Minor League Wrap (4/13-19/09)
Back for a second week, with more news around the minors. The intro’s a little short this time as I’m battling a vicious head cold, but we’re not lacking on content, no sir. Well, that’s mainly because I’ve been typing it up all week. Enjoy.
To the jump!
A Return to the Far East:
After Zduriencik took over, there was speculation that the M’s might shift their scouting priorities somewhat, with greater emphasis on the Pacific Rim. In recent weeks, we’ve seen just that. At the end of March, the Mariners signed Korean infielder Choi Ji-man to a minor league contract. A big kid at 6’1 and 195 lbs, he bats left and throws right. He was originally a third baseman, regarded as the second best prep infielder in the nation (the top one signed with the Royals), but the M’s decided they liked him better behind the plate, prompting questions as to just who he would be catching. This week answered that question, as the Mariners signed a prep right-hander, Kim Sun-ki. Kim is the same height, twenty-five pounds lighter, and commands an 88 mph fastball and a solid curve. His command and athleticism both get good marks, so while he doesn’t have the velocity of other Pac Rim signings (not that they often have the velocity they claim), he could add a bit more. Both signed for a little under half a million, roughly third-round money.
Also, for anyone unfamiliar with the way I usually list box scores, it’s visiting team first, home ream second, and in parentheses is the parent organization and the farm team’s record in relation to .500 so (+ 5) is five games over .500, etc.
Tacoma Rainiers (5-2 this week, 8-3 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 13th 2009
Tacoma 1, Fresno 0 (SF – 3)
WP: A. Baldwin; LP: R. Sadowski; SV: R. Messenger
Tuesday, April 14th 2009
Tacoma 3, Fresno 5
WP: M. Kinney; LP: J. Vargas; SV: S. Palazzolo
Wednesday, April 15th 2009
Tacoma 5, Fresno 4
WP: G. Olson; LP: K. Pucetas; SV: J. Thomas
Thursday, April 16th 2009
Tacoma 5, Fresno 4
WP: B. Downs; LP: R. Ray; SV: E. Hull
Friday, April 17th 2009
Sacramento 2 (OAK – 1), Tacoma 6
WP: C. Seddon; LP: E. Gonzalez; SV: D. Stark
Saturday, April 18th 2009
Sacramento 8, Tacoma 4
WP: B. Cramer; LP: A. Baldwin
Sunday, April 19th 2009
Sacramento 1, Tacoma 2
WP: E. Hull; LP: J. Blevins; SV: J. Thomas
Hitter of the Week:
1B Mike Carp, L/R, 6/30/1986
7 G, 22 AB, 5 R, 6 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7/5 K/BB, .273/~.444/.773
Another week has passed and we find ourselves again talking up the better points of the system’s top first base prospect. This week brought five extra-base hits, including three home runs, and another five walks, which can partially be attributed to the unwillingness of opposing pitchers to throw him anything on the plate. So what more can be said at this point? Little, save a few word of caution. Carp’s BABIP is presently .440, hardly sustainable. The home runs make everything look better, but we should give it a little more time to see how he responds after this hot streak inevitably comes to an end.
Honorable Mention:
OF Prentice Redman, R/R, 8/23/1979
7 G, 27 AB, 7 R, 8 H, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SB, 7/4 K/BB, .296/.387/.444
Dishonorable Mention:
1B Bryan LaHair, L/R, 11/5/1982
6 G, 22 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3/0 K/BB, .182/~.182/.364
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Doug Fister, 2/4/1984
0-0, G, 2.70 in 3.1 IP, H (HR), ER, 6/0 K/BB, 3/1 G/F
Grand slams aren’t all that common, but inside-the-park grand slams are nigh unheard of. And yet, that is just what Doug Fister gave up during Saturday night’s game, coming into a bases-loaded situation he inherited from starter Andy Baldwin. A ball was hit to the outfield grass, where Freddy Guzman was there waiting, but a diving catch came up short, allowing Sean Doolittle enough time to make a complete circuit. Otherwise, Fister was perfect through three and a third innings, striking out six.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Denny Stark, 10/27/1974
0-0, SV, 3 G, 0.00 ERA in 6.0 IP, 2 H, 6/1 K/BB, 10/2 G/F
Dishonorable Mention:
LHP Jason Vargas, 2/2/1983
0-1, 2 GS, 3.09 ERA in 11.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 7/5 K/BB, 7/19 G/F
[The pitchers were all pretty good overall, but Vargas’ first start of the week was bad, and his second lacked quality command]
From The Training Room:
Outfielder Freddy Guzman is back after missing the early part of spring training due to injury. Steve Moss has been sent elsewhere to make room for him. Additionally, catcher Israel Nunez, who spent all of last season in Wisconsin, was called up to take the place of Jamie Burke on the roster. He may be moved out now that Guillermo Quiroz has returned for a second stint with the Rainiers.
Strange Happenings:
“Reliever Denny Stark lit up the radar gun on Monday night. A survivor of two “Tommy John†ligament replacement surgeries who did not pitch in 2006 and 2007, Stark reached 95 miles per hour with his fastball multiple times during his two-inning stint on Monday. He averaged 93 mph.†– Tacoma News Tribune, 4/14/09
They Said It:
“It’s not as bad as it looks,†Powell said before the game. “He’s had some quality at-bats, he’s laid off some bad pitches for the most part. I’m not worried about him right now. He’s consistent in his approach. I think it’s just a matter of time until he gets going.†– Tacoma News Tribune, 4/18/09, just before Clement hit a double and a home run in that night’s game.
“I told you so,†Powell said after the game.
The Week in Preview:
4/20, vs. Sacramento (OAK 5-6), 7:00 pm PDT
4/21-4, vs. Salt Lake City (ANA 7-3), All Times 7:00 pm PDT
4/25-26, at Colorado Springs, 4:05 pm PDT Sat., 12:05 pm PDT Sun.
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (1-5 this week, 4-6 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 13th 2009
West Tenn 6, Montgomery 1 (TB – 3) (thirteen innings)
WP: M. Rivera; LP: M. Wlodarczyk
Tuesday, April 14th 2009
West Tenn 2, Jacksonville 3 (FLA + 2)
WP G. Taylor; LP: R. Rohrbaugh; SV: M. Peterson
Wednesday, April 15th 2009
West Tenn 0, Jacksonville 3
WP: S. West; LP: R. Orta ; SV: C. Leroux
Thursday, April 16th 2009
West Tenn 6, Jacksonville 11
WP: W. Glen; LP: K. Parker
Friday, April 17th 2009
West Tenn 3, Jacksonville 8
W: J. Santos; LP: L. Munoz
Saturday, April 18th 2009
West Tenn 3, Jacksonville 8
WP: C. Martinez; LP: P. Ryan
Sunday, April 19th 2009
Off day
Hitter of the Week:
C Adam Moore, R/R, 5/8/1984
6 G, 21 AB, 3 R, 6 H, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 5/3 K/BB, .286/~.375/.381
The week that saw the D-Jaxx mangled by Suns’ pitching, so there isn’t much to talk about in terms of offense. Even Moore, who had arguably the best week of the bunch, hit well below his average of .319/.396/.506 from last season. Nevertheless, his strides as on-base percentage goes are worth noting, and since Clement is still trying to get back on track in Tacoma, we need something to look forward to behind the plate.
Honorable Mention:
CF Ezequiel Carrera, L/L, 6/11/1987
6 G, 24 AB, 5 R, 7 H, 6/3 K/BB, 2 SB, CS, .292/~.370/.292
Dishonorable Mention:
OF Johan Limonta, L/L, 8/4/1983
6 G, 19 AB, 3 H, 2B, 6/1 K/BB, .158/.200/.211
Pitcher of the Week:
LHP Robert Rohrbaugh, L/R, 12/28/1983
0-1, GS, 3.38 ERA in 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5/0 K/BB, 4/7 G/F
A lean week for pitching, and the best options were either relievers or starters with losses. I opted for the starter, to highlight both Rohrbaugh’s performance and why looking at things from a strict win/loss perspective doesn’t tell it all. The former 7th round pick from 2005 was perfect through his first five innings against the Jacksonville Suns, who were otherwise quite mean to D-Jaxx pitchers. Rohrbaugh came out throwing strikes, with fifty-five of seventy-five pitches being counted as such, but the offense didn’t even get going until long after he had been pulled.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Mumba Rivera, 12/10/1980
1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP, H, 2 R (ER), 8/4 K/BB, 4/3 G/F
Dishonorable Mention:
RHP Patrick Ryan, 5/31/1983
0-1, 2 G (GS), 25.07 ERA in 4.2 IP, 13 H, 13 ER, 4/4 K/BB, 9/1 G/F
From the Training Room:
Since Luis Pena had to be placed on the DL after his first start of the season, they had to bring in a Newby to fill a roster spot. Joey Newby, specifically. He’s a former Oakland farmhand who looks like he got injured in the ’07 season and was missing for all of 2008. I can’t say I know much about him, save that he’s a former A’s farmhand (NDFA), is from Alaska, and seems to have some command issues. Ron Prettyman, who is a slick defender at third, came off the DL on Thursday.
Strange Happenings:
The series between the D-Jaxx and the Jacksonville Suns this week was especially brutal. To highlight an interesting example, in the 3-8 loss on Friday, the Jaxx went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and there were no extra-base hits. They scored one run in the first on a groundout, another in the third on an error, and a third in the fifth on a double play. Awful.
The Week in Preview:
4/20-4 vs. Tennessee (CHC 4-5), All Times 5:05 pm PDT, except Wednesday (9:05 am PDT)
4/25-6 vs. Mississippi (ATL 3-7), 5:05 pm PDT Sat., 12:05 pm PDT Sun.
High Desert Mavericks (6-1 this week, 9-2 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 13th 2009
High Desert 9, Lake Elsinore 8 (SD – 5)
WP: J. Wild; LP: B. Oland; SV: P. Aumont
Tuesday, April 14th 2009
High Desert 0, Lake Elsinore 9
WP: C. Kluber; LP: M. Pineda; SV: M. Teague
Wednesday, April 15th 2009
High Desert 7, Lake Elsinore 1
WP: J. Ramirez; LP: J. Hefner
Thursday, April 16th 2009
High Desert 6, Lancaster 3 (HOU- 2)
WP: A. Venegas; LP: S. Severino; SV: A. Varvaro
Friday, April 17th 2009
High Desert 9, Lancaster 1
WP: N. Adcock; LP: C. Hicks
Saturday, April 18th 2009
High Desert 4, Lancaster 2
WP: E. Paredes; LP: D. Duncan; SV: S. Richard
Sunday, April 19th 2009
High Desert 7, Lancaster 3
W: M. Pineda; L: S. Wolf
Hitter of the Week:
3B Alex Liddi, R/R, 8/14/1988
6 G, 24 AB, 4 R, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 7/1 K/BB, .333/~.360/.625
Over the years and the course of nearly twelve hundred at-bats, the 20-year-old Italian third baseman has had plenty of opportunities to tantalize with his tools, then torture with his on-field performances. Coming into the season, Liddi had posted a career line of .252/.314/.388, and spent two seasons trapped in the Midwest League, posting a sub-.700 OPS each time. This season, however, things seem to be slightly different for him, and he’s taken advantage of the friendly climes to do some damage to opposing pitchers, and has an OPS just under 1.000 for the season. If he’s able to sustain this, he’ll add additional depth and intrigue to an already loaded third base position for the Mariners.
Honorable Mention:
CF Tyson Gillies, L/R, 10/31/1988
6 G, 23 AB, 9 H, 2B, 2 RBI, 6/4 K/BB, .391/~.481/.435
Dishonorable Mention:
IF Ron Garth, R/R, 11/5/1984
3 G, 11 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, .182/~.182/.545
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Nathan Adcock, 2/25/1988
1-0, GS, 1.00 ERA in 9.0 IP, 6 H, 6/0 K/BB, 10/11 Ground/Fly
In the space of a week, Adcock went from worst to first in these listings. After allowing six runs to score against him in five and two-thirds innings his first time out, Adcock threw a complete game this time around, the system’s first of the season. The early going was a bit rough for him, but from the fifth inning on, he only allowed one hit and retired eighteen of nineteen starting in the fourth. The numbers trended a little more towards flyballs than usual for him, but he did get the support of three double plays behind him. Did I mention he did all this at Lancaster, one of the least friendly parks in the league?
Honorable Mention:
RHP Juan Ramirez, 8/16/1988
1-0, GS, 0.00 ERA in 5.1 IP, H, 1/3 K/BB, 11/4 G/F
Dishonorable Mention:
LHP Donnie Hume, 8/29/1985
0-0, GS, 4.91 ERA in 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5/6 K/BB, 1/5 G/F
Strange Happenings:
The Lancaster Jethawks took all of seven plate appearances to figure out how to get backup catcher Jose Yepez out this past series. His overall line for the series: 5-for-6 with a walk, four runs scored, and two doubles. As a whole, the Mavericks are managing a .896 team OPS, a good .076 advantage over a loaded San Jose team.
They Said It:
“’He’s really pitching with confidence and focus,’ Grifol said. ‘Our guys have done a wonderful job with him. That includes our mental skills coaches, who have worked to help him control his emotions. We feel that will help him to repeat his delivery 80 to 90 times a game.’â€
Farm director Pedro Grifol on Juan Ramirez, Baseball America, 4/17/09
The Week in Preview:
4/20-2, vs. Rancho Cucamonga (ANA, 5-6), all times 7:05 pm PDT, except Wednesday (10:35 am PDT)
4/23-6, vs. San Jose (SF, 8-3), all times 7:05 PDT, except Sunday (3:05 pm PDT)
Clinton Lumberkings (4-2 this week, 7-2 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 13th 2009
Rained out.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009
Cedar Rapids 4 (ANA+ 4), Clinton 1
WP: J. Miller; LP: K. Kasparek; SV: J. Thorne
Wednesday, April 15th 2009
Cedar Rapids 3, Clinton 4 (seven innings)
WP: R. Moorer; LP: K. Nabors
Cedar Rapids 5, Clinton 3 (seven innings)
W: M. Kohn; L: W. Suriel; SV: V. Veras
Thursday, April 16th 2009
Wisconsin 1 (MIL – 1), Clinton 7
WP: S. Hensley; LP: T. Watten
Friday, April 17th 2009
Wisconsin 4, Clinton 8
WP: B. Lorin; LP: D. Merklinger
Saturday, April 18th 2009
Wisconsin 1 (MIL – 3), Clinton 4
WP: A. Pribanic; LP: C. Adams; SV: R. Flores
Sunday, April 19th 2009
Also rained out
Hitter of the Week:
DH Scott Savastano, R/R, 6/12/1986
5 G, 17 AB, 5 R, 9 H, 3 RBI, 2/1 K/BB, 2 SB, .529/~.556/.529
A 28th-round pick last season, there’s no denying that Savastano can hit, it’s just a question of where he’ll be playing. A shortstop at Franklin Pierce University, the M’s have played him at mostly at this season, but last year he saw time in right field, left field, and both middle infield positions in addition to the hot corner. The highlight of his week was a 3-for-3 game in the second half of a double-header against Cedar Rapids. The power should come sooner or later.
Honorable Mention:
RF Denny Almonte, S/R, 9/24/1988
6 G, 22 AB, 4 R, 6 H, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, 6/1 K/BB, .272/~.304/.455
Dishnorable Mention:
IF Mario Martinez, R/R, 11/13/1989
5 G, 17 AB, R, 5/1 K/BB, .000/~.056/.000
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Brett Lorin, 3/31/1987
1-0, GS, 1.50 ERA in 6.0 IP, 2 H (HR), ER, 10/1 K/BB, 3/5 G/F
The choice this week was not terribly difficult. While there were quality performances in the week, there’s simply no turning down a start with double-digit Ks. Lorin faced off against the M’s former affiliate in the league, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and rattled off ten Ks himself. The consecutive batters retired was nothing special, topping out at six, but the walk he gave up was his first this season and opponents are hitting just .119 off of him to start the season.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Stephen Hensley, 12/27 1986
1-0, GS, 0.00 ERA in 5.2 IP, 5 H, HB, 8/0 K/BB, 1/6 G/F
(has yet to give up a walk in 10.2 innings)
Dishonorable Mention:
RHP Kenn Kasparek, 9/23/1985
0-1, GS, 9.00 ERA in 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 WP, 5/1 K/BB, 1/3 G/F
From the Training Room:
One move has been made since last week’s update, with IF Ogui Diaz moving up from extended spring training and supplanting Ben Billingsley on the roster. Diaz is probably the most natural shortstop on the roster currently. Nolan Gallagher and Daniel Carroll remain on the disabled list.
Strange Happenings:
The Lumberkings, at 7-2, have the second best record in the league, right behind Fort Wayne, which has gone 10-0 to start the season. They also lead the league in triples with eight. One of the keys to the success has to be the front three in the rotation, who have combined to throw 35.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs and nineteen hits in that span while running a 35/4 K/BB.
They Said It:
“’We’ve battled together since spring training and really grew as a team (during the spring),’ Clinton corner infielder Scott Savastano said. ‘Basically, whatever we did down there has translated up here.’
Clinton Herald, 4/16/2009
The Week in Preview:
4/21-4, at Cedar Rapids (ANA, 6-4), All Times 4:35 PDT
4/25-6, vs. Burlington (KC, 2-7), 4:30 pm PDT Sat., 12:00 pm PDT Sun.
Comments
7 Responses to “Minor League Wrap (4/13-19/09)”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Thanks for all your hard work. Question if you have a second Jay, who would you compare Mike Carp to? Do you think he can be a productive major league regular?
Thanks again! Great info!
When he played in Everett we always wondered if Mumba Rivera was related to the former Twin Bombo Rivera…
I don’t really like to do comps because I believe other people are much better qualified for it. Based off his career numbers to date, I can see him putting up Tino Martinez-like numbers, maybe with a few more walks, more Ks, and the slider dragged a little bit from the HR end of the spectrum to the 2B end. I don’t see many 30+ home runs seasons from him (definitely not 44, though Tino himself only had three seasons with over 30 dingers), but 25 +/- 3 seems about reasonable, along with 30+ doubles. The downside is that he’s not likely to be mistaken for a quality fielder, so you’re looking at a potentially slightly above average hitter and a below average fielder. That’s hardly ideal, but still better than the rest of the internal options, and the price is right.
That would be great if he was, but Bombo was from Puerto Rico and Mumba is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, so I don’t think so.
Jay, great LONG UPDATE! 🙂
Besides Triunfel who is the next best INF option?
Thanks,
i did a double take on Denny Stark (1974 not 1984), thinking the M’s had him the first time around when he was only 14
Hence the two Tommy John surgeries (too young to be throwing that hard) and the eventual return to health (faster recovery). Fixed.
Either Mario Martinez or Jharmidy deJesus. Martinez is a slicker defender, but some lingering issues from spring training have had him playing first instead of third to start the season. He projects as more of an average hitter and doubles hitter than a power hitter. deJesus is more clunky around the bag, but should hit for better power, if he can make the proper adjustments moving up.
If you’re looking for middle infielders, Gabriel Noriega, who is still in extended, is regarded as the best glove in the system but can barely hit at all, so he may end up as Oswaldo Navarro v2.0.
The middle infield duo at High Desert of 2B Edilio Colina and SS Juan Diaz isn’t bad, as org filler goes, but I don’t think either will be cracking the Future Forty any time soon. Diaz has a better chance, as he was pushed hard from a young age and scouts have generally liked his tools.
Overall, there’s some solid depth at third, but little up the middle, which is why the trade of Valbuena stung a bit. There’s no one left down there who can do it all, so to speak.
sounds like if we trade Washburn and Bedard at the deadline maybe it should be for high end middle infield prospects.