2B:
1. Scooter Gennett - Sarasota HS… very strong arm, runs extremely well… 6.77 in 60… 87 mph throw to first… signed letter of intent for FSU… 2007: .440, 31 runs, 12 doubles, 5 HRs… 5-10, 170… very quick feet… also, is decent pitcher…
2. LeVon Washington, CF/2B… Buchholz HS; Gainesville, FL - Specs: 5′10, 170, Bats L, Throws R… fast… 6.21 60-yard dash… signed with Florida… ranked No. 2 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 1 OF… ranked No. 20 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… ranked No. 25 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects… 2008: batted .363 with 41 runs, 35 stolen bases, 21 RBI and four homers as a junior… 2007: .375 clip, 20 stolen bases, 16 RBI and five homers as a sophomore
3. Chad Kettler - (up from #7) - Coppell HS; Coppell, TX. 6′1, 190, Bats B, Throws R… current plays shortstop but prospects out as a second baseman… hits for average from both sides… some pop… also plays 3B… athletic… strong arm… strong fluid swing… ran 60 yard dash in 7.5… down the line in 4.5.
4. Greg Folgia - Junior… Missouri… 5-10, 194… S/R… 2008: led team with 63 runs scored, 4 triples, and 47 walks… also pitched and played left field…
5. Stephen Batts - East Carolina… senior… 6-0, 195… 2008: .333 (80-for -240) with 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 65 runs scored…
6. Ryan Schimpf - LSU… S/S… 5-9, 181… junior… 2008: .320 (80-for-250) with 18 doubles, seven triples, 12 homers and 54 RBI…
7. Kyle Seager - North Carolina… junior… 6-1/187… also plays 3B… L/R… second team All-America in 2008… .381 (45-118) with 32 RBI in 29 ACC games… considered a pure hitter… pro arm… 2009 thru 4-1-09: .376, 1HR, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs in 28 G, .523 slug%, .461 OBP, 6-6 SB… good overall hitting ability though only limited power…
8. David Nick - Cypress HS… 6-2, 190… also plays short… BA ranks him the 49th overall 2009 prospect… verbally committed to UCLA… 6.8 60-yd dash… limited arm strength will move him to right side of diamond…
9. Brandon Sizemore - College of Charleston… senior… 2008: hit .325 with 20 homers and 80 RBI last season, while picking up 24 doubles and 11 stolen bases… named preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association…
10. Corey Jones, Junior, California State University – Fullerton junor… 6-0, 195… L/R… played half of 2008 games as DH… hit .302…
11. Phil Gosselin – Virginia… as of 4/7, top hitting 2Bman in nation, .375/.461/.592
12. Derek McCallum Junior, University of Minnesota… junior… 6-1, 190, L/R… very strong arm… played SS last as sophomore… played for Northwoods League Champion St. Cloud Riverbats this past summer, and batted .328 with 48 runs, six home runs and 42 RBI… 2008: .291 with 28 runs, 32 RBI, nine doubles and three home runs… named Big Ten player of the week 4/20: .636/.680/1.636…
13. Jason Stidham, Junior, Florida State University… 5-11, 180… L/R… moved from 3B to second… 2008: .324, 82 H, 255 Abs
14. Brad Agustin, Junior, University of Buffalo… junior… 5-10, 200, R/R… sat out the entire 2008 season…
15. Rich Michalek, Senior, Slippery Rock University… senior… 5-11, 190… also plays SS and OF… Summer ball for Hays Larks: .355 with nine doubles, four HRs, 31 RBIs and 33 runs scored in 49 games… 2008: .382, .586 slugging…
16. Wes Hatton, Senior, Norco HS (CA)… 5-10, 170… R/R… committed to CS Fullerton… hit .360 with a home run and 13 RBI in 2008… also, was 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA with 59 strikeouts…
17. Anselmo Cantu - Norfolk State… senior… won MEAC POW 4/6/9… 9-22, .409 so far this season.
18. Chris Biguenet - Texas-Dallas – 4/7: named American Southwest POW – hit HR’s in 4 straight games.
19. Shane Brown – (previously unranked) – UCF junior – 4/27: named Conference US hitter of the week… .722 batting average that week…
20. A.J. Yoder – (previously unranked) – VMI senior… 4/27: named Big South player of the week: .500/.609/.722 in past week
Mack’s Mets – the premier site for information on the New York Mets talent pipeline and dialogue on Mets prospects, Mets news, and Mets opinions.
Bisons Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) in the first game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (6:05 p.m.). Today’s game is the first of a stretch that will see the Herd play 20 of their next 28 games at home. The Bisons are coming off a 1-0 loss to Rochester as a two-game series was shortened to a single game due to a rainout on Tuesday night.
VS. LOUISVILLE:
The Bats beat Buffalo in the 2008 season series, 5-3. It was the first time the Herd had lost a season series to Louisville since the 2003 season. Buffalo is hoping to snap last year’s trend as the road team won seven of the eight games between the two clubs. The Bisons were swept at Coca-Cola Field, July 10-13. It was the only home series the Herd has lost to the Bats since returning to the International League in 1998.
K-MAN:
RHP Brandon Knight has given the Bisons back-to-back quality starts in his last two outings. He allowed just three runs in six innings on April 18 in Syracuse and held the Chiefs to three runs in seven innings last Friday. Knight has averaged better than a strikeout per inning with 20 punchouts in only 18 innings of work. He has fanned at least five in all three of his starts this year.
SOLID DEBUT:
The Bisons offense looks to get a huge boost from OF Wily Mo Pena. The free agent signed on April 20 and made his Herd debut yesterday in Rochester with a two-hit performance. Pena hit 26 homeruns with Cincinnati in 2004 and has 77 career major league homers in 560 games.
GLOVE WORK:
The Bisons have played three consecutive errorless games in the field. The Herd’s .984 fielding percentage as a team is tied with Gwinnett for the best mark in the International League. Buffalo has just 11 errors in 18 games. Last season, the Bisons made an IL-worst 153 miscues in the field.
SPEED LIMIT:
The good defense includes the work behind done behind the plate. Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (11) and percentage (46%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 24 attempts by its opponents. Newcomer C Michael Nickeas threw out his first baserunner in his Bisons debut yesterday in Rochester.
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) in the first game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (6:05 p.m.). Today’s game is the first of a stretch that will see the Herd play 20 of their next 28 games at home. The Bisons are coming off a 1-0 loss to Rochester as a two-game series was shortened to a single game due to a rainout on Tuesday night.
VS. LOUISVILLE:
The Bats beat Buffalo in the 2008 season series, 5-3. It was the first time the Herd had lost a season series to Louisville since the 2003 season. Buffalo is hoping to snap last year’s trend as the road team won seven of the eight games between the two clubs. The Bisons were swept at Coca-Cola Field, July 10-13. It was the only home series the Herd has lost to the Bats since returning to the International League in 1998.
K-MAN:
RHP Brandon Knight has given the Bisons back-to-back quality starts in his last two outings. He allowed just three runs in six innings on April 18 in Syracuse and held the Chiefs to three runs in seven innings last Friday. Knight has averaged better than a strikeout per inning with 20 punchouts in only 18 innings of work. He has fanned at least five in all three of his starts this year.
SOLID DEBUT:
The Bisons offense looks to get a huge boost from OF Wily Mo Pena. The free agent signed on April 20 and made his Herd debut yesterday in Rochester with a two-hit performance. Pena hit 26 homeruns with Cincinnati in 2004 and has 77 career major league homers in 560 games.
GLOVE WORK:
The Bisons have played three consecutive errorless games in the field. The Herd’s .984 fielding percentage as a team is tied with Gwinnett for the best mark in the International League. Buffalo has just 11 errors in 18 games. Last season, the Bisons made an IL-worst 153 miscues in the field.
SPEED LIMIT:
The good defense includes the work behind done behind the plate. Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (11) and percentage (46%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 24 attempts by its opponents. Newcomer C Michael Nickeas threw out his first baserunner in his Bisons debut yesterday in Rochester.
Mets Prospect - RP/CL - Roy Merritt
Roy Merritt P L L 6-0 9-22-85 9-22-85 Southern University A&M
A local article written prior to the draft:
Roydrick Merritt, a second team preseason All-SWAC selection, pitched a seven-inning two-hitter with six strikeouts and held UAPB to a .091 (2-for-22) batting average to lead Southern to a 6-1 victory in the first game. The hard-throwing left-hander from Houston only gave up two walks and held the Golden Lions scoreless until Jeremy Davis’ RBI double drove home Scott Donaldson in the bottom of the fifth. “I really didn’t try to overpower them today,” Merritt said. “All I wanted was to go out there and throw strikes. I wanted to hit my spots.
Merritt is 6-1 with a 3.20 ERA, five complete games (all seven-inning games), one save and 48 strikeouts to 24 walks. He was the winner a year ago as SU opened the SWAC tournament with a 10-6 win over Alcorn, going five innings and allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits. He struck out five and walked one.
In 2006, he pitched 44 innings, gave up 50 hits, and struck out 44 batters. His college teammate was Savannah’s Emery Frederick.
The Mets drafted Merritt in the 29th round of the 2007 Mets. He played the 2007 season for Kingsport, pitching in 17 relief appearances and posting highly respected stats of 1-2, 2.88, 1.12.
In 2008, Merritt pitched a combined 3-0, 2.16, in 31 appearances for Brooklyn and St. Lucie.
In September 2008, Patrick Hickey wrote on:
Roy Merritt- Much like Johnson, Merritt exceeded expectations and showed remarkable poise out of the pen. That, combined with a slider, with movement that can only be compared to a Frisbee, Merritt figures to be a pitcher worth watching next season. Considering the fact that he was drafted by the Cardinals in 2005 as a center fielder, it’s amazing how far he’s come in such a short time. - Final Grade-A+
March 2009: Pat Hickey Jr. on:
Roy Merritt, who is still developing his secondary pitches to compliment an excellent slider and a average fastball, is still finding out what he needs to do in order to be successful. In just a third of an inning of work, the lefty-side-armer has given up three runs and two hits.
A local article written prior to the draft:
Roydrick Merritt, a second team preseason All-SWAC selection, pitched a seven-inning two-hitter with six strikeouts and held UAPB to a .091 (2-for-22) batting average to lead Southern to a 6-1 victory in the first game. The hard-throwing left-hander from Houston only gave up two walks and held the Golden Lions scoreless until Jeremy Davis’ RBI double drove home Scott Donaldson in the bottom of the fifth. “I really didn’t try to overpower them today,” Merritt said. “All I wanted was to go out there and throw strikes. I wanted to hit my spots.
Merritt is 6-1 with a 3.20 ERA, five complete games (all seven-inning games), one save and 48 strikeouts to 24 walks. He was the winner a year ago as SU opened the SWAC tournament with a 10-6 win over Alcorn, going five innings and allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits. He struck out five and walked one.
In 2006, he pitched 44 innings, gave up 50 hits, and struck out 44 batters. His college teammate was Savannah’s Emery Frederick.
The Mets drafted Merritt in the 29th round of the 2007 Mets. He played the 2007 season for Kingsport, pitching in 17 relief appearances and posting highly respected stats of 1-2, 2.88, 1.12.
In 2008, Merritt pitched a combined 3-0, 2.16, in 31 appearances for Brooklyn and St. Lucie.
In September 2008, Patrick Hickey wrote on:
Roy Merritt- Much like Johnson, Merritt exceeded expectations and showed remarkable poise out of the pen. That, combined with a slider, with movement that can only be compared to a Frisbee, Merritt figures to be a pitcher worth watching next season. Considering the fact that he was drafted by the Cardinals in 2005 as a center fielder, it’s amazing how far he’s come in such a short time. - Final Grade-A+
March 2009: Pat Hickey Jr. on:
Roy Merritt, who is still developing his secondary pitches to compliment an excellent slider and a average fastball, is still finding out what he needs to do in order to be successful. In just a third of an inning of work, the lefty-side-armer has given up three runs and two hits.
Observations: Merritt is quickly showing he has almost total command of the AA level; however, we have seen this before with Carlos Muniz and Eddie Kunz, and the next two jumps are big ones. I don't expect the Mets to make three errors here...
Minors Stuff
The Herd:
Can you possibly come up with a new way to lose a ball game? Nelson Figueroa pitched a hell of a game, Wily Mo Pena had two hits, even Mike Evans had a hit and is now batting over .100…
Oh yeah.. Fernando watch… .233.
B-Mets:
Thursday, April 30 @ Portland 6:00 pm RHP Ryan Coultas (0-1, 3.45) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (2-0, 3.14)
Friday, May 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Fernando Nieve (0-0, 6.00) vs. LHP Fabio Castro (2-0, 0.83)
Saturday, May 2 New Hampshire 1:05 pm LHP Mike Antonini (3-0, 4.35) vs. LHP Luis Perez (2-1, 2.45)
Sunday, May 3 New Hampshire 1:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-1, 6.98) vs. RHP Randy Boone (2-0, 2.41)
Season By season Notes on SP Jose Sanchez:
SEASON-BY-SEASON NOTES:
2008: Spent entire season with Binghamton (AA) as a member of the starting rotation...Finished second in the Eastern League in wins (13)… and fifth in strikeouts (118)...Named B-Mets Most Valuable Pitcher...Played for the Los Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuela Winter League recording a 5.00 ERA in 18 IP.
2007: Made a career-high 27 starts
with Binghamton, which led the Eastern League, also led the EL in runs scored (90)...Gave up seven runs in each of his last two outings to raise ERA from 3.90 to 4.52...Pitched for Los Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuela
2006: Starred with St. Lucie (High-A)...Finished third in Florida State League in wins (11), first in shutouts (1), second in innings pitched (156) and fifth in earned runs (67)...Twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week
The Portland Sea Dogs struck for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and three more in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Binghamton Mets, 9-8, on Tuesday night. Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances to take the loss for the B-Mets, who had owned a 6-2 lead in the third and a 7-2 advantage in the fourth. With Portland down 8-4 entering the home half of the eighth, Lars Anderson led off with a single, and Bubba Bell followed one out later with a double to right. Jon Still's single scored Anderson and Bell, cutting the Binghamton lead to 8-6. Merritt, who is tied for the Eastern League lead with eight saves, then relieved Fernando Nieve, inducing an inning-ending double play with his first pitch. In the ninth, though, Merritt allowed a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca. And then with two outs, Ryan Khoury singled and Lars Anderson walked, before Aaron Bates drove a two-run single to right. Bell then came through with the game-winning single to left, scoring Anderson. Designated hitter D.J. Wabick helped pace the Binghamton offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, including a two-run double in the second and an RBI single in the third. First baseman Lucas Duda also went 3-for-4, scoring once and driving in two. B-Mets starter Dylan Owen allowed four runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090429/SPORTS02/904290342&theme=BMETS
Gnats:
There definitely is more than a simple reassignment for Jordany Valdespin… I’ve talked to both Savannah and New York and all I get is “he was extended”… I asked if they could confirm comments made on other blogs that he was ‘demoted”, and the word “extended” keeps coming up… my guess there’s a slap on the wrist somewhere here and nothing in the 50-game suspension area we all dread, but there is something more…
Can you possibly come up with a new way to lose a ball game? Nelson Figueroa pitched a hell of a game, Wily Mo Pena had two hits, even Mike Evans had a hit and is now batting over .100…
Oh yeah.. Fernando watch… .233.
B-Mets:
Thursday, April 30 @ Portland 6:00 pm RHP Ryan Coultas (0-1, 3.45) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (2-0, 3.14)
Friday, May 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Fernando Nieve (0-0, 6.00) vs. LHP Fabio Castro (2-0, 0.83)
Saturday, May 2 New Hampshire 1:05 pm LHP Mike Antonini (3-0, 4.35) vs. LHP Luis Perez (2-1, 2.45)
Sunday, May 3 New Hampshire 1:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-1, 6.98) vs. RHP Randy Boone (2-0, 2.41)
Season By season Notes on SP Jose Sanchez:
SEASON-BY-SEASON NOTES:
2008: Spent entire season with Binghamton (AA) as a member of the starting rotation...Finished second in the Eastern League in wins (13)… and fifth in strikeouts (118)...Named B-Mets Most Valuable Pitcher...Played for the Los Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuela Winter League recording a 5.00 ERA in 18 IP.
2007: Made a career-high 27 starts
with Binghamton, which led the Eastern League, also led the EL in runs scored (90)...Gave up seven runs in each of his last two outings to raise ERA from 3.90 to 4.52...Pitched for Los Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuela
2006: Starred with St. Lucie (High-A)...Finished third in Florida State League in wins (11), first in shutouts (1), second in innings pitched (156) and fifth in earned runs (67)...Twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week
The Portland Sea Dogs struck for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and three more in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Binghamton Mets, 9-8, on Tuesday night. Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances to take the loss for the B-Mets, who had owned a 6-2 lead in the third and a 7-2 advantage in the fourth. With Portland down 8-4 entering the home half of the eighth, Lars Anderson led off with a single, and Bubba Bell followed one out later with a double to right. Jon Still's single scored Anderson and Bell, cutting the Binghamton lead to 8-6. Merritt, who is tied for the Eastern League lead with eight saves, then relieved Fernando Nieve, inducing an inning-ending double play with his first pitch. In the ninth, though, Merritt allowed a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca. And then with two outs, Ryan Khoury singled and Lars Anderson walked, before Aaron Bates drove a two-run single to right. Bell then came through with the game-winning single to left, scoring Anderson. Designated hitter D.J. Wabick helped pace the Binghamton offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, including a two-run double in the second and an RBI single in the third. First baseman Lucas Duda also went 3-for-4, scoring once and driving in two. B-Mets starter Dylan Owen allowed four runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090429/SPORTS02/904290342&theme=BMETS
Gnats:
There definitely is more than a simple reassignment for Jordany Valdespin… I’ve talked to both Savannah and New York and all I get is “he was extended”… I asked if they could confirm comments made on other blogs that he was ‘demoted”, and the word “extended” keeps coming up… my guess there’s a slap on the wrist somewhere here and nothing in the 50-game suspension area we all dread, but there is something more…
4/29/09
Portland 6, Binghamton 2
Binghamton scrapped two runs across in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday night thanks to two Portland errors to avoid their first shutout loss of the season, 6-2. Josh Thole raised his average to .382 with a two-hit day at the plate, including a double.
Jonathan Malo led off the ninth inning with an infield single to the left side. With one out, Emmanuel Garcia hit a sharp ground ball to second that could have easily been a game-ending double play, but the ball squirted throw the legs of Ryan Khoury allowing Malo to reach third and Garcia to get on base. After Portland reliever Bryce Cox struck out Ruben Tejada, he induced a routine flyball to left that Bubba Bell dropped, costing the Sea Dogs the shutout with two runs scoring.
Jose Sanchez started for the Binghamton (9-8) and went five innings giving up four runs, three of which were earned.
Josh Reddick was quick to welcome Sanchez in the first when he homered to right center leading off the first. Reddick leads the Eastern League with six long balls. Ryan Khoury followed him with a double and Bubba Bell drove in Khoury with a two-out RBI single up the middle making it 2-0.
In the second inning, Portland (9-9) led off with another home run as Jorge Jimenez launched one to right off of Sanchez for his second home run of the year.
The Sea Dogs got a final run off Sanchez in the third when Bell hit a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Khoury. The run was unearned to Sanchez thanks to a Shawn Bowman error in the frame.
Portland added insurance in the eighth off of Adam Bostick with a solo home run to lead off the frame by Aaron Bates and a two-out RBI double by Argenis Diaz to lengthen the lead to 6-0.
Right-hander Jarod Plummer notched his first win going a season-long 5.2 innings of scoreless work with six strikeouts.
Jonathan Malo led off the ninth inning with an infield single to the left side. With one out, Emmanuel Garcia hit a sharp ground ball to second that could have easily been a game-ending double play, but the ball squirted throw the legs of Ryan Khoury allowing Malo to reach third and Garcia to get on base. After Portland reliever Bryce Cox struck out Ruben Tejada, he induced a routine flyball to left that Bubba Bell dropped, costing the Sea Dogs the shutout with two runs scoring.
Jose Sanchez started for the Binghamton (9-8) and went five innings giving up four runs, three of which were earned.
Josh Reddick was quick to welcome Sanchez in the first when he homered to right center leading off the first. Reddick leads the Eastern League with six long balls. Ryan Khoury followed him with a double and Bubba Bell drove in Khoury with a two-out RBI single up the middle making it 2-0.
In the second inning, Portland (9-9) led off with another home run as Jorge Jimenez launched one to right off of Sanchez for his second home run of the year.
The Sea Dogs got a final run off Sanchez in the third when Bell hit a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Khoury. The run was unearned to Sanchez thanks to a Shawn Bowman error in the frame.
Portland added insurance in the eighth off of Adam Bostick with a solo home run to lead off the frame by Aaron Bates and a two-out RBI double by Argenis Diaz to lengthen the lead to 6-0.
Right-hander Jarod Plummer notched his first win going a season-long 5.2 innings of scoreless work with six strikeouts.
Gnats 11, Drive 7
Robert Carson (2-2) turned in another solid road outing to pick up his second win while the offense exploded for 17 hits in Savannah’s 11-7 win over the Greenville Drive Wednesday afternoon.
The Sand Gnats, who never trailed in the contest, scored three in the first inning on RBI singles by Josh Satin, Sean Ratliff and Raul Reyes to open up a, 3-0, lead.
Greenville pulled within one in the second after plating a pair of runs but that is as close as they would come the rest of the way. Savannah (11-9) answered back with four in the third and chased Drive starter Yeiper Castillo (0-2) after 2.2 innings.
Things would get interesting in the late innings as Greenville got to Gnats reliever Wendy Rosa in the eighth for four runs. In the ninth, Greenville loaded the bases against Erik Turgeon before he walked in a run to bring the Drive within four. Jimmy Johnson came on and struck out David Mailman on three pitches to end the game for his first save.
Ratliff ended up a triple shy of the cycle and finished the game 4-for-5. He is the second Sand Gnat to record four hits in a game this season. Satin added three hits from the cleanup spot while Rafael Fernandez, Jefry Marte, Eric Campbell and Reyes all chipped in two hits.
Carson worked six innings and allowed two unearned runs. In two road starts this season, the Hattiesburg, Miss. native has worked 12 innings and given up two unearned runs. He also struck out a season-high seven batters.
The Sand Gnats, who never trailed in the contest, scored three in the first inning on RBI singles by Josh Satin, Sean Ratliff and Raul Reyes to open up a, 3-0, lead.
Greenville pulled within one in the second after plating a pair of runs but that is as close as they would come the rest of the way. Savannah (11-9) answered back with four in the third and chased Drive starter Yeiper Castillo (0-2) after 2.2 innings.
Things would get interesting in the late innings as Greenville got to Gnats reliever Wendy Rosa in the eighth for four runs. In the ninth, Greenville loaded the bases against Erik Turgeon before he walked in a run to bring the Drive within four. Jimmy Johnson came on and struck out David Mailman on three pitches to end the game for his first save.
Ratliff ended up a triple shy of the cycle and finished the game 4-for-5. He is the second Sand Gnat to record four hits in a game this season. Satin added three hits from the cleanup spot while Rafael Fernandez, Jefry Marte, Eric Campbell and Reyes all chipped in two hits.
Carson worked six innings and allowed two unearned runs. In two road starts this season, the Hattiesburg, Miss. native has worked 12 innings and given up two unearned runs. He also struck out a season-high seven batters.
UPDATED: - 2009 Draft - TOP 1B men
1B:
1. Dustin Ackey - UNC junior… 6-1, 184… L/R… pure hitter with developing power… .477 wOBA high average, and walk hitter with speed. Through 4-1-09: .421 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 28 games... .729 Slug% .530 OBP… TJS over the summer… excellent base-runner… now limited to playing 1B instead of outfield… probably the best hitting in the country… as freshman: .402/.448/.591… led nation with 119 hits… as sophomore: .417/.503/.597… was hitting .415/.586/.707 in Cape Cod League before quitting for TJS… has superstar potential… 2009: as of 4/7: matched career high with 10 HR… also: .411/.520/.734… has enough athleticism to play the outfield, perhaps even center field… through 4/23: 395/.505/.716… many consider the best overall hitter in the country. Thru 4/25: .310 IsoP…
2. Rich Poythress - Georgia junior… 6-4, 235… .509 wOBA* .252 IsoP) 14% BB… .429/.534/.810 through March in 2009… 6-4, 245… named hitter of the week (8-13, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs)March 31 by NCBWA… 2008: .374/.461/.626, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, .995 fielding %... named to the SEC All-Defensive Team… this season through 3/25: .429/.534/.810, 9 HRs… originally third baseman… awarded golden glove at 1B last season… 2009: .443/.540/.861 through first 115 at-bats… as of 4/7 (as DH): .443/.540/.881… through 4/23: .418/.519/.876 over first 153 at-bats…
3. Ryan Wheeler – (previously ranked as 3Bman) - Loyola Marymount – 6-4, 220
4. Jonathan Singleton - (up from 8th) - Millikan HS; Long Beach, CA. 6′2, 220, Bats L, Throws L – large lefty power… verbally committed to Long Beach State… 2008: .368, 32 hits, 24 RBI…
5. Ben Paulsen - (up from 17) - Clemson… junior… 6-3, 195… great power to opposite field… 2008: hit .310 with 46 runs, 18 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 49 RBIs, and a .393 on-base percentage in 58 games… All-Cape Cod League selection: 8 HRs, 33 RBIs, 4th in x-base hits... #11 Cape Cod League prospect by Baseball America. Makes great contact… disciplined and patient eye…
6. Colton Cain - Waxahachie HS… 6-3, 220… L/L… verbally committed to Texas… above average power… named to Texas 4A All-State team (.486, 9 HR, 45 RBIs) in 2008…
7. Nate Freiman - Duke… 6-8, 245… played left field in college, but defensively, needs to play fist base exclusively… hits for average and hits basically all over the field… 3.92 grade average… ranked 2nd on career batting average at Duke (.357)… 2008: .381, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs… drafted last year by Texas
8. Brandon May - Alabama junior… 6-0, 200… first team 2008 all-SEC team… also plays the outfield… 2008: .328, 9 HR, 63 RBIs…
9. Dustin Dickerson - (up from 17th) - Baylor… junior… 6-4, 205, L/R… 2009 BA #71 college prospect… Summer 2008: played 12 games for the Brazos Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League ... Named the league's fourth-best pro prospect by Baseball America… 2008: .313… 4-7: named Phillips 66 Big-12 POW:
10. Kristopher Hobson - Stockdale HS… 2008: .505, 7 HR, 57 RBIs…
11. Brooks Pounders - Temecula Valley HS; Temecula, CA. 6′5, 220, Bats R, Throws R… also a pitcher prospect with 88-92 fastball… verbally committed to Southern Cal…
12. Scott Krieger - Georgia Mason senior… 6-2, 210… named 2009 CAA baseball preseason Player of the Year… 2008: .381, 21 HRs, 60 RBIs…
13. Jeff Malm – (previously unranked) – Bishop Gorman HS (NV) -
14. Breck Ashdown - Cataline Foothills HS… 6-4, 215, L/R… committed to Oregon State… power down the line… should develop into power hitter… also decent pitcher with high 80s fast ball… decent speed…
15. Dustin Ackley - North Carolina – junior – 6’1 184… entered his junior season as the top college position player in the country… hits for average… good runner… had arm injury in past…
16. Alan Ahmady - Fresno State… junior… 5-11, 195, R/R… 2008: .382, 13 HR, 92 RBIs… was second in the nation in RBIs with 92 and was sixth in the nation in hits with 110…
17. Luke Anders - Texas A&M senior… 6-6, 225, L/L… ... selected by the New York Yankees in the 16th round (500th overall pick) of the 2008 June draft… second-team All-Midwest Region selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) ... 2008: .349/.486/.660, 58 RBIs…
18. Jared Clark - Cal Sate Fullerton… senior… 6-4, 215, R/R… played for US National Team in 2008… in 13 games, hit 4 HRs… earned the team's Gold Glove Award for his outstanding defense… 2008: .533 slugging &, 53 RBIs… was drafted in the 45th round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
19. Chris McGuiness - The Citadel… junior… 6-1, 190, L/L… played 1B/P/DH in 2008… .413 OBP…4-6-9: named Southern Conference POW: batted .467 previous week
20. Tyler Townsend - Fla. Intl. … sophomore… 6-3, 215, L/R… 2008: .323, 14 HRs… .615 slugging %... summer 2009 Valley league: Over 42 games and 142 at-bats, he hit 387/500/739, with 40 runs, 55 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, an even 29/29 BB/K ratio, and an additional 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts…
21. Breck Ashdown - Cataline Foothills HS… 6-4, 210… played 3B, 1B, and OF in 2008… excellent offensive potential… good bat speed… defensively, best at first base.
22. Alex Gregory - Radford… 6-2, 205… 2008: .430 average this spring led the Big South Conference… summer 09: .353/.437/.673 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs in 156 at-bats
1. Dustin Ackey - UNC junior… 6-1, 184… L/R… pure hitter with developing power… .477 wOBA high average, and walk hitter with speed. Through 4-1-09: .421 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 28 games... .729 Slug% .530 OBP… TJS over the summer… excellent base-runner… now limited to playing 1B instead of outfield… probably the best hitting in the country… as freshman: .402/.448/.591… led nation with 119 hits… as sophomore: .417/.503/.597… was hitting .415/.586/.707 in Cape Cod League before quitting for TJS… has superstar potential… 2009: as of 4/7: matched career high with 10 HR… also: .411/.520/.734… has enough athleticism to play the outfield, perhaps even center field… through 4/23: 395/.505/.716… many consider the best overall hitter in the country. Thru 4/25: .310 IsoP…
2. Rich Poythress - Georgia junior… 6-4, 235… .509 wOBA* .252 IsoP) 14% BB… .429/.534/.810 through March in 2009… 6-4, 245… named hitter of the week (8-13, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs)March 31 by NCBWA… 2008: .374/.461/.626, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, .995 fielding %... named to the SEC All-Defensive Team… this season through 3/25: .429/.534/.810, 9 HRs… originally third baseman… awarded golden glove at 1B last season… 2009: .443/.540/.861 through first 115 at-bats… as of 4/7 (as DH): .443/.540/.881… through 4/23: .418/.519/.876 over first 153 at-bats…
3. Ryan Wheeler – (previously ranked as 3Bman) - Loyola Marymount – 6-4, 220
4. Jonathan Singleton - (up from 8th) - Millikan HS; Long Beach, CA. 6′2, 220, Bats L, Throws L – large lefty power… verbally committed to Long Beach State… 2008: .368, 32 hits, 24 RBI…
5. Ben Paulsen - (up from 17) - Clemson… junior… 6-3, 195… great power to opposite field… 2008: hit .310 with 46 runs, 18 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 49 RBIs, and a .393 on-base percentage in 58 games… All-Cape Cod League selection: 8 HRs, 33 RBIs, 4th in x-base hits... #11 Cape Cod League prospect by Baseball America. Makes great contact… disciplined and patient eye…
6. Colton Cain - Waxahachie HS… 6-3, 220… L/L… verbally committed to Texas… above average power… named to Texas 4A All-State team (.486, 9 HR, 45 RBIs) in 2008…
7. Nate Freiman - Duke… 6-8, 245… played left field in college, but defensively, needs to play fist base exclusively… hits for average and hits basically all over the field… 3.92 grade average… ranked 2nd on career batting average at Duke (.357)… 2008: .381, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs… drafted last year by Texas
8. Brandon May - Alabama junior… 6-0, 200… first team 2008 all-SEC team… also plays the outfield… 2008: .328, 9 HR, 63 RBIs…
9. Dustin Dickerson - (up from 17th) - Baylor… junior… 6-4, 205, L/R… 2009 BA #71 college prospect… Summer 2008: played 12 games for the Brazos Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League ... Named the league's fourth-best pro prospect by Baseball America… 2008: .313… 4-7: named Phillips 66 Big-12 POW:
10. Kristopher Hobson - Stockdale HS… 2008: .505, 7 HR, 57 RBIs…
11. Brooks Pounders - Temecula Valley HS; Temecula, CA. 6′5, 220, Bats R, Throws R… also a pitcher prospect with 88-92 fastball… verbally committed to Southern Cal…
12. Scott Krieger - Georgia Mason senior… 6-2, 210… named 2009 CAA baseball preseason Player of the Year… 2008: .381, 21 HRs, 60 RBIs…
13. Jeff Malm – (previously unranked) – Bishop Gorman HS (NV) -
14. Breck Ashdown - Cataline Foothills HS… 6-4, 215, L/R… committed to Oregon State… power down the line… should develop into power hitter… also decent pitcher with high 80s fast ball… decent speed…
15. Dustin Ackley - North Carolina – junior – 6’1 184… entered his junior season as the top college position player in the country… hits for average… good runner… had arm injury in past…
16. Alan Ahmady - Fresno State… junior… 5-11, 195, R/R… 2008: .382, 13 HR, 92 RBIs… was second in the nation in RBIs with 92 and was sixth in the nation in hits with 110…
17. Luke Anders - Texas A&M senior… 6-6, 225, L/L… ... selected by the New York Yankees in the 16th round (500th overall pick) of the 2008 June draft… second-team All-Midwest Region selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) ... 2008: .349/.486/.660, 58 RBIs…
18. Jared Clark - Cal Sate Fullerton… senior… 6-4, 215, R/R… played for US National Team in 2008… in 13 games, hit 4 HRs… earned the team's Gold Glove Award for his outstanding defense… 2008: .533 slugging &, 53 RBIs… was drafted in the 45th round of the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
19. Chris McGuiness - The Citadel… junior… 6-1, 190, L/L… played 1B/P/DH in 2008… .413 OBP…4-6-9: named Southern Conference POW: batted .467 previous week
20. Tyler Townsend - Fla. Intl. … sophomore… 6-3, 215, L/R… 2008: .323, 14 HRs… .615 slugging %... summer 2009 Valley league: Over 42 games and 142 at-bats, he hit 387/500/739, with 40 runs, 55 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, an even 29/29 BB/K ratio, and an additional 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts…
21. Breck Ashdown - Cataline Foothills HS… 6-4, 210… played 3B, 1B, and OF in 2008… excellent offensive potential… good bat speed… defensively, best at first base.
22. Alex Gregory - Radford… 6-2, 205… 2008: .430 average this spring led the Big South Conference… summer 09: .353/.437/.673 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs in 156 at-bats
Mets Prospect - SP Jenry Mejia
Jenry Mejia P R R 6-0 162 10-11-89 Santo Domingo, D.R.
Mejia pitched for the 2007 DSL Mets, going 2-3, 2.47 in 14 games (7 starts). He also struck out 47 batters in 43.2 IP.Mejia's arsenal includes a 91-95 MPH fastball that when low in the zone has tons of movement, sometimes tail and sometimes sink. This sets up his 77-80 mph hook that drops off the table.In 2008, Mejia pitched for both the GCL Mets, and Brooklyn, going a combined 5-2, 2.89, in 14 starts.
He struck out 67 batters in 71.2 IP.
September 2008:
Brooklyn pitching coach Hector Berrios on:
Jenrry Mejia: “To be here at 18 and playing so well at this level is really impressive. He sits on 94 miles per hour and can get up to 97. He doesn’t quite have the extension of a guy like Holt has, but considering how young he is, I think he has a lot of potential.”The Cyclones web site said:The 18-year-old Mejia (6’0”, 182) was signed by the Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2007, out of the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo). Mejia began his professional career last season, for the Venezuelan Summer League Mets, going 2-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 14 games (seven starts). In 43.2 innings, he allowed 24 hits, 17 runs, 12 earned, and 27 walks, with 47 strikeouts.
In September, Patrick Hickey wrote on:
Jenrry Mejia- Jekyll and Hyde. When this youngster is off, he leaves the ball up in the zone and lacks the poise needed to get professional hitters out on a consistent basis. However, when he’s on his game, he mixes in a more than solid 12-6 curve with a 95-97 MPH fastball and gets outs via the strikeout at a solid pace. Considering his age, Mejia is definitely worth keeping an eye on and with plenty of confidence and charisma on the mound already, should develop into a major league caliber pitcher if he learns to develop some sort of consistency.Final Grade- B
February 2009:
From Toby Hyde: - #5 - RHP Jenry Mejia - Why Ranked Here: A very late comer to baseball, Mejia brings a special fastball. Virtually unknown entering 2008, the broad chested and big shouldered Mejia introduced himself with a 93-95 mph heater that easily allowed him to conquer the GCL and then New York Penn League. His second pitch is a hard changeup with a little sink at 87-88 mph, an offering with the same velocity as some of his teammates’ fastballs. It’s just enough off his fastball to catch hitters out in front and induce lots of groundballs. His curve is his third pitch. In the NYP, he struggled to find his release spot at times, but when found his release, he snapped off a short tight bender that showed plus potential. There’s some effort in his delivery, raising concerns about command down the road and a risk of injury. However, given his age (20 in October 2009) and experience (slight) his command is ahead of where one might expect it. The Mets’ staff raved about Mejia’s work ethic and intelligence. - 2008: Mejia made clear with three dominating starts in the GCL that the rookie league simply did not provide enough challenge for him. Promoted to Brooklyn in the first week of July, Mejia walked a season-high five batters in his first NYP League start and 11 batters in his first 18 innings (5.5 BB/9). In his final 38.2 IP in the league he walked just 12 batters (2.8 BB/9). That’s an impressive adjustment for a very young pitcher. When he reached the NYP, he tried to pitch with his curveball instead of his changeup as his second pitch. Once he returned to his change as his second offering, he threw more strikes and worked himself into better counts. Also, his curve improved over the course of the summer. Projected 2009 Start: Savannah rotation. St. Lucie is a possibility, but given Mejia’s age, and the number of older, other slightly more experienced arms fighting for time in the FSL, I see no reason to push Mejia to advanced-A yet
.February 2009:
MYOB on: - Jenrry Mejia RHP - signed out of the Dominican Republic for only $16,500, showing you that there are good bargains out there if you have the scouts to find them. He has a mid-90s fastball now that projects to the upper 90s as he fills out. He needs to improve his command and work his secondary pitches more, becoming less reliant on the fastball. He limited opponents to a .199 average and finished with a combined 2.89 ERA at two levels. If he improves his secondary pitches he could develop into a top of the rotation starter, otherwise he will be closer material.
B-Mets Game Notes
LAST GAME:
For the first time in nine chances, Roy Merritt
blew a save and it cost the B-Mets, who lost 9-8 in the ninth
inning. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, Binghamton led
8-6, but Merritt loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a
single and two walks before Aaron Bates tied the game with a
two-run single to right-center. Following Bates, Bubba Bell hit
a broken-bat walk-off single through the left side to score Lars
Anderson from third and end the game. The blown save
spoiled Dylan Owen’s first chance to win this season. Owen
tied a season high with 5.2 innings pitching giving up four
runs in windy conditions. D.J. Wabick had his best ball game
of the year, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and Lucas Duda also contributed
three hits with 2 RBI.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Jose Sanchez makes his
fourth start of the year tonight against a Portland team that
roughed him up for nine runs in three innings April 18. The
nine runs given up by Sanchez were the most he had given up
in a start since he gave up 11 runs in 3.1 innings 5/15/06 for
St. Lucie (High-A) against Dunedin. Sanchez is 1-2 in 2009
with an inflated 9.88 ERA. He opened the season with a quality
start against Trenton, but since has not made it through
five innings. In 2008, he lead Binghamton with 13 wins and
tallied a 3.83 ERA in 152.2 innings.
RHP Jared Plummer gets the call for Portland for his third
start. Plummer has gone four innings in each of his starts with
the Sea Dogs including four against the B-Mets 4/16 at
NYSEG Stadium giving up two runs. His last time out came
against Connecticut last Thursday giving up six runs in four
innings. Plummer is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in the two starts. He
was called up to start against Binghamton in a pinch with RHP
Travis Beazley going on the disabled list. Plummer was originally
drafted in the 26th round in 2002 out of South Garland
(TX) High School. He has spent time in the Dodgers and Royals
organization before landing with Boston as a minor league
free agent last winter.
WABICK WAKES:
D.J. Wabick has been slow out of the gates
in 2009, hitting just .139 through 11 games entering last
night’s game, including 1-10 in his last four games. However,
Wabick came through with a 3-4 game yesterday with a double
and now leads the team in RBI with 11, thanks to a season-
high 4 RBI yesterday.
THE DUDE ABIDES:
Lucas Duda continued his torrid on base
pace last night with a 3-4 day at the plate including a walk
and two RBI. He leads the Eastern League in on-base percentage
(.483) entering tonight’s game.
For the first time in nine chances, Roy Merritt
blew a save and it cost the B-Mets, who lost 9-8 in the ninth
inning. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, Binghamton led
8-6, but Merritt loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a
single and two walks before Aaron Bates tied the game with a
two-run single to right-center. Following Bates, Bubba Bell hit
a broken-bat walk-off single through the left side to score Lars
Anderson from third and end the game. The blown save
spoiled Dylan Owen’s first chance to win this season. Owen
tied a season high with 5.2 innings pitching giving up four
runs in windy conditions. D.J. Wabick had his best ball game
of the year, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and Lucas Duda also contributed
three hits with 2 RBI.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Jose Sanchez makes his
fourth start of the year tonight against a Portland team that
roughed him up for nine runs in three innings April 18. The
nine runs given up by Sanchez were the most he had given up
in a start since he gave up 11 runs in 3.1 innings 5/15/06 for
St. Lucie (High-A) against Dunedin. Sanchez is 1-2 in 2009
with an inflated 9.88 ERA. He opened the season with a quality
start against Trenton, but since has not made it through
five innings. In 2008, he lead Binghamton with 13 wins and
tallied a 3.83 ERA in 152.2 innings.
RHP Jared Plummer gets the call for Portland for his third
start. Plummer has gone four innings in each of his starts with
the Sea Dogs including four against the B-Mets 4/16 at
NYSEG Stadium giving up two runs. His last time out came
against Connecticut last Thursday giving up six runs in four
innings. Plummer is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in the two starts. He
was called up to start against Binghamton in a pinch with RHP
Travis Beazley going on the disabled list. Plummer was originally
drafted in the 26th round in 2002 out of South Garland
(TX) High School. He has spent time in the Dodgers and Royals
organization before landing with Boston as a minor league
free agent last winter.
WABICK WAKES:
D.J. Wabick has been slow out of the gates
in 2009, hitting just .139 through 11 games entering last
night’s game, including 1-10 in his last four games. However,
Wabick came through with a 3-4 game yesterday with a double
and now leads the team in RBI with 11, thanks to a season-
high 4 RBI yesterday.
THE DUDE ABIDES:
Lucas Duda continued his torrid on base
pace last night with a 3-4 day at the plate including a walk
and two RBI. He leads the Eastern League in on-base percentage
(.483) entering tonight’s game.
Out of the Blue (Flushing University)
No one expected Omir Santos to play a meaningful role in the Mets' 2009 season. Instead, he's filled in capably during Brian Schneider's absence and has turned some heads around baseball. Read more here ...
Bisons Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons face the Rochester Red Wings from Frontier Field (12:05 p.m.). This two-game series is now just a single game thanks to last night’s rainout. That game will be made up later this year. After today, the Bisons will return home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons made several moves to reshape their roster yesterday. The team activated RHP Nelson Figueroa and OF Wily Mo Pena. Pena signed as a free agent a week ago after hitting .205 with two homeruns and 10RBI in 64 games with Washington last year. C Michael Nickeas has also been promoted from Binghamton (AA). Nickeas has played four games (1-13, R) with the B-Mets this year. To make room for the new additions, RHP Freddy Garcia was released by the Mets. He was 0-2 with an 8.18ERA in two starts. INF Jonathan Malo was reassigned to Binghamton. He hit .203 with two RBI in 14 games with Buffalo. C Rene Rivera was assigned to Brooklyn (A) after hitting .182 in six games with the Bisons.
OH NELLY:
RHP Nelson Figueroa is back on the hill for the Bisons. Today will be the veteran’s third start with the team. Figueroa began the year with Buffalo and posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
BULLY FOR THE PEN:
For the second straight game, the Bisons bullpen delivered four shutout innings on Monday. RHP Connor Robertson and RHP Eddie Kunz combined to strike out five and allowed just one hit.
SULLY’S START:
OF Cory Sullivan led off Monday’s game with his first homerun of the season. The last Bisons batter to lead off the game with a homer was OF Trevor Crowe on July 26, 2008 in Charlotte. SPEED LIMIT: The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (44%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 23 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .983 fielding percentage is tied for 2nd best in the International League
This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons face the Rochester Red Wings from Frontier Field (12:05 p.m.). This two-game series is now just a single game thanks to last night’s rainout. That game will be made up later this year. After today, the Bisons will return home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons made several moves to reshape their roster yesterday. The team activated RHP Nelson Figueroa and OF Wily Mo Pena. Pena signed as a free agent a week ago after hitting .205 with two homeruns and 10RBI in 64 games with Washington last year. C Michael Nickeas has also been promoted from Binghamton (AA). Nickeas has played four games (1-13, R) with the B-Mets this year. To make room for the new additions, RHP Freddy Garcia was released by the Mets. He was 0-2 with an 8.18ERA in two starts. INF Jonathan Malo was reassigned to Binghamton. He hit .203 with two RBI in 14 games with Buffalo. C Rene Rivera was assigned to Brooklyn (A) after hitting .182 in six games with the Bisons.
OH NELLY:
RHP Nelson Figueroa is back on the hill for the Bisons. Today will be the veteran’s third start with the team. Figueroa began the year with Buffalo and posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
BULLY FOR THE PEN:
For the second straight game, the Bisons bullpen delivered four shutout innings on Monday. RHP Connor Robertson and RHP Eddie Kunz combined to strike out five and allowed just one hit.
SULLY’S START:
OF Cory Sullivan led off Monday’s game with his first homerun of the season. The last Bisons batter to lead off the game with a homer was OF Trevor Crowe on July 26, 2008 in Charlotte. SPEED LIMIT: The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (44%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 23 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .983 fielding percentage is tied for 2nd best in the International League
Minors Stuff
Extended Camp:
Savannah sent IF Jordan Valdespin to extended camp… WHAT YOU TALKIN’ BOUT, WILLIS??? This doesn’t make any sense. I cover this team and can’t find out a reason about this one… trust me, I’ll be all over this Sunday afternoon when the team comes home…
The Herd:
The Herd and Red Wings play today at 12;05… it’s Figgy vs. an old friend, Kevin Mulvey…
Vaya con dios, Freddy…
A broken-down pitcher. A broken-down offense. Another embarrassment for the Buffalo Bisons. That's the capsule summary of the latest sorry affair in Coca-Cola Field as the Syracuse Chiefs rumbled past the hapless Herd, 7-1, on Monday night to complete a four-game sweep and improve to 7-0 against the Bisons this season. A paid crowd of 5,140 saw Buffalo fall to 2-15 — the worst record in professional baseball. The Bisons were held to only two hits for the second time this season but that's old news for this punchless bunch. The biggest story in the eyes of the desperate-for-pitching New York Mets is that Freddy Garcia says the front area of his right shoulder is sore. Once an ace for Seattle and the Chicago White Sox, Garcia had shoulder surgery in 2007 and is a shell of his old self. After giving up six runs in the fifth, the last four on Ryan Langerhans' grand slam to right, a downcast Garcia sounded close to calling it a career. "Maybe I want to try it one more time. If I don't feel the way I'm supposed to be feeling right now, I don't know," said Garcia, 32. "I have to make a decision what I'm going to do. I don't know yet. Hopefully next time I'll feel better. I want to wait for tomorrow and see how I feel.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/653693.html
B-Mets:
Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances this season and Binghamton gave up a three-run ninth inning to allow Portland to come from behind for a 9-8 victory Tuesday night. The loss comes after Binghamton pounded out a season-high 14 hits and tied a season high with 8 runs. Merritt, who came on in the eighth and needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play, issued a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca and a two-out single to Ryan Khoury before walking Lars Anderson to load the bases. With the bases loaded and two outs, Aaron Bates drove in two with a clean single to right to tie the game at eight. Then Bubba Bell followed with a broken-bat single through the left side to score Anderson from third and walk off with the 9-8 win. With the game tied at two after two innings, the B-Mets struck for five straight singles in the third scoring two runs off of Portland (8-9) starter Adam Mills. Then with the bases loaded and one out, Jonathan Malo and D.J. Wabick followed with RBI singles to make it a four-run inning and give Binghamton (9-7) a 6-2 lead. In the eighth inning, when Fernando Nieve was pulled for Merritt, arguments ensued on the mound between home plate umpire Jon Byrne and the Binghamton battery over the strike zone. This resulted in Thole and Nieve being thrown out of the game. Wabick led the way for Binghamton offensively going 3-4 with 4 RBI including a double. Duda also output a three-hit game going 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
www.binghamtonmets.com
THE SEASON SO FAR: The Mets are off to a 9-6 start and are in second place in the Northern Division, just one game behind New Hampshire.
WHO'S HOT (HITTING): C Josh Thole is batting .362 (17-for-47) with four doubles, three RBis and seven runs scored in 11 games. OF Carl Loadenthal is hitting .333 (17-for-51) with six RBIs and 12 runs scored in 14 games.
WHO'S HOT (PITCHING): LHP Mike Antonini is tied for second in the league with three wins. In four starts, he is 3-0 with a 4.35 ERA and a team-best 17 strikeouts. ... LHP Roy Merritt has eight saves in as many opportunities, having limited opponents to four hits over 10 2/3 scoreless innings. In addition, he has fanned eight batters while issuing only four walks.
DID YOU KNOW?: SS Ruben Tejada hit a bases-loaded double with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to drive in three runs and lead the B-Mets to a 4-3 win Sunday at New Hampshire. He went 2-for-5, improving to .235 (12-for-51) in 14 games.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090427&content_id=572046&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp
The Portland Sea Dogs struck for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and three more in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Binghamton Mets, 9-8, on Tuesday night. Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances to take the loss for the B-Mets, who had owned a 6-2 lead in the third and a 7-2 advantage in the fourth. With Portland down 8-4 entering the home half of the eighth, Lars Anderson led off with a single, and Bubba Bell followed one out later with a double to right. Jon Still's single scored Anderson and Bell, cutting the Binghamton lead to 8-6. Merritt, who is tied for the Eastern League lead with eight saves, then relieved Fernando Nieve, inducing an inning-ending double play with his first pitch. In the ninth, though, Merritt allowed a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca. And then with two outs, Ryan Khoury singled and Lars Anderson walked, before Aaron Bates drove a two-run single to right. Bell then came through with the game-winning single to left, scoring Anderson. Designated hitter D.J. Wabick helped pace the Binghamton offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, including a two-run double in the second and an RBI single in the third.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090429/SPORTS02/904290342/1118/sports
Lucy:
Ladies and gentlemen… and all the ships at sea… Ike Davis has hit a home run!
Reese Havens made his 9th error so far this season playing shortstop…. We’ve talked about this since the day he was drafted… Havens has no future in the infield and should be immediately converted to the catcher position, which was the original plan when they drafted him…
Kirk Nieuwenhuis singled home Matt Bouchard with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the St. Lucie Mets edged the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-3 on Tuesday at Tradition Field. The Mets got solo home runs from Nieuwenhuis and Ike Davis and Smelin Perez scored on a fielders choice. The Hammerheads tied the score in the ninth on an RBI single by Matt Dominguez. The win went to Stephen Clyne (1-0).
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/apr/28/nieuwenhuis-leads-mets
Gnats:
The Sand Gnats (10-9) came up just short tonight as they fell to the Greenville Drive, 4-3, in front of 3,055 at Fluor Field. Jeff Kaplan suffered (1-1) the loss for Savannah. All of the game’s offense would come in the first two innings but it was Greenville striking first. Mitch Dening hit a two-out double to score Ryan Dent and Oscar Tejeda to give the Drive a, 2-0, cushion in the bottom of the first. Answering right back in the next inning, the Sand Gnats rallied with two away to score three runs to take the lead. Three consecutive hits by the bottom third of the order plated two runs and set the table for Rafael Fernandez. With a tie game, Fernandez hit a weak grounder to first that first baseman Anthony Rizzo flipped to Greenville starter Casey Kelly. Kelly ended up dropping the ball and Jake Eigsti scored on the play to give Savannah the lead. It was short-lived as Michael Almanzar hit a solo home run in bottom of the second to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tejeda singled in what turned out to be the deciding run. Savannah had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Jefry Marte singled with Wilmer Flores on second base but he was thrown out at the plate trying to score for the final out of the inning.
www.sandgnats.com
Clones:
Baseball America wrote that OF Cesar Puello, who I expected to start in Savannah this year, was left behind in Extended Camp due to a recovering hand injury. As I’ve mentioned before, he’s a real prospect, and the 18-year old will most probably for the Clones this season.
Additionally, John Holdzkom is out for the season with TJS.
PAINT-YOUR-OWN BOBBLE: On Sunday, July 19th, the first 1,500 kids (14 and under) in attendance for the Cyclones' 5pm game against the Auburn Doubledays will receive a free Paint-Your-Own-Sandy Bobblehead, complete with an unpainted version of brooklyn's favorite bird, a paint kit, and a paintbrush. Kids can try to paint the bobblehead to look exactly like the famous mascot...or
www.brooklyncyclones.com
Savannah sent IF Jordan Valdespin to extended camp… WHAT YOU TALKIN’ BOUT, WILLIS??? This doesn’t make any sense. I cover this team and can’t find out a reason about this one… trust me, I’ll be all over this Sunday afternoon when the team comes home…
The Herd:
The Herd and Red Wings play today at 12;05… it’s Figgy vs. an old friend, Kevin Mulvey…
Vaya con dios, Freddy…
A broken-down pitcher. A broken-down offense. Another embarrassment for the Buffalo Bisons. That's the capsule summary of the latest sorry affair in Coca-Cola Field as the Syracuse Chiefs rumbled past the hapless Herd, 7-1, on Monday night to complete a four-game sweep and improve to 7-0 against the Bisons this season. A paid crowd of 5,140 saw Buffalo fall to 2-15 — the worst record in professional baseball. The Bisons were held to only two hits for the second time this season but that's old news for this punchless bunch. The biggest story in the eyes of the desperate-for-pitching New York Mets is that Freddy Garcia says the front area of his right shoulder is sore. Once an ace for Seattle and the Chicago White Sox, Garcia had shoulder surgery in 2007 and is a shell of his old self. After giving up six runs in the fifth, the last four on Ryan Langerhans' grand slam to right, a downcast Garcia sounded close to calling it a career. "Maybe I want to try it one more time. If I don't feel the way I'm supposed to be feeling right now, I don't know," said Garcia, 32. "I have to make a decision what I'm going to do. I don't know yet. Hopefully next time I'll feel better. I want to wait for tomorrow and see how I feel.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/653693.html
B-Mets:
Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances this season and Binghamton gave up a three-run ninth inning to allow Portland to come from behind for a 9-8 victory Tuesday night. The loss comes after Binghamton pounded out a season-high 14 hits and tied a season high with 8 runs. Merritt, who came on in the eighth and needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play, issued a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca and a two-out single to Ryan Khoury before walking Lars Anderson to load the bases. With the bases loaded and two outs, Aaron Bates drove in two with a clean single to right to tie the game at eight. Then Bubba Bell followed with a broken-bat single through the left side to score Anderson from third and walk off with the 9-8 win. With the game tied at two after two innings, the B-Mets struck for five straight singles in the third scoring two runs off of Portland (8-9) starter Adam Mills. Then with the bases loaded and one out, Jonathan Malo and D.J. Wabick followed with RBI singles to make it a four-run inning and give Binghamton (9-7) a 6-2 lead. In the eighth inning, when Fernando Nieve was pulled for Merritt, arguments ensued on the mound between home plate umpire Jon Byrne and the Binghamton battery over the strike zone. This resulted in Thole and Nieve being thrown out of the game. Wabick led the way for Binghamton offensively going 3-4 with 4 RBI including a double. Duda also output a three-hit game going 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
www.binghamtonmets.com
THE SEASON SO FAR: The Mets are off to a 9-6 start and are in second place in the Northern Division, just one game behind New Hampshire.
WHO'S HOT (HITTING): C Josh Thole is batting .362 (17-for-47) with four doubles, three RBis and seven runs scored in 11 games. OF Carl Loadenthal is hitting .333 (17-for-51) with six RBIs and 12 runs scored in 14 games.
WHO'S HOT (PITCHING): LHP Mike Antonini is tied for second in the league with three wins. In four starts, he is 3-0 with a 4.35 ERA and a team-best 17 strikeouts. ... LHP Roy Merritt has eight saves in as many opportunities, having limited opponents to four hits over 10 2/3 scoreless innings. In addition, he has fanned eight batters while issuing only four walks.
DID YOU KNOW?: SS Ruben Tejada hit a bases-loaded double with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to drive in three runs and lead the B-Mets to a 4-3 win Sunday at New Hampshire. He went 2-for-5, improving to .235 (12-for-51) in 14 games.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090427&content_id=572046&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp
The Portland Sea Dogs struck for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and three more in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Binghamton Mets, 9-8, on Tuesday night. Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances to take the loss for the B-Mets, who had owned a 6-2 lead in the third and a 7-2 advantage in the fourth. With Portland down 8-4 entering the home half of the eighth, Lars Anderson led off with a single, and Bubba Bell followed one out later with a double to right. Jon Still's single scored Anderson and Bell, cutting the Binghamton lead to 8-6. Merritt, who is tied for the Eastern League lead with eight saves, then relieved Fernando Nieve, inducing an inning-ending double play with his first pitch. In the ninth, though, Merritt allowed a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca. And then with two outs, Ryan Khoury singled and Lars Anderson walked, before Aaron Bates drove a two-run single to right. Bell then came through with the game-winning single to left, scoring Anderson. Designated hitter D.J. Wabick helped pace the Binghamton offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, including a two-run double in the second and an RBI single in the third.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090429/SPORTS02/904290342/1118/sports
Lucy:
Ladies and gentlemen… and all the ships at sea… Ike Davis has hit a home run!
Reese Havens made his 9th error so far this season playing shortstop…. We’ve talked about this since the day he was drafted… Havens has no future in the infield and should be immediately converted to the catcher position, which was the original plan when they drafted him…
Kirk Nieuwenhuis singled home Matt Bouchard with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the St. Lucie Mets edged the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-3 on Tuesday at Tradition Field. The Mets got solo home runs from Nieuwenhuis and Ike Davis and Smelin Perez scored on a fielders choice. The Hammerheads tied the score in the ninth on an RBI single by Matt Dominguez. The win went to Stephen Clyne (1-0).
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/apr/28/nieuwenhuis-leads-mets
Gnats:
The Sand Gnats (10-9) came up just short tonight as they fell to the Greenville Drive, 4-3, in front of 3,055 at Fluor Field. Jeff Kaplan suffered (1-1) the loss for Savannah. All of the game’s offense would come in the first two innings but it was Greenville striking first. Mitch Dening hit a two-out double to score Ryan Dent and Oscar Tejeda to give the Drive a, 2-0, cushion in the bottom of the first. Answering right back in the next inning, the Sand Gnats rallied with two away to score three runs to take the lead. Three consecutive hits by the bottom third of the order plated two runs and set the table for Rafael Fernandez. With a tie game, Fernandez hit a weak grounder to first that first baseman Anthony Rizzo flipped to Greenville starter Casey Kelly. Kelly ended up dropping the ball and Jake Eigsti scored on the play to give Savannah the lead. It was short-lived as Michael Almanzar hit a solo home run in bottom of the second to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tejeda singled in what turned out to be the deciding run. Savannah had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Jefry Marte singled with Wilmer Flores on second base but he was thrown out at the plate trying to score for the final out of the inning.
www.sandgnats.com
Clones:
Baseball America wrote that OF Cesar Puello, who I expected to start in Savannah this year, was left behind in Extended Camp due to a recovering hand injury. As I’ve mentioned before, he’s a real prospect, and the 18-year old will most probably for the Clones this season.
Additionally, John Holdzkom is out for the season with TJS.
PAINT-YOUR-OWN BOBBLE: On Sunday, July 19th, the first 1,500 kids (14 and under) in attendance for the Cyclones' 5pm game against the Auburn Doubledays will receive a free Paint-Your-Own-Sandy Bobblehead, complete with an unpainted version of brooklyn's favorite bird, a paint kit, and a paintbrush. Kids can try to paint the bobblehead to look exactly like the famous mascot...or
www.brooklyncyclones.com
Roster Moves: Why Am I Bothering?r
By: Jack Flynn
Fine.
Ken Takahashi is a 40-year-old rookie who has finally made his way here after many years playing professionally in Japan. When Jerry Manuel hands him the ball for the first time, probably as soon as tonight, he will make history as the oldest Japanese baseball player to make his MLB debut. Yet another easily forgotten answer to a dubious trivia question involving the New York Mets.
Casey Fossum once had some promise, but that train left the station quite some time ago. Now, Casey Fosuum is only employed as a professional baseball player by virtue of throwing with his left arm. He'll land on his feet somewhere - probably right back in Buffalo.
This entire post should've been a Twitter update.
4/28/09
Portland 9, B-Mets 8
Roy Merritt blew his first save in nine chances this season and Binghamton gave up a three-run ninth inning to allow Portland to come from behind for a 9-8 victory Tuesday night. The loss comes after Binghamton pounded out a season-high 14 hits and tied a season high with 8 runs.
Merritt, who came on in the eighth and needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play, issued a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca and a two-out single to Ryan Khoury before walking Lars Anderson to load the bases. With the bases loaded and two outs, Aaron Bates drove in two with a clean single to right to tie the game at eight. Then Bubba Bell followed with a broken-bat single through the left side to score Anderson from third and walk off with the 9-8 win.
With the game tied at two after two innings, the B-Mets struck for five straight singles in the third scoring two runs off of Portland (8-9) starter Adam Mills. Then with the bases loaded and one out, Jonathan Malo and D.J. Wabick followed with RBI singles to make it a four-run inning and give Binghamton (9-7) a 6-2 lead.
The B-Mets added a seventh run in the fourth when Josh Thole doubled with one out followed by a Josh Petersen walk. Lucas Duda drove Thole in with an RBI single off of Chad Rhoades, making it 7-2.
Portland plated two runs in the sixth to close the game to within three at 7-4 and plated two runs in the eighth to get within two at 8-6, ahead of the three-run rally for the win in the ninth.
In the eighth inning, when Fernando Nieve was pulled for Merritt, arguments ensued on the mound between home plate umpire Jon Byrne and the Binghamton battery over the strike zone. This resulted in Thole and Nieve being thrown out of the game.
Wabick led the way for Binghamton offensively going 3-4 with 4 RBI including a double. Duda also output a three-hit game going 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
Merritt was hung with his first loss of the season, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings of work. Dylan Owen tied a season-long 5.2 innings as the starter, giving up four runs on five hits while walking three in the no-decision.
Merritt, who came on in the eighth and needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play, issued a one-out walk to Juan Apodaca and a two-out single to Ryan Khoury before walking Lars Anderson to load the bases. With the bases loaded and two outs, Aaron Bates drove in two with a clean single to right to tie the game at eight. Then Bubba Bell followed with a broken-bat single through the left side to score Anderson from third and walk off with the 9-8 win.
With the game tied at two after two innings, the B-Mets struck for five straight singles in the third scoring two runs off of Portland (8-9) starter Adam Mills. Then with the bases loaded and one out, Jonathan Malo and D.J. Wabick followed with RBI singles to make it a four-run inning and give Binghamton (9-7) a 6-2 lead.
The B-Mets added a seventh run in the fourth when Josh Thole doubled with one out followed by a Josh Petersen walk. Lucas Duda drove Thole in with an RBI single off of Chad Rhoades, making it 7-2.
Portland plated two runs in the sixth to close the game to within three at 7-4 and plated two runs in the eighth to get within two at 8-6, ahead of the three-run rally for the win in the ninth.
In the eighth inning, when Fernando Nieve was pulled for Merritt, arguments ensued on the mound between home plate umpire Jon Byrne and the Binghamton battery over the strike zone. This resulted in Thole and Nieve being thrown out of the game.
Wabick led the way for Binghamton offensively going 3-4 with 4 RBI including a double. Duda also output a three-hit game going 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
Merritt was hung with his first loss of the season, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings of work. Dylan Owen tied a season-long 5.2 innings as the starter, giving up four runs on five hits while walking three in the no-decision.
Greenville 4, Savannah 3
The Sand Gnats (10-9) came up just short tonight as they fell to the Greenville Drive, 4-3, in front of 3,055 at Fluor Field. Jeff Kaplan suffered (1-1) the loss for Savannah.
All of the game’s offense would come in the first two innings but it was Greenville striking first. Mitch Dening hit a two-out double to score Ryan Dent and Oscar Tejeda to give the Drive a, 2-0, cushion in the bottom of the first.
Answering right back in the next inning, the Sand Gnats rallied with two away to score three runs to take the lead. Three consecutive hits by the bottom third of the order plated two runs and set the table for Rafael Fernandez. With a tie game, Fernandez hit a weak grounder to first that first baseman Anthony Rizzo flipped to Greenville starter Casey Kelly. Kelly ended up dropping the ball and Jake Eigsti scored on the play to give Savannah the lead.
It was short-lived as Michael Almanzar hit a solo home run in bottom of the second to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tejeda singled in what turned out to be the deciding run.
Savannah had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Jefry Marte singled with Wilmer Flores on second base but he was thrown out at the plate trying to score for the final out of the inning.
www.sandgnats.com
All of the game’s offense would come in the first two innings but it was Greenville striking first. Mitch Dening hit a two-out double to score Ryan Dent and Oscar Tejeda to give the Drive a, 2-0, cushion in the bottom of the first.
Answering right back in the next inning, the Sand Gnats rallied with two away to score three runs to take the lead. Three consecutive hits by the bottom third of the order plated two runs and set the table for Rafael Fernandez. With a tie game, Fernandez hit a weak grounder to first that first baseman Anthony Rizzo flipped to Greenville starter Casey Kelly. Kelly ended up dropping the ball and Jake Eigsti scored on the play to give Savannah the lead.
It was short-lived as Michael Almanzar hit a solo home run in bottom of the second to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tejeda singled in what turned out to be the deciding run.
Savannah had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Jefry Marte singled with Wilmer Flores on second base but he was thrown out at the plate trying to score for the final out of the inning.
www.sandgnats.com
Updated - 2009 Draft - Top Catchers
C:
1. Tony Sanchez - Boston College… 5-10, 210… hit .410/.505/.710 through first 78 at-bats this season… Sanchez hit .313 during BC's 2008 season and led the Eagles in most major offensive categories, including hits (66), RBI (45), total bases (109) and home runs (9)… 4-6-9: named ACC pow, for 2nd time in 2009: has 12 HRs so far this season… through 4-7: .381/.475/.763. Current scouting consensus has him first catcher drafted. Is projected to remain behind the plate for his entire career. Thru 4-25: .366/.459/.686, 153 ABs
2. Josh Phegley Indiana… Junior… 5-11, 215, R/R… 2008: Was named a second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News, the American Baseball Coaches Association, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America and Ping!Baseball… .438/.507/.756, 34 BB/22K, 37 extra base hits in 224 at bats… .522 wOBA*, .329 IsoP, 16.5% BB, 13.6% K… having a big year in 2009 at the plate… currently considered one of the two (Tony Sanchez) top college catchers available in the draft. Could possibly be moved out of position long term… mixed reviews on defensive ability…
3. Austin Maddox - Eagle’s View Academy (FL)… 6'4" 220, RR … raw power… tremendous arm…17 years old… can punish the ball… well below-average runner… arm is plus plus… possibly best arm in draft… tree truck thighs… finalist for the Jackie Robinson Award as the 2008 National High School Player of the Year… ranked No. 4 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 1 C… ranked No. 14 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects … ranked No. 18 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… member of the 2008 USA 18-U National Team… first-team Class 1A all-state selection as a catcher in 2008… batted .515 with 67 RBI and 12 homers at Eagle's View Academy last spring… batted .491 with 41 RBI and five homers and was a first-team all-state pick as a sophomore… 1.76 pop time… arm clocked in the mid-90s… committed to Univ. of Florida.
4. Max Stassi - Yuba City… 5-10, 190… excellent defense… strong arm… power potential… hit three home runs in his first two games this season…18 years old… verbally committed to UCLA… a baseball rat… excellent plus plus defensively… great catch and throw skills… line drive hitter… good speed for a catcher. 2009: As of 4-7: 14-22, 7 doubles, 7 HRs… a baseball rat… rocket arm…
5. Robert Stock – (moved from RHP) – USC – good pitcher, but one of the top college catchers…
6. Luke Bailey - Troup HS (GA)… 6-0, 195, R/R… top prep catcher… also plays 1B… committed to Auburn… has power and a very good arm… rated top high school catcher… some concern about his weight.
7. Wil Myers - Wasleyan Christian Academy… also plays 3B… hit .625 through March this season…
rated No. 13 best high school player in the country by PG Crosschecker as well as the No. 1 best high school player in the state of North Carolina… rated No. 14 best high school player in the country by Baseball America, as well as the No. 27 best prospect in the nation for the 2009 MLB Draft … named by Baseball America as one of the top 10 hitters at the 2008 World Wood Bat Championships. Committed to Univ. South Carolina… 11 HRs in first 11 games…
8. Joey Lewis - Georgia … 6-4, 225, junior, R/R… 2008: .264, 6HR, 38 RBI, .979 fielding, threw out 38% of runners… started all six games at the College World Series and batted .450 (9-for-20) with two doubles, a triple and 7 RBI (6 with two outs), his .450 average ranked second overall on the club behind only Gordon Beckham (.522)
9. Drew Robertson - Middle Tenn St…. 6-3, 165… hitting .460 so far this season and has a .535 on-base percentage. 2008: played only in 38 games and batted .175.
10. Dan Burkhart - Ohio State… sophomore… L/R… 5-11, 205… outstanding defensive catcher… 2008: ranked fifth on the team with 53 hits and fourth with 29 RBI ... played summer baseball in the Northwoods League for the Mankato (Minn.) Moon Dogs. 2009: Through 4-7: .387, named Big-10 POW
11. Tommy Joseph – (previously unranked) – Horizon HS (AZ)…
12. Jonathan Walsh - (up from 25th) - Coppell HS senior… 6-3, 211… S/R… above average arm… weakness is defense… some pop on ball… very good overall athlete, but known for his bat… can drive the ball gap-to-gap… excellent bat speed… committed to Texas.
13. Ryan Ortiz - (up from 19th) - Oregon State… junior… 6-3, 205, R/R… no home run power… below-average speed… average arm but quick release… won Pac-10 pow 4-6-9: 6-12 week before, .500, .667 slug%, .571 OBP
14. Matt Williams - Duke… .394 batting average so far this year… 3.41 grade point average…
15. Griffin Benedict - Georgia Southern… senior… 6-0, 185…hitting .407 with an on-base percentage over .520… 2008: Named Third Team Preseason All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association... Second Team All-Southern Conference... ranked 61st nationally in RBI per game (1.14)...
16. Andrew Susac - Jesuit HS; Roseville, CA. 6′1, 190, Bats R, Throws R… Oregon State commit… 2008: earned First-Team honors on the All-State, All-City and All-League lists and was a Perfect Game National Showcase invitee. His junior year, he batted .475 with 33 RBI, eight stolen bases, nine doubles and six home runs.
17. Richard Stock - Agoura HS; Agoura Hills, CA. 6′3, 185, Bats L, Throws R… 2008: power hitter… potential 30+ HR hitter… also, gap power… rifle arm, clocked at 1.85 to second… slow on the basepath.
18. Mike Zunino - Mariner HS; Cape Coral, FL. 6′2, 185, Bats R, Throws R… verbally committed to Florida… ranked No. 12 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 2 C … ranked No. 50 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… ranked No. 60 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects… batted .457 with 32 RBI, an .897 slugging percentage and a school-record 10 HR
19. Blake Forsythe - Tennessee… 6-2, 220… sophomore… 2008: played in 22 games with 16 starts ... threw out 11 potential base-stealers ...
20. Geno Escalante - Fairfield HS… 5-10, 185, R/R… Keith Law (9/08 article) had him as the 35th draft pick…
21. Cameron Garfield - Murrieta Valley HS… 6-0, 190… R/R… 3.71 GPA… committed to San Diego…
22. Jonathan Meyer - Simi Valley HS… 6-1, 200… 2008: .402, 34 R, 41 H, 43 RBIs, 9 HR… committed to Cal-State Fullerton.
23. Drew Beuerlein - UNLV junior… 6-0, 195… also plays 1B and DH… solid hitter… 2008: .260, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs…
24. Jack Murphy - Princeton… junior… S/R… 6-4, 230… first team all-Ivy… 2008: .391, 61 H, 156 Abs, 40 RBI, 33R, 8 HR, .628 slug %...
25. Shane Brown - Central Florida… junior… 5-10, 200… 2008: .367, 9 HR, 49 RBI… .609 slug%... .447 OBP
26. Diego Seastrunk - Rice… junior… 5-10, 180, S/R… good hitter from both sides of the plate… more of a gap hitter… runs average for catcher… solid arm… a line-drive machine… great name.
27. Carl Leaf - San Ignacio de Loyola HS, Puerto Rico… 5-11, 190, S/R… super speed… power from left side of field… major league arm… 1.91 to 2B… signed with Mississippi State…
28. Eric Castro - San Diego State… as of 4/6/09: leads the team: .389/.517/.684, 6 HRs…
29. Trevor Coleman – Missouri – Junior… 6-1, 211 S/R…
30. Carlos Ramirez – Arizona State – transfer from Chandler-Gilbert CC… MVP in Northwoods league… through April 25: .307/.431/.677, 13 HRs… excellent defensively.
31. Travis Simas - Nevada… senior… hit .600 for the week that included his 10th and 11th HR of the season…
32. Steven Barron – Ferguson School (FL) – 6-0, 185… through April: .333 in 23 games..
33. Mark Fleury – (previously unranked) - North Carolina junior… 4/25: named ACC player of the week: thru 4/25: .339, 10HRs, 52 RBIs
1. Tony Sanchez - Boston College… 5-10, 210… hit .410/.505/.710 through first 78 at-bats this season… Sanchez hit .313 during BC's 2008 season and led the Eagles in most major offensive categories, including hits (66), RBI (45), total bases (109) and home runs (9)… 4-6-9: named ACC pow, for 2nd time in 2009: has 12 HRs so far this season… through 4-7: .381/.475/.763. Current scouting consensus has him first catcher drafted. Is projected to remain behind the plate for his entire career. Thru 4-25: .366/.459/.686, 153 ABs
2. Josh Phegley Indiana… Junior… 5-11, 215, R/R… 2008: Was named a second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News, the American Baseball Coaches Association, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America and Ping!Baseball… .438/.507/.756, 34 BB/22K, 37 extra base hits in 224 at bats… .522 wOBA*, .329 IsoP, 16.5% BB, 13.6% K… having a big year in 2009 at the plate… currently considered one of the two (Tony Sanchez) top college catchers available in the draft. Could possibly be moved out of position long term… mixed reviews on defensive ability…
3. Austin Maddox - Eagle’s View Academy (FL)… 6'4" 220, RR … raw power… tremendous arm…17 years old… can punish the ball… well below-average runner… arm is plus plus… possibly best arm in draft… tree truck thighs… finalist for the Jackie Robinson Award as the 2008 National High School Player of the Year… ranked No. 4 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 1 C… ranked No. 14 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects … ranked No. 18 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… member of the 2008 USA 18-U National Team… first-team Class 1A all-state selection as a catcher in 2008… batted .515 with 67 RBI and 12 homers at Eagle's View Academy last spring… batted .491 with 41 RBI and five homers and was a first-team all-state pick as a sophomore… 1.76 pop time… arm clocked in the mid-90s… committed to Univ. of Florida.
4. Max Stassi - Yuba City… 5-10, 190… excellent defense… strong arm… power potential… hit three home runs in his first two games this season…18 years old… verbally committed to UCLA… a baseball rat… excellent plus plus defensively… great catch and throw skills… line drive hitter… good speed for a catcher. 2009: As of 4-7: 14-22, 7 doubles, 7 HRs… a baseball rat… rocket arm…
5. Robert Stock – (moved from RHP) – USC – good pitcher, but one of the top college catchers…
6. Luke Bailey - Troup HS (GA)… 6-0, 195, R/R… top prep catcher… also plays 1B… committed to Auburn… has power and a very good arm… rated top high school catcher… some concern about his weight.
7. Wil Myers - Wasleyan Christian Academy… also plays 3B… hit .625 through March this season…
rated No. 13 best high school player in the country by PG Crosschecker as well as the No. 1 best high school player in the state of North Carolina… rated No. 14 best high school player in the country by Baseball America, as well as the No. 27 best prospect in the nation for the 2009 MLB Draft … named by Baseball America as one of the top 10 hitters at the 2008 World Wood Bat Championships. Committed to Univ. South Carolina… 11 HRs in first 11 games…
8. Joey Lewis - Georgia … 6-4, 225, junior, R/R… 2008: .264, 6HR, 38 RBI, .979 fielding, threw out 38% of runners… started all six games at the College World Series and batted .450 (9-for-20) with two doubles, a triple and 7 RBI (6 with two outs), his .450 average ranked second overall on the club behind only Gordon Beckham (.522)
9. Drew Robertson - Middle Tenn St…. 6-3, 165… hitting .460 so far this season and has a .535 on-base percentage. 2008: played only in 38 games and batted .175.
10. Dan Burkhart - Ohio State… sophomore… L/R… 5-11, 205… outstanding defensive catcher… 2008: ranked fifth on the team with 53 hits and fourth with 29 RBI ... played summer baseball in the Northwoods League for the Mankato (Minn.) Moon Dogs. 2009: Through 4-7: .387, named Big-10 POW
11. Tommy Joseph – (previously unranked) – Horizon HS (AZ)…
12. Jonathan Walsh - (up from 25th) - Coppell HS senior… 6-3, 211… S/R… above average arm… weakness is defense… some pop on ball… very good overall athlete, but known for his bat… can drive the ball gap-to-gap… excellent bat speed… committed to Texas.
13. Ryan Ortiz - (up from 19th) - Oregon State… junior… 6-3, 205, R/R… no home run power… below-average speed… average arm but quick release… won Pac-10 pow 4-6-9: 6-12 week before, .500, .667 slug%, .571 OBP
14. Matt Williams - Duke… .394 batting average so far this year… 3.41 grade point average…
15. Griffin Benedict - Georgia Southern… senior… 6-0, 185…hitting .407 with an on-base percentage over .520… 2008: Named Third Team Preseason All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association... Second Team All-Southern Conference... ranked 61st nationally in RBI per game (1.14)...
16. Andrew Susac - Jesuit HS; Roseville, CA. 6′1, 190, Bats R, Throws R… Oregon State commit… 2008: earned First-Team honors on the All-State, All-City and All-League lists and was a Perfect Game National Showcase invitee. His junior year, he batted .475 with 33 RBI, eight stolen bases, nine doubles and six home runs.
17. Richard Stock - Agoura HS; Agoura Hills, CA. 6′3, 185, Bats L, Throws R… 2008: power hitter… potential 30+ HR hitter… also, gap power… rifle arm, clocked at 1.85 to second… slow on the basepath.
18. Mike Zunino - Mariner HS; Cape Coral, FL. 6′2, 185, Bats R, Throws R… verbally committed to Florida… ranked No. 12 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com, No. 2 C … ranked No. 50 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… ranked No. 60 on PG CrossChecker.com list of Top High School Prospects… batted .457 with 32 RBI, an .897 slugging percentage and a school-record 10 HR
19. Blake Forsythe - Tennessee… 6-2, 220… sophomore… 2008: played in 22 games with 16 starts ... threw out 11 potential base-stealers ...
20. Geno Escalante - Fairfield HS… 5-10, 185, R/R… Keith Law (9/08 article) had him as the 35th draft pick…
21. Cameron Garfield - Murrieta Valley HS… 6-0, 190… R/R… 3.71 GPA… committed to San Diego…
22. Jonathan Meyer - Simi Valley HS… 6-1, 200… 2008: .402, 34 R, 41 H, 43 RBIs, 9 HR… committed to Cal-State Fullerton.
23. Drew Beuerlein - UNLV junior… 6-0, 195… also plays 1B and DH… solid hitter… 2008: .260, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs…
24. Jack Murphy - Princeton… junior… S/R… 6-4, 230… first team all-Ivy… 2008: .391, 61 H, 156 Abs, 40 RBI, 33R, 8 HR, .628 slug %...
25. Shane Brown - Central Florida… junior… 5-10, 200… 2008: .367, 9 HR, 49 RBI… .609 slug%... .447 OBP
26. Diego Seastrunk - Rice… junior… 5-10, 180, S/R… good hitter from both sides of the plate… more of a gap hitter… runs average for catcher… solid arm… a line-drive machine… great name.
27. Carl Leaf - San Ignacio de Loyola HS, Puerto Rico… 5-11, 190, S/R… super speed… power from left side of field… major league arm… 1.91 to 2B… signed with Mississippi State…
28. Eric Castro - San Diego State… as of 4/6/09: leads the team: .389/.517/.684, 6 HRs…
29. Trevor Coleman – Missouri – Junior… 6-1, 211 S/R…
30. Carlos Ramirez – Arizona State – transfer from Chandler-Gilbert CC… MVP in Northwoods league… through April 25: .307/.431/.677, 13 HRs… excellent defensively.
31. Travis Simas - Nevada… senior… hit .600 for the week that included his 10th and 11th HR of the season…
32. Steven Barron – Ferguson School (FL) – 6-0, 185… through April: .333 in 23 games..
33. Mark Fleury – (previously unranked) - North Carolina junior… 4/25: named ACC player of the week: thru 4/25: .339, 10HRs, 52 RBIs
Bisons Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons face the Rochester Red Wings in the first game of a two-game series from Frontier Field (6:35 p.m.). The Herd is looking to bounce back from a four-game sweep at home to the Syracuse Chiefs. After Wednesday, the Bisons will return home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
JOINING THE HERD:
The Bisons have activated RHP Nelson Figueroa and OF Wily Mo Pena. Pena signed as a free agent a week ago after hitting .205 with two homeruns and 10RBI in 64 games with Washington last year. C Michael Nickeas has also been promoted from Binghamton (AA). Nickeas has played four games (1-13, R) with the B-Mets this year.
ROSTER MOVES:
To make room for the new additions, RHP Freddy Garcia was released by the Mets. He was 0-2 with an 8.18ERA in two starts. INF Jonathan Malo was reassigned to Binghamton. He hit .203 with two RBI in 14 games with Buffalo. C Rene Rivera was assigned to Brooklyn (A) after hitting .182 in six games with the Bisons.
OH NELLY:
RHP Nelson Figueroa is back on the hill for the Bisons. Tonight will be the veteran’s third start with the team. Figueroa began the year with Buffalo and posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
BULLY FOR THE PEN:
For the second straight game, the Bisons bullpen delivered four shutout innings last night. RHP Connor Robertson and RHP Eddie Kunz combined to strike out five and allowed just one hit.
SULLY’S START:
OF Cory Sullivan led off yesterday’s game with his first homerun of the season. The last Bisons batter to lead off the game with a homer was OF Trevor Crowe on July 26, 2008 in Charlotte.
SPEED LIMIT:
The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (44%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 23 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .983 fielding percentage is tied for 4th best in the International League
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons face the Rochester Red Wings in the first game of a two-game series from Frontier Field (6:35 p.m.). The Herd is looking to bounce back from a four-game sweep at home to the Syracuse Chiefs. After Wednesday, the Bisons will return home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
JOINING THE HERD:
The Bisons have activated RHP Nelson Figueroa and OF Wily Mo Pena. Pena signed as a free agent a week ago after hitting .205 with two homeruns and 10RBI in 64 games with Washington last year. C Michael Nickeas has also been promoted from Binghamton (AA). Nickeas has played four games (1-13, R) with the B-Mets this year.
ROSTER MOVES:
To make room for the new additions, RHP Freddy Garcia was released by the Mets. He was 0-2 with an 8.18ERA in two starts. INF Jonathan Malo was reassigned to Binghamton. He hit .203 with two RBI in 14 games with Buffalo. C Rene Rivera was assigned to Brooklyn (A) after hitting .182 in six games with the Bisons.
OH NELLY:
RHP Nelson Figueroa is back on the hill for the Bisons. Tonight will be the veteran’s third start with the team. Figueroa began the year with Buffalo and posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
BULLY FOR THE PEN:
For the second straight game, the Bisons bullpen delivered four shutout innings last night. RHP Connor Robertson and RHP Eddie Kunz combined to strike out five and allowed just one hit.
SULLY’S START:
OF Cory Sullivan led off yesterday’s game with his first homerun of the season. The last Bisons batter to lead off the game with a homer was OF Trevor Crowe on July 26, 2008 in Charlotte.
SPEED LIMIT:
The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (44%). The Herd has allowed just 13 stolen bases in 23 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .983 fielding percentage is tied for 4th best in the International League
More More Minors Roster Moves
Boy, the ticker just keeps going off...
Moves in B-Met Land:
2B Matt Bouchard transferred from Binghamton (AA) to St. Lucie (High-A)
C Mike Nickeas transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Buffalo (AAA)
RHP Eric Brown transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Brooklyn (SS-A)
2B Jonathan Malo transferred from Buffalo (AAA) to Binghamton (AA)
C Salavador Paniagua added from Brooklyn (SS-A) to Binghamton (AA)
RHP Fernando Nieve activated from Temporarily Inactive List
Nieve fills the SP slot left vacant from the Brown move... real bad news for Eric... looks like he's on the way out of the system...
Moves in B-Met Land:
2B Matt Bouchard transferred from Binghamton (AA) to St. Lucie (High-A)
C Mike Nickeas transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Buffalo (AAA)
RHP Eric Brown transferred from Binghamton (AA) to Brooklyn (SS-A)
2B Jonathan Malo transferred from Buffalo (AAA) to Binghamton (AA)
C Salavador Paniagua added from Brooklyn (SS-A) to Binghamton (AA)
RHP Fernando Nieve activated from Temporarily Inactive List
Nieve fills the SP slot left vacant from the Brown move... real bad news for Eric... looks like he's on the way out of the system...
As I guessed, Paniagua was one of the 10 catchers in extended...
As best as I can figure out:
Buffalo is still short an SP5...
The B-Mets are a man short on the 25...
The Gnats are at 26...
More Minors Roster Moves Today
The Herd:
Activated SP Nelson Figueroa
OF Wily Mo Pena
Promoted: C Mike Nickeas from the B-Mets
Released: SP Freddy Garcia
Reassigned: IF Jonathan Malo to B-Mets
C Rene Rivera to Brooklyn
-okay, that cleared things up a little...
1. Malo will fill the slot opened when the B-Mets demoted Bouchard...
2. Rivera will open the season with Brooklyn as the starting catcher, thus, get him a starting gig...
3. Malo might have impressed the Mets in ST, but he didn't impress anyone in Buffalo
As of right now, the B-Mets have only one catcher on the roster... I guess that slot will be filled this week by either Rafael Arroyo (Lucy), or one of the 10 catchers still in extended camp.
Activated SP Nelson Figueroa
OF Wily Mo Pena
Promoted: C Mike Nickeas from the B-Mets
Released: SP Freddy Garcia
Reassigned: IF Jonathan Malo to B-Mets
C Rene Rivera to Brooklyn
-okay, that cleared things up a little...
1. Malo will fill the slot opened when the B-Mets demoted Bouchard...
2. Rivera will open the season with Brooklyn as the starting catcher, thus, get him a starting gig...
3. Malo might have impressed the Mets in ST, but he didn't impress anyone in Buffalo
As of right now, the B-Mets have only one catcher on the roster... I guess that slot will be filled this week by either Rafael Arroyo (Lucy), or one of the 10 catchers still in extended camp.
Minors Roster Moves Today
St. Lucie IF Jake Eigsti sent to Savannah
Add to St. Lucie: Matt Bouchard from the B-Mets
Interestng...
this leaves only 4 infielders on the B-Mets roster (3B-1B Josh Peterson, SS Ruben Tejada, 3B Shawn Bowman, and IF Mark Kiger)
one would expect Greg Veloz to be pulled from the Lucy lineup tonight... but it could also meen either Andy Green (from AAA) or Ramon Martinez (extended) are sent here...
this puts the roster in Savannah at 26... one over
Add to St. Lucie: Matt Bouchard from the B-Mets
Interestng...
this leaves only 4 infielders on the B-Mets roster (3B-1B Josh Peterson, SS Ruben Tejada, 3B Shawn Bowman, and IF Mark Kiger)
one would expect Greg Veloz to be pulled from the Lucy lineup tonight... but it could also meen either Andy Green (from AAA) or Ramon Martinez (extended) are sent here...
this puts the roster in Savannah at 26... one over
B-Mets Game Notes
LAST GAME:
The B-Mets have struggled with runners in scoring
position and two outs all season, but when Binghamton
needed a big hit Sunday, Ruben Tejada came through. Tejada’s
three-run double in the seventh inning proved to be
decisive as the Binghamton used it to split the four-game set
with New Hampshire by winning 4-3. The double was Tejada’s
second in as many days. Mike Antonini was the beneficiary of
the hit, earning his third straight win with a quality start of six
innings giving up three runs on six hits. The bullpen made the
4-3 lead standup with three scoreless innings down the
stretch. Roy Merritt notched his Eastern League-leading
eighth save in as many opportunities with 1.1 innings of work
to close it out.
position and two outs all season, but when Binghamton
needed a big hit Sunday, Ruben Tejada came through. Tejada’s
three-run double in the seventh inning proved to be
decisive as the Binghamton used it to split the four-game set
with New Hampshire by winning 4-3. The double was Tejada’s
second in as many days. Mike Antonini was the beneficiary of
the hit, earning his third straight win with a quality start of six
innings giving up three runs on six hits. The bullpen made the
4-3 lead standup with three scoreless innings down the
stretch. Roy Merritt notched his Eastern League-leading
eighth save in as many opportunities with 1.1 innings of work
to close it out.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Dylan Owen gets the
start for Binghamton tonight. Owen showed improvement in
his last start after a being rough up by Portland 4/17 for six
runs in three innings. He threw a season-long 5.2 innings last
Wednesday giving up three runs and striking out six Trenton
hitters on his way to a no-decision. For the year, Owen is 0-1
with a 7.24 ERA in 13.2 innings. His 10 walks are the second
most among pitchers in the Eastern League. Drafted in the
20th round in 2007 out of Francis Marion University, Owen
saw three starts with Binghamton at the end of 2008.
RHP Adam Mills will make his fourth start of the year for Portland
tonight. Mills was roughed up for six runs by New Britain
last Wednesday in a four-inning loss. For the season, Mills has
recorded an 0-1 mark and a 6.14 ERA in 14.2 innings. This is
second start at Hadlock Field where has enjoyed moderate
success this year, throwing 10.2 innings with a 3.38 ERA. Last
season, he made 11 starts with the Sea Dogs, going 0-5 with
a 4.00 ERA. Mills was Boston’s ninth round pick in 2007 out
of UNC-Charlotte where he was named First-Team All-America
by Baseball America going 14-2 with a 1.01 ERA in 142.2
innings as a 49er.
start for Binghamton tonight. Owen showed improvement in
his last start after a being rough up by Portland 4/17 for six
runs in three innings. He threw a season-long 5.2 innings last
Wednesday giving up three runs and striking out six Trenton
hitters on his way to a no-decision. For the year, Owen is 0-1
with a 7.24 ERA in 13.2 innings. His 10 walks are the second
most among pitchers in the Eastern League. Drafted in the
20th round in 2007 out of Francis Marion University, Owen
saw three starts with Binghamton at the end of 2008.
RHP Adam Mills will make his fourth start of the year for Portland
tonight. Mills was roughed up for six runs by New Britain
last Wednesday in a four-inning loss. For the season, Mills has
recorded an 0-1 mark and a 6.14 ERA in 14.2 innings. This is
second start at Hadlock Field where has enjoyed moderate
success this year, throwing 10.2 innings with a 3.38 ERA. Last
season, he made 11 starts with the Sea Dogs, going 0-5 with
a 4.00 ERA. Mills was Boston’s ninth round pick in 2007 out
of UNC-Charlotte where he was named First-Team All-America
by Baseball America going 14-2 with a 1.01 ERA in 142.2
innings as a 49er.
CARDIAC KID:
In his first season at AA, 19-year-old Ruben
Tejada has struggled at the plate overall, hitting just .235 in
14 starts. However, when Tejada comes to the plate with men
on base, he’s a different hitter. In 16 at-bats with men in scoring
position, he has 6 six hits, driving in 9 men, including 3-6
with runners in scoring position and two outs.
BOWMAN BUSTING OUT:
Shawn Bowman broke out of a 3-21
slump in his last five games with a 2-3 day at the plate Sunday,
including his team-leading second home run in the second
inning. He is tied with Ruben Tejada for the team lead in
RBI with nine.
slump in his last five games with a 2-3 day at the plate Sunday,
including his team-leading second home run in the second
inning. He is tied with Ruben Tejada for the team lead in
RBI with nine.
Jayson Williams - The Price Of Happiness
I was with Jayson Williams last week.
The former New York Nets basketball star now lives on Hilton Head Island, and he was playing flanker back on the Jock’s Sports Bar & Grill adult football team that was playing for the league championship. Yes, flag football. It’s what we do to pass the time down here in South Carolina, where many retired sports stars live. In fact, former New York Jets Curtis Martin and ex-basketball college legend Charles Shackleford, have all signed up to play for the same team Jayson played for this season.
I took the picture you are looking at last week just before the football match. Jayson seemed finally over all the negative press from the accidental shooting of his limousine driver, and he seemed to be past the depression of having one’s wife file for divorce. He was laughing with the rest of “the guys” that play for the local tavern’s team, and told me that he would love to mentor the Hardeeville High School men’s basketball team next year when school resumes.
And, what could be wrong with Williams’ life? The last contract he signed with the Nets was over $60mil, he lived in a beautiful house on Hilton Head Island, and drove a white tricked out Bentley when he went to the Hilton Head Diner for dinner.
Fame, money, and playing football with your buddies.
How happy can a guy be?
Well, New York City police tasered Jayson today in his hotel room, after he freaked out in what was described as a “violent, suicidal rage”. Williams was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital, in handcuffs, after the police contained him. They also found suicide notes and empty pill bottles littering his hotel room. One of the notes supposedly said “tell my mother that I love her”.It was reported that he had called his mother around 1 a.m., and began around then taking sleeping pills and anti-depressants. A friend that was staying with him called the police around 4 a.m. and alerted them to the developing problem. Police had to break the door of his hotel room down to get inside.
Last week, football with the guys.
Today, suicide notes, tasered by police, and handcuffed to your hospital bed.
My wife’s grandmother always used to say “money can’t buy you happiness”. We knew she didn’t originate that saying, and most of the time we didn’t agree with her. Surely, money could do the trick.
Jayson Williams reminded us today that it can’t.
Minor Stuff - April 28, 2009
The Herd:
-look… I’ve been saying this since picture day at ST when I first watched Freddy Garcia warm up on one of the practice mounds just outside the indoor complex… this is not the solution for a 5th starter… last night, he bombed again in Buffalo and, frankly, he’s taking up a slot that once of the B-Met starters should be maturing in… let him go, promote either Jose Sanchez or Ryan Coultas, and bump up Angel Calero from Lucy, leaving them 5 starters… or, activate either Tobi Stoner or Jake Ruckle, send him back to Binghamton… but, whatever you do, continue the overhaul of one of the worst teams in organized baseball right now (Bisons), and get them a new pitcher.
Oh yeah… Fernando Martinez is batting .243.
5 star prospects don’t hit .243.
The Buffalo Bisons are so snakebit that even when they seem to do things right, the end result just won’t go their way. Consider Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs before 5,799 in Coca-Cola Field. Even though the fourth home shutout of the season dropped the Herd to 2-14, this was not the same old-same old we’ve seen thus far. The Bisons fell behind on Freddie Bynum’s leadoff home run to right off Dillon Gee (0-3) but quickly recovered and looked headed for a big inning in the bottom of the first. Then the umpires stepped in and the game was changed for good. Here’s how the Buffalo first started: Cory Sullivan and Andy Green led off with singles and Green alertly sped to second on a throw to third. Fernando Martinez lined out to second baseman Pete Orr and things then unraveled when Michel Abreu cracked a grounder to Kory Casto at third. Sullivan got caught in a rundown between third and home and eventually retreated to third as Green hit that bag as well. The Chiefs tagged Sullivan as he was on third but Green appeared to alertly take off back to second just before that tag was made, which would have kept both runners alive. The ball got away after an errant throw by pitcher Collin Balester and Sullivan loped home with a run that would have put Buffalo in a 1-1 tie, leaving Green at third and Abreu at second. But wait. The umpires called a conference on the infield and talked for a few minutes before calling Sullivan out. Third-base coach Luis Natera had to keep pushing Green away from the umpires and manager Ken Oberkfell’s ire kept growing until the manager finally spiked his cap hard to the ground, earning an instant heave-ho from crew chief Chris Conroy.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bisons/story/653109.html
The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, got a leadoff homerun from Cory Sullivan, but couldn't ride it to a win, falling 7-1 to Syracuse Monday night. It was actually Syracuse that got on the board first, plating a run in the first. Lastings Milledge pounded a one-out double to left field and advanced on a groundout. He then scored on a single up the middle from Joel Guzman. The Chiefs took the early 1-0 lead. Sullivan had a response in the bottom of the inning, however. Buffalo's center fielder sent Marco Estrada's second offering down the right field line and into Heron's Landing. It was Sullivan's first homer of the season and it tied the game at one. But the equal score only lasted until the fifth inning when Seth Bynum and Luke Montz led off with back-to-back base hits. Bynum singled up the middle and Montz doubled down the left field line. Montz's hit scored Bynum. Now up 2-1 with still nobody out, Brad Eldred pinch hit for Chiefs pitcher Marco Estrada. Eldred took a walk to put runners on first and second. Cory Patterson then sacrificed the runners over in time for a walk to Willie Harris to load the bases. Joel Guzman then singled to score Montz and to lift the lead to 3-1.
http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090427&content_id=572166&vkey=news_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422
Lucy:
Nice 5.0 innings from Jenry Mejia… 0ER… 5Ks… I’m telling ya, this is the real deal.
Gnats:
Juan Legares’ conversion to the outfield seems to be working out good… the ex-prospect is playing everyday in right field and is hitting in the .300 range, where he was originally proected when he was signed as a 16-year old. Here’s the good news… this ‘flop’ just turned 20…
The Charleston RiverDogs (11-7) completed the three-game sweep of the Savannah Sand Gnats (10-8) Monday night with a, 6-1, victory in front of 4,831 at Riley Park. Things looks promising in the first as the Sand Gnats were able to get to 18-year-old starter Manny Banuelos when Eric Campbell drove in a run with two outs to put Savannah in front, 1-0. The lead was short lived as Charleston plated a run in the bottom half. Ray Kruml singled, stole second and then proceeded to steal third. When Kruml went to third, Kai Gronauer’s throw got by Jefry Marte and into left field allowing Kruml to score and tie the game. Another error would lead to Charleston’s second run of the game as Jeurys Familia attempted to pick off Taylor Grote at second but threw the ball into center field allowing him to move to third. Chase Weems singled him in to give Charleston a lead they wouldn’t give back. Savannah’s best opportunity to tie the game came in the third. Juan Lagares doubled to start the inning but Fernandez followed with a strikeout. An infield single by Marte put runners at the corners with one out for Wilmer Flores, who struck out for the second out. After a Campbell walk, Gronauer hit the ball to the hole on the right side and was thrown out at first as he slid in head first trying to beat the throw. Familia (2-1) didn’t pitch poorly for the Gnats as he allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in 5.1 innings.
www.sandgnats.com
Prospects :
From the gaggle of radar-touting scouts, to San Diego State president Stephen Weber, to former NFL MVP Brian Sipe, to basketball coach Steve Fisher, to national-TV announcers, to a trio of national sportswriters, everyone, it seems, was in the record crowd of 3,072 at Tony Gwynn Stadium to see Stephen Strasburg. And the Aztecs ace didn't disappoint, striking out 14 in seven innings en route to a 4-3 win over Texas Christian in a key Mountain West Conference baseball game Friday night. By beating No. 16-ranked TCU (25-12, 6-4 MWC), the No. 19 Aztecs (28-15, 10-6) moved into a tie with Brigham Young for second place in the conference, one game behind New Mexico. Strasburg's only blemish was a seventh-inning, three-run home run allowed to Bryan Holaday. "I didn't want (a) walk there with two men on," said Strasburg, who improved to 9-0 and now has 135 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. "I threw a fastball over the plate, and I paid for it. Strasburg's fastball was clocked consistently between 97-99 mph, hitting 100 on at least two pitches. The bulk of his strikeouts, however, came on his knee-buckling slider.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/04/24/sports/aztecs/z28838f94feba952e882575a30019ee57.txt
Queens:
New Met: RP Ken Takahashi - The New York Mets announced that they have selected the contract of Buffalo Bisons LHP Ken Takahashi. Takahashi, 40, posted a 0.77ERA in six relief appearances with the Herd this season (11.2IP, 10H, 6BB, 9K). He has made five consecutive scoreless appearances out of the Bisons bullpen, a stretch of 10.0 innings.
-look… I’ve been saying this since picture day at ST when I first watched Freddy Garcia warm up on one of the practice mounds just outside the indoor complex… this is not the solution for a 5th starter… last night, he bombed again in Buffalo and, frankly, he’s taking up a slot that once of the B-Met starters should be maturing in… let him go, promote either Jose Sanchez or Ryan Coultas, and bump up Angel Calero from Lucy, leaving them 5 starters… or, activate either Tobi Stoner or Jake Ruckle, send him back to Binghamton… but, whatever you do, continue the overhaul of one of the worst teams in organized baseball right now (Bisons), and get them a new pitcher.
Oh yeah… Fernando Martinez is batting .243.
5 star prospects don’t hit .243.
The Buffalo Bisons are so snakebit that even when they seem to do things right, the end result just won’t go their way. Consider Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs before 5,799 in Coca-Cola Field. Even though the fourth home shutout of the season dropped the Herd to 2-14, this was not the same old-same old we’ve seen thus far. The Bisons fell behind on Freddie Bynum’s leadoff home run to right off Dillon Gee (0-3) but quickly recovered and looked headed for a big inning in the bottom of the first. Then the umpires stepped in and the game was changed for good. Here’s how the Buffalo first started: Cory Sullivan and Andy Green led off with singles and Green alertly sped to second on a throw to third. Fernando Martinez lined out to second baseman Pete Orr and things then unraveled when Michel Abreu cracked a grounder to Kory Casto at third. Sullivan got caught in a rundown between third and home and eventually retreated to third as Green hit that bag as well. The Chiefs tagged Sullivan as he was on third but Green appeared to alertly take off back to second just before that tag was made, which would have kept both runners alive. The ball got away after an errant throw by pitcher Collin Balester and Sullivan loped home with a run that would have put Buffalo in a 1-1 tie, leaving Green at third and Abreu at second. But wait. The umpires called a conference on the infield and talked for a few minutes before calling Sullivan out. Third-base coach Luis Natera had to keep pushing Green away from the umpires and manager Ken Oberkfell’s ire kept growing until the manager finally spiked his cap hard to the ground, earning an instant heave-ho from crew chief Chris Conroy.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bisons/story/653109.html
The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, got a leadoff homerun from Cory Sullivan, but couldn't ride it to a win, falling 7-1 to Syracuse Monday night. It was actually Syracuse that got on the board first, plating a run in the first. Lastings Milledge pounded a one-out double to left field and advanced on a groundout. He then scored on a single up the middle from Joel Guzman. The Chiefs took the early 1-0 lead. Sullivan had a response in the bottom of the inning, however. Buffalo's center fielder sent Marco Estrada's second offering down the right field line and into Heron's Landing. It was Sullivan's first homer of the season and it tied the game at one. But the equal score only lasted until the fifth inning when Seth Bynum and Luke Montz led off with back-to-back base hits. Bynum singled up the middle and Montz doubled down the left field line. Montz's hit scored Bynum. Now up 2-1 with still nobody out, Brad Eldred pinch hit for Chiefs pitcher Marco Estrada. Eldred took a walk to put runners on first and second. Cory Patterson then sacrificed the runners over in time for a walk to Willie Harris to load the bases. Joel Guzman then singled to score Montz and to lift the lead to 3-1.
http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090427&content_id=572166&vkey=news_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422
Lucy:
Nice 5.0 innings from Jenry Mejia… 0ER… 5Ks… I’m telling ya, this is the real deal.
Gnats:
Juan Legares’ conversion to the outfield seems to be working out good… the ex-prospect is playing everyday in right field and is hitting in the .300 range, where he was originally proected when he was signed as a 16-year old. Here’s the good news… this ‘flop’ just turned 20…
The Charleston RiverDogs (11-7) completed the three-game sweep of the Savannah Sand Gnats (10-8) Monday night with a, 6-1, victory in front of 4,831 at Riley Park. Things looks promising in the first as the Sand Gnats were able to get to 18-year-old starter Manny Banuelos when Eric Campbell drove in a run with two outs to put Savannah in front, 1-0. The lead was short lived as Charleston plated a run in the bottom half. Ray Kruml singled, stole second and then proceeded to steal third. When Kruml went to third, Kai Gronauer’s throw got by Jefry Marte and into left field allowing Kruml to score and tie the game. Another error would lead to Charleston’s second run of the game as Jeurys Familia attempted to pick off Taylor Grote at second but threw the ball into center field allowing him to move to third. Chase Weems singled him in to give Charleston a lead they wouldn’t give back. Savannah’s best opportunity to tie the game came in the third. Juan Lagares doubled to start the inning but Fernandez followed with a strikeout. An infield single by Marte put runners at the corners with one out for Wilmer Flores, who struck out for the second out. After a Campbell walk, Gronauer hit the ball to the hole on the right side and was thrown out at first as he slid in head first trying to beat the throw. Familia (2-1) didn’t pitch poorly for the Gnats as he allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in 5.1 innings.
www.sandgnats.com
Prospects :
From the gaggle of radar-touting scouts, to San Diego State president Stephen Weber, to former NFL MVP Brian Sipe, to basketball coach Steve Fisher, to national-TV announcers, to a trio of national sportswriters, everyone, it seems, was in the record crowd of 3,072 at Tony Gwynn Stadium to see Stephen Strasburg. And the Aztecs ace didn't disappoint, striking out 14 in seven innings en route to a 4-3 win over Texas Christian in a key Mountain West Conference baseball game Friday night. By beating No. 16-ranked TCU (25-12, 6-4 MWC), the No. 19 Aztecs (28-15, 10-6) moved into a tie with Brigham Young for second place in the conference, one game behind New Mexico. Strasburg's only blemish was a seventh-inning, three-run home run allowed to Bryan Holaday. "I didn't want (a) walk there with two men on," said Strasburg, who improved to 9-0 and now has 135 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. "I threw a fastball over the plate, and I paid for it. Strasburg's fastball was clocked consistently between 97-99 mph, hitting 100 on at least two pitches. The bulk of his strikeouts, however, came on his knee-buckling slider.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/04/24/sports/aztecs/z28838f94feba952e882575a30019ee57.txt
Queens:
New Met: RP Ken Takahashi - The New York Mets announced that they have selected the contract of Buffalo Bisons LHP Ken Takahashi. Takahashi, 40, posted a 0.77ERA in six relief appearances with the Herd this season (11.2IP, 10H, 6BB, 9K). He has made five consecutive scoreless appearances out of the Bisons bullpen, a stretch of 10.0 innings.
4/27/09
UPDATED - 2009 Draft - Top OFers
OF:
1. Donavan Tate - Cartersvill HS, Georgia… 5-tool talent – may not sign due to commitment to UNC… 6-3, 200… 5-tools… runs 6.34 in 60-yard dash… 80 speed, 70+ arm, 60+ defense…in October 2008, Baseball America projected him as the seventh overall pick in the draft… committed to UNC. Football star as well…
2. Ronnie Mitchell - Carroll HS (TX)… 6-0, 180, L/L… plus bat speed… power to all fields… projects out as RFer…
3. Slade Heathcott - Texas HS senior… 6-1, 196… L/L… power to all fields… big arm, pitched at 96mph… ACL reconstruction surgery last November…
4. Jason Kipnis - ASU junior… 6-0, 180… L/R… 18.9% BB .380 IsoP… 4th round pick '08… thru 4-1-09: .469, 9 HR, 39 RBI, .561 OBP, .919 slug%, 11-13 SB… polished.. limited power… strong for his size… through 4-7: .429/.536/.829… through 4-19: .383/.491/.780, 14 HR, 14SB… leads team in walks. Through 4/23: .403/.506/.763… 11 HRs, 15 SB, 29 BB, 16K/139AB
5. Tim Wheeler - (up from #19) - Sacramento State junior… 6-4, 205… .718 SLG and 7 stolen bases through March 2009… plus speed and above average presence on the bases… limited power… through April 25: .383/.491/.780, 12 HRs and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts…
6. Jared Mitchell – LSU sophomore… 6-0, 192, L/L… 5-tools… .316 IsoP, 29.3% BB, however, only K 18.3%, ++ speed… was drafted in the 13th round of the 2006 draft by the Twins… 2008: .297 (52-175), 10 doubles, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 44 R, 16 SB… thru 4/25: .310/.470/.595, 33 BB, but struck out 26.5% of at bats… may return to school to play football…
7. Brett Nommensen - (up from 11th) - Eastern Illinois senior… 5-10, 190… as of 4-2-09, Nommensen leads the nation in OBP with .643… also: .518/.643/1.024, 10 HRs, 21 RBI, 5 SB in 24 G… 2008: .402… led the team in batting average, hits, multi-hit games, runs scored, doubles, slugging percentage, walks, on-base-percentage, stolen bases and outfield assists… 4-6-9: named Ohio Valley POW… hit .739 for the week… 2nd pow this year… as of 4/8: 17th rank nationally with 11 HRs… as of 4-7-09: .516/.642/1.022… April 21: out with a wrist injury
8. Jake Marisnick - Poly HS… 6-4, 200… toolsy… plus power and speed… turning 18… 2007: .495, 5 HR, 22 RBIs… verbally committed to Oregon… runs 6.7 60-yard dash; has 35.8-inch vertical leap
9. Brian Goodwin - (up from 14th) - 6-1, 185 high schooler hitting .500 with 8 SB through March 2009… well known for his excellence defense… very good speed… considered to have an above average arm… some pop… most of his power goes to the gaps… 6.5 speed… fast out of the box…
10. Kentrail Davis - (down from #5) - strong & athletic… production down in '09… in October 2008, Davis was ranked as the projected 15th overall pick in the draft… 2009: as of April: stats way down in 2009 from last year… very well built… gap-to-gap power… great command of strike zone… threat to steal… below average throwing arm. As of 4/23: .297/.428/.525… strikeout rate high… a rival coach who saw him recently said Davis looked to be pressing…
11. Brett Jackson - (up from 18th) - California… junior, 6-2, 210… L/L… 2008: .307 4 home runs and 40 RBI… 53 stolen bases last season… through April 2009: Second in Pac-10 with 13 doubles… dubbed monster athlete with speed, power and CF skills… through 4/18: .331/.401/.586… team leading 44Ks in 157 Abs… as of 4/23: .331/.401/.586… needs to develop plate discipline…
12. Levon Washington – (previously unranked) – Buchhotz HS (FL) – see 2Bmen.
13. Ruben Sierra, Jr. - San Juan Educational School… 6-2, 174… blazing 6.38 speed… big arm… 93 mph from utfield… good bat speed…
14. Kyle Colligan - (up from 16th) - Texas A&M… senior, 6-2, 210… R/R… 2008: first-team All-Big 12 selection in the outfield ... 67 R, 14 HR, .542 slug%, .421 OBP… hit two homers and driving in eight week of 4/20…
15. Matt den Dekker - Florida… High School All-American… 20-20 SB… 29W/24K… was named to the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Pro-Line Athletic Preseason All-America Team .. 2008: .333, 55R, 48 RBI, 8 HR, 20-20 SB…
16. Reggie Williams - (up from 18th) - Brooks-Debartolo HS (FL)… toosy… through April 2009: .576 with 41 stolen bases over first 12 games.
17. A.J. Pollack - Notre Dame… junior… 6-1, 200, R/R… great approach to plate… gap-to-gap line-drive hitter… above-average runner… a little flat footed… strength is hitting ability… also, has above average speed. Considered one of the top hitters in the draft… as of 4/23: 352/441/.528 with 15 steals in 19 attempts, 21 walks, 15 strikeouts in 142 at-bats…
18. Chase Leavitt - Arkansas… junior, 5-11, 185… R/L… right fielder… named to Rivals.com Preseason All-SEC team ... Played summer ball with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League… 2008: .366… led team in average (.366), runs scored (60), hit by pitch (13), on-base percentage (.505) and sacrifice hits (6.
19. Reymond Fuentes - Fernando Callego HS… a future leadoff hitter with good running ability.
20. Kyle Conley - (up from #22) - Washington… junior… 6-4, 209, R/R… 2008: named to all-Pac10 team… drafted by the Dodgers in the 16th round… .746 slug%, 19 HRs… 57RBI… Named Pac-10 POW 4-14: hit 11-16, .688
21. Kyle Jensen - St. Mary’s… Jensen was named to the 2009 Brooks Wallace pre-season watch list… 2008: .421, with 13 HRs… named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American, and a Rivals.com Second Team All-American.
22. Jacob Marisnick - Riverside Poly HS; Riverside, CA. 6′4, 200, Bats R, Throws R… 6-4, 200… strong… center fielder… excellent bat speed… pro-body… 6.8 60-time… 4.3 down the line… average throw from center… ability to drive the ball to all fields.
23. Drew Heid - Gonzaga… junior… 5-9, 170, L/R… 2007: played at Walla Walla C.C…. .362, 68 hits, 53 R, 4 HRs.
24. Matthew Moynihan - Cathedral Catholic HS; San Diego, CA. 6′2, 205, Bats L, Throws, R… ability to hit… 6.6 60-time and 4.1 down the line… above average throw.
25. Nate Lape - Marshall senior… 6-5, 215, R/R… 2008: .388… .610 slugging… drafted in 20th round of 2008 draft by the Rockies… earned baseballnews.com Louisville Slugger's National Player of the Week honors
26. Andrew Aplin - Suisun City CA)…. 6-0, 190… L/L… plays hard and swings above average… slow… 6.8 60-time and 4.35 down line… can really hit.
27. Luke Yoder - Cal Poly… 6-0, 205… R/R… playing left field on 2009… 2008: .350, 8 HR, 33 RBIs, primarily as DH… drafted in 33rd round by Twins in 2008.
28. Marc Krauss - (up from # 30) - Ohio… junior… 6-3, 225, L/R… ranked 27th prospect in league by BA… hit .333 in Cape Cod league this summer… 2008: .332 in 57 games. Also plays 3B and 1B. Through 4-6-09: .429, 13 HRs.
29. Ross Babineauz - (previously unranked) - Delaware State… through 4-6-9, leading Division ! in batting average: .535 in 86 Abs.
30. Nathan Hines - Middle Tennessee State… 5-10, 171… junior… 2008: 57 G, .344, 11 HRs, 50 RBIs… center fielder.I
31. Cohl Walla - Lake Travis HS… 6-2, 170… 2007/08: .378, 4 HRs, 27 RBIs…
32. Blake Dean - LSU… 6-0, 193, L/L… 2008 Baseball America First-Team All-American… named one of Baseball America's Top 300 High School Players of 2006. 2008: .353, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs
33. Jacob Morris - Coppell HS; Coppell, TX. 6′3, 195… switch-hitter… can play multiple positions… known for defensive skills… top speed… average arm…
34. Todd Glaesmann - Midway HS… 6-4, 200… 6.83 in 60… 90 mph arm… excellent arm… 2008: .471, 11Hr, 53R, 61RBI… committed to Texas A&M.
35. Allen Bolden - Lipscomb… L/R, 5-11, 200… 2008: 64R, 38BB, 82H
36. Mike Trout – (previously unranked) – Millville HS (NJ) -
37. Rob Lyerly - NC-Charlotte… junior… 6-1, 200… L/R… 2008: First Team All-Atlantic 10, Most Outstanding Player of 2008 Conference Tournament… led the Atlantic 10 in slugging (.705), doubles (26), RBI (76) and sacrifice flies (9).
38. Neil Medchill – Oklahoma State… junior… L/R… 6-4, 220… was drafted by the Mets in the 33rd round of the 2008 draft… .349, .628 slugging.
39. Aaron Senne - Missouri… junior… L/L… 6-2, 210… 200*: All-Big 12 conference 1st-team… .347, 67 RBI, 13 HRs…
40. Chris Lewis - Western Michigan… junior… S/R… 6-0, 190… named to ESPN Academic All-District team… 2008: 50 G .390, .488 OBP, 71 H, 49 RBI
41. Sonny Meade - The Citadel… senior… 6-5, 230, R/R… named to Southern Conference All-Tournament team… 2007: .379, 86 H
42. Mitch Haniger - Archbishop Mitty HS… 6-2, 185
43. Myrio Richard - Prarie View A&M… The MVP of the 2008 SWAC Season… MVP of the Texas Collegiate League this summer… 2008: .370, 10HR, 51 RBIs
44. John Fellhauer - Cal State Fullerton… 2008: named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team… .390, .488 OBP, 71H, 49 RBIs, struck out only 8 times in 182 Abs…
45. William Henderson - RS Central HS (NC)… 5-11, 170, R/R… signed with UNC Greensboro… excellent pitcher but projected as an outfielder… 6.64 in 60… a pure athlete… excellent bat speed… average arm…
46. Ali Knowles - Christ School (NC)… 5-10, 170, S/R… as talented a pitcher as an outfielder… ran 7.12 in 60, down the line in 4.4… toolsy… average arm…
47. Everett Williams – McCallum HS (TX)… senior… 5-10, 195, L/R… strike out rate too high… gap hitter… plus runner… arm strength below average…
48. Kent Matthes – (previously unranked) – Alabama… one of best hitting seniors… solid…
through 4-7: .394/.481/.982… through 4/23: .394/.481/.976, 20 HRs, 9-10 SB
49. Jordan Henry - University of Mississippi… junior… 6-1, 170, L/R… fringe-average hitter… good instincts.. average arm… has skills defensively to play CF… projects as 4th OFer at best
50. Randal Grichuk - Lamar HS (TX)… 6-1, 195, R/R… strong right fielder… pop in bat… 60-timr 6.9, 4.4 down line…
51. Steve Detwiler - Fresco State University… junior… 6-1, 220…
52. Darrell Ceciliani - (previously unranked) – Columbia Basin CC (Wash)… 6-1, 185 L/L… first 32 games at wood bat NWAACC play: .390, 2 HR, 26 RBIs, 4Ks, 82 AB
53. Eric Decker – (previously unranked) – Minnesota - 6-3, 215… thru April: .315/.363/.395
54. Dane Hamilton - (previously unranked) - New Mexico senior… 6-2, 195… plays infield also… through April6, 2009: .404, 15 doubles, 6 triples.
55. Drew Allain – (previously unranked) – Tulane senior… named POW in Conference USA on 4-13… batted .625 (10-16) that week.
56. Jeff Roland – (previously unranked) – Georgia Tech senior… named ACC player of the week on April 20: .500/.539/.792 week prior…
57. Scott Kreiger – (previously unranked) – George Mason – senior… named CAA baseball player of the week 4/20: .692for week…
58. Angelo Songco – Loyola Marymount – consistent power… won home run derby in Cape Cod League… through April: .373/.500/.715, 12 HRs
59. Max Walla – (previously unranked) – Albuquerque Academy (NM) – 5-11, 195, L/L – through April 25: .551, 7 HRs, 7 doubles, 27 walks, 29 RBIs
60. Kyrell Hudson – (previously unranked) – Evergreen HS (Wash) – 6-2, 185, R/R… average power… plus, plus running speed… good fielder in center
1. Donavan Tate - Cartersvill HS, Georgia… 5-tool talent – may not sign due to commitment to UNC… 6-3, 200… 5-tools… runs 6.34 in 60-yard dash… 80 speed, 70+ arm, 60+ defense…in October 2008, Baseball America projected him as the seventh overall pick in the draft… committed to UNC. Football star as well…
2. Ronnie Mitchell - Carroll HS (TX)… 6-0, 180, L/L… plus bat speed… power to all fields… projects out as RFer…
3. Slade Heathcott - Texas HS senior… 6-1, 196… L/L… power to all fields… big arm, pitched at 96mph… ACL reconstruction surgery last November…
4. Jason Kipnis - ASU junior… 6-0, 180… L/R… 18.9% BB .380 IsoP… 4th round pick '08… thru 4-1-09: .469, 9 HR, 39 RBI, .561 OBP, .919 slug%, 11-13 SB… polished.. limited power… strong for his size… through 4-7: .429/.536/.829… through 4-19: .383/.491/.780, 14 HR, 14SB… leads team in walks. Through 4/23: .403/.506/.763… 11 HRs, 15 SB, 29 BB, 16K/139AB
5. Tim Wheeler - (up from #19) - Sacramento State junior… 6-4, 205… .718 SLG and 7 stolen bases through March 2009… plus speed and above average presence on the bases… limited power… through April 25: .383/.491/.780, 12 HRs and 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts…
6. Jared Mitchell – LSU sophomore… 6-0, 192, L/L… 5-tools… .316 IsoP, 29.3% BB, however, only K 18.3%, ++ speed… was drafted in the 13th round of the 2006 draft by the Twins… 2008: .297 (52-175), 10 doubles, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 44 R, 16 SB… thru 4/25: .310/.470/.595, 33 BB, but struck out 26.5% of at bats… may return to school to play football…
7. Brett Nommensen - (up from 11th) - Eastern Illinois senior… 5-10, 190… as of 4-2-09, Nommensen leads the nation in OBP with .643… also: .518/.643/1.024, 10 HRs, 21 RBI, 5 SB in 24 G… 2008: .402… led the team in batting average, hits, multi-hit games, runs scored, doubles, slugging percentage, walks, on-base-percentage, stolen bases and outfield assists… 4-6-9: named Ohio Valley POW… hit .739 for the week… 2nd pow this year… as of 4/8: 17th rank nationally with 11 HRs… as of 4-7-09: .516/.642/1.022… April 21: out with a wrist injury
8. Jake Marisnick - Poly HS… 6-4, 200… toolsy… plus power and speed… turning 18… 2007: .495, 5 HR, 22 RBIs… verbally committed to Oregon… runs 6.7 60-yard dash; has 35.8-inch vertical leap
9. Brian Goodwin - (up from 14th) - 6-1, 185 high schooler hitting .500 with 8 SB through March 2009… well known for his excellence defense… very good speed… considered to have an above average arm… some pop… most of his power goes to the gaps… 6.5 speed… fast out of the box…
10. Kentrail Davis - (down from #5) - strong & athletic… production down in '09… in October 2008, Davis was ranked as the projected 15th overall pick in the draft… 2009: as of April: stats way down in 2009 from last year… very well built… gap-to-gap power… great command of strike zone… threat to steal… below average throwing arm. As of 4/23: .297/.428/.525… strikeout rate high… a rival coach who saw him recently said Davis looked to be pressing…
11. Brett Jackson - (up from 18th) - California… junior, 6-2, 210… L/L… 2008: .307 4 home runs and 40 RBI… 53 stolen bases last season… through April 2009: Second in Pac-10 with 13 doubles… dubbed monster athlete with speed, power and CF skills… through 4/18: .331/.401/.586… team leading 44Ks in 157 Abs… as of 4/23: .331/.401/.586… needs to develop plate discipline…
12. Levon Washington – (previously unranked) – Buchhotz HS (FL) – see 2Bmen.
13. Ruben Sierra, Jr. - San Juan Educational School… 6-2, 174… blazing 6.38 speed… big arm… 93 mph from utfield… good bat speed…
14. Kyle Colligan - (up from 16th) - Texas A&M… senior, 6-2, 210… R/R… 2008: first-team All-Big 12 selection in the outfield ... 67 R, 14 HR, .542 slug%, .421 OBP… hit two homers and driving in eight week of 4/20…
15. Matt den Dekker - Florida… High School All-American… 20-20 SB… 29W/24K… was named to the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Pro-Line Athletic Preseason All-America Team .. 2008: .333, 55R, 48 RBI, 8 HR, 20-20 SB…
16. Reggie Williams - (up from 18th) - Brooks-Debartolo HS (FL)… toosy… through April 2009: .576 with 41 stolen bases over first 12 games.
17. A.J. Pollack - Notre Dame… junior… 6-1, 200, R/R… great approach to plate… gap-to-gap line-drive hitter… above-average runner… a little flat footed… strength is hitting ability… also, has above average speed. Considered one of the top hitters in the draft… as of 4/23: 352/441/.528 with 15 steals in 19 attempts, 21 walks, 15 strikeouts in 142 at-bats…
18. Chase Leavitt - Arkansas… junior, 5-11, 185… R/L… right fielder… named to Rivals.com Preseason All-SEC team ... Played summer ball with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League… 2008: .366… led team in average (.366), runs scored (60), hit by pitch (13), on-base percentage (.505) and sacrifice hits (6.
19. Reymond Fuentes - Fernando Callego HS… a future leadoff hitter with good running ability.
20. Kyle Conley - (up from #22) - Washington… junior… 6-4, 209, R/R… 2008: named to all-Pac10 team… drafted by the Dodgers in the 16th round… .746 slug%, 19 HRs… 57RBI… Named Pac-10 POW 4-14: hit 11-16, .688
21. Kyle Jensen - St. Mary’s… Jensen was named to the 2009 Brooks Wallace pre-season watch list… 2008: .421, with 13 HRs… named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American, and a Rivals.com Second Team All-American.
22. Jacob Marisnick - Riverside Poly HS; Riverside, CA. 6′4, 200, Bats R, Throws R… 6-4, 200… strong… center fielder… excellent bat speed… pro-body… 6.8 60-time… 4.3 down the line… average throw from center… ability to drive the ball to all fields.
23. Drew Heid - Gonzaga… junior… 5-9, 170, L/R… 2007: played at Walla Walla C.C…. .362, 68 hits, 53 R, 4 HRs.
24. Matthew Moynihan - Cathedral Catholic HS; San Diego, CA. 6′2, 205, Bats L, Throws, R… ability to hit… 6.6 60-time and 4.1 down the line… above average throw.
25. Nate Lape - Marshall senior… 6-5, 215, R/R… 2008: .388… .610 slugging… drafted in 20th round of 2008 draft by the Rockies… earned baseballnews.com Louisville Slugger's National Player of the Week honors
26. Andrew Aplin - Suisun City CA)…. 6-0, 190… L/L… plays hard and swings above average… slow… 6.8 60-time and 4.35 down line… can really hit.
27. Luke Yoder - Cal Poly… 6-0, 205… R/R… playing left field on 2009… 2008: .350, 8 HR, 33 RBIs, primarily as DH… drafted in 33rd round by Twins in 2008.
28. Marc Krauss - (up from # 30) - Ohio… junior… 6-3, 225, L/R… ranked 27th prospect in league by BA… hit .333 in Cape Cod league this summer… 2008: .332 in 57 games. Also plays 3B and 1B. Through 4-6-09: .429, 13 HRs.
29. Ross Babineauz - (previously unranked) - Delaware State… through 4-6-9, leading Division ! in batting average: .535 in 86 Abs.
30. Nathan Hines - Middle Tennessee State… 5-10, 171… junior… 2008: 57 G, .344, 11 HRs, 50 RBIs… center fielder.I
31. Cohl Walla - Lake Travis HS… 6-2, 170… 2007/08: .378, 4 HRs, 27 RBIs…
32. Blake Dean - LSU… 6-0, 193, L/L… 2008 Baseball America First-Team All-American… named one of Baseball America's Top 300 High School Players of 2006. 2008: .353, 20 HRs, 73 RBIs
33. Jacob Morris - Coppell HS; Coppell, TX. 6′3, 195… switch-hitter… can play multiple positions… known for defensive skills… top speed… average arm…
34. Todd Glaesmann - Midway HS… 6-4, 200… 6.83 in 60… 90 mph arm… excellent arm… 2008: .471, 11Hr, 53R, 61RBI… committed to Texas A&M.
35. Allen Bolden - Lipscomb… L/R, 5-11, 200… 2008: 64R, 38BB, 82H
36. Mike Trout – (previously unranked) – Millville HS (NJ) -
37. Rob Lyerly - NC-Charlotte… junior… 6-1, 200… L/R… 2008: First Team All-Atlantic 10, Most Outstanding Player of 2008 Conference Tournament… led the Atlantic 10 in slugging (.705), doubles (26), RBI (76) and sacrifice flies (9).
38. Neil Medchill – Oklahoma State… junior… L/R… 6-4, 220… was drafted by the Mets in the 33rd round of the 2008 draft… .349, .628 slugging.
39. Aaron Senne - Missouri… junior… L/L… 6-2, 210… 200*: All-Big 12 conference 1st-team… .347, 67 RBI, 13 HRs…
40. Chris Lewis - Western Michigan… junior… S/R… 6-0, 190… named to ESPN Academic All-District team… 2008: 50 G .390, .488 OBP, 71 H, 49 RBI
41. Sonny Meade - The Citadel… senior… 6-5, 230, R/R… named to Southern Conference All-Tournament team… 2007: .379, 86 H
42. Mitch Haniger - Archbishop Mitty HS… 6-2, 185
43. Myrio Richard - Prarie View A&M… The MVP of the 2008 SWAC Season… MVP of the Texas Collegiate League this summer… 2008: .370, 10HR, 51 RBIs
44. John Fellhauer - Cal State Fullerton… 2008: named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team… .390, .488 OBP, 71H, 49 RBIs, struck out only 8 times in 182 Abs…
45. William Henderson - RS Central HS (NC)… 5-11, 170, R/R… signed with UNC Greensboro… excellent pitcher but projected as an outfielder… 6.64 in 60… a pure athlete… excellent bat speed… average arm…
46. Ali Knowles - Christ School (NC)… 5-10, 170, S/R… as talented a pitcher as an outfielder… ran 7.12 in 60, down the line in 4.4… toolsy… average arm…
47. Everett Williams – McCallum HS (TX)… senior… 5-10, 195, L/R… strike out rate too high… gap hitter… plus runner… arm strength below average…
48. Kent Matthes – (previously unranked) – Alabama… one of best hitting seniors… solid…
through 4-7: .394/.481/.982… through 4/23: .394/.481/.976, 20 HRs, 9-10 SB
49. Jordan Henry - University of Mississippi… junior… 6-1, 170, L/R… fringe-average hitter… good instincts.. average arm… has skills defensively to play CF… projects as 4th OFer at best
50. Randal Grichuk - Lamar HS (TX)… 6-1, 195, R/R… strong right fielder… pop in bat… 60-timr 6.9, 4.4 down line…
51. Steve Detwiler - Fresco State University… junior… 6-1, 220…
52. Darrell Ceciliani - (previously unranked) – Columbia Basin CC (Wash)… 6-1, 185 L/L… first 32 games at wood bat NWAACC play: .390, 2 HR, 26 RBIs, 4Ks, 82 AB
53. Eric Decker – (previously unranked) – Minnesota - 6-3, 215… thru April: .315/.363/.395
54. Dane Hamilton - (previously unranked) - New Mexico senior… 6-2, 195… plays infield also… through April6, 2009: .404, 15 doubles, 6 triples.
55. Drew Allain – (previously unranked) – Tulane senior… named POW in Conference USA on 4-13… batted .625 (10-16) that week.
56. Jeff Roland – (previously unranked) – Georgia Tech senior… named ACC player of the week on April 20: .500/.539/.792 week prior…
57. Scott Kreiger – (previously unranked) – George Mason – senior… named CAA baseball player of the week 4/20: .692for week…
58. Angelo Songco – Loyola Marymount – consistent power… won home run derby in Cape Cod League… through April: .373/.500/.715, 12 HRs
59. Max Walla – (previously unranked) – Albuquerque Academy (NM) – 5-11, 195, L/L – through April 25: .551, 7 HRs, 7 doubles, 27 walks, 29 RBIs
60. Kyrell Hudson – (previously unranked) – Evergreen HS (Wash) – 6-2, 185, R/R… average power… plus, plus running speed… good fielder in center
Bisons Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs in the final game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (6:05 p.m.). The Herd needs a win tonight to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Chiefs. After this series, the Bisons will head to Rochester for a two-game set against the Red Wings before returning home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons have activated INF Mike Lamb to their roster today. Lamb has hit .277 with 69 homeruns and 345RBI over nine major league seasons. The Mets announced that they have selected the contract of LHP Ken Takahashi. He had posted a 0.77ERA in six outings for the Herd. New York also released OF Frank Diaz, who was 0-2 in 3 games with the Bisons.
HOT BAT:
INF Jonathan Malo is heating up at the plate. The infielder has collected a hit in each the last three games against Syracuse with five hits in 11 at-bats (.455 average). Malo has also doubled in two straight games. So far this season, Malo is hitting .388 (7-18) against Syracuse.
SPEED LIMIT:
The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (45%). The Herd has allowed just 12 stolen bases in 22 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .982 fielding percentage is ranked 5th in the International League.
ON THE CHARTS:
OF Fernando Martinez is tied with Indianapolis’ INF Garrett Jones with his eight doubles on the season. He is also tied for 4th in the IL in extra-base hits with 10 (8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun).
CASEY ON THE MOUND: The Mets have designated LHP Casey Fossum. The southpaw posted a 0.82ERA in two starts with the Bisons to begin the year. With New York, Fossum had a 2.25ERA in 3 games and 4.0 innings pitched. OH NELLY: The New York Mets have also re-signed RHP Nelson Figueroa to a minor league deal. Figueroa posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons this year before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs in the final game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (6:05 p.m.). The Herd needs a win tonight to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Chiefs. After this series, the Bisons will head to Rochester for a two-game set against the Red Wings before returning home to host the Louisville Bats for four games at Coca-Cola Field.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons have activated INF Mike Lamb to their roster today. Lamb has hit .277 with 69 homeruns and 345RBI over nine major league seasons. The Mets announced that they have selected the contract of LHP Ken Takahashi. He had posted a 0.77ERA in six outings for the Herd. New York also released OF Frank Diaz, who was 0-2 in 3 games with the Bisons.
HOT BAT:
INF Jonathan Malo is heating up at the plate. The infielder has collected a hit in each the last three games against Syracuse with five hits in 11 at-bats (.455 average). Malo has also doubled in two straight games. So far this season, Malo is hitting .388 (7-18) against Syracuse.
SPEED LIMIT:
The Bisons’ catchers lead the International League in both times caught stealing (10) and percentage (45%). The Herd has allowed just 12 stolen bases in 22 attempts by its opponents. As a team, the Bisons .982 fielding percentage is ranked 5th in the International League.
ON THE CHARTS:
OF Fernando Martinez is tied with Indianapolis’ INF Garrett Jones with his eight doubles on the season. He is also tied for 4th in the IL in extra-base hits with 10 (8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun).
CASEY ON THE MOUND: The Mets have designated LHP Casey Fossum. The southpaw posted a 0.82ERA in two starts with the Bisons to begin the year. With New York, Fossum had a 2.25ERA in 3 games and 4.0 innings pitched. OH NELLY: The New York Mets have also re-signed RHP Nelson Figueroa to a minor league deal. Figueroa posted a 3.00ERA in two starts for the Bisons this year before being promoted by the Mets on April 18. Figueroa was 0-1 with a 4.50ERA in one start with New York (6.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3K).
Bisons Activate Lamb, Release Diaz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Bisons Activate INF Mike LambVeteran Infielder has 936 Games of Major League Experience
The Buffalo, Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, today activated INF Mike Lamb to their roster. OF Frank Diaz was released by the Mets.Lamb, 33, was signed to a minor league contract by the Mets on Saturday. He has hit .277 with 69 homeruns and 345RBI over nine major league seasons. A seventh-round draft pick by Texas in 1997, Lamb made his major league debut in 2000 with the Rangers and hit .278 in 138 games. Acquired by Houston in a trade with Yankees in 2004, he spent the next four years with the Astros, appearing in all four games of the 2005 World Series and hitting a career-high .307 in 2006. Lamb, who has played every position except for shortstop, centerfield, and pitcher, was with Milwaukee this spring and hit .250 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 26 games. The Brewers released him April 1. Diaz was 0-2 with a walk in three pinch hit opportunities with the Bisons.
Ollie: Suggestion... Run Into The Wall
Hey Ollie, I know you read this every day (sic)...
Here's my idea...
Go out to the outfield during practice today and make believe you are shagging a fly ball.
Run at 75% into the wall with your non-pitching arm.
Fall down and start screaming.
The Mets will send you to the Doc and they can then put you on the 15-day DL with something like a sore shoulder.
Go down to Traditions for 2 weeks and work on your pitching.
Get the Mets to then set up 3 rehab dates, two for Lucy and one for the B-Mets.
Then, get on a plane and be back in the rotation June 1st.
Getting Worried Yet?
The Mets are making a lot of their fans grumpy these days.
...
Winning 2 out of 3 against the dreadful Nationals this weekend may have stemmed that tide somewhat, but there are two important things to consider about the 2009 New York Mets:
* We are still only 18 games into the season, and firing coaches or demoting core players would look both panicky and vaguely amateurish.
...
*It may also just be that the Mets aren't playing that badly right now; it may just be that the Mets were never that good in the first place. This entire team was built on a wing and prayer and shockingly enough, not all of these hopes and dreams are panning out.
...
Omar Minaya was a lazy general manager this offseason. He decided to address only one of the three core areas of his team and simply assumed the other two would be up to snuff. That's a recipe for failure - and so far that's exactly what has been happening.
Read the entire post at Productive Outs and Crackerjack.
...
Winning 2 out of 3 against the dreadful Nationals this weekend may have stemmed that tide somewhat, but there are two important things to consider about the 2009 New York Mets:
* We are still only 18 games into the season, and firing coaches or demoting core players would look both panicky and vaguely amateurish.
...
*It may also just be that the Mets aren't playing that badly right now; it may just be that the Mets were never that good in the first place. This entire team was built on a wing and prayer and shockingly enough, not all of these hopes and dreams are panning out.
...
Omar Minaya was a lazy general manager this offseason. He decided to address only one of the three core areas of his team and simply assumed the other two would be up to snuff. That's a recipe for failure - and so far that's exactly what has been happening.
Read the entire post at Productive Outs and Crackerjack.
4/26/09
B-Mets 4, New Hampshire 3
Ruben Tejada’s three-run double with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh provided the punch needed to overcome a 3-1 deficit and propel the B-Mets to a series split with New Hampshire, 4-3. Mike Antonini was the benefactor of the three-run seventh recording his third straight win.In a tie game, 1-1, in the last of the sixth, New Hampshire (11-6) finally got to Antonini. With two outs and a man at third, the B-Mets’ starter hung a 3-2 curveball that Adam Calderone laced over the right field wall for a home run, giving the Fisher Cats a 3-1 lead.Binghamton (9-6) was quick to respond, however, loading the bases in the top of the seventh when Shawn Bowman was hit by reliever Celson Polanco to open the inning, which was followed by a Carl Loadenthal single and a Caleb Stewart walk. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Polanco proceeded to strikeout Matt Bouchard and Emmanuel Garcia. The next hitter was Tejada, who got behind in the count 0-2 before working it back full. With a full count, Tejada hammered the game-winning double over the head of Fisher Cat leftfielder Jonathan Diaz to clear the bases and give the B-Mets the lead, 4-3.Relievers Tim McNab, Edgar Alfonzo, John Madden and Roy Merritt made the slim lead stand with three scoreless innings of relief. Merritt threw the final 1.1 innings to notch his eighth save in as many chances, which leads the Eastern League.In his fourth start of the season, Antonini went a season-high six innings and picked up his third win giving up three runs to record a quality start. Polanco took the loss throwing 1.2 innings surrendering three runs.Shawn Bowman had a terrific day at the plate going 2-3 with a solo home run and a single, scoring two runs. Tejada added a single to his three-run double for a 2-5 day with 3 RBI.
Updated - 2009 Draft - Top LHPs
LHP:
1. Tyler Matzek - Capistrano Valley HS (California) senior… 6-3, 185… L/L… 18 years old… threw no-hiiter March 20… fastball in 89-92 range… has hit 94… fastball drops to 86-89 in the stretch… mid-70s curve… nice slider averages 82… and change… throws ¾ arm angle… most consider him the top lefty in the draft… 2009: threw no-hitter March 20.
2. Matt Purke - Klein (Texas) HS… 6-3, 170, L/L… 89-92 mph fastball, tops off at 95… curve break at 78… slider in the 90 range… 2-7 74-77 changeup… 18 years old… needs some meat on his bones… In October 2008, Baseball America had Purke as the 5th overall pick in the draft… BA ranks him as the 3rd top high school prospect this year… considered by some as the 2nd top arm in the draft… March ’09: fastball now topping at 97. Slender frame… throws from a low ¾ delivery… high character kid…
3. Andrew Oliver - Oklahoma State… 6-3, 212… L/L… 28.9%K; however. 6.67 ERA through March 2009 this season… a native of Vermilion, Ohio… sophomore season: 7-2 in 15 games… 2.20, 96K/98.1 IP… 2008: earned 1st team All-Big 12… 2nd team All-American by Rivals,com… 2-20 ERA… pitched for Team USA… In October 2008, Baseball America had him as the 11th overall pick in the draft… as of 4/6/09: has allowed 13 doubles and five home runs, resulting in a 5.91 ERA… not afraid ti come inside to right handed hitters… fastball touches 95… velocity maintained in late innings… must work on secondary pitches…
4. Tyler Skaggs - Santa Monica (Calif.) HS… 6-5, 190… many project as high as Matzek… high 80s fastball… curve in the 60s…
5. Mike Minor - (up from 15th) - Vanderbilt junior… 6-4, 210… has allowed only five extra-base hits in 32 innings through March 2009… previously drafted in 2006 (13th round) by Tampa Bay… 200: 103.0 IP, 8.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9… has pitched in low 90s, topping out at 94… change-up, curve, and slider… numbers through 4-7-09: 2-3, 3.55, 43K, 12BB, 46.0 IP… pressing. Velocity down… has allowed only 7 exra-baed hits in 46 innings thru 4-7.
6. Tyler Lyons - Oklahoma State… 6-2, 207… S/L… 2nd team all-Big 12… 12 wins in 2008… 7-1, 2.99 in conference… on Team USA… excellent curve… fastball command.
7. Daniel Bibona - UC Irvine…5-11, 165… mid-80s fastball… flawless control… compared to Tom Glavine…
8. Chris Rusin - Kentucky… senior… 6-2, 190… L/L… 2009 Wallace Preseason Watch List… 2008 First-Team All-SEC (coaches)… drafted in the 23rd round of the 2008 draft by the Athletics… very little support in2008, but still turned a 6-3, 3.33 ERA…. Good fastball and excellent command of breaking ball.
9. Garrett Hughes - La Costa Canyon H.S,… 6-7, 235… Names to Underarmour all-American team… 2008 high school season: 6-1, 77K66.0 IP, no hitter…
10. Neal Davis - Virginia… 6-6, 210… L/L… junior… relief pitcher… 2008: 1.58… averaged 9.7 Ks per 9IP… ALL-ACC team…
11. Matt Packer - Virginia… 6-0, 200… R/L… junior… led the NCAA with the lowest ERA, 1.14… 25 appearances, with 4 starts… opposing teams only hit .202
12. Rex Brothers – (previously unranked) – Lipscomp – 6-1, 205… – been skyrocking up mock drafts… fastball 93-94 range, touching 96… slider at 86-88… 15 scouting directors in stands for April 3rd game vs. Kennesaw State/prospect Kyle Heckathorn… 12Ks… thru 4/23: 4-4, 2.37, 94K, 29BB, 65.0 IP
13. James Paxton - (down from 11th) - Kentucky… dominated SEC… 37.9% K 4.8% BB… born in Canada… 6-4, 210… 97 mph fastball, slurve, changeup… 4-0, 3.30, 47K/6BB/30.0 IP through March 2009… Through 3-25-09, Paxton is 4-0, 3.30 with 47 strikeouts and six walks in 30 innings. On March 20, he out-dueled Vanderbilt lefthander Mike Minor, striking out 10 in 6.2 innings… roughed up lately, but still touching 97 mph
14. Brooks Raley - (previously 18th) - Texas A&M… 6-3, 185, L/L, sophomore… 2008: 2nd team freshman All-American selection… 7-2, 4.76 in 18 games… moving up the charts… as of 4/23:
Over 62 1/3 IP, he's allowed only 40 hits (.189 opponents' batting average) and 16 walks while striking out 65. Also an outfielder, he's leading the team with a .354 average and 21 steals
15. Beau Wright - Los Alamitos HS; Los Alamitos, CA. 6′2, 205… 89-92 fastball… big curve…
16. Steven Rodriquez - Gulliver Prep (FL)… 6-2, 210… named to underarmour All-American team… “Paco”… #7 LHP in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com... member of the 2007 U-16 USA National Team …
17. Kraig Sitton - Oregon State… 6-5, 190, L/L, draft eligible sophomore… was 1-3, 4.41 this summer for Spokane/WCCBL… 2008: 22 G, 2-0, 3.91, 23 Ks
18. Matt Way - Washington State… 6-2, 182, L/L, senior… 2008: 18 appearances, 5 starts… 4.01 ERA…
19. Nick Kirk - Northern Iowa… 6-1/200… B/T… senior… 2008: 10 G, 9 starts… 3.84, 4-7… threw no-hitter on March 28 vs. Evansville
20. Justin Marks - Louisville… junior… 6-3/195… L/L… 2009 Brooks Wallace Watch List… 2009 Preseason BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year… 2007 PING! Baseball All-American… 2007 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week (4/30)… 2007 Rivals National Freshman of the Week (4/30)… 2008: named first team All-BIG EAST and second team All-America by PING...invited to compete at the 2008 USA Baseball National Team camp… Posted a 9-2 record with a 2.37 ERA in 91.0 innings, limiting opponents to a .220 average.
21. Nick Hernandez - Tennessee… junior… 6-4/200… L/L… 2008: 14 G, 13 starts… 82.2 IP, K:BB 7.0…
22. David Holmberg - Port Charlotte HS… 6-4, 215… #31 in the state of Florida according to Prospectswire.com… #51 on Baseball America's list of Top 100 High School Prospects… led the state last season with 114 strikeouts and was 6-1 with a 0.70 ERA… over the last four games of the season, struck out 58 in 29 innings with a personal-best of 16 against Southeast
23. Miers Quigley - Alabama… was drafted in the 36th round of the 2008 draft by the Twins… 2008: 5-4, 5.58 ERA in 16 games (12 starts). 3-year college record: 10-15, 5.03.
24. Chris James – (previously unranked) – Bishop Verot HS (FL) -
25. Travis Smink - Virginia Military… 2008: 6-1, 1.88, 1.059 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, 7/1 K/9, in 62.1 IP… all-league first team pick
26. Dallas Keuchel - Arkansas… 6-3, 200, Junior, L/L… named allstar this summer in Cape Cod League… 2008: 4-3, 4.58, 74.2 IP, 61 K
27. Patrick Schuster – (previously 37th) – Mitchell H.S. (FL) – threw 3rd consecutive no-hitter on April 12… 8-0, 0.66 through 4/15… committed to Florida. This is getting a little ridiculous.. he threw his 4th consecutive no-hitter on 4/20…
28. Joe Serafin - Vermont… named to the 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List ... picked up a save in a 4-3 win over Team USA in June of 2007 striking out five and walking one in three innings ...
29. Jordan John - Calallen HS… 6-3, 195, R/L… signed with Oklahoma… 85-87 fastball… 76 change-up…
30. Jeff Dennis - Binghamton… 6-6, 215, senior… 2008: 4-5, 3.97 in 14 starts… 62K/81.2IP… .203 OBA…
31. Brendan Lafferty - UCLA… 6-5, 215, R/L… played the summer for Mankato in the Northwoods League… went 4-1, 3.93… 2008: 33 relief appearances… 4-3, 3-74, 56K/67.1 IP.
32. Riley Boening - Texas… 6-3, 210… redshirted sophomore in 2008: academic all-Big12… 13 games, 10 starts, 3-1, 6.34
33. Wes Musick - Houston…. 6-0, 190, L/L, junior…
34. Tyler Kehrer - Eastern Illinois - through 3/09: 2-1, 4.99, 37K/31.0 IP… fastball in 90-93 range… slider and change-up…
35. Sam Selman - St. Andrew’s Episcopal HS (TX)… 6-3, 160… R/L… FB: 88-89, hit 92… breaker: 70… signed with Vanderbilt…
36. Austin Woods – (previously unlisted)… Texas, senior… 6-2, 190, L/L… academic All-Big 12… 2008: 27 G, 14 starts, 7-3, 4.43, 42K, 85.1 IP
37. Ian Krol – (previously unlisted) – Nequea Valley HS (Ill.)… 6-1, 180… high 80s sinker… good curve… suspended for season so off he goes..
38. Josh Spence - Arizona State – junior… as of 4/6/09: 6-0, 1.17, 72-16 K/BB in 54 IP… velocity not as high as scouts like… fastball maxes out at 86… Tom Glavine type… through 4/23: 8-0, 1.56, 89K, 69 IP… was drafted in 25th round of the 2008 draft by Arizona.
39. James, Chad Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla. Strong, pro body indicates his 88-90 mph fastball has room to grow
40. Ian Thomas – (previously unranked) – VCU – named CAA pitcher of the month 4/20: