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12 September 2004
 Playoffs
... INTERNATIONAL -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 0-4, .231 ...
Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 2-4, .250 ... Pete LaForest
(TB, DH) 1-4, .214 ... lost a pitching duel, John Webb (TB) 8.0 7
1 1 1 1, 1.13 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, LF) 2-5, .250 ...
Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 1-4, .412 ... Jhonny Peralta
(CLE, SS) 2-3, R, .429 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-3, RBI, .250
... Jason Cooper (CLE, LF) 0-3, .286 ... Ryan Garko
(CLE, 1B) 0-2, HBP, .083 ... impressive, Fausto Carmona (CLE) 8.0
5 0 0 1 2, 0.00 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, 2B, .444
PACIFIC COAST -- John Hudgins TEX
6.0 7 5 5 0 7 ... Tim Stauffer SD 5.0 6 5 5 3 4 ... Dan Johnson
OAK 2-4, 2 RBI
EASTERN -- Bobby Bradley PIT 5.0 7 3 3
2 4 ... Brad Eldred PIT 3-5. homer, 3 RBI ... Ronny
Paulino PIT 3-5 ... Nate McLouth PIT 2-5, double ...
Francisco Rosario TOR 6.1 5 2 2 3 7
SOUTHERN -- Edwin Encarnacion CIN 2-4,
3 RBI ... Josh Barfield SD 2-4 ... Paul McAnulty SD
3-5
CALIFORNIA -- Thomas Oldham SEA 6.1 6 3
2 2 10 ... CF Gary Harris SEA 3-5, double, homer, 2 RBI ...
Michael Garciaparra SEA, a little something to crow about, 2-3,
homer, 4 RBI ... Jon Zeringue ARZ 2-5, double, 3 RBI
CAROLINA -- Mike Stodolka KC 6.0 3 0 0
2 4 ... Nick Pesco CLE 5.2 7 1 1 1 4 ... Mike Aviles
KC 2-4, double
FLORIDA STATE -- final games cancelled.
MIDWEST -- Kody Kirkland DET 0-4 ...
Christhian Martinez DET 7.0 4 1 1 1 6 ... Dan Putnam
OAK 1-3, double, 2 BB, K, E ... quite debut in the MWL, especially in a playoff
game, Richard Robnett OAK 3-5, double, homer, RBI, 4 runs
PIONEER -- Sean Rodriguez ANA, back on
track, 3-4, 2nd playoff homer, walk, 2 RBI, 3 runs ... OF Jordan Renz
ANA 2-5, 2 homers, 4 RBI ... Bobby Mosby CIN 1-4, homer
Troop
movements ... OAK -- outfielder and first round pick Richie Robnett
promoted to Kane County, Midwest League, for the playoffs ...
Jeremy Deloney,
Baseball Miscellany, quick off the mark with his picks for the minors'
All-Stars. Lots of names here for your early draft lists.
Jeremy likes Brian Dopirak CHN at first base,
Chris Burke HOU at second and Ian Kinsler TEX at
shortstop. A bit of a surprise at catcher :
" ... Chris Snyder, ARZ ... I anointed
Snyder as the minor leagues’ most underrated catcher three months ago. He
generated such a buzz that he was recalled to Arizona when the newly-acquired
Koyie Hill got injured. Snyder, 23, is a former 2nd round draft pick in 2002. He
projects as a strong power hitter and could hit .270-.280 with 25+ HR in the
future. Defensively, Snyder is above average with a strong arm. He now has 43
big league at bats and he’s hitting .279-5-11 with the Diamondbacks."
Dallas McPherson is the choice at
third base (Ian Stewart was the 2nd team pick), with Carlos
Quentin ARZ topping teammate Conor Jackson for a first-team
outfield slot :
" ... Quentin’s season was his first in pro ball. He
was drafted in the 1st round last year from Stanford but missed the pro season
after undergoing elbow surgery after his college season ended. Quentin profiles
as a classic rightfielder with above average tools. His power potential and arm
rank among the minors’ best and has a terrific approach to hitting."
Delmon Young TB and Jason
Kubel MIN captured the other OF spots. Interesting array of pitchers
-- Jeff Francis COL, Brandon McCarthy CHA,
Yusmeiro Petit NYN, Chad Billingsley LA and Felix
Hernandez SEA.
Matthew
Leach, MLB.com, on Anthony Reyes STL :
" ... In his first season of pro ball, Reyes has
gone from being an interesting risk in the 15th round of the draft to possibly
the Cards' most exciting minor league pitcher. He made his debut with high Class
A Palm Beach in the Florida State League, posting a 4.66 ERA but averaging
better than a strikeout per inning with low, low walk and strikeout totals. Then
he got to Double-A, and let's just say that Southern League hitters wish he had
skipped the level entirely and gone on up to Triple-A Memphis. In 12
regular-season starts for Tennessee of the Southern League, the right-hander
struck out 102 in 74 1/3 innings, limited hitters to three homers and 13 walks,
and posted a 6-2 record with a 2.91 ERA. The guy is 22, and again, just for
emphasis -- this is his first time pitching in the pros. "I thought I could do
good this year," he said Tuesday, a day before dominating Chattanooga in Game 1
of Tennessee's first-round playoff series. "I haven't been healthy in a couple
of years. So just finally being healthy and having my speed back, and the rest
of my stuff being sharp, I knew I was gonna do good. But I never thought I'd be
up here doing this good." Reyes throws a four-seam fastball that gets well into
the 90s, a curveball and a changeup that he says he's fully integrated as a
third pitch. If not for injuries -- elbow problems in two different years in
college, and shoulder soreness for a few weeks this year, he might already be in
the Majors."
Jim
Callis, Baseball America, on Reid Brignac TB :
" ... Brignac played shortstop this spring at St.
Amant (La.) High, the Louisiana 5-A state champion, and again this summer in pro
ball. He spent time earlier in his high school career in center field, but
because he's 6-foot-1 and expected to add on to his 185-pound frame, most scouts
project him as a third baseman or corner outfielder. Given Tampa Bay's outfield
depth, I'd expect Brignac to get every opportunity to make it at the hot corner.
His pro debut was very encouraging, as Brignac hit .378/.427/.486 with one homer
and 30 RBIs in 28 games, mostly at Rookie-level Princeton. As Jacob noted, he
walked (10) nearly as much as he struck out (12 in 124 plate appearances). From
a physical standpoint, he's a lefthanded hitter with a quick, fluid stroke. He
has good actions in the field and more than enough arm strength to handle a move
to third base."
11 September 2004
Playoffs
... INTERNATIONAL -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 1-3, R, BB, .333
... Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 1-4, 2B, .167 ... Pete
LaForest (TB, DH) 1-3, R, BB, .200 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL,
CF) 1-4, .143 ... the playoffs don't faze him, Dan Meyer (ATL) 6.0
2 1 1 1 3, 1.50 ... more outstanding play, Brandon Phillips (CLE,
2B) 2-4, RBI, .462 ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 1-4, R, .364 ...
Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 0-3, Sac, .111 ... Jason Cooper
(CLE, LF) 1-3, 2B, R, .500 ... Ryan Garko (CLE, 1B) 0-3, BB, .100
... Francisco Cruceta (CLE) 7.0 5 2 2 2 8, 2.57 ... Michael
Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, R, .400
PACIFIC COAST -- Sam Narron TEX 6.0 10
4 3 1 0 ... Marshall McDougall TEX 3-4 ... Adrian
Gonzalez TEX 2-3, double, homer ... Dan Johnson OAK homer, 2 RBI
EASTERN -- Jays developing another arm,
Chris Baker 7.0 2 0 0 1 10 ... Neal Musser NYN 7.0 4 0 0 0 8
... Ian Snell PIT 4.0 6 3 3 0 4 ... Tom Gorzelanny,
a winner in relief 5.0 3 0 0 0 3 ... Nate McLouth PIT 2-5, RBI
One more hurrah for Brad Eldred PIT :
" ... first baseman Brad Eldred the Eastern
... Most Valuable Player for the month of August. The 24-year old was a near
unanimous selection for the award after hitting .340 (36-for-106) with nine
doubles, 14 home runs, 50 RBI, 19 runs scored, five walks, a .381 on-base
percentage and a .821 slugging percentage in 27 games during the month of
August. Eldred’s 50 RBI in the month of August was just three short of the Major
League record for most RBI in a month ... The 6’6”, 240 lb. slugger, who
was promoted from Single-A Lynchburg on July 21st, batted .279 with 17 home runs
and 60 RBI in just 39 games for the Curve this season ... combined to hit 38
home runs and drive in 137 runs between Lynchburg and Altoona this season. Brad,
who is currently playing in the Southern Division Championship Series with the
Curve, was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round of the June 2002
draft."
SOUTHERN -- Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B
4-4, 2 R, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB, SB ... Elizardo Ramirez CIN 7.0 5 2 2
3 6, W 1-0 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-4, 2 K ... Dennis
Ulacia CHA 6.0 4 1 0 0 7, W 1-0
CAROLINA -- JD Martin CLE 8.0 1 0 0 0 7
... Brad Snyder CLE 2-4, double, homer, 2 RBI ... SS Mike
Aviles KC 2-3, double, homer, walk
CALIFORNIA -- Clay Timpner SF
2-2, 2 RBI ... Brian Buscher SF 2-4, run, RBI ... Wes
Littleton TEX 6.0 7 2 2 2 6
MIDWEST -- Brian Dopirak CHN 1-4, double, K
.. Juan Francia DET 1-5, K ... Kody Kirkland DET
0-3, BB, 2 K ... Daric Barton STL 2-4, 2 K, 2nd SB in two nights
(?!?)... Stuart Pomeranz STL 7.0 5 3 1 2 8
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Delmon Young TB, 2-4
... Greg Ramirez NYM, 6.2 1 0 0 1 10 (W 1-0, 0.00) ... Jamar
Hill NYM, 1-2, homer, RBI ... Andy Wilson NYM, 1-3, homer, 2 RBI
... Adam Boeve PIT, three-run homer to lead Hickory into the SAL finals
Delmon Young TB, named the SAL's Player of
the Month :
" ... Young finished the SAL regular season ranked
1st in Hits (165), 1st in RBI (116), 3rd in Runs Scored (95), 4th in Slugging
Percentage (.538), 5th in Batting (.322), Tied for 5th in Homeruns (25), Tied
for 5th in Extra-Base Hits (56) and 9th in On-Base Percentage (.388).
Delmon was selected as a SAL Mid-Season All-Star representing the host club,
Charleston RiverDogs, and was selected as a 2004 Annual All-Star Team Member.
Was selected as the 2004 South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Major League
Prospect." (South Atlantic League)
NEW YORK - PENN -- Ronnie Martinez HOU 8.0 5
1 1 1 10 ... Mitch Einertson HOU 1-4, homer, 2 RBI
Troop
movements ... SD -- purchased the contract of pitcher Mike Bynum from
AAA, Portland ... TEX -- claimed pitcher Michael Tejera off waivers
from FLO ... NYN -- urchased the contract of outfielder Victor Diaz
from AAA, Norfolk ...
" ... The hard throwing Jose Capellan ...
has been called to Atlanta ... While making stops at Myrtle Beach,
Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond this year, Capellan went 14-4 with a
2.32 ERA. He was outstanding at the Futures Game in July with a fastball that
helped him notch 152 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings year and his fastball was
clocked at 100 mph." (Rome Braves)
Oh
oh ... yet another young gun facing arm woes :
" ... Left-hander Adam Loewen, the fourth
overall selection in the 2002 draft out of British Columbia, has been diagnosed
with a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. Loewen left his last start at
Single-A Frederick after complaining of a "popping" noise in his shoulder and
experiencing some discomfort. A magnetic resonance imaging test ... confirmed
the tear. The Orioles will put Loewen on a throwing program, beginning Sept. 20
and lasting a maximum of five weeks. The best-case scenario has him ready for
spring training, but if surgery is needed, he'll miss eight to 12 months. "If he
has the surgery now he'll miss most of next year," said Jim Beattie, executive
vice president of baseball operations. "If he has it in November, he'll miss
most of next year. So you want to take a conservative approach right now."
Loewen is regarded as the top prospect in the organization. He was 4-5 with a
4.11 ERA in 20 games at Single-A Delmarva and 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in two games
at Frederick." (Baltimore Sun)
Jeremy Deloney,
Baseball Miscellany, on Jason Bartlett MIN :
" ... finished his minor league season with
a .332 average, 15 doubles, 7 triples, and 3 HR in 265 at bats. He got on base
at a .417 clip and was 7 of 10 on stolen base attempts. He was recalled for a
few weeks in early August before returning to Rochester, but is back in the big
leagues after rosters expanded on September 1. Some scouts see a utility role in
Bartlett’s future, but he has Mark Loretta-type abilities. Bartlett is a sound
contact hitter who rarely strikes out, gets on base at a predictable rate, and
is fundamentally sound defensively. He’ll never hit for much power (maybe 10 HR
tops), but he isn’t expected to do so. The Twins expect him to continue hitting
line drives and racking up a ton of doubles with his speed. There are question
marks defensively ... doesn’t have great range or an above average arm, but both are playable for him
to remain at shortstop. Once the season concludes, Bartlett will head to Arizona
to compete in the Arizona Fall League ... Assuming things go
as planned and the Twins don’t re-sign Cristian Guzman, Bartlett will be given
every opportunity to win the everyday shortstop job."
John
Sickels, ESPN.com, on Howie Kendrick ANA :
" ... I saw Kendrick play on Sept. 3, so we
almost saw the same game. He is a short second baseman, listed at 5-foot-10, 180
pounds, though he looks more muscular than his listed weight implies. He was
drafted in the 10th round in 2002, from St. John's River Community College in
Florida. Kendrick hit .368 in the Pioneer League in '03. Moving to full-season
ball in 2004, he hit .367/.398/.578 for Cedar Rapids, while stealing 15 bases.
From what I saw of him, I think his numbers are legitimate. He was one of the
best hitters I saw at any level this year. He has a very, very quick swing, and
the ball jumps off his bat explosively. Although he's not a walk machine, he
worked the count well in the game I saw. Despite his size, I think he is going
to develop considerable home run power down the road. His defense is rated as
slightly above-average, which is good enough considering his bat. One Midwest
League pitcher I spoke with last week told me that Kendrick was the toughest out
in the league this season, and was able to hit both fastballs and breaking balls
easily. There was a rumor going around the Midwest League at the end of the year
that Kendrick was thinking about playing college football. If so, it would be a
waste of a potentially outstanding baseball player. I really like this bat, and
if he continues to develop at this pace, Kendrick will be much more than a
utility guy."
Philly
Phall Ball notes :
" ... [Gavin] Floyd had been scheduled to
pitch in the Arizona Fall League next month, but he won't. Dan Giese,
who went 12-5 with a 2.81 ERA in 54 relief appearances for triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will take his place."
" ... The Phillies announced their roster for the instructional league in
Florida. It includes pitcher Cole Hamels and outfielders Jake
Blalock and Greg Golson." (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Another
of those once hot-shot starting prospects maybe heading for a new role :
" ... Chin-Hui Tsao, once the organization's
top prospect, may never start another game for the Rockies. Worried about
lingering injuries and encouraged by his performance in the Olympics, the
Rockies are strongly considering making Tsao a reliever. Tsao underwent elbow
ligament transplant surgery in 2001 and has been dogged by shoulder problems
this season. "It's about finding a role for him where we can keep him healthy
and pitch more," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "We think he would be more
protected that way." (Denver Post)
Some
notes from a Jim Callis chat at Baseball America :
Felix Hernandez SEA ETA ?
" ... think the Mariners ideally would love for him
to spend a full season in Triple-A. But he's so good, they may not be able to
wait that long. I bet he comes up in late July next year."
Cubs -- Brian Dopirak or Ryan
Harvey ?
" ... Harvey is more athletic and can do more things
than Dopirak, but Dopirak really tore up the low Class A Midwest League this
year. I'd give Dopirak maybe a slim, slim edge, but that may change by the time
I get around to doing our Cubs Top 30 in the offseason."
Greg Miller LA ranking ?
" ... I think you have to put Chad
Billingsley and Chuck Tiffany ahead of Miller, considering
that Miller has missed the entire season following shoulder surgery. Word was
that everything went well with the operation, but it doesn't sound like
everything is quite so rosy as initially thought."
Outfield future in SEA :
" ... The Mariners' outfield of the future should be
Shin-Soo Choo, Jeremy Reed and Ichiro Suzuki, assuming Reed
can play center field on an everyday basis. The problem is that with Raul Ibanez
and Winn on hand, Seattle is needlessly spending too much money on
run-of-the-mill outfielders. Neither Choo nor Reed will be a big power guy.
They're more in the mold of Mark Kotsay, guys who will be good defenders,
instinctive baserunners and hit for average with maybe 15-20 homers a year."
10 September 2004
Game action ...
INT -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 1-3, 1st HR, R, 4 RBI, HBP, .333 ...
Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 0-4, R, BB, .125 ... Pete LaForest
(TB, DH) 0-3, BB, .143 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, CF) 0-3, RBI,
.000 ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 3-5, R, .444 ... Jhonny
Peralta (CLE, SS) 2-4, RBI, BB, .429 ... Grady Sizemore
(CLE, CF) 1-4, BB, .167 ... Jason Cooper (CLE, PH) 1-1, R, 1.000
... Corey Smith (CLE, PH) 0-1, R, .000 ... Ryan Garko
(CLE, 1B) 1-4, 2B, .143 ... Michael Vento (NYA, PH) 0-1, .000 ...
Robinson Cano (NYA, 2B) 2-4, Sac, .500 ... Chien-Ming
Wang (NYA) 5.0 3 1 0 0 3, 0.00
PCL -- Kameron Loe TEX 7.0 4 2 2 1 4
... Renyel Pinto CHN 5.1 6 3 3 2 7 ... JK Ryu
CHN, relief role for now, 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 ... Joe Blanton OAK 7.1 7 3 1 1 9
... Dennis Tankersley SD 4.0 7 5 4 3 2 ... Jake Gautreau
SD 2-4, double
EASTERN -- Brandon League TOR 5.0 3 2 2
3 5 ... SS Aaron Hill TOR 3-4, 3 runs ... Zach Duke
PIT 6.0 4 1 0 0 3 ... Kyle Sleeth DET 4.0 10 7 3 1 1 ...
Nate McLouth PIT 2-4, homer, walk, 4 RBI (everyone in the Altoona
lineup had at least two hits) ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-5, double
SOUTHERN -- Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B
2-4, R, HR (1), RBI ... Skip Schumaker STL OF 2-5, K ... Chris
Duncan STL 1B 3-4, 2R, HR (1), 2 RBI, K, .625 ... Brad Thompson
STL 5.0 3 1 1 2 3, W 1-0, 1.80 ... Josh Kinney STL 1.1 0 0 0 0 2,
S 2 ... Michael Spidale CHA OF 3-5, R, HR (1), RBI ... Eduardo
Villacis CHA 6.0 7 1 1 1 5, 1.50 ... Paul McAnulty SD OF
3-4, 2 R, HR (1), 2 RBI, K, .625 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 2-4 ...
Roger Deago SD 6.0 6 0 0 1 3
TEXAS -- Jason Botts TEX 2-4, double,
2nd playoff homer ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-5, 2nd homer, 2 RBI ...
Jason Bourgeois TEX 3-4, homer, 4 RBI ... Jayson Nix
COL 2-4
CAROLINA -- Kahi Kaanoi KC 2.1 8
7 6 1 0 ... SS Mike Aviles KC 3-3 ... Matt Logan CIN
3-5, homer, 4 RBI ... Adam Miller CLE, living up to the hype, 6.0 1 0 0 3
9 ... Wesley Whisler CHA 0.1 3 5 2 2 1 ... Josh
Fields CHA 1-3, double
FLORIDA STATE -- Brandon Sing (CHN, 1B)
1-3 HR … Matthew Murton (CHN, LF) 2-3 R SB … Matt
Merricks (LA) 4.1 7 4 3 2 2 L … Andy Laroche (LA, 3B) 2-4 …
Melky Cabrera (NYA, CF) 3-5 Triple R RBI … Shaun Marcum
(TOR) 3.1 7 5 5 1 2 L
CALIFORNIA -- Bobby Livingston SEA
7.1 8 2 2 1 3 ... Wladamir Balentien SEA 2-4, homer ...
MIDWEST -- George Kottaras SD 3-5 (2
games, he's 7 for 9, and his team gets swept; go figure) .. Howie
Kendrick ANA 2-5 ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-3, BB, K ... Danny
Muegge ARZ 6.2 8 1 1 0 7 ... Daric Barton STL 0-3, 2 BB, SB
... odd line for this year's 1st-rounder Chris Lambert STL 4.1 4 2
0 4 5 ... Dan Putnam OAK 2-3, 2 doubles ... Brad Knox
OAK 6.0 8 1 1 4 5 ... Brian Dopirak CHN 1-3, BB, K ... Billy
Petrick CHN 6.0 6 1 1 2 4
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Thomas Mastny TOR,
5.0 9 5 5 1 7 (L 0-1, 9.00) ... Leo Nunez PIT, 6.0 1 1 1 2 4 (W
1-0, 1.50) ... Nyjer Morgan PIT, 3-5 ... Jon Benick
PIT, 1-4, 2 runs ... Mike McCuiston PIT, 2-4, homer, double, 4 RBI
NORTHWEST -- Ryan Harvey CHN 1-3, 4th
homer, 2 RBI ... superb relief by Cubbies' kids, Will Fenton 2.0 0
0 0 0 5 & Jerry Blevins 1.0 0 0 0 0 2
PIONEER -- where does ANA get all these
infielders, 2B Nate Sutton 4-6, double ... SS Sean
Rodriguez 1-2, double, 2 walks, 3 RBI ... Billy Butler KC 4-5,
double, homer, 3 RBI ... 2B Eddie Solis KC 3-4, homer
Troop movements ... HOU -- activated pitcher Dan Miceli from the DL ... NYA --
recalled LHP Brad Halsey from Triple-A ... BOS -- activated Scott Williamson
from the DL, designated infielder Earl Snyder for assignment ...
Not much doubt about this one ... COL lefty Jeff Francis named
Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America :
" ... His career turned the corner when he realized
he needed to throw his pitches "with conviction." Over his final 17 starts last
year, he went 10-2, 1.83, allowing just 76 hits and 26 walks in 113 innings
while striking out 111. He kept up that kind of performance in 2004, starting
with Double-A Tulsa in the Texas League. Managers in the TL named him the
league's Best Pitcher and owner of the Best Fastball in BA's midseason Best
Tools survey, and he went 13-1, 1.98 for the Drillers, striking out 147 and
walking just 22. Opponents batted .180 against him. He continued his dominance
with Triple-A Colorado Springs, going 3-2, 2.85 with a similarly sterling 49-7
strikeout-walk ratio."
Dayn Perry, at FoxSports,
has an updated Red Sox Top 10 and Hanley Ramirez reigns as the top young
gun.
" ... Scouts love his tools, but the question is
whether he'll develop enough secondary hitting skills to become an elite
performer. He hits for average, plays good defense at short, has the best
infield arm in the system, runs the bases well and has good raw hitting skills.
A switch-hitter, Ramirez boasts quick hands and excellent pitch-recognition
skills. For his career, he's hit well over .300, but he doesn't draw many walks,
and his power numbers have dipped the last two seasons. Still, he's only 20, and
he has plenty of time to develop or recoup those skills. Ramirez isn't quite
ready to take over in Boston, so expect at least one more year of development
time for him."
Lefty starter Abe Alvarez ranked No. 2 in the
list (which, I'd guess, missed Brandon Moss simply by oversight, not
design) :
" ... the 49th overall pick of last year's
draft. His fastball stays in the mid-80s, but his changeup is the best in the
Red Sox's system. He also boasts a solid curve and an ability to change speeds
effectively. Alvarez is also legally blind in one eye (the result of a childhood
accident), but it doesn't affect his pitching in the slightest. He hasn't been
in the minors long, but he's already established an excellent track record in
terms of command ratios. His major league debut didn't go so well this season,
but he'll be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2005. He projects as a strong
number-three starter at the highest level."
At soxprospects.com, Hanley Ramirez,
Brandon Moss, Dustin Pedroia run 1-2-3 among the
regulars, with Abe Alvarez topped Jon Papelbon as
the best of the pitching prospects.
Bryan Smith, Wait Til Next Year,
is in the process of running through Top 10s, division by division. Some
interesting picks so far -- among the No. 1 selections ... Jason Kubel
MIN (with 2004 pick Glen Perkins cracking the Top 10 at No. 7) ...
Michael Aubrey CLE ... Brandon McCarthy CHA ...
Justin Huber KC ... Curtis Granderson DET ... Dallas
McPherson ANA ... Felix Hernandez SEA ... Ian
Kinsler TEX ... and Omar Quintanilla OAK.
Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld.com, in his latest review of callups, includes
notes on some minor league hitting stars who have been ignored, for the most
part, by their MLB clubs :
" ... Xavier Nady ... In a surprise
decision, the Padres are going to give Nady a long look in center field. I
imagine if they really thought he could handle the position, it’s a move they
would have made months ago. After all, Nady killed the ball in Triple-A, batting
.330/.391/.629 for Portland. I still think he’s probably going to be trade bait
this winter, but if he can do a decent job in center field, that could change."
" ... Brad Hawpe ... Like Garrett
Atkins, Hawpe is a natural first baseman who changed positions due to the
presence of Todd Helton. As with Atkins, the switch hasn’t gone especially well,
and the Rockies are still left wondering whether he should be involved in their
plans. I think he should be. Hawpe, 25, hit .322/.384/.652 for Triple-A Colorado
Springs. If he’s put in left field regularly, he could very well be the second
most productive hitter in the Rockies lineup next season. I don’t really think
he’ll get the opportunity, but he has too much long-term upside to ignore."
" ... Jason Dubois ... 25, has to be
taken seriously as a future regular after hitting .316/.389/.630 in his first
season in Triple-A. He doesn’t have any star potential, but his power should
make him a solid everyday left fielder for a few years. The Cubs will have an
opening for him once they decline Moises Alou’s 2005 option. That doesn’t
necessarily mean they’ll let him play, though. They need to trade him if they’re
not going to use him, as he has nothing left to learn in the minors."
Mark Allen Haverty, at RotoWorld, on Nick Swisher OAK :
" ... Despite not exactly impressing in Double-A,
Swisher moved up to Triple-A, and everything just clicked. The batting average
of .269 is not stupendous, but it was a marked improvement over the .230 he had
the year before, and he belted out 29 home runs and drove in 92. Want more
power? How about 28 doubles and a couple of triples? There is also his .537
slugging percentage. Of course, what the A’s look for is a guy that shows some
plate discipline, and Swisher definitely did that, as he walked 103 times,
against 109 strikeouts, and he posted a .406 on-base percentage ... Will
he be as good the A’s seem to think? I’m not sold that he will be, but there is
definitely some talent and potential here."
Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, includes reviews of Lastings Milledge NYN
and Fausto Carmona CLE :
" ... Thanks to a very solid minor league
season, Milledge could be less than one year from joining David Wright and Jose
Reyes as cornerstones of the Mets' future. Milledge, 19, was selected in the
first round of the 2003 draft, but he didn't make much of an impression in his
first seven games as a professional. That has changed this season as Milledge
was lights out against opposing pitching while playing the majority of his games
at Low-A Capital City. In addition to a .337 batting average, Milledge hit 13
home runs, had 58 RBI and swiped 23 bases. His statistics weren't quite as good
in limited time at High-A St. Lucie, as he batted just .235 with two home runs
and three stolen bases. With a solid spring and summer next season, Milledge
could be playing at Shea Stadium as soon as September 2005."
" ... Carmona may now be the Indians' best pitching
prospect, even though he has only put together an average 2004 campaign himself.
Still just 20, Carmona entered 2004 with a 23-10 record, a 2.64 ERA and 175
strikeouts in 310 minor league innings. His weak strikeout ratio was the main
concern surrounding him coming into this season, and he's improved that rate in
'04. In 70 innings at High-A Kinston, Carmona went 5-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 57
strikeouts. Since then, he has thrown 87 innings for Double-A Akron, posting a
4-8 record along with a 4.97 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He should reach Cleveland no
later than early-2006, and he could potentially serve as a vital piece of the
Indians' rebuilding efforts as soon as next season."
09 September 2004
Oooops ... yesterday had mentioned the updates to the various prospect lists ...
uh ... neglected to upload them last night ... now accomplished.
Playoffs ... INTERNATIONAL -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 1-3, BB, .333 ...
Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 1-4, 2B, .250 ... Pete LaForest
(TB, C) 1-4, 1st HR, R, RBI, .250 ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B)
1-4, .250 ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 1-3, R, BB, .333 ...
Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 0-2, 2 BB, .000 ... Ryan Garko
(CLE, C) 0-3, RBI, SF, .000 ... Kyle Denney (CLE) 6.1 7 2 1 2 1,
1.42
PCL -- Ryan Snare TEX 4.1 4 0 0
1 5 ... SD vet Jon Knott 3-5, homer, 4 RBI ... Jake
Gautreau SD, who bounced back nicely this season, 2-5, double ... Dan
Johnson OAK 2-4, homer
EASTERN -- oh, what a season, Gustavo
Chacin TOR (16-2, 2.86 in AA, 2-0, 2.31 in AAA) tosses a playoff gem, 7.0 1
0 0 3 13 ... Mets' phenom Yusmeiro Petit looked pretty good too,
4.1 1 0 0 0 9
SOUTHERN -- Anthony Reyes STL, another
strong effort, 7.0 3 1 1 1 11 ... CF Reid Gorecki STL 2-5,
triple ... Brandon McCarthy CHA 6.0 5 5 4 2 7 ... Josh
Barfield SD 1-3, homer, 4 RBI
" ... outfielder Shane Victorino [LA] was
named the Southern League Topps Player of the Month for August ...
Victorino was first in the Southern League in batting average (.407), first in
runs scored (29), first in slugging percentage (.707), and second in hits (40).
Victorino, a sixth round draft pick of the Dodgers in 1999." (Southern League)
TEXAS -- Josh Rupe TEX 7.0 5 0 0 2 8
... Jason Botts TEX 2-5, double ... Jeff Salazar COL
2-5
CALIFORNIA -- such a strong regular season, but -
Brian Burres SF 3.1 6 6 6 1 2 ... 3B Adam Fox TEX 2-3,
2 homers ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-3, homer, walk, 3 RBI ...
CAROLINA -- Dusty Hughes KC 7.0 6 1 1
1 4 ... 2B Donnie Murphy KC 2-4, double ... SS Mike
Aviles KC 1-4, homer ... Josh Fields CHA 1-4, homer ...
FSL --
Felix Pie
(CHN, CF) 2-5 Triple RBI … Matthew Murton (CHN, LF) 2-6 2 Doubles 2R RBI
SB … Jon Connolly (CHN) 5.2 6 4 3 2 4 … Tony Abreu (LA, SS) 3-5 HR
Double 2R 2RBI … Andy Laroche (LA, 3B) 1-5 HR 4RBI … Jonathan Broxton
(LA) 5.1 3 2 2 1 1 … Tommy Winrow (NYA, DH) 2-4 R RBI … Steven White
(NYA) 8 2 0 0 2 6 W … Ismael Ramirez (TOR) 7 5 5 5 0 8 L
MIDWEST -- Howie Kendrick ANA 0-4 ...
ack Brandon Wood ANA 0-3, 3 K's ... Daric Barton STL
1-5 (1 runner gunned down; now 19-of-56 for 34%) ... Brian Dopirak
CHN 0-4, 2 K ... Kody Kirkland DET 2-4, triple ... Virgil
Vasquez DET 8.0 1 0 0 1 2 ... overlooked catching prospect George
Kottaras(at DH) SD 4-4 ... Jose Garcia TEX 7.0 4 0 0 1 8
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Andrew Sonnanstine
TB 7.0 2 0 0 0 9 ... Delmon Young TB 1-5 ... Lastings
Milledge NYN 0-5
PIONEER -- Sean Rodriguez ANA 1-3,
double, walk ... 3B Bradley Key CIN 2-3, triple, homer, walk ...
Billy Butler KC 0-3 ... Brian McFall KC 0-4
Troop movements ... ATL -- recalled pitcher Roman Colon from AAA ... FLO
-- signed FA pitcher David Weathers, designated Chip Ambres for
assignment ... TB -- released Randall Simon, recalled OF Midre Cummings from AAA
... NYN -- recalled RHP Aaron Heilman from Triple-A ...
2005 roster planning ... headsup for Kaz Matsui & Jose Reyes
owners :
" ... Speaking to reporters yesterday for the first
time since he began taking grounders at second base, the injured shortstop
insisted he's willing to switch positions if the Mets want, even calling the
challenge "exciting." "It's not like it hurt my pride at all," Matsui said when
asked about the team's decision to ask him to start working at second. "If the
organization feels that it's the best opportunity that we have to win and be
more competitive on the field, I'll oblige to that. "Nothing definitive has come
out from the organization that I'm going to be playing second base. They just
said it's a possibility if it's best for the team. If the possibilities are
there, it's better off getting an early workout at second base rather than
waiting." On Aug. 23, the Mets announced Matsui would begin taking grounders at
second while rehabbing his ailing back in Port St. Lucie. While the club has
been adamant that Matsui won't play second this year, the move is clearly the
start of the plan to shift him to second next year and return Jose Reyes to
short." (New York Post)
Jays
to take a long look at the possible future at short "
" ... shortstop Russ Adams continued to show he
belongs with a pair of leaping grabs. The first on a liner off Eckstein's bat in
the fifth and then on Eckstein's stolen base in the fourth when catcher Gregg Zaun's high throw appeared headed for centre field before Adams hauled it in.
Those Jays fans still paying attention in September will see a lot of Adams.
Gibbons said before the game he considers Adams polished enough that he will use
him against both contending and non-contending teams, something he's not
prepared to do with his other September callups." (Toronto Sun)
Jeremy Deloney,
Baseball Miscellany, on some quality in the RSox system :
" ... The biggest surprise in the Red Sox
organization this year has been OF Brandon Moss. He began the year with
low A Augusta and hit .339/.402/.515 with 25 doubles, 6 triples, and 13 HR to go
along with 19 stolen bases. The former 8th rounder in 2002 continued his hot
hitting with Sarasota and finished with a .422 average and 2 HR in 83 at bats.
Much of his success can be attributed to an improved approach at the plate as
well as an offseason strength program. Moss has .300 20+ HR potential ...
Red Sox used their first selection (2nd round) in this year’s draft to select
the overachieving middle infielder Dustin Pedroia. Not blessed with an
abundance of tools, Pedroia makes things happen as an ultimate leadoff hitter.
He is a tough out by working the count and doing anything humanly possible to
get on base. Pedroia stands only 5’9” and doesn’t have much power potential. But
he is a slap-hitting contact batter who plays a solid shortstop. After signing,
Pedroia headed to low A Augusta where he batted .400/.474/.560 in 50 at bats.
With Sarasota, he finished with a batting average of .336 and on base average of
.417 in 107 at bats. The Red Sox had among the worst minor league systems coming
into this season and they still lack significant depth, but the emergence of
Moss and the addition of Pedroia have to inject some life into an unexciting
system."
08 September 2004
For
those anxious to get an early start on their 2005 draft lists ... updates to the
various lists ... the Top 100s, Prospects by Position, All-Stars etc.
Links on the home page.
Playoff
action ... TEXAS -- Juan Dominguez TEX 5.0 4 2 2 2 3 ... Ian
Kinsler TEX 2-4, homer ... Jason Botts TEX 1-5, homer ... NEW
YORK - PENN -- Zachary Jackson TOR 3.1 7 5 5 1 4 ...
Mitch Einertson HOU, 1-2, RBI ... NORTHWEST -- league MVP
Javier Herrera OAK now slowing down for the playoffs, 2-4, double, homer, 4
RBI ... Landon Powell OAK 2-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI ... Ryan
Harvey CHN 2-3, triple, homer, 2 RBI ... PIONEER -- CIN OF Philip
Gentry 3-4, double, homer, 4 RBI ... Sean Rodriguez ANA 1-2,
homer, 3 walks, 4 RBI, 3 runs ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, RBI ...
Brian McFall KC 2-4 ... Mario Lisson SS/3B KC 4-4,
double, homer, 6 RBI ...
Worth noting from MLB ... Rick Ankiel STL 1 1
0 0 0 0 :
" ... With the Cardinals leading 4-2, Ankiel
started the sixth inning in relief of starter Jeff Suppan. He allowed a leadoff
single to Xavier Nady, then retired the side. Ankiel threw 14 pitches, 11 for
strikes. "I think my curveball could have been a little sharper, but I was
there," Ankiel said. "That's the main thing, and it's only going to get better
from here." Ankiel received a rousing reception in the dugout after the sixth
inning, getting high-fives and slaps on the back from his teammates. "It's just
such a relief to get out there and finally get back in the mix again," Ankiel
said. "The welcome was great, and I'm happy to be back." Manager Tony La Russa
called Ankiel's appearance "a very special inning." "We've been waiting to see
him, we saw him, he thrilled us all and he was very good," La Russa said."
(Associated Press)
Troop
movements ...ARZ -- activated Scott Service from the DL, recalled pitchers Randy
Choate and Michael Gosling ... BAL -- recalled Rick Bauer and Eddy
Rodriguez ... CHA -- recalled infielder Wilson Valdez ... CIN --
recalled infielder Anderson Machado, purchased the contract of
pitcher Aaron Myette ... COL -- recalled infielder Garrett Atkins,
outfielder Brad Hawpe and pitchers Chris Gissell, Chin-Hui
Tsao and Allan Simpson, purchased the contracts of pitcher
Adam Bernero and infielder Andy Tracy ... DET -- recalled pitcher
Franklyn German ... FLO --activated infielder-outfielder Wil
Cordero from the DL, purchased the contracts of pitchers Aaron Small from AAA
and Logan Kensing from A+, designated pitchers Michael Tejera and
Tommy Phelps for assignment ... HOU -- recalled Tim Redding and Brandon
Duckworth, purchased the contract of infielder Jason Alfaro
... MIL -- recalled infielder Trent Durrington and pitcher Travis Phelps,
purchased the contract of catcher Mark Johnson, released pitcher
Nick Neugebauer ... MON -- recalled infielder Brendan
Harris... SF -- recalled outfielder Todd Linden and pitchers
David Aardsma and Jesse Foppert from AAA, recalled
catcher Justin Knoedler from AA
... BOS -- activated Trot Nixon, Pokey Reese from the DL ... LA -- recalled
infielders Antonio Perez, Joe Thurston, Chin-Feng
Chen, activated Edwin Jackson from the DL, purchased the
contract of Jose Flores... OAK -- recalled RHP Justin Lehr
...
A
new look at the top in
Kevin
Goldstein's final 2004 Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America -- a pair of
lefty starters and a HOU outfield gem :
" ... 1. Chuck Tiffany ... finished the
season with 141 strikeouts in less than 100 innings, including double-digit
strikeout totals in each of his last four starts, without pitching more than six
innings. In those four starts he faced 86 batters and whiffed a ridiculous 46 of
them."
" ... 2. Scott Olsen ... Florida State
League leader in strikeouts (158), Olsen allowed a total of one earned run in
his final five starts, striking out 42 in 32.2 innings."
" ... 3. Mitch Einertson ... And
you thought the beat slowed down . . . Einertson tied the Appy League home run
record with 24, and then hit two more in three postseason games as Greeneville
won the league title. Conclusion to a great debut, right? Wrong. Sent to the New
York-Penn League for another playoff run, the fifth-round pick homered in
Tri-City's regular-season finale."
" ... 10. Howie Kendrick ... hit .241 in May
but .410 thereafter, finishing the season at .367-10-49 despite missing two
months with a strained groin."
Jonathan
Mayo, MLB.com, with a revised Top 50. It's the result of a poll of
scouts ... those in the majors as of June 1st not eligible. No surprise at
the very top -- BJ Upton TB -- but some interesting picks down the list :
" ... 2 Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians
... Previous Rank: 9 After regaining his strength from that virus, he got the
call. He was sent back down for the Bisons' playoff run, but he'll be in
Cleveland's outfield for the forseeable future."
" ... 3 Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays
... Previous Rank: 10 Any disappointment about him staying in Low-A all year has
been erased with a monster finish. He's clearly made some adjustments along the
way."
" ... 7 Jeff Mathis, C, Angels ...
Previous Rank: 19 His buddies Kotchman and McPherson are up a level, but Mathis
could still be knocking on the door next year, even with a rough finish."
Seth
Trachtman, at sportsblurb.com, with his picks as the best of the RHP
prospects likes Felix Hernandez as the best of the young guns with SF's
Matt Cain as the runnerup. Ervin Santana ANA,
in spite of little action this season, grabbed the No. 3 slot. Lots of talent
further down too :
" ... 4. Ubaldo Jimenez ... may have
an even higher ceiling than Jeff Francis. That is if he can get healthy. Jimenez
missed most of this season with a sore shoulder, but when he was healthy he was
quite dominant in High-A with an ERA near 2.00 and well over a strikeout per
inning. He features a high-90s fastball, great curve and solid control."
" ... 8. Clint Everts, ... has
established himself as a potential ace this season due to his play in Single-A.
He throws in the low-90s and is throwing his bread and butter, his curveball,
much more this season. The result is a K/BB over 4/1 and an ERA near 2.00. He
should move up to Double-A next season and could get his first call to the bigs
late next season depending on where the artist soon to be formerly known as the
Montreal Expos is in the playoff race."
John
Sickels, ESPN.com, with an update on his Delmon Young report :
" ... he's been one of the hottest hitters in
the minors for the last two months, hitting over .400 in August. He must be
considered one of the very best prospects in the minor leagues right now ...
projects to hit for both average and power at higher levels, and has no
particular pitch weaknesses, at least not that A-ball pitchers can exploit ...
He may not be a walk machine, but he controls the zone well enough ...
doesn't turn 19 until later this month, giving him an excellent position on the
age/development curve. The main concern for him is maintaining his plate
discipline at higher levels, but given his age and performance this year I don't
think this will be a long-term problem ... should play in Double-A in
2005, and if he does well there, he should get a shot for a major league job in
2006. Scouts say that Delmon will be a better hitter than his brother Dmitri.
Even if he ends up being just as good, Delmon will have a fine career."
07 September 2004
Game action ...
INT -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 3-5, 2B, 26th HR, 3 R, 4 RBI ...
Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 3-5, R ... Greg Norton (DET,
3B) 2-3, 4th HR, R, 3 RBI, BB ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, PH)
1-1, 10th HR, R, 3 RBI ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, LF) 2-4, 2B
... Jack Cust (BAL, LF) 2-2, 2B, R, RBI, BB, HBP ... Grady
Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-5, 2B, 2 R, SB ... Ryan Garko (CLE, C)
2-4, R, 3 RBI, SF ... AAA debut, Fausto Carmona (CLE) 6.0 6 4 4 3
2 ... rehab, Trot Nixon (BOS, DH) 3-4 ... Wilson Valdez
(CHA, SS) 2-3, HBP ... Aaron Heilman (NYN) 4.0 4 0 0 1 0
PCL -- Dallas McPherson ANA 0-4, 3 Ks
... Brad Hawpe COL 2-4, 31st homer ... Tim Stauffer
SD 3.0 5 4 2 0 4 ... Huston Street OAK, first AAA Save, 1.0 1 0 0
0 1 ... Sam Narron TEX 3.0 7 5 5 0 0 ... Joe Dillon
FLO 3-4, 29th & 30th homers (39 overall) ... MON OF Brandon Watson 5-5,
double ... SF CF Fred Lewis 3-4, 1st homer, .304 ... Todd Linden
SF 2-3, 28th double, 23rd homer, .260
EASTERN -- Jason Arnold TOR 3.0
5 4 4 2 3 ... 2B Dominic Rich TOR 4-6, 2 doubles, 4 RBI ... 3B
John Hattig TOR 4-6, homer, 5 RBI ... Francisco Liriano
MIN 5.0 8 6 6 5 9 ... 2B Luis Maza MIN 3-3, 2 walks, .311 ...
Brad Eldred PIT 1-4, 17th homer, 3 RBI (wrapping the season with
over-all totals of 31 doubles, 38 homers, 137 RBI) ... Chris Begg
SF (W 9-1) 8.0 4 1 1 0 9, 9-1, 2.30 ... Walter Young BAL 33rd
homer ... Michael Hinckley MON 5.0 7 4 4 1 3 ... Andy
Brown CLE 5.0 8 4 3 1 4 ... Michael Aubrey CLE waited until
the last day of the season for a big one, 3-4, 2 homers, 5 RBI, finishing at
.261
SOUTHERN -- Josh Barfield SD 2-4,
double, just .248 & 119 Ks but 18 homers, 90 RBI ... Ray Aguilar
ATL 9.0 3 0 0 0 7, 2.29 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2-4, 2 doubles, .259
... Prince Fielder MIL 2-3, 2 RBI (78), .272
TEXAS -- No games.
CAROLINA -- doesn't get much better, lefty
Keith Ramsey CLE, perfect game, 9.0 0 0 0 0 5, 10-4, 3.86 ... Anthony
Lerew ATL 5.0 5 5 2 4 3 ... Josh Fields CHA,
excellent first pro season, 2-3, double, .285
" ... It was the first perfect game in Kinston
history and the team’s sixth no-hitter. The game was also just the ninth perfect
game in the history of the Carolina League, and only the fourth nine-inning
perfect game ... Ramsey's beauty included five strikeouts ... He needed
just 97 pitches all afternoon, and went to just two full counts. Special mention
goes to rightfielder Jonathan van Every, who made a diving, highlight-reel catch
in right-center for the second out in the bottom of the ninth ... Ramsey was
drafted in the 10th round of the 2002 draft out of the University of Florida. He
finished the year 10-4 for Kinston, and also won a game for the Class AAA
Buffalo Bisons of the International League.' (Kinston Indians)
FLORIDA STATE -- final regular season games
cancelled, on to the playoffs Tuesday.
CALIFORNIA -- Joaquin Arias TEX,
nice finale, 2-2, double, homer, 5 RBI, .300 ... Erick Aybar ANA
2-4, 14th homer, .330 ... Bradley Sullivan OAK 4.2 6 4 4 2 4 ...
Omar Quintanilla OAK 2-4, double, .315 ... Jon Zeringue ARZ
pinch-hit homer, ends at .335 ... Reggie Abercrombie ARZ 2-4, double,
.342 ... Jason Hammel TB, another super effort, 7.0 3 0 0 1 7, 6-2, 1.89
... OF Elijah Dukes TB 2-3, double, .332
MIDWEST -- Brian Dopirak CHN 1-5, K
(.9568 OPS) ... Chris Walker (CF) CHN 3-5 (.282, 60 steals) ...
Hector Made (SS) NYA 4-6, K (.290, 33 E in 128 G) ... George
Kottaras (C) SD 3-5, HR (.310, terrific 51/41 BB/K ratio) ... Adam
Jones SEA 2-5 (.267, 31 E in 120 G) ... Errol Simonitsch
MIN 5.2 3 0 0 2 4 (20 starts, 109 IP, 107/36 K/BB, 2.56 ERA) ... Chris
Lubanski KC 3-4, 2 doubles (.275, but .300+ since mid-June) ... pretty much
a lost season Kody Kirkland DET 1-5 (.236, ReggieAbercrombiesque
15 BB, 149 K) ... bad slump to finish up Brandon Wood ANA 0-4, K
(.251) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 1-4, K (.367, just 12 BB in 313 AB)
... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-1 (.293, .784 OPS) ... Daric
Barton STL 1-5, BB (.9564 OPS)
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Delmon Young TB
1-3, walk, .322 ... Ryan Harvey NYN 2-4, double, 2 RBI, .325 ...
Jake Blalock PHI 2-4, double, .271 ... Jon Benick
PIT 2-4, double, 3 RBI (104) ... Adam Bostick FLO 6.0 3 0 0 2 14,
3.79 ... Jacob Stevens ATL 7.0 6 1 1 0 9, 2.27 ... 2B Antoin
Gray CHA 3-4, .294 ... Matt Albers HOU 7.0 1 0 0 2
11, 3.31
NORTHWEST -- playoffs ... Richard Robnett
OAK 2-5, double ... Ryan Harvey CHN 2-3, 2 homers
PIONEER -- KC 2B Eddie Solis
3-5, 2 RBI, .366 ... Chris Nelson COL 2-5, ends at .347
Troop
movements ... BAL -- recalled outfielder Darnell McDonald and pitchers
Rick Bauer and Matt Riley from AAA ... purchased the contract of
pitcher Aaron Rakers from AAA ... CHN -- recalled outfielders
Jason Dubois and Calvin Murray and pitchers Sergio Mitre
and Michael Wuertz from AAA, activated catcher Mike DiFelice ...
CIN -- designated third baseman Brandon Larson for assignment HOU
-- purchased the contract of outfielder Willy Taveras from
AA, designated pitcher Jared Fernandez for assignment; recalled pitchers
Brandon Duckworth and Tim Redding ... MIL -- purchased
the contract of pitcher Ben Ford from AAA ... TB -- activated
pitcher Doug Waechter from the DL ... MIN -- recalled Jason
Bartlett, Mike Restovich, J.D. Durbin from Triple-A, purchased the contract of LHP Joe Beimel from Triple-A ...ANA
-- recalled third baseman Dallas McPherson, RHP Matt Hensley from
Triple-A ... DET -- recalled RHP Franklyn German, LHP Steve
Colyer from Triple-A ... SD -- recalled outfielder Xavier Nady.
RHP Justin Germano from Triple-A, optioned RHP Dennis
Tankersley, outfielder Freddy Guzman to Triple-A ... SEA --
recalled RHP Aaron Taylor, third baseman Greg Dobbs,
outfielder Jeremy Reed from Triple-A ...
JR
House among the callups to the Pirates :
" ... The Pittsburgh Pirates announced [Monday]
afternoon that Nashville Sounds catcher J.R. House, infielder Freddy
Sanchez, outfielders Tony Alvarez and J.J. Davis, and
reliever Mark Corey will be called up [Tuesday] to join the
Bucs for the remainder of the 2004 season.
" ... House – who served as the Nashville catcher in
Monday’s season finale in Memphis – hit .288 (89-for-309) with 15 home runs and
49 RBI in 92 games for the Sounds this season, finishing the season on a .395
tear (30 hits in his final 76 at-bats) ... House – who career minor-league
average now stands at .299 (491-for-1644) over his six-year career – started 59
games behind the plate for Nashville, adding 17 starts at first base and two in
left field. He threw out 10 of 63 baserunners attempting to steal against him
(.159) and was charged with six passed balls. House also logged a three-week
stint with Pittsburgh in July, when he recorded one hit in five at-bats in
limited duty. Sanchez, who did not join Nashville until late June as he
rehabilitated from off-season right ankle surgery, batted .264 (33-for-125) with
one home run and 11 RBI in 44 games for the Sounds. The infielder started 23
games at second base and nine games at shortstop. He missed almost the entire
month of July while suffering from a right quadriceps strain. Sanchez will make
his Pirates debut upon his first appearance with Pittsburgh this week."
(Nashville Sounds)
Ian
Stewart COL, quite a season :
" ... Stewart recorded his 30th home run and
100th RBI - on the same swing - making him just the third player in Tourists
history to finish a season hitting above .300 with at least 30 home runs and 100
RBIs ... "I'm happy with the way the year has gone," said Stewart, the
Colorado Rockies' top overall pick in the 2003 draft. "I'm surprised a little
with how much success I've had this year, but I also expected to be productive.
"I think I'm happy with the RBIs the most, though. There was so much talk about
how I was supposed to be a power hitter. The RBIs show that I can get base hits
when guys are in scoring position." In 131 games this season, Stewart finished
ranked in the top five in the South Atlantic League in batting average (.319),
home runs (30), RBIs (101), on-base percentage (.400), slugging percentage
(.594) and extra-base hits (70). Batting third all season, Stewart also added 31
doubles, nine triples and 92 runs scored. "He's been a pleasure to have around
this season," said Tourist manager Joe Mikulik. "He met all the expectations
that we had for him coming in this season. His mental approach to the game was
far more advanced than you usually see from guys at this level. As a 19-year-old
kid, he's only going to get better and better." ... "We knew he had the
potential to be an impact player," said Colorado Rockies general manager Dan
O'Dowd. ... So where does he go from here? Ideally, Class High A Visalia would
be the next stop on Stewart's climb to Coors Field. But with the numbers he put
up this season, Double AA Tulsa could be a possibility. "It's possible for him
to make that jump, but I don't see that happening as of right now," said Rockies
senior director of player development Bill Geivett. "Ian has been everything
that we hoped he would be and we don't see any reason to rush him through the
process. I think once we get him down in instructional leagues, we'll be able to
better judge where he needs to go next." (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Rob
Blackstien, CREATiVE SPORTS, with some notes on the ATL system :
" ... Righty Jose Capellan has blazed a
trail through the system this year. Starting at A+ Myrtle Beach, he went 5-1,
1.94 with one shutout, walking just 11 in 46.2 IP. Next stop, Greenville, and
Capellan again went 5-1, 2.50 in nine games (one in relief). In 50.1 IP at AA,
he walked only 19. That earned him the call to AAA Richmond ... If this guy is
unowned in your league, stop reading this and grab him immediately. As for
hitters, third baseman Andy Marte is considered the top prospect in the
organization and one of the best in all of baseball. Now at AA, he continues to
shine, and in 104 games, has scored 50 runs, with one triple, 56 walks, one
steal and a .271 BA, .365 OBP, .525 SLG. Outfielder Kelly Johnson is
having a big year in his second go-round at AA. A hot second half has him
batting .285 through 470 at-bats, with 70 runs, 134 hits, 35 doubles, 16
dingers, 50 RBI, nine steals and a .474 SLG. Johnson can play all three outfield
positions, a quality that could make him a great fourth outfielder, but he’s
whiffed 100 times. At Myrtle Beach, the Braves’ catcher of the future looks to
be Brian McCann, who in 106 games has 44 runs, 104 hits, 34 doubles, 15
homers, 64 RBI, 29 walks, one steal, .280 BA. A level below him, however,
Jarrod Saltalamacchia is also considered an excellent catching prospect."
06 September 2004
Final
day of the regular season for the remaining leagues (Appy, NYP, ARZ, GC already
wrapped) ... not sure about makeup games in the FSL.
Game action ...
INT -- Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 1-3, 25th HR, R, RBI, BB ... John
Webb (TB) 5.0 4 1 1 1 6 ... Anderson Machado (CIN, SS) 3-5,
2B, 2 R, RBI ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 6.0 8 2 2 2 6 ... pitching
well in AAA, Dan Meyer (ATL) 6.0 7 1 0 0 7, 2.79 in 61 1/3 innings
... Jason Bartlett (MIN, SS) 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ...
Michael Restovich (MIN, RF) 2-5, R, 2 RBI ... rehab, Michael
Ryan (MIN, LF) 0-4 ... Scott Baker (MIN) 6.0 8 2 2 4 4 ...
Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-5, RBI ... Jack Cust (BAL,
LF) 2-4, R ... John Maine (BAL), nice recovery from some early
poundings in AAA, 6.0 8 2 2 2 3, now 3.91 in 120 innings ... Jason
Cooper (CLE, DH) 1-4, 3rd HR, R, RBI ... Ryan Garko (CLE, C)
2-4, BB ... Francisco Cruceta (CLE) 4.1 7 7 7 3 2 ... Kelly
Shoppach (BOS, C) 2-4, 2B, 22nd HR, R, RBI ... much improved, Jamie
Brown (BOS) 9.0 1 0 0 2 6 ... Robinson Cano (NYA, 2B) 2-4
PCL -- Mark Teahen KC 2-4, homer, .280
... Edwin Jackson LA, I guess this is progress, 5.0 3 4 4 4 3 ...
Dallas McPherson ANA 2-3, double, 2 walks ... Antonio
Perez LA 3-5, double, 2 RBI ... Chin-hui Tsao COL 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 ...
Justin Germano SD, short start, looks like a prelude to a callup, 3.0 0 0
0 0 5 ... Seung Song MON 6.0 5 3 3 3 6 ... Lance Niekro SF 3-4, 2
doubles
EASTERN -- went just an inning in a start,
Brandon League TOR 1.0 3 2 1 1 1 ... Nate McLouth PIT.
moved into the 3 slot, 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, .322 ... Jason Grove
NYA 5-5, double, homer, 6 RBI & 0-2, walk ... Darrell Rasner MON,
superb streak continues, 5.0 1 0 0 1 4, 1.21 ... Jason Bere CLE
2.2 5 7 7 4 1 ... a step forward, a step back, Merkin Valdez
SF 6.0 8 5 5 2 3
SOUTHERN -- Josh Barfield SD
2-5, 27th double, 2 RBI (90) ... Chris Seddon TB 6.0 5 1 1 2 4 ...
Andy Pratt, nice debut in the MIL system, 5.0 5 1 1 0 6 ...
Rickie Weeks MIL 1-2, 8th homer, .257 ... Prince Fielder
MIL 0-3, 2 walks, .269 ... Josh Willingham FLO 1-3, 2 walks,
24th homer ... Andy Marte ATL 23rd homer
TEXAS -- wow, Joaquin Benoit TEX
2.0 0 0 0 0 6 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, 98th RBI overall ...
Fernando Nieve HOU 5.0 3 1 0 3 4 ... HOU OF Luke Scott
on a roll, 3-6, 18th & 19th homers, 3 RBI, .298 ... 2B Brooks Conrad
HOU 3-5, 13th homer, .290 ... Jeff Salazar COL 3-5, double ...
Shane Bazzell OAK 7.0 7 3 3 2 4, 15-3, 3.03
CAROLINA -- KC SS Mike Aviles 2-4, 40th
double, .300 ... CF Rajai Davis PIT 2-4, double, 2 RBI, .316 ...
Wesley Whisler CHA 3.0 1 0 0 1 1, 3.38 ... Ryan Sweeney
CHA 2-4, double, 2 RBI ... CF Darren Blakely CHA 2-4, 25th homer,
.273
FLORIDA STATE -- All games cancelled.
CALIFORNIA -- Jon Zeringue ARZ
1-3, walk, homer, .332 ... Reggie Abercrombie ARZ 2-4, double,
.336 ... Steven Shell ANA 5.2 5 5 5 3 4, 3.59 ... Thomas
Oldham SEA 6.0 4 0 0 0 7, 3.21 ... Wladamir Balentien
SEA 2-4, homer, .294
MIDWEST -- Erold Andrus NYA 3-3,
BB (.290) ... Jason Jones NYA 6.0 6 1 1 0 5 (3-1, 2.87) ...
George Kottaras SD 0-3, 2 BB, K (.305) ... Adam Jones
SEA 2-5, 11th HR (.265) .. Brendan Ryan STL 2-4 (league-leading
.322) ... Lou Palmisano MIL double, HR (.292) ... no surprise
Howie Kendrick ANA 3-4, double (too few AB's for batting crown, but
.369) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 1-4, double, BB, K (308) ... Dan
Putnam OAK 2-4 (.225 for top draftee) ... Scott Tyler MIN
60 3 0 0 3 5 (7-4, 2.60) ... at least he's back Matt Moses MIN 1-4
(.222)
SOUTH ATLANTIC -- Ian Stewart
COL, 1-4 ... Xavier Paul LA, 1-4 ... Chad Bailey LA,
5.2 6 1 1 1 7 (W 2-3, 2.17) ... Gonzalo Lopez ATL, 6.0 3 0 0 2 4
(W 8-4, 3.67) ... Eric Campbell ATL, 1-3 ... Ryan
Goleski CLE, 3-5, double, 2 RBI ... Kevin Kouzmanoff CLE, 2-3,
RBI ... Leo Daigle CHW, 2-4, 2 homers (17), 3 RBI ... Gio
Gonzalez CHW, 5.1 6 4 4 4 3 (L 1-2, 3.76) ... Dennis Robinson
BAL, 5.0 3 1 1 2 1 (W 3-0, 0.50) ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-3 ...
Jon Benick PIT, 1-4, homer (32), RBI ... Adam Boeve
PIT, 1-4, homer (28), RBI ... Delmon Young TB 2-5, 116th RBI, .322
... SS Reid Brignac TB 2-4, walk
NORTHWEST -- Richard Robnett OAK
CF 2-5, double, homer, 3 RBI, .299 ... Landon Powell OAK, awful
start, great comeback, relapse, now a little spark, 3-4, double, triple, .244
... Matt Bush SD 0-5, 3 Ks, error ... SEA SS Oswaldo
Navarro 4-6, 26th & 27th doubles, 1st homer, .273 ... Matthew
Tuiasosopo SEA (at DH) 1-2, 3 walks ... SF CF Brian Horwitz
3-4, .347 ... Clint Brannon TEX (34th round pick, 2004) 3.1 4 0 0
0 2, 0.59 (he'd be in phenom class if a step up the ladder, 61 innings, 35 hits,
14 walks, 58 Ks) ... Garret Gentry COL 2-4, homer, .421 ...
3B Travis Metcalf 3-5, TEX 15th homer
PIONEER -- Scott Elbert LA 3.1 8
6 5 3 2 ... 2B Travis Denker LA 12th homer, .312 ... Cory
Dunlap LA 1-2, homer, 3 walks, .354 ... Andrew Toussaint
ANA 2-3, 2 doubles, .293 ... 2B Joshua Leblanc ANA 2-5, 2 homers,
4 RBI ... 3B Josh Brady MIL 2-4, triple, homer, 4 RBI, .370
... Chris Kelly CHA 2-5, 11th homer, 3 RBI ... Chris
Nelson COL 1-5, triple, 2 RBI, .345 ... and those KC kids at it again, 3B
Billy Butler 3-5, 22nd double, 10th homer, 3 RBI, .377 & Brian
McFall OF 2-5, 14th homer, 2 RBI, .377
Troop
movements ... BOS -- purchased the contract of pitcher Pedro Astacio from AAA
... PIT -- activated pitcher Kip Wells from the DL ... SD -- purchased the
contract of RHP Andy Ashby from AAA ... KC -- recalled pitchers Chris George
and Mike MacDougal and catcher Paul Phillips from AAA, recalled
pitcher Denny Bautista from AA ...
Jeremy
Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, viewing Jeff Francoeur as a key member of
the Braves :
" ... has quickly developed into one of
baseball’s best slugging prospects, thus rapidly exceeding expectations by
already getting to Double Greenville. Francoeur, 20, is a 6’4” 200 pound
righthanded hitter who is one of 4-5 Braves farmhands who are generally
considered among the best minor league prospects at their respective positions.
He began the year with high A Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League where he
batted .293/.346/.508 in 87 games ... 26 doubles and had 15 HR to go along with
his 10 stolen bases ... in the Southern League, Francoeur is hitting
.220-2-5 in 59 at bats. He would’ve amassed more at bats by now had he not
fractured a cheekbone prior to his promotion ... only drawback has been
the high number of strikeouts which complement the small number of walks. This
isn’t something to get concerned about, however. He does exhibit pitch
recognition skills, but can be too aggressive at the plate ... swing
is also conducive to high batting averages. He could definitely hit .300 with
30+ HR in the big leagues. Another outstanding tool is his speed ...
Francoeur’s speed, range, and arm are all playable in centerfield, though he
will probably end up in rightfield for the Braves in the future. His arm is his
best defensive trait ... has a chance to become one of baseball’s
best players and to be an annual 30/30 player in the big leagues."
To
complete the minor league all-star list of a couple of days ago ... the picks
for the California League :
C - Phil Avlas ARZ, 1B - Travis
Hinton MIL, 2B - Callix Brabbe MIL, 3B - Jeff Baker
COL, SS (and Rookie of the Year) Erick Aybar ANA, OF - Paul
McAnulty SD, Jeff Salazar COL, Brian Stavisky
OAK (also MVP), DH - John Suomi OAK, U INF - Michael
Napoli ANA, P - Enrique Gonzalez ARZ, Bobby
Livingston SEA, Steven Shell ANA, Brian Burres
SF.
TEX
notes from Jamey Newberg, Rangers' Minor League Report :
" ... It has to be a lock that [Kameron] Loe
has earned a November place on the 40-man roster -- and if the decision is made
that Texas needs to dip down for one more starter this month, he's got to be the
leading candidate. He improved to 5-2, 3.27 since his promotion to Oklahoma with
a seven-inning, one-run effort last night against Albuquerque, his fourth
quality start in his last five. In that stretch, Loe has permitted nine earned
runs (2.45 ERA) on 28 hits (.233 opponents' average) and seven walks in 33
innings, punching out 28."
M.J.
Hindman at the Newberg Report, on Clint Brannon's incredible climb from a
so-so season in college ball (Arkansas), including the College World Series, to
a superb pro debut in short-season ball :
" ... In an ESPN preview of the CWS, an anonymous
scouting report had this to say about Brannon ... " ... (Clint) Brannon is the
guy I really like. He can just pitch. He knows how to pitch. He throws 88 with a
sinking fastball and good breaking pitch. He can move it all around and then
catch you looking at it." Those of you familiar with the mantras of the Rangers
pitching development program will instantly recognize why Brannon caught area
scout Jay Eddings' eye: "throw it in the zone," and "sinking fastball" and "he
can just pitch. He knows how to pitch," sound a lot like "three pitches or less,
and "pitch to contact" and "keep it on the ground" and (above all, of course) "pitchability."
In other words, Brannon was already doing the things that the Rangers look to
teach their pitching prospects to do. " ... Notwithstanding Brannon's fine
junior collegiate season, there was simply nothing about it that could have
foretold what his summer was to become ... He did not surrender a single long
ball. His WH/IP ratio was an otherworldly 0.780 and the NWL hit a miserable .155
against him. The 34th rounder somehow put up numbers in the NWL one would expect
of Barry Zito on a never-ending rehab assignment in the Pacific northwest's bus
league. " ... Brannon says that he features a four pitch arsenal that includes a
four seam fastball that sits in the high 80's, a change that ranges from 78-80,
an 83 mph slider that he calls his best pitch and (of course) a sinking two-seamer
(the official pitch of the Texas Rangers organization). "Nothing really
changed," said Brannon when asked to explain what appears to be a metamorphosis
between his collegiate career and his first pro season. "I just try to pitch the
Rangers way--three pitches or less, pitch to contact--and trust my defense to do
their jobs. I can throw three pitches in any count, and I can throw all of three
where I want them and I guess that has worked pretty well."
Correspondents
-- INTERNATIONAL (Herb Walters), EASTERN (Ralph Marston),
SOUTHERN (Ken
Savage), TEXAS (Aman Reaka), FLORIDA STATE (Wayne Stevens),
CAROLINA (Troy Salvior), MIDWEST (Bob Reed), SOUTH
ATLANTIC (Brad
Dowdy), NEW YORK-PENN (Chris Carlson), APPALACHIAN (Scott Howes)
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