Down here in Arizona, there are a couple of 19 year old kids from India getting their shot at making it to professional baseball in America. I was reading this fascinating article in the USA Today about these pitchers named Singh & Patel, who will be throwing tomorrow in Tempe, AZ in front of pro scouts. Turns out Barry Bonds’ agent held a Million Dollar Arm contest and one of the guys was awarded $100,000, plus the opportunity to show what he could do. This kid’s father drives a truck of produce in India, which earns him $25 per month. I’m gonna try to get an in person look at these tryouts.
Tag: Arizona Fall League
ROOT ROOT ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM
The day portion of my day/night baseball filled day started out in Phoenix, featuring Surprise vs Phoenix. But before we got to the ballpark, we made a detour to Burger King. Got a veggie burger with a little mustard and some cheese, a regular BK Veggie would be way too messy, somehow the mustard ended up getting on my brand new Rays tee, bummer. On the hill for Surprise was the 2008 first round selection of the Baltimore Orioles, Brian Matusz. Lefty Matusz is out of the University of San Diego. I was really excited to get to see this kid pitch, especially right behind the plate. There was an extra buzz in the air, as the scouts readied their radar guns. A fan next to me even said, a friend told him, this kid was a legit candidate to make it to the Hall of Fame, let’s make the big leagues first.
Eric Young, Jr. got an opposite field basehit to right, stole his 17th base of the year, the next batter walked, mainly due to Matusz’ focus on EY2, and then John Donaldson cleared the fence with a three run blast to left, erasing a one run Surprise lead. Surprise scored as a result of an error in the top of the first by Donaldson, who redeemed himself. Donaldson is a member of the A’s, came over from the Cubbies in the Rich Harden deal.
Brooks Brown looked sharp for Phoenix, working five innings, allowing two hits, and one unearned run. Matt Wieters was behind the plate for Surprise, but didn’t really impress, although he does have an arm, and looks like a can’t miss.
In the nightcap it was Scottsdale over the Javelinas of Peoria 9-3. Brrr, who said it’s hot in Arizona? Well it’s not hot at night, lemme tell you. The kid I wanted to see was was Justin Smoak. Smoak’s with the Rangers, a power hitting, switch hitting firstbaseman, compared with Mark Teixeira, but Justin really didn’t show much in this game.
Kevin Pucetas was on the mound for the Scorpions. He threw the ball well, allowing only a solo homer to Kevin Russo in his five innings of work, striking out four, and upping his record to 3-1. Adding Pucetas to a SF rotation that already features Tim Lincecum & Matt Cain, and the future is looking bright for the Giants. Another Giant that impressed for Scottsdale was elder statesman SS Kevin Frandsen. Frandsen was all set to take over as San Francisco’s everyday secondbaseman in 2008 when a ruptured Achilles put him on the shelf for the entire year. It’s not that Kevin is old, just old in AFL terms, but his enthusiasm shows he’s once again ready to take over an everyday job in the bigs, plus his skills are right there.
Carlos Triunfel is at the other extreme of the age spectrum, he’s the first AFLer born in the 1990s. This kid is a SS in the Seattle Mariners organization and has the word star written all over him. Triunfel played thirdbase in this game and showed he can field, hit, & run, very quick bat.
Another player who showed he’s ready is secondbaseman Drew Sutton. Sutton hit a big fly over the right field wall. Drew is a lefthanded hitter in the Houston Astros organization, who reminds me of Chase Utley.
There was this extremely attractive woman sitting off to my right that was rooting for the Scorpions, but in particular the Giants players. Turns out she’s Beth Turner, wife of Scottsdale manager Shane Turner. Shane has been in the SF system for some time. It was great to get an inside look at the game from the wife of a baseball man.
When we left the ballpark we noticed the windshield of Joe’s truck had been shattered by a foul ball, major bummer!
NOVEMBER BASEBALL – CAN’T BEAT IT!!!
I know it’s 68 degrees in Chicago, but baseball in the Windy City, sad to say, has been over for some time now. So I needed to hop on a big air jetliner to carry me so far away to the middle of the desert to get my baseball fix.
After wolfing down some breakfast it was time to head out to the ballpark in Scottsdale. The Scorpions are once again in last place, must be something about their feeder teams. Each team in the AFL gets its players from five major league ballclubs.
As I was headed to my seat I wanted to pick up a media guide and a stat sheet, but the place where they’re normally sold was closed. I saw a guy, who was lucky enough to have both, I sked where he got his stuff. He said, over at the booth that is now closed, maybe they’ll open again soon, which they did. The guy I asked, happened to be Steve Stone. I sheepishly said, oh hi, good to see you!
Clay Buchholz was starting for the Scorps, but he was roughed up for four runs over 3 2/3 innings. He had his good fastball, but seemed to be working on a change up, a work in progress. Cardinals prospect Brett Wallace was 4-5 on the day, including a bomb off Buchholz. Daniel Murphy was in the game, learning to play 2B. Kevin Frandsen was back in the AFL, ripping the ball, playing SS. Jordan Danks was the DH, didn’t show much.
The final score was 11-7 Peoria Saguaros over the Scorpions in a looong game. My day started with getting up at 3:30 AM in Chicago and ended at Don & Charlie’s on Camelback Road in Scottsdale. That place has the best baseball memorabilia around, amazing!
Going to a day game in Phoenix and a night game in Scottsdale today & tomorrow, a night game in Mesa Thursday, before heading home Friday for a Bulls night game at the UC. Wednesday night Jimmy Rollins will be present in Scottsdale to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame, my JRoll teeshirt? It’s at home in my closet.
Last spring in Tucson for the White Sox?
According to this Tucson Citizen report, the Chicago White Sox are attempting to move their spring training grounds. They have have completed a deal with the Dodgers to share a sports complex in Glendale, Arizona. The Sox hope they can move into the stadium, in 2009.
There’s one problem. They need to get out of their current contract with Pima County which has them at Tucson Electric Park till 2012. To do that, they’ll need to find a replacement team to play there.
So for the time being, it’s business as usual and the company line is that they are happy residents of Tucson. So says White Sox vice president of communications Scott Reifert:
“Nothing has changed. We have every intention to honor our commitment in Tucson until 2012 unless we find an acceptable team or a solution.”
For the time being, ground has been broken on the new 12,000 seat facility in Glendale. The Dodgers will be there for sure in 2009 (after 60 springs at Vero Beach).
Time will tell when the Sox will join them.
Baseball World Cup underway
Yes, it’s true… there is no off-season. The Arizona Fall League will be concluding its season next week. But before you think that you’ll be getting a break in actual baseball news, here comes the Baseball World Cup held in Taipei, Republic of China. Team USA is doing ok by themselves so far in the … Continue reading “Baseball World Cup underway”
Yes, it’s true… there is no off-season.
The Arizona Fall League will be concluding its season next week. But before you think that you’ll be getting a break in actual baseball news, here comes the Baseball World Cup held in Taipei, Republic of China.
Team USA is doing ok by themselves so far in the “Road to Beijing”. They’ve won every game save a 6-2 loss to Italy. Every other game has been won convincingly (including today’s 12-1 drubbing of Spain, thanks to Andy LaRoche’s two homers).
Here are the results/schedule.
Davey Johnson, who is on the 2008 ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame, fortunately has something to keep his mind off it. He’s the manager of Team USA. Cub fans will note that OF Tyler Colvin is on the roster.
One more thing of interest… former University of Illinois alum and current Cub minor leaguer, Chris Robinson is starting catcher for Team Canada. Unfortunately for Chris, Team Canada has taken a few tough losses though they crushed Thailand 18-0.
Earlier this year, Robbie was nice enough to grant us at Baseball Zealot Radio an interview while he was at spring training.
One last link… you can get some pretty good on-the spot coverage of the Baseball World Cup at the Countdown to the Olympics blog.
Update: LaRoche keeps it comin’. He goes 3 for 3 with 3 rbis in a Team USA win against South Africa.
Teddy Ballgame talks about his trip to the AFL on Baseball Zealot Radio
I don’t get Teddy Ballgame in front of the mike very often but when I do, it’s a treat. In Show 33, he gives us his take on what he saw when he went to the Arizona Fall League.
Here are the show notes:
Show Notes for Episode 33:
Hosts: Tom, Tedd:
Summary: Teddy’s back from the warm climate of Arizona where he caught some Arizona Fall League action. In Show 33, he gives his scouting report of the players he saw and an overall summary of his trip.
A-Rod is one of Teddy Ballgame’s favorite players so we managed to hit on the topic of his departure from the Yankees as well.
We aren’t always graced by Teddy smooth voice (he says he has a face meant for radio) and sharp analysis so take advantage of his appearance on this show and take a listen.
Links:
Arizona Fall League main web page
Teddy Ballgame’s report on his trip to the AFL
Teddy mentioned a few AFL players (Joe Savery and Andrew McCutchen) that were keeping player blogs. You can access these players’ blogs and others on the AFL’s 2007 Player Journals page.
Time: 35:44
Date Recorded: 11/1/07
Listen to other Baseball Zealot Radio episodes
2007 AFL REPORT
Jed Lowrie Boston Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie provided the most excitement of my visit to the AFL as his two-out two-run homer lifted Mesa over Scottsdale 9-8. It seems as though the rich get richer as Lowrie looks to be the real deal both in the field and at the plate. The former Stanford … Continue reading “2007 AFL REPORT”
Jed Lowrie
Boston Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie provided the most excitement of my visit to the AFL as his two-out two-run homer lifted Mesa over Scottsdale 9-8. It seems as though the rich get richer as Lowrie looks to be the real deal both in the field and at the plate. The former Stanford infielder might be the starting SS in Boston in 2008, move over Julio Lugo.
I’m looking forward to doing a podcast about my AFL experience, but in the mean time I thought I’d write a little bit about what happened.
Here are some prospects that were there…
PEORIA JAVELINAS
05/1 Jeff Clement SEA – didn’t see him, was with Team USA
05/4 Justin Maxwell WAS – didn’t impress, although he played with the Nats in 2007
PEORIA SAGUAROS
07/1 Joe Savery PHI – he was supposed to start the game I went to, but didn’t, disappointing
NO Chin-Ling Hu LAD – this LAD SS will provide lots of “Hu’s on 1st” in 2008
SURPRISE
03/1 Adam Miller CLE – looked good, should be ready for the Tribe’s 2008 rotation
05/1 John Mayberry TEX – big – just like his daddy, fast – not like his daddy
MESA
05/1 Jed Lowrie BOS – walkoff homer, next year’s Bosox SS, impressed in the field
05/4 Josh Flores HOU – out of Triton JC, just like Kirby Puckett & Lance Johnson
07/1 Matt LaPorta MIL – big time power, 2008’s Ryan Braun
04/10 Sam Fuld CUB – fast, with power, older though
PHOENIX
05/3 Ryan Mullins MIN – lefty strikeout pitcher, Big League ready
02/33 Nyjer Morgan PIT – played hockey in Canada explains late start, 2008 Pirates CFer
03/2 Ryan Sweeney SOX – didn’t impress, looked sluggish
05/1 Andrew McCutchen PIT – star of the future, this kid can do it all
04/3 Eduardo Morlan MIN – power pitching Cuban, 2008 MLB bullpen ready
SCOTTSDALE
02/39 Calvin Medlock TB – old, but impressive, should be in Tampa’s pen this year
04/2 Reid Brignac TB – Devil Rays SS of the future, looks like a star
05/6 Aaron Cunningham AZ – Sox giveaway OFer to AZ, this kid is a hustling, fast, leadoff man
06/1 Travis Snider TOR – 5’11” 245, fast, with power, young, on the Blue Jays fast track
04/9 Mike Carp NYM – NYM firstbaseman, good power, nice glove, 2009 major leaguer
NO Wilkin Castillo AZ – can play everywhere, was a switch hitting catcher when I saw him
06/1 Evan Longoria TB – didn’t see him, was with Team USA
Here were some interesting facts I found in the Media Guide about the players…
OF JOSH FLORES (HOU) won the national junior college batting title by hitting .519 at Triton Junior College.
OF MATT LaPORTA (MIL) was a two-time SEC player-of-the-year at Florida. He hit a Gator single-season record 26 home runs as a sophopmore in 2005 and was a member of Team USA National Baseball Team.
C JEFF CLEMENT (SEA) played on the 2003 and ’04 US/National team. He set the national high school record at Marshalltown HS (Iowa) with 75 career home runs. Clement also played on the 1996 Marshalltown team that played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
IF MATT TUIASOSOPO (SEA) is the youngest brother of NY Jets QB Marquis and the son of former Seattle Seahawk Manu. His grandfather is Chief Asovalu of a village of 800 people in American Samoa, one of six men who hold that title.
IF CHIN-LUNG HU (LAD) was MVP of the 2007 MLB Futures Game in SF.
LHP MARK ROSEN (AZ) was forced to take the mound in relief of Mobile AA teammate Matt Elliot, a 2006 AFLer, who was trapped in the bathroom for over 40 minutes after slamming the door shut behind him. The game continued with Rosen on the mound after a brief delay. The fire department eventually was called to extricate Elliot from the bathroom.
Also saw Team China defeat the Phoenix Desert Dogs 2-1. Team China’s manager is Jim Lefebvre. Some coaches instructing Team China are Bruce Hurst, Duffy Dyer, Barry Larkin, & Tom Lawless.
Some 2006 AFLers that made a big splash in the big leagues in 2007 were Yunel Escobar, Hunter Pence, Ryan Braun, Mark Reynolds, & Troy Tulowitzki. The AFL is a great place to see tomorrow’s stars today. The tickets are only $6.00, there are only about 100 fans in the stands, including scouts.
Some other highlights of my trip were meeting Tom (a freelance NY scout), meeting a 90-year-old fan (who’d seen Ruth & Gehrig, his wife was a vocalist for the Sammy Kaye band for five years), saw Ryne Sandberg at Don & Charlie’s in Scottsdale, said hi to Roland Hemond at the ballpark in Scottsdale, and the absolute best thing about my trip was the best pizza in the world at Pizzeria Bianco. I love baseball, but I love food more!
Pujols honored at the Arizona Fall League
Albert Pujols, who was a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions in 2000, had his number (36) retired and received the Distinguished Alumni Award. More details from the Arizona Republic.
Albert Pujols, who was a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions in 2000, had his number (36) retired and received the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Arizona Fall League Opens Today
The Arizona Fall League season started today. You can follow the action at the MLB.com website.
The Arizona Fall League season started today. You can follow the action at the MLB.com website.
Arizona Fall League announces 2007 rosters
It’s hard to start thinking about the Arizona Fall League when you’re in the middle of a playoff race but if you’re thinking of attending AFL games, start making plans. The games start October 9th. The rosters were announced on Monday. Many of the first round picks of this year’s draft will be there. The … Continue reading “Arizona Fall League announces 2007 rosters”
It’s hard to start thinking about the Arizona Fall League when you’re in the middle of a playoff race but if you’re thinking of attending AFL games, start making plans. The games start October 9th.
The rosters were announced on Monday. Many of the first round picks of this year’s draft will be there. The direct link to the rosters here.
I probably won’t be attending this year but Baseball Zealot writer Teddy Ballgame will be going and we’re hoping to get some good stuff from him. Maybe we’ll even get him on Baseball Zealot Radio for a special report.