Congrats to the Springfield Cardinals who won the AA championship last night 2-1 over the Frisco Rough Riders. Unlikely heros, Jermaine Curtis and Mike O’Neill scored the only two runs driven in by Greg Garcia’s 2-for-4 night. O’Neill was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, as is typical for his box line.
Scott Gorgen was tremendous for the Cardinals pitching 6 shutout innings. He struck out 7 and allowed 4 hits while walking 2. Gorgen missed all of 2011 and most of 2010 due to arm injury so this was (probably) especially meaningful for him.
After Gorgen, the S-Cards turned to their three most reliable bullpen arms in 2012 draftee Michael Wacha, starter-turned-reliever Eric Fornataro and closer Keith Butler. Wacha allowed a hit but struck out the side in the 7th. Eric Fornataro allowed a solo home run in the 8th along with 2 other hits before escaping the inning. Keith Butler shut the door with a 1 hit 9th.
Fun Fact: Oscar Taveras has won a championship for three consecutive seasons now.
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Also third straight championship for manager Mike Shildt, who managed at JC in ’10 and ’11:
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120915&content_id=38499914&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb
This feels good. I have watched almost all of these guys play coming up through QC, kinda feel a bit of a connection to most of them.
Same as mutual some a lot of these prospects develop through the system.
Congrats to springfield and its front office, they do a terrific job.
Watch the final out and celebration: http://youtu.be/DkwMSn8ai6o
Pretty small crowd. Disappointing. Announcer said something like 3,000+ in attendance. According to wikipedia, Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Fricso’s home park) has a max capacity of 10,316.
It’s a pretty nice park but it’s football season now. Everyone in the metro area is focused on the Longhorns and Cowboys now.
Minor league clubs draw a big portion of their attendance through group sales, and most group outing are booked months in advance. The unpredictable schedule during the playoffs and the fact that school has started back up really hurts attendance. Depending on the level of baseball many teams actually lose money during the playoffs.
That is a very valid point.
When I worked for the Rockford Reds, we had the home field advantage but our GM opted to give it up for this very reason. Of course, he cried broke every second of the day but in all honesty, we drew flies to the games.
Congratulations to the S-Cards!!!
Oscar Taveras has now won three consecutive championships in three seasons. 1. Johnson City 2010, 2.Quad Cities 2011, 3.Springfield 2012 just a winning ballplayer.
Also third consecutive championship for Greg Garcia and since Trevor Rosenthal contributed earlier in the season it counts as his third consecutive championship as well.
I’m starting to think it isn’t just a coincidence that Oscar keeps winning championships…
And here’s a picture of Springfield celebrating in the dugout (courtesy of Kary Booher): https://twitter.com/karybooherNL/status/247197535884685313
DGoold tweeted an official said the Cardinals don’t expect any more promotions. So no Taveras. He better be here early next year.
Oscar Taveras hasn’t even seen an AB in Triple A yet. Don’t expect a promotion till at least June or July of 2013.
Awesome second half of the season for Springfield..Watcha dominated again tonight..he’s the steal of the draft so far i think
Fonatero got the benefit of a ball call at first base then after that gave up a homerun…would of been a 2 run homer to tie the game..lucky there….would love to see Taveras get a legit shock at making the club next year out of spring training..hopefully he’ll get in a lot of big league games in the spring
Maybe we can temper expectations on Wacha a little. He pitched maybe 30 innings this season mostly in relief. “Steal of the draft” is far from determined right now. Let’s give him a full season and see how he does going through the lineup multiple times.
Have you watched him pitch at all? He’s dominating AA hitters right now
I am also very excited about what Wacha has done with his 30 innings. I think we all are, but I too would like to see him start before I anoint him as the “steal of the draft.” Although he might well turn out to be.
Again Wacha is pitching every 5th day in relief that ups his stuff to be more consistently sharp pitch by pitch. It will be interesting to see him start next season.
Where would Taveras fit in?
Outfield is set — Holliday and Beltran in the corners, Jay in center.
Carp, Descalso, and Schumaker are all under contract as lefty-hitting multi-position guys.
If another lefty hitter makes the roster, it seems like it would be Adams, assuming he isn’t dealt in the offseason. That would put him in a time-share at first w. Craig, which means Craig would also be a part-time corner outfielder.
Taveras might very well outhit all those guys eventually, but I don’t see him jumping straight up from AA, at age 21, and taking a job from Holliday, Beltran, Craig, or Jay. If he doesn’t win a starting job, the Cards aren’t going to bring him up to sit on the bench and take ABs from Carp. And he certainly wouldn’t come up as a 5th outfielder like Robinson.
You have to think the plan, barring an injury to one of the starters, is to start him in AAA along with the rest of this year’s Springfield crew, with the goal of having him ready to take Beltran’s spot in 2014.
Of course injuries are a distinct possibility with Beltran and Craig, so I think there’s a good chance we’ll see him in ’13. I just don’t see them moving uninjured players aside to make room for him before then.
At this point, I don’t see the harm in having him up as a 5th outfielder unless you fear he can’t be Jay’s backup in center like Robinson is.
What does it hurt (unless there are arbitration clock issues you’d be concerned with) to have him sit the bench and pinch hit occasionally? It’s not like he’ll be missing out on at bats in the minors.
Well, he would be missing out on at bats in the minors. How often does our 5th outfielder get at bats? Would you rather Taveras get 100 ABs in the majors or 500 in AAA against more advanced pitchers than AA? You would also start his arb clock for him to get 100 ABs.
I agree with you Wade, in theory, but have to say that if OT were on the team as a 5th outfielder, Matheny would still figure out how to give him more AB’s than 100. A lot more.
Not really. You have some pretty good OF and pretty good reserves.
I am not sure I like the idea of rushing OT to the bigs, only to start his clock for temporary work.
And its not like Matt Carpenter or Allen Craig are bad.
I think Tackle is saying “right now” – not next year. He’s not missing out on PAs right now in the minors.
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Just because you bring him up for the end of this season doesn’t mean he can’t start next season in Memphis. Unless he were to outplay Jay or some catastrophic injury happens to Beltran ala Berkman.
In that case, is the 10 Abs really worth the roster move?
And worth starting the arbitration clock? Or does a September call-up do that?
Don’t think that would start the arbitration clock since he would only have like 12 days of MLB service time probably won’t have any affect on his arbitration. Also bringing him up this year doesn’t burn an option but places him on the 40 man roster which means if he doesn’t start next year in the majors he’ll burn an option when sent back to the minors next year.
From what I understand, Sept call ups don’t burn options. However, it does count as major league service time so it would speed up his arbitation clock. But like you mentioned, does this few of days really matter?
But it does put him on the 40 man. I am not sure where the cards are at. Some spots do have to be left open for major league depth.
i am not sure where the cards are at in terms of Rule 5 protection, but I am not sure its worth putting him on the roster right now.
Don’t you think, figuring he’s worth holding on to, the cards will look to lock Taveras up through arbitration years at some point anyway, so why would the move make much of a difference to bring him up?
Locking up through arbitration is never a given. And not really sure of the point here. Bringing him up doesn’t matter for that.
I’m just saying. If the concern is starting his arbitration clock a little early is a big deal, wouldn’t the team wanting to lock him up long term (obviously if he’s worth the commitment) kind of negate the early start on his clock?
Obviously, they wouldn’t be looking to lock him up tomorrow. But, if he’s as good as we think he could be, and since there is even a conversation about him being promoted at age 20 then I’d say there would have to be a realistic chance the Cardinals would want to lock him up down the road to cover his arbitration years. So, I’m not sure why starting his clock a little early would be a concern.
Keep in mind, I’m not endorsing a call-up. I’m just not sure what the big detriment would be if he could be an improvement on this season’s bench.
I think at this point, arbitration clock/locking up is irrelevant in the decision to bring him up right now.
But I agree, locking up younger players is the best way to go.
I disagree that he would be that big of an improvement to the bench. He is only 20 years old, so I doubt he would do all that great. Plus, the cards already have a strong bench with Chambers, Craig, Carpenter all able to play in the field.
umm… yes he will. He will be misssing out on every day AB’s in the minors. Which is a lot more benificial then getting 1-2 ab’s a week in the bigs.
I can easily see Taveras winning a job from the increasingly age-and injury-challenged Beltran.
Why can you see this “easily” happening?
This would have to include a continue decline for Beltran (very plausible), and for Taveras to step in as a 21 year old and have immediate success (much more difficult)
Also, the roster challenges of supplanting Craig, Carpenter and Adams.
Props to azruavatar and the futureredbirds team on another fine season covering the Cards minor league system!
+1
Agreed. Thanks everyone.
Couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for the work and time you all put in this season. Much appreciated.
me too for sure
I could not agree more. The crew here has done a great job this season. Thank you
John Sickels has a nice write-up on Anthony Garcia:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/9/17/3347908/minor-league-prospect-report-anthony-garcia-of-st-louis-cardinals
Garcia’s short simple swing will help him as he develops as a hitter just needs to cut down on the K’s.
Been on the Anthony Garcia bus. Love that swing. Didn’t know he started out as a catcher.
that’s why he’s got the + strong throwing arm
Cardinals final organizational minor league system record was 420-408 .507 PCT. that’s 16th in overall standings.
Jason Parks with a short writeup on Oscar Taveras’s recent struggles
“Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield)
What can be said about Oscar Taveras that hasn’t already been said about most bacon products? The Dominican offensive wizard arrived at Double-A as a teenager—fresh off a Low-A breakthrough in 2011—facing an enormous developmental jump in 2012. With the hand speed of boxer and the strength to command those weapons, Taveras and his axe-murderer approach to hitting exploded in the Texas League, hitting a robust .321/.380/.572 during the regular season, including 67 extra base hits. Since the start of post-season play, the violence has been tamed, as the long season in the sun has sapped some of the maniac from the monster; Taveras is struggling to make contact, and the contact he is making is soft and innocent. Fear not. Taveras has blossomed into the best pure hitter in the minors, with only roster depth stalling his eventual rise to major league glory. Catch him while you can, minor league fans; his existence in your domain is short-lived. —Jason Parks
2 K’s in 34 playoff AB’s and Oscar is “struggling to make contact” – what a joke.
Is it possible that pitchers were simply pitching around Taveras and not giving him anything to hit which might be causing him to expand the strike zone and make weaker contact?
If so, hopefully this is a learning experience since it’ll only get tougher the higher he rises.
That is some hilariously bad writing. Wow.
Extremely trivial, even by the standards of trivia:
BA just noted that the Cards have won minor-league titles in 5 consecutive seasons, starting with the 2008 Batavia team.
We’ve talked about how OT played on 3 straight championship teams, along with other guys who played on multiple winners.
Turns out, Curtis, Scruggs, Swauger, and Gorgen were all on the oldest and newest winners: Batavia in ’08, Springfield in ’12. Lynn started out at Batavia but was promoted to QC.
Rosenthal also played full years (other than this year) on three championship teams in a row. He was in Springfield most of this year.
I believe he is getting his 3rd ring also.
Okay. For lack of a better place to post this.
This is a video of a new pitcher the Cardinals just signed from Venezuela. Does anyone else find this odd/uncomfortable/awkward? Not his mechanics or ability or anything. Just the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rn2jMzuwzGg
Video is in high definition. He has a pretty easy delivery for a 16 year old Venezuelan prospect looks like a high kick then comes down with a short stride and landing foot was coming toward third and covering over his leg, didn’t look like he threw across his body manage to keep the same 3/4 arm slot then the ball just explodes out of his hand with explosive arm action and finished his pitches well. Looks like a decent young pitcher with some upside and raw ability still some things that needs corrected.
Have to like what the organization has done scouting, signing, and developing these young Latin pitchers.
Video has this kid sitting in the high 80s on his FB as a 16 year old.
the only thing i noticed that i didn’t like was it looks to me like he’s cocking the ball right behind his ear. I wish he’d get it back a little so his right arm (forearm) was more perpendicular to the ground (straight up and down) as opposed to pointing in toward his head.
Yes the video is high on unintentional comedy.
My favorite part is when he’s stretching. Especially the standing quad stretch on one foot.
Music fits it well.
http://www.centredaily.com/2012/09/18/3339891/lack-of-communication-led-spikes.html
Good article and sounds like the Cards made a great pick. Time to start deleting all the Batavia links in favor of State College!
Can I recommend some new artwork…
or for something a little more off the wall
Charles Cutler catching tonight for Israel in the WBC qualifiers!
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/wbc/2013/scoreboard/index.jsp
David Kopp also on the Israeli team.
According to the AM radio station in B-N, Cards signed a 4 year desk with the Peoria Chiefs.
http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/1223088.html
rec’d!
Again…OT a little here. But I was just messing around on Facebook and i noticed Oscar Taveras, Carlos Martinez, and Xavier Scruggs all put up a bunch of new pictures (actually, they were mostly the same pics but they each put them up). Anyway……apparently (and I did not know this…) Carlos Martinez has the word “TSUNAMI” tattoo’d on the inside of his right forearm.
Here’s the best pic I could find on google.
http://www.milb.com/images/2012/08/21/CF9jOKF3.jpg
Tsunami is Martinez’s nickname.
Well, I figured it was, I just had never heard that before and had never seen the tat.
This might be old news, but NPR has had a series of interviews with former Cardinals farmhand Reid Gorecki about playing in the minor leagues. Here are the relevant links.
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/26/151315885/taking-one-last-swing-at-baseballs-big-time
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/04/154268389/night-at-the-ballpark
http://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161437058/itch-for-baseball-returns-after-year-in-the-minors
Mark Anderson of Baseball Prospect Nation newly added BP writer as well with a short write up on Starlin Rodriguez.
“Second Base: Starlin Rodriguez (Palm Beach) – I was hearing the praises of Rodriguez when talking members of the Cardinals organization last off-season and probably should have been more attentive to those comments in my treatment of Rodriguez since that time. Rodriguez has a very good feel for hitting, solid approach at the plate and enough strength to find the gaps. He’s behind Kolten Wong in the second-base pecking order in St. Louis but he could still get a shot if Wong falters. (Pre-Season Pick: Ronald Torreyes”
Has the Kozmanot actually become a serviceable reserve or is it just that he is playing against minor league teams like Houston and the Cubs? Thought that he was not long for the 40 man but it looks like he is going to hang around for a while longer.
I don’t know what he is long-term, but people who don’t follow the minors are going to be in for a big disappointment if they think Kozma is going to slug .500+ in the majors … or even .400+.
Wonder if anyone can remember any player who was a success in the majors after poor numbers in the minors?
Ozzie got better as a hitter the longer he played. Bo Hart really was hot when he was called up but it didn’t last. Hottest rookie I can remember was Bob Hazel with the old Milwaukee Braves in the 50′s, I think. He was one of the shiniest flashes in the pan I ever saw. Must be others.
A prime example is Matt Holliday. His AA career line of .271/.348/.403 was not exactly the kind of thing of which future slugging All-Stars are made.
Ryan Ludwick may qualify too. He didn’t have “poor numbers” in the minors, but they weren’t stellar, and he rattled around AAA for a long time before his breakout season in 2008.
Of course, these guys are very different body types than Koz — to put it mildly. Among guys more nearly Kozma’s size, Rafael Furcal’s last full season in the minors was at high-A, where he put up a “glowing” .293/.343/.375 line. However, that was sufficient to get him to Atlanta in 2000, after three AA games, and the rest is history.
They’re not all that rare, actually. However, a performance jump as big as what Koz appears to have made is very unusual. There are accordingly reasons to be skeptical about his apparent leap forward; my personal guess is that he has made one, but it’s from “dud” to “adequate, maybe a regular” rather than to what he looks like right now.
Article by Kary Booher. Cards see Wacha as potential quick mover.
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012309220030