Category: Dailies
D-backs baby back report, picks 16-20
Catching up … here is the lowdown on the Arizona Diamondbacks picks in Rounds 16-20 of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft:
Round 16 – Michael Blake, LHP, Hawai’i/Vancouver, WA
A bit reminiscent of former Osprey pitcher Mike Belfiore in how he was utilized at Hawai’i, mainly as a first baseman and DH by the Warriors, plus made 10 appearances as a pitcher … Hit .241 with 23 RBIs in the field, and posted a 3.38 ERA in eight innings of work … Played at Mount Hood College for two seasons, used mainly at first base, where he hit .387 as a sophomore … A two-time All-League and All-State pick while at Heritage HS in Vancouver … Set single-season school standard with a .583 batting average.
Round 17 – Adam Choplick, LHP, Denton Billy Ryan HS, Denton, TX
Just recently recovered from Tommy John surgery, which put him out of action for his junior season … Pitched a perfect game in his third start … Was 9-1 with a 0.82 ERA as a sophomore … Signed letter of intent to play at Oklahoma.
And your video package …
Round 18 – Taylor Siemens, LHP, California Baptist/La Mirada, CA
Named Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, helping Cal Baptist win the conference regular-season title … Was a two-time 1st team All-GSAC and Honorable Mention NAIA All-American … Went 9-2 with a 2.93 ERA this past spring, striking out 91 batters in 101 1/3 innings pitched … Posted an 11-2 mark in his sophomore season … Played three seasons of varsity baseball and basketball at La Mirada.
Round 19 – Danny Pulfer, 2B, Oregon/Cypress, CA
Hit .351 in 59 games, with two home runs and 20 RBIs for the Ducks in 2011, and is a career .302 hitter, with 31 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 73 RBIs … Stole 9 bases in 2011, and 19 for his career … committed just six errors this past spring … Was a 2010 Pac-10 Honorable Mention selection … Played in two straight Northwoods League championship games while playing for the Rochester Honkers … Earned All-Empire, All-county and all-CIF recognition as a senior at Cypress HS, hitting .485 with three home runs and 24 stolen bases … Was a team captain all four seasons (at two different schools).
Round 20 – Tommy Williams, SS, Palm Beach Gardens HS/N. Palm Beach, FL
Named an Honorable Mention Rawlings High School Preseason All-American, and 1st Team All-Florida Preseason squad … Signed letter of intent to play at Central Florida.
We’ll lump the final 10 rounds into one entry … coming shortly …
Day 2 pick list
Here is the list of draft picks for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Day 2 of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft:
Round 2 – Anthony Meo, RHP, Coastal Carolina/Cranston, RI
Round 3 – Justin Bianco, CF, Peters Township HS, PA
Round 4 – Evan Marshall, RHP, Kansas State/Sunnyvale, CA
Round 5 – Michael Perez, C, ColegioVocacional Para Adultos, PR
Round 6 – Matthew Price, RHP, South Carolina/Sumter, SC
Round 7 – Ben Roberts, OF, Missoula Sentinel HS, MT
Round 8 – Jesse Darrah, RHP, Fresno Pacific
Round 9 – John Leonard, SS, Connellsville Area HS, PA
Round 10 – Kyle Winkler, RHP, TCU
Round 11 – Will Locante, LHP, Cumberland Univ./Memphis, TN
Round 12 – Joshua Parr, SS, Illinois/Chillicothe, IL
Round 13 – John Pedrotty, LHP, Holy Cross/Portsmouth, NH
Round 14 – Cody Geyer, RHP, Walters State CC/Weaverville, NC
Round 15 – Steven Rodriguez, C, UCLA/Lomita, CA
Round 16 – Michael Blake, LHP, Hawaii/Vancouver, WA
Round 17 – Adam Choplick, LHP, Billy Ryan HS, TX
Round 18 – Taylor Siemens, LHP, California Baptist/La Mirada, CA
Round 19 – Danny Pulfer, 2B, Oregon/Cypress, CA
Round 20 – Tommy Williams, SS, Palm Beach Gardens HS/N. Palm Beach, FL
Round 21 – John Griffin, 1B, Central Florida/Bradenton, FL
Round 22 – Garrett Weber, SS, Fresno State
Round 23 – Ryan Court, 3B, Illinois State
Round 24 – Matt Ogden, RHP, Smoky Hill HS, CO
Round 25 – George Williams, OF, NC State
Round 26 – Austin Platt, RHP, Bradenton, FL
Round 27 – Wyatt Straham, RHP, Villa Park HS, CA
Round 28 – Truman Sample, RHP, Rogers State
Round 29 – Carter Bell, 3B, Oregon State
Round 30 – Dexter Price, RHP, South Carolina-Beaufort
Day 3 will include Rounds 31-50. We will recap Day 3 when it is completed. More info coming soon …
MLB Draft – D-backs Rounds 11 through 15
Here are the D-backs picks in the 2011 MLB Draft, Rounds 11-15, with as much info as we can muster …
Round 11 – Will Locante, LHP, Cumberland Univ./Memphis, TN
Was 8-2 with a 2.11 ERA, completing eight games, including a pair of shutouts for the Bulldogs … Is Cumberland’s highest draft choice since 2006 … Fanned 118 batters in 89 innings of work, and allowed just a .179 batting average … Was named an NAIA Second-Team All-American in 2011 … Pitched for the University of Tennessee for two seasons, going 3-1 with a 6.43 ERA in 24 games … A two-time All-State selection while playing at Briarcrest Christian, and a Louisville Slugger First-Team High School All-American … Participated in 2007 Worth Showcase … Also wrestled in high school … Member of National Honor Society and Latin National Honor Society.
Round 12 – Joshua Parr, SS, Illinois/Chillicothe, IL
Hit .302 in 51 games for the Fighting Illini, with 11 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 36 RBIs, plus stole 17 of 19 bases … Named third team All-Big Ten as a sophomore … Played for the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League during the summer of 2010, earning mid-season and post-season All-Star honors while posting a .307 batting average … Was a two-time All-State honoree while at Illinois Valley Central … Both parents played and his twin brothers are playing sports in college.
Round 13 – John Pedrotty, LHP, Holy Cross/Portsmouth, NH
Moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for the Crusaders this past spring, posting a 7-2 mark with a 4.67 ERA … struck out 56 batters in 60 1/3 innings pitched … Also played in the outfield and first base during his freshman and sophomore seasons … Was named All-Division in his junior and senior seasons at Portsmouth HS, and was the Division I MVP in 2008 … Also played varsity football for three seasons.
Round 14 – Cody Geyer, RHP, Walters State CC/Weaverville, NC
Pitched just 15 innings for Walters State this past spring, striking out 16 batters, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in the process … Hit .336 with seven home runs and 49 RBIs at the plate … Owns the North Carolina state career scholastic home run record … Named First-team All-State and earned a conference Player of the Year nod … Also earned Rawlings Top 200 All-American honors.
Round 15 – Steven Rodriguez, C, UCLA/Lomita, CA
Hit .215 during his career at UCLA, making 46 starts (playing 48 games) behind the plate … caught fellow D-back draftee Trevor Bauer … Selected and played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, helping Team USA win the silver medal at the 2010 FISU World University Baseball Games … Was team captain for St. John Bosco, and also served as senior class secretary, ranking in the top 25 in his senior class.
The draft, as we type, is in Round 25. We’ll update as soon as possible …
Day 2 picks – Rounds 2 through 5
Here are the Day 2 picks for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rounds 2 through 5:
Round 2 – Anthony Meo, RHP, Coastal Carolina/Cranston, RI
Meo is projected to be a reliever at the next level, although he has spent most of his college career as a starter … Was 10-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 16 starts for the Chanticleers this past spring, striking out 115 batters in 108 1/3 innings pitched … Earned a nod on the Preseason All-America list and was also among the National Player of the Year candidates … Posted a 2-1 record with Bourne of the Cape Cod League, with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP … Had 32 wins for Coastal Carolina (32-7), with a 2.52 career ERA … Was a two-time All-State selection while at Cranston West HS, winning back-to-back state titles in the process.
Round 3 – Justin Bianco, CF, Peters Township HS, PA
Had a stellar senior season for the Indians, hitting .583, with 22 runs, two home runs, 29 RBIs, and an 1.497 OPS … Hit .406 with 22 runs scored, 10 RBIs and a 1.008 OPS as a junior… Played a variety of positions this past spring, but will likely be an outfielder at the professional level … Judged to have the “Best Speed” among Pennsylvania draft prospects by Perfect Game USA … Named to the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association Class AAAA All-Star team.
YouTube Video:
Round 4 – Evan Marshall, RHP, Kansas State/Sunnyvale, CA – 6-2, 205 – R/R – 4/18/90
Posted a 5-5 mark with one save and a team-best 1.62 ERA in 30 relief appearances this past spring for the Wildcats … Struck out 51 in 65 innings pitched, and held opponents to a .218 batting average … Spent most of his collegiate career as a reliever, and is projected as a reliever in the professional baseball ranks … Had 78 career relief appearances … Four-year letterman for Homestead, named team MVP all four years, and was an All-Central Coast Section pick as a junior … Named to the 2008 Preseason Louisville Slugger High School All-American list .. Majoring in Business Administration, but will get into Sports Management following graduation.
Round 5 – Michael Perez, RHP, ColegioVocacional Para Adultos, PR – 5-11, 180 – L/R – 8/7/92
No information available at the moment. We will see what we can find …
Next full update – Rounds 6 through 15, with picks being posted as soon as possible.
Chafin is 43rd pick of draft, goes to D-backs
The final pick of the night for the D-backs came in Compensation Round A, where they chose Kent State left-handed pitcher Andrew Chafin with the 43rd overall selection.
Chafin, who is a draft-eligible redshirt sophomore, pitched the Golden Flashes to a NCAA Austin Regional win over host and national #7 seed Texas. Chafin was 8-1 with a 2.02 ERA this spring for the Golden Flashes, with 105 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched, and was 12-2 in his career at Kent State, with eight saves, a 1.80 ERA and 160 Ks in 124 2/3 innings pitched.
And … video of Chafin, an interview done during the MAC Tournament at the end of May.
The draft resumes on Tuesday at 10 a.m., and we will be following along here on Bird Droppings throughout the day.
Time to find out who it will be
We’re just two weeks away from Osprey baseball. The Osprey will play at Helena in their season opener on June 20, as they face off with the defending Pioneer League champion Brewers. It’s on the air at 6:40, with the first pitch at 7:05, on AM 930, KMPT, and MissoulaOsprey.com.
And were 16 days away from the Home Opener, also with the Brewers. Get your tickets now at the MSO Hub Box Office at 140 N. Higgins or online at MissoulaOsprey.com.
– Read here for more on the three former Osprey selected to play in the Midwest League All-Star game in two weeks.
– The 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft begins tonight at the MLB Network Studios, with the First Round and Compensation Round A taking place in the first of what will be a three-day event. Rounds 2-30 will happen on Tuesday, and the final rounds, 31-50, will be held on Wednesday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will have the No. 3, No. 7 and No. 43 picks in the draft, and there has been a lot of debate as to where the D-backs will go with those picks. The top two picks also seem to change with the breeze, so who will even be available when the D-backs make their first pick is up in the air.
We will be posting each pick (and what info we can gather about each pick) as soon as possible all three days. More than likely, the picks on Tuesday and Wednesday will be posted in groups of several at a time, since the rounds will begin to tick by as fast as fish try to swim away from Ollie. The key word there is try.
-While the D-backs lost on Sunday, the team has put together an amazing 60 games so far this season, anchored by a pair of former Osprey in the lineup and one on the mound:
*Miguel Montero (2002-03) is hitting .271 with 14 doubles, six homers, 27 RBI and an .807 OPS.
*Gerardo Parra (2006) has been solid with the glove, plus is batting .267, with five doubles, a triple, four home runs and 16 RBIs.
*Right-handed reliever Esmerling Vasquez (2004) has an 0-1 mark with a 3.63 ERA, walking just nine while striking out 18 in 22 1/3 innings pitched. Vasquez was ejected during yesterday’s festivities after hitting a Washington batter with a pitch. This followed Justin Upton getting hit for the fourth time in the series (and the Nationals’ Jason Marquis getting the heave-ho), which was proceeded by Washington’s Jayson Werth getting plunked by a pitch, and warnings going to both sides. And here we thought the next potential bout of testiness would be between Florida and San Francisco.
– Goldy Watch: On Sunday, Paul Goldschmidt (2009) went 2-for-3 with an intentional walk and a strikeout. Goldy’s now hitting .341 for the season, with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs.
– Former Osprey pitcher Greg Smith (2005) is making the best of his opportunity with the Grand Prairie Air Hogs of the American Association (Independent). In five starts, the left-hander is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA. Smith, who is a Louisiana native, signed with the Air Hogs after being released by the Colorado Rockies in April.
– Former Osprey infielder-turned-utilityman Emilio Bonifacio (2003) has become very valuable to the Florida Marlins these days. In fact, Bonni is getting an extended time starting at shortstop with Hanley Ramirez nursing a back problem. Of course, there is still work to be done.
Minor League Update:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces lost a slim lead late, and fell to Salt Lake City on Sunday, 3-2. Daniel Stange (2006) pitched a scoreless ninth inning, but the Aces were unable to rally late.
– Double-A Mobile: Jarrod Parker (2007) and Bryan Henry (2007) combined to allow four hits while striking out 10 batters in seven innings of work to help the BayBears’ pitching collect their second straight shutout, a 4-0 blanking of Huntsville on Sunday. Parker fanned six batters in his five innings of work, while Henry added four punch-outs in two innings pitched. Jake Elmore (2008) had a double and 2 RBI from the leadoff spot, plus scored a run for Mobile, who has won seven straight games to take sole possession of first place in the Southern League’s Southern Division. The BayBears have outscored the Stars, 9-0, in the first two games of their 5-game series.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: One night after being rained out, the Rawhide were two-hit by Modesto, falling 5-0 on Sunday. Trevor Harden (2008) allowed all five runs on four hits and a walk in seven innings of work, including two home runs, and struck out seven batters. Christian Beltre and Yonata Ortega, 2007 Osprey teammates, both pitched a scoreless inning of relief behind Harden.
– Class A South Bend: Patrick Schuster (2009-10) allowed just a run on four hits in seven innings of work, while South Bend had a pair of four-run uprisings late in the game to beat Quad Cities on Sunday, 9-1. The Silver Hawks scored four times in both the sixth and eighth innings to take the win. Schuster walked one and fanned four to help lower his ERA to 3.14 for the season, while picking up his fifth win in seven decisions. Ender Inciarte (2009) doubled, Roberto Rodriguez (2010) singled, walked twice, drove in a run and stole a base; Matt Helm (2009-10) singled, scored twice and drove in a run, and Raul Navarro (2010) added a base hit and two RBIs.
– DSL D-backs: Did not play on Sunday. In four games so far this season, former Osprey outfielder Alan Santiago (2009) is 4-for-12 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs.
Today’s Games and former Osprey Probables:
AAA Reno (34-24) vs. Salt Lake City
AA Mobile (33-24) vs. Huntsville
A Adv. Visalia (25-31) vs. Modesto
A South Bend (30-27) has an off-day on Monday
DSL D-backs (2-4) at DSL Padres
Back in the saddle …
Welcome to Osprey Ticket Day! The first hour here at the MSO Hub has been exciting, with many fans coming in and enjoying the sunny day in Missoula to get their tickets for Opening Day and throughout the rest of the season. And, of course, that season is days away now – 18 from the Home Opener, 16 from the season opener.
– First, a shout-out to three former Osprey who have earned a spot in the Midwest League All-Star Game. Pitcher David Holmberg, infielder Matt Helm, and outfielder Ender Inciarte were named to the squad on Friday. More coming on this in a story next week on MissoulaOsprey.com.
Speaking of Holmberg, he threw a two-hit shutout in celebration on Friday night.
Roster Moves (or, in the words of Rube Baker, Rooster Moves …):
– Bad news for Charles Brewer, who has found his way onto the disabled list in a pair of abnormal ways this season. While trying to avoid a foul ball in the season opener at Charlotte, the Mobile right-hander, and 2009 former Osprey, bumped his head on the roof of the dugout. Several days later, Brewer developed concussion symptoms and was placed on the DL. Two days ago, during a start for the BayBears, Brewer could not get his hand out of the way of a liner fast enough, and the right (pitching) hand injury has landed him back on the DL.
– Taylor Sinclair (2008), while having a good stinit at Mobile, has been sent back down to Class A Advanced Visalia to help shore up their bullpen. Sinclair had his struggles as a starter, but is beginning to get comfortable coming out of the ‘pen, if the numbers indicate anything. While his ERA was north of 5.00 at times last season in a starter’s role, Sinclair is 2-0 with two saves and a 2.60 ERA in 19 minor-league appearances this season, plus has 36 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings pitched.
– Andrea Pizziconi (2010) has been traded in a minor-league deal to Kansas City. He was placed on the Idaho Falls roster, which is of course pending final assignments in a few days.
– Roidany Aguila (2009-10) has been sent back to Extended Spring Training after filling in for a few days at Class A Advanced Visalia. Aguila was 1-for-4 in his only appearance with the Rawhide, in a May 29 game at Bakersfield.
– Oh, the debate continues on whether or not catchers should block the plate on a play at the plate. D-backs manager Kirk Gibson offers his opinion. Also in this entry, Nick Piecoro offers a different take on who the D-backs are looking at in the first round of the MLB Draft on Monday.
– More good Piecoro pens on the draft and former Osprey. It’ll help all of us catch up over the past couple of days. And we used a good chunk of information from not only Piecoro, but from MLB.com D-backs insider Steve Gilbert, as well as mock drafts from a number of folks in writing our draft preview.
Oh … Goldy Watch: Now leading MiLB in home runs – you guessed it, Paul Goldschmidt!! The 2009 Opsprey alum went 3-for-5 last night, plus was given the Bonds, er, Goldy Treatment (intentionally walked) in a key spot last night in Mobile’s 11-5 win over Mississippi.
Back to the usual fare, and some added stuff, soon. We’ll share what we will do with draft coverage on Monday’s entry.
Just days away …
We’re 19 days away from the season opener, 21 days from the home opener, and three days before Osprey Ticket Day.
– The D-backs had their seven-game winning streak snapped by the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.
– Nice start from Jarrod Parker (2007) on Tuesday, his best of the season, in fact, in a close win for Mobile.
– Goldy Watch: A quiet night for Paul Goldschmidt (2009), 0-for-2 plus a walk and a run scored. The average now sits at .330, with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs. More on the game is below in the Minor League Recap.
– Robby Rowland (2010) reported to his friends that he has made his final Extended Spring Training start over the weekend. Rowland also did not give any indication where he may be headed to begin his 2011 season, although wherever that is, he may end up getting the ball on Opening Day.
– Tony Barnette (2006) is having a solid start to the season for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Japan Central League. Barnette has made 12 appearances out of the bullpen, going 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA, with 18 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched while allowing just one and a quarter baserunners per 9 innings pitched.
Minor League Update
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces somehow managed to pull out an 11-10 win over Tacoma on Tuesday. Kyle Greene (2008) is still looking for his first Triple-A hit after posting an 0-for-5 line in the contest. He is currently 0-for-7 with a walk in two games played – and a pitching appearance.
– Double-A Mobile: In the 2-1 win over Mississippi, Taylor Harbin (2007) drove in a run for the BayBears, while Ollie Linton (2008) also singled for Mobile in the triumph.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Chris Owings (2009) had two hits, while both Bobby Borchering (2009) and David Nick (2009) added a baseknock, but it was not enough for the Rawhide to take down Bakersfield, as the Blaze picked up a 4-3 win. Victor Capellan (2009) pitched an inning of shutout relief, striking out a pair of batters.
– Class A South Bend: Patrick Schuster combined with two relievers on a four-hitter, as the South Bend Silver Hawks jumped out to an early lead and cruised to an 8-0 win over Cedar Rapids on Tuesday. Schuster (2009-10) allowed three hits and three walks, but fanned four batters over six innings of work, lowering his ERA to 3.36 in the process. Ramon Castillo (2009) hit a two-run home run, Ender Inciarte (2009) had two hits and two runs scored, plus an RBI, while Matt Helm (2009-10) added two hits and a run scored for South Bend. Raul Navarro (2010) also chipped in with a hit and a run scored, while Eury De La Rosa (2009) pitched two innings of one-hit, one-strikeout relief.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (32-22) beat Tacoma, 3-0, thanks to three former Osprey closing out a three-hitter.
AA Mobile (28-24) at Mississippi
A Adv. Visalia (23-29) at San Jose – Mike Belfiore will get the start tonight for the Rawhide.
A South Bend (27-25) vs. Cedar Rapids – Bradin Hagens (2009) gets the call tonight for the Hawks.
Goodbye to May …
Your numbers today are 20 (days until season opener), 22 (days until home opener) and 4 (days until Ticket Day).
– Off the top – more on Jeff Shields’ perfect day on Monday, as he retired all 15 batters he faced for South Bend in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
– Roster moves: The D-backs placed Josh Ellis on the 7-day disabled list in Reno. No word as to what the injury is. The move was made on Monday. It’s not the first time that Ellis has been on the DL this season, having just returned from the DL on May 20, then last pitched (in his only appearance for the Reno Aces) on May 24.
– Miguel Montero (2002-03) had a big day, while Gerardo Parra (2006) homered in the D-backs’ big win over Florida. It also wasn’t a bad day for former Osprey Emilio Bonifacio (2003), who played short on Monday in place of the banged-up Hanley Ramirez.
– Goldy Watch: How about a single, triple a run scored and two RBIs for Paul Goldschmidt in a 14-0 romp of Mississippi on Monday? No home run, but a three-bagger.
– Leave it for Rotoworld to put any Lyle Overbay trade rumors to rest … it may be a career-long streak of non-multi-RBI games, though, for the man who drove in 101 runs in 75 Pioneer League games for the Osprey in 1999.
Minor League Update
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces were roughed up by Sacramento on Monday, 16-5. It was not pretty for any of the former Osprey on the bump, as Daniel Stange (2006), Jordan Norberto (2006) – who hasn’t pitched well since coming off of the DL – and Bryan Shaw (2008) all were touched up with multiple-runs. The only former Osprey who pitched who did not give up a run – former Osprey infielder Kyle Greene (2008), who retired the only batter he faced.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears scored nine times in the top of the eighth inning and cruised to a 14-0 win at Mississippi on Monday. Ollie Linton (2008) had two hits and two RBIs, while Jake Elmore (2008) singled, drew a walk, scored twice and drove in a run. Taylor Sinclair (2008) pitched an inning of scoreless relief to lower his ERA to 1.80.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: A pair of teammates from the 2009 Osprey – David Nick and Bobby Borchering – had big days in a 9-7 Rawhide win over Bakersfield on Monday. Nick doubled, homered and scored three times, while Borchering doubled and drove in a run. Chris Owings (run) and Keon Broxton (stolen base), also members of the 2009 Northern Division Series winners, added a hit each, while 2010 Osprey alum Adam Eaton had a hit, scored twice, drove in a run and stole a pair of bases. Trevor Harden (2008) was roughed up in his start, but the bullpen held it down enough, and Adam Worthington – alas, also from that 2009 squad – pitched the ninth and picked up his first save of the season.
– Class A South Bend: The Silver Hawks swept the twinbill from Dayton on Monday, winning the second game in eight innings, 5-4. Ramon Castillo (2009) singled, doubled and drove in a run, Ender Inciarte (2009) walked twice, singled and scored twice, and Roberto Rodriguez, who was a teammate of Shields in Missoula last season, added a base hit. In Game 2, Keith Cantwell (2009) and Jeremy Erben (2010) combined for 3 1/3 shutout innings to give the Hawks a chance, which they were able to take advantage of, as Inciarte had two hits and two runs scored, including the game-winner. Rodriguez also had a hit in the nightcap for the Hawks.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (30-22) at Tacoma
AA Mobile (27-24) at Mississippi – Jarrod Parker (2007) will get the start for the BayBears.
A Adv. Visalia (23-28) at Bakersfield
A South Bend (26-25) vs. Cedar Rapids – Patrick Schuster (2009-10) gets the call tonight for the Hawks.
Break up AZ in a big way …
OK Osprey fans – we’re just 23 days away from the home opener, 21 days before the 2011 season opens, and a week away from the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft … where probably at least half of the 2011 Osprey will begin their professional baseball journeys.
– It’s Monday, and the Memorial Day weekend is just about a done deal … we’re two days away from the Grand Opening of the MSO Hub.
– Off the top – South Bend is playing two again today, and Jeff Shields (2010) flirted with a no-hitter. Shields, in fact, did not allow a hit in his five innings of work, and struck out three in his best start of the season. Daniel Taylor pitched the seventh inning and picked up his second save of the season in the 4-1 Silver Hawks win over Dayton.
– Break up the Arizona Diamondbacks!! The D-backs have won 14 of 16 games, and are moving up the NL West standings, all the way to the top. Following their 4-2 win at Houston on Sunday, the D-backs jumped ahead of the San Francisco Giants atop the NL West Standings. Former Osprey outfielder Gerardo Parra (2006) had a pair of hits during the sweep in Houston, including a three-run homer in Saturday’s win, and has his average at .262, while catcher Miguel Montero (2002-03) has hit .342 in his last 10 games, and that has raised his batting average to .277 for the season.
– Good piece on the second-chance story of former Osprey infielder Sergio Santos (2002), who has eight saves in nine tries this season as the unofficial Chicago White Sox closer.
– Goldy Watch (yes, it’s back on a permanent basis): Over the weekend, Paul Goldschmidt (2009) had a walk-off single, and his 17th home run of the season on Saturday, and 1-for-4 on Sunday in the 3-2 loss to Jackson. Numbers: .331 batting average, 17 home runs (2nd in the minors) and 46 RBIs.
– The Osprey, or should we say Ollie Osprey, just broke the single game attendance record number with Ollie’s friend total. The all-time record for fans at an Osprey home game is 4.076. Jeena Hanley Christopherson is the lucky friend of Ollie’s (#4,077) and wins an Osprey prize package including four tickets to the second game of the season on June 23, free popcorn and soda at the game and four Osprey caps.
Quick version of the Minor League Update (More can be found here):
– Taylor Harbin had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run for the Double-A Mobile BayBears, but 2007 Osprey teammate Bryan Henry lost the game in relief, as Jackson wins, 3-2.
– Triple-A Reno split a pair, losing Game 1 to Sacramento, 5-2, but winning the nightcap, 11-3. Tom Layne (2007) pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the nightcap to get the win.
– Visalia lost a large lead and dropped an 8-7 decision at Bakersfield. Adam Eaton (2010) had two hits and a RBI to pace the offense, while Bobby Borchering (2009) added a home run. Manager Jason Hardtke was ejected in the bottom of the 9th inning, following the ejection of a Rawhide pitcher who wasn’t even in the game.
– A pair of pitchers with the 2010 Osprey – David Holmberg and Blake Cooper – combined to shut out Dayton in a 3-0 win that was Game 1 of a scheduled doubleheader. But, as has been the case too frequently this month, the threat of tornadoes – including the warning sirens going off again – postponed Game 2.
Bird Droppings 