Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-17-2006

[craig]

On Blackford, I know the report is out there that he throws low 90's. A friend of mine watched one of his games several weeks ago, one in which he allowed only one run in 6 innings so was fairly effective. My friend, who has watched hundreds of minor league games so has a pretty good judgment, said there wasn't a gun at the game but that Blackford didn't throw very hard, and pitched behind most of the hitters.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

SP JR Mathes 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3/0 K/BB, 3-0 GO-FO

 

JR left the game with an injury.

[Outshined_One]

Question: What is Pawelek doing right now? I just looked, and Boise's season doesnt start for another month. Why isnt he in Peoria? This is so pissing me off. Is he is Mesa working out.

 

I repeat:

 

From John Manuel's ESPN Chat:

 

Mark (RI): John...what has happened to Mark Pawelek....looks like he has yet to pitch this season...did I miss something?

 

SportsNation John Manuel: (2:36 PM ET ) From what I understand, he wasn't in top shape in spring training and wasn't able to make a full-season roster. It's really not that big of a deal; I think it makes sense to take it slow with high school pitchers. He'll probably start in the short-season Northwest League in June.

[craig]

How do you like seeing a catcher with a good average (.365) who's got good power (2 HR in the past 2 games) and can steal a base....(5 on the year)?? Personally, I love it. This kid has got some talent.

 

Not to be negative, I'm pretty interested. But just a couple of cautions. Obviously it's a very, very small sample size, since he only catches half of the games. You knew that, of course. Second, he's K'ing a ton. When a guy is K'ing over 25% of his AB, after having a high K-rate last year as well, it does raise some red flags. Third, when a dude is hitting .466 on balls in play, I don't think that's sustainable. Still, other than the K's he's hitting very well, and I hope it continues. Given how high the batting average is, he can have his BABIP settle into reality and still have a pretty good average.

[sporrer17]

I know he's K'ing quite a bit still, which you never like to see (especially in A ball), but it's more just the overall talent rather than numbers that I'm looking at. He's showing power, speed, and even if it is off a bit, pretty good average. For a catcher to potential in all 3 of those categories along with being a solid defensive guy, it is very exciting.