Archive for July, 2009

Thanks for all the kind words about yesterday’s DFR. The talking head theater may strike again when you least expect it.

As for today’s bumper, I pose this to the group: During today’s Cardinals/Brewers broadcast, Mozeliak was quoted as saying they are aware of the Wellemeyer problem but that there is no one else in the entire organization that they can replace him with that is any better. Not to be too snide but Todd Wellemeyer has the worst WHiP in baseball and the 10th worst FIP. So, to put words into his mouth, John Mozeliak is saying that if we brought up Mitchell Boggs, Blake Hawksworth or Clay Mortensen, they would be worse than arguably the WORST PITCHER IN BASEBALL.

Anyone else really think that?

On to the DFR!
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After the Jump, a Conversation between two GMs and an interested 3rd party.  Oh, and the DFR!

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It’s me again, and yes, it has been awhile.

One of my favorite days of the year has to be draft day.  For a hyperventilating prospect geek like myself, it is like Christmas in June.  And this year, the draft happened to fall on my birthday.  What a gift.

I thought it would be fun to do a draft review here with a couple of the guys who were in the draft day chats.  erik and the baaron were up for it and here is what we came up with.

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The MLB Network’s Noah Coslov has a great write-up about Cardinals AAA reliever Pete Parise and his journey from being undrafted to the Indy Leagues to pitching in AAA Memphis.

The organization went an even 3 – 3 tonight.

As a random waiter I had at a resort told me every time he brought out my food…enjoy it.

UPDATE: Francisco Samuel has been named as an injury replacement for the Future’s Game on July 14th.  Even more reason to watch!

AZ Update: As mentioned in the comments, and buried in this Strauss piece, Bryan Anderson had season ending shoulder surgery on Tuesday.  Bummer.  He was headed for a plummet in the prospect lists as it was but this pretty much seals his fate.

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This is the first of the bi-weekly GCL updates.  Keep in mind that these stats are to be ingested with a grain of salt as the GCL is the most informal of all minor leagues and there is a sample-size warning with all these numbers.

So, with that in mind, I’ll check in on three “names” on the GCL roster, three players who have played well and three players who have played not so well.

The GCL Cardinals have gone 4-6 so far on the year, they are in 4th place in the GCL “East” Division.

(I’ve scheduled this to be published, so apologies if anything happened in yesterday’s game to change these numbers.)

All the action after the fold.

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A lot of games going on and not a lot of news and notes for today.

However as you all know, Ty Greene is back down to Memphis and had a terrible game and Brian Barden is back up with the big club.

PJ Walters rocks and Trey Hearne rolls tonight in the DFR.

[AZ Update -- John Marecek tweeting that catcher Charles Culter was promoted to Palm Beach from Quad Cities.  He cured cancer AND split the atom.  Can't hold him back!]

Let’s Rock:

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Tony LaRussa seems to have taken some heat for not wanting Brett Wallace in the big leagues.  Wailing and gnashing of teeth seems to be the vogue response from fans as TLR “stonewalls” another prospect.  I’ve alluded in the past why I agree with TLR in this area but let’s lay it out point by point.

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Jess Todd moves faster than the wind. If he’s involved in the DeRosa deal, that’s going to be a harder trade to stomach. It’s one thing to give up you future closer (Chris Perez) but another to give up him AND the guy that might have been setting him up next year. I still wonder if Todd could handle starting but in the pen he’s a setup guy for me and possibly more than that.

Brett Wallace is a sponge. Everyone should read this closely:

”I don’t think he’s really found his power stroke yet, but that’s something that’s kind of been his trademark is having a lot of power,” Maloney said. ”People have got to understand, he was playing the College World Series (last year). He’s in Triple-A baseball. He’s a young kid and he’s doing a heck of a job for us. He’s going to get better. It’s just a matter of time.”

I agree 100% with Tony LaRussa‘s recent comments about Wallace staying in the minors this year. Sure he’s hitting well at the moment but we’re talking about a 2 week span of success that’s predicated largely on hitting for average. Wallace still isn’t destroying AAA.

One thing Wallace has improved is his defense. He has a strong arm, but what has been most surprising has been his range and footwork for a hefty player listed at 6-2, 205 pounds.

”He’s got good first-step quickness for his size,” Maloney said. ”He’s lost about 15 pounds since spring training so he’s getting in better shape. I expect him, as he improves his physique, his defense is going to get better and better. . He’s still going to have to get a little bit slimmer. He’s never going to be a gazelle-looking kid. Anything he can do to help his quickness is going to be a plus for him.”

First off, there’s not an unrigged scale in the world that’s gonna weigh Wallace in at 205. Second, it’s not the first step that’s the problem; it’s the 4th and 5th. Wallace’s range is simply limited. He may have good first instincts (and that matters at 3rd) but his defense has a ways to go as does his physique as Maloney notes. The Cardinals aren’t shy about these types of comments (they said the same thing to Perez before the season) and kudos to Maloney for not ducking an issue that’s obvious.

Pop Warner to coach at the Futures Game.

How long until HL comes up with a Robert Stock pun? Kevin Goldstein couldn’t resist as Stock made his daily update batch. I think this is just the second Cardinal minor leaguer to make an update this year with Wallace showing up a few weeks ago.

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I celebrated the 4th at Veteran’s stadium, where I had the privilege of seeing Arquimedes Nieto take a no-hitter into the 8th inning. I wasn’t able to watch the game with the insane amount of diligence I normally do, as I was entertaining a future in-law who also happens to be a Cardinal fan, but I’ll tell you what I did see. Nieto definitely had us both paying attention with his flirtation with a no-no.

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Happy 4th of July!

The farm system doesn’t stop for the nation’s birthday and I’m wondering if the fireworks will stop prior to me finishing the DFR. (Question: Am I the only person in the world who isn’t thrilled by fireworks?)

Anywho, Arquimedes forgot to adjust his mirror death rays for the 8th inning after flirting with a no-no, things turn ugly. Memphis wins in extras and Springfield goes up in smoke (like fireworks!!!).

Let’s rock?

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