chattbaseball

HR Ryan Flaherty! 3 straight games! It was opposite field again too. =D>

I'm pretty sure he has one more year before he'd be eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Burke has one more year before he's eligible for the Rule 5.

Brief video blurb on Burke. http://centralillinoisproud.com/media_player.php?media_id=371401

I don't really get this age thing and never have. I've been in the MWL for six years now and while there are a few teenage standouts (Moustakas, Barton, Vitters) most of the successful hitters in this league are 22-23. I agree with you Nathan. I think too many posters on here give way too much weight to age. It seems like there is a much higher likelihood of an older pitcher in the MWL not working out than an older hitter - mainly because the older an arm is, the less life it still has in it (or you would think). It might be more fun to cheer prospects that shoot through the lower levels of a system quickly, but that's not really indicative of becoming an everyday MLB player. Seems like way too often a kid gets pushed too aggressively and it ends up setting them back - if nothing else, from a mental stand point. I like to see clubs taking their time with a hitter, allowing them to figure things out, become consistent and then give them the bump. Obviously there becomes a point of concern, but I think Flaherty is far from it. In fact, there's nobody in Peoria that would concern me. The three guys that have been in pro ball the longest (probably Perez, Rundle, Burke) were all drafted or signed when they were 18... Just for the heck of it - hitters and DOB on the Chiefs roster (youngest to oldest): *drafted out of HS ~signed from overseas ~Junior Lake (3/27/90) B. Jackson (8/2/88) DJ LeMahieu (7/13/88) *Kyler Burke (4/20/88) ~Nelson Perez (11/16/87) *Drew Rundle (11/5/87) Jovan Rosa (10/26/87) ~Mario Mercedes (11/22/86) Michael Brenly (10/14/86) Ryan Flaherty (7/27/86) Rebel Ridling (5/22/86) David Macias (3/7/86)

Spent the past three days in Dayton watching the Chiefs and the Dragons. I'll post some more later as we're about to head home. Flaherty's HR last night was nothing short of a bomb. I heard one player say it was the best ball he's hit all year long. And I would believe that. It was a line drive to left center. It cleared the 388 sign and must have landed at LEAST 440 (on a line). It got out quick! Also, in the first inning Burke fielded a ball in center field after the runner had rounded third and threw a strike to the Mercedes at the plate to nail the runner. The ball got in very quickly! I wish I had gotten the HR and the Assist on video... I would have liked to see Jeff Beliveau throw more last night. He hovered 88-90 in the first, but had some control issues. I think he would have settled in and been fine - especially after holding the Dragons scoreless in the first (despite them loading the bases), and having some run support. I'll post more tonight.

Also, I'm in Dayton for the Peoria/Dayton series. Will be posting live updates tonight on my Twitter. I would in here, but it takes too long doing it through the browser on my Blackberry.

Just saw on Jay Jackson's twitter page that he's on his way back down to Daytona... If you'd like to see the rest of his updates:

So who's going to be the full time 3B in Peoria? Harrison? Can Macias play some 3rd?

Still tied in the 14th, the Chiefs give it away with 2 errors and a wild pitch... ](*,)

I still haven't gotten the video and pics off my cameras yet, but I did find this online: http://centralillinoisproud.com/media_player.php?media_id=360361

http://boisehawks.tv

Oh it's no biggie, I just logged on to see if there was any other info out there, and I am going to put some pics and video from last night, and I just noticed it.

Link also talks about how Ridling won the home run contest with 12 home runs (Vitters also took part but only hit 1 HR). Just got in from the MWL All-Star game. Several comments and replies to postings so far: 1) The HR Derby was kind of a joke, as they had all the guys batting off of a pitching machine. Rebel put on a show, but a lot of the guys just couldn't get their timing down off the machine. 2) OutshinedOne failed to mention Burke in his box score: 1/3, 1B, R 3) Although Clinton may not be the best place to play, they did an excellent job hosting the game. Very fan friendly place, and I had zero complaints! I'll post some pictures and video later tonight when I pull them off my cameras.

Nevermind, found it. http://centralillinoisproud.com/media_player.php?media_id=359661

Burke also trucked the catcher after his triple to score on Ridling's Fielder's Choice... If Nathan has the audio on this or if anyone has the video on this, I'd pay for it.

No argument there, but I think the game ball has to go to Macias for the SAC bunt. \:D/

Although reading your post sounded hilarious, I've often thought about how I have come to these preconceived notions myself based on whatever reasons...I just recently found out the same thing about Cliff Anderson...anyways...add a walk to Burke's night.

unlike carpenter he wasn't pitching well. Wasn't too bad. Considering that it was a down pour and the umps changed the ball out after every pitch cause they were too wet to throw. Yet we kept playing. That makes sense. I wondered what was going on because Archer had 4 walks in the 1st inning and the Beloit pitcher had 3 wild pitches that allowed us to score our run in the 1st inning.

Raisin, I have to agree with you. For his own sake, I think it would do him well to be successful at this level for the entire season. He's still relatively young, so it's not going to put him behind to play all year in the MWL. It could put the Chiefs in a bind though if Harrison was sent to Daytona, leaving only Lake and Flaherty to play the middle infield. Maybe everything should just stay as-is for now.

From http://www.peoriachiefs.com: That's at least 5 doubles off the wall this year for him....I would like to believe those can become homers as he matures and progresses.

Tennessee has 3 outfielders, Daytona has 4. Any thoughts on how long Peoria is likely to keep 5?

C Mark Reed promoted from Daytona to Tennessee. C Robinson Chirinos activated from Daytona's DL. OF Francisco Guzman promoted from extended spring training to Peoria. 5 left handed hitting outfielders now on the roster!

Technically it's not low A, just plain old A ball. Daytona is high-A. Boise is short season A. Technically its Class A Short-Season, Class A, and Class A Advanced. :D

I was really big on him when we got him, he was pretty highly touted coming out of HS in the draft. I was surprised the Padres gave up on him so early/easily. He hasn't been great with us for the majority of the time he has been here but he seems to be turning around and coming through on his potential. He just turned 21 so A ball is about the right level for him, hopefully he can get to AA by July. do you mean A+? Surely he meant A+. I guess there'd be a chance that he could get bumped up this season, but I'd almost like it for him to stay in one place all year, be comfortable, and put up these numbers.

Thanks for the personal insight/observations Ping. Question. I'm interested to see Ridling and Harrison so far down on your list. Does this have to do with ceiling, or are there other specific factors. I only ask because they have both performed well this year - especially in relation to a few players you have above them. I'm not being critical of your list, but since I haven't seen either of them in person, I was hoping you could expound a little on those two. Thanks in advance.