Minor League Wrap (4/20-26/09)
This week’s rundown will be a bit abbreviated, by my standards at least, as I just haven’t had the time to commit to it after a rather eventful week. Consequently, I had to cut out the quotes, happenings, and ground/fly ratios. They may be back again for next Monday, but it’s hard to tell at this point. Everything else is as it’s been before.
In the meantime, if you’re truly starved for more, I recommend an impressive Baseball America article by Matt Eddy that scouts the Mavericks pitching staff and the kind of things they’ve been doing to avoid the notorious effects of their home park.
To the jump!
Those Who Can’t Do [For Now], Teach:
The Everett Aquasox finally announced who their pitching coach would be to start the season, although the name came as a bit of a surprise. Right-hander Rich Dorman, who has spent six of his nine years as a pro in the organization, was named to pass on his wisdom to a future ‘Sox. Funny thing though, the 30-year-old from Medford isn’t officially retired, he’s just on the DL after shoulder surgery sidelined him at the end of last season. Of course, some guys just can’t stay away from the game, and Dorman, who has been on both ends of the battery now, seems to be one of them. Now he returns to an Everett team where he pitched in 2002. The squad featured future big leaguers Ryan Rowland-Smith, Cesar Jimenez, Bobby Livingston, and Rene Rivera, as well as an infielder who is now the ‘Sox hitting coach, Eriberto “Eddie†Menchaca.
Tacoma Rainiers (1-6 this week, 9-9 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 20th 2009
Sacramento 10 (OAK 0), Tacoma 5
WP: R. Webb; LP: G. Olson
Tuesday, April 21st 2009
Salt Lake City 10 (ANA + 4), Tacoma 1
WP: S. Leon; LP: G. Hernandez
Wednesday, April 22nd 2009
Salt Lake City 6 (ANA + 5), Tacoma 3
WP: M. MacDonald; LP: C. Seddon; SV: R. Mosebach
Thursday, April 23rd 2009
Salt Lake City 4 (ANA + 6), Tacoma 2
WP: D. Denham; LP: J. Delgado; SV: J. Hill
Friday, April 24th 2009
Salt Lake City 0 (ANA + 5), Tacoma 14
WP: J. Vargas; LP: B. Knox
Saturday, April 25th 2009
Tacoma 1, Colorado Springs 2 (COL + 6)
WP: S. Munter; LP: G. Olson; SV: J. Peralta
Sunday, April 26th 2009
Tacoma 5, Colorado Springs 7 (COL + 7)
WP: J. Fogg; LP: E. Hull; SV: S. Register
Hitter of the Week:
RF Prentice Redman, R/R, 8/23/1979
6 G, 25 AB, 8 R, 9 H 2B, 5 HR, 5 RBI, 5/2 K/BB, .360/~.407/1.000
As awards go, this one was a no doubter. While all of the shots were solo, you can’t really overlook a five home run week from Redman. That was about what it would have to take to knock Carp off of his pedestal, though Carp managed to slip off a bit himself, mired in a slump where he went five games without a hit. Redman, on the other hand, has a hit streak going back to the 17th, nine games ago, and has been batting .429 in that span. This week, he also managed to score in every game he played.
Honorable Mention:
C Jeff Clement, L/R, 8/21/1983
4 G, 18 AB, 4 R, 8 H, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 3/0 K/BB, .444/~.444/.833
[additional congratulations on becoming a new father]
Dishonorable Mention:
OF Freddy Guzman, S/R, 1/20/1981
6 G, 20 AB, R, 2 H, 2/1 K/BB, .100/~.143/.100
Pitcher of the Week:
LHP Jason Vargas. 2/20/1983
1-0, GS, 0.00 ERA in 6.0 IP, 3 H, 8/1 K/BB
The lone win on the week for was very much earned, as Vargas struck out eight Salt Lake City batters to add to his totals for the year. With twenty-two strikeouts, he leads the team by a comfortable margin of seven and also leads in innings pitched with 21.2. Vargas retired eleven in a row from the third to the sixth, which included five of his eight strikeouts.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Andy Baldwin, 10/20/1982
0-0, GS, 1.50 ERA in 6.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 7/1 K/BB
Dishonorable Mention:
RHP Jesus Delgado, 4/19/1984
0-1, 2 G, 18.00 ERA in 3.0 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4/4 K/BB
From The Training Room:
This week saw the return of Cesar Jimenez to action, as he pitched one inning, walking and striking out one. Tui has been hampered by injuries and limited to DH action since being sent down. Wilson and Saunders remain on the disabled list.
The Week in Preview:
4/27-28, at Colorado Springs (COL 12-5), All Times 5:05 pm PDT
4/30-5/3, vs. Fresno (SF 5-13), All Times 7:00 pm PDT except Sunday (1:30 pm)
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (3-4 this week, 7-10 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 20th 2009
Tennessee 4 (CHC 0), West Tenn 3
WP: V. Perkins; LP: R. Rohrbaugh; SV: B. Parker
Tuesday, April 21st 2009
Tennessee 8 (CHC + 1), West Tenn 7
WP J. Ruhlman; LP: M. Rivera; SV: B. Schlitter
Wednesday, April 22nd 2009
Tennessee 2 (CHC 0), West Tenn 7
WP: K. Parker; LP: H. Chen
Thursday, April 23rd 2009
Tennessee 6 (CHC + 1), West Tenn 2
WP: C. Coleman; LP: N. Hill
Friday, April 24th 2009
Tennessee 2 (CHC 0), West Tenn 9
WP: P. Ryan; LP: J. Jackson
Saturday, April 25th 2009
Mississippi 1 (ATL 0), West Tenn 3
WP: R. Rohrbaugh; LP: J. Venters; SV: J. Fields
Sunday, April 26th 2009
Mississippi 6 (ATL + 1), West Tenn 4
WP: B. Dumesnil; LP: M. Vega; SV: R. Cruz
Hitter of the Week:
CF Ezequiel Carrera, L/L, 6/11/1987
7 G, 22 AB 6 R, 8 H, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 6/6 K/BB, .363/~.500/~.500
Unlike the honorable mention, which ended up a selection of one of several different flawed contributors, Carrera put himself on the map with a 4-for-5 night on Tuesday and never went away. Pinch-running appearance aside, Carrera has reached safely in the past nine games he’s played and has been running near-even eye numbers all season long. The power is slow to come along, although he did hit the D-Jaxx’ first triple of the year on Friday night.
Honorable Mention:
C Adam Moore, R/R, 5/8/1984
7 G, 24 AB, 3 R, 8 H, 2B, 3 RBI, 5/1 K/BB, .333/~.360/.375
Dishonorable Mention:
IF Jeff Dominguez, S/R, 7/31/1986
5 G, 10 AB, 2 H, RBI, CS, .200/.200/.200
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Justin Souza, 10/22/1985
0-0, 3 G (GS), 0.00 ERA in 8.2 IP, 5 H, 6/1 K/BB
The season is not even twenty days old and already the D-Jaxx have seen two members of their rotation, Ricky Orta and Luis Pena, go down with injuries with no real timetable for when they’re going to return. So today, we highlight the ringers, Justin Souza and Patrick Ryan, the guys who were brought in to hold down their places and have managed to do well enough so far. Souza, replacing Orta for Sunday’s outing, went five innings and held the Mississippi Braves to four hits and a walk while striking out three. Ryan’s most recent outing, far better than his first as a starter, is listed below.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Patrick Ryan, 5/31/1983
1-0, 3.00 ERA in 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6/1 K/BB
Dishonorable Mention:
RHP Aaron Cotter, 1/2/1984
0-0, 2 G, 7.36 ERA in 3.2 IP, 6 H, 2/1 K/BB
The Week in Preview:
4/27-9, vs. Mississippi (ATL 9-8), All Times 5:05 pm PDT except Wednesday (9:05 am)
4/30-5/3, at Birmingham (CHW 11-5), All Times 5:05 pm PDT except Sunday (12:05 pm)
High Desert Mavericks (4-3 this week, 13-5 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 20th 2009
Rancho Cucamonga 5 (ANA – 2), High Desert 3
WP: J. Wild; LP: M. Kenney; SV: A. Varvaro
Tuesday, April 21st 2009
Rancho Cucamonga 9 (ANA – 1), High Desert 4
WP: T. Kiely; LP T. Mortimore
Wednesday, April 22nd 2009
Rancho Cucamonga 3 (ANA – 2), High Desert 6
WP: N. Adcock; LP: R. Fish
Thursday, April 23rd 2009
San Jose 9 (SF + 7), High Desert 6
WP: S. Barnes, LP: E. Paredes
Friday, April 24th 2009
San Jose 1 (SF + 6), High Desert 9
WP: M. Pineda; LP: C. Clark
Saturday, April 25th 2009
San Jose 5 (SF + 7), High Desert 3
WP: O. Odle; LP: J. Ramirez; SV: E. Quirarte
Sunday, April 26th 2009
San Jose 8 (SF + 6), High Desert 11
WP: S. Richard; LP: A. Cowart; SV: P. Aumont
Hitter of the Week:
3B Alex Liddi, R/R, 8/14/1988
7 G, 29 AB, 6 R, 13 H, 3 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6/1 K/BB, .448/~.466/.966
How was this week for the offense? Let me put it this way, I decided to add a second honorable mention rather than single one guy out for underperforming. Highlighting the week were Liddi, Dunigan, and Kuo-hui Lo, who hit eleven home runs between them. Six of those came during Sunday’s game, in which the Mavs managed eight dingers in all and the aforementioned three had two apiece. Liddi, whose previous career high in home runs was eight, matched exactly half of that in the past week.
Honorable Mention:
1B Joe Dunigan, L/L, 3/29/1986
7 G, 29 AB, 14 H, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5/0 K/BB, SB, CS, .483/~.483/.897
Also Honorable Mention:
LF Kuo-hui Lo, R/R, 9/26/1985
5 G, 21 AB 9 H, 2 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 3/0 K/BB, .429/~.429/1.190
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Michael Pineda, 1/18/1989
1-0, GS, 1.23 ERA in 7.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 6/0 K/BB
Another week, another quality start for the Maverick’s opening day starter. Facing a loaded San Jose lineup which featured four of their top ten prospects according to BA, names like Angel Villalona, Buster Posey, Nick Noonan, and Conor Gillaspie, Pineda retired both the first seven and the last eight in order, and worked his way to a 9-1 victory as the Mavericks’ bats pounded the starter.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Nathan Adcock, 2/25/1988
1-0, 0.00 ERA in 6.0 IP, 4 H, 4/1 K/BB
Dishonorable Mention:
LHP Edward Paredes, 9/30/1986
0-1, GS, 9.00 ERA in 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3/2 K/BB
The Week in Preview:
4/28-30, at Inland Empire (LAD 7-11), all times 7:05 pm PDT
5/1-3, at Rancho Cucamonga (LAA, 8-10), 7:35 pm PDT Fri., 7:05 pm PDT Sat., 2:05 pm PDT Sun.
Clinton Lumberkings (1-5 this week, 8-7 overall)
The Week in Review:
Monday, April 20th 2009
Off day.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009
Clinton 3, Cedar Rapids 6 (ANA + 3)
WP: M. Davitt; LP: K. Kasparek; SV: V. Veras
Wednesday, April 22nd 2009
Clinton 4, Cedar Rapids 2 (ANA + 2)
WP: S. Hensley; LP: M. Flores; SV: R. Flores
Thursday, April 23rd 2009
Clinton 5, Cedar Rapids 8 (ANA + 3)
WP: M. Correa; LP: B. LaFromboise
Friday, April 24th 2009
Clinton 2, Cedar Rapids 3 (ANA + 4)
WP: F. Cabrera; LP: K. Meyer
Saturday, April 25th 2009
Burlington 3 (KC – 6), Clinton 1
WP: J. Garcia; LP: B. Nation; SV: B. Bowden
Sunday, April 26th 2009
Burlington 6 (KC – 5), Clinton 2
WP: C. Bryant; LP: R. Moorer
Hitter of the Week:
1B Nate Tenbrink, L/R, 12/21/1986
6 G, 21 AB, 4 R, 9 H, 2 2B, RBI, 5/3 K/BB, 2 SB, 2 CS, .429/~.500/.524
Last year’s seventh-round pick, Tenbrink was known through college as being more tools than results, and his Everett line of .198/.339/.317 through 202 at-bats supported just that. Still, there is enough in the plate discipline to think that there might be more out of him one of these days. This week didn’t see any gaudy power numbers out of him, like what Almonte has been known to run out, but he reached safely in every game and capped it with a 3-for-3 performance on Sunday. He’s way down the depth chart as third basemen and even first basemen go, but everyone has to start somewhere.
Honorable Mention:
RF Denny Almonte, S/R, 9/24/1988
6 G, 23 AB, 2 R, 8 H, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 6/1 K/BB, .348/~.375/.619
Dishnorable Mention:
IF Ogui Diaz, R/R, 12/1/1985
5 G, 17 AB, H, 2B, 2 RBI, 2/1 K/BB, SB, CS, .059/.111/.118
Pitcher of the Week:
RHP Stephen Hensley, 12/27/1986
1-0, GS, 0.00 ERA in 7.0 IP, 8 H, R, WP, 5/0 K/BB
The rest of Clinton’s Big Three didn’t come out with brilliant starts, so Hensley gets to come in despite giving up eight hits in seven innings. This is not to say that he isn’t an interesting pitcher, however, as he has two important distinctions on the year. For one, he has yet to allow a run, one of two pitchers on staff to remain “perfect†(the other being lefty Jose Jimenez), and the other bring that he’s yet to allow a walk with 17.2 innings pitched. The dude knows how to attack the strikezone.
Honorable Mention:
RHP Walter Suriel, 7/21/1986
0-0, 2 G, 1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP, 4 H, 6/1 K/BB
Dishonorable Mention:
LHP Bobby LaFromboise, 6/25/1986
0-1, 2 G, 27.00 ERA in 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0/1 K/BB
From the Training Room:
Carroll is off the DL and Dickey has been sent back to extended spring training.
The Week in Preview:
4/27-8, vs. Burlington (KC, 5-10), All Times 4:30 pm PDT
4/29-5/2, vs. Fort Wayne (SD, 12-4), All Times 4:30 pm PDT
5/2-3, vs. Quad Cities (STL, 7-7), 4:30 pm PDT Sat., 12:00 pm PDT Sun
Comments
8 Responses to “Minor League Wrap (4/20-26/09)”
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I hope Prentice gets another shot at the MLB level, I’ve seen him toiling in the Minors for years it seems…I remember when he played for the Norfolk Tides, when they were the Triple-A team for the NY Mets. Seems like he has improved his game since then.
It didn’t make it into Jay’s update, but I’ll toss out a little love for Josh Fields. This was his week:
3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
He was a disaster in his first appearance as a professional, walking four of the six batters he faced. However, since that outing, he’s struck out 12 of 22 batters while only issuing three walks.
If he keeps striking out 50% of the batters he faces, he won’t be in Double-A for long.
Also, I know it’s a sore subject for most of us, but Phillippe Aumont is destroying the Cal League out of the bullpen right now. Went 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K this week, and he’s simultaneously running a 22% K rate and a 65% GB rate. Groundballs and strikeouts are a lethal combination.
Good call on both, Dave.
Fields, while in a limited role, is easily the best pitcher on the Diamond-Jaxx roster, not that there’s a great deal of competition.
Clement has a .364 wOBA after yesterday’s game. Can’t even hit AAA pitchers anymore my ass.
[deleted, off topic]
The main thing I gleaned from all this is the fact that we have a lot of short inning arms, performing reasonably well none of which being developed to help fill any holes at the big league level any time soon.
I’ve been told that there was a time when the normal progression was from reliever to starter — that many pitchers broke into the majors via the bullpen, and only later graduated to the rotation. It sort of sounds like that’s what Zduriencik has in mind with Aumont, though it’s hard to know (and he may not be sure, or may turn out to be wrong). I don’t know how you get him used to working five or six innings at a stretch without sending him back down to start at Tacoma, though.
No, even in the minors most relievers, even closers, are groomed by putting them in the rotation to get more steady work and develop their pitches.
Pushing them to relief-only roles while in the minors is a relatively recent development and even now it’s fairly uncommon and usually done in the high minors if at all.