Minors 7/19/08

Seriously

I rather have us get a last look at Cruz then have Byrd playing semi-regularly. I know Byrd can play CF but that about it.

by coolaid on Jul 19, 2008 9:24 PM CDT 0 recs

Another good night

3-4 , 3 HR’s and 5 RBI

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jul 19, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

holy moly

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 9:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

yup

just another day for him. I know he is old and all but what does he have to do to oust Byrd?

by coolaid on Jul 19, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

He can't do anything.

The only way he gets called up is if someone gets hurt or Byrd gets traded. After what he’s done so far this season, it doesn’t seem like he can earn his way back.

by LiamP on Jul 19, 2008 9:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

I have been fine with leaving him down there all season

because the OF has been in good shape and he has built up some trade value and if you bring him up and he lays an egg…he loses most of that. But now, I am all for giving him another shot. His numbers are absolutely insane. If there isn’t someone out there ready to overpay for him, then I make him the everyday RFer down the stretch.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

Bring him up and turn the Byrd loose.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 19, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

1st Inning for Perez

2 hits, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 groundouts, 0 runs

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 9:39 PM CDT 0 recs

kurk gems

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 9:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Sabathia has some serious power

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

jose reyes..

thrown out by all three molina’s in the span of 12 days

thats awesome

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dark Knight...

let me down. I know, I’m going to hear a lot of “are you kidding me?” responses, but Heath Ledger was good, NOT oscar-worthy, and the movie actually wasn’t as good in my mind as Batman Begins.

Bring Cruz up pronto. that is all

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Jul 19, 2008 9:47 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm tired of hearing about it

With all the media attention it’s gotten I’m wondering if it cures cancer or something. If Ledger was still alive would it get this much attention?

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 19, 2008 10:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Obviously, not as much

But It’d still be lauded as one of the best films of this decade.
See it for yourself, It’s far too difficult for me to summarize two and a half hours without giving spoilers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Stuff-You-Need-Brett-Favre-action-figure-bench?urn=nfl,93739

by BudLight on Jul 19, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

OK, let me elaborate a little

Ledger’s Joker is the most well-portrayed, chilling villain I’ve seen since Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter.
And while my opinion may cool once the initial rush has worn off, right now I’d have to consider it the best movie I’ve seen probably since Gump or Shawshank.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Stuff-You-Need-Brett-Favre-action-figure-bench?urn=nfl,93739

by BudLight on Jul 19, 2008 10:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ledger was money...

but the movie was good, not great. That’s just my opinion.

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 20, 2008 3:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ledger was great

but when you look at some of the past Jokers (i.e. Jack Nicholson), its not really that hard to become the epitome of what the Joker should look like, like Ledger has become…

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

LSB facebook group ---->>> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288

by hinduplaya on Jul 20, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

Perez through 2 innings

5 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB, 1 K

And he can’t chew it over in the dugout because he isn’t old enough to buy tobacco

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 9:55 PM CDT 0 recs

chew

Heh, I chewed in little league and I bought it myself. Probably couldn’t do that these days. I don’t think I’ve chewed since little league actually…

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 19, 2008 10:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well some gas stations seem to operate on the honor system

I was in line behind a kid who looked about 16 the other day and he throws a 6 pack up on the counter and the guy working just asks him how old he is. He told him 23, bought the beer and left. I don’t care one way or the other, but it made me laugh cause they had like ten of those “21 means 21” signs around the counter and door area.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

True story

When I was 12 my cousin and I rode our bikes into town, bought a 12-pack each at the local hole in the wall, and carried it home on our bikes. Drank ourselves silly, and somehow had the presence of mind to clean everything up before my mom got home from work in the morning. Crazy summer. While other kids were off to camp I was testing Tickle Pink, blue ribbon beer, and Mad Dog.

“Mama tried, mama tried…”

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 19, 2008 10:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw Mad Dog on your list

I have had more than one bad experience with that stuff

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

"that Nighttrain is a mean wine"

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 20, 2008 12:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Where’d you grow up, dude?

I have to admit, while familiar with the MD 20/20, I do not know Tickle Pink.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 20, 2008 12:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Western New York

Boone’s Farm is a cheap flavored apple wine, Tickle Pink and Fuzzy Navel are two flavors I imbibed when young. I wouldn’t touch it now.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 20, 2008 6:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ahh yes the boones,

We used to get a dozen of those when we were younger and indulged. But like you say T, I wouldn’t touch it.

R u from western NY?

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 20, 2008 6:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

From western NY

yes, grew up south of Buffalo, small, small towns, Collins area. Family still lives there. Aren’t you from Rochester or something?

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 20, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

one of my best friends lives up there. She lives in Newark. Everyone always tries to correct me and say New Jersey but no there is a Newark, New York.

by Kevin McBrayer on Jul 20, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah buddy,

Im from Rochester, or Ra Cha Cha as we like to call it.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 20, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Perez worked around an error in the third by picking him off 1st base

and then getting back to back pop outs to second base. Same line through 3

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Holland worked a quick and easy 1-2-3 1st Inning

a ground out and two fly outs

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 9:57 PM CDT 0 recs

2nd Inning

Strikeout, Strikeout, Groundout

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

2nd strike-out was on a 96 MPH fastball

by spurdynasty on Jul 19, 2008 10:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

IF that is true..

then we may have gold.

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 10:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yea I heard them say that

and that was after they heaped praise on his slider in the previous strikeout.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

sitting 93-96 with good slider

filthy

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

He is getting ahead of everybody too

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's better than your boy Beavan

has the “mentality” you like with better ability

by Baider on Jul 20, 2008 12:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

at this point...

the reason is his gaining velocity…

by tyd3311 on Jul 20, 2008 12:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

that's one of them

better changeup, velocity, left-handed, more K’s, more experience…

I don’t dislike Beavan, just think he’s overrated. If he grew up in Kansas or New Jersey, he’d be just another high round pick.

by Baider on Jul 20, 2008 12:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

3rd Inning

Groundout to 2nd Base, Strikeout, Fly Out to the track

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

4th Inning

Line out to CF, Line out to 1B (Gac makes diving catch), Single to CF, Runner steals 2nd, Fly out to LF

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Holland and Feliz

not to mention Hunter..

things could change dramatically for our pitching staff in the next year.

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 10:21 PM CDT 0 recs

or 2010

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 19, 2008 10:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

nope

not if they are special..

by tyd3311 on Jul 19, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Holland 4th

Lineout, lineout, single, flyout

by FirebatM3 on Jul 19, 2008 10:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Spokane exploded for 4 runs in the 3rd and 7 runs in the 4th

Perez is done. His Line;
4 Innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB, 3 K

Spokane leads 11-2

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Derek Holland 5th Inning

Line out, Ground out, error by Gac, RBI double (runner thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple)

Blaze down 1-0 going into bottom of fifth

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 10:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Clinton's game was suspended due to wind after 12 innings

They are tied with Dayton at 1-1 and will finish the game tomorrow at 3:00

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 11:04 PM CDT 0 recs

Lemon 2-3 with 2 2B

Showing increasing power and batting .300+

by FirebatM3 on Jul 19, 2008 11:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Blaze get 3 runs in the 5th and lead 3-1

If Lemon can hit .300 with some gap power and his on base skills he will validate a lot of people’s praise of him.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 11:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Forget that

right now he has gap power at 173 lbs.

What happens when he gets to 185 or so? Yeah, he’ll probably be full time 2B (which he probably is already), but he might very well have 15 HR power as he develops

by FirebatM3 on Jul 19, 2008 11:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well if he develops that kind of power

to go with his OBP, he will be a very solid player. Add to that his decent speed (though he needs to work on his base running skills) and the fact that he would benefit defensively from a move to 2B. Lots to like in the Rangers’ system at the middle infield spots.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 19, 2008 11:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lemon mythology

Let’s see, I hate to burst the Joseph Campbellesque Lemon mythology but…

07 128g 31E (39E/162g) 12/26sb .462
08 78g 28E (58E/162g) 7/13sb .538

Hopefully a few more doubles will blind a future trade partner enough so that we can trade a future utility guy, a utility guy who can only be trusted to play second base, for a stud relief pitcher.

by Goyogringo on Jul 20, 2008 2:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Most overrated

Lemon, Whittleman, Phillips, Schlact, Yan and Solis

by Goyogringo on Jul 20, 2008 2:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

I haven’t heard praise for anyone but Lemon on LSB.

I’d have to say the other players are unrated or frowned on (Whittleman).

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 20, 2008 7:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

Because Whittleman hasn't shown enough to prove he's actually a prospect.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Stuff-You-Need-Brett-Favre-action-figure-bench?urn=nfl,93739

by BudLight on Jul 20, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah

It would really be nice if we could get some kind of third base prospect at the deadline this year. Now that Borbon and Beltre are coming on a little more in the minors, I think the weak spot of this organization right now really is third base. We’ve basically got nobody in the farm system who you can call a future Major League option right now.

A Lonestar in California

Classic iorange555: "lmao too bad i watched [the all-star game] at a friends house ;[ much funer on here"

by lonestarJon on Jul 20, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

not playing the position currently

but there are player who could potentially move there. I think you Vallejo is an option to move there since he reportedly has a great arm and of course is blocked by Kinsler. 3B also just isn’t much of a concern because of Young at the Major League level.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 20, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

.850 OPS

20 years old in a+. .400 OBP

No, if anything, he’s underrated by the majority of LSB

by FirebatM3 on Jul 20, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

I respect the fact that you like Lemon

but other than his advanced approach at the plate, what other plus skills does he posses? He is basically average across the board. At least for me, he was very underwhelming to watch on the field. Except for his dreamy eyes of course.

His stats as a 20 year old in High A have been excellent and his character is off-the-charts. But Lemon just doesn’t appear to have the skill set necessary to be classified as anything more than a solid utility player in the making.

I’d love to be wrong about him but he just doesn’t seem like a top 25 guy to me.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 20, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

Developing power, ability to hit for average

a history of hitting very well out of the leadoff spot and a model of consistency.

He has a higher slg% than a lot of those prospects we say is in the top 25 and is still developing as a hitter and in terms of his body.

Honestly, it comes back to three things – 1) I believe guys develop power, especially very young guys. Lemon isn’t a small dude, he’s already hitting a good amount of linedrives. Those are the guys that I think could develop power in the future. 2) I really value OBP. I think if he continues to be this patient. and if he develops power, we’ll have essentially Kenny Lofton. 3) With young players, I rarely care about high error totals, especially SS, since it seems the majority of them move out of the position anyways.

I see a .300/.400/.450 line as great for a 20 year old “SS” at high A. I don’t understand how anyone can look at his consistency and his performance and not say “holy crap, this guy is pretty good”.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 20, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

you should be singing the praises of

vallejo and duran then: developing power, hits for average, PLUS defense.

by Goyogringo on Jul 20, 2008 8:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

Errors

who cares?

Saying a player is not a prospect because of errors is unnecessarily restrictive. It’s like saying the worth of a prospect is solely determined by his draft position

by FirebatM3 on Jul 20, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

The error of Lemon's ways

but it’s not just errors, I’ve seen nothing but negative reviews of his defense, and I’ve never seen anyone defend his defense as being better than his error totals might indicate (as they do with guys like Arias and Andrus).

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 20, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

I've never seen anyone

discuss Lemon period. Being drafted, it was said he had great range, for all we know, he might very well still. Even then, even if he was a 2B or a LF long term, there’s a lot of value in a guy who hits for gap power with great plate patience. hell, Frank Catalanotto is proof that OBP will get you a job.

by FirebatM3 on Jul 20, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lemon

He doesn’t have great range and he doesn’t have a great arm.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 20, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

He does however

have a terrific smile and very seductive eyes.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 20, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh no.

Matt Harrison’s gonna be pissed

by LiamP on Jul 20, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

If you can put up a .400 OPS

your bat will play anywhere, look at Cat and Lawton

by FirebatM3 on Jul 20, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sure

but assuming that Lemon is going to be a .400 OBP guy at the major league level is quite a stretch.

Give it a Name

by jparks77 on Jul 20, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

But assuming he's gonna be a .380 OBP 2b

isn’t much of a stretch, is it?

It’s funny that I get hated on for being high on Borbon despite his poor plate discipline, but when I get a man-boner for a guy like Lil’ Lemon who has incredible plate discipline I get hated on for that too.

My man crushes just can’t win with y’all, huh?

In all seriousness though, I see a guy who has great plate discipline, is young for his league, is developing some pretty nice gap power, who has decent MIF tools (seems to be a tweener to me: below average for a SS, but more than adequate for a 2b), and who is supposedly off the charts in terms of “intangibles”.

He lacks the requisite ceiling to be a star so I can’t rate him too high, but he looks like a guy who’s going to be a solid major leaguer for a very long time.

He’s in my top 15 for shizzle.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 20, 2008 5:36 PM CDT up 0 recs