SB Nation - Adrian Cardenas

Cubs September Call-Ups: An Introduction

Joe Gems — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:14:41 -0000

September belongs to football. Pennant races be damned. Last night, the Cubs and Nationals manufactured some drama for the specific purpose of earning suspensions, thereby allowing them to watch this weekend's NFL games. It all started with Nationals third base coach Bo Porter and Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk. "Why are you stealing bases up 7-2 in the 5th inning?" Quirk appeared to yell out to Porter. "You've already doubled the amount of runs needed to beat us."

"That's how we play, clown," Porter may have responded. "We score runs and win games. Don't matter the situation." Overcome by emotion and his team's unholy offensive output, Porter practically walked into the Cubs' dugout. Benches cleared. Quirk, not Porter, was ejected.

The following inning, Lendy Castillo, in typical Lendy Castillo fashion, threw at Bryce Harper and missed his spot. Harper stared and pointed his bat and the benches cleared again. Members of the Cubs bullpen made their second run across the field with smiles on their faces, apparently of the mistaken belief that this would count towards tomorrow's pregame workout. Darwin Barney calmly stood on the infield grass, discussing his expectations of the Democratic National Convention with Drew Storen. Steve Clevenger loudly proclaimed that this season of Louie was much weaker than the first two. Michael Morse took issue and needed to be subdued by teammates and coaches. It was an embarrassing scene for a sport that needs no help embarrassing itself. It had me pining for a basketball fight and there hasn't been a good basketball fight in 15 years.

September belongs to football and I would never try to suggest otherwise. Baseball, the spruced up summer placeholder, once again takes a back seat. But what, may I ask, do you watch Tuesday through Friday night? Don't try and tell me CBS sitcoms or Big East football or that you go go out on Fridays. Sure, baseball takes a back seat, but it's on in September when football isn't. For that reason alone, it deserves your attention. September call-ups are now sprinkled across MLB rosters, many of whom you've never seen before and will never see again. On bad teams like the Cubs, they sometimes see significant playing time. Who's that swinging at a 3-0 pitch with runners on first and second, no outs? Who's that on the mound making Adam LaRoche look like '04 Barry Bonds? Here's a quick primer on the Cubs' September call-ups, featuring some new and familiar faces.

Adrian Cardenas - World renowned, around these parts anyway, for breaking up A.J. Burnett's no-hitter in the 8th inning of a meaningless July game. He hasn't been heard from since. Rumors of Vermont and a $10,000 organic farming grant are unfounded. Cardenas will back-up 2nd base and rearrange all of Alfonso Soriano's equipment in the dugout until it's time to break up another no-hitter.

Tony Campana - They said he would never again make a 25-man roster. So he waited around until September. They said he didn't deserve to crack a 40-man roster. So he became a member of the Cubs organization. It's time to acknowledge that a) Tony Campana will never die and b) Everyone, especially your girlfriend, likes Tony Campana more than you do. Campana will mostly pinch-run, maybe even take a few at-bats if Dale Sveum is feeling especially cynical that day.

Dave Sappelt - The Sean Marshall trade keeps on giving! First Travis Wood, a solid no. 2 starter on a 60-win team, and now Sappelt. He was the Reds' minor-league hitter of the year in 2010, which translates to about .180 in the pros. He'll serve mostly as a reserve outfielder, with a few starts thrown in. Listens to 50 Cent unironically.

Anthony Recker - You can never have too many catchers, as the Cubs found out earlier this season when a string of injuries to the position ended with Koyie Hill and a near mass ritual suicide of the Cubs blogosphere. Acquired from the Athletics, Recker is of clear mind and broad shoulders. Challenge him at the plate and he will (w)reck you, son. Unfortunately, he'll mostly pinch-hit because THREE CATCHERS!

Miguel Socolovich - Pitched (poorly) in six games for the Orioles this year. The Cubs claimed him off waivers two weeks ago hoping some of that hot fire the O's bullpen has spit all year would rub off on him. You know the drill - it hasn't. Only Venezuelan distinguished for his bravery in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Chris Rusin - Rusin was so impressive in his start against the Brewers, on the mound (5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER), and at the plate (1-2), that Cubs fans clamored for him to be the ace of the staff and hit 6th in the lineup. Predictably, he surrendered 8 hits and 5 runs in an inning of work on Tuesday. We can realistically expect something in between those two performances. Let's say a 3-inning start with 3 or 4 earned runs.

Rafael Dolis - It seems like the opening of an unforgiving joke now, but Rafael Dolis was once the Cubs' closer. The options were slim: Shawn Camp, James Russell, and Dolis. Sveum chose the worst of the three. Dolis is back in the pen to throw 1-0 fastballs down the middle -- in the 5th or 6th inning instead of the 9th this time around.

Jaye Chapman - Reminds me a little of Aroldis Chapman. Relief Pitcher. Last name Chapman. The similarities end there.

BONUS: LATE AUGUST ROSTER MOVES

Jeff Beliveau - This marks Beliveau's second stint with the team, as he was recalled in place of starting pitcher Brooks Raley, who has reached his innings limit for the year. Beliveau will be used as the early inning lefty specialist, with James Russell appearing in the games of consequence. Beliveau also specializes in turning a 2-run deficit into a 6-run deficit.

Blake Parker - Was recently activated from the 60-Day DL. He'll appear in the games that look like football scores. And yes, this is the same 'Blake Parker' who works part-time as the shirtless model in front of your local Abercrombie & Fitch.

Jemile Weeks Collects First Two Major League Hits For Oakland Athletics

David Fucillo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:33:17 -0000

While the Oakland Athletics continue their stumble further into the AL West cellar, there is some cause for mild optimism. Mark Ellis injured his right hamstring on Monday and was placed on the disabled for the next two weeks. The A's were short an infielder and elected to call up second baseman Jemile Weeks from AAA. After an 0-for-4 game in his major league debut, Weeks bounced back collecting the first two hits of his major league career. Weeks was 2-for-3 in his second game, hitting out of the nine spot after debuting in the leadoff spot.

Weeks has been steadily climbing up the A's minor league ranks since the A's selected him in the first round of the 2008 draft and got off to a hot start this season at AAA Sacramento. In 45 games with the Rivercats this season he had a line of .321/.417/.446 and seemed ready to stay healthy on a fairly regular basis. Now that he's up in Oakland, it will be interesting to see how long he sticks around. If he can get a hot streak going while Ellis is on the DL, maybe he'll be able to force his way onto the 25-man roster for the long haul.

Given the A's current struggles, an infusion of young blood in the coming weeks might be what's needed to salvage this season. The question at this point is when and how to promote guys like Michael Taylor, Chris Carter, and Adrian Cardenas. Carter is rehabbing at Stockton so it might take a little bit longer, but Cardenas is hitting like crazy and Taylor seems to be bouncing back now that he's healthy.

It's easy to throw names out there but given the A's offensive struggles, wouldn't change seem necessary? What do A's fans think? Is it time to overhaul this offense?

Oakland Athletics Minor League Affiliates Review: Tony Thompson, Burlington Bees Are On Fire

David Fucillo — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:00:47 -0000

The Oakland Athletics minor league affiliates are officially into the thick of their seasons and all four teams are sitting above .500. The Midland Rockhounds and Burlington Bees are both in first place in their respective divisions, as both teams are looking formidable early. In a brief look at the A's farm system, AAA second baseman Adrian Cardenas and Single-A third baseman Tony Thompson are off to the strongest starts thus far.

Through nine games with Sacramento, Cardenas is tearing the cover off the ball with a line of .484/.556/.613. He's struggled in brief stints at AAA the past couple years, but might be finally putting it together. At Single A Burlington, Thompson has a line of .417/.463/.722. It's still early, but if Thompson continues at anywhere near this pace, he could find himself up in Advanced A Stockton in short order.

Sacramento Rivercats (AAA): The Rivercats had a busy first full week of the season, playing seven games in seven days and finishing the week 4-3 against Las Vegas and Tacoma. With the four wins, Sacramento now sits at 6-5 and is tied for second with Fresno in the PCL Pacific South. Jemile Weeks continues to hit the ball with authority as his line sits at .359/.444/.487. OF Chris Carter has struggled thus far, but did hit a home run against Tacoma on Sunday. He's limped to a line of .175/.346/.375 thus far and will need to get it in gear if he wants t earn a midseason callup.

Midland Rockhounds (AA): After a 4-0 start, the first full week of league play has seen the Rockhounds go 3-3 against Springfield and Arkansas. They remain in first place at 7-3, a game ahead of San Antonio. The offense has struggled in Midland, but the pitching has had some big performances. Ethan Hollingsworth went six innings on Sunday, giving up one run on four hits to get his first win of the season. Carlos Hernandez threw 5 2/3 innings of one hit ball to earn his second win of the season and lower his ERA to 1.54.

Stockton Ports (A): The Ports went 4-3 this week, capping it off with a 17-7 throttling at the hands of the Visalia Rawhide. The 4-3 week leaves the Ports at 6-5 on the season, one game back of the San Jose Giants. Stockton has received some strong starting pitching from the likes of Robert Gilliam and Murphy Smith, but have had inconsistent results from the bullpen. Michael Gilmartin has led the way on offense going 6-for-10 on Friday and Saturday. 2010 first round choice Michael Choice struggled opening weekend, but has bounced back the last few games. Since Tuesday he's 8 for 27 (.296) with three homeruns.

Burlington Bees (A): The Burlington Bees had three straight games at Quad Cities postponed due to rain and cold, but has otherwise played quite well thus far, going 5-1 this past week against Peoria and a Sunday double-header with QC. As mentioned above, Tony Thompson has led the way, but Royce Consigli has also hit the ball well this past week, hitting 7 for 20 with a triple and three RBIs. The Bees have received exceptional pitching this week as starting pitchers A.J. Griffin, Jacob Brown and Blake Hassebrock combined to throw 17 2/3 innings of shutout ball this week.

Oakland Athletics Minor League Affiliates Review: Opening Weekend

David Fucillo — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:48 -0000

Four of the Oakland Athletics minor league affiliates began their 2011 seasons this past week on April 7. The Vermont Lake Monsters, AZL Athletics, and DSL Athletics do not begin their campaigns until early summer. Over the course of the season we'll take a look at how each team performs, including hot and cold players. Here's a look at how the top four teams in the system began their seasons.

Sacramento Rivercats (AAA): The Rivercats opened their season 2-2 as they split their opening series with Tacoma. Former first round pick Jemile Weeks was promoted to AAA to start the season and is off to a hot start with a line of .455/.538/.545 in 18 at bats. Additionally, Adrian Cardenas has made his 2011 debut after overcoming some injury issues, hitting .455 in 11 at bats. Yadel Marti is pacing the pitching staff after giving up one run in six innings in his debut.

Midland Rockhounds (AA): The Rockhounds are off to a red-hot start, going 4-0 against Arkansas and Springfield to start the season. The team has seven batters hitting over .300 with first baseman Michael Spina leading the way. Spina has a line of .444/.500/.722 with one home run and six RBIs through four games. 2009 former first round pick Grant Green is hitting .313/.400/.625 in his AA debut. The Rockhounds pitching has been a mixed bag but received a strong performance from Shawn Haviland yesterday. Haviland took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a game Midland won 6-5 in ten innings.

Stockton Ports (A): The Ports opened the season 2-2 behind fairly mediocre results thus far. They got five strong innings out of starter Ryan Doolittle and four strong innings from Daniel Straily, but otherwise the pitching has not been consistent. On the offensive side of the ball, they've got a host of hitters batting between .222 and .286. Blah might be the best word to describe their situation for now.

Burlington Bees (A): The Burlington Bees are the latest addition to the A's farm system and are a lower level of competition than Stockton. The Bees are off to a 4-1 start thanks to some timely hitting and solid pitching. 3B Tony Thompson (2010 sixth round pick) is hitting .500 through 18 at bats. After starting in rookie ball last year, the A's likely will be looking for Thompson to force a promotion to the Ports in the higher level California League. 2010 draft picks A.J. Griffin (13th round) and Blake Hassebrock (8th round) made solid first starts. Griffin went six innings and gave up two runs, while Hassebrock went five innings and gave up no runs.