SB Nation User Blog: tricer

what JD had to say

tricer — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:31:05 -0000

I'm not real good with prose, so I'll just scattershoot the parts of the session that I remember...

JD started by remarking that the Q&A event w/ the Newberg crowd is one of his favorite days of the year. Nice touch and good way to warm the crowd.

My favorite anecdote was when JD answered my question about the reaction in the draft room when Houston made their draft pick, which sealed the fact that Smoak was going to fall to the Rangers. He remarked that within the industry it is generally pretty well known what each team is going to do going into the draft, so once the first few picks played out, it started to become obvious to them that they would be able to land Smoak. Then he told a story about how the 2006 draft unfolded in the Rangers draft HQ. He said that going into that draft, the one team that was unclear on their intentions was SF. The Rangers had eyes for Tiny Tim Lincecum, and if he had made it past SF, then the braintrust was confident that he would be a Ranger. JD said that Lincecum's five digit draft number was something like 00605, and when the Giants announced their pick, they started by saying "six" and JD admitted that he was feeling elated, not realizing that the first two zeros are commonly ommitted.

He said that the evaluation of Galaragga was flawed, but he does not think that the Rangers evaluation process is flawed. I understood his answer to mean that he believes the team had a poor evaluation of an individual pitcher, but that it was an isolated incident. This was also my question.

Hambone extension talks have been tabled for the time being.

When Grant Schiller asked what he would guess the rotation would be in 2010, using only current members of the system. JD asked him what he thought and he said Feliz, Hurley, Hunter, Harrison, and Kiker. JD responded that those sounded good to him then remarked that some young pitchers currently in the bigs could also hold their roto spots.

Remarked that he is hopeful CJ grows into the closer role, and he said he knows that fans have been getting uneasy when the Ceej enters a game and remarked, "if you are getting uneasy when he is coming into the game, just try and imagine how I am feeling". Got a roomfull of laughs there.

When asked what advice he would give to others that could be used in coaching, leadership, business, or life in general he said, "Be brutally honest".

Said that Jon Hart is around a few times a year and admitted that he solicits opinions from him at certain times. Remarked that even though Hart had a rough go in Texas with media, fans, and on-field results, but he still has a wealth of knowledge that JD like to tap into at times.

From Will Carroll...

Said that JD is one of the GMs that he most respects in the game, but said that he has "grave concern" about the hiring of Colburn as bullpen coach. Carroll has a very low opinion of that guy.

Regarding Brandon McCarthy (my question), Carroll said that he doesn't expect him to recover. Said something about a chain of injuries from fingertips to forearm to elbow to shoulder that is rarely ever recovered from. Said some guys just aren't cut out for the act of pitching in the bigs and every time one part of the body is strengthened, another weak link in the chain brakes. He sounded very discouraging about any expectations of McCarthy lasting any length of time in a major league rotation.

He also mentioned that he has serious concerns about Clayton Kershaw's mechanics. (Gasp...the cornerstone of my keeper team!)

He has known Tommy Hunter since he was 15 years old and has always been high on him. Says he thought Hunter would end up a closer, but now thinks he may have been selling him short. He says CJ is no closer, he's a LOOGY.

Believes that if Teagarden stays healthy and hits .260 that he will be the most valuable of that group of four.

Joe Sheehan said...

When asked what pitcher would be the best FA target for the Rangers in the next few years - he said King Felix.

He also said that he thinks the talent on hand could easily lead to a run of 3 divisional titles in a 5 year time frame, beginning in 2010 with Feliz heading the rotation. Also cautioned against expecting Feliz to pitch in the big leagues before then. I guess he is saying that Feliz could top a rotation from the moment he gets called up.

Anyway, the event was great - big props to Newberg for another quality program.

4/5 minors

tricer — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:20:04 -0000

Ballard had a really nice looking line today for Frisco. 6 ip, 2er, 5 hits, 1 bb, and 6 k. I remember he had a real nice first start last year as well.

Teagarden had a blast and 2 walks (and a stolen base!), Max also went deep.

Evan Reed is currently cruising. 5 ip, 3 hits, 1 bb, and 6 ks. Zeros on the scoreboard. Cristian Santana with a couple hits and an rbi as DH.

Feliz starts the nightcap for Clinton.

OKC lineup is posted and I can't for the life of me figure out why my man Boggs is buried in the 8th spot while Ellison is hitting leadoff (and playing CF) and Arias is hitting 6th. Watch out for double B tonight.

Michael Main -- injured ribcage

tricer — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:10:49 -0000

Right-hander Michael Main, one of the Rangers' two first-round draft picks last summer, has a stress fracture in his rib cage. Main is not expected to pitch before late May.
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/

At least it is not the elbow or shoulder.

Pitch selection and velocity

tricer — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:33:09 -0000

Cool new feature on fangraphs.com shows the pitch selection and average velocity for each ML pitcher. I haven't seen this available for free elsewhere, and it is pretty interesting.

A few examples:

Kason Gabbard
48.7% fastballs at average velocity of 86.4 mph
29% curves at 76 mph
22.3% change at 79.6 mph

Brandon McCarthy
66% fastballs at 88.9
16.5% curves at 75.6
17.6% change at 76.6

Vinny Padilla
73% fastballs at 91.9
5.6% sliders at 83.1
14.6% curves at 70.4
6.6% changes at 79.4

Joaquin Benoit
58.6% fastballs at 92.6
19.7% sliders at 86.1
20.7% changes at 83

CJ Wilson
76.7% fastballs at 92.4
11.7% sliders at 84.4
3.5% curves at 77.2
8.1% change at 82.6

BA Ranger report is up

tricer — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:58:54 -0000

http://tinyurl.com/yqseu8

This quote seems right on the money regarding the Rangers future:

The Rangers expect to continue their rebuilding process in 2008, field a competitive team by 2009 and make a serious playoff run in 2010. In addition to the foundation in the farm system, Texas has whom it regards as a few core players to build around at the big league level, including outfielder Josh Hamilton (brought over in an offseason trade with the Reds for righthander Edinson Volquez), second baseman Ian Kinsler, righthander Brandon McCarthy, Saltalamacchia and shortstop Michael Young.

Projected 2011 lineup seems a bit puzzling in several ways, including that Davis' scouting report is pretty clear that he will wind up at 1B, and Kinsler at DH while Young is at 2B seems ridiculous.

Catcher Taylor Teagarden
First Base Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Second Base Michael Young
Third Base Chris Davis
Shortstop Elvis Andrus
Left Field Engel Beltre
Center Field Julio Borbon
Right Field Josh Hamilton
Designated Hitter Ian Kinsler
No. 1 Starter Eric Hurley
No. 2 Starter Neftali Feliz
No. 3 Starter Michael Main
No. 4 Starter Blake Beavan
No. 5 Starter Brandon McCarthy
Closer Kasey Kiker

The scouting report on #5 prospect Feliz is tantalizing:

Background: Feliz could wind up as the crown jewel of the Mark Teixeira haul. Rather than blowing hitters away with his fastball after the trade, he focused on developing his secondary stuff and still struck out 27 in just 15 innings.

Strengths: With some time to refine his command, Feliz's fastball could rate as an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. With a smooth, effortless arm action, he pumps heaters that sit at 94-97 mph and touch 99, exploding on hitters. He is athletic and a hard worker.

Weaknesses: Feliz flashes a promising three-quarters breaking ball in the high 70s, but it's inconsistent. One day he'll show a plus curve with very good depth, and the next day he'll drop his arm, causing the pitch to flatten out and spin but not bite. He tends to throw his changeup too hard, right into hitters' bat speeds, but he has some feel for the pitch and made progress with it in instructional league. He shows good control but not command.

The Future: Feliz has a chance to open 2008 as a 19-year-old at low Class A Clinton, but he's still a long way from the majors. If it all comes together for him, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 starter, though some scouts see him as a flame-throwing closer down the road.

Chat with Aaron Fitt today at 1 pm:
http://tinyurl.com/25ux5y

OT: Mexican Honeymoon

tricer — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:07:46 -0000

Getting married in May and wondering if anybody has recommendations for a good Mexican beach for a honeymoon destination. We would prefer quaint over touristy, small cantinas over happening nightclubs, local street markets over Gucci outlets, strolling cobblestone streets and dining at family owned eateries over spa treatments and buffet lines, etc. She's not really the adventurous sort, so Scuba diving, jungle treks, and sport fishing excursions won't be on the agenda. Affordability is also a key concern. I guess we would prefer to spend most of our time (4-5 days) relaxing beachside, some shopping and a jeep tour or something like that, maybe couple of nights out checking out the local scene, and plenty of time in a comfortable, but not pretentious, cabana.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Broussard/Shelton splits

tricer — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 08:08:57 -0000

I've seen numerous projected lineups suggesting a Broussard/Shelton platoon. Also have seen several suggestions that maybe we will only keep one, and if so, it should be Broussard.

Well, I think if it were me, that I'd keep just Shelton. Why? Keeping both would seem to be the end of both Botts and Cruz, plus Shelton is younger, under control longer, and most importantly -- he is better than Broussard vs. both LH and RH pitching.

career
Shelton -- 281/348/477 -- 115 OPS+
Broussard 267/328/458 -- 107 OPS+

vs. RHP
Shelton -- 286/342/498
Broussard 275/336/470

vs. LHP
Shelton -- 269/363/420
Broussard 227/290/399

Of course, Broussard is a pretty sweet musician, so he has that going for him. Check it out, I dig it:

http://tinyurl.com/2e4vqg

When do we land the big haul for Laird?

tricer — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:55:33 -0000

Remember, catchers always have more value than what you would think! Look at what AJ Pierzynalskdjki got! Don't forget the Einar Diaz trades! Who cares about hitting statistics, he's a catcher - and catcher's have value!

I guess teams are still putting the prospect laden packages together and JD is engineering a behind the scenes bidding war.

Or perhaps there just isn't much demand for an affordable bunt-and-throw-and-stab guy and we are stuck with him as backup catcher and malcontent next year?

Vote in the poll =>

Poll

What happens to Gerald Laird?

He's traded for the something significant.

9 votes

He's traded for someone that even zywica has never heard of.

15 votes

He's the Rangers backup next year and bitches all season long that he never got a fair shot here in Texas.

30 votes

He starts for the Rangers and bats cleanup because Worsh doesn't know how else to replace Sosa's production.

7 votes

He quits baseball and donates his smile to science.

2 votes

He starts his own charitable foundation for victims of stabbings, the 07 Ranger rotation members are the first to seek assistance.

4 votes

67 votes | Poll has closed

TR notes from Instructional League

tricer — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:35:22 -0000

http://tinyurl.com/3xekza

Interesting article.

Among the highlights:

Andrus is expected to play at Frisco next year which surprised me a little bit.

DRH is a very good bowler.

Adam's favorite Ranger makes a visit to Surprise.

Whittleman sent home with a virus.

Beavan has impressed.

Harrison is pitching again.

Interesting Bonds scenario

tricer — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:44:45 -0000

Bored this morning and thinking about possible destinations for Barry Bonds next year.

Wondering if none of the big market teams come calling, maybe somebody like Tampa Bay or Kansas City might offer him a fat one year deal. Would he accept? My wild ass guess is that he wants to play bad enough that he would go ahead and take the money to play for a year any place in the AL.

The TB scenario is sort of fascinating to me, because, in my opinion, that team could actually be a contender if Bonds were to have a solid season as a DH (not unlikely), and some of the talented youngsters have breakout seasons (again, not unlikely).

TB could field a lineup something like:

Crawford LF
Iwamura 2b
Upton CF
Bonds DH
Pena 1b
D. Young RF
Longoria 3b
Harris/Brignac SS
Navarro C

That's a tough lineup, assuming that Bonds is able to stay healthy and a couple of the youngsters step up. I'd guess that lineup is easily in the top 5 in runs scored, with potential to be in top 3.

And TB has more elite young pitching on the cusp of the big leagues than any team in baseball. A probable rotation of Kazmir, Shields, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and Jacob McGee is awfully young - but incredibly talented.

Kinda curious what others think about how many games that hypothetical team could hypothetically win. I'd say there could be 85 win potential, which in Tampa Bay (the land of the perpetual first overall pick) is uncharted territory.