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 Colorado Rockies are reporting on their website that left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (1999) was removed in the third inning of today’s game with the Arizona Diamondbacks with left elbow soreness.
De La Rosa was coming off his first complete game in his last start, a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia. We’ll keep you updated as soon as the Rockies release more information.
In this game, the Rockies have erupted offensively – namely, CarGo. Former Osprey outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (2003) hit two massive home runs, and Colorado rolls to a 12-4 win over the D-backs. CarGo finishes with four RBIs and three runs scored in the game.
The count is at 27 days before the season opens in Helena, 29 days before those Brewers come calling in the home opener, and a dozen days before Ticket Day – which is June 4.
– Derek Eitel (2010) worked a perfect game into the sixth, and took a no-hitter into the seventh before settling for a seven-inning, one-hit effort in Visalia’s 14-2 rout of High Desert on Monday.
– The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to keep their win streak going today, when they play a doubleheader at Colorado. They’ll face former Osprey left-hander Jorge De La Rosa (1999) in the opener of the four-game, three-day series at Coors Field. Here’s a preview – note the handle of the blogger.
– One roster move we did not mention in yesterday’s blog – South Bend placed Bobby Stone (2008-10) on the DL on Friday. It turns out to be an injury to his left arm, which occured after Stone threw a runner out at the plate in a game on Thursday. It’s a retroactive move to Thursday, which means Stone could be ready to go as soon as Friday, but it all depends on how his arm responds to treatment.
– Stone has had an, shall we say, eventful time with South Bend over the past couple of years, as it pretains to either getting injured, or somehow avoiding injury. The amazing part of the video below – after making this catch, he stayed in the game. We’ll have to dig the audio up from the interview with him from last summer about this catch and post it on here … but here is the video from the flip at West Michigan last season.
– Staying with the SilverHawks for a moment – the weekend produced a great outing for reliever-turned-starter Bradin Hagens (2009), who picked up a win on Friday and some attention from the MiLB.com folk.
– Goldy Watch: 1-2 with two walks against a top prospect. There’s also more of a look at Eitel’s season here as well, including some numbers which would put a D-backs’ observer at ease when it comes to the R0se-Hulman product’s numbers this season.
– If someone has an update to this list, let us know … because it may be a trivia question on the air this summer.
– Cool little nugget with Daniel Schlereth’s dad, Mark. Schlereth made his professional debut with the Osprey in August, 2008, and has the mark as the fastest-rising former Osprey to make his Major League debut – a span of less than a year.
Minor League Update:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces beat Round Rock on Monday, 9-7. Bryan Shaw (2008) made his Reno debut, allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts. Daniel Stange pitched the ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears were knocked off by Tennessee, 6-5, on Monday. Outside of Goldschmidt (who scored twice in the game), Ollie Linton (2008) had a hit and a run scored, while Taylor Harbin (2007) was 1-for-4 on the night. Taylor Sinclair (2008) made his Double-A debut, and despite allowing two hits and two walks, did not surrender a run and collected a strikeout.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: While Bobby Borchering (2009) was treating High Desert pitching like he was back at Bishop Verot (three doubles, triple, 6 RBIs), Adam Eaton (2010) put together his typical line – 3-for-3, 4 runs, a walk and a hit by pitch. One of those hits was a double, and he also drove in a run. David Nick and Chris Owings (two runs, including a home run), who were teammates with Borchering in Missoula in 2009, had two hits and a RBI each, while Keon Broxton (yes, 2009), had a hit and a run scored. Rossmel Perez (2008) was the lone player not to get a hit in the Rawhide lineup, but he was busy catching Eitel’s run at perfection.
– Class A South Bend: The SilverHawks managed to get some power from an unlikely source – Raywilly Gomez (2009) – in an 8-3 win over Great Lakes on Monday. Gomez – who hit three home runs last season in Yakima – hit a solo shot in the second, while Chris Jarrett (2010) hit one in the sixth to cap off the Hawks’ scoring. Gomez had two hits, as did Jarrett (two runs), and two of Raywilly’s teammates in Missoula in 2009 – Ender Inciarte (two runs) and Matt Helm (three RBIs) . Helm also played in Missoula in 2010, as did Jeff Shields, who went five innings and allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk to pick up the win on the mound. Blake Cooper (2010) pitched a scoreless ninth to close the deal.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (27-18) at Round Rock.
AA Mobile (23-20) has an off-day today, they will be at home on Wednesday.
A Adv. Visalia (21-24) has an off-day today, they will be at home on Wednesday.
A South Bend (21-24) will start a series at home against Lake County, with Patrick Schuster (2009-10) getting the call on the bump.
OK, 30 days before the home opener, 28 days before the season opener and not much longer before the Osprey office will be fully moved into their new location at the new MSO Hub. And after the first sneak peek, it looks awesome.
– Just in case you missed it, the D-backs have won six games in a row. It’s their longest win streak since the 2008 season. If they want to make it seven straight, they will have to get it done against Jorge De La Rosa (1999), Carlos Gonzalez (2003) and the Colorado Rockies. They’ll play two on Tuesday.
– Over the weekend, the D-backs made some moves in the minor leagues involving former Osprey players … one of them was promoting closer Bryan Shaw (2008) to Triple-A Reno, to fill the roster spot for DL’d Jordan Norberto (2006). To take Shaw’s place on the Double-A Mobile roster, left-hander Taylor Sinclair (2008) was promoted from Class A Advanced Visalia. And, in an expected move, right-hander Enrique Burgos (2009) was sent back to Extended Spring Training, as lefty Tyler Green came off of South Bend’s disabled list.
– The Pittsburgh Pirates also made a move over the weekend involving a former Osprey … infielder Pedro Ciriaco (2005) is back with the club, as third-baseman Pedro Alvarez was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Ciriaco’s promotion is a bit of a surprise, since he was only hitting .190 in 36 games with Triple-A Indianapolis, but the Pirates, at the moment, may need his versatility more than anything, since he can play any position other than pitcher or catcher.
– Speaking of the Pirates, more on Lyle Overbay’s season to date is here, and let’s hope that he has found that part of his swing that didn’t come north from Florida with the rest of him after Spring Training ended.
– Former Osprey catcher JD Closser (1999) went 2-for-8 in two games for the Albuquerque Isotopes (LA DOdgers) in their recent four-game series with Reno. Closser hit a two-run homer in Friday’s game, then added a single on Saturday. Closser is hitting .292 for the season, with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
Minor League Update:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces dropped a 3-1 decision on Sunday at Albuquerque. Tom Layne (2007) pitched an inning, and allowed a run on two hits for the Aces.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday, a 4-2 setback to the Tennessee Smokies. Charles Brewer (2009) allowed just a run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched, but the bullpen could not hold a slim 2-1 lead. Clay Zavada (2006) also allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning. At the plate, both Ollie Linton (2008) and Goldschmidt had a base hit apiece, while Taylor Harbin (2007) went 0-for-2 with two walks.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Well, Eric Smith (2009) had one of his better starts working, until the sixth inning. That’s when the High Desert Mavericks managed to get to Smith, scoring seven runs off of the right-hander in a 9-4 Rawhide setback on Sunday. Bobby Borchering (2009) had two hits and a RBI, Adam Eaton (2010) had a double and two RBIs, Chris Owings (2009) doubled, stole a base and scored twice, while Keon Broxton (2009) also had a hit and a steal. David Nick (2009) added a base hit and a run scored for the Rawhide.
– Class A South Bend: David Holmberg (2010) struggled in his start, but it enabled Keith Cantwell (2009) to pick up his first win as a SilverHawk, as South Bend outscored Great Lakes, 10-7, on Sunday. Cantwell scattered four hits while allowing a run and collecting a pair of strikeouts in the win. Matt Helm (2009-10) had two hits and three RBIs, while Ramon Castillo (2009) collected a hit and two RBIs. Roberto Rodriguez (2010) chipped in with a double and two runs scored.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (26-18) at Round Rock.
AA Mobile (23-19) at Tennessee.
A Adv. Visalia (20-24) is currently playing (as of 2 p.m.) against High Desert. Derek Eitel (2010) gets the start for the Rawhide.
A South Bend (20-24) at Great Lakes – Jeff Shields (2010) gets the call for the Hawks
T-minus 33 days before the home opener, 31 days (yikes, a month!!) before the season opens in Helena, and 15 days before Ticket Day.
– The first day for fans to buy Osprey individual game tickets is indeed June 4. Read this for the details!
– Not-so-good news from Arizona Republic writer/blogger Nick Piecoro:
“High-A RHP Chase Anderson underwent an MRI that did not reveal structural damage on his injured right elbow, according to farm director Mike Bell. But Anderson is looking at a mostly lost season. He probably won’t be back until late July at the earliest.”
– It’s easy to see why, after his breakout season, Carlos Gonzalez (2003) became a media darling in his native Venezuela, and is becoming quite a spokesperson here in the States. And, as usual, we provide video evidence. So, here’s CarGo taking over the screen in a Colorado Rockies promo.
– This weekend, Interleague Play begins in Major League Baseball (the D-backs catch a break and play a slumping Minnesota Twins squad just as the Snakes are playing some of their best baseball of the season), and Sergio Santos gets a chance to pitch against his favorite team growing up – the Dodgers.
– Fridays are usually video days – and two would be a rarity, but it is a rare day – and with craziness abouding at the moment (pre-season activities, moving the offices to the new MSO Hub, Ollie stealing tuna from the fridge, etc.), the headline seemed appropriate. As now does this video, which is the original TV commercial from the original “Freaky Friday” movie back in 1976. None of that high-tech stuff here – although the car-splitting is pretty darn unique. (Also have to love public domain material …)
With that, let’s rock back to the info and roll into the Minor League Recap:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces lost in walk-off fashion to the Aubuquerque Isotopes, 3-2. Daniel Stange (2006) pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a hit and a walk while collecting a strikeout.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears lost at Tennessee, 9-7, on Thursday. Of the quintet of Osprey position players (who all appeared in the contest), four had at least one hit – Jake Elmore (2008) singled, Paul Goldschmidt (2009) doubled, walked, drove in a run and scored twice; Ollie Linton (2008) had two hits, including a triple, and a RBI, while Taylor Harbin (2007) collected two hits and two RBIs. Clay Zavada (2006) scattered two hits in his inning of work, but did not allow a run.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: The Rawhide lost a tough, 3-2, 10-inning decision to Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. Trevor Harden (2008) pitched eight quality innings, allowing five hits and a walk while surrendering just one run and collecting five strikeouts. However, Yonata Ortega (2007) could not shut the door in the ninth, allowing an unearned run, and Christian Beltre (2007) could not wiggle out of a tight spot in the bottom of the 10th – walking a batter intentionally, then surrendering a single to end the game. Bobby Borchering (2009) snapped a 1-1 tie in the 9th inning with a solo home run, and had three hits on the night, as he continues to shake out of a season-opening slump.
– Class A South Bend: The SilverHawks used three former Osprey pitchers to pick up a 5-2 win over Lansing on Thursday. Patrick Schuster (2009-10) pitched six-plus innings, scattering seven hits and a walk, and settled down nicely after allowing two early runs, plus struck out eight batters. Eury De La Rosa (2009) and Blake Cooper (2010) combined for 2 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, with Cooper picking up the save. Ender Inciarte (2009) had two hits and two runs scored, while 2010 teammates Raul Navarro (two runs scored) and Robert Rodriguez (double) also had base hits.
Today’s Games (and Osprey probables): AAA Reno (25-16) at Albuquerque.
AA Mobile (23-16) at Tennessee – Jarrod Parker (2007) will get the start tonight for the BayBears.
A Adv. Visalia (19-22) at Rancho Cucamonga
A South Bend (18-23) at Great Lakes – Bradin Hagens (2009) gets the call tonight for the Hawks.
So we’re drawing close – 34 days before the home opener, 32 days before the season gets underway, and 20 days before the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
– Bobby Borchering (2009) had a big day at the plate to support Major League pitcher Zach Duke – who was in Visalia on a rehab assignment – in a rout of Rancho Cucamonga. More on this one in the Minor League recap below.
– While Miguel Montero (2002-03) has been solid most of the season at the plate for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gerardo Parra continues to get better. Both had a huge hand in a win on Tuesday for the D-backs. Parra drove in a pair of runs in the victory, but it was Montero’s RBI double that snapped a 1-1 tie in a 6-1 win.
– Speaking of Parra (2006), with the two hits he collected in the D-backs’ 5-4, 11-inning win over Atlanta on Wednesday, he’s now hitting .264 (which is below his .275 career BA) with a pair of home runs and 10 RBIs. While some may yearn for more on the power side, Parra’s defense makes up for it, as he has turned into a very good outfielder. Of course, when we can, we provide video evidence.
– Reading this blog entry could make one feel bad for former Osprey Carlos Gonzalez (2003) and Jorge De La Rosa (1999-2000). De La Rosa ended up getting locked into a pitcher’s duel with Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels last night, but the Phillies ended up with the win. It was by far the best pitching performance not only of the season for the lefty, but in his career against the Phillies.
– If you’ve been wondering about Greg Smith (2005), and can’t find him on the Colorado Springs SkySox roster – there is a reason. The Rockies released Smith after Spring Training, and he ended up signing with the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association. In two starts, the lefty, who was the 2005 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year, is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, including a complete-game shutout in his latest outing.
Minor League Recap:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces had an off-day on Wednesday, as they prepared for a road trip that begins in Albuquereue and continues to Round Rock.
– Double-A Mobile: Deuces were running wild for Paul Goldschmidt (2009) on Wednesday, with two singles, two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 4-for-6 game as Mobile routed Carolina, 16-6. Ollie Linton (2008) singled, walked and scored three times, while Kyle Greene (2008) doubled, drove in a run and also scored thrice.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: In the 10-2 win over Ranch Cucamonga, Adam Eaton (2010) had a huge day – hitting a home run, triple, two singles, scored three times and drove in a pair of runs. Eaton’s now second in the Cal League in hitting (.395) and leads in on-base percentage (.500). Derek Eitel (2010), who was scheduled to make the start before the D-backs decided to place Duke there for the rehab assignment, pitched two innings and allowed a run on four hits, with two strikeouts. Taylor Sinclair (2008) and Yonata Ortega (2007) each pitched an inning of scoreless relief. David Nick (2009) added two hits and two runs scored, while Keon Broxton (2009) chipped in with a hit and a run.
– Class A South Bend: The SilverHawks fell to Lansing, 5-3, on Wednesday. It was a good day for former Osprey pitchers – Jeff Shields (2010) had an effective start, with five innings pitched and three runs allowed, followed by two shutout innings of work by Daniel Taylor (2010), and Keith Cantwell (2009) added a shutout inning as well. At the plate, though, the lone former Osprey to get a hit was Roberto Rodriguez (2010), who came into the game after Bobby Stone was apparently injured during his first at-bat. No word on what the injury was, or how long, or if, it will keep him out of action.
Today’s Games (and Osprey probables): AAA Reno (25-15) at Albuquerque.
AA Mobile (23-15) at Tennessee.
A Adv. Visalia (19-21) at Rancho Cucamonga – Trevor Harden (2008) will get the start for the Rawhide.
A South Bend (17-23) vs. Lansing – Patrick Schuster (2009-10) gets the call for the Hawks tonight.
Today’s countdown numbers are – 35, 33 and 43:
– 35 days before the Osprey home opener
– 33 days before the Osprey open the season at Helena
– 43 fans before Ollie ties the single-game attendance record on Facebook … and the 4,077th fan gets some cool stuff. What, you ask?? The 4,077th person to become Ollie’s friend on Facebook will win 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. Tell your friends!
-Emilio Bonifacio (2003) hit a line drive off of Washington right-handed reliever Todd Coffey, this after Coffey dashed into the game on Sunday. Bonifacio reached safely on the play, and Coffey did not suffer any major injury to his pitching elbow, near where the ball made impact. He’s also making an impact at the plate, hitting .288 in 35 games with five doubles, two triples, a home run, six RBIs and two stolen bases, while playing a number of different positions this season.
– Bryan Augenstein (2007) continues to recover from a severe groin injury suffered last month in a game at Arizona. The St. Louis Cardinals have moved Auggie to the 60-day DL, and it also appears as if the right-hander will head to Triple-A Memphis to pitch once he is ready.
– Another former Osprey infielder on a similar path to Santos is former infielder-turned-pitcher Jerry Gil (2000). Gil is coming off of a solid outing for the Triple-A Louisville, and has an 0-3 mark with three saves and a 3.45 ERA in 14 games this season for Cincinnati’s top affiliate. Pitching 15 2/3 innings, Gil has allowed 16 hits and eight walks – which translates to a 1.54 WHIP, which for a closer can cause fans and coaches to be a little nervous in the ninth inning – but also has fanned 16 batters. Gil shares the closer duties, and it will be interesting to see what develops with him in the next season or two, especially now that he is apparently recovered from Tommy John surgery.
– Of course, the 2011 MLB First-Year Player draft is drawing near, and while there have been plenty of talk about who the Arizona D-backs will take with the Nos. 3 and 7 picks, there’s also the possibility that at least one Montana player will be taken in the draft. High on that potential list is a Missoula native, Ben Roberts, who was showcasing his skills at a pre-draft camp on Monday.
Minor League Recap:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces took down the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday, 11-5. Tom Layne (2007) allowed two hits and a walk but did not allow a run in two innings of relief.
– Double-A Mobile: Charles Brewer (5 IP) and Bryan Henry (3 IP) combined for eight shutout innings as the BayBears beat Carolina, 5-0, on Tuesday. Brewer (2009) scattered four hits and a walk, while striking out a season-high seven batters, while Henry (2007) allowed just a hit and a walk while collecting a strikeout. Brewer also went 1-for-2 at the plate and scored a run. Taylor Harbin (2007) had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in a run, while Jake Elmore (2008) added a hit and a run scored. Paul Goldschmidt (2009) added a sacrifice fly.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Another tough outing for Eric Smith (2009), as he suffered the loss in a 4-1 decision to Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday. Smith allowed all four runs (three earned) on eight hits and five walks, and struck out five while lowering his ERA to 10.10. Diogenes Rosario and Adam Worthington, teammates with Smith on the 2009 Osprey, threw three innings of one-hit relief behind him. Unfortunately, the Rawhide offense could not get going as they were held to four hits. David Nick (2009) and Rossmel Perez (2008) each had a base hit for Visalia.
– Class A South Bend: The SilverHawks felt right at home, and used a six-run second, plus the solid pitching of David Holmberg (2010) to take down a 7-2 win over Lansing on Tuesday. Holmberg went seven innings and did not allow an earned run while striking out three batters. Jeremy Erben (2010) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to wrap up the win. Raywilly Gomez (2009) and Raul Navarro (2010) each had two hits, Ender Inciarte (2009) added a hit and a RBI, while Matt Helm added a single to the Hawks’ attack at the plate.
Today’s Games (and Osprey probables): AAA Reno (25-15) has an off-day on today before beginning a four-game series at Albuquerque on Thursday.
AA Mobile (22-15) vs. Carolina – Game begins early … Gotta love the 11:35 a.m. (10:35 a.m. MT) start time.
A Adv. Visalia (18-21) at Rancho Cucamonga – Derek Eitel (2010) will get the call tonight for the Rawhide.
A South Bend (17-22) vs. Lansing – Jeff Shields (2010) got the start for the Hawks, with the game already underway. Lansing is up, 2-0, entering the top of the fourth inning.
We begin with a question … who has a better walk-to-strikeout ratio, Adam Eaton or Paul Goldschmidt? The answer is coming real quick, but before we spill the beans … 36 days before the home opener, 34 days before the season opener, and just a few days before more baseball hits the Ogren Park Allegiance Field turf again, with the Missoula Mavericks’ Memorial Day Tournament.
– With the scuttlebut about Goldy getting a strong look to move up the D-backs’ Organization Ladder, another player who has also hit his way into consideration of a promotion is Adam Eaton (2010), who is putting up a different kind of eye-popping numbers for Class A Advanced Visalia. Power numbers get a little out of whack in the Cal League, but Eaton will not be confused for Goldschmidt anytime soon.
Instead, Eaton is putting up on-base numbers (.488 through Sunday) close to what he did a season ago in Missoula, when he racked up a pair of team records with a .385 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage. Entering Monday’s action, Eaton’s .379 mark is 5th-best in the Cal League, while he is also in the Top 10 in the league in on-base (second) and stolen bases (13, which is 7th in the league). While he won’t be a power hitter (eight doubles, one triple, two home runs), the one small red flag is his strikeout total – he has 22, compared to 18 walks in 103 at-bats.
And to answer the question – Goldschmidt has more walks than strikeouts (30 to 26), thus the better BB-to-K ratio.
– One surprise – no DL for Blake Cooper (2010), at least for the moment. Apparently, he suffered no immediate ill-effects from the liner he took off of his forehead on Sunday while pitching for South Bend at Bowling Green. However, the D-backs will keep an eye on Cooper, as symptoms could arrive later. A similar episode (with a concrete wall, not a line drive) took place in Charles Brewer’s case before he went on the DL, several days following the initial trauma. And with the off-day for South Bend on Monday, the D-backs may make a move today instead.
-Scott Hairston (2001) has been relegated to spot-starting and pinch-hitting duty for the New York Mets since the return of two outfielders from the disabled list. So far, in 29 games, Hairston has just 45 at-bats, and is hitting .200 with a home run and five runs batted in.
– JD Closser (1999), who holds a rare Osprey mark, is putting together a decent season for Triple-A Albuquerque. The former Missoula backstop, who is also playing some first base for the Isotopes, is hitting .295 with two home runs (including one last night) and 15 RBIs. Oh, Closser’s mark – he is one of two former Osprey to have at least four hit streaks of seven games or more. The other player, Bobby Stone, needed three seasons to do it, while Closser collected all four of his in the 1999 season.
Minor League Update:
-Triple-A Reno:The Aces lost to the Iowa Cubs, 9-6, on Monday. Jordan Norberto (2006) pitched to one batter, allowed a hit, and was replaced. Unfortunately, it may involve an injury.
– Double-A Mobile: While Wes Roemer was taking a no-hit bid into the eighth inning (this begs a trivia question, see tomorrow’s post), the BayBears offense was mainly quiet – until the home half of the eighth, when Mobile erupted for five runs to take a 6-1 win over Carolina on Monday. A pair of 2008 Osprey played a role – Jake Elmore doubled home a run to cap off the rally, while Bryan Shaw picked up the last four outs to get the win on the mound. Fellow 2008 alumnus Ollie Linton singled, stole a base and scored a run, while Goldschmidt drew a pair of walks.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Mike Belfiore (2009) gave up five first-inning runs (six total in four-plus innings) as the Rawhide took a 7-1 loss to Inland Empire on Monday. Adam Eaton (2010) had two hits and drove in Chris Owings (2009) in the seventh inning for the lone Rawhide run. Keon Broxton (2009) added a hit, while Christian Beltre (2007) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief behind Belfiore.
– Class A South Bend: Had an off-day on Monday following a 3-5 road trip.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables): AAA Reno (24-15) vs. Iowa
AA Mobile (21-15) vs. Carolina – Charles Brewer (2009) will make the start for the BayBears.
A Adv. Visalia (18-20) at Inland Empire – Eric Smith (2009) gets the ball tonight for the Rawhide.
A South Bend (16-22) vs. Lansing – David Holmberg (2010) gets the start for the Hawks.
We’re down to 37 days before rthe Osprey home opener, 35 days before the season opener, and no more time before the Paul Goldschmidt-to-Arizona rumors start swirling … again.
– Yup, it’s true, the rumor mill has moved into second gear (have to be an ESPN Insider to read the whole thing, but the first two paragraphs say a lot) with the possibilities of Goldy heading to the Major Leagues. When you look at his numbers – .336 batting average, .468 on-base, .720 slugging, 1.1188 OPS, with six doubles, 14 home runs and 38 RBIs, with three stolen bases and more walks (30) than strikeouts (26) – they are definitely eye-popping, and you can see why there’s some talk about moving the Texas State product, and 2009 member of the Missoula Osprey, up the ladder. And with the speculation that current D-back first sacker Juan Miranda could be headed to the DL, it has just turned up the tempo of the machine. He’s had quite a baseball career, as it turns out, and while he’ll be in a Major League uniform if he keeps up his professional production, the earliest it could happen, you get the feeling, is September.
(One inkling, courtesy of Osprey radio voice Ben Catley – Wily Mo Pena gets a call-up if Miranda gets hurt (he has tore the cover off the ball in Reno), one of the vets with Double-A Mobile moves to Triple-A Reno, and Adam Eaton gets called up to Double-A. His On-base percentage is somewhere near his record-setting .500 with the Osprey last season, and to see if he could achieve that in the pitching-favored Southern League may be too tempting to pass up.)
– Blake Cooper (2010) had a scoreless streak of over eight innings for Class A South Bend entering Sunday’s action, but was touched up – and also had a scare on the mound.
– We had to share this, especially with the Yankees-Red Sox just playing this weekend. It’s a funny video with Boston slugger David Ortiz. Who wouldn’t want to hug Big Papi?
– Minor-League Update time:
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces lost a 14-11 slugfest to the Iowa Cubs on Sunday. Both former Osprey in the Aces’ bullpen, Daniel Stange and Jordan Norberto (both from 2006) had tough outings in the loss.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears lost a 7-3 decision to Carolina on Sunday. Jarrod Parker (2007) battled through five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk, with three strikeouts, and took the loss. Ollie Linton (2008) had two hits, while Kyle Greene (2008) singled, doubled, and drove in a run. Goldy went 1-for-5 with a run scored and three strikeouts. Jake Elmore (2008) also had a base hit and a RBI for Mobile, while Clay Zavada (2006) pitched another inning of scoreless relief, lowering his ERA to 1.35.
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Chris Owings (2009) had another big game, with four hits, including two triples and a home run, and three RBIs as the Rawhide took it to Inland Empire, 17-2. This game became a rout late, with Visalia scoring 10 of their runs in their final three at-bats. Everyone who played had at least one base hit, with Adam Eaton (2010) singling, scoring twice and driving in a run, while Bobby Borchering (2009) and Keon Broxton (2009) each had two hits. Yonata Ortega (2007) pitched around a pair of ninth-inning walks to finish off the win.
– Class A South Bend: Matt Helm (2009-10) singled and doubled, but his efforts were not enough for the SilverHawks to get any offense going in what turned into an 10-3 loss to Bowling Green on Sunday. The end of the 8-game, 6-day road trip netted just five hits for South Bend, and the usually-stingy Hawks bullpen surrendered runs – namely from former Osprey Eury De La Rosa (2009) and Cooper, both whom had scoreless streaks snapped in the loss. Raul Navarro (2010) added an RBI single. JR Bradley (2010) suffered the loss on the hill for the Hawks, allowing six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (24-14) vs. Iowa
AA Mobile (20-15) vs. Carolina
A Adv. Visalia (18-19) at Inland Empire. No starters have been posted for tonight.
A South Bend (16-19) has an off-day on Monday. They will start a home series with Lansing on Tuesday. David Holmberg (2010) will get the start for the Hawks on Tuesday.
T-minus 40 days before the home opener, 38 days before the season opener, and less than a few hours before the final weekend that exists until mid-September. At least for most folks who work in short-season baseball … and, oh, by the way … it’s Friday the 13th.
– On the transaction front – former Osprey pitcher Enrique Burgos (2009) has been promoted to Class A South Bend from Extended Spring Training. Burgos takes the place of starting pitcher Tyler Green, who was placed on the disabled list on Thursday.
– The ever-improving Esmerling Vasquez (2004) has played his part in solidifying one of the achilles’ heels of the D-backs last season, it’s bullpen. That group has put together a solid first few weeks of the 2011 season.
– From the video archive … since we have people come and searching for info on Extended Spring Training guys, we share this with you. It’s a feature video of right-handed pitcher Robby Rowland in his high school days – playing basketball. Yeah, he was okay on the court …
– More draft notes from Nick Piecoro. Looks like the D-backs are going to have plenty of options with two of the first seven picks in next month’s draft.
– Triple-A Reno: The Aces registered an 11-3 decision over Omaha on Thursday. Former Osprey bullpen mates Daniel Stange and Jordan Norberto (both 2006) combined for three innings of hitless relief.
– Double-A Mobile: The BayBears were held in check by Jacksonville in a 4-1 setback on Thusday. Charles Brewer (2009) allowed all four runs in his second start back from a concussion, while Bryan Henry (2007) pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Mobile had just two hits, one of which was picked up by Taylor Harbin (2007).
– Class A Advanced Visalia: Eric Smith (2009) struggled once again – allowing 10 runs in four-plus innings – as the Rawhide lost to Bakersfield, 11-4. The bullpen was solid, allowing just a run in 5 2/3 innings – Adam Worthington (2009), Christian Beltre (2007), Taylor Sinclair (2008) and Yonata Ortega (2007) getting it done. David Nick (2009) had three hits, including two doubles, and two runs batted in, while Bobby Borchering (2009) added three hits, and Adam Eaton (2010) added a pair of safeties and a RBI, raising his batting average to .370 in the process.
– Class A South Bend: The SilverHawks succumbed to a big inning once again and lost “Eike vs. Former Osprey II”. Kevin Eichhorn (2008-10) scattered six hits and allowed just two runs – one earned – with a walk and two strikeouts as West Michigan posted a 5-3 win. Roberto Rodriguez (2010) singled and doubled, while Bobby Stone (2008-10) was the only other former Osprey to collect a hit in the game. Ender Inciarte walked twice and stole a base, but was also picked off by Eichhorn. Eury De La Rosa (2009) pitched three innings of scoreless baseball in relief of Jeff Shields (2010), who took the loss.
Today’s games (and Osprey probables):
AAA Reno (22-13) vs. Omaha – Tom Layne (2007) gets the start for the Aces.
AA Mobile (19-13) at Jacksonville
A Adv. Visalia (17-17) vs. Bakersfield – Derek Eitel (2010) gets the ball tonight for the Rawhide on Ghostbusters Night.
A South Bend (15-19) at Bowling Green – No starter announced for this one, could be Burgos.
Bird Droppings 