Former Hogs in Pro Ball

[Kevin]

Is Reynolds still hurt

[flippinhogmana]

Is Reynolds still hurt

Matt was in the lineup yesterday as the DH, but didnt get an official at bat which tends to suggest that he was a late scratch.  It was the first time in about three weeks that he was in the lineup.  Being in the lineup at DH might suggest he wasnt at full speed yet, and that might also have contributed to his being scratched.  Maybe he is about 'back'.

I was also curious about the status of Logan Forsythe...he wasn't in the lineup last night.  It's almost trading deadline time.  I was wondering if he was held out as part of a deal or just a rest.  TB is far enough down that they might be considering trading some of their better players for future stars.

[flippinhogmana]

Brett Eibner appears to be on a hot streak-he was two for three last night with another homer against the colorado triple a team.  Now has 14 hrs and 54 rbis, 302. BA

Andy Wilkins appears to be heating up also (maybe playing each other for a series helped them both). He was two for four last night with an rbi.  Now hitting .272 with 47 rbis.

I also found Craig Gentry-he is with the Nashville AAA team-batting .250

[fineswine]

I never dreamed Eibner would ever hit enough to make it past Double A.  If he can continue doing this, K.C. may have to seriously consider bringing him up (with Gordon out for who knows how long).

[OldWaldronHog]

When did Dallas K last pitch? I thought he was scheduled for Friday or today but he didn't. Is he hurt?

[ucahogfan]

When did Dallas K last pitch? I thought he was scheduled for Friday or today but he didn't. Is he hurt?

Pitched last Sunday and will throw again tomorrow against KC.  Maybe just trying to spread out some of his starts since he has thrown a lot of innings and might lead the MLB in that category.

[Kevin]

Probably did not want to pitch him behind kazmir to similar

[ucahogfan]

Probably did not want to pitch him behind kazmir to similar

I just don't think that is such a big deal at the big league level.  Looking at their schedule, they had an off day Monday and then had a new player start on Friday so it is probably just keeping the rotation in order.

[flippinhogmana]

I am only reporting on Eibner so often because he is on a tear, hit another dinger today (now 15) raised his average to .306 and now has 56 RBIs.  Thats like four dingers since the MLB allstar break, raised his average like ten points and about ten rbis also.

[Kevin]

Reynolds is on rehab assignment in florida

[ErieHog]

As an aside,  Baxendale pitched a perfect inning in the Southern League All Star Game at the start of July.

[GatorHog]

I am only reporting on Eibner so often because he is on a tear, hit another dinger today (now 15) raised his average to .306 and now has 56 RBIs.  Thats like four dingers since the MLB allstar break, raised his average like ten points and about ten rbis also.

Sweet, I'd like to see Eibner again.  I saw him play in Gainesville a few years back - smacked a bomb out of McKethan.  I think Bo Bigham hit one that game, too, and the Hogs won 8-3 IIRC.

[flippinhogmana]

Sweet, I'd like to see Eibner again.  I saw him play in Gainesville a few years back - smacked a bomb out of McKethan.  I think Bo Bigham hit one that game, too, and the Hogs won 8-3 IIRC.

I can only remember one other razorback on a tear like this in the PCL and it was a fellow name Kevin whom the Padres brought up over twenty years ago now...

[jbell96]

I never dreamed Eibner would ever hit enough to make it past Double A.  If he can continue doing this, K.C. may have to seriously consider bringing him up (with Gordon out for who knows how long).

Eibner isn't on the Royals 40 man roster so he'd have to get added to it before he could get the call up.

[flippinhogmana]

Eibner isn't on the Royals 40 man roster so he'd have to get added to it before he could get the call up.

They could also trade him to someone who might bring him up.  I dont think the Royals need him this year, but on the other hand there are about twenty teams that might need him.

As I recall (granted its been a long time), I dont think the Padres intended to bring McReynolds up when they did, but he was simply killing PCL pitching so much they about had too.  I just wish when they had traded him, it wouldnt have been to the Mets.

[89ALUM]

Could be that Gordon is a free agent next year and the Royals have no intention of re-signing him, so we will see Brett in LF up in Kansas City next spring.  The Cubs pretty much knew Bryant would play on the team, but they didn't want his arbitration clock to start so they held him in the minors as long as possible. 

In my opinion, Brett's the best hitter the Royals have on the farm.  He's a great fielding outfielder with a plus arm and good range.  If they trade him, they'd have to get someone that they really covet, not just a utility player or a platoon bat to get them through the playoffs this year.

I don't see him getting dealt at the deadline, and I also don't think he'll get called up anytime soon.  If they didn't bring him up as soon as Gordon was hurt, they won't change their mind and bring him now, surely.

[flippinhogmana]

Well, 89, the Royals are one of the teams rumored to be trying to improve themselves.  To get what you want and need sometimes you have to give up something valueable to you.  Its not always about what you dont want to give up, its sometimes about what you want that makes the other team a player for some of your assets as well.  Look at what the Cards got in just compensation for not signing Pujols from the Angels.  I am sure the Angels didnt want to give up either of those picks, but it was the price for Pujols.

[89ALUM]

The Royals will make the playoffs easily now with having added Cueto.  They really only need a bit of bullpen help, as odd as that sounds considering they have one of the best bullpens in baseball.  Another lefthanded hitter on the bench would be welcome.  But Gordon's coming back from his injury soon, and I really believe the Royals are built to win a title only for the next two years.  After that, tons of their stars will be free agents and most likely won't resign with the club.

Basically, why trade Eibner when most of those studs are gone in a year or two?  I'm not a huge Royals fan, but they've made excellent managerial decisions over the past couple of years, and I think they have long term plans for Brett starting next year.  And if that's the case, they'll hold the start of that arbitration-eligible clock as long as possible.

[flippinhogmana]

I dont disagree with you about the Royals, I am just hoping to get Eibner a shot sooner rather than later...

[89ALUM]

So, the Royals just traded some of their pitching for Ben Zobrist, a switch-hitter who can play both outfield and second base.  Eibner looks to be staying at Omaha at least until September call-ups, if not later.  Zobrist will platoon with Jarrod Dyson until Gordon returns in a few more weeks.

Too bad, because I want to see another hog in the show (to replace Craig Gentry who the A's sent to Nashville).

On the other hand for the Royals, they've seemingly traded most of their top pitching prospects over the last few days.  They're stubbornly holding on to Raul Mondesi, Jr. (a good move as he's the #1 prospect in their system).  KC will have to re-sign Cueto if they want to be competitive next year, simple as that.  They won't be able to look to their farm system for pitching help in 2016.

[flippinhogmana]

So, the Royals just traded some of their pitching for Ben Zobrist, a switch-hitter who can play both outfield and second base.  Eibner looks to be staying at Omaha at least until September call-ups, if not later.  Zobrist will platoon with Jarrod Dyson until Gordon returns in a few more weeks.

Too bad, because I want to see another hog in the show (to replace Craig Gentry who the A's sent to Nashville).

On the other hand for the Royals, they've seemingly traded most of their top pitching prospects over the last few days.  They're stubbornly holding on to Raul Mondesi, Jr. (a good move as he's the #1 prospect in their system).  KC will have to re-sign Cueto if they want to be competitive next year, simple as that.  They won't be able to look to their farm system for pitching help in 2016.

Isn't that what they have always done and why they never have any debt?  they seem to have always have traded away their future, depleted their farm system and have to trade for a title run.  Any chance in that scenario is a short term anomaly.  The cards have traded some, but most of their lineup turnover year after year is from their own farm system....They may be located in the same state but they are worlds apart.

[89ALUM]

 Kansas City wasn't in a title run from the late 1980's all the way up till about two years ago.  They sucked mainly due to mismanagement and bad drafts. 

And by the way, NOBODY in MLB has any "debt".  There are super rich clubs like the Dodgers and Yankees, and everyone else is profitable at some level.   

[yraciv]

Bolsinger was optioned back to AAA today.  Did nothing really to lose his spot, and had a solid bounce back month with a 3 ERA in July after a 4.4 ERA in June, and a dominant start to the season.  Hate to see it, but the Dodgers trades for Wood and Latos left him without a rotation spot.

[flippinhogmana]

McCann (Detroit Tigers) has another homer tonight, hitting in the 289.  Getting solid playing time. 

[Kevin]

Former hog signee Michael fulmer traded to tigers

[flippinhogmana]

Logan Forsythe, TB, 2B, batting .282 BA (2-5 today), 12 HRs, 45 rbis (two today)

[89ALUM]

Brian Anderson, playing for the Jupiter Hammerheads (Single A Advanced) is leading the team in HR and RBI, and is second in doubles and third in slugging.  Playing excellent at the hot corner as well.  He might get a late season promotion to AA in the Marlins system.

Here's a nice article about him written right before their All Star game in late June. 

http://www.27outsbaseball.com/featured/makings-of-an-all-star-brian-anderson/

[89ALUM]

Barrett Astin also just went 7.2 innings for Pensacola tonight against DJ Baxendale's Chattanooga Lookouts team, and struck out 9 in the win.  Astin has looked very good against AA batters after earning a promotion from A-Advanced earlier this summer.  He may make the jump to AAA Louisville early next year if he keeps this up.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t498&player_id=592120#/career/R/pitching/2015/ALL

[flippinhogmana]

Dallas Keuchel won his 13th game on saturday...just getting around to updating about him.

[flippinhogmana]

Brett Eibner has raised his BA to 310, now has 16 HRs, and 61 rbis.
Andy Wilkins BA is now at mid 260s, 15 HRs, and 51 rbis
Matt Reynolds BA is now 275, 50 rbis

[flippinhogmana]

I dont know if folks are aware of this but at least four of our former hogs belong to the Boston Red Sox organization, Benitendi, Spoon from this year, but also Jalen Beeks and Michael Gunn for a couple of years ago, they are at Greenville in the South Atlantic League (A).  Jalen Beeks is 9-4 as a SP, and Gunn is a RP.  On Sunday, it was just like old times Beeks pitched the first seven for the win, and Gunn closed out the last two.

[flippinhogmana]

The Dodgers AAA affiliate is OKC, so Wilkins and Bolsinger will be teammates for awhile since Bolsinger has been sent down.

Brian Anderson hit another dinger over the weekend, now has 8, along with 49 rbis, but his average is only 229, it was over 300 last year at basically the same level. 

[89ALUM]

Bolsinger's numbers were good, but he wasn't going deep enough into games.  I read where each time batters got a second look at his stuff, they teed off on him.  He was never allowed to pitch more than six innings and it's probably for the best he go back to AAA and work on a third pitch.

Plus, the Latos and Wood acquisitions made this move inevitable.  I think Brett Anderson, the Dodgers' #5 starter, may be out of options.

[hvsupastar]

U 76ers huuhpp6pp655

[jbell96]

AB went 3-5 last night, with a triple and run scored, to get his average up to .253. The average is starting to go up for him now, but his OBP & SLG have been there since the start of the season. Hope to see him get a promotion to a full season league before the year is up.

[flippinhogmana]

You cant tell all that much from a line score off a computer, but it looks like the last two or three games AB might be starting to see the ball better.  He has had a couple of good games.  He has raised his average from its low point about forty points if its now in the .250s.  I havent looked at his line from last night yet.

[89ALUM]

AB went 3-5 last night, with a triple and run scored, to get his average up to .253. The average is starting to go up for him now, but his OBP & SLG have been there since the start of the season. Hope to see him get a promotion to a full season league before the year is up.

If I was the Sox, I'd promote him simply because I'd want to get a long look at my top draft pick this year.  It's not like Benintendi is a pitcher and you have to watch his innings or pitch counts.

[flippinhogmana]

It has to be a major disappointment to be sent down from Los Angles to OKC.  Mike Bolsinger only managed three innings (faced three batters into the fourth) last night, gave up three runs and took the loss.  If Mike works hard, he will have better days.  As I mentioned earlier, he and Andy Wilkins are now teammates.  Maybe they can encourage each other.

[89ALUM]

Based on the way Mike pitched for the Diamondbacks last year (1-5 record, +5.00 ERA), it was probably a big surprise that he was pitching for the Dodgers at all.  Arizona ended up basically dumping him on LA for cash.

Then, LA saw something in his PCL stats: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/15668/why-the-dodgers-dont-let-mike-bolsinger-pitch-deeper-in-games

Unfortunately, he just couldn't go deep enough in games to take pressure off the bullpen (with the exception of his last start - a strong seven-inning gem).

It looks like he came out of his last AAA game because he was struck by a liner on the forearm.

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/16072/mike-bolsinger-leaves-triple-a-start-with-apparent-injury?ex_cid=espnapi_public

The Dodgers were pitching-rich in the minors until they made a flurry of trades at the deadline.  Now, Mike might be their best prospect in the minors, at least with the most proven, high-quality experience.  If he can beat this latest injury (*crosses fingers for only minor bruise*) then maybe he'll be back in the bigs for the pennant run against San Fran in September.

And he can bring Andy with him. 

[flippinhogmana]

Based on the way Mike pitched for the Diamondbacks last year (1-5 record, +5.00 ERA), it was probably a big surprise that he was pitching for the Dodgers at all.  Arizona ended up basically dumping him on LA for cash.

Then, LA saw something in his PCL stats: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/15668/why-the-dodgers-dont-let-mike-bolsinger-pitch-deeper-in-games

Unfortunately, he just couldn't go deep enough in games to take pressure off the bullpen (with the exception of his last start - a strong seven-inning gem).

It looks like he came out of his last AAA game because he was struck by a liner on the forearm.

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/16072/mike-bolsinger-leaves-triple-a-start-with-apparent-injury?ex_cid=espnapi_public

The Dodgers were pitching-rich in the minors until they made a flurry of trades at the deadline.  Now, Mike might be their best prospect in the minors, at least with the most proven, high-quality experience.  If he can beat this latest injury (*crosses fingers for only minor bruise*) then maybe he'll be back in the bigs for the pennant run against San Fran in September.

And he can bring Andy with him. 

Sounds like a hogalicious plan to me!  When Wilkins and Eibner played each other right around the all star break, it seemed to be a spark to both of them particularly Eibner.  Wilkins raised his average (for a time about forty points) and it sparked his power.  Eibner's power number went up too, and it sparked his BA production even more than Wilkins.  Its gone up and remained over 300. 

Perhaps Bolsinger can make a transition similar to Keuchel.  Keuchel was just a so so pitcher until the latter part of last year.  He found something in his mechanics and elsewhere that has transformed him.  Until then he was a lot like Bolsinger, middling velocity, and seldom going more than five.  I have my fingers crossed for Mike too.

[flippinhogmana]

Benintendi had a couple of hits last night in a losing cause (up to 256), Wernes has not played in a week (still 333), Spoon hadnt played in five days until last night (he is mainly playing catcher), he got two rbis with a single in a winning effort (his second and third rbis, now hitting .137 after getting as low as .100).

[89ALUM]

I don't know if the Dodgers can make up their mind on Bolsinger.  Sounds like he is an injury away from returning to the big leagues (to one of the LAD starters), but in the meantime they want him to pitch long relief in the minors to be used in a 6th-7th inning role.

http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/142215502/mike-bolsinger-to-pitch-long-relief-in-minors

[89ALUM]

In other news, DJ Baxendale just got the win against Mobile, pitching six innings with three strikeouts.  His second win of the year as a starter, dropping his ERA to 3.92.

Andy Wilkins went deep Saturday night for OKC, for his 16th homer of the year.

Brian Anderson is in the middle of a five game hitting streak, raising his average by six points in the last week.

And Dominic Ficociello has hits in six of his last seven games, raising his average almost 50 points!  Granted, small sample size but Dom is tearing it up in AA Erie (Tigers organization).  Maybe we'll see both him and James McCann together in a year or two up in Detroit.

[flippinhogmana]

In other news, DJ Baxendale just got the win against Mobile, pitching six innings with three strikeouts.  His second win of the year as a starter, dropping his ERA to 3.92.

Andy Wilkins went deep Saturday night for OKC, for his 16th homer of the year.

Brian Anderson is in the middle of a five game hitting streak, raising his average by six points in the last week.

And Dominic Ficociello has hits in six of his last seven games, raising his average almost 50 points!  Granted, small sample size but Dom is tearing it up in AA Erie (Tigers organization).  Maybe we'll see both him and James McCann together in a year or two up in Detroit.

noticed dominic is back to playing first base...

[bulldog04]

noticed dominic is back to playing first base...

He been back at 1st for awhile now.  The experiment at 2nd and 3rd didn't last long.  1st is the only position he has played this year and he played 11 games at 3rd last year

[boaron]

McCann is a possible ROY winner according to this article...

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/10-degrees--it-s-a-historic-season-for-rookies-232420656.html

3. James McCann is proving in his first full major league season. The 25-year-old took over full-time catching duties from perpetually injured Alex Avila and has been a more-than-pleasant surprise as the Detroit Tigers go about reloading under new GM Al Avila.

Before Friday, McCann's contributions slinked under the radar, from his .289/.320/.434 line to a 45 percent caught-stealing rate, second only to Buster Posey among regular catchers. Then came the caught-on-tape dugout incident in which Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias shoved McCann after being confronted about a perceived lack of effort trying to turn double plays. Neither said a whole lot of anything about the incident, though one former teammate chimed in with high praise for McCann.

    James McCann WILL have a C on his chest like Varitek did...he cares and he is a leader!! He will do what needs to be done...
    — David Price (@DAVIDprice14) August 8, 2015

Considering how Kansas City is running away with the division and Cleveland is freeing up money with the Michael Bourn/Nick Swisher trade to complement its superb rotation with some hitting, Detroit needs all the help it can get. And that's not even considering Minnesota now has ...

[flippinhogmana]

He been back at 1st for awhile now.  The experiment at 2nd and 3rd didn't last long.  1st is the only position he has played this year and he played 11 games at 3rd last year

I know there was the thought that he didnt hit with enough power for 1st base, but it always seemed to be his most natural position.  I always thought we played better when he was at 1st.  He just needs to grow into his swing and beef up his power numbers over time.  He is going to be a good ball player if he keeps up with it and doesnt get discouraged.

[bulldog04]

I know there was the thought that he didnt hit with enough power for 1st base, but it always seemed to be his most natural position.  I always thought we played better when he was at 1st.  He just needs to grow into his swing and beef up his power numbers over time.  He is going to be a good ball player if he keeps up with it and doesnt get discouraged.

He doesn't have big power numbers but his swing does looks like it could produce some homers.  The biggest thing that concerns me is his high strikeouts

[Big Nasty 34]

He doesn't have big power numbers but his swing does looks like it could produce some homers.  The biggest thing that concerns me is his high strikeouts

Partly because he's trying to hit HRs instead of just smoking the gaps.

[flippinhogmana]

on two other hogs, beni and wernes, Wernes hadnt played for eight days, but lowell and tricities are having a series now, and wernes is back two or four and raises his avg back to .340.  One of his two hits was a double. Beni was one for three.  I think playing against Andrew gets Wernes motor going.