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Wednesday, May 17, 2006 |
Minor League Scorebook
News
First off, my apologies for getting this out so late; I came back from the game last night and was so tired I couldn't finish.- It's inevitable; I'm going to miss something good if I'm not
paying attention. Today's top news item comes from Monday's
edition of the ever-readable Baseball Prospectus (for which,
subscription required, and why haven't you?), an article by Kevin Goldstein
on the state of some randomly-culled prospects throughout the
minors. Here's his comments germane to this blog:
Howie Kendrick's first taste of the big leagues turned out to be one to forget, as arguably the best hitter in the minor leagues went just 3-for-26 before being sent back to Triple-A Salt Lake to make way for shortstop Erick Aybar. The Angels already have three players who can play second base, and just one who can play shortstop, and they couldn't find a way to get Kendrick consistent at-bats. Kendrick's struggles at the plate may have been related to his play in the field, as the Angels put Kendrick at third base and first base, positions he previously had a grand total of zero innings of experience at as a pro. Meanwhile, Aybar won't get a ton of playing time either, but he'll at least give the Angels a second option at shortstop until Maicer Izturis returns.
...
OF Matt Kemp, Double-A Jacksonville (Dodgers)
Kemp was awful in spring training this year, which made the warts on his otherwise impressive resume (bad approach, lopsided home/road splits) all the more visible. But Kemp is proving that he's for real this year in the big Double-A test, batting .357/.434/.594, including a .398 mark in his last 26 games. In addition, with 16 walks, he's already just nine free passes away from his season total from all of last year. Just what the rest of the National League West needs--another bigtime prospect in the Dodgers system.
- Here's a piece by Joe
Sheehan on the 51's/Sounds
contest he saw recently. Excerpt:
The matchup of D.J. Houlton and Dennis Sarfate didn't look sexy--I missed Chad Billingsley by a day--but I was pretty happy with it. Houlton is a guy I've liked for a couple of years, ever since the Dodgers took him in the 2004 Rule 5 draft out of the Astros' system. He wasn't very effective for the team last year, although he did last the season on the roster while spending four months in the rotation. His home-run rate is his biggest problem, but he also needs to walk fewer hitters if he's going to be a Jon Lieber-type pitcher.
...
Houlton is probably an organization away from his next MLB job. I remain convinced he can be an innings guy.
...
Quite simply, we don't talk enough about Logan White, the Dodgers' head of player development. He's put together a terrific system that I think is going to yield a number of division champions in the second half of this decade.
- Kevin Goldstein's NL West edition of Future Shock is also up.
This pretty much duplicates the stuff you could glean from the
weekly MILB.com notebooks, with this exception about the goings-on at
Vero:
Last year, the stat-minded folks fell in love with Travis Denker for hitting .310/.417/.556, while scouts favored the picture-perfect hitting mechanics of Blake DeWitt, who hit a more pedestrian .283/.333/.428. They've flip-flopped defensive positions this year, with Denker moving to third base and DeWitt moving to second, where he won't be blocked. So far, DeWitt has been the one to take a step forward (.314/.378/.436), while Denker has fallen off the map (.214/.254/.282). Both sides could agree that lefty Scott Elbert was outstanding last year, and he continues to be so in the Florida State League, with a 2.21 ERA in seven starts.
- Here's an MILB.com story on Suns prospect Justin Ruggiano. He's getting antsy about his almost-a-prospect status:
"It's by no means a good thing if I'm flying under the radar," Ruggiano said. "I've been noticed by some guys in our front office, and they've taken a liking to how I'm playing. I want to get noticed, and I want to get to the top. If I keep flying under the radar, it's not good for my career.
I've considered putting Ruggiano on my watchlist; we'll see how he does at the end of the month, but he's having a tough stretch right now."I feel like I can play at any level they put me at. It may take some adjustments and some getting used to, but I always feel like I can adjust to my surroundings. When you move to the big leagues or Triple-A, if you're thrown a curve ball or a breaking ball, it's still a curve ball and you have to adjust to it."
- Update: Greg Miller will be promoted to AAA this week. Hat tip: Jon.
Scores
2006-05-16: Salt Lake 1, Iowa 4 #
Willits, R: 0-4, 1 BB, 2 K
Kendrick, H: 1-4, 1 K
Gorneault: 0-3, 1 BB
Morales: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Mathis, J: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K
Eylward: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K
Weaver, Jer: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 8 K, 2 BB, 2.44 ERA
Rouwenhorst: (BS, 2)(L, 1-3) (in relief), 0.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 K, 1 BB, 5.40 ERA
Johnathan Rouwenhorst blew the save on a terrific Jered Weaver outing; Kendry Morales' solo homer was the only offense. A bunt single that popped over the head of Rouwenhorst actually worked because the pitcher had charged the ball. That sparked a four-run, game-winning I-Cubs rally that included a bases-loaded walk and a run-scoring balk.
Kendrick, H: 1-4, 1 K
Gorneault: 0-3, 1 BB
Morales: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Mathis, J: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K
Eylward: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K
Weaver, Jer: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 8 K, 2 BB, 2.44 ERA
Rouwenhorst: (BS, 2)(L, 1-3) (in relief), 0.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 K, 1 BB, 5.40 ERA
Johnathan Rouwenhorst blew the save on a terrific Jered Weaver outing; Kendry Morales' solo homer was the only offense. A bunt single that popped over the head of Rouwenhorst actually worked because the pitcher had charged the ball. That sparked a four-run, game-winning I-Cubs rally that included a bases-loaded walk and a run-scoring balk.
2006-05-16: Arkansas 4, Tulsa 9 #
Bacon: 2-5, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 K
Wood: 0-5, 3 K
Wilson: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Day: 0-2, 2 BB, 1 K
Rodriguez, R: (L, 0-2), 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 K, 5 BB, 1 HR, 10.72 ERA
Bittner: 2.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 3 BB, 1 HR, 5.87 ERA
Thompson: 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB, 2.31 ERA
The Travs are glad to have the Drillers in their rearview mirror, for sure. Brandon Wood garnered a silver sombrero, Ricardo Rodriguez doesn't get out of the fifth and gave up six earned runs. Greg Porter's 12-game hitting streak ended with an 0-4 night. The Travs have dropped their last three straight and seven of their last eight.
Wood: 0-5, 3 K
Wilson: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Day: 0-2, 2 BB, 1 K
Rodriguez, R: (L, 0-2), 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 K, 5 BB, 1 HR, 10.72 ERA
Bittner: 2.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 3 BB, 1 HR, 5.87 ERA
Thompson: 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB, 2.31 ERA
The Travs are glad to have the Drillers in their rearview mirror, for sure. Brandon Wood garnered a silver sombrero, Ricardo Rodriguez doesn't get out of the fifth and gave up six earned runs. Greg Porter's 12-game hitting streak ended with an 0-4 night. The Travs have dropped their last three straight and seven of their last eight.
2006-05-16: San Jose 7, Rancho Cucamonga 3 #
Leahy: 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
Rodriguez, S: 2-5, 2 RBI, 1 K
Collins: 2-5, 1 2B, 2 K
Reilly: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Lopez: 1-4, 2 K
Toussaint: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
Arredondo: (L, 2-2), 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 2.52 ERA
Torres: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 4.08 ERA
Jose Arredondo got knocked out after only two innings; Joe Torres at least posted a good game, as did Sean Rodriguez, Michael Collins, and Patrick Reilly who posted a solo homer, his first in a Quakes uniform this year.
Rodriguez, S: 2-5, 2 RBI, 1 K
Collins: 2-5, 1 2B, 2 K
Reilly: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Lopez: 1-4, 2 K
Toussaint: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
Arredondo: (L, 2-2), 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 2.52 ERA
Torres: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 4.08 ERA
Jose Arredondo got knocked out after only two innings; Joe Torres at least posted a good game, as did Sean Rodriguez, Michael Collins, and Patrick Reilly who posted a solo homer, his first in a Quakes uniform this year.
2006-05-16: Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 7 #
Statia: 1-4, 1 BB
Coon: 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Trumbo: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
Albano: 3-4, 1 RBI
Smith: 2-4, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 K
Marek: (W, 4-1), 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 7 K, 2 BB, 1 HR, 2.25 ERA
Didjurgis: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 2.22 ERA
Continuing good work from Stephen Marek and Tim Didjurgis.
Coon: 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Trumbo: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
Albano: 3-4, 1 RBI
Smith: 2-4, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 K
Marek: (W, 4-1), 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 7 K, 2 BB, 1 HR, 2.25 ERA
Didjurgis: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 2.22 ERA
Continuing good work from Stephen Marek and Tim Didjurgis.
2006-05-16: AZL Angels did not play
2006-05-16: Orem did not play
2006-05-16: Nashville 5, Las Vegas 6 #
Young, D: 1-3, 1 K
Guzman, J: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Loney: 1-3
Garcia: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Eckert: 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5.87 ERA
Hull: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 0.50 ERA
Carrara: (W, 1-0) (in relief), 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 K, 1 BB, 1.29 ERA
Former Sound Chris Truby was the offensive hero as he drove in three to help defeat his former team. Gio Carrara was the lucky recipient of the win, though he did pitch an inning and two-thirds of scoreless ball, and has generally pitched well for Vegas.
Guzman, J: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Loney: 1-3
Garcia: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Eckert: 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5.87 ERA
Hull: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 0.50 ERA
Carrara: (W, 1-0) (in relief), 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 K, 1 BB, 1.29 ERA
Former Sound Chris Truby was the offensive hero as he drove in three to help defeat his former team. Gio Carrara was the lucky recipient of the win, though he did pitch an inning and two-thirds of scoreless ball, and has generally pitched well for Vegas.
I've discussed guys playing out of position at Vegas before, but not paid too much attention to it; Joel Guzman seems to be taking to left field, though, as he's hitting .347/.412/.500 there.
2006-05-16: Jacksonville 10, Mobile 11 #
Abreu: 0-4, 2 BB, 1 K
Hu: 1-6, 1 3B, 1 RBI
Kemp: 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
LaRoche: 1-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Zapp: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Ruan: 3-5, 2 K
Ellis: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Raglani: 1-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Lundberg: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2.76 ERA
Miller: 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 0.79 ERA
Thomas: (BS, 1)(L, 0-1) (in relief), 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 7.71 ERA
Tony Abreu committed two two-out errors, allowing six runs to score while Greg Miller was on the mound; this was a sloppy game in which the Suns made three errors overall. You know it's the pitching and/or defense if the offense scores ten and your team doesn' win. A.J. Zapp, Andy LaRoche, and Anthony Raglani all homered, while Wilkin Ruan had a 3-5 night.
Hu: 1-6, 1 3B, 1 RBI
Kemp: 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
LaRoche: 1-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Zapp: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Ruan: 3-5, 2 K
Ellis: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Raglani: 1-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Lundberg: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2.76 ERA
Miller: 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 0.79 ERA
Thomas: (BS, 1)(L, 0-1) (in relief), 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 7.71 ERA
Tony Abreu committed two two-out errors, allowing six runs to score while Greg Miller was on the mound; this was a sloppy game in which the Suns made three errors overall. You know it's the pitching and/or defense if the offense scores ten and your team doesn' win. A.J. Zapp, Andy LaRoche, and Anthony Raglani all homered, while Wilkin Ruan had a 3-5 night.
2006-05-16: Vero Beach 1, Tampa 7 #
Paul, X: 1-4, 1 3B, 2 K
Hoffmann: 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Dewitt: 0-4, 1 K
Todd: 0-4, 4 K
Elbert: (L, 1-4), 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 4 BB, 2.41 ERA
Castillo, A: 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 7.78 ERA
Xavier Paul tripled and scored to lead off the first, but no other Dodger got past second base for the rest of the game as Yankees 17th-rated prospect (according to Baseball America) Alan Horne and the rest of the Tampa bullpen shut down Vero. Horne was a former teammate of Angels prospect Jeff Mathis.
Hoffmann: 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Dewitt: 0-4, 1 K
Todd: 0-4, 4 K
Elbert: (L, 1-4), 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 4 BB, 2.41 ERA
Castillo, A: 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 7.78 ERA
Xavier Paul tripled and scored to lead off the first, but no other Dodger got past second base for the rest of the game as Yankees 17th-rated prospect (according to Baseball America) Alan Horne and the rest of the Tampa bullpen shut down Vero. Horne was a former teammate of Angels prospect Jeff Mathis.
2006-05-16: Rome 15, Columbus 12 #
De Jesus: 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Pedroza: 1-4, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Mitchell: 2-6, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Mooneyham: 1-4, 2 BB, 1 K
Locke: 3-6, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K
Apodaca: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 BB
Justis: 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Alvarez: 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 4 BB, 6.00 ERA
Gomez de Segura: (L, 0-1) (in relief), 1.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 0 K, 1 BB, 2 HR, 8.64 ERA
Sanfler: 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 9.15 ERA
Pfeiffer: 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 3.86 ERA
And even when they do score, they can't score enough. A ten-run sixth — with fourteen batters coming to the plate — helped power Rome to this victory. Columbus answered with an eight-run seventh which saw the Catfish score on a pair of bases-loaded walks, as well as a 3-run homer from Russell Mitchell and an Andrew Locke double.
Pedroza: 1-4, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Mitchell: 2-6, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Mooneyham: 1-4, 2 BB, 1 K
Locke: 3-6, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K
Apodaca: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 BB
Justis: 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Alvarez: 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 4 BB, 6.00 ERA
Gomez de Segura: (L, 0-1) (in relief), 1.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 0 K, 1 BB, 2 HR, 8.64 ERA
Sanfler: 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 3 BB, 9.15 ERA
Pfeiffer: 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB, 3.86 ERA
And even when they do score, they can't score enough. A ten-run sixth — with fourteen batters coming to the plate — helped power Rome to this victory. Columbus answered with an eight-run seventh which saw the Catfish score on a pair of bases-loaded walks, as well as a 3-run homer from Russell Mitchell and an Andrew Locke double.
2006-05-16: GCL Dodgers did not play
2006-05-16: Ogden did not play
Comments:
Man, those comments about Kendrick are infuriating. I think it was Bill James that wrote when you ask a player to do something he is not capable of doing--or hasn't done before--the rest of his game will suffer. A guy tears up the minors, gets promoted and the first thing they do is play him at a position he's never played before. It has the dual impact of confusing the guy while putting a dent in his confidence.
As a Dodger fan, I'm the last guy to throw rocks about another organization's handling of a youngster but if the idea was to develop Kendrick as a future star, well, there are other ways to do it.
As a Dodger fan, I'm the last guy to throw rocks about another organization's handling of a youngster but if the idea was to develop Kendrick as a future star, well, there are other ways to do it.
# posted by 
: 5/17/2006 08:04:00 PM
: 5/17/2006 08:04:00 PM
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