Thursday a.m. stuff

Remembering the preseason talk around here

I remember many folks round here would lambast the national pundits when they would proclaim this Rangers team to be, once again, all offense with a horrible pitching staff. Seems many here believed that this categorization of our team was thoughtless, uninformed, and lazy.

Does anyone else remember that?

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought...

The lambasting was against that categorization of the Rangers of the past couple of years. Not so much this team.

by mc80aea on Aug 21, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They copy & paste

The same article every year.

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Aug 21, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and rightfully so

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn't they

its not like much changes in our pitching.

What's the secret to a long life? "I masturbate a lot"-Ernest Borgnine. http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/08/14/icymi-ernest-borgnine-reveals-his-secret-for-everlasting-youth/#onepage

by DJCahill on Aug 21, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I'm ceretainly not arguing against it

Although I do think they will have to change the article next year. The emergence of Kinsler and Hamilton should change things. Not as much of an ‘anonymous’ team as far as the rest of the country is concerned.

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Aug 21, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

definitaly

need to add Board Game to that duo. he brings the stats AND the highlight reel broken bat, thrown-out-of-the-game tantrums that gain media attention, whether good or bad. Mike Young’s an All Star every year with 200 hits (haven’t checked whether or not that streak will remain intact this year but without looking at the numbers, I’m highly pessimistic) so he gets a lot of face time.

but I am certainly looking forward to the day that we develop our own Johan Santana.

"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 21, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has

34 games to get 56 hits. So, over a hit and a half a game.

What's the secret to a long life? "I masturbate a lot"-Ernest Borgnine. http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/08/14/icymi-ernest-borgnine-reveals-his-secret-for-everlasting-youth/#onepage

by DJCahill on Aug 21, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hardline yesterday

Was talking about sports franchises that are traditionally snakebit at one position. The two worst franchises in all of sports at one single position that they could come up with were the Chicago Bears at QB, and the Rangers at SP. Thinking about it some, I can’t come up with anything better.

So, not only is our pitching typically the worst in the league, it’s also among the most historically incompetent single positions in all of sports.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the sad thing is

it’s been a decade since we’ve had anything in our pitching staff that resembles a Rex Grossman-Kyle Orton quarterbacking selection. absolutely disgusting.

"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 21, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally...

…I thought the pitching would be better than it has been, and the offense would be worse than it has been.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 21, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was in the same boat...

I was thinking the same thing. Especially since our bullpen had shown some promise last year. However, I think every year we are thinking that our pitching can’t get any worse. And yet somehow it always does. Our hitting this year has been 10 times better than any of us could have predicted going in.

by 1man5stools on Aug 21, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the offense would be improved since last year

which was a minority position, but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is.

Our pitching is definitely worse. Although, I wasn’t expecting a ton from it, and I was expecting about a dozen starters through the year, because thats Ranger Baseball. They are up to 14 right now, and I’m sure we will still see some more come September.

What's the secret to a long life? "I masturbate a lot"-Ernest Borgnine. http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/08/14/icymi-ernest-borgnine-reveals-his-secret-for-everlasting-youth/#onepage

by DJCahill on Aug 21, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think many here did

and I think that, if the team were to keep exactly the same personnel next season, the pitching would regress to be less terrible and the offense would not be quite as good. Something for folks to keep in mind as they look to next year. It is not a slam dunk that the offense will be this good again, far from it.

Kinsler has been a tad lucky according to THT’s PrOPS and may regress a bit. If Bradley is not around the DH position might sag. If they move Young to 3B, his numbers there are not likely to be as good as Vazquez’s freak season plus a little Blalock and Davis. And his replacement at SS is not likely to have Young’s numbers there.

The offense will be good, but maybe not the best in the league again.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

you couldn’t help but be optimistic about Millwood, thinking he’d rebound after the dismal 2007 and spent so much time on refining his physical fitness. I personally thought Padilla would rebound, and he has, but even he’s had some struggles with health and horrible starts, and the real knocker was the 1-2 punch of Jennings and McCarthy being completely absent and in the brief moment that Jennings did pitch, we all rather that he didn’t. we couldn’t have seen that coming, but we should have expected it.

"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 21, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

he would have his every third year good year.

I didn’t see much hope out of Jennings or McCarthy though.

What's the secret to a long life? "I masturbate a lot"-Ernest Borgnine. http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/08/14/icymi-ernest-borgnine-reveals-his-secret-for-everlasting-youth/#onepage

by DJCahill on Aug 21, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

millwood

Since I have been accused of being in the league with Steal Home, I would like to say that I was wrong about Millwood last night. I am a homer and I want these guys to win. As I said in rebuttal to my detractors in these last game thread, pretty much nothing Millwood has done this year would lead anyone to believe he could actually pitch a complete game. It has been nearly 2 years since Millwood has done that. His ERA is way over 5 and is closer to 6 than 5. That said, I hope he can finish out this year on an up note.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Aug 21, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Millwoods complete game

I could be mistaken but he did have another one this year. I think it was 8 innings against the angels but a complete game nonetheless. I too hope he finishes on a strong note. but honestly I don’t think anyone here would wish otherwise.

by 1man5stools on Aug 21, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ummmm.

“It has been nearly 2 years since Millwood has done that.”

Wasn’t that his third complete game this year?

Just a note of correction not arguing that Milly has met expectations this year.

by Bigfan16 on Aug 21, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

complete game

I was quoting Anthony Adro from the link that Adam provided today. In that article Adros stated that,

“But against the Tigers he notched his first nine-inning complete game since Aug. 29, 2006, giving up six hits in throwing 113 pitches.”

If Andro is wrong then I apologize but that was the source of my comment. Of course, Andros does work for the Star Telegram and so anything is possible.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Aug 21, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the other 2 complete games were away from home

so I am assuming they were 8 inning complete games and a loss for the Rangers.
Peace.

by Bigfan16 on Aug 21, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

8 inning complete games

Can I ask a dumbshit question? How does one go about throwing an 8 inning complete game?

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Aug 21, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Road team lost game home team does not bat in the 9th

by Bigfan16 on Aug 21, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks very much

that never occurred to me.

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Aug 21, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Complete game

these days that’s about the last thing I expect from anyone in the rotation.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the last thing I expect

is no walks allowed. Which Matt Harrison was kind enough to provide us a few days ago

by JBImaknee on Aug 21, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Metcalf

It’ll be his last game until Blalock goes back on the DL in a week and a half.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Aug 21, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

A week and a half

That’s pretty optimistic.

"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 Aug 21, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nadel on C.J.

This mornings Newberg report linked the Blog the Ranger announcers are doing here http://rangersannouncers.mlblogs.com/

In reading the past two entries I came upon a Q&A with Eric Nadel. One question was about CJ and his unprofessionalism in the infamous Ball Flip. Nadel went on to say that CJ opting for surgery rather than getting medication and pitching through it was a further indictment on CJ and his professionalism and his team-mates wouldn’t appreciate that choice he made.

My question is this…Wouldn’t your team-mates want you to get better rather than pitch at 60% and possibly compound the problem? These are bone spurs and chips not muscle soreness and tightness. Plus I’m pretty sure the players were as tense as us fans or moreso whenever he came into a ball-game with a lead less than 5 runs. Would a cortisone shot and pitching through it really have made that potential to blow up go away?

I don’t know but I thought that was an odd assessment of CJ’s decision to get surgery. Anyone else see this?

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sorta related

I thought it was telling that the Rangers chose to publically announce that the surgery was optional and that CJ could have pitched through this if he so chose. Isn’t this unneccessarily throwing a player under the bus? I’m not a huge fan of CJ, but I thought it was odd that the team would seem to make an effort to make him look bad.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wouldnt be the first timeq

that this team has thrown a pitcher under the bus in the media. though i thought that regime was gone.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Aug 21, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hes the player rep

thats what the rangers do to player reps

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although he kind of lied

to the Rangers when he said on his blog this started last year and he didn’t tell anyone about it. He could have had this surgery last offseason and been ready to go at the start of the year.

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

by boomer1 on Aug 21, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it seems the media takes any change they can to criticize cj now. i’m not sure how opting for surgery rather than pitch ineffectively through pain is a bad choice. however the bad choice he made was allegedly not telling the team before he posted about it on myspace.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Aug 21, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the other 24 contract laborers in the Ranger clubhouse...

…see his choice as a smart business decision intended to protect his long-term prospects of making millions of dollars in a career at the cost of finishing out a terrible 2008 season with a team that is headed to a location well south of the postseason.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Aug 21, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're underestimating

the amount of emotion with which most people view things, as opposed to logic. I think at least some of his teammeats see Wilson as bailing out on them.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bailing out?

Or getting better? It was obvious to all who were watching CJ that he was a wild card coming out of the pen. Comparing 2007 and 2008 everyone could see something wasn’t right.

Nadel contends the players think he’s bailing out on them, however, the fact that he pitched all season WITH the issue would show either A) He was a grinder and didn’t want to let his team down or B) Not truthful enough about his own condition which was to the detriment of the team. Whichever spin you put on it, getting surgery now was probably a better option than going out and struggling three out of four times he took the ball the rest of the way.

CJ’s situation sucks, but can you really chalk it up to bailing out?

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say

I felt that way, just that I’ll bet a few of his teammates do. I don’t understand why, but Wilson has a big hill to climb right now with both his teammates and the local media to regain a good reputation. I think it’s kind of ridiculous, but that seems to be the way it is.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I typically like Eric Nadel

but that is an incredibly chickenshit thing to say about a pitcher on your own team.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Aug 21, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we've seen the rangers FO turn on pitchers repeatedly

kenny rogers treatment 2.0

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would bet

on CJ being traded this off-season.

Typical dumb ass move by these Mensas.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Aug 21, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doubtful

and if he is, it will be for someone who is worth it, ie. Volstad, Greinke, Cain, etc. And since I am not confident that JD will go for one of these guys, I doubt CJ is going anywhere.

Plus, we’ve seen that JD is loathe to trade guys at their lowest value, and right now CJ is at his lowest value.

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

when was JD loathe to trade guys ath their lowest value?

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Laird

is a prime example. This past winter as well as during the trade deadline frenzy he wasn’t giving Laird away for peanuts since I’m sure that was what he was being offered (especially this past winter).

The one exception I can think of is the Cordero deal, but there more more issues going on than his performance (option year coming up) so I don’t think his example applies. Now maybe “loathe to” is a bit strong, but I haven’t seen JD trade away anyone of lower than usual value and getting jack in return. He’s released guys who deserve it, he’s traded away guys who’s potential hadn’t been realized, but not to my recollection has he cut bait with someone in a trade. Now maybe if he would’ve dealt Byrd for Murton back in May he would’ve been selling low, but he didn’t.

Just my observation

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agone, danks, cordero, tejeda,

i can think of more given time.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK

At the time what had AGone shown the organization? He was unrealized potential at the time. He hadn’t had high value which fell due to bad performances, thus prompting his trade for peanuts. Same goes for Danks.

Tejeda was cut loose..he didn’t sell low on him…like Broussard…

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was a #1 overall pick

he wasnt doing poorly he just wasnt getting his shot at 1b and we needed a DH b/t tex and agone. his potential wasnt unrealized, it was realized by a ton of people. remember the comparisons to Raffy? i sure as hell do. when a guy is compared to raffy, he isnt a throw i, and IIRC SD wanted Laird anyway.

danks: 1st overall lefty picked in his draft class. power lefty, just about to make the majors. thats definately selling low no matter who you get.

tejeda being cut loose is the epitome of selling low. thats selling so low its giving it away b/c you missed your chance to sell low.

i know its living in the past, but to say “JD is loathe to trade guys at their lowest value” is a straight up falsehood and if JD doesnt have a job in the next season or so, its strictly b/c of his selling low on guys who he didnt accurately judge the long term value of.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danks

He’s not a power lefty. I don’t understand why people keep saying this. Holland would be a power lefty. Erik Bedard is a power lefty. John Danks is not.

And saying that Daniels sold low on Danks because he traded him after a half-season in AAA is dumb.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 21, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

power lefties

Bedard’s avg FB velocity is 91.7 for his career, 90.9 this season.

Danks avg FB velocity this season is 91.0.

I don’t understand how one is a power lefty and the other isn’t.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 21, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

that we have different views of what selling low is and we’re now stuck arguing semantics. but I’ll give it one more shot…

AGone was a great prospect, thus not a guy who’s value had fallen.

Danks was a great prospect, thus not a guy who’s value had fallen

Tejeda was released because he got every chance here to prove his worth and when he didn’t produce consistently JD was pretty much forced to release him.

You are arguing about JD’s under-valuation of talent. I am arguing that he doesn’t trade guys when their value has fallen to their lowest. Nothing more, nothing less…

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Aug 21, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danks was at his lowest level?

Gonzalez was at his lowest level?

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 21, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agone was definately not at anything close to a high level

if you believe he was please explain.

as for danks, trading power lefty’s who were thought of high enough to be the top lefty overall in his draft before he has proven himself on the major league level is selling at a low point.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't selling low

be like if he came up and sucked a la Salty?

Because he hadn’t reached the majors yet is not selling low.

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Aug 21, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

quick question

what’s the situation with Hurley? is he coming back anytime soon? do we have a rotation of Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Hurley and Harrison to close out the year in the next week or so?

"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 21, 2008 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering about Hurley this morning too...

…seems like a long time since I read any kind of update on him.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Aug 21, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not his last action

Cant imagine that Hank will stay on the field for longer than a week. I hope he does but my doubts are pretty high!!

by thad728 on Aug 21, 2008 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

similarity b/t rangers games and

ouch

all offense and then the bottom falls out.

ouch

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 21, 2008 2:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Millwood's performance last night...

just frustrates me even more. He’s capable of pitching like he did last night every time out. Instead he pitches like shit half the time, is hurt 25% of the time and pitches well 25% of the time. He drives me nuts.

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

by slc ranger on Aug 21, 2008 9:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe Wieland

I feel like this guy is under the radar a little bit right now. He’s obviously got some polish that allows him to succeed quickly in rookie ball, but I really liked the sound of this guy when they picked him, and his performance is just lights out. Through tonight:

38.2 IP, 30 H, 2 HR, 7 BB, 33 K, with a 1.63 ERA and 0.96 WHIP

Combine that with the theme of projectability in his draft profile:

Wieland has impressed scouts with his combination of now stuff, clean arm and projectable frame. He was outstanding in all, sitting at 88-91 mph with his fastball and reminding scouts of Mark Prior with his command and has more deception in his delivery. He’s maintained that velocity this spring and reportedly has flashed better velocity, with most reports having him bumping 92 regularly. He’s shown the ability to spin a breaking ball despite Reno’s thin air and flashed a changeup.

and I like it.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by Brett Perryman on Aug 21, 2008 10:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Weiland

Do you think theres a chance he sees Spokane for a cup of coffee? Sorta like Main did last year

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 Aug 21, 2008 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No idea

It’s getting late, and I suspect that the difference is how crowded the Spokane rotation still is. But he’s doing very well, about as well as some of those first rounders who did get looks in the college league.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by Brett Perryman on Aug 21, 2008 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

under the radar

I still don’t have it straight in my head who is a high school draftee and who is college. I forget how young he is. I literally can’t keep up with all the guys worth following in this system. It seems like there are at least 50 who are at least interesting.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 21, 2008 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just think you have to like a HS pitcher who

knows how to pitch, has present stuff, and is considered projectable all at the same time.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by Brett Perryman on Aug 21, 2008 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The rangers

stated that it was just a coincidence that they drafted so many lefties and projectability guys so early but I don’t know that I believe them; seems their board was rated a bit differently this year than the last 2 years. We won’t have to wait as long for these guys to move through the system since no one has to teach them how to throw their second pitch better, how to locate their fastball, tweek their mechanics and learn their third pitch. I like how that sounds, not having to wonder if the guy I really like, who just gets promoted to AA, actually has a third pitch or not.

by Goyogringo on Aug 22, 2008 1:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

Daniels said recently that if they had two guys on the board who were otherwise a coin flip they went with the lefty.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 22, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They still made a mistake

not taking Hunter, 5-7…

by Goyogringo on Aug 22, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So did a lot of teams though

Not that that softens the blow of a good prospect landing in Oakland, but I think it says something about how much of a risk Hunter is and/or what his price tag was thought to be at the time.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Aug 22, 2008 3:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frisco in the tools survey

Eight team league, but Frisco did quite well:

BEST BATTING PROSPECT Max Ramirez Frisco
BEST POWER Chris Davis Frisco
BEST CHANGEUP Michael Ballard Frisco
BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER Taylor Teagarden Frisco
BEST DEFENSIVE SHORTSTOP Elvis Andrus Frisco
BEST MANAGER PROSPECT Scott Little Frisco

Teagarden gets that despite playing like two innings in the league.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by Brett Perryman on Aug 21, 2008 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs