Wednesday 7/25/2012 Minor League Updates

[mace]

The AZL Reds are having 'em some fun tonight. They're up 8-0 after six. That's with just one extra-base hit, a triple by recently signed catcher Jose Ortiz.

Jose Guzman started and pitched just 1/3 of an inning. Mike Saunders and Michael Salter have done the good work since.

[dougdirt]

Just saw Didi's walk off. That thing went at least 425 feet. Went over the 375 sign at the wall, then over the patio deck beyond the wall there.

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Just saw Didi's walk off. That thing went at least 425 feet. Went over the 375 sign at the wall, then over the patio deck beyond the wall there.

All he needed to do was face pitchers who threw harder...

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by bellhead

All he needed to do was face pitchers who threw harder...

Guys in AA probably throw harder in general than the guys at AAA where you have more 'veteran' types than the 'raw armed' types. HR tonight was showing 93 MPH on the stadium gun, so probably a little more like 91 if that gun is like it has been in the past on the hot side. But the pitcher supplying the power is a myth. For every 5 MPH added to a fastball, it only adds about 5 feet in distance to the ball hit. But for every 1 MPH added to the bat speed, it adds 5 feet to the distance of the ball. Bat speed is what makes the power, not so much the pitch speed.

[j_m_t_us]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

His stuff is very good. His control has seemingly gotten worse as the season has gone on. Still, patience needs to be preached with him. Coming into the season he had 180 innings pitched in 5 years since being drafted. He is incredibly young in terms of experience despite being 22. Toss in that he has completely overhauled his mechanics, he had 110 innings with those mechanics coming into the year. Still, above-average fastball velocity and a plus breaking ball.

I have seen him pitch a couple times and am not very impressed so far! Here is a guy who should have probably stayed in Bakersfield longer as he looks over matched in double-A. Not saying he wont be a good pitcher but he is really struggling right now!

[corkedbat]

If Didi could continue his "power surge" it might push them toward moving Hamilton to CF. I'd like to see an infield of Votto, Phillips, Cozart, Frazier, Gregorious and HRod next year`(mybe an addition at 3B with Frazier playing both IF & OF).

[19braves77]

Two terrible games in a row.

All the players seem to be pressing with the big wigs in house and both starters look fatigued. One scout said leading the Minors in K's will do that do a staff. He suggested a piggyback system to get everyone in the rotation a extra day off and to spread out the innings.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Originally Posted by bellhead

Don't look at his stats right now...

1.) He is at a career high in innings, so he is tired...
2.) 22 and at AA, most guys his age are now just graduating college and beginning Low A or Rookie ball...

I'm going to look at his stats. Guy is not getting it done. We can make excuses all day as to why he's not getting it done. Baseball is a bottom-line business. He's not getting it done.

[bubbachunk]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

I'm going to look at his stats. Guy is not getting it done. We can make excuses all day as to why he's not getting it done. Baseball is a bottom-line business. He's not getting it done.

Minor league baseball is not a bottom line business, period.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

I'm going to look at his stats. Guy is not getting it done. We can make excuses all day as to why he's not getting it done. Baseball is a bottom-line business. He's not getting it done.

Major League Baseball is a bottom-line business. Minor League Baseball is a learning your skills business. There is a reason that these guys are in the minor leagues. They are still learning. They are still developing.

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey

I'm going to look at his stats. Guy is not getting it done. We can make excuses all day as to why he's not getting it done. Baseball is a bottom-line business. He's not getting it done.

If he was 24 and not getting it done things would be different. He is 22, has had major injury problems during his career which has not let him build innings. Right not he is at his career high of innings pitched and is showing major fatigue.

Things which he has going for him..

1.) Mid 90's fast ball with movement late in the zone.
2.) Plus change up with excellent arm action.

He has the potential to be a 1 to 3 type pitcher in the rotation and is extremely raw despite being 22. I think next year is critical for him and we'll see if he progresses in May and June next year.