SB Nation User Blog: NickMarkaces

Orioles favorite for Sano?

NickMarkaces — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:10:34 -0000

Orioles favorite for Sano?

I found this article through MLBTradeRumors.com and was surprised to read that the Orioles are one of two favorites, along with the Pirates, to sign Sano. Everything else I've read has said that the Orioles were more fringe candidates in the Sano race. Can anyone who has followed this more closely shed any light on this?

Earl Weaver--Sports Illustrated

NickMarkaces — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:01:16 -0000

In the latest Sports Illustrated there was a really enjoyable "Where are they now?" feature on Earl. Roch talks about it here. Basically the article talks about how innovative he was as a manager. It mentions how he was a proponent of OBP well before even the earliest Moneyball theory began being developed. It also talks about how vehemently he opposed practices such as the hit-and-run and the sacrifice bunt. Meanwhile, the article sprinkles in great quotes from the Earl of Baltimore.

Some memorable quotes from the piece below the jump:

"I never had a hit-and-run. No sign," Weaver says. "Here's the deal. I hear it on the radio and Joe Morgan, for crissakes. Get a guy on first. He walked. The pitcher is 2 and 0 on the next batter. 'Perfect time for a hit-and-run,' the announcer says. If the pitcher could throw a strike, don't you think he would have thrown it to the guy on first?"

Weaver: [To his team at a closed-door meeting] You guys don't want to win bad enough! I never failed to get a guy in from third base with less than two outs!
Pitcher Dave McNally: Yeah, and you never played higher than Double A.

Weaver: And another thing, if you don't make the last out of the game, you never lose! I never made the last out.

[Pitcher Jim Palmer raises his hand.]

Weaver: What?

Palmer: We all know why you never made the last out, Earl.

Weaver: Why?

Palmer: Because they always pinch-hit for you.

Weaver: Aw, you ruined the mood, Palmer!

On the field in fromt of him, the Orioles throw out a runner at first base by a step. Weaver smiles at the perfection of the mundane. "Doubleday made those bases, home to first, just the right distance," Weaver says. "They're all out by a step."

And finally, while watching Adam Eaton pitch in Spring Training:

Whack! "Mix in a wild pitch or something!"

Minor League Roundup--June 19

NickMarkaces — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:13:53 -0000

Here's hoping nobody posts this before I get it up *fingers crossed*

Aberdeen Ironbirds 2 Hudson Valley Renegades 4

In Aberdeen's opener, the Renegades' first 4 hitters reached on hits as they put up all 4 of their runs in the first inning. SP Colin Allen came back well, however, and allowed just one more baserunner through 4 more innings of work.

In his first rehab start, SS Blake Davis went 1-3. He came out late in the game for a pinch hitter; I hope it wasn't due to injury.

In his professional debut, OF Steven Bumbry, son of Al, hit a solo shot and went 1-3. I saw this guy play in a college summer-ball league a few times while covering the local team. He's a solid hitter, but I never thought of him as having major league talent.

The only other notable performance came from RP Stephen Procner who pitched three innings of one-hit ball, striking out three.

Hagerstown Suns 4 Delmarva Shorebirds 2 (Game one--7 innings)

The Shorebirds had 2-1 lead going into the last inning before the Suns put up a 3-spot in the top of the seventh to win the game.

SP Cole McCurry had his first good start in a while for the Shorebirds. He went 5 innings as he allowed 1 run on 5 hits and 0 walks with 6 Ks.

Delmarva's first run came on a solo homerun off the bat of 3B Tyler Kolodny in the second inning. 2B L.J. "Little Jerome" Hoes has struggled mightily in his young professional career, but he went 2-2 with a double and an RBI sacrifice fly.

Hagerstown Suns 4 Delmarva Shorebirds 8 (Game two--7 innings)

The Shorebirds were in control of this game early as they put up 4 runs in the top of the first and tacked on 3 more in the third.

Hoes had another solid game as he went 2-3 with 2 RBIs, raising his AVG to .239. He also stole his 8th base of the season.

SP Pat Egan lasted just 4.1 innings. His line was 9H, 4R, 2ER, and 6Ks.

In relief, RP Joseph Esposito absolutely dominated the Suns' batters. In 2.2 innings, he struck out 8 batters (every out was a K) and gave up 2 hits. In 33.1 innings this season, Esposito has 52 Ks and a 1.08 ERA.

Frederick Keys 11 Myrtle Beach Pelicans 2

The Keys bats absolutely exploded tonight as they scored at least 1 run in 6 innings and at least 2 in 5 of them.

CF Matthew Angle performed his leadoff role to perfection as he went 4 for 5 with a walk and scored 3 times.

1B Brandon Waring broke out of his slump and went 3 for 6, hitting his 12th homerun of the season.

C Caleb Joseph went 1 for 3 with an RBI to extend his hitting streak to 16 games (by my count). He leads the Carolina League with a .341 AVG.

SP Zachary Britton was superb once again. He struck out 7 through 5IP and allowed 7H, 2BB, and 1R. His ERA is now 1.94.

New Britain Rock Cats 5 Bowie Baysox 4

The Baysox scored all 4 of their runs in the last 2 innings, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Rock Cats 5-4.

SP Bobby Livingston lost his second game of the season. His line: 6IP, 9H, 2BB, 4R, 3ER, 5Ks.

Playing in his first Minor League game since 2006 (he played in the Independent Leagues since then), 1B Eric Crozier hit a solo homerun. Crozier's full name is Eric Le Roi Crozier. Le Roi means "The King" in French, what a name.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs 8 Norfolk Tides 6

In the slugfest, SP David Hernandez took the loss as he gave up 7H, 2BB, and 5R through 6IP while striking out 8.

Leading off, CF Joey Gathright went 2 for 4 with a walk and scored 3 runs. His AVG is up to .327.

In his AAA debut 1B Brandon Snyder went 1 for 3 with an RBI.

Minor League Roundup 16 May 2009

NickMarkaces — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:47:33 -0000

There were some very solid perfomances today down on the farm, I thought deserving of a mention.

Louisville Bats: 0 Norfolk Tides: 1

In a good ol' pitchers' duel, David Hernandez, Bob McCrory, Kam Mickolio, and Alberto Castillo combined for a four-hit shutout. Hernandez improved to 3-1 as he allowed two hits and four walks while striking out six through five and a-third innings of work.

The only run of the game came in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Matt Wieters tripled to center before coming into score on an Oscar Salazar RBI single. Salazar's 30 RBIs are good for second in the league.

Erie SeaWolves: 0 Bowie Baysox: 4

Jake Arrieta was stellar once again in Bowie's rain-shortened win over the SeaWolves. He allowed just one hit and four walks and struck out 10 through seven innings. Righties are hitting just .182 against him and has struck out 42 through 33 innings. His walk rate could come down though; it's at 4.5/9ip right now.

Brandon Snyder hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first, his sixth of the season. He's now leading the Eastern League in AVG, SLG, and OPS (.375/.625/1.042). The Baysox tacked on two more runs in the fifth on an error.

Frederick Keys: 4 Kinston Indians: 3

Zach Britton lowered his ERA to 2.27 as he allowed no runs, four hits, two walks, and struck out six through six innings. A 2006 first-round pick, Britton is starting to dominate the lower levels, this year and last. His strikeout rates have improved all four years he's been a pro and is up to 9.8/9ip from 7/9ip last year.

All of the Keys' runs came through the long ball. Brandon Waring from the Ramon Hernandez trade hit his third homer in two games and Pedro Florimon Jr. hit a two-run shot of his own in the top of the second. If Waring can stop striking out (one K per game so far) he has a chance to become a real prospect; the power stroke's there.

In sum, through 18 1/3 innings, Orioles' minor league starters let up NO runs today. That makes me happy. Oh, and they also struck out 22 batters.

Orioles Jackie Robinson Jerseys Auctions

NickMarkaces — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:22:25 -0000

Orioles Jackie Robinson Jerseys Auctions

I found this really interesting. It's the link to all the auctions of every game worn jersey from yesterday's game. You can monitor how much every single player and coach is going for on the Orioles. So far, Nick is crushing everyone. His jersey price is already over $1,000. If you're looking for a bargain, two jerseys are still at the starting bid of $150, Bullpen Catcher Ronnie Deck's and Bench Coach Dave Jauss'.

Aces shine in minor league opening day

NickMarkaces — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:54:22 -0000

While starting pitching has been suprisingly good thus far (even Fredo got through six), we all know it can't last, especially with Hendrickson and Eaton yet to start. With that said, I think it's worth taking a look at some of our future staff's great performances today.

A: Rick Zagone pitched five scoreless innings for Delmarva. He walked three, allowed one hit, and struckout five.

A+: Brian Matusz pitched a shutout through four for the Keys before allowing two runs in the fifth (either one or both were unearned I'm not sure). Through five, he allowed five hits, two walks, and struck out five.

AA: For the Baysox, Jake Arrieta was dominant in four innings of work as he walked two but struck out eight and allowed just one hit.

AAA: In Norfolk's season opener Brad Bergesen allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings.

GIBBY

NickMarkaces — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:43:50 -0000

GIBBY

Jay Gibbons making his comeback. Let's go Gibby.