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Minors 08/27

Tiny by LiamP on

Clinton - Main (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - 6:30pm

Main's done.  5.2ip/5h/1r/1er/0bb/6k.  Another good performance.  He got tired in the 6th and gave up a couple of hits before getting pulled.

Frisco - Hyatt - 7pm

OKC - Ballard - 7pm

It looks like they're DH'ing Max while TT catches.  I can already hear the plaintive cries of Nate Gold fans across the planet.  Ideally, IMO at least, that's the setup we'd use in the majors next year (TT catching, Max DH'ing).  Hopefully we can find teams willing to give us a decent return on Salty and/or Laird. 

I apologize for that uninteresting piece of commentary, but I was 30 words short and I'm betting I'm not now.

Bakersfield - Kiker (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - 9:30pm

Spokane - Pimentel (!!!!) - 8:30pm

AZRL - O'Campo (!!) - Afternoon o'clock.

 

 

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"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

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by hinduplaya on Aug 27, 2008 7:29 PM CDT   0 recs

Damn

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 7:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what do the numbers mean

When listed that way?

by mc80aea on Aug 28, 2008 9:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IP H ER R BB K HR

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

by zywica on Aug 28, 2008 11:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He could go the douchy route that I see an Yankees boards

and list the pitching line as a zip code, IP H ER BB K, or in this case 42004

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

by zywica on Aug 28, 2008 11:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your commentary...

about the catching situation is correct. I also would like to see TT starting and MaxRam as his backup/DH next year. Not sure if the Rangers would want to carry a 3rd catcher on the team in that situation though. Probably depends on if Board Game and/or Blalock come back and get the majority of the DH AB’s.

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 7:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Blalock

If he comes back I don’t see why they wouldn’t keep him at first. The concern with Max at DH is MB. I doubt he’ll ever be healthy enough to play the OF on a regular basis (definitely not next year at least).

The commentary may or may not be correct, but it’s a scenario many have brought up before. I was just trying to fill space to be honest.

by LiamP on Aug 27, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Max

The OKC page lists Max and TT as the active catchers. Richardson and Trezniak are the two on the DL. Is that not correct?

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 27, 2008 7:51 PM CDT   0 recs

Mayberry

Hit his 15th jack for OKC. Making a push for the Rangers to find a place for him in September. I don’t see it with Cruz up here though.

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 27, 2008 7:56 PM CDT   0 recs

May as well give him a cup of that damn fine major league coffee though

Since he has to go on the 40 this winter anyhow may as well bring him up and let him get a couple of weeks under his belt even if it’s only as an occasional DH or a spot start in the OF when Hambone needs a break or at 1b when Blalock gets injured and/or we face a tough lefty.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Aug 27, 2008 8:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Is OKC in the playoffs? I can’t remember. If so he would probably only come up after those are done so it would only be for a week or so. Plus you gotta remember he starts accumulating service time. Id say its about 60/40 that we see him next month.

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 27, 2008 8:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes

4 teams have clinched or about to clinch playoff ticket.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 8:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ditto

He is not a guy that is going to stick in Arlington. Either trade piece or moves over for Beltre, or another prospect that might move off the infield.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 8:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mayberry

crushes lefties. He’s a part of a very good platoon in the future.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

There are a number of ways

the Rangers could have a pretty strong outfield in the next few years without adding or signing anyone.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 27, 2008 9:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Moreland

2-2 so far. I bet he only gets a cup of coffee next year in Bakersfield before going to Frisco where he’ll probably join Smoak.

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 27, 2008 8:04 PM CDT   0 recs

who is this guy jospeh ortiz?

18 year old in Clinton with 30 innings, 23 Ks, 2.12 ERA, and .202 opponents batting average

I give up

by Steal Home on Aug 27, 2008 8:16 PM CDT   0 recs

I'd tell you, but then you'd know

And that would suck.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Aug 27, 2008 8:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I doubt he'd know...

even if you told him.

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 8:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see...

why everyone is so down on Salty and so high on TT right now. Bear in mind TT is a couple years older than Salty and the fact that with the limited playing time he’s gotten of late, he has played very well. I don’t see why we would not deal Laird if we had the choice, start Salty at catcher, have TT season and prove healthy in AAA, and have Max at DH assuming Bradley is gone. I think people are underrating Salty this year by a large margin.

by erikj07 on Aug 27, 2008 8:21 PM CDT   0 recs

2 reasons...

Why I’d rather have TT over Salty.

1) Defense
2) Salty would be a more valuable trade chip (at least I think he still would be).

I’m not down on Salty at all. I think he will be a above average offensive catcher and a average defensive catcher. This team has plenty of offense though, and at the CA position I’ll take a very good defensive catcher with average offense over what Salty brings to the table. Just my .02

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 8:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with you...

that I would value defense over offense any day at the catching position. The only problem I have with dealing Salty this summer is that I feel dealing Salty would be selling low whereas dealing Laird now would be selling high. Id much rather deal Laird so that we can see if Salty can improve the glove with more experience and then we could make sure that TT can handle catching full time in AAA. I just think it makes more sense to deal Laird over Salty this offseason where it seems like most people want to see Salty dealt over Laird.

by erikj07 on Aug 27, 2008 8:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Salty...

still has a month left in the season and has been doing very well lately. He still has some time to get that value back if he starts playing 2 or 3 times a week which I think he will in the final month.

I could see the Rangers dealing both Laird and Salty in seperate deals for pitching and obviously depending on the return I would be all for it. Trading Laird now is selling high and I agree he has to be moved this winter.

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 10:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's not the point

the point is whether or not Teagarden’s defense makes up for his deficiency in hitting and how important C defense is. If Saltalamacchia is the more valuable player, you should let him start.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 10:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I stated my point above...

I think TT’s defense is enough to make up for average offense(?) if that is what he provides at the ML level. Given TT’s defense I don’t think you can say Salty is the more valuable player. In fact, I would argue the opposite.

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

by slc ranger on Aug 27, 2008 11:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The fact

that he can’t handle a mediocre fastball makes me question TT’s ultimate offensive value. The trick is not to trade away your player with the highest value, but to trade away the player with the highest difference between percieved and real value.

Look, what does defense at catcher actually do? What’s the difference between a 30% CS guy and a 43% CS guy? 10-15 extra bases a year? What’s the difference between a .275/.375/.475 hitter and a .240/.340/.440 hitter? A lot more than a CS%. TT is a good guy in terms of all the other stuff. He blocks pretty well and is quick behind the plate. Salty is getting a lot better in those terms. I would be more willing to bet that the younger player solves his defensive deficiencies than on the older player to fix obvious offensive troubles.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 28, 2008 12:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

caught stealing

is, to me, one of the least important catching skills. Be a good target, call a good game, study hitters, know your pitchers, block the plate. Throwing out runners comes after all of these. Get the batter out, the runner already on is secondary.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 28, 2008 10:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

and even the worst catchers gets ran on about 60-80 times a season. It’s not a significant amount.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 28, 2008 12:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think the key thing is that a catcher

is able to frame pitches well. When you think about every ball that is within a couple inches of the black, and how much difference it makes to have the majority of those pitches called in your favor, it really seems huge. Count leverage is very meaningful, and I think that a catcher’s recieving skills could easily turn a several counts in the pitchers favor through a game.

The difference between a 1-1 pitch on the black being turned into a 1-2 count, rather than a 2-1 count is pretty big, especially when that advantage is multiplied dozens of times throughout a game.

My casual observations are that Salty is pretty skilled at recieving the ball, and Laird is not.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Aug 28, 2008 3:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

Well said.

Asking your catcher to frame borderline pitches is like telling someone to sprint when running out a pop-up.

Laird’s inconsistency is troubling because it really does make a difference — yesterday, Salty framing that 3-2 pitch on the black, which ends up an inning-ending K.

"I’ll say something that doesn’t need context: anyone who is a Mariner’s fan is a douchebag." - FuturePants

by Chase Irwin on Aug 28, 2008 8:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have been a big fan

of TT, but at this point, I am really questioning his ability to hit ML pitching. He’s swinging through 88 mph fastballs regularly, and seems to be very susceptible to fastballs on either side of the plate. If you can’t hit a mediocre fastball, I’m not sure if you can project him to be a ML starter.

Salty has a chance to be an excellent offensive catcher, and honestly, I would rate catcher as 5 or 6 on the list of important defensive positions for us, behind SS, CF, 2B, LF, 3B and probably RF as well. As long as Salty gets better in blocking balls (which he seems to be), he can be a very valuable player for us.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You see....

thats the thing. People act like its a lock that TT is going to hit .260 in the big leagues. I would much rather have him tear it up in AAA catching regularly and get him to force his way on the club. I think it is unwise for him to be given the starting job going into next year or soon thereafter. If a deal comes around that involves Salty that you simply can’t say no to, then you deal him. But to look to deal Salty this off season because you are convinced TT is the future makes no since given his offensive limitations coupled with his health problems.

by erikj07 on Aug 27, 2008 8:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Amazing

Salty might be playing his best game as a Ranger. 2 doubles and steals home on droped infield out. But also, gave up a run on misplayed ball too. Yet, he is only 22 and guys like Tea, Ram, were in Single A at that age too.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 8:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is far

from Salty’s best game as a Ranger.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you watch him play after laird went down?

Very disappointing- played the position very poorly and didnt hit at all. I’m not sure how to project him over his next 5-7 years- bad catcher, good hitter, neither, both, 1b…?

by Goyogringo on Aug 27, 2008 9:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He was a worse 1b

Doesnt hit for power or avg for 1b. Defense was severely lacking too.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 9:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Because as we all know

one month of inconsistent ABs is the best way to determine teh future of a young hitter.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True

But thats what our great manager sees is best for this playoff bound team.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 9:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think

if JD wants Salty to start next year, he will start. If Salty keeps hitting well, he’d give them no choice.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually

suddenly loosing your catching chops (did he have the chops to lose?)_is_ something to be worried about no?

by Goyogringo on Aug 27, 2008 10:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Losing his catching chops"

what exactly does that even mean? He was decent throwing our runners when he played that month and he did a decent job of blocking pitches. Losing your catching chops is failing to block balls because of effort like OMFT frequently does. Salty, for all his faults, works hard at it, and there’s visible progress in both him throwing and his plate blocking. If he holds onto more throws, I’m not sure if he’s not a better defender than laird circa 2008.

Losing his catching chops is the last freakin thing I’d worry about, especially since, you know, it’s untrue. As long as he hits, he should play.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 10:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Count FM3

among those who thinks Salty has had a fine all around season …

by Goyogringo on Aug 27, 2008 11:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Rangers to stick with Bakersfield next season
The 2009 campaign will mark the fifth consecutive season of the Blaze partnership with the Texas Rangers, and the third season of a four-year player development contract signed before the 2007 season.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Aug 27, 2008 8:30 PM CDT   0 recs

Why

This is bad news for Beavan, Main, and the rest of the rotation in clinton.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 8:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would not be surprised

if both those guys gets Hollanded

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No way

Double A is already loaded with Feliz and Holland then Kiker, Poveda, and a few others that are in conversation.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 8:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It all depends on how long you think Feliz and Holland will stay in AA

I personally don’t think Holland will be long for AA next year

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Por Que?

There’s nothing wrong with throwing your young pitchers into a hitters league. It hurts their raw numbers, but I don’t know that it hurts their development which is all I care about. In fact it might even help them a little. If all you have is affiliates in pitcher’s leagues all the way up the ladder you never get the chance to see how your young studs handle getting their asses handed to them. There’s some value in that I think. The ability to handle adversity is a valuable skill.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Aug 27, 2008 8:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Baks is not just a hitters park

It breeds misery. The field is miserable. The maintence is miserable. This is why Rangers have been balking at keeping a long term agreement with them. Frisco and OKL are hitters parks, Baks was rated by a stadium evaluator a few months ago as the worst park in our minor leagues.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 9:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The hittter's backdrop

in Bakersfield is apparently awful. The setting sun is smack dab in the middle of it.

It’s the rest of the parks in the Cal-League that are miserable for hitters.

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 9:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

All the more motivation

to pitch great and get out of there.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 27, 2008 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But young guys havent been fast tracked there

Look at Danks, Hurley, Kiker, Poveda, all have stayed there extended times and struggled. When getting out of there they do have better quality, ie Kiker being forced to use changeup more. I’d rather keep a kids confidence high compared to low and then back up slowly. The college pitchers have either skipped Baks or only a few starts there.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 9:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so how is it that guys

have made it out of A+ with shitty breaking stuff ? Hopefully, that was the difference between the old organizational phil and the new…

by Goyogringo on Aug 27, 2008 10:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chad Tracy

what does everybody think about Jim’s boy? Is this 3 month long hotstreak for real?

by FirebatM3 on Aug 27, 2008 8:59 PM CDT   0 recs

Yes

it really is a 3 month hot streak. :)

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 27, 2008 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I like him

very much. Yes, he’s going to Oklahoma next year along with Johnny Whittleman :)

Hey Miles... Our HP Boy had dinner with Troy Aikman and Tony Romo

by hurlerhurley on Aug 27, 2008 11:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Blaze broadcast workin’ ok for me

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Aug 27, 2008 9:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks

stupid browser screwed me out of listening to Main’s gem.

by gamerabcd on Aug 27, 2008 9:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm tuned into the B;aze game

it’s working for me. However we’re losing :(

Hey Miles... Our HP Boy had dinner with Troy Aikman and Tony Romo

by hurlerhurley on Aug 27, 2008 11:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

missed Kiker's start

I didn’t start listening till about 20 min. ago. I was hoping he would have done better. But, no big deal. I’m not worried about Kasey Kiker one bit.

Hey Miles... Our HP Boy had dinner with Troy Aikman and Tony Romo

by hurlerhurley on Aug 27, 2008 11:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OKC shutout

Ballard, Loe & Diaz combine for a line of 9.0ip / 4h / 0r / 0er / 1bb / 2k

by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 27, 2008 11:09 PM CDT   0 recs

Font Me!
2.0 0 0 0 0 3 0

"...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

by Rodney on Aug 27, 2008 11:19 PM CDT   0 recs

Font

That’s 4 perfect innings and 5 Ks since his wild debut.

by naropean on Aug 28, 2008 12:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in 2 days.

back to back days pitching. nice.

"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 28, 2008 12:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And should settle down the wild worries

that he suddenly can’t throw or something. I couldn’t believe when some were suggesting that after his first appearance returning after a long layoff.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 28, 2008 10:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's because they were no good bastards

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Aug 28, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

were?

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Aug 28, 2008 11:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

O' Campo the mornin' to 'ya!

 

4.0 4 1 0 3 3 0

"...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

by Rodney on Aug 27, 2008 11:21 PM CDT   0 recs

no Kiker line...

…is a sign of suckage.

by oc on Aug 28, 2008 12:35 AM CDT   0 recs