5/4 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 5, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

The AAA Report will likely get smaller and smaller as the season progresses simply for the fact that several of our brighter players at this level will be working their way onto big league clubs.  Last night, Matt LaPorta hit his first major league homerun–one of many that will leave the yard courtesy of his bat.  In the AAA ranks, Memphis 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir rapped four hits and scored twice, Salt Lake City OF Chris Pettit had two hits, driving in two and scoring twice, Joe Koshansky hit his fourth HR as did Tacoma’s Jeff Clement.

Today’s top prospect is another Tacoma Rainier, however, as Michael Saunders homered twice and drove in three runs.  Saunders missed most of the month of April, but is rapidly making up for lost time, gathering four HR and nine RBI in his first four games.   At 6-4 205 lb., the 22 year old Saunders has quite a bit of power projectibility left in his athletic frame and his speed is already above average.  He should spend most, if not all, the season at Tacoma with a possible September call-up being in the cards.  There is quite a bit to be excited about in this kid and he doesn’t have many first year cards available.  His 2007 Bowman Sterling is his most valuable card at this time, selling for $1.00-2.00 on eBay.  More popular refractor versions of his Bowman Chrome Draft cards can be had for as low as $2 each.  Saunders certainly won’t keep up his torrid pace, but there is ample reason to believe that he will have 20 HR and 20 SB by the time September 1 rolls around.

AAA Player of the Day—MICHAEL SAUNDERS

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Kevin Russo—4-5 R 2 RBI
• Neil Walker—3-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Luke Hughes—3-4 2B RBI 2 BB
• Jarret Hoffpauir—4-4 2B 2R RBI 2 BB
• Jon Jay—3-5 2R
• Joe Koshansky—1-4 HR(4) 3 RBI BB
• Jeff Clement—3-5 HR(4) 2 RBI 2B 2R BB
• Michael Saunders—2-6 2 HR(4) 3 RBI 2R
• Mike Carp—2-4 2B R RBI
• Freddy Sandoval—2-4 2R RBI
• Chris Pettit—2-3 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Brian Bogusevic—3-5 RBI
• Yordany Ramirez—2-5 HR(2) 2 RBI
• John Raynor—1-5 HR(2) RBI 2 SB(3)
• Chris Coghlan—1-2 RBI 2 BB SB(9)
• Yung-Chi Chen—2-3 R 2 RBI BB

Pitching:

• Bud Norris—5 IP 6H 2 ER 3 BB 6K
• Blake Hawksworth—6 IP 3H ER 2 BB 4K W (3-2)
• Todd Redmond—8 IP 3H 7K W(2-1)
• Kris Johnson—5.2 IP 4H Er 2 BB 3K W (2-2)
• Daniel Bard—IP BB 2K SV(5)

4/23 AAA Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 24, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Nolan Reimold, Mat Gamel and Andrew McCutchen continued their multi-hit ways with two knocks each, and both David Hernandez, Bud Norris and Gio Gonzalez compiled strong performances punching out eight hitters apiece. 

Today’s top player in the AAA ranks is Pittsburgh’s Steven Pearce whose second HR was part of a four-hit, three RBI day.  Pearce’s stock has dropped significantly since being MiLB’s Player of the Year in 2007.  With more talented outfielders like Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata in the Pirates’ system, Pearce’s opportunities with the Bucs will be limited at best.  His play last season and at the beginning of this season does not warrant any consideration beyond that of a fourth outfielder or platoon player.

AAA Player of the Day—STEVEN PEARCE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Steven Pearce—4-5 HR(2) 3 RBI 2B SB(1)
• Andrew McCutchen—2-5 RBI
• Chris Valaika—2-5 HR(2) RBI
• Adam Rosales—2-5 2B 3B 2R
• Drew Stubbs—2-4 2 RBI
• Wilkin Ramirez—2-4 R RBI
• Danny Worth—2-5 2B 3B
• Brandon Jones—4-5 2B R RBI
• Nolan Reimold—2-3 2B BB
• Matt Joyce—2-4 2B 3 RBI
• Mat Gamel—2-4 R 3 RBI
• Jai Miller 2-4 3B 2R 3 RBI
• Max Ramirez—1-3 2R RBI
• Alex Romero—4-5 2 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Chris Pettit—2-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Jesus Guzman—3-5 2B R

Pitching:

• Gio Gonzalez—4.2 IP 3H BB 8K
• David Hernandez—6 IP 5H 3 ER BB 8K W(1-0)
• Bud Norris—7 IP 6H 2 ER 8K L(0-1)

4/2 Minor League Report

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

Trevor Cahill made his final start of the spring and, while he didn’t look particularly sharp, he is slated to be Oakland’s #2 man in the rotation against the L.A. Angels.  Travis Snider and Pablo Sandoval continue to prove that they can hit MLB pitching really hard as each gathered 3 more hits to push their spring averages well into the .400 range.  Today’s youngster of the day is a repeat offender, Colby Rasmus.  The 22 year old Cardinals CF went 2-4 with his 1st HR of the spring, a double 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.  That performance helped him to cement a spot in St. Louis’ opening day roster, and perhaps, in the starting lineup.

Youngster of the Day—COLBY RASMUS

Other Notable Performances:

• Jair Jurrjens—4 IP 5H UER K W(2)
• Bud Norris—4 IP 5H ER 4K
• Stephen Pearce—1-2 HR(1) RBI
• Brad Corley—2-2 R
• Andy LaRoche—1-1 R RBI BB
• Chris Dickerson—2-2 R BB
• Colby Rasmus—2-4 HR(1) 2B 2R 3 RBI
• David Freese—3-4 R
• Jason Motte—IP 2K SV(5)
• Cameron Maybin—1-2 2 RBI
• Daryl Jones—1-1 2B R
• Travis Sinder—3-4 2B R
• Justin Maxwell—1-5 2B R RBI
• Scott Moore—2-4 3B 2R RBI
• Trevor Crowe—2-4 2B 2R
• Ian Stewart—1-4 3B RBI R
• Dexter Fowler—0-0 2 BB R SB(7)
• Justin Upton—1-3 3B 2 RBI
• Jacob Hester—2-2
• Gerardo Parra—1-3 R RBI SB(2)
• Chris Davis—2-3 R RBI
• Johnny Whittleman—1-2 HR(2) RBI
• Justin Smoak—1-1 2B RBI
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia—1-3 2B RBI
• Adam Fox—1-1 HR(1) 3 RBI 2R BB
• Nick Hundley—2-3 RBI
• Blake Tekotte—2-2 2B R
• Ezequiel Carrera—1-2 2B RBI R
• Pablo Sandoval—3-4 2B 3B 2 RBI R
• Trevor Cahill—5 IP 6H 4 ER 4 BB K L(2)
• Kendry Morales—2-4
• Cedric Hunter—2-4 2 2B 2R
• Seth Johnson—2-3 HR(1) 4 RBI
• Brian Baxter—1-1 3 BB 2R
• Cesar Carrillo—4.1 IP 5H ER BB 4K W(1)

11/1 AFL Report

Posted by Jeremy on November 2, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Surprise! The Rafters finally won a game.  After showering them with so much praise in my preview, they have limped to a miserable 5-17 start.  The Mesa Solar Sox, on the other hand, are now 16-6 thanks in large part to some key contributions from stellar prospects like Tommy Hanson, Logan Morrison, Jason Donald, Tyler Flowers and Scott Cousins.

Today’s AFL Player of the Day is another repeat offender.  Eric Young Jr. went 3-4 hitting his second grand slam of the fall with 3 runs scored and two stolen bases.  Congrats Eric!

Player of the Day: ERIC YOUNG JR.

 Phoenix Desert Dogs  8

• Dustin Martin—2-3 3B RBI R BB
• Eric Young Jr.—3-4 HR(2) 4 RBI 3R BB 2 SB(14) (.431 13 RBI 12 SB)
• Josh Donaldson—2-4 R RBI
• Shane Tolleson—1-2 2B RBI (.439 17 RBI)
• Jeff Manship—5 IP 6H 2 ER 7K (W)

 Peoria Saguaros  5

• Tyler Greene—2-4 2R
• Cole Armstrong—1-4 HR(4) RBI
• Brett Wallace—1-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Jordan Danks—2-4 (.563 BA)

 Mesa Solar Sox  13

• Jason Donald—4-6 HR(2) 4 RBI 2 2B R
• Tyler Flowers—2-4 HR(6) 2 RBI 2 BB 2R 2B
• Scott Cousins—2-5 HR(3) 3 RBI 3R BB
• Darwin Barney—3-5 R RBI
• Van Pope—2-6 HR(1) RBI
• Sean West—5 IP 5H 5K (W)

 Peoria Javelinas  3

• Justin Smoak—2-4 3B RBI
• Carlos Triunfel—2-4
• Lou Palmisano—2-2 RBI
• Austin Jackson—1-5 3B R

 Surprise Rafters  7

• Nolan Reimold—2-3 HR(3) 3 RBI 2BB 2R
• Julio Borbon—1-5 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Beau Mills—1-4 2B R RBI
• Mike Mitchell—2-4
• Justin Orenduff—3.2 IP 3H 3BB 7K (W)

 Scottsdale Scorpions  3

• Chris Johnson—1-3 R BB
• Kevin Frandsen—1-4 SB(6)
• Bud Norris 2 IP 4K

10/30 AFL Report

Posted by Jeremy on October 31, 2008 under Uncategorized | 2 Comments to Read

Aha! Now I will be caught up with my reports, but still I am very far behind in every other area of my online ventures!  Last night’s AFL action gave us our first repeat Player of the Day winner.  “The Hulk” Logan Morrison hit for the cycle last night as Mesa downed Scottsdale 11-6.  Congrats to Logan who is having a stellar AFL campaign.

Player of the Day: LOGAN MORRISON

.420 with 3 HR and 15 RBI this fall!

 Phoenix Desert Dogs  7

• J.P. Arencibia—2-4 2 HR(4) 3 RBI (.286 17 RBI)
• Shane Tolleson—2-5 HR(2) RBI 2R 2B (.426 16 RBI)
• Eric Young Jr.—2-5 R SB(12)
• Josh Donaldson—1-4 R
• Ryan Patterson—2-2 2 BB
• Shane Lindsay—4 IP 4H ER 2 BB 6K (W)

 Peoria Javelinas  1

• Kevin Russo—1-4 HR(1) RBI (.373 BA)
• Carlos Triunfel—1-3 2B BB
• Rob Johnson—1-2 2B BB

 Mesa Solar Sox  11

• Logan Morrison—4-5 HR (3) 5 RBI 2B 3B 2R (CYCLE!)
• Jeff Larish—1-5 HR(3) 3 RBI
• Tyler Flowers—2-5 2B 3B 2R (.410 BA)
• Jason Donald—1-3 2B 2R BB (.429)
• Tommy Hanson—5 IP 3H 5K (W) (3-0 0.00 ERA 19K/13.2 IP .091 BAA)

 Scottsdale Scorpions  6

• Chris Johnson—3-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 2 2B (.347 13 RBI)
• Aaron Bates—1-4 R 2B
• Chris Pettit—1-4 2B R RBI
• Bud Norris—1.2 IP 2H ER 4K (needs to be a reliever)

 Peoria Saguaros  3

• Tyler Greene—2-4 3B 2 RBI
• Gordon Beckham—1-1 R 2BB
• Mike Baxter—1-3 2R
• Jason Vargas—3 IP 2H 4K (1-0 0.00 ERA 15.2 IP/11K)

 Surprise Rafters  2

• Wes Hodges—2-4 R (.393 4 HR 17 RBI)
• Nolan Reimold—1-4 2B RBI (starting to heat up)
• Brandon Snyder—1-4 2B (.375)
• Josh Tomlin—4 IP H BB 5K