Jay Bruce, named #1 Prospect by MiLB.com and Baseball America, has been sent down to the minors by the Reds. 

This news will no doubt get the Baker-haters fuming.  I know a few who say that Dusty doesn’t like new kids and will only play veterans.  With the signing of the similarly left-handed CF Corey Patterson, I have to say it looks a lot like that.   My guess however, is that it’s a case of a crowded outfield.

Outwardly at least, Bruce seems to have the right idea:

“I knew what they’d tell me when I went in there,” Bruce said at the Reds complex in Sarasota, Fla. “You don’t want to get sent down. It’s disappointing. But I will feed off of it, go to Louisville and play well.”

I’m curious to what Zealot co-blogger Teddy Ballgame thinks.  He saw Bruce play down in spring training and even chatted up his father. 

Tags: Rookie Watch, Spring Training by The Baseball Zealot
1 Comment »

The White Sox signed Cuban infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez to a four year $4.75 million dollar deal. Alexei’s natural position is SS, but that’s Orlando Cabrera’s spot. Ramirez can also play 2B & CF, both positions are wide open. He had 20 homers to lead Cuba in that category before going to the Dominican Republic. This guy is not a base stealer and cannot be considered as a leadoff candidate. He’s no Fukadome, but still a good signing.

Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Hot Stove, Rookie Watch, White Sox by Teddy Ballgame
No Comments »

I am always intrigued by the Rule V Draft. It is where minor league ballplayers get the opportunity to make it to the big leagues. Major league clubs choose Rule V selectees for $50,000, players chosen must stay on the major league roster for the full season, or offered back to their original club for $25,000. I don’t think these numbers have changed in some time. These prices seem to be throwback prices in today’s multi million dollar industry.

Tim Lahey was the first player taken in this year’s Rule V Draft. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays from the Minnesota Twins organization, and sold to the Chicago Cubs. The Twins converted Lahey to relief pitcher after selecting the Princeton catcher in the 20th round. Last year Tim appeared in 50 games in Double A, posting an 8-4 record, with a 3.45 ERA.

Next up the Pittsburgh Pirates selected former Minnesota Twin farm hand Evan Meek from the Tampa Bay Rays. Evan Meek is a righthand specialist reliever who struckout 69 batters over 67 innings at Double A, and then enjoyed success in the AFL.

Randor Bierd in in 6′4″ relief pither out of Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. He was with the Detroit Tigers before being chosen by the Baltimore Orioles. Bierd has electric stuff, striking out 245 batters in a little over 239 innings pitched throughout his minor league career. Randor enjoyed success last season as a relief pitcher, being converted from a starter.

The Chicago White Sox might have lost a good one in Fernando Hernandez. Hernandez was selected by the Oakland A’s. Fernando allowed no runs in 12 appearances in the AFL, after striking out 84 men in just over 85 innings in Double A in 2007.

Something clicked last season for 23 year old former first round pick Matt Whitney who blasted 32 home runs in high A. The Cleveland Indians lost this slugger to the Washinton Nationals. Injuries have delayed his progress to the show, but he can make an impact if he can stay healthy.

Former Cleveland Indians farm hand Brian Barton was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals. The speedy outfielder has posted numbers throughout his minor league career, a .316 average, and a very impressive .416 OBP.

These are some of the players chosen in this year’s Rule V Draft. You’d be wrong if you thought, nobody ever makes it as a Rule V selection. Just last year Josh Hamilton & Joakim Soria were taken, Dan Uggla a couple of year’s back, and once upon a time Johan Santana was chosen by the Minnesota Twins from the Houston Astros.

Tags: Hot Stove, Rookie Watch by Teddy Ballgame
1 Comment »

Josh Anderson (photo Jim Pierce)

Josh Anderson became the first rookie to reach base six times in a game since Arizona’s Conor Jackson on Aug. 25, 2006, and he was the first Astros rookie to do it since Joe Morgan on July 9, 1965 in a 12-inning game in Milwaukee. Anderson, who played 131 games with triple-A Round Rock, where he batted .273 with 17 doubles 6 triples & 2 homers, before arriving Sept. 1, had five hits and a walk.

“I’m a little bit surprised,” said Josh, who started his third straight game in centerfield and raised his batting average to .500. “I had a six-hit game in A-ball in 2004 and I had five hits one other time in the minors. It was just one of those days when you feel good, you feel locked in. It’s hard to describe. I guess it’s like a basketball player hitting several threes in a row.”

Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Linescores of the Day, Rookie Watch by Teddy Ballgame
No Comments »

I was a little surprised to hear that the Cubs acquired Steve Trachsel from the Orioles.  It’s conventional wisdom that the Cubs already have a solid, deep rotation.  That said, there are reasons that down the stretch and beyond, he may be useful. 

With proper rest, Trach can pitch effectively if not overpoweringly. His lifetime ERA at Wrigley is solid (4.13).  And beyond all that, Trachsel has a way to pitch above his talents. 

Most of all, my bet is that the Cubs are trying to cover their bases.  It’s all too easy for a pitcher to fall to injuries right now, they are in the midst of a 22-game stretch without a day off. 

Call-ups

Geovany Soto

Somebody else who will be joining the squad will be catcher Geovany Soto.  What a season he’s having in AAA!  With 106 rbis and 31 doubles and a .353 average, he won the PCL’s MVP award. 

I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Tags: Cubs, Minor Leagues, Rookie Watch by The Baseball Zealot
No Comments »

Former University of Illinois infielder Chris Basak, at age 28, got the call to the bigs. He is now on the New York Yankees’ active roster.

He did well in Spring Training and he can play all infield positions. That was pretty much what the Yankees needed.

“Obviously you’re hoping he can do the job,” Torre said. “In the spring, he just seemed to be very comfortable — not overwhelmed. Whether he hit very well or because he’s been around so long, he handled it very well. New York is unlike any other place when you have to do something like that.”

In 1999-2000, Basak hit for tasty averages (.393 and .329) while playing shortstop for the Illini.

Tags: Rookie Watch, University of Illinois Baseball by The Baseball Zealot
No Comments »

Ryan Braun

I first saw and heard of Ryan Braun when I went to watch prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Then I saw him again in Spring Training. I’ll be the first to admit that I may be a “Johnny Come Lately” when it comes to noticing this kid, but I’m TOTALLY sold!!! Ryan can flat out MASH!!!

Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Rookie Watch by Teddy Ballgame
No Comments »

Jack Cust

Oh Mother’s Day - Jack Cust hit a three run walkoff homer. It was his sixth home run in seven games this season with the A’s. Cust had hit only five home runs in his parts of five seasons in the majors. Jack is batting .346 and has 14 RBIs, he only had 19 RBIs in his career before these last seven games. Maybe he’s been listening to his own instructions, checkout his Baseball Academy.

Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Rookie Watch by Teddy Ballgame
No Comments »

Mark your calendars. The MLB First-Year Player Draft (otherwise known by its misnomer, Rookie Draft) is one month away.

A while back we found out that the 2007 First-Year Player Draft will be televised. More details are out now on who, what when and how.

The important stuff: ESPN2, June 7th, 2pm Eastern

Of course, they won’t be televising the whole thing. But they will be showing the first round with complete coverage and maybe a little education on what the whole First-Year Player Draft is all about.

For those of us baseball geeks, I’m sure MLB will be webcasting the whole thing as they did last year.

You can view the entire draft order here (pdf).

Tags: 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Media, Rookie Watch by The Baseball Zealot
No Comments »

Micah Owings

Arizona IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Owings (W, 1-0) 5.0 1 0 0 3 6 0 0.00

Micah Owings kept on rolling, upping his winning streak to 13-0, as he pitched one-hit ball over five innings of work in his big league debut against the Nats. The 6′5″ 220 pound righthander’s streak began May 23, 2006: That includes 2-0 at Double-A Tennessee and 10-0 at Triple-A Tucson last season.

Micah struckout six, including Ryan Zimmerman, on three pitches, with the bases loaded, to end the 5th inning. Owings slapped his glove three times, his first real show of emotion, as he exited the mound. Zimmerman was quoted as saying the pitcher has the advantage when there are no films on the guy and you only go on scouting reports, however Ryan faced him in college. Zimmerman’s response to this was, “He’s gotten a lot better since then”.

Owings held Washington scoreless walking three and hitting two batters over his 96 pitch performance. Right now this Arizona hurler is filling in for Randy Johnson, but the Diamondbacks may be forced to keep him in the rotation if he continues to sparkle. His next start will be Wednesday against the Reds.

While at Georgia Tech & Tulane this talented ballplayer did it with his bat as well as his arm. He batted .318 at Tech and .355 at Tulane, hitting 15 & 18 homers respectively.

Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Linescores of the Day, Rookie Watch by Teddy Ballgame
3 Comments »