Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Buffalo Continues To Play Well

The farm teams went 4-0 tonight, highlighted by two quality starts from New Hampshire's Ryan Tepera and Buffalo's Ramon Ortiz.

Buffalo 8 Louisville 2

The bats were active again for Buffalo which included a 3 run bomb by Ryan Langerhans, and Jim Negrych continued hitting well with 2 hits, raising his average to 420.

Ramon Ortiz with another great start 7ip 2h 2er 1bb 3so while giving up two solo home runs.

New Hampshire 5 - Reading 2

Adam Loewen, Clint Robinson and Ryan Schimpf each hit a home run propelling the Fisher Cats offense.

Ryan Tepera put together a quality start of 6IP 3H 0ER 3BB 4k to help the Fisher Cats. Joel Carreno continued to throw the ball well racking up another 2ks in his outing today. So far this season Joel Carreno has been nearly unhittable with 15.1ip 0.59 era 0.39whip with 26K's.

Bradenton 5 - Dunedin 6

Jon Talley in his first game of the season hit the ball well with 2hits including 1 home run and 2 walks.

Jesse Hernandez wasn't his sharpest today allowing 5 earned runs over 5 innings. Scott Gracey and Blake McFarland pitched a spotless 8, and 9th inning sealing the game for Dunedin.

Lansing 5 - Beloit 4

Lansing was unable to score any runs vs Beloit's starter(Oakland's 6'7'' highly touted 2008 International FA) Michael Ynoa. But the Lugnuts were able to score 5 runs vs Beloit's relievers powered by Balbino Fuenmayor driving in 3 runs.

Taylor Cole started the game, and he had a rough night giving up 10 baserunners over 4ip while giving up 2 earned runs. Tucker Donahue and Arik Sikula pitched well while closing out the game for the Lugnuts.

Three Stars
#3-Jon Talley
#2-Ryan Tepera
#1-Ramon Ortiz

Posted by tercet on Sunday, May 05 2013 @ 09:29 PM EDT.

Buffalo Continues To Play Well | 33 comments | Create New Account

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

tercet - Sunday, May 05 2013 @ 10:14 PM EDT (#271555) #

Joel Carreno has been pitching very well for New Hampshire, and perhaps he is the next reliever on his route to Toronto if a spot was to arrise?

Gerry - Sunday, May 05 2013 @ 10:23 PM EDT (#271556) #

Welcome to the minor league crew tercet.

Gerry - Sunday, May 05 2013 @ 10:42 PM EDT (#271557) #

I am in Dunedin. Talley's HR went over the 400 ft sign, just right of centre field. Jesse Hernandez was not sharp, he did well to hang in there.

Derrick Chung's come to the plate music is Gangham Style.

I will be at extended spring tomorrow and back at Dunedin's game tomorrow night.

92-93 - Sunday, May 05 2013 @ 11:56 PM EDT (#271559) #

Keep an eye out on Marcus Knecht, Gerry. Would love to read a current report on him, he's the only bat that jumps out to me on the Dunedin roster.

John Northey - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 12:01 AM EDT (#271560) #

I suspect Carreno is being held back until he keeps this up for 2 months. In 37 2/3 IP in the majors he has 4.3 BB/9 vs 7.2 K/9 over the past 2 years. In the Minors he is 3.1 BB/9 vs 9.7 K/9. But this year... 15 1/3 IP 2 BB (1 intentional) 26 SO. Not a ton of innings yet, but he could go 10 innings without K'ing anyone and still be over a K per inning. 0.59 ERA now for those who were curious with just 4 hits allowed - 3 in one game where 3 unearned runs scored in a massive blowout against the baby Jays. His one run appears to have been a single, wild pitch, two ground outs to score the winning run.

My first thought was 'Tom Henke'. His minor league career was 3.8 BB/9 vs 9.1 K/9 (bit worse than Carreno so far) and headed into 1985 his ML career saw 60 IP 4.8 BB/9 7.7 K/9 (again, worse than Carreno in BB/9 but a bit better in K/9 and IP). But in 1985 he had a 0.88 ERA in AAA with 3.2 BB/9 vs 10.5 K/9 (back when it was rare for anyone to crack a K per inning).

Henke was 27 that magical year of 1985, while Carreno is 26 this year. Now, Carreno is doing it at a level lower than Henke, but is a year younger too. Odds are extremely strong he won't be like Henke (300+ saves and an amazing career) from here on out but the age and sudden 'clicking' caught my eye. Not as similar as I thought, but close enough to be worth noting.

dan gordon - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 01:43 AM EDT (#271562) #

In '85 in AAA, Henke was about as untouchable as a pitcher can get, giving up only 13 hits in 51.3 innings. It's actually quite remarkable that he was kept there for 51.3 innings, given how totally he was overwhelming the hitters. Carreno's ratio of hits to IP is about the same, at 4 hits allowed in 15.3 innings. Much smaller sample size, of course. I always liked Carreno's stuff when I saw him pitch.

hypobole - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 01:48 AM EDT (#271563) #

The Dunedin guy I'd most like to see a report on would be infielder Andy Burns. Slugging .495 after his .464 in Lansing, hitting over .300, and has stolen 10 bases. But the thing that stands out most to me is his 16/14 BB/K ratio. However, I can't remember ever seeing a report on his defence. The Jays seem to have converted him from SS to 3rd, so I'd guess he has the arm w/o the footwork or range for short.

Afi666 - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 02:10 AM EDT (#271564) #

Glad to see Talley's eye is all healed up, and it doesn't seem to have messed with his game. I love watching him play when he's on, he has some line drive HR pop for sure. He looked really good coming into this season bigger and stronger, until his injury. I think he's one of the most underrated players in the system. Hopefully he gets moved up to NH soon, he deserves a shot.

Glad to see Loewen finally doing something. Hopefully he calms down on the K's cuz he's on pace for 140 plus this season.

John Northey - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 06:11 AM EDT (#271566) #

Wow, surprised at how poor Loewen is doing. Here is a guy who has played in the majors and now is in AA yet is hitting just 203/329/339 (plus a 0-3 with 2 walks effort in AAA). Ick. I'm sure when the Jays signed him they figured he'd eat up AA and help the Fishcats do well. A shame, really hoped for him to be a success as a hitter after reaching as a pitcher years ago.

Maldoff - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 07:02 AM EDT (#271568) #

Anyone know why Roberto Osuna was placed on the DL this week?

Gerry, might you be able to get an update on Nolin, Stilson and Barnes while you're at extended?

Turner - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 11:38 AM EDT (#271572) #

Nolin posted a photo to twitter of what looked him catching a flight to Manchester, NH. Think he might be activated soon.

Turner - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 11:48 AM EDT (#271573) #

Agreed, would love to hear more on Burns.

ayjackson - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 12:08 PM EDT (#271574) #

Gerry just tweeted that Nolin and Jenkins are on their way to Manchester and will pitch this week. McGowan is pitching today in extended ST.

finch - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 12:14 PM EDT (#271575) #

In Extended ST, I'd like to hear updates on Dean, Anderson, Smoral, Nay, and DJ Davis.

Gerry, what's the latest on Alford? Are we gonnna see him at some point this year?

sam - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 12:39 PM EDT (#271577) #

Welcome tercet!

China fan - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 03:52 PM EDT (#271594) #

Jenkins is starting for NH tonight, and Trystan Magnuson has been released to make room for him (per a Fishercats feed on Twitter).

Remember when we thought Magnuson was a prospect? (Just checked: he was drafted 56th overall in the 2007 draft.)

hypobole - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 05:21 PM EDT (#271616) #

Well Magnuson did get us half a Rajai

Irishguy - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 05:35 PM EDT (#271618) #

Hello, used to posted here years ago under a differnt username and am only now starting to get back into it.

I really didn't mean to start my new, dare I say it realationship with the battersbox on a negitive note but gheez. Marcus Knecht is the only bat that jumps out at
you. Look gain, Andy Burns numbers are far superior, and add to that he is more athletic has a better understanding of the stike zone, and plays a very well defensively be it at 3rd or short, all all there's a lot to like about Andy Burns.

To me Marcus Knecht are abysmal. Knecht is returning to Dunedin for a second year, and given his age and experience should be dominating this league, but instead of dominating his numbers are a regressing. The scouting reports I have seen on Knecht claim he is a mistake hitter who is unable to reconnize or hit a breaking ball, sorry 92-93.

Mike Green - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 08:21 PM EDT (#271629) #

Jimenez is 2-2 with his first home run tonight. Anyone seen him to report on his throwing since the TJ?

Gerry - Monday, May 06 2013 @ 11:46 PM EDT (#271650) #

I tweeted about Osuna today....here is what I heard.

Osuna left Lansing to come to Dunedin to see the medical team here. He was referred to a specialist and there were some worries that he was due for surgery. I was told later today that he didn't need surgery. But anytime surgery is one of the options for a pitcher it's not good, and sometimes the need for surgery comes back.

The medical reports are just filtering back now so I might know more over the next few days.

Gerry - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 12:04 AM EDT (#271653) #

More notes:

Stilson and Barnes should be back in a few weeks, I might see one or both of them pitch in the next day or two.

Jimenez' arm looks fine. I was told he is trying to build up his leg strength and will catch two days in a row this week. Once his legs are OK, I assume he will head to New Hampshire. Tonight Jimenez' defense was not good. He might be unfamiliar with the pitchers but there were probably three balls that got through him that he should have blocked.

I will do a scouting report at the end of my visit but to answer a few questions:

Knecht hit a big home run tonight, he crushed a belt high inside fastball. Knecht has good bat speed but there is something in his swing that makes him inconsistent. I need to watch him a couple more times.

Playing major league baseball takes special skills and players who have that ability usually stand out. The player who has stood over the last two games is Gregory Polanco from the Pittsburgh organization. He has a lot of talent.

Andy Burns is going through a rough patch right now and hasn't shone in these two games. Again more to come.

There were two seven inning extended games going on at the same time today, my attention was split, and I only saw one or two at-bats for each prospect. So I will hold my comments until I see another game tomorrow.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 09:32 AM EDT (#271665) #

Terrific report, Gerry. It's understandable that Jimenez might be rusty and need more time, but the news on Osuna is frightening.

Gerry - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 10:43 AM EDT (#271669) #

Gose is hitting .250 in Buffalo. I believe he needs to stay there until at least the all-star break. He is just 22 and learning how to hit is still his biggest challenge.

I listened to the AA interview on the Fan when they discussed Negrych. AA basically said that Negrych was average at second base. But sometimes a public average means a private below average.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 10:52 AM EDT (#271670) #

I am pretty sure that Negrych is better defensively at second base than Bonifacio, and will hit better to boot. Negrych definitely has at least an average arm for a second baseman, and probably a little better.

I agree that Gose needs more time. He seems to be in a funk. The OFer who interests me right now (and I know it is unconventional) is Pillar.

Turner - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 12:33 PM EDT (#271673) #

Pillar has hit in something like 24 of 28 games. Would be great to have a player like that on the big club that can avoid prolonged slumps.

greenfrog - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 01:06 PM EDT (#271675) #

With a big-league salary, he could also stop living from pillar to post.

CeeBee - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 01:52 PM EDT (#271678) #

you will have Mike's shorts in a knot with that one, greenfrog.

Mike Green - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 02:32 PM EDT (#271681) #

Nah, a pillar to post transformation would be OK.

CeeBee - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 03:29 PM EDT (#271684) #

Need that to happen Post-haste I say, or when it's the right time.

Dewey - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 07:11 PM EDT (#271694) #

Ah, greenfrog, I fear for your well-being. This is how it always starts, you see. You get off a good one; the plaudits come in; your system is then subtly infiltrated, and the disease soon becomes ineradicable. First �thole�, which was fine ; but then this �pillar� business . . . and you can already see where it�s leading. Some bauxites have succumbed to this affliction in the past. Discipline, my good fellow; discipline. And good luck.

greenfrog - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#271697) #

Dewly noted.

Dewey - Tuesday, May 07 2013 @ 10:09 PM EDT (#271702) #

Ah me, too late, I see.

Keep in mind, however, that there are always openings on CBC radio for this sort of thing, should you ever find yourself in even more desperate straits than at present.

Dewey - Wednesday, May 08 2013 @ 09:25 AM EDT (#271729) #

Just for the record: I had not turned on the ballgame last night when I was bantering with Greenfrog about puns. Had I known of Happ�s injury at the time, of course, I would not have been doing so. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. Very sober moments.

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