3/2/10

Austin Wilson, Strasburg, South American Games Cancelled, Jesus Flores... and Mack trip Grounded

Austin Wilson:

A year ago, Austin Wilson attended the MLB Scouting Bureau Showcase held at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., without too much to worry about.

He was, after all, only a junior. The February event, which has become an unofficial starting point for the high school baseball scene, was much more crucial for the seniors in attendance, the ones hoping a solid performance there would catapult them to the top of Draft boards come June.

"Honestly, I didn't know how big and overwhelming the situation was," Wilson said, thinking back. "I didn't know there were scouting directors and general managers there. I knew there were scouts there. I knew it was another day to get to play. I felt lucky I had the opportunity to have a great day and do it in front of those kinds of people.  -  link

Strasburg:

 "There is little doubt Stephen Strasburg will begin this year as a minor leaguer, and yet his launching point -- like his bullpen sessions and everything else he does -- remains a dominant topic of discussion. This morning, manager Jim Riggleman explained that the Nationals will base their decision not on his spring performance, but on how best to promote his development. In doing so, he seemed to suggest Strasburg will begin the year in the minors. "It's going to come down to more of a philosophical decision more so than a performance decision," Riggleman said. "We anticipate he's going to throw good. It's going to come down to, what do we think is best for Stephen Strasburg as an ..." -  link



South American Games Cancelled:

Reports from http://baseballdeworld.com/2010/02/28/south-american-games-boots-baseball  and http://www.mister-baseball.com/baseball-south-american-games-canceled/  indicate that the baseball games that were on tap for the South American games to be held March 22 to March 27 in Colombia have been cancelled because of a lack of participation. It appears only three teams signed up to play, Colombia, Argentina and the Netherland Antilles.

It’s a mystery why Brazil and Venezuela could not scrape up the players to field a team. The South American Games only needed one more team to hold the event. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and VBF President Edwin Zerpa should be ashamed of themselves for not trying to field a team, but perhaps it was political.


Jesus Flores:

Jesus Flores (shoulder, elbow) was not able to throw from 120 feet on Monday and is getting frustrated with his rehab. At this point, Ivan Rodriguez is the Washington catcher worth owning in fantasy leagues. Flores was hoping to progress to hitting by the end of this week but it looks like that won't be happening. "Every time I say something, it doesn't happen," the catcher said Monday. "I'm not a lucky guy right now." He should be considered "questionable" for Opening Day. - link

-Omar can look back now and not feel so bad about letting this kid slip through the Rule V. It looks like injuries will keep him from making it big time

 -Mack Trip Grounded:

-I was supposed to be going to the camps of the Tigers, Yankees, Astros, and Bluejays this morning to interview the likes of Carlos Lee, Justin Verlander, Jorge Posada, and Aaron Hill, for Junior Baseball Magazine...

-Instead, due to recurring brain short-circuiting, from my past injury, I'll be off to the VA tomorrow for more tests...

-Shit happens.

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