Do You Know the Way to Tampa Bay?
Tue, Jun 12, 2007
by Geoff Young
Burt Bacharach never wrote a song about Tampa, of course, but “What’s New, Pussycat?” might work for the Devil Rays as a team. There is some serious young talent down there: B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, the troubled Elijah Dukes, Delmon Young, Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Raul Casanova.
Happy Anniversary to me. Long-time readers of Ducksnorts know that we celebrate two anniversaries around here, one for the web site in September and one for the blog today. I guess six years is a pretty long shelf life for a blog. We’ve come a long way since that inaugural entry on the College World Series and former Padres prospect Jake Gautreau. Anyway, it’s been a great ride; thanks for continuing to hang with me…
Just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention with that last one. Casanova, you may recall, once was property of the Padres — came to San Diego in a trade for Tony Fernandez. Yes, that Tony Fernandez. Left a few years later in the deal that sent Melvin Nieves to Detroit. If you don’t remember these events, I can’t say I blame you; those were not the best of times.
Back to Tampa, have you noticed that failed prospect Carlos Pena is tearing it up (.306/.397/.633) this year? He’s becoming everything Travis Lee never could be for the Devil Rays. Weird how it takes some guys a little longer.
Upton (.320/.396/.545), Crawford (.304/.361/.502), and the surprising Brendan Harris (.316/.369/.465) are providing Pena with plenty of support. Dukes (.196/.319/.402) and Young (.266/.301/.411) have struggled somewhat, which isn’t surprising given their extreme youth.
That Rocco Baldelli (.204/.268/.358) has scuffled is a matter of greater concern. He’s a legitimate center fielder, though, in an organization deep with talent at that position, and his value may never be lower. Just sayin’…
The pitching? Beyond Kazmir, Shields, and closer Al Reyes, it’s been brutal. The Devil Rays’ team ERA of 5.49 is worst in the big leagues (just beating out the Rangers’ 5.48), and there isn’t much cause for hope, unless you count former Kansas City prospect J.P. Howell or rookie Andy Sonnanstine.
Remarkably, Tampa Bay’s hitting has been good enough to earn them a 28-33 record to this point, good enough for a last-place tie in the American League East. As an aside, how depressing is it to be in that division if you’re not the Red Sox or Yankees? Last year, the Blue Jays slipped ahead of Boston by a single game to finish in second place. This marked the first time since 1997 that anyone other than Boston and New York had occupied the top two spots. (Detroit was still in the division back then; Milwaukee still in the AL.) Given the context, and shifting to yet another organization, it’s a little easier to understand why Peter Angelos and the Orioles are constantly shooting themselves in the foot trying to keep pace.
Meanwhile, back on the Padres, I’d like to see Russell Branyan get more opportunities, although I’m not sure at whose expense. I’d also like to see Kevin Cameron pitch in an actual game at least once a week. Five appearances over 43 days doesn’t really work for me, not that anyone asked. I still find myself wondering what kind of hitter he is. It’d be nice to get some use out of that 25th roster spot.
by Peter Friberg
You will not see all the notable performances from the night before, but you will see the notable performances from those who are actually prospects.
AAA
Vince Sinisi: 5 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 0 RBI; SO - .339/.388/.536
Craig Stansberry: 5 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 2 RBI; 2B - .329/.394/.519
Royce Ring: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR - 0.61 ERA, 12.44 K/9, .143 BAA
AA
No notable performances
High-A
Wade LeBlanc: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 1 HR - 2.12 ERA, 9.16 K/9, .192 BAA
Low-A
Daryl Jones: 4 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 2 RBI; 2B, SO
Ernesto Frieri: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR - 2.13 ERA, 9.00 K/9, .209 BAA
Commentary:
Sorry, no commentary right now — I’m working on three projects for the site. Stay tuned…
Thanks, Peter. Greg Maddux and Kazmir hook up in the opener Tuesday evening. We’ll have the IGD up and running by 3 p.m. PT. Go Padres!
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
June 12, 2007 at 8:07 am
Wow, I’m honored to be the first to congradulate you….
As a guy who’s started and stopped blogging several times, I know how difficult it is to stay at it. Again, good job!
June 12, 2007 at 8:11 am
Congrats GY
I wonder what it would take to get Baldellie in a padre Uni
June 12, 2007 at 8:22 am
Congrats Geoff! 6 years is a really long time when you talk about the internet. Good quality leads to longevity.
June 12, 2007 at 8:35 am
Has anyone heard what the status of OG is?
June 12, 2007 at 8:47 am
#4: U-T compares his injury to Bret Boone’s in 2000:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....notes.html
June 12, 2007 at 8:51 am
Congrats GY. Here’s to six more successfuly years.
Peter, is there any reason why the Padres shouldn’t consider Sinisi in the OF this season? It seems like he’s raking right now. His OBP isn’t that much higher than his BA, but he looks like he could contribute.
June 12, 2007 at 8:53 am
Wow I hope the Pads can pick up Clark Im not sure if I can take sledge in left for the rest of the year.
June 12, 2007 at 8:54 am
Note to self: read the side bar. Having blogged on an off too, its really hard to keep up, you got a talent for it.
UT has an article about OG and Boone, both with bones bruises and both sidelined a long time. Don’t think he’ll be back for a while.
Reading your description of Tampa, obviously a selling team (a term from the EPL), makes me extremely grateful to be a padre fan and to be in the thick of things battling every night (like I do anything but lay on the coach). Its a boat load of fun. Being a Tampa fan or a KC or the fan of many other struggling teams is tough and not much fun.
June 12, 2007 at 8:56 am
Re: 6 Sinisi would be on the roster if he was a right handed batter, but I dont think he is a better option than P-mac from the left side.
June 12, 2007 at 8:58 am
10: You lay on the coach? Is that why Kentera always seems breathless and unable to string together coherent thoughts?
June 12, 2007 at 8:59 am
Re: 8 I think Padre fans can sympathize with Tampa and KC fans, 86-95 and 99-03 were hard years
June 12, 2007 at 9:00 am
6: I’m not Peter, but Sinisi would be another LF-hitting OF on a team that may have one too many of them.
7: We’ve got our quota of RH-hitting OF without much power.
How many Storm players will get promoted after the Cal League all-star game? LeBlanc needs to go up for sure. No point to holding back a polished college pitcher who is dominating A ball.
June 12, 2007 at 9:02 am
Re: 12 I hope they hold them down untill late July, I cant make it up there untill then.
June 12, 2007 at 10:07 am
Re: Sinisi. Thanks for the responses. I didn’t realize he was a lefty.
I think Clark would be a great pick up, but I’d be surprised to see him get to us. How does the waiver/claim process work anyway?
June 12, 2007 at 10:16 am
14.
I’m not sure Clark will be any better than Bocachica. IMO we need an impact bat not another backup/platoon player.
June 12, 2007 at 10:30 am
I’d like to see Branyan get more playing time - in LF in place of Sledge. He hasn’t looked in bad in brief appearances in left lately.
June 12, 2007 at 10:51 am
Congrats! A friend of mine saw Sandy Alderson speak about two months back. During that talk, Sandy mentioned Ducksnorts as one of the blogs he checks out on a regular basis. It doesn’t get much better than that.
June 12, 2007 at 11:14 am
Congratulations, Geoff. Cheers!!
June 12, 2007 at 11:16 am
Back from 2 weeks in Brazil. Congrats Geoff, great job and please, keep it going.
June 12, 2007 at 11:20 am
Congrats, Geoff, and great work. Being a Padres fan is a lot more fun with this blog around.
June 12, 2007 at 11:25 am
16: Absolutely. Branyan should get plenty of at-bats in the AL parks, but we’ve seen Black use Blum as the DH before. Nifty.
June 12, 2007 at 11:28 am
Thanks, all, for the kind words.
#17: That is unbelievably flattering.
#19: I plan on it. Hope Brazil was fun.
#20: Winning also helps.
June 12, 2007 at 11:43 am
blast from the past - Gautreau is hitting .349 in AAA for the Mets - interesting line 63 ABs, 1 BB, 1 K and 13 of his 22 hits are for extra bases…
June 12, 2007 at 11:51 am
FYI, Ed & Brian will be interviewing Tony Gwynn at The Writers Radio this evening at 4 p.m. PT:
http://www.tpsradio.net/core/index.php
If you miss it, the show will be archived here:
http://www.writersradio.net/
June 12, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Geoff Congrats!
June 12, 2007 at 12:28 pm
What better way to celebrate six terrific years than with a Raul Casanova flashback?! I’ll see your Raul and raise you a Wascar Serrano!
Congratulations!
June 12, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Long time fan, first time commentor. Congrats on 6 six years, it is quite an accomplishment.
June 12, 2007 at 2:53 pm
21. Forgot we were visiting an AL Park. Blum will likely get the DH call against the lefty today, with Bocachica and Cruz in the OF. I would probably give P Mac a shot at DH against the lefty over Blum, but then that would go against the book.
June 12, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Yep looks like B(l)um is DH’ing tonight. Come on Bud!!!
June 12, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Argh! Why? DH stands for Designated Hitter and Blum doesn’t fit the term Hitter not to mention being good enough of one to be Designated. Why not showcase PMac? Up his trade value and get him some PAs?
Argh!
June 12, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Blum is has a career OBP of .290 against lefties in 573 PA’s
P-mac has a .438 OBP against lefties but thats only in 16 PA’s
Branyan has a .301 OBP (with a BA of .219) against lefites in 297 PA’s
I say go with Branyan
June 12, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Also Sledge should be kept far away from the plate tonight he has a career .252 OBP with a .301 Slg in 124 PA’s.
June 12, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Lineup:
Giles
Cruz
A-Gon
Cameron
Bard
Kouz
Greene
Blum (DH)
P-mac! (Freedom!)
June 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm
HA! Little do they know that that one run is all we need!
SUCKA’S!!!!
June 12, 2007 at 4:35 pm
wow, I suck… totally posted that in the wrong area