2011 DRAFT: - Top 9 Second Basemen

1. Zack McPhee:



6-14-10: Named to 1st Team NCBWA 2010 All-America Team - Zack McPhee: .394,66-R, 64-RBI


6-14-10 from: - http://prospectinsider.com/360mock.php  - 2011 Mock Draft – 25 Minnesota Zack McPhee, 3B -- Arizona State


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 25. San Diego Padres Zack MacPhee 2B, Arizona State


6-23 from: - http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MLB_Draft#ixzz0rj9JFPjP  - Fittingly, Arizona State second baseman Zach McPhee was the last Sun Devil off the field Tuesday night. As South Carolina players gathered to congratulate each other, McPhee walked with his helmet in his hand back to the dugout. He had been stranded at second base in the top of the ninth. McPhee hadn't give up even though his team was down seven runs -- he stole second shortly after singling. Hair matted down, uniform dirty, the 5-8, 172-pound McPhee glanced over to the celebrating Gamecocks, pursed his lips and headed into the dugout. He was the Pac-10 Player of the Year, but that mattered little to him at that moment, after his team had just been eliminated from the College World Series.


2. Ryan Wright:



4-7-10 from: http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=2253  - 2B Ryan Wright (Louisville): The 6-1, 200-pound Wright has played all over the field as a freshman for Louisville (2B, SS, 3B, RF, LF), but has settled in at second base this year and at the halfway point of the spring has not made an error in 101 chances. The righthanded hitter can flat hit (.387-7-32) and has the type of power that big-league teams crave in the middle of the field.



3. Tyler Hanover -


12-23-9 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - SO 2B Tyler Hanover (2011) is actually a very similar player to his double play partner Austin Nola. Hanover has more pop than his 5-6, 163 pound frame suggests, but like Nola, he is a very good defender at his position. He is also capable of playing third base and is expected to be first in line at shortstop if anything happens to Nola. The natural comparison is to fellow tiny infielder David Eckstein, but the numbers don’t back it up. As of now, Hanover is a fairly unique player who could see his career go in any number of ways before his draft year comes up.


4. Dan Paolini:


6-12-10 from: - http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/wait-til-next-year-2011-draft-preview  - Small School Sleeper: Dan Paolini, 2B, Siena, .369/.439/.816. The MAAC Player of the Year wouldn’t usually register on our radar, but the Park/Schedule Adjustment at CollegeSplits suggests his numbers weren’t too aided by an easy schedule, and his invitation to play summer ball with Chatham of the Cape Cod League suggests he’s a legitimate prospect. If he hits there, he won’t be a sleeper any longer.


5. Matt Jensen –



11-16-9 from http://www.collegebaseballblog.com/ : - named the 65th top college player for the 2010 upcoming season


1-7-10: invited to join Team USA in July 10 - Matt Jensen-2B-Cal Poly - This is the second straight year Jensen has been invited to the Team USA Trials. After accepting the invitation a year ago, Jensen fractured his collarbone in a Cal Poly game in early May and was unable to participate in the trials. Jensen (5-10, 190, Clovis, CA) sported a .375 batting average with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 53 RBI before fracturing his clavicle in May 2009. He suffered the injury when he was involved in a collision with a San Francisco baserunner. Jensen is the first Mustang baseball player to be invited to the National Team Trials. Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee on Jensen: “Matt is one of the better ball players in the country.” “He should be able to follow up a tremendous freshman year with another quality season and is fully recovered from his broken collarbone. “He’s really developed as a defensive second baseman to add to his already impressive credentials from an offensive standpoint,” Lee added. “Having the opportunity to represent the United States in this endeavor is a great honor and Matt is as good as it gets on and off the field. He will represent Cal Poly at the highest level this summer.”


6. Keith Werman -


1-26-10 from http://www.baseballdraft.com/ : - SO 2B/C Keith Werman (2011) did his best Pat Venditte impression while in high school, pitching a seven-inning complete game both lefthanded (3.1 innings) and righthanded (3.2 innings). That fun fact from the Virginia baseball website may have absolutely no bearing on Werman’s prospect stock, but it’s undeniably cool. What is relevant about his prospect stock is the fact he is a plus defender at second base who also has experience at shortstop and catcher dating back to his prep career. He can also handle the bat (.400/.481/.457 line in 70 at bats) enough to keep himself in the mix for a starting spot in 2010. Werman’s draft upside may be limited by his size (5-7, 150 – not saying judging him on size is fair, but it’s the reality), but the universal praise he earned last year as a sparkplug second leadoff hitter (the nice way of saying 9-hole hitter) for Virginia down the stretch should continue to get him noticed on the college level. The gap between Werman and Stephen Bruno is more perception than reality.


7. Tyler Rahmatulla:


6-15-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/  - UCLA sophomore second baseman Tyler Rahmatulla will miss the 2010 College World Series after breaking his wrist in the postgame celebration on Sunday. He is currently hitting .328 with seven homers and 45 RBI on the year. This is a key loss for the Bruins as he is the team’s number three hitter in the order and provides leadership on the field. We should see how this effects the Bruins offense which heading into the CWS was the weakest out of the eight teams left.


8. Sherman Johnson:


6-21-10 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - 2011 MLB Draft Players to Know – Florida State - SO 2B Sherman Johnson (.335/.449/.513; 44/36 BB/K; 7/10 SB; 224 AB) - Johnson, a former walk-on, is one of my favorite college position player sleeper prospects heading into 2011. He’s taken to the patented ultra-patient Florida State approach like he’s been doing it all his life while still showing off tremendous bat control and an advanced feel for what opposing pitchers want to do against him. He’s also got the defensive tools to be well above-average at both second base and third base, though he could ultimately work best as a smooth fielding shortstop. If nothing else, his defensive talent at multiple infield spots makes a utility future seem like a decent floor projection. I won’t lie and claim to have a comprehensive knowledge of all 2011 college middle infield prospects at this point, but I’d be hard pressed to come up with as well-rounded a player as Johnson. The rising junior has enough of every tool to succeed at the next level.


9. Garretts Wittels:



6-14-10: Named to 2nd Team NCBWA 2010 All-America Team - 2B Garrett Wittels - .413, 21-2B, 60-RBI

2011 Draft: - Javier Reynoso, Austin Hedges, Henry Owens, Adam Eggnatz... and Gavin Cecchini

Javier Reynoso:



6-28 from: - link  – I do believe one of the one's you know will sign will be LHP Javier Reynoso in Brooks-Debartolo HS in Tampa. I liked the way he hustled and sprinted out to the batter's box yesterday in the Gold Medal game when it was his AB. I also believe Javier throwing 91MPH after standing out there in 100 degree heat showed me something special, as well. He probably would have hit 93MPH yesterday if he was the starter.

Austin Hedges:


6-27 from: - link   - Day two at TOS - C, Austin Hedges, 5'11 160, R/R, Jserra HS, San Juan Capistrano CA, nice little receiver with plus release and ML arm strength, a tad better than ave, bat will come, there is bat speed but upper body still not fully developed and he receives well. Handled Owens well on the 3 inning stint by the lanky lefty.

Henry Owens:


6-25 from: - http://www.baseballrumormill.com/  - The Tournament of Stars - a showcase event for USA Baseball held every June in North Carolina - is designed to be a forum to compile an 18-and-under team to represent the United States in the IBAF 18U World Championships this July. Keith Law from espn.com recently filed two reports from the event. Here are some highlights from Keith's reports. - •Law was very impressed with LHP Henry Owens noting that "Hitters didn't get good swings off him at all."


6-27 from: - link  - Day two at TOS - LHP, Henry Owens, 6'5 plus 185, lanky and loose with arm strength and live two seamer with sink down in zone, was mostly 88-90, topped 91 a few times, also back door cb that's a slow roller compared to fb velocity, also teased a few str chg on the way. Projectible and had to change uni numbers to fit his size.

Adam Eggnatz:


6-28 from: - link  – On a side note, Adam Eggnatz who also played for Legion in the Gold Medal game, had one heck of a tournament! He had a "bunch of knocks as a switch hitter" and played incredible defense to help get them to the finals. WOW would be my best description of his hard-nosed play in the USA Tournament of Stars in Cary, NC.

Gavin Cecchini:


6-27 from: - link   - Day two at TOS - 3b, Gavin Cecchini, 2012, needless to say, good bloodlines and young, shows pop in his bat, good fundamental approach to the game and lots of physical maturity left in him to follow, in Louisiana.

Mets sign Blake Forsythe

Mets sign third-round pick Forsythe


According to MetsBlog.com, the Mets have signed their third-round draft choice, catcher Blake Forsythe. He will be assigned to the Gulf Coast Mets.

The 6’2, 220-pound Forsythe played collegiately at Tennessee, where he hit 30 home runs over his final two years at the school. The Mets were able to sign the righty-hitting slugger, convincing him to forego his senior season.

With Forsythe signed, the Mets now have three of their top five picks left to sign: first-round pick Matt Harvey, a pitcher from North Carolina, Matt den Dekker, a centerfielder out of Florida, and Greg Peavey, a pitcher from Oregon State. The Mets’ fourth-round selection, Cory Vaughn currently leads the New York-Penn League in home runs with four in 12 games, as a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

First 2011 Mock Draft

Yes, I know, the draft was just a couple of weeks ago, but, it's never too early to look ahead.

Also, there are high school and college players out there curious where they stack up at this point in their career.

I have been able to find three professional mock drafts so far, since the 2010 draft, and here's how things pan out so far. These are the top 61 players in next year's draft, according to the experts:

1. 3B Anthony Rendon

2. RHP Gerrit Cole

3. LHP Daniel Norris

4. RHP Sonny Gray

5. RHP Taylor Jungmann

6. OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

7. LHP Matt Purke

8. LHP Danny Hultzen

9. RHP Archie Bradley

10. OF Mickie Mahtook

11. RHP Dylan Bundy

12. SS B A Vollmuth

13. OF George Springer

14. OF Dwight Smith

15. OF Zack Cone

16. RHP Alex Meyer

17. OF Travis Harrison

18. SS Christian Lopes

19. RHP Trevor Bauer

20. RHP Jack Armstrong

21. RHP Dillon Howard

22. RHP Deshorn Lake

23. RHP Dillon Maples

24. RHP Matt Barnes

25. OF Alex Dickerson

26. RHP Logan Verrett

27. 1B Preston Tucker

28. 3B Levi Michael

29. LHP Brett Mooneyham

30. LHP Logan Verret

31. SS Tyler Greene

32. RHP Dylan Davis

34. C Nick Delmonico

35. RHP Christian Montgomery

36. SS Francisco Linder

37. OF Bubba Starling

38. LHP Jed Bradley

39. 3B Ricky Oropesa

40. LHP Dylan Bundy

41. 2B Josh Tobias

42. LHP Andrew Suarez

43. 3B Jason Esposito

44. LHP Henry Owens

45. RHP Michael Kelly

46. LHP Ryan Carpenter

47. SS Austin Slater

48. C Jeff Bandy

49. RHP Joe Ross

50. 2B Zach MacPhee

51. RHP Hudson Boyd

52. 3B Matt Skole

53. SS Phillip Evans

54. 3B Harold Martinez

55. RHP Tyler Beede

56. 3B Dante Bichette

57. RHP John Stilson

58. 3B Matt Dean

59. SS Dione Williams

60. RHP Noe Ramirez

61. OF Larry Green

62. 1B Chase Davidson

Gnats Game Notes: Wednesday, June 30 @ Greenville - 7 pm

from press release


Savannah Sand Gnats  vs. Greenville Drive
Game #77 - Road Game #37- Wednesday – 7:00

RHP Armando Rodriguez (5-5, 2.92) vs. LHP Manuel Rivera (2-6, 3.24)

Fluor Field, Greenville, SC

Radio: WBMQ News/Talk 630, http://www.sandgnats.com/



Tonight: The first half champion Savannah Sand Gnats try to make it two-in-a-row over the Drive, the Red Sox SAL affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina.



Last Night: The Gnats beat the Drive 6-1 behind John Church who made his first start of the year. Church held the Drive scoreless over four innings, giving up just one hit and a walk while striking out three. For the year, Church is now 3-0 with a 1.34 ERA and 38 strikeouts against 13 walks in 40.1 innings. Pedro Zapata’s 2-run single gave Savannah a 2-0 lead in the second inning, and Alonzo Harris’ fourth home run of the year, a three run blast, made it 5-0 in the sixth inning. Luis Rojas, who threw three scoreless innings, won his first decision as a Gnat.



Now Pitching: Armando Rodriguez is scheduled to make his team-leading 16th start for Savannah. Rodriguez was originally slated to throw last night, but was pushed back to tonight in place of LHP Jimmy Fuller. Since May 1, Rodriguez is 4-2 with a 2.31 ERA (13 ER/50.2 IP) and has allowed opponents to hit just .190 (35 H/180 AB). For the year, Rodriguez’s opponent’s batting average of .209 is the fourth-best among SAL starters. Rodriguez lasted 4.1 innings in his last start, giving up one unearned run to the Tourists in a 2-0 loss on Thursday. Rodriguez started the opening game of both the first and second halves. The Gnats are 9-6 when Rodriguez throws and have supported him with 5.00 runs per game, the third-most among Savannah starters. With Kingsport a year ago, he was 3-1 with a 2.96 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 20 walks in 45.2 innings. Promoted to Savannah on August 27th, he finished the year with a dominant three-start performance in which he allowed just five hits in 16.2 innings and struck out 24. The Mets signed Rodriguez as a non-drafted free agent June 6, 2007.



Vs. Greenville: The Gnats are 1-0 against Greenville this year. The teams will play two five-game series, one in Greenville, and one in Savannah, July 14-18. The Gnats are 17-16 against the Drive since becoming a Mets affiliate before the 2007 season.

After going 1-4 last night, Wilfredo Tovar has hit in four of the Gnats’ last five games. In his last five, the 18-year old is hitting .438 (7 H/16 AB). Tovar was transferred from Advanced-A St. Lucie over the All-Star Break when SS Wilmer Flores was promoted. Flores is five days older than Tovar.


Nick Santomauro has a four-game hitting streak going, his best as a Gnat. In that time, by going 5-15 (.333) with three doubles, he’s lifted his batting average from .150 to .172. Santomauro had three doubles in his first 28 games as a Gnat; he has the same number – three – in his last four games.

BINGHAMTON METS 2010 GAME NOTES

from press release



Binghamton Mets (41-36) vs. Altoona Curve (49-28)

AA Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates

LHP Mike Antonini (5-5, 4.07) vs. LHP Justin Wilson (5-4, 2.87)

Game #78 • Wednesday, June 30, 2010

NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY • 6:35 p.m.
 Upcoming Games and Probable Starters


Thursday, July 1 Portland 6:35 PM LHP Mark Cohoon (1-0, 7.94) vs. RHP Casey Kelly (1-3, 5.05)

Friday, July 2 Portland G1 5:35 PM RHP Chris Schwinden (3-5, 5.35) vs. RHP Alex Wilson (0-1, 6.28)

Friday, July 2 Portland G2 TBA TBA vs. TBA

Saturday, July 3 Portland 7:05 PM RHP Josh Stinson (4-1, 3.04) vs. RHP Jeremy Kehrt (1-4, 2.97)

 LAST GAME: After a thrilling comeback in Monday’s game,


Binghamton put Tuesday’s contest away early, scoring nine


unanswered runs en route to a 9-5 win at NYSEG Stadium


over Altoona. The Curve jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on


Eric Niesen. The B-Mets responded with two runs in the bottom


of the second off Jared Hughes courtesy of an RBI single


from Raul Reyes and a Josh Satin sac fly. Binghamton put


away Altoona in the third with six runs. The B-Mets were


helped in the frame by two big Curve errors, causing all the


runs to be unearned. Reyes struck the crippling blow with a


grand slam to right off Hughes, upping the lead to 8-2. Niesen


departed to the win after five innings of three-run work.


Hughes was charged with the loss, allowing a season-high


nine runs over four innings. Manuel Alvarez finished out the


game with two scoreless innings.


STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP: LHP Mike Antonini will go for


his team-leading 16th start tonight. He notched a win in his


last start June 25 at Akron with 5.1 innings of two-run ball,


despite tying a season-high with three walks. Antonini has


racked up a 5-5 mark and a 4.07 ERA over 86.1 innings in


2010. He has walked the second-fewest hitters per nine innings


among starters in the Eastern League (1.56). Antonini


went 7-5 with a 5.32 ERA over 25 appearances spanning 115


innings last year with Binghamton. He was the Mets’ 18thround


choice in the June 2007 draft out of Georgia College &


State University.


LHP Justin Wilson will go for the 15th time this season for the


Curve. He is undefeated in his last seven starts, including a no


-decision in his last go-around, June 25 versus Bowie. Wilson


hurled six innings, allowed one run on three hits and struck


out six in the quality start. On the year, the lefty is 5-4 with a


2.87 ERA over 75.1 innings. His .208 batting average against


is the second-lowest in the Eastern League. Wilson made 26


starts in 2009 for Lynchburg (High-A) with a 6-8 mark and a


4.50 ERA over 116 innings. Pittsburgh took him in the fifth


round of the June 2008 draft out of Fresno State

Press Release: - SP - Pat Misch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


June 30, 2010



Bisons’ LHP Pat Misch Selected to International League All-Star Team


Southpaw Leads all IL Lefties with 7 Wins



The International league today named Buffalo Bisons LHP PAT MISCH to the league’s mid-season All-Star Team. Misch will represent the Bisons at the 23rd annual Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 14 (7:00 p.m.) at Coca-Cola Park in Lehigh Valley, PA.


The 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game will be broadcast live on the MLB Network. WWKB 1520 AM, the flagship radio home for Bisons Baseball, will also carry the game live on July 14.


Misch, 28, has spent the entire season with the Bisons and is 7-3 with a 3.46ERA in 15 starts. He leads all International League left-handed pitchers with seven wins (T3rd overall) and is 4th in the IL with 96.1 innings pitched. Misch is also one of 10 International League pitchers with a complete-game shutout this season. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out six in a 4-0 win over Norfolk on May 15.


Misch has worked six or more innings in 11 of his 15 starts this season and leads the Bisons’ staff with 10 quality starts. The Bisons are 11-4 when the southpaw in on the mound, the best record on the team. After starting the season with three no-decisions, Misch was 4-0 in a five-game stretch from April 25 – May 20. He has also won his last two starts to improve to 7-3 on the season. Misch has been especially tough at Coca-Cola Field, where he is 4-1 with a 2.78ERA in seven starts.

Deolis Guerra, Nails, More Cliff Lee, Cory Vaughn,,, and Dillon Gee

Deolis Guerra:



Deolis Guerra is an interesting case, having never pitched a game in the major leagues of yet, still the last representative of the trade who is still involved in the Twins organization. The 6’5″ righthander is working as a starter in the Twins AAA Rochester affiliate, but his stats are nondescript: 0-3, 6.84 ERA and 1.720 WHIP. Yuck. However, starting the year in AA New Britain, he was 1-3, 3.20 ERA and 1.207 WHIP. A bit better, so perhaps he’s just green. At barely 21 years old, I may have to agree. We’ll have to keep our eye on him to see how he turns out, since the Twins found him valuable enough to keep him around. - link 

Nails:



Randall Lane of the Daily Beast doesn’t break any new ground about Lenny Dykstra and steroids in his new book, “The Zeroes: My Misadventures in the Decade Wall Street Went Insane.” But Lane does a terrific job of putting things in context: For Wall Street traders and major league players, Lane writes, cheating isn’t an ethical issue. It was simply a matter of whether they’d get caught. Lane says he met with Dykstra at the former Met outfielder’s opulent apartment at the St. Regis on Feb. 13 2008 to discuss the $250,000 Dykstra owed Lane’s company, which had been hired to publish the Players Club, a financial magazine for pro jocks. It was the same day Roger Clemens was hauled before a congressional committee to discuss the allegations about him in the Mitchell Report, and a TV tuned to CNN repeated highlights of the performance that sparked Clemens’ perjury investigation. According to the Mitchell Report, which had been released two months earlier, Major League Baseball officials had been aware that Dykstra had been using juice since 2000. MLB security chief Kevin Hallinan and then-executive vice president for baseball operations Sandy Alderson even met with Dykstra and his doctor to increase their understanding of performance-enhancing drugs. Lane writes that Dykstra had told him the allegations were not true, but that night he changed his story. He and Jose Canseco were steroid pioneers, he said. “I was like the very first to do that,” he said. “Me and Canseco.” - link

More Cliff Lee:


Last week, I wrote about two players the Mariners could be looking at from the New York Mets in a Cliff Lee trade -- pitcher Jenrry Mejia and outfielder Angel Pagan. And today, as Lee gets set to face the Yankees in the Big Apple, the buzz about a possible deal with the crosstown Mets is growing louder and louder.


There had been talk that a shoulder injury to Mejia two days ago may thwart New York's bid to land Lee. Mejia is expected to start throwing again within a couple of weeks and as colleague Larry Stone wrote this morning, Mets GM Omar Minaya is reminding folks that his team has other prospects to deal.


And there's growing pressure on him to make that deal. The Philadelphia Phillies are not the offensive juggernaut they were expected to be and a Lee acquisition could give the Mets just enough to hold them off and win the NL East. And possibly advance to a World Series. - link 

Cory Vaughn:


Vaughn hit his fourth home run of the young Cyclone season Tuesday night and we need to put him on the watch list. Included in the stuff I compiled on him below is my analysis of how I felt about thw Mets picking him. My thoughts were similar to what I originally said a few years ago about Ike Davis, so this should be good news for both the Mets and you fans out there.


Sure, there is only 43 at bats, but you have to respect a .651 slugging percentage and a 1.036 OPS.


Vaughn was drafted by the Mets in the 4th round of the 2010 draft.


6-10 from: - http://www.thedailyaztec.com/blog-1.107/livefootballblog?page155=BlogPosting&article155=19.1373634#5  - Cory Vaughn has taken the first big step toward his dream. The San Diego State junior outfielder signed with the New York Mets after they selected him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, 122 overall. When asked if he had any hesitation in signing so quickly, Vaughn laughed. “Nope, not at all,” he said. “Without a doubt, (I’m) gone.” Vaughn told The Daily Aztec last month he would leave SDSU if he was drafted and said finding out his future team was a surprising and exciting experience. “I can’t ask for much better,” he said, still energized a day after hearing the big news. “There are a lot of people that don’t get the opportunity to get picked up – I’m fortunate to get drafted by any team.”


My draft analysis on Vaughn: Well, it didn’t take long for the Mets to pull one out of their arse. I have basically nothing on Vaughn, other than a couple of 200+ round picks on some early mocks. It is very hard to find anything positive about this guy, other than the fact that his father was named Greg. He seems to swing at anything that’s thrown his way and has been one of the divisional strikeout leaders, both in school and the Cape Cod League. Had 55-K in 180-AB and 180-K in 592-AB career wise. Multiple scouting services have reported that his hitting mechanics are horrible. Projection: Boy, who the heck knows. Personally, I’m pissed that left on the board were RHP Sam Dyson and LHP James Paxton, and, if you wanted a toosy outfielder, what about Cody Hawn or Austin Wilson? Look, I have no problem drafting someone that shows potential, but save these kind of picks until the 15th round. There is no way of projecting any kind of ETA on this kid. Everything I have read said he is not a potential major leaguer. ETA: never Draft Grade: F


2-8 from http://www.pnrscouting.com/  : - mock drafted 213th


From website: Power-hitting outfielder who will be the Aztecs' starter in right to open the 2009 season ... Played during summer 2008 for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League ... Over 68 games, batted .251 with 14 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 35 runs scored and 41 runs batted in ... Named MVP of the league all-star game after going 2-for-3 with a run scored and RBI ... Was named the top prospect in the Northwoods League by Baseball America ... Selected in the 43rd round of the 2007 Major League draft by the Phillies ... Son of former major league outfielder Greg Vaughn.


2008: Freshman outfielder who started the season as the starter in right field and was the team's primary designated hitter over the second half of the 2008 campaign ... In his three games against fifth-ranked San Diego to start the year, went 6-for-11 with a double, triple, home run, five runs scored and four RBI ... Extended that start to a five-game hitting streak, his longest of the season ... Hit safely in 10 of the first 12 games in which he appeared to start the 2008 season ... Had a pair of season-best three-hit contests: vs. Cal Poly on Feb. 28, vs. BYU on March 13 and at BYU on May 10 ... Hit home runs in back-to-back games against Harvard (March 26) and Houston (March 28) ... Had a four-game hitting streak (May 2-10) during which he went 7-for-13 with three doubles, home run, five runs scored and two RBI ... Finished the season with 12 multiple-hit games and nine multiple-RBI contests.


High School: Won a pair of varsity baseball letters at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Calif. ... Coached there by Joe Potulny ... As a senior, batted .330 with six home runs, 37 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases ... During his junior year, hit .250 with three doubles, two triples, a home run, 16 runs scored, 18 runs batted in and six stolen bases ... Played football for the Marauders during his final two years ... Chosen MVP of the freshman basketball team.

Dillon Gee:


Gee pitched his best AAA outing of the season Tuesday night… 7.0-IP, 1-ER, 3-H, 6-K, 1-BB. His ERA is now down to 5.00 and comes off a June 24th outing where he gave up 7-ER in three innings pitched.


The Mets need as many good nights from their limited list of prospects that aren’t injured. This is trade time and Gee could easily be in a package deal.


This is now his 16th outing this year in Buffalo.


Past notes on Gee:


Here is the highlight of a local Texas article written the day Gee was drafted by the Mets:


“UT Arlington junior right hander Dillon Gee became the 12th Maverick player drafted since 2002 when the New York Mets selected him with the 663rd pick in the 21st round on the second day of the 2007 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Gee is the fifth UTA player to be selected by the Mets and the first since Matt Mize went in the 30th round in 1999.

Gee (Cleburne, Texas) ends his three-year career at UTA with a record of 15-25 and a 5.16 ERA. He ranks second on the all-time innings pitch list with 298.1, fifth in strikeouts (198) and eighth in appearances (58 ). His 111.2 innings pitched in 2007 ranks fourth on the single-season list, while his 96 strikeouts are tied for third.



The two-time honorable mention all-SLC selection burst onto the scene as a freshman. In just his fourth career start, Gee tossed a complete-game four-hit shutout against then-No. 12 Baylor.



As a sophomore, Gee tied a UTA record by starting 17 games and led the team with six victories. He would toss his second complete-game shutout of his career in a victory over Stephen F. Austin before closing out the regular season with a career-best 11 strikeouts in a nine-inning no decision against Dallas Baptist.

Last season, Gee overcame a slow start to become the ace of the staff. Gee tossed 53.1 innings with 58 strikeouts and only seven walks in his final seven starts. He had three double-digit strikeout performances over that span, including a complete-game three-hit shutout against Northwestern State. He would tie his career-high with 11 strikeouts in his final start against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.”


Gee signed with the Mets and played the 2007 season with Brooklyn. He had an outstanding season, going 3-1, 2.47, 1.06 in 14 games, 11 starts. He also had 56 Ks in 62.0 IP.


In 2008, Gee began the year with St. Lucie (8-6, 3.25), but ended with Binghamton (2-0, 1.33).


Gee won the Sterling Award as the the top Met player for the 2008 St. Lucie team.


2009 was not kind to Gee. He was off to a decent start (1-4, 4.10, 9 starts, 42-K, 48.1-IP) until he went down with a season ending injury. Even with the injury, Gee was ranked 29th in 2009, in the AAA out percentage leader poll, with a 0.658 0ut%,, 20.1 K%, and only a 7.7 BB% .


Gee’s professional stats over three seasons are: 14-10, 3.03, 1.09.


Forecast on Jan 1, 2010:: No sick speed or 5- tools here. Just gold old Tom Glavine-like control. And, it works. Gee still charts out as the SP5 in 2012 and he should prove his value again in 2010 for Buffalo.

Bisons Notes 6/30/10 - Syracuse at Buffalo (1:05 p.m.)

from press release


Buffalo Bisons vs. Syracuse Chiefs 

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 (1:05 p.m.) - Coca-Cola Field

RHP Tobi Stoner (3-7, 5.16) vs. LHP Matt Chico (3-3, 3.50)

TV: Time Warner Cable SportsNet 13 Radio: WWKB AM 1520, http://www.bisons.com/



TODAY’S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons host the Syracuse Chiefs in the second game of a two-game series from Coca-Cola Field (1:05 p.m.). The Herd won the series opener, 6-1, last night. The Bisons are now 23-16 at home this season (.590 winning pct.). After today, the Bisons’ homestand continues with a three-game series against the Rochester Red Wings.



vs. CHIEFS: The Bisons are 2-5 against the Chiefs this season. Syracuse swept the Herd in a two-game set from Alliance Bank Stadium, April 12-13, and also took a 3-1 series win from May 31-June 3 at Coca-Cola Field. Since 2008, the Bisons are just 13-26 in their last 39 games against the Chiefs.



C J.R. HOUSE went 2-4 with two RBI in last night’s win. The catcher now has 11 hits in his last 24 at-bats (.458), with three doubles, four RBI and four runs scored in his last seven games (since June 20). House is now hitting .316 (25-79) in 25 games on the season with a .320 (8-25) average with runners in scoring position.


OF LUCAS DUDA has homered in back-to-back games. The Triple-A rookie hit a two-run shot on Monday in Charlotte and added a laser home run to right in the second inning of last night’s win. Duda has averaged .306 (15-49) with three homers and 11RBI in his first 13 games with the Herd. The outfielder has a hit in 11 of the 13 contests.


RHP JOSE DE LA TORRE has made six consecutive scoreless appearances out of the Bisons bullpen. Since June 15, the righty has allowed just five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. On the season, De La Torre has 21 strikeouts in 20.0 innings of work.


 OF JORGE PADILLA is 5-13 (.385) with four runs scored in his last three games. The outfielder has hit in seven of eight for the Herd and now boasts a .295 (13-44) average in his first 11 games with the Bisons. Padilla hit .330 (61-185) with four home runs and 27RBI in 50 games with Triple-A Las Vegas before being acquired in a trade by the Mets.

Lance Hoge, Scott Moviel, Brad Holt, Mets Injuries... and Phil Humber

Lance Hoge:



It was announced yesterday that Hoge has retired. My previous notes on a good guy:


Lance Hoge – RP/SP – low-A/A – 23/yrs.



Hoge was an unheralded 36th round pick in 2009 by the Mets. He pitched for Kansas State, where his numbers alone didn’t warrant the pick: 16 games, 15 starts, 6-4, 4.54 ERA, 71.1 IP, 82 H, 22 BB, 46 K, 7 HR.


From: http://www.themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=b634c6b0e2dd43dca9307fd2ba663832 : - "Justin Bloxom, Drew Biery, Jordan, Rob Vaughn, Dane Yelovich — I hope they all get a look," Hill said. "Also (pitcher) Lance Hoge — he's a left-hander and they are at a premium, so I wouldn't rule him out. It only takes one guy getting seen on the right day. You never know how high some guys can go


From: http://www.withthefirstpick.net/draft-report-cards-nl-east?a=1&c=1153&mode=print  The Mets best pick might be Kansas State lefty Lance Hoge (36th round), who commands two decent pitches, but that says more about the Mets pathetic draft than it does about Hoge


Hoge pitched 2009 for both Brooklyn (1-0, 2.52, in 10 appearances) and Savannah (0-2, 4.50 in 5 games, 3 starts). His combined stats were: 1-2, 3.29, 33-K, 6-BB, 41.0-IP


Forecast on Jan 1, 2010:: Good start for Hoge, who should wind up in Savannah for the beginning of the 2010 season.

Scott Moviel:



Moviel has been removed from the St. Lucie rotation and threw three relief innings last night following Brad Holt. Frankly, his stat line wasn’t much different from when he was starting: 3.0-IP, 2-ER, 4-H, 3-BB, only 1-K. His 2010 ERA now stands at 6.32.


Previous notes on Moviel:


Moviel was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft by the Mets. He finished his last season this year in high school, going 3-2 1.47 and striking out 69 batters in 38 IP. Moviel’s fast ball tops off at 94 and is quite intimidating on the mound, standing 6-10 and weighing 245 pounds.


BA Scouting Report: The Andrew Brackman comparisons are obvious. Product of an Ohio high school? Check. Signed to play in college at North Carolina State? Check. Huge body that has scouts dreaming of a monster frontline starter? Check. Unlike Brackman, Moviel doesn't have a basketball scholarship, but he has played the sport in high school. He's an intimidating 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds and athletic for his size. He has a 91-92 mph fastball that tops out at 94, and he has tightened up a curveball that was loopy a year ago. Brackman had similar stuff when he came out of Cincinnati's Moeller High three years ago, though his breaking ball was better. As with any large pitcher, there are concerns as to how well Moviel will repeat his delivery and command his pitches. His mechanics don't have any major flaws, though he could do a better job of staying on top of his pitches. Because his older brothers Paul (in the Devil Rays system) and Greg (in the Mariners organization) went backward in college, Moviel is considered signable, especially if he goes in the top three rounds as expected. Rated 68th Nationally.


Another scouting report: Moviel threw his fastball in the 88-92 mph range and threw it consistently at 90 mph. Curve: Moviel's curve has the chance to be a good offering, but he gets in front of it a little too much and his mechanics sometime get in the way of consistently delivering the pitch. Changeup: He showed a changeup, but he didn't throw it much in this outing. Control: With all that can go wrong with a 6-foot-10 pitcher's delivery, Moviel can struggle with his command when his mechanics go awry. Poise: Moviel had very good mound presence and stands out there like he wants to win. Physical Description: Big, imposing right-hander, much like NC State starter Andrew Brackman. Like Brackman, Moviel could be headed to NC State and is a former basketball player, so he's fairly athletic, especially for someone his size. He's very coordinated and has surprising quickness. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: The body plus the arm strength. At 6-10, Moviel could have the ability to throw a plus, plus fastball to go along with an above-average curve. It's all about projectability. Weaknesses: He's a project. He struggles with inconsistency and guys his size have to make sure they have everything completely together for everything to work properly. His pitches past his fastball lag behind currently. Summary: Moviel is a huge 6-foot-10 right-hander who'll be a bit of a project for whichever team takes him. He is fairly athletic and used to play basketball, but as is often the case with pitchers his size, he struggles to repeat his delivery and maintain his mechanics. He does have a solid average fastball, a curve that could become a good pitch with some help and a changeup he doesn't throw much. Finding consistency will be the key to Moviel's success. Some pitchers his size have found it, others have not.


Moviel was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft by the New York Mets. He was signed and assigned to the GCL Mets, where he went 0-2, 3.38 in 12 appearances. He also had 37 Ks in 40.0 IP.


In September 2007, Baseball America ranked Moviel as the 14th in the Gulf Coast League.


In November 2007, Scouts.com named him the 18th top Mets prospect.


In December 2007, Jonathan Mayo/MLB wrote about Moviel: - The big second-rounder is 6-foot-10 and a former basketball player. While he's very athletic, he has a live arm and showed a decent idea of how to pitch during his debut. He was pretty good in the GCL, posting a 3.38 ERA and 37 K's in 40 IP.


In late January 2007, Baseball America ranked Moviel as the 12th overall Mets prospect, adding: "has excellent athleticism and coordination for a pitcher his size"


In February 2008, Baseball Prospectus awarded Moviel a 2-star prospect rating and ranked him as the 7th overall Mets prospect.


Also in February 2008, Rotoworld ranked Moviel as the #13 Mets prospect.


In March 2008, BA wrote an article on the top ten prospects to watch out for in 2008: - There's no doubt Moviel, the Mets' second-round pick last June, will stand out in a crowd. At 6-foot-11, that much is certain. It also seems like the kid can pitch a little. Moviel has proven to be extremely coordinated and athletic, especially considering his size. He throws three pitches -- fastball, changeup and breaking pitch -- and he's got plenty of potential for increased velocity. The breaking ball is what needs the most work; right now, it's a curve and he'll continue to develop it. Though he's just out of high school, his athleticism should help him handle a full-season assignment in Savannah.


Moviel spent much of 2008 dinged up, but still managed to post a combined record of 10-8, 4.25 in 25 starts for Savannah and St. Lucie.


2009 wasn’t much better, injury wise, but he did pitch a combined 4-5, 3.56, in 5 starts, for the GCL Mets (rehab) and St. Lucie.


Forecast written in Jan 2010: - Moviel is one of those forgotten prospects that falls down the chain because of a little thing called surgery. A knee injury cost him almost three months of the season this year, but he has bounced back well. Frankly, his 3-year minor league totals are still impressive: 14-15, 3.89, 1.34. I have him projected as the SP5 in Binghamton, simply because with the graduating class from Savannah all going to St. Lucie, there’s no room for him to repeat there. If he’s healthy, he should be ready for the jump.

Brad Holt:


Holt had a rare good outing Tuesday night, though it was at the A+ level, at least one level below where he should be dominating at this stage in his professional career. Stats were: 5.0-IP, 1-ER, 2-H, 1-WP, 5-K, and still 5-BB. This is the best he’s been all year long and the last thing we should be applauding is five walks and one wild pitch in five innings, but in his case, we’ll take what we can right now. Holt’s A+ record now is 1-1, 5.00… combined A+/AA: 2-6, 9.00. Far from prospect material.


Previous notes on Holt:


The Mets picked Holt in the supplemental portion of the 1st round in the 2008 draft. College stats: 3.18 ERA, 11-1, 93.1 IP, 78 H, 36 BB, 95 K, .225 BAA, 8 HR allowed


Comments by Baseball America before draft day: With an impressive performance, Holt could vault himself into position to be a back of the first-round or early supplemental selection. A team such as the Mets with multiple picks in the first 50 could be especially interested in a guy like Holt. Mets scouting director Rudy Terrasas is known for liking pitchers with pure arm strength such as Holt, and with picks at 18, 22 and 33, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Mets take the Seahawks righthander. This weekend will not be the first time that Terrasas and his staff have seen Holt—as the scouting director, along with multiple other members of his staff, was in attendance to witness Holt pitch eight innings against Old Dominion. Holt struck out 11 and only allowed one earned run in the outing. The Brewers are another team with three selections in the first 35 picks that could be especially interested in Holt.


Also from Baseball America: His fastball has improved since arriving in Wilmington and now sits between 92-94 mph, touching 96… He is able to maintain his velocity deep into games. [He has] vastly improved command. Holt at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, has a perfect pro body with a clean delivery and a first-round arm… The only thing holding him back is the lack of a usable secondary pitch…. Even though his secondary stuff is in need of refinement, teams will not walk away from the pro body, strong arm and life on the fastball.


From Keith Law: Ultimate Role: Setup man Summary: Holt shows consistent arm strength and holds it through his starts as well as any starter in this draft, sitting 93-96 mph every week from his first inning to his last. The velocity is easy; the ball comes out of his arm well and has good downhill plane and some life to it. He pitches almost exclusively off his fastball, throwing offspeed stuff less than 25 percent of the time. His curveball, which has a short downward break and moderately tight rotation, is his best secondary pitch; it could become an average offering, but it's a one-plane pitch. He has a changeup, but he guides this mediocre offering to the plate. He takes a long stride forward off the mound, holding his velocity even from the stretch when he doesn't stay over the rubber at all, and has just a little bit of violence at the end when his head snaps slightly. If he had a better changeup or could handle a splitter -- his arm slot might be too low for it -- he'd have a chance to be a back-end starter. But as a one-and-a-half-pitch pitcher, he's more likely to work in the bullpen when he reaches the majors.


Holt pitched the day before the draft… threw 149 pitches and was clocked at 94 in the 9th inning.


In June 2008, BA did a post-draft adjustment of their top 10 Mets prospects and Holt was ranked #8, with the comments: “8. Brad Holt, rhp - 2008 supplemental first-rounder can touch 96 mph, needs a reliable second pitch.”


In July 2008, From The Hardball Times: Brad Holt – RHP - Holt does a really good job loading his arm horizontally toward first base. By loading his arm this way, Holt is "scap loading." I've talked about scap loading before, but if you haven't heard the term, here is a semi-detailed definition: Scap loading is the horizontal loading of the arm. By loading the arm horizontally, the pitcher almost seems as if he is trying to touch his throwing elbow to the mid-point of his back. By carrying out this action, the pitcher creates tension in all the elastic muscles and tendons of the shoulder, and if done efficiently, the shoulder unloads aggressively toward home plate due to these elastic muscles being stretched and then released like a rubber band you let go after stretching.


The end product is a high-velocity fastball, which is exactly what Holt possesses. Holt's fastball is very lively, reaching up to 95, and it gets on the batter quick. It seems to pick up an extra gear just before it reaches home plate. My opinion is that he even has some velocity left in the tank, which could be tapped either through mechanics (like getting his hips moving a little earlier toward home plate) or by filling out his projectable frame.


In 2008, Holt was spot on for Brooklyn, going 5-3, 1.87 in 14 starts. He also struck out 96 batters in 72.1 IP. Holt won the Sterling Award as the the top Met player for the 2008 Brooklyn team.


September 2008: Brooklyn pitching coach Hector Berrios on: Brad Holt: “Holt has a power arm. He hit 100 miles per hour on the radar gun in Aberdeen and it was the first time I saw it live. That was impressive. We had a report on him that he threw 147 fastballs out of 152 pitches in a start in college. In the beginning, he told me, ‘I don’t even know what I throw.’ I told him, just throw whatever you have and we’ll take it from there. It turns out he has a power curve, 79-81 miles per hour with a big break. He also started to incorporate his change up. He’s very athletic and he’s constantly learning. He’s got a world of talent and with that type of power, especially considering how far he’s come with his secondary pitches in such a short amount of time, the sky is the limit. I think in two or three years, he’ll be a guy on the front end of the Mets rotation.”


In September, Patrick Hickey wrote on: Brad Holt- His secondary pitches came such a long way during the season and he proved he’s much more than a fastball pitcher. His curve ball has the potential to be a devastating pitch as well and his changeup needs some work, but is progressing steadily. As far as his potential goes, I see him as someone who could round out the last two spots of a starting rotation or be an excellent setup man or reliever, kind of like an old New York favorite, Dave Righetti. His fun-loving, yet professional attitude with the media and in the clubhouse could also make him a fan-favorite in a jiffy once he gets to Brooklyn. Final grade- A+


In February 2009, MYOB write: Brad Holt RHP - Brad signed for a little over $1 million and is a supplemental first rounder for the Braves signing Tom Glavine. He throws in the mid-90s and has good command of his fastball. Brad led the NY Penn league in ERA at 1.87 in 14 starts, striking out 96 hitters in just over 72 innings pitched. He only gave up 43 hits, translating to an opponent average of .171. All this success without a secondary pitch. If he is going to have success as he advances Brad will need to find a second and third offering, otherwise he can replace K-Rod as the closer. He’s working on a slider and change.


In February 2009, Toby Hyde wrote: Holt has both the highest ceiling, and the best downside projection among Mets pitching prospects. He has the best fastball in the system with a great pitcher’s build and clean, easy mechanics. In college, he moved from the third-base side of the rubber to the first, which allowed him to land more online to home plate, rather than closed and snap his hips through the pitch more effectively. The result of the change by 2008, was a legitimate mid-90s fastball that he threw 93-95 mph that exploded on hitters out of Holt’s hand. Moreover, the plus, or perhaps plus-plus heater played up thanks to fine command. A detractor might complain about Holt that he has only one plus pitch. That detractor’s criticism would be entirely justified. On the other hand, Holt has made terrific progress with his breaking ball, tightening up a slurvy offering from college into a tight, hard curveball, that at times, flashes plus potential. A scout who had seen him as an amateur, and then repeatedly in the New York Penn League, was left shaking his head, noting that every time he saw Holt as a professional, he made strides with his breaking ball. Holt rarely threw his below average changeup in the NYP League. He did not need it against less advanced hitters, although he has expressed a desire to improve the pitch. Holt’s progress with his breaking stuff will dictate whether he becomes a frontline starter. Even if he struggles with his changeup, his fastball will take him to some kind of big league bullpen role, where he could excel. 2008: Holt had a monster debut in Brooklyn, easily outshining the two gentlemen, Ike Davis and Reese Havens, the Mets picked ahead of him in the 2008 draft. Holt led the circuit in ERA and strikeouts while landing second in WHIP (1.05) behind teammate Chris Schwinden. Holt reached double figures in strikeouts four times, including a 14 punch-out performance on July 24th, that tied a Cyclones single-game record. Holt worked deep into games, throwing five innings or more in five of his last six contests. Projected 2009 Start: St. Lucie rotation


In March 2009, Rotoworld ranked the Mets Top 10 Prospect: Holt, the 33rd overall selection in the 2008 draft, overmatched New York-Penn League hitters in his debut. Of course, that's exactly what should have happened. The UNC Wilimington product throws in the mid-90s with regularity. The rest of his arsenal, though, needs serious work. He's inconsistent with a slurvy slider and incapable of fooling hitters with his changeup. The Mets will work with him to refine his secondary pitches this year. If he doesn't make as much progress as hoped, he could find himself on the verge of a switch to the pen at this time next year.


9-9-9 From www.hardballtimes.com: - Taken in the first supplemental round in the 2008 draft, Holt, a 6'4 righty out of UNC-Wilimgton, quickly impressed in his pro debut. After posting a 2.62 FIP for Brooklyn last year, Holt struck out 54 batters in 43.1 innings for St.Lucie in 2009 before being called up to Binghamton. However, his run of great pitching ended there. He only struck out 45 in 58 innings and walked 23 while giving up nine homers, leading to a 5.01 FIP. Holt is a power pitcher who has to rely on his plus fastball, so when he's not striking out guys at a good enough rate it could lead to problems. However, he was hampered by an ankle injury, so we'll see if he can bounce back in Binghamton in 2010.

Mets Injuries


After all, without an injury to Daniel Murphy, there would be no Ike Davis at first base. Without an injury to Luis Castillo, there would be no Ruben Tejada at second base. Without injuries to both John Maine and Oliver Perez, there would be no R.A. Dickey starting -- the pitcher on pace to go 18-0 with a 2.33 ERA. (he lost last night…) What is fascinating about these injuries is the role they have played in 2010 and beyond. Establishing Tejada and Davis as young, cost-controlled regulars at first and second base will provide a huge step forward for a contending team for years to come. Dickey is 35, but in knuckleballer years, that's more like 25. Even the recent back problem Rod Barajas has suffered through may open the door for Josh Thole to show that he is the long-term answer at catcher, too. - link

Phil Humber:


When the trade occurred, if there was someone I had to be “upset” about potentially losing was Philip Humber, an injury-prone prospect but had a lot of upside to counteract it. At one point, I remember some rumblings that Humber could potentially have a higher ceiling than Mike Pelfrey, who was considered more “major league ready” than Humber was in 2007. Perhaps most Mets fans remember Humber being underused towards the end of 2007, as he was thrust into a start in the last week of the season in critical games the Mets absolutely had to win. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see what Humber could have brought to the table, since he was traded to Minny for Santana just a few months after the season’s end. Humber is another member of the “I Was Traded For Johan Santana and All I Have Is This Stupid T-Shirt” club, but is no longer affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. You see, he was granted free agency after the 2009 season, and is now a Kansas City Royal. However, on June 10, 2010, Humber was hit with a line drive while pitching in a game for the AAA Omaha Royals. He was able to walk off the field on his own and was taken to the hospital for observation. No other information has been found at this time on the extent of his injury. - link

Savannah 6, Greenville 1

from press release

The Savannah Sand Gnats cruised by the Greenville Drive with a 6-1 victory Tuesday night at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC.


Savannah began the game’s scoring with a two-run second inning. CF Pedro Zapata drove home 1B Travis Ozga and 2B Alonzo Harris with a single up the middle to put the Gnats in front 2-0.



Harris made it 5-0 Savannah with one swing in the top of the sixth. After singles from RF Cesar Puello and DH Nick Santomauro, Harris drilled his fourth home run of the year over the left field wall. A couple of Drive errors, a walk and a Puello RBI groundout in the 7th made it 6-0 Savannah.



RHP John Church, making his first start of the year for the Gnats, held Greenville scoreless on one hit through his four innings of work. He struck out three and walked one. Hard-throwing RHP Luis Rojas followed Church with three innings of scoreless relief of his own to earn the win, his first for Savannah. The Drive scored their only run against Gnats’ reliever Gabriel Zavala in the bottom of the eighth.

Binghamton 9, Altoona 5

from Press Release:

Raul Reyes’ third-inning grand slam highlighted a banner scoring night for Binghamton, which routed Altoona 9-5 to win its sixth straight game Tuesday night at NYSEG Stadium. Reyes has hit in all six games he has played with the B-Mets since joining the team a week ago from St. Lucie, including three home runs and nine RBI.

Altoona (49-28) jumped on top early with runs in each of the first two innings against Eric Niesen. In the first, Gorkys Hernandez laced a one-out triple and was driven home on a sacrifice fly from Josh Harrison. Jordy Mercer scored the next inning on an RBI knock from Miles Durham.



Binghamton (41-36) made up for the early run-scoring in the bottom of the second. After retiring the first four batters of the game, Curve starter Jared Hughes walked Sean Ratliff. Mike Nickeas joined him on base with a single. Reyes followed with an RBI single to center, plating Ratliff. Josh Satin rounded out the inning’s scoring with a sac fly to right, bringing Nickeas home to tie the score.



The third inning got off to an ominous start for Altoona as shortstop Chase d’Arnaud booted a Kirk Nieuwenhuis groundball to allow the leadoff man to reach. Luis Hernandez and Nick Evans both singled to join Nieuwenhuis on the bases. With the bags packed, Marshall Hubbard hit a routine flyball to right, but Durham dropped the ball, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Ratliff drove home the second run of the inning on a sac fly to right that Durham squeezed. After Hughes walked Nickeas, Reyes put the icing on the cake with a line-drive bomb to right, clearing the bases for a grand slam to up the advantage to six, 8-2.



The B-Mets made it nine unanswered runs with another tally in the fourth. Nieuwenhuis led off with a double into the gap in left, his first hit since returning from the disabled list Monday. After Hernandez flied out to center, Evans singled to advance the runner to third and Hubbard drove home Nieuwenhuis with a sacrifice fly to center, rounding out Binghamton’s scoring.



Eddie Kunz followed the starter and tossed a 1-2-3 sixth before running into trouble in the seventh. Kunz allowed four of the five hitters he faced to reach and two runs to score before being pulled in favor of Emary Frederick, who stranded two men to end the inning.

Brooklyn 8, Hudson Valley 6

Brooklyn's bats erupted for 12 hits on Tuesday night, as the Cyclones beat the Hudson Valley Renegades by a score of 8-6 to extend their lead in the McNamara Division.



The Cyclones led by six runs after the fourth inning, before Hudson Valley plated a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to close the deficit to two. That was as close as the Renegades would get, though, thanks to a shaky but effective effort by the Cyclones' bullpen and a couple of insurance runs in the ninth inning.



All nine batters in the Cyclones' starting lineup notched hits in the game, including 3B Joe Bonfe,  who went 3-for-4 to raise his season average to .406. CF Cory Vaughn belted his team-leading fourth home run of the season -- giving him three straight games with a round-tripper.



LF Will Cherry put Brooklyn on the board with a two-run double in the first inning, and DH Darrell Ceciliani, SS Rylan Sandoval, and Vaughn chipped in with RBI in the fourth to extend the Cyclones' lead. In the top of the ninth, Vaughn blasted a solo shot and Bonfe drove in RF Kurt Steinhauer, who had doubled. 



Starting pitcher Chris Hilliard (3-0) mowed through the first four innings, keeping the Renegades off the board before surrendering a single run in the fifth, and running into trouble in the sixth. He allowed three runs in that frame, although only one of them was earned. RHP Jonathan Kountis relieved Hilliard with two outs and escaped the jam. Kountis allowed one hit in his one scoreless inning of work. LHP Nelson Pereira then relieved Kountis with 1.1 scoress frames before loading the bases and making an error that allowed a fifth run to cross the plate for Hudson Valley. Pereira allowed a second run on an RBI groundout, before RHP Johan Figuereo got a dramatic strikeout to earn his fourth save.

Buffalo 6, Syracuse 1 - Gee Shines

from press release:

It may have took him a little over a month but starting pitcher Dillon Gee got his seventh win of the season in a 6-1 Bisons win tonight against the Syracuse Chiefs at Coca-Cola Field. Gee threw a gem, going seven innings while only giving up three hits, allowing one run and striking out six.



The last time Gee took the mound and got a win was on May 28th when the Herd defeated the Toledo Mud Hens, 7-3. Five starts, four losses and 32 days later, Gee had arguably his best outing of the season by shutting down the Chiefs over his seven strong innings of work. Gee was excellent from the first pitch he threw. Through his first five innings he only gave up one hit coming way of a Chiefs first baseman Chris Duncan double in the third inning.



The Chiefs finally got to Gee in the sixth inning. Syracuse third baseman Leonard Davis was finally able to score off of a single from left fielder Jason Botts. It would be the only run the Chiefs scored all night. Overall Gee threw 96 pitches with 67 of them going for strikes. He also tied his longest performance of the season by matching his seven inning outing during an April 17th game against Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Gee's teammates provided all the offensive support he needed in the third inning. After replacing Jason Pridie, left fielder Lucas Duda led off the third inning with a line drive solo home run to right field that just stayed in fair territory. Duda took the first pitch he saw deep to right to give himself his third home run of the season and his second over the past two days.



Shortstop Justin Turner and center fielder Jorge Padilla were also able to score in the third to give the Bisons an early 3-0 lead. That three run advantage would prove to be too much for a stagnant Chiefs offense to overcome.



The Herd had five different players who had multi-hit performances in tonights game. Both Turner and Padilla had two hits while first baseman Mike Jacobs, right fielder Fernando Martinez and catcher J.R House also chipped in two hits apiece.

Ex Gnat pitcher, Stammen helps Nationals beat the Braves

Former Savannah Sand Gnat pitcher, Craig Stammen, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves, 7-2 Tuesday evening in Atlanta, Georgia. He pitched 71/3 innings, gave up 2 runs on 5 hits, 2BB and struck out 4. In the 8th, Stammen drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. He was recently called up from Syracuse(AAA). Stammen improved his record to 2-2.
Another Gnat player in 2005,3b Ryan Zimmerman, drove in two runs for the Nationals with a ground rule double in the 5th. rfRoger Bernadina, who played for the Gnats in 2005, hit a single and stole a base for Washington.

During the Savannah Sand Gnat season in 2006, Stammen, appeared in 21 games, won 6 and lost 9, and had an ERA of 3.58.

2011 DRAFT: - Top 12 First Basemen

1. Travis Harrison:


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 5. Arizona Diamondbacks Travis Harrison 1B, Orange County, CA

6-27 from: - link  - Day two at TOS - LF, Travis Harrison, 6'2 220, R/R, strong upper body, arm strength and power in his bat for sure, ran 4.5 to 1b on IF grounder, called a hit? Supposedly ran sub 7.0, 60, but this kids way to the next level will be the bat. It's definitely there and he's slimmmed down a bit since last year, another good indication of progress. Now lets find him a position and see if he can keep hitting.

2. Preston Tucker – Florida sophomore – graduated Plant H.S., Tampa… 2009: 62-G, .364, 15-HR, 85-RBI, only 22-K


12-25-9 from http://www.collegebaseballblog.com/ : - named the 27th top 2010 college baseball player


6-14-10 from: - http://prospectinsider.com/360mock.php  - 2011 Mock Draft – 14 Colorado Preston Tucker, 1B -- Florida


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 17. New York Mets Preston Tucker 1B, Univ. of Florida

3. Ricky Oropesa:


6-12-10 from: - http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/wait-til-next-year-2011-draft-preview  - The best first baseman in the class is USC’s Ricky Oropesa (.353/.434/.711), one of the first highly touted recruits to live up to the hype during Chad Kreuter’s tenure as coach. He’s got massive power


6-14-10 from: - http://prospectinsider.com/360mock.php  - 2011 Mock Draft – 22 Los Angeles-A Ricky Oropesa, 1B/3B -- USC


6-18 from: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/6/17/1523259/summer-league-roundup-week-1  - Arguably the best bat on the Cape right now is fellow Pac 10 player Ricky Oropesa from USC. He's gone 4-for-14 so far, hitting a double and homer in the process, but he's not controlling the strike zone enough right now, though 3 games is way too small of a sample to draw conclusions. He's an interesting bat to follow when you include his pop, so be on the lookout.


6-21-10 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/21/cape-cod-baseball-league-players-of-the-week-2  - Chatham first baseman Rick Oropesa (USC) has been named 2010’s first Coca Cola Player of the Week. Over his first week of Cape League games, Oropesa batted a strong .304, but it was his power numbers earned him this week’s honor. The Trojan’s two home runs leave him tied for the most over the past week, while his seven runs batted in stand alone atop the leader board. A .609 slugging percentage, good for fourth in the league, coupled with a .429 on-base percentage make Oropesa a force at the plate. The sophomore USC product’s success should not be a shock. This past season for the Trojans, Oropesa led the team in all three triple crown categories: batting average (.353), home runs (20) and runs batted in (67). He was named All-America Second Team and received All Pac-10 honors last year after being named Freshman All-America the season before. Oropesa was drafted in the 24th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox upon graduation from high school, before deciding to attend USC.


6-25 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/25/ricky-oropesa-showing-skills-in-the-cape-cod-league  - 1B Ricky Oropesa carried the offense for the Pac-10 Cellar Dwellars, the USC Trojans, leading in Batting Average, Homeruns, RBI, Doubles, OBP, SLG, Walks, and Steals. Oropesa is going to be able to focus on different parts of his game now that he isn’t carrying an inept offense like the one he leads at Dedeaux Field, as he is playing in the Cape Cod League for the Chatham Anglers. He will have a chance to be a first round pick next season if he stays healthy, and he is already off to a great start with the wood bat, hitting .289 with 2 Home Runs.


4. Chase Davidson:


6-15-10 from: - http://www.deepleagues.com/?p=1830  – 2011 Mock Draft - 30. New York Yankees Chase Davidson 1B, Georgia


5. Nick Ramirez:


4-27 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/04/27/big-west-players-of-the-week-7  - Cal State Fullerton sophomore Nick Ramirez (Anaheim, Calif./Katella HS) garnered Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week honors after hitting .643 to help his team to a 4-0 record. The first baseman hit safely in all four games and now owns a hitting streak of 16 straight. He scored six runs and had five RBI as the Titans defeated Pepperdine in a midweek non-conference game and swept Cal Poly in a Big West series. Ramirez belted four doubles among his nine hits for the week, including a pair of RBI doubles in CSF’s 12-5 win over the Waves Tuesday. He went 4-for-5 with three RBI in that game.


6-13 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702  - 1b, Nick Ramirez, CS-Fullerton, 6'2 220, lefty pop, not a good runner, but not embarassing, throws well and plays the bag like he knows what he's doing. Pena anyone? Also can close games.


6. Aaron Westlake – Vanderbilt – C/1B… 2009: .377 best in SEC), 10-HR, 57-RBI, .440m OBP… summer ball: .312, 2-HR, 24-RBI…


12-6-9 from http://www.collegebaseballblog.com/ : named the 46th top college play to play the 2010 season…


7. Grant Dozar – LSU



12-23-9 fr. http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - SO INF Grant Dozar (2011) impressed those who saw him practice with the team last season, but didn’t get enough at bats in 2009 to make any conclusions about what kind of player he’ll be on the college level. As of now, he is expected to see time at both first and third. If he can earn some playing time behind the plate, as some have speculated he might, the added versatility would give this under the radar prospect a chance to get a little recognition.



8. Cameron Coombs


1-21-10 from http://www.baseballamerica/ : - From the class of 2011, some of the top players were . . . Cameron Coombs, 1b, Durango HS, Las Vegas: Only 16, Coombs is already 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. Coombs does not run well (7.50), so his future will be limited to pitching or first base. He shows potential at both spots. On the mound, he delivers an 86 to 88 mph fastball and 67-68 curve, despite a funky delivery. At bat, Coombs shows provocative power, despite his unusual stand up stance and swing in which his legs are nearly straight throughout.


9. Joey Terdoslavich:


4-20 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/  - Long Beach State SO 1B Joey Terdoslavich - Terdoslavich was once a pretty exciting prospect, but his transfer to Long Beach has taken his name out of the big-time college spotlight. His power remains, but the 2010 drop in plate discipline is worrying. In his favor, however, is the positional versatility so many of these first base prospects will need if they want big league bench jobs someday.


10. Max Homick - 1B OF/P Rancho Bernardo San Diego CA



11. Dan Vogelbach:


6-27 from: - http://perfectgame.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=114295945&f=6174069131&m=3221081702&p=2   - Day two at TOS - 1b, Dan Vogelbach, 6'1 240, L/R, one kid that stood out as a solid hitter in every respect was this young man. He may not have the prettiest builds of any of the players, neither did John Kruk, but this kid can hit and he's got thunder in his bat if you put in up in the middle of the plate. Fields position but speed he definitely lacks, runs like Babe Ruth films though, LOL. From Bishop Verot HS, Fla.


12. Travis Shaw:


6-28 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/28/cape-cod-baseball-league-players-of-the-week-june-28th  - Travis Shaw, Bourne 1B/DH - Bourne slugger Travis Shaw (Kent State) has secured this week’s Coca-Cola Player of the Week award after putting together a stretch of four games that any Cape Leaguer will be hard-pressed to match this season. Shaw hit .714, with a .775 on-base percentage, slugging two home runs and knocking in seven runs. He batted .330 in his sophomore season at Kent State, with 15 home runs. Shaw was taken in the 32nd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft out of high school by the Red Sox, but elected to attend Kent State.