Category Archives: 01. Site Features

Threshers; May 28, 2014

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The Threshers rebounded this afternoon with a gutty 5-4, 11 inning win over the Fort Myers Miracle. For 8 innings, it looked like another 4-hit loss with a decent outing by starter Colin Kleven. But the team staged a two-out rally in the 9th inning to tie the game and eventually won the game in the 11 innings.

Kleven was greeted in the first inning by a Jorge Polanco triple on the second pitch of the game. The Twins #8 prospect scored on a single by the next batter. Kleven responded by retiring the next 3 batters, one via his first of five strike outs. He continued pitching well over the next 3 innings, facing the minimum, allowing 1 hit and recording 2 more strike outs. Kleven pitched into trouble in the 5th inning when he hit a batter after recording his 4th strike out. The Miracle executed a hit-and-run and scored the runner with out a throw on a double. Afterward, his only walk of the game, a sac fly, and his 5th strike out ended the 29-pitch inning. Kleven responded with a tidy 9 pitch 6th inning to close out his afternoon with the following line – Continue reading Threshers; May 28, 2014 →

Box Score Recap – 5/27/2014

Box Score Recap

Samuel Hiciano is really killing it with the bat right now. He hit his sixth home run of the year last night, and is OPSing 1.075 over his last ten games, and .959 for the month of May. Wonder if they’ll challenge him with a promotion mid-year. Would be fairly surprising, but he’s really raking, so it’s possible. Ken Giles gave up one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning for Lehigh Valley. Severino Gonzalez put up an OK line – 3R on 7H, 1HR, 0BB, 5K in 7IP. He was throwing strikes – just over 2/3 of his 92 pitches, so that’s good to see.

And the dream is gone, folks. 17-year-old Jesus Alastre went hitless in the VSL, ending what was a ten game streak to start his pro career. Thought he’d maybe just keep going forever and ever. He did walk twice, so we can talk about his on-base streak, if you like, for as long as that lasts. Also, he managed to successfully steal a base, while unfortunately and predictably being caught stealing once as well. He’s 1-6 thus far. As AndyB pointed out, there’s nothing wrong with letting the kid keep running. My joke to the contrary yesterday was both not terribly funny, (keeps my streak going), and developmentally silly. So keep running, Jesus. Keep running.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 5/27/2014 →

Threshers; May 27, 2014

Game Reports

The Threshers returned home to begin a homestand after completing a 2-10 road trip that dropped their record to 10-39. While they were away several changes were made to the roster. Continue reading Threshers; May 27, 2014 →

Lehigh Valley Weekly Report

Other Stuff

Another week with a winning record for Lehigh Valley who went 4-3 on the week, including a sweep of a doubleheader in Norfolk on Tuesday.  The ‘Pigs are now 28-24 and tied for second place in the Northern Division of the International League, just 0.5 games behind division leading Syracuse.  Lehigh Valley left for a nine game, 8 day road trip after last Sundays game that takes them to Norfolk and Durham. The ‘Pigs, at 17-10, have the second best record in the IL in May.

‘Pigs Prospects:Cameron Rupp has really struggled with the bat since returning from his oblique injury and is hitting just .161 since his return(31 AB’s).  He continues to play quite well defensively with a caught stealing rate at over 30%.

Tyson Gillies after starting very slowly, has improved slightly and now sits at .226/.288/.302 in 124 AB’s with Lehigh Valley this year.  His strikeout rate is still a high 26% and Gillies has stolen just 3/5 bases this year.  He does appear to be playing smarter over the last couple of weeks, trying to use his speed to bunt for a base hit which is occasionally very nice to see.  Over his last 10 games Gillies is right at the Mendoza line, hitting .200.

Phillippe Aumont receives kudos for having a solid week this week after a very poor week last week.  Over his last 3 games, Aumont has thrown 5.1 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and striking out 5.  On the year, Aumont is now 1-1 with a 4.30ERA and 1.65 WHIP.  Opponents are hitting just .211 against him, but that is counter balanced by the fact that he has walked an average of a hitter an inning.  In 9 May appearances spanning 13.1 innings, Aumont has walked 11. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Reading Report: 5/19-5/26

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Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, and apologies for the lateness on this recap. This will be a quick one. Continue reading Reading Report: 5/19-5/26 →

General Discussion – Week of May 26, 2014 – Ridiculously Long Mets Series Edition

Weekly Discussion

The Phils are in the middle of a three game set with Colorado that closes tomorrow night, and is followed by a five game series with the Mets that lasts through Monday. That’s 20% more potentially very bad baseball than the schedule makers intended. I hope the town can survive.

Discuss.

Top 30 Stock Watch (21-30 and Off the List)

Prospect Rankings

We are now nearly two months into the minor league season so it is time to do a quick look through the ranks and see how players are getting on.  It is way too early for a reranking of the list, but I am going to see whose stock is trending up or down, or staying constant.  For the first part I pulled 10 names off of my thoughts on those that missed the Top 30, as well as numbers 21-30 on the actual Top 30.

Jake Sweaney (C/OF) – Sweaney’s move to the outfield is a bit shocking this early, but catching was never a guarantee.  Still a lot to see about the bat and whether it will play in a corner.  He is certainly athletic enough to make it work.  Stock: Reset

Jiandido Tromp (CF) – Tromp started the year as the odd man out in Lakewood, but got his chance when Larry Greene was injured early in the year.  Tromp isn’t lighting the HSAL up, but he has flashed some power and speed, and some raw tools to make him interesting.  He should continue to get sporadic. Stock: Trending Up Continue reading Top 30 Stock Watch (21-30 and Off the List) →

Box Score Recap – 5/26/2014

Box Score Recap

Ken Giles earned his third save at AAA, allowing a hit and striking out one in 1.2IP. Cam Perkins was pinch-hit for with Anthony Hewitt in the seventh inning of a game where Perkins had one of three hits and the only extra-base hit. Not sure why anyone would do that without good reason, and we know “getting Anthony Hewitt a plate appearance” hasn’t been a good reason for like four years now.

Samuel Hiciano is puttin’ a hurtin’ on South Atlantic League pitchin’ right now – he’s OPSin’ 1.187 over his last 10 games and sits at .833 on the year after a 2-3 on Monday. He remains a very interestin’ guy. Ok, I’m don’. Also in that one, Tyler Viza recorded 18 outs, three by strikeout, one by flyball, and 12 on the ground, two of which were turned into double plays. That’s some heavy stuff he’s tossin’. Sorry.

And finally, our young friend Jesus Alastre was 2-2 to extend his hitting streak to all 10 professional games in which he’s ever played. Here’s something though – he’s been blanked in stolen base attempts – oh-fer his first four. Maybe give him the stop sign, coach. Just an idea.

Continue reading Box Score Recap – 5/26/2014 →

The AAC playoffs; May 21-25, 2014

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Here are a few random observations from the tournament.  I watched 90 innings of baseball during the American Athletic Conference tournament.  They refer to themselves as The American.  No comment.  Would have watched 27 more innings if I didn’t have something else planned on Thursday. (Missing Thursday meant I missed 12-2 Kyle Funkhouser.)  The 8 teams played round-robin within their respective pools Wednesday thru Saturday.  The pool winners advanced to the championship game on Sunday. Houston was the tournament champion, beating Louisville handily, 10-4.

The only Baseball America, top 100 prospect in the tournament was Louisville’s Nick Burdi. Continue reading The AAC playoffs; May 21-25, 2014 →

XST; May 26, 2014

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This will be my first eXtended Spring Training report in a couple weeks. The Williamsport and Gulf Coast teams seem to be taking shape. With most of the rehabbing players having returned to their assigned teams, I have been watching prospects more than watching games. I have been concentrating on players like Cord Sandberg and Trey Williams. Williams has been playing first base every game but only recently started taking in-game at bats again. He went 1 for 4 today with a double. His defense has consistently improved since the beginning of camp.

Sandberg went 0 for 1, but what a day. He worked an 8-pitch walk in the 1st inning after falling behind 1-2. In the 3rd inning he grounded out to second in a 6-pitch at bat. He saw 7 pitches while working a walk in the 5th inning. He finished with a 5-pitch at bat in the 8th inning when he was he by a pitch and loaded the bases. After a line drive double play left second base open, he stole the base. Continue reading XST; May 26, 2014 →