minor lines, 4/21/09

by steve S on Apr 21, 2009 11:02 PM PDT in They Might Be Giants

AAA: Fresno defeated Las Vegas 6-5

Fresno: SS Kevin Frandsen: 3 for 5
Fresno: RF John Bowker: 2 for 4, 2B, BB
Fresno: 2B Matt Downs: 1 for 5, HR, SO, E
Las Vegas: Randy Ruiz: 1 for 4, HR

Fresno: LHP Steve Hammond: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K--1 HR
Fresno: RHP Osiris Matos: 0.2 IP, 2 H
Fresno: LHP Pat Misch: 1.1 IP

With three of the Grizzlies' fifteen hits, Frandsen raised his AVG to .262. Bowker, the only hitter in the Grizzlies' lineup with an AVG above .300, also reached base three times. Downs connected for a grand slam HR in the 3rd inning, but he also committed his 3rd error. The 31-year-old Ruiz, who finished the 2007 season in the Giants organization before making his major league debut last August with the Twins, connected for his 5th HR of the year for the Blue Jays' new triple-A affiliate.

Hammond had a quality start to even his W-L record at 1-1. Matos and Misch both were credited were the second hold, but via very different results. Matos retired just two of the four batters he faced, while Misch retired all four batters.

AA: Connecticut hosting New Hampshire postponed by rain
(The previous day's suspended game is scheduled to be resumed on May 16.)

A+: San Jose lost to Lake Elsinore 6-3
(allowing five runs in the last two innings)

San Jose: CF Darren Ford: 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SO, SB
San Jose: 2B Nick Noonan: 0 for 5, 2 SO, GiDP
San Jose: 1B Angel Villalona: 0 for 3, 2 BB, IBB
San Jose: C Trent Kline: 1 for 2, 2 BB

San Jose: RHP Tim Alderson: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K--1 HR
San Jose: RHP David Mixon: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K--1 HR

Ford and Kline both reached base three times to pace the Giants' offense. The pair of hits raised Ford's AVG above the Mendoza line. Five other hitters reached base twice for the Giants, but Noonan suffered the oh-fer to drop his AVG to .313. The only other Giant without a hit was Villalona, who was moved up to the cleanup spot with Posey out of the lineup. He walked twice.

Alderson allowed just a solo HR in the 4th inning, improving his ERA to 3.14 after three starts. Mixon has now allowed 3+ ER in two of his last three appearances.

A-: Augusta lost to Rome 5-4

Augusta: DH Josh Mazzola: 2 for 5, HR, GiDP
Augusta: LF Wendell Fairley: 2 for 3, BB, SO
Augusta: RF James Simmons: 2 for 3, BB, SO, 2 SB

Augusta: LHP Aaron King: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K--1 WP, 1 E
Augusta: LHP Dan Runzler: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K

Fairley and Simmons both reached base three times for the GreenJackets. The pair of hits nearly doubled Fairley's AVG to .154. Mazzola led off the 2nd inning with his 1st HR of the year.

King struggled in his second start of the year, facing 20 batters in less than four full innings (i.e., the first two hitters in the lineup came up for a third time in the 4th inning). Runzler, the 24-year-old selected in the 9th round two years ago, struck out four of the eight batters he faced. So far this year he has 3 H, 3 BB and 14 K in 7.0 IP over four appearances. He also has a 7/1 GO/FO line.

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Comments

Angel Villalona is amazing with his improvement. While many of his SJ teammates are prone to the strikeout Big V has only struck out 6 times in 47 PAs.

Why did the SJ manager remove Tim Alderson after only 6 innings and approximately 70 pitches? The SJ rotation is on a 6-man rotation, how much more can you pamper these pitchers? Aren’t the minor leagues the place for prospects to gain experience and build arm strength?

by wilriv21 on Apr 22, 2009 1:02 AM PDT reply actions

Gerald Posey

Posey was a late scratch however the SJ announcer did not know the reason why? Any word?

by wilriv21 on Apr 22, 2009 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I believe it is fairly common to gradually increase the pitch count of starters in the minors, often starting at 40-50 the first start, and 60-80 for a few more. Minor league players have a very short spring training compared to MLB, so they take a little while to get rolling.

Adoptive Parent of Francisco Peguero. He can throw, he can run, he can hit(fastballs), and he's Dominican. What else do you need to know?

by haverecords on Apr 22, 2009 3:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, he does seem to have taken some important steps.

He’s punishing some breaking balls he struggled with last year—at times.

Adoptive Parent of Francisco Peguero. He can throw, he can run, he can hit(fastballs), and he's Dominican. What else do you need to know?

by haverecords on Apr 22, 2009 3:09 AM PDT up reply actions

The six-man rotation is more objectionable than the low pitch count. Hopefully they’re working with the pitching coach between starts or something.

by Evan on Apr 22, 2009 6:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I spoke to Steve Decker before the season and he said everyone’s on a pitch count at the beginning of the season. Maybe they all follow that philosophy?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 22, 2009 6:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I like this thought. The whole mileage on arms under 25 a side it encourages & rewards a pitcher for efficiency and throwing strikes.

Where is my beer & chili dog?

by daveinexile on Apr 22, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I read a blurb in the Examiner that said CT and Augusta were also doing the six man. I haven’t been paying real close attention to those teams so I don’t know if that’s true. Also, the short season rookie team in Salem-Keizer does a split rotation to spare wear and tear on young arms fresh off the draft.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 22, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Can understand the short season rookie team because for many of the players they are at the end of a HS or college season and are putting on additional IP in their pro debuts. However by the time you get to Hi A the pitcher has been in the organization awhile and time to build arm strength.

by wilriv21 on Apr 22, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

But sometimes a pitcher will start off in hi A, this is done with a few college pitchers and select advanced high schoolers, like Tim2, why not protect your big money investments when they are new to professional baseball

Why does Sabean always look constipated?

by TexasRanger on Apr 22, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Double Dipping

You are protecting them. How much protection do you need? You got them on a pitch count AND 6-man rotation. When do you take the pacifier away from the kids?

by wilriv21 on Apr 22, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Lookit AnVil taking those walks

Even if one was intentional I’m very encouraged by his recent play. It seems he’s being more patient, and waiting for ‘good’ pitches to hit. I agree with Wil, he’s showing remarkable improvement in terms of discipline so far this season.

We don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks. - Calvin

by solace on Apr 22, 2009 7:24 AM PDT reply actions

I’m really impressed by the way AnVil has progressed so far this season too. Of course, it’s still early, but it’s very encouraging.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Apr 22, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions

If he's not careful

Anvil just might break Barry’s walk record when he makes it up to SF

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Apr 22, 2009 8:25 AM PDT reply actions

tooting my own horn

I made note of Gillaspie’s league leading 11 walks in my first Cal League notebook for MiLB.com: look. I’m bringing you all your California League needs this year.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 22, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions