As the preseason winds down, several teams have started to make their cuts. Marietta let go of Gavin Floyd. Arkansas released several extra pitchers and two outfielders that they picked up only three days ago. Vancouver cut ties with Marcus Giles, a former Listach award winner. Only a few teams are at the 30-player limit, so expect more cuts in the next week.
Falcon catcher Chris Coste has gotten off to a hot start. Coste had a 4-5 day against Vegas yesterday and is now batting .386 on the preseason.
Speaking of the Arkansas-Vegas game, Falcon starter Ervin Santana pitched 10 solid innings, but ZERO strikeouts!! It's strange that a pitcher would go what amounts to a whole game without even one punchout, but it happened again. This time it was John Lackey against Arkansas. Nine innings, one run, but again, no strikeouts! It took Hoboken's Boof Bonser to show Lackey and Santana how it's done. Against Newark, Bonser pitched a complete game 2-hit shutout, with 11 Ks.
Only a few days after his last flirtation, Carolina's Rocco Baldelli again was one homer shy of the cycle! Baldelli was 3-4 with 3 RBIs against South Boston.
Some more pitching gems: DC's rookie hurler Anibel Sanchez pitched a complete game shutout, surrendering only 3 hits against Hillsborough. Philly's Brandon Webb pitched a 4-hit shutout of Vancouver.
New Jersey's Jack Wilson drove in 5 RBIs against fellow rookie team, Sardine City.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Liriano locks down his spot
Hillsborough's young phenom Felix Hernandez was rocked yesterday by Carolina. "King Felix" surrendered six runs on six hits and two homers and could not make it out of the first inning. Felix is still projected to make the rotation and could be in line for the season opener start.
Marietta's Francisco Liriano continued his masterful pitching and improved to 4-0 last night. Liriano shut down Hoboken, holding them to one run on four hits in eight innings. Liriano is now locked into a rotation spot and has been shut down for the rest of spring. Brandon McCarthy will get Liriano's next spot in the rotation.
Carolina's Juan Rivera smacked 2 homers with 5 RBI in a 3-5 night yesterday against Vancouver, a team that had previously drafted the outfielder.
Chris Young of Las Vegas put in an impressive outing yesterday against Team Buddah. Young pitched 8.1 innings of 2-hit ball. Young was acquired last season from D.C.
One lone cut yesterday: Hillsborough cut reliever Logan Kensing and signed infielder Neifi Perez. Kensing only pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Hitmen and only surrendered one walk. "That walk was enough for us though." said team owner Brent Campbell. "We can't have guys walking batters all over the place." Despite the fact that fellow reliever, Joe Nelson has seven walks in four innings pitched, Campbell attributed it to "bad luck". "I think that Campbell just really doesn't like Wolverine" said a disgruntled Kensing.
Another sign it's only spring training: last year's two DMBL World Series participants, Newark and Vancouver, are currently sitting in last place in their respective divisions.
Marietta's Francisco Liriano continued his masterful pitching and improved to 4-0 last night. Liriano shut down Hoboken, holding them to one run on four hits in eight innings. Liriano is now locked into a rotation spot and has been shut down for the rest of spring. Brandon McCarthy will get Liriano's next spot in the rotation.
Carolina's Juan Rivera smacked 2 homers with 5 RBI in a 3-5 night yesterday against Vancouver, a team that had previously drafted the outfielder.
Chris Young of Las Vegas put in an impressive outing yesterday against Team Buddah. Young pitched 8.1 innings of 2-hit ball. Young was acquired last season from D.C.
One lone cut yesterday: Hillsborough cut reliever Logan Kensing and signed infielder Neifi Perez. Kensing only pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Hitmen and only surrendered one walk. "That walk was enough for us though." said team owner Brent Campbell. "We can't have guys walking batters all over the place." Despite the fact that fellow reliever, Joe Nelson has seven walks in four innings pitched, Campbell attributed it to "bad luck". "I think that Campbell just really doesn't like Wolverine" said a disgruntled Kensing.
Another sign it's only spring training: last year's two DMBL World Series participants, Newark and Vancouver, are currently sitting in last place in their respective divisions.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Day of Almost Cycles
The Hoboken Cutters won twice in extra innings yesterday. This despite the defensive deficiency of Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez had one error in the first game and another two in the second, giving him nine errors on the pre-season. The Cutters plan on playing a few games of "pepper" before game time today, hopefully giving Ramirez a chance to improve. Teammate and longtime Cutter Geoff Jenkins said it might be the result of a practical joke gone wrong. "It's part of our rookie hazing" said Jenkins. "We put some sulfuric acid on the glove the first game and he burned his hand a little. I think he's a little afraid of his glove now...the big pussy."
Sardine City's Raul Ibanez was one single away from hitting for the cycle against Hillsborough. Ibanez hit a double in the second inning, flied out in the fourth, hit a triple in the sixth and homered in the eighth. "If I had known that, I wouldn't have flied out in my second atbat" said Ibanez. Meanwhile, Carolina's Rocco Baldelli also almost hit the cycle, but needed a slighly harder to achieve home run. However, Baldelli did go 4-4 in the game. Baldelli has been trying to return from injuries that kept him out all last year.
Marietta's Jim Thome hit two homers in his game against Philly. Thome is also trying to return from a season lost to injury last year.
Vancouver's Fernando Nieve turned in another impressive start yesterday against Newark. Nieve pitched eight innings and allowed only three hits and one unearned run. "If he keeps this up, we might have to find a place for him in the rotation" said manager Darren Daulton. Nieve is considered a longshot to make the final roster.
Hillsborough's Juan Pierre swiped three bases against Vancouver catcher Victor Martinez to take over the league lead in stolen bases with five. Pierre and several other Hitmen have been given the green light to run as often as they can.
Another impressive Marietta Mighty Man rookie pitcher: Jeremy Sowers turned in a complete game win against Las Vegas, surrendering only one run and seven hits, but no strikeouts.
A Jaret Wright vs. Josh Beckett pitchers' duel? Must be spring training.
Sardine City's Raul Ibanez was one single away from hitting for the cycle against Hillsborough. Ibanez hit a double in the second inning, flied out in the fourth, hit a triple in the sixth and homered in the eighth. "If I had known that, I wouldn't have flied out in my second atbat" said Ibanez. Meanwhile, Carolina's Rocco Baldelli also almost hit the cycle, but needed a slighly harder to achieve home run. However, Baldelli did go 4-4 in the game. Baldelli has been trying to return from injuries that kept him out all last year.
Marietta's Jim Thome hit two homers in his game against Philly. Thome is also trying to return from a season lost to injury last year.
Vancouver's Fernando Nieve turned in another impressive start yesterday against Newark. Nieve pitched eight innings and allowed only three hits and one unearned run. "If he keeps this up, we might have to find a place for him in the rotation" said manager Darren Daulton. Nieve is considered a longshot to make the final roster.
Hillsborough's Juan Pierre swiped three bases against Vancouver catcher Victor Martinez to take over the league lead in stolen bases with five. Pierre and several other Hitmen have been given the green light to run as often as they can.
Another impressive Marietta Mighty Man rookie pitcher: Jeremy Sowers turned in a complete game win against Las Vegas, surrendering only one run and seven hits, but no strikeouts.
A Jaret Wright vs. Josh Beckett pitchers' duel? Must be spring training.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Rookie pitchers impress
Revenge Factor Alert: Newark's Javier Valentin went 5-5 vs his former team, the Arkansas Golden Falcons.
Marietta's Francisco Liriano pitched a complete game against Carolina, and is now an impressive 3-0 in preseason. Marietta acquired the young hurler in the offseason from Las Vegas and is counting on the rookie to be their ace.
Sardine City's Andruw Jones had a big day against South Boston yesterday. Jones was 3-3 with 2 home runs against the Gang. Jones was the second player taken by Sardine City in the dispersal draft.
Hillsborough's John Lackey had some control problems against Newark but otherwise turned in a solid effort. Lackey walked eight batters in his seven innings of work, but only surrendered one run and four hits. "Everybody is trying to gain their command in the spring" said Lackey after the game.
Rookie Tom Gorzelanny was once again impressive for New Jersey. Gorzelanny pitched seven strong innings in a bid to make the team's starting rotation. So far he is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in the spring. Meanwhile, in the same game, Vancouver's Chad Billingsley worked his way out of a possible rotation spot. With fellow rookie Scott Olsen struggling, Billingsley has not taken advantage of the opening. "We feel that Chad will do better in AAA" said team pitching coach Dennis Eckersley. Billingsley's next turn in the rotation will be taken by Randy Wolf.
Newark and Arkansas made some roster shakeups yesterday. Newark released outfielder Ryan Church and rookie reliever Kurt Birkins to make room for a couple of middle relievers. Arkansas once again gave up on young shortstop Bobby Crosby. Arkansas had hoped that Crosby would be their shortstop of the future two years ago, but Crosby has not progressed as they had hoped. "We may yet see Crosby back in Falcon gold" said owner Stump Matiash, "but for now we need to go in a different direction."
Marietta's Francisco Liriano pitched a complete game against Carolina, and is now an impressive 3-0 in preseason. Marietta acquired the young hurler in the offseason from Las Vegas and is counting on the rookie to be their ace.
Sardine City's Andruw Jones had a big day against South Boston yesterday. Jones was 3-3 with 2 home runs against the Gang. Jones was the second player taken by Sardine City in the dispersal draft.
Hillsborough's John Lackey had some control problems against Newark but otherwise turned in a solid effort. Lackey walked eight batters in his seven innings of work, but only surrendered one run and four hits. "Everybody is trying to gain their command in the spring" said Lackey after the game.
Rookie Tom Gorzelanny was once again impressive for New Jersey. Gorzelanny pitched seven strong innings in a bid to make the team's starting rotation. So far he is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA in the spring. Meanwhile, in the same game, Vancouver's Chad Billingsley worked his way out of a possible rotation spot. With fellow rookie Scott Olsen struggling, Billingsley has not taken advantage of the opening. "We feel that Chad will do better in AAA" said team pitching coach Dennis Eckersley. Billingsley's next turn in the rotation will be taken by Randy Wolf.
Newark and Arkansas made some roster shakeups yesterday. Newark released outfielder Ryan Church and rookie reliever Kurt Birkins to make room for a couple of middle relievers. Arkansas once again gave up on young shortstop Bobby Crosby. Arkansas had hoped that Crosby would be their shortstop of the future two years ago, but Crosby has not progressed as they had hoped. "We may yet see Crosby back in Falcon gold" said owner Stump Matiash, "but for now we need to go in a different direction."
Monday, March 5, 2007
Weekend Roundup
Arkansas' Justin Morneau is at it again. Saturday, Morneau went 3-3 with 7 RBIs in the second game against Marietta and now is leading the league with 18 RBIs. The Falcons also said good-bye to Corey Lidle, who struggled in his start Friday. Lidle complained of a "dead arm" and after pitching coach Bret Saberhagen determined that not only his arm was dead, Lidle was let go. Lidle was upset, citing the fact that Darryl Kile and Mike Darr got to play after they had expired, but perhaps Lidle will get another chance yet.
Hillsborough's Ryan Howard hit a pair of homers on Sunday to take the league lead with 7 homers. Howard, of course, is the reigning Pat Listach Rookie of the Year. Though a platoon guy last year, Howard figures to become a full timer this season after proving last year that he can handle DMBL pitching.
First round pick Joel Zumaya of New Jersey got both wins in Sunday's doubleheader.
Hillsborough's Ryan Howard hit a pair of homers on Sunday to take the league lead with 7 homers. Howard, of course, is the reigning Pat Listach Rookie of the Year. Though a platoon guy last year, Howard figures to become a full timer this season after proving last year that he can handle DMBL pitching.
First round pick Joel Zumaya of New Jersey got both wins in Sunday's doubleheader.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Platooning Pitchers?
Marietta is experimenting with a pitching platoon today. Brett Tomko will start home games for Marietta and Mark Hendrickson starts the road games in the fifth spot in the rotation. Will it work? Has it been done before? Well there hasn't been any home/road platoon, but Vancouver tried a lefty/righty platoon a few years ago with mixed results. It's only spring training and there are teams that are using 6-man rotations and changing up their starters at will, so this is the time to experiment. It's hard to pull off a pitching platoon though because most teams lack the depth in pitching to successfully execute this plan. Whether Tomko/Hendrickson qualify as "depth" time will tell.
D.C. is actively shopping outfielder Alfonso Soriano. Soriano, now on his third team, is a great example of a hyped player that has not lived up to his name. Soriano burst onto the scene in 2002 with Stanhope as a second baseman. Last year, despite a .219 average, may have been his best year - 33 HRs and 82 RBIs. Soriano suffers from a low OBP (.272 career) and needs to learn some plate discipline before living up to his name. He's been working closely with hitting coach Howard Johnson and HoJo seems to think that this is Soriano's year. "I've been able to share some of the secrets that made me an OBP success in the Majors!" said HoJo.
D.C. is actively shopping outfielder Alfonso Soriano. Soriano, now on his third team, is a great example of a hyped player that has not lived up to his name. Soriano burst onto the scene in 2002 with Stanhope as a second baseman. Last year, despite a .219 average, may have been his best year - 33 HRs and 82 RBIs. Soriano suffers from a low OBP (.272 career) and needs to learn some plate discipline before living up to his name. He's been working closely with hitting coach Howard Johnson and HoJo seems to think that this is Soriano's year. "I've been able to share some of the secrets that made me an OBP success in the Majors!" said HoJo.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Spring Opener Notes
Wednesday was a big day for the DMBL's newest franchises. Although they both dropped their opener, the two teams rebounded with a win in their second games.
Team Buddah was spanked by Hoboken in their first game, but shut down Marietta in game 2. Rookie pitcher Tom Gorzelanny pitched eight strong innings, surrendering two unearned runs and 5 hits. Ichiro Suzuki (2-4, 3RBI) and Preston Wilson (2-3, 2 RBI) were the hitting stars in game 2.
Meanwhile the Sardine City Straphangers were pounded by Honolulu 11-2 in their first game, but rebounded nicely in a 5-3 victory over Vancouver. Veteran Tom Glavine, a former Ironfister, pitched eight innings, while two more former Vancouver players, Andruw Jones and Ken Griffey each collected two hits.
All eyes were on Honolulu pitcher Jered Weaver in Sharks camp. The first overall pick gave up five runs in eight innings, but otherwise pitched well. "We're pretty happy with him" said Sharks pitching coach Randy Myers. "He had some jitters that he needed to work out. We expect more from him next time out."
Hillsborough's C.C. Sabathia and Carolina's Roy Halladay each pitched complete game shutouts on opening day. "I think Roy's ready" said Carolina manager Lenny Dykstra.
Arkansas first baseman Justin Morneau collected six RBIs in his game against Philly and now has nine in two games. "I'm looking forward to collecting some steaks this year" said Morneau in reference to Zane Smith's hitter of the week award sponsor.
Team Buddah was spanked by Hoboken in their first game, but shut down Marietta in game 2. Rookie pitcher Tom Gorzelanny pitched eight strong innings, surrendering two unearned runs and 5 hits. Ichiro Suzuki (2-4, 3RBI) and Preston Wilson (2-3, 2 RBI) were the hitting stars in game 2.
Meanwhile the Sardine City Straphangers were pounded by Honolulu 11-2 in their first game, but rebounded nicely in a 5-3 victory over Vancouver. Veteran Tom Glavine, a former Ironfister, pitched eight innings, while two more former Vancouver players, Andruw Jones and Ken Griffey each collected two hits.
All eyes were on Honolulu pitcher Jered Weaver in Sharks camp. The first overall pick gave up five runs in eight innings, but otherwise pitched well. "We're pretty happy with him" said Sharks pitching coach Randy Myers. "He had some jitters that he needed to work out. We expect more from him next time out."
Hillsborough's C.C. Sabathia and Carolina's Roy Halladay each pitched complete game shutouts on opening day. "I think Roy's ready" said Carolina manager Lenny Dykstra.
Arkansas first baseman Justin Morneau collected six RBIs in his game against Philly and now has nine in two games. "I'm looking forward to collecting some steaks this year" said Morneau in reference to Zane Smith's hitter of the week award sponsor.
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