Kiker tonight
by Brett Perryman on Jun 4, 2008 11:45 PM CDT
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PrintKasey Kiker rolled tonight for Bakersfield, with a line of 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. He's struggled a little at the HIgh A level since getting a late start on the season, but this makes three pretty dominating performances in his last five starts.
Dating back to 2004 all of the organization's first round picks are still in the organization. Including supplemental picks, seven of those have been pitchers:
2004: Thomas Diamond (10), Eric Hurley (30)
2006: Kasey Kiker (12)
2007: Blake Beavan (17), Michael Main (24), Neil Ramirez (35), Tommy Hunter (54)
The three guys picked in the top 20 have a special spotlight on them as the top picks in their respective drafts, and Kiker's emergence in the middle levels of the minors would be a big boost for the organization, which is flush with upside arms at the lower levels, but is pretty thin on them in AA and AAA. When we talk about getting legitimate help for the pitching staff from the minors, Kiker is the one guy after the handful of solid prospects (Hurley, Hunter, Matt Harrison) in those upper levels who could contribute relatively soon, at least unless a Main, Beavan or Feliz gets put on the fast track. And he's probably the next guy after Hurley who has the talent to potentially play a more important role than #4/5 starter or middle reliever.
Success from Kiker would also take the edge off of the misfortune of Texas having the 12th pick in the '06 draft. Before the Rangers pegged Kiker, the following pitchers were picked: 1. Luke Hochevar 2. Greg Reynolds 4. Brad Lincoln 5. Brandon Morrow 6. Andrew Miller 7. Clayton Kershaw 10. Tim Lincecum 11. Max Scherzer
This is not to say that Kiker was a bad pick, as you don't get see a 2002-post-Drew Meyer trail of studs in the teens, and most of these guys were college pitchers. But every guy on that list, excepting Lincoln (who suffered an elbow tear but is back now and pitching well himself), is in the major leagues and is showing pretty significant promise. Hopefully Kiker will eventually join this impressive group.
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Wow....
Clayton Kershaw was a STEAL at #10.
Wish he fell a few more spots….....................
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
I didn't format real well
He went 7. Lincecum did go 10th though, and he’s probably even more of a steal than Kershaw (who is awesome too of course).
by Brett Perryman on Jun 4, 2008 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah,
Do you see Kiker being able to stay at starter though?
Will he switch to the pen at some point?
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
I'm not Z...
but I think I’m one of the few that thinks he can stick as a starter. Most do think he will end up in the ‘pen I believe.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
We don't really know yet
...but every indication from the organization that I’ve seen has been that they like him as a starter and think that, at least stuff-wise, he has enough depth to handle that role. He’ll battle the size stigma of course, but we have so many examples of pretty small guys doing just fine as starters that I’m not sure if the organization itself will worry too much about that. Check out the length of his starts this year. He’s inconsistent, but he’s averaging right at six innings, and he has several 7+. His biggest challenge in starting may be continuing to improve has command of all of his pitches.
by Brett Perryman on Jun 5, 2008 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Harrison promoted
Jamey says Matt Harrison has been promoted to OKC, according to the FW Star-Telegram.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
I didn't even know you guys were discussing Kiker in the Botts thread while I was typing this out
Kind of ironic…or kind of something anyway.
by Brett Perryman on Jun 5, 2008 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Good stuff
on Kiker. I just went to the Bakersfield site and noticed Jared Hyatt is 6-0 with an ERA at 3. I’ve never heard of the guy. Anyone know of his ceiling?
Damnit...
I’m going to miss the Rangers pick because I have a haircut appointment.
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
If it's that important to you
you could probably reschedule that hair appointment.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
getting your nails done too?
"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum
And a pedicure
miles loves his pink little toenails!
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley
A little off topic
but how is Main doing so far ?? In my opinion, I think he could go on to have the best potential in the Ranger’s system right now…
LSB's Facebook group ---> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288
hasn't pitched yet this year
Recovering from a rib injury sustained at end of spring training. Should step into the Clinton rotation for the 2nd half of the season.
alright thanks
but I was also wondering, didn’t they say back in spring training that he would be ready by May?? Did something go wrong in rehab or something?
LSB's Facebook group ---> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288
don't really know
I know they said mid-late May originally and Im assuming they are just being precautious by keeping him in extended spring for these last couple weeks. Either that or he had a minor setback that pushed him back. In any event I don’t see this affecting him long term by putting him behind anyone or anything. If anything i think this injury allowed beavan to catch up to his draft counterpart and now the two of them can promote together up through the system hopefully.
Kiker
He has been my favorite Ranger prospect since we drafted him. I didn’t start following the minors real close until about 2006 so thats probably why. But he has just always struck me as the type of guy that has a chip on his shoulder and is going to succeed even though so many practically wrote him off from the beginning and stuck him as a future reliever. I would like nothing more than for Kiker to get on a hot streak and throw 4-5 gems in a row and put the pressure on the organization to move him to Frisco.
I still
want Martin…
He has the most upside out of anyone, he is just scratching the surface…
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
Possibly, but isnt
an org. strength those projectable potential laden pitchers? Like Feliz, Beavan, Main, Font, Castillo, et al. I dont think Crow would be a bad pick because I would assume he would progress quickly and help to stock the middle of our system. In a perfect world :-)
by booyahcaveman on Jun 5, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
you love high upside hs pitchers, but hate high upside toolsy latin middle infielders ?
"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum
The overhyped
ones who can’t hit a side of a toolshed with a bat.
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
is anyone going to be doing a "play by play"
of the draft today?...anyone know of a good source? My boss won’t let us watch espn today :( in the office…preparing for 2nd quarter close
Archibald "Moonlight" Wright Graham was a real baseball player. On 29 June 1905, with the New York Giants, he played one Major League Baseball game. Five days later, he quit his dream of being a pro ball player to become a doctor.
"You know we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening. Back then I thought, well, there'll be other days. I didn't realize that that was the only day."
by bosoxsiempregirl on Jun 5, 2008 10:27 AM CDT reply actions
Is it on
ESPN Radio? Or any station for that matter?
by booyahcaveman on Jun 5, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
are you watching it today and tomorrow?
if so miles can you post at least the top ten, or will Z?
During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball.
-- Mickey Mantle
by bosoxsiempregirl on Jun 5, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Other people
will for sure on here, I have to get a haircut.
"No bear or disco for Juan" - Mr. Santos
oh yeah...hence the nails comment
During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at bats a season. That means I played seven years without ever hitting the ball.
-- Mickey Mantle
by bosoxsiempregirl on Jun 5, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Beckhams
Are Tim and Gordon related?
"Seems like you look at his espn stats and watch his espn highlights." - miles
"All I really have to do is look at his stats" - miles
by LSBUser on Jun 5, 2008 10:34 AM CDT reply actions
Beckham
If they are, then they are brothers from another mother
"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum
Gotcha
Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!
by LSBUser on Jun 5, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Has that ever happened?
Two brothers (not twins, but one prep, one college) going in the first round the same draft year?
Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .
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