Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

I gave one Yankees fan a chance to ask a Trenton Thunder player a question. Tiffany wanted to ask Thunder catcher Austin Romine: What are you personal goals for 2010? Here's his answer: "I want to develop a more personal relationship with pitchers. Keep working behind the plate and keep my defensive skills sharp."

Ike Davis Time Is Now...Right?

Mike Jacobs was at Binghamton when I started covering the Eastern League and the buzz was high.  But perhaps it's nothing compared to the expectations on 23 year old first baseman Ike Davis, whom the Mets called up after designating Jacobs for assignment.

Ike Davis is the Mets big hype now. Though he may have needed more seasoning before being promoted, his time has begun for now, ready or not. And without Mike Jacobs failing to be what the Mets had hoped when bringing him back in February, Davis would still be in the minors for further development.

It's a case of dueling storylines: Could be too late in one corner. Could be too early in the other.

Someone pointed out to me that Davis had some trouble with a female member of the media awhile back when he was still a minor leaguer...technically, that was the other day, but the story dated further back. Ok, so what does this say? Maybe he was immature still and he's grown up. He took a lot of deep breaths in that first Major League at-bat, and he'll need to take a lot more of them, dealing with the fiery heat of the New York sports media. Never mind that he's on an embattled and bruised Mets team, in a town where that OTHER New York team has a World Series ring to mark the end of their 2009 campaign. And if Davis isn't mature enough to handle the media and the pressure now, then perhaps he'll learn by way of experience. Some players you throw in and they swim, some sink and have to go back to the farm for some more schooling.

Davis was hitting .364 at Triple-A Buffalo with 12 hits and 9 walks. With Daniel Murphy out until for several weeks with a sprained right knee, Davis got a sooner-than-expected opportunity.

Jacobs has been known throughout his career as lacking the patience needed to be a consistent hitter. Davis has shown an improvement in plate discipline, but at the plate isn't the only place discipline will serve him well. The Mets aren't just looking for their 2008 first round draft pick to be a success at his position and at the plate. Like any New York team, they need players who can handle the media circus there, and all that comes along with it. In a town where Paul Lo Duca makes the cover of the Daily News with his alleged mistress, you have to be the kind of athlete that does not scare easily, and understands it's not just your game that makes the papers. You are a celebrity. You are instantly part of a culture of gossip and hunger for constant information. If New York is the city that never sleeps, the media is it's shining example.

Davis doesn't need to be great, not yet. He does need to be focused. Focused on learning, observing, staying within himself ,so that he gets the most out of this first taste of the big leagues. He should also be having fun,  keeping the distractions out as best he can.

And as Frank Deford recently wrote, "There's nothing like being 'The Kid'."

Minor League Baseball Shines In Outreach

Jackie Robinson's memory is honored by how baseball conducts itself. Generosity and trying to change kids lives is an indirect tribute to his bravery.

MILB has so many fantastic programs that teams participate in, with teams hosting a wealth of events to benefit children and those in need.

The New Britain Rock Cats (Twins) and St. Lucie Mets are two teams that participate in the Education Days program.Teachers and kids are invited to attend games  and take their learning experience into a new atmosphere, and one kids love and enjoy. The benefit of Education Days cannot be measured. Kids having fun while learning may seem hokey, but for anyone who recalls field trips and how exciting they were, perhaps you remember the interesting activities you did and what you learned. I know I do.

The Reading Phillies Crazy About Reading, West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) Whitecaps Reading Club,  and the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) Summer Reading Program, do their part in encouraging children to love (or at least like) reading. The Whitecaps ask children of schools in the area to read fifteen minutes a day, and will receive two tickets to a game in April or May. The Reading Phillies offer a similar program, with the reward being visits from the team mascot and players. The Smokies organize and end of Summer picnic that participants are invited to and is for kids 12 and under.

The Modesto Nuts (Rockies) found a unique way to celebrate Mondays, with Monday Matters. Every fan who brings two items, whether it's clothing, food or books, receives a free ticket for that Monday night game.

The Jamestown Jammers (Marlins) partnered with The Resource Center for the Hotstove Dinner in January. The Resource Center provides services to those with disabilities in the Chautauqua area.

Another favorite, and one that made me think of Roberto Clemente is Field of Dreams, that teams such as the Corpus Christie Hooks (Astros) and Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees take part in. In this program the team renovates or builds a youth field in the area. I remember the baseball field in my hometown being a beautiful and lively place as a child. As I got older, the field stopped being used or cared for. Eventually it overgrew with weeds and ceased to exist. I always wished they would've kept that field in working order. There was little to do in my neighborhood, and kids found ways of getting into trouble, without positive activities to participate in. Field of Dreams is valuable to a neighborhood that may not have the resources to fund a baseball field or give one new life.

Jackie Robinson changed society through baseball. And with these programs, MILB pays tribute to the human spirit. 

Please look into these programs before you attend games, to get your kids involved in something rewarding through a game they love.

Orioles, Blue Jays, Giants and Red Sox: Eastern League Stars On Board, Part Two

The Richmond Flying Squirrels are the new addition to the Eastern League in 2010 and outfielder Thomas Neal advances to Double-A. In 2009 he was red hot at Advanced-A San Jose in the California League, setting career high numbers: 160 hits, 41 doubles, and 90 RBI in 475 at bats. The Giants are serious about developing prospects and Neal is a bright star in the stables.

The Red Sox faced the shock of top prospect Brian Westmoreland having to undergo brain surgery. His development is on hold, but there's no doubt it will continue once he's fully recovered. Westmoreland's pause makes top pitching prospect Casey Kelly arguably the best player in the system. Kelly - a two-way player- 'makes his Double-A debut with the Portland Sea Dogs this year, and could be in the Red Sox rotation in 2011.

There is also tremendous excitement surrounding first baseman Lars Anderson who will be in Portland to start 2010. The big right hander struggled some in 2009 and enters his third season with Portland, making 2010 an important step in his development. Will be bounce back? Has he made adjustments? He's likely in the Red Sox future plans and they displayed their faith him, when he was selected to participate in the Rookie Development Program in 2009.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats righty Zach Stewart starts 2010 as the Jays top pitching prospect after level jumping last year. After the Scott Rolen trade sent Stewart to Toronto in August, he spent time at AAA Louisville, picking up 2 saves and finishing the season with 0.73 ERA. 

Also on the Fisher Cats roster is first baseman David Cooper, a first round pick for the Jays in 2008. He made huge strides in his development in 2009, knocking in 66 runs and drawing 59 walks for the Fisher Cats.

Zach Britton is one of two lefty pitchers highly regarded in the Orioles system, Brian Matusz being the other. But Britton will be in the EL playing for the Bowie Baysox in 2010, after spending 2009 at Advanced A Frederick. He went 9-6 in 2009 with 131 strikeouts.

Tigers Give Former Surf Player Josh Burrus A Shot

Trenton, New Jersey - In 2008 if you watched the Atlantic City Surf play, you saw Josh Burrus hit. A lot.

One year later the Surf folded and Burrus spent a season playing for the league American Association Lincoln SaltDogs.

Two seasons after playing independent baseball, the outfielder has returned to affiliated baseball with the Tigers signing Burrus to a one-year deal. He was then assigned to play for the Double-A Erie Seawolves. While Major League teams attention to Independent baseball is increasing, and leading to successful comeback stories, it is still a long shot for many. The difficulty isn't just in getting there, it's staying there. A Can-Am league coach once said to me that he tells players it's not enough to be good. For MLB teams to notice them there, they have to be great.

"I had a pretty decent year, last year. I put up some good numbers," Burrus said prior to a game between the Seawolves and Thunder.

The 26 year old's 2009 numbers speak for themselves. He finished the season with 108 hits, 44 runs knocked in, and he drew a career high 44 walks.

Burrus was a first round pick for the Braves in 2001 and played in their system until 2007, getting as high as Double-A before being released.

Burrus is a player who can contribute in various ways- with speed, making contact, drawing walks, and a bit of power. in 2008 with the Surf, he hit .263 with 49 RBI.

He said that, although he's lost touch with his former Surf teammates, he has kept a close relationship with former Yankees player Cecil Fielder, who managed the Surf the year Burrus played there. Cecil was not exactly the laid back type, he could be a tough disciplinarian - on one bus trip I took with them, Cecil punished the team for a loss by not allowing them to watch a movie on the hour ride back to the hotel- but he also related to his players in a down to earth way that kept them loose. More than anything, he was a great hitting teacher. Burrus and he seemed particularly close.

Perhaps Cecil's influence has helped, but undoubtedly, Burrus natural talent combined with an intense drive have been the biggest reasons for this second chance.

"I think some guys saw something in me and that I could still play."

They must've seen something great.

Catcher's Corner: Yankees Austin Romine

In honor of my fascination with the ability and guts of catchers, I'll be featuring "Catcher's Corner" throughout the season. I'll shine the spotlight on a Minor League catcher that I think deserves attention or one who's burning up the Eastern League.

Trenton, New Jersey – The spotlight might be glaringly bright on Trenton Thunder catcher Austin Romine, but improving his game is all that matters to him. Appearing relaxed and unfazed by the attention the media is paying to him, prior to Trenton’s home opener against the Erie Seawolves.

 

His humility is apparent, but so is his work ethic.   

 

“We work everyday just to keep the tools sharp,” he said.

 

Romine is in his first year at the Double-A level after spending 2008 in the SAL league and 2009 at Advanced-A Tampa. He is largely regarded as the most logical catcher in the Yankees future, if they decide to pick from the farm.

 

He played in 118 games at Tampa, finishing the season with 72 RBI and a career high 29 walks. The 22 year old has a healthy dose of confidence and a keen sense of himself.

 

“Defensively, I feel I’ve mastered what I need to master. But you have to keep working everyday or those aspects of your game are going to fail,” he said. “Never sit back.”

 

Defensive Numbers:

 

2008 to 2009 Romine lowered the number of PB’s from 18 to 11.

FPCT: 2008 – .988; 2009 - .984

PO: 2008 – 428; 2009 – 550

Assists improved in 2009 when Romine recorded a 67. In 2008 he recorded 53.

He committed 10 errors in 2009. In 2008 he made 6.

 

 Baseball Dirt:

 

Good eye

Growing up Romine was one of the many kids who saw Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez behind the plate, and knew that was the way the game should be played. He named him as his favorite catcher as a kid.

 "He’s a hard-nosed player. I can’t really relate to him and how much experience he has, but I try to model my catching after him. "

 

Everybody Loves Mauer

If you’re a catcher, you want to be Joe Mauer. Romine admires the Twins star and regards him as the highest standard at the position.  

 “I definitely look at him and say that’s in the ballpark of where I want to be.”

 

With Feeling

“Since I was little, [I knew I wanted to be a catcher]. I always liked being in the infield. I always had to touch the ball. I just fell in love with it.”

 

Brothers In Arms

“[Jesus Montero] and I came up together over three years. We respect each other. We lived together at one time. We both have that drive…we see that in each other. And we get on each other and joke around if we see one another doing something wrong in the game. We have fun and we learn from each other. There’s no meanness in it…we don’t want each other to fail.”

 

Winning Really Is The Thing:

Romine didn’t have to think twice about the moment behind the plate that stands out the most in his career, so far. It wasn’t about an individual achievement, but a team effort rewarded.

“Being in the championship series last year, seeing my pitchers bring it all together, and come out on top…just knowing we were going to win after all that hard work.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yankees Minor League Pitcher Christian Garcia's Painful Night

Trenton, New Jersey - The Trenton Thunder's day started with Opening Day excitement and hope. But the clouds came early for one player.

Pitcher Christian Garcia started the first game of 2010, but after throwing 69 pitches in 5 2/3 innings  he left the game due to elbow trouble.

It may not seem alarming. Unless you know Garcia's history.

He began and ended 2009 on the DL with right elbow tendinitis, and ended it with right elbow strain. He began 2007 ranked as the Yankees #6 ranked prospect by Baseball America, only to miss the entire season when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He bounded back in 2008, pitching well at Tampa, before being promoted to Trenton. He finished the season 2-0 with 0.71 ERA.

Garcia's progress has been defeated once again, though the extent of it is yet to be determined. 

For post-game reaction please read The Trentonian's Josh Norris excellent piece:

http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/04/09/sports/doc4bbe863bdd985561327630.txt

There aren't a lot of chances for minor league players to keep starting over. When it involves surgery, it's a longer road. For 25-year old Garcia, it's another obstacle. But, as he's proven so far, he gets back up every time. 

NOTES: Despite the disappointment of losing their number one starter, the Thunder won the game 4-0...Wilkins Arias replaced Garcia, pitching...the Yankees World Series trophy was placed on the field behind home plate, as the National Anthem was sung...closer Grant Duff pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two men...Both Garcia and Seawolves pitcher Jon Kibler had allowed one hit a piece going into the 4th and 5th innings...Thunder OF Austin Krum drove in the first run of 2010.

Twins Spring Training Report: Alex Burnett

FORT MYERS, Fla - Twins reliever Alex Burnett is impressing the club with his progress and it shouldn't be long before he contributes out of the Twins bullpen.

"Alex has pitches that are almost Major League ready," said VP of Player Personnel Mike Radcliff. "He just needs to command and mix them better.

Burnett has mixed results in his three Spring appearances this season and currently carries a 9.00 ERA. But it is early in the going and the 23 year old has been refining a new pitch to add to his repertoire.

"In the off season I worked on trying to keep the ball down as much as possible," Burnett said from Hammond Stadium the Twins Spring Training facility. "I also worked on the new pitch I learned  last year, my slider. And I worked to get my arm stronger."

Improving his secondary pitches to go along with his quality fastball, is a huge step in the Major League direction. The aggressive righty has the tendency to elevate his fastball, so the focus on keeping the ball down can only help him be more effective with it. 

"I feel really comfortable with my slider and feel like I can throw the slider better for strikes, I can control it a lot better. I feel I have a better grasp of that pitch," he said.

In 2009 Burnett pitched his way from Class A Fort Myers to AA New Britain, where he'd finish the season with a 1.79 ERA in 77 innings pitched. The Twins then sent him to Arizona Fall League and he proved himself well. He'd finish Fall League with a 3.27 ERA, allowing six hits in ten innings of work. Burnett will most likely start the season at AAA Rochester.

His strength as a starter was undeniable, but the Twins decided he was more suited to relieve. For Burnett there's absolutely no looking back.

"Having such a successful year last year in the bullpen, starting  is definitely in the past. I just really started liking be a reliever as I kept going," he said.

"He has taken to the bullpen role very well," said Radcliff.

As for where he could be used in the pen, Burnett doesn't have a preference.

"I'm comfortable wherever. I think right now they're using me as a short relief guy," Burnett said.

A pitcher as aggressive as Burnett can sometimes fall into tendencies  that can hurt him. One of the main things he's learning and applying to his approach is pitching smart, rather than trying to blow hitters away.

"I don't have to throw the perfect pitch every time," he said. "I'm trying to get away from that, because I want to be perfect every pitch. They [the Twins] are telling me my stuff's good and to just throw it over the plate, and everything will work out."

Burnett could get a big opportunity to help the pen, as roles are shuffled due to closer Joe Nathan's devastating injury.

"His aggressive makeup and resilient arm make him a candidate for our 3A bullpen," said Radcliff. "He should have a chance to contribute to the Twins in the very near future."

Alex Burnett On The Right Track

Originally published in September 2009

At twenty-two years old, New Britain RockCats pitcher Alex Burnett has improved over the past two years at a rapid pace,

The trick? Oh, just making sure the hitter he faces goes back to the dugout unhappy.

"The thing I did best is just getting hitters out. Throwing strikes and making the hitters put the ball in play."

The right-hander improved his secondary pitches and has developed more confidence.

"I feel really comfortable with all of them right now. I can throw strikes and get ahead of hitters."

"The thing I need to work on is hitting my spots a little bit better with my fastball. I've been working on my slider."

Drafted out of high school in 2005 by the Minnesota Twins, he spent that season in the Gulf Coast League and finishing 4-2 with a 4.10 ERA. He spent 2006 with Elizabethton and in 2007 he was voted to the Midwest All-Star Team. He made 25 starts for Advanced A Fort Myers in 2008, finishing the season 8-6 with a 3.76 ERA.

He's split 2009 between Class-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain, going 2-1 with 8 saves.

Burnett got his 8th save against the Reading Phillies on Tuesday night. The RockCats are still one game up on the Trenton Thunder for the final playoffs spot.

However that turns out, he already has his near-future marked on his calendar. He'll be going to the Arizona Fall League for the first time.

"I'm going to Arizona Fall League. I'll get the chance to work with some of the coaches down there."

The game plan is simple.

"I'm basically going to focus on becoming a better pitcher, rather than a thrower. And learning when to throw pitches in certain situations. To do it the way that the big leaguers do it to make themselves good Major League pitchers."