All posts by bradindc

AFL Update – 10-15-2013

Other Stuff

I’ll kick off the AFL updates today, now that we’ve had a couple games for most everyone involved. The league is good about getting up new photos, and so we get a fresh reminder that Kyle Simon knows how to wear a mustache, and that Cameron Rupp could eat you whole if he wanted.

A couple roster notes – Kelly Dugan, originally on the roster, was sent home without seeing the field, as he battles turf toe. He was replaced by Cameron Perkins, who has yet to log a PA. Aaron Altherr had some kind of hand injury last week, but he was back on the field last night.

As for the results, it’s so early, in a league where it’s going to be early the whole time, but Kenny Giles clearly got it done in his two outings, strking out 5 of the 7 men he’s faced. Rupp has been hitting some – 3-8 with a double. And Austin Wright gave up a homerun to Byron Buxton last night, which proves almost nothing about Austin Wright. I’m sure somewhere there’s a Twins fan saying the same thing about Buxton hitting a homerun off of “Some Phillies guy name Ashton White”.

Here’s the link for the Phils’ Off-Season League stats. As we go, I’ll mention anything interesting I see in those stats as well. So far, all I see is Manuel Chavez pitching in his native Mexico. Recall he had a fine year in the VSL, striking out 72 and walking just nine in 74.1IP. One to keep an eye on, even if he is about to turn 20 and has yet to pitch stateside in competition.

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=phi

Continue reading AFL Update – 10-15-2013 →

General Discussion – Week of 10-14-2013

Weekly Discussion

I was going to try to think of something funny to say or something interesting to talk about, but I recently contracted a case of the LCS Blahs, and I’ve got no energy for anything.

The only cure for LCS Blahs? World Seriesteroids. If you offer him some cash, Jose Canseco will inject some into your “upper thigh”, if you catch my drift. He’ll do almost anything for a buck.

Discuss.

General Discussion – Week of 10-7-2013

Weekly Discussion

AFL Starts tomorrow. I’ll be checking in with stat updates probably a couple times a week. Aside from that, there’s some good playoff ball going on right now, with four more games today. I question the wisdom of having 2 afternoon games on a Monday, but I guess they’d be overlapping and competing with football tonight anyway, so maybe this way is for the best. And I bet they pay a company or a department at MLB to figure out what schedule has optimal ratings possibilities. And I bet those people are smarter and more informed about this stuff than I am.

Discuss.

General Discussion – Week of 9-30-2013 – I Guess Seven Isn’t Rich Dubee’s Lucky Number Edition

Weekly Discussion

Dubee Burned. Dubee Snuffed Out. Dubee Clipped. That’s all I could think of.

The Phillies did end the year on a particularly low note, which lends itself to a particularly high draft pick. The list of #7s since the turn of the century includes Prince Fielder, Nick Markakis, Homer Bailey, Troy Tulowitski, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Minor and Matt Harvey. So yeah, there’s room to be excited.

And now, like a t-shirt soaked in Roy Halladay’s still-warm sweat hurled at your face on a steamy July afternoon, a reminder that the Phillies last #7 was Brad Brink. Just sayin’.

Discuss.

General Discussion – Week of 9-23-2013

Weekly Discussion

Last week of the big club’s regular season. It will be so sad to see (free agent x) go sign with (rival club y). I will boo him when he returns in (month z) next season.

Honestly, I don’t think there’s anyone boo-worthy left on this roster. I suppose Carlos Ruiz could get some boos if he leaves for more money, but how would you be able to tell?

Discuss.

General Discussion – Week of 9-16-2013

Weekly Discussion

The young guys have looked pretty good with the big club, especially Cody Asche. I was out at the game Saturday in DC and he made a tough play and a good throw home with the bases loaded. His defense certainly passes the eye test for now, though if I were to identify a potential problem right now, I’d say he leaves a lot of throws low. Anyone else notice this? Could be just me, and really, better to leave your 1B with a chance to pick a ball than sail one five feet over his head.

BJ Rosenberg touched 96 on the stadium gun that same night, (might have been the same inning), and his off-speed stuff has been working since his most recent recall from AAA. He’s looking like the guy people hoped he might become before injuries slowed him down a few years back. Also, tomorrow is his 28th birthday. So good for him or whatever.

Discuss.

General Discussion – Week of 9-9-2013

Weekly Discussion

We still haven’t seen Cam Rupp. Wonder if that’s coming tonight with Tyler Cloyd on the hill. Also yet to see action is the bullpen version of Ethan Martin. I’m certainly interested in both events, whenever they come.

Discuss.

Box Score Recap – 9/4/2013

Box Score Recap

Malquin Canelo wins “Worst Season Ending Game” this year. His prize? A fancy metallic Mexican hat. Nice night from Shane Martin. He had a passable season, though you’d like to see him miss more bats – he struck out just 44 in 70.2 IP, or 5.6/9IP, though he only walked 16, which is just a shade over 2/9IP. That’s quite good. His assignment in the spring will tell us plenty about what the team thinks of him, as a double jump would be a big sign of confidence.

It’s been a fun year for me, and I hope you all have enjoyed yourselves. I don’t have immediate plans to not return in 2014, so I guess we’ll start this up again in April. I will be around this fall and winter posting AFL stat updates a couple times a week starting in October, other random thoughts, probably the head-to-head prospect ranking discussions like I did last year, and weekly general discussions (when I remember – feel free to tweet at me if I forget – @bxe1234). Continue reading Box Score Recap – 9/4/2013 →

Box Score Recap – 9/3/2013

Box Score Recap

Julio Reyes with a gem – struck out nine and allowed just one hit in six scoreless IP. He’s 22 years old, he missed all of 2012 after a 2-year DSL stint, and he’s only one season from needing to be protected, just in case you were wondering. Josh Warner followed up Reyes’ performance by allowing just one hit and striking out two in three scoreless, though the write-up says Tyler Buckley worked the ninth for the save. Not sure what actually happened. Zach Green was 2-3 and scored the game’s only run on an error, after the Batavia pitcher hit two Cutters in a row to load the bases after his single.

One more WIL game today, and we’re done for the year.

Just one note on rosters – yesterday I mentioned that Tyson Gillies was moved to the 60-day DL to clear a roster spot for Cameron Rupp. It would appear that was incorrect, as there was room on the 40-man. Thanks Rick B for pointing that out. Not sure why they moved Gillies over to the 60-day. Just for maximum flexibility on the waiver wire, I guess.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 9/3/2013 →

General Discussion – Week of 9-3-2013 – Call-Up Edition

Weekly Discussion

I mentioned it in the other thread, but here’s a good place to discuss the call-ups and other big league items. Enjoy!