CaliforniaRaisin

NSD is Wednesday. Karl Dorrell had a rather impressive recruiting class (top 10 class) and while a lot of the players who committed under his watch started visiting other schools after he was fired, Rick Neuheisel (along with DeWayne Walker and Norm Chow) has done a great job of saving the class. UCLA has only lost LB Uona Kavienga (to BYU) so far though RB Milton Knox (Notre Dame) and DE Datone Jones (Oregon) are still exploring other options. Hopefully UCLA can close the deal on those two local kids and score OL Hamani Stevens to wrap up a top-10 class. How's your school doing?

Collegiate Baseball Top 40: 1. Arizona (42-17) 496 2. South Carolina (46-20) 493 3. Arizona St. (49-15) 491 4. Mississippi (40-25) 487 5. North Carolina (57-16) 486 6. Rice (56-14) 483 7. San Diego (43-18) 481 8. Texas (46-17) 478 9. Wichita St. (53-22) 476 10. Michigan (42-19) 473 11. Vanderbilt (54-13) 471 12. Florida St. (49-13) 468 13. Clemson (41-23) 466 14. Miami, Fla. (37-24) 464 15. Missouri (42-18) 461 16. Cal. St. Fullerton (38-25) 459 17. Long Beach St. (39-20) 455 18. UCLA (33-28) 452 19. Oregon St. (49-18) 451 20. Kentucky (34-19-1) 447 21. Fresno St. (38-29) 446 22. Texas A&M (48-19) 443 23. Louisville (47-24) 440 24. Virginia (45-16) 437 25. Georgia Tech. (32-25) 434 26. U.C. Irvine (47-17-1) 432 27. Mississippi St. (38-22) 430 28. Baylor (35-27) 428 29. Pepperdine (35-22) 426 30. Louisiana St. (29-26-1) 423 31. Oklahoma St. (42-21) 420 32. Louisiana-Lafayette (45-17) 419 33. Southern Illinois (34-22) 415 34. Southern Miss. (39-23) 413 35. U.C. Riverside (38-21) 411 36. Stetson (42-21) 408 37. Coastal Carolina (50-13) 406 38. Nebraska (32-27) 405 39. California (29-26) 403 40. Oral Roberts (40-17) 400

Newest thread, folks. Bruce Levine (ESPN 1000) and WGN Radio confirm. Now Bruce Miles confirms.

BA early preview: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/265252.html Guys that are supposedly receiving strong consideration for getting picked: Randor Bierd, rhp, Tigers Brian Barton, of, Indians Garrett Guzman, of, Twins Carlos Guevara, rhp, Reds Samuel Deduno, rhp, Rockies Kyle Aselton, lhp, Twins Jesus Castillo, rhp, Dodgers Jamie D'Antona, 3b/c, Diamondbacks Jose de la Cruz, rhp, Mariners Diory Hernandez, ss, Braves Fernando Hernandez, rhp, White Sox Dusty Hughes, rhp, Royals Steven Jackson, rhp, Yankees Preston Larrison, rhp, Tigers Shane Lindsay, rhp, Rockies Yohan Pino, rhp, Twins Tony Richie, c, Cubs Kyle Schmidt, rhp, Orioles Leyson Septimo, lhp, Diamondbacks Brett Smith, rhp, Yankees Von Stertzbach, rhp, Angels Chris Stewart, c, Rangers Luis Valbuena, 2b, Mariners Marwin Vega, rhp, Mariners Matt Whitney, 1b, Indians They also mentioned a few guys who might be taken in the minor league portion of the draft. One of them was Cubs C Mario Mercedes.

Iowa: C Chris Robinson/Tony Richie 1B Micah Hoffpauir 2B Nate Spears SS Carlos Rojas/Joe Simokaitis 3B Matt Craig LF Jake Fox CF Eric Patterson RF Josh Kroeger SP Sean Gallagher SP Kevin Hart SP Mark Holliman SP Juan Mateo SP Les Walrond CL Rocky Roquet (if healthy) RP Billy Petrick RP Carmen Pignatiello RP Randy Wells RP JR Mathes Tennessee: C Steve Clevenger/Jake Muyco 1B Brian Dopirak 2B Robinson Chirinos/Jeffrey Rea SS Matt Matulia 3B Kyle Reynolds LF Chris Walker/Matt Camp CF Tyler Colvin RF Ryan Harvey SP Donnie Veal SP Jeff Samardzija SP Mitch Atkins SP Joel Santo SP Adam Harben (or Justin Berg) CL Matt Avery RP Jesse Estrada RP Grant Johnson Daytona: C Welington Castillo (if healthy)/Mark Reed/Canepa 1B Russ Canzler 2B Tony Thomas/Jonathan Mota SS Darwin Barney/Jonathan Mota 3B Josh Lansford/Marquez Smith LF Ty Wright CF Jonathan Wyatt - ?? RF Yusuf Carter SP Robert Hernandez SP Jose Pina SP James Russell SP Chris Siegfried SP Marco Carrillo CL Jose Ceda RP Alessandro Maestri RP Jeremy Papelbon RP Casey Lambert RP Jayson Ruhlman Peoria: C Josh Donaldson/Mario Mercedes 1B Marc Sawyer 2B Nate Samson SS Dylan Johnston 3B Josh Vitters/Jovan Rosa LF Brandon Guyer/Clark Hardman CF Leon Johnson/Cliff Andersen RF Kyler Burke/Drew Rundle SP Chris Huseby SP Alberto Cabrera SP Dustin Sasser SP Ryan Acosta SP Arik Hempy/Al Alburquerque CL Hung-Wen Chen RP Audy Santana RP Mark Pawelek RP Zach Ashwood That gets real hard down in A-ball. I'm hoping someone like Suarez can have a good spring and go into Peoria's rotation.

Most of them have already been mentioned elsewhere (like Harben and Renshaw), but some haven't (like Lopez being released). From BA.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7423170?MSNHPHMA The message that's causing the problems:

With Dempster now in the rotation, do you think it's possible Hendry will look for a new closer in the FA market rather than use what he already has in Howry, Marmol or Wood (if he's re-signed)? I would plug Howry in as closer but I wouldn't put it past Hendry to look at Francisco Cordero.

Just something to read, I guess. I'm not a fan of MiLB.com's prospect analysis. Climbed the Ladder: Kevin Hart Jose Ceda Tyler Colvin Sam Fuld Mitch Atkins Sean Gallagher Kept Their Footing: Jeff Samardzija Josh Lansford Slipped a Rung: Dylan Johnston Ryan Harvey Brian Dopirak On the Radar: Jake Fox Rocky Roquet Micah Hoffpauir Chris Huseby Kyler Burke Alex Maestri http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071105&content_id=320076&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=644 The 10 who filed: Righthanders: Federico Baez, Cory Bailey, Ben Howard, Mike Nannini, John Webb Lefthander: Ryan O’Malley Catcher: Mike Mahoney Second baseman: Gary Cates Shortstop: John Nelson Outfielder: Jorge Cortes That means these 8 will be back: IF Robinson Chirinos RHP Adam Harben C Koyie Hill LHP Geoff Jones OF Josh Kroeger IF Carlos Rojas IF Issmael Salas LHP Les Walrond

The Venezuela Parallel League is basically the minor leagues for the Venezuelan Winter League. You'll generally see guys from rookie ball to high-A in the Parallel League. I've found 4 Cubs prospects so far and so I decided to create a new thread for them. Wednesday: Aragua lost 3-2, box: SS J. Mota 0/4 Magallanes lost 9-7, box: 2B R. Chirinos 1/3, R, RBI, BB, E (2) Overall: Robinson Chirinos (Magallnes): 7/29, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 BB, 4 K, 2/3 SB, 2 E, .241/.343/.517 Marwin Gonzalez (Caracas): 5/15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 E, .333/.333/.600 Jonathan Mota (Aragua): 4/22, 1 2B, 6 BB, 3 K, 2/3 SB, .182/.379/.227 Kevin Soto (Zulia): 6/23, 3 BB, 2 K, 1/2 SB, .261/.393/.261 *Robinson Chirinos is a minor league free agent and might not return to the Cubs.

AL NL Jason Kendall's a type B.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/10/29/jeffress-fails-another-drug-test.aspx Marijuana again.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071023&content_id=2279608&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc More talk about Pawelek improving his mechanics from Carrie Muskat. We'll see if he really has figured out repeatable mechanics like people in the Cubs system are implying.

They reviewed the AL draft classes today and will have the NL's up tomorrow. 2007 Draft Report Card Overview: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/features/265091.html A few Cubs made their lists: Josh Donaldson was the lone Cub all-star (best pro debut of college draftees). Some other stuff: BEST PURE HITTER 1. Mike Moustakas, ss, Royals (1) 2. Josh Vitters, 3b, Cubs (1) 3. Jason Heyward, of, Braves (1) 4. Matt Wieters, c, Orioles (1) 5. Nick Noonan, 2b/ss, Giants (1s) THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY High School Players 1. Matt Harvey, rhp, Angels (3) 2. Kyle Blair, rhp, Dodgers (5) 3. Victor Sanchez, 3b/c, Cubs (25) 4. Hunter Morris, 1b, Red Sox (2) 5. Gary Brown, of/2b, Athletics (12) And: BEST DRAFT 1. Nationals 2. Rangers 3. Tigers 4. Giants 5. Yankees I really like the Rangers draft.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=59921 Bruce makes a few good points that have been keys around here for a while: a patient approach/high OBP is important and player development being important since it allows for quality league minimum players. Does Lou really know this? If so, why were guys like Theriot when he was struggling and OBPing .327 at the top of the lineup? Soriano leading off with a .337 OBP? (Yeah, Soriano might be a different situation.)

Season got under way tonight. Waiting for all the boxes but no Cubs got into the Licey-Escogido game. ETA: No Cubs got into games on Wednesday.

http://cubs.scout.com/2/691366.html He's going to be broadcasting Alabama ladies hoops next year.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=58202&src=152 Oneri Fleita was promoted from director of player development and Latin American operations to vice president of player personnel. Mark O'Neal was promoted from head athletic trainer to director, athletic training.

1. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Nashville Sounds (Brewers) 2. Adam Jones, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) 3. Billy Butler, of/1b, Omaha Royals 4. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 5. Ian Stewart, 3b, Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies) 6. Felix Pie, of, Iowa Cubs 7. Carlos Gomez, of, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets) 8. James Loney, 1b/of, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 9. Brandon Wood, 3b/ss, Salt Lake Bees (Angels) 10. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Omaha Royals 11. Jeff Clement, c, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners 12. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets) 13. Edinson Volquez, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers) 14. Wladimir Balentien, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) 15. Troy Patton, lhp, Round Rock Express (Astros) 16. Eric Hurley, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers) 17. Billy Buckner, rhp, Omaha Royals 18. Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) 19. Daric Barton, 1b, Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) 20. Geovany Soto, c/1b, Iowa Cubs

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071011/SPT04/310110030/-1/ Dusty??

Season starts today. Not all the rosters are out. So far, we have: Leones del Caracas: C Henry Blanco I believe Ronny Cedeño is on the Caribes.

So far, only one Cub has shown up on a Mexican roster - that's second baseman Issmael Salas with the Algodoneros de Guasave and he's eligible to be a free agent on October 15th. Anyways, the Mexican Pacific Winter League starts tonight.

One Cub makes it, and he makes it into the top ten after checking in at 13 in the FSL Top 20: 1. Justin Upton, of, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 2. Evan Longoria, 3b, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 3. Wade Davis, rhp, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 4. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) 5. Brandon Jones, of, Mississippi Braves 6. Reid Brignac, ss, Montgomery Biscuits (Devil Rays) 7. Tyler Colvin, of, Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) 8. Manny Parra, lhp, Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 9. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 10. Carlos Gonzalez, of, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 11. Mark Reynolds, 3b, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 12. Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 13. Brent Lillibridge, ss, Mississippi Braves 14. Jonathan Meloan, rhp, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 15. Max Scherzer, rhp, Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) 16. Jo Jo Reyes, lhp, Mississippi Braves 17. Diory Hernandez, ss, Mississippi Braves 18. James McDonald, rhp, Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 19. Gaby Hernandez, rhp, Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 20. Alcides Escobar, ss, Huntsville Stars (Brewers)

Muldowney: TJS Dolis: labrum or TJS (I'd guess TJS since everything said his elbow was hurt) Don't think we'll see either til late 2008.