I posted it in the game thread and I thought it'd be a fun idea to see what peoples predictions are for the remainder of the season. Rules are: make 5, first four about individuals, fifth about the team. That's it. Here were mine...

   1. Reyes will finish the year with a sub-5.00 ERA
   2. Pujols will fail to hit 35 HR's, but will finish with a .320+ BA
   3. Wainwright will finish with a sub-4.00 ERA
   4. Ankiel will hit 12 HR's, and finish with a 3/1 K/BB ratio.
   5. Cards miss the playoffs by a game.

Not too many stretches, really. Besides Ankiels K/BB ratio...

So, two baseball games in two days, and two different Cardinal farm teams. Some friends and I woke up Saturday morning and decided to make a trip to Corpus, mostly to check out the Cardinals but also because I have a friend from high school pitching for the Hooks. Unfortunately, he didn't get in... anyway, just thought I'd share what I saw for ya'll once more, probably for the last time.

1. Jaime Garcia: This kid can DEAL. I sincerely believe he's going to a stud in the majors one day. Nice, clean delivery. Struck out probably 6 or 7 over 6 2/3. Gave up 2 runs, one earned (home run that barely cleared the wall). He's got a great fastball, or so it seemed from my position.
2. Both Cardinal relievers were solid. Didn't see anything extraordinary but did their job.
3. Joe Mather: Mather is ENORMOUS. He was playing right field and I walked by him and he towered over me, and I'm 6'3". Can tell how he hits all those home runs. Didn't do much at the plate, really.
4. Hoffpauir: went 3 for 3, has a nice swing, not much power, but plays a VERY solid second base. My boss commented on his defense, though my boss is an avid Astros fan. Don't really know much about him, is he a big time prospect?
5. Bryan Anderson: Pinch hit and hit a very hard liner. Was hoping to watch him catch a game, but he has a smooth swing.
6. Finally, Rasmus: Had a rough night, going 0-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. Despite this, he's got a sharp eye. His first at-bat was probably an 8 or 9 pitch walk. I don't think he had an at-bat where he saw fewer than 5 pitches. Plus, he wears his pants baggy like an old-schooler, and I dug it w. a shovel.

That's all I've got. Hope I gave ya'll some decent insight on a couple of Cardinal farm-hands.

headed out to round rock this evening to catch the redbirds while they were in town. not a particularly great night, on the verge of storming the entire time, but on the whole a decent night...

anyway, here's what i can comment on prior to my 5th bud heavy...

1. keisler: this dude drove me nuts. he sulks more than any other player i've ever seen, and that is not a stretch. he gave up a ton of seeing-eye hits and a lot of hard hit balls. i really think his problem is his mentality. flat out just not good stuff.
2. ankiel: took some decent cuts but really didnt make any good contact. think his little injury might have him off a bit. looked sincerely happy to be back playing, however
3. ryan: really didn't do much at the plate but made some really, really, REALLY nice defensive stops. i can think of at least 3 that PROBABLY could have made the web gems.
4. hanson: dude hit a rope of a homerun...
5. gonzales: he goes about his ab's very professionally as far as i can tell. just gets up there, makes the pitcher work, and waits for his pitch. didn't have much success, unfortunately.

anyway, not too insightful, but i just thought people might like to hear some live thoughts about the redbirds. unfortunately, not many true prospects. however, some friends and I are thinking about making a drive down to corpus tomorrow to see the hooks v. springfield, so hopefully i'll be able to comment on that in greater depth.

first diary - out.