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.
6/30/09
Asheville 4, Savannah 1
Scott Robinson’s three-run double for the Asheville Tourists paced the visitors to a, 4-1, defeat of the Savannah Sand Gnats in front of 1,408 on Mr. Met Night at Historic Grayson Stadium. Asheville knocked a single in each of the first four innings but had nothing to show for it but three straight hits in the fifth, including Beau Seabury’s RBI-single, tied the game at one run apiece. Seabury finished the game 3-for-4 and it is his first three-hit game of the season. Robinson struck with Asheville’s only extra-base hit of the game with the bases loaded in the seventh to give the Tourists their sixth win over the Gnats, the most they’ve achieved against any South Atlantic League team. The Gnats began the game in the lead on an RBI-double by Wilmer Flores ending a 16-inning scoreless streak that dated back to Sunday afternoon’s game with Charleston. Savannah loaded the bases with one out for a potential rally in the sixth but Jose Jimenez struck out and Raul Reyes grounded out to end the frame. Chris Schwinden (4-4) takes the loss for Savannah hurling seven innings and allowing 10 hits for a second straight start. Asheville starter Dan Houston (2-6) broke a two-start losing streak, settling down after the first and allowing six hits with five strikeouts. Kai Gronauer went 1-for-4 in the game offensively and now has a 10-game hitting streak which is one shy of the season-high set by Eric Campbell. The Sand Gnats (2-4, 37-39) look to avoid matching a season-high, five-game losing streak on Website Wednesday for game two of the series. Log on to sandgnats.com Wednesday morning for special discounts on food, tickets and Sand Gnats merchandise only good for the 7 p.m. contest.
more stuff I don't feel like doing Mets stuff
K-Port:
The Kingsport Mets collected their fifth straight Appalachian League loss Sunday night, falling to the Bluefield Orioles 10-4 at Hunter Wright Stadium.
But in contrast to Saturday night’s dispiriting implosion, Kingsport fought to the last out. And that made all the difference to K-Mets manager Mike DiFelice.
“I’m proud of my guys. I’m proud of them. They played a nine-inning baseball game,” said DiFelice, whose squad pushed across a run in the ninth inning on an RBI single by Cesar Puello before Michael Moras grounded into a double play to end the nascent rally.
On Saturday, Kingsport obliterated opportunities by rapping into three double plays. But context is everything. Moras’ hard-luck lick in the ninth was a lot more forgivable.
Moras, who had an RBI single in the sixth inning, was trying to make something good happen.
“They battled. That’s part of the learning process,” said DiFelice, whose squad committed three errors — four fewer than the previous night.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014864
2010 Draft:
Trials Rosters For USA Baseball’s 18U And 16U National Teams
18U National Team Trials Invitees
Jesse Biddle
LHP
L-L
6-5
220
Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia
2010
Matt Boyd
LHP
L-L
6-3
225
Eastside Catholic HS, Sammamish, Wash.
2009
Cody Buckel
RHP
R-R
6-1
170
Royal HS, Simi Valley, Calif.
2010
Nick Castellanos
IF
R-R
6-4
200
Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
2010
Garin Cecchini
IF
L-R
6-3
200
Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.
2010
Drew Cisco
RHP
L-R
6-2
190
Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
2010
Sean Coyle
IF
R-R
5-9
175
Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa.
2010
Nick Delmonico
IF
L-R
6-3
195
Farragut HS, Knoxville
2011
Logan Ehlers
LHP
L-L
6-1
190
Nebraska City HS
2010
Gabriel Encinas
RHP
R-R
6-4
200
St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs,Calif.
2010
Kevin Gausman
RHP
L-R
6-4
185
Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo.
2010
Cory Hahn
OF
L-L
5-10
155
Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
2010
Bryce Harper
C
L-R
6-3
206
Las Vegas HS
2011
Keenan Kish
RHP
L-R
6-3
180
Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa.
2010
Matthew Lipka
RHP
R-R
6-1
190
McKinney (Texas) HS
2010
Marcus Littlewood
IF
B-R
6-3
190
Pine View HS, St. George, Utah
2010
Christian Lopes
IF
R-R
6-0
185
Valencia (Calif.) HS
2011
Manny Machado
IF
R-R
6-3
190
Brito Miami Private School
2010
Connor Mason
RHP
R-R
6-2
190
Homeschool, Suwanne, Ga.
2010
Ladson Montgomery
C
L-R
5-9
170
Creekside HS, St. Johns, Fla.
2010
Taylor Morton
RHP
R-R
6-3
200
Bartlett (Tenn.) HS
2010
Justin O’Connor
IF
R-R
6-1
190
Cowan HS, Muncie, Ind.
2010
Phillip Pfeifer III
LHP
L-L
6-0
190
Farragut HS, Knoxville
2011
Brian Ragira
OF
R-R
6-2
185
Martin HS, Arlington, Texas
2010
Robbie Ray
LHP
L-L
6-3
175
Brentwood (Tenn.) HS
2010
Drake Roberts
OF
R-R
5-8
155
Brenham (Texas) HS
2011
Jake Rodriguez
IF
R-R
5-10
185
Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
2010
Kyle Ryan
LHP
L-L
6-3
170
Auburndale (Fla.) HS
2010
Stefan Sabol
C
R-R
6-2
203
Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
2010
Eric Snyder
OF
L-R
5-11
165
Edison, Huntington Beach, Calif.
2011
Jameson Taillon
RHP
R-R
6-6
225
The Woodlands (Texas) HS
2010
AJ Vanegas
RHP
R-R
6-3
200
Redwood Christian HS, Castro Valley, Calif.
2010
Karsten Whitson
RHP
R-R
6-3
185
Chipley (Fla.) HS
2010
Tony Wolters
IF
L-R
5-10
165
Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, Calif.
2010
ALTERNATES
Daniel Camarena
LHP
L-L
6-0
195
Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego
2011
D.K. Carey
OF
R-R
6-2
170
Wheeler HS, Marietta, Ga.
2010
Daniel Child
RHP
R-R
6-5
233
Jesuit HS, Carmichael, Calif.
2010
Matt Duffy
IF
R-R
6-2
170
Lakewood (Calif.) HS
2009
Travis Harrison
OF
R-R
6-2
215
Tustin (Calif.) HS
2011
Max Homick
LHP
L-L
6-3
190
Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego
2011
Jeff Jackson
C
R-R
6-3
200
Wauconda (Ill.) HS
2010
Kavin Keyes
IF
B-R
5-10
175
Alta HS, Sandy, Utah
2011
Chad Lewis
IF
R-R
6-3
195
Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.
2010
Griffin Murphy
LHP
R-L
6-3
195
East Valley HS, Redlands, Calif.
2010
The Kingsport Mets collected their fifth straight Appalachian League loss Sunday night, falling to the Bluefield Orioles 10-4 at Hunter Wright Stadium.
But in contrast to Saturday night’s dispiriting implosion, Kingsport fought to the last out. And that made all the difference to K-Mets manager Mike DiFelice.
“I’m proud of my guys. I’m proud of them. They played a nine-inning baseball game,” said DiFelice, whose squad pushed across a run in the ninth inning on an RBI single by Cesar Puello before Michael Moras grounded into a double play to end the nascent rally.
On Saturday, Kingsport obliterated opportunities by rapping into three double plays. But context is everything. Moras’ hard-luck lick in the ninth was a lot more forgivable.
Moras, who had an RBI single in the sixth inning, was trying to make something good happen.
“They battled. That’s part of the learning process,” said DiFelice, whose squad committed three errors — four fewer than the previous night.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014864
2010 Draft:
Trials Rosters For USA Baseball’s 18U And 16U National Teams
18U National Team Trials Invitees
Jesse Biddle
LHP
L-L
6-5
220
Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia
2010
Matt Boyd
LHP
L-L
6-3
225
Eastside Catholic HS, Sammamish, Wash.
2009
Cody Buckel
RHP
R-R
6-1
170
Royal HS, Simi Valley, Calif.
2010
Nick Castellanos
IF
R-R
6-4
200
Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
2010
Garin Cecchini
IF
L-R
6-3
200
Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.
2010
Drew Cisco
RHP
L-R
6-2
190
Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
2010
Sean Coyle
IF
R-R
5-9
175
Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa.
2010
Nick Delmonico
IF
L-R
6-3
195
Farragut HS, Knoxville
2011
Logan Ehlers
LHP
L-L
6-1
190
Nebraska City HS
2010
Gabriel Encinas
RHP
R-R
6-4
200
St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs,Calif.
2010
Kevin Gausman
RHP
L-R
6-4
185
Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo.
2010
Cory Hahn
OF
L-L
5-10
155
Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
2010
Bryce Harper
C
L-R
6-3
206
Las Vegas HS
2011
Keenan Kish
RHP
L-R
6-3
180
Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa.
2010
Matthew Lipka
RHP
R-R
6-1
190
McKinney (Texas) HS
2010
Marcus Littlewood
IF
B-R
6-3
190
Pine View HS, St. George, Utah
2010
Christian Lopes
IF
R-R
6-0
185
Valencia (Calif.) HS
2011
Manny Machado
IF
R-R
6-3
190
Brito Miami Private School
2010
Connor Mason
RHP
R-R
6-2
190
Homeschool, Suwanne, Ga.
2010
Ladson Montgomery
C
L-R
5-9
170
Creekside HS, St. Johns, Fla.
2010
Taylor Morton
RHP
R-R
6-3
200
Bartlett (Tenn.) HS
2010
Justin O’Connor
IF
R-R
6-1
190
Cowan HS, Muncie, Ind.
2010
Phillip Pfeifer III
LHP
L-L
6-0
190
Farragut HS, Knoxville
2011
Brian Ragira
OF
R-R
6-2
185
Martin HS, Arlington, Texas
2010
Robbie Ray
LHP
L-L
6-3
175
Brentwood (Tenn.) HS
2010
Drake Roberts
OF
R-R
5-8
155
Brenham (Texas) HS
2011
Jake Rodriguez
IF
R-R
5-10
185
Elk Grove (Calif.) HS
2010
Kyle Ryan
LHP
L-L
6-3
170
Auburndale (Fla.) HS
2010
Stefan Sabol
C
R-R
6-2
203
Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
2010
Eric Snyder
OF
L-R
5-11
165
Edison, Huntington Beach, Calif.
2011
Jameson Taillon
RHP
R-R
6-6
225
The Woodlands (Texas) HS
2010
AJ Vanegas
RHP
R-R
6-3
200
Redwood Christian HS, Castro Valley, Calif.
2010
Karsten Whitson
RHP
R-R
6-3
185
Chipley (Fla.) HS
2010
Tony Wolters
IF
L-R
5-10
165
Rancho Buena Vista HS, Vista, Calif.
2010
ALTERNATES
Daniel Camarena
LHP
L-L
6-0
195
Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego
2011
D.K. Carey
OF
R-R
6-2
170
Wheeler HS, Marietta, Ga.
2010
Daniel Child
RHP
R-R
6-5
233
Jesuit HS, Carmichael, Calif.
2010
Matt Duffy
IF
R-R
6-2
170
Lakewood (Calif.) HS
2009
Travis Harrison
OF
R-R
6-2
215
Tustin (Calif.) HS
2011
Max Homick
LHP
L-L
6-3
190
Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego
2011
Jeff Jackson
C
R-R
6-3
200
Wauconda (Ill.) HS
2010
Kavin Keyes
IF
B-R
5-10
175
Alta HS, Sandy, Utah
2011
Chad Lewis
IF
R-R
6-3
195
Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.
2010
Griffin Murphy
LHP
R-L
6-3
195
East Valley HS, Redlands, Calif.
2010
Minors Stuff
B-Mets:
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. RHP Brandon Magee (4-5, 5.06)
Wednesday, July 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm TBA vs. LHP Luis Perez (4-6, 3.41)
Thursday, July 2 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Brad Holt (0-1, 9.45) vs. RHP Rey Gonzalez (3-5, 3.18)
Friday, July 3 New Hampshire 7:05 pm TBA vs. RHP Randy Boone (5-4, 4.46)
Dylan Owen threw 7.2 innings scoreless, his best outing of the year, and Josh Thole drove in the winning run in the top of the tenth inning pushing the B-Mets to a series split with Akron 1-0 at Canal Park Monday night. After losing the first two games of the four-game set, Binghamton came back to win the next two 6-4 and 1-0 in 10 innings. The B-Mets had not won back-to-back games since May 27 when they beat Connecticut 6-5 in 11 innings at NYSEG Stadium.
After nine innings of offensive futility for both teams, Binghamton (29-46) finally broke through in the tenth. Ruben Tejada started off the inning with a clean single down the right-field line off Aeros’ closer Vinnie Pestano. Then with two strikes against him, Mike Nickeas laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Tejada into scoring position. Emmanuel Garcia followed with a groundout to second that moved Tejada within 90 feet of scoring. It was then that Thole grounded a ball just inside the line at third scoring Tejada to give the B-Mets their 1-0 margin.
Akron (50-25) made things interesting in the bottom of the tenth against Jim Ed Warden. Jared Goedert led off the frame with his first hit of the contest, a single into center. Jose Constanza sacrificed him up to scoring position with a well-placed bunt. Warden then hit Jerad Head putting the winning run on base. Connor Robertson was summoned from the pen to finish the job. He induced a weak groundball from Nick Weglarz to second on which Head was forced out on at second. Then, Robertson got Carlos Santana to groundout to first to end the game, notching his first save and securing the shutout.
Owen set season highs with 7.2 innings scoreless and seven strikeouts. He allowed just four hits and walked a season-low one batter.
Akron starter Jeanmar Gomez output his fifth scoreless start of the season as he went six innings allowing just five hits with three walks.
Roy Merritt evened his record at 4-4 with the win in relief. He threw the final 1.1 innings of regulation.
Pestano was hung with his third loss by allowing Tejada’s run in the tenth.
Gnats:
Tommy Baldridge hit a high chopper on the infield to score the only run the Charleston RiverDogs needed to win the rubber game, 1-0, over the Savannah Sand Gnats. It is only the second time the Sand Gnats have been shutout in 2009.
The knock came with runners on second and third in the seventh inning and Abraham Almonte beat Josh Satin’s throw to the plate to bring home the only RiverDogs run, spoiling a terrific outing by Jeurys Familia (5-5). The sidewinder from Santo Domingo allowed just two hits, one out of the infield, with three walks and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.
Savannah managed to get a rally going in the third on a one out double from Jefry Marte and a two-out infield single by Josh Satin. Sean Ratliff flew out to center, however, to end the inning.
Manny Banuelos (6-3) stifled Savannah over 6.2 innings scattering seven hits and picking up his second win against the Gnats. Dan Kapala recorded the last out of the seventh as well as finishing the final two frames for his first save.
Savannah (2-3) says goodbye to the RiverDogs (3-2) until the final week of the season when the two clubs hook up for the final series of the season with five games at Riley Park.
The Gnats welcome the Asheville Tourists to Georgia’s First City for a four-game set to continue this season-long nine-game homestand. Chris Schwinden (4-3, 3.67) is on the bump for Savannah against Asheville’s Dan Houston (2-6, 6.39).
Mr. Met makes his first visit to Historic Grayson Stadium tomorrow night and the first 1,000 fans through the gates for the 7 p.m. start will receive a Mr. Met bobblehead. For tickets to the rest of this homestand or more information, log on to sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
2010 Draft Prospects :
1. Bryce Harper – Las Vegas High School –
From Rob Nyer, in 2008, as a 15-yr. old: Harper has a power bat and a plus throwing arm that "already grades out to 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale," according to Dave Perkin of Baseball America. During infield prior to the game, Harper, in full gear, rifled the ball out of a crouch to second and third base with precision. Upon seeing him in action, I marked down "+ + arm" next to his name in my program. Although the rap on him is that he's not all that fast, I thought he ran very well from home to third on that triple, especially considering his age, size, and power. The kid is nothing if not impressive.
As a 16-year old, Harper hit .626 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 at-bats for the Wildcats this season. He hit 22 doubles, nine triples and stole 36 bases. He only struck out five times. He also scored nine times on wild pitches… from 2nd base.
5/09: played a three-game travel schedule… hit 11-12, with 10 HRs and one double
Saber:
The Mets have the 2nd worst Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) in baseball, at -20.1 runs. Only the embarrassing Nationals measure out worse. This number jumps off the page because the Omar Minaya Mets have been strong defensively. They were worth +27.1, +6.8, and +9.8 defensive runs in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Team ERA outperformed team FIP in each of these seasons, consistent with a team that plays above average defense. We’ve seen that UZR correlates decently with FIP-ERA. Based on how poorly UZR rates Mets defense this year, one would expect team ERA to underperform team FIP. This is not the case, as ERA is once again better than FIP by 0.11. Compare to the Nationals, whose ERA is worse than their FIP by 0.52. It’s always prudent to seek another opinion on defense statistics, so I looked at plus/minus (+/-) and Revised Zone Rating (RZR) to maybe figure out what the heck is going on here.
...The disparity between UZR and RZR regarding outfielders once again stands out. R.J. Anderson noted at Fangraphs that UZR is still using Shea Stadium park factors for its calculations. He proposed that this might be having an effect on Carlos Beltran’s poor UZR this season, but ultimately decided that such a small sample isn’t enough to make any conclusions. Still, the 4 players who have played the most outfield innings for the Mets this season all rate worse per UZR than +/-. It would be useful if a home/away UZR breakdown was available at Fangraphs, but it isn’t (yet). Also useful would be an analysis of these stats for all team’s outfields to provide some context, but teamwide +/- data is not readily available.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/amazin_avenue_uzr_hates_the_mets_outfield/
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. RHP Brandon Magee (4-5, 5.06)
Wednesday, July 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm TBA vs. LHP Luis Perez (4-6, 3.41)
Thursday, July 2 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Brad Holt (0-1, 9.45) vs. RHP Rey Gonzalez (3-5, 3.18)
Friday, July 3 New Hampshire 7:05 pm TBA vs. RHP Randy Boone (5-4, 4.46)
Dylan Owen threw 7.2 innings scoreless, his best outing of the year, and Josh Thole drove in the winning run in the top of the tenth inning pushing the B-Mets to a series split with Akron 1-0 at Canal Park Monday night. After losing the first two games of the four-game set, Binghamton came back to win the next two 6-4 and 1-0 in 10 innings. The B-Mets had not won back-to-back games since May 27 when they beat Connecticut 6-5 in 11 innings at NYSEG Stadium.
After nine innings of offensive futility for both teams, Binghamton (29-46) finally broke through in the tenth. Ruben Tejada started off the inning with a clean single down the right-field line off Aeros’ closer Vinnie Pestano. Then with two strikes against him, Mike Nickeas laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Tejada into scoring position. Emmanuel Garcia followed with a groundout to second that moved Tejada within 90 feet of scoring. It was then that Thole grounded a ball just inside the line at third scoring Tejada to give the B-Mets their 1-0 margin.
Akron (50-25) made things interesting in the bottom of the tenth against Jim Ed Warden. Jared Goedert led off the frame with his first hit of the contest, a single into center. Jose Constanza sacrificed him up to scoring position with a well-placed bunt. Warden then hit Jerad Head putting the winning run on base. Connor Robertson was summoned from the pen to finish the job. He induced a weak groundball from Nick Weglarz to second on which Head was forced out on at second. Then, Robertson got Carlos Santana to groundout to first to end the game, notching his first save and securing the shutout.
Owen set season highs with 7.2 innings scoreless and seven strikeouts. He allowed just four hits and walked a season-low one batter.
Akron starter Jeanmar Gomez output his fifth scoreless start of the season as he went six innings allowing just five hits with three walks.
Roy Merritt evened his record at 4-4 with the win in relief. He threw the final 1.1 innings of regulation.
Pestano was hung with his third loss by allowing Tejada’s run in the tenth.
Gnats:
Tommy Baldridge hit a high chopper on the infield to score the only run the Charleston RiverDogs needed to win the rubber game, 1-0, over the Savannah Sand Gnats. It is only the second time the Sand Gnats have been shutout in 2009.
The knock came with runners on second and third in the seventh inning and Abraham Almonte beat Josh Satin’s throw to the plate to bring home the only RiverDogs run, spoiling a terrific outing by Jeurys Familia (5-5). The sidewinder from Santo Domingo allowed just two hits, one out of the infield, with three walks and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.
Savannah managed to get a rally going in the third on a one out double from Jefry Marte and a two-out infield single by Josh Satin. Sean Ratliff flew out to center, however, to end the inning.
Manny Banuelos (6-3) stifled Savannah over 6.2 innings scattering seven hits and picking up his second win against the Gnats. Dan Kapala recorded the last out of the seventh as well as finishing the final two frames for his first save.
Savannah (2-3) says goodbye to the RiverDogs (3-2) until the final week of the season when the two clubs hook up for the final series of the season with five games at Riley Park.
The Gnats welcome the Asheville Tourists to Georgia’s First City for a four-game set to continue this season-long nine-game homestand. Chris Schwinden (4-3, 3.67) is on the bump for Savannah against Asheville’s Dan Houston (2-6, 6.39).
Mr. Met makes his first visit to Historic Grayson Stadium tomorrow night and the first 1,000 fans through the gates for the 7 p.m. start will receive a Mr. Met bobblehead. For tickets to the rest of this homestand or more information, log on to sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
2010 Draft Prospects :
1. Bryce Harper – Las Vegas High School –
From Rob Nyer, in 2008, as a 15-yr. old: Harper has a power bat and a plus throwing arm that "already grades out to 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale," according to Dave Perkin of Baseball America. During infield prior to the game, Harper, in full gear, rifled the ball out of a crouch to second and third base with precision. Upon seeing him in action, I marked down "+ + arm" next to his name in my program. Although the rap on him is that he's not all that fast, I thought he ran very well from home to third on that triple, especially considering his age, size, and power. The kid is nothing if not impressive.
As a 16-year old, Harper hit .626 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 at-bats for the Wildcats this season. He hit 22 doubles, nine triples and stole 36 bases. He only struck out five times. He also scored nine times on wild pitches… from 2nd base.
5/09: played a three-game travel schedule… hit 11-12, with 10 HRs and one double
Saber:
The Mets have the 2nd worst Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) in baseball, at -20.1 runs. Only the embarrassing Nationals measure out worse. This number jumps off the page because the Omar Minaya Mets have been strong defensively. They were worth +27.1, +6.8, and +9.8 defensive runs in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Team ERA outperformed team FIP in each of these seasons, consistent with a team that plays above average defense. We’ve seen that UZR correlates decently with FIP-ERA. Based on how poorly UZR rates Mets defense this year, one would expect team ERA to underperform team FIP. This is not the case, as ERA is once again better than FIP by 0.11. Compare to the Nationals, whose ERA is worse than their FIP by 0.52. It’s always prudent to seek another opinion on defense statistics, so I looked at plus/minus (+/-) and Revised Zone Rating (RZR) to maybe figure out what the heck is going on here.
...The disparity between UZR and RZR regarding outfielders once again stands out. R.J. Anderson noted at Fangraphs that UZR is still using Shea Stadium park factors for its calculations. He proposed that this might be having an effect on Carlos Beltran’s poor UZR this season, but ultimately decided that such a small sample isn’t enough to make any conclusions. Still, the 4 players who have played the most outfield innings for the Mets this season all rate worse per UZR than +/-. It would be useful if a home/away UZR breakdown was available at Fangraphs, but it isn’t (yet). Also useful would be an analysis of these stats for all team’s outfields to provide some context, but teamwide +/- data is not readily available.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/amazin_avenue_uzr_hates_the_mets_outfield/
6/29/09
GCL Mets Thoughts
Right now, especially at this level, it really doesn't matter whether this team wins of loses. The important thing in these first few weeks is to get everybody on the roster as much work as they can and determine exactly who the players are and aren't.
Today, basically two players piggybacked most of the positons. In total, 17 players got in the game, sort of like they do in ST.
Some initial highlights from an early season:
Yohan Almonte - SP - Almonte came out of the DSL Mets team, where he went 3-3, 2.95 in 14 games, 9 starts, last year. So far this season he's been close to perfect: 2-G, 3.2-IP, 0.00.
Nelfi Zapata - C - It looks like this kid was a good pick in the draft. God knows how much the Mets could use another catcher prospect. Early stats: .538/.563/.615/1.178 in 13 at bats... keep it up, kid.
Juan Torrez - C - another catcher hitting the snot off the ball? ell, it is early , but worth pointing out: .417/.462/.500/.962 in 12 at bats - The 21-year old signed with the Mets in 2005.
Jhonathan Torrez - SP - One of the kids I touted last year, Torres is 0.00 stateside so far this season, throwing 5.0 innings.
Today, basically two players piggybacked most of the positons. In total, 17 players got in the game, sort of like they do in ST.
Some initial highlights from an early season:
Yohan Almonte - SP - Almonte came out of the DSL Mets team, where he went 3-3, 2.95 in 14 games, 9 starts, last year. So far this season he's been close to perfect: 2-G, 3.2-IP, 0.00.
Nelfi Zapata - C - It looks like this kid was a good pick in the draft. God knows how much the Mets could use another catcher prospect. Early stats: .538/.563/.615/1.178 in 13 at bats... keep it up, kid.
Juan Torrez - C - another catcher hitting the snot off the ball? ell, it is early , but worth pointing out: .417/.462/.500/.962 in 12 at bats - The 21-year old signed with the Mets in 2005.
Jhonathan Torrez - SP - One of the kids I touted last year, Torres is 0.00 stateside so far this season, throwing 5.0 innings.
Scott Moviel - SP - Moviel is somewhere between rehabbing or starting over. Either way, he's holding down a 1.00 ERA after two starts, and 9.0 innings thrown.
Bisons Game Notes
***SPECIAL CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCHES TONIGHT***
The Bisons have invited each team from the Buffalo Public High School Baseball Programs to tonight’s game. First pitches will be thrown by a player representative in uniform from the following teams. Lafayette , Grover, Cleveland, McKinley, Riverside, Emerson, South Park, Hutch Tech City, Honors, DaVinci
TODAY’S GAME:
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Charlotte Knights in the third game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Knights took the first two games, 4-1 and 7-3. The Bisons need to win their next two games to earn a series split with Charlotte. After this series concludes on Tuesday, the Bisons will have an off day on Wednesday before hosting a two-game series against rival Rochester. vs.
THE KNIGHTS:
The Bisons are 2-4 against the Knights this season. The two teams split a four-game series in Charlotte, June 19-22. The Bisons have outscored the Knights 27-25 in the season-series. The Bisons won the season series over Charlotte last season, 5-3.
SCORING EARLY:
The Bisons scored in the 1st inning in seven of their last ten games (12 total 1st inning runs). Yesterday afternoon, Emil Brown provided the early tally with a hard-hit single to score Feliciano. Buffalo has scored 40 first inning runs this year, the most in any inning.
FELICIANO FEELIN’ IT:
OF Jesus Feliciano added to his impressive hitting resume yesterday, as he recording his Bisons-leading 19th multi-hit game. Feliciano remains among the top hitters in the International League. The outfielder is now hitting .311 this year, 8th-best in the IL. Feliciano has hit safely in 25 of his last 31 games since May 23. During this stretch, he has averaged .365 (42-115) with eight doubles, 19 RBI and 20 runs scored.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU:
OF Emil Brown had the hot bat yesterday. The outfielder went 3-4 including a powerful opposite-field homer, while batting in all three of the Bisons runs. Brown is hitting .290 with eight runs scored and 10RBI in 17 games since joining the Herd on May 30. Brown has a .444 (8-18) average and eight RBI with runners in scoring position.
BULLY FOR THE PEN:
LHP Ken Takahashi pitched well in relief yesterday afternoon. The southpaw pitched 2.0 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three. Since rejoining the Herd from the Mets on June 24, he has pitched 5.1 innings in relief allowing no earned runs, four hits, and striking out six in two appearances. On the season, Takahashi has an impressive 0.53ERA with only one earned run allowed and 15 strikeouts in eight appearances.
B-Mets Game Notes
LAST GAME:
Akron walked a season-high 12 men and the BMets
bullpen held up for all nine innings filling in for Jenrry
Mejia in Binghamton’s 6-4 win over Akron Sunday afternoon
at Canal Park. With the Aeros on top 4-3 after six innings, the
B-Mets took control in the seventh with a three-run frame.
Jonathan Malo came through with a clutch two-run single to
score Lucas Duda and Emmanuel Garcia to put Binghamton
ahead for good. Malo would later score a run of insurance on
a wild pitch, making it 6-4. The B-Mets took their first lead of
the series in the fourth inning on Ike Davis’ bases-loaded, twoout
single off Major League-rehabber Aaron Laffey to give
Binghamton a 3-1 lead. Laffey went just 3.1 innings allowing
three runs on five hits with six walks. Akron took their final
lead of the game in the fifth on a two-run double from Jerad
Head which came off Edgar Alfonzo. The win went to Mike
Antonini for firing three scoreless innings allowing just a hit
and a walk. Former Akron reliever Jim Ed Warden picked up
his first save with the B-Mets by throwing a 1-2-3 ninth, including
a strikeout, to secure the win.
bullpen held up for all nine innings filling in for Jenrry
Mejia in Binghamton’s 6-4 win over Akron Sunday afternoon
at Canal Park. With the Aeros on top 4-3 after six innings, the
B-Mets took control in the seventh with a three-run frame.
Jonathan Malo came through with a clutch two-run single to
score Lucas Duda and Emmanuel Garcia to put Binghamton
ahead for good. Malo would later score a run of insurance on
a wild pitch, making it 6-4. The B-Mets took their first lead of
the series in the fourth inning on Ike Davis’ bases-loaded, twoout
single off Major League-rehabber Aaron Laffey to give
Binghamton a 3-1 lead. Laffey went just 3.1 innings allowing
three runs on five hits with six walks. Akron took their final
lead of the game in the fifth on a two-run double from Jerad
Head which came off Edgar Alfonzo. The win went to Mike
Antonini for firing three scoreless innings allowing just a hit
and a walk. Former Akron reliever Jim Ed Warden picked up
his first save with the B-Mets by throwing a 1-2-3 ninth, including
a strikeout, to secure the win.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Dylan Owen will make
his second turn in the rotation since returning from St. Lucie
(High-A) June 24. In his return, Owen threw five innings allowing
three runs on five hits in a no-decision last Wednesday at
NYSEG Stadium against Bowie. With Binghamton, he is 0-5
with a 6.83 ERA in 55.1 innings, including 31 walks. He has
allowed 71 hits this year, equating to a .321 opposing average.
He tied for the Florida State League-lead with 12 wins
last season with St. Lucie. Owen was the Mets’ 20th-round
pick in 2007 out of Francis Marion University (SC).
his second turn in the rotation since returning from St. Lucie
(High-A) June 24. In his return, Owen threw five innings allowing
three runs on five hits in a no-decision last Wednesday at
NYSEG Stadium against Bowie. With Binghamton, he is 0-5
with a 6.83 ERA in 55.1 innings, including 31 walks. He has
allowed 71 hits this year, equating to a .321 opposing average.
He tied for the Florida State League-lead with 12 wins
last season with St. Lucie. Owen was the Mets’ 20th-round
pick in 2007 out of Francis Marion University (SC).
RHP Jeanmar Gomez will make his 11th start with the Aeros
tonight. Last time out, June 24, he made it through 4.2 innings
allowing five runs, two earned, on seven hits to take a
no-decision against Trenton. With Akron, he is 6-2 with a 3.06
ERA in 61.2 innings, with just 11 walks. He won his first four
starts with the Aeros 4/30-5/21, including a 24 innings scoreless
streak from 5/9-5/21. On May 21, he threw a nine-inning
perfect game at Waterfront Park against Trenton. Gomez
began the season with Kinston (High-A) where he made four
starts tallying a 2-2 mark with a 2.63 ERA in 24 innings. He
spent all of last year with Kinston with a 5-9 record and 4.55
ERA in 138.1 innings. The 21-year old Venezuelan righty was
signed as a 17-year old pitcher in April 2005.
WALK THIS WAY:
A day after hitting a season-high five doubles,
the B-Mets set another season-high by drawing 12 walks
off the best pitching staff in the league. Jonathan Malo led the
way, reaching in all five of his plate appearances including two
singles and three walks with two runs scored and two RBIs.
the B-Mets set another season-high by drawing 12 walks
off the best pitching staff in the league. Jonathan Malo led the
way, reaching in all five of his plate appearances including two
singles and three walks with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Upddate 2010 Draft: Top RHPs
1. Anthony Ranaudo – LSU – 6-7, 231… drafted in 11th round 2007 draft… superb command… fastball 94-96 range… nasty curve which he can locate for strikes… decent changeup… deceptive delivery and great command… very polished… velocity way down in 2009 CWS… had tendinitis as freshman… 2009: 10-3, 2.95, 147K, 109.2 IP, oba: .198… throws from an easy, cross-fire delivery, Randy Johnson like…. Curve 80-84…
2. Seth Blair - Arizona State – 6-2, 190… posted 1.55 ERA in 2008 Cape Cod league… 2009 at ASU: 7-2, 3.16… fastball 88-92, touches 95… average slider.
3. Matt Harvey – North Carolina… was 3rd round pick by the Angels out of high school and turned down a $1mil offer. Low-90s fastball that touches 95. Excellent curveball… average changeup… comes from ¾ arm slot… changeup 78-81… breaking ball 76-79… works quickly from stretch… 2009: 7-2, 5.35, 78K, 70.2 IP
4. Justin Grimm – Georgia… 6-4, 193… drafted in 13 round by Red Sox in 2007… excellent velocity… fastball hits 96… 4-4, 41.5 in 2009.
5. Cameron Bedrosian – East Coweta HS (GA.) – son of Steve Bedrosian… low-90’s fastball… big breaking ball… hard power curve…
6. Brett Eibner – Arkansas – 6-4… not sure if he prospects out as an outfield or a pitcher… fastball hits 95…
7. Nick Tepesch - Missouri – Junior… 6-5, 225, R/R… 2009: 6-5, 6.27
8. Kevin Rhoderick - Oregon State – 6-0, 190, R/R… Junior… did not play in 2008 due to injury… 2009: 3-3, 4.18, 33-K, 23.2-IP
9. Daniel Renken - Cal St. Fullerton… junior… 6-4, 190, R/R 11-3, 2.69, 123.2 IP, 103-K
10. Kyle Blair - San Diego - junior… 6-3, 200, R/R… 2009: 3-2, 3.13, 54.2-IP, 62-K… led the team with lowest ERA…
11. Chad Bettis - Texas Tech – junior… 6-0, 193, R/R… 2009: 6-1, 3.59… only 58-K in 72.2 IP…
12. Jimmy Reyes - Elon - 2009: 8-0, 4.78, 101-K, 84.2-IP
13. Alex Wimmers - Ohio State – Junior… 6-2, 195, R/R… 2009: 9-2, 3.27, 136-K, 104.2-IP… pitched no-hitter against Michigan
14. Drew Pomeranz – Ole Miss – drafted 12th round 2007 by Rangers… fastball 90-94, curve 78-80
15. Justin O’Connor - Cowan High School (IN) – also could be drafted as shortstop… fastball touches 99…
16. A.J. Cole – Oveido High School (FL) – 6-5, 190 - overpowering righty… fastball sits in the 94-95 range… tops at 97… one of the best arms coming out of high school… good depth on his curve… very loose and easy arm… curve and command improved in 2009…
17. Brandon Workman – Texas – 6-5, 220… fastball in the 89-92 range… hard curveball.
18. Eric Ricks – Jenkins HS (GA) – 6-4, 195 – 2009: 10-1, gave up only 32 hits in 69.2 IP… ERA: 0.56. Fastball in low 80’s… good curve… 90Ks, 22 BB…
19. Jameson Taillon (TY-on) - The Woodlands HS, Spring, Texas - already hitting mid-90s with his fastball… nice curve… great size and athleticism…
20. Stetson Allie - St. Edward HS, Cleveland – threw 99 in tournament in Metrodome… 90 slider… command only “20”… raw project… a closer’s mentality… used only as closer as a 17-year old…
21. Zach Lee - McKinney HS, Texas – committed to play QB for LSU…
22. Deck McGuire - Georgia Tech – junior… 6-6, 223, R/R… four quality pitchers… 2008 1st team All-American from Collegiate Baseball… excellent command… 2008: 8-1, 13 starts, four relief appearances
23. Kevin Gausman - Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo. – 6-4, 180… throws a 93-94 fastball… loose and easy arm action… needs to develop secondary pitches…
24. Aaron Sanchez - Barstow HS (CA.) – 6-3, 170… 93-94 fastball… good consistency…
25. Kartsen Whitson – Chipley HS (FL) – son of Ed Whitson… top knotch sinker/slider… quick arm… 92-94 fastball… late sink down in zone… low-80s slider
26. DeAndre Smelter – Tattnall Square Academy (GA) – already throws fastball in 92-95 range… low-80s split-finger change…
27. Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA) – fastball in 90-92 range.. played every day shortstop but charts out as a pitcher… needs work
28. Dan Child – Jesuit HS (CA) – needs more work… 91-94 fastball… slider is top pitch, top at 84…
29. Nick Kingham – Sierra Vista HS (NV) – 6-5, 210, R/R… fastball hits 89… sharp breaking curve at 72… also plays 1B with raw power….
30. Connor Mason – Home Schooled – Suwanee, GA. – 90-91 fastball… excellent curve… plus command…
31. Case Nixon - Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, Ala. – played 2009 as the primary catcher, but his fastball hits 93… look for full conversion tp oitcher in 2010
32. Nick Rumbelow – Bullard HS (TX) – 6-0, 190 – fastball sits at 90-92… one of the nastiest changeups in high school ball…
33. Andrew Smith – Roswell HS (GA) – 6-2, 190 – fastball touches 93 consistently… good md-70s curve…
34. Tyler Shreve – Redlands East Valley HS (CA) – fastball sits 91-93… good breaking ball… bug high school quarterback prospect…
35. Trevor Bauer - UCLA; North Hollywood, Calif. -
36. Sonny Gray - Vanderbilt; Nashville, Tenn. –
37. Peter Tago – Dana Hills HS (CA) - fastball sits at 91-93… needs to beef up…
38. John Barbato – Felix Varela HS (FL) – smooth delivery… fastball sits at 89-92… hits corners…
39. Mike Foltynewicz – Minooka HS (IL) – fastball sits at 90-92… mid 70s curve…
40. Nick Pepitone - Tulane; Houston, Texas –
41. T.J. Walz - Kansas; Omaha, Neb. -
42. Asher Wojciechowski - The Citadel; Pensacola, Fla. -
43. Tony Zych - Louisville; Hazelcrest, Ill. -
44. Caleb Smith – Abundant Life (SC) – 2009: 5-1, 1.08, 60K in 32.2 IP… .490/.581/1.037, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs in 51 at bats – won State Championship in 2009
45. Luke Taylor - Woodinville HS
46. Sam Lindquist - Eastside Catholic HS
47. Jamerson Taillon – The Woodlands HS (TX) – fastball in the low 90s… 12-6 curve is already a good out pitch…
48. Cam Thomas – Abundant Life (SC) – won State Championship in 2009 – 6-4, 190 – 5-0, 1.47, 33K, 19.0 IP – SP2 and 1st string catcher: .449/.542/.939.
Minors Stuff
B-Mets:
Monday, June 29 at Akron 7:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-5, 6.83) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.06)
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. RHP Brandon Magee (4-5, 5.06)
Wednesday, July 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP TBA vs. LHP Luis Perez (4-6, 3.41)
Thursday, July 2 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Brad Holt (0-1, 9.45) vs. RHP Rey Gonzalez (3-5, 3.18)
Clones:
The Brooklyn Cyclones (7-2) stayed undefeated at home thanks to a 13-3 victory over the division rival Hudson Valley Renegades (4-5) on Sunday in front of a crowd of 8,760. LHP Oliver Perez made a rehab appearance for the Cyclones, and pitched brilliantly. Perez struck out six batters and allowed just two hits as he dominated the Renegades through 5.0 shutout innings to earn the win. Perez has been on the Disabled List since May 6th for the New York Mets, with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. With the Cyclones already up 4-0, and the bases loaded in the fourth inning, CF John Servidio and 3B Matt Bouchard hit back-to-back home runs to left field. Servidio’s grand slam and Bouchard’s solo shot gave the Cyclones a commanding 9-0 lead, which would prove to be more than enough offense for the Cyclones' fourth win at home this season. Servidio notched five RBI in the game. Nick Giarraputo and Luis Rivera chipped in two RBI each, and Bouchard, Ralph Henriquez and Luis Nieves added one RBI apiece, as Brooklyn totaled 13 runs and 10 hits.RHP Erik Turgeon relieved Perez and allowed three unearned runs in his only inning of work. RHP Wes Wrenn earned his first save with a scoreless seventh, eighth, and ninth inning of work. Wrenn allowed no hits and struck out two in a scoreless effort. The Cyclones continue their series at Hudson Valley tomorrow and then return to Brooklyn to conclude this series with the Renegades on Tuesday, June 30th. That night, Reggy (the purple party dude) will appear at KeySpan Park, and the first 2,500 fans will receive a T-shirt, courtesy of the City University of New York (CUNY).
Click here to get your tickets, or call 718-507-TIXX
Buffalo Bisons to Dedicate Coca-Cola Field Plaza
as “James D. Griffin Plaza” – TOMORROW (4:30pm)
WHAT: The Buffalo Bisons will be joined by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and members of Jimmy Griffin’s Family in dedicating “James D. Griffin Plaza” at Coca-Cola Field in honor of the late Mayor of the City of Buffalo.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 30: The announcement will be made at 4:30 p.m.
Ceremony is prior to Bisons game vs. Charlotte Knights (7:05 p.m.).
The game’s promotion is Irish Festival Night, with post game pyrotechnics.
WHO: Mayor Byron Brown, City of Buffalo
Members of the Griffin Family
Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager, Buffalo Bisons
WHERE: The ceremony will take place just to the right of the Swan St. Gate to the ballpark.
PROGRAM: The dedication will begin at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Byron Brown will unveil a plaque honoring the long-time supporter of the Buffalo Bisons. Details of a memorial fund will also be announced to raise money to commission a statue of Mayor Griffin to be placed on the plaza just outside of Coca-Cola Field next season.
International:
reports that the Cubs have signed Ping-Chieh Chen to a contract. The Cubs seem to be quite active in Asia and Chen is just another of a series of signings. He received a $300,000 signing bonus.
One of their recent signings, Hung-Wen Chen has 14 starts for the Tennesse Smokies and is struggling with an ERA of 6.18. Opponents are hitting him at a .311 clip, so perhaps AA is a bit of a challenge for Chen. Lefthanders are especially successful, ripping him at a .381 pace. Seems to me he needs to learn a pitch that effectively gets lefthanders out.
http://twitter.com/jorgearangure/status/2348687441 reports that one of the prime prospects in the Caribbean League 16 year old Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo signed for $3.1 million with the St. Louis Cardinals. The San Francisco Giants were also in the running for Mateo. Jorge Arangure reports for ESPN.com.
The contracts for the Caribbean players can not be finalized and become official until July 2, so expect a number of Caribbean foreign signings at that point.
John Russell pitched a two-hit gem, and Brad Garrone hit a two-run home run to power Apollo to a win over Quality Construction.Russell took a no-hitter into the fifth before former New York Mets prospect Doug McNulty broke up his bid with a leadoff single. Russell struck out six and walked one.Despite recording just four hits, Apollo mustered enough offense to dispose of the hosts.Apollo went ahead 1-0 in the first and increased the lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the second. Garrone made it 5-0 with his homer in the third.Quality Construction avoided the shutout when McNulty scored in the fifth.
Neal Huntington received an interesting trade proposal in the last few days.
The Washington Nationals offered Lastings Milledge to the Pirates for Nyjer Morgan is a straight-up swap of outfielders. Huntington, the Pirates’ general manager, apparently wants Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo to add a second player before he would consider making the trade.
However a Morgan-for-Milledge deal is interesting to ponder as a one-on-one proposition.
Morgan offers great speed and defense. Milledge offers potentially outstanding power, something the Pirates has in short supply both the major leagues and minors, and good speed.
Morgan turns 29 on Thursday. Though he has improved greatly since first coming to the major leagues late in the 2007 season, he is almost assuredly at his peak now.
Milledge, meanwhile, is 24 and seemingly has quite a bit of upside despite spending part of the last four seasons in the major leagues.
Taking all that into account and knowing the Pirates have more of an eye on the future than the present, it would seem logical for Huntington to make the trade.
http://www.piratesreport.com/page/blogs.detail/display/147/Morgan-for-Milledge--Go-for-it.html
Remember how the 1981 Jays had the worst batting average of any team in the last 37 years? Well, the 1972 Mets were the team from 37 years ago with an even worse batting average: .225. Here’s their lineup on Bill Stoneman’s big day:
Remember how the 1981 Jays had the worst batting average of any team in the last 37 years? Well, the 1972 Mets were the team from 37 years ago with an even worse batting average: .225. Here’s their lineup on Bill Stoneman’s big day:
Name Avg
Barnes, 2B 0.236
Fregosi, 3B 0.232
Milner, LF 0.238
Kranepool, 1B 0.269
Sudakis, C 0.143
Schneck, CF 0.187
Hahn, RF 0.162
Martinez, T, SS 0.224
McAndrew, P 0.047
What dreck.
Please note that not only does Ed Kranepool possess the above lineup’s best batting average, but he has a lead of over 30 points on anyone else. That should never happen. I don’t care if Kranepool is the Mets’ franchise all-time leader in career games played, at-bats, plate appearances, doubles, hits, singles, and total bases, there’s still no excuse for having a lineup where no one’s within 30 points of him.
6/28/09
B-Mets 6, Akron 4
Jonathan Malo reached base in all five of his plate appearances, including a game-winning two run single with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, and Binghamton took advantage of a season-high 13 walks issued by Akron in a 6-4 win at Canal Park Sunday afternoon. Malo notched two hits and three walks with two RBIs and two runs scored to pace the B-Mets.
Binghamton (28-46) was in a 4-3 hole entering the seventh inning, but Lucas Duda got the inning started off right with a double into the alleyway in right-center. Emmanuel Garcia was summoned to pinch-hit for Salvador Paniagua with the intent of bunting the tying run up to third. With two strikes, Garcia laid a bunt down that reliever Josh Judy picked up and fired to third. However, Duda slid in ahead of third baseman Jerad Head’s tag and Garcia reached on the sacrifice. The mission was similar for Ruben Tejada, who bunted Garcia up to second. Malo then struck the crippling blow, a bloop single into shallow right that scored Duda and Garcia to put the B-Mets out in front for good 5-4.
Another run came across in the inning, as Malo scored on a Matt Meyer wild pitch making it 6-4.
The B-Mets scored three runs in the first four innings off starter Aaron Laffey, who was making his second rehab start with Aeros. Laffey gave up a two-run, bases-loaded single to Ike Davis in the fourth, which knocked him out of the game with Binghamton on top 3-1. The southpaw walked seven men in 3.1 innings to take a no-decision.
Akron (50-24) retook the lead 4-3 in the fifth inning when Head lined a double into the left-field corner off reliever Edgar Alfonzo, plating Armando Camacaro and Kyle Haines.
Mike Antonini provided three solid innings out of the pen to secure his fifth win, and first as a reliever. He held the Aeros scoreless from the sixth through eighth innings allowing just a hit and a walk.
Former Akron reliever, Jim Ed Warden earned his first save in a B-Mets uniform with a scoreless ninth, including a strikeout.
Judy was hung with loss as he allowed three runs in an inning of work to drop to 3-3 on the season. He had won his last two appearances.
Binghamton’s win ended the Aeros three-game winning streak and broke the B-Mets three-game losing skid
Binghamton (28-46) was in a 4-3 hole entering the seventh inning, but Lucas Duda got the inning started off right with a double into the alleyway in right-center. Emmanuel Garcia was summoned to pinch-hit for Salvador Paniagua with the intent of bunting the tying run up to third. With two strikes, Garcia laid a bunt down that reliever Josh Judy picked up and fired to third. However, Duda slid in ahead of third baseman Jerad Head’s tag and Garcia reached on the sacrifice. The mission was similar for Ruben Tejada, who bunted Garcia up to second. Malo then struck the crippling blow, a bloop single into shallow right that scored Duda and Garcia to put the B-Mets out in front for good 5-4.
Another run came across in the inning, as Malo scored on a Matt Meyer wild pitch making it 6-4.
The B-Mets scored three runs in the first four innings off starter Aaron Laffey, who was making his second rehab start with Aeros. Laffey gave up a two-run, bases-loaded single to Ike Davis in the fourth, which knocked him out of the game with Binghamton on top 3-1. The southpaw walked seven men in 3.1 innings to take a no-decision.
Akron (50-24) retook the lead 4-3 in the fifth inning when Head lined a double into the left-field corner off reliever Edgar Alfonzo, plating Armando Camacaro and Kyle Haines.
Mike Antonini provided three solid innings out of the pen to secure his fifth win, and first as a reliever. He held the Aeros scoreless from the sixth through eighth innings allowing just a hit and a walk.
Former Akron reliever, Jim Ed Warden earned his first save in a B-Mets uniform with a scoreless ninth, including a strikeout.
Judy was hung with loss as he allowed three runs in an inning of work to drop to 3-3 on the season. He had won his last two appearances.
Binghamton’s win ended the Aeros three-game winning streak and broke the B-Mets three-game losing skid
Charleston 9, Savannah 2
A six-run sixth inning vaulted the Charleston RiverDogs to their second straight victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats winning, 9-2, at Historic Grayson Stadium Sunday afternoon. With Savannah trailing, 3-2, Charleston sent 10 men to the plate in the sixth frame with Ray Kruml starting the rally with a two-run triple. Corban Joseph knocked him in with an RBI-single and came around to score on a Melky Mesa RBI-triple. Taylor Grote singled Mesa home and Garrison Lassiter drove the final run in putting the game out of reach. The Gnats started out in the lead, scoring runs in the first and second on a sacrifice fly by Wilmer Flores in the first and an errant pickoff throw to first base forcing home Jefry Marte in the second. Joseph put the ‘Dogs on the board in the third with a solo home run for his second blast in as many ballgames and his only two homers on the year. Kruml knocked in the first pair of his four runs driven in the fourth inning knocking out Savannah starter Elvin Ramirez (3-7). The right-hander from the Dominican Republic gave up three runs on eight hits to lose his third straight start. Phillips Orta allowed four of the six runs in the sixth inning while and Manny Olivares allowed the other two. Jake Goldberg threw two scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth. Charleston starter David Phelps (8-2) picked up his second win of the season against the Sand Gnats scattering seven hits and striking out three.
Bisons: - The Tale Of Two Pitchers
Lance Broadway and Adam Bostick are trying to accomplish the same thing. They are ex-prospects that hope to rekindle the flame they, and the people around them once had about their talent.
Broadway, turning 26 in August, was the 15th overall pick (in the 1st round) of the 2005 draft, by the Chicago White Sox. His senior year at TCU was magical, going 15-1, 1.62 and striking out 151 in 117 innings, but as we have learned so mnay times before, that was college and this is baseball.
Broadway pitched part of five seasons in the White Sox organization, with his best year being AAA-Charlotte in 2008 (11-7, 4.66), but even that year, his strikeouts were way down (101Ks in 166 innings). And two short trips to Chicago had less than successful results.
Still' Baseball America had him listed as the 2nd top White Sox prospect in 2008, and he's turn that around, right?
Adam Bostick's road to today's game was as rocky but travelled much differently.
Bostick, already 26, was a sixth round draft pick out of high school, by the Florida Marlins, in 2001. He has never been ranked by Baseball America as a top prospect, but he did pitch five years in the Marlins organizaton, mostly as a starter.
He partcularly had a decent year in 2006 for AA-Carolina (8-7, 3.52, in 22 starts), but, just when he was about to crack the Marlins rotation, along came the second worst trade in New York's history, right behind those indians that got 22 bucks for Manhattan.
Yes, it was Bostick and Adam Vargas that were traded for some God forsavin reason, to the Mets, for Matt Lindstrom, and Henry Owens.
Bostick stayed a starter for two more seasons (7-9), got hurt, and seemed dead, but returned this year as a relief pitcher. First, he went 3-0, 2.60 in 11 appearances for the B-Mets, and today, he increased his scoreless innings to 9.1 for Buffalo. His AAA ERA stands at o.oo.
Meanwhile, Broadway gave up seven earned runs over five innings and his 2009 ERA for the Bisons stands at 6.80.
These are the best of times...
Roster Moves: They Musta Listened To Me!
RHP Eric Brown transferred from Binghamton (AA) to St. Lucie (High-A)
RHP Jake Ruckle transferred from St. Lucie (High-A) to Binghamton (AA)
RHP Jake Ruckle transferred from St. Lucie (High-A) to Binghamton (AA)
B-Mets Game Notes
LAST GAME:
The return of Brad Holt was short-lived last night
as Akron pounded him for five runs in the first inning, which
proved to be enough to coast on to an 8-3 win at Canal Park
last night. Holt recorded just one out in the first inning before
exiting in favor of Stephen Clyne. Holt loaded the bases with
one out before giving up a two-run single to Beau Mills and a
three-run homer to Matt McBride. Akron struck for more in the
fourth when Nick Weglarz smashed his 12th homer of the
year, a three-run shot, off Connor Robertson. Despite being
down 8-0, the B-Mets showed some fight and came back with
two runs in the fifth on an RBI double from Jose Coronado and
an RBI groundout off the bat of Emmanuel Garcia. Binghamton
scored its final run in the sixth thanks to Lucas Duda’s run
-scoring single. Roy Merritt threw the final two innings of the
game scoreless with two strikeouts. Josh Tomlin went a season-
best seven innings allowing three runs on six hits to pick
up his team-leading eighth win.
as Akron pounded him for five runs in the first inning, which
proved to be enough to coast on to an 8-3 win at Canal Park
last night. Holt recorded just one out in the first inning before
exiting in favor of Stephen Clyne. Holt loaded the bases with
one out before giving up a two-run single to Beau Mills and a
three-run homer to Matt McBride. Akron struck for more in the
fourth when Nick Weglarz smashed his 12th homer of the
year, a three-run shot, off Connor Robertson. Despite being
down 8-0, the B-Mets showed some fight and came back with
two runs in the fifth on an RBI double from Jose Coronado and
an RBI groundout off the bat of Emmanuel Garcia. Binghamton
scored its final run in the sixth thanks to Lucas Duda’s run
-scoring single. Roy Merritt threw the final two innings of the
game scoreless with two strikeouts. Josh Tomlin went a season-
best seven innings allowing three runs on six hits to pick
up his team-leading eighth win.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Edgar Ramirez will getthe ball for the B-Mets today, making his third spot start of the
year. His last start came in Game 2 of the doubleheader with
Trenton June 21. He went three innings allowing two runs and
took the loss in the contest. His last appearance came Thursday
against Bowie when he threw two innings allowing a run.
For the season with Binghamton, he is 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA in
15.1 innings. He began 2009 with St. Lucie (High-A) and did
not allow a run in 21.2 innings of work. Ramirez split last
season between St. Lucie (High-A) and Savannah (Low-A).
With St. Lucie he went 1-1 with a 4.75 ERA in 14 appearances,
one of which was a start. With the Sand Gnats he was
3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He was drafted
by the Mets’ in the 36th round out of LSU in 2006.
year. His last start came in Game 2 of the doubleheader with
Trenton June 21. He went three innings allowing two runs and
took the loss in the contest. His last appearance came Thursday
against Bowie when he threw two innings allowing a run.
For the season with Binghamton, he is 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA in
15.1 innings. He began 2009 with St. Lucie (High-A) and did
not allow a run in 21.2 innings of work. Ramirez split last
season between St. Lucie (High-A) and Savannah (Low-A).
With St. Lucie he went 1-1 with a 4.75 ERA in 14 appearances,
one of which was a start. With the Sand Gnats he was
3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He was drafted
by the Mets’ in the 36th round out of LSU in 2006.
LHP Aaron Laffey will make a rehab start for Akron today on
loan from the Cleveland Indians. Laffey made a rehab start for
the Aeros June 23 against Trenton and threw four shutout
innings allowing a hit and a walk with four strikeouts. He has
been on the disabled list since May 23 with an oblique strain.
With the Big League club this year, he was 3-1 with a 3.93
ERA in four starts and 6 relief appearances covering 34.1
innings. Laffey made 16 starts for the Indians (AL) last season
tallying a 5-7 record with a 4.23 ERA in 93.2 innings. He was
drafted in the 16th round of the 2003 draft out of Allegany HS
(MD).
loan from the Cleveland Indians. Laffey made a rehab start for
the Aeros June 23 against Trenton and threw four shutout
innings allowing a hit and a walk with four strikeouts. He has
been on the disabled list since May 23 with an oblique strain.
With the Big League club this year, he was 3-1 with a 3.93
ERA in four starts and 6 relief appearances covering 34.1
innings. Laffey made 16 starts for the Indians (AL) last season
tallying a 5-7 record with a 4.23 ERA in 93.2 innings. He was
drafted in the 16th round of the 2003 draft out of Allegany HS
(MD).
NIGHT OF DOUBLES:
Last night, the B-Mets tied a season-high
with five doubles. Josh Petersen, Jose Coronado and D.J.
Wabick all doubled and Ike Davis doubled twice. Davis has
doubled three times in four games with Binghamton and is
now hitting .438 in four games since being promoted to AA.
with five doubles. Josh Petersen, Jose Coronado and D.J.
Wabick all doubled and Ike Davis doubled twice. Davis has
doubled three times in four games with Binghamton and is
now hitting .438 in four games since being promoted to AA.
Open Discussion: Thoughts on Trades
It's Sunday, the heat index is 106, and there's no way I'm going to the Sand Gnats day game, what with my blood sugar problems.
So, I thought I'd clear my mind a little of what's up there and where I think the Mets are going, and what I think they should do.
1. Considering all the injuries, it's nice to be in a division that sucks. Take any team in the majors, take players thought to be the meat of your team (Reyes, Delgado, Maine, Perez, Beltran, etc.) and be two games down in the loss column... well, you'd take any day of the week. The good news here is the Mets will get healthy, and, frankly, they need to worry a little more about the Marlins than the Phillies right now.
2. If the season ended last night, the Mets would not be in the playoffs, but neither would any other team from their division, other than the Phillies, who lead. Again, the good news is the fact that then Mets are only two backs back in the loss column for the wild card in the National League. Again, the bad news is the Marlins are only four back.
3. This patchwork quilt that hits the field every day just isn't going to hack it for the entire season. The Mets still don't have an SP2, and guys with broken fingers are playing in the place of players sitting in the dugout. Health will be the big issue all season long.
4. Forget what the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins do for the rest of the season. This is the time of the season I keep repeating the same statement... win the series and you win the division. Most of your games will be against teams you are trying to finish ahead of. Win the series... and you win the division.
5. One of the Mets reporters said today that the Mets should trade prospect SS Wilmer Flores for an every day established outfileder with pop. Good idea. Look, everyone that knows me knows how much I care about prospects, but I totally agree with the statement that Steve Phillips told Omar Minaya when he took over the GM job... prospects will get you fired.
I am really excited about the young pitching that's coming along (Holt, Niese, Mejia,Familia), but I've seen this a few years ago (Mulvey, Humber, Cleto, Guerra), and many other times since the Seaver era (Ingrishausen, Pulsipher, Wilson, Acevedo). You just don't know what you have until well into the second year they are pitching rotational ball in the majors.
Any time you can trade a 16-year old for an established every day outfielder who had a .550 slugging percentage, and is somewhere between the ages of 24-29, you do it. First of all, the 16-year old won't pay off, if ever, for at least three more years. These are three years you could have won three pennants.
Secondly, yes, Flores looks like a keeper, but during those three years you would have an every day killer outfielder, you still have some guy named Jose Reyes. And, there is Ruben Tejada playing good ball at the AA level, so there might not even be any room for Flores some day.
Sure, you can move Flores to the outfield or first base, but do you really think the Mets aren't going to fill those positions before 2013?
6. The current Mets system is not going to solve these problems in the next couple of years.
Top "A" prospects dominate at their level. At this point halfway through the minor league season, the only players dominating at the level they are playing today are 1B Ike Davis at AA (only 16 at bats), C Josh Thole at AA (.343), C Ralph Henriquez at A+ (only 18 at bats), and 2B Jordany Valdespin at A (.846 OPS). None of these players are close to ready for the majors, and, do you notice, not one of them is a pitcher. Mejia dominated at A+, but isn't at AA.
7. No one wants to trade nothing to the Mets since the Santana deal. That was almost as good as the Babe Ruth trade to the Yankees. None of the four players shipped to Minnesota have turned into a star, and right now, it looks like only one (Carlos Gomez) will be any kind of major leaguer.
8. Add to that, every team know the Mets don't have the level of top propsects other teams have who are also looking for an outfielder, a first baseman, a catcher, and an SP2. Deals will be made, but frankly, other teams will be able to offer more.
9. I've not commented on the Mets draft so far, mainly because I'm still in shock. Most of the players picked weren't even on my top 300 list. I mean, why draft someone who has proven they are already a great baseball player, when you can pick a high school kid from a small school (with inferior competition), and "work with him". Yeah, that works every day.
10. Sit back and enjoy the season. Maybe the Mets make the playoff. Maybe they don't. But, this is the third year of all of you rooting for the same kind of team. You know changes have to be made, and trust me, this is a business. And, in a business, you start the changes on the top floor of the building.
Mack
Bisons Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
Today, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Charlotte Knights in the second game of a four-game series from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Knights took the opener last night with a 4-1 win. The Bisons are coming off an eight-game roadtrip where they went 4-4 and hit .305 as a team. After this series concludes on Tuesday, the Bisons will have an off day on Wednesday before hosting a two-game series against rival Rochester. vs.
THE KNIGHTS:
The Bisons are 2-3 against the Knights this season. The two teams split a four-game series in Charlotte, June 19-22. The Bisons have outscored the Knights 24-18 in the season-series. The Bisons won the season series over Charlotte last season, 5-3.
SCORING EARLY:
The Bisons scored in the 1st inning in six of their last nine games (11 total 1st inning runs). Last night, Chip Ambres provided the early tally with his second home run as a Bison. Buffalo has scored 39 first inning runs this year, the most in any inning.
FELICIANO FEELIN’ IT:
Despite going 0-4 last night, OF Jesus Feliciano remains among the top hitters in the International League. Feliciano is hitting .308 this year, 9th-best in the IL. The outfielder has hit safely in 24 of his last 30 games since May 23. During this stretch, he has averaged .360 (40-111) with eight doubles, 19 RBI and 19 runs scored.
FELLIN’ SULLY:
OF Cory Sullivan had another hit last night and has now averaged .412 (7-17) over a four-game hit streak. But Sullivan’s hot stretch at the plate goes beyond that. In the 31 games since May 22, Sullivan has averaged .360 (41-114). The stretch includes 13 multi-hit games and a pair of four-hit efforts. It has raised Sullivan’s season average 82 points from .202 to .284.
HITTIN’ HERD:
The Bisons offense has been red hot of late. The Bisons pounded out 16 hits on Friday night to tie a season high they set on June 19 against the Knights. Buffalo hit .305 as a team and averaged 5.3 runs/game over their recent eight-game roadtrip. The Herd has come alive in the month of June, posting a .270 (217-805) team batting average in the month. That’s the 4th highest June average in the IL.
Minors Stuff
The Herd:
Jack Egbert held the Bisons to one run over eight innings as the Herd fell to the Charlotte Knights 4-1 Saturday night at Coca-Cola Field.
Saturday's game started the same way the last four have for the Herd, with a Bisons run in the first inning.
However, that would be all Buffalo would manage against Egbert. The 26-year-old picked up right where he left of five days ago against the Herd, when he went six innings, allowing one run on six hits in picking up the victory.
The right-hander cruised through eight innings on Saturday, getting 13 groundball outs and seven strikeouts. Egbert threw 99 pitches, 65 for strikes
http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090627&content_id=5571842&vkey=news_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422
B-Mets:
Sunday, June 28 at Akron 1:35 pm RHP Jenrry Mejia (0-3, 3.74) vs. LHP Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)
Monday, June 29 at Akron 7:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-5, 6.83) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.06)
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. TBA
Wednesday, July 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Brown (4-7, 5.54) vs. TBA
Mako Oliveras called Bowie starter Radhames Liz "A major-league arm" and he showed it tonight. Seven shutout innings, six strikeouts, only three hits in a 2-0 victory.Eric Niesen threw well for the B-Mets. Six innings, six hits, one run. Of his 98 pitches, he threw 68 for strikes. He pitched very well. Liz was just better.Josh Thole with another 2-hit game. In 63 games, he has 26 multiple-hit games
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=f37835fbe0f5406eb8d0c1d1c6de3d8f&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3af37835fbe0f5406eb8d0c1d1c6de3d8fPost%3a61a53200-5503-47c0-be8d-0408e4cc789d&sid=sitelife.pressconnects.com
Gnats:
The winning streak ends at three for the Savannah Sand Gnats as the Charleston RiverDogs earned their first win of the second half with a, 4-3, victory in front of 2,236 at Historic Grayson Stadium Saturday night.
The Gnats looked as if they would spark a comeback in the ninth when Kai Gronauer homered to lead off the inning. Stefan Welch followed Gronauer’s blast to left with a single into right and the Gnats were in business. Imbewer Alvarez was inserted in the game for Welch as a pinch runner but was subsequently thrown out on a snap throw by the catcher Chase Weems for the first out of the ninth inning.
Evan LeBlanc grounded out and Rafael Fernandez struck out to end the game. With the home run in the ninth, Gronauer extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games.
Back-to-back doubles by Jose Pirela and Ray Kruml in the second inning propelled the RiverDogs to take a one-run lead. Melky Mesa knocked Kruml home with an RBI-single to give Charleston a, 2-0, lead.
The Gnats got one back in the fourth on an RBI-single by Stefan Welch but the ‘Dogs responded right away in the top of the fifth when Corban Joseph smacked his a two-run home run for his first long ball of the year giving Charleston a three-run advantage.
Chuck Nolte (1-0) picks up the win in relief for Charleston while Kyle Allen’s (5-3) string of two straight wins comes to an end as he took loss. Eric Beaulac had an impressive four-inning scoreless outing in relief. The Troy, NY native struck out six batters in a row between the last out of the seventh and the second out of the ninth.
Clones:
New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez will pitch for the Cyclones on Sunday, as part of a rehab assignment.
Get your Sunday tickets now
Perez has been on the Disabled List since May 6th, with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He is 1-2 with a 9.97 ERA in five games this season for the Mets. Entering the 2009 season, Perez was 55-60 with a 4.39 ERA in 175 major league games. He joined the Mets in 2006, and starred in the postseason that year, going 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in the NLCS. He won 15 games for the Mets in 2007, and 10 games in 2008. In 2004, while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Perez struck out a career-high 239 batters, and went 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA.
On the surface, Erik Turgeon’s numbers with the Mets Single-A affiliate in Savannah, a 3.18 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings, don’t seem to shabby, but when you add in the seven hits and 11 walks he surrendered during the time as well, it’s obvious that the 23-year-old could benefit from some time with the Cyclones to polish his game.
A two-way player in College, Turgeon was used to playing the field and then coming in to pitch. Now a full-time pitcher in the minor leagues, the Florida-native is still refining his game.
He even got help from an unlikely source this offseason.
“I worked out at this place called the Winning Inning this offseason,” he said. “I worked out with [Chicago White Sox pitcher] Gavin Floyd. He taught me his curveball; I owe a lot of it to him. Aside from that I just went hunting a few times and worked out all offseason. Last year was more about throwing the ball; this year I’m more a pitcher and I’m ready to go in at any time.”
http://www.dembrooklynbums.com/2009/06/25/turgeon-looking-for-consistency-in-brooklyn
K-Port:
Something very good happened for the Kingsport Mets at Hunter Wright Stadium on Saturday night.
The only trouble was, something very, very bad followed right on its heels.
After coming back to take a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kingsport’s defense and pitching melted down in the top of the ninth. The Bluefield Orioles rallied for 10 runs and deposed the K-Mets 15-7.
“In baseball, I’ve seen so many things happen. Anything can happen in baseball,” said Bluefield manager Einar Diaz, whose lineup rapped out seven hits and capitalized on four Kingsport errors in the final frame.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014851
Queens:
The Mets should try to trade for Michael Cuddyer by offering the Twins SS prospect Wilmer Flores.
Michael Cuddyer, when healthy, is a solid RF, with a good arm and, more importantly from the Mets prospective, power. While he can play a number of positions, RF is where he is best suited—he has had season of 18 and 19 assists from RF, and can handle the new CitiField well. As of this writing, Cuddyer is slugging .514, or what would be 2nd on the Mets squad behind the injured Beltran. Also, he has an OPS of .878, which would place him 4rd behind Wright and Beltran and the soon to be injured Sheffield.
The Twins have a glut of outfielders—and trading Cuddyer could clear space for other able players. Right now, the Twins are breaking in young outfielders Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez (of the Mets farm system), both young and talented and who need time to grow. The Twins also have Jason Kubel and Denard Span—productive players both as Kubel is slugging .558 and Span is batting .287 with 12 stolen bases.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/catalano_mets_desperate_times_call_for_desperate_trade
Jack Egbert held the Bisons to one run over eight innings as the Herd fell to the Charlotte Knights 4-1 Saturday night at Coca-Cola Field.
Saturday's game started the same way the last four have for the Herd, with a Bisons run in the first inning.
However, that would be all Buffalo would manage against Egbert. The 26-year-old picked up right where he left of five days ago against the Herd, when he went six innings, allowing one run on six hits in picking up the victory.
The right-hander cruised through eight innings on Saturday, getting 13 groundball outs and seven strikeouts. Egbert threw 99 pitches, 65 for strikes
http://buffalo.bisons.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090627&content_id=5571842&vkey=news_t422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422
B-Mets:
Sunday, June 28 at Akron 1:35 pm RHP Jenrry Mejia (0-3, 3.74) vs. LHP Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)
Monday, June 29 at Akron 7:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-5, 6.83) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.06)
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. TBA
Wednesday, July 1 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Brown (4-7, 5.54) vs. TBA
Mako Oliveras called Bowie starter Radhames Liz "A major-league arm" and he showed it tonight. Seven shutout innings, six strikeouts, only three hits in a 2-0 victory.Eric Niesen threw well for the B-Mets. Six innings, six hits, one run. Of his 98 pitches, he threw 68 for strikes. He pitched very well. Liz was just better.Josh Thole with another 2-hit game. In 63 games, he has 26 multiple-hit games
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=f37835fbe0f5406eb8d0c1d1c6de3d8f&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3af37835fbe0f5406eb8d0c1d1c6de3d8fPost%3a61a53200-5503-47c0-be8d-0408e4cc789d&sid=sitelife.pressconnects.com
Gnats:
The winning streak ends at three for the Savannah Sand Gnats as the Charleston RiverDogs earned their first win of the second half with a, 4-3, victory in front of 2,236 at Historic Grayson Stadium Saturday night.
The Gnats looked as if they would spark a comeback in the ninth when Kai Gronauer homered to lead off the inning. Stefan Welch followed Gronauer’s blast to left with a single into right and the Gnats were in business. Imbewer Alvarez was inserted in the game for Welch as a pinch runner but was subsequently thrown out on a snap throw by the catcher Chase Weems for the first out of the ninth inning.
Evan LeBlanc grounded out and Rafael Fernandez struck out to end the game. With the home run in the ninth, Gronauer extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games.
Back-to-back doubles by Jose Pirela and Ray Kruml in the second inning propelled the RiverDogs to take a one-run lead. Melky Mesa knocked Kruml home with an RBI-single to give Charleston a, 2-0, lead.
The Gnats got one back in the fourth on an RBI-single by Stefan Welch but the ‘Dogs responded right away in the top of the fifth when Corban Joseph smacked his a two-run home run for his first long ball of the year giving Charleston a three-run advantage.
Chuck Nolte (1-0) picks up the win in relief for Charleston while Kyle Allen’s (5-3) string of two straight wins comes to an end as he took loss. Eric Beaulac had an impressive four-inning scoreless outing in relief. The Troy, NY native struck out six batters in a row between the last out of the seventh and the second out of the ninth.
Clones:
New York Mets pitcher Oliver Perez will pitch for the Cyclones on Sunday, as part of a rehab assignment.
Get your Sunday tickets now
Perez has been on the Disabled List since May 6th, with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He is 1-2 with a 9.97 ERA in five games this season for the Mets. Entering the 2009 season, Perez was 55-60 with a 4.39 ERA in 175 major league games. He joined the Mets in 2006, and starred in the postseason that year, going 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in the NLCS. He won 15 games for the Mets in 2007, and 10 games in 2008. In 2004, while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Perez struck out a career-high 239 batters, and went 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA.
On the surface, Erik Turgeon’s numbers with the Mets Single-A affiliate in Savannah, a 3.18 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings, don’t seem to shabby, but when you add in the seven hits and 11 walks he surrendered during the time as well, it’s obvious that the 23-year-old could benefit from some time with the Cyclones to polish his game.
A two-way player in College, Turgeon was used to playing the field and then coming in to pitch. Now a full-time pitcher in the minor leagues, the Florida-native is still refining his game.
He even got help from an unlikely source this offseason.
“I worked out at this place called the Winning Inning this offseason,” he said. “I worked out with [Chicago White Sox pitcher] Gavin Floyd. He taught me his curveball; I owe a lot of it to him. Aside from that I just went hunting a few times and worked out all offseason. Last year was more about throwing the ball; this year I’m more a pitcher and I’m ready to go in at any time.”
http://www.dembrooklynbums.com/2009/06/25/turgeon-looking-for-consistency-in-brooklyn
K-Port:
Something very good happened for the Kingsport Mets at Hunter Wright Stadium on Saturday night.
The only trouble was, something very, very bad followed right on its heels.
After coming back to take a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kingsport’s defense and pitching melted down in the top of the ninth. The Bluefield Orioles rallied for 10 runs and deposed the K-Mets 15-7.
“In baseball, I’ve seen so many things happen. Anything can happen in baseball,” said Bluefield manager Einar Diaz, whose lineup rapped out seven hits and capitalized on four Kingsport errors in the final frame.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014851
Queens:
The Mets should try to trade for Michael Cuddyer by offering the Twins SS prospect Wilmer Flores.
Michael Cuddyer, when healthy, is a solid RF, with a good arm and, more importantly from the Mets prospective, power. While he can play a number of positions, RF is where he is best suited—he has had season of 18 and 19 assists from RF, and can handle the new CitiField well. As of this writing, Cuddyer is slugging .514, or what would be 2nd on the Mets squad behind the injured Beltran. Also, he has an OPS of .878, which would place him 4rd behind Wright and Beltran and the soon to be injured Sheffield.
The Twins have a glut of outfielders—and trading Cuddyer could clear space for other able players. Right now, the Twins are breaking in young outfielders Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez (of the Mets farm system), both young and talented and who need time to grow. The Twins also have Jason Kubel and Denard Span—productive players both as Kubel is slugging .558 and Span is batting .287 with 12 stolen bases.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/catalano_mets_desperate_times_call_for_desperate_trade
6/27/09
Akron 8, B-Mets 3
After missing three weeks due to an ankle injury, Brad Holt’s much anticipated return was short-lived as he recorded just one out while giving up five runs in Binghamton’s 8-3 loss at Canal Park in Akron, OH Saturday night. It was Holt’s shortest professional outing since being drafted in the supplemental first round last season.
Major League-rehabber Asdrubal Cabrera singled to start the Aeros’ first inning at the plate and Holt followed it by walking Cristo Arnal. After Nick Weglarz flied out to left, Carlos Santana worked a walk to load the bases. Beau Mills laced a two-run single to right-center to get Akron on the board and Matt McBride followed with a three-run homer to left, giving the Aeros a 5-0 lead.
Akron (50-23) added to their lead in the fourth when Weglarz smashed a three-run shot to right off B-Mets reliever Connor Robertson. This put the Aeros in command 8-0.
After four shutout innings, Binghamton (27-46) finally got to Akron starter Josh Tomlin. After D.J. Wabick doubled to open the fifth, Ruben Tejada singled to put runners at the corners for Jose Coronado. Coronado jumped on a Tomlin fastball sending it into the right-field corner for a double, scoring Wabick. Tejada would later score on an Emmanuel Garcia groundout, cutting the lead to 8-2.
The B-Mets scored their final run in the sixth. Ike Davis doubled to lead off the frame and was brought home on Lucas Duda’s one-out RBI single to right-center, making it 8-3.
Tomlin went a season-high seven innings allowing three runs on six hits for his team-leading eighth win.
Holt was charged with five earned runs on three hits in a third of an inning for his first AA loss.
Davis was the only B-Mets’ player with two hits, as he doubled twice, scoring once.
Major League-rehabber Asdrubal Cabrera singled to start the Aeros’ first inning at the plate and Holt followed it by walking Cristo Arnal. After Nick Weglarz flied out to left, Carlos Santana worked a walk to load the bases. Beau Mills laced a two-run single to right-center to get Akron on the board and Matt McBride followed with a three-run homer to left, giving the Aeros a 5-0 lead.
Akron (50-23) added to their lead in the fourth when Weglarz smashed a three-run shot to right off B-Mets reliever Connor Robertson. This put the Aeros in command 8-0.
After four shutout innings, Binghamton (27-46) finally got to Akron starter Josh Tomlin. After D.J. Wabick doubled to open the fifth, Ruben Tejada singled to put runners at the corners for Jose Coronado. Coronado jumped on a Tomlin fastball sending it into the right-field corner for a double, scoring Wabick. Tejada would later score on an Emmanuel Garcia groundout, cutting the lead to 8-2.
The B-Mets scored their final run in the sixth. Ike Davis doubled to lead off the frame and was brought home on Lucas Duda’s one-out RBI single to right-center, making it 8-3.
Tomlin went a season-high seven innings allowing three runs on six hits for his team-leading eighth win.
Holt was charged with five earned runs on three hits in a third of an inning for his first AA loss.
Davis was the only B-Mets’ player with two hits, as he doubled twice, scoring once.
Charleston 4, Savannah 2
The winning streak ends at three for the Savannah Sand Gnats as the Charleston RiverDogs earned their first win of the second half with a, 4-2, victory in front of 2,236 at Historic Grayson Stadium Saturday night. The Gnats looked as if they would spark a comeback in the ninth when Kai Gronauer homered to lead off the inning. Stefan Welch followed Gronauer’s blast to left with a single into right and the Gnats were in business. Imbewer Alvarez was inserted in the game for Welch as a pinch runner but was subsequently thrown out on a snap throw by the catcher Chase Weems for the first out of the ninth inning. Evan LeBlanc grounded out and Rafael Fernandez struck out to end the game. With the home run in the ninth, Gronauer extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games. Back-to-back doubles by Jose Pirela and Ray Kruml in the second inning propelled the RiverDogs to take a one-run lead. Melky Mesa knocked Kruml home with an RBI-single to give Charleston a, 2-0, lead. The Gnats got one back in the fourth on an RBI-single by Stefan Welch but the ‘Dogs responded right away in the top of the fifth when Corban Joseph smacked his a two-run home run for his first long ball of the year giving Charleston a three-run advantage.Chuck Nolte (1-0) picks up the win in relief for Charleston while Kyle Allen’s (5-3) string of two straight wins comes to an end as he took loss. Eric Beaulac had an impressive four-inning scoreless outing in relief. The Troy, NY native struck out six batters in a row between the last out of the seventh and the second out of the ninth.
Prospect Alert - SP - Ernesto Yanez
Prospect Alert – SP – Ernesto Yanez
It’s extremely premature to add someone playing, either in the DSL or VSL system, to the prospect list, simply because it is too early to determine if someone this young and inexperienced has what it takes to make it to the Bigs.
That being said, we can still put a flag next to name and keep an eye on them, like we did with many in the past.
Such is the case with SP Ernesto Yanez.
Yanez is 19-years old and hails from Chivacoa, Trujillo, Venezuela. He pitched a 5-0 complete game shutout today for the VSL Mets, and his record now stands at 5-1, 1.77, 1.06, in eight games, five starts. That’s eight appearances in 33 games, or an average of once every four games.
Yanez only has 25 strikeouts in 40.2 innings (2nd in the league), but only has given up ten walks.
There’s no picture yet of the kid, but I would think he should start looking for an apartment in Florida.
It’s extremely premature to add someone playing, either in the DSL or VSL system, to the prospect list, simply because it is too early to determine if someone this young and inexperienced has what it takes to make it to the Bigs.
That being said, we can still put a flag next to name and keep an eye on them, like we did with many in the past.
Such is the case with SP Ernesto Yanez.
Yanez is 19-years old and hails from Chivacoa, Trujillo, Venezuela. He pitched a 5-0 complete game shutout today for the VSL Mets, and his record now stands at 5-1, 1.77, 1.06, in eight games, five starts. That’s eight appearances in 33 games, or an average of once every four games.
Yanez only has 25 strikeouts in 40.2 innings (2nd in the league), but only has given up ten walks.
There’s no picture yet of the kid, but I would think he should start looking for an apartment in Florida.
B-Mets Game Notes
LAST GAME:
In the first meeting between Akron and Binghamton
for 2009, the Aeros proved why they are the best team in
the Eastern League with a prototypic 3-1 win over the B-Mets.
Akron, which possesses the best team ERA in the league
showcased starter Hector Rondon, who fired 5.2 innings
scoreless with two hits and two walks to pick up his seventh
win. Eric Brown acquitted himself well for Binghamton, giving
up two runs in 5.1 innings, but took the loss. After doubling to
open up the fourth inning, Carlos Santana scored with two
outs on a Brown wild pitch to give Akron the lead 1-0. They
added runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Santana and in
the seventh on an RBI double from Nick Weglarz. The B-Mets
lone run came in the eighth thanks to an Ike Davis RBI single.
Binghamton had the tying run on base in the eighth, but
closer Vinnie Pestano came on to extinguish the fire and
throw a scoreless ninth for his league-leading 21st save in 24
chances.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Brad Holt will return to
the mound for the first time since June 5. He has missed the
past three weeks due to an ankle sprain. In his only start with
Binghamton, he tossed 6.1 innings allowing three runs, two
earned, on two hits against Connecticut. Holt is considered
the fourth-best prospect in the Mets’ organization by Baseball
America and is considered the top starting pitching prospect
among right-handers. He opened the season with St. Lucie
(High-A) and went 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 41.1 innings in eight
starts. Last season, he starred with Brooklyn (SS-A) going 5-3
with a 1.87 ERA in 14 starts covering 72 innings with 96
strikeouts. He led the New York-Penn League in ERA (1.87),
strikeouts (96) and opponent average (.171). Holt was the
Mets’ first-round supplemental pick in 2008, 33rd overall, out
of UNC-Wilmington.
RHP Josh Tomlin gets the call for Akron tonight and will make
his 13th start of the year. He last started June 20 in Game 2
of a twin bill at Portland. He picked up the win in the seveninning
contest thanks to five innings on one-run work, in which
he allowed just three hits with four strikeouts. On the season,
he is 7-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 67.1 innings. He is cruising in
June with a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. Last year, he made just
nine starts and worked primarily out of the bullpen for Kinston
(High-A). He recorded a 9-5 mark with a 2.98 ERA in 102.2
innings in the Carolina League in 2008. He was drafted by
Cleveland in the 19th round out of Texas Tech.
JADED FROM JUNE:
June has been the worst month for the BMets
all season winning just six of the team’s 25 games.
Binghamton has been outscored by over two runs in the
month, 136-82 in 25 games.
In the first meeting between Akron and Binghamton
for 2009, the Aeros proved why they are the best team in
the Eastern League with a prototypic 3-1 win over the B-Mets.
Akron, which possesses the best team ERA in the league
showcased starter Hector Rondon, who fired 5.2 innings
scoreless with two hits and two walks to pick up his seventh
win. Eric Brown acquitted himself well for Binghamton, giving
up two runs in 5.1 innings, but took the loss. After doubling to
open up the fourth inning, Carlos Santana scored with two
outs on a Brown wild pitch to give Akron the lead 1-0. They
added runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Santana and in
the seventh on an RBI double from Nick Weglarz. The B-Mets
lone run came in the eighth thanks to an Ike Davis RBI single.
Binghamton had the tying run on base in the eighth, but
closer Vinnie Pestano came on to extinguish the fire and
throw a scoreless ninth for his league-leading 21st save in 24
chances.
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP:
RHP Brad Holt will return to
the mound for the first time since June 5. He has missed the
past three weeks due to an ankle sprain. In his only start with
Binghamton, he tossed 6.1 innings allowing three runs, two
earned, on two hits against Connecticut. Holt is considered
the fourth-best prospect in the Mets’ organization by Baseball
America and is considered the top starting pitching prospect
among right-handers. He opened the season with St. Lucie
(High-A) and went 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 41.1 innings in eight
starts. Last season, he starred with Brooklyn (SS-A) going 5-3
with a 1.87 ERA in 14 starts covering 72 innings with 96
strikeouts. He led the New York-Penn League in ERA (1.87),
strikeouts (96) and opponent average (.171). Holt was the
Mets’ first-round supplemental pick in 2008, 33rd overall, out
of UNC-Wilmington.
RHP Josh Tomlin gets the call for Akron tonight and will make
his 13th start of the year. He last started June 20 in Game 2
of a twin bill at Portland. He picked up the win in the seveninning
contest thanks to five innings on one-run work, in which
he allowed just three hits with four strikeouts. On the season,
he is 7-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 67.1 innings. He is cruising in
June with a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. Last year, he made just
nine starts and worked primarily out of the bullpen for Kinston
(High-A). He recorded a 9-5 mark with a 2.98 ERA in 102.2
innings in the Carolina League in 2008. He was drafted by
Cleveland in the 19th round out of Texas Tech.
JADED FROM JUNE:
June has been the worst month for the BMets
all season winning just six of the team’s 25 games.
Binghamton has been outscored by over two runs in the
month, 136-82 in 25 games.
Buffalo Game Notes
TODAY’S GAME:
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Charlotte Knights in the first game of a four-game set from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd and Knights split a four-game series (June 19-22) in Charlotte. Buffalo took the first two games by outscoring Charlotte 15-4, but the Knights evened the series behind two, one-run victories.
KNIGHT’S NIGHT:
RHP Brandon Knight gets the start tonight for the Herd looking to bounce back from a rough outing against Charlotte his last time out, when he gave up seven earned runs in four innings. However, the last time Knight toed the rubber at Coca-Cola Field he delivered a 109-pitch (80 strike) complete game against the Durham Bulls, allowing just one run on six hits. The veteran leads the Bisons pitching staff with 68 strikeouts on the year.
HITTIN’ HERD:
The Bisons pounded out 16 hits on Friday night to tie a season high they set on June 19 against the Knights. Buffalo hit .305 as a team and averaged 5.3 runs/game over their recent eight-game roadtrip. The Herd has come alive in the month of June, posting a .275 (213-775) team batting average in the month. That’s 2nd best in the IL behind only Rochester (.284).
SCORING EARLY:
The Bisons scored in the 1st inning in five of the eight games on their recent roadtrip (10 total 1st inning runs). The Herd won four of the five games in which they plated a runner in the first inning. Buffalo has scored 38 first inning runs this year, the most in any inning.
FELICIANO FEELIN’ IT:
OF Jesus Feliciano has been the Bisons most consistent hitter all season. Feliciano has hit safely in 24 of his last 29 games since May 23. During this stretch, he has averaged .374 (40-107) with eight doubles, 19 RBI and 19 runs scored. The solid month stretch has raised Feliciano’s average 53 points to .313, which is currently 6th best in the International League.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons have added INF Wilson Valdez and LHP Jon Switzer to their active roster. Both players were designated for assignment by the Mets. Valdez hit .208 (5-24) in 11 games with New York after being acquired in a trade with Cleveland. Switzer posted an 8.10ERA in four games (3.1IP) with New York after beginning the 2009 campaign with the Herd.
Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Charlotte Knights in the first game of a four-game set from Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd and Knights split a four-game series (June 19-22) in Charlotte. Buffalo took the first two games by outscoring Charlotte 15-4, but the Knights evened the series behind two, one-run victories.
KNIGHT’S NIGHT:
RHP Brandon Knight gets the start tonight for the Herd looking to bounce back from a rough outing against Charlotte his last time out, when he gave up seven earned runs in four innings. However, the last time Knight toed the rubber at Coca-Cola Field he delivered a 109-pitch (80 strike) complete game against the Durham Bulls, allowing just one run on six hits. The veteran leads the Bisons pitching staff with 68 strikeouts on the year.
HITTIN’ HERD:
The Bisons pounded out 16 hits on Friday night to tie a season high they set on June 19 against the Knights. Buffalo hit .305 as a team and averaged 5.3 runs/game over their recent eight-game roadtrip. The Herd has come alive in the month of June, posting a .275 (213-775) team batting average in the month. That’s 2nd best in the IL behind only Rochester (.284).
SCORING EARLY:
The Bisons scored in the 1st inning in five of the eight games on their recent roadtrip (10 total 1st inning runs). The Herd won four of the five games in which they plated a runner in the first inning. Buffalo has scored 38 first inning runs this year, the most in any inning.
FELICIANO FEELIN’ IT:
OF Jesus Feliciano has been the Bisons most consistent hitter all season. Feliciano has hit safely in 24 of his last 29 games since May 23. During this stretch, he has averaged .374 (40-107) with eight doubles, 19 RBI and 19 runs scored. The solid month stretch has raised Feliciano’s average 53 points to .313, which is currently 6th best in the International League.
ROSTER MOVES:
The Bisons have added INF Wilson Valdez and LHP Jon Switzer to their active roster. Both players were designated for assignment by the Mets. Valdez hit .208 (5-24) in 11 games with New York after being acquired in a trade with Cleveland. Switzer posted an 8.10ERA in four games (3.1IP) with New York after beginning the 2009 campaign with the Herd.
2010 MLB Draft - The Early Line
RHP:
1. Anthony Ranaudo – LSU – 6-7, 231… drafted in 11th round 2007 draft… superb command… fastball 92-94 range… nasty curve which he can locate for strikes… decent changeup… deceptive delivery and great command… very polished… velocity way down in 2009 CWS… had tendinitis as freshman… 2009: 10-3, 2.95, 147K, 109.2 IP, oba: .198…
2. Seth Blair - Arizona State – 6-2, 190… posted 1.55 ERA in 2008 Cape Cod league… 2009 at ASU: 7-2, 3.16… fastball 88-92, touches 95… average slider.
3. Matt Harvey – North Carolina… was 3rd round pick by the Angels out of high school and turned down a $1mil offer. Low-90s fastball that touches 95. Excellent curveball… average changeup… comes from ¾ arm slot… changeup 78-81… breaking ball 76-79… works quickly from stretch… 2009: 7-2, 5.35, 78K, 70.2 IP
4. Justin Grimm – Georgia… 6-4, 193… drafted in 13 round by Red Sox in 2007… excellent velocity… fastball hits 96… 4-4, 41.5 in 2009.
5. Cameron Bedrosian – East Coweta HS (GA.) – son of Steve Bedrosian… low-90’s fastball… big breaking ball… hard power curve…
6. Brett Eibner – Arkansas – 6-4… not sure if he prospects out as an outfield or a pitcher… fastball hits 95…
7. Drew Pomeranz – Ole Miss – drafted 12th round 2007 by Rangers… fastball 90-94, curve 78-80
8. Justin O’Connor - Cowan High School (IN) – also could be drafted as shortstop… fastball touches 99…
9. A.J. Cole – Oveido High School (FL) – 6-5, 190 - overpowering righty… fastball sits in the 94-95 range… one of the best arms coming out of high school… fastball: 90-93… good depth on his curve…
10. Brandon Workman – Texas – 6-5, 220… fastball in the 89-92 range… hard curveball.
11. Eric Ricks – Jenkins HS (GA) – 6-4, 195 – 2009: 10-1, gave up only 32 hits in 69.2 IP… ERA: 0.56. Fastball in low 80’s… good curve… 90Ks, 22 BB…
12. Caleb Smith – Abundant Life (SC) – 2009: 5-1, 1.08, 60K in 32.2 IP… .490/.581/1.037, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs in 51 at bats – won State Championship in 2009
13. Luke Taylor - Woodinville HS
14. Sam Lindquist - Eastside Catholic HS
15. Jamerson Taillon – The Woodlands HS (TX) – fastball in the low 90s… 12-6 curve is already a good out pitch…
16. Cam Thomas – Abundant Life (SC) – won State Championship in 2009 – 6-4, 190 – 5-0, 1.47, 33K, 19.0 IP – SP2 and 1st string catcher: .449/.542/.939.
LHP:
1. Josh Osich - Oregon State – fastball sits at 97… devastating curve…
2. Drew Pomerance – Mississippi – ace of Ole Miss staff in 2009… 8-4, 3.40, 16 starts… struck out 124, walked 37 in 95.1 IP… was drafted by Rangers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft…
3. Cam Booser, LHP, Fife HS
4. Scotty Burris, LHP, Univ. of Portland
5. Drew Vettleson, OF/LHP, Central Kitsap HS
6. Josh Osich, LHP, Oregon State
C:
1. Bryce Harper – Las Vegas High School –
From Rob Nyer, in 2008, as a 15-yr. old: Harper has a power bat and a plus throwing arm that "already grades out to 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale," according to Dave Perkin of Baseball America. During infield prior to the game, Harper, in full gear, rifled the ball out of a crouch to second and third base with precision. Upon seeing him in action, I marked down "+ + arm" next to his name in my program. Although the rap on him is that he's not all that fast, I thought he ran very well from home to third on that triple, especially considering his age, size, and power. The kid is nothing if not impressive.
As a 16-year old, Harper hit .626 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 at-bats for the Wildcats this season. He hit 22 doubles, nine triples and stole 36 bases. He only struck out five times. He also scored nine times on wild pitches… from 2nd base.
5/09: played a three-game travel schedule… hit 11-12, with 10 HRs and one double
2. Yasmani Grandal – Miami – taken in the 27th round of the 2007 draft by Boston… excellent power and plate discipline… strong arm… needs work on his skills…
3. Mitch Karraker, C, Univ. of Oregon
1B:
1. Troy Scott, 1B, Univ. of Washington
SS:
1. Christian Colon – Cal State Fullerton – excellent defense… only 11 errors as a sophomore… projects out as catcher… handles the bat well… could be best infielder in the draft… toolsy… led the 2008 US National team with 26 hits… hits to all fields… excellent defensive player with strong arm, great hands, and incredible range… excellent power for middle fielder… great bat speed… walked only 7.8% in 2009… drafted in the 10th round in 2007 by the Padres… freshman All-American… hit .352 as sophomore… projected as second baseman.
2. Yorby Cabrera – Lakeland HS (FL) – father Tigers’ minor league coach… also a pitcher but projected as a third baseman… FB 94 range… pro arm in the field…
3. Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA.) – excellent pitcher but wants to be an every day player… very athletic… swings bat well… good hands… may project out at third…
3B:
1. Jake Lamb – Bishop Blanchet HS (WA.) –
2. Zack Cox - Arkansas – draft-eligible sophomore… 3B tools and excellent bat speed… has had back problems.
3. Victor Sanchez – San Diego – was drafted 25th by Cubs in 2007… lots of raw power… 12 HRs as freshman… injured most of sophomore year… shortstop in high school…
OF:
1. Trey Griffin – MLK H.S. (Stockbridge, GA.) – 5-tooler… quickly reads ball off of bat… good speed… also plays SS… incredible hands… power to all fields.
2. Bryce Brentz – Middle Tennessee State – has the most raw power in the draft class… incredible bat command and speed… projects out as a first baseman.
3. Leon Landry - LSU
4. Josh Sale - Bishop Blanchet HS (WA) – 6-1, 195, L/L …
5. Gary Brown – Cal State Fullerton – also plays 3B and projects out as a 2Bman… excellent speed… needs to develop consistency.
6. Austin Wilson – Harvard-Westlake H.S. (CA.) – has most power of the draft… not polished, but who cares… hit two 500+ HRs at Florida showcase, both to different parts of the field. One scout said he’s a “young Adam Jones”…
7. Kevin Keyes – Texas – 6-4, 225… excellent bat speed and strength… 2nd on team in 2009 in HRs and doubles… charts out as a RFer… average arm
8. Jarrett Parker – Virginia – 6-4, 205 junior… excellent size, power, speed, and defense… zero HRs as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore… struck out 76 times in 259 at bats.
1. Anthony Ranaudo – LSU – 6-7, 231… drafted in 11th round 2007 draft… superb command… fastball 92-94 range… nasty curve which he can locate for strikes… decent changeup… deceptive delivery and great command… very polished… velocity way down in 2009 CWS… had tendinitis as freshman… 2009: 10-3, 2.95, 147K, 109.2 IP, oba: .198…
2. Seth Blair - Arizona State – 6-2, 190… posted 1.55 ERA in 2008 Cape Cod league… 2009 at ASU: 7-2, 3.16… fastball 88-92, touches 95… average slider.
3. Matt Harvey – North Carolina… was 3rd round pick by the Angels out of high school and turned down a $1mil offer. Low-90s fastball that touches 95. Excellent curveball… average changeup… comes from ¾ arm slot… changeup 78-81… breaking ball 76-79… works quickly from stretch… 2009: 7-2, 5.35, 78K, 70.2 IP
4. Justin Grimm – Georgia… 6-4, 193… drafted in 13 round by Red Sox in 2007… excellent velocity… fastball hits 96… 4-4, 41.5 in 2009.
5. Cameron Bedrosian – East Coweta HS (GA.) – son of Steve Bedrosian… low-90’s fastball… big breaking ball… hard power curve…
6. Brett Eibner – Arkansas – 6-4… not sure if he prospects out as an outfield or a pitcher… fastball hits 95…
7. Drew Pomeranz – Ole Miss – drafted 12th round 2007 by Rangers… fastball 90-94, curve 78-80
8. Justin O’Connor - Cowan High School (IN) – also could be drafted as shortstop… fastball touches 99…
9. A.J. Cole – Oveido High School (FL) – 6-5, 190 - overpowering righty… fastball sits in the 94-95 range… one of the best arms coming out of high school… fastball: 90-93… good depth on his curve…
10. Brandon Workman – Texas – 6-5, 220… fastball in the 89-92 range… hard curveball.
11. Eric Ricks – Jenkins HS (GA) – 6-4, 195 – 2009: 10-1, gave up only 32 hits in 69.2 IP… ERA: 0.56. Fastball in low 80’s… good curve… 90Ks, 22 BB…
12. Caleb Smith – Abundant Life (SC) – 2009: 5-1, 1.08, 60K in 32.2 IP… .490/.581/1.037, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs in 51 at bats – won State Championship in 2009
13. Luke Taylor - Woodinville HS
14. Sam Lindquist - Eastside Catholic HS
15. Jamerson Taillon – The Woodlands HS (TX) – fastball in the low 90s… 12-6 curve is already a good out pitch…
16. Cam Thomas – Abundant Life (SC) – won State Championship in 2009 – 6-4, 190 – 5-0, 1.47, 33K, 19.0 IP – SP2 and 1st string catcher: .449/.542/.939.
LHP:
1. Josh Osich - Oregon State – fastball sits at 97… devastating curve…
2. Drew Pomerance – Mississippi – ace of Ole Miss staff in 2009… 8-4, 3.40, 16 starts… struck out 124, walked 37 in 95.1 IP… was drafted by Rangers in the 12th round of the 2007 draft…
3. Cam Booser, LHP, Fife HS
4. Scotty Burris, LHP, Univ. of Portland
5. Drew Vettleson, OF/LHP, Central Kitsap HS
6. Josh Osich, LHP, Oregon State
C:
1. Bryce Harper – Las Vegas High School –
From Rob Nyer, in 2008, as a 15-yr. old: Harper has a power bat and a plus throwing arm that "already grades out to 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale," according to Dave Perkin of Baseball America. During infield prior to the game, Harper, in full gear, rifled the ball out of a crouch to second and third base with precision. Upon seeing him in action, I marked down "+ + arm" next to his name in my program. Although the rap on him is that he's not all that fast, I thought he ran very well from home to third on that triple, especially considering his age, size, and power. The kid is nothing if not impressive.
As a 16-year old, Harper hit .626 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 at-bats for the Wildcats this season. He hit 22 doubles, nine triples and stole 36 bases. He only struck out five times. He also scored nine times on wild pitches… from 2nd base.
5/09: played a three-game travel schedule… hit 11-12, with 10 HRs and one double
2. Yasmani Grandal – Miami – taken in the 27th round of the 2007 draft by Boston… excellent power and plate discipline… strong arm… needs work on his skills…
3. Mitch Karraker, C, Univ. of Oregon
1B:
1. Troy Scott, 1B, Univ. of Washington
SS:
1. Christian Colon – Cal State Fullerton – excellent defense… only 11 errors as a sophomore… projects out as catcher… handles the bat well… could be best infielder in the draft… toolsy… led the 2008 US National team with 26 hits… hits to all fields… excellent defensive player with strong arm, great hands, and incredible range… excellent power for middle fielder… great bat speed… walked only 7.8% in 2009… drafted in the 10th round in 2007 by the Padres… freshman All-American… hit .352 as sophomore… projected as second baseman.
2. Yorby Cabrera – Lakeland HS (FL) – father Tigers’ minor league coach… also a pitcher but projected as a third baseman… FB 94 range… pro arm in the field…
3. Kaleb Cowart – Cook County HS (GA.) – excellent pitcher but wants to be an every day player… very athletic… swings bat well… good hands… may project out at third…
3B:
1. Jake Lamb – Bishop Blanchet HS (WA.) –
2. Zack Cox - Arkansas – draft-eligible sophomore… 3B tools and excellent bat speed… has had back problems.
3. Victor Sanchez – San Diego – was drafted 25th by Cubs in 2007… lots of raw power… 12 HRs as freshman… injured most of sophomore year… shortstop in high school…
OF:
1. Trey Griffin – MLK H.S. (Stockbridge, GA.) – 5-tooler… quickly reads ball off of bat… good speed… also plays SS… incredible hands… power to all fields.
2. Bryce Brentz – Middle Tennessee State – has the most raw power in the draft class… incredible bat command and speed… projects out as a first baseman.
3. Leon Landry - LSU
4. Josh Sale - Bishop Blanchet HS (WA) – 6-1, 195, L/L …
5. Gary Brown – Cal State Fullerton – also plays 3B and projects out as a 2Bman… excellent speed… needs to develop consistency.
6. Austin Wilson – Harvard-Westlake H.S. (CA.) – has most power of the draft… not polished, but who cares… hit two 500+ HRs at Florida showcase, both to different parts of the field. One scout said he’s a “young Adam Jones”…
7. Kevin Keyes – Texas – 6-4, 225… excellent bat speed and strength… 2nd on team in 2009 in HRs and doubles… charts out as a RFer… average arm
8. Jarrett Parker – Virginia – 6-4, 205 junior… excellent size, power, speed, and defense… zero HRs as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore… struck out 76 times in 259 at bats.
Minors Stuff
The Herd:
Triple-A Buffalo LHP Jonathon Niese (Mets) seems to have emerged from an early funk that saw him begin 0-5, 8.05 through eight starts. He sandwiched that showing around a pair of big league muggings, but he's been golden in his four starts since June 7. In that span, the 22-year-old Niese has allowed three runs in 26 1/3 innings, while striking out 25, walking seven and not allowing a single home run. He went a clean 2-0, 0.69 this week, giving up 12 hits to go with a sterling 14-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2009/268445.html
B-Mets:
Josh Petersen raised his average to the .300-mark with a two-hit performance, unfortunately the B-Mets only had three other hits in their 3-1 loss at Akron’s Canal Park. Aeros’ starter Hector Rondon baffled Binghamton with 5.2 innings of scoreless work to pick up his seventh win.
Akron (49-23) got onto the board first in the fourth when Carlos Santana doubled to the gap in right-center to open the frame against starter Eric Brown. After Beau Mills moved him up to third with a groundball to the right side, Matt McBride struck out and the inning appeared to be heading in the B-Mets favor. However, with Carlos Rivero at the plate Brown delivered a pitch to the backstop that brought home Santana, making it 1-0.
In the fifth, Brown walked Jared Goedert to get the inning started for the Aeros. He was sacrificed up by Jose Constanza and would later score on a Santana RBI single to put Akron in front 2-0.
After the Aeros scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Nick Weglarz double, Binghamton (27-45) responded with their only run on the night. Emmanuel Garcia reached on a fielder’s choice with one out and proceeded to steal second base. Josh Thole then walked setting the stage for Ike Davis, who delivered an RBI single to right to score Garcia getting the B-Mets within two at 3-1.
The B-Mets had the tying run on base in the eighth, but the rally was squelched by Akron closer Vinnie Pestano who induced an infield pop-up from Petersen to end the threat.
Pestano threw 1.1 innings scoreless to notch his league-leading 21st save.
Brown gave Binghamton 5.1 innings of two-run work, but did not get much run support and as result, took the loss.
Saturday, June 27 at Akron 7:05 pm TBA vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (7-4, 4.14)
Sunday, June 28 at Akron 1:35 pm RHP Jenrry Mejia (0-3, 3.74) vs. LHP Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)
Monday, June 29 at Akron 7:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-5, 6.83) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.06)
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. TBA
Gnats:
A three-run second inning was all Robert Carson needed to dispose of the Charleston RiverDogs as he pitched seven shutout innings in the Savannah Sand Gnats, 5-0, win over the RiverDogs in front of 2,076 at Historic Grayson Stadium Friday night. The Gnats have now won three games in a row and 11 of their last 14 contests.
Carson (5-5) allowed just five hits with three walks and three strikeouts to get his second straight win over Charleston and get his record back to the .500 mark. Rhiner Cruz threw two scoreless innings and stranded the bases loaded in the ninth to earn his team-leading 11th save.
Savannah loaded the bases to lead off the second inning after Josh Satin was hit by a pitch, Raul Reyes walked and Kai Gronauer singled. Stefan Welch grounded into a double play to score Satin and put Savannah on the board, 1-0. Evan LeBlanc singled in his first Savannah at-bat to record his first RBI and later scored on a Rafael Fernandez double to make it, 3-0, Gnats.
LeBlanc added to his impressive Sand Gnats debut in the eighth with a two-out, two-run double to pad the advantage. He reached base three times with a run scored, a walk and three RBI in his first game with Savannah.
Wilmer Flores had a pair of singles and a third-inning double for his third three-hit game and second in his last three contests. Fernandez had two hits for his second straight night with his RBI double and a first-inning single. Gronauer added a pair of singles to extend his season-long hitting streak to seven games.
K-Port:
The Southern Illinois Miners have sold the contract of shortstop Gered Mochizuki to the New York Mets organization. Mochizuki will report to the Mets Appalachian League affiliate in Kingsport, Tenn. later this week.
Mochizuki, 23, is hitting .269 with 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 25 games with Southern Illinois this season. Last season he hit .314, ninth best in the Frontier League.
“We are very excited for Gered and the tremendous opportunity he has ahead of him,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is a great guy, was great in our clubhouse and works very hard. I know that our entire coaching staff is pulling for him and wishing the best for his future.”
Mochizuki is the first player from the Miners active roster to join a Major League organization this season. Earlier this month, former Miner Griffin Bailey joined the New York Yankees organization after he was traded to Sioux City of the American Association. Since the beginning of spring training 2008, nine former Miners players have signed with Major League organization.
http://thesouthern.com/minersblog/?p=387
Queens:
Knee Deep: A 4-9 skid goes from bad to worse when the Mets lose Carlos Beltran to the disabled list due to a bone bruise in his knee. He's hitting .336/.425/.527 and ranking in the top five of those first two categories as well as EqA; his .340 edges teammate David Wright's .338. Also suffering from knee troubles is Gary Sheffield, who gets a cortisone shot to alleviate some chronic pain. The 40-year-old has shown he's still got life in his bat, hitting .276/.389/.487; his eight homers are tied with Beltran for the team lead, with his four at Citi Field the most of any player thus far.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9129
In order to hit a homer at Citi Field, you have to hit the ball a country mile.
Or at least that's what David Wright's fantasy owners might have you believe. A 33-homer hitter as recently as last season, the slugging No. 3 fantasy pick overall finds himself on pace for nine home runs in 2009.
But incredibly, in spite of his season-long power drought, Wright enters Friday's play ranked the fifth-best player in all of fantasy baseball. He might not be the bopper the big spenders were expecting at the draft table, but he's getting the job done in other ways, and it's a product of his making adjustments to his game necessitated by his new home ballpark.
That's because, like Mets fans and their Shake Shack burgers, Citi Field is gobbling up home runs at an alarming rate. At least, that's what Greg Rybarczyk reports, thanks to data culled from his hittrackeronline.com Web site.
http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?id=4284640
Mets Alumni:
Left-hander Ryan Cullen has signed a deal to continue his 2009 season in Taiwan, it was announced today by the Barnstormers. Cullen, 29, had appeared in 22 games for Lancaster during the current season, posting a 4-3 record with seven saves and a 2.08 ERA He had gone 12 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run prior to dropping a 2-1 decision to the Long Island Ducks.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3850351
The Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Triple-A Mexican League released P Orber Moreno. He made four relief appearances and allowing five hits, one earned run, two walks, and striking out three over 3.2 innings (2.45 ERA). Moreno pitched for Diablos Rojos del Mexico earlier in the season.
http://cardinalsbestnews.blogspot.com/2009/06/ex-cardinals-watch-6-26-09-chris-farley.html
Triple-A Buffalo LHP Jonathon Niese (Mets) seems to have emerged from an early funk that saw him begin 0-5, 8.05 through eight starts. He sandwiched that showing around a pair of big league muggings, but he's been golden in his four starts since June 7. In that span, the 22-year-old Niese has allowed three runs in 26 1/3 innings, while striking out 25, walking seven and not allowing a single home run. He went a clean 2-0, 0.69 this week, giving up 12 hits to go with a sterling 14-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2009/268445.html
B-Mets:
Josh Petersen raised his average to the .300-mark with a two-hit performance, unfortunately the B-Mets only had three other hits in their 3-1 loss at Akron’s Canal Park. Aeros’ starter Hector Rondon baffled Binghamton with 5.2 innings of scoreless work to pick up his seventh win.
Akron (49-23) got onto the board first in the fourth when Carlos Santana doubled to the gap in right-center to open the frame against starter Eric Brown. After Beau Mills moved him up to third with a groundball to the right side, Matt McBride struck out and the inning appeared to be heading in the B-Mets favor. However, with Carlos Rivero at the plate Brown delivered a pitch to the backstop that brought home Santana, making it 1-0.
In the fifth, Brown walked Jared Goedert to get the inning started for the Aeros. He was sacrificed up by Jose Constanza and would later score on a Santana RBI single to put Akron in front 2-0.
After the Aeros scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Nick Weglarz double, Binghamton (27-45) responded with their only run on the night. Emmanuel Garcia reached on a fielder’s choice with one out and proceeded to steal second base. Josh Thole then walked setting the stage for Ike Davis, who delivered an RBI single to right to score Garcia getting the B-Mets within two at 3-1.
The B-Mets had the tying run on base in the eighth, but the rally was squelched by Akron closer Vinnie Pestano who induced an infield pop-up from Petersen to end the threat.
Pestano threw 1.1 innings scoreless to notch his league-leading 21st save.
Brown gave Binghamton 5.1 innings of two-run work, but did not get much run support and as result, took the loss.
Saturday, June 27 at Akron 7:05 pm TBA vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (7-4, 4.14)
Sunday, June 28 at Akron 1:35 pm RHP Jenrry Mejia (0-3, 3.74) vs. LHP Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)
Monday, June 29 at Akron 7:05 pm RHP Dylan Owen (0-5, 6.83) vs. RHP Jeanmar Gomez (6-2, 3.06)
Tuesday, June 30 New Hampshire 7:05 pm RHP Eric Niesen (0-3, 7.20) vs. TBA
Gnats:
A three-run second inning was all Robert Carson needed to dispose of the Charleston RiverDogs as he pitched seven shutout innings in the Savannah Sand Gnats, 5-0, win over the RiverDogs in front of 2,076 at Historic Grayson Stadium Friday night. The Gnats have now won three games in a row and 11 of their last 14 contests.
Carson (5-5) allowed just five hits with three walks and three strikeouts to get his second straight win over Charleston and get his record back to the .500 mark. Rhiner Cruz threw two scoreless innings and stranded the bases loaded in the ninth to earn his team-leading 11th save.
Savannah loaded the bases to lead off the second inning after Josh Satin was hit by a pitch, Raul Reyes walked and Kai Gronauer singled. Stefan Welch grounded into a double play to score Satin and put Savannah on the board, 1-0. Evan LeBlanc singled in his first Savannah at-bat to record his first RBI and later scored on a Rafael Fernandez double to make it, 3-0, Gnats.
LeBlanc added to his impressive Sand Gnats debut in the eighth with a two-out, two-run double to pad the advantage. He reached base three times with a run scored, a walk and three RBI in his first game with Savannah.
Wilmer Flores had a pair of singles and a third-inning double for his third three-hit game and second in his last three contests. Fernandez had two hits for his second straight night with his RBI double and a first-inning single. Gronauer added a pair of singles to extend his season-long hitting streak to seven games.
K-Port:
The Southern Illinois Miners have sold the contract of shortstop Gered Mochizuki to the New York Mets organization. Mochizuki will report to the Mets Appalachian League affiliate in Kingsport, Tenn. later this week.
Mochizuki, 23, is hitting .269 with 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 25 games with Southern Illinois this season. Last season he hit .314, ninth best in the Frontier League.
“We are very excited for Gered and the tremendous opportunity he has ahead of him,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “He is a great guy, was great in our clubhouse and works very hard. I know that our entire coaching staff is pulling for him and wishing the best for his future.”
Mochizuki is the first player from the Miners active roster to join a Major League organization this season. Earlier this month, former Miner Griffin Bailey joined the New York Yankees organization after he was traded to Sioux City of the American Association. Since the beginning of spring training 2008, nine former Miners players have signed with Major League organization.
http://thesouthern.com/minersblog/?p=387
Queens:
Knee Deep: A 4-9 skid goes from bad to worse when the Mets lose Carlos Beltran to the disabled list due to a bone bruise in his knee. He's hitting .336/.425/.527 and ranking in the top five of those first two categories as well as EqA; his .340 edges teammate David Wright's .338. Also suffering from knee troubles is Gary Sheffield, who gets a cortisone shot to alleviate some chronic pain. The 40-year-old has shown he's still got life in his bat, hitting .276/.389/.487; his eight homers are tied with Beltran for the team lead, with his four at Citi Field the most of any player thus far.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9129
In order to hit a homer at Citi Field, you have to hit the ball a country mile.
Or at least that's what David Wright's fantasy owners might have you believe. A 33-homer hitter as recently as last season, the slugging No. 3 fantasy pick overall finds himself on pace for nine home runs in 2009.
But incredibly, in spite of his season-long power drought, Wright enters Friday's play ranked the fifth-best player in all of fantasy baseball. He might not be the bopper the big spenders were expecting at the draft table, but he's getting the job done in other ways, and it's a product of his making adjustments to his game necessitated by his new home ballpark.
That's because, like Mets fans and their Shake Shack burgers, Citi Field is gobbling up home runs at an alarming rate. At least, that's what Greg Rybarczyk reports, thanks to data culled from his hittrackeronline.com Web site.
http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?id=4284640
Mets Alumni:
Left-hander Ryan Cullen has signed a deal to continue his 2009 season in Taiwan, it was announced today by the Barnstormers. Cullen, 29, had appeared in 22 games for Lancaster during the current season, posting a 4-3 record with seven saves and a 2.08 ERA He had gone 12 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run prior to dropping a 2-1 decision to the Long Island Ducks.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3850351
The Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Triple-A Mexican League released P Orber Moreno. He made four relief appearances and allowing five hits, one earned run, two walks, and striking out three over 3.2 innings (2.45 ERA). Moreno pitched for Diablos Rojos del Mexico earlier in the season.
http://cardinalsbestnews.blogspot.com/2009/06/ex-cardinals-watch-6-26-09-chris-farley.html