SB Nation User Blog: Cory Alexander

Nov 20 LHP Scott Kazmir was not healthy during the 2008 season, according to unnamed scouts. They...

Cory Alexander — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:50:09 -0000

Nov 20 LHP Scott Kazmir was not healthy during the 2008 season, according to unnamed scouts. They feel the elbow injury that shut down his spring training and forced him to miss the first month of the season either did not completely heal or resurfaced in June and prevented Kazmir from throwing his slider.

Pretty much just clarifying Kazmir's troubles.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7292/news

Shields split 2006 between Triple-A and the majors, and as you know he's been very...

Cory Alexander — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:18:03 -0000

Shields split 2006 between Triple-A and the majors, and as you know he's been very good-to-excellent for the Rays in 2007 and 2008. Shields has a great feel for pitching, mixing his fastball, cutter, changeup, and curveball very effectively. His strikeout rate declined this year, but otherwise he's been very consistent the last two seasons. In the minors he showed excellent K/BB ratios, but durability concerns were his main problem. That hasn't been an issue the last three seasons, and if he remains healthy he should be effective at his current level for several more years.

-Minor League Ball, John Sickels.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/10/4/628151/prospect-retro-jamie-shiel

Reid Brignac has been called up.

Cory Alexander — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:55:02 -0000

Jason Bartlett injured himself sliding into 3rd yesterday, and since there are no pure SS's on the Rays roster, The Rays sent down Talbot to bring up Zobrist, and the Cajun God of Baseball, Reid Brignac. Very interesting that they called him up, I'm interested in seeing if Reid gets the significant amount of playing time.

I'm sad to see Talbot was only in the Major Leagues for a day without even getting to throw a pitch. I'd be very disappointed if I were him.

We'll see if Brignac starts on friday.

Mitch Talbot called up.

Cory Alexander — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:32:05 -0000

The Rays put Percival on the DL, and decide to go with Talbot to take his roster spot. This move is very interesting, as they plan on using him as a reliever, when he has only started in the minors. I believe they are just showcasing him for a trade, but who knows, maybe the Rays get another stud reliever converted from a started like the few there already. (Howell, Wheeler)

In other Ray news, Niemann pitched a hell of a game tonight. 9 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 12 K, 1 BB. Looks like he was pissed that Talbot got the call and he didnt.

Rays will pick Beckham.

Cory Alexander — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:23:29 -0000

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=893

Kevin Goldstein is reporting that Buster Posey is looking for up to 12 million dollars in a signing bonus, and unless that number dips drastically in the next 12 hours or so, the Rays are going to either take Tim Beckham or Pedro Alvarez.

Interesting how this has played out, I wonder if Beckham will have any signing issues has well. I'm sort of glad this is happening, as I would love to have Tim Beckham in our system.

EDIT:

"The Rays will take Griffin (Ga.) High SS Tim Beckham with the top pick in today's draft.

The Rays on Wednesday said they had narrowed the field to Beckham and Florida State catcher Buster Posey.

Here is what Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said about Beckham at last week's media session:

"A really good player at a premium position. Middle of the field player, very good athlete, an advanced bat, had a real good awareness on the field. He plays the game with a great deal of enthusiasm, and then when you spend time with him away from the field, he's the same guy. He's a fun guy to be around.''

The draft starts at 2 p.m. and Rays officials will discuss the decision shortly after that. One question is likely to be about rumors, reported by Baseball Prospectus and other web sites, that Posey was seeking a package of $12-million."- Topkin from St. Pete times; http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/06/beckham-is-the.html

Desmond Jennings back in Action

Cory Alexander — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:25:30 -0000

Desmond Jennings back in Action

Desmond Jennings makes his 08' Debut. First AB hits a home run off Jeremy Jeffress. Thought it was pretty cool.

Interesting Tidbit: Seems Jennings played 3B today. I'm shocked.

Alvarez is represented by super-agent Scott Boras (just a super-advisor for the draft’s purposes) a...

Cory Alexander — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:11:34 -0000

Alvarez is represented by super-agent Scott Boras (just a super-advisor for the draft’s purposes) and we’ve reported at Saber-Scouting that Boras has floated a $9.5 million big league deal asking price, while some insiders have been told the price is as high as $15 million.

Saber Scouting

Top Ten worst Sports nicknames of all-time

Cory Alexander — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:20:49 -0000

Top Ten worst Sports nicknames of all-time

Pretty self-explanatory. I found number 1 very hilarious.

That's Debateable! Marlins or Rays?

Cory Alexander — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:47:57 -0000

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=20599

Jayson Stark does a chat on who will end the season with more wins, Rays or Marlins? Good Chat, read it all. Go ahead and look before it becomes only available to insiders.

(Filler)Good Chat, read it all. Go ahead and look before it becomes only available to insiders.Good Chat, read it all. Go ahead and look before it becomes only available to insiders.Good Chat, read it all. Go ahead and look before it becomes only available to insiders.Good Chat, read it all. Go ahead and look before it becomes only available to insiders.

My New blog.

Cory Alexander — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:41:20 -0000

I have given up on being a Ray's Blogger, but at the same time becoming a blogger for my own purpose: To track my progress in becoming a perfect baseball player. It's sort of a corny title: "Becoming a Perfect Ballplayer", but I needed a title and that's the first thing that popped into my head.

I just posted this in case anyone was interested to join me on my road in becoming better. I accept all comments, advice, tips, etc. Anything that is constructive and not totally insane is welcome.

Man, I feel like R.J., with all this self-promotion.

http://perfectballplayer.blogspot.com/