Posts belonging to Category Prospects/Rookies

Bottom 2: Travis Snider called out on strikes against Michael Pineda

Bottom 4: Snider struck out on a foul tip against Pineda

Bottom 6: Snider grounded out to second against Pineda

Bottom 8: Snider struck out swinging against Jeff Gray

Bottom 10: Snider struck out swinging against David Pauley

Bottom 13: Snider flew out to center against Jamey Wright

Final Line: 0-for-6, 4 K

Notes: After working out some kinks in his swing at Triple-A, Snider has been on fire since returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup.  On July 6, Snider was hitting .210. Since then, he has hit safely in eight of the last 10 games—five of which have been multi-hit performances—and entered Tuesday’s game against the Mariners hitting .256.  On Tuesday night, however, Snider wasn’t as successful, fanning in four of his six at-bats and failing to reach base in the 14-inning game.  While his golden sombrero was impressive, I find it even more impressive that Snider’s mustache was also 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 71

• In the wake of the MLB Futures Game, John Sickels dedicated one of his ‘Prospect Profile’ installments to the Rays’ Matt Moore.  Moore was the most impressive pitcher at the Futures Game, and at the rate he’s going may force the Rays’ hand earlier than anticipated. Since entering the Minor Leagues in 2007, Moore has compiled a 615/192 K/BB ratio over 439 innings and really has nothing left to prove at Double-A.  On Tuesday morning Moore was promoted to Triple-A, which leads me to believe that we will see him in the pros fairly soon.  Since the Rays have been rumored to have most of their starters on the trading block, maybe they want to get Moore several starts at Triple-A before someone is dealt and he gets the call…Just a thought.

• ESPN prospect guru Keith Law recently updated his Top 50 Prospects list, and because guys like Dustin Ackley, Mike Trout, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas have all received promotions, it has a much different look.  Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prospectus also reorganized his Top 50 list, which is a much bolder (and exciting) list if you ask me.

• Jonah Keri argues that the Angels gave Mike Trout the call too soon.  Currently hitting .125 (and granted that it’s only through six games), Trout is yet to truly flash all his tools.  And according to Keri, the news of Peter Bourjos hitting the DL may only intensify the 19-year-old’s early struggles.

• On July 11, Braves’ outfielder Stefan Gartrell slugged 16 total home runs to win the Triple-A Home Run Derby.  His opponent in the final round: 17-year-old high school junior Kayden Porter.  Using an aluminum bat, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound first baseman dropped 14 bombs, one of which traveled an estimated 545 feet and cleared the batter’s eye in center.

• Also at Fangraphs, Matt Klassen explores the potential reasons why the Indians are yet to call up Jason Kipnis.  Regarded by many as a more projectable prospect than teammate Lonnie Chisenhall and with Minor League numbers comparable to those of Dustin Ackley, Kipnis’ arrival is imminent. Like Klassen, I say the sooner the better.

• Playing for Triple-A last night, San Francisco Giants prospect Brandon Belt turned in an ugly and disconcerting performance: 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and a walk – a golden sombrero. In 190 Minor League at-bats this season, Belt has struck out 30% of the time but maintains a 20.8% BB/PA.  The Crazy Crabbers explore whether the Giants should recall him with Aubrey Huff slumping, or if the kinks should be smoothed out before he’s forced to face big league pitching.

Top 1: Chase d’Arnaud struck out swinging against Wandy Rodriguez

Top 3: d’Arnaud called out on strikes against W. Rodriguez

Top 4: d’Arnaud struck out swinging against W. Rodriguez

Top 6: d’Arnaud struck out swinging against Fernando Rodriguez

Top 9: d’Arnaud grounded out to shortstop against Mark Melancon

Top 11: d’Arnaud grounded out to third base against Aneury Rodriguez

Final Line: 0-for-6, 4 K

Notes: It was a tough night for the Pirates’ rookie infielder on Sunday night, as d’Arnaud went hitless in six at-bats and wore the sombrero.  Typically a sombrero is a made possible by extra innings.  In this game, however, d’Arnaud had already completed the feat by the sixth inning, and somehow managed to avoid wearing the platinum sombrero from there on out.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 70

*How is it that there wasn’t some sort of sombrero in Sunday night’s marathon between the Red Sox and Rays??

Top 2: Jim Thome struck out swinging against Mark Buehrle

Top 4: Thome called out on strikes against Buehrle

Top 6: Thome struck out swinging against Buehrle

Top 9: Thome struck out swinging against Jesse Crain

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: The novelty of a Jim Thome golden sombrero faded a long time ago, as the 40-year-old veteran is second on the all-time strikeout list with 2,431 – only 166 behind Reggie Jackson.  Thome’s also five home runs shy of joining the 600 HR club.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 68