Kiker's Clinton Debut

by Lucas on May 21, 2007 6:46 PM CDT Comment 65 comments

Through three innings, 1 hit (to lead off the game), 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. All other outs on grounders.

To hit the character limit, the press release re the MWL pitcher of the week:

Midwest League
Michael Ballard, Clinton
2-0, 1.42 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12.2 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO
Ballard was lights-out this week, as the Virginia native allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings in Cedar Rapids on Monday before hurling five shutout frames against Dayton on Sunday. Perhaps most impressively, the 23-year-old did not issue a walk in either contest. In fact, Ballard has not walked a batter since April 17, his second start of the season.

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That is great to see

I hope he can keep it up he seems like a good kid with a very good arm.

"I'll stomp a mud hole in your ass!"

by boomer1 on May 21, 2007 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

David Paisano is in Clinton, but not in the lineup.

by Lucas on May 21, 2007 6:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm excited

Here's hoping that in five years we're talking about the "Paisano trade".

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 21, 2007 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This organization...

...is sorely lacking in Italian-Americans. That's their whole problem. Cat's their only representative at the big league level, right? The whole problem.

Your Italian-Americans need to outnumber your Portuguese-Americans by at least three to one. Everybody knows that.

You're just a very misguided individual, Dustin. -- Sharky

by Dustin on May 21, 2007 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good deal...

Thanks for the Kasey Kiker update.

I'm going to tune in to the game right now

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Done

5 IP
1 H
0 R
2 BB
9 SO

by Lucas on May 21, 2007 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That line

Muy bueno.

Any reason for only 5 IP? Pitch count?

Well Mr. Burns had done it. The power plant had won it. With Roger Clemens clucking all the while.

by WyoRanger on May 21, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

75-pitch pitch count

Though he didn't reach it, he'll probably be around 5 innings/75 pitches for most of the season.

http://rangers.scout.com

by JasonCole on May 21, 2007 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang...

I missed it. Was hopping i'd catch an inning or two of Kiker. Oh well.

Just tuned in. Tracy's at the plate still no score. Actually, Tracy just singled. Whittleman at 3rd. Herren at the plate

Thanks for the line on Kiker. Nice to see those 9'K's and no runs

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deeeeee

Licious.

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 21, 2007 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing about JD

i think he is a good drafter...It's going to be really fun to see what he does with the number of picks we got early...

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 7:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good drafter

is he not on the hook for Mayberry?

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on May 21, 2007 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think there is anything

wrong with Mayberry, but wasn't that draft under Hart?

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

but I thought JD was sort of running the draft. I dunno, I'd always heard that JD made the pick. That might be incorrect though.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on May 21, 2007 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

I know it's hip to bang on the wittily-monikered "Spareberry," but I don't see how A) the Ellsbury pick has proven to be Kazmir over Meyer, as some people have made it out to be, or B) that Mayberry is a likely bust.

And if you are gonna bash JD for Mayberry, then what is the Teagarten pick?

Dreamcatchers work...if your dream is to be a douchebag...

by Brian Thomas on May 21, 2007 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

mayberry

i don't know if he's going to be good or not but as many have pointed out, it might have been better to go with more of a known quantity than a project in the 1st round.

and i'm not saying he hasn't had good picks.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on May 21, 2007 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mayberry..

"Spareberry" is a really lame nickname. It doesn't even rhyme with his name. Surely we can come up with something better. How about:

"K-Berry"
"Why am I still in low A-Berry"
"Maybe I should learn to take when they're up and away-Berry"

Something like that

by Topgun22 on May 21, 2007 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about...

If my Dad wasn't a big leaguer and I wasn't a first round pick nobody would know who I am because there is no evidence that I can hit - berry.

by tricer on May 22, 2007 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or...

I wished I could hit as good as Truan Mehl-berry

by tricer on May 22, 2007 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or...

May(be one day I can get my OBP over .300)berry

by tricer on May 22, 2007 1:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mayberry

Yeah, Hart was still around for the '05 draft.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on May 21, 2007 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's what I never understood

Fuson supposedly got run out of town because he used a first round pick on a college player who had to have his swing re-worked.

And then, in the first draft after he's gone, the organization uses a first round pick on...a college player who had to have his swing re-worked.

by Adam J. Morris on May 21, 2007 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

word

i mean, a bad oversimplification of the events but i'm not exactly sure why the went that route - twice.

the threat of tex leaving was that bad at the time? i don't think there was any other 1B power hitter type.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on May 21, 2007 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think the Rangers

always kinda knew that Tex was never going to resign with Texas.

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

but to go after a guy who needs a new swing just because you're afraid of losing tex 3 or 4 years down the road (if that is what happened) is a little much.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on May 21, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 or 4 years

seems to be perfect timing to me. Tex out, JMJ in..

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JMJ

He's going to have to learn to hit A-ball pitching before he can replace Frisco's first baseman, much less Tex.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on May 22, 2007 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

towards the end of last year he was making huge strides, he's doing well this year, and still has next year...

i didn't say now.

by Longhorn on May 22, 2007 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you

have to be at least a little disappointed with a .227 batting average this season in Bakersfield. And it's .193 on the road in the Cal League. Other than that, his BB/SO ratio is about what it was last year, so at least that's not bad news, and he's showing HR power. But with a BA that low, with everything considered, I don't think that you can say that everything's right on track.

by Brett Perryman on May 22, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right

the HRs are nice, but avg isn't.

by Longhorn on May 22, 2007 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always thought

it was because Fuson took Meyer 20 spots or so before he was projected to go. Mayberry was selected where he was suppose to be selected.

Also, i don't think there was a Kazmir type player when JMJ was picked...

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hochevar

But I'm kinda glad we steered clear of that drama.

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 22, 2007 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he wasn't there

when we picked JMJ.

by Longhorn on May 22, 2007 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um

Yes he was.

He went 40th to the Dodgers.

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 22, 2007 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my bad

by Longhorn on May 22, 2007 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

still no score

KC just hit into a double play :(.

Well, think i'll watch some Texas Rangers baseball

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 7:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And just to let everyone know

i called the Kiker pick last year. yay!

k, flame away...

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 7:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you call that Delmon Young trade?

Dreamcatchers work...if your dream is to be a douchebag...

by Brian Thomas on May 21, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Listened in - according to the radio guys

Kiker wore #29 - Mayberry's old number.
The org wanted to wait until the weather warmed in the MWL before bringing him up.
He's on a 75-pitch limit - he went about 65 tonight.
Threw the curve for strikes like crazy.
Besides the 5 GO's, 1 popout, and handful of nubbed foul tips - he missed ALOT of freakin' bats.
Worked pretty fast and steady.
Was usually ahead in the count.
Never heard a radar gun reading.
Whit is 2/3 so far.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 21, 2007 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks shroom

on the Kasey's pitch count and how his curve ball did. Figured he'd be limted to around 70+. Hey, nice #29 to have. Rather curious about how fast the gun was reading on some of his pithes too. I hated I missed hearing his Clinton debut

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitch count

He had 52 after four IP. Struck out the side in the 5th, so 65 sounds right.

by Lucas on May 21, 2007 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kiker

I forgot how small he is.

Fire Michael Young and Ron Washington and Scott Feldman.

by pblack on May 21, 2007 7:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's 5' 11"

I bought his 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor AUTO on eBay last year for $95.00 bucks

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Proud of ya,

I guess.

by t ball on May 21, 2007 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well..

I got it around the middle of December shortly before Christmas. I think the Bowman chrome draft cards came out around the first of the month. Kikers Bowman chrome autos were going for around $8-12, the refractors for about 15-20, Xfractors about 20-30, blue refractors 40-70, and the Golds were going for about 80-150. Then around the first of this year i saw several Gold refractor autos sell for up to $200 bucks but most have sold between $100-170.

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

"Everyone in the world thinks they know everyhing" - DStar

by Mike Simonek on May 22, 2007 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leave it alone.......or

he'll post a diary on it!

by tklawless on May 22, 2007 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

or five

by Brett Perryman on May 22, 2007 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was being sarcastic, doofus

by t ball on May 22, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1-0 Lumberkings

end of 7

by hurlerhurley on May 21, 2007 7:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That sucks

that guy was clearly out, and they get a run...Wash is too nice.

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 8:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

damn

wrong thread.

by Longhorn on May 21, 2007 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the updates guys

Very interesting about Paisano in particular.

by Brett Perryman on May 21, 2007 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Paisano blurb

Swaps place with Gerrard ... http://tinyurl.com/2yty7q

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 21, 2007 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

Gerrard's .176/.208/.196 May has been a real surprise to me. I mean he handled the NWL and MWL just fine last year.

I'm also surprised that they're sending Paisano to Clinton only about a month before the short season leagues begin, since it's going to be his US debut and all. Real interested in him.

by Brett Perryman on May 21, 2007 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kiker's rep

I remember when the Rangers selected Kiker last year there was some question about Kasey's character - he's a wild child - he's got an attitude problem - he's a card-carrying Antidisestablishmentarian - or some such whispers about him. IIRC, the Rangers said the checked him out and he was clean and that was that. But I don't recall ever really finding out what the fuss was over.

Well, maybe this is what the fuss was over. This is an article previewing the Russell County Warriors 2007 State Title run in Alabama - Kasey's old HS team. The article makes the case for much-improved chemistry in 2007 compared to 2006. An excerpt ...
---------------------

This season has been a day at the beach compared to last year, when the Warriors battled the superintendent of schools and each other.

The problems started in February, when five transfer players were ruled ineligible. They were ruled eligible 12 days later, but Rasmus said the uncertainty weakened the team's foundation.

"I think last year was so miserable for everybody here," [Coach] Rasmus said.

The Warriors flamed out in the state quarterfinals despite having three eventual major league draft picks, but the team's overwhelming ability was ultimately undone by the teenage egos that accompanied it. Pitchers Kasey Kiker and Cory Rasmus were first-round picks of the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves, respectively, while third baseman Adam Coe went to the Braves in the seventh round.

The presence of so much talent on one roster created factions and spawned internal conflict that even carried onto players' MySpace.com pages. There was so much dysfunction that the dugout could sometimes have been mistaken for the green room backstage at "The Jerry Springer Show."

"We had confrontations," [Coach] Rasmus said. "Last year, if the Iraqis overtook us and we threw guns on the field, our guys would shoot each other first. All the egos kind of caused the team to self-destruct. Not just one.

"I was upset all the time. The kids were upset."

The Warriors were determined not to let such a disconnect be their undoing this season. Rasmus saw a different dynamic when his players gathered for weight-lifting sessions last fall. The cliques had dissolved and the bickering had been silenced.

"You saw them start hanging out together again," [Coach] Rasmus said. "The kids that were here last year, and most of them were here, they saw what happened. It wasn't fun."

And this season?

"We've worked harder than we've ever worked since I've been here," he said. "It's fun again."

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/224/story/37610.html

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 21, 2007 11:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...

That doesn't sound good.

Hopefully Kiker just hated playing with a coach's son.

Those guys were always the worst growing up.

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 22, 2007 1:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me it's good news

He wasn't reckless with drugs or alky, or waving a gun out a Trans Am window. He was just playing Harry High School - BMOC sword fighting, Jockularity. BFD. He wasn't a loser, just a high schooler. No biggie apparently, like the Rangers said.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 22, 2007 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

sounds like the average highschool "super star" athlete...big ego's.
and mixing several large ego's is always bad news, thing's like that likely get corrected quickly in the minor's where suddenly you aren't the best guy and you aren't treated like royalty

"Pimps be damned, it's harder out here for a Rangers fan!" "If you don't throw strikes first, you're last."

by rentz on May 22, 2007 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course

Hopefully he *is* the best guy.

by a bebop a rebop on May 22, 2007 7:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of note

since we LSB'ers love to discuss what-if's, Kyle Drabek, the guy a lot of us (inculding me) wanted us to pick last year, is starting to impress.

"The Leader is good, the Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!"

by thedirkatron on May 22, 2007 1:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And me as well

I will say, Drabek has been very inconsistent (although Kershaw has even been pretty inconsistent so far), and while I preferred Drabek to Kiker but didn't feel that strongly about it, ever since each has pitched in the pros Kiker has shown enough to make me not regret it that much.

by Brett Perryman on May 22, 2007 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kiker watch

I'm watching the walks, the HR's and how he handles base-runners. The single allowed was a grounder in the hole. He only had one fly today, a bloop run down by Vallejo with a nifty over-the-shoulder catch. Even his foul balls were mostly, if not all, pounded down around the plate. I'm stoked - I expected jitters. But, you know, he's got the same pitching coach and mgr, and he knows alot of those guys from Spokane. So, he had that going for him, which is nice.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 22, 2007 2:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clinton Herald reports

Local paper covers Kiker's debut - warning: Here's the third sentence ...

"Kiker, the Texas Rangers' first pick and 12th overall pick in last year's draft, pitched five solid innings and gave up one run while fanning nine."

That's quality ... http://www.clintonherald.com/sports/local_story_142095637.html

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on May 22, 2007 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs