Tuesday morning things
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 10:35 AM CDT
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PrintTexas starts its three game set with Boston tonight with Scott Feldman, one of its two semi-reliable starters, on the mound. The Red Sox throw a rare category of player - a knuckleballer prospect, Charlie Zink.
Beyond CJ Wilson announcing that he would undergo season ending surgery yesterday, not much news on the major league front.
Yesterday was a pretty busy day in the organization, however. To recap:
- The club is shutting Thomas Diamond down. He's actually having some surgery on his ankles, and though his numbers were really bad, you'd probably consider this a successful first step return in his return from Tommy John surgery. Next year is a really big season for that guy.
- Derek Holland has been promoted to AA and is scheduled to start tomorrow. If you don't follow the minors closely and didn't see the DMN piece from a week ago, you might not be familiar with Holland. He's a hard throwing lefty and a name to watch now, especially since he's reaching AA.
- We are three days away from the deadline for Texas to sign Robbie Ross and Justin Smoak. Ross is optimistic about signing.
- The Rangers have reportedly signed a Korean named Tae-Kyeong Ahn and given him $800,000, which would be the biggest bonus handed out by the organization this summer, at least until Smoak and/or Ross sign. The one caution I'd add here is that news like this from outside the country that isn't confirmed by the club can be a little iffy.
- The Rangers announced their full Latin American signing class, and it includes Ezdras Abreu, about whom BA said (before signing day in July):
Dominican Ezdra Abreu is an athletic outfielder with a wiry, projectable frame, but scouts have questioned his hitting ability. "He has real small hands," said one scout, "and he's got to cheat to catch up to a fastball. People were jumping up and down about him a year ago, but I think that's calmed down."
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Yay Holland got promoted!!!!
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
He mentioned it in his post...
which makes him a hypocrite.
"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."
very well.... where do I begin?
“My father was a relentlessly self-improving salon owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a french prostitute named chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize…. he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy… the kind of malaise the genius possess and the insane lament.
My childhood was typical….. summers in Rangoon….. luge lessons. In the spring we’d make meat helmets. When I was insolent, I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds….. pretty standard, really. At the age of 12 I received my first scribe. At the age of 14 a Zoroastran named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing quite like a shorn scrotum. It’s breathtaking. I suggest you try it.”
Aikman and Bradshaw?
Please. They are in the same league as Trent Dilfer and Jim McMahon as QBs who were taken to the SB by great Defenses and great Running Games.
-DJCahill
by SarasotaRanger on Aug 12, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
haha that's pretty funny Sota..
what’s that from?
I've never seen a pitcher with "bone spur" issues throw 96 mph. The only spurs I'm aware of are the spurs that Wash has buried in C J's ass as he rides him. I love ya C J but welcome to Wash's DOGHOUSE.
.
by LAMuscleFag on Aug 12, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Austin Powers
Dr. Evil, to be specific.
Come on, Muscley Gay Man.
That’s a classic.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 12, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
oh well...
...guess I haven’t seen every “classic” :)
I've never seen a pitcher with "bone spur" issues throw 96 mph. The only spurs I'm aware of are the spurs that Wash has buried in C J's ass as he rides him. I love ya C J but welcome to Wash's DOGHOUSE.
.
by LAMuscleFag on Aug 12, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Will be at Fenway today and Thursday
Section 32 today, standing room on Thursday… anyone else going to be there?
I'll be there
Not sure about seats tho. Girlfriends brother bought them… Section 28 tomorrow.
well I hope this series is better than the last one.
I went to Baltimore from South Carolina only to see us lose 9-1 and 9-0. I did however get to stand about two feet away from Hamilton and get the incredible Scott Feldman’s autograph.
i guess we have varying definitions of
“successful first steps”. I would think that sucking ass, having zero control, and being shut down early would be far from “successful”, maybe even “unsuccessful” – but I guess that’s just me.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Varying definitions
I think so. Returns from TJ are almost never graceful. Look at how Liriano started the season. For that first step I really think that you just hope to see the velocity there and the pain gone. It takes almost two years after surgery, even in most successful cases, for guys to have their complete game back. And remember, it’s not like this was a level that he’d mastered before surgery.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Josh Johnson
Back & dominating in 11 months.
by Baider on Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Are you saying
that because Johnson did it, we should have expected that timetable for Diamond? Johnson’s return was remarkable; I think everyone agrees on that.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Not at all
Just playing devil’s advocate. I think the expectation on someone returning from is well below Johnson, but above Diamond’s performance (ankle injury is a tough variable to account for).
by Baider on Aug 12, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
The only way I'd disagree
is that we’re talking about a guy who had command issues and a limited arsenal (not to mention an increasingly iffy FB) to begin with, so a little edge off of that could make a guy struggle pretty badly.
Also, I guess I’m biased a little by the fact that he looked pretty solid the last time I saw him, in that rain delayed start against Midland. They weren’t generally getting good swings on the FB, and he had numerous infield hits given up. I only recall one or two particularly hard hit balls (though one was a shot from Doolittle). He was laboring, but he was way, way better than his line.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
FranFran
It took Frankie Franciso 2 years to get back into the bullpen as an average MR who in no way looked like he did 2004 and only in his 3rd year, 2 months into the season, did he regain his 04 dominance and his 98 cheese. I say Diamond might be a bullpen guy down the right; the system will have passed him by as a starter in 2010 so why not start the conversion to closer or setup guy during the offseason?
Rotations next year
Started this in another thread…
Frisco:
Feliz
Holland
Kiker
Poveda
Reed/Diamond
Bakersfield:
Beaven
Main
Kennil
Tim Murphy
Castillo?
Clinton:
Perez
Boscan
NeRa
Bleier
Pimentel
Font?
That’s as deep as I can go. OKC seems too haphazard without knowing FA/trade acquisitions.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Aug 12, 2008 12:06 PM CDT reply actions
where do you think
Robbie Ross goes? Spokane?
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Ross
On a similar track to NeRa, but a year later. Makes sense Ross steps in at Spokane, and if it goes really great moves up to Clinton before the end of 2009…
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Aug 13, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Beavan
Not to pick on you cause everyone seems to be doing it… but, seriously. It’s been well over a year since he was drafted. This is reaching Blaylock/Vincente/Bourbon/Neftali Perez proportions.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 12, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
True
Although, to be fair, he was once actually called Edison, at least by the Rangers.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 12, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Vincente
I like the Canadian solution to this. They tend to have a hard time with names, so their solution is to just convert names like Vicente to its English counterpart or an English sounding nickname. So he’s either Vincent or Vinny Padilla.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Minor league rotations
Diamond in the AAA rotation where he’ll join Harrison, Mathis, Hunter, and Ballard.
I think that Hyatt will be the fifth guy in the Frisco rotation with Reed joining Beau Jones as a pretty good lefty/righty combo in the bullpen.
Zach Phillips could be the fifth guy in the Bakersfield rotation.
I hope that Font joins Perez, Boscan, and NeRa to set up a Clinton starting rotation that will rival this year’s rotation of Feliz, Holland, Gomez, Beavan, and Castillo.
by spurdynasty on Aug 12, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
generous
By 4/1/09, via trades and internal development, I think the system will be balanced at all levels including the improvement of pitching qualtiy/depth in the upper levels. So that implies, I think, that many of the 30-ish journeyman will be out of the system and relievers miscast as starters (so that the team has any rotation at all) will return to relieving and be more productive (and be considered legit prospects for the big club in the BP).
I think the following pitchers profile a relievers in the system next year and will start only out of necessity: ballard, hyatt, phillips, schlact, Mathis, Murray, Swanson, Nippert , Tatusko, Nelo, Mendoza, Henry, Quintero, NevarezIn the long term I see this group as being relievers, say post ASB: Diamond, McCarthy, Gabbard, Reed.
Just my 2 cents. The depth in the system next year will be incredible.
edit
I think the following pitchers profile as relievers in the system next year and will on start our of necessity: Hyatt, Ballard, Phillips, Schlact, Mendoza, Nevarez, Nelo, Henry, Swanson, Quintero, Murray, Mathis, Nippert, Tatusko
smoak
any chance he doesnt sign? i dont follow this stuff.
im gonna be pissed.
He'll sign
I think the Rangers are just waiting until the last minute because they’ll probably have to go above slot since Smoak slid down.
By the way, here’s a cool site breaking down his swing (just found it).
http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles/scouting-justin-smoak.html
Nothing pithy here. Please move long.
Also some Chris Davis stuff in there too
Check the link. Of course, now we’ve already seen him with our own two eyes, but it’s interesting that Smoak got compared to CD.
Nothing pithy here. Please move long.
BA's Jim Callis
says that most first rounders will sign, with the exception of Allen Dykstra (Grady Fuson is on a big draft losing streak…).
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2008/266659.html
Miami first baseman Alonso, Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham (No. 8, White Sox) and South Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak (No. 11, Rangers) all appear to be angling for big league contracts, while the second tier of college bats typically has received slot money or slightly more. I believe all three will turn pro, and if they do get larger-than-precedent deals, it will set the bar higher for the future.
Also, this article talks about Holland
Holland just missed cracking our Rangers Top 30 in the 2008 Prospect Handbook, but he’ll easily make it in next year’s edition. In his first full season as a pro, he has gone 10-1, 2.60 in 22 starts between low Class A Clinton and high Class A Bakersfield. Opponents are hitting just .217 with three homers against him, and he has posted a 128-34 K-BB ratio in 125 innings.A 25th-round pick out of Wallace State (Ala.) CC in the 2006 draft, Holland signed as a draft-and-follow the next spring. Credit area scout Rick Schroeder with a tremendous find. Holland has a better fastball than most lefthanders, as it ranges from 91-97 mph and really jumps on hitters. His changeup is a solid second pitch, and he’ll also flash a quality slider. He still has a ways to go, but Holland has a ceiling of a No. 2 starter.
Haven’t seen that here yet – sorry if it is a repost
ML contract
I am not sure I like giving Smoak a ML contract. The Rangers already have Borbon on the 40 which doesn’t help out. Now they want to put another minor leaguer on it also? I would rather give him a couple thousand extra and no ML contract.
"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch
only a number 2?
I was hoping he could become a #1….
"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
they're giving Feliz
a lot of respect. can’t become a # 1 with him in the way…
"So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... "
by Walter Sobchak on Aug 12, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
That's not how they do it
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
by Brian Thomas on Aug 13, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
definitely a joke.
"So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... "
by Walter Sobchak on Aug 13, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Nice stuff on Holland
His emergence more than makes up for Kiker’s meh-ness this season.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 12, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Kiker
I will take that sort of performance in the Cal league. And he seems to be finishing strong.
I really just hope we can leave that league at year’s end.
Yah
I still got faith in the little guy, but you have to admit it would’ve been nice to see him break out a little this year. He’s still a good prospect, but I want more from a top 15 pick. I think we’ll see him do much better in Frisco next year.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 12, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
fukumori
Just brought this up because I saw that he got placed on the DL. So, who gets the blame for that one? I wouldn’t have minded so much if he was a pretty good in the Japanese league and the success just didn’t translate.
But, most of use thought his numbers were pretty meh to begin with so this must have been a scouting thing. Well, when a guy like that turns out to be bad, the blame goes on the scout more than ever. So, is this a Colburn error?
""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley
actually
I can’t figure out the timeline. Did *Colborn get hired before or after Fukumori? This article suggests at the same time such that he wouldn’t have been involved in the Fukumori deal.
Also, interesting note in that article – if Fukumori spends more than 30 days on the DL, the club has a buyout for next year. Isn’t he close?
""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley
bad signing
I agree most here thought that was pretty questionable at the time. I think they were hoping for too much with him based on his not-too-impressive numbers in Japan.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
I didn't think they gave him much.
I can’t remember the numbers, but it was pretty minimal.
What I thought was weird was giving him the 7th inning at the beginning of the year. It seemed pretty clear that wasn’t that great in Japan. Why would be that much better here.
I didn't have a problem with the money
which was about $1.6M according to Cot’s Contracts, but the role they planned to immediately plug him into. It seemed pretty clear he was no Otsuka.
Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
Word of the Fukumori signing initially leaked on the morning of December 12th
Therefore, I believe it’s safe to say Colborn had no particular hand in that signing.
Prediction
The Rangers will get their first sweep this year at fenway.
Feldman will have another quality start and the Rangers will knock around Zink.
Mendoza will pitch his best, around 6 IP and 3 ER. And the hitters will hit just enough to get a win off Lester
Padilla will pitch good and Dice-k will walk too many batters and the Rangers will score around 6 runs while we let in around 4.
FIRST SWEEP!
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
Even if we do that
we’re still sadly 4 games out of WC
"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
If that happens
my heart will freeze instantly from shock and I will die. No chance that happens. Zero.
Aikman and Bradshaw?
Please. They are in the same league as Trent Dilfer and Jim McMahon as QBs who were taken to the SB by great Defenses and great Running Games.
-DJCahill
by SarasotaRanger on Aug 12, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
CJ
surgery tommorrow
http://startelegramsports.typepad.com/foul_territory/
"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch
Rotoworld has it now
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=246715&id=2121
Doesn’t sound like it cost anything.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
So....does
this change the series pitching matchups?
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley
ESPN has it too
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3531866
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
He'll be back tomorrow
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by Brett Perryman on Aug 12, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
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