Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Rangers (AFL: Surprise)
Yesterday's stats: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
In his first three outings, Scheppers has faced 16 batters and retired 14 of them, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out six. As good of reviews as his 95-98 mph fastball obviously generate, his breaking ball is earning nearly equal raves. It's a true power curveball with heavy top-to-bottom action that he delivers at 80-84 mph, the kind of velocity some pitchers have on their slider. Few pitchers in the game need the ol' 'if he can stay healthy' mantra in front of any projection, but if he can stay healthy, he could be elite.
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Brett Perryman
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Also from Goldstein today
Mitch Moreland, OF/1B, Rangers (AFL), 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, RBI: A big time sleeper in the Rangers system, Moreland just keeps on hitting. He gradually reduced his numbers of doubters throughout the season, and he continues to do so in Arizona.
by Brett Perryman on Oct 23, 2009 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I love his bat control - i think he's about to stop flying under the radar.
he doesn’t strike out. 68 in 471 ABs between A+ and AA this season. Of course he only walked 44 Xs though his OBP was 400 in 08 and 391 this year. He doesn’t get the hype of a Smoak, but all he does is hit. What does he project to be at the Major League level? COF and 1B/DH?
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He projects as just the type of guy we are looking for this winter
Except he bats left handed. Hes been pretty good in the minors against LHP but I don’t know how that will translate to the majors. If it does translate then he’s exactly what we need. A guy who can play 1B/COF when the matchups dictate someone else needing a day off and is good enough to be DH on the other days.
His progression may make Smoak or Davis expendable in trade.
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 Oct 23, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
If David bounces back next year and Moreland keeps progressing I would have no problem dealing Smoak. Smoak can bring back more than any of the three could. Moreland and Davis are nice pieces to a package deal but neither would be headliners I don’t believe. Smoak is a headliner.
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 Oct 23, 2009 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoak is the keeper.
I have no real reason to believe Davis will ever bounce back to Smoak’s potential.
by tyd3311 on Oct 23, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He doesn't have to
If he bounces back to slightly above average offensively along with above average defense then you deal Smoak who can bring back a much much better player than Davis could. That player could be a TORP or a stud offensive player at a position we are below average at.
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 Oct 23, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could get on board and agree with this
Smoak has the name cachet…he would bring back much more in a trade.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 23, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have never understood this logic
When it comes to Smoak and Davis. Smoak is the one, single player we have in-house who could make a difference in this team’s approach in the middle of the lineup for years to come. Even if Davis bounces back to his 2008 form, he’s still a free swinger who helps perpetuate a problem that killed our offense in 2009, and is going to need other, better hitters around him who can get on base to make up for his offensive deficiency and maximize his offensive value. And we just don’t have players like that, neither now nor in our system (again, save for Smoak).
I don’t know why people would want to trade Smoak and roll with Davis or Moreland any more than you would want to trade Feliz and roll with Tommy Hunter as your #1 starter.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is dumb
Feliz and Hunter have both played in the majors; Smoak has not. If Davis bounces back then Smoak becomes a luxury for the Rangers but a very sought after chip by other teams. One guy with a decent OBP isn’t going to turn shit around. If Davis proves he can hit MLB pitching and Smoak hasn’t but other teams want Smoak fuck yeah you deal him.
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.
by WyoRanger on Oct 23, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It what makes your overall team better
If Davis, Moreland, plus either the TORP or the stud COF (purely for example purposes) makes your teams better than Smoak, either Davis or Moreland, plus whoever you get from the trade of the other then you do it. Keep in mind that if you trade Davis or Moreland you are going to have to include someone else to get back a quality player and more than likely you will have to add someone of high quality to get anywhere close to the kind of return Smoak can almost bring by himself.
Our offenses have been pretty damn good in the past before 2008 it was always the pitching that brought us down so to say we must have a Bradley-esque player to be successful is wrong. This season didn’t need Bradley or Abreau. They wouldn’t have prevented Hamilton from being injured as much as he was. They wouldn’t have kept Davis from being as bad as he was. They wouldn’t have kept Kinsler from dropping after April the way he dropped.
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 Oct 23, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then what kind of a player are we going to be dealing for that requires dealing Smoak?
Another young pitcher? First of all, we’ve got young pitchers coming out our ass and second, nobody in baseball is in much of a hurry to trade young pitchers who are under any kind of team control right now. And I don’t buy that 2 years of Matt Cain or Roy Hallady would > 6 years of Smoak.
If you’re going to make a deal for someone like Grienke or Josh Johnson or something, then yeah, you’re probably going to have to include Smoak, but this idea that Davis and Moreland make him a trade chip that you just dangle is stupid, IMO. Smoak is the type of offensive player we need to be trading FOR not trading away.
And as far as this team not needing somebody like Bradley around? The two lowest run totals this team has scored since 1997 came in 2007 and 2009. Bradley made a massive difference when he was here, just like Bobby Abreu has made a massive difference with the Angels this year. Even if they’re fully healthy again, this offense is still comprised of streaky and inconsistent hitters who either don’t make very good contact, simply aren’t patient, or both. Ignoring that fact is just going to put you back to square one next year, with an offense that can’t fully take advantage of the advances the defense and pitching staff are making.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear you...
but if I can get Cain or Halladay for Smoak +….I do it all day.
Smoak has yet to do anything over AA and man, I’m real worried about his splits.
Cain and Halladay (mostly Halladay obviously) are proven whereas Smoak is not.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cain is so meh
I don’t trade Smoak for him.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last year he had a
3.89 FIP 4.38 tRA with a .269 BABIP in the NL and that huge ass ballpark.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I know.....those aren't encouraging.
Are you not concerned with Smoak’s RvL splits?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's likely always going to be a weaker hitter from the right side
But if he can kill RHP’s, batting left-handed I’ll happily deal with him not being a solution against LHP’s.
His advanced patience and strike zone recognition are what make him a unique piece in our system right now, and seeing as how that’s what this team is lacking most right now, that’s why I’m so adamant about dealing him.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even if you're going "all in" for 2010/2011?
At some point we’re going to have to cash in on this ridonkulous surplus…
Maybe not Cain per say…but someone….
Who, outside of Cain and Halladay, would you cash Smoak in for?
To me, team control is not really an issue the next couple years, we’ve been “built to win” for 2010-2013 so at some point “team control” is going to have to go out the window….I think at least.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and I'm not saying you're cashing in on all sorts of prospects, just one or two....
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Nolasco
What if next winter Davis has bounced back and put up a 275/330/530 line in 2009 while playing above average defense at 1B, and Moreland kept progressing and got a September callup and produced there and looked ready to claim a permanent roster spot going into 2011. Would you consider Smoak for Nolasco?
Nolasco isn’t a FA until after 2012, had a tra under 4 last year, struck out over a guy per inning, and will probably pitch around 200 innings per year.
I for one would be all over that kind of deal. Plug Nolasco into a 2011 rotation with Feldman, Holland, Hunter, and Feliz. Thats a playoff rotation right there.
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 Oct 23, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't even blink.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We scored 816 runs in 2007
32 more than this year. Oh and we gave up 844 runs in 2007 I think that had alot more to do with our record than the 816 runs we scored. In comparison we gave up 740 runs this year.
And how exactly did Bradley help Chicago this past year? Oh wait a second they only scored 707 runs, their lowest since 2005. How on earth could a team with Milton Bradley score so few runs?
As for Smoak, he could bring back a Halladay or some other TORP. They don’t have to be a young guy necessarily. You develop prospects for one of two things. To either use on your team or trade away to fill other holes on your team. If we have an above average Davis at 1B and Moreland at DH who is a .300/.375/.500 type hitter then Smoak can be used to fill a hole we have. That most likely would be a true legit #1 veteran starter.
The theory that one guy would change the entire lineup is stupid. They may have a little effect but to act like losing Milton Bradley cost us 117 runs from last year is retarded
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 Oct 23, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying losing Bradley was what cost us 117 runs
But our overall approach did. And Bradley was a huge reason why our approach as a team was so successful in 2008. Again, look at what Abreu has done for the Angels this year. They’ve got no less than 5 hitters who are mysteriously posting career-high OBP’s and walk rates this year. I don’t think that’s just one massive coincidence.
I think you’re massively underestimating the difference a patient hitter in the middle of the order makes, and I really don’t get this hurry to deal Smoak over Davis and Moreland (who has a career .359 BABIP in the minors – kinda doubt that holds up in the major leagues).
Again, I’d deal him in the right deal for a true impact piece who can help this club over a number of years but dangling Smoak just for a Roy Halladay type doesn’t make it for me.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you explain the Cubs drop in runs then?
If ONE patient hitter changes things so much why did the Cubs drop from 855 runs to 707 AFTER signing Bradley?
Did you notice that 9 of the 10 Angels who got at least 400 PAs also had batting averages over .287. You think that didn’t have something to do with them being so damn good while our guys were stuck in the .270s and below. Most of the Angels OBP was BA driven with only a 40-50 point gap. Sure they had a couple guys with 90 and 100 point gaps and sure Abreu may have helped those but for the most part their OBP was more a result of them getting more base hits. They only drew 67 more walks than the year before with Figgans seeing a jump from 62 to 101. So the rest of the team (including Abreu) only drew 28 more walks than last year.
Laying the blame for our anemic offense at the loss of Bradley is tiresome. Sure he was a nice player but the loss of him was not the sole reason we regressed so much and to overlook how many other problem areas we had and focus solely on the loss of one player is moronic IMO.
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 Oct 23, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know a whole lot about the Cubs season
As I don’t follow the NL, but I do know they had quite a few key guys get hurt. DLee, and most notably Armis Ramierez missed time and Soriano and Soto where also hurt and generally sucked. And of course Bradley had a down (and dramatic) year himself.
I’m not blaming our offensive deficiency solely on losing Bradley. There was no way to bring him back, for 2009 and I didn’t expect them to. Where they failed was finding someone to replace his production and allowing this team to degenerate into a bunch of impatient hacking machines.
I do however, believe that the first step toward getting this offense back on it’s feet is acquiring someone like Bradley or Nick Johnson to provide some on-base stability and hopefully influence the rest of the teams approach while Smoak prepares to break in.
I’m not saying doing that will magically cure all our ills, but it’s going to be a major help.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So hold up the Cubs regressed due to alot of injuries to key guys
And guys generally sucking even with Bradley in the lineup but the Rangers regressed because we didn’t have someone like Bradley in the lineup? Just overlook numerous injuries to our most lethal offensive player Hamilton and general sucking from guys like Davis, Blalock, and Kinsler. Its all because we lost Bradley right?
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 Oct 24, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think people equate last year's
approach to Bradley which also coincides with the best offense in baseball. This year we were terrible. Our approach was awful, and we had injuries to Hamilton, Kinsler, and Young.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 24, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you not read past my first paragraph?
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 24, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats my point
We were very similar to the Cubs in the fact we had injuries to key guys and guys who generally sucked otherwise. The Cubs had Milton Bradley and he didn’t fix them. We didn’t so to expect Bradley, or someone like him, to fix this entire offense is crazy
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 Oct 25, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slow as a crippled turtle
But blessed with a great arm. There’s an outside chance he could make it work as a right fielder, but he’s most likely a first baseman.
I like steak.
by Conjunction on Oct 23, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moreland
Seems like someone who, if he keeps developing, could be a role player…
But I have a hard time seeing him as a 1B or DH of the future. Maybe a Lee Stevens-type platoon guy.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 23, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems pretty realistic
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Oct 23, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
Because he wasn’t a heralded draft pick? Before this season Max Ramirez was thought to be by some as a DH of the future. Moreland comes along and puts up similar slash lines and hes just a role player?
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 Oct 23, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moreland in AA
.326/.373/.488
Max at AA (at the same age as Moreland):
.354/.450/.646
Pretty huge difference in their slash lines.
Moreland doesn’t have Ramirez’s patience or power. He’s a guy who looks like he tops out at 20 homers in the majors, and if he isn’t going to walk a ton or hit .320, that makes him a role player, given his lack of defensive value.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 23, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's funny
but Moreland has already seemingly gone from underappreciated to overrated as a prospect. I think he could be John Jaha like with the bat for a few years, Lee Stevens is a good comp, too I guess as the kind of role he could play. But with all the positive comments about him lately folks here are getting a bit too excited.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Oct 24, 2009 2:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good trade bait.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Oct 24, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I completely agree with this.
Not once have I got my hopes up on Moreland.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Magnum; Neutral Milk Hotel
by jdh90 on Oct 23, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have higher hopes for him than Davis at this point myself
But I’d tend to agree, he’s not going to be any great offensive force. Probably a .350ish wOBA guy who’ll be particularly useful vs. lefties.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 24, 2009 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Why? He’s the same age as Davis, and in his half-season in AA, didn’t hit as well as Davis has in AAA.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 24, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm speaking in terms of usefulness to this organization
From what we’ve heard and from what his strikeouts totals indicate, he has much better strike zone recognition and control that Davis ever did. He also hits lefties, something neither Davis nor Smoak does well.
I just think Davis is a guy we’re probably going to be constantly trying to make up for in the on-base department if he’s a starter on this team, and I don’t think we have the capacity to that right now, not when said on-base problem is gonna be your first baseman or DH. We’ve already got an offensive black hole at the catching position, and our best hitters are a wildy streaky popup machine, a fragile outfielder who likes to run into walls, a middling OBP/high power guy the org apparently has no confidence in, and an aging star who’s probably not going to duplicate his 2009 offensive season ever again. 1B and DH is where we need to be making up for the weaknesses of our other guys, not dealing with another.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 24, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...
…you think Moreland is going to be a better hitter than Davis?
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 24, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much
I think they’ll be different types of hitters – Davis is a raw-power/low obp guy and Moreland looks like he’ll be less spectacular power-wise but more balanced. I think they’ll probably both be .350-.360 wOBA guys, only Moreland will fill our needs better.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 24, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see that...
…it makes much difference. And I don’t use wOBA so I don’t know where .350-.360 falls in the scale.
But Moreland seems someone who is probably a .340 or so OBP guy, so you’re either figuring he’s going to develop a lot more power than he’s shown to date, or you seem to be projecting Davis to either have around a .300 OBP or show a lot less power than he has throughout his career.
But either way, given that Moreland appears to be someone who’ll have a marginal bat to be a regular 1B or DH, you seem to be projecting Davis to be a AAAA player.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 24, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spread between average and OBP
In their minor league careers, Moreland has a spread of 66 points between his average and his OBP.
Davis has a spread of 60 points.
Moreland is 6 months older than Davis, but has consistently been 2-3 levels behind Davis every season.
Unless you are of the belief that the first half of 2009 exposed Davis as someone who is inherently incapable of hitting at the major league level, I don’t see how you can reasonably believe that Moreland is likely to be the better hitter of the two.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 24, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I'm just overestimating Moreland
Based on what I’ve heard about his strike zone command then.
Right now, I’m just not a fan of Davis’s approach, and I don’t really think he’s going to be more than a .320’s OBP guy for his career (provided he hits around .260, which is about what I think he’ll do over a full season.) Even if he slugs .500, that only puts him in the 820 OPS range.
I’ve come to think Moreland on the other hand could be a .290-.300 hitter in the majors though, and OBP .350-.360. If he does that, all he has to do is slug at least .460 (Around what David Murphy is career-wise) and he’s in the same neighborhood as Davis OPS-wise. Perhaps that’s vastly overestimating Moreland’s skills, but that’s kind of the way I’ve been figuring it.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 24, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is front page worthy
Thanks for the update!
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Oct 23, 2009 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I can read this all day, great to hear!
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
by lost in space on Oct 23, 2009 5:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The pitching prospects just keep getting deeper
Not all will pan out. Some will make it to the MLs but not hit their (our) projections. An interesting poll would be who everyone thinks will be the true #1 SP the Rangers desparately need. With this many true prospects someone will break through and claim the title. Who will it be? Feliz? Perez? Scheppers? Holland? Someone else?
|Space for Rent|
by RangerMad on Oct 23, 2009 5:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just had a Scheppasm.
Good help doesn't come cheap.
- Gil LeBreton
by BigGuns on Oct 23, 2009 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I could see him
Beginning next year in AA, getting a promotion around June, then finishing the year with the MLB bullpen supersub role Neftali starred in this past year.
I like steak.
by Conjunction on Oct 23, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, me too
But I’d hate to see him overworked with all of those injury issues.
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Oct 23, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
kinda what I was thinking
Feliz could start the season as a fireballing bullpen ace to limit his innings, and by the time Neftali is ready to move into the rotation, Scheppers could be ready to inherit that fireman role. Seems like it could work out really well timing wise.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
by tricer on Oct 23, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is ideal right there....
Man I’m freaking fired up on the potential arms in our pen next year, Schepp and Strop in the 6th / 7th? Fugitaboutit. I know Strop has some question marks…but still, fugitaboutit.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
I see them moving Kiker to the pen like Feliz around July and with a move to the pen he could return to a power lefty.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
power lefties in the pen
I’m hopeful that Harrison morphs into one of those as well.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
by tricer on Oct 23, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you think Harrison will be able to pitch on b2b days?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably not
But I’m skeptical about his chances to make it as a starter and I do think his stuff would play up some out of the bullpen. Guardado didn’t pitch much (if at all) on b2b days, so I think Harrison could fill his role and hopefully provide a nice upgrade at that spot.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
by tricer on Oct 23, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harrison teased the shit out of me (and others) during that scoreless inning streak...
I don’t have faith in him in the roto…..I can live with him replacing Eddie who was basically a ghost eating up a 40 spot.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could see Harrison being a Darren Oliver type guy with a bit more velocity
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 Oct 23, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll take that all day.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harrison doesn't strike me as a guy who can be a true power arm
Although his fastball might sit higher out of the ‘pen, he still sucks horribly at missing bats (which, in my mind is also part of a "power arm’s" game).
Doesn’t mean he can’t be useful outta the ’pen though, obviously.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where do you find how many bats a pitcher misses?
let me guess…br.com?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 23, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can find K/9 on both BR and Fangraphs
And statcorner has swinging strike percentages under “pitch results”. Harrison got batters to swing and miss just 6% of the time in the majors this year, and just 7.1% of the time last year – had he thrown enough innings to qualify, that 6% would’ve tied for 15 lowest in the major leagues this season.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 23, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Felizian™.
Enough said.
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
by coolaid on Oct 23, 2009 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I knew that the Scheppers pick would make our draft
even before the Purke debacle. Scheppers is very special
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Oct 23, 2009 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
That’s what I thought on draft day. I was even for the Rangers picking Scheppers at #14 and going with a high-upside arm or bat in the #44 spot. Instead, we just got one of those guys plus a comp pick next year, but Scheppers makes this draft what it is.
by Andy Seiler on Oct 24, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The idea of a Rangers rotation...
in a coupe years of Feliz, Holland, Perez, Scheppers, and Hunter is orgasmic.
Of course that is assuming they all hit their ceilings, which isn’t likely. However if even 2 or 3 of those guys hit their ceiling the Rangers starting pitching should be good. Throw in a guy like Feldman and if one of the McCarthy/Harrison/Hurley trio could come through that would be all the better.
Then you have the second tier of guys like Moscoso, Poveda, Beavan, Kiker, Gutierrez, and maybe even Kirkman. Again, if one of those guys can hit their ceiling that would be huge. Although this group does worry me a little.
And finally you have the last tier (at least for now) of guys that could help in the next 2-3 years in Main, Font, Boscan, Ross, and Wieland. Again, if just one hits their potential the Rangers will be sitting pretty.
And really, that’s not all. There are other names out there that could come through as well.
So say by 2012 he Rangers have 2 of those first 5 in the rotation. 1 of that second tier and 1 of the last tier. Mix in Feldman and hopefully one of the other ML ready guys right now and you have a great pipeline of Rangers starting pitching for the next 6 or 7 years without even worrying about free agency. Damn do I love the Rangers farm system right now.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 23, 2009 8:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
4 years ago we would be really excited
if we had Poveda and Weiland in our system. Now those guys get lost in the shuffle.
Especially when you think of all the names that we can’t even list because the list gets so long, that exemplifies our tremendous depth. Some pitchers are expendable because we just don’t need them all or have room for them down the road. Like you said, if 2 or 3 hits, then we’ve gotten what we need. Saying that, we can trade some of this talent to pick up some really good type A major league talent. Then those guys can either be traded by us later or we take the 1 or 2 draft picks, which gives us the player now, then helps us to continue to stock our system with talent later. Trading a couple of our minor league arms would be a good option, perhaps we go after Halladay in the offseason. His price should have come down and they have a new GM that knows he has to trade Halladay because the last GM got fired because he couldn’t. Greinke’s price would probably be too high, but I would be VERY interested in Nolasco. He has a big power arm. If MaxRam can get going in the AFL and winter leagues perhaps that will peak Florida’s interest in him again and we can package him with a couple of pitchers. That would be a fair deal.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone want to try and start a list of tier II, III and IV guys?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Oct 23, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll try
will take some time
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was just going through the rosters
where do you put the guy with these numbers in our overall rankings. I’m think he has to be near the top ten. I know you know who he is.
Dominican Summer League -
32 IP — 22 BBs (not good) — 8 hits (amazing) — 5 runs — 70 Ks (really amazing)
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i haven't been on the affiliate page in awhile
the redesign is much nicer and more intuitive.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miggy De Los Santos?
Forget about him. He still can’t get his visa back.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
really
he’s still having those issues. will that not be resolved?
what’s the difficulty with the visa. cubans defect and this guy can’t get over here. damn that’s a downer.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Starters.
II Guys:
Kiker, Gutierrez, Beavan, Poveda, Wieland, Gomez, Ross, Kirkman
III Guys: Boscan, Font, Brigham, Pimentel, Chad Bell, Tullis, Matt Thompson
IV Guys: NeRa, Melo, Escobar, Doyle, Bleier, Erlin, McBride, Blackwell, P Strong, David Perez, Juan Grullon, Ezequiel Rijo, Tim Murphy, Tanner Roark, Ryan Tatusko,
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's in no real order
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Main?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Oct 23, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's still on tier 1 for me
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I, personally, would have Bleier higher
he walked 20 guys in 140+ innings.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And his fastball tops 87
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
really
I thought he threw a little harder. where does he sit at then — 84 – 85
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've heard mostly 85-87
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 23, 2009 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i guess numbers can be interesting and overrated sometimes
but when I compare him to Beavan, Bleier looks as good if not better with his FIP, BB ( about the same) Ks, Bleier has an edge there.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bleier may also have an edge as a lefty
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, its really getting awesome to the point were
even if we have poor luck with all these guys we are gonna end up with some good pitchers. We’ve gotten to the point were its gonna be hard not to produce a solid 4 or 5 SP in that bunch with at least one or two truely top notch pitchers.
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
by blalock84 on Oct 23, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
11 a.m.... 14 hr difference... so 9pm Sat?
Yusei Kikuchi has scheduled a press conference for October 25th at 11:00 am JST, just four days prior to the NPB draft.
The most recent reports out of Japan suggest that Kikuchi is going to start his professional career in Japan, but we’ve seen a pattern of Japanese media outlets hearing what they want to hear with regards to the highly-regarded lefty. But Nikkan Sports is usually pretty reliable, and they too have just published a report saying that Kikuchi is staying in Japan. So we’ll see what happens.
I don’t think we get him, but… Damn it would be nice
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Oct 23, 2009 9:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah
even if he was solely choosing to come to MLB, we would be unlikely to get him. Since Japan is, also,and option, it’s almost no chance, but there is hope and we’ve been scouting this kid for a long time. Hopefully we’ve built up a relationship with him and he’s comfortable with our scouts and a possible offer. We can only hope at this point, and see what he chooses in 24 hrs
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 23, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Late comment about Smoak/Davis/Moreland
I don’t see the Rangers dealing Smoak and keep two lefty 1st basemen like they did this year with Blalock and Davis. Especially, when the highest rated 3rd basemen in the Ranger’s farm system is also a lefty. The probability of Smoak being traded increases if Max Ramirez breaks out on the MLB scene and is dominating at a right handed primary DH/backup catcher and 1st basemen. As of right now, Smoak’s approach is to important for the Rangers to give up on and give away to another team.
by casew on Oct 23, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't think of the name Tanner
without seeing that kid in The Bad News Bears.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Oct 24, 2009 2:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes MY pouts like Timmy Lupus.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Oct 24, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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