PRESS RELEASE - RP - Armondo Rodriguez

The Eastern League announced today that Binghamton Mets reliever ArmandoRodriguez has been added to the Eastern Division roster for the 2012 EasternLeague All-Star Game to be played at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading,Pennsylvania on Wednesday, July 11. Rodriguez replaces B-Mets starter ZackWheeler on the roster. Wheeler will attend the All-Star Futures Game in KansasCity in lieu of the Eastern League festivities.

Rodriguez,24, will be heading to the first All-Star Game in his professional career.Signed by the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in July 2008, Rodriguezis in his first season with the Binghamton Mets.

Afterspending the last four seasons as a starting pitcher, Rodriguez slid to thebullpen this year. In 20 relief appearances he has gone 2-0 with a 2.47 ERA andlocked down one save. The native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has heldopponents to a .225 batting average and struck out 48 in 46.2 innings.

Rodriguezfills in for Wheeler who will be pitching for the US Team in the All-StarFutures Game in Kansas City on July 8th. It is the second time inhis career he has made the Futures Game roster. The righty played for the USTeam in 2010, while still a San Francisco Giants farmhand.

2013 Draft-Notes – Bo Watson, Matt Skole, Garrioch 80-100

Jeremy Martinez‏  -  Stoked to be a part of the Prospect Classic with USABaseball18U and to have Terry Francona as my manager

BYU names Mike Littlewood as Head Coach

This edition of my Pitchers of the Night from June 28th starts with Bo Watson of the Syracuse Salt Cats by way of Onandaga State. Bo picked up the win in relief last night. He allowed just one hit in two innings of work, but most impressively, he fanned five batters last night. His outing last night was his eighth of the season. CSB

Texas prospect Matt Skole suspended for 50games… tested positive for amphetamines…

Mike Trout is affectionately known among opposing pitchers as "OH MY GOD, NOOOOO!!!!!!!!".

Mike Trout is the only qualified player averaging .07 fWAR per game in '12. That's a 11.6 fWAR per 160 game pace, 1.4 more than Votto.

Keith Law‏ - I'm just waiting for Mike Trout to be promoted to a level that challenges him.

2011 1st rounder George Springer with 3 hits yesterday. Hitting .304/.383/.549 with 11 2B, 3 3B, 15 HR, and 16 SB – Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Kaleb Cowart with multi-hits in 3 of last 4 G and hitting .400/.529/.640 with 4 2B, 3B, and 7 BB in 8 High-A games - Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Lima Shawnee 2013 RHP Cory Wilder is 88-92 mph in the first inning.

Matt Garrioch - #81-100:

81.                                                               Trevor Clifton, P, Parkview

82.                                                               Josh Hart, OF, Cherry Creek

83.                                                               Derik Beauprez, 1B,

84.                                                               Erich Weiss, 3B, Texas

85.                                                               Brenton Allen, OF, UCLA

86.                                                               Jimmie Sherfy, P, Salisbury School (OR)

87.                                                               Ryley MacEachern, P,

88.                                                               Jason Monda, OF, Washington State

89.                                                               Omar Cotto, OF, Southern California

90.                                                               Kurt McCune, P, Louisiana State

91.                                                               Tyler Skulina, P, Kent State

92.                                                               Dustin DeMuth, 3B, Indiana

93.                                                               Scott Frazier, P, St. Augustine Prep

94.                                                               Chris Oakley, P,

95.                                                               Matt Grimes, P, Georgia Tech

96.                                                               Kevin Jordan, OF, Wake Forest

97.                                                               Randy LeBlanc, P, Patchogue Medford

98.                                                               Matthew Vogel, P, Jenks

99.                                                               Thomas Hatch, P,

100.                                                             Michael Arencibia, OF, Tallahassee CC

Bluefield 12, Kingsport 3

The Kingsport Mets got wild on Friday night. Four K-Met hurlers combined for five wild pitches five walks and four hit batsmen as the Bluefield Blue Jays rolled to a 12-3 victory at Hunter Wright Stadium. Bluefield's win sets the stage for a rubber game between the two squads Saturday evening at 6 p.m.
A substantial crowd braved the hottest temperature ever recorded in Kingsport in the month of June -- 104 degrees at first pitch -- to see local standout Daniel Norris take the mound for Bluefield. Norris a native of nearby Johnson City, was the Jays' second-round pick in last year's draft. He worked four innings allowing two runs -- one earned -- on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He needed just 61 pitches to get through the four frames.
Kingsport, meanwhile, had each of its pitchers battling control issues. Starter Christian Montgomery got into deep trouble in the top of the fourth, allowing four straight men to reach base on two hits and two walks, also throwing two wild pitches. Montgomery ended up being responsible for Bluefield's first six runs, five of which were earned./p>
The three K-Met relievers -- Matthew Budgell, Edioglis Villasmil and Ramon Estevez -- didn't fare much better. Each either threw a wild pitch or hit a batter. Budgell and Estevez did both. The game turned into a total rout in the late innings after Estevez gave up three runs in the eighth that made it a 12-3 ballgame.
Each of the top four batters in the Bluefield lineup and six of the top seven tallied at least one run scored and one RBI in the game. All 10 Blue Jays batters that took hacks either crossed the plate or drove in a run. Dwight Smith Jr., the son of the former Major League outfielder had a good night out of the leadoff spot, with a solo home run in the seventh highlighting a 2-for-5, two-RBI, two-run performance.
Eris Peguero continued his hot start to the Appalachian League season and looks to be a fixture at the top of the lineup. Batting leadoff, Peguero went 2-for-5 and has hit safely in four straight games and 10 of 11 on the season. Tomas Nido and Pedro Perez also contributed two base hits for the K-Mets, although both had their issues in the field as well.
NOTES: Griffin Murphy ended up picking up the win for Bluefield. He worked three innings of relief after Norris left the game. ... Robert Gsellman (1-0) is scheduled to start for Kingsport. His six-inning effort last Sunday against Greeneville remains the most complete pitching performance thus far this season for the K-Mets. He'll go against Deivy Estrada, who is also 1-0 but has a 10.80 ERA.

Cyclones 5, Iron Birds 2

 The Cyclones hit Aberdeen starting pitcher Cameron Coffey for four runs in the third inning Friday night, and went on to defeat the IronBirds, 5-2.

Shortstop Phillip Evans put the Cyclones on the board in the top of the third with a two-out, two-run blast over the left field wall. Second baseman Juan Gamboa, who scored on the play, reached on a single and advanced to second when Aberdeen pitcher committed an error on a failed pickoff attempt.

Following the home run, DH Kevin Plawecki was hit by a pitch. He was plated on a triple off the bat of first baseman Cole Frenzel. Frenzel then came home when left fielder Stefan Sabol doubled to center field, but catcher Jeff Glenn struck out looking to end the inning.

Coffey lasted just four innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Brooklyn starter Rainy Lara retired the first 12 batters of the game in order before surrendering a leadoff triple to the right field wall to DH Torsten Boss in the fifth. Boss crossed the plate when the next hitter, first baseman Cameron Edman singled, cutting the Cyclones lead to three runs.

Second baseman Jerome Pena got to Lara in the sixth, knocking him out of the game with a two-out solo home run to right; but not before Lara struck out 10 IronBirds in his 5.2 innings of work. Lara is the 22nd player in franchise history to strike out 10 or more in a game, and the first since August 12, 2010 when A.J. Pinera fanned 10 batters at Auburn.

Brooklyn reliever Beck Wheeler took over on the mound and walked left fielder Will Howard. Howard then stole second, but Wheeler struck out Boss to get out of the inning.

Back-to-back doubles by Frenzel and Sabol in the bottom of the eighth gave the Cyclones another run to make it 5-2. Frenzel, who has been hot at the plate, went 3-for-4 on the night, batted in a run, and scored two. Before the game, Frenzel’s .486 on-base percentage ranked him third in the entire NYPL.

Matt Bowman came in from the bullpen in the ninth to close out the game and pick up his first save of the season. He struck out five over his 2.0 innings of work in his professional debut.

Bowie 8, Binghamton 5

 The Bowie Baysox collected a dozen hits and scored eight runs over thefinal five innings to complete a four-game sweep, defeating the Binghamton Mets8-5 Friday night at NYSEG Stadium. The Baysox scored 33 runs and collected 49hits in the four-game series, extending the B-Mets home losing streak to sixgames.

Forthe second straight night, Binghamton drew first blood. With a man on first inthe second inning, Dustin Martin drove the first pitch he saw from starter ZachClark over the right field wall for his first homer as a B-Met.

B-Metsstarter Greg Peavey took the 2-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning. Peaveyhad escaped trouble in the first and fourth, but could not dodge the Bowieoffense in the fifth. Jai Miller, the nine-hitter, squeaked a two-out, two-runhomer over the right field wall to tie the game at two.

Bowietook the lead for good with a three-run sixth. Manny Machado made Peavey payfor issuing two walks by stroking a two-run double to left field. The RBI’swere his seventh and eighth of the series. Rhyne Hughes followed with an RBIdouble, giving Bowie a 5-2 lead. Britton added another run in the seventh,launching a solo homer against reliever Armando Rodriguez.

Clarksettled in nicely after Martin’s home run and retired 14 of the next 15 B-Metshe faced. The stretch came to an end when he walked Eric Campbell to start theseventh. After a single by Wilmer Flores, Clark recorded two outs.

Binghamtonfought back as Travis Ozga provided an RBI single up the middle and Sean Kazmarcut the deficit to two with an RBI ground-rule double to right. Reliever RobertHinton replaced Clark and induced Lagares to ground out to end the inning,stranding the tying run on second.

Bowiecontinued their relentless offensive attack in the eight. Robbie Widlanskysingled, moved to second on a throwing error by catcher Francisco Pena, tookthird on a single and scored on a sac fly by Hughes.

Trailingby three, the B-Mets loaded the bases on three singles in the eighth. They onlyscratched out one run with Dustin Martin providing the RBI on a groundout. Penastruck out to end the inning.

Afterthe Baysox added one more run in the ninth against Edgar Ramirez, the B-Metswent down in order against Kyler Newby to end the ballgame.

Clark(7-4) allowed four runs on five hits over 6.2 innings in the winning effort,extending his winning streak to four games. Peavey (3-5) suffered the loss,surrendering five runs on eight hits over six innings. Newby collected histhird save.

TheB-Mets (36-42) continue their eight-game homestand by welcoming in the AltoonaCurve for a four-game set. The series begins Saturday night at 7:05 PM. RHPZack Wheeler takes the mound for Binghamton against RHP Tim Alderson. The HorizonsFederal Credit Union pre-game show begins at 6:50 PM on Newsradio 1290 WNBF.

Stuff

CLEVELAND INDIANS: Optioned INF/OF Vinny Rottino to Columbus (IL).

Vin Scully on Ruben Tejada's fourth hit, "... (he's) thrilled. Sounded like he hit it with the morning paper, but he'll take it.”

Oliver Perez tossed another 2 shutout IP for the Mariners tonight. ERA down to 1.69, which is almost a half-run lower than Dickey's

Andrew Keh – Daniel Murphy projects an uncommon air of serenity this season. Even as he admitted his shortcomings, he described this season as “unbelievable” and “extremely enjoyable.” His current state of mind, he said, can be traced to a choice he made last fall, as he was rehabilitating his most recent injury, to devote his life to Christianity. He needed to be more humble, he decided. He needed to untether his identity from the game, to untie his mood from the scorecard. “For a long time, if I got hits, I was happy; if I didn’t get hits, I was unhappy,” Murphy said. “That’s how I evaluated my self-worth.”

Sixteen-year-old Dominican shortstop Germán Ahmed Rosario is due to sign with the Mets for $1.7 million on Monday, when the new group of international teenagers is eligible to be signed, according to ESPNDeportes.com's Enrique Rojas.

David Price has an MLB-high 44 called strikeouts this season

Buster Olney‏ - There are 25 individual hitters with 15 or more homers -- more than the season total for the entire Dodgers lineup that started Friday (14).

Daily Mets Minors Report

Date: 6-30-12

MLB - Mets:

Look for the Mets to dish out around $1.5mil to international SS, Dominican  Germán Ahmed Rosario

Called this one…. SP Chris Schwinden claimed by Yanks. 

Adam Rubin  -  On the injury front: Jason Bay rode a stationary bicycle Wednesday and did not have any post-concussion symptoms arise, Terry Collins said. Mike Baxter (displaced collarbone) has not done any significant physical activity, the manager added. Mike Pelfrey, who is expected to be non-tendered and become a free agent in December, is working on strengthening exercises following Tommy John surgery and should begin tossing a baseball in late August or early September. 

Colorado Rockies 2012 third round pick Tom Murphy, a catcher from the University of Buffalo, is playing well so far for Tri-City in the Northwest League, 8-for-20 (.400) with four walks and a home run. He’s playing adequately so far on defense, with one passed ball in five games, no errors, while catching two of seven runners (29%). Not great, but his greater level of experience and polish compared to the high school guys is obvious. - Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 

AAA – Buffalo:

RHP MATT HARVEY will make his team-leading 17th start tonight for the Bisons. Harvey leads the Bisons with 87 strikeouts and is in search of his seventh win of the year and his eighth quality start. This righty is 1-2 in June with a 3.12ERA, 31K in 26.0IP. Harvey was just selected to the Triple-A All-Star team on Wednesday which will be hosted at Coca-Cola Field.. INF JOSH RODRIGUEZ went 2-3 yesterday with an RBI walk. He now has three multi-hit games and has hits in his first five of six games with the Herd.  Rodriguez is now hitting .293 with 7HR and 33RBI in 63 games with Binghamton (AA) and Buffalo this season.

Good point made by Rubin after the first inning: And this is why there are scouts: "Watching Matt Harvey. Struck out side on all straight fastballs up in zone. Would be 1st & 3rd, 1 out in MLB"

Excuse me Mr. Rubin, but I’ll take 8K in 5-IP with 1-H any day at any level.

Scout in 5^th inning - "Better 5th. Broke out secondary pitches for strikes. Finally."

In the end, an outstanding outing… 7.0-IP, 2-H, 0-R, 9-K, 1-BB.

CF Matt den Dekker (.208) hit his 4^th AAA home run in 72-AB… den Dekker sometimes hits for average, while other time pops for power. Trust me, he’s play CF in Queens as soon as he does both at the same time…

RP Elvin Ramirez (1.0-IP, 2-BB, 28-16) still shaky, and Pedro Beato (1.0-IP, 2-K, 17-10) pitched much better. 

AA-Binghamton:  

RHP Greg Peavey (3-4, 5.40) makes his 14th start of the season and first against the Baysox. The righty from Vancouver, Washington looks to snap a three-game losing streak and five-start winless stretch. Peavey’s last victory came against the Portland Sea Dogs on May 20. His last win at home was on April 9 versus the Erie SeaWolves in his Double-A debut. Peavey lost his most recent start against the SeaWolves on June 23, allowing five runs on ten hits while striking out five over 6.1 innings of work. A sixth-round pick out of Oregon State University in 2010, Peavey split last season between the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) and St. Lucie Mets (High-A). RHP Zach Clark (6-4, 3.12) takes the mound for his 14th start of the season looking to extend his three-game winning streak. The Delaware native allowed four runs on ten hits on June 24 against the Reading Phillies in his last start, but got nine runs of support to earn the victory. After allowing ten runs in his first two starts of the season, Clark has compiled a 2.31 ERA in his last 11 starts. While he went 2-3 in the month of May, he amassed a 1.59 ERA. He also made two starts for the Norfolk Tides (AAA) in late May and early June, going 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006, Clark is in his fourth season with the Baysox.

2-run HR by RF Dustin Martin (.241), who contiunues to play two levels below where he was once projected to play in 2012. I like Dustin and he’ll be a fine AAA outfielder wherever the Mets play AAA next year.

Once again SP Greg Peavey went into the tank. Look, he’s a great kid, highly committed to both his game and his God, and no one wishes he was successful more than I do, but… he’s not. This is the 3^rd non-quality stat in a row and 6^th in his past eight. In my book, this would be the first DFA after the MLB-ASG and begin a bump up from the four levels below. 

A+ - St. Lucie: -  

A long hot day game win, 4-2 in 12… two runs in the top of the 12^th, started by CF Alonzo Harris’ (.271) triple… four hits by SS T J Rivera (.257)…

Excellent pitching all around… 11 scoreless innings combined by Rafael Montero (3.65), John Church (3.58), Adam Kolarek (2-IP, 3-K, 1.79), Jeffrey Walters (2-IP, 3-K, 0.00), and Taylor Whitenton (2.60). 

A – Savannah:

 3B Aderlin Rodriguez is hitting .308/.376/.541 w 22 extra-base hits, 19 BB and 36K in 47 games since May 1 

A-Low – Brooklyn:

Mets 2011 1st rounder Brandon Nimmo with one of the oddest lines: .167/.400/.222 with 13 BB and 10 Ks in 11 G. Walked in 9 of 11 games.

SS Phillip Evans (.256) hit his 3^rd home run… I really like this pick… I have him projected as the Mets SS in 2015, with David Wright on one side of him and Reese Havens on the other.

We may have another special pitcher to keep on eyes on. SP Rainy Lara sure looks like the real deal (at this level). The 6-4 righty is 21-yrs old and is coming off excellent years in the DSL (2010 – 4-2, 1.97, 15-G, 12-ST)), and the GCL Mets (2011 – 1-2, 2.22, 16-starts). Tonight: 5.2-IP, 3-H, 2-ER, 10-K, 0-BB, 1.69.

P Mathew Bowman made his professional debut. Love the middle name… “Chou”.  2.0-IP, 0-R, 5-K, save… beer’s on Chou… 

Rookie – Kingsport:

Christian Montgomery got his second pro start tonight. Montgomery was once projected as a first rounder (mock drafts in July-Aug 2010), but he faded when his last season at Lawrence Central H.S. (IN). A ‘young-in’ born in 1992… not good again: 3.0-IP, 4-H, 6-R, 3-K, 3-BB, 9.39.

2013 Draft-Notes – Ryan Bainbridge, Jose De Leon, USA Baseball Results, Garrioch Top 80

Ryan Bainbridge, 3B/RHP, Timberland HS, Class of 2013: - The 6-foot-0, 180-pound Bainbridge is a projectable, athletic middle infielder. Defensively, he plays through the ball well, in addition to showing soft hands and an accurate arm across the infield (75 mph). He has fluid footwork and good lateral movements. At the plate, Bainbridge continued to impress with his balanced approach. He showed excellent hand acceleration through the zone, which produced hard line drives. He also demonstrated repeatable rhythm throughout his swing. Bainbridge also showed some skill on the mound with a sharp 11-to-5 breaking ball, which showed to be his best pitch. He also threw a fastball that topped at 77 mph and a 65 mph change up with some depth. PBR

Player:  Jose De Leon   Position:  RHP   School:  Southern   Date of Birth:  8/7/1992   Height/Weight:  6’2/210   Bats/Throws:  R/R   2013 Class:  Junior  Scouting Report:   •Fastball 90-94 with good movement   •Has relied heavily on fastball in the two games I have seen him pitch  •Secondary pitches are inconsistent, but slider shows good potential  •Live arm   •3/4 arm slot  •Some control issues, but reportedly improved as the season progressed   BLF

The Collegiate National Team topped the Catawba Valley All-Stars 11-1

The Red and Blue teams tied 2-2 in the 18U National Team Trials.

•Trae Turner, DJ Peterson, Michael Conforto, Jordan Hankins, Marco Gonzalez, and Kyle Farmer had two hits apiece.

 •Austin Cousino went 1-2 with a walk and two steals.

 •Jonathon Crawford pitched three shutout innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out 3.

 •Jake Reed tossed two shutout innings, striking out 3 batters.

 •Manager Dave Cerrano-  “Jonathon just proved why he was one of the hottest pitchers in the country at the end of the year,” Serrano said. “He is going to be one of the top pitchers in college baseball next year. He has explosive stuff. It was a pretty dominant performance by the young man and we are lucky to have them.”  BLF  

JD Sussman‏  -  Did you know the Yankees can get Greinke for Betances, Nunez, Slade Heathcott, Cervelli otherwise known as 4 AAAA players 

June 26,2012 – Matt Garrioch

1.     Ryne Stanek, P, Arkansas

2.     Kris Bryant, 1B, San Diego

3.     Jeremy Martinez, C, Mater Dei

4.     Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford

5.     Justin Williams, OF, Terrebonne

6.     Dominic Smith, 1B, Serra

7.     Robert Kaminsky, P, St Joseph Regional (Montvale)

8.     Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson

9.     Clinton Hollon, P, Woodford County

10.            Karsten Whitson, P, Florida

11.            Bobby Wahl, P, Mississippi

12.            Zack Collins, C, American Heritage

13.            Brian Ragira, 1B, Stanford

14.            Chris Okey, C, Eustis

15.            Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State

16.            Dominic Ficociello, 1B, Arkansas

17.            Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina

18.            Jonathan Crawford, P, Florida

19.            Dylan Covey, P, San Diego

20.            Reese McGuire, C, Kentwood

21.            Sheldon Neuse, SS, Keller Fossil Ridge

22.            Austin Kubitza, P, Rice

23.            Ryan Eades, P, Louisiana State

24.            Michael Lorenzen, OF, Cal State Fullerton

25.            Adam Plutko, P, UCLA

26.            Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville

27.            Kramer Robertson, SS, Midway

28.            Cord Sandberg, OF,

29.            Jan A Hernandez, SS, Carlos Beltran Academy

30.            Conrad Gregor, OF, Vanderbilt

31.            Jacoby Jones, OF, Louisiana State

32.            Christopher Rivera, SS, El Dorado

33.            AJ Puk, P, Washington

34.            Josh Dezse, P, Ohio State

35.            Jake Fraley, OF, Red Lion Christian Academy

36.            Zach Farmer, P, Piketon

37.            Oscar Mercado, SS, Gaither

38.            D.J. Peterson, 1B, New Mexico

39.            Michael O'Neill, OF, Michigan

40.            William Abreu, OF, Miami Springs

41.            Mark Ecker, P, Sandra Day O'Connor

42.            Cavan Biggio, 3B, St. Thomas

43.            Trey Ball, P, New Castle

44.            Tres Barrera, 3B, Hidalgo (Hidalgo Texas)

45.             A.J. Vanegas, P, Stanford

46.            Robert Tyler, P, Crisp County High

47.            Aaron Brown, OF, Pepperdine

48.                        John Simms, P, Rice

49.                        Stephen Gonsalves, P, Cathedral Catholic

50.                        Kevin Ziomek, P, Vanderbilt

51.                        John Paul Crawford, SS, Lakewood

52.                        Jarret DeHart, OF, Shawnee

53.                        Andrew Dunlap, C, Westbury Christian

54.                        Andrew Mitchell, P, TCU

55.                        Zach Weiss, P, UCLA

56.                        Tyler Barnette, P, Charlotte

57.                        Ryon Healy, P, Oregon

58.                        John Sternagel, 3B, Rockledge

59.                        Jordan Sheffield, P, Tullahoma

60.                        Forrest Koumas, P, South Carolina

61.                        Travis Demeritte, 3B, Winder Barrow

62.                        Zach Alvord, 3B, Auburn

63.                        Lonnie Kauppila, SS, Stanford

64.                        Adam Duke, P, Oregon State

65.                        Jared King, 1B, First Academy HS Kansas

66.                        Ben DeLuzio, 3B, Russell County

67.                        Anfernee Grier, OF,

68.                        Sean Dwyer, OF, Sachse Florida Gulf Coast

69.                        Eric Williams, OF,

70.                        Daniel Palka, OF, Georgia Tech

71.                        Anthony Sherlag, C, Simeon

72.                        Corey Ray, OF,  Simeon HS (IL)

73.                        Trey Lee Cobb, P, Broken Arrow HS (OK)

74.                        Corey Knebel, P, Palm Beach CentralTexas

75.                        Ian Hagenmiller, 3B, Cypress

76.                        Tyler Alamo, C,

77.                        T.J. Pecoraro, P, Vanderbilt

78.                        Dale Carey, OF, Miami

79.                        Dan Child, P, Oregon State

80.                        Daniel Gibson, P, HeritageFlorida