Kiker on 7/8/09

by T Coleman on Jul 9, 2008 6:10 PM CDT Comment 23 comments

With all the Harrison excitement last night, I didn't see anyone mention Kiker's line:

6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K

There was even a caught stealing with him on the mound. That seems to be one of his better starts of the year.

There has been lots of talk about how stocked the farm system is with pitchers in the lower levels of the system. That is certainly good. Could it be good in another way?

I can't help but wonder if all the young arms increases the intensity, focus, and competition amongst the pitchers. For example, did Kiker come out and fire his best game last night because he was ticked that he got passed in the pecking order by Feliz? Does the fact that Hunter has gone from Bakersfield to Frisco to OKC in half a season show that performance gets reward, so everyone tries a little harder? Or is the ultimate reward of the big leagues enough motivation?

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wow

thanks man, even I didn’t notice that. That’s rather beastly.

"I really think JD is probably going to be one of the best things ever to happen to the Rangers." - Longhorn, May 27th, 2007

by Longhorn on Jul 9, 2008 6:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

did anyone see that jared hyatt's in AAA

i dont exactly know where to write this, because i dont see a minors thread anymore. But that’s crazy to skip AA all together.

baseBALLIN!

by kevzta on Jul 9, 2008 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hyatt's line

3 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3K

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on Jul 9, 2008 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have any info, but

he was more than likely just up for the day. OKC started Steve Rowe on Sunday, Brian Gordon yesterday and Kaz Fukumori today, so they probably wanted an extra bullpen arm to eat some innings. They probably would have gotten somebody from Frisco, but they’ve also had trouble filling their spots lately.

http://rangers.scout.com

by JasonCole on Jul 9, 2008 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JP isn't quite as high on Kiker as I am

I believe I personally ranked him higher than eighth in our combo rankings, for what that’s worth. Very tough to differentiate between the top eight or nine prospects in this system.

His strikeout rate isn’t near as impressive as it was last year at Clinton, and he’s been a bit more hittable, but he’s cut back dramatically on the walks and that’s very encouraging.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 9, 2008 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HRs

Hes also cut down his HR rates which in the Cal League is quite impressive

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 9, 2008 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In this system,

8th isn’t bad.

I actually like Kiker quite a bit. It took me a few years to get over my short-pitcher prejudice but I finally saw the light. I don’t think he is a top of the rotation pitcher but that’s not a knock on Kiker. There aren’t many top of the rotation arms out there.

We (me) have a tendency to overvalue lower level arms to the point that the expectations we place on them exceed their realistic abilities. Top of the rotation or bust.

Beavan, for example, has had a pretty exceptional season. We tend to forget that he made his professional debut in full-season ball and has more than held his own. His mechanical adjustments as well as the mental/emotional/physical adjustments he has had to make as an 19 year often get over-looked because he isn’t throwing 95 mph. He is learning how to pitch.

Sorry for the rant. Beavan deserves some love.

Junior Mayberry

by jparks77 on Jul 9, 2008 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holland going tonight

I’m excited by his performance this year.

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on Jul 9, 2008 6:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

0 BB!!!!

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

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dutch looking good so far tonight.

3 ip, 2 h, 0 er, 0 bb, 3 k’s.

by coolaid on Jul 9, 2008 7:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Final Line

6 ip, 3 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 7 k, and 2 pickoffs

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on Jul 9, 2008 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ready for HA

by Brett Perryman on Jul 9, 2008 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on Jul 9, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

Part of me wonders if he’ll get the Feliz treatment.

I mean, I’d have never guessed Feliz would get the Feliz treatment.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 10, 2008 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Ballard back down...

Frisco has Ballard, Schlact, Lee, Feliz, and Hodges; Diamond won’t be out that much longer.

I’m not sure how strong Hodges’ hold is on that 5th spot, and Lee could presumably move to AAA, who is downright hurting for starters. Room could be made for Holland in the rotation, and right now, no one in Bakersfield is really even gently tapping on the Frisco door.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 10, 2008 2:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh

Kiker?

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 10, 2008 3:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

0 BB!!!

Another Ranger prospect puts up a nice line with no walks!

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

by RangerMad on Jul 9, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to hijack the thread RM

but your pitching is killing me this week in the fantasy league.

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on Jul 9, 2008 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I pulled dutch aside and said

“Look man, if you are going to be my prospect, you have to do more than throw up performances like these. I need something else, I mean look at what feliz did in frisco. You want a promotion, one- up him.” rchawk

“You’re right hawk, what else should I do, stop giving out walks?” dutch

“Thats a start but I want to see a little something extra tonight.” hawk

“Well I was watching the video on feliz and noticed he had a lot of trouble holding runners on, how about a pickoff?” dutch

“A pickoff? We strive for excellence here at lsb, make it 2. You think you can manage?” hawk

“Rock Chalk.” dutch

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 10, 2008 2:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of the best lefties in the system

Martin Perez is starting up now.

by Brett Perryman on Jul 9, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

might have to be a little patient

with this kid. certainly has talent to be pitching against college kids as a 17 year old, but i like seeing a kid perform over a whole season before anointing him as one of the best pitchers in the system.

by clark on Jul 9, 2008 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you can

be patient and realize that…and still think that he’s one of the most promising lefties in the system.

Probably still struggle through the end of the season, though.

by Brett Perryman on Jul 9, 2008 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im a fan

but tap the brakes a bit on this kid, He looks very promising but this isnt even his first full year. I love this kid as a prospect long term, but I have a feeling he might end up rated a lot higher than he should. and a little ot, but I think beltre will be rated lower than he should, but I would attribute some of that to some of our pitchers specifically passing him.

I'm sorry my parents never had me sarcamsized.

by rchawk12 on Jul 10, 2008 2:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs