James Quinn

While Mike is clear that he doesn't want to frame this story as a battle between him and Jamie Moyer for a roster spot, it might come down to that. Regardless as to if he is on the opening day roster or not, clearly the Phillies are counting on Zagurski contributing at the MLB level this year. It is great to see he is finally healthy again. Here is a link to a very good interview Mike did with Rock Chalk Talk back in 2008.

Just a nice little bit of national attention for the KU baseball team. Hopefully the team can win another one tonight at LSU and work their way back into the top 25 next week.

Now this is a DFAed outfielder that would beyond any question improve the Royals 25-man roster. Cube Murton here. Replacing Josh Anderson with Matt Murton is as obvious a no-brainer as exists in the world of baseball transactions.

Hello Athletic fans. Oakland drafted Kansas closer Paul Smyth in the 35th round this week. I've been covering Jayhawk baseball for the last three years at Rock Chalk Talk. I linked a short prospect profile of Paul above. Smyth pitched at KU for four years. He was mostly good. He has a lot of movement on his fastball when it is right. His velocity is in the high 80's to low 90's. He has a useful slider. He was frustrating in that he would go through rough patches and give up runs in bunches for 3-5 games in a row, and then be the model of pitching perfection for two or three weeks straight afterwards. Paul has good skills for a 35th round pick, a competitive mentality, and he still has more room to grow than one might expect from a 4 year NCAA starter with 129 games under his belt. He had an off senior year which may have been due to a non-chronic arm injury. I hope your coaching staff works with him and he makes it up the ladder.

Hello Yankee fans. today New York drafted Shaeffer Hall, a shortstop out of the University of Kansas, in the 25th round. I have been covering Jayhawk baseball at Rock Chalk Talk for the last three years. I've linked a profile of Shaeffer above. He's a fairly well developed left handed pitching prospect. We'll miss him quite a bit here in Lawrence should he leave.

Hello Diamondbackers. today Arizona drafted David Narodowski, a shortstop out of the University of Kansas, in the 15th round. I have been covering Jayhawk baseball at Rock Chalk Talk for the last three years. I've linked a profile of Nardo above. He's a very good prospect. We'll miss him quite a bit here in Lawrence should he leave.

Sad to say, but one of our old heroes Ken Harvey was released by the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League this week. Nothing wrong with Grimace's play, he was just a victim of the number's game: "Ken's a professional and he understood," McCauley said. "He'd like to stay, but I know Lincoln has had some interest and Wichita. We'll see what happens. He'll catch on somewhere, maybe in our own league."

Seven of eight Big-12 teams were eliminated from the NCAA baseball championship tournement in the regional round (the round that reduces the field from 64 to 16). I published my thoughts on the conference's performance last weekend at Big-12 Hardball. For those who follow Big-12 baseball, hop over and give it a read. It will not be the worst use of the next ten minutes of your life.