The Cardinals fielded teams for a pair of scrimmage games today. The results feature more strikeout artists in the low minors.
Memphis 3, Springfield 2
Memphis
- PJ Walters struck out 5 in 6 innings of work. He was allowed just 2 runs on 1 walk and 5 hits.
- Tyler Norrick pitched 1.2 innings striking out 2 and walking 4. Norrick is lucky he’s a lefty as he continues to post Gary Daley type walk numbers over the last couple seasons. With a live fastball, he could put things together conceivably but, to date, that’s been nothing more than a thought exercise.
- Eduardo Sanchez struck out 1 in a perfect inning.
- Andrew Brown was 3-for-4 with a double.
- Shane Robinson was 2-for-4 with a double.
- Jim Rapoport and Tony Cruz both went 2-for-3 with a walk.
- Pete Kozma was 1-for-1 with 3(!) walks.
Springfield
- Michael Blazek was roughed up for 3 runs in just 4.2 innings. He struck out 3 but walked 4 and allowed 5 hits.
- Adam Reifer walked 2 and allowed 3 hits in 1.1 innings but managed a scoreless outing.
- Jose Garcia doubled and walked.
- Nick Derba was 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.
Palm Beach 4, Quad Cities 1
Palm Beach
- Maikel Cleto allowed just 1 run over 5 innings. I’m a bit startled to see him in the DFR notes with a 5 inning start . . . not sure that it’s worth reading into but it is surprising. He allowed 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out an impressive 7 batters.
- Jesse Simpson struck out 2 in 1 inning of work. Simpson’s put up very good strikeout numbers but I was unimpressed when I saw him last year. Not sure he’s got the stuff to continue to do that at higher levels.
- Aaron Terry pitched a pair of perfect frames.
- Jose Rada pitched a perfect inning.
- D’Marcus Ingram was 1-for-3 with a walk.
- Curt Smith went yard.
- Ryde Rodriguez was 1-for-1 with a shot over the wall and a walk.
Quad Cities
- Trevor Rosenthal, not to be overshadowed, allowed just 1 hit in 6 innings while striking out 9. Quad Cities will have an interesting staff to start the season with guys like Seth Blair and Jordan Swagerty headed there but Trevor Rosenthal is the most interesting to me as there’s little hype about him outside the organization but the results continue to be very impressive.
- Scott Bittle retired 2 batter allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 runs. He struck out 1.
- Drew Benes allowed a pair of hits in a scoreless inning.
- Michael Swinson had the only hit for QC.
- Greg Garcia walked and scored the only run.
Entries (RSS)
I believe that is 23 K’s for Trevor in 15 innings this Spring. I’m sure his WHIP is below 1.00 as well.
I hope Andrew Brown can stay healthy. He’s never been healthy for a full year. HE often gets hot and then injures himself. IF he could stay healthy, he could put up big numbers this year (.900+ OPS). Probably still wont be considered much of a prospect due to his age but it should get him a SPring Training invite.
Let’s see, in 2009 Curt Smith was in PB and SPFLD. He spent 2010 in SPFLD. Now he will start 2011 in PB? HE didnt set the world on fire in SPFLD but I dont see much to be gained by moving him back to PB.
Several HR’s for Ryde Rodriguez this Spring. Hopefully he has gained some real power. His power numbers have been terrible.
Yah Rosenthal has been great this spring, with his sudden jump in velocity last year, he has just been one of those you never know late round types to this point, and im glad this one is in the Cards system! Am also scratching my head on the whole Curt Smith evidently being demoted thing too, my only guess is they have decided Scruggs and Adams are better and must have decided Smith is just organizational depth at this point. Also great to see Cleto pitch well in a start, hope they keep him in that role a little longer before deciding he belongs in the pen for good.
There has not been any sudden jump in Trevor’s velocity – there was a sudden jump in giving him the respect he always deserved. Trevor was touching 96 his freshman year in Juco. He now touches 98. I guess you can call that a sudden jump, but I wouldn’t. It’s nice to see everyone finally waking up to this kid. He wasn’t a “you never know late round type” either. I suspect he was screwed by his college coach talking him down because he wanted him back for his sophomore year. I can’t prove it, but how else do you explain a kid throwing sustained 94 with control going in the 21st round? He should have been drafted in rounds 3-5. Cards got lucky. I told the Royals to draft him – they blew it. In fairness to the scouts, etc. he never played HS Varsity, but good lord, how can you not read a radar gun and see that the ball isn’t missing the catcher’s mitt?
Potentially having Blair, Swagerty, Rosenthal, and Martinez in the same QC rotation later in the year is pretty awesome. That’s a lot of young talent on one staff.
I agree you can’t keep Smith, Scruggs and Adams in Springfield. Not sure why people think should be playing in Palm Beach. Adams could be the Cardinals future and if we sign Pujols continued good hitting in the Texas League could put Adams on the map as a prospect for trade value. I would be fine with either Scruggs or Smith to start at PB.
IF it is not going to help a player’s development, why even keep him?
Plenty of other bodies that can play 1B in PB, Lara, Cerreto, Conley. We could move Sanchez or Rodriguez up.
Adams could very well be trade bait after this season. Smith is by no means bad he’s just the odd man out. Cario- I’m wondering if you would rather Smith ride the bench in Springfield or play in Palm Beach?
Looks like Smith has been released. He broke a hamate bone last summer. Hard to regain your power after that (and he had little to spare).
I need a towel. I am drooling everywhere. Rosenthal is a dreamboat
We have a cornucopia of right handed relievers so I can see the reasoning behind attempting to convert Maikel Cleto to a starter while still in A ball. Hope it works (and the process can’t hurt).
Cleto has basically always been a starter. 52 of his 58 appearances over the past three years have been starts. I think some people assumed he would be moved into the bullpen because of his live arm and lack of results as a starter. I know he throws very hard, but his minor league performance to date has been nothing of note.
I too am very excited to follow Rosenthal this season. I keep seeing Kozma’s name pop up on these reports too. I’m really hoping he puts it together this season.
Hmmm good point. I had assumed Cleto was headed to relief but you’re right that he’s been utilized mainly as a starter to date.
I’m sure this will be talking about tomorrow but just saw a tweet where C.Martinez pitched today or yesterday going 4.2 with 1 hit 1walk and 9 k’s with 7 straight. Pitched against High A Jupiter too.
These guys have spent LOTS of time playing against each other, let’s see how it all falls into place when season arrives.
Curt Smith has been released.
“Curt Smith has been released”
I just can’t fathom myself in a situation where I would actually care about this. That’s not a swipe at you for posting the information. Just a statement of fact about my complete apathetic towards players like Curt Smith. You know the ones that are usually stuck at a bad defensive position to be stuck at, who are usually two or three years old for their level every season, and don’t have the offensive capabilities to make up for it.
When this happens to Mark Hamilton in the next season or two, I will be equally as callous about the result.
Apathy not apathetic.
It appears I am equally callous in regards to correct grammar.
I don’t get peoples hate for Hamilton……all he’s done is hit since he was drafted. His only problem is injuries have kept him from full seasons.
I only mentioned it because he was mentioned and he is gone already. I didn’t ask you to care about it.
The system has some really nice talent, however, spring training and the results are a lot different than during regular season. Age also, if you have a group of older players in a predominetly younger league, how good are they actually?
I totally agree with Andrew on this one, and I’m sure that if AP leaves and we’re cheap and don’t sign a solid 1B OR, god for bid, AP gets hurts this year, I’m guessing everyone will jump on the Marky Mark and the Hamilton bunch band wagon…..
“CURT SMITH HAS BEEN RELEASED” I never saw this article about Smith being released. Does anyone have the link to the article? Or does anyone have more info on Smith? Whats next for Smith?
Check it out over at TCN (thecardinalnation.com).
I think more cuts coming today.