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The Buffalo Bisons start their season this afternoon, at home. March baseball in Northern New York, yummy!

The Bisons are the only minor league affiliate in action this weekend so I will update this thread over the weekend with a summary.



Ricky Tiedemann starts today.


Fridays Game

Ricky Tiedemann gave up a home run to Greg Allen to lead off the game. Tiedemann threw a breaking ball that got too much of the plate. Ricky Needed 21 pitches to get through the first inning.It might have been Tiedemann's first time pitching in weather that cool, five degrees at game time.

Tiedemann throw 65 pitches over 2.2 innings with just the home run on his ERA.

Brandon Eisert was royally roughed up and his ERA is 94.50. Tough start to the season, its better than infinity.

Spencer Horwitz did not fare well in spring training but he was happy to return to AAA. In his first at-bat he fouled off three two strike pitches before homering on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. He had two hits in the game, as did Nathan Lukes, Damiano Palmegiani and Addison Barger. Bisons lose.


Saturdays Game

Paulo Espino gave the Bisons a good start, six shutout innings four hits. But once again the bullpen lost the game for the Bisons. Troy Watson gave up three runs in relief and after the Bisons tied the game in the eighth, Zack Pop took the loss in the ninth. Three of the four runners who scored for Scranton reached via walk.

The Bisons scored three runs, all from solo home runs. Max McDowell, Will Robertson and Nathan Lukas went deep.


Sundays Game

Buffalo won their first game of the year on Sunday with a 4-3 score. They had a chance to win on Friday and Saturday and it was surprising to me that the manager did not call on either Hagen Danner or Connor Cooke to pitch in either of those games. To me, they are two of the stronger pitchers in the bullpen. Well they both pitched on Sunday, Danner got the win and Cooke the save.

The game winning hit came from Spencer Horwitz who drove in two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Horwitz also walked twice. Rafael Lantigua had two hits and Payton Henry hit his first home run. Many of the batting averages are as cold as the weather.

Chad Dallas made his first AAA start. He was charged with three runs on seven hits over five innings. He had two strikeouts.

The Bisons now head out on the road to Worcester, Mass. I don't think it will be much warmer there.

Minor League 2024 | 35 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Gerry - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 12:17 PM EDT (#443695) #
Chad Dallas is in the official Bisons roster. Alan Roden is not.
mendocino - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 12:29 PM EDT (#443697) #
Roster

https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/1773743983736336468/photo/1
Ducey - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 01:00 PM EDT (#443698) #
Pretty good team. There are a few filler types, but the infield are all decent prospects, as is the bullpen. SP a little light and I am not a believer in Berroa or Eden.

I'll be watching to see in Robertson and Palmegiani can continue on their improvements in the 2nd half of last season.

Should be fun to track

Here is a better list. Not sure what the Developmental List is.
https://www.milb.com/buffalo/roster
Gerry - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#443700) #
Development list can be used for several reasons. They could be at the complex working on something, They could have some need to be away from the team, or they could be on what used to be called the phantom IL.
bpoz - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 02:09 PM EDT (#443702) #
Tiedemann gave up a Hr to the 1st batter he faced.
bpoz - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 02:27 PM EDT (#443703) #
2 run HR from Horwitz. 108.8 EV. Good start for Horwitz.
Gerry - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 02:41 PM EDT (#443704) #
Five runs for Buffalo in the first inning including a pitching change. We will see how Tiedemann handles a lengthy break on the bench in this cold weather.
Gerry - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 02:53 PM EDT (#443705) #
Ricky gave up a hit and a walk in the second inning but didn't allow a run. He is up to 47 pitches after two inning though.
Gerry - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 03:08 PM EDT (#443709) #
Tiedemann gave up another hit and a walk in the third while getting two outs. With his pitch count at 65 his day is done.

It wasn't outstanding but given the weather it was a decent start.
Waveburner - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 03:25 PM EDT (#443711) #
I wonder where Mike Mayers is. Maybe he just needs more time to build up arm strength before joining Buffalo?

I guess Jimmy Burnette will be back to New Hampshire to work on his control issues there.

Encouraging to see Mason Fluharty with Buffalo, he's moved quickly up the system.
John Northey - Friday, March 29 2024 @ 05:19 PM EDT (#443712) #
Today's box score/gameday. Bash was bashed, Eisert sucked royally (7 runs in 2/3 IP) starting his 3rd straight year in Buffalo, Orelvis made an error (fielding, not throwing). On the good side, 2 hits each for Lukes, Horwitz, Palmegiani, and Barger as of the 8th inning.
bpoz - Saturday, March 30 2024 @ 11:57 AM EDT (#443735) #
Barger played 3B yesterday. Hope his D was good. "Good" means close to excellent. He is also expected to play RF which should get him playing time when Springer gets a day off and DHs. Hopefully Orelvis can improve his 2B defense.
John Northey - Sunday, March 31 2024 @ 12:22 AM EDT (#443757) #
Well, Buffalo off to an 0-2 start.
  • Espino went 6 shutout innings, 4 H 1 BB 5 SO on 77 pitches
  • Watson blew the save, 1 IP 3 ER
  • Pop made it worse - 1 IP 1 H 1 R/ER 1 BB 1 SO
  • Orelvis got a double, Lukes a HR, McDowell a HR, Robertson a HR (all solo shots)
I'm starting to think Robertson might be the top OF call-up when the time comes. His defense looked sharp in spring and his power seems to be there - but only Fantrax had him on their top 30 list afaik as he is in his age 26 season so it is make it or break it time for him.
bpoz - Sunday, March 31 2024 @ 06:12 AM EDT (#443759) #
Palmegiani 1B, Horwitz DH, Barger 3B and Orelvis 2B. I expect the hits to come but how will the D be?
mendocino - Sunday, March 31 2024 @ 10:40 AM EDT (#443764) #
Fluharty was great struck out the side, Watson had trouble gripping the ball and Pop had trouble getting that third out. These guys were in Dunedin less than a week ago, must feel extra chilly in Buffalo.
Gerry - Sunday, March 31 2024 @ 04:15 PM EDT (#443786) #
Sundays game summary has been added.
John Northey - Sunday, March 31 2024 @ 05:22 PM EDT (#443789) #
Thanks Gerry! Here is the box score for today's game. Odd to see Horwitz as the leadoff hitter - but he did it right with 2 walks and a hit with a stolen base even. Sad to see Barger & Martinez go 0-8 combined.
Ducey - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 08:26 AM EDT (#443797) #
Rikelbin De Castro released the other day.

Was a bonus baby who got $1.2 M

Is still only 20. Had a decent start in 2021, but has not even hit .200 the last 2 years. Who knows, but given his age, there might be a lack of buy in from the player.
eldarion - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 09:12 AM EDT (#443798) #
Do we know affiliate assignments yet?
greenfrog - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#443800) #
Barger is one of ten AAA "Statcast standouts" recently compiled by BA:

Addison Barger, 3B, Blue Jays

Barger continues to mash, with three batted ball events over 105 mph. He’s struggling to hit the ball in the air, averaging a paltry 1.3 degree launch angle, which is limiting his game power. However, he’s continuing to make a lot of contact, with a pristine 9.8% swinging strike percentage. He also played third exclusively for all three games. He hasn’t played a ton of third in his career, but he looks major league ready with the bat, and should provide a ton of value with his defensive versatility.
jerjapan - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 09:40 AM EDT (#443801) #
The Jay's system is pretty poorly regarded right now, and rightly so.
But Buffalo is relatively stacked with guys who could contribute in depth roles to the big league club this season.  I mean, we let Zulueta go for nothing, and he had options. 

Conceivably, anyone in the pen could get hot, match up with the right stretch of games/teams, and get called up, so I assume that optionable players will take precedence. 

And there's a potential contributor at every spot in the IF, aside from 3B - I guess it will be a mix of Lantigua,Barger et al at third?  Barger has had three straight starts at 3B, perhaps the depth chart has changed his defensive priority after all? 

I don't really see Barger playing 3B in the bigs this year, but he is an option in RF, as is Lukes in CF.  Eden or Berroa could fill the 5th OF-pinch runner role. 

If last years Lantigua shows up, he could force his way into the picture.  Guys like him have value as they are signed directly to Buffalo, no roster spot in play. 

By my count, 27 Bisons have played so far.

Guys like Pop and Juenger might need to check their rear views.

SP depth is the obvious question mark.  Tiedemann, Espino, Dallas and Rodriguez all have potential to contribute this year, but remain unproven.  Who is the 5th starter?

Decent 3rd/4th string catcher depth, already in play. 

And Will Robertson appears to have some helium. 

It's not 'waves and waves of prospects' but it sure is a roster of potentially valuable depth. 

Anyone heading down to Buffalo for some games this Spring? 
ISLAND BOY - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 11:37 AM EDT (#443803) #
Does Pop get called up when Cabrera serves his suspension?
Gerry - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 01:20 PM EDT (#443806) #
There are reports that Tanner Morris has been traded to the Twins for cash. With Palmegiani, Barger, Jimenez and Orelvis there were not many at-bats available. Lantigua and De Los Santos also play the same positions as Morris.
uglyone - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 03:48 PM EDT (#443807) #
AAA Positions So Far:

* CF: Eden, Berroa, Eden
* RF: Lukes, Robertson, Robertson (Berroa)
* LF: Lantigua, Lukes, Lantigua
* 3B: Barger, Barger, Barger
* SS: Jimenez, Lantigua, Jimenez
* 2B: Martinez, Martinez, Morris
* 1B: Horwitz, Palmegiani, Horwitz
* DH: Palmegiani, Horwitz, Martinez
* C: Henry, McDowell, Henry


Barger at 3B and Orelvis at 2B seems to be a thing they think might stick.

Palmegiani despite experience around the infield seems to be slotted in as a pure bat guy for now.

Lantigua the most interesting usage flipping from LF to SS and back already.
Joe - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 04:14 PM EDT (#443808) #
Does Pop get called up when Cabrera serves his suspension?
No, they lose Cabrera's roster spot during his suspension.
scottt - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#443815) #
I'd expect Jimenez to play mostly at short.
Barger has the arm to play third and RF as long as he's healthy.
Martinez being moved to second is seen as mainly a bat.
Horwitz is 1B/LF/DH, but right now there is no need for him in LF.
Lukes can play anywhere in the oufield but isn't going to play CF for the Jays anytime soon, so it makes sense to have him in corners.

Between Barger and Horwitz, Palmegiani is being squeezed a bit.

I still see Dasan Brown as a better version of Eden but no reason to get him on the 40 roster now.

Ducey - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#443816) #
Morris has quite a bent over stance. As a result he goes opposite field a lot. Unlike some other players who might get their man strength, he seems to be limited by his set up.

Good eye and OBP though.
scottt - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#443817) #
I don't see them being able to delay Cabrera's suspension once they get to New York.
Both Houston and NYY have big left bats, so it sucks.
I'd try to get him in a game and then drop the suspension.
Otherwise, they might hope it gets dropped to 2 games, but I'd be surprised.

Waveburner - Monday, April 01 2024 @ 07:24 PM EDT (#443824) #
The problem for Tanner Morris goes beyond just not having power. He is also regarded as a poor defender everywhere. You can find an MLB career as a decent hitter who takes walks without power if you can provide some value on defense as well. Not so much if you can't be trusted in the field.

I kind of like clearing him out to reduce the playing time crunch in Buffalo.
ISLAND BOY - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 11:46 AM EDT (#443853) #
Thanks, Joe. I did not know that was the rule for on-field suspensions.
bpoz - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 12:20 PM EDT (#443855) #
I will check now and then the hitting stats for Tanner Morris, Austin Martin and Groshans to see who is doing the best.
Gerry - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 04:17 PM EDT (#443866) #
Yariel Rodriguez had an excellent debut for Buffalo today. Four shutout innings, no hits, six K's. He walked one.
lexomatic - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 05:24 PM EDT (#443870) #
Tanner Morris was born decades late. He has a great skill set for a pinch hitter - maybe play a half inning here or there, but not really very often. Field only in case of emergency (multiple injuries). Benches are too short now.
bpoz - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 06:54 PM EDT (#443874) #
Buffalo was all about pitching. Good game.
Ducey - Tuesday, April 02 2024 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#443877) #
Buffalo won in extras. They had a no hitter going thru 7. Wound up giving up just 2 hits.
Minor League 2024 | 35 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.