Athletics36

Hello and sorry for the late post but the family went out with Sean last night after the game. I thought the "Smokies" played really well last night and took advantage of situations that they created.... I thought the team pitched great except for some anxious moments in the 9th inning. I thought Sean did a great job of changing speeds and has grown more confident in throwing his CH. His velocity last night was clocked at 93 for his FB with his CH at around 80/84 and his CB from 65/74. The loopy one is the much slower one but with both he keeps hitters guessing. I thought Layden along with Piggy did an outstanding job of continuing this steady stream of off-speed pitches. I was a little concerned upon seeing the initial line-up which had Fox and Spearman in the OF. Jake had a little trouble with a line drive that was hit right at him and this team is pretty solid in the infield. This was my first time seeing Robinson behind the dish and thought he did a great job handling all the pitchers. Offensively it was tough being the first game but thought they made the most of opportunites they created. C-Walk with his infield hit that led to an error which got him to 2nd and then the rest of the team came thru. I thought Craig and Dop and Cates swung the bat really well and that ball that Dop hit in the 2nd inning was crushed but the breeze was blowing in and held it up. It was tough to watch Jake struggle at the plate after watching him in Big Lg Camp crush the ball and all he saw was a steady diet of off-speed pitches. Great to watch the team win their 1st game as a "CUBS" affiliate and can't wait for tonights game as this will be my first look at the "Don" and will post hopefully after the game..... :lol:

AA should be interesting with a few of the names that I expected to be there missing. I think once Harvey and Fuld are better they will join this team. As for low scoring games, they have a few bats with Fox, Dope, Craig and I expect Robinson to step-up. I noticed only 3 OF'ers on the roster and with Jakes "bat" he has to be in the line-up. I will be in Jacksonville for the entire series and really looking forward to seeing "Veal" throw. The one thing Son has told me as he progress'es is that the hitters will make you throw strikes. If you can't with all your pitches they will eat your fastball up..

Its not an "April fools" joke had heard from son that this was going to happen and I to was surprised. As for Outfielders in AA I was told names and only one I knew was Chris Walker but I was also told that Jake Fox would be playing more positions in AA. I do know that Tony Ritchie and Chris Robinson will also be catching at AA.

With info coming out about rosters, I guess its okay to add a few items. Shaver is still re-habbing and will stay in extended along with Harvey as it has been mentioned previously that he has a hamstring injury. I think that when Shaver is ready the plan is to send him to AA. I would take a guess that the Iowa staff would be Prior, Marshall, Omalley, Wells and ?. I think the cubs plan was to put Marmol in the pen to be the closer. I can also say that Fuld will also stay behind in extended and glad to see Colvin going to Daytona. I had the pleasure of meeting him while in AZ and it was the cubs intention to send him to Peoria but with his ST #'s moved him.

AA, with Smokies playing in Jaxx family will be able to take advantage and be in the cheering section for the series. The roster is set but can't comment until posted officially......

Inside info: Sean Gallagher will start that night....

I think Daytona is playing Embry-Riddle University this year....

Mateo has been hurt not sure to what extent but not sure if he was kept around for treatments.

I thought there was a reason why I never visited your site and will continue not to!!!! Keep your comments to yourself, "doesn't look that great" only 21 and going up against a solid line-up and I thought did pretty well considering not throwing many innings.

Hey the reports about Sean and his shoulder aren't true.... I saw the same blurb about this and want to say that this had to do with Marshall who was scheduled to pitch also. As for velocity has a few folks in the stands and confirmed he was low 90's and was mainly working on his change, his curve not a problem but just things he is working on. I was watching game yesterday and knew he ran out of gas in the 4th, I am not to concerned about anything but would like to see him with a few more innings before camp breaks. I must say that he was able to keep the ball down and hit his spots and still have a hard time with the pitch Hall hit for the homerun. That pitch was outside corner about knee high and he jacked it. I was impressed cause after the game when I spoke with Sean while he was warming-up in the bull-pen he was listening to the Brewers line-up and there were no sloutches in the bunch....... :lol:

FYI...... with the Cubs having a SS scheduled for monday told Sean he would be moved up to throw monday in one of the games. Was supposed to throw Sat at Fitch and I am sure others will move up for monday as well.... :lol:

just for your info when looking at pitchers in minor lg camp, this week was the 1st time pitchers had thrown curves and other breaking balls. The pitchers in minor camp are expected to come into camp throwing at about 85% and not taxing their arms until camp. Sean and Shark are ahead of these players due to the fact they attended Big lg camp and were expected to come in ready to go.

Hey everybody just returned from spending the past week in AZ and couldn't get enough baseball. I had the pleasure yesterday before I left to speak with a few coaches and some players. I was looking at the different fields and seeing who was with what team and see lots of player movements going on in the next week. Some of the players from "Big" lg camp were at Fitch yesterday with more to come in the next week. I must say that I am looking forward to if all pans out from rumours I have heard of the AA rotation of "Gallagher, Veal and Shark.

Players moved, Gallagher, Colvin, Walker, Patterson, Moore and I heard others with more to follow after todays game. All these moves were expected with minor lg games starting soon....

Player moves were made today with players moving from Ho-Kam to Fitch.

Hello to everybody, have been in Mesa for the past eight days and have seen a lot of baseball. To all of you who have "Guzman" penciled if for Iowa you have to remember that the "Cubs" are out of options with him. He has to be placed on the 25-man roster or has to "clear waivers" to make AAA. I see no way that Guzman would clear waivers and have seen him the last 3 outings and can't see how he doesn't have the 5th starter spot. As for Sean this has been a learning experience for him and he was happy for the invite. He made 2 mistakes yesterday and thats the difference between the "Bigs" and the minors. His velocity was between 92-94 and his curve was working also. He has learned lots from conversations he has had with other Pitchers in camp and also from Mr Rothschild who he has impressed with his work ethic. If anything Sean has learned that he can compete at this level and just needs more time to develop.

With the Camp Sean has had and the impressions he has made wouldn't make sense to send him to AA. If the likes of bailey and gallardo are starting seasons in AAA, Sean deserves to be there....

Will be in Mesa march 6/13 to watch Son in Camp..... anybody who would like to get together and see some games please pm me....

you have got to be kidding me "Top 3" you folks are frothing at the mouth like this kid is some kind of "Saviour" How bout we wait till the player has finished a season. Reports of his hitting 99/97 are inconsistent and from reports I have read 92/93. As for starts in Boise and Peoria I would hope he did well as he was 21 playing against players a few years younger than him. I will give him credit that he is a fine athlete but reports also stated he needs a lot of work.

Yo Goony's look to be honest with you I really don't give a crap about what BA has to say about my Son. To be honest with you its just another crap publication. What I am trying to say is that if BA is going to put out these lists then please make them a "fair assesment" and not some BS as to players they hype!! I am tired of seeing players listed in their Top 100 who because of "projectability" keep making these lists and some of their players listed haven't even finished a full season due to injury. There are more players out there deserving to be put on these lists than folks they are in love with. Secondly what BA has to say about son has nothing to do with anything about development. All that matters to Son is what the organization thinks about him and thats all.

Gotta agree with "Chiefsvoice" on this one!!! Can't really say what I would like about "BA". This publication has never given Son any credit and never promotes the "little guy". Take a look at their Top 50 you have a player that they constantly promote "mark rogers" and what has said player done?? nothing but yet he still projects. BA is a publication that sticks with their high draft picks or players they have fallen in love with and do nothing to promote anybody else. I have mentioned this in the past but not only about my son that there are plenty of players out there with better stats but because BA isn't in love with them and not one of their boys they do nothing for them. Son uses everything that they say about him as motivation and very rarely will he do an interview for them.

Please don't get me going on these "Bull#hit lists that are put out by MILB and Baseball America. These are nothing but popularity contests and look at some of the names that are on this list.....Mark Rodgers, give me a break this player hasn't done "squat" but yet he is on this list cause "his stuff is off the charts". There are definatley others players that should've been placed on this list but because of the "favoritism" that goes on with these publications will never happen. I really dont think Callis and Mayo know squat about baseball!!!! :lol:

Red Sox are spending "Big-time" this offseason, reported in Boston papers Sox are close to an agreement with Drew. Sticking point is that Drew is looking for a 5th yr but Sox are currently offering 4 at 14Mil.

No this is just my opinion that Gallagher is going no where... He has done nothing but impress this organization with everything that he has done. Had some moments in Low-A were he was upset about folks being promoted with the stats he was putting up... Gets called up end of year and throws a good game... This year starts in High A putting up the same type # and gets moved up to AA mid-season and being 20yrs old and youngest player in AA for about 10 days. Granted had some control issues but still put up good # for his season in AA. This kid knows how to pitch and isn't afraid of going after anybody and has made hitters look foolish with his "hook". I think whats most impressive is that when you read what "Baseball America" and others had to say about him, its pretty much his body is done growing and his velocity is High 80's/ Low 90's, projects as a #3. Look at what happened this year comes right out of the gate throwing Low to Mid 90's and his Body(core) has gotten bigger. All of a sudden scouts are fumbling over themselves about their assessments. Look I will be the 1st one to tell you that Sean uses all these articles for motivation and he is at the gym busting his hump to prove these folks wrong. My opinion is that if Sean continues and has a good ST there is no reason why not AAA. I would also like to say that the Organization does have young pitching talent and hopefully they will give these players their chance......

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Gallagher is "untouchable"...