Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-17-2006

[NCCubFan]

d'oh - sorry everyone. how the heck did I miss that?!? no one tell Nate, OK? :oops:

How much is my silence worth? :lol:

[Chris]

Here's a tease...

 

DJaxx sat with Andy MacPhail, Dave Keller and Julio Garcia at the game for a few innings today and Andy took a few questions for NSBB.

 

But everyone will have to wait for DJaxx to get back from the game to hear what was said. :P

 

Thanks!

 

Tonight was tremendous, a great night. It was great enough in that the Jaxx were able to open their home schedule. For those of you who have followed the Jaxx over the past few months, you are aware that even having the Jaxx is a great accomplishment.

 

The organization worked hard and their hard work and determination was visible all over the big chip. The park may not have been full, but it had the feelings and atmosphere of days gone by at the park. Hopefully tonight is a spark of life that will continue through the community and secure the Jaxx organization for years to come.

 

It was great to see Dave again. Dave has been more than gracious in giving his time to answer our questions on the site. It was good to be able to thank him personally. In addition, it was great to talk to Andy and have an impromptu interview with some questions from Tim. Andy was a great conversation and I enjoyed getting to visit him. It was also great to get to meet Julio Garcia. Julio graciously offered to answer our questions!

 

Below are the questions asked to Andy MacPhail. I'll try to get the quotes posted before long. In addition to the questions, I did get to talk to Andy about the site and talked about what it will take to establish a relationship between the Cubs and NSBB.

 

1. What does Dusty Baker have to do to earn a contract extension or is it a given that he’s already received one? Is it just a matter of finding time to sign the deal?

 

2. You were a GM while Jim Hendry was the Farm Director. During this time, there was a lot of emphasis on Latin American players. Since Felix Pie, Angel Guzman and Carlos Zambrano, many feel there has not been as much emphasis placed on signing Latin American players. What are the Cubs doing to address signing players in Latin America?

 

3. In regards to Japanese prospects, we were able to get Hee Seop Choi and J.K. Ryu. However, there still hasn’t been a replacement for Leon Lee. What are the Cubs doing in regards to recruiting players in Asia? After the World Baseball Classic, many realize how many great players are in Asia. What are the Cubs doing in an effort to sign them?

 

4. Rich Hill and Angel Guzman are playing great in AAA. Any comments on whether or not we will see either of them with the Chicago Cubs before long?

[Chris]

Thanks Ron!

 

DIAMOND JAXX DEFEAT MISSISSIPPI 6-2

 

(Jackson, TN)- The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx defeated the Mississippi Braves 6-2 in the home opener before a crowd of 2,403 fans at Pringles Park.

 

Jaxx starting pitcher J.R. Mathes (2-0) continued his early success by getting his second win of the season. Mathes allowed an unearned run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. He walked one and struck out six. Eric Patterson, Luis Montanez, Scott Moore and Jose Reyes had two hits each to highlight the Diamond Jaxx twelve hit attack. Carlos Rojas had two RBI’s on the night while Moore, Adam Greenberg, Micah Hoffpauir and Richard Lewis drove in a run each.

 

Sean White (0-1) suffered the loss for Mississippi. White allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in both Braves runs in the loss. Both Braves runs were unearned runs, lowering the Diamond Jaxx team ERA to 1.51 on the season.

 

The Diamond Jaxx and Braves will play a doubleheader beginning tomorrow afternoon at 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Carlos Marmol (0-0 0.00) gets the start for the Diamond Jaxx in game one of the twin-bill. Mississippi will counter with righty Ryan Basner (0-1 4.15). In the nightcap, left-hander Carmen Pignatiello (0-0 1.69) gets the spot start for the Diamond Jaxx. The Braves are undecided as to who will pitch the second game.

[Chris]

Thanks Nathan!

 

Chiefs Score Early and Late in 6-2 Win

Veal dominant over six innings for first MWL win

 

Beloit, WI – The Peoria Chiefs scored in four different innings including the 1st and 9th en route to a 6-2 series opening win over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field Monday night. The Chiefs move to 5-6 on the half while Beloit falls to 5-6

 

Peoria wasted no time in jumping on Snappers starter Kyle Waldrop in the top of the 1st. After two outs, Mark Reed singled to right and Ryan Norwood doubled to left to put two runners in scoring position for Brandon Taylor. The Chiefs RBI leader took advantage with a 2-run double just inside the third base line to put the Chiefs on top 2-0. The double gave Taylor nine RBI in 11 games on the season.

 

Chiefs starter Donnie Veal cruised through two innings before allowing an unearned run in the 3rd. With two outs, Drew Thompson drew a four pitch walk and advance to third on an error by Taylor at third base. Caleb Moore, who entered the game batting a MWL leading .407, followed with a RBI single to left to cut the lead to 2-1. Veal recovered to strikeout Henry Sanchez to end the threat.

 

Peoria pushed the lead back to two with a run off Waldrop in the 5th inning. Matt Ciaramella walked to start the inning and advanced to third on a double by Robinson Chirinos. After a strikeout, Davy Gregg gave the Chiefs a 3-1 lead when his RBI groundout scored Ciaramella. Waldrop ended the threat by getting Dylan Johnston to fly out to center.

 

Veal left the game after six innings and turned a two run lead over to the bullpen. The Snappers got one run back in the 7th and were looking for more. Steve Tolleson led off with a single and with one out Yancarlos Ortiz singled to left. Tarrance Patterson reached on a fielders choice and Drew Thompson singled home Tolleson to make it a one run game. But reliever Jesse Estrada induced an inning ending groundout off the bat of Paul Kelly to preserve the Chiefs 3-2 lead.

 

Peoria broke the game open in the 8th inning. With one out, Waldrop walked Dylan Johnston and was replaced by Jose Lugo. Reed beat out a basehit back to the pitcher and Johnston score when Lugo’s throw to first went down the right-field line. Danny Powers relieved Lugo and intentionally walked Norwood before issuing a free pass to Taylor to load the bases. Alberto Garcia’s opposite field single gave the Chiefs a 5-2 lead.

 

Veal (1-2) picked up the win by going a season long six innings. He allowed just four hits and walked one while striking out three. Estrada allowed one run on three hits in his one inning of work and Matt Avery threw one shutout inning. Ed Campusano threw a perfect 9th to finish the game.

 

Pepsi Player of the Game

 

Donnie Veal (SP) – The Chiefs opening day starter picked up his first win of the season with six brilliant innings. The left-hander allowed one unearned run on four hits while striking out three and walking just one.

 

Notes…Monday’s game was attended by 478 fans…Garcia’s single in the 8th was the Chiefs first hit in 10 at-bats with the bases load this season…Davy Gregg’s seven game hit streak game to an end with an 0-for-5 night at the plate…Beloit’s shortstop Paul Kelly went hitless for the first time in 11 starts…RHP Todd Blackford (1-0) will start Tuesday at 6:30 PM against LHP Brian Duensing (0-1)…The broadcast begins with the pre-game show on http://www.peoriachiefs.com at 6:15 PM.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Up to the minute lines:

 

EPatt: .341/.387/.545/.932 in 49 PA's

 

Pie: .348/.423/.565/.988 in 52 PA's

 

hot hot hot

[CaliforniaRaisin]

ME WANT FREE T-SHIRT! :D

 

Go Cubs!

 

You get free t-shirt!

 

Congrats Brian, you're the big winner!

[Chris]

ME WANT FREE T-SHIRT! :D

 

Go Cubs!

 

You get free t-shirt!

 

Congrats Brian, you're the big winner!

 

=D>

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Uhh, Les Walrond has a 0.53 ERA through 17 IP/3 starts (granted, his peripherals haven't been as impressive). :shock:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

West Tenn: LHP JR Mathes (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 11 IP, 3/2) vs. RHP Sean White (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 8.2 IP) - home opener

Okay, I must admit ignorance here. Where did we get JR Mathes from, and what is his story?

 

-Banghart

 

He's a 16th rounder of the Cubs from 2004, he's 24 now and spent last season at Daytona (here are his career stats).

[Outshined_One]

West Tenn: LHP JR Mathes (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 11 IP, 3/2) vs. RHP Sean White (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 8.2 IP) - home opener

Okay, I must admit ignorance here. Where did we get JR Mathes from, and what is his story?

 

-Banghart

 

He's a 16th rounder of the Cubs from 2004, he's 24 now and spent last season at Daytona (here are his career stats).

 

He's put up good numbers, but doesn't have stuff that will blow you out of the water. However, since he's lefthanded, he could well have a job in the majors in the very near future.

[craig]

Veal with his first good box-score. But he is establishing himself as an extreme flyball pitcher. His G/F ratio thus far is 0.36! Only 8 groundouts in 3 starts, 22 flyouts. Last year he was also flyball-ish, although not as extreme. May make Rich Hill and Wellemeyer look like groundball artists?

 

Berg remains a GB-guy supreme, even in a bad game.

 

If Mathes standard FB/curveball/change guy? Is he really slow, or his fastball respectable? An 86-89 type fastball, or more an 83-86 type? He's been a low-walks control artist, and last year was a groundball guy to the extreme (2.89 G/F according to Baseball America). He's been likewise GB-oriented in his three good starts. He started pretty good last year, but then gave up hits by the bushel during the summer months last year. Hopefully that was a fluke? First full-season year, arm got tired? Or he had some nagging injury that he pitched through, but is gone now and has no predictive power? Or for some reason he lost his curve, or something? Also, anything in his delivery that might make him extra tough on lefties and thus might make him well suited for Loogy?

[cubweiser03]

Up to the minute lines:

 

EPatt: .341/.387/.545/.932 in 49 PA's

 

Pie: .348/.423/.565/.988 in 52 PA's

 

hot hot hot

 

WOW. I didnt know Pie's OBP was that much higher than his BA. I know this is only 52PA, but this is a really encouraging sign. Im impressed.

 

Brownie on the other hand is really lmaking me scratch my head.

[rawaction]

Up to the minute lines:

 

EPatt: .341/.387/.545/.932 in 49 PA's

 

Pie: .348/.423/.565/.988 in 52 PA's

 

hot hot hot

 

WOW. I didnt know Pie's OBP was that much higher than his BA. I know this is only 52PA, but this is a really encouraging sign. Im impressed.

 

Brownie on the other hand is really lmaking me scratch my head.

 

That's helped alot by his HBP and intentional walk yesterday. But his BB/K ratio is very good and much improved so far.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Up to the minute lines:

 

EPatt: .341/.387/.545/.932 in 49 PA's

 

Pie: .348/.423/.565/.988 in 52 PA's

 

hot hot hot

 

WOW. I didnt know Pie's OBP was that much higher than his BA. I know this is only 52PA, but this is a really encouraging sign. Im impressed.

 

Brownie on the other hand is really lmaking me scratch my head.

 

That's helped alot by his HBP and intentional walk yesterday. But his BB/K ratio is very good and much improved so far.

 

That didn't include the HBP yesterday. I must've messed up somewhere though(it was a quick calculation without sacrifices and such), BA has him at .348/.418/.565/.983, EPatt at .341/.391/.585/.977

[Diffusion]

Up to the minute lines:

 

EPatt: .341/.387/.545/.932 in 49 PA's

 

Pie: .348/.423/.565/.988 in 52 PA's

 

hot hot hot

 

WOW. I didnt know Pie's OBP was that much higher than his BA. I know this is only 52PA, but this is a really encouraging sign. Im impressed.

 

Brownie on the other hand is really lmaking me scratch my head.

 

That's helped alot by his HBP and intentional walk yesterday. But his BB/K ratio is very good and much improved so far.

 

To be extremely picky, Pie's OBP is actually .418, Patterson's is actually .391, and Patterson's slugging is actually .585. Patterson has 46 PA and Pie 55 (not including sac bunts). But apart from that, the above numbers are correct.

[Brian]

ME WANT FREE T-SHIRT! :D

 

Go Cubs!

 

You get free t-shirt!

 

Congrats Brian, you're the big winner!

 

yes, I'm awesome... now what do I do!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

ME WANT FREE T-SHIRT! :D

 

Go Cubs!

 

You get free t-shirt!

 

Congrats Brian, you're the big winner!

 

yes, I'm awesome... now what do I do!

 

DJAXX will let you know.