Daily Farm Report – 8/28/08
Posted on August 28th, 2008 by roarke in Curt Smith, Daily Farm Reports, Josh KinneyJosh Kinney‘s rehab starts have gone very well. He’s been away from the Cardinals for a long time now, but he had become a calming presence in the big team’s bullpen before his injury, so it would be great if he could return to that form.
The Quad Cities Times had a nice write-up on Curt Smith yesterday. He’s played really well since getting drafted in the 39th round – it will be interesting to see if he is able to continue his success as he moves up the ladder next year.
Five teams were in action today, all the details are after the jump.
- It was not a happy day for Clayton Mortensen. He only lasted three innings and gave up eight runs on nine hits and a pair of walks.
- John Wasdin was solid in relief, throwing five scoreless innings and only allowing two hits.
- Matthew Scherer also threw a perfect inning.
- Uncle Rico Washington hit two bombs in going 2-4 on the evening.
- Mark Johnson and Cody Haerther were each 1-3.
- Brandon Dickson‘s struggles at Double A continued. He gave up three runs on six hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out three.
- Jon Mikrut gave up a run in his inning of work and Josh Dew imploded, giving up five runs on four hits and a walk in one inning pitched.
- Luke Gregerson came in and calmed things down by pitching two scoreless innings, but Luis Perdomo gave up a pair of runs in his inning of work, although he did strike out three.
- Daniel Descalso was 2-3 with a double and a walk.
- Allen Craig was 2-3 with a double, a homer and a walk.
- Brett Wallace was 2-4 and is hitting an even .400 since his promotion to Springfield.
- Daryl Jones was 2-4.
- Colby Rasmus‘ rehab took him to Palm Beach. Unfortunately he was 0-3 with a HBP, but he did throw out a runner at third base.
- Antonio DeJesus was 2-4. He’s on a nice little hot streak, going 12 for his last 25.
- Pete Kozma was 1-4 with a double.
- Blake King gave up a pair of runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.
- Samuel Freeman pitched two hitless innings, striking out four.
- The Casey Mulligan Experience bounced back nicely with two scoreless innings. He struck out three.
- Francisco Samuel finished off the game with a scoreless inning, striking out a pair.
- Richard Castillo had a great start, throwing eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk and striking out a pair.
- Jared Bradford threw a perfect ninth inning for the save.
- Jon Edwards was 1-3 with a double and a walk.
- Carlos Pupo was 2-4 with a double and a stolen base.
- Charles Cutler had a big night, going 4-5 with a home run.
- Shane Peterson was 3-6 with a double.
- Jose Garcia and Frederick Parejo were each 2-5. Garcia also walked and had a pair of steals.
- George Brown got the start and gave up four runs on seven hits over four innings. He struck out four.
- Thomas Eager followed and gave up one run over four innings on three hits and a walk.
- Daniel Richardson struggled, lasting only two thirds of an inning and giving up two runs on three hits. Adam Reifer came in with two runners on and put out the fire for the save.
Entries (RSS)
Freeman made a pretty big jump, from Johnson City to Palm Beach. Nice to see a strikeout lefty in the pen.
Man, it looks like Rico is really trying to prove that he deserves that September Callup. Do you guys think that Wasdin will get the call come Sept. 1 seeing as how he is a veteran, or will he be overlooked?
Wasdin does deserve a call, but will probably not get one, After a rough start and everyone here calling for his head, he has bounced back and had a nice year!
John has gave up just 14 ER over 57 IP in the last 3 months, with only 11 BB to 59 SO, His big knock is that he is a Fly Ball pitcher and gives up more than his far share of HR.
You know for all the hand wringing about the bullpen this year, it appears that we might have a nice foundation for next year built. Perez, Motte, Kinney, McClellan…that is atleast a start. I am hoping Pinero is moved into the Thompson role leaving just one arm to pick-up.
Good Morning All!
Moving Craig to the outfield seems to make since. Probably has a good arm out there since he played 3rd and his bat makes him valuable. The organization must think Wallace should stay at 3rd. The off season should be fun to watch as there is no doubt that a couple of outfielders and pitchers will be trade chips. If Wallace is staying at 3rd then you might throw Freese in the trade mix along with Anderson. We have a lot to offer a team that is wanting to go young. I’m having trouble deciding who I would like to see as the future starting three OF. Ludwick, Ankiel, Mather, Jones, Rasmus, Craig,etc. . I’m thinking next year we need a LH reliever, definately a 2nd baseman and maybe a starting pitcher, depending on what happens with Carp and if we retain Lohse. It will be a fun winter and exciting ’09.
Casey
Aren’t we on the hook for Kennedy for another year? I’m sure Miles is coming back so I doubt we go after a 2nd baseman.
John Wasdin is 36. He will not be getting a September callup.
So what kind of starter does castillo project to be?
Top of the rotation guy?
What’s his velocity? Anyone know?
gobirds:
My understanding is that he is at about 89-91 right now, but he is only 18 and there is some projectability left in him. The hope is that he can add a couple of ticks to his fastball as his body continues to mature. The way he has performed to this point, I would say that he has top of the rotation potential – but he’s still got a long way to go.
Castillo has to be considered the highest ceiling starter we have. He has had success every stop he has made. I doubt he will rank as high as Mortensen, Todd, Lynn, and some others, but with another good year he will rank higher.
Whats the deal with Felipe Lopez for next year?
I like him at 2B. He could be a nice steal if he returns to his all star potential.
Got to see our old pal John Gall last night while at the Sounds game.
I believe Lopez is a free agent. It could come down to the Cardinals deciding if they want Miles or Lopez back next year.
I was traveling through Memphis last night and saw the game. One interesting thing I noticed was that Mortensen batted in the bottom of the 3rd but then Wasdin pitched the 4th. Is it common in the minors to not pitch hit that early in the game? Maybe there are less bench players and they need to be saved for later in the game? Anyone know why the manager didn’t pitch hit in that situation?
I think Lopez is arbitration eligible for one more year. Not sure but I think I heard that on FSN.
Felipe is a FA in 2009.
Wow. I think the Castillo bandwagon is getting crowded fast. I’m not on it.
Despite having above average command and a reportedly good breaking ball, I’ve yet to hear anything that indicates to me he’ll be more than a middle of the rotation guy in the best case scenario. I haven’t seen him live but I’m not holding my breath. I’m not sure if he would make my top 25 prospects at this point. His QC numbers are just ok not great as he’s been hit by the HR ball often in a very spacious park. He’s got a lot left to prove.
Azru—BAsically I look at his numbers–they are strikng. He maintians a sub 3 (often sub 2) ERA with a 3:1 K:BB at 1 K /IP. Those are solid numbers against every level of competition, which is competition usually equal or above his age. Nick Additon was a slight breakout player this year. Castillo’s numbers compare favorably to Additon’s at QC. It’s pretty early to get excited, but you gotta love the organization moving into Latin America.
PJ — See Hearne, Trey 2006 (although he was older — I think the age thing for beginning pitchers is overblown)
Trey Hearne comparison is not apples to apples because of the age thing.
I’m not quite on the bandwagon, either AZ. He’s an extreme fly ball pitcher for one thing. Secondly you are correct, it’s not like he has knock-out stuff. I’m not saying he isn’t a prospect, I just feel more comfortable waiting and seeing.
DallasRedbird, the reason Mortensen hit for himself in the 3rd, is that Memphis has only 11 position players, The 8 playing and backup catcher who they wouldn’t want to use, so that leaves them with only 2 guys that could PH.