Monday 7/11/11 Minor League Game Thread

[mace]

muddie -- At your leisure, you wanna give us your impressions of the first five batters in the Carolina lineup: Phipps, Rodriguez, Cook, Grandal and Soto? (I recall that you've previously spoken of Campbell, favorably.)

[muddie]

End of six full, Carolina up 5-2. This is the first game of a doubleheader so this one is slated for seven innings.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by mace

There's no question that Alonso has a wide edge in plate discipline, and it's an important category. However, even with a deficit in OBP, Soto has posted better OPS numbers in Carolina and at age 22. I think it's worth noting, also, that Soto is two years younger, and will very possibly improve in that area.

Soto has also been fully healthy in his time in Carolina, while Alonso was still recovering from his hamate injury. But, even if that weren't the case, a better OPS doesn't always mean "will be the better OPS in the Majors".

[muddie]

Grandal drives in Rodriguez to give Carolina another run in the top of the 7th. Mudcats still batting up 6-2.

[muddie]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Soto has also been fully healthy in his time in Carolina, while Alonso was still recovering from his hamate injury. But, even if that weren't the case, a better OPS doesn't always mean "will be the better OPS in the Majors".

Soto was out for some time earlier this year with a broken wrist. He just returned a few weeks back.

[cinreds21]

There we go.

[muddie]

Originally Posted by mace

muddie -- At your leisure, you wanna give us your impressions of the first five batters in the Carolina lineup: Phipps, Rodriguez, Cook, Grandal and Soto? (I recall that you've previously spoken of Campbell, favorably.)

mace, I'll be glad to roll that out tomorrow.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by muddie

Soto was out for some time earlier this year with a broken wrist. He just returned a few weeks back.

Soto actually had his hamate removed last year too (pre 2010 season), so he has been dealt bad breaks when it comes to his hand/wrist too. With Alonso it was clear that he wasn't fully recovered yet and since he reached that 1 year mark of the injury, he has been a .320/.400/.525 hitter. With Soto, I am hoping that his plate discipline doesn't hold him back, but 50/14 K/BB ratio doesn't give me a good feeling about it being anywhere near an assumed thing that it won't be the thing that keeps him back.

[muddie]

Carolina takes game one 6-2. Avery with the win. Soto, Phipps, and Cook with home runs. Soto gets number 15!

[mace]

Josh Smith through four: 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. It's 1-0 Dayton, run scored by Hamilton.

[mace]

Phipps (.303) has a 2B and HR in the second game, and Carolina leads 2-1 in the third.

[mace]

Dayton is delayed after giving up three in the top of the sixth to fall behind 3-2.

[cinreds21]

Mudcats win game two and sweep the twin billing. The Mudcats get back to .500 are in second place.

[cinreds21]

Oh ya, they swept the Stars.

[mace]

Cingrani's start tonight for Billings went 2.2 innings, no hits, 4 K. Mustangs lead 5-2 in the fifth.