6-6 Minors "after the fact" thread

by lonestarJon on Jun 7, 2009 12:25 AM CDT Comment 22 comments

Didn't see a minors thread today, and since it was mentioned in one of the GDT's that there should be more minor league coverage on LSB, I thought I'd fill the void (since it appears Kinslerhomer and Firebat took the day off). Shroom's calendar has all the box scores and stuff, as usual.

- The Redhawks are heading to the top of the 9th in Albuquerque, enduring a 13-3 pounding at the hands of the Isotopes (Hollywood's favorite Minor League Baseball team). Most of the damage has come against Nolan Ryan favorite Brian Gordon (who surrendered 7 runs in 1.2 IP) and 40-man residee John Bannister (5 runs, 4 earned in 2 IP).

Tommy Hunter gave up 5 hits and struck out just 1 in 2.1 IP, but allowed just one run, so the good news is he was pulled before the carnage began. The highlights would probably be Julio Borbon, who has enjoyed a 3-hit night, and Steve Murphy, who literally just picked up his third hit as I write.

Kevin Richardson, however, just grounded into a double play, so now the game's over.

- Frisco lost 4-3 to NW Arkansas, with Beau Jones giving up 2 runs in the 9th inning to take the loss after the game had been tied 2-2 through 8.

The notable highlights: Matt Harrison went 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 BB and 5 K's in his first rehab start, Mitch Moreland went 2-4 with a homer, and Tim Smith went 2-3 with a double in his second game in the Texas League.

- Bakersfield also lost 5-2 in San Jose, with Richard Bleier giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk in 6 innings, despite posting a season-high 7 strikeouts. Literally the only Bakersfield offense to speak of came from Ian Gac's 2-run homer (he had 2 of the 4 BAK hits).

- And finally, in the days real attraction, Hickory beat Greensboro 5-2 behind the always exciting Jake Brigham/Martin Perez tandem. Brigam went 4 innings, gave up both runs (only 1 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks, K'ing 4, but it was Perez who shined, as usual: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.

On the offensive side, Mike Bianucci and Macumba De Los Santos both registered 2 hit games, and Christian Santana hit just his first HR of the season, one of a pair in the game by Hickory.

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Thanks for the update Jon

Good to see Nooch and Moreland keep doing what they do.

"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."

by scoop16 on Jun 7, 2009 12:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we open up a discussion on some position prospects?

I know all about the pitchers, but beyond say Ramirez, Smoak, Beltre, and Borbon they’re all just names or not even that.

Just who the heck is Tim Smith and should I be excited by him? Will Bianucci be freed from Hickory so we can really see if he’s someone to watch?

Pina, De Los Santos? Who’s the next catcher after the troika that I should keep an eye on?

Can Mitch Moreland handle the outfield? Because despite the small sample size it sure looks like he can swing the bat. Is he that guy who jumps up on everyone’s prospect ranking list?

What kind of value does Vallejo have? To a team like the Giants that need help everywhere what is a realistic trade offer and is that something on the horizon in the next year or so?

Have Duran and Arias both fallen by the wayside? Is Golston more than the triple AAA fodder we traded him for?

Is there anyone in this entire organization that projects as a major league starting third baseman? Despite Michael Young, isn’t that something that needs to be addressed?

by Hull Fan on Jun 7, 2009 12:55 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I don't really know much about Tim Smith myself

Aside from the fact that he’s 23, was a 7th round pick in ‘07 who had a solid 2008 season in Clinton before moving up to this year Bakersfield and ripping up the CAL league to a .333/.413/.475 tune. He got promoted to Frisco just a couple days ago. Don’t really know what the book is on his standing as a prospect though.

If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on Jun 7, 2009 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of us don't.

Which is why I asked the question. I figure shroomer, noname, goyo, or someone will be along and update us.

I just figured we all talk about the pitchers, and for good reason, but there has not be much discussion beyond say those four names as far as position players. A primer on a few of these guys would be really appreciated. Especially if it generates some debate and half way decent discussion.

Someone whose opinion I can trust needs to tell me if I’m getting way ahead of myself by getting excited about Moreland.

by Hull Fan on Jun 7, 2009 1:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's okay to be warming to Moreland, from what I've been hearing

How he does in AA will be the distinguishing factor in whether he’s worth getting excited over or not. His first 33 PA’s there aren’t particularly impressive, but maybe today was the start of something, we’ll see.

If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on Jun 7, 2009 1:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope this thread turns into that discussion.

I’m curious also to hear from some of the guys more in the know. I keep seeing Moreland’s numbers, and think after a while doesn’t he have to be considered a legit prospect.

As far as the question regarding 3B prospects in the system, I believe the answer is there are none.

"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."

by scoop16 on Jun 7, 2009 2:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I think It’s pretty safe to declare Whittleman a bust.With the current leaguewide budgetary problems, I could see a lot of the Rangers’ projected selections (Leake and Miller, mostly) being taken before they pick. In that case, I wouldn’t have a problem with taking Bobby Borchering, who may be the best HS hitter in this class.

Kanye, you want to be the voice of this generation? Get in line! It goes me, Obamagirl, the Freecreditreport.com guys, then It's a tie between you-and Crocs.
-Stephen Colbert

by Conjunction on Jun 7, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whittleman a bust

It’s a shame…his walk tendencies are just what the ML lineup isn’t getting.

"[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 Jun 7, 2009 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A .610 OPS and questionable defense... yah, I'd say it's safe to call the dude a bust at this point, no matter how good his eye is at the plate.

There’s still the slightest glimmer of hope with him, but he’s basically just dead weight at this point.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not throwing in the towel on Whittles quite yet.

by tyd3311 on Jun 7, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's fine, but you should at least have the towel in hand and your arm cocked (with proper scap load) at this point.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch out, HurlerHurley will make you eat those words

That is if he can walk a straight line in your general direction.

If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on Jun 7, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Have Duran and Arias both fallen by the wayside?"

I’d say so.

"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 Jun 7, 2009 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What little I know

Moreland’s draft age doesn’t leave him much time or margin for error. That’s not to suggest that he’s nothing more than an organizational soldier, just a general comment that college bats either come quickly or they don’t come at all. So far, it’s hard to argue with Moreland’s results, but Double-A will be critical. He’s been playing the outfield every day since getting the call to Frisco, but in his DMN chat Jim Callis wasn’t optimistic about Moreland’s long-term potential out there, suggesting he’s probably an emergency outfielder at best.

I’m interested to see Bianucci get a promotion too, he seems to get at least two hits a day. Then again, he is 23, so if he’s a legit bat this is what he ought to be doing in the Sally.

Third base is definitely the biggest organizational weakness. Whittleman is on about a three-year power/fielding slump and there seems to be little indication that he’s going to get better any time soon. I wonder about Matt West. He hasn’t hit particularly well, but he’s still only 20. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s a stud 3B prospect by any stretch, but he’s probably the best one we’ve got at this point. Of course, there’s always the possibility that a stud prospect from another position gets moved to 3B. Offhand, though, I can’t think of a potential candidate.

"wORLD sEIRES HERE WE COMER!!!!!!!!!"by bigsteve on May 29, 2009 10:21 PM PDT
"Elvis Andrus has just performed a miracle." -Eric Nadel

by WestTxAg06 on Jun 7, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except in rare circumstances I don't start getting excited about advanced college bats until they start putting up numbers in AA.

Polished college bats like Nooch and Tim Smith and Moreland are supposed to dominate low-A, and are very likely to do well in A+ as well.

So far so good for Moreland.

AA is where you typically start to see some seperation.

Moreland has always put up good numbers but he’s strictly a “Bat will have to carry him” guy, and all along scouts have said he had a long swing that might be exposed by more experienced pitchers with better breaking balls at the higher levels.

If he hits in AA this year then I’ll get excited.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs