Chronicles of the Lads

It has been nearly a month since the last edition.

The BB-Ref organizational stats are linked in the POSITION and PITCHER headers.

POSITION PLAYERS

Michael Collins, 1B, AA Arkansas, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    296  66 14   1   3   8  52   5   4  223 269 307
6/26   229  44 12   1   2   5  45   4   2  192 241 279
5/21   127  17  7   0   1   2  25   0   1  136 194 216  
5/1     75  12  2   0   1   2  16   0   1  160 203 227  

It is pretty much impossible for Collins to end this season with good numbers, but at the very least he can continue his recent (relative) resurgence of the last eight weeks. Doing so would demonstrate resilience and at least keep him on the radar, and give him an opportunity to get some attention if he puts up a good season in AA in 2008.


Hank Conger, C, A Cedar Rapids, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    213  60 16   0   8  16  41   7   3  282 336 469  
6/26   213  60 16   0   8  16  41   7   3  282 336 469
5/21   123  32  6   0   6   8  16   6   0  260 311 455
5/1     68  18  2   0   3   4   8   4   0  265 306 426  

Conger has been injured; he's done some rehab of late in the Arizona League, where he's just getting back into the swing of things (4-for-15 with a double and 3 K's so far). Remember the Midwest League is good for pitching -- the league is hitting 254/322/370, and has an average age of 21.5 for hitters -- so Conger's numbers are very strong, especially for a catcher.


Terry Evans, OF, AAA Salt Lake, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    341 106 28   3  13  12  87  15   6  311 334 525
6/26   260  86 23   3  11  11  60  13   6  331 358 569
5/21   156  50 13   3   6   9  42  11   4  321 355 558 

Looks like Evans' lack of strike zone knowledge is catching up with him. It's hard to have more home runs than walks.


Nick Gorneault, OF, AAA Salt Lake, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    341  80 17   0  12  41  83  12   4  235 322 390
6/26   276  60 12   0   9  35  63  11   3  217 310 359
5/21   151  36 10   0   3  18  34   8   2  238 327 364
5/1     81  15  4   0   3   9  17   5   2  185 283 346

Well, Nick finally made the Baseball Encyclopedia, but that's as far as he's likely to get in this organization. I don't even know why I still have him on here; tradition, I guess.


Jeff Mathis, C, AAA Salt Lake, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    250  61 14   2   5  17  45   3   1  244 295 379
6/26   234  56 13   1   5  17  42   3   1  239 294 368
5/21   135  35  9   0   2   8  25   2   0  259 301 370
5/1     81  24  6   0   2   5  13   2   0  296 333 444

This is the final appearance on this list for Jeff, who has now taken the mantle of back-up catcher in the majors.

His offensive performance in AAA this year has been awful. There was once a time where I though Mathis would develop into a decent major league regular; it's still possible (it seems like some catchers make an offensive jump around 30 or so: recall Bengie), but unless Mike Napoli is struck with a significant injury, I don't think he can make that development with the Angels.

He could be a worse hitter than Jose Molina, but he could also be better, so I'm not sure if that substitution makes a big difference to the team.


NEW ADDITION!
Christopher Pettit, LF, A+ Rancho Cucamonga, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    124  44  8   1   8  16  23   9   2  355 433 629
6/26    22   2  0   0   0   1   6   0   0  091 130 091

Can we start talking about this guy yet? Know that his current line in Cal League -- and despite the environment those numbers still sing -- comes on the heels of a 346/429/579 start at Cedar Rapids and a 336/445/566 line at Orem last season. At 22 years of age (he comes out of Loyola Marymount), he's finally caught up to his league, but he's beating everyone silly. His SB/CS reflects a certain degree of athleticism, and he's played some games in center this year, as well. He does strike out a bit, but not an outrageous amount. And after taking a week or so to get used to his new level, he's hit 412/496/745 for the last month.

Take notice.


Sean Rodriguez, SS, AA Arkansas, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    371  93 24   1  11  35  99  11   6  251 338 410
6/26   278  71 17   1  10  28  76   9   4  255 350 432
5/23   143  36  9   0   6  19  35   6   3  252 374 441
5/1     81  25  6   0   4  12  21   3   3  309 423 531

Despite playing his home games in a good hitting park, Sean Rodriguez's OBP and SLG are both within a couple points of the Texas League average. This isn't really a cause for celebration. It's not really a cause for hand-wringing either, not yet, anyway, given his age. But while his good April made it look like he wasn't too far off of Brandon Wood on the organizational depth chart, S-Rod's season thus far falls well short of what Wood accomplished at AA last season. Rodriguez has never projected as a high-average hitter, but his secondary skills could use a boost back to where they were at the lowest levels of the minors.


Mark Trumbo, 1B, A Cedar Rapids, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    340  97 20   2   9  23  73  10   5  285 334 435
6/26   242  68 16   1   7  16  53   3   4  281 327 442
5/23   117  27  6   0   3   5  30   1   2  231 266 359
5/1     49  10  1   0   1   2  16   0   2  204 245 286

On the other hand, Trumbo's performance repeating the Midwest League has been a very welcome improvement. He has around 88 less AB than last season, but already has more hits, doubles, triples, and home runs. He is poised to take advantage of the California League next year, and hopefully will.


Brandon Wood, SS, AAA Salt Lake, BR/TR

When    AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Now    313  82 18   1  16  39  80   8   1  262 343 479
6/26   254  68 18   1  13  34  69   8   1  268 355 500
5/23   131  31  8   0   5  18  38   3   0  237 331 412
5/1     84  22  6   0   3  11  28   2   0  262 351 440

I'm keeping him on here despite his being on the 25-man for now, as this is likely not his permanent trip to the majors.


Watch Out:

Who       Lvl  AB  H  2B  3B  HR  BB  SO  SB  CS  AVG OBP SLG OPS+
Bourjos    A   96  25  3   2   1   9  25  12   3  260 330 365
ClyFuller Azl  74  23  3   2   2  12  23  11   5  311 429 486
Mount      A  188  52  4   2   2  19  42   8   1  277 343 351
Ortiz     Azl  37  15  3   0   0   4  11   3   2  405 463 486
Peel       AA 310  79 20   2   7   6  43   2   0  255 284 400  
Phillips   A  298  75  9   4   9   9 102  27   2  252 290 399
Rivera                   has not played
Sandoval   AA 339 103 24   3  10  53  56  17   9  304 398 481
Statia     A+ 403 111 19   7   1  33  57  18   4  275 331 365
Sweeney    A  325  87 19   2  14  29  62   5   7  268 333 468

Peter Bourjos just returned to Cedar Rapids after a hat trick and some rehab in the Arizona League. Clay Fuller, like everyone else in this organization, seemingly, needs to strike out less, but the walk rate is promising in the early going. Ryan Mount is just coming back from injury (again, in the Arizona League). Those are Norberto Ortiz's numbers after having a bit of a slump. Aaron Peel is going nowhere fast, despite hitting fairly well in June. P.J. Phillips' plate discipline is so extremely bad, but his athletic abilities so apparent, that you wonder if some adjustment to his approach at the plate could unleash a monster. Luis Rivera has yet to play. Freddy Sandoval is on a home run kick of late, and despite not looking too good in the Futures Game, he's probably having the best season of any position player on the Arkansas Travelers. Thus far, Hainley Statia's season has been a disappointment. Matthew Sweeney's numbers, especially in terms of power, are actually fairly impressive in the context of his league.


PITCHERS

Nick Adenhart, RHSP, AA Arkansas

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   7  3   0  18 18 107.0 112  4  78  43  3.36  
6/26  6  2   0  14 14  83.7  87  4  61  37  3.46
5/23  3  2   0   8  8  47.3  43  0  35  21  2.68
5/1   3  1   0   5  5  33.7  24  0  27  10  0.80

Really, nothing different from what we saw a month ago.


Jose Arredondo, RHSP, AA Arkansas and A+ Rancho Cucamonga

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   0  2   2  15  0  16.0  24  3  13   6  9.56
6/26  0  0   2   4  0   3.7   7  0   5   4 18.90 A+
6/26  0  1  10  23  0  25.0  16  2  28  12  2.52 AA
5/23  0  1   6  16  0  19.0  12  2  22  10  3.32   
5/1   0  1   2   8  0  11.0   8  1  14   5  1.64

This is called making the worst of a bad situation. That is not how you should pitch after being demoted for your attitude.


Gustavo Espinoza, LHSP
Placeholder.


Stephen Marek, RHSP, A Rancho Cucamonga

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   5  7   0 17  17  89.0  91 10  70  35  4.75
6/26  5  4   0 13  13  69.7  64  5  56  30  4.02
5/23  3  2   0  7   7  38.7  34  2  23  15  3.52
5/1   1  0   0  3   3  15.0  12  1   7   6  2.40

It's been a rough month for Marek. He seems to be staying around the plate more, at least as reflected by his SO:BB, but also by his HR allowed.


Tommy Mendoza, A Cedar Rapids, RHSP

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   0  3   0  4   3  12.3  18  4  11   6  9.00

Mendoza has been hurt most of the year, and after one rehab appearance in the Arizona League, he's had a rough beginning to his season in the Midwest League.


Darren O'Day, RHRP, AA Arkansas and A+ Rancho Cucamonga

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   1  2   0  3   0  13.0  11  1  10   7  2.77
6/26  0  1   0  2   0   2.0   3  0   0   1  4.50 AA
6/26  4  0   0 24   0  24.0  10  1  26   6  0.75 A+ Final

O'Day thus far is finding AA hitters harder to baffle than those in the California League, but if he gets the control issues figured out, everything else appears to be quite in order.


Sean O'Sullivan, RHSP, A Cedar Rapids

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   6  5   0 17  17 102.7  94  3  86  27  2.37
6/26  4  5   0 12  12  70.3  76  3  53  19  2.96
5/23  2  3   0  8   8  48.0  56  2  36  13  3.00
5/1   1  2   0  4   4  23.0  26  2  13   6  3.52

A good run for Sean; his strikeout rate is approaching the league average, his control is very good, he's continuing to keep the ball from going over the fence, and his ERA is down quite a bit. The Midwest League, as I mentioned above, skews toward pitchers, but O'Sullivan's ERA still comfortably betters the league's 3.79.


Steve Shell, RHSP/RP, AAA Salt Lake

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   4  3   0 21   4  45.0  56 12  35  14  5.60
6/26  4  1   0 14   3  31.0  39  7  23  11  4.94
5/23  1  0   0  5   1  12.0  18  3   4   2  3.75
5/1   0  0   0  2   1   7.0   9  1   3   1  1.29

Time to give up>?


Rich Thompson, RHRP, AAA Salt Lake and AA Arkansas

When  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Now   1  0   0  4   0   7.7   6  0  12   2  1.23 AAA
Now   2  3   0 21   3  49.3  34  5  50  14  2.02 AA Final
6/26  1  3   0 19   3  44.3  32  5  46  12  2.25

Could Thompson get a on a fast track to the majors?


Watch Out:

Who       Lvl  W  L  SV  G  GS  IP    H  HR  SO  BB   ERA
Bell       A   4  3   0 13  13  66.0  83  2  57  15  4.36
Bulger    AAA  4  1   5 36   0  39.3  37  4  64  17  3.92 
Green      AA  7  6   0 20  20 126.0 126 14  71  20  4.29
Madrigal    A  5  3   7 38   0  44.0  35  3  53  20  2.45 
Rodriguez  AA  0  6   0 31   1  47.0  58  6  26  24  5.55
Walden     R   0  0   0  7   7  24.3  20  2  23  15  6.00
Young      R   0  1   0  3   3   9.0  10  1   9   6  9.00

Despite strong strikeout and walk rates, Trevor Bell's ERA is not so good; the culprit is his hits allowed -- his batting average allowed on balls in play is .380, where the team mark is .317 and the league .307. He is a groundball pitcher, so how much of that is his fault, and how much could be a faulty infield defense? Stay tuned. Jason Bulger says, "Recall me!" Nick Green has done pretty well over his last five starts. Warner Madrigal continues to do well. Rafael Rodriguez continues to struggle. Jordan Walden is looking good on K's, not so much on walks, but it is quite early. Ditto Young Il-Jung.

A few random notes ... After a good start at AA, Brok Butcher is thisclose to the list ... the Dominican Summer League is about as far away from the majors as you can get in pro ball, but a kid named Raddy Sierra is putting up a nice 326/426/549 there while playing center field ...