SB Nation User Blog: cool hand Charlie

Cameron Maybin's hot start

cool hand Charlie — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:37:38 -0000

Maybin was recalled from Double A Carolina on Septermber 16th and thrust directly into Florida's leadoff role. All Maybin has done is go 9 for 11 with 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, 6 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 strikeout.

Hanley Ramirez offered up some advice for Maybin that already made a difference.  Watching Maybin's pinch-hit single on TV, Ramirez noticed that the 21-year-old was a tad slow in his approach.

"Hanley told me the first game I was here to get [my swing] started early," Maybin said. "I was starting a little bit late, and he saw that, and I've really been making a conscious effort to get myself started early, and getting something in my zone to hit. It's just helped me be on time with those guys."

Obviously Maybin won't hit .818 in the majors over a full season. But its nice to see a top prospect get off to such a fast start. It should build his confidence for the future and also build confidence in him from his teammates about his abilities.

Alexei Ramirez

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:00:00 -0000

What's up with this guy? He has 15 homers in under 400 AB's. He is hitting .300. He wasn't in John's prospect book this year. Will he be able to keep this up in future years? He looks very skinny for his listed 6'3'' 185. Any info on how this guy slid under the radar(Cuba?) and popped into the majors to hit .300 would be greatly appreciated. Future projections/comps are also quite welcome. Thanks guys. Chuck

Greg Halman...who?

cool hand Charlie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:41 -0000

This kid looks pretty good. I don't know if he was supposed to be good or not but it looks like the Mariners found him in the Netherlands. As a 20 year old in AA for the Mariners(West Tennessee) he is posting a line of .279/.329/.559.888. and he has a good line overall having spent part of the season in the Cal league.

The kid is 6'4'' and close to 200 pounds so he has a nice frame and must have good speed. He has 25 stolen bases to only 2 caught stealing this season.

So, what's this kid's future? Is he toolsy? Will he be able to cut it in the majors in a couple years? I just happaned to notice he had good numbers and had never heard of him, so i wondered if you guys had anymore knowledge about him beyond what the numbers show.

thanks

Collin Balester called up to face FLA today

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:34:22 -0000

Collin Balester is getting the call today to face the Florida Marlins in Florida. It will be his MLB debut. He has been solid enough in AAA this year going 9-3 with a 1.30 WHIP. He has a 3/1 K/BB ratio and has 64 K's in 78 IP. He has given up 14 HR in 15 starts, so it might be a problem in the majors too. So what do you guys think about him short term and long term? From what i read, he is a #3 long term. Right? How is his stuff? I haven't ever seen him pitch. And there is only so much you can tell by looking at numbers.

leagues influence numbers?

cool hand Charlie — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:05:14 -0000

I always see people talking about hitting in one place or another meaning more or less. Does everyone pretty much agree which leagues are pitchers leagues and which leagues are hitters leagues? I have seen that the FSL is supposed to be a pitchers league. And the PCL is a pitchers league too, right? I've never seen it done, so would someone care to give me a run down of which leages in the minors really influence hitting or pitching one way or the other? You don't have to tell me about rookie ball. I'm only comcerned with single A and above. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cameron Maybin gets HOT!

cool hand Charlie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:00:13 -0000

Don't look now, but Cameron Maybin has been MASHING in AA of late.

Over his last 10 games he is hitting .417. He has 7 K's against 3 walks. He has hit 5 Home runs, 2 triples, 2 doubles. has anyone actually gotten to see him play? Is he hitting more line drives? I'm guessing most of those extra base hits weren't ground balls he beat out. His overall line for the season is up to .270/.370/.509/.880 with 13 stolen bases against 3 caught stealing. Not to mention, unless something has changed, he still plays damn good defense in CF.

So is he turning the corner as a 20 year old in AA?

Billy Butler optioned to AAA

cool hand Charlie — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:52:25 -0000

fron Rotoworld:

The Royals have reportedly optioned Billy Butler to Triple-A and called up Mike Aviles to replace him.

Esteban German has 38 at-bats all year, so the last thing the Royals need is another middle infielder. Perhaps the plan is to get German and Aviles some time at DH. Ross Gload also figures to benefit from Butler's demotion. However, it's disturbing that the Royals have made no effort to pick up more first base/DH depth. ------------------------------- What do you guys think about this? Its obvious that he hasn't been hitting as well recently as he was in the first month of the season. But with the Royals already 10 games under .500, shouldn't their goal be to develop long term talent? Clearly, Butler has nothing left to prove in the minors at this point. And the best way for him to figure out MLB pitching is to see MLB pitching. Personally, I don't love this move, but maybe the Roayls know something I don't?

question about ground ball pitchers

cool hand Charlie — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:44:17 -0000

So my question is this:

Do ground ball pitchers generally have longer careers than guys who get by on "stuff"?

The guys that I can think of right now are Brandon Webb and Chien-Ming Wang.

I know that Derek Lowe has lasted a while and he is an extreme ground ball pitcher. So, does anyone have any opinions on if a GB pitcher can have longer effective careers than normal?

Thanks for all the input.

John Lannan

cool hand Charlie — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:59:39 -0000

I'd have to say this guy has been a suprise. He got knocked around the first time he faced ATL, but I'd say he bounced back in fine fashion yesterday after seeing them a second time.

In 4 GS, he has 23.2 IP, 24 hits, 21 K's, 10 BB's and a 3.42 ERA.

Is his nice start a suprise? Or was this expected to a degree? Does he have good stuff? I know John gave him a B- in the book.

Ryan Braun(KC)

cool hand Charlie — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:16:13 -0000

I read a couple years ago that he had closer "stuff". He'll turn 28 in July. And looking at his numbers, he absolutley destroyed AAA last year in 33 IP. He posted a 0.94 WHIP.

3/1 K/BB ratio.

Almost 10 K/9

1.09 ERA

But when he went to the bigs, his numbers look awful. Way too many walks, not nearly enough K's.

Is he still a guy that could turn out to be a very good RP? Or is he a AAAA kind of guy?

Any and all insight to this question are welcome.

thanks,

CHC