SB Nation User Blog: hightowersmith

OT: RIP David Foster Wallace

hightowersmith — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:01:45 -0000

OT: RIP David Foster Wallace

There are so many sad things about this death. It's a loss of letters but more jarring is the premature end of such a sui generis success story.

You hate to see people pick a journey, get so good at it, come into the public eye at an age where you can even relate to them, then destroy themselves. It makes you wonder if that's a genuine risk of doing well in life.

I hope to learn more about this special talent and why he made this choice, why he wasn't looking forward to anything else.

AFL Roster announced

hightowersmith — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:52:39 -0000

Per Lucas:

RHP John Bannister
RHP Willie Eyre
LHP Beau Jones
RHP Andrew Laughter
1B Chad Tracy
3B John Whittleman
OF Julio Borbon

And once more,

RHP John Bannister
RHP Willie Eyre
LHP Beau Jones
RHP Andrew Laughter
1B Chad Tracy
3B John Whittleman
OF Julio Borbon

You can't hear me?

RHP John Bannister
RHP Willie Eyre
LHP Beau Jones
RHP Andrew Laughter
1B Chad Tracy
3B John Whittleman
OF Julio Borbon

I guess they're resting Dutch and Feliz.

Sickels on Rangers preseason top 20

hightowersmith — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:38:23 -0000

Sickels on Rangers preseason top 20

Batting Stance Guy - Rangers edition

hightowersmith — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:56:45 -0000

Batting Stance Guy - Rangers edition

Very entertaining. I never think about Neuschler anymore.

The Blalock swing is fricking perfect.

Porcello

hightowersmith — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:50:32 -0000

Porcello

Tough for these eyes to track specific pitch movements, but the verbiage at the end about the player making Detroit's rotation next year...good grief.

Four plus pitches, and he's probably in AA this year. Who knows?

I don't think anyone believed he'd come this fast. Freak.

Hurley delayed; Minors 7/21

hightowersmith — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:31:55 -0000

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/feldman-starts-tonight.html

RHP Scott Feldman will start in place of RHP Eric Hurley tonight. Not sure why. Should know that a bit later.

Feldman is 3-3 with a 4.85 ERA in 14 starts. He was supposed to return to the lineup today as a member of the bullpen, but instead gets back on the hill as a starter. Feldman gave up eight runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings with five walks and two strikeouts in his last start, against the Angels.

How about a compound Fanshot with minors notes?

Hunter didn't have a pretty start this afternoon, allowing runs in 4 of his 5 innings.

5 IP
8 H
5 R
4 ER
1 BB
2 K
1 HR

Read Part 2 of Jason Cole's mailbag and feel better about Omar Poveda, who goes tonight, along with Carlos Pimentel.

McCarthy today (Minors 7/17)

hightowersmith — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:53:09 -0000

A little better...

3 IP
5 H
1 R
1ER
1 BB
3 K

No pitch count...maybe this entitles him to a proper rehab start up in Frisco?

Fredo, C1, Zach, and Schlact all going later tonight.

I'm at 28 words here, and the spacing trick doesn't work on the new LSB.

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long. Right now it's only 28 words long. If you just have a quote, link, video or photo you'd like to share with the community, try creating a FanShot instead.
Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long. Right now it's only 28 words long. If you just have a quote, link, video or photo you'd like to share with the community, try creating a FanShot instead.
Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long. Right now it's only 28 words long. If you just have a quote, link, video or photo you'd like to share with the community, try creating a FanShot instead.

Minors 6/11

hightowersmith — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:23:40 -0000

Who needs Hurley for daytime distraction? Tommy Hunter and Matt Harrison are just underway with afternoon starts.

Hunter's given up a run on 3 hits through his first inning. In the bottom half Elvis, just back in the starting lineup, drew a walk. Max got today off.

Harrison's allowed a walk and a hit in his first inning. Davis is 1-1 ALREADY.

Beavan goes at 7PM and, as shroom pointed out last night, Omar Poveda's finally back for Bakersfield in the late nite joust. That is great.

Carry on.

Callis follows up today

hightowersmith — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:38:16 -0000

Q:       Josh from Fort Worth asks:
Jim, Where do you think Justin Smoak would fit in the Rangers Top 10 prospects?
A:

Jim Callis: That's a loaded system, but Smoak would rank right near the top. He's a switch-hitter with power from both sides and plays great defense at first base. Tremendous value for the Rangers at No. 11.

Q:       Jason from NYC asks:
Rumors have Robbie Ross' bonus demands exceeding $1.5mil. Is he worth it?
A:

Jim Callis: I've heard $1.575 million. I do like Robbie Ross a lot, as much as any high school lefty in the draft. With the Rangers taking him in round two, that makes me think they'll sign him.

Q:       Jason from NYC asks:
Max Ramirez, Chris Davis, Justin Smoak: Which two become the 1B/DH combo for the Rangers and which one doesn't make the cut?
A:

Jim Callis: Smoak and Davis over Ramirez.

Q:       Randy from Chattanooga, TN asks:
Being the Reds fan that I am, please tell me the difference between Alonso and Justin Smoak. I felt that Smoak had a better upside from what I read (switch hitter, etc.). What makes Alonso better in the Reds scouting department?
A:

Jim Callis: Alonso better pure hitter, Smoak more power (and better glove).

Q:       eric from houston asks:
be honest... how bad was the jason castro pick at #10 by the astros.
A:

Jim Callis: Bit early, but good chance to be a solid catcher.

Q:       Nate from Minneapolis asks:
Harold Martinez. Why the drop? What will it take to sign him?
A:

Jim Callis: Bad spring after early hype probably created high bonus expectations.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/chat.php?id=2008060601

Postdraft roster ramifications

hightowersmith — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:10:38 -0000

Today's threads suggest Smoak plays in Bakersfield...do you agree?

Then do we see Gac in Frisco for his next promo?

Lastly, does one of today's draftee's enter the Spokane rotation? Off the top of my head:

Pimentel
Font
Ramirez
Main
2nd-day draftee?

Bonus: Does JD wait till the trade deadline to judge whether Bradley stays (and Max is ready to replace him)? And if Bradley's dealt does Max replace him in a b/u catcher - DH role? I think so, unless the team gives him the DH-1B role, sticking with the current catching tandem.

Bonus #2: Do we see Whittleman, Borbon, and Vallejo all promoted before the ASB?