Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Minor League Update-August 19, 2004

Minor League Update-August 19, 2004

The Fisher Cats swept Binghamton, as the farm affiliates went 2-3 on Wednesday.

Syracuse 3 Rochester 12

The Red Wings teed off on the Sky Chief bullpen to blow open a fairly close game in the late innings. Cam Reimers went 6 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 9 hits and 2 walks with 1 strikeout. Adam Peterson's struggles continued as he gave up 6 earned runs in 1.2 innings. Aquilino Lopez mopped up poorly. Russ Adams hit a 2 run homer and a single. Anton French reached base 4 times in 5 trips and Guillermo Quiroz had a RBI double.

Boxscore

Syracuse Post-Standard game story

New Hampshire 4 Binghamton 3

The Fisher Cats completed the sweep, as they held on for a 4-3 win over the B-Mets. Aaron Hill's 2 run homer in the first gave New Hampshire the lead, and Paul Chiaffreddo's solo shot broke a 2-2 tie in the 5th inning. Brandon League pitched brilliantly, going 6 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk with 8 strikeouts. Ryan Houston, Dan Jackson and Jordan DeJong finished up with DeJong earning his 12th save with a perfect ninth inning. The Fisher Cats now lead their division by 2 games over the Mets.

Boxscore

New Hampshire Union Leader game story

New Hampshire Union Leader Fisher Cat notes

Sarasota 3 Dunedin 1

Sometimes good pitching will indeed stop good hitting. The D-Jays were handcuffed by S-Sox starter Jon Papelbon, who struck out 10 and restricted Dunedin to 5 hits, 2 by light-hitting catcher Jose Yepez. Raul Tablado walked twice and scored the Dunedin run on a Miguel Negron double. Justin James pitched well, but made a costly mistake to Sarasota sensation Brandon Moss who parked it for a 3 run dinger, after 2 walks. James surrendered 4 hits and walked 2 while striking out 4 in 5.2 innings of work. Tommi Ozuna and Tracy Thorpe finished up nicely.

Boxscore

Rome 3 Charleston 4

Joey Reiman's 7th inning sacrifice fly broke a 3-3 tie as the Alley-Cats defeated the Braves. Tom Mastny was nasty again, going 5 innings and allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits and no walks with 6 strikeouts. He left with a 3-1 lead. Mike MacDonald vultured the win, giving up 2 earned runs in 2 innings. Submariner Matt Dalton and Brad Mumma each pitched a nice scoreless inning to close things out. Eric Arnold hit a 2 run homer to give Charleston the early lead. David Smith reached base 3 times in 4 plate appearances.

Boxscore

Mahoning Valley 14 Auburn 5

The Doubledays are officially in a slump, but it's way too early to worry. The best news of the game was the return to action of Danny Hill, who went 1 inning and allowed 2 runs, 1 earned on 2 hits and no walks. Chris Leonard started and went 4 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits, including a homer, and one walk. He struck out 5. It was downhill from there, as Hill and Kristian Bell were raked pretty good. Ryan Klosterman reached base 3 times, and Chip Cannon and Vinnie Esposito each doubled and walked, to spark the Auburn offence.

Boxscore

Auburn Citizen game story

Pulaski, scheduled day off

Three Star Selection

Slim pickings today.

3rd star- Russ Adams and Aaron Hill, shortstops-in-waiting, hit 2 run dingers
2nd star- Tom Mastny, 5 strong innings in a Charleston win
1st star- Brandon League 6 strong innings in a New Hampshire win

Posted by Mike Green on Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 10:47 AM EDT.

Minor League Update-August 19, 2004 | 81 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Gerry - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 10:50 AM EDT (#40969) #

David Purcey will make his first professional start on Friday night.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:08 AM EDT (#40970) #

Props to #2JBrumfield, who did a fine job on BBRadio last night.

_Dan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:11 AM EDT (#40971) #

With many shortstops coming up in the organization, what are the Jays going to do? Russ Adams should be in the majors next year. Aaron Hill a half year after and Tablado coming on strong as another future shortstop prospect. Even at second base the O-dog is not that old so its hard to move someone over to second. Any opinions?

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:21 AM EDT (#40972) #

Brandon League at Double-A since June 1: 60 IP, 55 H, 14 BB, 57 K, 2 HR. And he's only 21.

_RhyZa - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:24 AM EDT (#40973) #

RE: Gustavo Chacin from another thread

How many finesse lefties are there anyway? And is that more of a positive or negative in assessing his big league prospects/value? I just hope we're careful in not writing him off simply because he has a pitching profile that doesn't usually beget success. There's no question that peripherals (although I doubt they're horrible) are important but I infer that if there's legitimate reason to believe that he can be an exception amongst the group, that there could be potentially a lot more additional value in that. At the same time if the evidence is resounding that his value/success will probably never be as high as it is at is now, I'm not saying we shouldn't consider shopping him as more than a few have already (hastily?) suggested.

As for the SS dilemma, as the cliche goes I think its 'a good problem to have' like too many big men in the NBA, or left handers in baseball. For a combination of factors not the least of which is that Woodward is still a starter on the big club, the dearth of quality SS' in the big leagues besides the top handful, the drastic drop off in the league between the best and the average/worst who still claim starting jobs and the obvious edge it gives you against the competition, the belief of strength up the middle is harder to come by and is/thus more important etc. You basically hope one or two of them pan out and then decide who moves to 2nd if that's eventually necessary or who needs to be shopped to strengthen another area of weakness (which should bring back a decent return at another position, if the market remains as is).

Craig B - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:31 AM EDT (#40974) #

Dan, I think it's actually too early to formulate a plan about what to do with a potential glut of middle infielders. Adams or Hill may be moved off of shortstop; either might stall in their development; a trade opportunity may come along.

If both are ready and able, it may be that the Blue Jays need to have them platoon for a year or shift one to play some second or third. If Hill can play both short and second or short and third, and Adams can handle lefties, perhaps Hill can play instead of Hudson (or Hinske if Hinske is still at third) against lefthanded pitching.

I think if both players continue the steady development they've shown, teams will be very interested very soon and there may be a deal available.

Pistol - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:32 AM EDT (#40975) #

You have a couple threads on Russ Adams and suddenly he starts to grow into his man strength with a couple homers.

With many shortstops coming up in the organization, what are the Jays going to do? Any opinions?

They're all at different levels so you just let them continue as is. It's not a 'problem' until there's no playing time for someone in Toronto when playing time in the majors is warranted.

_Jacko - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:33 AM EDT (#40976) #

Brandon League at Double-A since June 1: 60 IP, 55 H, 14 BB, 57 K, 2 HR. And he's only 21

When the Jays announced they were sending him to the bullpen in spring training, I thought they were insane.

Turns out they were right. Moving the the bullpen has given a chance to refine his command and tinker with some new pitches. No idea if his repertoire has anything new in it, but results have been great. Would love it if he got a chance to log some relief innings in September with the big club.

I still think his long term future is in starting, but I have no problems with the Jays using the pen to ease him into the big leagues before moving him to a starting role in 2006 or 2007...

Weaver-ball rules.

jc

Pistol - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:38 AM EDT (#40977) #

Russ Adams on Monday: .272/.344/.384
Russ Adams today: .283/.351/.404

Maybe we should start a 'Has Eric Hinske been a disappointment' thread.

Craig B - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 11:49 AM EDT (#40978) #

How many finesse lefties are there anyway? And is that more of a positive or negative in assessing his big league prospects/value?

There's a lot of finesse lefties; most lefties are not power pitchers. I don't think it impacts his value any - whether a lefty is a power pitcher or a finesse pitcher, the important question is whether he gets guys out.

Chacin's issue is that traditionally, he doesn't strike guys out, which isn't a sign necessarily that he's a finesse pitcher. He's really not; Chacin relies mostly on the fastball. But his success stems from control - in the past, when he's had good control, he's had ERAs in the threes, and when he hasn't, he's had ERAs in the fours. This year, the control is back, and the ERA is down even a little further, to 2.90 (though with a fair number of unearned runs).

Even at the major league level, you do not need to throw junk in order to get guys out without a high number of Ks. There are plenty of power-stuff guys who move the ball around, throw strikes, and make the hitters put the ball in play.

His winter ball experience was like the Bizarro DIPS Chacin. He had good control and struck out a lot of guys, but everyone hit him, to the tune of 82 hits in 64 innings. In AA, he's given up just 108 hits in 136 innings. Massive difference.

_Dan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#40979) #

An Eric Hinske dissapointment thread is not a bad idea. His light potential has seriously dimmed. His hitting is just brutal and his fielding is not great. Although he leads in fielding % he definitely has one of the worst ranges for a 3b. And the throw....extremely slow release. We will be lucky if we are able to salvage anything from him especially with his contract, which is equal to Wells.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#40980) #

Craig, Chacin apparently added a cutter this season, and he's been much more effective against right-handed hitters than formerly. This is courtesy of BA's prospect hot sheet.

Chacin has for the last month and a half been a different pitcher. He's been striking out many more per 9 than formerly. My own purely subjective opinion is that he's turned the corner, and he's ready to join the big-league club in 2005 (in the bullpen for at least 3 months and possibly a year).

_Loveshack - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 12:12 PM EDT (#40981) #

With many shortstops coming up in the organization, what are the Jays going to do?

I think whoever said patience is bang on. I might be remembering wrong since I didnt follow the Jays as closely back then, but the last time this question was asked didnt it involve the names Izturis, Lopez, Woodward, and Gonzalez?

_Marc - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 12:43 PM EDT (#40982) #

The best bet for the Jays would be to trade Hinske for a pitcher who has an equally bloated contract... and hope the change of teams helps them.

_Jonny German - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:21 PM EDT (#40983) #

What is the correct pronunciation of "Chacin"? I've heard Cha-seen on the radio... but that was from a certain announcer who's also been known to say Vladimir "Guhwhero".

We will be lucky if we are able to salvage anything from him especially with his contract, which is equal to Wells.

What's your involvement in the salvaging, Dan?

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:27 PM EDT (#40984) #

I think Cha-seen is right, but we need an expert. Jabonoso, if you're out there, please help.

_Tassle - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:39 PM EDT (#40985) #

If you had to rank them right now, would League be the best pitching prospect in the system? McGowan is obviously out of the question. Arnold has dropped completely off the radar. Rosario has been injured and struggling. I would think it has to be League, Banks and Marcum in that order, mostly because of their ages, ignoring Purcey and Jackson until they pitch some significant professional innings. What do you guys think?

_Ron - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:43 PM EDT (#40986) #

For anybody that's seen Peterson play since getting moved to AAA, why is he scuffling so much?

_R Billie - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:45 PM EDT (#40987) #

Until Rosario and McGowan once again prove they are healthy and until Josh Banks recovers his form for a few starts in a row, then League has to be considered the best pitching prospect without peer right now. Maybe the changeup and slider are working a little better for him now as his strikeout rate is going up.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:50 PM EDT (#40988) #

I'd stick with Banks as the leading Jay pitching prospect of the moment. Marcum, League and Vermilyea fight it out for 2nd.

_R Billie - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 01:54 PM EDT (#40989) #

Unless Peterson got hurt then the only thing that changed is his trip to the big leagues. He's sort of come unglued and lost his command it seems.

_Jacko - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:17 PM EDT (#40990) #

I'd stick with Banks as the leading Jay pitching prospect of the moment. Marcum, League and Vermilyea fight it out for 2nd.

Disagree.

Vermilyea has gotten good results, but his fastball barely breaks 90 on a good day. He'll have to be perfect in order to succeed. His K rate has fallen quite a bit since his promotion to AA.

Marcum is basically a David Bush clone. Which isn't a bad thing, but it means his ceiling is limited. And he hasn't reached AA yet.

Banks throws a bit harder than Marcum, but has hit a wall at AA. Some have attributed this to the Jays asking him to abandon his splitter and work on a different, less stressful breaking pitch. Let's see if he adjusts.

League throws the hardest of the lot, and is starting to turn his potential into performance this year. If he can refine his breaking pitches, he will be a front of the rotation starter.

IMO, League is currently the most advanced and has the most potential of the Jays minor league arms.

Rosario may pull ahead of all of these guys in the next 12 months if he gets healthy again -- he did pile up 10 K's in his last start, which is a very encouraging sign. And there's also McGowan, who should recover on time for some late 2005 innings and/or an AFL appearance.

That's a pretty nice collection of arms.

_Ryan01 - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#40991) #

Banks is still #1 for me too but League is a close second.

Some have attributed this to the Jays asking him to abandon his splitter and work on a different, less stressful breaking pitch.

I don't think they've asked him to abandon it. Just not to use it for a little bit so he can work on his secondary pitches. Basically so that he's not too dependant on the one pitch.

_Ryan Day - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:28 PM EDT (#40992) #

Unless Peterson got hurt then the only thing that changed is his trip to the big leagues. He's sort of come unglued and lost his command it seems.

He got smacked around in his first stint at AA last year, too. Not to the same extent, but it certainly looked pretty brutal next to his A-ball domination.

I suspect Peterson will always fall prey to control issues, but he's also got the stuff to fight through it. He should come around.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:30 PM EDT (#40993) #

Marcum is basically a David Bush clone. Which isn't a bad thing, but it means his ceiling is limited.

By all accounts, Marcum has somewhat better stuff than Bush, and he has the K rates that suggest that this is true.

What is Dave Bush's ceiling anyways? Obviously he's not going to be Roger Clemens v 2.0. Ferguson Jenkins, maybe. It's not necessary to have a 97 mph fastball to have a great pitching career.

_Chris H - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:33 PM EDT (#40994) #

Marcum is basically a David Bush clone. Which isn't a bad thing, but it means his ceiling is limited. And he hasn't reached AA yet.

Depends on what you mean by their ceilings being limited. Has Bush reached his peak? I highly doubt it. He has had very limited experience as a starter and is still learning...there has been comparisons of Bush to Radke - if that is limited...give me a bunch of starters with Bush's limited ceiling...

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 02:37 PM EDT (#40995) #

I called McGowan the team's best pitching prospect and he blew out his arm. I called Banks the best pitching prospect and he got shelled at Double-A. I only considered calling Rosario the best pitching prospect in the pre-season and he's been ugly as sin. I'm not calling anyone the best pitching prospect in the system anymore.

Among the very best pitching prospects in the system are Banks, League and Marcum. If healthy, Rosario's there as well. I don't think anyone else is in their class.

_NDG - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:02 PM EDT (#40996) #

_Spartan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:05 PM EDT (#40997) #

I don't think JP wants to rush McGowan, the rotation is already pretty full so McGowan can take his time.

I thought JP wanted League in the bullpen and he was only starting to strech his arm out. Has that plan changed now?

_Jacko - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#40998) #

Depends on what you mean by their ceilings being limited. Has Bush reached his peak? I highly doubt it. He has had very limited experience as a starter and is still learning...there has been comparisons of Bush to Radke - if that is limited...give me a bunch of starters with Bush's limited ceiling...

You just hit the nail on the head. It's rare for pitchers to be dominant without a blazing fastball (see Maddux, Greg). Radke's a nice pitcher and all, but he'll never be confused with Curt Schilling.

You can sometimes teach guys with great arms to pitch. But unless there's a serious mechanical flaw with a pitcher's delivery, it's pretty well impossible to teach someone to throw harder.

Bush has been great so far, but what you see is what you get. IMO, he's not going to get much better than what we have seen so far. I think Brandon League is barely scratching the surface of what he's capable of. There's no guarantee he'll unlock any or all of that potential, but he'll be scary good if/when he does.

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:19 PM EDT (#40999) #

I've always thought Radke was more than a little overrated. He's never had an ERA below 3.75, he's given up 100 more hits than IP in his career, and only twice has he won more than 14 games (20 and 15, respectively). His lifetime ERA+ is an un-fabulous 111, and his Most Similar Pitchers include luminaries such as Shane Reynolds, Bob Tewksbury and Bill Monbouquette. He's a workhorse with fine control, but that's about it. Bush had better K rates as a minor-leaguer than Radke did.

_Jacko - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:22 PM EDT (#41000) #

Anyone find it odd that JP mentioned that he expected McGowan to start throwing next July and pitching in September? I say this because Jesse Foppert is about to make his reappearance in the bigs after having his surgery Sept 17! He was pitching by mid-July which is only 10 months after surgery as opposed to the 16 predicted for McGowan. I know Foppert healed fast, but isn't 12 months realistic? Because of the timing coming back in July (pitching), cut mean getting McGowan into the rotation a year earlier

Some guys heal faster than others?

TJ surgery recovery times have been getting faster and faster over the years. It's some combination of doctors getting better at doing the surgery, and therapists developing better programs for rehabbing afterwards.

For example, Erik Bedard had TJ surgery in September of 2002, and was pitching again by August 2003. If McGowan has a similar recovery, then he could be back pitching as soon as the start of next season (though I imagine they'll keep him in Dunedin or extended spring training until it gets warm).

I imagine the projected recovery time has been put out there to prevent McGowan from rushing back too soon. However, it would not surprise me at all if he ends up on a similar schedule to Foppert.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:22 PM EDT (#41001) #

It's true that the guys with the truly blazing fastballs, Ryan, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, have the best careers, but it often takes them 5-10 years to get there. In today's world, that makes them great Yankees prospects, whatever organization they are in when they are young.

Of course, a few (Roger Clemens) are great from the get-go.

Craig B - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#41002) #

His lifetime ERA+ is an un-fabulous 111

Two guys like that, plus a Roy Halladay, is a rotation that can win the World Series with a good offense.

_Chris H - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:10 PM EDT (#41003) #

Two guys like that, plus a Roy Halladay, is a rotation that can win the World Series with a good offense.

I agree with this sentiment.

Brad Radke is just one name as a comparison to Bush...how about someone like Tim Hudson? Hudson doesnt have a dominating fastball does he?...

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:12 PM EDT (#41004) #

Two guys like that, plus a Roy Halladay, is a rotation that can win the World Series with a good offense.

Perhaps, but that could also describe a number of somewhat-better-than-average pitchers, including David Wells and Tim Wakefield, who have the same career ERA+. Radke is a fine #3 starter on a good team, but that's all he ever was.

Pistol - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:22 PM EDT (#41005) #

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/leagues/winter/04aflrosters.html
AFL rosters are coming out COMN. Hill, Hattig, and Vito are confirmed. I believe someone mentioned that JP said Rosario, Peterson and Arnold will be the pitchers.

And Glenallen Hill is a bench coach for the Solar Sox!

robertdudek - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:36 PM EDT (#41006) #

Hudson has a great sinker. He's very different from Bush.

Craig B - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:41 PM EDT (#41007) #

That's easily the best AFL group I can remember seeing. Even the pitching is pretty good.

robertdudek - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:44 PM EDT (#41008) #

Don't forget that the average ERA+ for starting pitchers in the AL is below 100.

_Chris H - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:45 PM EDT (#41009) #

I guess I am trying to get an idea of what to expect from David Bush. Is his "ceiling" something like Brad Radke's? Or is he better then this? Who does he closely resemble?

BP/Pecota has the most comparable pitchers being guys like Phil Regan...Amaury Telemaco...Eric Rasmussen...Lynn McGlothen...I would think these comparisons are somewhat outdated as they dont take into account the current 2004 numbers...

Overall, if somebody told me that I could draft a Brad Radke clone in the middle of the 2nd round of the 2002 draft and again in the middle of the 3rd round of the 2003 draft...I would be pretty happy...

C.

_Confused - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 04:57 PM EDT (#41010) #

_Jacko - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:02 PM EDT (#41011) #

With all the outfield prospects in the organization, I'm surprised that JP didn't elect to send one to the AFL. There are a couple of outfielders in Dunedin that have better numbers than Vito. It seems that would be a good test to find out if some of these outfielders are really prospects, or "fringe prospects," a term JP used in a previous article.

Well...

At the major league level, the need is greatest at SS and 1B/DH. It sort of makes sense for them to send guys who are candidates for those spots. If Vito mashes the ball for 6 weeks, maybe they will start him at AAA next year. If Hattig kicks ass, maybe he'll be considered for a platoon role in 2005. Etc...

jc

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:03 PM EDT (#41012) #

Great AFL choices. It's clear that Hill is on the fast-track; Adams followed the same route from Double-A to the AFL last year, and debuted with Syracuse this year. Hill will do the same, and we could conceivably see him in Toronto sometime next summer. I only worry that he might be a little worn down by the end of this season.

Vito's choice is also a promising sign; they clearly want him to get as much exposure to good pitching as possible. And it seems like they want to see more of Hattig, who should join Hill in Syracuse next year. I can't argue with these choices, but it would have been nice if John-Ford Griffin could've gotten some more playing time in the desert. Ditto for Raul Tablado.

On the pitching side, Rosario would make good sense (though the AFL is where he wrecked his arm two years ago). Peterson needs to get back on track as soon as possible, and Arnold needs more innings after his injury. I'm not confident that we'll see very good results from these three, but if they get some work in, that'll be a valuable development.

Even better news is that Marty Pevey is managing their team! The AFL is a proving ground for managers as well as players; Pevey will be employed in the major leagues sooner rather than later.

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:08 PM EDT (#41013) #

There are a couple of outfielders in Dunedin that have better numbers than Vito

I don't know; Davenport's the only Dunedin outfielder whose numbers compare with Vito's; their average is the same, but Vito has a higher OBP and a lower SLG. Negron's power his dissipated, and Medina has been sent back to Charleston. Tablado was certainly a deserving candidate, and possibly Cota if they felt the exposure would boost his trade value. But Jacko's right that OF is not a position where the Jays need a lot of immediate help, whereas 1B definitely is.

_Neal M. - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#41014) #

So, you don't think that the 1B at AAA, Eric Crozier, is going to be the long term answer for the organization at 1B? What about JFG?

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:17 PM EDT (#41015) #

Neal, I considered adding Crozier to my list as well, but it may be that at his age and level of development, they don't need to see much more of him (especially going up against the AFL's younger pitchers). I expect Crozier will get a long look next spring training, and that may decide whether he goes north to start the year. That said, I don't yet believe he's a long-term solution for Toronto (as in more than a year or two), though he should be a fine cost-effective placeholder at least, and could well be more.

_greenfrog - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:24 PM EDT (#41016) #

Is there a maximum number of players each organization can send to the AFL?

AFL seems like a good thing for pitchers, unless they need a rest. For Aquilino Lopez, pitching in the AFL may have helped turn 2004 into an unmitigated disaster. This seems unlikely in the case of Rosario, Peterson, and Arnold, who have pitched relatively few innings this year. I wonder whether the AFL has a tendency to burn out position players who have played full-time during the regular season.

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 05:37 PM EDT (#41017) #

Is there a maximum number of players each organization can send to the AFL?

Yup, six.

For Aquilino Lopez, pitching in the AFL may have helped turn 2004 into an unmitigated disaster

Actually, it was winter ball that Lopez pitched this past off-season, rather than the AFL.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 07:38 PM EDT (#41018) #

We join the Syracuse-Rochester game already in progress. It's 2-1 Rochester after 2. Dave Gassner's pitching for the Red Wings.

In the top of the 3rd, there are 2 outs. Eric Crozier (a strikeout in the first) lines a single to left centre. Russ Adams (0-1) flies out to left.

2-1 Rochester after 2 and 1/2.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 07:47 PM EDT (#41019) #

Bottom 3 AAA:

Josue Matos pitching. He gave up a 2 run homer to Michael Ryan in the first, and then retired six in a row.

Alex Prieto strikes out on 3 pitches. Jason Bartlett lines a homer just inside the leftfield foul pole (his 3rd homer of the year). Michael Ryan lines a single to right in front of Anthony Sanders. Jason Kubel up. Ryan goes and is thrown out (by Quiroz?). Kubel grounds one off the glove of Sequea at second for an error. Terry Tiffee flies out to Anton French in centre.

3-1 Rochester after 3.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 07:51 PM EDT (#41020) #

Top of 4 AAA:

Julius Matos flies out to Jason Kubel in right. Howie Clark pops up to second. Anthony Sanders flies out to Kubel near the warning track. Gassner throws 5 or 6 pitches in the inning.

3-1 Rochester after 3 and 1/2.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 07:59 PM EDT (#41021) #

Bottom of 4 AAA:

Michael Restovich walks on a 3-2 pitch (Matos' 1st walk). Todd Dunwoody flies out to Howie Clark in left. Luis Rodriguez flies out. Chris Heinz lines a ball into the right center gap. French retrieves it; Restovich keeps going, the relay comes to Adams who throws to third. Heinz is caught in a rundown, and eventually tagged out. Restovich scores.

4-1 Rochester after 4 innings.

_Mylegacy - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:01 PM EDT (#41022) #

http://www.immune26.tv
Jacko, as Spartan said above, I'm sure JP has said that League is starting to stretch out and get more innings, BUT JP DEFINITELY said League was being thought of as a bullpen guy.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:11 PM EDT (#41023) #

Top 5 AAA:

Tim Whitaker lines a double down the left field line. Jorge Sequea flies out to left. Guillermo Quiroz runs the count to 3-1. Yum. Swings and misses, fouls a couple off, and then draws a walk. Nice job. Anton French hits a high fly ball to deep right centre, it's back, back and "oui, monsieur" says the announcer as it flies out of the yard. Eric Crozier strikes out on the 2-2. Russ Adams grounds out to second.

4-4 after 4 and 1/2.

On the out-of-town scoreboard,

Dunedin leads Tampa 4-0 after 3; Auburn bent on revenge leads Mahoning Valley 7-0 after 3 and Burlington leads Pulaski 3-0 after 3.

_Willy - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:13 PM EDT (#41024) #

What is Dave Bush's ceiling anyways? Obviously he's not going to be Roger Clemens v 2.0. Ferguson Jenkins, maybe.

Bush is maybe a Fergie? Wow. A Hall of Famer. 3,000 K's, 6 consecutive 20-win seasons (in Wrigley Field), etc., etc. Let's hope you're right.

[ Reply to This ]

_Jabonoso - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:20 PM EDT (#41025) #

Chacin= Chaseen ( in Venezuela ) and something like Shaa-thin (in Spain).
It is important to disagregate ( sp?), Chacin winter numbers and summer numbers with these trends: Started very well in winter ( after being groomed as a power relief lefty in AA ) tired and had like 5 horrible outings ( very likely more than 50% of the hits then ) a the end of the season,and now back to AA started with some bad outings and has been cruising lately. His fastball reach 92 as starter and 94 as a reliever. It may have peaked a little bit lately ( acording to results K/9 )

[ Reply to This ]

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:21 PM EDT (#41026) #

Props to #2JBrumfield, who did a fine job on BBRadio last night.

Hey Mike. Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.

[ Reply to This ]

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:22 PM EDT (#41027) #

Bottom of 5 AAA:

Alex Prieto grounds out to Russ Adams. Jason Bartlett, with a double and homer runs the count to 2-2, fouls off a couple, takes a ball, and flies out to deep right. Michael Ryan runs the count full, and takes ball 4. Jason Kubel grounds out to Eric Crozier to end the inning.

4-4 after 5 innings.

I have to go for about 1/2 an hour. If anyone would like to pick up the game, that would be great.

[ Reply to This ]

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:23 PM EDT (#41028) #

Italics begone.

[ Reply to This ]

_R Billie - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:44 PM EDT (#41029) #

If Chacin can reach 92 as a starter and League can pitch starter innings if needed then those are two extra starting reserves that could be ready some time in 2005.

[ Reply to This ]

_R Billie - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#41030) #

Italics go away for good.

_Jordan - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:47 PM EDT (#41031) #

Thanks, Jabonso!

_Anthony - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:48 PM EDT (#41032) #

Dunedin Transaction:

8/19/2004 Transfer Jason Arnold from Dunedin roster to New Hampshire roster

Who will they bring up to take Arnold's roster spot?

_Anthony - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:50 PM EDT (#41033) #

Tampa put up five in the top of the fourth to take the lead over Dunedin.

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:55 PM EDT (#41034) #

Bottom 7th in progress - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4 - Syracuse batting, Gassner pitching for Rochester.

2 outs

* Adams singles to left, Crozier advances to 3rd

Pitching change - Willie Eyre (brother of former Jay Scott Eyre) relieves Dave Gassner

Eyre - 28th appearance, 6-5, 3.83, 1 save 81-49 K/BB ratio

Gassner goes 6 2/3 innings 9H, 1BB, 3K with 2 runners on base

* Julius Matos draws walk, Adams advances to 2nd, Crozier remains at 3rd - BASES LOADED
* Clark grounds to first - 3 out

0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base

Stretch time - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4 at the jewel of minor league parks Frontier Field

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:56 PM EDT (#41035) #

Top of 7.

5-4 Sky Chiefs.

Willie Eyre on to pitch for Gassner. Two outs, runners on the corners. Julius Matos up, runs the count to 2-2, takes a pitch inside, and checks his swing on ball 4. Bases loaded for Howie Clark. Count goes to 1-2 and he chops it to the first baseman who makes the play himself.

5-4 Syracuse at the stretch.

Mike Green - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 08:57 PM EDT (#41036) #

#2JBrumfield, it's all yours. Let me know if you have to go.

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:06 PM EDT (#41037) #

Bottom of the 7th right now, the previous half inning was the Top of the 7th - WHOOPS!!!

The real Bottom of the 7th - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4, Rochester batting

Pitching change - Mike Nakamura is on in relief of starter Josue Matos

Nakamura's stats..........

2-1, 3.35 ERA, 2SV, 24th appearance, 43IP, 56K, .211 OBA

* Rodriguez flies out to deep centre in front of the 402 foot sign 1 out
* Heintz singles to centre - Jason Kershner warming up in the pen
* Prieto strikes out swinging 2 out
* Bartlett called out on strikes 3 out

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 7 innings - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:08 PM EDT (#41038) #

#2JBrumfield, it's all yours. Let me know if you have to go.

Sorry about stealing your thunder, Mike. I'll keep going if you want me to.

_#2 JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:17 PM EDT (#41039) #

Top 8th inning - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4, Syracuse batting - Eyre pitching for Rochester

* Sanders draws lead-off walk
* Whittaker grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Sanders out at 2nd 2 out

Before the DP, Whittaker drawing props from the Syracuse announcer for his performance this year and for handling his role of backing up Quiroz.

* Sequea singles to left

Syracuse announcer says Sequea benefits from the poor infield at Frontier Field (okay, the only drawback to the place!!). With soccer also played there, the announcer says the infielders aren't going to give up the body to block a ground ball

* Quiroz grounds into a fielder's choice 6-4, Sequea out at 2nd 3 out

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 7 1/2 innings - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:28 PM EDT (#41040) #

Bottom 8th - Syracuse 5 Rochester 4 - Rochester batting, Jason Kershner on in relief of Mike Nakamura

Kershner's numbers........

22G 1-1 4 SV 6.66 ERA (not making that up!) 25 2/3 IP 36H 7 BB 21K .336 OBA

* Ryan pops up to short 1 out Bob File warming up in the pen
* Kubel doubles down the right field line - RF Sanders got to the ball quickly but the throw was just offline
* Tiffee - switch-hitter batting right against the lefty Kershner - strikes out swinging 2 out

Pitching change - Bob File relieves Jason Kershner

File's numbers......

22GP 2-3, 7 SV, 2.93 ERA

* Restovich doubles to right, Kubel scores - TIE GAME - SYRACUSE 5 ROCHESTER 5

* Dunwoody pops up to short 3 out

1 run,2 hits,0 errors,1 left on base

After 8 innings - Syracuse 5 Rochester 5

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:45 PM EDT (#41041) #

Top 9th - Syracuse 5 Rochester 5 - Syracuse batting - Rochester pitching change - Beau Kemp on in relief of Willie Eyre

Kemp's numbers....

6-2 1 SV 4.12 ERA 39 1/3 IP 42H 17BB 28K .292 OBA

Syracuse announcer questions Marty Pevey's move to bring in Bob File to face Restovich, he felt Kershner was doing fine and should've pitched around Restovich to face the left-hand hitting Dunwoody. Of course, he realizes afterwards you don't put the go-ahead run on base.

* French singles to right
* Crozier sacrifices French to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt 1-4, French advances to 2nd 1 out - French draws kudos for not showing bunt until the last possible second
* Adams swings and misses on strike 3 but reaches 1st on a passed ball - French advances to 3rd
* Julius Matos draws a walk - Adams advances to 2nd, French at 3rd BASES LOADED
* Clark singles to right - French scores, Adams scores, Matos advances to 3rd - Syracuse 7 Rochester 5
* Sanders chops one to short and is retired 6-3 - to short, Matos scores and Clark advances to 3rd - Syracuse 8 Rochester 5 - 2 out
* Whittaker strikes out swinging 3 out

3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base

After 8 1/2 innings - Syracuse 8 Rochester 5

_#2JBrumfield - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 09:50 PM EDT (#41042) #

Bottom 9th - Syracuse 8 Rochester 5 - Rochester batting, File pitching for Syracuse

* Rodriguez grounds out to short 1 out
* Heintz called strike 3 2 out
* Prieto grounds out to short 3 out

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base

FINAL SCORE - SYRACUSE 8 ROCHESTER 5

_Jabonoso - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 10:01 PM EDT (#41043) #

There is a fine article about one of my favs: Treni Hubbard, in the minors section of USATODAY.com

Gerry - Thursday, August 19 2004 @ 10:48 PM EDT (#41044) #

Thanks for the BB radio.

Craig B - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 08:48 AM EDT (#41045) #

Vermilyea has gotten good results, but his fastball barely breaks 90 on a good day. He'll have to be perfect in order to succeed. His K rate has fallen quite a bit since his promotion to AA.

Most pitchers in major league baseball don't throw 90 on a consistent basis. Vermilyea's biggest advantage is that he has a killer slider; he also has movement on the fastball.

Vermilyea has a K/W ratio of 4:1 in AA; the K rate isn't high, but it's not unusually low and very few pitchers in the Eastern League have a 4:1 K/W ratio.

He's also a touch young for AA, as he's just 22.

Mike Green - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:19 AM EDT (#41046) #

Brian Hall went ape woolies last night with a 3 run homer and a grand slam. He might have a leg up on a star. :)

_Jacko - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 09:29 AM EDT (#41047) #

So, you don't think that the 1B at AAA, Eric Crozier, is going to be the long term answer for the organization at 1B? What about JFG?

Does anyone remember the BFG 9000 from the original DOOM video game?

Hey NFH. If JFG ever makes the show, that would make for some kind of cool poster. JFG 9000...

BTW, I think Crozier has little to prove in the minors, and will start next season with the big club. JFG gets the AAA 1B job, while Hattig works over at 3B (unless Hill is moved to 3B).

jc

_NDG - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:08 AM EDT (#41048) #

Most pitchers in major league baseball don't throw 90 on a consistent basis. Vermilyea's biggest advantage is that he has a killer slider; he also has movement on the fastball.

Really? My seat of the pants observation is that nearly everyone throws 90. I'm always amazed the first time I see some pitcher who throws 'junk', or just isn't very good and see how hard they throw (exhibit A: Josh Towers, exhibit B: Tenrun Sturtz and his 94 mph fastball). Very rarely am I suprised by how 'slow' someone throws. Not saying your wrong Craig, just my opinion.

robertdudek - Friday, August 20 2004 @ 11:16 AM EDT (#41049) #

I'd say 88 to 92 is a typical fastball for a major league righthanded starting pitcher (depending on the gun). Lefty starters throw 1 or 2 MPH slower on average.

Minor League Update-August 19, 2004 | 81 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.