2008 Arizona Fall League

[CaliforniaRaisin]

MESA SOLAR SOX

 

Bench Coach: Ryne Sandberg (Peoria)

 

RHP Jesse Estrada (Iowa)

RHP Esmailin Caridad (Tennessee)

RHP Rocky Roquet (Tennessee)

LHP Donnie Veal (Tennessee)

C Steve Clevenger (Daytona)

SS Darwin Barney (Daytona)

2B Nate Spears (Tennessee)

OF Tyler Colvin (Tennessee)

 

Link to all teams' rosters (warning: PDF)

[Rob]

Oh good, we need more Darwin Barney.

[Guest]

Oh good, we need more Darwin Barney.

 

I was really hoping out below AA guy would be Marquez Smith. Or Mark Reed, who isn't really a below AA guy.

 

I was also hoping to see Casey Lambert in there.

[craig]

Oh good, we need more Darwin Barney.

 

I'm actually still somewhat interested in Barney. The saber guys suggest he's hit in some bad luck. The following suggests that his luck-adjusted average should be .287, with a .340 OBP. http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=446381

 

That's not great either, obviously. And with 19 errors, it's not like he's a gold glove defensively. But if he'd be hitting .287 with a good OBP and very hard to K in A+ first year pro, I wouldn't consider that bad for a potential good-glove middle infielder. I think he's got a shot to be a Theriot-style player. Not likely to hit as well, but an alert hustler with little power but who K's so little that he can hit for decent average. Obviously most guys who hope to be Theriot-style guys don't end up as successful, but Barney's got a shot.

 

Surprised to see Veal in there. Obviously he's a wildman who needs all the experience he can get, and perhaps needs any hope that he can that a new pitching coach can somehow find something to help him out. But very, very rare to have a guy with 140 innings absorb even more innings. I may be just imagining, but I'm going to hypothesize that they've given him his starting innings, that AFL will be his introduction to his permanent conversion to relief. Time to do what he can to blossom into a passable Loogy.

 

The other thing, I suppose, is showcasing for trade. Berg and Veal can look like pretty-good-stuff guys at times. If they were to happen to put together a few good innings in AFL, which crawls with scouts, maybe they could trick some other team into overvaluing them?

[Brett]

Berg? Really?

[Guest]

Per ITI, these changes were made to the AFL roster:

 

RHP Justin Berg is off the roster. Instead, he'll pitch in Venezuela this winter. RHP Jesse Estrada will replace Berg.

 

C Steve Clevenger and RHP Esmailin Caridad have been added to the Mesa Solar Sox roster too.

 

Inside The Ivy[/url]"]“He went through a different route,” Fleita noted. “He was a youngster signed in the Dominican by a Japanese team and spent at least the start of his career in Japan pitching in the industrial league. He played for the same (organization) as (Kosuke) Fukudome.

 

“At his age, he’s still got a great arm; it’s a fresh arm,” Fleita continued. “He had a great year, so we were able to move him along. From a maturity standpoint, he was ready for Double-A, and he went up there and showed that he was.”

[Guest]

They get underway tomorrow afternoon with the Solar Sox in Phoenix.

[Guest]

The AFL opener gets started in abotu 45 minutes. You can follow along on Gameday here.

 

Tyler Colvin is batting 5th in RF for Mesa, Steve Clevenger is batting 8th at C and Darwin Barney 9th at SS. Tommy Hanson (Braves) starts for Mesa while Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks) starts for Phoenix.

[Guest]

Colvin K'd, Clevenger flew out, and Barney had an IF single the first time through.

[Guest]

10/7: Mesa won 3-2 in 10 innings Box Score

 

RF T. Colvin 0/4, 2 K

C S. Clevenger 0/3, R, BB, K; defense: 1/1 CS, PB (1) - scored winning run in the 10th inning after leadoff walk

SS D. Barney 1/3, S

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 1st inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6079/colvinkvr5.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 4th inning:

 

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8113/colvinf7tq7.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 6th inning:

 

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7531/colvingodo8.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 9th inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/803/colvink2ef2.jpg

[Guest]

Esmailin Caridad is scheduled to start for Mesa tomorrow.

[karenmac]

have I mentioned I'll be there in a couple of weeks?!?

 

I'll do my best to bring you all that I observe (which may not be much, but I'll bring the camera too)

[SouthSideRyan]

10/7: Mesa won 3-2 in 10 innings Box Score

 

RF T. Colvin 0/4, 2 K

C S. Clevenger 0/3, R, BB, K; defense: 1/1 CS, PB (1) - scored winning run in the 10th inning after leadoff walk

SS D. Barney 1/3, S

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 1st inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6079/colvinkvr5.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 4th inning:

 

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8113/colvinf7tq7.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 6th inning:

 

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7531/colvingodo8.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 9th inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/803/colvink2ef2.jpg

 

Scouting report provided by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[Little Slide Rooter]

10/7: Mesa won 3-2 in 10 innings Box Score

 

RF T. Colvin 0/4, 2 K

C S. Clevenger 0/3, R, BB, K; defense: 1/1 CS, PB (1) - scored winning run in the 10th inning after leadoff walk

SS D. Barney 1/3, S

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 1st inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6079/colvinkvr5.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 4th inning:

 

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8113/colvinf7tq7.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 6th inning:

 

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7531/colvingodo8.jpg

 

Tyler Colvin, top of the 9th inning:

 

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/803/colvink2ef2.jpg

 

weve been paying Soriano and Fukudome 8 diget saleries for this same type of thing, and its been under our noses all along.

[Guest]

Apparently each MLB team will have a prospect posting a blog entry from the AFL once a week. The Cubs day for blog entries is Wednesday. Steve Clevenger got the Cubs blog started:

 

MiLB.com[/url]"]Hello From Arizona

Hello, everyone. Steve Clevenger here in Arizona with the Mesa Solar Sox/Cubs. Being the first blog entry I wanted to briefly to tell you a little about myself. I was born and raised in Baltimore City, MD and now reside in GlenBurnie. Attended Mount Saint Joseph High School where I played Baseball and Basketball. Was teammates with Gavin Floyd (Chicago White Soxs) my freshmen year of High School and won a State Championship in 2004. After High School I attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA and earned a spot on the All Conference Team my freshmen year. Then transferred to Chipola College in Mariana, FL where I earned All Conference Honors and the team earned a spot in the State Tournament for a birth to the Junior College World Series. After the 2006 season I was drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Cubs and played my first season Boise of the North West League. I spent 2007 between Daytona and Boise and 2008 between Daytona and Tennessee. Won the Florida State League Championship in 2008 under Manager Jody Davis. I am looking forward to playing in the AFL for the second straight year and hopefully Ill have the opportunity to advance even more in 2009. I hope everyone enjoys reading this and I cant wait to hear from all of you! Thank you for reading.

 

Steve

 

http://aflcubs.mlblogs.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-170961-250x250.png

[Guest]

Esmailin Caridad is scheduled to start for Mesa tomorrow.

 

Drat, looks like Jesse Estrada is now scheduled to start. Meh.

 

Tyler Colvin is back in RF and batting 3rd ( :shock: ), Darwin Barney 8th and Nate Spears batting 9th.

[Guest]

10/8: Mesa lost 7-5 Box Score

 

RF T. Colvin 2/5, RBI, K

SS D. Barney 1/3, 2B (1), E (1, throw)

2B N. Spears 1/4, 2 R, K

SP J. Estrada 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

RP E. Caridad 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 GO-3 FO

RP D. Veal 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

RP R. Roquet 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

 

Overall:

 

Darwin Barney 2/6, 1 2B, 1 E

Tyler Colvin 2/9, 3 K (2.67 pitches/PA)

Steve Clevenger 0/3, 1 BB, 1 K; defense: 1/1 CS, PB (1)

Nate Spears: 1/4, K

Esmailin Caridad: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 GO-3 FO

Jesse Estrada: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

Rocky Roquet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

Donnie Veal: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

[Guest]

10/9: Mesa lost 9-2 Box Score

 

C S. Clevenger 0/4, K, defense: CS (1)

 

Overall:

 

Darwin Barney 2/6, 1 2B, 1 E

Tyler Colvin 2/9, 3 K (2.67 pitches/PA)

Steve Clevenger 0/7, 1 BB, 2 K; defense: 2/2 CS, PB (1)

Nate Spears: 1/4, K

Esmailin Caridad: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 GO-3 FO

Jesse Estrada: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

Rocky Roquet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

Donnie Veal: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

[Guest]

Colvin not in the starting lineup for the second straight day. :|

[Guest]

10/10: Mesa wins 9-5 Box Score

 

No Cubs get in the game.

[Guest]

10/11: Mesa lost 2-1 Box Score

 

DH T. Colvin 0/3

3B N. Spears 0/0, R, 3 BB

SS D. Barney 0/2, E (2, throw)

RP E. Caridad 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 GO-2 FO

 

Overall:

 

Darwin Barney 2/8, 1 2B, 2 E

Tyler Colvin 2/12, 3 K (2.58 pitches/PA)

Steve Clevenger 0/7, 1 BB, 2 K; defense: 2/2 CS, PB (1)

Nate Spears: 1/4, 3 BB, 1 K

Esmailin Caridad: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 4 GO-3 FO

Jesse Estrada: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

Rocky Roquet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

Donnie Veal: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

[Brett]

10/11: Mesa lost 2-1 Box Score

 

DH T. Colvin 0/3

3B N. Spears 0/0, R, 3 BB

SS D. Barney 0/2, E (2, throw)

RP E. Caridad 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 GO-2 FO

 

Overall:

 

Darwin Barney 2/8, 1 2B, 2 E

Tyler Colvin 2/12, 3 K (2.58 pitches/PA)

Steve Clevenger 0/7, 1 BB, 2 K; defense: 2/2 CS, PB (1)

Nate Spears: 1/4, 3 BB, 1 K

Esmailin Caridad: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 4 GO-3 FO

Jesse Estrada: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

Rocky Roquet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

Donnie Veal: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

 

That's it, fire them all.

[wvcbxl]

That's it, fire them all.

 

Nah, they just need a break.

Send them home to get some rest.

[Guest]

10/13: Mesa won 7-0 Box Score

 

DH T. Colvin 1/4, R, HR (1), RBI, K

RP D. Veal 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 0 GO-1 FO

 

Overall:

 

Darwin Barney 2/8, 1 2B, 2 E

Tyler Colvin 3/16, 1 HR, 4 K (2.88 pitches/PA)

Steve Clevenger 0/7, 1 BB, 2 K; defense: 2/2 CS, PB (1)

Nate Spears: 1/4, 3 BB, 1 K

Esmailin Caridad: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 4 GO-3 FO

Jesse Estrada: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GO-1 FO

Rocky Roquet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 GO-1 FO

Donnie Veal: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, 0 GO-2 FO

[Guest]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_10_14_scowin_msswin_1

 

Good day to check out some Cubs: Colvin bats 6th, Clevenger 7th, Barney 8th and Spears 9th. Jesse Estrada is the starting pitcher and we'll likely see at least one Cub reliever get in the game too.