Baseball and Stuff – Matt Purke, Nolan Arenado, Joe Scarpa, Tyler Pastornicky, Gerrit Cole

Baseball and Stuff –  Matt Purke, Nolan Arenado, Joe Scarpa, Tyler Pastornicky, Gerrit Cole

·        According to Kevin Goldstein, reports on the future of P Matt Purke were “not encouraging” this spring His problems with with shoulder bursitis continue.

·        Nolan Arenado is one of the most gifted hitters in the minor leagues, which wasn't hard to tell tonight. The Rockies third baseman went 4-for-5 with a double tonight for Tulsa in his Double-A debut. Arenado, who turns 21 in a couple of weeks, is a guy with an uncommon combination of ability to hit for power while and also showing an uncanny knack for barreling up the ball with great plate coverage link

·        O's top prospect Manny Machado homers on the first pitch he sees, also singles and steals a base in his Double-A debut

·        Ian Gac has 161 minor league home runs.

·        Joe Scarpa, who became one of the best-known professional wrestlers of the 1970s and ’80s after he took on the persona of Chief Jay Strongbow, an American Indian whose war dance foretold the downfall of many opponents, died on Tuesday. link

·        The newspaper Orange County Register sent 70 of their 100 reporters to last night’s home opener for the Los Angeles Angels.

·        Tyler Pastornicky is a 5-11, 170 pound right-handed hitter and thrower, born December 13, 1989. He is the son of former major leaguer Cliff Pastornicky, and his baseball family background shows up in his instincts and feeling for the game. Scouts rate his range and hands as above-average for shortstop. His arm is average, but accurate. On offense, Pastornicky is adept at making contact and doesn't strike out much, but doesn't draw a huge number of walks, lacks distance power, and isn't going to be a slugger. His improved numbers last year could have been a result of a lucky BABIP (batting average on balls in play). link

·        Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates - 2012 Opening Day Assignment: Bradenton Marauders (A+) - Rationale: The #1-1 from 2011′s draft looks to be on the fast track to the major leagues after some impressive outings in the Arizona Fall League. Cole should have no problems handling the Florida State League with his absolutely devastating fastball that runs up to the plate in the upper 90s. Cole’s change-up is already a plus pitch that he uses as a deceptive pitch and not just as a change of pace. Cole also features a cutter and a slider as well that grade as above average and slightly above average respectively. Cole’s biggest hindrance will come with the innings limit the Pirates are likely to put on their most prized possession. S2S

·        Lou Piniella: "The change-up is a pitch you really have to wait on."