Batavia was rained out today and Springfield was the only game tonight in a wild one.
Since it’s a light day, let’s have a comment thread conversation. We all know who my “guy” is that I root for in the system over all others (Arquimedes Nieto). We all know DanUp’s from VEB, but who is yours? This is not a hipster contest, you don’t get points the more obscure the player is. Tell me who and why as we enter Wednesday, the most boring day in sports. Unless you like the ESPYs of course…
On to the one game DFR after the jump!
- Scott McGregor gave up 6 runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings. It wasn’t pretty.
- Tom Eager and Tyler Norrick together pitched the next 2.2 innings. Eager struck out 2.
- Francisco Samuel got the blown save giving up 3 runs in the 9th to tie the game. Two hits, a walk and a HR will do that. Samuel is finding the treading a bit difficult as he returns from injury.
- Adam Reifer got the last out of the 9th, but allowed the go ahead run in the 10th.
- Matt Carpenter was 4-5 with a double, a walk and a solo HR.
- Steven Hill (2-6 with a HR), Adron Chambers (1-1 with a HR and walk), Jose Garcia (2-6 with a HR) all obviously hit HRs.
- Tommy Pham was 2 phor 4 with a walk.
Also a note: Shane Peterson was playing 1B for Midland.
Entries (RSS)
I root for Deryk Hooker. Still think there might be a future for him. His profile reminds me of Boggs.
Mr. Kozma made another error that led to the blow up that allowed Midland to score 2 runs to tie the score at 6. I have read alot about the reasons for his errors, but after watching him the last 2 years he just is not the defensive player some think he is. Carpenter had a good game. His HR was a BOMB. 427 feet almost to straight center field.
It’s hard not to root for P.J. Walters after what he’s been through this year.
I’m a big Scott Gorgen fan as well. Hopefully he can make a full recovery and get back to throwing that filthy changeup.
I always root for Pham. The reason is simple, he could look a lot like Chris Young if he ever puts it together.
I’m still on the Niko bandwagon myself. It looks to be picking up steam! Hopefully the production continues in PB. Also starting to like Matt Carpenter, he’s a frickin man…no batting gloves!
Though he’s not by any means an obscure talent, I’m still a huge Allen Craig supporter. I’m getting to the point where I’d be fine with Craig being traded to a team in need of a bat – just so I can see what he does. He seems ready. He just needs a team that will take a chance on him playing everyday. Put the kid out in left (obviously not with the Cards) and see what happens. He seems to deserve it.
I completely agree while I’m not sold on if Craig can hit at the Major League level I would root for him if he was traded to another team and helped us get a 4th pitcher. I just don’t see where he fits in St. Louis. Maybe in right but I really want to keep Ludwick and believe he would take a pay cut for more years and security.
I don’t see Ludwick giving a discount, at least not much of one. This will be his first, and likely only crack at big money. He is not a kid, and if he can get a lot more somewhere else, I think he has to take it. I honestly don’t think he’ll be here at the end of the year. Jay is doing a solid job, add’s another LH bat to balance the lineup. I know they have problems w/LH pitchers but Jay sure seems to put good swings on the ball. With Rasmus figuring out LH’s, I don’t think it will be as much of an issue. I think trading him now, with an extra year for the acquiring team to have him, gives max value, and in a package may land not just a 4th starter, but a decent one with some cost control that would be here for awhile, take Penny’s place next year, and maybe free up a way to trade Lohse (of course pending recovery and performance on his part).
I can’t tell you why, but I’ve always been a fan of the really athletic outfielders. I loved the idea of Jon Jay — a guy who looked like he could he hit for a high average, make all the plays in the outfield, steal some bases, and maybe develop some power. It’s kind of strange to see him in the majors, doing all the things I convinced myself he could do.
I also had hopes for D’Marcus Ingram, but when it looked like he wouldn’t pan out last year, I started paying more attention to Adron Chambers. He put together a terrific season at PB, and is holding his own at Springfield this year. And now Ingram is having a big year.
Next on my radar is Virgil Hill, who has a .500 SLG at JC w/o a single home run — 5 doubles, 2 triples.
I am going to also say OF Adron Chambers, followed by Tommy Pham, D’marcus Ingram, Frederick Parejo and Virgil Hill, all for the same reason that if one of these guys could develop into an athletic OF (preferably CF) lead off type hitter, that would seem to be something they need (I realize Rasmus would need to move to RF, or the aforesaid Chambers etc would have to be able to play defense and throw well enough to play RF) (I did not include John Jay because while still having rookie status he seems to be up for good, although he potentially is the same kind of potential lead off type hitter). I also realize that none of the guys I listed (other than Jay) will be up until, at the earliest next year for Chambers), so that immediate need may be filled either internally or by trade at 2b or SS. However I am really following Chambers and the others listed because they really need someone to jump start the offense, and OF/CF, 2b and SS seem to be the positions at which that could occur.
I am rooting for Kyle Heim because I have been friends with his sister for a long time. I also am rooting for Steve Hill to make it as a catcher. I want a masher behind the plate.
I also have a soft spot for the major underdog Pete Kozma.
I’ve had a fascination with rooting for James Rapoport the past couple of seasons. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t get much press, but he just keeps producing at every level and keeps moving up. I think where I got fully entrenched on (in?) his bandwagon was during last season. Every time I looked at either the DFR or the box score it seemed as if he had a couple of doubles every game.
I’ve been rooting for Arnoldi “Tony”Cruz since he came up with QC in 2007. Thought he was going to be our future 3rd baseman but he may just make it as a catcher. Great arm and can hit.
On the position player side my guy is Tony Cruz.
I like your thinking Riggs!
As a few above have noted, I like the fast guys, mostly outfielders, who hold the promise of the stolen base–baseball’s dying play.
Steve Hill. The guy has done nothing but hit at every level, yet gets all but ignored. I really hope he gets over this passed-ball thing so that people take him seriously, as a trading chip if nothing else.
Agree with jimmy_joe about speed guys, but speed doesn’t help much if you can’t get on base.
I picked up a new pet prospect in Boone Whiting who has a plus name and K rate. Also, Eduardo Sanchez, whose quirky windup is instantly endearing.
Robert Stock. He was a very young draft eligible college player. Granted he has issues (don’t all prospects?) but I think he has good upside and time is one his side for now.
As has been said above, Kozma and Garcia really didn’t help out McGregor last night…both had errors, but Kozma’s allowed two runs to score. It would have been 6-4 after 6 without that error while turning a double play.
The one time Carpenter got out, he hit a missle that was caught. As said, his HR was a bomb.
Fun game with four HR’s in the first, three by the Cards.
@Dan in Haiti:
I think Ludwick would take less money for more years than more money for less years. With the way that baseball is still financially I don’t see him getting what people think he will get. How about 3 years 18 million for Ludwick.
Chris Patterson, a ’10 draftee.
Chris went to App State, I went to App State. I am just happy our baseball program is following on the coat tails of the football program (any Michigan grads on here) and finally having some semblance of success.
Other than that, I still have a weird love for Niko. I like his game and think he could be a very useful 3B in the majors if he matures and continues to show improvement.
A talented Texas recruit flying under many radars appears to be a major blip at USC. Pflugerville Connally multi-sport standout Anthony Bryant has shown some skills at football and baseball and the 6-3, 215-pounder won the 25-5A 100-meters. That’s a WOW athlete _ a 3-sport 5A star has a little something _ who seems to be getting more attention from out of state than in Texas.
Bryant is leaning toward an official announcement to commit to USC where he’ll likely play baseball and football. He only had 10 catches last season, but it was for more than 200 yards. He also had a standout summer in baseball? Definitely a name to remember this year and in the future?
Guess this is inconclusive about if he was going to get a scholarship or not.
Sorry this last post was supposed to to in the 2010 draft commentary.
@Andrew: he’s making 5.45/yr right now and will probably see a jump up to 7/8ish in arb. no way he signs 3/18. will def get more than that on the market. I’d like to see Craig given either next year or the year after and give some of the guys mentioned above a chance to pan out more.
@Wade: oh, and Austin Wilson to take Craig’s spot in 3 years … I can dream right?
Maybe 4 years at 7 a year. I think hes alot more valuable to the Cardinals than most people think. Regarding Craig I believe if he has any future in STL he would have got this extended time with Ludwick on the DL as a tryout. He hasn’t and don’t think he will get a real chance. Either they don’t think he can play RF at a Major League level or that him wrapping the bat will keep him from being able to hit major league pitching and they are leaving him in AAA to compile stats as to not ruin his trade value.
@Andrew: I agree with you on Ludwick – not on Craig. I do think the org. likes Craig and while it was strange he wasn’t called back up, I don’t know that it means anything long term. Maybe they just thought Jay was ready to help the club first – a good conclusion. I think Craig makes, and stays on the major league club next season
I’ve said this a few times before, watching Craig on Milb.tv most of his power and hits go to the opposite field. Originally I thought this was by design but I’m starting to think his bat wrap is making is so that he is late on most fastballs and has to hit it to the opposite field. Once get gets up to better pitching as he did when he started the year with us he struggled. I haven’t seen him hit lately but I really hope they are working on his bat wrap. I really think he will be a main piece in any trade we make.
Matt Carpenter- I started following Carpenter while still at TCU (before the draft) and fell in love with him as a prospect. I was very happy that the Cards drafted him, and it appears the pick is paying off. The guy isn’t necessarily your prototypical 3B, but you’ve got to like the kid’s work ethic, attitude, and grit. I really hope his power continues to improve, as I’d enjoy seeing him spend some time at the hot corner in St. Louis in a year or two.
Because of his age, I would like to see Matt Carpenter moved up to AAA to see how he can handle that level.
Too many prospects to list! I too like the athletic OF’s and my current favorite prospect is Nicholas Longmire from this year’s draft, but I was a huge Virgil Hill fan and he seems to be finding himself a bit at Johnson City. I keep up with Adron Chambers and DJ Tools in Springfield, when I saw Chambers play he looked fast and strong and showed off a great arm with solid range as well. I keep up with D’Marcus Ingram because he is a fellow Arkansas boy, but I’m hoping his production will match what he was able to do at QC to start the year.
Infielders I don’t follow as much, but I do have a few guys that I keep track off.. I’m still a big Kozma fan and everytime I’ve seen him play I’ve been impressed so I think he may still have a future for the Cardinals. Niko at 3B is something that excites me and if he can keep up this torrid hitting pace he’s on, he could be at Palm Beach or maybe even Springfield before the year is over. Not so much an IF, but I like Cody Stanley behind the plate and I hope he will continue to hit as he moves through the minors. My favorite IF prospect is Matt Adams, he can hit for average and power and although he might not have a position for the Cardinals, if he continues his progression he could be a viable trade chip.
I don’t keep up as much with the pitchers in the system because their is nobody that really “WOW’s” me other than Miller, Kelly, Matias, etc..
@ridgesee: I agree that he’s a bit old for AA, but I have no problem with him finishing out the season in AA and then being moved up to AAA to start 2011. With Freese looking like he can handle 3B for a few more years, there is really no need to push Carpenter this season to AAA. Let him get his AB’s in Springfield and let him continue to work on his plate discipline and fielding at AA.
The guy that has surprised me the most is Bursma. I have watched him pitch several times and it looks like I could even hit this side arm hurler…..but hitter after hitter can seem to figure this guy out. He has great stats and minimal walks and it just amazes me that he has not been knocked around in the AA league. I look for Samuel to complain about an arm or something after his performance last night.
@riotmute: What about Craig convinces you that he’ll hit better in the Show next year than he did in his cameo earlier this year? I know, small sample size and all, but he didn’t make a very compelling case that he could hit major-league pitching.
@Gruntosaurus: Craig was incredibly unlucky during his stint in St. Louis. He had a very solid line-drive rate, but seemed to hit everything at a defender. In the limited AB’s he was given, he really never had a chance to change his luck. By the end of his stint, he seemed to be pressing, which is probably a big reason why he was sent down to prevent the formation bad habits and to give him a chance to build back his confidence. I think what he has done throughout his stint in the minors, this year and all previous years, and what he has done in spring training the last 2 years against MLB pitching, is evidence that if given an extended look in the bigs with consistent AB’s he can be productive.
After watching him in all of one game this year, I’ve become a Michael Swinson fan (12th round pick in ’08 playing at QC this year). This kid appears to have it all – good batting eye, some power, great speed and fine defense. Besides him, I;m really rooting for potential starting pitchers, because that is where I think the Cards will try to reduce payroll in order to pay Albert.
@Gruntosaurus: to follow up my statement with some numbers
ST. Louis- 19 AB’s 29% LD .071 BABIP
Memphis- 250 AB’s 18% LD .347 BABIP
His k rate was a bit higher when in ST. Louis (pressing may have been the cause), but his GB% and BB% are about the same between Memphis and STL. He was driving the ball in STL, he just couldn’t find the holes.
@dk: What he said.
Jon Edwards….Seriously…….
Corderius Dodd is the guy I most want to succeed…I was his counselor at church camp in 2003 and i really hope he makes it….other than him, I’m pulling for matt carpenter
re: comments on Anthony Bryant, of. if this is the Anthony Bryant drafted this year by the Cardinals, BA has him as signed with them. I believe he is playing now on one of the short season teams.
Pretty boring but I am still a huge Anderson fan. For a catcher as young as he is to make it as far as he did before he struggled shows extreme talent. People soured on him as a prospect, but really he jsut reached the refinement phase of his minor league career. Up until now he was making it on his talent.
@dk:
You can call it bad luck but in MOST of Craigs at bats he seemed totally overmatched. I do remember quite a few soft line drives to RF. That showed up pin LD percentage but really doesn’t mean its effective. Does the LD percent only count balls in play like babip? or is that a LD percent out of all his at bats. I seemed to rememeber quite a few strike outs also.
I am rooting for Freddie Parejo, D’Marcus Ingram, Tony Cruz, Matt Carpenter. Pitchers would be Dickson and Casey Mulligan.
I still hold out hope that Adam Reifer will become a lights out closer. I have speculated in the past that Jon Jay might put up better numbers as a major leaguer than in the minors. I’m taking this opportunity to be temporarily thrilled.
Matt Adams and Anthony Ferrara are my top two obscureish ones for no real reason. I guess they both just left good impressions on me when they were drafted.
Always rooting for Blake King. Good friends with his little brother.
Shelby…. And I always look for Anderson’s line in (probably) vain hope.
I think my main crush has got to be our own Dutch wonder Curt Smith. He probably wont ever reach my dreams of being our Kung Fu panda but oh well. Still am hopeful that Bryan Anderson is a serviceable major leather while I hold high hopes for Shelby, Hooker and Matias.
I think Anderson has a good hope of making it next year. I believe LaRue’s contract is a year at a time, and Yadi seems to have his large workload hurting him offensively. We don’t want to completely wear him out. Anderson being the backup and getting 2 starts a week could really help Yadi long term.