Minor League Thread
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from what I understand LaPorta is the real deal; cannot wait to see him in Huntington Park next weekend
BTW - Mrs Lister and I went down to Huntington Park yesterday evening just to bump around the arena district...it is REALLY COOL! Cannot wait!
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This is a great idea for a thread.
Either Huff or Sowers or Laffey is going to have a good year and end up with the Tribe as I think Pavano will be released or sent down at some point.
I had high hopes that Huff would turn a poor spring around but his first start wasn't great.
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Sowers pitches 5 scoreless innings, walks one, strikes out 4 as the Clippers win 3-2.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...colaaa_indaaa_1
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Sowers pitches 5 scoreless innings, walks one, strikes out 4 as the Clippers win 3-2.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...colaaa_indaaa_1
Sowers pitches 5 scoreless innings, walks one, strikes out 4 as the Clippers win 3-2.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...colaaa_indaaa_1
Wow...Great news....5 scoreless.
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Kinston
Kevin De La Cruz, in his second start, goes 6 scoreless innings, 4 hits, zero walks, 9 strikeouts. I like this guy.
Columbus
Hodges-LaPorta-Aubrey keep mashing in the heart of the order. Batting .333, .500, .550 respectively. Combine for 9 hits (5 doubles) and 4 RBI tonight.
Meloan pitches 2.1 scoreless in relief, no hits, one walk, 3 Ks. This guy throws in the mid-90s with a good slider. He has a future.
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Akron
Carlos Santana (batting cleanup) hits a grand slam in the first inning, the team's only runs of the game.
Hector Rondon pitches 5.2 innings, gives up 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 run. Strikes out 5.
Vinnie Pestano records his 3rd save, still hasn't given up a run.
Columbus
Jordan Brown showing he still has big league potential. 3 hits, a homer and 2 RBI today - .318 average on the year.
David Huff pitches 5 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks. But only gave up 1 run and struck out three.
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Hector Rondon.
2-0
1.59 ERA
Opp. Batting Ave. .220
0 HR's
But here is the stat I love.
11 K's and 2 BB's.....Wow!
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A Columbus hitting report
In our discussions about spring training I mentioned that I think Mike Aubrey is still going to be a good major leaguer one day. I have a feeling it may not be with the Tribe though as there is a glut of good first basemen in the organization.
I would really hate to see this kid go somewhere else. I know there has been health problems but I'd still like to se him in Cleveland one day. He has continued his hot spring in his first 8 games at Columbus.
28 AB's
1 HR
1 Triple
2 Doubles.
.464 BA
0 K's
Matt LaPorta
24 AB's
2 HR's
1 Triple
3 doubles
.833 Slugging percentage
.375 BA
2 K's
The thing I really like about these two top Columbus hitters is that in a combined 52 AB's they have only 2 K's.
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Jeremy Sowers
6 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs. 8 strikeouts to 1 walk. That's two good starts for him, love the depth but it's going to be tough if no one can start playing like an ace.
Interesting stat...
with the bases empty, batters are hitting .444 against Sowers.
with runners on, they're hitting .077....and in scoring position .087.
Yeah, small sample. But hopefully that's more a sign of clutch than luck.
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Jeremy Sowers
6 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs. 8 strikeouts to 1 walk. That's two good starts for him, love the depth but it's going to be tough if no one can start playing like an ace.
Interesting stat...
with the bases empty, batters are hitting .444 against Sowers.
with runners on, they're hitting .077....and in scoring position .087.
Yeah, small sample. But hopefully that's more a sign of clutch than luck.
with the bases empty, batters are hitting .444 against Sowers.
with runners on, they're hitting .077....and in scoring position .087.
Yeah, small sample. But hopefully that's more a sign of clutch than luck.
Hmmmmm....really interesting...Looks like he buckles down when the going gets tough. I like that stat a lot!
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Unforunate news for Kevin De La Cruz, who's definitely the player to watch at the lower levels. From the essential indiansprospectinsider.com
Today, advanced Single-A Kinston officially activated left-hander Ryan Miller who got the start in place of lefty Kelvin De La Cruz who was sent to Single-A Mahoning Valley (paper move, he is still in Kinston). Apparently, De La Cruz is okay but the Indians staff has taken precautionary measure to sit him for a start or two after he tweaked his elbow in practice a few days ago. This is certainly concerning given his great start to the season and his prospect status, so this is something to monitor the next week or so to see how he responds to the rest and how he pitches when he comes back.
http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009...-sidelined.html
for Sunday's games
Columbus
LaPorta homers (his third), Barfield (playing center field) and Valbuena at the top of the order combine for 5 hits and 4 runs.
Valbuena is an interesting player. Currently batting .342 in Columbus with a .982 OPS and 3 stolen bases. He only had about 70 games above the AA level before this year, so assuming Cabrera/DeRosa/etc hold down 2nd base this year, it should be a good learning experience for him in Columbus. There's definitely space on this team for a guy who can hit .300 with speed.
Tony Sipp pitches 2 scoreless with 4 strikeouts. That's 10 in 7 innings for him.
Akron
Somehow this team keeps winning. After Sunday they hold an 8-2 record.
Nick Weglarz gets his first homer and first 3 RBIs.
Carlos Santana gets his 14th RBI in 10 games. He's only batting .229, but with his pop and plate disciple has an OPS of .941.
Chuck Lofgren seems to be bouncing back, pitching 6 innings with 2 hits and 1 run. 3 Ks to one walk.
Who knows the impact, but four of the five starters in Akron have ERAs below two. Santana must be doing something right behind the plate. I'd like to see how he's handling the running game too.
Kinston
Cord Phelps is looking like another good 2B in our system. After starting the season 1 of 17, he has 6 hits in his past four games. Two on sunday. Combined with good speed (4 steals on the year) and from what I've read, a good defensive game and he could be a fast riser.
John Ollman collects four hits and Ramon Pena drives in 3.
Matt Brown has two more hits and is currently hitting .457 in the cleanup spot. Might not have much of a big league future but he should be fun to watch.
Ryan Miller does a pretty good job filling in for De La Cruz as the team wins 9-7.
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Unforunate news for Kevin De La Cruz, who's definitely the player to watch at the lower levels. From the essential indiansprospectinsider.com
Today, advanced Single-A Kinston officially activated left-hander Ryan Miller who got the start in place of lefty Kelvin De La Cruz who was sent to Single-A Mahoning Valley (paper move, he is still in Kinston). Apparently, De La Cruz is okay but the Indians staff has taken precautionary measure to sit him for a start or two after he tweaked his elbow in practice a few days ago. This is certainly concerning given his great start to the season and his prospect status, so this is something to monitor the next week or so to see how he responds to the rest and how he pitches when he comes back.
http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009...-sidelined.html
for Sunday's games
Columbus
LaPorta homers (his third), Barfield (playing center field) and Valbuena at the top of the order combine for 5 hits and 4 runs.
Valbuena is an interesting player. Currently batting .342 in Columbus with a .982 OPS and 3 stolen bases. He only had about 70 games above the AA level before this year, so assuming Cabrera/DeRosa/etc hold down 2nd base this year, it should be a good learning experience for him in Columbus. There's definitely space on this team for a guy who can hit .300 with speed.
Tony Sipp pitches 2 scoreless with 4 strikeouts. That's 10 in 7 innings for him.
Akron
Somehow this team keeps winning. After Sunday they hold an 8-2 record.
Nick Weglarz gets his first homer and first 3 RBIs.
Carlos Santana gets his 14th RBI in 10 games. He's only batting .229, but with his pop and plate disciple has an OPS of .941.
Chuck Lofgren seems to be bouncing back, pitching 6 innings with 2 hits and 1 run. 3 Ks to one walk.
Who knows the impact, but four of the five starters in Akron have ERAs below two. Santana must be doing something right behind the plate. I'd like to see how he's handling the running game too.
Kinston
Cord Phelps is looking like another good 2B in our system. After starting the season 1 of 17, he has 6 hits in his past four games. Two on sunday. Combined with good speed (4 steals on the year) and from what I've read, a good defensive game and he could be a fast riser.
John Ollman collects four hits and Ramon Pena drives in 3.
Matt Brown has two more hits and is currently hitting .457 in the cleanup spot. Might not have much of a big league future but he should be fun to watch.
Ryan Miller does a pretty good job filling in for De La Cruz as the team wins 9-7.
Unforunate news for Kevin De La Cruz, who's definitely the player to watch at the lower levels. From the essential indiansprospectinsider.com
http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009...-sidelined.html
Columbus
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Valbuena is an interesting player. Currently batting .342 in Columbus with a .982 OPS and 3 stolen bases. He only had about 70 games above the AA level before this year, so assuming Cabrera/DeRosa/etc hold down 2nd base this year, it should be a good learning experience for him in Columbus. There's definitely space on this team for a guy who can hit .300 with speed.
I read an article by a Seattle sportswriter shortly after the trade. Valbuena was the guy he hated to see go. He thought that while he may not be a future hall of famer, he was going to be a very good Major league player. He thought the Tribe got a real steal there.
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I'm not sure I'd call it a steal, considering the Mariners are loving their new defensive outfield led by Mr. Gutierrez. I do like having him in the system though, looks like he could be a more true #2 hitter than anyone we've had recently if he can continue with his good contact and speed, and he definitely seems pretty close to the majors.
Our big league team just seems so loaded with middle of the order mashers...Hafner, Peralta, Garko, Shoppach, Choo, etc. One of the reasons I'm really looking forward to Brantley coming up, we need guys who can just come up with a clutch single the other way and threaten with good baserunning.
LF - Brantley
CF - Sizemore
C - Martinez
DH - Hafner
1B - LaPorta
3B - Peralta
RF - Choo
2B - Valbuena
SS - Cabrera
Spread some contact/speed throughout the lineup, with 30 homer guys at #2 and #7, that's my kind of lineup.
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in games....
Akron (10-2)
Sweeps the double header.
Hector Rondon (3-0) pitches 5 scoreless, 4 hits, 1 walk, 2 Ks. Doesn't look like he'll be making the jump this year, he still hasn't made it through six innings (probably on a strict pitch count, but still). But the potential is definitely there for a big future.
Vinnie Pestano saves another one (6). ERA is still zero.
Columbus (6-8)
14 runs for the Clippers.
Led by Wyatt Torregas (who?), with 2 HR and 4 RBI.
Josh Barfied and David Delucci (huh?) combine for 4 hits and 5 runs.
LaPorta goes 3/5, scores twice.
Scott Roehl gets the pretty impressive 3-inning save in the 14-4 win.
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I'm not sure I'd call it a steal, considering the Mariners are loving their new defensive outfield led by Mr. Gutierrez. I do like having him in the system though, looks like he could be a more true #2 hitter than anyone we've had recently if he can continue with his good contact and speed, and he definitely seems pretty close to the majors.
Our big league team just seems so loaded with middle of the order mashers...Hafner, Peralta, Garko, Shoppach, Choo, etc. One of the reasons I'm really looking forward to Brantley coming up, we need guys who can just come up with a clutch single the other way and threaten with good baserunning.
LF - Brantley
CF - Sizemore
C - Martinez
DH - Hafner
1B - LaPorta
3B - Peralta
RF - Choo
2B - Valbuena
SS - Cabrera
Spread some contact/speed throughout the lineup, with 30 homer guys at #2 and #7, that's my kind of lineup.
LF - Brantley
CF - Sizemore
C - Martinez
DH - Hafner
1B - LaPorta
3B - Peralta
RF - Choo
2B - Valbuena
SS - Cabrera
I love that lineup. I really do.
Hey, if Francisco or Crowe continues to struggle around the .200 mark, how long before we see LaPorta in Left?
Crowe was 0-4 again tonight. Two K's and 3 LOB. Now hitting .192
LaPorta is just too good of a hitter to keep down. He's not a great fielder but I'm unsure how you can keep Crowe up and leave LaPorta down.
I was thinking, Having LaPorta there in left for Francisco gives Wedge yet another option as far as shuffling the lineup since LaPorta has experience at first. He could end up with one of the most versatile lineups in the league.
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I edited my first two posts for the batting and pitching leaders in the triple crown categories. Looks weird with a few posts separating mine but it was too long to combine them in one post, so oh well. I'll try to update the stats every week.
As for the news
Columbus
Matt LaPorta combines for 5 hits, 2 homers, 4 RBI, and scores 5 runs in Friday and Saturday's wins
- His average now sits at .404 through 57 ABs
In the same span, Luis Valbuena gets 4 hits, a homer and 5 RBI, scoring thrice
David Huff on Saturday goes 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks, 3 runs, and striking out 7.
Akron
Great start Saturday for Chuck Lofgren. Goes 6 hitless, scoreless innings. Walks one. Ks 7. Could be working his way back up the prospect ladder.
Vinnie Pestano gave up his first run on Friday, but another shutout save (7) on Saturday.
Carlos Santana hits his 5th homer on Saturday.
Kinston
From April 21st to the 23rd, Lonnie Chisenhall hit 3 homers, 2 grand slams, and drove in 13.
- Batting .341 at shortstop, he could be a fast riser. Looks like a great draft pick from 2008.
Jeanmar Gomez pitches 7 scoreless, 4 hits, 1 walk, 6 Ks on Saturday.
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Interesting story about a near brawl in Columbus
Clippers manager Torey Lovullo heard from the office of International League president Randy Mobley today about the near brawl with the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday in Huntington Park.
Both teams spilled onto the field in the first inning after Columbus' Luis Valbuena hit a home run. The Indians thought Valbuena watched the flight of the home run too long and flipped his bat. Both are deemed sins in the unwritten book of baseball etiquette.
At any rate, Indianapolis second baseman Chris Barnwell screamed at Valbuena while he was circling the bases. When Valbuena hit home plate he turned and yelled at Barnwell. Barnwell threw his glove down and charged toward Valbuena. Both dugouts emptied.
Nothing much else happened because Columbus' Andy Marte intercepted Barnwell and kept him away from Valbuena. Mobley fined everybody who left the dugouts except Marte, whose quick thinking short-circuited the fight.
"I thought that was pretty good of Randy," Lovullo said of the decision not to fine Marte. "The rule is you get fined if you leave the dugout. I just stressed that there was an instigator and it wasn't anybody in our dugout. So that will put to rest that situation."
Lovullo wasn't sure what the fine would be but it sounded like the $25 variety for most of those involved. He likely hoped that Barnwell drew something larger.
http://blog.dispatch.com/clippers/
Pretty good blog, by the way. The Dispatch looks like it does a solid job with Clippers coverage.
As for some more regular news
TOLEDO - Jeremy Sowers checked the Toledo Mud Hens on one run and five hits over seven innings, and Wyatt Toregas hit a two-run homer to lift the Clippers to a 5-3 victory last night in Fifth Third Field.
Sowers (1-1) worked out of a two-on, no-out jam in the third and locked down the Mud Hens for the next four innings.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sport...29.html?sid=101
Akron starter Hector Rondon set a new Aeros season-high nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings as Akron improved to 13-4…Harrisburg dropped its 10th consecutive game to fall to 2-14.
“Just like he has all year, Hector had a good live fastball going through the zone,” Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said. “I also thought he threw some real good sliders tonight, which is something he’s been working on.”
http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/tribe_matters/...e-loss-tuesday/
6 2/3 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 1 run to go with his 9 Ks.
Kinston, NC– The Kinston Indians have swept the Carolina League Weekly Awards for the second straight week! Eastern North Carolina native Lonnie Chisenhall is the Carolina League Player of the Week and Eric Berger is the CL Pitcher of the Week!
Newport native Lonnie Chisenhall had a monster week at the plate hitting .333 (10-30) with three home runs and 15 RBI. Chisenhall hit a home run in three straight games last week with back to back grand slams on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a three run home run on Thursday. Chisenhall is now second in the Carolina League with 18 RBI on the season. Chisenhall is hitting .296 on the year.
Kinston starting pitcher Eric Berger is the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts last week. Berger gave up only four hits in ten innings of work, striking out 13 and not giving up a run against Myrtle Beach and Lynchburg. Berger is 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA on the season and leads the Carolina League with 26 strikeouts. His ERA is the third lowest ERA in the Carolina League. Just like Chisenhall, Berger also has North Carolina ties, born into a military family in Goldsboro, NC, but moving to California at age two.
So far this season only Kinston Indians have won Carolina League Weekly awards. Chisenhall and Berger join pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz and outfielder Matt Brown as the only players to have garnered Carolina League honors so far this season.
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From the PD:
Indians farm report: Marte homers twice in Clippers' win
Posted by mrose May 03, 2009 09:02AM
Andy Marte slugged two home runs, and Toma Ohka (2-1) spread seven hits over six innings, as Columbus won at Durham, N.C., 10-6.
Columbus scored four times in the top of the first, in the Class AAA game against the top farm team for Tampa Bay. One first-inning run scored on a sacrifice fly by Marte, who had three RBI in the game. The former Cleveland Indian is batting .345, with six RBI in 25 at-bats for Columbus.
Both his home runs were bases-empty blasts to left field.
The Clippers' first inning also featured the sixth stolen base of the season by Michael Brantley and the first by George Lombard. Wyatt Toregas and Lombard doubled in the Clippers' two-run fourth. Lombard also had a run-scoring double in the eighth.
Next up: Clippers close out series at Durham today at 5:05 p.m.
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2...marte_home.html
Beanpot
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Updated the statistical leaders on the first page yesterday.
Chisenhall Hits Another Grand Slam, Kinston Loses 10-9
http://www.indiansprospectinsider.comNewport native Lonnie Chisenhall went 4-for-5 with a grand slam home run, as Kinston lost a wild one to Salem 10-9 Monday night in Virginia. Chisenhall was a triple short of the cycle, hitting two singles, a double and the big home run. Three of Chisenhall’s five home runs have been grand slams this season; he is now hitting .296 on the year with 24 RBI.
Columbus and Akron were both washed out.
And from the Dispatch blog, a cavity-inducing sweet description of Trevor Crowe, from Clippers manager Torey Lovullo
"(He is) exciting, passionate," he said. "When he steps on the field, you are aware of his presence. You've got to pay attention to him because he is loaded with talent. He doesn't want to let anything go to waste.
http://blog.dispatch.com/clippers/"He is blessed with a great ability to perform. He wants to do something spectacular on every single play. Even if it's a fly ball to right and he's playing in left, he wants to go catch it. There's nothing wrong with that."
Crowe, he added, has become more refined each year.
"As he has learned over the past four or five years, it takes more than just being an athlete," Lovullo said. "There is finesse to this game, and he has mastered the finesse. He's going to be special. Trevor, two years ago, was very raw and very mechanical at times. These past two years, he's really grown up."
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