4/13 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 14, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

In the International League, Austin Jackson and Nolan Reimold rapped another three hits while Fernando Martinez and Wilkin Ramirez belted their first HR’s of the season.  The player of the day honors belong to Norfolk’s Chris Tillman who fired four no-hit innings in his first start of the season striking out five.

International League Player of the Day—CHRIS TILLMAN

Other Notable Performances:

• Kevin Russo—2-5 RBI
• Austin Jackson—3-5 RBI R
• David Robertson—3 IP H 7K
• Fernando Martinez—2-4 HR(1) RBI 2B 2R
• John Mayberry Jr.—2-3 2B R BB
• Dusty Brown—2-4 2B RBI R
• Trevor Plouffe—1-1 2B R BB SB(1)
• Luis Valbuena—2-4 3B RBI R BB
• Reid Brignac—2-5 2B 3B RBI R
• Wilkin Ramirez—1-3 HR(1) RBI BB
• Will Rhymes—2-4 2 2B R RBI
• Adam Rosales—1-4 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Nolan Reimold—3-4 2R BB
• Matt Wieters—2-4 BB
• Chris Tillman—4 IP 0H 3 BB 5K

On the other coast, Brandon Wood hit HR #3 and Collin DeLome, Mat Gamel, and Tyler Greene all hit their second bombs.  Jeff Samardzija looked good in his first outing as did Cesar Valdez and Gio Gonzalez.  Tuscon’s Alex Romero won top honors with his 2-2 two RBI three walk day.

Pacific Coast League Player of the Day—ALEX ROMERO

Other Notable Performances:

• Julio Borbon—1-4 2B R
• Mat Gamel—1-2 HR(2) 2 RBI BB
• Alcides Escobar—2-4 2B R 2 SB(3)
• Hernan Iribarren—1-3 2B 2 RBI BB
• Tyler Greene—1-5 HR(2) RBI
• Allen Craig—2-3 R RBI
• Jon Jay—2-4
• Blake Hawksworth—5 Ip 7H 2 ER 2 BB 6K
• John Raynor—2-5
• Chris Coughlan—2-4 R BB SB(1)
• Alex Romero—2-2 2B 2R RBI 3 BB
• Josh Whitesell—2-4 2 RBI R BB
• Cesar Valdez—2-4 2 RBI R BB
• Jeff Samardzija—4 IP 2H BB 4K
• Scott Campbell—1-3 2R BB
• Brett Cecil—4 Ip 4H 2 ER 2 BB K
• Brandon Wood—2-4 HR(3) RBI
• Eric Patterson—2-4 2B R BB SB(3)
• Gio Gonzalez—3 IP 3 BB 3K

3/13 Spring Training Report

Posted by Jeremy on March 13, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Tommy Hanson won his first game of the spring, though he struggled a bit allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 IP.  Jordan Schafer and Freddie Freeman continued to assert themselves as elite prospects, Brett Cecil and David Purcey combined to shut out the Rays for 7.2 innings and Jon Jay and Jason Donald continued to swing hot bats.  The youngster of the day, however, was new L.A. Angels starting 1B Kendry Morales who belted a grand slam HR to lead the Angels to victory today.

Youngster of the Day—KENDRY MORALES

Other Notable Performances:

• Cameron Maybin—3-3 R SB(1)
• Jordan Schafer—2-5 2 2B R
• Freddie Freeman—2-3 R RBI
• Brandon Hicks—1-1 HR(1) RBI
• Tommy Hanson—4.2 IP 5H ER 2 BB 2K (W)
• Daniel Murphy—3-5 2 RBI
• Nick Evans—2-5
• Bobby Parnell—2.2 IP 0H BB 2K (W)
• Andrew McCutchen—1-3 R BB
• Brian Bixler—3-4 3B R RBI SB(1)
• Jason Donald—2-5 3B R
• John Mayberry Jr.—1-3 2B R
• Allen Craig—1-2 RBI
• Jon Jay—3-5 2R SB(2)
• Justin Turner—2-2 2B R RBI SB(1)
• Matt Wieters—2-3 R
• Brad Emaus—2-3 2B 3B 2 RBI R
• Brett Cecil—3.2 IP H 4 BB 2K (W)
• David Purcey—4 IP 4H 2K SV(1)
• Junichi Tazawa—2 IP H BB K
• Eugenio Velez—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI R SB(4)
• Pablo Sandoval—2-4
• Kevin Frandsen—2-5 2B
• Eric Young Jr.—1-3 2R BB SB(4)
• Kevin Pucetas—4 IP 5H ER BB
• James McDonald—2 IP H 4 BB 2K
• Oswaldo Navarro—2-3 RBI
• Richie Robnett—1-2 2B 2 RBI
• Sam Fuld—2-4 HR(2) RBI 2R BB SB(1)
• Matt Tuiasosopo—3-3 2 2B 2 BB RBI R
• Carlos Truinfel—1-2 RBI R
• Josh Whitesell—1-2 2 RBI 2R BB 2B
• Landon Powell—1-1 2B 2 RBI R
• Kendry Morales—2-3 GS HR(1) 4 RBI
• Sean O’Sullivan—2 IP K
• Brent Lillibridge—2-5 2B RBI R
• Nick Hundley—1-2 2B RBI
• Cedric Hunter—2-2 RBI
• Cole Armstrong—1-2 HR(1) 2 RBI

3/2 Spring Training Report

Posted by Jeremy on March 3, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

There are some trends developing in the early parts of the season worth noting. Jarrod Saltalamacchia continues to sting the ball, batting at a .600 clip. John Mayberry Jr. continues to make a case to be considered as a fourth outfielder for the World Champion Phillies as his enhanced plate discipline numbers offer some positives in the early going. Chicago Cubs infielder Micah Hoffpauir continues his hot hitting with a hit in his fourth straight game. The performance of the day, however, belongs to Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Wade Davis who threw 3.2 innings of one hit ball striking out one and en route to his first win of the spring.

Youngster of the Day—WADE DAVIS

Other Notable Performances:

• Justin Masterson—2 IP H K
• Daniel Bard—IP K
• Brad LIncoln—IP K
• Brian Barton—1-3 2R BB SB(1)
• Allen Craig—1-1 R
• Jeremy Slayden—2-5 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R
• John Mayberry Jr.—1-4 2B 2 RBI R BB
• Jason Donald—1-4 R BB
• Brad Emaus—1-2 HR(1) RBI
• Brett Cecil—2.2 IP H BB 3K
• Brandon Wood—3-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 2R 2B
• Matt Brown—2-2
• Andrew Romine—3-5 RBI
• Adam Pavkovich—3-5 3 2B 4 RBI R
• Chris Pettit—1-1 R RBI 2 BB
• Sean Rodriguez—2-4 2R
• Joe Koshansky—1-4 3B R RBI
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia—2-3 2B 3 RBI
• Julio Borbon—1-2 SB(1)
• Beau Mills—2-3 2B 3B R RBI
• Jordan Brown—1-1 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Emmannuel Burriss—2-3 RBI R
• Eider Torres—2-4 R SB(1)
• Chris Lubanski—3-3 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Jose Duarte—1-2 2R BB
• Derrick Robinson—1-1 R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Rob Johnson—2-3 3B R RBI
• Reggie Corona—1-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Carlos Triunfel—1-1
• Josh Fields—2-2 2 2B
• Sergio Santos—2-2
• Angel Salome—1-4 2B R
• Brad Nelson—1-3 RBI BB
• Josh Whitesell—1-3 2R
• Mark Hallberg—1-1 2B R RBI
• Daniel Schlereth—IP 2H ER BB 3K
• Micah Hoffpauir—1-4 R 2B

8/6 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on August 7, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Josh Whitesell

• 2-4 HR(22) 4 RBI—.543 3 HR 15 RBI 10 BB 10 R 19 H last 10 games

Brandon Wood

• 2-4 HR(27) 3 RBI 2B—.308 6 HR 14 RBI 12 R last 10 games

Brandon Morrow

• 1.2 IP H K—1st start for Morrow who is shifting to the M’s rotation in Sept.

Matt Tuiasosopo

• 2-4 2 HR(9) 3 RBI 3R BB—.375 3 HR 10 RBI 14 R last 10 games

J.R. Towles

• 2-4 HR(7) 2 RBI—.304 7 HR 22 RBI .951 OPS in 102 AB’s at AAA

Matt Antonelli

• 2-3 R—3 multi-hit games in last 4 outings has brought BA above .200

Brett Cecil

• 5 IP 6H 2ER 3BB 7K (W)—much better in his 2nd outing at Syracuse ( played 3 levels in ‘08 )

John Jaso

• 1-4 HR(9) 2 RBI—Hitting .345 2 HR 12 RBI in 14 games at Durham

Josh Anderson

• 3-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2 2B 2R—back to back HR games for slap hitter (.422 7 SB last 10 games)

George Kottaras

• 3-6 2B R RBI—.237 20 HR 59 RBI 54 BB

Daniel McCutchen

• 7 IP 4H 2ER BB 5K (W)—9-11 3.29 ERA 121K/143IP

James McDonald

• 6 IP 2H ER 2BB 10K (W)—Superb 1st outing at AAA (6-3 3.10 ERA 123K/124IP)

BUY/SELL Analysis

Who it the real Matt Antonelli?

What a difference a year makes for the Padres 2006 1st round pick Matt Antonelli.  Last season, Antonelli cruised through A and AA hitting .307 with 21 HR 78 RBI and 27 SB, garnering him the honor of being the San Diego’s #2 rated prospect.  This season Antonelli was expected to continue his success at AAA Portland with an outside shot of a late season MLB debut.  Conversely, he has hit an anemic .202 with just 4 HR 29 RBI and 5 SB.  What has contributed to the difference?  Antonelli’s 66BB/72K ratio is excellent and he has remained relatively injury free.  The only thing I can see is that Antonelli is a grinder and competitor who may be prone to putting too much pressure on himself, especially during struggles.  Antonelli has first year autographs in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft set which sells for $12-14 each and Bowman Sterling that sells for $9-12 each.

Market Advice: Which Antonelli is the real one?  Conventional wisdom would say that he is not as good as his ‘07 stats and not as bad as his ‘08 stats.  Given that notion, Antonelli is probably a .260-.275 hitter with 10-15 HR power and 10-15 SB speed.  Antonelli is a decent medium-risk medium-ceiling BUY if you can get his chrome auto at $10.  If you have some of his cards, HOLD and watch to see how he plays in the Arizona Fall League (I am assuming the Padres will send him there).

7/28 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 29, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Brett Cecil

• 6 IP 3H BB 8K (W)—6-2 2.55 ERA 87K/78IP at New Hampshire

Zack Daeges

• 1-4 HR(4) 4 RBI—.286 31 RBI 52BB (Power drop has been disappointing)

John Raynor

• 4-5 2 2B 2R 2 RBI SB(40)—.361 7R 8 SB last 10 games

Gaby Sanchez

• 2-5 2B 4 RBI—.329 11 HR 66 RBI 15 SB 54 BB

Adam Moore

• 2-3 2 2B R RBI BB—.500 6 2B 2 HR 10 RBI last 10 games

Mat Gamel

• 1-4 HR(16) RBI—Slowed his torrid pace (.216 HR 6 RBI last 10 games)

David Price

• 8 IP 2 H 2 ER 7K (W)—9-0 2.03 ERA 75K/80IP

Chad Huffman

• 1-2 HR(7) 2 RBI 2R 2BB—Understated but solid season at San Antonio

Allen Craig

• 2-4 HR(19) RBI—Blazing .500 19 Hits 2 HR 6 RBI last 10 games

Kila Kaaihue

• 2-5 2B 2R RBI—Monster season (.314 26 HR 79 RBI 80BB/41K)

Mark Trumbo

• 5-5 2 HR( 28 ) 3 RBI 3R—Huge AA debut for Angels slugging 1B prospect

Sean Doolittle

• 3-6 2R RBI—Showing signs of adjusting to AA pitching

Chris Johnson

• 2-4 HR(12) RBI—.324 12 HR 58 RBI

BUY/SELL Analysis

Cecil may pitch at four levels in '08

Brett Cecil headlined the impressive 2007 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays that included the likes of J.P Arencibia, Justin Jackson, Kevin Ahrens, John Tolisano, and Eric Eiland. The LHP Cecil has progressed quickly through the minor leagues dominating at each level with a 92-94 MPH fastball and devastating slider that reaches 87 MPH.  One of Cecil’s strengths is his ability to induce ground ball outs with his heavy sinker.  This season, his groundout to flyout ratio is an impressive 2.27, which will be key for pitching at the launch pad formerly known as the Skydome.  Cecil has an autographed first year card (#’ed to 500) in the 2007 Donruss Elite Extra set which sells at $7.50-10.00 each.  He also hase various jersey and short print cards in the set that can be had for $1-2 each.

Market Advice: Cecil was just promoted to AAA Syracuse last night and, with the uncertain future of A.J. Burnett as a Blue Jay, there is a distinct possibility that Cecil can earn the ultimate promotion this season.  At his sub-$10 prices, and limited products on the market, Cecil is a steal.  BUY a few autos as he may be in the middle of next year’s rotation!

6/30 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 1, 2008 under Market Watch, Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Lots and lots of notable performances at AA last night!  Feel free to contribute your own thoughts!

Nolan Reimold

• 1-4 HR(11) RBI—Steady season but he needs a power burst to make his next jump.

Brett Cecil

• 5 IP 5H BB K (ND)—3-0 2.68 ERA 41 K in last 10 games

Josh Rodriguez

• 2-5 2B R RBI—.341 8 RBI last 10 games

Jeremy Slayden

• 2-5 HR(11) 3 RBI 2R—.350 2 HR 10 RBI last 10 games (aging prospect needs promotion)

Josh Outman

• 3.1 IP 1H 1K (W)—Now a middle reliever?  Say bye bye to his prospect status.

Austin Jackson

• 1-5 HR( 8 ) RBI—.179 HR 2 RBI last 10 games

Alcides Escobar

• 3-6 RBI—.325 7 HR 52 RBI 21 SB (bat has caught up with his glove skills)

Mat Gamel

• 3-5 2B 2 RBI BB—.465 20 Hits HR 10 RBI last 10 games (212 Total Bases already!!!)

Cole Gillespie

• 3-4 2 2B 2R 2 RBI BB SB(9)—Overlooked former OSU Beaver has 28 doubles and 10 HR

Mike Wilson

• 2-4 HR(19) 2 RBI BB SB(5)—.272 56 RBI .925 OPS

Kala Kaaihue

• 2-3 2 HR(10) 3 RBI 2R BB—Nice performance for Kila’s brother

Tommy Hanson

• 3 IP 5H ER 3BB 2K—So so performance after no-hit gem

Chris Johnson

• 1-3 HR(10) 3 RBI BB—.331 47 RBI .534 SLG (Astros’ 3B of the future coming to a product near you)

Daniel Cortes

• 5 IP 5H 3ER 2BB 5K (W)—Only blemish on this outing was a 3-Run HR (3-3 now at AA)

Dexter Fowler

• 3-6 RBI—Continues hot hitting (.341 11 RBI last 10 games)

Chad Huffman

• 2-3 2B RBI—.299 6 HR 41 RBI (2006 2nd round selection should produce more power)

Thomas Diamond

• 4 IP 9H 9ER 3BB K (L)—A rough in the Diamond (had to work in that dumb pun)

Javier Herrera

• 2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI—Loads of potential in this oft injured and underperforming prospect

Allen Craig

• 2-4 2B 3 RBI—.325 6 RBI last 10 games

BUY/SELL Analysis

Cole Gillespie is a polished outfield prospect with decent MLB level athleticism, speed and throwing arm.  He comes from a dynamite Oregon State program that produces solid, baseball savvy prospects.  As a hitter, Gillespie profiles as a .290-.300 hitter with 20 HR power in the left field slot.  Unfortunately for him, he is in a Brewers organization that boasts a wealth of talent (Matt Laporta, Lorenzo Cain, Michael Brantley, Caleb Gindl, and potentially, Mat Gamel) in the outfield.  Gillespie’s 1st year cards can be found in the 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects set and autographs in the Bowman Sterling set.  His Sterling autos sell for $3-4 each and his chrome prospect cards can be acquired in bulk at 50 cents-$1.00 each.  I would love to see this guy get an opportunity with another franchise with bigger market exposure and a corner outfield opening (Post-Raul Ibanez Seattle comes to mind).

Market Advice: If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you know that I L-O-V-E prospects like Gillespie that are overlooked in strong organizations.  Gazing into my crystal ball, I see Gillespie going to the Arizona Fall league and taking a major step forward in his development.  Gillespie’s cards are a very strong BUY, especially the autos.  Get ‘em in bunches at under $5 a pop right now and thank me later!

Ok, in the vein of overlooked, polished former college players, I bring you Chad Huffman!  Huffman was a 2nd round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2006 out of TCU.  Last season Huffman split time between High A  Lake Elsinore and AA San Antonio, hitting .294 with 24 HR and 100 RBI.  Analysts say that Huffman is a very aggressive player with great work ethic but a long swing and limited athleticism that will be exploited at higher levels.  This season it seems that Huffman has been working on limiting his strikeouts (54 in 73 games) but it has cut into his power production (6 HR 41 RBI).  Huffman has autographed 1st year cards in the 2006 Bowman and Chrome DP set and Bowman Sterling.  His chromes sell for $6-8 each, but the refractors are only going for a few bucks more at $12-14 each.  His Sterlings sell in the $5-7.50 range.

Market Advice:  While I am not as excited about Huffman as I am Gillespie, I do think that acquiring an auto of his is a good BUY at current prices.  I would like to see Huffman increase his power production and finish strong at AA.