UPDATE, 12:45 PDT
Today's A's-Yankees game has been postponed due to rain. -Nico
Two weeks of games is really too little time to make definitive claims regarding any team, much less a minor league affiliate that’s still figuring out its roster. So this week’s update will focus on highlighting some performances of note and not so much on team analysis.
S. Doolittle 326/396/488 2-1-1 (D-T-HR) 4/8 (BB/K) 42 AB
C. Denorfia 300/364/350 2-0-0 (D-T-HR) 4/6 (BB/K) 40 AB
E. Patterson 289/372/447 3-0-1 (D-T-HR) 5/8 (BB/K) 38 AB 5-0 SB
V. Mazzaro 3 GS 14.0 IP 9 H 7/12 (BB/K) 2.75 GO/AO 1.93 ERA
C. Schroder 4 G 6.0 IP 2 H 3/7 (BB/K) .83 GO/AO 0.00 ERA
GO/AO rate means the number of ground outs vs. air outs a pitcher gets. 1.1 GO/AO is about average, so Mazzaro’s 2.75 GO/AO shows him to be an extreme ground ball pitcher.
Midland Rockhounds (7-3)
A. Cardenas 405/457/690 7-1-1 (D-T-HR) 4/8 (BB/K) 42 AB
C. Brown 357/471/464 3-0-0 (D-T-HR) 5/9 (BB/K) 28 AB
C. Carter 286/353/476 5-0-1 (D-T-HR) 5/15 (BB/K) 42 AB
S. Demel 5 G 4.2 IP 3 Sv 2 H 1/5 (BB/K) 3.50 GO/AO 0.00 ERA
M. Smith 269/321/423 1-0-1 (D-T-HR) 2/5 (BB/K) 26 AB
D. Gordon 3 G 8.0 IP 3 H 0/11 (BB/K) .63 GO/AO 0.00 ERA
C. Hernandez 2 GS 11.0 IP 11 H 3/9 (BB/K) 2.67 GO/AO 3.27 ERA
Why do I have Matt Smith’s batting line posted up here? Because he’s the Ports’ leading hitter. Here’s a bit of analysis for you: The Ports’ line-up is wretched!
D. Coleman 324/425/618 2-1-2 (D-T-HR) 5/9 BB/K 34 AB
S. Haviland 2 GS 11.0 IP 9 H 1/12 (BB/K) 1.00 GO/AO 2.45 ERA
S. Deal 3 G 6.0 IP 2 H 3/9 (BB/K) 1.25 GO/AO 0,00 ERA
0 recs | 58 comments
Matt Spencer
Could someone tell me a little bit about Matt Spencer?
All I’ve seen is that with the Phillies he was considered a potential elite power prospect, but his numbers hadn’t been particularly good until he was traded to the A’s last year…
he’s now homered in three straight games, I was wondering if anybody knew his story/projections/scouting report, etc…?
King Richard - April 20, 2009
In brief
He started his career as a power prospect, but just never hit (read: at all) in recent history. Most people thought he was a failed prospect.
Beane tool out a flier on him in the Blanton trade, and Stockton seems to have jogged his “hitting” memory (read: Josh Donaldson). He’s a sleeper in the system; he could be good or he could really be a failed prospect.
Threepwood XX - April 20, 2009
re
Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets called to Midland tomorrow. Everidge is a good organizational player, but he’s clearly not a prospect. And Archie Gilbert is a little bit interesting, but he shouldn’t stand in a guy like Spencer’s way. Then again, I don’t really get why Spencer is in Stockton in the first place, so, who knows…
AgitationStation - April 20, 2009
he's in Stockton
because Carter is in Midland and Doolittle in Sac – 1B looks to be the position they’re pursuing with Spencer.
oakballnack - April 20, 2009
couple links
spencer played for 2 high profile college programs at UNC/ASU
http://phuturephillies.com/2007/06/08/draft-review-day-1/
http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/draft/2007/notebooks/allansimpson/draft_2007.aspx
Q: John from Tempe, Arizona asks:
Do you think Matt Spencer from ASU has solidified himself as a potential 1st or 1st supplemental Round type player. He played amazing against UCLA this weekend with a 9-12 effort and pretty much did it all on Saturday with 2 HR’s and game winning RBI single as well as pitched. What about Sogard, Kiel Roling and Tim Smith, where do you think they will be drafted?
A:
Aaron Fitt: That’s a huge weekend for Spencer, no doubt, but there’s no way he goes in the first couple of rounds — the bat has just been too inconsistent. His tools are very impressive — serious raw power, but it’s still largely untapped, and he runs well, and he’s got arm strength. He just needs to put it all together for an extended period — at times he gets anxious and jumpy at the plate.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/chat/2007/263901.html
Asfan4ever723 - April 20, 2009
Stockton may seem more wretched than they are because they played the Giants
a bunch of times. They’re still not good of course.
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
Suggestion
Given that it’s still pretty early to learn too much from hitting numbers, perhaps one thing people would want a heads-up on would be the progress of various players at new defensive positions, like: Doolittle in the OF, Cardenas at SS (which I believe someone mentioned is over??), Carter at anywhere other than DH, etc…
Just a thought, and by no means a criticism. I appreciate all the minor league updates on AN.
rageon - April 20, 2009
Other notables:
Sacramento:
Daric Barton — .158/.265/.237
Jack Hannahan — .114/.184/.229
James Simmons — 8.1 IP, 9.72 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 9:4:0 K:BB:HR
Gio Gonzalez — 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7:5:1 K:BB:HR
Ryan Webb — 8.0 IP, 6.75 ERA, 2.38 WHIP, 9:8:2 K:BB:HR
Midland:
Chen Yung-Chi — .389/.450/.472
Josh Donaldson — .200/.400/.300
Arnold Leon — 7.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 4:3:0 K:BB:HR
Stockton:
Tyson Ross — 14.1 IP, 4.40 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 8:6:3 K:BB:HR
Craig Italiano — 7.1 IP, 7.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7:7:0 K:BB:HR
Scott Mitchinson — 10.2 IP, 0.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 10:5:0 K:BB:HR
Daniel Thomas — 3.1 IP, 8.10 ERA, 2.10 WHIP, 6:1:2 K:BB:HR
Kane County:
Jason Christian — .278/.316/.389
David Thomas — .289/.341/.421
Grant Desme — .257/.333/.343 (after starting 0-20)
Petey Paramore — 0 for 8
Anthony Capra — 9.1 IP, 0.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 11:4:0 K:BB:HR
Pedro Figueroa — 8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 10:2:0 K:BB:HR
Brett Hunter — 3.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 3:5:0 K:BB:HR
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
Anything on Nino Leyja?
mikev - April 20, 2009
Extended ST
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
The A's are taking it easy with both Leyja and Dixon because they have such high hopes for each and don't want to set them up to fail.
Kane County has a rep for decimating a hitters potential, especially during the spring months, so don’t be shocked if you see Dixon and maybe Leyja showing up in Kane County sometime in May.
Both are obviously better then “short season,” but I think the A’s feel the worst thing they could do is set them up to fail.
Threepwood XX - April 20, 2009
BTW Cardenas was featured in Goldstein's Ten Pack
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
stockton cant buy a win
they have some interesting prospects like thomas/ross/keough/spencer/mitchell/hernandez etc so some talent is there. should improve since i think capra/08 draft infielders/paramore might be bumped up in a month or two.
Asfan4ever723 - April 20, 2009
Dusty Coleman is hitting the cover off the ball.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Coleman was the fist one moved up to make room for Leyja in Kane County.
Also, don’t forget the injured players like Weeks and Richardson who will make a huge difference then they come back.
Threepwood XX - April 20, 2009
Leyja could also play 2B. Coleman's at SS and Christian's at 3B right now.
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
PG crosschecker says that he has the ability to play SS well at the MLB level
Why would you mess around with him if you can help it?
designatedforassignment - April 20, 2009
Because you have 3 SS at the A level and you don't want another non-versatile Crosby
WaddellCanseco - April 20, 2009
Completely off topic
But in MLB 2K9 where is all of the good prospects???
robbo650 - April 20, 2009
They're pretty bad about keeping track of prospects
You’ve got Anthony Recker, Javier Herrera, Fautino de los Santos… not too many others. They’re mostly just roster filler.
Joey C. - April 20, 2009
Thing is they dont have lisence for Minor Leaguers
so they fudge the names. Like Matt Weiters was named like Mike Wallace or something. Just look for initials of players in the positions they should be in.
Syphon - April 20, 2009
No, I get that
What I’m saying is, you won’t find a lot of current minor leaguers in there. Ryan Webb. Josh Donaldson. Sean Doolittle. They don’t even have jacked up names to change with those guys. Even the prospects they do include (Bailey, Cahill, Anderson) are of the wrong race. Still. They really don’t have an excuse to not keep current with the minor league system, if’n you ask me.
Joey C. - April 20, 2009
Well if you get on Xbox live they update rosters.
They added Cahill/Anderson/Bailey.
Syphon - April 20, 2009
I do and I have, which is why I know they're all black in the game
Which I’m cool with, because if I had a chance to be in a baseball video game, I wouldn’t care if they made me Filipino with green dreadlocks. I just think that it’s inexcusable for 2K to not have a better base of knowledge concerning the minor leagues. At least make sure ya got BA’s top 10 prospects or something.
Joey C. - April 21, 2009
Mike Mitchell
It appears that he’s still rehabbing his injury from last season? Any news?
stm72 - April 20, 2009
Mazzaro
Is his excellent GA/AO ratio pretty typical of him? Something that’s been a known plus for him since he’s been on the radar? He had his great stint at Midland to go with his nice start at Sac this season, but otherwise both his mainstream and peripheral stats are pretty bland.
Mark H - April 20, 2009
Yes
Mazzaro pitches off of a really nice sinker that gives him a lot of ground ball outs.
designatedforassignment - April 20, 2009
Man the Corners
I’m ready to play Doolittle at first, Cardenas at third, and package Barton, Crosby, Patterson, Outman and an ace bandage for a minor league shortstop with upside.
DavidS - April 20, 2009
With this team can we really afford the loss of depth in the medical supply department?
designatedforassignment - April 20, 2009
Lol, rec'd.
A completely valid concern.
NateHST - April 20, 2009
S.O.B.
All I was looking forward to today was watching the game. Figures it’d be rained out.
Syphon - April 20, 2009
Are both teams off Thursday?
Seems like they would try to shift the series to Tues-Thurs if possible.
Nico - April 20, 2009
Yes.
They both have thurs off.
Syphon - April 20, 2009
no, according to SuSlu
gigglingone - April 20, 2009
Doubleheaders are evil! Play it July 23rd
(because off days are even MORE evil!!!).
Nico - April 20, 2009
(fast forward to July) And Giambi will not be out for the second game tonight
as he and Nomar have collapsed in ice baths in locker room following the 14th inning of the first game complaining of leg stiffness.
ak_A - April 20, 2009
me too...too bad...
OaklandSi - April 20, 2009
Me too... and its my birthday :-(
designatedforassignment - April 20, 2009
Happy Birthday!
gigglingone - April 20, 2009
Thanks...
it was suppose to be occupied with some A’s baseball but alas…
designatedforassignment - April 20, 2009
I'm actually glad
I have to work late tonight, so I was going to miss the game…
gigglingone - April 20, 2009
Same - it saves me from missing most of the game
so I’m not complaining.
Nico - April 20, 2009
Yeah, it sucks
I took the day off to watch the game. Oh well, poker day.
AgitationStation - April 20, 2009
With all the amenities and facilities of new Yankee Stadium...
such as internet access in each locker, underwater treadmill, and a Hard Rock Cafe….
Where’s the retractable roof?!?!
franks a lot - April 20, 2009
Where the hell is JD Pruitt?!?!?
I want to see him put up some more .220/.440/.300 lines!
Emmett89 - April 20, 2009
Traded to the Padres for Chad Reineke.
OldhamA - April 20, 2009
I was hoping the A's would be able to test out the -- ahem-- jetstream at Yankee Stadium
If popups become homers so easily because of this aerial phenomenon, shouldn’t the Yankees be the most homerunningest team in the majors right now? Is “homerunningest” a word?
oaklandSMASH - April 20, 2009
So quick thoughts
Gio… throw strikes more often.
Could Patterson be the utility man that the team seems to want Crosby to be? If so can Billy hurry up and deal Crosby so Patterson can come up?
What is the over under on Doolittle manning 1st sack? June 1st? And when he does would anyone even want to trade for Dale?
Who is more like Timmah Hudson, Maz or Cahill?
jeffro - April 20, 2009
Patterson isn't really a utility guy
He plays 2B poorly, can’t play SS or 3B at all, and can manage an averagish LF. He isn’t really the guy to back up the A’s beat-up infield.
At this point I’m content to let Patterson mash at AAA and hope some team will convince themselves that he can be a big league second basemen if he’s just given a shot. Then maybe we could get a decent relief arm for him.
OkayJay81 - April 20, 2009
hopefull mazzaro will be ready
to take Outman’s spot in the rotation soon. His numbers look like it could happen soon. I think they should think about calling him up since Outaman is doing so poorly and Gallagher hasn’t looked good enough to join the rotation. Might as well have all 3 of Mazzaro, Anderson, and Cahill in the rotation.
BIGa's - April 20, 2009
ESPN conspiracy
The game was rained out so they wouldn’t have to put the A’s on their damn station. Probably knew that it was going to rain using the farmer’s almanac. Those fargin iceholes!
ohtobe21likehuston - April 20, 2009
I was watching th Baseball tonight they were showing instead of the game
they were talking about the Yenkees then the announcer said Now, not everyone is tuning in to watch the Yankees, i suppose… I laughed. Then Kruk talked crap about the A’s after.
BIGa's - April 20, 2009
I took special joy in seeing the Cubs-Cards game rained out last night,
as ESPN had no other game they could show.
Nico - April 20, 2009
same here. but really, and it makes sense to have, but I just
did not notice that tonight’s game would have been on one of the ESPN channels. Damn, I am bummed, that does not come around very often for us. I got mlbtv on the mac again, opting not to go Comcast EI, so real tv would have been a treat.
ak_A - April 20, 2009
check out the A's minor league DL....
Link
athleticsBB4life - April 20, 2009
That's a pretty decent team:
C – Thigpen, Carter
1B – Munson
2B – Weeks
SS – Nobody but Horton’s day-to-day
3B – Dillon
LF – Herrera
CF – Cunningham
RF – Sulentic
SP – de los Santos, Williams
RP – Rodriguez, Carignan, Kilby, Sewell
WaddellCanseco - April 21, 2009
Barton was pulled from Sacramento game.
He was hit by pitch. Stayed in the game, scored a run. Then Doolittle hit from him.
Syphon - April 20, 2009
Brown had to leave from the game early as well. Wimberly moved to CF. Horton is apparently
day-to-day at SS and Cardenas is subbing for him.
WaddellCanseco - April 21, 2009
Fun with Injuries time!
Syphon - April 21, 2009
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