The BlueClaws were not able to put much together this week, as they went 2-4 in their six games. Their pitching, which had been the key to the team’s success faltered a bit as a whole, giving up thirty runs for the week.
Lakewood, at 13-10, currently sits tied with Delmarva, a half game back for the SAL Northern Division lead, behind Greensboro and Kannapolis.
Tuesday, April 28
Delmarva 2
Lakewood 1
W: R. Zagone (2-1); L: Robert Roth (1-1); SV: B. Cooney (4)
It was a blow for the BlueClaws when during one of his best starts of the season, Robert Roth was not able to continue after being hit in the back by a ball hit back at him by Elvin Polanco. He was forced to leave the game after 3.1 innings, having struck out one while allowing two hits, two walks, and one run at the time. Justin DeFratus was brought into the game in relief of Roth, inheriting a runner in scoring position. The runner scored two batters later, tacking a second run onto Roth’s total and saddling him with the eventual loss. DeFratus pitched extremely well in a long-relief well, finishing out the 4.2 innings of the game, striking out five and allowing four hits.
Meanwhile, Richard Zagone and the Delmarva staff stymied Lakewood’s bats, only allowing five for the game. The lone run of the game was scored in the first inning, on a leadoff homerun by Harold Garcia.
Wednesday, April 29
Delmarva 8
Lakewood 1
W: C. McCurry (1-0); L: Jesus Sanchez (1-2)
Jesus Sanchez and the Lakewood staff had one of their worst games this year, surrendering nineteen hits in the 8-1 loss. Sanchez lasted only three innings, giving up three runs on seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts, before being lifted in favor of Jacob Diekman. Diekman didn’t fair much better, posting a near identical statline (3 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K). Santos Hernandez was the next BlueClaw sent to the slaughter, allowing three runs in his lone inning. Esmelvin Jimenez was the only Lakewood pitcher to not let up a run, working a scoreless 8th inning, striking out two and allowing one hit.
The offense fared only a bit better, posting seven hits but only one run. The lone run was set up by a D’Arby Myers 6th inning triple, allowing him to score on the next play, a sacrifice fly by Travis D’Arnaud. Myers and Zach Collier were the only BlueClaws with more than one hit, both posting two hits for the night.
Thursday, April 30
Lakewood 6
Hickory 4
W: Jon Velasquez (5-0); L: R. Bleier (2-1); SV: Ryan Bergh (3)
Despite pitching his worst game of the season, Jon Velasquez rode the BlueClaws bats to become the first pitcher in the SAL to reach five wins. Velasquez pitched five strong innings before running into trouble in the sixth. For the night, he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk, only striking out one. Ryan Bergh notched his third save of the season in two scoreless innings of relief.
Harold Garcia got the offense going in the first inning, hitting a leadoff single, stealing second and scoring on a Jim Murphy single. Lakewood would tack on two more runs in the fourth to grab a 3-1 lead. In the 6th inning, Jesus Villegas Andino hit a bases-loaded single, scoring Jim Murphy and Travis Mattair. In the following inning, Anthony Gose doubled and stole third before scoring the sixth and final run on a Travis D’Arnaud single.
Friday, May 1
Hickory 6
Lakewood 3
W: C. Springston (2-1); L: Tyler Cloyd (1-2)
Hickory handed Tyler Cloyd his first real tough outing, shelling him for six runs over six innings on eleven hits, including two homeruns, and a walk. Cloyd did strike out seven on the night, but struggled the most he has all year. Esmelvin Jimenez and Santos Hernandez combined for two innings of hitless ball (Hernandez allowed two walks), with Jimenez notching one strikeout in 0.2 innings and Hernandez getting each of his four outs on strikeouts.
In the 5th inning, down 5-0, the BlueClaws did get two runs back off a Jeremy Hamilton 2-RBI single. In the 8th inning, Anthony Gose hit a single, bringing in D’Arby Myers for the third Lakewood run. Zach Collier continued his hot play of late, hitting 2-4 with a double and a run scored.
Saturday, May 2
Lakewood 7
Hickory 4
W: Jason Knapp (2-2); L: F. Castillo (0-1); SV: B.J. Rosenberg (3)
Sometimes baseball can be a funny game. Early in the season, the BlueClaws lost two easily winnable games pitched by Jason Knapp due to poor run support. So, it was simply poetic that, in his first start where he really struggled, that the BlueClaws run support was the reason Knapp won his second game of the year.
Knapp pitched 5.1 innings, his shortest start of the year, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks. He also struck out his fewest of any start thus far with four punchouts. Justin DeFratus came into the game in the sixth to pitch 1.2 innings of relief, in which he lowered his ERA to 0.98. B.J. Rosenberg got his third save of the season, pitching two perfect innings and striking out four.
Travis Mattair got the scoring started for the ‘Claws in the 5th inning with a leadoff homerun, his first of the season. Zach Collier would later score in the inning off a passed ball by the Crawdads catcher. Lakewood would take advantage of the pitching change the next inning, scoring three runs to put them ahead for good, 5-3. In the 8th inning, Zachary Collier hit an RBI-triple to bring Travis Mattair home; Collier would then score on a wild pitch during the next at-bat.
Collier had another standout night, going 3-4 with 2 R, a triple and two RBI.
Sunday, May 3
Hickory 6
Lakewood 1
W: M. Perez (1-2); L: Heitor Correa (0-1); SV: J. Brigham (1)
Heitor Correa struggled in his first start since 2007, giving up four runs in 4.2 innings of work, striking out three, walking three and giving up eight hits, including a homerun. Correa was starting in place of Robert Roth, who was placed on the DL. Jacob Diekman struggled again in relief, giving up two runs in 1.2 innings.
It was a poor game for the Lakewood offense, which could only muster one run on six scattered hits. Lakewood scored its only run of the game on a groundout by Anthony Gose, on which Leandro Castro was able to score from third base.
Prospects of the Week
I’m going to shorten this to three prospects this week. I simply don’t think that there are five players deserving to be here this week.
1. Zach Collier, OF
Collier is starting to heat it up. He hit .304 for the week (7-23) with three runs scored, two RBI, a double, and a triple. After a slow start to the season, he may finally be putting it together.
2. Justin DeFratus, RP
The Phillies organization must be sold on DeFratus as a reliever at this point to not have started him in place of Robert Roth. He has pitched absolutely spectacularly in relief thus far. This week he pitched six innings, striking six out. His ERA currently sits at 0.98 and he has not allowed a walk all season.
3. Jim Murphy, 1B
Murphy hit .333 for the week (5-15) with two runs, an RBI and a double. He didn’t have a particularly great week, but considering the aggregate BA of Lakewood hitters this week was .208, he stands out from the pack.
League Leaders
– Jim Murphy is T-8th in the SAL with a .349 batting average
– Jim Murphy (.453) and Travis Mattair (.439) are 2nd and 5th, respectively, in the SAL in OBP
– Travis D’Arnaud is T-5th in the league in RBIs with 17
– Mattair leads the league in walks with 2o
– Anthony Gose (12) leads the league while Harold Garcia (7) is T-9th in steals (Gose is also tied for 3rd in CS with 4)
– Tyler Cloyd (30) and Jason Knapp (29.2) are T-1st and T-4th, respectively, in the SAL in Innings Pitched
– Jason Knapp leads the SAL with 41 strikeouts while Tyler Cloyd is T-5th with 30
– Jonathan Velasquez leads the SAL in wins with 5
– Justin DeFratus (0.78) is 2nd and Jason Knapp (0.91) is T-6th in WHIP
– Justin DeFratus is the pitcher who has pitched the most innings (18.1) without giving up a walk
– Justin DeFratus and Walter Tejada are tied for the lead in Holds with 4 apiece
Phuture Phillies 
De Fratus has been excellent thus far…but I’m confused about his being in the bullpen. He had pretty solid years his first two seasons in the organization, and as a big righty with good velocity and the ability to strike people out without walking a lot of batters, seems like the kind of guy you want to develop for the rotation. We know he has a good feel for his pitches, at least the fastball and change, so his switch to the pen has been the most puzzling thing to me thus far this year.
Can anyone speak to this?
Obviously he’s been blowing people away as a reliever, but I feel like it hurts his value a bit unless the front office thinks he is major-league closer material. And guys that become closers don’t usually switch til later in the minors or once they can’t cut it as a starter in the majors (see Lidge).
Also, I thought BJ Rosenberg would get fast-tracked to Clearwater after the way he pitched last year. Good to see he’s still pitching well, though.
And I think D’Arby Myers is essentially done as a prospect at this point. No walks this year so far, to 16 Ks. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not in the organization in 2010.
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Nice writeup again. Kind of a blah week down in Lakewood.
In a way, it was nice to see Knapp not dominate a game. That oughta quiet us down here a bit, and let the kid develop at a nice slow pace.
Bummer about D’Arby Myers – two years ago, he might’ve been one of the most talked about prospects here. Now, I barely even notice his name in the box scores anymore
– Jeff
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De Fratus’ first 2 years don’t look all that solid to me. Many more Hits to Innings Pitched and a so-so K to Innings Pitched ratio. He’s taken off as a reliever, especially in longer stints. Developing relievers is a Phillies weakness, so it won’t him trying this for the long term.
On the other hand, maybe the organization doesn’t want him to go over 130 IP or so and will move him to the rotation later during the season. Why mess with success in an 11th-round draft pick?
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Good to see that Correa is at least alive, and that they’re challenging him in A-ball after the year off. I think he still has some promise.
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A large collection of young kids here all not hitting. Its very nice to see Collier start to figure it out although it happened at the same time that Gose went south. Its a shame but I agree that Myers is looking like a non prospect. So is Diekman by the way who has never shown anything. I’m surprised Rosenberg is still here and the Phils could push up a reliever at each level if they wanted to.
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So…where’s Waldo….er, Ed Garcia?
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Although this may not be the place for it, but here’s the Phillies’ System Hierarchy:
Pete Mackanin has been hired as bench coach replacing Jimy Williams. Sam Perlozzo has been named the third base coach replacing Steve Smith, who was fired by Manager Charlie Manuel. Smith replaced Bill Dancy, who was fired as the organization’s minor league field coordinator and replaced by Mike Compton. Dancy was fired previously as the third base coach two years ago. Mick Billmeyer replaces Ramon Henderson as the bullpen coach after Henderson did something amiss [gluck gluck gluck] to merit himself a demotion to the minor leagues. The team hired Tim Gradoville, who played in the team’s farm system, as bullpen catcher, replacing Billmeyer. Charley Kerfeld, a special assistant brought in by Pat Gillick, is GM Ruben Amaro’s new right-hand man. Pat Gillick is remaining with the club in an advisory role. New hire Benny Looper replaces the departed Mike Arbuckle, being named as assistant general manager, player personnel. He worked closely with Pat Gillick during their years together in Seattle. Looper will assume Arbuckle’s responsibilities in scouting and player development and will be assisted by Chuck LaMar, who has been promoted to assistant GM, player development and scouting. New hire Scott Proefrock has been hired as the Phillies’ assistant general manager and will handle big league contracts and the composition of the roster, the role held previously by Amaro. Proefrock will be working with Chuck LaMar, who was hired as a Major League scout a year ago. Both Proefrock and LaMar share an assistant GM title. LaMar will run the Minor League department and be involved in some cross-checking. He will report to Looper. LaMar will work closely with Minor League operations director Steve Noworyta and amateur scouting director Marti Wolever. Mike Ondo has been promoted to pro scouting director. He is a rising young mind in the baseball operations department. Dallas Green retains his lifetime figurehead role as senior advisor to the GM and Gordon Lakey his director of Major League scouting role. Former major league coach Craig Colbert was hired as an advance scout. Colbert spent the last eleven seasons with the San Diego Padres, the last two as bench coach. He replaces Hank King, who had been the team’s advance scout since 1985. King has moved to the pro scouting staff. Jim Fregosi Jr., the team’s amateur scouting coordinator and national crosschecker, has been added to the pro scouting staff and will cover major-league clubs. King and Fregosi will be joined on the pro staff by former amateur scouts Jerry Lafferty and Roy Tanner, who will cover the minors. Scout Howie Freiling has been hired away from the New York Mets and will be a special-assignment scout. He spent the past six seasons as a pro scout with the Mets. Jon Mercurio, who joined the Phillies as a part-time pro scout a year ago, has been elevated to full time. Del Unser and Dean Jongewaard remain in their roles as pro scouts.
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A-Rod – that summary is fantastic. I can’t believe you know all of that.
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back to this lineup not hitting very well, the most surprising in my mind is d’arnaud not hitting, it looked like after last year he was poised for a big year, and even when being promoted to lakewood last year hit very well, he is only hitting .207 this year and has only drawn 3 walks in 87 at bats
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Very surprising on D’Arnaud. I’m still confident that he’ll turn it around eventually but its not the best start to the season for him.
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Remember, D’Arnaud was hurt most of Spring Training.
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Really, the lack of hitting throughout the entire minor league system is troublesome. Right now, the hitters in the system are Mayberry, Taylor and Brown. After that, it’s not pretty. Yes, it’s early, but it’s not going well for the entire organization right now.
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here is a great article on espn that talks about plate discipline and whether that can be learned
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4136793
this is a constant debate on this blog, so i thought that i would post it.
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PP Very interesting. Just a question a full time scout what would they startout getting and do they get a bonus if they have a player they scout drafted in the first round. I thought someone said they get a bonus.
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hmm interesting mike taylor not starting for 2nd straight game, but pinched hit last night he might have a nagging injury of some sort
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Excellent job w/ the updates. Thank you.
Now, I’m wondering if De Fratus, Cloyd & Velasquez can join guys like Knapp, Drabek, Worley, Naylor, Sampson, Stutes, Garcia etc… as prospects we shouldn’t fall in love with as the big club looks to make a deal?
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“governator1 Says:
May 5, 2009 at 10:24 am
De Fratus has been excellent thus far…but I’m confused about his being in the bullpen. He had pretty solid years his first two seasons in the organization, and as a big righty with good velocity and the ability to strike people out without walking a lot of batters, seems like the kind of guy you want to develop for the rotation. We know he has a good feel for his pitches, at least the fastball and change”
i don’t know about a changeup, but he’s throwing a good hard slider. I think his stuff and angle profile better as a reliever, but its not the move that should be made in Low-A ball. His body is mature enough that he looks to be ready for a full season’s workload- so I hope others are right that he’ll join the rotation later, otherwise, he should be promoted to a higher level.
Jared Simon is a guy that snuck up on me- how in the world did he get 30 saves last year- and why is he still closing when there are actual prospects who could be getting the time in clearwater?
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No Taylor again tonight. What’s up?
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“Jared Simon is a guy that snuck up on me- how in the world did he get 30 saves last year- and why is he still closing when there are actual prospects who could be getting the time in clearwater?”
Good prospects are rarely minor league closers, at least I think. Easier to manage a prospect’s workload and opportunities in a middle relief role. I attend Scranton/WB Yankee games often. They have a plethora of relief prospects (Mark Melancon, Anthony Claggett, Zachery Kroenke, J. Brent Cox, David Robertson, Steven Jackson), and their closer is 36 year old Brett Tomko.
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Although D’Arnaud has been knocking in the runs, he’s had an anemic batting average all year. I’ve noticed he’s been alternating with Valle between C and DH. This may be messing him up. Some guys find it hard to sit on the bench all game except for the 4 or 5 ABs you get. I’m assuming Valle will go to Williamsport when that season starts so maybe D’Arnaud will get back in his comfort zone.
By the way, does anyone know when the VSL starts up? Last year it was mid-May but I think the Rosters listed in MiLB are from last year. I’m sure Andy’Bs getting ready for that.
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“By the way, does anyone know when the VSL starts up? Last year it was mid-May but I think the Rosters listed in MiLB are from last year. ”
Monday the 18th.
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Its a reach but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of the hitting woes in Lakewood and Reading are due to the weather. Its been very wet and very cold and we all know that hitters tend to take off when the weather gets warm.
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Flande got rocked last night at Clearwater. Meanwhile, Drabek is pitching a morning game there today and has 2 shutout innings so far. ETA = 2011
Many “B” prospects could be traded but Drabek (or Taylor, Brown, or Knapp) isn’t one of them.
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Right now Lakewood has a couple of starters in Sanchez and Velasquez who really aren’t pitching particularly well. De Fratus should replace one of them in the rotation ASAP. I don’t care what his major league role will end up being. Minor leagues are about getting the most innings/PT to the guys with the most promise. Surely De Fratus has that over Velasquez who I think we signed off the street/indy ball.
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toothpick i think nasa,s looking for someone. if taylor, brown, and possibly mayberry are the real deal were in good shape, although it leaves lack of trade depth. as i said i think its finally time to begin fast tracking these pitchers. worley and stutes to lhv. cloyd and knapp to clearwater. and hopefully drabek really healthy and able to be moved up. did someone say the kid at clearwater frande? is 23?
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Why is it time to start fast tracking pitchers? Aren’t Worley and Stutes already being fast-tracked by starting off at AA with less than a season’s worth of experience? Same with Knapp, starting off in Lakewood at 18.
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TJC has it exactly right in my opinion. THese guys need starts and confidence at their given level before they are moved up.
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murray i would include carasco, stutes, worley, mayberry, d’arnaud, collier, to your list. Atleast of guys i would hate to see get traded. All the rest can go if we get something of value for the big club. If it was something huge i would give up donald, marson, carasco, taylor, but by huge i mean lincecum or d. wright huge, not these exact players but comparable. Maybe take one of the latter 2 out for zimmerman type.
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Before the backlash comes i know the giants would never trade lincecum and the mets would not trade wright especially not to us, just showing the caliber player i would want to get back for those guys.
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John from Philly NE. Your are one of my favorite posters. Gotta move Dominic Brown up to Reading ASAP. With his double and triple today he is now the only player in the Florida State League with an OPS over 1.000.
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Kyle (Fort Lauderdale): Ben, What minor league system has impressed you the most in the 1st month and what system has been the biggest disapointment?
Ben Badler: (2:21 PM ET ) Off the top of my head, I’d say the Phillies: Dominic Brown, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp and Kyle Drabek have all performed well. The A’s have been a little disappointing, either because guys haven’t been able to get on the field or are struggling in the big leagues, though I’m not worried about Trevor Cahill or Brett Anderson, and Adrian Cardenas is off to a nice start.
Dan (Philly): So Dom Brown is starting to crush the ball, what’s his ceiling? And good call on him being number 1 in the Phils system.
Ben Badler: (2:02 PM ET ) Ceiling is a well above-average RF in the big leagues. He’s always been a selective hitter, but now he’s tapping into his power potential in a league where it isn’t easy to hit for power. He could be a high OBP hitter with power, with the speed and plus-plus arm strength to play above-average defense in right field in the major leagues. That’s a star.
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Anyone know what happened to Steve Susdorf who finished up with Lakewood last season?
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Rickey, to go along with what you said about being the only player with an OPS over 1.000 he is also tied for 1st in the league in the home run department
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also 1st in the league in walks
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You have to trade value to get value. You should always look to trade quantity for quality if you have exces quantity. Amazingly, the Phillies might be in that position after this season. Since I think that Donald is a future major league 2B, he’s a trading chip to me. I’m also far from sold on Carrasco as a big league 1 or 2 so he’s a chip. Stutes and Worley look terrific and suddenly have value for either a trade or possibly even as guys that could make the club next year. After this season, the Phils will look to get a 3B if they don’t resign Pedro. It could be Donald next year but it could also be someone playing in someone else’s organization right now because many teams have more 3B prospects than the Phils do and the Phils have what to trade. Myers is a FA after this year and I doubt he’ll be back unless he accepts arbitration to stay for another year. With Myers and Moyer possibly done after this year, I could easily see the Phils trade for a major league pitcher after the season. Hopefully, they won’t need to do anything during the season due to injury or continued poor performance. I’m still excited to see what Pettibone, Cisco, May, and Shreve can do as we add to our minor league pitching stable.
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murray, nepp reminded me a couple of days ago that the phils have an option for 2010 for feliz. if he hits .280-22-85, i’d take that option and have donald be bruntlett next year. if he (Donald)hits there will be less questin marks for him for 2011.
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Murray- I know everyone is sitting around and waiting for him to get sent off to the old-folks home, but Moyer is still under contract for next season so you can pretty much bank on him remaining in the rotation barring an injury or an epic, retirement forcing collapse.
I’m also guestimating that rather than trading for or signing established major-league talent, the Phils will probably be more inclined to replace Myers internally. He is pretty replaceable at this point, and they are probably looking to use the salary wiggle room to cut the overall costs of the team. Carrasco will probably get his shot next season.
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Seems like the untouchable/expendable list changes every month. Before the season started, many were ready to sacrifice Marson and Drabek, while Donald and Carrasco weren’t going anywhere. How much has changed, really? The emergence of mid-level prospects into elite prospects has given the Phillies system more depth than anytime in recent memory. Four new Phillies prospects could appear in 2010 top 100 prospects lists: Drabek, Knapp, Taylor and Stutes.
There haven’t been a ton of surprises. After a forgettable 2008, Mattair’s newfound plate discipline has given us a legitimate long-term prospect at 3rd. Jason Knapp has surpassed all expecations, albeit against a low level of competition. For the most part, top prospects have simply continued to demonstrate their ability against better opponents.
Stutes and Worley have impressed from day 1, they’re just doing it on a higher level. Drabek is performing the way everyone expected him to before he got hurt. Some hitters are off to slow starts(D’Arnaud, Donald) while others are tearing the cover off the ball. (Taylor, Brown)
I was a late to the Dom Brown bandwagon. He seemed like a nice prospect, but until this season, he didn’t show enough power for a top corner outfield prospect. Everyone who put him #1 should be feeling good right now.
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Marky Mark
Please just say JD in an utility role and please dont use the
“Bruntlett ” word. So many were sold on him after a good first half. Now the Mendoza line looks good to him. I see nothing wrong with playing Jd in the outfield later in the year. Nothing
seems to bother him.
Last night Drabek(nice) and Brown everyone else fooled around
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@Marky Mark: You know, I think I’d probably do a Jason Donald for Tim Lincecum deal.
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Only if they throw in Matt Cain too. I’m not just gonna GIVE UP Jasond Donald afterall.
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No deal, Donald is the next Chase Utley because he works hard!
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Jason’s Donald’s time may come sooner than people think – I’m worried about Utley’s foot.
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it’s hard to tell sarcasm in these comments but Nepp and andrew, i obviously meant all of those top prospects and not those particular guys. I know SF wouldn’t do that trade but i would also hope that we wouldn’t do that trade with any more top prospects like that, say adding a stutes or worley to that group. your comment sounded very snide. I’m not throwing out ridiculous names like Simon, Tiffee, brummett, sellers and harmon for a lincecum type player. I was stating the value i thought those prospects might have. Is this package at least comparable to the one thrown at that twins by the muts for johan? No this package is better! Again I didn’t mean tim, he’s 25 years old and the present and future of the giants. Maybe it would have made you happier if i said grienke instead(also untouchable) I was just trying to gauge w/ others thought this package should bring and have a little fun w/it.
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not those particular meaning tim and david. Nepp your always one of the first to show your superior knowledge and make sure i know how ridiculous my proposals are, but i bet there are some here that wouldn’t give up taylor, donald, marson and carrasco for lincecum. I would but again would probably not add a stutes or worley or knapp to this deal for him or wright. Maybe tomorrow i would, i don’t know, but i’m not like those silly people who propose lobsided trades for their team not understanding that if your going to get a top tier guy it’s gonna cost a big part of your farm.
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just an observation it would surprise me if lincecum doesnt develop a bad arm. hope im wrong but i see undo stress on his arm.
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****just an observation it would surprise me if lincecum doesnt develop a bad arm. hope im wrong but i see undo stress on his arm.****
You’re not alone in that prediction, FWIW. Alot of scouts have mentioned his very violent arm action and its injury potential as a result.
On a 4-1 trade…its a big gamble for any one player, not just Tim Lincecum. Especailly when you are tossing the top prospects in the system into the mix. The return had better be worth it. It cant be for a guy that’s a rental (like the Sabathia deal last year or the Teixeira trades (pick either one). If its something like the Mets did for Santana (trade a boatload and then extend him as part of the deal) its possible.
A more interesting discussion would be this: What prospects would you give up for Roy Halladay (a FA after the 2010 season)?
Discuss.
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Probably Taylor, Carrasco, then a couple lower level guys like Gose or Collier.
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The Blue Jays have depth in their outfield with Rios, Wells, Lind and Snider. Their infield and pitching staff are thin, so I’d start with Jason Donald and Carlos Carrasco. This is all theoretical though. Halladay is a franchise pitcher and I can’t imagine the Jays trading him.
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Halladay I would give them any three prospects Taylor or brown, Knapp or worley, or stutes and donald, or Galvis or a catcher marson, or d”nauld.only if he signs a extension.
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halliday is an unbelievable pitcher i would give a boatload.but it brings me back to fasttracking our young guys. lets say out of carrasco,drabek,worley,stutes knapp,and cloyd we get one ace,we have to know how many guys will actually make it, thus determining our fa.signings.i.e. if we fastrack these guys we know only 2 will make it say for the sake of argument carrasco and drabek.therefore we have the other pitchers to move..as far as moving donald and marson we have absolutely no infielders in our system. thus their value to us becomes much more important and as far as of if we fastrack brown and taylor the same as above we know what of,ers to keep.we already have vic who would be insane to move,ibanez who has totally proven me wrong,and werth the one guy who i think could be moved. i think rodeo always said that. but that leaves us with brown taylor. which one? so to make a long story short lets say we keep taylor i.e. we have brown worley stutes knapp and cloyd to move. remember certain names were used simply for discussions sake but i hope you get the point i not sure i do now. just tired.
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I too would give a boatload for halladay, but halladay will have oportunity to write his own check especially w/ the jays recent success. I get your point john. We probably only need one of taylor/brown or marson/d’arnaud/valle or at most 3 of drabek/carrasco/stutes/worley/knapp/savery/cloyd/kendrick. we need to find out who these 3 and the others are so we can trade from a position of strength.
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yes much to the chagrin of many posters on this sight kendrick is still on the phils radar and is only 24, but needs to show something quickly(so far so good). I still am concerned about 3d base and have mentioned that the angels will have a decision to make after this year between figgins or B. wood. lets make it easy and make an offer for wood. i think they are week @ short w/itzuras so i would start w/donald who would then be expendable and add maybe savery, mattair(now also expendable) and either kendrick or bastardo(their choice).I would then go back to the sox (who inquired about marson and rejected our request for buckholtz) and add a cloyd and who ever is left from kendrick or bastardo. Myers and blanton are making about 20 mil this year, i would not resign them, take their money and get the top FA pitcher, probably lackey if he comes back healthy and strong finish. we would then have hammels
lackey
moyer
buckholtz
happ
carrasco could be the 6th man(in case of injury) and bullpen, then take over for moyer
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I have to keep Taylor his up side is enormous , Jd is probably
worth more to Phils as somewhere between a starter that gets on and a supersub. I am tried of looking at the Bruntletts
and Terry Harmon’s (and all in between) of the world and having to listen how valuable they are despite facts . However as long as the Blue Jays stay in contention all is moot.
The Terry Harmon page for laughs
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Terry-Harmon.shtml
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i agree nowheels-no more brunttlets! I was only reffering to the role of utility as you surmised. I’m thinking he can be more like a craig counsel type w/a little more bat and little less glove. This is a valuable guy on a championship team. I’d still love to have a true 3d baseman but i’d be willing to give donald a shot he has the intangables. I really like taylors chances at being a star also, i think he could be a .290-30-100 type guy every year w/ an occasional .310-35-115. He might even steal 20 in a good year w/plus defense and plus arm (i think)
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agreed halliday can write his own ticket only used him for sake of discusion but you get the point. i think moyer will be gone next year myers gone park gone.staff of hamels,carrasco drabek and 2 others,that is why its important to know which one of worley,im getting the impression he may be the best,stutes,knapp and cloyd will make it big.im assuming well make a move for 1 big starter. i have no problem with cain. but as ive always said donald will not be moved aside from being a potential star we have no other infielder close to his ability. i know i will draw some fire for this but the possibility of rollins moving to 3rd is becoming a reality to me. lust give it a thought. its not like its never been done and rollins can certainly handle it.if you can play ss at his level you can certainly play 3rd. just a thought but either way the infield next year will be howard, utley rollins donald and marson.
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No reply on Susdorf–anyone know what is going on with him??
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