A beautiful night last night in the Quad Cities as the rains came and cooled off the town for the night game. It’s interesting to write these reports up the day after being at the game — namely because I’m not entirely sure I could tell you the score once I leave the game. I can tell you about individual plays (I have about 9 pages of notes in my little black notebook from the first two games) and I can tell you about players but when I’m there, I don’t follow the narrative of the game. It’s a decidedly different experience from the emotional ups and downs of watching the Cardinals play.
The org goes 3-for-3 as High-A enjoys their All-Star Game and Quad Cities eeks out an extra inning win.
(FWIW, there’s a good chance I’ve seen all the QC baseball I’m going to see this weekend. The forecast for this evening looks decidedly wet.)
- Allen Craig was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk. Whatever the big league club was wanting Craig to recapture in Memphis . . . well, he’s likely done that. It’s time to move him back to the bigs. I’ve some suggestions on who he could replace. Craig is now hitting .326/.383/.486 in Memphis.
- Ruben Gotay went yard.
- Lance Lynn’s command seems to be taking a turn for the better. He went 6 innings allowing 8 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 4 but didn’t walk a batter.
- Pete Kozma was 2-for-4.
- Daryl Jones went 1-for-4. This may be the year that the DJ Tools prospect train derails once and for all. The injuries, the lack of production (.689 OPS) . . . he’s still age appropriate for his level but it’s really hard to get excited about an age appropriate player not performing.
- Steve Hill was 2-for-5 with a double.
- Adron Chambers was 2-for-4 with a double.
- David Kopp went 7 innings allowing 7 hits and 1 ER. He struck out 4.
- Francisco Samuel pitched one inning walking 2, allowing a hit and striking out 1.
- Tony Cruz was 0-for-2.
- Xavier Scruggs was 3-for-4 with a HR and a walk.
- Richard Racobaldo was 1-for-4.
- Mark Diapoules and Matt Frevert both pitched a scoreless inning.
Quad Cities 4, West Michigan 3
- Michael Swinson was 2-for-5.
- Ryan Jackson was 3-for-5.
- Niko Vasquez was 2-for-4 with a walk.
- Eric Fornataro went 7 innings allowing 6 hits and 2 ER. Both ER came in his last inning of work. He struck out 5.
- Jesse Simpson, whom I had been keeping an eye out for, pitched two innings walking 3 and striking out 2. He allowed 1 hit and a game tying run before the River Bandits won the game in the 10th.
Entries (RSS)
FWIW, Niko had the walk-off hit for QC.
Azru, I’m certainly with you on Craig but why stop there? Howabout air fare to St. Louis for Jay, Craig and Greene and fare out of town for Winn, Stavy and Miles? I can’t help but think that might breathe some life into this listless team. If we do have to go piece meal I’d have to make Jay my first call up. It seemed he was proving he belonged before he was so rudely interrupted.
@easy: I personally think Winn makes more sense if you want a centerfield counterpart or even someone to spell Rasmus. I’ve not been as high on Jay as others in the past. Craig and Greene certainly have a case for the majors though.
In my mind Jay has outperformed them all. I think Craig gets a call up only if the organization expects Albert to spend some time on the DL for whatever is ailing him. As he had his right help wrapped before the game yesterday.
I think its time to give Vasquez a shot at Palm Beach.
I’d like to see if these walk rates hold up at a higher level.
Anyone know if the organization has a philosophy about moving player when the teams they are on are in contention of going to the playoffs. All 4 teams are in contention. Wonder when Short Season rosters are announced.
@Andrew: I’ve believe they’ve said publicly that they want to induce a culture of winning in the minors. They’ve been reluctant in the past to move important players from teams who were in the playoff race.
I think QC right now is pretty much a lock for the playoffs. They just have to finish in the top 2 during either half to go to the playoffs. They are about 10 over 500 at this point.
@azruavatar:
Cutler down, Cruz up.
Does anyone have much information about how well Steven Hill is managing as a catcher? I would think a good hitting catcher needs to be a good enough fielder to be started due to the fact that you don’t want to waist your backup catcher on a pinch hit.
Not off the DJ Tools train yet….I think he was overhyped 2 years ago, but he still could be a nice 4th OF in the majors in 2 years
Is there a reason why Kopp is not promoted?
@michael: Kopp’s peripherals are mediocre. He needs to walk fewer and give up less Hr’s. But I think the real reason is the lack of stability in STL. Once that settles and they know who they are going to keep at Memphis he may be promoted if there is an opening. With Walters, McLane, and Ottavino bouncing up and down Kopp might be called up just to be sent back down. I just want him to stay healthy this year. Anything else is a bonus.
@PJ: Yes but we have a looming numbers crunch on the 40 man roster. How many outfielders can you keep on the 40 man and who gets voted off the island? Not in STL are Craig, Mather, Jay, Henley, and DJ. How much more time will management invest in DJ to see if he turns it around? And then there is the issue whether DJ can actually play CF and lack of power for corner OF. Interesting to see how it develops.
what is going on with shelby miller not pitched in 2 weeks
I am not a big beleiver in brining up AAA players and sitting the bench. Even as much as Tony uses those guys.
If they have options, I think its better for their development to leave guys like Jay (not yet a full year in AAA), Craig (still learning a position), Greene (still needs some defensive improvement) to get at bats and play everyday instead of brining them up to sit the bench.
Currently the cards have 3 outfield starters who get a majority of the playing time. They also have 3 guys (lopez, Shumaker and Ryan) for 2 infield spots. The spot where Jay could see some time would be Rasmus. Except Jay is also lefthanded so it doesn’t help there.
Now if a starter would go on the DL and a series of opportunites opens up in the line up, by all means call up a guy. But as part timers, leave them in memphis.
@zuke354:
I’m not sure how playing Allen Craig at 1B in Memphis is helping his progress towards the majors.
@Shane,
Craig has only 10 games at first. He has played 27 in LF. He needs more time in the outfield. And he didn’t tear up while here. So you really can’t argue he is exactly ready. At least he is playing and still getting at bats. Somthing all players need, especially ones with less than 500 professional Atbats.
If he is called up, he will not be getting many at bats because he can’t play center. With Holliday and Ludwick, he will be primarily a right handed corner outfielder/1st base/Pinch hit. The cards already have that with Nick Stavinoa. How many of those guys can you really use? Maybe they split the pinch hitting duties. Stavinoa would probably still get a majority of the chances, leaving very little opportunites for Craig.
Unless Albert, Ludwick, or Holliday get hurt, leave him in Memphis.
@dan from fl: @dan from fl: answered by azruavatar in 6/13/10 post thanks again
@cariocacardinal:
Kopp may also still be considered post surgery and he’s doing fine where he is. What he needs is to get in the work he has missed over the years and as you say remain healthy. I agree with the walks, though some have been intentional.
I also don’t beleive in bringing up players just to send them down again in AAA or AA unless there is an injury, does it matter where they get in their innings or their at bats? What you do have to do is decide if you really want to keep buying and trading guys to fill in, or use your prospects.
Seems to me with a a good chance for contention each and every year, TLR perfers experience (Miles as an example).
@ Cariocardinal
Actually it does matter WHERE they get at bats and playing time. If they get called up, then will not get that many opportunites.
For one thing, Aaron miles and Randy Winn can switch hit, which is a plus. Even though miles is a switcher hitter, he only has 13 AB in over a week. He has had a grand total of 7 innings at 2nd base and none at short stop (where greene needs to play). the only reason why he had that many opportunites is because Freese was slowed a bit.
LaRussa does like veterans on the bench and you really can’t blame them. You don’t want to pigeon hole a young player as a bench player and its a tough spot for a player to learn.
Not sure what your point is about buying and trading guys to fill in. The cards entire infield, starting centerfielder, 2/5 of the pitching staff and most of the bullpen all came through the system.
I think Craig is learning first base on chance that Albert has to spend some time on the DL to heal himself. Tony won’t want to use Stav at IB because he’s more exposed and not as valuable as his role as PH. Also it’s a good chance to see what Craig can do in the Majors on a consistant basis. May help the FO make a decison regarding if Craig is our future in right or if we need to resign Ludwick. Craig at first also helps his trade value because it gives us more flexiblity on what team he can go too.
@zuke354: uh, I’m not in on that discussion. Your argument is with someone else not me!