The Minors 7/2

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 3:38 PM CDT

I always enjoy the minor league threads. Generally shroom, or jparks chime in on a guy I've never heard of and I learn something so with that in mind.

AZL Rangers

Joseph Wieland (2008 4th Rounder) went 4 full innings with no hits, no runs, no walks, while striking out three.

The rookies beat up the A's AZL team 8-1, led by Erik Morrison (46th round Kansas Jayhawk 2B) going 3-4 with 3 singles, a walk, and one strikeout. First baseman Michael Ortiz went 3-5 as well.

Tonight

Neal Ramirez goes to the mound for Spokane in the late game at 9:00pm.

Feliz is on the bump for Clinton.

Evan Reed starts for Bakersfield.

And maybe most interesting of all, Tommy Hunter makes his AAA debut for the Redhawks.

Frisco has the night off. So if any of you are listening online or following the boxscores tonight please post your observations. I can't remember a better time to follow the minor leaguers.

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Good night on the bump

Venezuelan Arms

by jparks77 on Jul 2, 2008 3:54 PM CDT 0 recs

Yep...

Very interested in all those guys on the hill tonight.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 2, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Indeed

Though I must admit Evan Reed doesn’t do a terrible amount for me.

Too many walks.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 2, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah. Great night to listen (or watch) minor league ball.

Hope to hear that those radio reports of 77 mph changeup on Feliz are legit and not just bad siting of the radar gun. Even more eager to see if Hunter continues to be solid.

Wieland is looking like a really good pick. I can’t wait to see what he picks up in fall instructs and implements next summer in Spokane. Besides a tick up in pitching acumen, I hope he adds a few pounds this winter.

Anyone think we’ll see Smoak in the fall AZL? The LaPorta track.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 3:55 PM CDT 0 recs

LaPorta signed soon after the draft in '07

and logged 30 professional games before the AFL. Smoak needs to sign soon to follow this path.

Venezuelan Arms

by jparks77 on Jul 2, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

am i the only one

who wants to see (almost) that exact track?

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on Jul 2, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

well besides

jparks and rooster

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on Jul 2, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Feliz...

...does he have the composure to bounce back after last week’s thrashing?

critical start?

by oc on Jul 2, 2008 4:36 PM CDT 0 recs

reportedly he's working on his breaking stuff

It will all depend on what they have him do in this start. He’s got to know that he can throw his fastball by guys at this level. I won’t worry about his psyche too much at this point.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Primarily his change, according to radio reports

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

yeah

I watched him around camp in ST and he’s a cool dude; don’t worry about his head

by bronco28 on Jul 2, 2008 6:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cruz/Metcalf

Am I the only one who thinks the Rangers would be better off optioning Boggs and Duran and bringing up Cruz and Metcalf? I know Metcalf isn’t hitting, but neither is Duran, and Cruz would at worst be as productive as Boggs. Let those two guys play everyday at AAA and bring up the more veteran fringy guys… IMO

by Topgun22 on Jul 2, 2008 4:52 PM CDT 0 recs

Yeah...

but I’d go with Cruz and Roberts. Metcalf can stay down and play everyday in AAA as well, not that it really matters.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 2, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

remember when

we were all clamoring for young guys to be brought up from AAA? Now it seems like a lot of people want the reverse. “bring up the more veteran fringy guys?” Really? Let these guys get their feet wet because once guys like vasquez and bradley get traded they will be starting.

I like the rangers current philosophy of letting these guys soak up the major league experience, especially these two. They have been identified by management as having a tough and positive outlook and their current situation/struggles are not going to be a deterrence to their future.

"Why do you need the stereo and the tv on?"
"Cause I like to pawrty."

by rchawk12 on Jul 2, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sure, they are soaking up the major league experience

The problem is Duran cannot hit MLB pitching and no amount of sitting on the bench and soaking up the atmosphere is going to get him to the level where he can hit. He needs at bats and since he won’t get them here, he needs to get them in OKC.

And people didn’t want prospects brought up so they could sit the bench. We wanted them brought up so they could get playing time. Unless Duran is going to get PT, he needs to be sent back down.

by uthornfan on Jul 2, 2008 7:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 8:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

I dont disagree with your statement

however, I’m not sure I agree with it either. The fact of the matter is every prospect is different and with the exception of duran, every rookie is getting at least semi-consistent pt. Really there is no way of knowing what is the right way to handle a prospect and so I defer judgement to management. Maybe hanging around rudy every day is the best thing for him. When it comes to matters like this its tough to have an opinion because we dont have near as much information as the coaches and front office.

"Why do you need the stereo and the tv on?"
"Cause I like to pawrty."

by rchawk12 on Jul 3, 2008 2:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

when this day in the rotation comes up again

I wouldn’t mind seeing Reed in Frisco and Feliz in Bakersfield.

by clark on Jul 2, 2008 5:19 PM CDT 0 recs

I could get behind that.

Would like to see Main in Clinton then, with Holland moving up also.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 5:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

When is the last time the Rangers had this type..

of talent on the hill on one night in their system?

by booyahcaveman on Jul 2, 2008 5:23 PM CDT 0 recs

five days ago.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 5:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Last Appearances:

Hunter – 6/27
Wieland – 6/28
Reed – 6/27
Feliz – 6/27
Ramirez – 6/27

Jokes? I wouldnt call it a swing and a miss. Foul Tip? Nice try though.

by booyahcaveman on Jul 2, 2008 5:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

damn

Well it just made sense, although I imagine whoever took the hill in the rookie league, if they were playing five days ago, was pretty darn good.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah I had to look it up

It was Ben Henry. It is just so nice that every night there is not only a reason to watch the Rangers but also to keep track of the farm system. Whether it meant watching CD or Ramirez to see how many bombs they hit or Kiker, Feliz, Main, et al and how they are just straight dealing on the farm.

by booyahcaveman on Jul 2, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

these days

with Ramirez and Davis in Arlington, the arms far out weigh the bats in the minors. Andrus, Vallejo, Lemon, and Beltre are interesting but Feliz, Main, Beavan, Hunter, Perez, and the rest are just amazing.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Joke*

by booyahcaveman on Jul 2, 2008 5:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

I just couldn't resist the smart ass answer.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

I cant blame ya!!

:-)

by booyahcaveman on Jul 2, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Happy Happy

2K’s in the first inning. Threw alot of sliders early in the count.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 7:56 PM CDT 0 recs

Thru 3 innings

0 H
0 R
0 BB
5 K

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

in a rain delay

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 9:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Darn

by zywica on Jul 2, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Beloit radio guy

just said the game will resume at 9:40

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 2, 2008 9:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

I assume

Feliz is still gonna be done though, right?

by zywica on Jul 2, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

yeah

Tatusko is going to take over for him.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 2, 2008 9:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

What's the velo like on his slider?

by LiamP on Jul 2, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't say. I don't know if Beloit has a radar gun.

2 of his K’s were with the fastball. 1 was with the slider. The radio guy didn’t say what he threw for the other two K’s. His last K was Ben Revere, who had K’d all of 17 times in 206 AB previous to that.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 8:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ok, I give

Who is Happy Happy?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jul 2, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Feliz = Happy in Spanish

Coffin said we should name him Happy as a nickname, thus, Happy Happy.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks

And I has 2 years of Spanish in high school :(

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jul 2, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

engrish

how much English you has?

by bushe on Jul 3, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

touche

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hunter fighting through a tough night

6 ip

7 H
3 R
3 ER
2 BB
4 K
1 HR

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 8:42 PM CDT 0 recs

Still...

not bad for his first start at OKC

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

by slc ranger on Jul 2, 2008 8:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah. Solid.

Only one rough inning so far.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 8:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

no not at all

just in comparison to some of his previous starts that’s all.

by Hull Fan on Jul 2, 2008 8:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Evan Reed splits

vs lefties – 29.2 IP, 8.19 ERA, .308 BAA
vs righties- 37.0, 1.95 ERA, .222 BAA

wow – start getting lefties out and he might get places

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 2, 2008 9:30 PM CDT 0 recs

NeRa

Made it through the 1st despite struggling to keep his fastball down.

Had one K that the Yakima radio guy called “nasty, a real back-bender”.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 9:32 PM CDT 0 recs

So I guess

when BA does its top tens after the season and has the tools section, Ramirez will be the guy with the best curveball?

by zywica on Jul 2, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well, it won't be Feliz.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

I've talked to some people

that think Gomez has one of the best curveballs in the system.

Ramirez has plus-plus potential but Hunter’s CB is a monster as well.

Venezuelan Arms

by jparks77 on Jul 2, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hunter has a good curveball

but I’ll be disappointed if Ramirez can’t top that. If Hunter has the best curve in the system, I’m not sure that there is a plus breaking ball in the system.

by zywica on Jul 2, 2008 9:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

it depends on what you look for in a curve...

Hunter’s raw curve wouldn’t compare to Ramirez or Brigham (if he still has it after surgery) or Gomez or Diamond, but he commands it better than anyone I’ve ever seen at his age… not that I’ve been around all that long…

I summed it up the other day. It’s an above-average to plus pitch, but with his command, it’s a borderline plus-plus pitch.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 2, 2008 11:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Really don't know about that

AA hitters can hardly touch a pitch good enough to be considered borderline plus-plus. With his solidl fastball, he would be dominant in the upper minor league levels with a breaking ball that good, especially with command of it.

by zywica on Jul 3, 2008 1:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

I don't have numbers on this...

but I will a large, large sum that Hunter strikes-put-in-play percentage on his curve is crazy-low. To get guys to strike out on a curve, you have to throw it with 2-strikes. Look for his strike out numbers to improve when Hunter wants them to improve.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2008 3:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

er...

but I will *bet a large…

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2008 3:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

Main

doesn’t he have a pretty good one as well?

by FirebatM3 on Jul 2, 2008 10:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah good point

I bet his is up there.

by zywica on Jul 2, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Inconsistent

but with plus potential. He doesn’t always stay on top of it and he doesn’t command it yet.

Venezuelan Arms

by jparks77 on Jul 2, 2008 10:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

More news of broken hearts and failed efforts in LA:

Per the story on San Diego’s team web site today:

The Padres forked over a franchise-record $4.85 million in signing bonuses to procure those five players, including $2 million to land Portillo, who was considered to be the second-best pitcher in the pool of available players behind 16-year-old Michael Inoa, who signed for a record $4.25 million bonus with the Oakland A’s.

That part sounded fine. Good for them. The kid sounds good. Then this:

The Padres fended off late advances by the Texas Rangers to sign Portillo, who Smith said is “one of the most complete pitchers in Latin America, with a fastball that has reached 93 mph.”

Dammit! He was almost ours!!! I hate being a bridesmaid!

The “late advances” me wonder if we thought our ridiculous offer for Inoa would win out and sort of went into scramble mode when he announced he was going to Oakland and tried to enter the Portillo sweepstakes a little too late. Who knows though.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 3, 2008 1:41 AM CDT 0 recs