Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog : March 2014

Rays Spotlight: Potential Of Some 2012-13 Renegades Players

After covering the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class-A, short season) for two seasons, I'm moving on to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. But before I do, here's some thoughts on a few players that were on the New York Penn League Rays affiliate team during that time.

Without a doubt, the 2013 Renegades are the scrappiest team I've ever covered. The roster was full of guys that didn't appear to tire, even down the stretch when the Tri-City Valley Cats started looking like the stronger team. If there's one moment that sums up the approach, it would be during one of their final home games, when outfielder Julian Ridings dove into home plate with the team down a couple runs late in the game. He was willing to fully commit his body to make something happen, hurting himself in the process. Maybe that's not the smartest play, but it's the only play.

In looking ahead to 2014, those guys will be playing together for either Charlotte or Bowling Green. 2013 Renegades MVP Darryl George led the club with Ridings, both creating opportunities in their at-bats, and exhibiting solid defense. His approach and patience at the plate allowed him to make consistent contact throughout the season. He finished 2013 hitting .286, with 65 hits, 23 walks, and a .702 OPS in 61 games. Signed as a non-drafted FA in 2010, the Australian-born George did all he could at that level, taking full advantage of his opportunities. He's earned a spot on the Bowling Green roster to start the season. As for Ridings, skill-set both at the plate and on the field showed a guy coming out of Western Carolina that has the tools to execute. The key for him is channeling his aggressiveness in a consistently productive way.

Starting pitcher Aaron Griffin was the rotation's best arm, with excellent command and the ability to pitch deep, he too finished the season having proven he was ready for the next level. That's no small thing, though it sounds like a throwaway. The first year of pro-ball can be an overwhelming workload, physically and mentally. The main goal is to learn as much as they can in the brief time-frame of short-season. Righty Griffin seemed comfortable fairly early and didn't show signs of tiring. In fact, the Rays 2013 10th round pick looked strongest in August, finishing with a 0.99 ERA through five starts. The walks were the revelation: he allowed just 8 all season. The 6'4" Californian doesn't try to kill 'em all with a fastball, he doesn't have to, and it's not the kind of pitcher he is. He mixes pitches, throwing a sinker and slider for strikes and keeps the ball down in the zone. He won't be for long in Low-A if that's where he winds up to start the season. Read my full report on Griffin for FanGraphs here - http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/the-rays-aaron-griffin-quickly-adapts-to-pro-ball/

In 2012, RHP Taylor Guerrieri did exactly what he needed to in order to succeed in his first professional season. He started off needing to work on command and mound composure, and ended the season a much more polished gem on a team that won the New York Penn League title. He's the best player I saw in those two years, not just for his repertoire, but for his ability to learn and adjust so quickly. He ended 2012 with a 1.04 ERA in 12 starts and fired off 45 strikeouts while walking only 5 batters. That was followed by a full season with Bowling Green, where he went 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA and struck out 51 through 67 innings, earning MiLB.com's honor of 'Top Rays Prospect'. But since then, he's hit some big bumps, including undergoing Tommy John surgery, and then being suspended for a 'banned substance'. Guerrieri is similar to Kyle Drabek in many ways. I'd covered Drabek when he was in the Phillies organization, then with the Blue Jays. I'd never seen any player, before Guerrieri, that exhibited that kind of command and talent, but needed to overcome his disposition. When Drabek was with the Phillies, he was a bit unfocused, with a lot of immaturity. But when he got in the Jays organization, the difference was highly noticeable, very quickly, in both talking to him and on the mound. Guerrieri exhibited the same qualities. He improved with each start, growing as a person and pitcher every time. Both needed to learn how to harness and properly focus their energy and power. It will be interesting to witness what this Rays prospect, so important to the team's future, will do as he faces these challenges and moves to the next level. If all goes well, that arm isn't far from the majors.

See links below for more stories from the 2013 season on the Renegades. And read my Durham Bulls coverage for Minor League Ball starting April 3rd.

Posted at 01:54 PM in Baseball, College Baseball, Eastern League , Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects, MLB Draft, New York Penn League | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

College Spotlight: UConn Pitcher Brian Ward 'Attacking' Opportunity

For UConn pitcher Brian Ward, 2014 has offered him a bigger spotlight.

After struggling with health issues the past couple of years, and missing half of 2013 as well as another summer in the Cape Cod League, the lefty pitcher is ready to go full force for the Huskies.

"I know how fortunate I am. I'm not taking this for granted. I'm just moving forward."

The lefty senior took on a bigger role when it was announced Carson Cross would need shoulder surgery and miss all of 2014. Junior RHP Cross was expected to be the top local prospect drafted in this year's June MLB Draft. Bad news on a personal level, but also to the Huskies rotation.

True to form, Ward would rather talk about how the team has responded, rather than on an individual level.

"It was a huge setback. We would've loved to have Carson pitch. But we've taken it in stride. We're working and stepping up."

For his part, Ward entered last weekend's start 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA and went 3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, with a walk and strikeout.

"I'm feeling more confident with each outing. I've had better command each time," he said.

Ward was part of a 2013 team that defied expectations. Led by Cross (who was drafted by the Pirates but didn't sign), second baseman LJ Mazzilli (a 4th round pick for the Mets who made his pro debut in the New York Penn League) and captain Billy Ferriter, the underdog Huskies advanced to the Big East Championship. Though later eliminated by Virginia Tech, they proved a lot down the stretch. [NOTE: Also in UConn's 2013 draft class: LHP Anthony Kay, Mets, 29th round; OF Tom Milone, Rays, 3rd round; RF Taylor Holmstead, Rangers, 13th round].

Ward made 10 starts, picked up 2 wins, and struck out 33 batters over 52 innings. And despite his season being shortened, he was one of only two Huskies pitcher to reach double-digits in game started.

After such an exciting experience, he entered this season with renewed purpose and restored physical strength. So far, he's risen to the challenge.

"I'm attacking the zone. I'm throwing first pitch strikes and not walking guys. I'm just throwing strikes and throwing them early and often," he said.

Under the guidance of highly respected coach Jim Penders- so regarded that Staten Island New York-bred and current Huskies pitcher Andrew Zapata chose to sign largely due to Penders- Ward has flourished. The Milford, Connecticut native has developed strong weapons with his fastball-changeup combination, and lately, has worked on his slider.

"I'm throwing breaking balls here and there, but not a lot more than usual."

As the season unfolds, the MLB Draft nears. But Ward remains a team player focused on his team as a whole.

"[The Draft] isn't at the forefront of my mind. Our team getting wins and getting to the College World Series is the first goal. I do hope to play professionally. I'm getting better everyday and we'll go from there."

You can follow him on Twitter @brianward45

Posted at 01:19 PM in Baseball, Cape Cod League, College Baseball, MLB Draft | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Phillies Spring Training Report: Reliever Justin De Fratus Finding Comfort In Major Leagues

Clearwater, Florida - Phillies reliever Justin De Fratus appreciates the process. Entering the major leagues and trying to adjust, while truly coming into his own, has taken time. He made his major league debut the day the Phillies clinched the NL East [http://www.going9baseball.com/2011/09/25/phillies-reliever-justin-de-fratus-enjoying-transition-to-majors-after-neccessary-triple-a-time-2/] and pitched 61 innings and posted a 3.67 ERA combined for 2012 and 2013. Injury kept him from pitching the first th'\_p-=opkolm plm,r{"
ee months of the season. Last season, he pitched 46 innings, struck out 42, giving up 46 hits, while walking 25. Looking ahead to the 2014 season, the righty has a more settled, uncluttered state of mind. “I'm finally comfortable," he said at Brighthouse Field before the Phillies faced the Blue Jays in a Grapefruit League match-up. "There's still plenty to learn, but now there's a game plan and it comes down to accomplishing what's expected of me within that plan.” The Phillies difficulties, along with managerial and coaching staff changes, have altered the team's course. They inspired confidence in fans and baseball experts with a solid lineup and mix of excellent young and veteran pitching just a couple of years ago. But De Fratus is confident with his own role, no matter what has gone down. “I know where I'm going to be needed [out of the bullpen] and I'm ok with that.” Drafted by the Phillies in the 11th round in 2007, he made his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie) and steadily climbed the ranks. He split time between High-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading in 2010 and Reading and Triple-A Lehigh in 2011. In 2011, he was named an Organizational All-Star after striking out 43 and allowing just 14 walks over 34 innings combined. After making his Major League debut, his experience in the major leagues has been eye-opening and humbling. “I've not pitched to my potential. I have a lot left to accomplish. I just haven't done as well at the big league level as I should've. It's more than just performing. It's the lifestyle, the schedule, a lot of different things you have to adapt to and be disciplined about. That's not there in the minor leagues.” He spent part of 2013 back with Lehigh, posting a 1.89 ERA in thirteen appearances and struck out seventeen batters through nineteen innings. As the Phillies try to create new dynamics and find their way again, De Fratus has a locked-in mindset. “From then until now, I've changed the most mentally. I don't get worried as much. I don't get too high or too low. It could come off bad, but I don't care. Worrying won't get you far. Realizing that is a big thing for me.” You can follow him on Twitter @JustinDeFratus

Posted at 06:28 PM in Baseball, Eastern League , International League, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Minor League Prospects, Spring Training | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rays Spring Training Report: Lenny Linsky Focusing Energy In New Way

It's easy to be an egotistical chest-puffer when you're an athlete.

Who's going to call you on it? Maybe your teammates, maybe your manager, but if you're playing well, or you're highly regarded in the system, you might just be able to get away with it. Even players not so highly regarded have a hard time figuring out how to treat people and follow a respectable path, and you hear about them faltering all the time.

So if no one is going to call them on their BS, there's really only themselves left to the role.

Pitcher Lenny Linsky finally got to that point. But it took a hell of a loss to shake him up and get him on the right track.

"I was told I needed to calm down, to not throw so hard," he said from Rays camp in Port Charlotte Florida. "But I was like 'No, I need to go out and throw harder.' So I did that and gave up a grand slam. After that, I was thinking I was going to blow this ball by [a guy], then I ended up hitting him and getting ejected. I get in the locker room and thought, 'What are you doing?' So I ended up serving a three-game suspension during a four-game series and hit to sit on the bench for most of it. I was super embarrassed. And I just decided to do the opposite of whatever I'd been doing. I literally just told myself, 'I'm not going to try.' So, my first time back pitching, I was pitching really well and asked the guys in the dugout what my velocity was and they just said,'Dude, you were throwing harder than ever.' I stopped huffing and puffing and realized I just had to be a pitcher."

The Tampa Bay Rays drafted Linsky in the second round in 2011 out of the University of Hawaii, and he made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York Penn League (Class-A Short-Season)that same year. He logged a career high 39 innings in 2013, finishing 7-5 with a 3.22 ERA, five saves, and 52 strikeouts for the High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Coming off of that momentum, he arrived at Spring Training this year with a singular focus.

"I want to show I've matured. My goal is to be the hardest working pitcher in camp. I can't control the uncontrollables. So I'm controlling what I can, which is how hard I work," he said.

Linsky, a native of Rancho Palos Verdes California was attending college in Hawaii when his awareness of the world around him and being a more spiritually connected person began developing. That development took time, but he considers each experience just part of his overall journey.

"Those struggles were good for me. I'm more committed, motivated and focused," he said.

For any player, Spring Training is a non-stop push to build up strength and prepare for the season ahead.

"You have to get used to being on your feet constantly. Each days gets better. I need those naps. Naps are common for guys during Spring Training! But then, you know, we get to wake up and play baseball. We wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Linsky's road through baseball has been one of turning more and more inward, particularly after struggling physically and mentally through 2012. He had to reassess in order to grow.

"I wasn't the same pitcher when I came back. I didn't really feel different until the last few months of last season. I learned it doesn't matter how loud you are on the mound."

The downward spiral that led to his turnaround was simply part of the process. He doesn't hold back when he recalls the guy that he used to be.

"I thought I was the coolest. I was so egotistical and selfish. I finally stepped out of self. I just thought 'How can you be like this?' I came from a great family, went to a great school, and now I get to play baseball. I felt like an a-hole. I just decided I wanted to be a better person and help others. I want to be the guy that inspires my teammates when they're down. I removed ego from my mind."

Don't get the righty reliever wrong. He's still going to pitch with the same fire and intensity. The issue was learning how to channel that energy.

"When I'm on the mound, I feel like a warrior. We can all learn from our mistakes and learn from each other."

As Spring Training heats up with games beginning shortly, Linsky is determined to be this more clear-minded, stronger person in every aspect of his life, and, of course, when he's in the game.

"I just really want to apply those principles and be conscious. It's easy to revert to old habits. I don't want to forget the experience. I want to compete and have fun and get after it, but my baseball goals are bigger than me now. I want to share my lessons and be a good teammate too."

He turned 24 earlier this week, and he celebrated with the knowledge that this new year, this new baseball season, begins with more opportunities and a deep sense of purpose.

"I've kind of found myself as a pitcher and as a person."

You can follow him on Twitter @alohalinsky34.

For more of my Rays minor league coverage read links below and check out 'Hitting The Bull' this season on Minor League Ball. I'll cover the Durham Bulls in a weekly feature there.