Before we get too crazy here, I’d just like to call my own number and let you know that a recap of my trip to Cooperstown is up at Hardball Times. To the rest of the links:
- Hairston example of Towers’ acumen (San Diego Union-Tribune). I can’t help but think of Maxwell Smart:
KT: Hi, we’d like Scott Hairston.
MS: Okay, we’d like Scott Linebrink.
[silence]
MS: Would you believe, Royce Ring.
[silence]
MS: Would you believe, Leo Rosales.
KT: Deal. - Bradley says Beane ‘used me up’ in ’06 (San Francisco Chronicle, via Coronado Mike in the comments). Seems Milton Bradley isn’t entirely pleased with his former employer. On A’s GM Billy Beane:
Billy just has a way of thinking he’s smarter and better than everyone else, and I don’t take kindly to the better-than-you attitude. I don’t think Billy cared about how I was. He knew he could use me for cheap and get a lot out of me. … So he used me up last year and couldn’t use me up any more. He always told me, when you’re out on the field, you make me look good. I guess I wasn’t out there to make him look good enough.
I don’t like to be lied to. Tell me the truth. You tell me I’m not an everyday player, and I just have to laugh at you because there’s not a player they’ve got over there that’s better than me. It’s just a joke.
Alrighty, then.
- Jake and the Fat Man (Friar Watch). Anthony wonders about Jake Peavy‘s mechanics.
- 2007 Best Tools (Baseball America). The Padres are surprisingly well represented.
Majors
- Jake Peavy – Best Pitcher (#1), Best Slider (#2)
- Trevor Hoffman – Best Changeup (#1), Best Reliever (#1)
- Greg Maddux – Best Control (#1)
- Adrian Gonzalez – Best Defensive First Baseman (#2)
- Mike Cameron – Best Defensive Outfielder (#3)
Minors
- Chase Headley, Texas League – Best Batting Prospect, Best Defensive Third Baseman
- Nick Hundley, Texas League – Best Defensive Catcher
- Matt Antonelli, California League – Best Defensive Second Baseman
- David Freese, California League – Best Defensive Third Baseman
- Wade LeBlanc, California League – Best Changeup
- Will Inman, Florida State League – Best Breaking Ball
In addition, several farmhands rank among the best at their position according to BA:
- Kyle Blanks – 1B (#8)
- Matt Antonelli – 2B (#1)
- Chase Headley – 3B (#6)
- Cedric Hunter – CF (#10)
- Will Venable – LF/RF (#10)
- Matt Bush – RP (#5)
- AL Central: The RBI Baseball king (SI.com, via Didi in the comments). Former Padre Josh Barfield is a master at old-school baseball video games. Here’s my favorite.
- Future Shock: Going Over Slot (Baseball Prospectus). Kevin Goldstein talks about this year’s draft and how new changes are affecting the game. Someone he interviews calls the process a charade, but of course, this is not a charade. (I know it’s forced, but I just had to work that in there somehow.)
- The Big Picture: Evolving the Save Rule (Baseball Propsectus, via Didi in the comments). Good stuff from David Pinto. I’ve discussed this in greater detail over at Knuckle Curve.
As always, more links can be found throughout the week at the Ducksnorts del.icio.us page. Peter, what say you?
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
No games scheduled…
AA
Will Venable: 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI; BB, 3 SO
High-A
Kyle Blanks: 5 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 3 RBI; 2 2B, 2 SO
Craig Cooper: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 0 RBI; 2 BB
Will Garrison: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR
Low-A
Cedric Hunter: 3 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 2 RBI; HR, BB, SB
Matt Bush: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR
Aaron Breit: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR
Short Season-A
Mitch Canham: 2 AB, 2 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; 2 BB, 2 SO, SB
Jeremy Hefner: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO, 0 HR
Rookie
Brad Chalk: 3 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; 2B, BB, 2 CS (also picked off)
Drew Cumberland: 4 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 0 RBI; SO, CS
Simon Castro: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR
Commentary:
Matt Bush left the game after pitching to one batter in the sixth to an “injured arm.” That’s scary…
Thank you, sir. The Padres head to Cincinnati for the weekend. Wil Ledezma makes his first start for San Diego in Friday’s game. We’ll kick off the IGD around 3 p.m. PT, an hour before first pitch. Go Padres!