It’s a tired cliche, but like many of its ilk, one that contains a certain amount of truth: “That was a statement game.” We’ve all heard the phrase thrown about like so many batting practice fastballs. The phrase is intended to convey importance, but more often than not it conveys a lack of imagination on the part of the person who employs it. And yet, as we’ve acknowledged, there is truth in the phrase. Every game makes a statement. Every game tells a story, or part of a story, or part of part of a story, or…
Three games in Southern California over the past two days have made a statement:
In fact, they’ve made the exact same statement: “The season isn’t over yet; better get out there and play some ball.”
Check this out Cedric Hunter front and center on Baseball America
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262458.html
One other angle about the Mirabelli thing…how does this figure into potential free agent signings? If you know the front office is willing to blast you, do you want to play (at a likely discount) for that front office?
I don’t think KT making one comment about Mirabelli changes the general perception of KT/Bochy who are universally well liked by almost all players.
I’m sure it is a non issue
I think it’s just KT being KT.
This isn’t the first time Towers has done it, and it doesn’t look like its hurt us with free agents. He’s blasted Nevin, Klesko, and more. Going back he blasted Joey Hamilton and Ruben Rivera.
What might be most important for free agents is that the criticism isn’t directed at a player’s heart or desire, or if it is, like with Rivera, that it’s obviously true and concerning a player nobody likes. Most of the time Towers has targeted a player for being too emotional, which is better than saying he’s just cashing his checks.
Didn’t Theo take some shots at Nomar’s desire before trading him? It’s not that uncommon, which doesn’t make it right but does level the playing field for free agents. Money and playing time are always going to be the most important things to most FAs.
I should know better than to get excited about rookie league stats, but look at Hunter’s K-BB rate. Damn.
Re: 54
The Boston press, primarily the reprehensible Dan Shaughnessy, took shots at Nomar’s desire. Theo didn’t express more than concern about how much Nomar was going to play and how healthy he’d be over the last months of the season given that Pokey Reese was already on the DL. Lucchino was the one more at odds with Nomar about how much he wanted to play in Boston.
Anyone else read that thing today about Luis Gonzalez saying he wants to play here next season? Kinda interesting I guess. No clue where he would play or what role he would want but it’d be sorta nice to have him off the bench as 4th outfielder or back up 1st base or something. Probably just way to many bodies at this point to bring in another outfielder though and I don’t want ANYONE taking time away from A-Gone.
TW,
You know anything about Hunter’s speed or glove? Potential lead off guy in the future? I heard he had a 49 game hit or on base streak or something like that earlier this year. I try not to get excited either but that dude sounds exciting.
58:
BA says none of his other tools are above average, but he’s very coachable apparently. He has a very advanced approach at the plate.
He was on base 45 out of the 53 games.
He had a 23 game hitting streak. Quote from the manager:
“I had Alex Rodriguez when he first signed, and Cedric is right up there with A-Rod in terms of his aptitude,” Padres manager Carlos Lezcano said, “He learns very, very quickly. He wasn’t just all about BP. He learned to run the bases better, take leads, throw to the right bases. He was very coachable.”
58 and 59: Right now BA says he’s a stretch in CF, but defensive worries can disappear when a player keeps hitting. Not uncommon to see a player who “won’t stick at the hot corner” hit 300/390/500 the next year and suddenly “be at least average at the hot corner.”
He and Venable both have questions about their power in a corner OF position, but big OBPs make up for some pop.
58, 59, & 61… close… Hunter is perfectly fine defensively in CF, the concern is that as his body grows he’ll lose speed/range and thus not be able to handle CF…
“He was on base 45 out of the 53 games.” I knew someone would misread that… He was on base 49 straight games to open the season and 52 of 53 overall. He HIT safely in 45 of 53 games.
I’m revealing my Padres top 25 minor leaguers shortly. I could be ready in a few days, but I may just wait until playoffs are over so as not to take away any focus on the big league goings-on…
My bad, missed that. Thanks for the clarification PF.
That’s pretty awesome. Isn’t the kid only like 19?
Hunter’s not 19 until March.
Waiting with bated breath to see if Matt Bush makes Peter’s list AGAIN.
After having the chance to evaluate 40+ players (including Bush) he will not…
Just curious Peter… What do you see happening with Matt Bush? We’ve all heard pitching is a possibility or do you think he gets another year in the field? At this point do you think the kid has been written off?
65:
In a June game in Lake Elsinore, a 14 year old took part in the bat-spin contest in the 6th inning. His rapid spinning showed impressive core strength, and one scout clocked him at 2.2 seconds between dropping his bat and reaching the two Storm cheerleaders who formed the finish line. This raw athleticism, combined with a frame that could add 20-30 pounds of muscle as he enters later adolescence, earns this anonymous Padre-related individual the last spot on the prospect list.
LOL @ TW…
Check my blog, I just posted a couple thoughts from the BA chat (and a teaser quote from my upcoming top 25)…
Just listened to SA on XX. Count on Branyan for next year. SA said, essentially, “When we got him this year, it was just as important that we had an option for him for next year. I can see him being a valuable bench player or competing for the job at 3rd next year.”
He also had good things to say about Blummer. He said he felt that Blum had opened people’s eyes by showing he could be more than just a utility guy. When pressed further about Blummer playing everyday, it got tempered a little, “Well, he’s shown that he can handle the job for a period of time, rather than just for a few days while you look for someone else.”
69 – not surprising, but that’s good thing
Branyan was a nice addition, good to hear he should be around next year.
Last night at the game the ticket taker says to me “Who plays third for the Padres?”. “Branyan?” I said. No, the other guy. Walker? No, the other guy. Castilla? No. Blum? No, the name sounds like Barfield. Uh… Burroughs? No, he made those errors the other night… Bellhorn? Yeah, that’s the guy. Pretty funny that I had totally blanked out on Bellhorn.
Afterwards I was kicking myself for blowing the one chance I’ll ever get to launch into the “Who’s on first” routine.
Re: 69 if blum is an every day player for the pads next year we are in trouble!
I like Blum enough as a utility guy, but San Diego really needs to get an experienced backup who can play short if they’re going to continue to tely on Greene’s health. That, or they should consider moving Greene to 3rd – his arm is strong enough and it would save wear and tear on him a lot. Of course, then there’s a huge hole at short…
but that’s all for the offseason, which I hope is still a long way away.