Tagged: David Holmberg
Two Osprey alums ranked top hitters in MLB and down on the farm we go…
While Opening Day is just 21 days away, many former Osprey are making names for themselves in the big leagues and throughout the Diamondbacks minor league system.
Doug Mead, featured Bleacher Report columnist, recently included two Osprey alumni on a list of the top-100 hitters in Major League Baseball. Mead ranked Paul Goldschmidt third and Carlos González sixth.
MLB
Paul Goldschmidt (2009) is tearing it up this season for the Diamondbacks, hitting a solid .324 and tied for seventh in the MLB with 12 home runs. Goldy also leads the D-backs with a 1.002 OPS. In Arizona’s last game against Texas, Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with one RBI. The D-backs have won their last three games and are currently on top of the National League West by 2.5 games.
José Valverde (2000) is back on the mound this season for Detroit, but still has his doubters. He has made 12 appearances and collected six saves in seven opportunities with an ERA of just 0.75.
Lyle Overbay (1999) could make the Yankees decision tough when Mark Teixeira returns from the DL . He is hitting .251 with eight home runs and has a fielding percentage of .995.
Carlos González (2003) is hitting .303 with 13 home runs for the Colorado Rockies.
Triple-A – Reno Aces (21-33)
Reno’s season has yet to turn around. The Aces are last in their division and sit 12 games back from the leading Tacoma Rainiers. The team is batting .281, fifth best in the Pacific Coast League, but their pitching drags them down with a 5.59 ERA, second highest in the league. Reno has allowed the most runs in the PCL with 335.
Shortstop Chris Owings (2009) continues to hit the ball well with a .335 batting average and driving in 30 RBI.
Second baseman Taylor Harbin (2007) is hitting .247 with 10 doubles on the season.
Adam Eaton (2010) irritated his elbow and had a setback in his rehab during his first game back with Triple-A Reno.
The Aces finish up a four-game series at Las Vegas this week.
Double-A – Mobile BayBears (26-26)
The defending Southern League champion Mobile BayBears are sitting at .500 and are three games behind the Southern League South Division leading Mississippi Braves. The BayBears are hitting .242 as a team.
Archie Bradley (2011) suffered his first loss of the season on Wednesday, but went eight solid innings allowing just one run in the defeat. Bradley has been dominant this season between Visalia and Mobile registering a 6-1 record while allowing just seven earned runs in nearly 63 innings of work.
First baseman Jon Griffin (2011) leads Mobile with six doubles and 28 RBI. Backstop Rossmel Perez (2008) has collected 12 RBI on the season and centerfielder Ender Inciarte (2009) is hitting .279 with two home runs and the most hits on the team, 51. Inciatre leads the club with three triples and has collected five two-baggers and 12 stolen bases, each just one short of Mobile’s leaders.
Raywilly Gomez (2009) was called up from Visalia and is producing with a .679 OPS and is hitting .283.
Outfielder David Nick (2009) is still struggling and only hitting .188. However he does have four doubles and has yet to make an error in the field.
In 10 starts on the mound, Bradin Hagens (2009) is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA and 32 strikeouts. David Holmberg (2010) leads the BayBears with 41 strikeouts and is 1-3 in 10 starts with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Derek Eitel (2010) struck out 19 in 27.2 innings for the BayBears. Eric Smith (2009) has struggled in his first 18 appearances on the mound for Mobile with a 7.65 ERA.
Mobile will finish up a four-game series this week against Chattanooga.
Advanced-A – Visalia Rawhide (31-21)
Visalia is 2.0 games back from the San Jose Giants who lead the California League North Division. They won on Wednesday to snap a four-game losing streak.
Last year, third baseman Jake Lamb (2012) hit .329 for the Osprey and he continues the trend in Visalia with 21 RBI, a .299 batting average and leading the Rawhide in home runs, 7; walks, 28; and OPS, .996.
Twenty year-old catcher, Michael Perez (2012), has hit five home runs this season and leads Visalia with 23 RBI. However, Perez is still struggling at the plate and hitting only .172.
Outfielder Tom Belza (2011) is swinging the bat well with a .294 average and 10 doubles. He is also leading Visalia with seven stolen bases.
This year, Evan Marzilli (2012) has run into trouble at the plate, hitting just .203 and leading the Rawhide with 67 strikeouts.
In nine starts for Visalia, Andrew Barbosa (2012) is still pitching as well as he did for the Osprey one year ago (1-0 0.41 ERA, 28K’s in 22 IP). This season, Barbosa is 3-2 and struck out 43 in 38 innings with a 3.55 ERA. His ERA would be lower, but a few poor outings in early May skewed that statistic.
In 14 games, including two starts, righty Conrad Flynn (2011) is 4-2 and struck out 35 in 38.2 innings. Two former O’s, Seth Simmons (2011) and Patrick Schuster (2009-10), pitch in relief for Visalia and each maintains an ERA below three.
The Rawhide won their last game against Modesto to tie the series at one apiece. The series wraps up on May 31.
Class-A – South Bend Silver Hawks (34-16)
South Bend is dominating the Midwest League. Leading the Eastern Division by 5 games and losing only four games on the road, the Silver Hawks are on a 10-game win streak and it doesn’t look like that’s stopping anytime soon.
Third baseman Ryan Court (2011) is crushing the ball with a .396 average and an OPS of 1.061. Socrates Brito (2012), hitting .254, is not afraid to run the bases in South Bend and has managed to hit three triples and swipe 9 bags. Left fielder Alex Glenn (2012) has driven in 26 RBI on the season and leads the Silver Hawks with six homers. Roidany Aguila (2009-11) is hitting .271 and has collected nine doubles. Breland Almadova (2012) leads the Silver Hawks with three triples.
On the rubber, Frank Santana (2011) is 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA, Enrique Burgos (2009, 11) has a 2.40 ERA with three saves, and Jesse Darrah (2011) leads the Silver Hawks with 48 strikeouts in 54.0 innings.
Osprey Opening Day is just 21 days away so don’t forget to pick up your tickets, they are on sale now at the MSO Hub Box Office. For the latest Osprey information visit http://www.missoulaosprey.com.
The latest from Spring Training
by Ben Catley
94 days before the Season Opener and Home Opener
Well, the Major League Baseball season starts in two weeks. Yup, two weeks. I will let that set in for a moment …
Can you only imagine how this will all play out? No matter where your allegiances lie, there is plenty of intrigue about to play out all over the place.
Except in Center Field and at the top of the order for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where it is looking more and more like Adam Eaton (2010 Osprey) has taken full advantage of his opportunity and locked down that job. Eaton was featured in a MiLB Prospect Q&A recently, sharing a number of things, especially the reason why he doesn’t mind being a magnet for baseballs while he is at-bat. By the way, Eaton is hitting .358 this spring, with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs. Continue reading
News and Notes – March 14
The latest stuff on former Osprey players …
– The Arizona Diamondbacks reassigned 15 players to minor-league camp, including players on their 40-man roster. Several of them are former Osprey who were in camp. They are:
Optioned to Triple-A Reno: RHP Chase Anderson RHP Charles Brewer LHP Eury De La Rosa Optioned to Double-A Mobile: RHP Keon Broxton RHP Eric Smith Reassigned to Minor League camp: LHP David Holmberg INF Chris Owings
All of the players except for Holmberg (2010 Osprey) played in Missoula in 2009. Keep an eye out for three of them this season – De La Rosa, Brewer and Smith, who each had a handful solid Cactus League outings. Expect both Holmberg and Owings to at least start the 2013 season at Double-A Mobile.
– EatonMania is runnin’ wild on the internet and print these days. It seems as if the more that Spring Training goes along, the more attention Adam Eaton (2010) is getting from the media and blog-sphere. If it’s not a blogger saying that Eaton could wow people more than Mike Trout, it’s a Sports Illustrated piece on the web. That all said, the key for Eaton to “wow” people in 2013 is to stay healthy, something that manager Kirk Gibson is hoping actually happens. At times, Eaton has struggled with that, but his all-out style does bring that along with it as a drawback. One thing is clear – his teammates like him, but the opposition doesn’t particularly care for him. (Last link is to an ESPN Insider post, but the beginning is still worth the read.)
– Ryan Robowski (2009) made it to the second round of cuts for the Detroit Tigers before getting reassigned to minor-league camp. The Non-Roster Invitee was touched up in his limited time in Grapefruit League action in his first Major League Spring Training action. Robo is likely headed to either back to Double-A Erie or Triple-A Toledo.
– It looks like John Hester (2006) has his hands full as he battles for the backup catcher’s job with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
– Scott Hairston (2001) will be platooning in right field for the Chicago Cubs, and hitting fifth in the lineup when he does start.
– Jarrod Parker (2007) has gone from not-so-sure-what-we-have to ace of the staff for the Oakland A’s … and wants more success in 2013.
– Another pitcher that wants a better 2013 is former Osprey starter Jorge De La Rosa (1999), who is starting to find his old self with the Colorado Rockies, almost two years removed from Tommy John surgery.
That will do it for now … other than a plug for the current O’s Poll of the Moment, which you can find on the right-hand column. Vote on it often – because the look into the Osprey crystal ball by Ben Catley is coming soon! We’ll see how your votes match up with his predictions on whom the next Osprey players will be to make their Major League debuts.
Weekend update (of sorts)
The World Baseball Classic starts tonight … how many of you are watching Australia-Chinese Taipei? We know at least one person who will be watching … anyway, a quick bit of information to get you through the weekend …
Weekend pitching:
– The Arizona Diamondbacks have posted pitchers scheduled for the weekend games, and as you can imagine, former Osprey are on the list, including a second look for Ray Hernandez (2011), who is scheduled to pitch again today against the Chicago Cubs, and former Osprey Scott Hairston (2001).
The rest of the schedule:
Today (Friday) – Andrew Chafin (2011) gets a call over from minor-league camp and is scheduled to pitch.
Saturday – Chase Anderson (2009) is on the short list.
Sunday – David Holmberg (2010), Eric Smith (2009) and Eury De La Rosa (2009) are on the scheduled lineup to throw. Continue reading
Bits and Pieces … Feb. 15
First, kudos to Ollie Osprey. That bird delivered Valentine’s Day surprises to many of our fans … Nothing like getting a chance to help Osprey Nation express their love for their significant others …
Ollie Osprey actually started his Valentine’s Day deliveries one day early, but managed to deliver a number of surprises over the past couple of days.
Ollie managed to deliver plenty of flowers, chocolate and smiles throughout the past couple of days. For now, Ollie is back to nesting at his favorite spot at an undisclosed location. Ollie will be back soon enough, because as he admits, he can’t stay away long from Missoula. Although he may need to go to Florida and teach his brethern how to not drop their fish … Continue reading
Parra avoids arbitration, Overbay finds a home and more …
Catching up on Bird movements over the past few days …
– Current Arizona Diamondbacks and former Osprey outfielder Gerardo Parra (2006) managed to avoid arbitration and signed a one-year contract. The 25-year-old Parra hit .273 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs in 133 games with the D-backs in 2012. The .280 career hitter has also been strong defensively, winning his first NL Gold Glove in 2011, and since his arrival to Arizona in 2009, his 37 outfield assists ranks second in the NL to Hunter Pence (47) in that time frame.
– Lyle Overbay (1999) has signed a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox and received a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. Overbay will vie for a spot on the Opening Day roster as the left-handed answer at first base, with right-handers Mike Napoli and Mauro Gomez also on the roster. Overbay hit .259 between Arizona and Atlanta in 2012, used primarily as a left-handed bat off the bench. The 12-year veteran of the Major Leagues would also serve as a good insurance policy of sorts for Napoli, with concerns about his hips — Napoli has avascular necrosis, which affects blood supply to the area.
What also helps Overbay’s cause is his successful hitting at Fenway Park in his career. While playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, Overbay hit .323 in 43 games, with a .395 on-base and a .500 slugging percentage.
If the BoSox bring Overbay Northward to Yawkey Way, they would be the sixth team Overbay has played for in the Major Leagues. If not, according to the Boston Herald, Overbay’s contract has an opt-out clause at the end of Spring Training.
– Overbay is among 11 former Osprey players who have received non-roster invites to Spring Training. Four of those 10 – infielder Chris Owings (2009), catcher Rossmel Perez (2008), first baseman Jon Griffin (2011) and left-handed pitcher David Holmberg (2010) – are in D-backs’ camp. The others – catcher Wilkin Castillo (2004) with the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-handed pitcher Yonata Ortega (2007) with the Texas Rangers, right-handed pitcher Daniel Stange (2006) with the San Diego Padres, left-handed pitcher Daniel Schlereth (2008) with the Baltimore Orioles, right-handed pitcher Jerry Gil (2000) with the Cleveland Indians, and left-handed pitcher Ryan Robowski (2009) with the Detroit Tigers.
Update from OspreyLand …
Here’s some stuff to pass along from the past couple of days to get your Osprey fix in before the team is announced this week …
– A total of four former Osprey – at the moment – have been named to mid-season All-Star teams. While the California-Carolina All-Star Game teams, and the Triple-A All-Star teams (you can still vote if you haven’t used up your 25-vote limit here.) are yet to be decided, other games (which are earlier) have been … and three of the four are pitchers – Chase Anderson (2009) in the Southern League, and Archie Bradley (2011) and Kable Hogben (2009) in the Midwest League. The lone position player (so far) is Matt Helm (2009-10) in the Midwest League. Anderson pitches at Double-A Mobile, while the other three are playing in South Bend.
– Paul Goldschmidt (2009) moved his hit streak to 17 games with a single in a three-run first inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks won their fifth in a row on Sunday, finishing off a three-game sweep of the Oakland A’s, 4-3. However, it was a series full of former Osprey appearances. Outside of Goldy, Miguel Montero (2002-03) hit a grand slam to highlight Saturday’s win, Bryan Shaw (2008) pitched out of the D-backs bullpen, Evan Scribner (2007) pitched well out of the A’s bullpen on Sunday, and Jarrod Parker (2007) made the start on Friday and threw well. In addition, let’s not forget about Gerardo Parra (2006) and Lyle Overbay (1999) of the D-backs and the DL’ed Jordan Norberto (2006) of the A’s. That’s eight of the 36 former Osprey who have played in the Major Leagues.
– Congratulations to former Osprey pitcher Conrad Flynn (2011), who proudly showed off his diploma from Tulane University on his Facebook page over the weekend. Flynn is currently with his third team, the Class A Advanced Visalia Rawhide, this season. Flynn has also pitched for Triple-A Reno (one spot-start) and Double-A Mobile (four appearances, two starts). He will start for the Rawhide tonight against Lake Elsinore.
In some other transactions involving former Osprey:
– Taylor Siemens (2011) was promoted from Class A South Bend to Class A Advanced Visalia. Siemens had been primarily used as a reliever for the Silver Hawks.
– Kyle Greene (2008) was taken off of the 7-day DL and returned to Double-A Mobile. Greene had been hitting well at the plate when the injury occurred.
– David Holmberg (2010) was promoted from Class A Advanced Visalia to Double-A Mobile. The left-hander has been moving up the prospect radar steadily over the past year, and will now get a look in the ultra-talented Southern League.
Brewer’s Audition Now in Reno
by Ben Catley
Charles Brewer is going to get the chance to play that role of “I’m Major League Worthy” in a different location now. He’s gone from his days as a member of the Missoula Osprey in 2009, to getting a chance in South Bend and Visalia in 2010, and pitching in Mobile both in 2011, and at the start of the 2012 season. But now, Brewer has another stop – at Triple-A Reno – to show that he is ready for the ultimate stage.
The promotion was among a series of moves made by the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, and included another former Osprey, who was here a shorter amount of time than nearly any other former Osprey this side of Daniel Taylor. Continue reading
Inside pitches and ’11 Osprey, lost feeds and more moves
by Ben Catley
Right to it … I have some catching up to do …
– The Mobile BayBears may be poised to make another run for the Southern League title, especially with the roster they will begin with this season. Added to that mix was outfielder Adam Eaton (2010 Osprey), who was sent back to minor-league camp on Thursday by the D-backs. Not a surprise that it was to Double-A Mobile, either. The D-backs have stacked the BayBears with a great rotation of Charles Brewer (2009) Patrick Corbin, Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer, plus one more arm in the mix (maybe Chase Anderson, one of Brewer’s 2009 teammates in Missoula). But, wow … look at that pitching. Add Eaton to the top of the lineup, and a bevy of bats behind him, and it could be fun in ‘Bama …
– Also from the top prospects piece done by MLB.com writer Steve Gilbert … Visalia is likely to have a whale of a staff. David Holmberg (2010) should be joined by 2011 draftees (and former Osprey) Andrew Chafin and Anthony Meo, along with 2009 Osprey teammates Chris Owings at short and Bobby Borchering in left field.
– Three more Osprey to mention from the top prospects piece … catcher Michael Perez is likely headed here (No. 9 on the latest list), while 2011 Osprey pitcher Archie Bradley is targeted for South Bend … and, according to Gilbert, outfielder Justin Bianco (2011) is likely going to … the Arizona Rookie League. Don’t think that will happen … but we shall wait and see.
Of course, none of the roster stuff will be official until next week … and we will be updating you on the list of former Osprey, and where they get assigned.
– Remember the rash of inside pitches that ended up in the faces of two players from the 2011 Osprey? Well, the rotten luck in that regard has struck again, unfortunately. Catcher Bryan Henry (yeah, 2011 Osprey, not the 2007 Osprey pitcher) is the latest victim, taking one off the face during a Class A game this week. From his Facebook status: “Thank you to our great training staff and team doctors for fixing me up and getting me the proper care.” Henry also says he had to have his nose reset, and judging by the picture he posted, he’s likely out for a bit. Get well soon Bryan!
– Note from today’s Cactus League game for the D-backs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim … Keon Broxton managed to work his way for a double late in the game. I was trying to watch it, but the feed dropped just as I heard “Broxton to the plate” … I’m glad he updated me. He’s another one who is likely headed to Visalia or Mobile. Today’s game also had a Raymond Hernandez sighting … as he pitched in relief.
– The latest fodder as to Miguel Montero (2002-03) and his future uniforms … if he becomes a free agent, the likely spots he could land. And what does he reportedly want (or at least his agent wants him to sign for)? V-Mart money.
– I had to share this … Trevor Bauer’s late-night Twitter feed.
– Here’s a good numbers post on projecting batting averages and on-base percentages for the D-backs in 2012.
– Here’s your dose of Gerardo Parra (2006) … this time, it’s with the role he’ll have to at least start the season. Which is backing up all three outfield positions.
– Jose Valverde (2000) underwent a physical change this offseason. He also has an interesting take on Prince Fielder.
Tomorrow … I know, a day late … the Predictions of the Next Osprey Position Players/Pitchers to make their MLB Debuts. As long as I don’t get caught up in another wild sports day, that is.
Close to a month away …
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.)
– Gotta love the bloggers – here’s a take on this past weekend’s D-backs/Dodgers dust-up from the True Blue LA folk. Note the descriptive way they describe Goldy.
– Here’s more from the weekend in the minors – well, Friday and Saturday, anyway – and Nick Piecoro poses an interesting thought on Adam Eaton (2010).
– One thing about Pedro Ciriaco (2005) that no one denies – he’s a more-than-solid defender. This video highlight provides more proof.
– 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.
Bird Droppings 