CaliforniaRaisin

Not sure at all. If his time in Boise is just a rehab stint, he should be promoted after a few mroe starts to either Peoria or Daytona. It depends on how aggressive the Cubs are and whether or not his stint in Boise is rehab or an extended stay there, that's why I'm not sure at all (he was in Daytona last season when he got hurt). If I had to guess, I'd say Peoria after 2 more starts in Boise.

Probable Starters: Iowa: LHP Les Walrond (7-2, 3.68 ERA, 85.2 IP, 64/42, 1.52 WHIP) @ LHP Billy Traber (4-5, 4.03 ERA) West Tenn: RHP Sean Gallagher (2-0, 2.45 ERA, 11 IP, 11/10, 1.45 WHIP) @ LHP Matt Chico (1-2, 2.63 ERA) Daytona: LHP Donald Veal (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5.2 IP, 3/3, 1.50 WHIP) Peoria: LHP Jesus Yepez (3-3, 3.39 ERA, 69 IP, 33/38, 1.39 WHIP) vs. RHP Marwin Vega (1-5, 7.28 ERA) Boise: RHP Jose Pina (0-0, 2.08 ERA, 4.1 IP, 2/0, 0.69 WHIP) Mesa: RHP Alberto Albuquerque (0-0, 9.00 ERA, 1 IP, 1/2, 4.00 WHIP)

I'm sure Hendry had some input but the Colvin pick seems like the M.O. for a Wilken type. If Hendry had more of a voice, I'd guess one of the HS bats or Drabek/Jeffress would have been the pick. Hendry and Wilken have said that the draft and the first round pick were all Wilken.

Clarification on previous articles: Colvin will join Boise and play his first pro game on Thursday, not today.

Kansas City is no longer the team we need to surpass for the worst record in all of baseball; Pittsburgh is. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh isn't cooperating; they're losing even more than the Cubs right now. Don't lose faith, eventually the Cubs will play the Pirates.

Yeah that's Mercedes, he was called up today. Boise now has 3 catchers on the roster. Bernard pitched for Mesa on Monday. Will you get another chance to see the Hawks this season? Any notes on Samardzija's slider? It was amusing hearing the Boise PBP guy trying to describe Cowart's delivery. I know he got hit hard, but how did Brett Jackson look?

What about Izturis and LaRoche for Ramirez? In 2007 put Izturis at SS, Cedeno at 2B, EPatt at Iowa, and then in 2008 decide which two of the three you want to keep. Replace Izturis with Kemp, Guzman, or Billingsley, and it would be a deal. Izturis is not a GOOD player. He is a younger Nefti Perez. The Dodgers wouldn't make that trade (and if I were them, I wouldn't). I think a feasible deal would be LaRoche and Miller for Ramirez, Williamson (once he's healthy), and low prospect. Btw CR, why isn't Miller starting in Las Vegas right now? After the injuries, his arm doesn't have the stamina to throw hard for a full start but he has the ability to keep the velocity in relief appearances and his arm has handled being used multiple times a week. He's been clocked at 97 mph this season. He's been in the mix to be called up a few times with the back end of the Dodgers pen struggling and Gagne hurt. By the way, Andy LaRoche suffered a slight tear of the labrum a few weeks ago. Right now, he's been resting the arm and trying to avoid surgery, but it's still a possibility.

What about Izturis and LaRoche for Ramirez? In 2007 put Izturis at SS, Cedeno at 2B, EPatt at Iowa, and then in 2008 decide which two of the three you want to keep. Replace Izturis with Kemp, Guzman, or Billingsley, and it would be a deal. Izturis is not a GOOD player. He is a younger Nefti Perez. The Dodgers wouldn't make that trade (and if I were them, I wouldn't).

In the 7th, DJ Lewis (Hollywood!) tripled and scored on an E-7 which allowed Alfred Joseph to reach. Boise lost 6-1.

At least Jeff Samardzija made a strong pro debut today in Keizer, Oregon. Oh wait, never mind.

Salem-Keizer gets another HR (a 2-run shot this time) off Brett Jackson. It's now 6-0 in the 7th.

Callix Crabbe hits a solo HR off David Shafer with 1 out in the 9th to break up the attempted 4-pitcher no-hitter. Chattanooga still wins and Homer Bailey has thrown 12 shutout innings since being promoted to AA.

Matt Matulia with a 1-out single in the 6th inning to break up the perfect game. But Jackson gave up another HR in the bottom of the 5th, so the score is now 4-0 with 2 outs in the top of the 6th.

Not sure if this is a true indication of Dempster's abilities as a closer since his pitching time is so sporadic.

Dempster's first save opportunity in 17 days...

But his BB rate A+ or higher includes his first time around at West Tenn when he clearly wasn't ready for the jump.

Now Jackson gives up a run in the 4th on 2 hits. Boise down 3-0 midway through the 5th. Adam Cowart has thrown 5 perfect innings against Boise.

His arm hasn't fallen off yet, he should stay in.

Reds prospect Homer Bailey threw 6 no-hit innings in his second start at AA. He has since been relieved by Carlos Alvarado who threw a hitless 7th inning.

Samardzija gives up another run in the 2nd on 2 more HBPs and an RBI single. Alfred Joseph saved Samardzija once again by gunning out a runner trying to advance to third on the RBI single. Brett Jackson in for Boise in the third and gets a 1-2-3 inning. After 3, Boise is down 2-0. Samardzija's final line in his pro debut: 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0/0, 3 HBP.

C Mario Mercedes promoted to Boise. They now have 3 catchers on the roster. Samardzija gives up 1 run in his first professional inning (a Will Thompson solo HR). Gets out of the inning thanks to a diving web gem by Alfred Joseph. Boise down 1-0 after 1. Samardzija: 1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, HBP

Well---I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on it then. I turn a very skeptical eye to what I consider to be the hysteria of an approaching draft and what it does to players and their value. I'd go with the original ranking, which is based off a much larger body of work---pretty much his entire young career as a player, rather than the spurt, which is based on supposed "enlightenment" which occurs right before a draft. I've seen these things happen quite a bit, and because of my perception on it, I believe Colvin is a huge reach. The articles I quoted earlier are from some folks who I believe are doing the same thing: disregarding the momentary hysteria of the draft in favor of what they consider to be the true, earlier assessment of the player. It's like when you get into a court room with a witness who suddenly changes his/her testimony. Do you just believe the brand new stuff in the heat of the moment? Not me---I tend to go with what was solidified during much, much cooler times. That said, it's about opinions and I really do hope Colvin works out. I don't want anyone to think I'll be rooting against him or something. Far from it. Unlike the NBA and NFL drafts, in MLB these guys are still playing come draft time, so it's far more believable when they go up the draft boards. They aren't rising up because of strong performances in individual workouts or combines here. An improved performance during the season would more likely be able to carry over than the rising stock of a combine warrior. On the whole, quick risers are more likely in the MLB draft than in NBA/NFL since players fade or become top prospects so much more quickly (it's really easily to suddenly gain or lose 5 mph on the fastball or gain or lose HR power). I never doubted you would be rooting against him, nor will I even though I don't think the Cubs should have picked him.

How much would we have to give up for them though? I'd be willing to give up ARam, Murton, and any one of the young pitchers except Marmol and I don't think that'd be enough to get it done. The Cubs don't have what it takes to get them (outside of Lee and Z).