SB Nation User Blog: The Colonel

A Portrait of The Ballplayer As A Young Man by Matt Joyce

The Colonel — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:52:06 -0000

Excuse me if I write in a stream-of-consciousness-type prose, but who is Matt Joyce and does anyone know anything about him and can they tell me if he is for real or just one of a long list of prospects who has come up and hit for power a la Sam Horn, Phil Plantier, Reggie Jefferson (yes, I'm a Sox fan) and then disappeared into oblivion.

Sickels wrote in The Book that Joyce seems like the type of player who could be a late bloomer ("sneaking up on us in maybe '08"). He's only 23, hitting .266 / .320 / .649 with 9 HR in 94 AB.

I saw an AB of his a couple of days ago and he had a pretty nice swing and even made a nice diving catch in the OF. Just seeing if anyone knew anything more about him or had any insight into if he's the real deal or not. Thanks!

PUT IT ON THE BOARD! Juan Uribe - WAIVED

The Colonel — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:45:40 -0000

Does this mean the Chisox go with a platoon of Danny Richar & Alexei Ramirez at 2b? Or is Alexei going to play some CF and Richar will start full time at 2b?

Ramirez just hit another bomb today.

And where does Uribe go now?

Mining for C+ Gold

The Colonel — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:37:03 -0000

It seems that a few times a year a C+ prospect breaks out and has a good year (Mark Reynolds, Manny Parra, Steven Pearce, Asdrubal, Felipe Paulino) and rises in John's rankings. It also seems to be the lowest grade where someone still has a chance to be a solid if not spectacular major league player (unless you're Wlad).

Did John grade someone low with a C+ that should be a B- on his list? Did John overlook a hidden gem and throw him into the Pit of C+ Despair?

Is there someone that will get more playing time therefore making him more valuable than other C+ prospects?

Is there a particular meaty C+ pitching prospect you think might break out?

Because there are so many C+ prospects, I've limited it to first-year players, but feel free to toss out the names of others. I've also thrown in a couple of C+ from last year that had good stats in AAA or in a short MLB stint to see if anybody thinks they have a shot at breaking out.

C+ BATS

Curtis Thigpen, Tor (is the dream over?)

Emilio Bonifacio, Ariz

Kory Casto, Wash (former B prospect)

Terry Evans, LAA

Sam Fuld, Cubs (great AFL; Stenson Award)

Ben Francisco, Cle (where's Indiansfan when you need him?)

Joe Koshansky, Col (Ryan Shealy: The Sequel?)

Justin Ruggiano, TB (fell from a B-)

Brandon Moss, Bos (settle down Red Sox fans)

Jake Fox, Fla (C+/C from John)

Tony Abreu, LAD (C+ last yr)

Ryan Raburn (C+ last yr) Anyone know more about this guy?

Martin Prado, Atl (C+ last yr)

C+ PITCHERS

Nick Blackburn, Min (BP 3 stars)

Aaron Laffey, Cle (Bottom Barrel 3 winner)

Yorman Bazardo, Detroit (BP 2 stars)

Lance Broadway, ChiSox (BP 2 stars)

Juan Gutierrez, Hou (no one knows anything)

JoJo Reyes, Atl (C+ last yr, poss. #5 SP in Atl)

Andy Sonnanstine, TB (C+ last yr, Rys #5)

Rick Vanden Hurk, Fla (C+ last yr, Marlins) The Dutchman

Jared Burton, Cin (C+, Rule 5, great #s)

Matt Chico, Wash (C+ last yr, 160+ IP in mlb)

Tyler Clippard, Wash, (B last year, bad this year) I'll throw him in here since I can't find many opinions of him from this year.

If any other C+ prospect you felt should have been higher, feel free to post and discuss. Looking forward to the community's sleeper prospects. Just looking for some hidden C+ gold.

Grade "B" pitchers - Rank them

The Colonel — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:49:17 -0000

The Congo Hammer has been doing a comparison in the same vein with his "bottom of the barrel" diaries which have been fun, but I wanted to compare a number of Grade "B" pitchers in terms of how their careers will pan out. In order to thin out the herd, I've selected first-year Grade "B" starting pitchers.

Luke Hochevar, KC - B

Jair Jurrgens, Atl - B

Radhames Liz, Bal - B

Sean Gallagher, Cubs - B

Billy Buckner, Ariz - B

Felipe Paulino, Hou - B

Also added to the equation:

Micah Owings, Ariz - B last yr. Good #s.

Andy Sonnanstine, TB - C+ last yr. but pitched well in bigs.

John Danks, Chisox - B+ last yr. but got hammered

Kyle Kendrick, Phi - Where did this guy come from?

Jesse Litsch, Tor - C+ last yr. but I liked this guy's poise and GB rate as I saw him pitch a few times

Please rank these 11 guys with appropriate gaps between talent levels with emphasis on their future careers. Who do you like? Who do you not like? And, as always, any comments, thoughts or discussion would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Brad Ziegler called up to AAA

The Colonel — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:36:00 -0000

I guess a 1.17 ERA will do that.

23IP 19H 4BB 17K 2.25 GB ratio O jacks

Good luck in Sactown.

Righties are hitting .170 off of him; lefties are hitting .289. Good SLG vs. both sides. It appears the sidewinding is working.

I'll try to catch a game down in Fresno or it will give me a good reason to go to Vegas.

I Can't Believe He's Not a Prospect...

The Colonel — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 08:03:23 -0000

FABIO CASTRO

From MLB today (Caribbean Series):
Dominican Republic starter Fabio Castro had a crafty hand in the victory. The diminutive southpaw allowed only two hits in five innings before yielding to Santiago Ramirez in the sixth.

"I felt really strong and confident about pitching in such an important game for my country," Castro said. "I just tried to stay ahead in the count and do the best job I could out there."

"Fabio Castro did a fabulous job; all credit goes to him," Fermin said. "He did a great job against a very dangerous team."

Fabio threw 83 pitches, 52 for strikes. GB/FB 7/4. Walked 3, K'd 4.

He had great #s for Philly out of the pen last year in limited action as a Rule V guy. What does he project as and does anyone know more about him? Yes, yes, I will buy John's book soon.

Humber or Ubaldo Jimenez

The Colonel — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:32:20 -0000

Philip Humber or Ubaldo Jimenez for the long term?

Humber's had some injury problems, but a lot of people like him. Jimenez is still pretty young, but he's been popping up on a lot of top 100s. I've read where both could be #2 or #3 starters. Any insight or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Poll

Who will have the better career?

Philip Humber

64 votes

Ubaldo Jimenez

20 votes

Wild Card - Jonathan Sanchez, SF

13 votes

97 votes | Poll has closed

Draft Help Needed

The Colonel — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:33:58 -0000

My pick is next and I wanted your guys' help. It's a 24-team sim league (DMB) and I have all my positions and rotation filled, so I'm just prospecting (although I do have LoDuca at C and he's old).

I'm deciding between a C or an SP. I've narrowed down my choices to: Iannetta (B+), Montero (B+), Phil Humber (B+), Jason Hirsh (B+). James Loney (B+) is also available.

Would appreciate any help and thoughts. Thanks!

Poll

Who do you prefer long-term?

Iannetta

46 votes

Humber

12 votes

Hirsh

13 votes

Montero

7 votes

Loney

23 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

David Pauley?

The Colonel — Tue, 30 May 2006 21:26:39 -0000

Red Sox are calling up David Pauley from AA to start for DWells on Wednesday. He doesn't appear in John's top 20 for the Bosox (or Pads).

Anyone know anything about him other than he's 2.39 in 10 starts at Portland?

He's almost 23 and seemed to have pretty solid numbers for the Pads in the low minors. He came over in the Dave Roberts trade.