8/11 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on August 12, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Allen Craig really likes to hit in the thin air of Colorado Springs as he belted three HR’s during a double header to raise his tally to 21 on the season.  Craig has been as hot as any hitter in the minor leagues since the All Star break, hitting .446 with 13 HR 30 RBI and 27 runs scored in just 28 games.  Craig continues to play in the outfield which surprises me in the wake of the Brett Wallace trade.  He’s never been a bad fielder at 3B, but the organization seems to find him a better fit in left field.  Regardless of where he’s playing, Craig has been the best hitter in the Cardinals’ organization this season and should earn a big league call up at some point this year.  His only first year cards are in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft set and his singles can still be had in lots for less than a buck apiece.

Gaby Sanchez was a darkhorse N.L. ROY candidate by some baseball pundits on the heels of his fine 2008 season at AA Carolina.  Instead, he like fellow Marlins teammate Cameron Maybin, struggled to earn playing time with the big club and was demoted to New Orleans.  Last night, Sanchez went 3-5 with his 12th and 13th dingers, driving in five runs and scoring four times.  Sanchez has been hot during the month of August, hitting .325 with 4 HR 7 RBI and a killer 10 BB/3K ratio.  Sanchez is in a tough spot.  Logan Morrison has made a successful return from a broken wrist and is driving the ball with authority in AA.  He’s the heir to the first base job in Miami, leaving Sanchez either to switch to a new position or continue to toil at AAA.  At his best, Gaby is a well disciplined hitter with decent power to the gaps and above average defensive skills that could help him carve out a starting job with a big league club someday.

Today’s top prospect is one of Cleveland’s newest additions, RHP Carlos Carrasco.  After back to back rocky starts with Columbus, Carrasco tossed eight innings of four hit, one run ball, striking out 10 hitters for his 9th victory of the season.  Carrasco has the stuff to be a frontline pitcher at the major league level, but his inability to establish consistency and pitch with confidence at times was maddening to the Phillies franchise.  Perhaps the move to Cleveland will be just what Carlos needs to rediscover his potential as an MLB stopper.  Surely this outing does wonders for his chances to crack the Indians’ rotation at some point this season.  Carrasco’s 2008 Bowman Sterling Jsy/Autos are currently trading at $4-6 each on eBay and seem like a solid low risk buy for someone who has slipped off of many collectors’ radars.

AAA Player of the Day—CARLOS CARRASCO

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Matt Tuiasosopo—1-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Mike Carp—1-4 R 2 RBI BB
• Adam Moore—4-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Tony Abreu—1-5 HR(10) RBI
• Gaby Sanchez—3-5 2 HR(13) 5 RBI 4R BB
• John Raynor—2-6 2R RBI SB(16)
• Brett Hayes—2-4 R 3 RBI BB
• Travis Buck—3-4 2B 3 RBI SB(3)
• Allen Craig—2-3 2 HR(20) 3 RBI 2R (Game 1)…..1-3 HR(21) RBI (Game 2)
• Jarret Hoffpauir—2-3 2B 3B RBI R
• Eric Young Jr.—3-5 RBI (Game 1)…..1-2 R BB SB(55) (Game 2)
• Brandon Allen—3-4 2B 2R RBI BB
• Cole Gillespie—2-5 2B 2 RBI
• Chris Johnson—2-3 2B HR(10) RBI
• Juan Miranda—1-5 2B R 2 RBI
• Travis Snider—2-4 RBI
• Drew Stubbs—2-4 RBI
• John Mayberry Jr.—2-3 R SB(6)
• Lou Marson—3-4 R RBI
• Wes Hodges—2-4 2B R
• Justin Maxwell—2-3 R SB(28)
• Brent Clevlen—2-3 HR(15) RBI
• Aaron Bates—2-4 2B R

Pitching:

• Scott Elbert—4 IP 2H 3 BB 3K
• Travis Wood—6 IP 6H ER 3 BB K W (12-4)
• Carlos Carrasco—8 IP 4H ER 10K W (9-9)

8/6 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on August 8, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Brandon Wood hit two more homeruns last night to raise his season’s total at AAA Salt Lake City to 19.  Wood continues to demonstrate, like his teammate Sean Rodriguez, that he can be a devastating power hitter at the AAA level while struggling mightily in a major league lineup.  Personally, I think that both of these guys would benefit greatly from a change of scenery.  The Angels’ success over the years has limited the margin of patience that they can exercise towards giving players opportunities to play through their growing pains.  A move to a rebuilding franchise would give each of these young and highly talented players that opportunity.  That won’t happen this year, though, and is a minute possibility in the offseason.  Both Wood and Rodriguez are still just 24 and I remain optimistic that they will get a chance within the next season to earn playing time either in an Angels jersey or for another franchise.  Wood’s 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft auto is still a prevalent commodity on the eBay market, but the price has settled down into the $15-18 range.  While this remains a moderately high risk investment, the 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft cards, both autos and non-autos have proven to be high demand items in the past.

Today’s top prospect is St. Louis Cardinals OF Shane Robinson.  The 24 year old centerfielder went 2-3 yesterday with his 4th HR, five RBI, two runs scored and his 16th SB.  Robinson is the prototypical fourth outfielder type who plays solid defense and hits for good contact.  However, there is not much punch to speak of in his bat and Memphis teammate Jon Jay has a higher ceiling than him going forward. 

AAA Player of the Day—SHANE ROBINSON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Justin Smoak—1-4 2B 2 RBI BB
• Mike Baxter—3-4 2 2B SB(5)
• Chad Huffman—2-4 HR(15) 4 RBI 2B BB
• Chin Lung Hu—3-5 3B 3R 2 RBI
• Alcides Escobar—1-4 HR(4) RBI BB 2 SB(40)
• Blake DeWitt—3-5 3B 2 RBI R
• Angel Salome—4-5 RBI
• Mat Gamel—2-4 2B R RBI BB
• Eric Young Jr.—3-5 2R 3B BB
• Shane Robinson—2-3 HR(4) 5 RBI 2R BB SB(16)
• Matt Tuiasosopo—2-5 RBI
• Brandon Wood—2-4 2 HR(19) 3 RBI BB 2R
• John Hester—2-4 2B R RBI
• Aaron Mathews—4-6 R
• Tyler Flowers—2-4 2B RBI
• Jose Tabata—-2-4 R
• Jeff Clement—2-4 HR(18) 2 RBI 2R
• Brandon Jones—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Wilkin Ramirez—2-4 2B 3 RBI
• Jeff Frazier—3-5 3 2B R RBI
• Brent Clevlen—2-4 HR(13) 3 RBI
• Nick Evans—1-4 HR(6) 2 RBI
• Matt LaPorta—3-4 4 RBI BB
• Jason Donald—1-3 HR(2) RBI 4R
• Michael Brantley—2-4 3R RBI BB SB(38)
• Juan Miranda—2-4 RBI R 2B
• Desmond Jennings—2-3 2R BB SB(40) BB

Pitching:

• Fabio Castro—8 IP 4H 3 BB 4K
• Matt Maloney—6.2 IP 5H 2 ER 3 BB 9K W (8-8)

8/4 AAA Minor League Report

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

Eric Young Jr. couldn’t stay off of the bases as he rapped two hits and drew three walks yesterday, scoring three times.  Oddly, he didn’t add to his PCL-leading total of 54 stolen bases but his three runs scored yesterday brings his season total to an MiLB high of 99 for the season.  Young’s name was bantied about in trade rumors but the Rockies held fast to their speedy 2B prospect.  There was some thought prior to last season of moving Young to the outfield where his speed and marginal infield glove would be a better fit.  Young has work dilligently over the past couple of years to improve his infield defense, cutting his errors nearly in half and raising his fielding percentage by more than 20 points.  Clint Barmes is the current second basemen for the Rockies, but he is arbitration eligible and due to receive a raise from his current $1.6M contract.  Young is ready to take over the helm and is a much more potent top of the lineup hitter.  Unlike many speedsters, Young has some pop in his bat.  This season, the 24 year old has collected 30 XBH and his 49 BB/64 K ratio falls in line with a prototypical top of the order hitter.  Expect Young to get his callup by September and to be the odds on favorite to be the opening day starter in 2010.

Today’s top prospect is rapidly rising catcher Buster Posey.  The Giants’ future backstop hit his first AAA HR, driving in four runs and scoring twice.  Posey had gotten off to a slow start after his promotion, but has regrouped to hit .281 over his last 10 games.  Posey’s plate discipline has not waned as he has a 55 BB/55 K ratio.  I expect Posey to continue to swing a hot bat through the rest of the AAA season, which should enhance his chances to earn some playing time behind Benji Molina at some point in September.  Molina’s contract expires at the end of the ‘09 season and it seems quite reasonable that he will not return to the Giants in 2010.  The market for Posey’s cards is understandibly hot right now as he has rapidly shot up through San Francisco’s farm system.  His top selling cards are his 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft autos which command a healthy $37-42 each.  There are more affordable first year autos to be had, like his ‘08 Donruss Elite Extra autos (#/934) which command $27-32 each, 08 Bowman Sterling ($24-27), and ‘08 Razor ($20-22).  Even with this elevated market, I think there is still room for some value growth in his products, especially if he can help contribute to the Giants’ pennant run.  A more opportune time to purchase his first year autos, though, should be during the offseason when the collecting masses diverts its attention to football cards and memorabilia.

AAA Player of the Day—BUSTER POSEY

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Jaime Hoffmann—2-5 2 2B 2 RBI SB(14)
• Tony Abreu—2-5 HR(8) 2 RBI
• Joe Koshansky—1-5 HR(18) 2 RBI
• Angel Salome—1-1 R RBI 2 BB
• Buster Posey—2-4 HR(14) 4 RBI 2B 2R BB
• Brett Wallace—2-5 2B R RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—2-3 3R 3B 2 RBI 3 BB
• Kila Ka’aihue—3-5 r RBI
• Van Pope—2-3 HR(4) RBI 2R SB(2)
• Michael Brantley—2-3 BB SB(37)
• Brandon Snyder—3-5 2R SB(3)
• Nick Evans—3-5 2 2B R
• Jeff Frazier—3-5 2 2B 2R RBI
• Chris Heisey—3-4 2B
• Neil Walker—1-4 2B R 4 RBI
• Desmond Jennings—2-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Matt Joyce—3-4 2 RBI
• Jose Morales—2-3 2 2B 2 RBI BB

Pitching:

• Drew Carpenter—6 IP 6H 2 ER BB 6K W (9-2)
• Travis Wood—7 IP 3H 2 BB 4K W (10-4)

7/19 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 20, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Cameron Maybin went 4-4 yesterday with two doubles and two runs scored.  Since his demotion to New Orleans in mid-May, Maybin has been spectacular hitting .345 with 3 HR 23 RBI five triples and seven stolen bases in 55 games.  Plate discipline did Maybin in during his time with the Marlins, but he’s had much better success with the Zephyrs walking 26 times versus 38 K’s.  Despite his stratospheric power potential, Maybin has not developed as a middle of the order hitter yet.  At just 22 years old, there’s plenty of reason to believe that it will develop.  I am encouraged by his high line drive rates that he has posted since being sent down.  Over the last month, Maybin’s line drive rates have hovered at around 28 percent.  For a guy that has been criticized in the past for hitting too many groundballs, this is an marked improvement, giving further evidence that he is getting better leverage out of his swing.

Maybin has an assortment of first year autos from the various Bowman sets that are currently hovering in the $15-20 range—about 40 percent below their Opening Day totals.  Maybin is playing his way back into the Marlins’ lineup and will likely perform better in his next go around.  Current Marlins RF Jeremy Hermida’s name has been bantied around in trade rumors and after being swept by the Phillies over the weekend, the team’s trade deadline dial may have been shifted from “BUY” to “SELL”.  If a spot opens in the Marlins’ OF, Maybin is definitely the first name to be recalled.

Michael Bowden made a successful return from the DL yesterday by tossing five no-hit innings for Pawtuckett, walking four and striking out five.  Like Hermida, Bowden’s name has been bantied about in trade rumors both this season and last as a key prospect in bringing a final piece for the Red Sox’s title run.  Bowden’s numbers in June were terrible (1-2 6.28 ERA and 8 HR allowed in 28.2 IP) but he seems to have things working well in July allowing just one earned run in two starts.  He’s not been sharp with his control during that stretch, walking a batter an inning, but history has proven that he typically has good command of his pitches.  I have long maintained that he is not a future staff ace, rather a mid-rotation innings eater in the mold of Jeff Suppan.  Developmentally, he’s blocked by too much talent ahead of him and a pennant race in Boston, but should be an immediate callup if he gets shipped to a different organization.

Today’s top player is a back to back selection.  Allen Craig blasted two HR’s yesterday and drove in four runs raising his average to .275 and giving him 11 HR and 40 RBI on the season.  The spike in power (he hit a homerun on Saturday as well) seems to be a direct result of a more aggressive approach at the plate.  He’s walking less and striking out more often over the last 10 games (2 BB/10 K).  This was also an issue during May where he had his best power month.  While swatting 4 HR and 12 RBI, Allen also compiled a dismal 5 BB/30 K’s.  He’s shown in the past that he can meld power with plate discipline which gives me hope that he can do it again. 

AAA Player of the Day—ALLEN CRAIG

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brian Duglach—3-4 2B R
• Scott Sizemore—1-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Alcides Escobar—2-4 R SB(35)
• Brendan Katin—2-3 HR(20) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Allen Craig—2-4 2 HR(11) 4 RBI 2R
• Mario Lisson—1-4 HR(9) 3 RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—3-4 2R SB(50)
• Eric Patterson—3-4 HR(9) RBI 3R 2B
• Daric Barton—1-4 HR(9) 2 RBI
• Brandon Allen—1-3 HR(12) RBI
• Sean Rodriguez—1-4 3B RBI
• Trevor Plouffe—2-4 HR(7) RBI
• Drew Stubbs—2-5 2B 2 SB(35)
• Chris Valaika—2-5 2B R 2 RBI BB
• Cameron Maybin—4-4 2 2B 2R BB
• Gaby Sanchez—1-4 HR(9) 2 RBI 2R
• Jai Miller—1-4 2B R 2 RBI BB
• Jovanny Rosario—3-5 3R 3B RBI
• Chin-Lung Hu—2-4 3 RBI
• Julio Borbon—3-4
• Yorandy Ramirez—3-4 RBI
• Matt Tuiasosopo—1-4 HR(1) RBI

Pitching:

• Andrew Carpenter—7 IP 3H ER BB 8K
• Brandon Hynick—6 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 3K
• Michael Bowden—5 IP OH 4 BB 5K

6/9 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 10, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Michael Brantley’s bat continues to be red hot in the month of June.  Going 3-4 with three runs scored and stealing his 19th base, the former Milwaukee Brewers farmhand is now hitting .441 in the month of June with a HR four RBI and four stolen bases.  Brantley has scored 41 times in 55 games as the leadoff hitter for AAA Columbus.  His power hasn’t manifested itself as a major factor in his game, but his blend of plate discipline, speed and hitting ability makes him an excellent candidate to become Cleveland’s leadoff hitter in the future, moving Grady Sizemore to the middle of the lineup.

Speaking of top of the order talents, Eric Young Jr. had two hits, scored twice and stole his MiLB-leading 38th base yesterday and raised his season average to .318.  The Rockies currently have Clint Barmes logging a majority of the innings at 2B and he’s been solid this season.  However, Young’s upside as a top of the order presence is too intriguing to leave at the AAA ranks for much longer.  As the Rockies slip slide their way out of contention, Young’s potential for a callup increases.

Today’s top player is a toss up between St Louis 2B prospect Jarret Hoffpauir and Pittsburgh Pirates OF/1B Steven Pearce.  Both Hoffpauir and Pearce hit two homeruns apiece, with Hoffpauir driving in five runs and Pearce four runs.  Each prospect turns 26 at some point during the ‘09 season and their opportunities are dwindling to make impacts at the major league level.  Pearce finds himself to be the odd man out after the Pirates bulked up their major league roster and farm system over the past season.  His best opportunities going forward may be as a bench bat with power or platooning DH in the American League.  As for Hoffpauir, the Cardinals have a hodge podge of players sharing time at 2B led by utility player Skip Schumaker.  Hoffpauir doesn’t profile to give the Cardinals anything that Schumaker, Joe Thurston or Brendan Ryan could.  Unless things change, consider him a AAAA utility guy.

AAA Players of the Day—STEVEN PEARCE & JARRET HOFFPAUIR

Other Notable Performances:

Hitting:

• Ryan Patterson—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Matt Macri—4-5 HR(5) 2 RBI 2 2B 3R
• Trevor Plouffe—2-4 2R RBI
• David Winfree—2-4 2R RBI
• Wilkin Ramirez—1-3 HR(6) RBI 3 BB
• Charles Johnson—3-4 2B R
• Michael Brantley—3-4 3R SB(19)
• Matt LaPorta—3-5
• Julio Borbon—2-4 2B 2R BB
• Joaquin Arias—2-5 2B R 2 RBI SB(7)
• John Jaso—2-4 HR(3) RBI
• Rhyne Hughes—2-4 2B
• Steven Pearce—3-5 2 HR(8) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Austin Jackson—2-5
• Juan Miranda—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• John Raynor—3-6 2B
• Gaby Sanchez—1-5 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Jai Miller—2-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2B 3R
• Brett Hayes—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Jarret Hoffpauir—2-4 2 HR(6) 5 RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—2-3 2R BB SB(38)
• Michael Saunders—2-3 R RBI 2 BB
• Jeff Clement—2-5 2B R 3 RBI
• J.P. Arencibia—2-4 R
• Brandon Wood—1-3 HR(12) 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Elizardo Ramirez—6 IP 4H ER BB 7K W (3-4)
• Jeff Samardzija—6 IP 5H ER 3K W (3-2)
• Clay Buchholz—5 IP 5H ER 3 BB 2K
• Daniel McCutchen—7 IP 3H 2 ER 2 BB 6K

6/5 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 6, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

The month of June has been a sparse one thusfar for PPR as I have found myself pulled in many different directions.  My son’s school has had a variety of end of the year activities that I have been quite involved with and other activities seem to pull me further and further away from this keyboard.

I am happy to say that I did get a chance to paruse some box scores last night in the minor league ranks and am more than happy to share my revelations!  Let’s get to it…

In the AAA ranks, the performances from notable prospects is diminishing as many of our favorites have already nestled their way onto major league rosters.  There were however a few poignant outings by intriguing prospects that we’ll cover in a little more depth.  Texas Rangers top pitching prospect Neftali Feliz tossed six shutout innings of two-hit ball for his third win of the season.  Feliz didn’t allow a walk and only struck out three, which indicates to me that he is working on being more efficient with his pitches.  Yesterday’s outing was only the second time this season that Feliz has worked six innings which indicates to me that the Rangers are distinctly trying to save the bulk of Neftali’s 2009 innings for use in their rotation.  I would expect that if he had another couple outings like this one, the Rangers will call upon his services soon.

In other games, Mike Carp his his 10th HR of the season, ending a prolonged power drought and teammate Adam Moore hit HR #5, further confirming to me that Jeff Clement’s future as a catcher is all but finished.  Don’t be surprised if Moore gets a call up by the M’s by mid-summer.  His bat is better than either Rob Johnson’s or Kenji Johjima’s and his defensive skills rival Johjima’s for best in the organizaiton at the catcher position.  A prolonged hot streak should help to initiate a much needed flip flop of Rob Johnson and Moore in the organization’s depth chart.

A’s flamethrowing reliever Henry Rodriguez punched out five hitters in 2.2 innings of work, allowing just one hit.  Rodriguez has only pitched in six games between High-A Stockton and AAA Sacramento, but his 20 K’s in just 10.1 innings is evidence that his 100 MPH heater is best used pitching at the end of games rather than the beginning.  The A’s, after three frustrating seasons, have now realized that and are slowly transitioning the 21 year old righty into a future closer’s role.  There is ample opportunity for Rodriguez to excel in this as the A’s have struggled to find some ninth inning continuity in the wake of Huston Street’s departure.  While Andrew Bailey has looked sharp in his limited opportunities, H-Rod has stuff that crackles with electricity.  I would expect that Rodriguez will pitch most of this season at Sacramento, but you can never rule out the unpredictability of A’s GM Billy Beane.

Finally, our top prospect of the day comes from San Diego where future 1B Kyle Blanks blasted HR’s #10 and 11 while driving in four runs and walking twice.  The king-sized Padres 1B prospect had a slow month of May, hitting just .221 with 5 HR and 13 RBI, but his June numbers seem to be picking up as he has nearly tripled his slugging percentage and has regained his plate discipline (7 BB/3 K) that seemed to elude him last month.  Blanks’ big league opportunities in ‘09 are closely linked to what the Padres decide to do with Adrian Gonzalez this season.  The former #1 pick is the front runner for the N.L. MVP this season and Padres have him under contract at a very low cost for two more seasons.  That said, the Friars seem to be in constant sell mode these days, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they dealt their All-Star 1B at some point this season.  There has also been some discussion of moving Blanks to a corner outfield spot, likely left field, to fully utilize his power bat.  Despite his 6-6 285 lb. frame, Kyle is quite nimble and more athletic than he appears.  That said, he hasn’t played in the outfield since his two game stint in 2005. 

The most likely scenerio for the big right-handed slugger is that he will be one of the Padres’ September call ups, getting limited playing time as the Padres’ 09 season winds down.  Limited as Blanks’ ‘09 opportunities may be, this will likely be the last season he spends as a minor league hitter.

AAA Player of the Day—KYLE BLANKS

 


Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Austin Jackson—1-4 2B R BB
• Greg Golson—2-3 R 3 RBI
• Brian Bogusevic—3-5 2B 2 RBI SB(6)
• Chris Johnson—2-4 2B R BB
• Yorman Ramirez—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Daric Barton—3-5 2B
• Brandon Wood—2-4 2B R RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—1-4 R RBI BB 2 SB(35)
• Alex Romero—5-6 2B 3R 5 RBI BB
• Jacob Hester—4-6 HR(3) 4 RBI 3B 2R
• Mike Carp—2-4 HR(10) 2 RBI BB
• Adam Moore—1-5 HR(5) 3 RBI
• Kyle Blanks—2-3 2 HR(11) 4 RBI 2 BB 2R

Pitching:

• Jack Egbert—6 IP 5H ER BB 6K W (4-0)
• Drew Carpenter—7 IP 4H 2 BB 6K W (4-0)
• Neftali Feliz—6 IP 2H 3K W (3-3)
• Sean O’Sullivan—5.2 IP 5H Er 5K
• Henry Rodriguez—2.2 IP H 5K

6/2 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 3, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Eric Young Jr. has gotten off to a red hot start in the month of June with seven hits over his last two games.  Pacing the league with 31 SB, Young has shown that he is a quite capable candidate to hit atop Colorado’s order as soon as the Rockies are ready to give him a shot.  His HR yesterday was evidence that he has some potential to drive the ball with authority at times.  Cameron Maybin had four hits yesterday and Will Venable had a big day at the plate with two HR and five RBI.  Angels OF prospect Chris Pettit is working on raising his average back towards the .400 plateau as he had three hits, including his 4th HR and two doubles. 

Yesterday’s top prospect is former Cincinnati Reds ace-in-waiting Homer Bailey.  The Reds’ former 1st round pick from the ‘04 draft has had a roller coaster season quite similar to his volitile professional career.  Yesterday, he was on top of his game as he allowed just four hits over eight scorelesss innings, walking two and striking out five.  For the season, Bailey is 5-5 at AAA Louisville with a 3.79 ERA and 22 BB/52 K over 59.1 IP.  He has, at times, looked like a #1 starter (as shown by his April 29th 15 strikeout performance against Toledo).  Other times, he has looked overmatched (as shown by his sole four innings, six run, six walk outing for Cincinnati earlier this season).  Bailey reminds me a bunch of Boston’s Clay Buchholz as a pitcher with stuff that is far better than his performance at the major league level.  On the upside, Bailey has been quite durable this season, going at least six innings in each of his last eight starts.  He has had good control, allowing just the 22 walks, but he has also been a bit more hittable, surrendering a .264 BA to opposing hitters including 9 HR.  He has historically been a flyball pitcher, which in a park like Cinergy Field, often spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R.

Bailey is just 23 years old and still has considerable upside that could be realized given the right opportunities.  The Reds have shopped him around to several other clubs over the past season, and it may in fact be a change of scenery that puts him back on the right road to success.  Two months in, the Reds are in the thick of a competitive NL Central hunt, though could be losing ground fast as Edwin Encarnacion is on the shelf until at least late June with a fractured wrist and Joey Votto is on the DL for an undisclosed personal issue. 

The Reds are desperately in need of a bat and a couple more starts like this out of Bailey could be his ticket to a better opportunity with a new franchise.  Watch this closely….

AAA Player of the Day—HOMER BAILEY

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Cameron Maybin—4-5 R
• Angel Salome—1-3 2B RBI
• Jon Jay—2-5 R SB(12)
• Julio Borbon—1-4 R BB SB(15)
• Chris Johnson—2-4 3B R RBI
• Kila Ka’aihue—3-4 2B R
• Ben Copeland—4-5 HR(1) RBI 2B 3R
• Eric Young Jr.—3-5 HR(2) RBI 2B 2R
• Chris Pettit—3-4 HR(4) 2 RBI 2 2B
• Will Venable—3-5 2 HR(12) 5 RBI 2R
• Chad Huffman—2-3 2B R 2 BB
• Trevor Plouffe—2-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Drew Stubbs—2-5 2B R
• Drew Sutton—1-2 HR(2) 2 RBI 2 BB 2R
• Juan Miranda—2-4 3B R
• Will Rhymes—2-3 2B R BB SB(8)
• Brent Duglach—2-4 HR(5) 2 RBI BB SB(3)
• Gordon Beckham—1-4 2B R

Pitching:

• Chris Tillman—5 IP 4H 4 UER 4K L (5-1)
• Homer Bailey—8 IP 4H 2 BB 5K W (5-5)

5/29 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 30, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Sorry about the brief hiatus from the daily reports.  As the school year ends, my son has tons of school related activities that I get to take part in, which leads me away from the computer.  Also, I have written an article for the Cardboard Connection covering 10 much anticipated MLB debuts that we as baseball fans and card collectors can look forward to.  It has not yet been posted on the site, but when it is, I will provide a link to it.

On the the AAA docket.  Gordon Beckham rapped his first two hits as a AAA player.  Ever since Chicago served notice to Josh Fields and Chris Getz that their jobs were in jeopardy, the production from each of them has picked up significantly.  Don’t expect this to hold true for a prolonged period, though, Beckham will eventually supplant one of them. 

In other games, Matt Joyce hit his 5th dinger at Durham and career minor league slugger Joe Koshansky blasted his 10th.  Jesus Guzman’s tenure with the Giants during their interleague stretch was brief and unproductive, but he has gone right back to tatooing the ball at Fresno, hitting his 7th HR, driving in three and scoring twice. 

Today’s top performer was Colorado Rockies 2B prospect Eric Young Jr.  The 24 year old speedster went 4-5 with a double three runs scored an RBI and his league-leading 28th SB.  Young put together a memorable Arizona Fall League performance this past winter by hitting .430 with 5 HR 20 RBI and 37 runs scored in just 31 games.  Additionally, Young was 20 for 21 in SB attempts and earned a respectible 12 BB/14 K ratio.  While he has not be as impressive at AAA Colorado Springs, he has still shown that he is a viable top of the order candidate for a struggling Rockies franchise.  Through the first two months of the season, Young has hit .291 with a HR 15 RBI 41 runs scored and 28 SB in 34 chances.  It would be nice to see him produce some of the same promising power numbers that he put up in Arizona.  Defensively, Young is still a bit rough around the edges.  He has poor footwork at times and is a more natural fit for the outfield.  However, his best opportunities in Colorado will happen if he can stick at 2B, as the Rockies are quite loaded with talented young outfielders.  Currently, Clint Barmes has garnered a major share of the playing time at 2B, but his diminuative production, coupled with Colorado’s profound struggles this season, could pave the way for Young to earn an opportunity at some point this summer.

AAA Player of the Day—ERIC YOUNG JR.

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Gordon Beckham—2-3 RBI
• Matt Joyce—1-4 Hr(5) 3 RBI
• Lou Marson—3-4 2B R RBI
• Justin Turner—3-5 2B 4 RBI
• Joe Koshansky—1-3 HR(10) RBI BB
• Steven Pearce—4-5 2B 4R RBI
• Neil Walker—2-4 2B R 3 RBI
• Brian Bixler—2-4 2B R 3 RBI
• Chris Johnson—1-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Julio Borbon—1-4 RBI R BB SB(12)
• Greg Golson—3-4 3B RBI 2R BB SB (6)
• Alex Romero—2-3 2B 3 RBI 2 BB
• Michael Saunders—2-4 2R RBI BB
• Jeff Clement—1-4 2B 2R BB
• Adam Moore—3-4 R
• Eric Young Jr.—4-5 2B 3R RBI SB(28)
• Cliff Pennington—2-4 2B SB(17)

Pitching:

• Lucas French—7 IP 5H BB 6K W (3-3)
• Charlie Morton—9 IP 7H BB 7K W (7-2)
• Carlos Carrasco—7 IP 6H 2 ER 2 BB 6K
• PJ Walters—8.1 IP 6H Er 2 BB 4K
• Cesar Valdez—8 IP 2H BB 6K W (3-4)
• Gio Gonzalez—7 IP 2H 3 BB 6K

5/19 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 20, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

News flash!  Jake Fox did not hit a homerun last night…but he did go 2-4 with a stolen base.  Drew Stubbs hit his first HR of the season and drove in two while San Diego’s Chad Huffman blasted his 8th.  Alcides Escobar scored three times as did Colorado’s Eric Young Jr.  On the mound, Blake Hawksworth tossed 6.1 innings of one run ball for his 4th win and Jeff Samardzija looked solid over his 5 innings.

Today’s top prospect from the AAA ranks is New York Mets #1 prospect Fernando Martinez.  The 20 year old OF hit his 6th and 7th HR off of Clay Buchholz yesterday and now has hit four in his last six games.  Martinez had a solid off-season in the Dominican Winter League hitting .314 with 6 HR and 26 RBI, demonstrating that his power potential could start to be converted into actual production this season.  The Mets are set in their outfield right now with Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, and Daniel Murphy but there is ample reason to believe that Martinez will get a chance to debut with the Mets during the final month of the season.  As predicted by several scouts, Martinez is turning into more of a power hitter than tools guy and the possibilities that abound from an outfield of Beltran, Murphy, Martinez should dazzle the fans at Citi Field for years to come.

AAA Player of the Day—FERNANDO MARTINEZ

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• John Mayberry Jr.—2-4 2B R
• Fernando Martinez—2-4 2 HR(7) 2 RBI
• Trevor Crowe—3-5 R RBI SB(4)
• Austin Jackson—2-4 2B R
• Drew Stubbs—1-5 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Matt Wieters—2-4 R
• Chad Huffman—2-4 HR(8) 2 RBI
• Sean Kazmar—2-3 2B R RBI BB
• Matt Joyce—3-4 2B R 3 RBI BB
• Jake Fox—2-4 R SB(2)
• Freddy Sandoval—2-4 2B RBI SB(10)
• Brett Wallace—2-3 BB
• Eric Patterson—2-4 R 3 SB(17)
• Alcides Escobar—2-4 3R
• Jamie Hoffmann—1-5 R 2 BB SB(8)
• Blake DeWitt—0-3 4 BB 2R RBI
• Matt Downs—3-7 3 2B R 2 RBI
• Jesus Guzman—2-5 2 2B 2 BB R
• Eric Young Jr.—2-3 3R BB SB(22)
• Carlos Gonzalez—2-4 2B R RBI

Pitching:

• Jeff Samardzija—5 IP 4H ER 2 BB 6K W (1-0)
• David Purcey—7 IP 6H ER 2 BB 7K
• Blake Hawksworth—6.1 IP 6H ER 2 BB 7K W (4-3)

5/14 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 15, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Yesterday was a big day for Iowa Cubs prospects as Jake Fox blasted his 15th HR and scored three times and Brad Snyder hit #10 and 11 while driving in three.  Rockies prospect Carlos Gonzalez hit his 5th HR and Phillies OF John Mayberry Jr. hit #7.  Andrew McCutchen’s four hit day gives him 9 hits in his last 14 AB, raising his average to .297.  Neftali Feliz had his best outing of the season tossing five innings of one-hit ball striking out seven for his second win.

Today’s top prospect is Matt Wieters.  The O’s catcher more than made up for the absence of Nolan Reimold from the lineup by hitting two HR, driving in four runs and scoring three times.  It has been a disappointing power season for Wieters, but his big performance yesterday may be all that he needs to kick start his season.  He is slated to be one of the O’s callups once June 1st rolls around and I fully expect that he will do as much as he can in the next two weeks to warrant that promotion.

AAA Player of the Day—MATT WIETERS

Other Notable Performances

• John Mayberry Jr.—2-2 HR(7) 2 RBI 3B 2R BB
• Michael Aubrey—1-2 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Matt Wieters—2-5 2 HR(3) 4 RBI 3R
• Andrew McCutchen—4-5 2B R RBI
• Luke Hughes—2-3 HR(6) RBI 2R BB
• Reid Brignac—2-3 2B 3R BB SB(2)
• Michael Saunders—3-5 2B R
• John Raynor—4-5 RBI
• Brett Hayes—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Jake Fox—4-6 HR(15) 2 RBI 3R 2B
• Brad Snyder—3-6 2 HR(11) 3 RBI
• Carlos Gonzalez—1-2 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—1-4 2B 2R BB
• Kila Ka’aihue—2-4 2B RBI BB R
• Chad Huffman—1-3 HR(6) RBI
• Julio Borbon—2-5 R SB(7)
• Jaime Hoffmann—2-6 R RBI SB(6)

Pitching:

• Neftali Feliz—5 IP H Er BB 7K W (2-1)