I will be taking my work over to Pine Tar Press with Greg Schaum on a full time basis now. I plan on putting up similar work at that site as Greg and I are hoping to create a site that is as in depth on the Royals system as is available to the public.
If you like anything I've written in the past please follow read our work at www.pinetarpress.com or on twitter @pinetarpress
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Kane County
I'll be at today and tomorrows Kane County Cougars game. Follow me via twitter @kcscoliny and @pinetarpress. I'll post pics and videos of the players there within a couple days.
Friday, April 15, 2011
14for77 Hitter of the Day Rey Navarro 4-5 2b
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Tyler Sample 3 IP 0 H 1 K 2 BB
Only two games on the slate tonight after a couple rainouts and I wouldn't consider one of the two that was played a game.
Naturals Recap
It was ugly. Enough said final score Missions 26 Naturals 5
Blue Rocks Recap
Justin Marks pitched well for 5 inning but ran into trouble in the 6th allowing a 3 run triple to fall behind 4-1. The Blue Rocks striked right back as they have a couple times this season with the big blow coming from an unlikely source when Alex McClure who was 2 for his previous 24 hit a 2 run homer to tie the game at 4. John Whittleman would later drive Rey Navarro in giving Tyler Sample the only margin he would need closing out the final two innings. Blue Rocks are now a surprising 5-2.
Whit Merrifield 2-4 BB
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Tyler Sample 3 IP 0 H 1 K 2 BB
Only two games on the slate tonight after a couple rainouts and I wouldn't consider one of the two that was played a game.
Naturals Recap
It was ugly. Enough said final score Missions 26 Naturals 5
Blue Rocks Recap
Justin Marks pitched well for 5 inning but ran into trouble in the 6th allowing a 3 run triple to fall behind 4-1. The Blue Rocks striked right back as they have a couple times this season with the big blow coming from an unlikely source when Alex McClure who was 2 for his previous 24 hit a 2 run homer to tie the game at 4. John Whittleman would later drive Rey Navarro in giving Tyler Sample the only margin he would need closing out the final two innings. Blue Rocks are now a surprising 5-2.
Whit Merrifield 2-4 BB
Thursday, April 14, 2011
14 for 77 Minor League Recap 4/14/11
14for77 Hitter of the Day Clint Robinson 2-3 HR
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Leondy Perez 5 IP 2 H 1 BB 0 ER 5 K
Cougars Recap
Another day another pitching dual between Kane County and Quad Cities. Leondy Perez again gave Kane County a solid start going 5 innings surrendering just 2 hits 1 walk against 5 strikeouts while again not allowing an earned run. That's 12 innings for Perez on the season with 0 earned runs allowed and all he has to show for it is a loss in his first start. This time however the Cougars would at least use the good pitching to their advantage as they would ink the games only run in the 10th inning when Yowill Espinal would drive in Gerald Hall with an RBI single. Quick note Alex Llanos stole the Cougars first base of the season today after being caught in their previous 7 attempts.
Gerald Hall 3-4 2b
Naturals Recap
Tough loss for the Naturals as Brandon Sisk and Patrick Keating blew a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 8th allowing 6 runs on 7 hits while breaking the Naturals 5 game winning streak. Timely hitting and a couple errors had given the Naturals that lead while Blake Johnson continued his solid pitching out of the pen going 2 innings and not allowing a run while mopping up for John Lamb who struggled with the strikezone walking 5 in just 3.2 innings.
Jeff Bianchi 2-4 RBI
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chasers bullpen struggled again as Round Rock came back to beat the Storm Chasers for the fourth consecutive night. Once again the Chasers jumped out in front this time with a 2 run homer via Eric Hosmer. Clint Robinson would hit a HR also while Lorenzo Cain would hit an RBI double but again it was not enough as Louis Coleman would blow his second save of the season giving up a 3 run triple to journeyman catcher Kevin Cash. The Storm Chasers will try to get that ugly four game series out of their heads as they head to Omaha for the opening of the new Werner Park
Clint Robinson 2-3 HR
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Leondy Perez 5 IP 2 H 1 BB 0 ER 5 K
Cougars Recap
Another day another pitching dual between Kane County and Quad Cities. Leondy Perez again gave Kane County a solid start going 5 innings surrendering just 2 hits 1 walk against 5 strikeouts while again not allowing an earned run. That's 12 innings for Perez on the season with 0 earned runs allowed and all he has to show for it is a loss in his first start. This time however the Cougars would at least use the good pitching to their advantage as they would ink the games only run in the 10th inning when Yowill Espinal would drive in Gerald Hall with an RBI single. Quick note Alex Llanos stole the Cougars first base of the season today after being caught in their previous 7 attempts.
Gerald Hall 3-4 2b
Naturals Recap
Tough loss for the Naturals as Brandon Sisk and Patrick Keating blew a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 8th allowing 6 runs on 7 hits while breaking the Naturals 5 game winning streak. Timely hitting and a couple errors had given the Naturals that lead while Blake Johnson continued his solid pitching out of the pen going 2 innings and not allowing a run while mopping up for John Lamb who struggled with the strikezone walking 5 in just 3.2 innings.
Jeff Bianchi 2-4 RBI
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chasers bullpen struggled again as Round Rock came back to beat the Storm Chasers for the fourth consecutive night. Once again the Chasers jumped out in front this time with a 2 run homer via Eric Hosmer. Clint Robinson would hit a HR also while Lorenzo Cain would hit an RBI double but again it was not enough as Louis Coleman would blow his second save of the season giving up a 3 run triple to journeyman catcher Kevin Cash. The Storm Chasers will try to get that ugly four game series out of their heads as they head to Omaha for the opening of the new Werner Park
Clint Robinson 2-3 HR
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
14 for 77 Minor League Recap 4/13/11
14for77 Hitter of the Day NONE
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Tim Melville 6 IP 5 H 1 ER 7 K 1 BB
Blue Rocks Recap
There was a terrific pitching matchup in Kinston today as Tim Melville battled Drew Pomeranz the 2010 5th overall pick. I'll let JJ Cooper via Twitter describe the action @jjcoop36.
Pomeranz sitting 93 in first three up three down
Melville gets out of trouble in first. Control problems with first batter then settles down. Sitting 92-93 gets a strikeout on solid change
2nd Inning
Pomeranz strikes out two in three up three down second. Pretty easy velo. Got one K with slow curve other just threw fastball by guy
Melville gives up solo home run on 91 fb in second. Recovers to strike out next batter relying on cb and ch
3rd Inning
Bottom of wilmington lineup doesn't have much chance. Pomeranz Ks two more in third. First time through one ball out of IF.
Getting ks with 91-93 Fb nice curve
both utilizing good sized zone
Thru 3 Innings Pomeranz 0 hits 5 K 0 BB
Tim Melville 2 hits 1 ER via HR 3 K 1 BB
Pomeranz has faced minimum through five. Toying with hitters. Fb has settled in at 91-92, 80-82 change slower 77-78 cb
Melville pitching well also. Last two innings 17 strikes in 19 pitches. Working both sides of plate. Using off speed well second time thru
Pomeranz loses no hitter on final batter he faces. Lifted at 85 pitches. Was tired. Last inning his fb sat 89-90. Hasn't dipped below 90 b4
Melville likely done as well after 83 pitches, 55 strikes. Was impressive. Maintained velo used cb and ch well. Was still touching 93 in 6th
Final Lines
Tim Melville Win 6 IP 5 H 1 ER 7 K 1 BB
Drew Pomeranz ND 5.2 IP 1 H 1 R 0 ER 8 K 2 BB
Melville doesn't have the same upper end stuff as Pomeranz but at this point in the season does a better job of maintaining it has he was pretty much the same pitcher if not better by the end of the start as he was at the beginning. The Blue Rocks got another run across in the 7th and that is all they needed as their bullpen shut the door from there. Kelvin Herrera and Kevin Chapman came in throwing the next 3 innings allowing just one infield single and striking out 5. Herrera was 96 on the stadium gun. Great pitching beats good pitching.
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chasers offense has went missing. Have you seen it? I have been watching and I certaintly have not seen it for a while, well at least for 21 innings. Last nights game perhaps they just ran into a Ace in the making in Neil Ramirez who breezed thru Moose, Hos and company as it took him 75 pitches (50 strikes) to get thru 6 innings allowing just 3 singles while striking out 5 against no walks. The Chasers didn't get a runner to 2nd base on the night ruining a solid outing by Jeff Suppan who went 5.1 giving up 6 hits and one long solo home run to Taylor Teagarden. The Chasers fall to 2-5 on the season.
Cougars Recap
Sugar Ray Marimon took a tough loss in his second start of the season going 5 innings allowing just 3 hits 2 runs (1 ER) and 4 walks as the 2 runs in the 5th were all it took for Quad City to secure a victory. Kane County had tough sledding against Rosenthal as he went 7 innings against just 1 run on 4 hits for the victory. More tough pitching for the Cougars tomorrow as they try to salvage the last game of this four game set.
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Tim Melville 6 IP 5 H 1 ER 7 K 1 BB
Blue Rocks Recap
There was a terrific pitching matchup in Kinston today as Tim Melville battled Drew Pomeranz the 2010 5th overall pick. I'll let JJ Cooper via Twitter describe the action @jjcoop36.
Pomeranz sitting 93 in first three up three down
Melville gets out of trouble in first. Control problems with first batter then settles down. Sitting 92-93 gets a strikeout on solid change
2nd Inning
Pomeranz strikes out two in three up three down second. Pretty easy velo. Got one K with slow curve other just threw fastball by guy
Melville gives up solo home run on 91 fb in second. Recovers to strike out next batter relying on cb and ch
3rd Inning
Bottom of wilmington lineup doesn't have much chance. Pomeranz Ks two more in third. First time through one ball out of IF.
Getting ks with 91-93 Fb nice curve
both utilizing good sized zone
Thru 3 Innings Pomeranz 0 hits 5 K 0 BB
Tim Melville 2 hits 1 ER via HR 3 K 1 BB
Pomeranz has faced minimum through five. Toying with hitters. Fb has settled in at 91-92, 80-82 change slower 77-78 cb
Melville pitching well also. Last two innings 17 strikes in 19 pitches. Working both sides of plate. Using off speed well second time thru
Pomeranz loses no hitter on final batter he faces. Lifted at 85 pitches. Was tired. Last inning his fb sat 89-90. Hasn't dipped below 90 b4
Melville likely done as well after 83 pitches, 55 strikes. Was impressive. Maintained velo used cb and ch well. Was still touching 93 in 6th
Final Lines
Tim Melville Win 6 IP 5 H 1 ER 7 K 1 BB
Drew Pomeranz ND 5.2 IP 1 H 1 R 0 ER 8 K 2 BB
Melville doesn't have the same upper end stuff as Pomeranz but at this point in the season does a better job of maintaining it has he was pretty much the same pitcher if not better by the end of the start as he was at the beginning. The Blue Rocks got another run across in the 7th and that is all they needed as their bullpen shut the door from there. Kelvin Herrera and Kevin Chapman came in throwing the next 3 innings allowing just one infield single and striking out 5. Herrera was 96 on the stadium gun. Great pitching beats good pitching.
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chasers offense has went missing. Have you seen it? I have been watching and I certaintly have not seen it for a while, well at least for 21 innings. Last nights game perhaps they just ran into a Ace in the making in Neil Ramirez who breezed thru Moose, Hos and company as it took him 75 pitches (50 strikes) to get thru 6 innings allowing just 3 singles while striking out 5 against no walks. The Chasers didn't get a runner to 2nd base on the night ruining a solid outing by Jeff Suppan who went 5.1 giving up 6 hits and one long solo home run to Taylor Teagarden. The Chasers fall to 2-5 on the season.
Cougars Recap
Sugar Ray Marimon took a tough loss in his second start of the season going 5 innings allowing just 3 hits 2 runs (1 ER) and 4 walks as the 2 runs in the 5th were all it took for Quad City to secure a victory. Kane County had tough sledding against Rosenthal as he went 7 innings against just 1 run on 4 hits for the victory. More tough pitching for the Cougars tomorrow as they try to salvage the last game of this four game set.
14 for 77 Minor League Recap 4/12/11
14for77 Hitter of the Day Wil Myers 3-5 2b,BB 3RBI
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Mario Santiago 3.2 IP 1 H 3 K 0 R
Cougars Recap
Prior to the season I thought the A Ball lineup and pitching staff could be limited and at times early they've showed that scoring 3 runs in all four losses. So far in the young season their staff has put up a 5.37 ERA which stands as second worst in the Midwest league and yesterday was more of the same as Leonel Santiago staked to a 1 run lead ran into trouble in the 3rd and 4th innings. Working with a fastball/curve combination Santiago gave up worked around baserunners in the first two innings but was unable to duplicate that success in the 3rd when he gave up a 1 run single but got out of the jam with a double play. Then in the 4th Santiago again looked to work around a leadoff double by getting the next two hitters, then the trouble started as Santiago earned a strike three for what appeared to be the third out however Travis Jones was unable to catch the wild pitch and the hitter advanced to first to keep the inning alive. Santiago couldn't work around that mistake allowing the next two hitters to get hits and his day was done allowing 4 runs over 3.2 innings. The Cougars would draw within 1 run in the 5th inning but couldn't get any closer as the Bandits tacked on an insurance run in the 8th.
Leonel Santiago 0-2 10.57 ERA 7.2 IP 14 H 10/3 K/BB
Alex Llanos 2-4 2b
Blue Rocks Recap
The Blue Rocks came back from a pretty shaky start by Elisaul Pimentel. Pimentel had trouble with most phases of the game as he wasn't missing bats (7 hits) or controlling the running game (3 stolen bases). The Rocks got him off the hook with a four run rally in the top of the 7th inning as two walks and three hits plus a wild pitch allowed the Rocks to notch four runs in the innings. The Rocks would score a unearned run in the top of the 9th on a Tim Ferguson ground out that allowed Nick Francis who reached via throwing error to score giving Wilmington their final winning margin. Bryan Paukovits and Ryan Dennick pitched effectively going a combined 6 innings giving up just 1 unearned run.
John Whittleman 3-5 3b 2 RBI, Nick Francis 2-5 3 RBI
Naturals Recap
Despite Chris Dwyer struggling (3.1 8 H 2 BB 4 ER) the Naturals turned a early 2 run deficit into a laugher scoring 8 runs thru the first 2 innings and 14 in total as they improved their record to 5-1. Every Natural in the starting lineup had at least one hit while six guys had multi hit games and only one (Christian Colon) didn't reach multiple times via hit and walk. Mario Santiago pitched another 3.2 effective innings of relief striking out 3 while only giving up 1 hit to earn the win.
Derrick Robinson 3-6 2 RBI
Chasers Recap
The Storm Chasers offense sputtered again on Tuesday night as they just couldn't push any runs accross after scoring 2 in the first inning. Mike Montgomery pitched well in his 2nd start of the season despite a little trouble finding the zone with his fastball. He mixed all three pitches much better than he did in his first start working in the low 90's while touching 94 along the way. Michael Kirkman the other prospect in this starting pitching matchup didn't fair nearly as well allowing 8 hits and 2 runs over 3.1 innings reaching his pitch total early in the fourth inning. His bullpen shut the door on the Storm Chasers however not allowing a run over the next 9.2 innings allowing time for the Express to tie the game in the 9th off Louis Coleman and win it in the bottom of the 13th off Steven Shell.
Johnny Giavotella 3-5 BB
Mike Montgomery 4 IP 2 H 5/3 K/BB 0 R
14for77 Pitcher of the Day Mario Santiago 3.2 IP 1 H 3 K 0 R
Cougars Recap
Prior to the season I thought the A Ball lineup and pitching staff could be limited and at times early they've showed that scoring 3 runs in all four losses. So far in the young season their staff has put up a 5.37 ERA which stands as second worst in the Midwest league and yesterday was more of the same as Leonel Santiago staked to a 1 run lead ran into trouble in the 3rd and 4th innings. Working with a fastball/curve combination Santiago gave up worked around baserunners in the first two innings but was unable to duplicate that success in the 3rd when he gave up a 1 run single but got out of the jam with a double play. Then in the 4th Santiago again looked to work around a leadoff double by getting the next two hitters, then the trouble started as Santiago earned a strike three for what appeared to be the third out however Travis Jones was unable to catch the wild pitch and the hitter advanced to first to keep the inning alive. Santiago couldn't work around that mistake allowing the next two hitters to get hits and his day was done allowing 4 runs over 3.2 innings. The Cougars would draw within 1 run in the 5th inning but couldn't get any closer as the Bandits tacked on an insurance run in the 8th.
Leonel Santiago 0-2 10.57 ERA 7.2 IP 14 H 10/3 K/BB
Alex Llanos 2-4 2b
Blue Rocks Recap
The Blue Rocks came back from a pretty shaky start by Elisaul Pimentel. Pimentel had trouble with most phases of the game as he wasn't missing bats (7 hits) or controlling the running game (3 stolen bases). The Rocks got him off the hook with a four run rally in the top of the 7th inning as two walks and three hits plus a wild pitch allowed the Rocks to notch four runs in the innings. The Rocks would score a unearned run in the top of the 9th on a Tim Ferguson ground out that allowed Nick Francis who reached via throwing error to score giving Wilmington their final winning margin. Bryan Paukovits and Ryan Dennick pitched effectively going a combined 6 innings giving up just 1 unearned run.
John Whittleman 3-5 3b 2 RBI, Nick Francis 2-5 3 RBI
Naturals Recap
Despite Chris Dwyer struggling (3.1 8 H 2 BB 4 ER) the Naturals turned a early 2 run deficit into a laugher scoring 8 runs thru the first 2 innings and 14 in total as they improved their record to 5-1. Every Natural in the starting lineup had at least one hit while six guys had multi hit games and only one (Christian Colon) didn't reach multiple times via hit and walk. Mario Santiago pitched another 3.2 effective innings of relief striking out 3 while only giving up 1 hit to earn the win.
Derrick Robinson 3-6 2 RBI
Chasers Recap
The Storm Chasers offense sputtered again on Tuesday night as they just couldn't push any runs accross after scoring 2 in the first inning. Mike Montgomery pitched well in his 2nd start of the season despite a little trouble finding the zone with his fastball. He mixed all three pitches much better than he did in his first start working in the low 90's while touching 94 along the way. Michael Kirkman the other prospect in this starting pitching matchup didn't fair nearly as well allowing 8 hits and 2 runs over 3.1 innings reaching his pitch total early in the fourth inning. His bullpen shut the door on the Storm Chasers however not allowing a run over the next 9.2 innings allowing time for the Express to tie the game in the 9th off Louis Coleman and win it in the bottom of the 13th off Steven Shell.
Johnny Giavotella 3-5 BB
Mike Montgomery 4 IP 2 H 5/3 K/BB 0 R
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Daily Tap is moving to Pine Tar Press
I'll be transitioning some of my writing over to Pine Tar Press during the season with the Daily Tap being the first feature on Greg Schaum's site. My goal was in creating this blog was to provide as much info on the minor league prospects as possible and I'll continue to do that whether it is on this site or Greg's. If you have read my stuff and like it please continue to do so here or at pinetarpress.com
Cougars Recap
The home opener wasn't much fun to watch for the Kane County fans as Crawford Simmons struggle with his control despite working his FB in the 89-91 mph range. He was up in the zone while missing early in counts finishing the day with 4 IP 4 H 4 ER 3 K 3 BB. Greg Billo didn't perform much better as he followed Simmons and allowed 4 more runs over the next 3.2 innings.
Brian Fletcher 2-4 2b RBI .333/.364/.524
Struggling
Geulin Beltre has fallen into a bit of a slump going 0 for his last 13.
Blue Rocks Recap
Noel Arguelles enjoyed a nice debut as he took only 40 pitches to get through 4 innings while allowing only 2 hits and 0 runs while striking out one. Reports from the game had his velocity in the 87-90 mph range while throwing a curve in the 69-72 mph range. He only threw one change up from reports at the game. Michael Mariot took over for Arguelles and continued the good pitching mixing three pitches FB, slider, curve for an effective 5 innings allowing just 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 4. He did allow a home run but that one run wasn't enough for the Indians to hold off the Rocks as Rey Navarro, Deivy Batista and John Whittleman paced the offence to 4 runs on 6 hits from the threesome.
John Whittleman 2-3 HR, BB
Rey Navarro 2-4 3b Rbi hitting .563/.611/1.063 thru 4 games
Struggling
Alex McClure 0-15 he's playing superb defense but at some point he is going to have to hit.
Naturals Recap
Just another 1 run victory for the Naturals making that four in a row after losing the season opener. The Naturals did it in a different fashion this time scoring 4 runs in the first two innings to take a 4-2 lead and hung on with good pitching by Edgar Osuna and Buddy Baumann.
Christian Colon 1-3 1 BB 1 RBI
Struggling
Salvador Perez .133/.235/.400 in four games
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chaser had one of those nights as the lineup went missing against the Round Rock pitching staff. The Chasers could muster only 3 hits and 2 runs via HR's by Clint Robinson and David Lough. On the mound Everett Teaford was on cruise control thru 4 innings not allowing a hit but he ran into trouble in the 5th inning giving up 5 hits and 5 runs in the frame (4 ER) while not surviving the inning and taking the loss.
Clint Robinson 1-3 HR(3) 1 BB .316/.435/.947
Struggling
Mike Moustakas 4-23 .174/.208/.304 1 HR 1 BB
Cougars Recap
The home opener wasn't much fun to watch for the Kane County fans as Crawford Simmons struggle with his control despite working his FB in the 89-91 mph range. He was up in the zone while missing early in counts finishing the day with 4 IP 4 H 4 ER 3 K 3 BB. Greg Billo didn't perform much better as he followed Simmons and allowed 4 more runs over the next 3.2 innings.
Brian Fletcher 2-4 2b RBI .333/.364/.524
Struggling
Geulin Beltre has fallen into a bit of a slump going 0 for his last 13.
Blue Rocks Recap
Noel Arguelles enjoyed a nice debut as he took only 40 pitches to get through 4 innings while allowing only 2 hits and 0 runs while striking out one. Reports from the game had his velocity in the 87-90 mph range while throwing a curve in the 69-72 mph range. He only threw one change up from reports at the game. Michael Mariot took over for Arguelles and continued the good pitching mixing three pitches FB, slider, curve for an effective 5 innings allowing just 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 4. He did allow a home run but that one run wasn't enough for the Indians to hold off the Rocks as Rey Navarro, Deivy Batista and John Whittleman paced the offence to 4 runs on 6 hits from the threesome.
John Whittleman 2-3 HR, BB
Rey Navarro 2-4 3b Rbi hitting .563/.611/1.063 thru 4 games
Struggling
Alex McClure 0-15 he's playing superb defense but at some point he is going to have to hit.
Naturals Recap
Just another 1 run victory for the Naturals making that four in a row after losing the season opener. The Naturals did it in a different fashion this time scoring 4 runs in the first two innings to take a 4-2 lead and hung on with good pitching by Edgar Osuna and Buddy Baumann.
Christian Colon 1-3 1 BB 1 RBI
Struggling
Salvador Perez .133/.235/.400 in four games
Storm Chasers Recap
The Chaser had one of those nights as the lineup went missing against the Round Rock pitching staff. The Chasers could muster only 3 hits and 2 runs via HR's by Clint Robinson and David Lough. On the mound Everett Teaford was on cruise control thru 4 innings not allowing a hit but he ran into trouble in the 5th inning giving up 5 hits and 5 runs in the frame (4 ER) while not surviving the inning and taking the loss.
Clint Robinson 1-3 HR(3) 1 BB .316/.435/.947
Struggling
Mike Moustakas 4-23 .174/.208/.304 1 HR 1 BB
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