RATW
Feb 11, 2008 Feb 09, 2012 65 5145
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Winter reading: The Michel Hernandez story
Actually this book, Pinstripe Defection, is a story of how the Yankees skirted the rules with bribes and under-the-table deals in signing Cuban baseball defectors, focusing particularly on the case of former Rays catcher Michel Hernandez.
The book was written by a guy who currently resides in my hometown and is being self-published, so I thought I'd give it a plug here. It could make for good off-season reading for hard core baseball fans interested in the transactional side of baseball.
Brewers call up Josh Butler (another trade that will set us back decades)
As a refresher, Butler is the 24-yr-old 2006 2nd round draft choice who was traded to the Brewers for Gabe Gross.
In 23 starts this year including 11 in the upper minors, Butler has thrown 118.1 innings, striking out 96 batters to go along with 43 walks while maintaining a 50-55% GB rate across four minor league levels.
Butler missed most of July and spent part of August in rookie ball due to an oblique injury and was most recently pitching for Double-A Huntsville prior to his promotion.
The 6'5" righty could make his first major league start this weekend vs. Houston.
Passan: The Rays blame slow start on '08 hangover
"We probably didn’t take April as seriously as we should’ve," Rays outfifelder Carl Crawford said. "Coming off a World Series, all the stuff going on, we weren’t focused. We were still celebrating the things that happened. It didn’t register that these games would be as important as all the other ones."
"And," reliever J.P. Howell said, "a lot of guys were dragging and tired. I was. It was the first time for most of us with that quick an offseason. We just weren’t ready. We were physically there, but mentally? Not close."
"I talked about it a lot in spring training, and I tried to avoid it," said Joe Maddon, the Rays’ 55-year-old shaman. "It’s very difficult to not have it happen. Young team. World Series run. Shorter offseason. Longer spring training. It’s a setup for difficulties.
OT: Question for Omaha folks (CWS tickets)
Any advice on obtaining tickets to Game 1 of the College World Series?
OT: How is this for pitcher abuse (NCAA)
NCAA Regionals - Texas vs. Boston College The game is currently in the 21st inning. Texas closer Austin Wood entered the game in the 7th inning of a tie game. He wouldn't leave until the 20th inning. He pitched 12.1 innings before finally giving up a hit. Final line: 169 pitches with 14 strikeouts, 4 walks, 2 hits over 13 innings. You see a lot of pitcher abuse around conference tournament and regional time (Rice!), but this takes it to a whole new level. Supposedly, this is now the longest game in NCAA D-1 baseball history. On to the 21st inning...
What it would look like if The Heater merged with Fangraphs
over 2 years ago
RATW
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Another inconsistent outing for Cortes
Missed the first inning of the game, but innings two and three consisted of a lot of pitches, some sharply hit grounders/liners, a deep flyout and a Ryan Harvey HR. It looked like Cortes was throwing up in the zone.
The fourth inning was easily his best. Cortes threw a high percentage of off-speed pitches down or below the zone for swinging strikes and K'd the side 1-2-3.
The fifth inning consisted of a walk and very weak single to the right side when the second basemen went to cover the bag on a hit-and-run.
The sixth inning was a struggle as Cortes walked the bases loaded with two outs and was lifted for Chris Hayes. Cortes was visibly frustrated and when he got to the dugout, slammed his glove and hat into the bench.
When I was able to check, the stadium reading had his fastball anywhere from 89-92 mph and off-speed anywhere from 75-80.
The "Mr. Ray" mystery: Has CC learned to love the BB?
by RATW on May 4, 2009 2:46 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
After a hacktastic start, Carl Crawford has gone on a refreshingly excellent walking spree, raising his BB% shockingly close to league average 26 games into the 2009 season: 
Has Mr. Crawford, career 5.1% BB rate and all, 951 games into his major league career figured out the walk, 26 games into the 2009 season?
We've never seen this before from Crawford, except we have seen it before, in the first 26 games of 2006 (9.6%) and 2007 (11.2%) to be exact:
For his career, Crawford has generally started well enough with decent walk rates in April and May only to see those numbers decline and bottom out in July, a month in which his career BB rate is 3.4%.
- March/April: 6.1%
- May: 7.5%
- June: 4.3%
- July: 3.4%
- August: 4.4%
- September/October: 4.4%
When the temperature rises, will we see this pattern reemerge or has Crawford finally accepted the walk into his life (or is the pattern completely meaningless)? There is at least one example of a similar player who made mid-career strides in the patience department.
Baseball-reference.com lists Claudell Washington as the #3 most similar player by age to Crawford. Like Crawford, Washington was a speedy hacker who debuted at a very young age and played mostly corner outfield. His walk rates were pretty awful until about his age 27 season:
This is my hope for Crawford, but given his now lengthy history of hackery, I'm not getting overly excited by his burst of patience. Make no mistake, I love Carl Crawford. To me, he is Mr. Ray for both his longevity and productivity with this team, but we've seen this false hope before.
What do you think: is the new, patient Crawford here for the long-term?
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Dewon Brazelton sighting!
I know, I know. Everyone HATES Dewon Brazelton, but for some reason I'm fascinated by the guy, from the unique personal background, to the gimpy blown out knees which some at BA said should have immediately scared away the D'Rays and which subsequently led to his downfall, to the dominant 2001 college season with mid-90's fastball and plus change, to the minor league mechanical changes, major league near no-hitter, opening day start and complete downfall by 2005, AWOL and all. What a ride.
Apparently his arm is healthy [easy joke goes here] and he's back in baseball, sorta.
CAMDEN - The Camden Riversharks announced today that they have signed right handed pitcher Dewon Brazelton for the 2009 season. Brazelton currently projects as a starting pitcher for the Riversharks. He will join a roster that also includes former Major League pitcher Brian Lawrence, and right handed reliever Julio Guerrero.
Royals may get TV time in NWA and Oklahoma
Fox Sports Southwest has offered local cable provider Cox Communications a package that includes 50 Royals games for the 2009 Major League Baseball season. The games would air on Fox Sports Southwest Plus, which also would feature 130 St. Louis Cardinals games and 15 Houston Astros games.
Cox and Fox Sports Southwest recently reached an agreement to bring 50 Royals games to Oklahoma. Oklahoma, like Arkansas, has been blacked out for years by Major League Baseball from carrying Royals games but both states have been able to get Cardinals games through Fox Sports Southwest Plus.
[Both areas currently receive 132 Rangers games and 41 Astros games through Fox Sports Southwest]
The Royals' lack of TV exposure in Arkansas, particularly Northwest Arkansas, has long been a sore spot for the franchise. Kansas City is the closest major-league franchise to Northwest Arkansas, and Royals owner David Glass lives in Bella Vista.
Gem of the Day
Friedman... worst GM or worstest?
Spitfire to pitch for Mexico?
MEXICO CITY (AP)—Retired major-leaguer Vinny Castilla will coach Mexico at the World Baseball Classic.
He says he will look at bringing in both Mexican major league players as well as those with double nationality. He plans to first talk to Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza.
Passan rips Rays fans
Games 1 and 2 – well, those were held inside a big warehouse outfitted with seats, a massive neon orange, a tank of cownose rays, four catwalks, a drunk pro wrestler, artificial turf, mullets and a group of people that thinks ringing cowbells is awesome and wearing bright blue Mohawks is socially acceptable.
Rays fever, unfortunately, comes no warmer than 98.6 degrees. Scalpers there are eating thousands of dollars because the demand for tickets is so flabby. Florida is a football state, and the inroads to carve out a fan base in the Tampa area will take decades. While championship T-shirts in Philadelphia already are deep on back order, there will be plenty available should the Rays come back and win the series.
Another lackluster outing for Price
vs. Indianapolis (Pirates):
4 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 88 pitches, 4 GO, 4 FO
Royals minor league reliever placed on suspended list
SPRINGDALE - Northwest Arkansas Naturals relief pitcher Jarod Plummer was arrested for driving while intoxicated and driving left of center by Fayetteville police early Wednesday morning.
Teammates Brian McFall and Matt Peterson were with Plummer when police stopped Plummer's Dodge Ram pickup at 2:01 a.m.
According to the Fayetteville police report, both passengers "were not cooperative" and McFall became "very belligerent" and was threatened with arrest. Police called a taxi for McFall and Peterson and both left the scene without further incident. The report also stated that Plummer was cooperative and apologized to the arresting officers for McFall's and Peterson's behavior.
Minor leagues: Kaaihue 3-for-4, HR (26) today
I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but this is driving me nuts. I understand he's 24-yrs-old repeating Double-A, but what the heck do the Royals have to lose by moving him up, finding a place for his bat somewhere in the Omaha lineup and seeing if he can repeat this total dominance of the Texas League? He leads the league in OPS (1075 before today) by a good distance. First in HR (26) and walks (80); 10th in batting average. He has 80 walks to 40 strikeouts and an overall line of .307 / .462 / .614 prior to today's game. He has a great approach at the plate and hits the ball solidly even when he makes an out. What more can he possibly do? Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless the Royals add him to the 40-man roster at the end of the season, he will become a minor league free agent. Better to find out now what he is capable of doing at a higher level than possibly let him walk for nothing. I realize Shealy is at Omaha and it's possible the guys at NWA are pushing to keep him in place as he has become the fan favorite of the inaugural Naturals who are trying to build a fanbase, but there are more important things on the line here.. like his career and the improvement of the Royals. Also, Shealy is about to turn 29 and had his chances. There is nothing lose and plenty to possibly gain. What is going on here?
A hint as to the Rays plans for Price?
Passan on the Futures Game: Absent was David Price, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft and among the game’s best pitching prospects. A year after letting Evan Longoria compete for Team USA in international competition, the Rays withheld Price, figuring he might help the team in August or September if need be.
Rays FSN viewership up 32.4%
by RATW on Jul 9, 2008 2:13 AM EDT
on DRaysBay
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Mirroring the increase in attendance, the Rays TV ratings have seen a healthy gain over last year. |
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| RSN | Team | 2008 avg. rating (% change) |
Households avg. (% change) |
| CSN Chicago | Cubs | 4.87 (51.2%) | 169,000 (52.3%) |
| FSN Florida | Rays | 2.77 (31.3%) | 49,000 (32.4%) |
| FSN South | Braves | 3.31 (23.0%) | 76,000 (28.8%) |
| FSN Rocky Mountain | Rockies | 3.56 (16.0%) | 53,000 (20.5%) |
| FSN Ohio | Reds | 5.78 (14.9%) | 52,000 (15.6%) |
| CSN Chicago | White Sox | 1.82 (13.8%) | 63,000 (14.5%) |
| SunSports | Marlins | 3.49 (11.9%) | 54,000 (12.5%) |
| FSN Midwest | Cardinals | 8.04 (5.9%) | 100,000 (7.5%) |
| CSN Bay Area | A's | 2.09 (5.6%) | 51,000 (8.5%) |
| FSN Florida | Marlins | 3.41 (5.2%) | 52,000 (4.0%) |
| FSN Southwest | Rangers | 1.49 (4.2%) | 36,000 (5.9%) |
| CSN Philadelphia | Phillies | 5.02 (3.9%) | 148,000 (4.2%) |
| MASN/MASN2 | Orioles | 3.05 (1.7%) | 33,000 (0.0%) |
| YES | Yankees | 4.40 (0.0%) | 325,000 (0.3%) |
| FSN Wisconsin | Brewers | 6.73 (-0.9%) | 60,000 (0.0%) |
| FSN North | Twins | 6.92 (-6.9%) | 118,000 (-5.6%) |
| CSN Bay Area | Giants | 2.51 (-7.4%) | 61,000 (-6.2%) |
| SportSouth | Braves | 3.24 (-8.2%) | 75,000 (-3.8%) |
| FSN Detroit | Tigers | 6.16 (-9.5%) | 119,000 (-9.8%) |
| SportsNet New York | Mets | 2.76 (-10.4%) | 204,000 (-10.1%) |
| SportsTime Ohio | Indians | 4.45 (-12.4%) | 68,000 (-12.8%) |
| FSN Arizona | Diamondbacks | 3.92 (-16.9%) | 71,000 (-12.3%) |
| FSN West | Angels | 1.24 (-17.9%) | 70,000 (-17.6%) |
| NESN | Red Sox | 9.75 (-19.4%) | 233,000 (-18.8%) |
| FSN Pittsburgh | Pirates | 2.96 (-21.9%) | 34,000 (-22.7%) |
| FSN Prime Ticket | Dodgers | 1.57 (-22.7%) | 89,000 (-21.9%) |
| FSN Southwest | Astros | 3.36 (-25.7%) | 69,000 (-28.1%) |
| Cox/SD4 | Padres | 5.08 (-30.6%) | 53,000 (-29.3%) |
| MASN/MASN2 | Nationals | 0.39 (-43.5%) | 9,000 (-43.8%) |
| FSN Northwest | Mariners | 4.67 (-47.2%) | 83,000 (-45.4%) |
| FSN Kansas City* | Royals | 3.01 (NA) | 28,000 (NA) |
| * Royals games aired locally on KC Metro Sports last year, making comparisons not applicable. Note: Comparable data for the Blue Jays was unavailable. |
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Kila Kaaihue
Kila Kaaihue has two more HR's tonight for NWA, the first a shot to dead center field in the first inning and then a monster grand slam in the fifth. He also has two singles. The guy has owned Double-A this season with an OPS of 1.034, and that was before tonight's explosion. He's walked a ton, hit for power and now his batting average is above .300. What more can he possibly do for Northwest Arkansas? The problem is he is getting old for the minors, moreso for Double-A. Given his performance this season combined with his age, shouldn't he be in Omaha?
Congrats to Cedrick Bowers
One of the original Devil Ray draft picks (4th Round, 1996), after eight years in the Rays system (three at Triple-A) and four years in Japan, Cedrick Bowers finally got "The Call" yesterday; he was promoted to the major leagues by the Colorado Rockies.
Best of luck!
J.P. Howell workload
by RATW on Jun 8, 2008 4:45 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
Since the start of the season, JP Howell has gone from garbage man/inning eater to the high-leverage bridge between the starter and the stopper/closer. Some (not only here, but the Rays radio guys and probably others I am unaware of) have gone so far as to call him our MVP to this point in the season, which some may see as a reach but not without merit and indicative of his importance. With this success in this new role has come not only increased use, but use in key high-leverage situations.
Just how much has he been used? By my quick and dirty (translation: lazy and possibly wrong) math, even after a slow start to the season Howell is currently on pace for almost 60 appearances and 115 IP this year out of the bullpen.
If memory serves, most high-use relievers usually top out around 80-85 IP, while lefty specialists such as Scott Downs, Jamie Walker and our own ex-Ray Joe Beimel piled up upwards of 80-85 appearances last season.
So my question is..
a) is this kind of consistently high-leverage, heavy workload (by bullpen standards) sustainable or is there an increased risk he is going to either burn out or come down with an injury?
b) are there examples of similar bullpen workload profiles to compare? my memory is falling short here.
c) disregarding the workload, how likely is it that Howell will continue to perform at this level?
Considering Howell has been almost exclusively a starter since at least his college days, I'm probably more concerned about the 60 appearances which would double his career norm (college/minors or minors/majors). Also keep in mind, Howell is only 25 and not a grizzled workhorse.
Some extreme examples of high-leverage, high IP guys from last year: Heath Bell led the majors last year with 93.2 relief innings and seems to be just fine. Aussie Peter Moylan did 90 IP for the Braves last year and he's out for the 2008 season.
Orioles Magic.. this is Birdland.
Behind the scenes with Gordon Beckham
a.k.a. some guy the Rays are unlikely to draft
Video Interviews: Pedro Alvarez (a.k.a. some guy unlikely to be drafted by the Rays)
Crawford hacking.. just how bad?
by RATW on May 1, 2008 12:28 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
So I went looking at ESPN's sortable stats to determine just how bad Crawford's hacking has been this year.
Carl Crawford (AL Rank out of 98 qualified batters based on at-bats):
Pick you stat..
P/PA: 3.06 (last in American League)
BB: 3 (90th out of 98; Jason Bartlett (2) is last)
BB/PA: .024 (93rd out of 98)
BB/K: 0.20 (94th out of 98.. Jason Bartlett is 97th at 0.13)
The O's announcers last night made an interesting comment concerning Bartlett. They said they talked to either Steve Henderson or George Hendrick (don't remember who exactly) and he said Bartlett was simply pressing, trying to impress his new team and they weren't overly concerned about his slow start.
I'm more concerned about Crawford due to his history of hacking.. but this is both ridiculous and depressing as I'd hoped we would see some improvement by this point in his career.
Doug Waechter sighting
by RATW on Apr 18, 2008 11:29 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
He pitched 2 innings for the Marlins tonight (yes, the Rays-loving Marlins)
2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 ER
For those keeping track, former Rays turned Marlins:
Rays farmhands: Jorge Cantu, Doug Waechter, Lee Gardner, Paul Hoover
Originally drafted by the Rays: Andrew Miller, Mike Jacobs, Chris Leroux (A-ball)
Acquired by Rays: Mark Hendrickson
In the Marlins system: Chris Seddon (AAA)
(Not included: minor league vets Willie Glen and Marcos Carvajal have spent time with both the Rays and then the Marlins)
Almost all those guys were originally drafted/signed by Dan Jennings.
Transactions involving former Rays..
by RATW on Apr 12, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
The Mariners purchased the contract of Greg Norton. He replaces Charlton Jimerson on the roster.
Hideo Nomo is attempting a comeback with the Royals. Unfortunately for him, he gave up two HR's in his first appearance.
Casey Fossum has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.
Former Rays draftees-farmhands-major leaguers:
Paul Hoover was optioned back to the minors by the Marlins. He's actually been pretty good in his very short major league appearances over the last three years with the Fish. Who knows, maybe he fills the always entertaining Rays backup catcher spot in the future.
Older news, Dewon Brazelton showed up late and out of shape for Cardinals spring training camp, ruining a chance to work with reclamation project master Dave Duncan. He was released at the end of spring training, thus probably killing his last chance at a return to the majors.
Other former Rays.. Seth McClung off to a rough start in Milwaukee, same with Lee Gardner with the Marlins. Jorge Cantu hitting well for the Marlins, with two HR, two doubles and shockingly two walks in 41 at-bats.
Opening Day weather..
by RATW on Mar 30, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
At last check, 30% chance of rain and temperature in the 50's.
Not the most ideal baseball weather.
BTW, weather permitting I'll be at the Thursday night game at Camden Yards. Given the weather, being a midweek game, the O's fans being less than enthused with their team and the Rays being the opponent, it should be an intimate gathering.
Let's go Rays!
Yahoo! baseball writers make 2008 predictions
by RATW on Mar 26, 2008 8:54 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
I am a fan of Jeff Passan, so this article caught my eye.
Quite a few Rays getting attention, such as:
AL Rookie of the Year (Evan Longoria)
AL Comeback Player (Troy Percival)
AL MVP-in-waiting (BJ Upton / Evan Longoria)
AL Breakout Pitcher (Matt Garza)
Darkhorse candidates:
AL Rookie of the Year darkhorse (Longoria)
AL Cy Young darkhorse (Scott Kazmir)
AL Batting Champ darkhorse (Carl Crawford)
Just predictions, but interesting nonetheless the volume of Rays mentions.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ys-mlbpredicts032508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Riggans is hurt
by RATW on Mar 15, 2008 8:58 PM EDT
on DRaysBay
In the latest "world revolves around sun" entry:
According to the game recap, Shawn Riggans has a broken left hand after a HBP in the Braves game today in Kissimmee.
Hello Mike DiFelice :(
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