Adam Loewen single-handedly beat up on Erie Saturday. Loewen was 5-5 with three doubles and a home run leading New Hampshire to an 11-5 win. Lansing had a come from behind victory with Brad Glenn hitting a home run and stealing home. Two pitchers coming off injuries started those games, Bobby Bell and Egan Smith.
Las Vegas were blown out 10-1 although JP Arencibia hit his 13th home run.
Las Vegas were losing to Colorado Springs but they scored three runs off Huston Street and four off Juan Rincon to get the win. New Hampshire had excellent pitching by Ronald Uviedo, BJ LaMura and Tim Collins to shut out Erie. An Eric Thames home run in the first was all the scoring they needed. Ryan Tepera pitched seven innings and didn't give up an earned run as Lansing won. Dunedin are in their all star break.
Now quick, though, consider that MLB of more recent vintage has featured 20 players with the given first or middle name "Kyle" and another 16 named "Lance" and that's decently even odds, so make your guess ... sure, we can't fill out a full 25-man roster for either, but which name, Lance or Kyle, will fill out a lineup card better?
Let's find out ...
Clayton McCullough is manager of the Dunedin Jays, that is your first place Dunedin Jays. McCullough was manager of the Lansing Lugnuts in 2008 and 2009. Recently I spoke with McCullough over the phone from Florida to check on some of his players.
It is the third and final day of the draft. Rounds 31 through 50 are today although not every team will continue to pick through round 50. In general teams will be looking to fill short-season rosters today and maybe pick some players who they will watch between now and August 15th to see if they want to sign them.
Minor league camp for the short season teams starts this weekend with the season starting later next week so there is not much time for the teams to get organized. With the Jays selecting so many high school players this year some may not sign, some might sign late and the Jays might follow some to see how much money they are worth. For more on player intentions see down below.
Today the teams will select players in round 2 through 30. The Jays have two additional picks in the second round and one in the third. Their first few picks of the day come at 61 (2nd round); 69 (Eliopoulos); 80 (Scutaro); 93 (3rd round); and 113 (Barrett). Then it is down to every 30th pick. The timetable is a lot faster on day two, the picks come every thirty seconds or so.
There are still some bigger names left on the board and the Jays can still expect that their in depth scouting has found some gems they can steal in this part of the draft.
The picking starts at noon.
Draft day is here. This years first round draft choices appear to be the most uncertain in several years. A few years ago, Jim Callis of Baseball America was able to predict the first thirteen or so picks of the first round. This year the picks, once you get past the top three, are a guessing game. The talent level for picks from 4 to 40 is supposed to be very even, which should help the Jays. This year they have seen the top players ten or more times instead of three times. They should have more information than other teams and so should be able to make more educated selections. The fun begins at 7:00. There will be 50 players drafted tonight. The Jays will select four of them at 11; 34, 38; and 41. We will update this thread with the picks as they happen.
UPDATE: Shocker! Washington selects the former artist known as catcher Bryce Harper, outfielder Bryce Harper of the College of Southern Nevada first overall.
