2B Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. Chicago White Sox
SS Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 3 2B vs. Chicago White Sox
LF Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 2 BB R vs. Chicago White Sox
RF Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 3 vs. Chicago White Sox
RF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. Chicago White Sox
1B Mitch Moreland (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 RBI vs. Chicago White Sox
CF Craig Gentry (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. Chicago White Sox
CF Julio Borbon (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 1 R SB vs. Chicago White Sox
RHP Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 3 H 3 R 2 K vs. Chicago White Sox
LHP Michael Kirkman (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 4 H 3 R 1 BB 2 K vs. Chicago White Sox
RHP Darren O'Day (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Atlanta Braves
RHP Pedro Strop (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 BB 1 K vs. Atlanta Braves
LHP Zach Phillips (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 IP 1 H 1 R 1 K vs. Atlanta Braves
1B Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)- 1 for 3 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
LF Brandon Boggs (Pittsburgh Pirates)- 0 for 3 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
1B John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 2 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
LF Laynce Nix (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 2 RBI vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Boston Red Sox)- 0 for 2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
1B Adrian Gonzalez (Boston Red Sox)- 1 for 2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
LHP Jesse Carlson (Boston Red Sox)- 1 IP 1 H 1 R 1 BB 1 K vs. St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Frank Francisco (New York Mets)- 1 IP 1 H 1 R 1 BB 1 K vs. Miami Marlins
1B Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)- 1 for 3 vs. Chicago Cubs
SS Joaquin Arias (San Francisco Giants)- 0 for 1 vs. San Diego Padres
RHP Edinson Volquez (San Diego Padres)- 2 IP 2 H 1 R 1 K vs. San Francisco Giants
1B Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 1 for 1 HR RBI R vs. Colorado Rockies
DH Chad Tracy (Colorado Rockies)- 0 for 1 vs. Kansas City Royals
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Rundown of Former Riders: March 7th
2B Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. San Diego Padres
LF Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. San Diego Padres
LF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. San Diego Padres
CF Craig Gentry (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. San Diego Padres
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Ben Snyder (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Miguel De Los Santos (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 BB 4 K vs. San Diego Padres
RHP Joe Wieland (San Diego Padres)- 2 IP 6 H 4 R vs. Texas Rangers
RF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 for 2 R vs. Minnesota Twins
1B Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 for 3 vs. Minnesota Twins
RHP Armando Galarraga (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 IP 2 H 0 R 1 BB vs. Minnesota Twins
RHP Joaquin Benoit (Detroit Tigers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 2 K vs. Atlanta Braves
RHP Josh Lueke (Tampa Bay Rays)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R vs. New York Yankees
RHP Doug Mathis (Boston Red Sox)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 K vs. Toronto Blue Jays
CF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 0 for 2 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
1B John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 2 vs. Houston Astros
LF Laynce Nix (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 3 BB vs. Houston Astros
RF Brandon Boggs (Pittsburgh Pirates)- 0 for 1 BB R vs. Toronto Blue Jays
C Mike Nickeas (New York Mets)- 2 for 3 RBI R vs. Miami Marlins
RHP Blake Beavan (Seattle Mariners)- 4 IP 2 H 0 R 1 BB 3 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 1 for 1 2 RBI vs. Chicago Cubs
LHP Ron Mahay (Cincinnati Reds)- 1 IP 3 H 2 R 1 BB vs. San Diego Padres
RHP Nick Masset (Cincinnati Reds)- 2/3 IP 1 H 0 R 2 BB 1 K vs. San Diego Padres
1B Chad Tracy (Colorado Rockies)- 0 for 1 vs. San Francisco Giants
SS Joaquin Arias (San Francisco Giants)- 1 for 1 2B RBI R vs. Colorado Rockies
RHP Kameron Loe (Milwaukee Brewers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Chicago White Sox
LF Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. San Diego Padres
LF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. San Diego Padres
CF Craig Gentry (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. San Diego Padres
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Ben Snyder (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Miguel De Los Santos (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 BB 4 K vs. San Diego Padres
RHP Joe Wieland (San Diego Padres)- 2 IP 6 H 4 R vs. Texas Rangers
RF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 for 2 R vs. Minnesota Twins
1B Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 for 3 vs. Minnesota Twins
RHP Armando Galarraga (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 IP 2 H 0 R 1 BB vs. Minnesota Twins
RHP Joaquin Benoit (Detroit Tigers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 2 K vs. Atlanta Braves
RHP Josh Lueke (Tampa Bay Rays)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R vs. New York Yankees
RHP Doug Mathis (Boston Red Sox)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 K vs. Toronto Blue Jays
CF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 0 for 2 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
1B John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 2 vs. Houston Astros
LF Laynce Nix (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 3 BB vs. Houston Astros
RF Brandon Boggs (Pittsburgh Pirates)- 0 for 1 BB R vs. Toronto Blue Jays
C Mike Nickeas (New York Mets)- 2 for 3 RBI R vs. Miami Marlins
RHP Blake Beavan (Seattle Mariners)- 4 IP 2 H 0 R 1 BB 3 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 1 for 1 2 RBI vs. Chicago Cubs
LHP Ron Mahay (Cincinnati Reds)- 1 IP 3 H 2 R 1 BB vs. San Diego Padres
RHP Nick Masset (Cincinnati Reds)- 2/3 IP 1 H 0 R 2 BB 1 K vs. San Diego Padres
1B Chad Tracy (Colorado Rockies)- 0 for 1 vs. San Francisco Giants
SS Joaquin Arias (San Francisco Giants)- 1 for 1 2B RBI R vs. Colorado Rockies
RHP Kameron Loe (Milwaukee Brewers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Chicago White Sox
Texas League Best of the Best: Right Field
Team Rankings
1. San Antonio Missions
Statistics: .285/.375/.447/.822 46 Extra Base Hits 75 RBI 103 Runs 80 BB-92 K
The San Antonio Missions got superior production from another position, this time from right field. Sawyer Carroll led the Missions with 86 games played (348 plate appearances). Carroll hit .284 with an .862 OPS while playing right field including 33 extra base hits (13 homeruns). Daniel Robertson also saw playing time in right field with 57 games there (248 plate appearances). Robertson batted .285 with a .370 on base percentage (.758 OPS) in right field. Daniel walked more times (30) than he struck out (25) in right field. Jaff Decker, Anthony Contreras, Bobby Kielty, and Danny Payne combined for 10 games in right field.
2. Springfield Cardinals
Statistics: .288/.351/.445/.796 46 Extra Base Hits 74 RBI 86 Runs 45 BB-116 K
Springfield saw ten players get at least a game in right field for them throughout the season, although seven of the players had 5 or less games there. Alex Castellanos saw the most playing time in right for the Cardinals as he played 73 games (313 plate appearances) there. He batted .296 with an .865 OPS in right field including 32 extra base hits (13 homeruns). Castellanos was traded at the deadline to the Dodgers as part of the deal for Rafael Furcal. Chris Swauger played 41 games in right field and accumulated 159 plate appearances there. Swauger batted .327 with a .785 OPS in right field for the Cardinals. Alan Ahmady was the only other player with more than 10 games in right for Springfield as he had 14 games (54 plate appearances). Daryl Jones and Aaron Luna each saw 5 games in right, while Jermaine Curtis, Tyler Henley, James Rapoport, Allen Craig, and Steven Hill combined for 9 games.
3. Tulsa Drillers
Statistics: .287/.370/.436/.806 46 Extra Base Hits 52 RBI 78 Runs 62 BB-117 K
The player with the coolest (and longest) middle name in minor league baseball led the Tulsa Drillers in games played in right field. Bronson Kiheimahanaomauiakeo Sardinha (Yea, try saying that 5 times in a row) saw 72 games in right for the Drillers. He also batted .300 with a .395 on base percentage and .847 OPS overall in right. Sardinha had 22 extra base hits, but just 26 RBI in 291 plate appearances in right field. Brian Rike appeared in 39 games in right field with 147 plate appearances. He batted .295 with an .857 OPS in right field. Michael Mitchell appeared in 24 games there, while Mike Daniel had 10 games in right. Matt McBride, who was acquired in the deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, Mike Zuanich, and James Cesario combined for 7 games in right field for the Drillers.
4. Corpus Christi Hooks
Statistics: .275/.325/.414/.739 49 Extra Base Hits 60 RBI 61 Runs 33 BB-122 K
The Corpus Christi Hooks led the Texas League in extra base hits from right field with 49. Jon Gaston led the Hooks with 73 games played (284 plate appearances), and had 22 extra base hits with 22 RBI. Gaston also stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. This coming despite a batting line of .240/.285/.360/.645. Jake Goebbert had 164 plate appearances in right field with a .300 batting average and .825 OPS. Andrew Simunic and Brandon Barnes also got over 10 games played in right with 15 and 11 respectively. Barnes had a .975 OPS with 10 RBI in 41 plate appearancs. Adam Bailey, former Frisco RoughRider Jose Vallejo, Wladimir Sutil, and James Van Ostrand combined for 12 games.
5. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Statistics: .255/.334/.388/.722 42 Extra Base Hits 67 RBI 71 Runs 53 BB-102 K
Expectations were high entering the 2011 season for Northwest Arkansas's starting right fielder Wil Myers, who entered the season as a consensus top 10 prospect. However, a knee injury affected his season in Northwest Arkansas. Still, Myers, who spent the 2011 season as a 20 year old, batted .265/.361/.392/.753 in 75 games in right field. Nick squared (Nick Francis and Nick Van Stratten), appeared in 27 and 24 games in right field for the Naturals. Francis had a .655 OPS, while Van Stratten had a .711 OPS. Paulo Orlando and Anthony Seratelli, who both appeared in at least three positions for the Naturals, combined for 16 games in right field.
6. Frisco RoughRiders
Statistics: .261/.329/.389/.719 36 Extra Base Hits 62 RBI 75 Runs 39 BB-166 K
Frisco's right fielders struck out by far the most of any of the Texas League teams, but run production was still solid. Jonathan Greene, who saw the most time in right field, was the epitome of this. Greene appeared in 93 games in right for Frisco and struck out 119 times. Still, Greene led Texas League right fielders in homeruns with 14 and had 29 extra base hits. Greene batted .280 with a .785 OPS. Joey Butler and David Paisano each appeared in 13 games in right for Frisco. Engel Beltre, Mitch Hilligoss, Travis Adair, Davis Stoneburner, Leonys Martin, Nelson Cruz, and even pitcher Ben Snyder combined for 23 games in right for Frisco.
7. Midland Rockhounds
Statistics: .254/.319/.382/.701 41 Extra Base Hits 77 RBI 62 Runs 45 BB-92 K
The Rockhounds were by far the most stable team in right field in the Texas League as just three players saw time in right for Midland. Jeremy Barfield, son of Jesse Barfield and brother of Josh Barfield, was Midland's starting right fielder the whole year as he had 127 games played and 531 plate appearances in right field. Jeremy batted .255 with a .698 OPS in right, including 37 extra base hits and 11 homeruns. His extra base hit total was the most by a Texas League right fielder. Dallas native Matt Sulentic and Adam Heether appeared in a combined 17 games in right as well.
8. Arkansas Travelers
Statistics: .224/.288/.349/.637 38 Extra Base Hits 43 RBI 63 Runs 38 BB-126 K
Angel Castillo led the Arkansas Travelers in games played with 100 (372 plate appearances), but his .588 OPS (.216 AVG) probably also hurt them a lot. Blake Gailen also got 16 games in right, but had just a .501 OPS in his 64 plate appearances. Roberto Lopez appeared in 16 games as well with 60 plate appearances. He nearly had the eqaul of Castillo's and Gailen's OPS total as Lopez had a 1.045 OPS in right field (12 extra base hits). Chris Giovinazzo, David Harris, Rian Kiniry, and Marvin Lowrance combined for 6 games in right for the Travelers.
Previous Positions:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field
Designated Hitter
Starting Pitcher
Relievers
1. San Antonio Missions
Statistics: .285/.375/.447/.822 46 Extra Base Hits 75 RBI 103 Runs 80 BB-92 K
The San Antonio Missions got superior production from another position, this time from right field. Sawyer Carroll led the Missions with 86 games played (348 plate appearances). Carroll hit .284 with an .862 OPS while playing right field including 33 extra base hits (13 homeruns). Daniel Robertson also saw playing time in right field with 57 games there (248 plate appearances). Robertson batted .285 with a .370 on base percentage (.758 OPS) in right field. Daniel walked more times (30) than he struck out (25) in right field. Jaff Decker, Anthony Contreras, Bobby Kielty, and Danny Payne combined for 10 games in right field.
2. Springfield Cardinals
Statistics: .288/.351/.445/.796 46 Extra Base Hits 74 RBI 86 Runs 45 BB-116 K
Springfield saw ten players get at least a game in right field for them throughout the season, although seven of the players had 5 or less games there. Alex Castellanos saw the most playing time in right for the Cardinals as he played 73 games (313 plate appearances) there. He batted .296 with an .865 OPS in right field including 32 extra base hits (13 homeruns). Castellanos was traded at the deadline to the Dodgers as part of the deal for Rafael Furcal. Chris Swauger played 41 games in right field and accumulated 159 plate appearances there. Swauger batted .327 with a .785 OPS in right field for the Cardinals. Alan Ahmady was the only other player with more than 10 games in right for Springfield as he had 14 games (54 plate appearances). Daryl Jones and Aaron Luna each saw 5 games in right, while Jermaine Curtis, Tyler Henley, James Rapoport, Allen Craig, and Steven Hill combined for 9 games.
3. Tulsa Drillers
Statistics: .287/.370/.436/.806 46 Extra Base Hits 52 RBI 78 Runs 62 BB-117 K
The player with the coolest (and longest) middle name in minor league baseball led the Tulsa Drillers in games played in right field. Bronson Kiheimahanaomauiakeo Sardinha (Yea, try saying that 5 times in a row) saw 72 games in right for the Drillers. He also batted .300 with a .395 on base percentage and .847 OPS overall in right. Sardinha had 22 extra base hits, but just 26 RBI in 291 plate appearances in right field. Brian Rike appeared in 39 games in right field with 147 plate appearances. He batted .295 with an .857 OPS in right field. Michael Mitchell appeared in 24 games there, while Mike Daniel had 10 games in right. Matt McBride, who was acquired in the deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, Mike Zuanich, and James Cesario combined for 7 games in right field for the Drillers.
4. Corpus Christi Hooks
Statistics: .275/.325/.414/.739 49 Extra Base Hits 60 RBI 61 Runs 33 BB-122 K
The Corpus Christi Hooks led the Texas League in extra base hits from right field with 49. Jon Gaston led the Hooks with 73 games played (284 plate appearances), and had 22 extra base hits with 22 RBI. Gaston also stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. This coming despite a batting line of .240/.285/.360/.645. Jake Goebbert had 164 plate appearances in right field with a .300 batting average and .825 OPS. Andrew Simunic and Brandon Barnes also got over 10 games played in right with 15 and 11 respectively. Barnes had a .975 OPS with 10 RBI in 41 plate appearancs. Adam Bailey, former Frisco RoughRider Jose Vallejo, Wladimir Sutil, and James Van Ostrand combined for 12 games.
5. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Statistics: .255/.334/.388/.722 42 Extra Base Hits 67 RBI 71 Runs 53 BB-102 K
Expectations were high entering the 2011 season for Northwest Arkansas's starting right fielder Wil Myers, who entered the season as a consensus top 10 prospect. However, a knee injury affected his season in Northwest Arkansas. Still, Myers, who spent the 2011 season as a 20 year old, batted .265/.361/.392/.753 in 75 games in right field. Nick squared (Nick Francis and Nick Van Stratten), appeared in 27 and 24 games in right field for the Naturals. Francis had a .655 OPS, while Van Stratten had a .711 OPS. Paulo Orlando and Anthony Seratelli, who both appeared in at least three positions for the Naturals, combined for 16 games in right field.
6. Frisco RoughRiders
Statistics: .261/.329/.389/.719 36 Extra Base Hits 62 RBI 75 Runs 39 BB-166 K
Frisco's right fielders struck out by far the most of any of the Texas League teams, but run production was still solid. Jonathan Greene, who saw the most time in right field, was the epitome of this. Greene appeared in 93 games in right for Frisco and struck out 119 times. Still, Greene led Texas League right fielders in homeruns with 14 and had 29 extra base hits. Greene batted .280 with a .785 OPS. Joey Butler and David Paisano each appeared in 13 games in right for Frisco. Engel Beltre, Mitch Hilligoss, Travis Adair, Davis Stoneburner, Leonys Martin, Nelson Cruz, and even pitcher Ben Snyder combined for 23 games in right for Frisco.
7. Midland Rockhounds
Statistics: .254/.319/.382/.701 41 Extra Base Hits 77 RBI 62 Runs 45 BB-92 K
The Rockhounds were by far the most stable team in right field in the Texas League as just three players saw time in right for Midland. Jeremy Barfield, son of Jesse Barfield and brother of Josh Barfield, was Midland's starting right fielder the whole year as he had 127 games played and 531 plate appearances in right field. Jeremy batted .255 with a .698 OPS in right, including 37 extra base hits and 11 homeruns. His extra base hit total was the most by a Texas League right fielder. Dallas native Matt Sulentic and Adam Heether appeared in a combined 17 games in right as well.
8. Arkansas Travelers
Statistics: .224/.288/.349/.637 38 Extra Base Hits 43 RBI 63 Runs 38 BB-126 K
Angel Castillo led the Arkansas Travelers in games played with 100 (372 plate appearances), but his .588 OPS (.216 AVG) probably also hurt them a lot. Blake Gailen also got 16 games in right, but had just a .501 OPS in his 64 plate appearances. Roberto Lopez appeared in 16 games as well with 60 plate appearances. He nearly had the eqaul of Castillo's and Gailen's OPS total as Lopez had a 1.045 OPS in right field (12 extra base hits). Chris Giovinazzo, David Harris, Rian Kiniry, and Marvin Lowrance combined for 6 games in right for the Travelers.
Previous Positions:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field
Designated Hitter
Starting Pitcher
Relievers
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Rundown of Former Riders: March 6th
CF Julio Borbon (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 2 R BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 2 HR RBI R BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
SS Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 2 2B 2 R RBI vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RF Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 2 2 RBI BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
DH Tommy Mendonca (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 3 2 R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 1 2B 2 RBI R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
1B Mitch Moreland (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Matt Harrison (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Mark Hamburger (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 0 R 1 BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Robbie Ross (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 2 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Cody Eppley (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Jake Brigham (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 3 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Justin Miller (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 2 H 0 R 1 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Fabio Castillo (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 2 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
OF John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 1 for 2 RBI vs. Toronto Blue Jays
DH Laynce Nix (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 3 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
LHP Jesse Chavez (Toronto Blue Jays)- 1 IP 2 H 1 R vs. Philadelphia Phillies
OF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 1 for 3 2B R vs. New York Mets
RHP Omar Poveda (Miami Marlins)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Detroit Tigers
1B Adrian Gonzalez (Boston Red Sox)- 1 for 3 2B RBI R vs. Baltimore Orioles
RF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 3 vs. Boston Red Sox
C Taylor Teagarden (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 2 R vs. Boston Red Sox
RHP Eric Hurley (Los Angeles Angels)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 2 BB 2 K vs. Chicago White Sox
LHP John Danks (Chicago White Sox)- 2 IP 4 H 3 R 3 BB 1 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
1B Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)- 1 for 2 RBI R vs. Cincinnati Reds
RHP Guillermo Moscoso (Colorado Rockies)- 2 IP 5 H 4 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Chicago Cubs
SS Christian Guzman (Cleveland Indians)- 0 for 2 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 2 for 3 2 HR 4 RBI 2 R BB vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Robbie Erlin (San Diego Padres)- 2 IP 3 H 3 R 2 ER 1 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
1B Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)- 1 for 2 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Brandon Boggs (Pittsburgh Pirates)- 0 for 1 BB vs. New York Yankees
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 2 HR RBI R BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
SS Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 2 2B 2 R RBI vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RF Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 2 2 RBI BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
DH Tommy Mendonca (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 3 2 R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 1 2B 2 RBI R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
1B Mitch Moreland (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 3 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Matt Harrison (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Mark Hamburger (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 0 R 1 BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Robbie Ross (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 2 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Cody Eppley (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 BB vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Jake Brigham (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 3 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Justin Miller (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 2 H 0 R 1 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Fabio Castillo (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 2 K vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
OF John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 1 for 2 RBI vs. Toronto Blue Jays
DH Laynce Nix (Philadelphia Phillies)- 0 for 3 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
LHP Jesse Chavez (Toronto Blue Jays)- 1 IP 2 H 1 R vs. Philadelphia Phillies
OF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 1 for 3 2B R vs. New York Mets
RHP Omar Poveda (Miami Marlins)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Detroit Tigers
1B Adrian Gonzalez (Boston Red Sox)- 1 for 3 2B RBI R vs. Baltimore Orioles
RF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 3 vs. Boston Red Sox
C Taylor Teagarden (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 2 R vs. Boston Red Sox
RHP Eric Hurley (Los Angeles Angels)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 2 BB 2 K vs. Chicago White Sox
LHP John Danks (Chicago White Sox)- 2 IP 4 H 3 R 3 BB 1 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
1B Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)- 1 for 2 RBI R vs. Cincinnati Reds
RHP Guillermo Moscoso (Colorado Rockies)- 2 IP 5 H 4 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Chicago Cubs
SS Christian Guzman (Cleveland Indians)- 0 for 2 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 2 for 3 2 HR 4 RBI 2 R BB vs. San Diego Padres
LHP Robbie Erlin (San Diego Padres)- 2 IP 3 H 3 R 2 ER 1 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
1B Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)- 1 for 2 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Brandon Boggs (Pittsburgh Pirates)- 0 for 1 BB vs. New York Yankees
Monday, March 5, 2012
Rundown of Former Riders: March 5th
Baseball is back! It may be only Spring Training, but it's still baseball. Here is a rundown of how former Frisco RoughRiders have fared today, March 5th. With three games left and one in progress, if there are any more they will be added.
2B Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 3 2 R vs. Kansas City Royals
SS Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)- 3 for 3 3B RBI 3 R vs. Kansas City Royals
CF Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 3 vs. Kansas City Royals
RF Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 3 vs. Kansas City Royals
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 2 vs. Kansas City Royals
LF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. Kansas City Royals
DH Mitch Moreland (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 2 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
LHP Derek Holland (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 3 H 1 ER 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
RHP Alexi Ogando (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 2 K vs. Kansas City Royals
LHP Ben Snyder (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
RHP Tanner Scheppers (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 1 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 0 for 1 K vs. Texas Rangers
LHP C.J. Wilson (Los Angeles Angels)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 0 K vs. Oakland Athletics
LHP Fabio Castro (Oakland Athletics)- 2 IP 3 H 1 R 1 BB 1 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
1B Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)- 1 for 2 RBI BB vs. San Diego Padres
1B Chad Tracy (Colorado Rockies)- 0 for 1 RBI vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Joaquin Benoit (Detroit Tigers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 1 K vs. Toronto Blue Jays
OF John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 1 for 1 R vs. New York Yankees
RHP Pedro Strop (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 2 H 1 ER 3 K vs. Tampa Bay Rays
LHP Zach Phillips (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R 3 K vs. Tampa Bay Rays
CF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 for 3 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
C Taylor Teagarden (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 3 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
CF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 1 for 2 vs. Atlanta Braves
LHP Daniel Herrera (New York Mets)- 1 IP 2 H 0 R 1 K vs. Washington Nationals
RHP Frank Francisco (New York Mets)- 1 IP 2 H 1 R vs. Washington Nationals
C Mike Nickeas (New York Mets)- 0 for 1 vs. Washington Nationals
RHP Vicente Padilla (Boston Red Sox)- 2 IP 3 H 0 R 2 K vs. Minnesota Twins
1B Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 for 3 RBI vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Darren O'Day (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 2 H 2 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
SS Joaquin Arias (San Francisco Giants)- 0 for 1 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
2B Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)- 2 for 3 2 R vs. Kansas City Royals
SS Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)- 3 for 3 3B RBI 3 R vs. Kansas City Royals
CF Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 3 vs. Kansas City Royals
RF Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers)- 1 for 3 vs. Kansas City Royals
CF Leonys Martin (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 2 vs. Kansas City Royals
LF Engel Beltre (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 1 vs. Kansas City Royals
DH Mitch Moreland (Texas Rangers)- 0 for 2 BB vs. Kansas City Royals
LHP Derek Holland (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 3 H 1 ER 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
RHP Alexi Ogando (Texas Rangers)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 2 K vs. Kansas City Royals
LHP Ben Snyder (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 0 H 0 R 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
RHP Tanner Scheppers (Texas Rangers)- 1 IP 1 H 1 R 2 BB 1 K vs. Kansas City Royals
C Max Ramirez (Kansas City Royals)- 0 for 1 K vs. Texas Rangers
LHP C.J. Wilson (Los Angeles Angels)- 2 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 0 K vs. Oakland Athletics
LHP Fabio Castro (Oakland Athletics)- 2 IP 3 H 1 R 1 BB 1 K vs. Los Angeles Angels
1B Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)- 1 for 2 RBI BB vs. San Diego Padres
1B Chad Tracy (Colorado Rockies)- 0 for 1 RBI vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Joaquin Benoit (Detroit Tigers)- 1 IP 1 H 0 R 1 K vs. Toronto Blue Jays
OF John Mayberry Jr. (Philadelphia Phillies)- 1 for 1 R vs. New York Yankees
RHP Pedro Strop (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 2 H 1 ER 3 K vs. Tampa Bay Rays
LHP Zach Phillips (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 IP 0 H 0 R 3 K vs. Tampa Bay Rays
CF Endy Chavez (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 for 3 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
C Taylor Teagarden (Baltimore Orioles)- 0 for 3 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
CF Jason Bourgeois (Houston Astros)- 1 for 2 vs. Atlanta Braves
LHP Daniel Herrera (New York Mets)- 1 IP 2 H 0 R 1 K vs. Washington Nationals
RHP Frank Francisco (New York Mets)- 1 IP 2 H 1 R vs. Washington Nationals
C Mike Nickeas (New York Mets)- 0 for 1 vs. Washington Nationals
RHP Vicente Padilla (Boston Red Sox)- 2 IP 3 H 0 R 2 K vs. Minnesota Twins
1B Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)- 2 for 3 RBI vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Darren O'Day (Baltimore Orioles)- 1 IP 2 H 2 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
SS Joaquin Arias (San Francisco Giants)- 0 for 1 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Texas League Best of the Best: Center Field
Team Rankings
1. Midland Rockhounds
Statistics: .323/.402/.517/.919 63 Extra Base Hits 81 RBI 115 Runs 74 BB-123 K
For the first half of the 2011 season, the story of the Texas League was Jermaine Mitchell's insane production. The then 26 year old centerfielder had 13 triples by the end of May and combined that with double digits doubles (15) and homeruns (10) by the time he was promoted to Sacramento (AAA). Mitchell also drew a boat load of walks to go with his high average making him an opponent's nightmare. While Mitchell was good on the road, he dominated at home where he hit .414/.497/.711/1.208 in Midland making him one of the few players that actually loved playing in Midland. Once Mitchell was promoted, top prospect Grant Green was switched from shortstop to centerfield. Green batted .300 with a .763 OPS as a centerfielder, although his walk to strikeout ratio was just 9 to 44. Green did have 16 extra base hits in 218 plate appearances as a centerfielder. Shane Peterson and Tyler Ladendorf appeared in a combined 28 games at centerfield as well. Peterson stole an impressive 8 bases in 8 attempts in his 21 games as the centerfielder.
2. Tulsa Drillers
Statistics: .289/.367/.533/.900 67 Extra Base Hits 87 RBI 108 Runs 60 BB-145 K
While Jermaine Mitchell one of the stories of the first half, Tim Wheeler was one of the stories of the whole year in the Texas League. Tulsa's prime power hitter, despite batting leadoff the whole year, finished the year with 33 homeruns, a Tulsa Driller franchise record. Wheeler led Texas League centerfielders in pretty much every individual statistic except stolen bases, and even then he stole 21 for the season. Wheeler played in 137 games in centerfield and piled up 632 plate appearances there. He had 67 extra base hits, drove in 86 runs, scored 105 runs, and posted a .288/.367/.538/.904 batting line. The only other player for Tulsa to appear in centerfield was Michael Mitchell, who made 3 cameo appearances there.
3. Arkansas Travelers
Statistics: .301/.382/.489/.871 56 Extra Base Hits 60 RBI 104 Runs 62 BB-113 K
No prospect in the Texas League in 2011 received more accolades (and deserving accolades) than the player that manned centerfield for 88 games for the Arkansas Travelers. If this ranking was based on how the players would fare in the future in the MLB, then the Arkansas Travelers would have been listed as #1 by a mile. Arkansas fans got the pleasure of watching 19 year old Mike Trout play centerfield the majority of the season for Arkansas before he was promoted to the big league club on July 8th. While with the Travelers, Trout did just about everything imaginable on a baseball field. Want contact? Trout batted .326. Want patience? Trout walked 45 times in 400 plate appearances, and got on base at a .416 clip. Want power? Trout had 41 extra base hits in 400 PA, including 11 homeruns. Want Speed? Trout stole 33 bases in 43 attempts and dashed out 13 triples as well. Want defense? Trout is a plus defender with elite speed. You can see Mike Trout taking batting practice on the Frisco RoughRider's insider blog here: http://mlblogsridersinsider.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/roughriders-vs-big-leaguers/
Once Trout was promoted, the Travelers used a caravan of players to play centerfield as Clay Fuller (23 games), Matt Long (17 games), Rian Kiniry (5 games), Blake Gailen (2 games), and Chris Giovinazzo (2 games) took over.
4. San Antonio Missions
Statistics: .284/.380/.468/.849 61 Extra Base Hits 79 RBI 106 Runs 78 BB-128 K
Keeping up with the single player making noise, perhaps no individual opponent was talked about more during the 2011 season than San Antonio's Blake Tekotte. And it has nothing to do with the Missions playing in Frisco every other weekend. Tekotte was a favorite of Aaron Goldsmith's, who was Frisco's radio voice the last two years, and now a broadcaster for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2012. Tekotte led the Missions in games played in centerfield with 102 games played and 482 plate appearances. He batted an impressive .293/.400/.510/.910 while in centerfield with 47 extra base hits (19 homeruns) and 36 stolen bases. Like Trout, Tekotte displayed good power, patience (65 walks), and speed. He also managed to hit a foul ball into the radio booth during the season. Daniel Robertson also saw 37 games in centerfield for the Missions and hit .259/.325/.367/.693 as a centerfielder. Jaff Decker (4 games), Sawyer Carroll (1 game), and Danny Payne (1 game) filled in the rest of the time in centerfield.
5. Springfield Cardinals
Statistics: .292/.381/.458/.839 50 Extra Base Hits 64 RBI 106 Runs 66 BB-107 K
No Texas League team used more players in centerfieldin 2011 than the Springfield Cardinals. Nine players saw time in centerfield for the Cardinals with Tommy Pham leading the way with 37 games played there. Five different players had at least 16 games played in center: Pham, James Rapoport, D'Marcus Ingram, Alex Castellanos, and Daryl Jones. Pham, who's always been known to have a high ceiling, looked like he was having a breakout year before getting hurt in May and then again in June. Pham batted .293 with an .894 OPS in centerfield. He had 19 extra base hits in 163 plate appearances. Perhaps no player with at least 70 plate appearances dominated at a position like Alex Castellanos did. With 71 plate appearances in centerfield, Castellanos batted .444/.507/.841/1.348. He had 12 extra base hits (6 homeruns) in 17 games. Shane Robinson, Jose Garcia, Aaron Luna, and Chris Swauger combined for 15 games in centerfield as well.
6. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Statistics: .257/.334/.343/.678 28 Extra Base Hits 48 RBI 81 Runs 62 BB-107 K
Short on power, but tough on speed, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals got mediocre production from centerfield compared to the rest of the league. The Naturals had the least amount of extra base hits from centerfield in the league, but had the most amount of steals with 48. Derrick Robinson is a main cause of this, as the switch handed speedster led the team with 93 games and 419 plate appearances in centerfield. Robinson had just 9 extra base hits (1 homerun), but used his elite speed to steal 42 bases. In six minor league seasons, Robinson has stolen 291 bases in 384 attempts, including 4 consecutive seasons with at least 50 steals. Nick Van Stratten was second on the team with 23 games in centerfield. He batted .247 with 7 extra base hits and a .746 OPS. Top prospect Wil Myers saw 13 games in centerfield for the Naturals and had 8 extra base hits and a .271/.386/.542/.928 batting line. Brazilian born outfielder Paulo Orlando also had 13 games in centerfield for Northwest Arkansas.
7. Frisco RoughRiders
Statistics: .250/.316/.347/.662 34 Extra Base Hits 50 RBI 84 Runs 42 BB-111 K
Perhaps no player in the Texas Ranger's system was more disappointing than the player that held down centerfield for 102 games for Frisco in 2011. After what seemed like a promising year in 2010, Beltre regressed in 2011 to the point where any streak seemed like an accomplishment. Beltre batted just .240/.295/.313/.608 and had 20 extra base hits in 421 plate appearances as a centerfielder. He drove in 27 runs and stole 14 bases in 20 attempts. Leonys Martin also saw 23 games in centerfield for Frisco and dominated to the tune of .344/.419/.559/.978 in his short time in centerfield. Perhaps nothing speaks to the difference of the two than the fact that Martin had almost as many RBI (22) as Beltre (27) in 79 less games and 313 less plate appearances. David Paisano, Guilder Rodriguez, and Jonathan Greene combined for 17 games in centerfield for Frisco as well.
8. Corpus Christi Hooks
Statistics: .219/.257/.340/.597 37 extra base hits 68 RBI 65 runs 25 BB-139 K
One of the interesting things to watch in the Texas League in 2011 was the BB/K ratio of T.J. Steele for the Corpus Christi Hooks. If Steele was a pitcher, he'd be one of the best pitchers in baseball with a K/BB ratio like that. Unfortunately for Hooks/Astros fans and T.J. Steele he is a hitter, however, and with that comes a ridiculous ratio. In 413 plate appearances (103 games), Steele struck out 108 times and walked just 15 times. Amazingly, however, his 15 walks (16 overall) is a career high in the minor leagues, so at least people can pin hopes on he's improving! Steele batted .205 with a .569 OPS as a centerfielder, including 25 extra base hits (10 homeruns). Jon Gaston and Brandon Barnes each saw 22 games and 20 games in centerfield, respectively. Gaston, who had a huge season in the hitters haven California League in 2009 (31 doubles, 15 triples, and 35 homeruns with 14 steals), has struggled since reaching AA (.720 OPS in 2010 and .646 OPS in 2011). Barnes proved to be the best centerfielder that the Hooks had as he hit .273/.304/.394/.698 with 6 extra base hits in 70 plate appearances. Major League player and former Frisco RoughRider Jason Bourgeois and Jake Goebbert combined for 4 games in centerfield for Corpus Christi as well.
Previous Positions:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field
Designated Hitter
Starting Pitcher
Relievers
1. Midland Rockhounds
Statistics: .323/.402/.517/.919 63 Extra Base Hits 81 RBI 115 Runs 74 BB-123 K
For the first half of the 2011 season, the story of the Texas League was Jermaine Mitchell's insane production. The then 26 year old centerfielder had 13 triples by the end of May and combined that with double digits doubles (15) and homeruns (10) by the time he was promoted to Sacramento (AAA). Mitchell also drew a boat load of walks to go with his high average making him an opponent's nightmare. While Mitchell was good on the road, he dominated at home where he hit .414/.497/.711/1.208 in Midland making him one of the few players that actually loved playing in Midland. Once Mitchell was promoted, top prospect Grant Green was switched from shortstop to centerfield. Green batted .300 with a .763 OPS as a centerfielder, although his walk to strikeout ratio was just 9 to 44. Green did have 16 extra base hits in 218 plate appearances as a centerfielder. Shane Peterson and Tyler Ladendorf appeared in a combined 28 games at centerfield as well. Peterson stole an impressive 8 bases in 8 attempts in his 21 games as the centerfielder.
2. Tulsa Drillers
Statistics: .289/.367/.533/.900 67 Extra Base Hits 87 RBI 108 Runs 60 BB-145 K
While Jermaine Mitchell one of the stories of the first half, Tim Wheeler was one of the stories of the whole year in the Texas League. Tulsa's prime power hitter, despite batting leadoff the whole year, finished the year with 33 homeruns, a Tulsa Driller franchise record. Wheeler led Texas League centerfielders in pretty much every individual statistic except stolen bases, and even then he stole 21 for the season. Wheeler played in 137 games in centerfield and piled up 632 plate appearances there. He had 67 extra base hits, drove in 86 runs, scored 105 runs, and posted a .288/.367/.538/.904 batting line. The only other player for Tulsa to appear in centerfield was Michael Mitchell, who made 3 cameo appearances there.
3. Arkansas Travelers
Statistics: .301/.382/.489/.871 56 Extra Base Hits 60 RBI 104 Runs 62 BB-113 K
No prospect in the Texas League in 2011 received more accolades (and deserving accolades) than the player that manned centerfield for 88 games for the Arkansas Travelers. If this ranking was based on how the players would fare in the future in the MLB, then the Arkansas Travelers would have been listed as #1 by a mile. Arkansas fans got the pleasure of watching 19 year old Mike Trout play centerfield the majority of the season for Arkansas before he was promoted to the big league club on July 8th. While with the Travelers, Trout did just about everything imaginable on a baseball field. Want contact? Trout batted .326. Want patience? Trout walked 45 times in 400 plate appearances, and got on base at a .416 clip. Want power? Trout had 41 extra base hits in 400 PA, including 11 homeruns. Want Speed? Trout stole 33 bases in 43 attempts and dashed out 13 triples as well. Want defense? Trout is a plus defender with elite speed. You can see Mike Trout taking batting practice on the Frisco RoughRider's insider blog here: http://mlblogsridersinsider.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/roughriders-vs-big-leaguers/
Once Trout was promoted, the Travelers used a caravan of players to play centerfield as Clay Fuller (23 games), Matt Long (17 games), Rian Kiniry (5 games), Blake Gailen (2 games), and Chris Giovinazzo (2 games) took over.
4. San Antonio Missions
Statistics: .284/.380/.468/.849 61 Extra Base Hits 79 RBI 106 Runs 78 BB-128 K
Keeping up with the single player making noise, perhaps no individual opponent was talked about more during the 2011 season than San Antonio's Blake Tekotte. And it has nothing to do with the Missions playing in Frisco every other weekend. Tekotte was a favorite of Aaron Goldsmith's, who was Frisco's radio voice the last two years, and now a broadcaster for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2012. Tekotte led the Missions in games played in centerfield with 102 games played and 482 plate appearances. He batted an impressive .293/.400/.510/.910 while in centerfield with 47 extra base hits (19 homeruns) and 36 stolen bases. Like Trout, Tekotte displayed good power, patience (65 walks), and speed. He also managed to hit a foul ball into the radio booth during the season. Daniel Robertson also saw 37 games in centerfield for the Missions and hit .259/.325/.367/.693 as a centerfielder. Jaff Decker (4 games), Sawyer Carroll (1 game), and Danny Payne (1 game) filled in the rest of the time in centerfield.
5. Springfield Cardinals
Statistics: .292/.381/.458/.839 50 Extra Base Hits 64 RBI 106 Runs 66 BB-107 K
No Texas League team used more players in centerfieldin 2011 than the Springfield Cardinals. Nine players saw time in centerfield for the Cardinals with Tommy Pham leading the way with 37 games played there. Five different players had at least 16 games played in center: Pham, James Rapoport, D'Marcus Ingram, Alex Castellanos, and Daryl Jones. Pham, who's always been known to have a high ceiling, looked like he was having a breakout year before getting hurt in May and then again in June. Pham batted .293 with an .894 OPS in centerfield. He had 19 extra base hits in 163 plate appearances. Perhaps no player with at least 70 plate appearances dominated at a position like Alex Castellanos did. With 71 plate appearances in centerfield, Castellanos batted .444/.507/.841/1.348. He had 12 extra base hits (6 homeruns) in 17 games. Shane Robinson, Jose Garcia, Aaron Luna, and Chris Swauger combined for 15 games in centerfield as well.
6. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Statistics: .257/.334/.343/.678 28 Extra Base Hits 48 RBI 81 Runs 62 BB-107 K
Short on power, but tough on speed, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals got mediocre production from centerfield compared to the rest of the league. The Naturals had the least amount of extra base hits from centerfield in the league, but had the most amount of steals with 48. Derrick Robinson is a main cause of this, as the switch handed speedster led the team with 93 games and 419 plate appearances in centerfield. Robinson had just 9 extra base hits (1 homerun), but used his elite speed to steal 42 bases. In six minor league seasons, Robinson has stolen 291 bases in 384 attempts, including 4 consecutive seasons with at least 50 steals. Nick Van Stratten was second on the team with 23 games in centerfield. He batted .247 with 7 extra base hits and a .746 OPS. Top prospect Wil Myers saw 13 games in centerfield for the Naturals and had 8 extra base hits and a .271/.386/.542/.928 batting line. Brazilian born outfielder Paulo Orlando also had 13 games in centerfield for Northwest Arkansas.
7. Frisco RoughRiders
Statistics: .250/.316/.347/.662 34 Extra Base Hits 50 RBI 84 Runs 42 BB-111 K
Perhaps no player in the Texas Ranger's system was more disappointing than the player that held down centerfield for 102 games for Frisco in 2011. After what seemed like a promising year in 2010, Beltre regressed in 2011 to the point where any streak seemed like an accomplishment. Beltre batted just .240/.295/.313/.608 and had 20 extra base hits in 421 plate appearances as a centerfielder. He drove in 27 runs and stole 14 bases in 20 attempts. Leonys Martin also saw 23 games in centerfield for Frisco and dominated to the tune of .344/.419/.559/.978 in his short time in centerfield. Perhaps nothing speaks to the difference of the two than the fact that Martin had almost as many RBI (22) as Beltre (27) in 79 less games and 313 less plate appearances. David Paisano, Guilder Rodriguez, and Jonathan Greene combined for 17 games in centerfield for Frisco as well.
8. Corpus Christi Hooks
Statistics: .219/.257/.340/.597 37 extra base hits 68 RBI 65 runs 25 BB-139 K
One of the interesting things to watch in the Texas League in 2011 was the BB/K ratio of T.J. Steele for the Corpus Christi Hooks. If Steele was a pitcher, he'd be one of the best pitchers in baseball with a K/BB ratio like that. Unfortunately for Hooks/Astros fans and T.J. Steele he is a hitter, however, and with that comes a ridiculous ratio. In 413 plate appearances (103 games), Steele struck out 108 times and walked just 15 times. Amazingly, however, his 15 walks (16 overall) is a career high in the minor leagues, so at least people can pin hopes on he's improving! Steele batted .205 with a .569 OPS as a centerfielder, including 25 extra base hits (10 homeruns). Jon Gaston and Brandon Barnes each saw 22 games and 20 games in centerfield, respectively. Gaston, who had a huge season in the hitters haven California League in 2009 (31 doubles, 15 triples, and 35 homeruns with 14 steals), has struggled since reaching AA (.720 OPS in 2010 and .646 OPS in 2011). Barnes proved to be the best centerfielder that the Hooks had as he hit .273/.304/.394/.698 with 6 extra base hits in 70 plate appearances. Major League player and former Frisco RoughRider Jason Bourgeois and Jake Goebbert combined for 4 games in centerfield for Corpus Christi as well.
Previous Positions:
Catcher
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Left Field
Center Field
Right Field
Designated Hitter
Starting Pitcher
Relievers
Friday, March 2, 2012
Off Topic: New Playoff Format--- Fixing Something That Isn't Broken
Major League Baseball has announced that the new playoff format that was agreed upon with the new CBA will go into immediate effect in 2012. There will be two additional playoff teams, one in each league, in the 2012 postseason. People have had different view points on the new format. I will first go into some of the facts and then give my opinion on why I believe they are trying to fix something that was never broken and why I think they should have gone a much easier, cleaner route if they actually wanted to change things.
Facts:
Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/03/02/playoffs-expand.ap/index.html
- MLB will have 2 Wild Card teams from each league beginning in 2012.
- The two wild cards from each league will play a 1 game playoff and the winner will go against the top seed in the LDS.
- MLB will no longer go by the rule where two teams in the same division cannot play each other in the first round.
- The Houston Astros will switch to the AL West beginning in 2013.
- For just 2012, MLB will have a 2-3 playoff format in the LDS, which means the team that has "home field advantage" will begin on the road. This new format cut back on travel time, which allowed the 1 game Wild Card format and tie breakers to fit into the schedule.
- Unlike past years when head to head records were used to break division titles, the tie breaker will be on the field in a one game tie breaker. This could make things extra complicated, more on that later.
With the facts out there, my thought from the beginning that I heard this was "wow, what is major league baseball doing." I've listened to some of the positive points of this, the "extra drama", keeping fans of some teams that never have a chance more interested. But even with those there are FAR too many negatives and reasons to not like this.
Point #1: By Having Two Wild Cards, MLB is Making the Postseason More Mediocre
The American League Perspective
Since 1996, the American League Wild Card has had at least 90 wins 15 of the 16 years, including 15 seasons in a row dating back to 1997. Over those 16 years, the Wild Card spot in the American League has ONE less win than the 2nd best American League team does cumulative with 1,515 wins compared to 1,516 wins. They are well ahead of the 3rd best division winning team, which has 1,454 wins during that span of time. If everything broke down, you would have to go further down to 1,422 wins for the 5th place team, which would be the 2nd Wild Card winning team. The Wild Card has had the 2nd most wins in the league more times (5) than it has been 4th in wins (3).
Over the last five seasons in the American League, the Wild Card has belonged to the AL East with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox each taking two and the Tampa Bay Rays taking another. They have had 3 95 win seasons, a 94 win season, and in 2011 the Rays had 91 wins. The Wild Card spot has 15 90+ win seasons, the 2nd Wild Card spot would have 7 90+ win seasons.
Over the last twelve seasons, there would have been a gap of five or more wins between the Wild Card winning team and the second Wild Card winning team in eight of the seasons.
The National League Perspective
While the American League has been much more defined as being dominant from the Wild Card spot, but less so from the 2nd Wild Card spot, the National League has not been so dominant. Over the last 12 years, there has only been 1 case of a 5 or more game gap between the first Wild Card and second Wild Card.
Again, however, the Wild Card has more wins than the 3rd best division winner (1,461 wins to 1,438), and once again the second Wild Card team would make the process more mediocre coming in at 1,425 wins over the last sixteen seasons. The second Wild Card spot would only have had 5 seasons with 90+ wins, which is even less than the 3rd division winner (8 times). The National League Wild Card winner over the last 16 years has had 90 or more wins in twelve of the sixteen seasons, including four straight.
The National League Wild Card spot has had the fourth most wins in six of the sixteen seasons. They've had the second most wins in two of the sixteen seasons.
Point #2: Was There Actually Something Wrong?
By adding the second Wild Card spot, MLB was basically saying that there was something wrong with the way that Wild Cards were able to win in the postseason. Beyond the fact that this was probably a ploy to make more money and drama, I believe that MLB really thought they needed to make more of a challenged for the Wild Card teams. But was there ever really an issue?
Since the Wild Card has come into existence, roughly 25% of the World Series teams have been Wild Card teams, and roughly 25% of the World Series winners have been Wild Card teams. Yet every postseason 25% of the teams are Wild Card teams. Now they get to boost that % to 40%, granted only 25% will actually go into the first non-one game playoff format.
Point #3: The Oakland Athletics Factor--- The One Game Playoff Format Is Really Ridiculous
I do not like the fact that there are more Wild Card teams, but if they're going to add another one to each league, couldn't they have at least made it a 3 game playoff format? The problem with a 1 game playoff format is that you're going to have situations where the two Wild Card teams play each other with a legitimate spread of games between them in the regular season. A one game playoff format proves even less than a 3,5, or 7 game playoff format in the postseason does. Any team on any given day can beat a team for a one game series. Heck any team can beat any team in a seven game series, but that's for another day.
Imagine for a second that this had actually started when the Wild Card took form. Now imagine that you're a fan of the 2001 Oakland Athletics. Your team just finished with the 2nd best record in baseball that season, second only to the 116 win Seattle Mariners. Are you really telling me that you wouldn't be as upset as anybody can ever be if you now know that your team has to go into a 1 game playoff against the mediocre 85 win Minnesota Twins? Now continue telling me that it will never happen, but in 2001 it would have happened. And if it's happened before, chances are something similar will appear down the road. If that doesn't change your mind about this, then I'm pretty sure nothing will.
Point #4: What Major League Baseball Should Have Done
Now, I've given some points that I believe are problems for this. I'm not a complainer, and I won't complain about something that I don't at least have a pretty good solution for. If MLB really saw a problem in the whole Wild Card race thing, then I believe they really should have taken three simple steps that could have easily been changed, ruined pretty much nothing, and immensely helped bridge the gap that they want to close where Wild Card teams actually have a chance in the postseason.
A) Get rid of the rule that said two teams in the same division couldn't play each other.
This was the easiest of the three and the one that they actually did. It was one of the best moves they made this offseason and one that should have been done a long time ago. No longer will you have the Red Sox or Yankees avoiding the other in the first round and playing some worse team despite being the Wild Card team.
To go a step further, I'd actually want the Wild Card team to get homefield advantage if they have a better record. I understand that you want to award the division winner, but why? Why award them if they are an 84 win team and the Wild Card winner is a 95 win team? That makes little sense.
B) Change the LDS to a 7 game round
This would have effectively given advantage to the better team, while not adding the extra Wild Card winner. In the end it also probably would have worked out the same, since now you have the chance of even more tie breaker games.
C) Change the LDS/LCS format to 2-4-1 or 1-4-2
This may be the craziest and one that people don't agree with, but by giving the home field advantage team 4 games in the middle, you really emphasize the advantage. As it works out right now, the team without the advantage simply needs to win 1 on the road and they have 3 at home and could sweep home. The advantage really doesn't become one until game 7 as well, which outside of 2011 has not happened all that often. Not enough to justify it as "home field" advantage anyways.
In the end, Major League Baseball doesn't care what I think, but I believe that the move to add the second Wild Card has a chance to water down the postseason even more. I am and always will be a big baseball fan, but I don't want to see baseball become like the NBA or hockey where it's actually more of an accomplishment to not make the postseason than it is to actually make it.
Baseball is a game that is played on the field and if MLB tries to make it so that the Wild Card has no chance, they will never succeed in their quest because it is impossible to guarantee anything. And to try to compete with the NFL in TV ratings would be a mistake. The sports are so different with the NFL being a 17 week (16 game) season with 1 game a week and then a one and out postseason. If the NFL tried to adapt a 162 MLB schedule with best of 7 postseasons, their ratings would suffer greatly as well.
Facts:
Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/03/02/playoffs-expand.ap/index.html
- MLB will have 2 Wild Card teams from each league beginning in 2012.
- The two wild cards from each league will play a 1 game playoff and the winner will go against the top seed in the LDS.
- MLB will no longer go by the rule where two teams in the same division cannot play each other in the first round.
- The Houston Astros will switch to the AL West beginning in 2013.
- For just 2012, MLB will have a 2-3 playoff format in the LDS, which means the team that has "home field advantage" will begin on the road. This new format cut back on travel time, which allowed the 1 game Wild Card format and tie breakers to fit into the schedule.
- Unlike past years when head to head records were used to break division titles, the tie breaker will be on the field in a one game tie breaker. This could make things extra complicated, more on that later.
With the facts out there, my thought from the beginning that I heard this was "wow, what is major league baseball doing." I've listened to some of the positive points of this, the "extra drama", keeping fans of some teams that never have a chance more interested. But even with those there are FAR too many negatives and reasons to not like this.
Point #1: By Having Two Wild Cards, MLB is Making the Postseason More Mediocre
The American League Perspective
Since 1996, the American League Wild Card has had at least 90 wins 15 of the 16 years, including 15 seasons in a row dating back to 1997. Over those 16 years, the Wild Card spot in the American League has ONE less win than the 2nd best American League team does cumulative with 1,515 wins compared to 1,516 wins. They are well ahead of the 3rd best division winning team, which has 1,454 wins during that span of time. If everything broke down, you would have to go further down to 1,422 wins for the 5th place team, which would be the 2nd Wild Card winning team. The Wild Card has had the 2nd most wins in the league more times (5) than it has been 4th in wins (3).
Over the last five seasons in the American League, the Wild Card has belonged to the AL East with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox each taking two and the Tampa Bay Rays taking another. They have had 3 95 win seasons, a 94 win season, and in 2011 the Rays had 91 wins. The Wild Card spot has 15 90+ win seasons, the 2nd Wild Card spot would have 7 90+ win seasons.
Over the last twelve seasons, there would have been a gap of five or more wins between the Wild Card winning team and the second Wild Card winning team in eight of the seasons.
The National League Perspective
While the American League has been much more defined as being dominant from the Wild Card spot, but less so from the 2nd Wild Card spot, the National League has not been so dominant. Over the last 12 years, there has only been 1 case of a 5 or more game gap between the first Wild Card and second Wild Card.
Again, however, the Wild Card has more wins than the 3rd best division winner (1,461 wins to 1,438), and once again the second Wild Card team would make the process more mediocre coming in at 1,425 wins over the last sixteen seasons. The second Wild Card spot would only have had 5 seasons with 90+ wins, which is even less than the 3rd division winner (8 times). The National League Wild Card winner over the last 16 years has had 90 or more wins in twelve of the sixteen seasons, including four straight.
The National League Wild Card spot has had the fourth most wins in six of the sixteen seasons. They've had the second most wins in two of the sixteen seasons.
Point #2: Was There Actually Something Wrong?
By adding the second Wild Card spot, MLB was basically saying that there was something wrong with the way that Wild Cards were able to win in the postseason. Beyond the fact that this was probably a ploy to make more money and drama, I believe that MLB really thought they needed to make more of a challenged for the Wild Card teams. But was there ever really an issue?
Since the Wild Card has come into existence, roughly 25% of the World Series teams have been Wild Card teams, and roughly 25% of the World Series winners have been Wild Card teams. Yet every postseason 25% of the teams are Wild Card teams. Now they get to boost that % to 40%, granted only 25% will actually go into the first non-one game playoff format.
Point #3: The Oakland Athletics Factor--- The One Game Playoff Format Is Really Ridiculous
I do not like the fact that there are more Wild Card teams, but if they're going to add another one to each league, couldn't they have at least made it a 3 game playoff format? The problem with a 1 game playoff format is that you're going to have situations where the two Wild Card teams play each other with a legitimate spread of games between them in the regular season. A one game playoff format proves even less than a 3,5, or 7 game playoff format in the postseason does. Any team on any given day can beat a team for a one game series. Heck any team can beat any team in a seven game series, but that's for another day.
Imagine for a second that this had actually started when the Wild Card took form. Now imagine that you're a fan of the 2001 Oakland Athletics. Your team just finished with the 2nd best record in baseball that season, second only to the 116 win Seattle Mariners. Are you really telling me that you wouldn't be as upset as anybody can ever be if you now know that your team has to go into a 1 game playoff against the mediocre 85 win Minnesota Twins? Now continue telling me that it will never happen, but in 2001 it would have happened. And if it's happened before, chances are something similar will appear down the road. If that doesn't change your mind about this, then I'm pretty sure nothing will.
Point #4: What Major League Baseball Should Have Done
Now, I've given some points that I believe are problems for this. I'm not a complainer, and I won't complain about something that I don't at least have a pretty good solution for. If MLB really saw a problem in the whole Wild Card race thing, then I believe they really should have taken three simple steps that could have easily been changed, ruined pretty much nothing, and immensely helped bridge the gap that they want to close where Wild Card teams actually have a chance in the postseason.
A) Get rid of the rule that said two teams in the same division couldn't play each other.
This was the easiest of the three and the one that they actually did. It was one of the best moves they made this offseason and one that should have been done a long time ago. No longer will you have the Red Sox or Yankees avoiding the other in the first round and playing some worse team despite being the Wild Card team.
To go a step further, I'd actually want the Wild Card team to get homefield advantage if they have a better record. I understand that you want to award the division winner, but why? Why award them if they are an 84 win team and the Wild Card winner is a 95 win team? That makes little sense.
B) Change the LDS to a 7 game round
This would have effectively given advantage to the better team, while not adding the extra Wild Card winner. In the end it also probably would have worked out the same, since now you have the chance of even more tie breaker games.
C) Change the LDS/LCS format to 2-4-1 or 1-4-2
This may be the craziest and one that people don't agree with, but by giving the home field advantage team 4 games in the middle, you really emphasize the advantage. As it works out right now, the team without the advantage simply needs to win 1 on the road and they have 3 at home and could sweep home. The advantage really doesn't become one until game 7 as well, which outside of 2011 has not happened all that often. Not enough to justify it as "home field" advantage anyways.
In the end, Major League Baseball doesn't care what I think, but I believe that the move to add the second Wild Card has a chance to water down the postseason even more. I am and always will be a big baseball fan, but I don't want to see baseball become like the NBA or hockey where it's actually more of an accomplishment to not make the postseason than it is to actually make it.
Baseball is a game that is played on the field and if MLB tries to make it so that the Wild Card has no chance, they will never succeed in their quest because it is impossible to guarantee anything. And to try to compete with the NFL in TV ratings would be a mistake. The sports are so different with the NFL being a 17 week (16 game) season with 1 game a week and then a one and out postseason. If the NFL tried to adapt a 162 MLB schedule with best of 7 postseasons, their ratings would suffer greatly as well.
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