to take up baseball, a quest more notable
because the Seward, Alaska, native spent most of his early years playing inside
a gymnasium because of the arctic climate. He developed enough to pitch for Long
Beach State and eventually meet Abbott, who gave him pointers. "If I played my
whole career inside a gym, I'd be in the Hall of Fame for sure," Bentz says.
Other things came naturally, such as Bentz's velocity and control and a
four-pitch arsenal that helped him jump from Class AA to the majors as the
Expos' only left-hander. A year after going 1-4 with a 2.55 ERA for Harrisburg
(Pa.), he compiled a 2.92 ERA in 121/3 innings this spring." (MLB.com)
College --
Jeff Niemann, Rice, in relief 2.1 3 1 1 1 3, 2.68 ... Josh Baker,
Rice, 6.2 7 2 2 3 14, 3.86
Troop
movements ... clubs dumping some former top prospects ... DET -- released former
No. 1 pick RHP Matt Wheatland ... NYN -- released outfielder Kenny
Kelly ... DET -- purchased the contract of outfielder Andres Torres
from Triple-A ... not so minor after all, MIN placed catcher Joe Mauer on
the 15-day disabled list with torn cartilage in his left knee, purchased the
contract of RHP Seth Greisinger from Triple-A :
" ... Mauer has a torn meniscus cartilage in his
left knee and will be sidelined indefinitely. Twins general manager Terry Ryan
confirmed on Wednesday that Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft,
will undergo surgery at a date to be determined. The Twins placed Mauer on the
15-day disabled list, leaving them with Matthew LeCroy, who serves as the team's
designated hitter, and Henry Blanco as the only catchers on the roster."
(Associated Press)
MIN also lost Matt LeCroy, 15-day disabled
list, pulled oblique muscle. Rob Bowen, a likely callup.
Scott
Rex, OnDeck, has begun an interesting team-by-team prospect feature.
Young guns are evaluated in four categories -- explode, emerge, swing and
surprise. Check out OnDeck for the full explanation and the AL West
report. A couple of notes from the initial installment :
Kris Honel SP CHA " ... Honel is coming off a
strong season at High-A where he posted a 3.11 ERA in 24 starts while recording
122 Ks in 133 innings. Honel's best pitch is a big, knuckle-curve. He also
throws a moving, low-90s and a solid change. I think Honel can become a Darryl
Kile-type for the Sox and he could push his way to the Show late in the season
if he pitches well at Double-A."
Mike Fontenot 2B BAL " ... I know,
Fontenot erupted last season, so why should he be considered a surprise? The
surprise part for me is that Fontenot could end up becoming the Orioles' second
baseman next season if he puts up numbers at Triple-A this season. Fontenot is
an intriguing talent. He could become a left-handed hitting Marcus Giles."
Tony Giarratano SS DET " ...
Giarratano is a scrappy switch-hitter who can put his bat on the ball. He also
plays very sound defense, showing fine hands and good feet. Giarratano profiles
as a second baseman who could hit #2 in the line-up. His all-out hustle brings
energy to the field."
Adam Jones SS SEA " ... Jones is a
wiry shortstop with great athleticism and a terrific will to succeed. He
continues to work hard to better his game at short and at the plate. As of now,
he's a very raw player who flashes plus offensive potential and a dynamic arm
from the hole. Once Jones gains some strength, his overall game should take off.
He could develop into an Edgar Renteria-type."
COL
surprise Luis Gonzalez not necessarily a backup :
" ... Manager Clint Hurdle conceded Gonzalez isn't
just keeping the seat warm for Aaron Miles. "It will be based on the players'
strengths," said Hurdle, on how he will divide playing time. "Gonzalez will be
able to complement our entire infield." ... The Rockies appreciate Miles,
particularly since he gives them a more conventional leadoff hitter. But they
aren't committed to him. If Gonzalez hits, he will continue to get at-bats,
likely at Miles' expense. ... "I am just happy to have this opportunity," said
Gonzalez ... Viewed as a corner infielder by the Cleveland Indians, his former
club, Gonzalez has shown good range defensively at second." (Denver Post)
Special
debut for SF kid :
" ... Debbie Aardsma had a hard time believing that
was her little boy out there on the pitcher's mound at Minute Maid Park throwing
97-mph fastballs past major-league hitters. "Absolutely incredible," she said.
Less than 10 months after helping Rice win the College World Series, David
Aardsma made his big-league debut Tuesday night and collected the win ...
Aardsma, the Giants' first-round draft pick (22nd overall) last year, pitched
two scoreless innings ... Aardsma, a righthander who secured the final roster
spot out of spring training, entered in the sixth inning and gave up three
singles and a walk in two innings. He threw 34 pitches, including 28 fastballs
that ranged between 94 and 97 mph. "The key for me is to not get caught up in
who's up," Aardsma said. "There' are pitches they can't hit, no matter who it is
... These guys have weaknesses, and if I'm going to make it, I need to get them
out." (Houston Chronicle)
07 April, 2004
Game
action Tuesday (Minor Leagues get underway Thursday) ... Kazuo Matsui NYN, nice debut,
first pitch, a homer, on bases five times, 3-3, 2 walks ... Hee Seop Choi
FLO 1-4, homer ... Chad Cordero MON 1 2 0 0 1 2 ... Luis
Gonzalez 3 homers -- Luis ARZ a pair, and rookie Luis COL 2-5, homer ...
David Aardsma SF, a win in his debut, 2 3 0 0 1 0 ... Khalil
Greene SD 1-4 ... Akinori Otsuka SD, a loser in his debut,
1 1/3 3 1 1 1 2 ... Jorge De Paula NYA 1 2/3 1 1 0 0 1 ... Brad
Thomas MIN 2 3 2 2 0 0 ... Joe Mauer MIN 1-1, then out
with minor knee injury ... Alex Escobar CLE 1-6 ... Ramon
Nivar TEX 1-3, SB ... Bobby Crosby OAK 1-2, walk
Troop
movements ... ARZ -- placed pitcher Shane Reynolds on the 15-day disabled
list, recalled pitcher Andrew Good from AAA
Jim
Callis, Baseball America, on Grady Sizemore CLE :
" ... Sizemore is the best center-field prospect in
the game, and I'll be surprised if Coco Crisp and Alex Escobar can keep him in
Triple-A Buffalo past the all-star break. As much as I like Sizemore, realize
that he's only 21 and recognize that power is often the last tool to develop, I
wouldn't go so far as to label him a 30-30 guy. I feel safe saying he'll be a
20-20 guy, and it's reasonable to see him as a 25-25 guy, but I'm not convinced
he'll quite have 30-homer power."
John
Sickels, ESPN.com, on some guys under the spotlight now :
" ... Adam LaRoche, 1B, Atlanta Braves: Won
the hearts of the coaching staff with his glovework and has shown he can swing
the stick as well. Optimists think he can hit .290; pessimists think he'll hit
.240. Our Bet: He'll hit .270 or so, with enough homers and doubles to keep the
Braves happy."
" ... Aaron Miles, 2B, Colorado Rockies: A
decent-enough player, your basic second baseman, does the little things well but
not spectacular in any category. Thin air will boost his numbers, however,
inflating his fantasy value. Our Bet: Should hit .280 or higher, but in a normal
park he's a .250 hitter with marginal secondary numbers."
" ... Tyler Yates, RHP, Mets: Surprise
entrant into the Mets rotation, but his spring performance was strong. Has
overcome injury problems, showing improved control of 93-mph fastball and hard
slider. Our Bet: Up-and-down performance punctuated by occasional control
problems."
Ray
Aguilar ATL, unique talent could bring a different twist to the Braves'
staff :
" ... His flutterball has become intriguing and good
enough that the Atlanta Braves want the 24-year-old southpaw to take the
rare-as-the-Hope-diamond step of using it as his primary pitch ... about the
only left-handed knuckleballer people in the baseball industry remember is
Wilbur Wood, who won 164 games during a 19-year career ... "Everybody in
baseball is going to know about Aguilar," Richmond pitching coach Guy Hansen
said. "It's so unique." Most pitchers turn to the knuckler as a last resort to
save their careers. Aguilar's career numbers would suggest that's not the case.
He's 16-7 with a 1.99 ERA in three pro seasons in Atlanta's chain ... Why, then,
the change? Aguilar has been stuck behind more heralded prospects, usually as
the "sixth" starter in a five-man rotation. His fastball registers 83-87 mph,
well below the major-league norm. He has a good curveball and changeup. The
Braves, though, weren't sure his repertoire would be enough at higher levels.
"He's not anybody who will light up a [radar] gun," Atlanta farm director Dayton
Moore said. "He's got tremendous pitching skill and savvy. "I think his
knuckleball has a chance to put him over the top." Aguilar toyed with the
knuckler two or three times a game at Class A Myrtle Beach in 2002. When he
became a starter during the latter part of last season at Class AA Greenville,
he threw it 30-40 percent of the time. Atlanta wants that percentage to climb to
the 70-80 range this year. On those days when wind conditions are unfavorable to
make the ball jump, Aguilar can resort to his other pitches. Aguilar spent some
time during spring training talking with Phil Niekro, who rode the knuckler to
the Hall of Fame. Niekro's message: Be aggressive with the pitch and make the
commitment to use it as a primary weapon. "Whether he'll be a 90 percent
knuckleballer, time will tell," Hansen said. "I think he can pitch in the big
leagues without it. This makes him very special." (Richmond Times
Dispatch)
John
Van Benschoten PIT moves to AAA with an opportunity to lob MLB time this
season :
“ ... He has a big league fastball,” Nashville manager
Trent Jewett said. “He has good sink on his fastball. He throws his breaking
ball for strikes. He knows how to change speeds. And he is very mature.” At 6-4,
217 pounds, Van Benschoten has the ideal size for a major league hurler. His
fastball can register 95 miles per hour on the radar gun. “Physically he is very
prepared,” Jewett said ... “I’ve been on a good run,” Van Benschoten
said. “I’ve been getting some good instruction. Stuff started making sense for
me. You just get more experience as you face more hitters.” ... Nashville
pitching coach Darold Knowles expects Van Benschoten to be pitching with the
Pirates before the end of the season. However, Jewett expects the adjustment to
Triple-A to be a difficult one at times for Van Benschoten. “He’s a tremendous
prospect, but he is not going to just waltz through this league and tear it up,”
Jewett said. “I hope I’m wrong, but there is going to be a learning curve and he
is going to be part of it. He is 23 years old and he is going to be facing
30-year-old men who have been through these things before. They will teach him a
few lessons.” (Nashville City Paper)
06 April, 2004
Yikes,
almost forgot. One of our Scoresheet colleagues, who is a teacher (and
almost everything else in a small town in Saskatchewan) has a playoff hockey
pool to raise funds for his sports teams in Kincaid, SK. It's $10
(picking the guys who you think will be the top point-getters in the playoffs).
The deadline is tomorrow (Wednesday). $300 top prize. (My hockey
knowledge pretty well ended with the likes of Bobby Orr & The Big M, but I
managed a 2nd place finish in one regular season pool!). If interested,
please drop me a line
& I will send along the entry form.
Weekend
game action ... College ... Wade Townsend, Rice, 7.0 3
0 0 4 8 (81 pitches) ... Philip Humber, Rice, 7.0 5 1 1 3 3 (100 pitches)
Troop
movements ... TB -- released Charles Gipson, added OF Jason Romano
... CLE rumoured to have a choice from among three specific players on
the LA Top 10 as the PTBNL (to join Franklin Gutierrez) in the deal for
Milton Bradley :
" ... I'm pleased with the trade,'' (GM Mark)
Shapiro said. ``This was an opportunity to acquire a unique player. He is a guy
with tools and performance. The second player also will be a very good prospect,
as well.'' The Tribe will pick from a list of Los Angeles prospects with the
deadline for making the choice June 30. ``This is a list of upper-level
prospects, some of whom are almost major-league ready,'' Shapiro said. ``We
could make our pick sooner, but this gives us time to thoroughly scout the
players.'' (Akron Beacon Journal)
" ... The Indians can choose from a list of three
"solid prospects," (GM Paul) DePodesta said. He declined to identify them but
said the list did not include the top remaining prospects, pitchers Greg Miller
and Edwin Jackson and first baseman James Loney." (LA Times)
Twins'
kids coming off solid ST performances :
" ... Gardenhire said utility player Michael
Cuddyer will play third whenever Koskie needs a break. "Michael's going to
play a big role in helping us out there," Gardenhire said. "I plan on playing
Koskie every day, but if he needs a break, Cuddyer is the guy." ... After
starting slowly, Cuddyer finished the spring with a .442 batting average, six
doubles, a triple, five homers and 18 RBI in 61 at-bats ... Rookie catcher
Joe Mauer finished the spring with a .292 average, five doubles, a triple, a
homer and 14 RBI in 48 at-bats." (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
In the opener, Mauer 2-3, 2 walks ... Cuddyer (at 2B
no less) 1-2, 2
RBI
COL
prospect back on the shelf :
" ... Jeff Baker, who opened eyes in spring
training with his power, has been hit with another injury. Baker, who underwent
two wrist operations a year ago, will open the season on the disabled list at
Class A Visalia because of shoulder soreness." (Rocky Mountain News)
After
a great ST, still no regular spot for Abraham Nunez FLO :
" ... Abraham Nunez's magical, monster
spring, which included a major league-best 10 home runs, has left Marlins
General Manager Larry Beinfest searching for a precedent. "Abraham had one of
the best spring trainings I've ever seen since I've been in the game," Beinfest
said. "From day one until [Saturday], he was just terrific." Now the question
is, how does Florida squeeze its fourth outfielder, who hit .410 this spring,
into the lineup? "There's no spot for him in the lineup. That's something you
have to earn," manager Jack McKeon said. "He'll get his chance; he's a good
player. And he adds a lot to our ballclub." (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
DL
days ahead for a couple of TB hurlers :
" ... Doug Waechter might start the season on
the minor-league disabled list. He developed a dime-size blister on the middle
finger of his right (throwing) hand ... Waechter was sent to Triple-A
Durham, but was expected to be called up this month when the Rays go from a
four-man rotation to a five-man rotation. Meantime, pitcher Jon Switzer
likely will go on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his left shoulder."
(St. Petersburg Times)
Canadian
lefty the ace of COL's AA franchise :
" ... The squad is highlighted by left-handed
starting pitcher Jeff Francis. The 6'5" native of Canada is ranked as the
third best prospect among Rockies minor leaguers. Last season at single A
Visalia, Francis went 12-9 with a 3.47 ERA. Joining Francis in the pitching
rotation will be the Rockies eighth best prospect, Zack Parker.
Parker finished with a 5-5 record and a 3.69 ERA at Class A Visalia in 2003. The
Rockies fifth best prospect, second baseman Jayson Nix, will also
join the Drillers this season. Nix belted 21 home runs and knocked in 86 runs
last season with Visalia. He is the brother of Texas Rangers outfielder Laynce
Nix." (Tulsa Drillers Press Release)
Fans
in and around Little Rock, Arkansas in for a treat this summer :
" ... In their fourth season as the Class AA
affiliate of the Anaheim Angels, the Travs feature some of the top talent in one
of the top farm systems in the minors. Travs manager Ty Boykin brings his team
to Wichita to start the regular season Thursday, April 8. The Travs are very
strong at the corner infield positions with 1B Casey Kotchman and 3B
Dallas McPherson. Along with C Jeff Mathis, McPherson
and Kotchman are rated as one of the minors’ top prospects at their positions.
The Travs will be strong defensively up the middle with Mathis behind the plate,
SS Casey Smith, CF Tommy Murphy and 2B Alberto
Callaspo." (Arkansas Travelers Press Release)
From
David Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner, another take on the prospects LA received in the
deal for Jolbert Cabrera :
" ... there's been quite a bit of hand wringing over
the decision to trade Aaron Looper and Ryan Ketchner. Looper is
being described as a major league ready arm, and Ketchner's tremendous
performance last year in the California League is causing others to claim we
traded away a legitimate top prospect. In reality, both of these players are
easily replaceable parts with suspect value on the trade market. Ketchner was
ranked 19th on the most recent Future Forty, while Looper was right behind him
at number 20. Ketchner's stuff is so underwhelming that even the most optimistic
supporters compare him to Craig Anderson, who posted similar numbers in class-A
ball before turning into a pumpkin against better hitters. Looper, likewise,
lacks an outpitch and has posted ERA's not matched by his peripheral numbers.
He's a decent option for a team looking for a long reliever at the league
minimum, but he's also a member of the biggest club in baseball; The Below
Average Right-Handed Relief Pitcher. You'll find card carrying members of this
club on street corners asking for handouts. You'll run into six of them at the
grocery store. You've probably been mugged by one. These guys are everywhere.
Losing one isn't that big of a deal."
Gotta
love this kid :
" ... As most everyone knows by now, Jason
Szuminski became the first graduate of MIT to make a major league roster
when the Rule 5 draftee won a spot yesterday on the Padres' Opening Day 25-man
roster. But he's also the first active member of the Armed Forces to be on a
major league roster since . . . Truth is, no one, including Major League
Baseball, knows for sure. The last could have been Padres announcer Jerry
Coleman, who was technically still in the Marines when he rejoined the Yankees
after the end of the Korean War ... Szuminski, who joined the Air Force through
an ROTC scholarship program to enter MIT, is the first baseball player to reach
the majors through the plan. "I actually wrote my own program," said Szuminski,
whose degree from MIT is in aerospace engineering. "It was a tough puzzle to
solve because these are two different worlds that usually don't overlap." ....Szuminski
is interested in how his position can help the Air Force. "I'm not trying to
groom kids to join the Air Force and play ball," he said. "But I think the Air
Force is a great career opportunity for a lot of people. There must be something
we can work on in recruiting." ... Szuminski's official position in the Air
Force changes tomorrow. He is trading the last year he owes to active duty for
three years in the reserves. He is scheduled to be promoted to captain next
year." (San Diego Union Tribune)
05 April, 2004
Game
action Sunday ... Zach Day MON 7 1 1 0 2 4 ... Tyler Yates
NYN 4 7 7 7 2 3 ... Rich Harden OAK 5 6 3 3 2 3 ... Joe
Blanton OAK 1 2 1 1 0 0 ... Brian Cooper SF 6 1 1 1 1
6 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 2-2, 2 doubles ... Alfredo
Amezaga ANA 2-4, 2 doubles, 3 runs ... Casey Kotchman ANA 0-3
...
Troop
movements ... LA -- optioned RHP Edwin Jackson, 2B Antonio
Perez, RHP Aaron Looper, C Koyle Hill, 2B
Joe Thurston to
Triple-A, designated OF Wilkin Ruan for assignment, purchased the
contracts of RHP Jose Lima, INF Jose Hernandez and
1B-3B Olmedo Saenz. ... SEA -- purchased the contract of LHP Mike Myers from
Tacoma, optioned infielder Ramon Santiago to Triple-A ... TEX --
recalled outfielder Ramon Nivar from Triple-A, placed LHP Brian
Shouse on the 15-day disabled list ... STL -- optioned 2B Bo Hart
to Triple-A, purchased the contracts of OF Ray Lankford, 2B Tony
Womack and C Cody McKay from Triple-A ... SD --
purchased the contract of LHP Eddie Oropesa, optioned LHP Sterling
Hitchcock to Single-A Lake Elsinore ... OAK -- signed infielder Mark
McLemore to a one-year contract and placed him on the 15-day disabled list
... MON -- acquired left-hander Rigo Beltran from the Cincinnati Reds for
a PTBNL and shortstop Alejandro Machado from the Milwaukee Brewers
for a PTBNL ...
Among
the rooks and other young guns/new faces to make opening day rosters ...
in the NL ... starter Casey Daigle and infielder Matt Kata for ARZ, Adam LaRoche
and Michael Hessman ATL, three pitchers for the Cubs -- Sergio Mitre, Andy Pratt
and Todd Wellemeyer, infielder Rainer Olmedo and outfielder Wily Mo Pena CIN,
Aaron Miles and Rule 5 pick Luis Gonzalez for COL, Hee Seop Choi, Abraham Nunez
and Justin Wayne FLO, Eric Bruntlett and Jason Lane HOU, Jeff Bennett, Chris
Capuano, Ben Ford, Bill Hall, Adrian Hernandez and Lyle Overbay for MIL, Chad
Cordero, Terrmel Sledge and Sun Woo Kim MON, Tyler Yates and Kazuo Matsui NYN,
Ryan Madson PHI, Ryan Vogelsong, John Grabow, Bobby Hill, Jose Castillo and JJ
Davis PIT, Cody McKay STL, Khalil Greene, Akinori Otsuka, and Jason Szuminski
(first MIT player in MLB) SD, David Aardsma, Cody Ransom and Tony Torcato SF.
AL -- Kurt Ainsworth, Jose Bautista, Eric
DuBose and Matt Riley BAL, Jon Adkins, Neal Cotts, Ross Gload and Shingo Takatsu
CHA, Coco Crisp, Alex Escobar, Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez CLE, Chris Shelton
DET, Rich Thompson KC, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Mauer, Brad Thomas MIN, Bubba Crosby
and Jorge De Paula NYA, Esteban German, Justin Duchscherer and Marco Scutaro
OAK, Chad Gaudin TB, Ramon Nivar, Joaquin Benoit, Gerald Laird TEX, Simon Pond
TOR.
At
least for a day ... the complete 25-man rosters.
Tracking
the Brewers' kids :
" ... Shortstop J.J. Hardy, rightfielder
Corey Hart, centerfielder David Krynzel, left-hander
Jorge de la Rosa and right-handers Ben Hendrickson, Mike
Adams and Pedro Liriano will begin the season with Class
AAA Indianapolis. Second baseman Ricky Weeks, first baseman
Prince Fielder, right-handers Mike Jones and Dennis
Sarfate, and outfielders Brad Nelson and Tony Gwynn Jr.
will be at Class AA Huntsville ... Catcher Lou Palmisano, a
third-round draft pick in 2003 who was most valuable player of the rookie
Pioneer League, will begin the season with Class A Beloit." (Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel)
BJ
Upton a Biscuit :
" ... (Montgomery Biscuits) infield will feature
19-year-old shortstop B.J. Upton, who Baseball America and SportsTicker
both called the no. 2 prospect in minor league baseball. Upton, the second
overall pick in the 2002 draft, split time last season between Charleston-SC
(A-South Atlantic League) and Orlando (AA-Southern League) ... The
Biscuits' leadoff hitter and center fielder is likely to be Joey Gathright,
the outfielder Baseball America called "the fastest man playing minor league
baseball" and named him the Devil Rays' no. 5 prospect." (Montgomery Biscuits
Press Release)
Delmon Young, the top pick in the 2003 draft,
is expected to begin the season with Class A Charleston.
Finally,
a chance to play :
" ... Expos manager Frank Robinson has called left
fielder Terrmel Sledge a complete player several times this spring.
Robinson even went so far as to say that at the rookie stage, Sledge is better
than Chili Davis. Robinson gave Davis his first chance to be an everyday player
in the big leagues when both were with the San Francisco Giants in 1982...
"Sledge is a better all around hitter. He brings a better all-around game,"
Robinson said. "Chili didn't lack much. He wasn't a very good base stealer. I
think Sledge will be a better base stealer. Sledge doesn't look like he's quick,
but he has a real quick first step. Chili didn't have that first step. I think
Sledge is a little better hitting the fastball. For a young kid, Chili was an
outstanding off-speed hitter." (MLB.com)
Midwest
League fans get a look at some top level ANA prospects :
" ... The Cedar Rapids Kernels ... laden with
prospects, boasting 10 of Anaheim’s top 30 prospects as rated by Baseball
America magazine. Shortstop Brandon Wood was the Angels’ No. 1 pick (23
overall) in last June’s draft out of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. He
is rated the Angels’ No. 7 prospect after batting .308 at Mesa (AZL) and .278 at
Provo (Pioneer League) ... (Warner) Madrigal and (Howard) Kendrick
were the top two hitters at Provo, batting .369 and .368, respectively. Madrigal
led the Pioneer League in runs (75), hits (103), extra-base hits (39) and
doubles (28). He was named to the Pioneer League All-Star team." (Cedar Rapids
Press Release)
CIN
looking good ... at Triple-A :
" ... The pitching staff is so deep that Louisville
plans to use an unusual six-men-in-five-days rotation ... two of the Bats' top
starters from last year, Dustin Moseley and Seth
Etherton, were sent to Double-A to open the season. Matt Belisle,
a 23-year-old right-hander who came over from Atlanta in a trade last summer,
will start opening night. He'll be followed by left-hander Brandon
Claussen, and then it gets interesting. The Reds want both Joe
Valentine and Aaron Myette, who primarily have been relievers,
to stretch out as starters. So they will share the third spot in the rotation
and pitch a few innings each. Jung Bong and Bubba Nelson,
prospects acquired in the Chris Reitsma trade with Atlanta, will occupy the
fourth and fifth slots. "It's six men, but a five-day rotation," Bats pitching
coach Mack Jenkins said. "Everybody has been throwing the ball real well, and
that's what makes the decisions so tough." (Louisville Courier-Journal )
Correspondents
-- INTERNATIONAL (Herb Walters), EASTERN (Ralph Marston), SOUTHERN (Ken
Savage), TEXAS (Harry Almquist), FLORIDA STATE (Kevin Dunshee), CAROLINA (Troy
Salvior), MIDWEST (Bob Reed), SOUTH ATLANTIC (Brad Dowdy)
|
