Minor League Opening Night Thread

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 7:34 PM EDT

I think that there should be an open thread tonight for minor league baseball opening night. Right now I have seen Kershaw being very wild in two inning 4 walks. Guerra K'd 2 of the first 3 batters he's faced. Tabata is 1-1 with a SB and Andrew miller K's Tim Battle which isn't a shock. Clippard has done pretty good so far tonight.

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kershaw

horrible outing. altough the 32 degree gametime temp didnt help matters.

by npurcell on Apr 5, 2007 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

lost in the Kershaw talk

D'Back's 1st rd pick Brett Anderson (hailed by BA for having the best command of any HS pitcher) threw 5 good innings tonight.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 5, 2007 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

6 BB's

Wow that is bad.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

i really hope

it isnt some hidden injury he is trying to pitch through and we can just chalk it up to first game jitters + extreme cold.

maybe thats too optimistic :(

by npurcell on Apr 5, 2007 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Injury

I doubt it. I just think the Dodgers are smarter than that. There is no reason he would risk his career for that.

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh

No huge worries. He's a young pitcher facing some tough conditions and getting his first exposure to full season ball. Struggles are to be expected, and it shouldn't be surprising if we see a significant amount of the same in the future.

Then again, he's also got plenty of promise. I guess this helps to temper some of the really insane expectations for the kid . . .he's a fine, fine prospect, but there's a lot of work for him to do, too.

For the moment, obviously, he's not moving anywhere on my list just yet. He's still solidly entrenched at the back end of the top dozen or so pitching prospects.

by mrkupe on Apr 5, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Tabata

so far so good.

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Tabata

I like him a lot, he reminds me a lot of Marte. Maybe thats just me. I hope he doesn't eat himself out of the minors.

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

He seems to hit good pitching

very well.

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

Clippard allowed a Homer

down 2-0, Hayden Penn is dealing.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

So is

Andrew Miller

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

Guerra

3 IP 4 K's 1 H

Nasty

by sagecoll on Apr 5, 2007 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Guerra vs McGee

Deolis Guerra is dealing... 4 scoreless innings.
Jake McGee battling control issues and not pitching to contact enough, but still has 4 scoreless as well albeit with 4 walks.

In other Rays news, Wade Townsend appears to be back to full strength. 5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K tonight in A ball.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 5, 2007 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

more importantly

4 IP.. 5Ks but a 5-1 GB/FB ratio and a Pick off

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Best pitching performance of the night so far...

Kyle Waldrop with 5 perfect innings and 7 K's

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 5, 2007 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

not true

in the 4th inning Waldrop hit back to back batters with pitches. He left after 5 with a no hitter.

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Lester

He's pitching his first regular season game back after cancer. For those that don't know, the Red Sox are being EXTREMELY conservative with him - starting him at Low-A for 4 starts and then taking it from there. Anyways, he's doing well so far tonight, though it's very early:

2IP 0R 0BB 0H 2K

"May all your sliders break across two planes"

by Dfarth on Apr 5, 2007 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Just wanted to note

That the postgame report said that Lester hit 96 on the gun (posted on the scoreboard) which is very encouraging. I remember thinking his velocity seemed down in BOS last year after hearing consistent reports of him in the mid-90's in 2005. Maybe that was injury-related and he'll be all the way back this year...

"May all your sliders break across two planes"

by Dfarth on Apr 7, 2007 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

shhhh

don't jinx kyle waldrop .....

I think this could be his breakout year, word is he added velocity...the kids work ethic is second to none...he was down in florida preparing 2 months ago.

by hotshotschamp on Apr 5, 2007 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

Waldrop's out...Rainville in

Waldrop 5 in 0h 0r 2 HBP 7K's

Hey, what do I know? I'm just a fan...That's why I get paid the Big Bucks.

by the Dragon on Apr 5, 2007 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

honestly

lets hope the 2 months of work does not tire his arm later in the year.

Also Jay Bruce just broke up the no hitter and the shut out in the 6th inning and Sarasota now leads 1-0.

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Tim Lincecum

starting tonight?

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe

Fresno game starts at 10 EST we'll see

by sagecoll on Apr 5, 2007 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Saturday

Young Tim takes the mound for the Fresno Grizzlies on Saturday.

by DrBGiantsfan on Apr 5, 2007 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Vets

Giants usually go with an organizational pitcher on opening night and let their top prospects go later. I guess to avoid opening night jitters?

by DrBGiantsfan on Apr 5, 2007 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Fresno

It's probably some sort of weird Fresno thing. Too many drive by shootings on opening day so they don't their ace getting hurt.

by count sutton on Apr 5, 2007 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

So I guess Homer Bailey

is pitching tomorrow.

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

No, he is going Sunday

With him pitching in the Major League camp he stayed on schedule and he was placed in the #4 spot in AAA so he could stay on schedule.

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

iight

kool.

by NYYLover1000 on Apr 5, 2007 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Me and John are very happy right now

Matt Sulentic shoots a single to left first at bat. 1-1

by sagecoll on Apr 5, 2007 8:40 PM EDT reply actions

Question

No need for a new thread but is it possible that the Nationals are swept more in more series then they win?

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

possible?

Yes, but its VERY unlikely. They probably play 40-50 series, and they cant lose 120 games... can they?

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm saying win

Meaning they have to take 2 out of 3 instead of getting swept.. I think its pretty possible

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Right....

but if tehy lose 40 series, which would be nearly all of them, they still cant lose 122 games can they? I mean theoretically they can, but that would be the worst season ever.

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

yes but

You can lose a series without being swept. So say they win 1 game for ever series they player (lets say 1 for ever 3 games they'd win 54 games. So say they get swept in 20 series thats 60 games. they could lose 2 out of 3 for the next 20 series, 60 games and thats 40 loses. and they lose 1 if 3 for the next 42. Thats another 14 loses. Thats assuming they don't sweep any. which is 114 losses which is reasonable i think. that could be confusing lol.

SOOO

Swept: 20 Seris: 60 loses
Take one game: 20 Seris: 40 Loses
Take two games: 14 Seris: 14 Loses

hmmm lol

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

They are pretty close to the 2003 Tiger team

in terms of talent....

by VtTigers on Apr 5, 2007 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

except they have one advantage

their pitching staff will be a revolving door. none of their starters have any long term prospects, and players will be promoted and demoted based on a performance basis.

the downside to this is that there is no three year plan for a return to glory. they don't yet have the prospects to make a quick turnaround.

another upside is that they don't have contracts like bubba trammel and bobby higgenson sapping money from the budget.

it's a bad strategy to base your lineup on the relative beauty of a man's outs rather than the rate at which he makes them.

by overlord on Apr 6, 2007 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree....

... I dont think they win 50 games this year. That staff is beyond awful, especially if Patterson isnt great (and Opening Day sure wasnt encouraging about that). They have a couple hitters, but I just think they will allow too many runs to win more than 55/60 games and really think they will end between 40 and 50 wins.

by grozzy on Apr 6, 2007 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Patterson is fine

I'd expect him to be a little rusty. He'll be fine in a few starts.

by limozeen on Apr 6, 2007 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

C. Gomez might be fastest player in baseball

Turns a routine single into a double by running like the wind around first.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

As i said the other day

Reyes said Gomez beats him 8 of 10 races they have. They grew up in the same town too!

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Andrew Miller

He went 5 innings tonight before a rain delay ended his outing.

5 ip 3 h 0 r 0 bb 3 k 11 GB 1 FB

by VtTigers on Apr 5, 2007 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Loney

hit a jack to right center in his first AB

by count sutton on Apr 5, 2007 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Lester and Place

Lester 4.0 1 0 0 1 5 0 0.00

Place CF 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 .667

Good starts

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Elbert

Elbert
6 IP 4h 3ER 1BB 9K

Hopefully he can sustain that kind of control. It's also nice to see Orenduff pitching again.

Too bad they aren't hitting tonight.

by count sutton on Apr 5, 2007 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

SNY

Has the NO game and Humber's curve is sick. He drops such a pretty hammer

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Carlos Rosa

Straight up dealin tonight for Wilmington

5 IP, 0 R, 4 K

by doublestix on Apr 5, 2007 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Not a great Omen

Brandon Wood
0-2 2 K's

by sagecoll on Apr 5, 2007 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Why not?

He's been striking out for years - what makes those 2 anything to worry about? LOL

by slurve on Apr 5, 2007 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

well

there was hope that he'd finally cut down on the k's

by sagecoll on Apr 6, 2007 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Rowell

Anybody know where he's starting the year? MiLB.com has him still on the Birds SS roster. The rest of the HS position players I checked are starting at their low A affiliates. Is he hurt?

by joerote on Apr 5, 2007 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

yes

Oblique(i can't spell lol)

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

How long is he out?

Hopefully not long...

by joerote on Apr 5, 2007 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Rowell's hurt

Nothing serious, but the Orioles are keeping him in Sarasota until he's 100%.

He should report to Delmarva in a few weeks.

by dkdc on Apr 5, 2007 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

He is Hurt

But as you said its nothing serious and he should be with the team soon

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Daryl Jones

cardinal outfield prospect daryl jones hit a homer tonight. i think he is going to have a breakout year.

by fewgoodcards on Apr 5, 2007 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Not surprising

Billy Butler goes deep.

by doublestix on Apr 5, 2007 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Adam Miller & Chuck Lofgren have to wait

an extra day!

Hello everyone,

The Indians' AAA and AA affiliates (Buffalo Bisons and Akron Aeros, respectively,) were snowed out tonight. The Bisons will play a doubleheader on Friday, while the Aeros will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

Both Miller and Lofgren are scheduled to start the first game for their respective teams.

Meanwhile, the Indians High-A Kinston Indians and Low-A Lake County Captains (they're playing at the West Virginia Power) are playing:

Some notes:

Kinston:

LHP David Huff:
4.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

SS Josh Rodriguez:
3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 K

C Max Ramirez:
3 AB, 2 H, 1 RBI

3B Wes Hodges:
4 AB, 1 H, 1 K

Lake County:

2B Adam Davis:
3 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K

C Matthew McBride:
3 AB, 1 H

LF Nick Weglarz:
3 AB, 1 H

RF Roman Pena:
3 AB, 1 H, 2 K

SS Carlos Rivero:
3 AB, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K

RHP Carlton Smith (younger brother of former Indians' 3B prospect Corey Smith):
4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (2-run shot)

Take care and have a great day!

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

by indiansfan on Apr 5, 2007 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

McGowan

5 IP, 2H, 2BB, 0ER, 8K

Maybe this is the year.

by GregJP on Apr 5, 2007 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

O's pitching

3 decent outings

AAA Hayden Penn 5 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 2 ER
Hi-A Brandon Erbe 6 IP, 3 K, 2 BB, 1 ER
Lo-A Pedro Beato 5 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 0 ER

by dkdc on Apr 5, 2007 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Love Erbe

I see him as this years big break out guy. But he needs to get more ground ball outs.

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Groundballs

It's true that he's been a bit of a fly ball pitcher so far, but when you strike out 12 per 9, it doesn't much matter.

That K-rate is obviously going to keep going down as he climbs the ladder.

Also, I'm not so sure groundballs are so important for a power pitcher (think Santana or Pedro). Despite a G/F ratio south of 1.00, Erbe has only allowed 3 HRs in 145 innings, which is excellent.

by dkdc on Apr 5, 2007 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Gomez

1-2 2b 1BB 1SB 1R. Really is confusing Nashville on the bases.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Deolis Guerra with the win

5 innings 2 hits 0 walks 0 runs 5 k's

by Peter North on Apr 5, 2007 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Gotay

goes big fly

by Peter North on Apr 5, 2007 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Whoever

is pitching to him must have forgot that he swings for the fences every time.

by doublestix on Apr 5, 2007 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Upton

gets off to a good start with a Double

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

Justin Upton

I think this kid is going to have a huge year. He's one of those talents who could just fly through the minors with incredible stats in A ball and AA.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 5, 2007 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

It certainly is in the realm of possibility.

by VtTigers on Apr 5, 2007 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I know a guy who is so confident

that Upton will blow up this year, he bet $150 bucks that Upton hits 30 HR this year if he spends 75% of his time in the California League.

Of course I thought to myself if he is producing like that, no way they don't promote him....

www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Apr 5, 2007 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

T-Clip

5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR (2 run shot)...ND

not bad, not great.

by nyybaseball99 on Apr 5, 2007 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Francisco Pena

2-5 in his pro debut

by Peter North on Apr 5, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Pena

The mets are pushing him a little being in A ball at 17

by JD Sussman on Apr 5, 2007 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Wood

Not a good start to AAA. 0-4 3K's. Gomez ended up 1-3 1BB 2 K's.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

Dallas Braden

I had him as a breakout candidate last year until he got hurt before the season started. He's back and apparently healthy and he's pitching in AA.

6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Also of note in that game is that the Cardinals promoted OF Jon Jay to AA this year. Pretty big jump for a 2006 draft pick, but he was one of my favorite picks outside of the 1st round. 1-3 with a walk tonight.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Apr 5, 2007 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

screwball

screwballs are cool.

by limozeen on Apr 6, 2007 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Salty dog....

Saltalamachia 0-4, 2 strike outs....one game I know, but c'mon man, let's try to get off to a good start and at least get to Richmond by early July.

by Huskies on Apr 5, 2007 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

Andrus

he didn't do much better going 0-4 with a K.

by Bravesin07 on Apr 5, 2007 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

Butler ended

2-4 with a no doubt shot to CF

by doublestix on Apr 6, 2007 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

Giants

AAA: Nate Schierholtz- 3 for 4, 2B, HR, OF Assist 3B.
Pat Misch- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.

AA: Snowed out.

High A: Antoan Richardson- 0 for 2, 3 BB, SB.
Emmanuel Burriss- 0 for 5.
Joe Martinez- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K.

Low A: Tyler Graham- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, 2 SB.
Adam Çowart- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.
Marcus Sanders- 0 for 3.

by DrBGiantsfan on Apr 6, 2007 1:28 AM EDT reply actions

Wranglers

I'm a little late to the party here but after getting sunburned from 85 degree weather playing softball on Sunday, my Wichita Wranglers were SNOWED out today. I couldnt believe my eyes.

Hochevar should go tomorrow, it's free Royal ticket night.

by Wonderlic on Apr 6, 2007 2:24 AM EDT reply actions