Justin Miller signs...

by Goyogringo on Jul 16, 2008 3:55 PM CDT Comment 30 comments

BA noted that RH Justin Miller, 2008 16th rounder, signed last week. He signed late as Fresno State was in the college world series. He was a transfer from Bakersfield college where he put up some impressive #s:

Bakersfield College: In 2007, went 9-2 with a 2.03 era, 70 strikeouts and 15 walks.

His #s for Fresno St this year were a wee bit on the ugly side though I haven't looked at any of his splits for the season:

5.46 6-4 28 /17 gs 87.1 / 98/ 50 / 81

http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2007-2008/teamcume.html

BA did not have a draft profile for him in their database so I don't have much info on him. I guess the ranger's drafted him for his 07 performance or see him as a Middle Reliever.

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i believe

he debuted yesterday for Spokane and gave up one run in one inning of work.

by the way, has anyone noticed Spokane is 22-6? Not bad for a rotation full of teenagers.

by clark on Jul 16, 2008 4:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Spokane is rocking at the plate as well.

They lead the league in OPS by a substantial margin, .765 to .739.

But, yeah, leading the league in ERA by a big margin (2.77 v. 3.32) is more impressive.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 16, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bianucci signs

http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/index.ssf?/base/sports/1216113325209370.xml&coll=3

apparently Spokane might get even better…

by clark on Jul 16, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well damn

LOCAL BRIEFS: Bianucci leaves AU for Rangers
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
AUBURN — The most powerful bat in Auburn’s lineup won’t be back in 2009.

Outfielder Mike Bianucci has left his club in the Cape Cod League and signed a contract with the Texas Rangers, according to the Washington (D.C.) City Paper. Bianucci could not be reached for comment.

Bianucci’s departure, while not totally unexpected, leaves a hole in the middle of the lineup for new Auburn baseball coach John Pawlowski.

Bianucci was picked in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft last month. He later told the Press-Register that he was not satisfied with the Rangers’ offer and planned to return to Auburn for his senior season.

But top-level college baseball players rarely play a senior season. Most sign after their junior year, when contract-negotiation leverage is much greater.

As of last week, Bianucci was leading the Cape Cod League in home runs. It was his second summer in the wooden-bat league for elite college players, and his explosive performance may have pushed the Rangers toward making a deal.

— Evan Woodbery

by clark on Jul 16, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll take him.

"I’ll say something that doesn’t need context: anyone who is a Mariner’s fan is a douchebag." - FuturePants

by Chase Irwin on Jul 16, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the write up

that’s good. Hopefully they’ll sign Smoak, Ross, Thompson and one of Martinez and Armstrong to finish up a nice draft class.

by Hull Fan on Jul 16, 2008 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jul 16, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what position does he play?

by chrisR on Jul 16, 2008 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

outfielder

probably a corner spot, I think

by naropean on Jul 16, 2008 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right Field

one of the few true right fielders in the system if he can live up to his power potential though he is said to have an average arm…

by Goyogringo on Jul 16, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

by chrisR on Jul 17, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

awesome

I have a good feeling about this guy…despite the fact that he went to Auburn. Given how well Spokane’s outfielders have done so far this season, perhaps someone gets the call to Clinton to make room for Bianucci?

by naropean on Jul 16, 2008 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BA Profile on Bianucci

Sounds like he needs a lot of work on his swing; I’ll be interested to see whether his performance over the next 6 weeks dictates some off-season tinkering in Winter League or INstructionals.

“Biannuci has been a solid college outfielder and consistent middle-of-the-order contributor for the past three seasons at Auburn. He hit eight home runs as a freshman and 14 as a sophomore, and was selected in the 23rd round of last year’s draft by the Angels as a draft-eligible sophomore. He returned to Auburn and hit 13 more homers this season, though his stock did not jump appreciably. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Bianucci is a strong, muscle-bound athlete. An average runner and thrower, he should be adequate defensively in the outfield. He’s a free-swinger at the plate, taking vicious cuts with an all-or-nothing mentality. His raw strength makes him a home run threat to all fields, but he also swings and misses often. Biannuci’s athleticism and home run capability will get him drafted, but he’ll have to improve his approach to have success as a pro.”

by Goyogringo on Jul 16, 2008 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not a big deal

but he carried an 11:13 BB:K ratio in the Cape, and he was leading the league in HRs at the time he was signed. thats with a wood bat. so he may not need as much work as they thought.

by clark on Jul 16, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad he's in

What’re his full Cape stats?

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 16, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

scroll down to Cotuit

right here

by clark on Jul 16, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

How does the Cape stack up against say the Northwest League? You basically you have all the top amateur arms in college baseball pitching their that aren’t draft eligible or who were drafted and are contemplating signing. They are only divided up into 10 teams. I’m guessing that you are dealing with about the same ages. Would those stats give a good indication of what he could/should do in the Northwest League. Should we expect better/worse?

Kind of off topic. Wanted to see what everyone thought.

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 17, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like Kevin Mench

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 16, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both are good news

Now someone get Smoak and Ross on the phone

by JBImaknee on Jul 16, 2008 4:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Other tough signs...

Based on BA’s write-up, I am keen on our our # 28 and #39 picks and hope they get signed:

28 843 Nate Freiman 1B Duke N.C.
At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Freiman led Duke with a .381 average, 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. He has huge raw power and the ability to hit for average. Freiman also plays a solid first base defensively.

39 1173 Brad Miller SS Olympia HS, Orlando Fla.
Brad Miller is another prep shortstop from Florida who could make an immediate impact a the college level next season. Committed to Clemson, Miller is a lefthanded hitter with decent bat speed and power to the gaps. In the field, Miller is a plus defender and can stay in the middle of the diamond.

by Goyogringo on Jul 16, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs