Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-3-2008

[Outshined_One]

Box Scores

 

Iowa PPD: Rain

 

Tennessee lost 3-0 Box Score

 

CF T. Colvin 1/4, K

3B K. Reynolds 0/3, K

DH R. Harvey 0/3, 2 K

2B N. Spears, 0/2, 2 E (2, throwing & fielding)

PH/2B R. Chirinos 0/1

C C. Robinson 0/3, K

RF M. Camp 0/3, K

SS J. Simokaitis 0/3, K

SP J. Berg 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2/1 K/BB, 6-4 GO-FO

RP M. Avery 1.1 hitless/scoreless, 1/4 K/BB, 1-2 GO-FO, WP

 

Daytona lost 8-6 Box Score

 

2B T. Thomas 2/5, R, K

CF J. Wyatt 2/4, R

LF T. Wright, 2/4, BB, R, 2B (1), K

1B S. Clevenger 0/5, RBI, 2 K

3B J. Lansford 0/4, R, RBI

DH Y. Carter 1/4, R, 2 RBI, HR (1), 2 K

C W. Castillo 3/4

SS D. Barney 0/4, K

SP E. Caridad 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3/0 K/BB, 5-7 GO-FO

RP C. Lambert 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1/1 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

RP M. Phelps 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1/1 K/BB, HR, 2-1 GO-FO

RP J. Ruhlman .1 scoreless, 1 H, 0-1 GO-FO

RP R. Meyers .2 hitless, 3 ER, 1/2 K/BB, HBP, 0-1 GO-FO, HBP

RP J. Papelbon .2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0/1 K/BB, 1-1 GO-FO

 

Peoria lost 2-0 Box Score

 

SS M. Gonzalez 1/3, BB, K

2B N. Samson 0/3, K

3B M. Smith 0/4, 2 K

C J. Donaldson 0/4, K

1B J. Rosa 1/3, K, E (1, throw)

LF D. Johnston 0/3, 2 K, SB (1), CS (1)

RF C. Andersen 0/1, 2 BB, 1 K

CF D. Rundle 0/1, HBP

SP R. Acosta 3 scoreless, 2 H, 2-7 GO-FO

RP C. Muschko 3 scoreless, 1 H, 5/0 K/BB, 3-1 GO-FO

RP J. Latham 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1/2 K/BB, 2-1 GO-FO

RP D. Sasser .2 hitless/scoreless, 1/0 K/BB, 0-1 GO-FO, E (1, pickoff)

 

OVERALL: 0-3

Edited April 4, 2008 by Outshined_One

[Guest]

Probable Starters:

 

Iowa: LHP Sean Marshall (2007 at Daytona & Iowa: 3-0, 2.05 ERA, 30.2 IP, 19 K/9 BB)

Tenn: RHP Justin Berg (2007 at Tenn: 7-7, 4.95 ERA, 140 IP, 69 K/69 BB)

Daytona: RHP Esmailin Caridad (2007 at Hiroshima Carp: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.2 IP, 0 K/1 BB)

Peoria: RHP Ryan Acosta (2007 at Mesa & Boise: 0-2, 3.00 ERA, 18 IP, 14 K/6 BB)

 

Esmailin Caridad is making his U.S. debut. Robert Hernandez was scheduled to start for Peoria but was suspended.

[Flames24Rulz]

Yay for the minors :)

[wvcbxl]

Yay for the minors :)

 

Indeed.

Hope springs eternal.

[Guest]

The local newspapers have some season preview stuff if you're interested:

 

The Des Moines Register highlights new Iowa manager Pat Listach.

 

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a Smokies season preview. Most interesting stuff is that Samardzija has indeed added a split finger FB and that Mitch Atkins now has a cut FB. Rocky Roquet will be the closer.

 

The Peoria Journal-Star focuses on Dylan Johnston's switch from shortstop to left field.

 

And the Daytona News-Journal has a fluff piece on how Lansford, Russell, Papelbon and Reed all have brothers or fathers who have played at the big league level. There is some good preview stuff at the bottom (including our first look at the official Daytona rotation):

 

PROBABLE LINEUP

 

1. Tony Thomas, second base

 

This former FSU standout has a level stroke with gap power. He hit .308 and stole 28 bases in 46 games with the Boise Hawks last season.

 

2. Jonathan Wyatt, center field

 

Former Georgia Bulldog should get along well with manager Jody Davis, a huge 'Dog fan, but equaling his .306 average and all-star status from last season will impress even more.

 

3. Ty Wright, left field

 

Oklahoma State product produced .308 average, 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in half season of pro ball last season. He'll get first crack at driving in table setters Thomas and Wyatt.

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

 

5. James Aducci, right field

 

After getting sent down from Daytona after just 12 games last season, he responded by leading Peoria with .292 average that ranked sixth in Midwest League.

 

6. Josh Lansford, third base

 

The son of former AL batting champ Carney Lansford can put on a clinic at third base. He's a good low-ball hitter who is working on being more selective at the plate and increasing his power.

 

7 Welington Castillo, catcher

 

D-Cubs fans who liked Jake Muyco's ability to gun down would-be base stealers are going to love Castillo. And when healthy, he can hit, too.

 

8. Yusuf Carter, designated hitter

 

Carter's raw power is impressive, but the .190 average with 64 strikeouts here in 195 at-bats left Cubs with no choice but to return him to Daytona.

 

9. Darwin Barney, shortstop

 

College baseball fans might recognize this face from Oregon State's back-to-back national championships in 2006 and '07. Maybe he'll help Daytona make a FSL championship run.

 

ROTATION

 

Esmailin Caridad

 

No. 1 starter

 

Has three quality pitches -- good fastball with sink, breaking ball and changeup. Pitching in U.S. for first time after three minor-league seasons in Japan.

 

Jose Ceda

 

No. 2 starter

 

Ever see someone throw a 100-mph fastball? You just might when Ceda's on the mound. He's hit 99 on the radar gun and consistently pitches in the 93-97 mph range.

 

James Russell

 

No. 3 starter

 

His father, Jeff, pitched in the big leagues for five teams over 14 seasons and James learned a thing or two hanging around the ballpark. He's Daytona's only left-handed starter.

 

Alex Maestri

 

No. 4 starter

 

The first-ever Daytona Cub who hails from Italy is being converted from a reliever to a starter just as Ceda has moved from the bullpen. Development of a changeup and better command are goals for both pitchers.

 

Adam Harben

 

No. 5 starter

 

Acquired by the Cubs on Aug. 31, 2006, Harben had "Tommy John" surgery less than three months later (it must be a Cubs thing). He made three appearances at the end of '07, but his comeback begins in earnest with Daytona.

 

CLOSER

 

Ryan Meyers

 

Picked up in January deal that sent outfielder Angel Pagan to the Mets, Meyers could lead the committee of closers. He had 13 saves, a 2.14 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 42 innings for low-A Savannah last year.

 

And this certainly was interesting:

 

The post-game spread killer: When the Cubs acquired Jose Ceda they made him get down to 225 pounds and he lost a lot of zip off his fastball. They gave him the green light at the post-game spread and the weight came back -- to a listed 275 pounds -- and with it returned his high-velocity fastball.

[Guest]

Wow I've never seen Ceda pitch but I had always imagined him as a really skinny player. Can that weight be right? MiLB still have him listed at 6'4" 205lbs. At 275 he probably looks like Prince Fielder trying to pitch.

[UK1679666180]

How the heck could Barney be hitting 9th? I hope that's wrong and Barney had a better Fitch showing with the stick.

[Guest]

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

[Guest]

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

 

I believe the writer was trying to say that Clevenger's patience made him stand out in a system that is typically known for its aggressiveness....not that he is the standout player in the system.

[Guest]

Wow I've never seen Ceda pitch but I had always imagined him as a really skinny player. Can that weight be right? MiLB still have him listed at 6'4" 205lbs. At 275 he probably looks like Prince Fielder trying to pitch.

 

Give or take a few pounds, the 275 is right. That's the reason for the Armando Benitez-Lee Smith comps and one of the main reasons the Padres were willing to part with him for Todd Walker.

 

How the heck could Barney be hitting 9th? I hope that's wrong and Barney had a better Fitch showing with the stick.

 

He batted 9th yesterday in their exhibition game too.

 

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

 

They're just saying his BB/K stands out in the Cubs system, not that he's a standout as a player.

[Guest]

Iowa's game has been rained out. They will play a split doubleheader on Saturday with their season opener tomorrow evening.

[Guest]

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

 

They're just saying his BB/K stands out in the Cubs system, not that he's a standout as a player.

Huh, I can't read it that way. They're not saying that the k/bb stands out, they're saying he stands out.

 

"that alone makes him stand out..."

[Guest]

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

 

I believe the writer was trying to say that Clevenger's patience made him stand out in a system that is typically known for its aggressiveness....not that he is the standout player in the system.

He's not patient at all, though. He simply makes a ton of contact.

[jersey cubs fan]

My favorite part from the above...

 

4. Steve Clevenger, first base

 

A natural hitter, this former Chipola (Fla.) Junior College star has batted .315 and has more walks (43) than strikeouts (39) in two seasons. That alone makes him stand out in this farm system.

Right...he's the standout in the whole farm system.

 

They're just saying his BB/K stands out in the Cubs system, not that he's a standout as a player.

Huh, I can't read it that way. They're not saying that the k/bb stands out, they're saying he stands out.

 

"that alone makes him stand out..."

 

That alone is the BB/K ration, which is what makes him standout. They aren't saying he's the standout in the whole farm system. I don't see the issue here.

[karenmac]

the rainout in Des Moines does not give me a lot of hope for the Chiefs opener at Burlington, IA tonight. The drainage at Principal Park is probably a lot better than Burlington's field.

[Guest]

meh, no issue. I guess I'm just reading it differently.

[ChiefsVoice]

Raining here in Burlington but they think we will be OK as of now. Here is Manager Sandberg's lineup.

 

1. Marwin Gonzalez SS

2. Nate Samson 2B

3. Marquez Smith 3B

4. Josh Donaldson C

5. Blake Lalli DH

6. Jovan Rose 1B

7. Dylan Johnston LF

8. Cliff Andersen RF

9. Drew Rundle CF

P Ryan Acosta (expeceted for 3-4 innings)

 

Lets play ball!!!

[Guest]

Yeah, I saw Acosta listed on MiLB.com. What's going on - I thought he was only going to be spot starting?

 

Surprised to see Cliff in right and Drew in center. Great to see Marwin leading off.

 

Hope they can get the game in; looking at the radar, I think they would be able to if the field is in suitable condition.

 

Thanks, Nate.

[ChiefsVoice]

It is a spot start.

[Guest]

Thanks.

[Guest]

Daytona goes like this:

 

2B Tony Thomas

CF Jonathan Wyatt

LF Ty Wright

1B Steve Clevenger

3B Josh Lansford

RF James Adduci

DH Yusuf Carter

C Wellington Castillo

SS Dwight Barney

P Esmailin Caridad

[rawaction]

Daytona down 1-0 thru 1 1/2. Thomas and Wyatt led off with singles. Deep fly ball sends Thomas to 3rd. But Wyatt gets doubled up on a line drive hit by Clevenger.

[SouthSideRyan]

I said it last year, and I'll say it again this year(regrettably because he's a nice kid) but it is beyond me why we are wasting time with Adduci.

[Guest]

Tennessee:

 

LF Corey Coles

1B Francisco Salas

CF Tyler Colvin

3B Kyle Reynolds

DH Ryan Harvey

2B Nate Spears

C Chris Robinson

RF Matt Camp

SS Joe Simokaiti

P Justin Berg

[rawaction]

Ryno with the 1st inning sac bunt, after Gonzalez leads off with a hit for Peoria. May have never manage the major league Cubs.