Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Mariners Top Four Showing Flashes Of Brilliance For The Jackson Generals

The Double-A Jackson Generals of the Southern League boast four of the top ranked prospects in baseball and they are already delivering on their promise.

Here are the results through April 30th.

 SS Nick Franklin - Franklin is currently hitting .296, 3rd on the team, with 8 walks. He's collected 9 RBI and made of his 24 hits, 6 are doubles. The 2009 27th round pick for the Mariners faced illness and a concussion last season, and his progress was disrupted for two months. 2012 gives him a chance to shine as the top offensive prospect that he is. The twenty-one-year old played 21 games for Jackson in 2011 and a full season at that level is important. However, if he continues to play that well a jump to Triple-A Tacoma. NOTE: Franklin began 2011 named an AFL All-Star and an MiLB Rising Star.

LHP Danny Hultzen - Hultzen has 26 innings under his belt (2nd to teammate Andrew Carraway)  and a 2.05 ERA in 5 starts. His 30 strikeouts is 7th in the league. The 23-year-old hasn't allowed more than five hits in any start this season. If he can cut down on the walks (12 so far), he will put himself in position for a quick progression through the system to the majors. NOTE: Was the Mariners first round selection in 2011 and made his professional debut later that year in the AFL.

RHP Taijuan Walker - There's been a few mixed results outings, but overall his 1.64 ERA leads all Jackson starters.  He's third in strikeouts to teammates Hultzen and James Paxton with 26. In his third year of pro-ball he needs to keep his composure and get out of jams. He's had more success without pesky runners on base and walked six. NOTE: Named Seattle's Organizational Pitcher of the Year for 2011.

RHP James Paxton - His 31 strikeouts leads all Jackson starters (5th in the league), but his 16 walks is also the highest on the team. He's third in hits for the Generals allowing 18 over 5 starts. On April 21'st he had his roughest outing yet, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits in 2 innings, bloating his ERA to a 23.41. But he bounced back earlier this week and lowered it to 3.09 going a season-high six innings, giving up just 1 run on 3 hits. Despite a few bumps, he was named league Pitcher of the Week on the 16th. NOTE: Chosen as an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star in 2011. Selected to participate in the Futures Game, also in 2011.

 

 

Eastern League Standout Stars: April

Position Players:

Jeff Kobernus, Harrisburg Senators, Washington Nationals  - The second baseman is hitting.340 in 23 games with 5 walks in 97 AB's and leading the league in hits with 33. He's struck out just 14 times. His impressive speed has resulted in a league-leading 18 stolen bases.

Jared Goedert, Akron Aeroes, Cleveland Indians -  In six of his last ten games he's collected 2 hits per contest. The third baseman has drawn 13 walks in 17 games and his .379 average leads all Aeros hitters.

Chris Rahl, Harrisburg - He leads the league in RBI with 18 and his 18 runs scored is tied for first with two others. He's second in stolen bases to teammate Kobernus with 8. His .589 SLG percentage is second in the league.

Darrin Ruf, Reading Phillies - The first baseman is third in hits with 29 and third in average, hitting .372 in 22 games. He has 15 hits in ten games, with a 5-hit night on April 15th. 

Rob Brantly, Erie Seawolves, Detroit Tigers - Third in RBI with 16,  and 9 of his 23 hits are doubles. He currently has a 7-game hitting streak going. 

 

Pitchers:

Daniel Rosenbaum, Harrisburg - The most impressive pitcher so far this season, his 0.94 ERA leads the league, as does his 3-0 record, innings pitched (28), and walks allowed (2), owed to his improved command and ability to throw strikes with both his off-speed stuff and his fastball.

Zack Wheeler, Binghamton Mets - The righty's 30 strikeouts leads the league and he hasn't surrendered a home run to anyone in 25 innings of work. He hasn't given up more than 5 hits over 5 starts, and 2-hit Erie on April 29th.

Trevor May, Reading - His 0.87 WHIP is second to Rosenbaum and he's third in strikeouts with 26. He leads the team with a 4-0 record and his 12 hits allowed are also lowest of all Reading pitchers this season.

Chris Heston, Richmond Flying Squirrels, SF Giants - The RHP's 1.13 ERA is second in the league. On April 7th he allowed one hit in 5 innings against New Britain. He struck out 7 on April 25th, allowing just one run on six hits. 

Luke French, New Britian Rock Cats, Minnesota Twins - He's pitched deep in games for the Rock Cats, tied with two others with 30 innings pitched. His 0.97 WHIP is 4th in the league. His 1.80 ERA is currently lowest overall of all Rock Cats pitchers.

 

The Bryce Harper Experience

Covering the bus leagues is a unique beat, but the day to day isn't full of extreme excitement. Not unless you're tuned into the minors. Today the interest is higher than ever and information is more easily accessible.

We're mostly writing about the hopefuls. Only a handful per season are no-doubt-about-it future major leaguers.

Covering Bryce Harper's season in the Eastern League when he played for Double-A Harrisburg, you got to see the real-life version of The Natural. A guy destined to be in the majors since early adolescence.

The media rules were unprecedented. We had little to no access to him unless he did something to effect the game and then reporters were permitted to interview him post-game. Nationals fans flocked to see what they might have in the future. Baseball fans came to see the most anticipated prospect of all-time, maybe get an autograph in their well-worn notebook or on a baseball. Some came to boo him. Just because he is what they say he is. 

The time was spent trying to find ways to cover him, without talking to him. Senators then-manager Tony Beasley became a lifeline. His first-hand perspective was valued in a sea of distant perspectives that drew from what they heard or believed. Harper's personality - raw, rascally, youthful- became the focus. Psychological analysis from baseball writers anyone?

The clutter of the hype did not dim the rest.

To watch him at the plate was to see the truth. It was the only thing that was factual. His massive figure with bat in hand, unloading on a fastball with seemingly no effort was the real story. But that tended to get buried. He was doing everything right on the field, but the force field of attention around him created a second story. We're not just covering players and games. We're letting readers in to see the person behind the player. With Harper that was virtually impossible. His personality became defined by the lack of knowledge about him. While that is totally unfair, writers and fans waited for the bits of information that could help them form an opinion.

He gave them/us something to work with. Telling the world he was a Yankees fan or what his favorite football team was, or letting the pitcher he hit a dinger off of know that he was enjoying every minute, certainly fed the fire. But it didn't really say much more than this was a young guy enjoying the ride.

The protectiveness makes sense now, as it did then. Even if there's some cons to the pros, a prospect like him needed a unique game plan for the spotlight.

While he wasn't accessible, he connected with the fans looking for autographs and a chance just to say hello. It became a quiet way for him to show a side of himself people weren't talking about.

For awhile he joined Twitter and riled some, but delighted many. That didn't last. The Nationals cracked down on social media behavior. He stepped away. A respectable move.

The player was the main thing, though. In this media saturated atmosphere it was refreshing, despite our jobs being more difficult.

Now the net is being pulled a bit. He's making his major league debut Saturday night against the Dodgers and it's the biggest story in baseball. How he handles all of that is important, but what the protection gave him was a chance to stay focused on playing. A talent doesn't come around like that...ever. But every professional player must learn how to juggle all of it. That's the trick now for him.

The experience isn't exactly what you heard. Perception is just that. But the next chapter in the story begins tonight.

My advice? Embrace the excitement, not the hype and hyperbole. Because that stuff is not the story.

Nationals Pitching Prospect Danny Rosenbaum Solid For The Senators

*Due to issues with the Going Nine/Baseball Digest site, I'm running this here.

Nationals Pitching Prospect Danny Rosenbaum Off To Excellent Start

The Harrisburg Senators Metro Bank Park has been a storied spot the past few years with top prospects Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper on the roster at different times.

But while the 2012 team is without such hyped names, the roster is full of some of the system’s top talent.

LHP Danny Rosenbaum has solidly begun the season, putting together a 2-0 record with a 1.25 ERA in 21 innings. He hasn’t walked a batter yet.  Baseball America ranks him 23^rd in the Nationals system.

The Senators visited Trenton to play the Thunder last weekend.  Here’s what Rosenbaum had to say, as well as manager Matt LeCroy.

 

LECROY:

“He’s been outstanding. I think it’s the best I’ve seen Danny and I’ve had him for two years. He’s commanding the baseball. He’s throwing his off-speed for strikes. “

On Improvements: “To me, fastball command.  Last year his fastball command wasn’t as good as it was in the past. His changeup’s actually really improved. He’s just been able to mix it up. And he’s been going deep in ballgames.”

On Pitching to Contact: “It helps when you have good defense behind you. And he’s able to allow contact and trust that they’ll make the plays.”

“Another thing I think he’s done better is he’s actually competing. His composure on the mound has really been outstanding. I see more fight in him than I have in the past.”

 

 

ROSENBAUM:

“It’s about my mentality. I’m trying to build on last year. My fielders have been great, so I feel comfortable enough letting hitters make contact.”

On Relationship with Catchers: “I’ve been in good sync with my catchers. I haven’t had to shake a lot of pitches off. They’ve caught some good games and I have a lot of confidence in them.  And I know they’re going to make the right calls. They have to know your repertoire. And they’ve done a great job. That goes a long way.”

On Transition from Class-A to Double-A: “It wasn’t really a difficult transition. Every time you get moved up they just keep telling you to do the same thing you’ve been doing. The thing is, with this level, you’re that much closer to the big leagues.  A lot of guys get called up from here. So these guys are a lot smarter and they’ve been around awhile. They’re a lot more consistent. It’s just a matter of learning. And we have some veteran guys on the team that I get to learn from.”

On Senators Relievers: “I have a lot of trust in this bullpen that if I get pulled in an inning, they’re going to shut the door for me.”

 

 

 

Talking Guns, Roses, and Texas League Winning with Padres Prospect Cody Decker

San Antonio Missions versatile infielder/outfielder Cody Decker went on the record with HHOTF and had a bit of fun. Here's the rundown on the Padres prospect:

His Current Walk-Up Music: Shadow of Your Love by Guns n Roses "It's an unreleased song by them. It's loud, aggressive, and attention-grabbing."

(Decker also mentioned that he likes real guns and real roses)

Last Movie He Went To See: Cabin in the Woods. "It's a great horror movie parody type of movie. And I'm a big old horror movie fan."

Teammates He's Had The Most (G-Rated) Fun With: Former teammate Cameron Monger and Decker were in rookie ball together and pranks were a way of life. "I duct taped his locker and froze his clothes."; Brandon Crawford was Decker's UCLA teammate and people-watching was making-fun-of-people watching. But it was a fellow teammate that got the real treatment. "His locker was in between ours and we terrorized him."

Decker''\'s best memory of his professional career has been winning last year's Texas League championship with the Missions. "I got hurt and ended up coming back for the playoffs, and had a good hand in winning it." He also admits that he doesn't check numbers, but 'used to care too much' about those things. When a teammate tried to inform him he was leading the LEAGUE IN home runs, he told him he didn't want to know.

Hidden (not so much) Talent: Decker likes to participate in Karaoke. Here's proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8J1-i8z2Q8

Downtime: "I see a lot of movies." He also loves to read comic books and 'fiddling' on Twitter. You can follow him @Decker6.

Looking Ahead In 2012: "I'd like to strike out less." He finished 2011 hitting .254 with 15 home runs, 45 RBI, and 53 hits, including 12 doubles. He struck out 68 times. This year he's starting off on a good foot. In 13 games he's hitting .313 with 5 home runs. He's drawn 7 walks and struck out 9 times in 30 plate apperances.

 

 

Harrisburg Senators Deliver To Start The Season

Trenton, NJ - There are two hot tickets in the Eastern League as the 2012 season starts up.

The EL Eastern Divsion is ruled by the Reading Phillies (11-4) and the Western Division has been dominated by the Harrisburg Senators (10-6).

Their hotness is all about the consistency of several key players on the mound and at the plate.

Second baseman Jeff Kobernus leads the league in stolen bases (11), hits (24), and runs scored (12). On Friday against the Trenton Thunder, his success continued as he got his 25th, 26th, and 27th hit, including two doubles, and scored a run. He also reached on an error.

Frist baseman Tim Pahuta leads the league with 7 doubles, as well as in extra base hits (9). In Friday's contest he knocked in two runs.

Pitching has been outstanding from the bullpen and starters, with Jeff Mandel, Danny Rosenbaum, and Mike Ballard making quality starts. They're able to count on a dependable bullpen that includes Hector Nelo, Christian Garcia, and closer Pat Lehman, giving them the ability to play with a lot of confidence.

 "I've really been impressed with our guys coming out of the bullpen," Senators manager Matt LeCroy said. "We got some situational guys, we got some guys that can be in there to end, and we got some guys who can go long that can really help us out. I've been pleased with our hitting. And our defense has been really, really good."

The guy 'in there to end' has been Lehman, who leads the league in saves with 4. In five appearances he allowed just one hit. Friday he gave up only his second walk in five games.

The roster is doubly impressive for the overwhelming number of first time Eastern Leaguer's playing. 14 of 15 players on the current roster were in Class-A Potomac for most or all of 2011.

"Younger players have been pretty good. When you come to a higher league sometimes you worry about intimidation. The hitters are obviously better. But we've been mixing a lot of off-speed pitches and throwing fastballs for strikes. If you can do that and trust your infield and outfield to make plays it's easier."

Starter Mandel has a 0.96 ERA with 18 innings under his belt. He's walked just 4 hitters.  Overall the starting rotation has been relentless. They lead the lead in innings pitched with 115. The bullpen's 5 saves are also league best.

Rosenbaum has been a star. After splitting time between Potomac and Harrisburg last year, this is the twenty-five-year old's first year starting the season in Double-A. Ranked 23rd in the Nationals system by Baseball America, he's gone 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in 21 innings pitched. His 0.65 WHIP is the lowest in the league. He's walked no one. And he has the distinction of pitching the only complete game in the league so far this year.

Earlier this week he was named Baseball America's Prospect Pitcher of the Day.

(Look for a story on Rosenbaum for Going Nine (Baseball Digest) with complete quotes from him and LeCroy this weekend.)

Much of the young team the Senators are fielding is showing that they're ready for this higher level of baseball, and, possibly, a chance to go one step higher soon.

The Senators play the Thunder Saturday, a 5:05 start, with Paul Demny (0-1, 5.40) going for Harrisburg. He'll oppose Shaeffer Hall (2-1, 3.94).

 

Pirates Joshua Poytress Makes Early Jump To High-A Bradenton

The challenge of a quick promotion in the minor leagues is nothing compared to the challenges Josh Poytress has faced in his career.

In 2009 the Fresno State sophomore pitcher felt pain he figured he could shrug off. So it goes, pitchers get sore. Sometimes they need rest. But the pain turned out to be life-threatening.

Doctors discovered he had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or TOS, a condition in which a vein or artery in the shoulder clogs. The blood clot in his shoulder could have leaked into his brain and/or heart.

The road ahead included seven surgeries.

Each surgery was a grueling, complicated process with major bumps along the way, but a couple of months later, he was excercising and tossing the ball again.

In 2011 the Pirates drafted the lefty out of Fresno State in the 18th round (542nd overall).* He made his professional debut in the New York Penn League later that year, playing for Kimera Bartee's State College Spikes squad. The team finished second to last with a 31-44 record. Poytress finished the season with a 4.28 ERA in 33 innings. He began 2012 with the Class-A West Virginia Power and made an excellent start out of the gate. He had a 1.08 ERA in 3 games, 8 IP, before his promotion to High-A Bradenton.

His time in the NYPL in 2011 seems to have a lot to do with where he finds himself mid-May.

"I learned that I needed to trust my fastball more in the NYPL, and be more aggressive with it," Poytress said. "In the SAL I learned that being aggressive early with my fastball helps set up my off speed, and it helped me keep hitters off balance, which is why I had the success i did."

The news of his promotion came in typical simplistic, dramatic fashion.

"After our game got cancelled, we were told the bus was coming in an hour, so I had packed all my stuff and gotten ready to go. I got called into the Skip's [Rick Sofield] office and he told me I wasn't getting on the bus because I was getting called up."

Poytress throws a fastball that has been clocked in the upper 80's. He also has a curveball and changeup in the mix. His curveball, as well as a cut fastball, have been effective in a number of situations this season.

"They have both been out pitches and I've been able to throw them consistently in the zone to both lefties and righties. My change-up needs more work  for sure. I have a little harder time locating it, which is weird because last year it was my best pitch my far."

But at twenty-two he's already learned that none of that works without a deeper sense of himself when he takes the mound.

"The biggest lesson I've learned so far is to just trust your stuff. I was drafted because I have talent just like everyone else in pro ball. If I have more faith in my abilities than the hitter, then I know I can get him out if I just throw the way I'm supposed to and pitch my game plan, and not conform to the zone or to what type of hitter he is."

And having trust and faith in his ability to rise to another challenge is something he's all too familar with.

The Bradenton Marauders next play the Fort Myers Miracle for a scheduled 7:05 start. Jameson Tallion (0-1, 3.12) goes against B.J. Hermsen (0-0, 0.00)

 *He was originally drafted in 2008 by the Houston Astros, but elected to attend Fresno State.

Yankees Acquisition Jose Campos Impressing In Charleston

Last year's prospect-heavy trade between the Mariners and Yankees was a game changer for both, at least according to most observations.

Included in the trade for Yankees top prospect Jesus Montero was RHP Jose Campos.

There's consistent talk about the major league readiness of Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos, and while that's a more pressing matter for the Yankees, Campos progress is going remarkably well.

He has an overall 0.56 ERA in 16 innings of work. That's 1 earned run on 5 hits. He's also struck out 18. And against lefties he has a 0.00 ERA. *

Class-A Charleston team boasts No. 3 ranked Gary Sanchez, No. 4 ranked Mason Williams, and Tyler Austin, who is ranked 15th. Campos trade from Seattle to New York put him in the upper ranks of prospects in the system, suggesting a whole new promising future without the gifted bat of Jesus Montero. Updated rankings put Campos at No. 5 for the Yankees.

In 2011 he pitched 81 innings in the Northwest League (short-season) for Everett. He finished with a 2.32 ERA, giving up just 18 walks and striking out 85.

Trades don't fully reveal their value immediately when it comes to prospects. There's no sudden impact on the major league club. But when you're a prospect as highly valued as Montero there's an immediate reaction. The fear is understandable. Did the Yankees give away too much for too little?

Campos' progress in Charleston takes on bigger meaning. He's only nineteen, but organizational eyes are fixed upon him. With Michael Pineda struggling for the big club, then heading to the DL, Campos is 'the other guy'. The one in the equation that could make the risky trade worthy down the road.

For dedicated Montero fans in Yankees land concerned about that risk right now, they should pay close attention to Campos doing his best to prove his own worth. While that doesn't promise major league success, it's certainly a good sign of what might be.

*Stats through Tuesday

Drew Smyly's College Coach Recalls Tigers Pitcher's Razorbacks Days

Drew Smyly's Major League debut in the Detroit Tigers rotation Thursday was not so far from collegiate ball.

Smyly, 22, raced through the ranks of the minor leagues after being drafted by the Tigers out of the University of Arkansas in 2010 in the 2nd round (68th overall). He split time between Class-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie in 2011, pitching an impressive 126 innings. He finished with a 2.07 ERA combined. His excellent professional debut concluded with the Tigers naming him Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

At Arkansas he was named All-SEC in 2010.

University of Arkansas Head Coach Dave Jorn spoke about his memories of Smyly.

 

"Drew was somewhat of your typical freshman; unsure of what it took to be successful. He is a competitor that took the challenge to work hard and to listen. Very coachable."

"He came in with a mid 80’s fastball and sloppy slow curveball."

"Through a weight training program and long toss program he was able to gain body strength and arm strength. He really worked hard to elevate his ability. The elimination of the CB and addition of a SL and Change up along with a 92 FB put him in position to be one of the best."

"He understood the importance of ball control and worked hard at his location."

"Drew is a quiet, confident kid that will work and compete to be the best. He's come a long way. He has the desire, competitiveness and aptitude to continue to improve."

Trenton Thunder Manager Tony Franklin Reaches A Milestone

Whenever Tony Franklin is asked about getting an opportunity in the big leagues, he carefully considers his words, generally, the way he answers any question.

He's always made clear he'd like the chance. They all would, of course. But he's also never given the impression that he is dissatisfied.

There's something to be said for knowing you're good at a job. And if reaching his 1,000th win Wednesday as manager of the Double-A Trenton Thunder is any indication, he's one of the best at the job. Franklin, 61, is great at managing young players. There's always a sense that despite any desire to be in the majors, he is fully engaged and invested in where he's at.

Franklin's importance cannot be overstated. Since 2007 he's managed some of the most highly regarded prospects in the Yankees system. 2011 was a particularly powerful gleaming, with pitchers Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos, as well as catcher Austin Romine playing for him. Betances and Banuelos are two of the most promising homegrown pitchers in Yankees history. Romine is believed by many to be the Yankees catcher of the future.

 He's needed to strike that all-important, but very delicate balance required to guide and teach young talent. Especially talent of that magnitude. Expectations raise the stakes. But with his soft-spoken, but firm way, he's struck the balance with precision.

In the minor leagues, victories mean something specific. They don't lead to a World Championship. They are part of a formula, a development phase in the lab. If the subjects create a winning formula at that level, they're succeeding at moving to the next phase. It's where they're headed, not where they'll stay. Franklin's always stressed that what he's doing is teaching and getting players where they're supposed to be.

Baseball is all about numers. Tony Franklin's numbers are proof that his whatever his formula is, it's working.