If Henderson Alvarez develops a change-up that he can use as an effective strikeout pitch, he could be the best pitcher in baseball. Discuss.
[More] (1 words)
The Farm went 2 for 3 on strength of Las Vegas hitting and pitching, New Hampshire’s 8th come from behind win and a heartbreaking loss for Lansing. Despite the loss, Lansing stays on top of the Eastern Division of the Midwest League with a record of 19-8. Dunedin, with a night off, stayed atop the Northern Division of the Florida State League. As we go up the organization, New Hampshire holds down the 4th spot in the Eastern League Eastern Division with a 12-15 record. And Las Vegas starts the weekend at 13-16, good for 4th place in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific South Division.
[More] (486 words)
A very quiet workmanlike night on the farm but the affiliates nevertheless went 3-1 without any real standout performances.
[More] (886 words)
Circumstances! Only a chart today, so please talk quietly amongst yourselves.
[More] (1 words)
In Lansing, one of the team’s mostly high-touted pair of tandem starters had their first poor outing of the season. Meanwhile, Las Vegas exploded for a dozen runs in Reno behind a solid start. The Fisher Cats had a quiet day at the plate and there was an unexpected source of heroics for Dunedin.
[More] (927 words)
A few years ago, I ranked Michael Saunders very high on the list of Canadian prospects (yes, even ahead of Brett Lawrie). I was impressed with his athleticism and his improving minor league batting record. Unfortunately his major league trials since them have been disappointing and he has spent a lot of the past two seasons in AAA. But with the continued absence of Franklyn Gutierrez, Saunders has stepped into the everyday centerfielder job. I expect him to remain there even when Gutierrez returns.
[More] (320 words)
C'mon, I expected that terrible '80s hair band headline pun when I clicked through to ESPN, and it was in fact the lead story with that very headline on ESPN.com's home page ... the story, which usually does not have the same headline as the lead feature image, indeed does not, choosing the more pedestrian Angels' Jered Weaver tosses second no-hitter of season.
And you know, that headline made me think, is the kid Weaver, as brilliant as he is, tired yet of being the second guy to do something? (I mean, quick, Box No-Prize to whoever first names, without looking it up, the second man on the moon after Neil Armstrong.) To wit:
[More] (299 words)
It's typical practice for major league teams to give some left-handed batters a rest when the opposition starts the game with a left-handed pitcher on the mound. This, of course, is because of the well-known platoon advantage that pitchers have against same-handed batters. I remember a time when it was rare to see any left-handed batter in the lineup against Randy Johnson, but we don't seem to have a monster like that in the game today. Most managers will leave their best lefthanded bats in to face a lefty starter, with the more marginal lefty bats replaced by right-handed hitters.
But not all pitchers are created equal, especially when it comes to this theoretical platoon edge.
But not all pitchers are created equal, especially when it comes to this theoretical platoon edge.
[More] (315 words)
Sometimes you win from your own efforts, sometimes it's given to you. Sometimes you could have won but lost, and sometimes you just blow it. And that was the night on the farm. New Hamsphire were the only winners through a combination of their efforts and Reading doing their best to lose the game. Las Vegas had lots of opportunities to score but came up short. And Dunedin were heading for a win but blew the game in the eighth inning.
Yohan Pino was the standout, throwing 93 pitches to get through his eight innings. Aaron Laffey and Randy Boone pitched well too.
[More] (596 words)
I was in Lansing last week to see four Lugnut games. Lansing is drawing a lot of fan and scout attention this year because of their young group of starting pitchers and the teams performance on the field has more than lived up to expectations. This scouting report summarises what I saw in my four days in Lansing.
Remember this is the end of the first month of the season for the players, many of whom are playing in full-season ball for the first time. There is a lot of teaching going on. While I was in Lansing, in addition to the regular team coaches, these other "teachers" were in town: Pat Hentgen, roving pitching instructor; Mike Mordecai, infield instructor; Rick Miller, outfield instructor; and Steve Springer, quality at-bat instructor. The manager/coaches room was like grand central station.
[More] (2,248 words)
As the first month of the season closes, I like to peruse the minor league numbers to see how the touted prospects have started their seasons. This is my subjective list of 10 pitchers (plus honourable mentions) to watch. The ranking is based in part on something I call Dominance Ratio, which weighs strikeouts against walks, hits allowed and home-runs allowed. It is designed to give a summary of a pitcher's dominance over the opponent hitters. Other factors, such as age versus level of play and previous experience are taken into account in a more subjective way. However, this is not intended to be a top prospect list.
It should not be a surprise who the number one is on this list.
It should not be a surprise who the number one is on this list.
[More] (417 words)
Las Vegas won the Battle of Nevada and Mother Nature won out in Lansing. The other two affiliates wound up on the wrong side on the scoreboard thanks to come from ahead losses, one of them in extra innings.
[More] (968 words)
Well, despite some meta-discussion on the most recent episode of the Boxcast (listen here!), I couldn't beat Dave and get the Advance Scout posted before the Boxcast. I'll just have to make up for it by being much better than the 'cast. Who am I kidding, like that's even possible.
I any case, the Jays world tour of the American League West continues as they stick around in the T-Dot to face the Arlington Rangers, before moving on to face the Anaheim Angels and the Freemont Athletics. Toronto was probably unlucky to only take two of three from Seattle, but hey, that's why they play the games. In any case, against their next opponent they'll probably be lucky to take one of three, as they are outgunned and outarmed against what is probably the best team in baseball. The home nine might have caught a break when Josh Hamilton left Sunday night's game against the Rays, but the latest word is that he expects to start tonight. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to beat them the old fashioned way.
Up, Up and Advance Scout
I any case, the Jays world tour of the American League West continues as they stick around in the T-Dot to face the Arlington Rangers, before moving on to face the Anaheim Angels and the Freemont Athletics. Toronto was probably unlucky to only take two of three from Seattle, but hey, that's why they play the games. In any case, against their next opponent they'll probably be lucky to take one of three, as they are outgunned and outarmed against what is probably the best team in baseball. The home nine might have caught a break when Josh Hamilton left Sunday night's game against the Rays, but the latest word is that he expects to start tonight. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to beat them the old fashioned way.
Up, Up and Advance Scout
[More] (1,523 words)
The Toronto affiliates received some outstanding pitching performances on Sunday, helping the clubs combine for a 4-0 record on the day and just five runs allowed - including two shutouts.
[More] (513 words)