Jeremy Slayden, currently mashing in the Florida State League, has been a popular topic of discussion of late. I plan on writing a profile on Slayden later this week and giving my thoughts, but before I do, I wanted to get YOUR opinion and see what you think. So, here’s how you can do your part…

Continue reading What will become of Jeremy Slayden? →

People have been asking, so I did some searching, and this is what I’ve found on Scott. From Delewareonline.com

Right-hander Scott Mathieson, who underwent elbow ligament transplant surgery Sept. 30, threw 20 four-seam fastballs Saturday in his first bullpen session under pitching coach Rich Dubee’s watch.

“Dubee threatened to pull me off the mound if I threw any two-seamers,” Mathieson said with a smile.

Doesn’t say whether or not he threw off the mound, I’m guessing he did. I’m not an expert on throwing patterns or rehab assignments, so I really can’t be sure when he’ll actually be pitching again, and I won’t post hearsay or make a wild guess. He was instructed to only throw 4 seam fastballs, a pitch that isn’t particularly taxing on his arm. He didn’t report any ill effects from the session, so it’s a positive step forward. He’s probably at least a month away from throwing an extended session with all of his pitches, and then at that point, he will probably need 6 weeks or so of minor league rehab, maybe more. The thing is, control/command is the last aspect of pitching to return after TJ surgery, and his command wasn’t pinpoint before the injury. The best case scenario, I suppose, is him being in a position to help in the bullpen sometime in August or September, but we probably won’t see him at his best until 2008. I’ll try to keep digging a bit on this as we get into the summer and provide more regular updates when I have them.

Some interesting developments this week, including a nice start from Carlos Carrasco, Zagurski’s promotion, Slayden’s dominance of the FSL and more. Also, some disappointments, and as always, a weird batting line…

Stock UP:

Jeremy Slayden: 7/17, .389 (7BB, .560 OB%) — 1 HR — 2 RBI — 3 R
Greg Golson: 7/21, .333 (5BB, .462 OB%) — 6 R — 1 2B — 1 SB
Gus Milner: 10/26, .385 (2BB, .429 OB%) — 5 2B — 1 HR — 4 RBI

Stock DOWN:

Jason Jaramillo: 1/18, .056 (2BB, .150 OB%)
James Happ: 10 IP, 8 ER (7.20 ERA) — 11 H — 10 BB — 11 K
Brad Harman: 2/17, .118 (1BB, .167 OB%)

Honorable Mention:

Javon Moran: 10/24, .417 (4BB, .500 OB%) — 7 R — 3 SB

Dishonorable Mention:

Welinson Baez: 3/20, .150 (2BB, .227 OB%)

Notes:

* Jarrod Freeman is really struggling, giving up 13 H in 4.2 IP in his last start
* Kyle Drabek rebounded with a great start, 7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
* Ben Pfinsgraff is on the 7 day DL. Anyone know why? He’s been outstanding this season.