The 5-17 Minors Thread
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 1:56 PM CDT
69 comments
Thanks to Shroomer for his site!
Early starts for all of the Rangers minor league affiliates today, and a day off for Frisco after being rained out last night.
For the Crawfish, Cliff Springston still finds himself in the rotation as the Crawdad face Lake County.
Bakersfield sends Michael Main to the mound @ 3 against the league leading Visalia Rawhide. More on Michael Main later.
Finally, OKC starts Tommy Hunter against the Tacoma Rainiers. The Rainiers (Mariners) are almost the complete opposite of their parent team - they have a lot of left handed hitters with a lot of power (Saunders, Clement, Carp, LaHair are all good power hitters), but a generally awful defense highlighted by the fact that Chris Shelton is the current starting 3B for him. This will be a good test for Tommy.
Random discussion:
Is Blake Beavan the best pitching prospect on the Bakersfield Blaze?
Forget the high as pie ERA, currently Blake Beavan is getting more groundballs than he was last year while striking out more hitters (he's up to 17% vs about 15% last year) and still not walking anyone (4.7%). His HR% is the same as it was last year, so it is at least somewhat reasonable that he maintains his current pace. So essentially, Blake has maintained all of his good qualities while improving his weaknesses.
Contrast this with Michael Main. Never mind the struggles he's had this year, MM has never been a great GB pitcher. Even last year his GB% was 31%. This year it's 35%. If anything, it's a wonder that he doesn't have a even worse ERA given that his HR/F is at 4%. At this point, I'm wondering why we accepted Main as a top 5 prospect given his obvious warts. The other peripherals are even uglier, so we'll just brush over it.
As far as the other pitchers go - there's a lot to like and a lot of red flags. Kennil Gomez has an unreal GB% (59%) and a very promising K% (24%), but his BB% is becoming a problem (13%). I still expect his ERA to drop given his uncommonly high HR% for a guy who gets so many ground balls. Michael Kirkman is certainly playing well, but I'm wondering how sustainable his performance is given his low GB% (43%) and his relatively low HR% (2%). He's still a very good pitcher, but just not as good as his surface stats show.
So, what are your thoughts, who is the best pitching prospect for the Blaze right now?
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Beavan
I guess Main has more upside, but I like BB’s control. Seems he’s been a tad overlooked for a more chic choice in Main. Definitely not giving up on MM because of a slow start, but BB is a low risk fund, while MM might be better classified high risk.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
by scoop16 on May 17, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BB is a low risk fund, while MM might be better classified high risk.
good comparison
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 17, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little harsh on Main, aren't we?
I’m wondering why we accepted Main as a top 5 prospect given his obvious warts.
Coming into the season, his K/9 was more than 9, and his BB/9 was about 2.5. That’s good. He’s always been rated as one of the top prospects relative to the league he was in.
Give him some time to work on things.
Best prospect has to be between Beavan or Kirkman at this point. Kirkman has picked up his game, and it sounds like part of that is from an improvement in his fastball velocity.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 17, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i believe his first year
BA said that had he had enough innings he would have been #1 in both leagues he was in
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 17, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it's Beavan
then they don’t have anyone very exciting. Not to bag on Beavan because he’s a solid pitching prospect, but I think that he’s going to pitch in the back of a rotation or in the middle of a bullpen unless something changes.
by Brett Perryman on May 17, 2009 2:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's depressing as hell.
I think that he’s going to pitch in the back of a rotation or in the middle of a bullpen unless something changes.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He still needs to improve his slider.
by NoNameOnCard on May 17, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear it's actually pretty wonderful.
I keed, I keed…
But, still, with his control, I really love this kid going forward. 29 k’s and 8 bb’s in 40 innings? That’s pretty good.
He might not have the pure ace potential that makes Main so drool-worthy when you squint really hard, but I see Beavan becoming a mid-rotation horse for many years.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The BAK pitching coach
sez Beavan is sitting 90-93 these days. FWIW.
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
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by shroomer on May 17, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is why I'm higher on Beavan
Velocity can return (Kirkman, for one).
Control, especially Blake’s consistent control over a couple hundred innings, is more rare.
Are people really betting on him never getting around his old velo? All we hear is they cleaned up his mechanics. No arm amputations or anything.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 17, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come to think of it
He’s probably less than two hundred professional innings, but I digress.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 17, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
glad to see it jump
what was he throwing in HS?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 17, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Scott Baker Beavan's best case scenario?
by tyd3311 on May 17, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scott Baker
is an extreme flyball pitcher.
Beavan’s BCS is probably something like Jake Westbrook
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would be VERY happy with westbrook
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
Scout to KG: On Sandoval: "Man, that fat [expletive]-er can hit."
by knockoutking on May 17, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or maybe
Nick Blackburn, Baker’s teammate
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that one.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
by scoop16 on May 17, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No.
Blake could K more dudes at the ML level right now than BBurn does.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably
if he gets the 14% Nick Blackburn had in 2007, that’s pretty much where I see his current ceiling being at.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was in 11 innings.
In the 240+ that’ve followed he’s k’d right around 4.2 per 9 innings.
That’s not real good.
I think Beavan’s got more bat missing in him than that.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blackburn's a Denton resident.
I’m compelled to praise.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
by scoop16 on May 17, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
It says he was born in OK, why would he move to Denton?
I mean I love my hometown and all… but, yah. Why would a successful ML’er want to move to Denton?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His dad's the golf coach at Denton Guyer
http://www.startribune.com/sports/17250829.html?location_refer=Twins
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
by scoop16 on May 17, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guyer sucks.
Go DHS, or go home.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 18, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll third it for the hell of it.
Only did college there, but all my Denton pals are Broncos.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
by scoop16 on May 18, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Beavan's best case scenario
would be something like Jered Weaver. His slider would need to come around and the changeup would need to be developed, but that’s why you call it a best case scenario.
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
by tricer on May 17, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Derek Lowe
"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16
by tricer on May 17, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jered Weaver
also an extreme flyball pitcher.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And on Main
If we’re setting aside his awful early season, the reason we accepted him as a top five prospect is that he missed bats and showed good stuff. There is more to being a pitching prospect than avoiding fly balls, the same conversely being true of hitting prospects.
by Brett Perryman on May 17, 2009 2:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At some point
we have to do a better job of evaluating performance relative to league. Does MM’s K% really standout last year? He certainly was worse than both Holland and Feliz. Given that he had similar K% to Gomez, with a much lower GB%, could you not argue that someone like Kennil was as good as MM?
I just think the 1st person instructional stuff really overhyped him.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Does MM’s K% really standout last year?"
Yes. His K rate of 27.1% was one-third above the park-adjusted league rate of 20.1%. As a 19-year-old.
"I will hit you, emo boy." -- my wife to a pedestrian, 8 May 2009
by Lucas on May 17, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How does he fare vs. the prospects
in the league?
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's always been rated highly in the end of season prospect lists and discussions about them.
I don’t know anyone who has an online database that breaks statistics up into “prospect” v. “non-prospect”. So, it isn’t easy to answer you’re question (or, really, if it’s a useful measure of performance, since the number of “prospects” might be small…. SSS), except to say he has been regarded among the best of that league’s prospects.
I believe in his fastball. Everytime I listen to a game he pitches, he gets plenty of swings and misses with it. Seems to be that he needs to refine his control of it, but at least he misses in relatively good spots, like low or away.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 17, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's your take on his numbers this year?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 17, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice first inning for Main. Something like 6 pitches. GB, GB, short fly to RF
Not much information on pitch type or speed. One of the ground outs came on a curveball.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 17, 2009 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Niether Main nor the hitters like the ump's strike zone.
Main walked a guy just after a curveball on a 2-2 count was called an inside ball rather than strike. Main stepped off the pitching rubber and “glared” at the ump, according to the Rawhide announcers. The next batter, Cowgill, K’d looking on a curveball on the outside corner that he “emphatically” told the ump was outside.
K-swinging on Easley with the fastball on the outer half of the plate.
The run scored on a change-up hit to left.
Only a couple of pitches have missed high. Most have missed low, when Main has missed.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 17, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lots of swinging and misses on Main's fastball in the 3rd.
But, also, not able to command it in the bottom of the strike zone and edge of the plate. Walks the first guy after having two strikes on him.
K-swinging on a low-in-the-strikezone fastball. Runner goes to third on overthrow to second on attempted still.
Flyball out on an offspeed pitch.
Final out was a long AB with a lot of fastballs, the final fastball was lined back to Main.
If this game is at all indicative of Main’s problems, I would have to say it’s gotta primarily stem from inconsistency with hitting the corners with his fastball and leaving some offspeed pitches up. His fastball in general still sounds like a plus pitch. Many swing and misses on his fastball. Many fastballs thrown low in the strike zone.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 17, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for doing these, btw.
Very interesting to prospect geeks like me.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NNoC mentioned in his Main eval the problems Main's delivery
presents going forward with consistancy, control and command. From the two recent Main-centric articles on lonestardugout.com, this is exactly what they are working on in his delivery. They seem to feel he’s making strides on building a delivery that is more conducive to a major league career.
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 17, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It also appears
that TMurph is not hurt but actually working on some mechanical changes while he is on the “DL” in that same article. One has to wonder why these things weren’t addressed in the offseason however.
by Goyogringo on May 17, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beavan.
Beavan is better. Beavan has finally hit his stride and is on his way to a winning record. In his second to last start he went the whole game not to mention he got the win. Has Main or any other current Blaze pitcher done that this year?
On a side note…..does Bakersfield have a radar gun? Never heard them say how fast he is pitching or any other pitcher for that matter……just wondering.
by rAnGeRgIrL08 on May 17, 2009 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Says the girl who literally runs the official C-Wun fan site.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I probably like Blake Beavan a little better than Main right now.
But I’ve always been a big C-Wun fan.
I just love his control and his attitude.
I think he has the chance to be a Sonnanstine, Nolasco, Slowey type of guy… not a dominator, but a durable guy who eats innings and succeeds by limiting walks and homers.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Nolasco is offended that you listed him with Andy Sonnanstine and Kevin Slowey. He’s been poor this season but if Beavan can be anything like Nolasco circa 2008, I’d be ecstatic.
by LiamP on May 17, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slowey
might be the best of the three. He’s really good.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bah, beat me to it.
I love Slowey.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm... the money'd be nice, but he'd prolly expect me to get all gay with him on the honeymoon and at least once a week following that. .
So, no thanks.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I used to go out with you.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly, yes.
But I’m talking about characterizing Slowey, Sonnanstine and Nolasco as the same type of pitchers.
I mean, I would be pretty happy if Beavan ended up like Slowey too.
by LiamP on May 17, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They were more to provide a general range than to say they were all the same type of dude.
Though I’m not with you on the Nolasco is so much than Slowey trolley.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Slowey is really good.
Sonnanstine is more of a LAIE, but Slowey is really good. 123-24 k/bb last year… that’s nucking futs.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on May 17, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree
But while Sonnanstine and Slowey don’t have dominating stuff, Nolasco has flashed dominance whenever I’ve watched him (I haven’t watched him at all this year). He avgs ~91 on the FB, which is fairly good, and his FB/CB combo can be ridiculous if he has good command that day.
by LiamP on May 17, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tommy Hunter
struggling with command. 3 Walks against a very patient Tacoma lineup
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We heard about the Hollander to Catcher from extended right?
Is that officially over? He’s playing 2B for Hickory now.
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More struggles for main
4IP, 3 H, 2ER, 4BB, 3K
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Borbon walk!
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 6:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Steve Shell pitched vs the Redhawks today.
The CJ hate is getting old.
"We love Wash.....As a team, we want Wash as the head of that team." Hamilton
"The NFL made me undergo a psychiatric evaluation......Please. It was an accident. If I wanted to post a picture of my penis I wouldn't have been all hunched over."- Chris Cooley.
by sprite on May 17, 2009 6:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He got shelled
/tball
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Main
decent recovery.
6IP, 6H, 2ER, 4BB, 4K
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 17, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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