The Minor Leagues, Generally

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Minor League Parable

Game #59: Zs Win 6-1

Sean West continues to impress. The lanky southpaw went five more scoreless innings last night, and has begun his 2010 with 11 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out 5 more batters last night, giving him 13 on the season. Give the guy a HUGE Z.

Brad Davis hit a two-run HR off Round Rock starter Polin Trinidad and both he and LoMo went 2-4 with two RBIs.

Tonight it's Mr.Z's favorite pitcher -- Adalberto Mendez -- he of the 13 consecutive scoreless innings and .096 AAA ERA --- getting his second start for the Zs.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Game #59: Preview

The Zs have dropped into the cellar with last night's loss. Their home record is troubling: 13-19. Offensive-suppressing Zephyr Field has created a 2010 squad that is currently second-to-last in the PCL in runs and dead last in OBP. Ouch.

June 11, 7:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 27-31, last in the PCL South
Round Rock Express (AAA Houston): 29-31, third in the PCL South

The Pitching Matchup:
Zs: Sean West (1-0, 0.00 ERA)








The big lefty has been scoreless in 6 2/3 innings thus far for the Zs. Nothing to drop your panties over yet, but he's the only current Zephs start really capable of overpowering a lineup.

Express: Polin Trinidad (3-3, 4.70 ERA)








Very hip name. The stats for the lefty are less inspiring, though not awful. He gives up his share of hits, but has struck out 17 lefties in the same number of innings and generally demonstrates a favorable split against lefties. His first start of the year was against the Zephs in April and he gave up two runs on two hits over five.

Game #58: Zs Lose 2-0

Serious pitcher's duel (also known as a bad hitting duel) in New Orleans last night. Tom Mastny had an excellent debut start for the Zs, throwing five scoreless innings with 6 Ks. Round Rock's Josh Banks was better, throwing scoreless ball into the 9th. The game was scoreless into the 8th; Sinkbeil gave up a run in the 8th and Meyer one in the 9th. The Zs had three hits total, none for extra bases. They put two men on in the 9th with walks, but Luna ended it with a DP. For one of the Zs most productive hitters, he's been horribly un-clutch. His batting average is .227, his OBP is .305, and 40% of his Ks have been in these situations.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Game #58: Preview

Barnburner on Thirsty Thursday at Zephyr Field! The Zs and the Round Rock Express, currently tied for last... well, you can fill in the rest yourselves. But seriously here, between young catcher and 2008 first-round draft pick Jason Castro and nasty bullpen arm Sammy Gervacio, the Express have a few players to watch.

The Teams:
June 10, 7:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 27-30, tied third/last in the PCL South
Round Rock Express (AAA Houston): 28-31, tied third/last in the PCL South

The Pitching Matchup:
Zs: Tom Mastny (0-0, --- ERA)








See previous post for slightly sarcastic analysis.

Express: Josh Banks (6-4, 3.33 ERA)








Like many AAA pitchers, Josh Banks strikes Mr.Z as a AAAA pitcher. He saw 85 innings as (mostly) a starter with San Diego in 2008 and after initially throwing 22 scoreless innings, he became a poster boy of the big leagues' tendency to catch up to you. He finished the season with a 4.75 ERA and walked a lot of batters. Last year he was worse and was unoficially banished from the major leagues. He became a free agent in the offseason and was signed by Houston to a minor league deal. Banks has had a nice year for Round Rock, throwing a decent percentage of ground balls and keeping the walks down. But he gives up bombs: 10 so far this year. Cue LoMo (where's LoMo's pop anyway?).

Also, Tony Gwynn says Banks throws a knuckleball.

Tom Mastny










The Marlins have poached starting pitcher Tom Mastny from the Atlantic League Somerset Patriots and he'll be starting for the Zs tonight against Round Rock. This is the definition of a minor league depth signing, giving the Zs two hardcore journeymen (Brian Lawrence being the other) in the rotation.

Mastny was an ineffective big leaguer between 2006-2008 in Cleveland and hasn't seen time in the show since. He gave up a lot of hits, walked guys, and generally stank for some good Cleveland clubs. That said, his career minor league ERA is 2.17 (with a 1.009 WHIP) between 2003-2008. Pretty clear where his talent level places him, so friends of the Z, your emotional spectrum should range somewhere between indifference and and resigned acceptance that Tom Mastny is now all yours.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Game #57: Zs Lose 5-1

Starting pitching determined the outcome of today's series-concluding game in Iowa City, and unfortunately for the Zs, it didn't go as well for Brian Lawrence as it did a game ago.

Coming off a brilliant seven-inning performance against Omaha, Lawrence gritted through five innings against the I-Cubs today, giving up four runs and several hard-hit balls. Chad Tracy had a 4-4 day with two HRs, one coming off Lawrence and the other against Kasey Olenberger.

Although he's been inconsistent this year, the Zs are probably going to have to ride Lawrence out; Hunter Jones and Brad Stone have recently gone on the DL and Rick VandenHurk and Jorge Sosa are now toiling in Florida's bullpen, leaving the Zs with a makeshift rotation at best.

Metairie native and UNO product Thomas Diamond got the start against his hometown club and showed why he was once a first-round draft pick for Texas. Diamond shone in five innings, striking out eight and surrendering just two hits to a flat Zephyrs offense. The Zs mounted only one real threat -- in the 6th -- but the I-Cubs' John Gaub struck out Hector Luna with Logan Morrison on third after throwing two wild pitches, one of which scored the lone Zs run. Luna whiffed three times today with a runner in scoring position, a situation in which his performance has noticeably suffered this year.

Still, the Zs will return to Zephyr Field on Thursday for a series with last place Round Rock after splitting series on the road against a very good Omaha team and an I-Cubs squad with an excellent pitching staff. That said, your guess is as good as Mr.Z's as to who the Zs will be running out to the hill to start those three games.

Game #57: 5-1 I-Cubs

Bottom 8:

Tracy just hit his second HR of the day. 5-1 I-Cubs.

Game #57: Ugh

Bottom 8: I-Cubs, 4-1

In the 7th and 8th against Berg and Samardzija, the Zs saw a total of 16 pitches while making six outs.

Olenberger is in for the Zs to face the 3 for 3 Chad Tracy in the 8th.

Game #57: Get This

Apparently the box containing all of the Zs hats arrived to Iowa just minutes before the first game of this series. According to Zs radio guy Tim Grubbs, the Zs considered playing hatless, wearing Cubs hats, and wearing Padres hats that were around the I-Cubs clubhouse for unexplained reasons.

Also, Thomas Diamond has 8 Ks and is dominating the Zs through five. Looks like his work is done though.

Game #57: Lawrence's Laser Show

4-0 I-Cubs, Bottom 4:

And I don't mean at the plate.

Bad Brian Lawrence has shown up today in Iowa City. The Zs are already down 4-0 in the fourth and the Cubs are drilling balls all over the park. Chad Tracy has two hits including a long home run.

Diamond has been stifling so far, striking out six through four.

Game #57: Luna in the Clutch

Top 1: 0-0

Luna is facing Diamond with two outs and a runner on third in the first. Luna's OPS is about .150 points lower with runners in scoring position this year.

Diamond struck him out.

Game #57: Lineups

Zs:

1. Petersen LF
2. Richar 2B
3. LoMo 1B
4. Luna 3B
5. Carroll RF
6. Dawkins SS
7. Cousins CF
8. Davis C
9. Lawrence P

I-Cubs:
1. Adduci CF
2. Camp SS
3. Tracy 3B
4. Hoffpauir 1B
5. Snyder RF
6. LaHair LF
7. Scales 2B
8. Robinson C
9. Diamond P

Game #57: Preview

The Zephs have the chance to take three of four in Iowa, which would give them five wins in their last six games. Facing Metairie native and UNO product Thomas Diamond won't be easy; he's been terrific this year and looks like a legitimate starter prospect for the Cubs.

The Teams:
June 8, 12:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 27-29, third in the PCL South
Iowa Cubs: 29-28, last in the PCL North

The Pitching Matchup:
Zs: Brian Lawrence (4-4, 4.34 ERA)
Lawrence has been occasionally excellent this year, and his most last start was one of those outings, when he went 7 innings and gave up just one run against Omaha while striking out seven.

Cubs: Thomas Diamond (3-2, 2.43 ERA)
Still another I-Cubs starter with an ERA in the 2s. The Cubs claimed him off waivers during the off-season from Texas. Diamond is a New Orleans product and was a 2004 first-round draft pick by Texas. He's given up just 44 hits in 59 innings this year, has cut down on the walks, and doesn't have much of a lefty-right split. Mr.Z is thinking this is the year Diamond finally gets the call to the bigs.

Game #57: Day Baseball

The Zs game in Iowa against the I-Cubs begins today at noon.

The news is that Gunderson was sent down to AA after getting the win yesterday. Thanks, kid.

More Roster Changes

Hunter Jones was placed on the 7-day DL, leaving another rotation vacancy. No word yet on the specifics of the injury.

LF John Raynor is off the DL. Raynor had a tough year in New Orleans last year after a stellar 2008 in AA Carolina where he hit .312 with a .402 OBP.

Pitchers Bryan Evans and Kyle Gunderson have been called up to New Orleans and OF Hunter Mense has been optioned down to AA.

Game#56: Zs 2-1

Mr.Z loves it when he posts presciently about topics such as the "pig nachos" at Zephyr Field potentially ruining your night... or Adalberto Mendez.

Mendez has now thrown 13 consecutive scoreless innings and was given an emergency start last night. He breezed through four scoreless frames, giving up just one hit. Gookie Dawkins hit a late home run and the Zs held on for a close 2-1 win. They'll be going for three out of four today in Iowa at noon.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Bonifacio & VandenHurk up, Lamb DFAd, Carroll to join Zs

Lots of moves after the Mets completed a sweep of the Marlins today.

First and foremost, Stanton was called up, and to make room in a crowded outfield in which Stanton, Cody Ross, Cameron Maybin, and Chris Coughlan will have to share three spots, Florida sent Brett Carroll to New Orleans. Carroll hadn't been doing much in limited time in the show, and this will be his first seasoning in AAA since last summer.

Bonifacio's call-up leaves a hole at the top of the order (how about grooming Bryan Petersen as a leadoff hitter?). VandenHurk joins the parade of arms Florida is auditioning for any bullpen relief they can get. With Brad Stone recently placed on the DL, the Zs are down to Jones, Lawrence, and West as obvious starters. Jose Rosario, who has bounced between New Orleans and AA Jacksonville, will likely be given a shot. Not sure beyond that.

This is a bummer for Mike Lamb. With him and Lane gone, the Marlins seem to be purging the roster of veteran AAAA types.

Game #55: Zs Win 10-4

The Zs proved they can handle good pitching Sunday with a nice win against Iowa with legitimate major league prospect Jay Jackson making the start for the I-Cubs. Riding the bats of Hector Luna and Donnie Murphy, the Zs evened up the series with a 10-4 win in Iowa.

Logan Morrison played left field and Luna went 3-4 while hitting his 10th HR, but the story for New Orleans was the second start of the season by Sean West. After only getting five outs in his first start earlier in the week, West cruised through five innings today in Iowa City, giving up no runs and throwing a superb 39 strikes in his 50 pitches. Florida called up Rick VandenHurk today, so West is going to get his chances as a Zs starter for a while.

Mr.Z's HUGE Z goes to Sean West.

Stanton To Join Florida

Marlins blogger Joe Capozzi is reporting that Mike Stanton will bypass New Orleans and jump from AA Jacksonville to Florida. He will join the Marlins Tuesday in Philadelphia. More on this later, specifically on how it affects New Orleans.

Game #55: Zs 5-0

Top 4

The Zs pushed across four runs in the fourth inning on five singles (including one by pitcher Sean West) and a sac fly to take a big lead.

West has looked excellent in three innings, giving up just one hit.

Luna hit his 10th HR of the year in the 2nd.

Game #55 Preview

It's game two of the four-game set in Iowa.

The Teams:
June 6, 1:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 25-29, third in the PCL South
Iowa Cubs: 29-26, last in the PCL North

The Pitching Matchup:
Zs: Sean West (0-0 --- ERA)









The lefty Sean West is the newest addition to the Zs rotation. In his first AAA start of the season, he allowed five baserunners in 1 2/3 innings and managed to wiggle free with four Ks. The Zs would like to see some length from the big lefty after the bullpen blowup last night.

Cubs: Jay Jackson (3-3, 2.28 ERA)









Jackson is just 22 years old, but rumblings from the Cubs have been that he could get the call soon if Carlos Zambrano re-enters the rotation (which should happen). Jackson is starting for Iowa, and doing so effectively for his third consecutive season in the minors. Throughout his pro career, he's always given up less hits than innings pitched, the walks are low, and he induces ground balls. Sounds like an effective bullpen piece to Mr.Z. He's currently the Cubs #5 prospect and has zipped through their system. Listen, Jackson' real first name is Randy, so Zs fans in Iowa tonight should chant RA-NDY RA-NDY and get in the guy's head like Mets crowds do with Chipper Jones. Just a thought.

Meyer In, Lane Out, Stone to DL

A few roster moves before last night's tilt:

*Dan Meyer is on the New Orleans roster trying to "figure it out" after posting a hard-to-believe 3.12 WHIP in Florida. Lefties hit him for a higher OPS than righties in a small sample size. All this after an extremely effective 2009 in Florida's bullpen as a lefty specialist.

*Jason Lane has been released. He was hitting just .229 with 3HR in New Orleans and at age 34, Mr.Z isn't sure Lane has much of a chance at catching on somewhere else at this point.

*Brad Stone has a strained right shoulder and has been moved to the DL. This is a blow to the Zs rotation, as Stone had been reliable recently. Hunter Mence is back with the team again to fill the roster spot.

Game #54: Zs Lose 10-4

The Zs were failed last night by an ineffective bullpen, particularly two pitchers recently demoted from Florida. It was their third loss in the last five games.

Hunter Jones made the start and survived 5 1/3 innings before the bullpen fell apart in the 6th and 8th innings. The recently demoted Burke Badenhop replaced Jones and gave up a hit, a walk, and a wild pitch before leaving with either a blister or a hand injury. Sinkbeil was left to clean up the mess and gave up two hits and two walks of his own. By the time the inning was over, Iowa had scored five runs and had a 6-1 lead.

Two innings later, the Zs called on lefty Dan Meyer, who was mysteriously awful out of Florida's pen this year after pitching effectively last year for the big club. Meyer gave up four runs, and between him, Badenhop, and Veras, appear to have three former major league reclamation projects trying to figure out if they can reclaim their stuff.

Iowa's Mitch Atkins continued a recent string of effective starts, inducing 8 ground balls against just 4 fly balls and striking out six. He surrendered just one run in his six innings.

Brad Davis stayed hot for the Zs, knocking out two hits including a two-run double.