Minor League Opening Day Thread

by Bravesin07 on Apr 3, 2008 5:27 PM EDT

Started one like this last year, wouldn't mind doing it again. So far we have had Louisville lose 2-0 as Adam Lind hit a Homer off tough luck loser Homer Bailey who pitched 7 okay innings allowing 5 hits, the homer, 1 BB, but only 2 K's against the Chiefs who have plenty of free swingers. Jay Bruce was average at best today going 1-4 with 2 K's swinging.

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from that same game

former first rounder purcey with an impressive outing - 6IP, 2H , 2BB, 7K, 0R

he pitched as well as he ever has in the AFL and with a fast start he could make his big league debut very soon, as one of toronto starters is bound to get dinged sooner rather then later.........

by Wheelhouse on Apr 3, 2008 5:37 PM EDT 0 recs

Purcey

He started out even hotter last year; I wanna see him maintain quality/health for more than a month this time around.

by aCone419 on Apr 3, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Rick Porcello

Porcello made his pro ball debut tonight in the Florida State League. He pitched 5 shut out innings (1 hit allowed) vs. the Tampa Yankees.

by grandslam84 on Apr 3, 2008 8:51 PM EDT 0 recs

Scouting Report

Here's report from the game if you're interested:

http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/04/rickporcelloreport/

by Scott Proctor Fan Club on Apr 4, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Rasmus is 3-3 with a double

by Bravesin07 on Apr 3, 2008 9:04 PM EDT 0 recs

McGee at AA

3 IP thus far, 1H, 0BB, 0R, 5K

by Wheelhouse on Apr 3, 2008 9:09 PM EDT 0 recs

McGee - Final Line

6 IP, 3H, 1ER, 7K

by knightgalt on Apr 3, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yankees

Scranton: Eric Duncan and Brett Gardner had a triple. Igawa continues to own AAA hitters.

Trenton: Hit and SB for Tabata. Ajax blanked. Good outing by Niese.

Tampa: Nothing of note.

Charleston: Montero blanked. Betances went 5, with 2 BB and 1 HR but 8 K.

by number_twentyone on Apr 3, 2008 9:16 PM EDT 0 recs

Maybin

1st hit of the year is a HR, for fun his AA stats including last years are 9-22 w/ 5 hr's.

by hybrid on Apr 3, 2008 9:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Grounball

Was it a grounball homer like the other 4? From what I hear thats all he does is hit grounders.

by casejud on Apr 4, 2008 2:15 AM EDT up 0 recs

groundball

i hit a groundball grand slam in the fifth grade. it was awesome.

by wily mo on Apr 4, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sweet

I think I may have done that too...in High School. No fences, right past the shortstop...all the way to the gap...clear the bases baby. I was a bit gassed but, it felt great. Cant match Maybin though with 16-17 inside the parkers last year though. He's amazing! I think he's the next Mike Cameron except Mike is better at hitting popups.

by casejud on Apr 4, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well

Supposedly it went an estimated 475-500 ft, so a very long GB it would seem.

by hybrid on Apr 6, 2008 6:21 AM EDT up 0 recs

LaPorta hits a Grandslam

by Bravesin07 on Apr 3, 2008 9:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Yes he did

He's gonna be somethin' buddy :-)

by casejud on Apr 4, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

The Yankees Today

MLB: Win 3-2
Phil Hughes 6IP, 4H, 2R, 1BB, 4K
Joba Chamberlain 1IP, 1H, 1K

AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees: Win 4-0
Brett Gardner 1-4, 3B, SB
Justin Christian 1-4, RBI, CS
Juan Miranda 0-3
Alberto Gonzalez 1-2, BB
Eric Duncan 2-3, 3B, RBI, K

Kei Igawa 6IP, 0H, 0BB, 7K Perfect Game
Scott Patterson 1IP, 1H, 1BB
Edwar Ramirez 1IP, 0H, 0BB, 2K
Jose Veras 1IP, 0H, 0BB, 1K

AA Trenton Yankees: Lose 0-2
Austin Jackson 0-4
Jose Tabata 1-4, 2K, SB
Colin Curtis 0-3, BB
Cody Ehlers 0-4, 3K
P.J. Pilittere 0-2, BB
Marcos Vechionacci 0-3
Reegie Corona 0-2, BB

Chase Wright 6IP, 3H, 2R, 0BB, 4K
David Robertson 2IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB 3K

A+ Tampa Yankees: Lose 1-4
Damon Sublett 0-3, BB, K
Eduardo Nunez 1-4
Mitch Hilligoss 0-4
Sean Fortenberry 0-4, 3K
Josue Calzado 0-4
Kyle Anson 0-1, 3BB
Kevin Smith 1-4
Tim Battle 1-2, BB

Eric Hacker 6IP, 7H, 3R, 0BB, 6K
Stephen Artz 1IP, 1H, 1K

A- Charleston: Win 10-4
Abraham Almonte 1-4, 2B, BB
Justin Snyder, 1-5, 2B, 2RBI Error (1)
Brad Suttle 3-5, 3B, RBI
Jesus Montero 1-5, RBI, Error (1)
Brandon Laird 1-5, 2B, RBI
Austin Romine 1-5
Wady Rufino 1-5, 2B
Carmen Angelini 1-4, BB
Austin Krum 2-3, 3B, 4RBI

Dellin Betances 5IP, 3H, 2R, 2BB, 8K, HR
Wilkins De La Rosa 2IP, 2BB, 4K
Chase Vacek 1IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 1K
Craig Heyer 1IP, 1H, 0R

yankeesmtom.blogspot.com

http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/

by hallofamer2000 on Apr 3, 2008 10:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Melancon

Any idea why he is listed in the box, but as facing zero batters?

by zywica on Apr 4, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

Nothing to worry about

The manager mistakenly left him off the roster:

http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/04/news-notes-opening-night-at-legends/#more-75

by Scott Proctor Fan Club on Apr 4, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Indians' Overview!

Hello everyone,

Just to let you know, I may not be able to do these
everyday; those who want to fill in or add to, please
feel free - thanks!

In addition, I may not be able to cover the other
teams' prospects too much; just a few here and there,
like Penn below and former Indians prospect Eider
Torres, but otherwise, I'll cover mostly the Indians'
prospects due to time constraints - thanks for your
understanding!

Also, congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes'
Men's basketball team on winning the NIT Championship,
defeating UMass 92-85!

Indians (MLB) - lost to the White Sox 2-1; RHP Jake
Westbrook had a pretty solid outing, including not
giving up a hit until the 5th inning, after not giving
up a run all spring, but two of the hits he gave up
were HRs, to Uribe in the 5th and Crede in the 8th.

Similarly, LHP John Danks confounded the Indians
until the 6th (though there were a few hard-hit balls
at people before then - Cabrera hit one hard at Crede,
which bounced to Orlando Cabrera, who prevented a run
from scoring; Gutierrez hit one hard to CF that Swisher
tracked down and slammed into the wall, saving another
run) when they finally got their first hit, a single up the middle by 3B Casey Blake.

Hafner drew a walk and Garko hit an opposite-field
2B for the Indians' only run in the 7th.

The Indians will begin a 3-game series with the Oakland
A's at 10:05 P.M. EDT - RHP Paul Byrd vs. RHP Justin Duchscherer.

AAA Buffalo - defeated Norfolk (BAL) 9-4; 52 degrees, drizzle at game time.

2B Josh Barfield - 4-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI (1.000)
LF Ben Francisco - 1-5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 E (1-fielding) (.200)
1B Jordan Brown - 3-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB (2B) (.600)
DH Ryan Mulhern - 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K (.500)
3B Aaron Herr - 2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 GIDP, 2 E (2-one throwing, one fielding) (.500)

LHP Aaron Laffey - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HB; 52 S/26 B, 6 G/4 F (0.00)
RHP Tom Mastny - 2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K; 25 S/13 B, 4 G/1 F (4.50)
LHP Reid Santos - 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 K; 17 S/11 B, 1 G/1 F (9.00)
RHP Rick Bauer - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K; 12 S/5 B, 1 G (0.00 - former top Orioles' prospect, now 30-YO, off to a good start.)

Norfolk:

2B Eider Torres - 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB (2B) (.500)

RHP Hayden Penn - 4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 E (1-pickoff); 50 S/26 B, 5 G/5 F (12.46)

AA Akron - their game with Harrisburg (WAS) suspended after 9 innings due to rain tied 5-5 - 44 degrees, cloudy at game time.

LF Trevor Crowe - 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB (1-2B) (.250)
DH Matt Whitney - 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB (.667)
1B Michael Aubrey - 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K (.250 - 3-run shot turned a 1-run deficit into a 2-run lead.)
3B Wes Hodges - 1-4, 1 K, 2 E (2-both throws) (.250)
RF Ryan Goleski - 1-4 (.250)
C Chris Gimenez - 1-3, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 1 PB (.333)

LHP Chuck Lofgren - 3.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (solo,) 1 PO (1B,) 2 WP; 4 G/4 F (5.40 - ugh on the command, but it was the first start of the season in low- to mid-40s weather, so I won't read too much into it, but it bears watching throughout the season.)
RHP Jeff Stevens - 3.2 IP, 4 K; 3 G/4 F; 0/3 IR scored (0.00 - picking up from where he left off last season.)

Harrisburg:

C Javi Herrera - 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB (.333)

RHP Jim Ed Warden - 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB; 1 G/1 F (27.00 - former Indian allowed the tying run to reach base in the 9th, which Eude Brito let in with 2 consecutive WPs, and thereby, allowed the game to be suspended instead of concluded after 9 innings.)

High-A Kinston - begins the 2008 season on Friday at
home against Winston-Salem (CHW.)

Low-A Lake County - defeated Lakewood (PHI) 4-0; game time temperature was 48 degrees and overcast skies.

1B Chris Nash - 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI (.500)
RF Matt Brown - 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS (1-2B) (.333)
3B Jeff Hehr - 3-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB (1-2B) (.750)
DH Luis Montero - 3-4, 1 R, 1 K, 2 SB (2-both 2B) (.750)
CF Adam White - 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K (.250)

LHP Kelvin De La Cruz - 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K; 5 G/4 F (0.00)
RHP Mike Pontius - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K; 3 G (0.00)

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Apr 3, 2008 11:49 PM EDT 1 recs

Laffey

any chance he takes Lee's spot in the rotation soon?

by nyy601 on Apr 4, 2008 1:06 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hello nyy601,

I think it depends on how well Lee does to start the season (first start is in Oakland on Sunday afternoon - I think it's against Blanton, though I could be wrong on that.)

If Lee falters during the first month or so of the season and Laffey continues to pitch well, I think a change could be possible. However, being that Lee has more experience and being paid much more money than Laffey, the Indians will give Lee every opportunity to keep that #5 spot. However, it's important to note that Lee CAN be optioned to AAA, so the Indians likely won't give Lee too much of a leash, but I suspect it would be at least May before any change would occur, if necessary.

Just my 2 cents. :-)

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Apr 4, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Barfield

Does the impossible.

No really.

You try going 4-for-5 and having a 1.000 batting average!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Apr 4, 2008 1:17 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hello doublestix,

Whoops - sorry about that - should be .800.

I was updating the lines during the games themselves and forgot to change that one. I thought I caught them all, but I guess not. :-)

Thanks for the correction - greatly appreciated! :-)

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Apr 4, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hello my friend!

Any news on Adam Miller?

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Apr 4, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hello pinstripes, good to talk with you again. :-)

According to Tony Lastoria of TheClevelandFan.com, Miller is a little behind the rest of the pitchers due to a blister on his middle finger and probably won't make his first start for another week or two, as he is working to reach a normal pitch count. Until he returns, RHP Matt Ginter will take his spot in the rotation.

Otherwise, Miller sounds like he is healthy. If Miller's track record is any indication, this year might be better for him, being that it's an even-numbered year (2004 and 2006 were very good years for him.) Presuming 2008 is, we just have to get him to have that same success (health-wise, especially) in the odd-numbered years. :-)

Just my 2 cents.

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Apr 4, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up 0 recs