Category: General News
And the first pick of the day …
The D-backs pick another pitcher with their Round 2 choice in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. It’s Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Anthony Meo. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Meo can touch the mid-90s with his fastball, and is projected to be a reliever at the next level. Meo also threw the first-ever no-hitter in Big South Conference Tournament history last month.
We’ll have more on Meo and the rest of the early portion of the Day 2 picks online in a bit …
Day 2 of MLB Draft about to begin
The second day of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft should provide some interesting situations, including whether or not the Arizona Diamondbacks elect to stick to pitching or start looking to fill a couple of depth needs in the organization – catcher and middle infield.
We’ll keep you up to date …
Info on No. 7 pick Archie Bradley
Here’s what we were able to gather on Archie Bradley …
Three-sport star in high school, has signed letter of intent to play football at the University of Oklahoma … Possesses a mid-90s fastball, a plus curveball (knuckle-curve) and what scouts call a “serviceable” changeup … Helped Broken Arrow win the Oklahoma Class 6A state baseball title, beating Owasso and fellow first-round pick Dylan Bundy (No. 4 overall), whom went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the title game … Posted a 12-1 record his senior season, allowing just three earned runs in 71 1/3 innings, striking out 133 while walking just 11.
Trevor Bauer and No. 7 pick
The D-backs go with a high-school pitcher with the No. 7 pick – Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow HS, Oklahoma
The info on Trevor Bauer (from what would be his bio):
In three seasons with UCLA, posted a 34-8 record and a 2.36 ERA, setting school career marks in wins, strikeouts (460) and innings pitched (373.1). Bauer broke the Pac-10 single-season strikeout record this past spring with 203 Ks, and ranks second to Washington grad Tim Lincecum in career strikeouts in Pac-10 history … Also pitched nine straight complete games (10 in all), while leading the nation in Ks … Named Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year, and named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year … Named as one of 30 finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, and one of 25 semifinalists for the College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year … Played for USA Baseball National Team (collegiate) in the summer of 2009, including a win over Guatemala.
D-backs pick a pitcher with No. 3
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected UCLA right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer with the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. More information coming soon …
Hultzen goes to Mariners …
So much for the mock drafts. Virginia lefty Danny Hlutzen goes No. 2 to the Seattle Mariners … and we know with both Matt Davidson and Bobby Borchering coming through the system, the D-backs wouldn’t go to a third baseman, would they?
The draft is underway …
Garrit Cole of UCLA has been selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. A story had leaked out earlier today indicating that Cole was their pick, but the Pirates still took their allotted 5 minutes of time before submitting their pick.
Seattle is now on the clock, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mariners are expected to go with third baseman Anthony Rendon of Rice, while the D-backs … well, we’ll shall see.
Not good news …
Mile High Sports is reporting that former Osprey pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (1999) has a torn ulner colateral ligament in his left elbow. His season is over for 2011.
De La Rosa left today’s game with the Arizona Diamondbacks with what toe Rockies originally called left elbow soreness. It happened during an at-bat with Chris Young, as catcher Chris Ianetta noticed De La Rosa grimacing on the mound and motioned to the dugout. After the trainer looked at him, De La Rosa threw one pitch, after which he grimaced again and was immediately removed from the game.
According to the report, De La Rosa would be back for the 2013 season, and it’s possible that he would return during the second half of the 2012 season.
The deadline approaches …
T-minus 69 days until Opening Night at home, 67 days until the Osprey open their season at Helena, and less than 48 hours to e-file your tax returns. If you’re still doing them on paper, you have an extra three days.
– A reminder, the Osprey will hold a Job Fair on Tuesday, April 19, at the DoubleTree Hotel from 3-8 p.m. There are many day-of-game positions available for the 2011 season at the Job Fair. You will be able to complete applications and have an interview during the event.
-Esmerling Vasquez (2004) is back with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Vasquez pitched an inning and a third of scoreless relief in Wednesday’s 15-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander threw just one inning in Reno, getting a strikeout and not allowing a thing, and is coming off of a strong Spring Training, something which has helped with his confidence.
– Tom Layne, meanwhile, was being groomed as a reliever, but the crafty lefty is suddenly in Reno’s rotation. His performance last night may be enough to allow that to happen. Layne allowed three runs (two earned) in five innings, while scattering five hits and two walks, and struck out five in a win at Colorado Springs. The Aces have now won five in a row after losing their opener.
– Not so good news for former Osprey Matt Helm, who apparently is down with an injury.
– A good win for Double-A Mobile on Wednesday, as they beat Mississippi in their home opener. And, yes, former Osprey had their hands all over the win, although Goldy lost an apparent home run. The BayBears also made a roster move, one which brings former Osprey reliever Josh Ellis down from Reno, where he had yet to make an appearance this season.
– The prices of things all around us may have gone up, but the good news Osprey baseball will once again be very affordable this season. Read more here as studies show that minor league baseball is still a great bargain.
– Here are some ERAs from the Chicago White Sox bullpen – 0.00, 2.84, 7.36, 7.71, 11.25 and 11.57. Can you guess which belongs to former Osprey Sergio Santos and Tony Pena? Well, while White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had his first meltdown of the 2011 season following a six-run, two-inning run by the Oakland A’s that victimized the Pale Hose once again, we discovered the numbers – which are ugly.
Unless your last name is Santos.
Sergio is at it again, and while there have been thoughts of moving him into the closer’s role, this may be the incident that pushes Guillen to follow his gut and do just that. Santos is still pitching in special circumstances – dubbed the “Santos Rules” last season – and so far, he has done well. In five appearances, the 2002 former Osprey infielder-turned-pitcher has pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three walks, while striking out nine batters. And Santos, after Wednesday’s action, had not allowed a run. His 1.04 WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) is second to only Gavin Floyd’s 0.93.
The same is not true of Pena, unfortunately, who is struggling with an 11.25 ERA in the first 12 games this season. There was some consideration to move Pena into the rotation with the absence of Jake Peavy, but he has struggled in his five outings, which include a blown save.
– For people who are ready and can’t wait to watch live baseball, the Missoula Mavericks American Legion squad takes to the field for their first game of the 2011 season on Saturday, when they will host the Great Falls Chargers in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the old Osprey nesting ground, better known as Lindborg-Cregg Field.
Bird Droppings 