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If you’ve signed up for an SBN account and don’t want to wait 2 days, leave a comment in this thread with your SBN user name and I’ll manually activate it.

Another note on the move after the jump.

I understand your trepidation. Really, I do. Before I knew about the new SBN, I’d considered the future of this site on several occasions. I’ve almost walked away from blogging altogether on two separate occasions in the last 6 months. I had posts written to just hang up my cleats without warning, without notice. I thought about paying someone out of pocket to manage the blog while I stuck on the content editorial side. I tried to gauge the community’s reaction in a poll. I tried to gauge the other writer’s reactions in e-mails. I anguished over this decision.

Part of this move is, unquestionably, for my benefit. I make no bones about that. Writing anywhere from 5-8 posts a week between two sites can at times feel more obligation than calling. Despite that, there’s still a part of me that enjoys it.

What I do not enjoy, in any capacity, is running a blog. I detest the upkeep. I detest the e-mails from people wanting to advertise. I detest the site upgrades from WordPress. I detest the ambient stress of needing to do these tedious, unrewarding tasks or procrastinating.

But Future Redbirds is important to me. You are important to me. I can’t guarantee that things are going to be perfect at VEB but I truly think that this is the right decision for the blog to continue. I think that the commenting platform at SBN is the best bar none and that, if you give it a chance, you’ll find yourself more engaged in the conversation, not less engaged.

I will not allow you to be overrun by “regulars” at VEB. I will not allow the threads to be filled with comments about TV shows or movies or food. I like those conversations at VEB. I like participating at VEB but I understand that VEB is not FR and that you come here for something different. I have every intention of preserving that.

Moderating conversations on the SBN platform is a million times easier than doing it on a wordpress blog. The software technology is simply superior.

I understand that you’re concerned or, in some cases, upset. All I’m asking for is a chance. If you don’t want to sign up for an SBN account right now, just come and read the articles. Those aren’t changing. Take a look at the comments and see if I keep my promises. If I do, I hope you’ll decide to engage in the conversation. Ultimately, however, that decision is yours and it’s independent of the decision to move Future Redbirds onto SBN.

Again, all I’m asking for is a chance. After 4 years here, I think I’ve earned that.

Dan Moore (VEB’s Managing Editor) and I have discussed the launch of the SBN 3.0 since he was allowed to tell the rest of the moderators about it and one of things that made a lot of sense to both of us was the role that Future Redbirds could play within the SBN environment. VEB is, at the end of the day, a blog with traffic and page view related goals. The beauty of the re-launch lies in our ability to compartmentalize via the “hubs”.

As Dan said at the launch, the goal was to preserve the feel and operation of old VEB for the existing community to the extent that we could while expanding the appeal and content frequency to increase traffic and bring in new blood. SBN 3.0 lets us do both simultaneously with minimal innocent bystanders lost in the process. Merging Future Redbirds and Viva El Birdos works very well within that framework.

Here’s what to expect from Future Redbirds:

• Daily Farm Reports – Every morning you can enjoy your coffee with a full recap of the previous nights minor league action. From AAA Memphis to Rookie ball in Johnson City — with new stops at Peoria and State College — we’ll highlight the best (and sometimes the worst) box score lines while adding context and anecdotes about the players. It’s the best way to stay current with the day-to-day events of the minor league teams.
• Probable Starters – Mid morning we’ll list all the games for that day as well as the Cardinals‘ affiliate’s projected starter.
• Daily Analysis – In the afternoon, we focus on a more in depth piece whether that be about a specific player, the draft, an opposing team or something that caught our eye in a stat line. There will continue to be player interviews and conversations with the front office that appear in this space as well as scouting visits to the minor league affiliates.

Having worked within the separate ecosystems of Viva El Birdos and Future Redbirds for some time now, I’ve come to value them both for their individuality. There isn’t a lot of overlap in the commentariat and it’s fostered very different but no less valid conversations at each site. In much the same way that Dan’s decisions with the change at Viva El Birdos were designed to make that shift for the community as easy as possible, I’ll be doing the same thing as Future Redbirds moves. Here’s a couple things you’ll need to do to get started:

• Sign Up – You have to sign up to comment at VEB. You can pick your screenname, a picture avatar (highly recommended) and include a custom signature that will appear with all of your comments. It’s simple. When you go to the homepage, just click sign up in the top right corner of the screen. There’s a two day waiting period before your account is fully active (to prevent an invasion of spam bots), so don’t hesitate to get signed up now.
• Story Layouts – The posts that go up will aesthetically feel better. More importantly for your commenting, is that each post will display two numbers in the right hand corner. The first number is the number of new unread comments in that post and the second is the total number of comments. (This only works if you’ve signed up for an account.)
• New Commenting System – The commenting system that’s been developed at SBN is simply the best around. It’s threaded (just like at Future Redbirds) so you can comment on the main post or click ‘reply’ to reply to a specific comment. You’ll also notice that you can click ‘up’ on any comment and it will take you to the comment that was being replied to.
• Hot Keys – At the top of the comments on each post, there’s a link called “Speed Reading Tips & Settings”. Click it and it shows you all the keyboard shortcuts for commenting. If you enter a comment thread and press ‘Z’ it will take you to your newest un-read comment. Press ‘Z’ again and marks that comment as read moving to the next unread comment. It’s a great system.
• Comment Moderation – There’s two important functions that will help make my life easier and you’re life more fun. First, the fun. On each comment there’s an ‘actions’ link. If you click it, you can then ‘rec’ a comment that you think is awesome. If enough people (6) rec a comment, then it turns green and you’ll know that it’s good content. Conversely, if you think a comment is boorish or terrible, you can flag a comment. This will signal any moderators (read: azruavatar) that someone is acting like a dick. I then have some tools at my disposal to try and remedy that situation.

As far as how you should act at VEB versus Future Redbirds, don’t expect much change. I still ask that you’re reasonable in your argumentation, avoid personal attacks and generally keep the discussion focused on prospects. The daily post at VEB often contains lengthy and protracted off topic comments. That will not be allowed on the Future Redbird posts. I will be moderating comments on these posts as we transition over. It’s important to me that the Future Redbird community feels safe and has a place to talk about the minors still. That will not change.

The focus on these posts — both the content and the comments — will be on the minors. If you want to drop links about the minors in the comments, go ahead. If the post is about Shelby Miller and you want to talk about Carlos Martinez, that’s great. If you want to talk about your new rice cooker, that conversation should be in the daily post at Viva El Birdos. Off topic conversations are permitted there, within reason.

So, if you’re still with me, don’t be scared. For Viva El Birdos regular readers, this means more content within your SBN home that’s relevant to the Cardinals. For Future Redbirds regular readers, this means a better blogging and commenting platform to house the same great content and community you’ve participated in for the last 5 years.

This week marks the start of the Arizona Fall League. It’s the perfect time to get acquainted with the new digs and find out how to navigate the site. On Wednesday, you’ll find a Daily Farm Report waiting for you at Viva El Birdos. I encourage you to check out the VEB home page where Dan and I will be managing the display of all the content at VEB including the new minors contributions. If you just want to stick with Future Redbirds and minor league content, we’ll have a hub you can do that too. (It’ll look like a traditional blog format of the content.) If you have problems signing up or questions about how to navigate the site, e-mail me (timamccullough@gmail.com) — I promise to answer every e-mail I get.

Future Redbirds is taking the next step as a blog. Try it out. I think you’ll like it.

Big news.

Need a refresher course on wRC+ or FIP? Check out FanGraphs’ glossary. Read about wRC+ here and FIP here.

Before following the jump to the rest of the post, enjoy a video recap of Springfield’s triumphant season:

HITTERS
Oscar Taveras, CF (.415 wOBA, 161 wRC+): In Future Redbirds’ 2012 top 20 prospects ranking, azruavatar declared that Taveras, “might be the highest upside position player the Cardinals have had in the system since Colby Rasmus.” Taveras fulfilled this comparison by posting very similar numbers to Colby’s 2007 season in Springfield (.414 wOBA, 152 wRC+). Taveras hit for more power (.572 SLG was 21 pts higher), struck out half as often (10.5% compared to Colby’s 19.4%), and did so at a younger age (Taveras turned 20 in June 2012 while Colby turned 21 in August 2007). And we’re not the only ones gushing over the kid. See Kevin Goldstein’s twitter profile here and here.

Greg Garcia, SS (.378 wOBA, 137 wRC+): Out of the two middle infielders that used to make up Hawaii’s double-play combination, Garcia surprised by having the better season. Although he is one year older than Kolten Wong, he’s still age-appropriate for his league. Garcia’s major skill is the ability to draw walks as demonstrated by his impressive 15.9% BB%. He doesn’t have a ton of power but did manage to pop 10 HRs and 20 2Bs, not insignificant totals for a SS. His 20 errors and .966 fielding percentage (terrible stat, but what else do we have for minor leaguers?) sound unappealing, but these numbers were not that far removed from other Texas League shortstops. He’ll crack some (all?) top-20 lists next spring.

Jermaine Curtis, 3B (.372 wOBA, 132 wRC+): Curtis has struggled to climb his way out of double-A. He debuted at Springfield in 2010 and found himself stuck at the same level at the end of 2012, but he was a pivotal cog in its offensive machine. Curtis walked (10.7% BB%) about as often as he struck out (11.4% K%), a skill that he’s repeated over time, but his slugging percentage actually decreased from 2011 and not many players can sustain a .358 BABIP. Given his age and experience at the double-A level, I’m not sure there’s a whole lot of projectability here.

Chris Swauger, OF (.354 wOBA, 121 wRC+): One of the veterans lauded for positively influencing Springfield’s roster (see Kary Booher’s article), Swauger enjoyed a fine season after struggling in brief exposure to triple-A Memphis. Of players with at least 100 PAs, Swauger’s .474 slugging percentage ranked second to Taveras.  His power, although a welcome addition to Springfield’s lineup, was not substantial enough to overcome a poor walk rate (6.0%) and advanced age (25-years-old) in terms of prospect status.

Xavier Scruggs, 1B (.346 wOBA, 115 wRC+): Scruggs started off the season ice-cold with an isolated slugging well below .200 in Mar/April (.130) and May (.156). And then June happened. By far his best month of the season, he mashed to the tune of a .356 ISO on the strength of 7 HRs. He couldn’t maintain that pace for the rest of the season, but he was able to hover around the .200 mark in the final two months. Scruggs’ achilles heel is his tendency to strike out. Of the players with at least 100 PAs, his 28.7% K% was the worst rate on the roster.

STARTING PITCHERS
Scott Gorgen (92.3 IP, 4.09/3.57 ERA/FIP): In his first taste of triple-A, Gorgen underwhelmed by posting fewer strikeouts (16.2%) and more walks (11.8%). Consequently, he spent another season in Springfield where he debuted in 2009. Gorgen responded by striking out more than a batter per inning for the first time since low-A (2008). His inflated ERA (when compared to FIP) can partially be explained by an elevated .325 BABIP. While a perfectly fine pitcher, he’s the type in danger of getting squeezed out of the organization because of an influx of younger arms with greater promise, some of whom are already offering superior results.

Seth Maness (123.7 IP, 3.27/3.59 ERA/FIP): Admittedly, Maness is one of my favorite prospects. It’s easy to become fascinated by players who possess one freakish skill. For Maness, that’s the ability to avoid walks. In a season split between two levels (Palm Beach & Springfield), Maness walked 10 batters in 169.7 IP. That’s a 1.5% BB%. Let that sink in. His 9.22 K/BB ratio led all Texas League pitchers with at least 100 IP (next closest pitcher had 3.95 K/BB) despite a below average 16.4% K%. Maness’ disdain for the walk is truly incredible. Revisit the interview Jeff conducted with Maness back in July.

Carlos Martinez (71.3 IP, 2.90/3.84 ERA/FIP): Some have predicted that Martinez will end up in the back of an MLB bullpen (you can find a Goldstein quote in this Derrick Goold Birdland post from February 2012), but his minor league performance hasn’t really cooperated with that forecast as he’s yet to fail as a starter. The shiny 2.90 ERA might have been the result of some luck as his .280 BABIP and slightly deflated strikeout rate (19.7%, compared to 23.4% career) would suggest, but he coaxed a ton of ground balls (57.4%) and allowed very few line drives (10.0%) at the ripe age of 20, so there’s plenty of room for optimism.

BULLPEN
Eric Fornataro (67.7 IP, 2.39/3.07 ERA/FIP): It’s hard to get too excited about a guy who’s been around since 2008 but just now made it to double-A at the age of 24. Fornataro did feature better than league average control (6.3% BB%) and kept the ball on the ground (55.0%), but his strikeouts descended further below an already unimpressive rate. He served his role on this team well but it’s tough to imagine him ever reaching St. Louis at his current pace.

Keith Butler (58.7 IP, 2.76/3.52 ERA/FIP): After time spent at three different levels in 2011, Butler advanced for a full season at double-A. His strikeouts fell to a less outlandish rate (33.3% in 2011 to 23.8%) but he also shaved a couple percentage points off of his walk-rate to help compensate.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kolten Wong (.339 wOBA, 111 wRC+): After a promising start to 2012, Wong’s numbers deflated over the summer’s final months and his slugging percentage dropped 100 points from his time in Quad Cities in 2011. Much of that downturn occurred in July when Wong suffered through 121 PAs with a .242 BABIP. Was that simply misfortune or the sign of a player wearing down in his first full season of professional baseball? Either way, his numbers recovered in August & September despite a walk rate that plummeted to 3.5%. Let’s hope Wong can recharge his batteries and have a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League.

Michael Wacha (8.0 IP, 1.13/0.08 ERA/FIP): Touted as a quick-mover through the system, Wacha made some believers by striking out more than half (53.3%) of the batters he faced in 21.0 IP spread across 3 levels and ending in Springfield. The batted ball rates (reliability questionable) he generated were also quite impressive (51.6% GB%, 9.7% LD%). I’m definitely more excited about him now than I was the day he was compared to Jon Garland. MLB.com already has him rated as the Cards’ 7th best prospect.

Boone Whiting (12.0 IP, 1.50/2.70 ERA/FIP): Whiting started 2012 on the disabled list but he finally surfaced for Quad Cities in August and then snuck in a couple of starts for Springfield before the playoffs. I thought Whiting was worth including in this post because he did pitch the deciding fifth game against Tulsa in the opening round of the playoffs, but we didn’t learn much about him this season because of the injury. It’ll be interesting to see how his stuff (powered by a plus changeup) translates to higher levels of competition. Next stop: Arizona Fall League.

* Most stats were obtained from Minor League Central but FanGraphs also proved helpful.

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.

• Kolten Wong and Oscar Taveras both recorded a hit — the only hits in the game for Springfield.
• Springfield was stifled by Barret Loux, one of the Texas League’s top pitchers and a Ranger’s prospect.  If you remember, Loux’s arrival in Texas was a rather circuitous one, which originated with the Arizona Diamondbacks drafting him only to fail his physical.
• On the night, the Cardinals struck out 13 times and walked 3. Only Oscar Taveras reached base twice with a walk and a double in four plate appearances.
• Kevin Siegrist was roughed up a bit for 8 hits in 5.2 innings.  He allowed 4 runs (3 earned) and walked 1 while striking out 6.
• Justin Wright allowed 2 hits and 1 run in 1.1 innings.  He struck out 2.
• Keith Butler, who seems to be wasted on a night when the Cardinals are down by 4, pitched a scoreless inning striking out 2.

Springfield 6, Frisco 4

•  Oscar Taveras was 1-for-3 with a double.
• Audry Perez was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs.
• Xavier Scruggs was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
• Greg Garcia had a single, walk, and RBI.
• Adam Melker had a single and RBI.
• Mike O’Neill singled and walked.
• Kolten Wong singled.
• Jamie Romak and Jermaine Curtis walked.
• Seth Maness pitched very well: 7.0 IP, 2 R (both unearned), 4 H, 0 BB, & 6 K. He also induced 10 groundouts against 5 flyouts.
• Deryk Hooker was credited with the “win” despite being responsible for Springfield’s worst pitching performance of the night: 1 IP, 2 R, 1 H (1 HR), 1 BB, & 2 K.
• Keith Butler struck out the side in a perfect 9th inning for his 4th save of the playoffs.

It appears the agreements with the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Batavia Muckdogs are less likely to continue — though not impossible at this stage.  Per Steve Batterson:

The Cardinals are expected to announce today that they have chosen not to renew affiliation agreements with Quad-Cities and the club’s short-season Batavia affiliate in the New York-Penn League.
[...]

If no agreement is reached by Sept. 30, teams will be assigned an affiliate by Oct. 7. All existing minor-league clubs are guaranteed a major-league affiliate.