Quick Hits: Balsley, Surprises, PEDs, Nationals
Longtime Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley is a key cog in San Diego’s efforts to take the next step, according to a fantastic profile from MLB.com’s Corey Brock. Former ace Jake Peavy credits Balsley as a critical element in his development, and a long list of other current and former Friars have likewise benefited from his tutelage. Most recently, reclamation project Tyson Ross has effected a turnaround due in part to Balsley’s efforts.
Here are a few more notes from around the league to round out the evening:
- The biggest surprise in the season’s early going is clearly the struggling Diamondbacks, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Other players and teams leading the list include Charlie Blackmon, Dee Gordon, the Brewers, and one of the offseason’s riskiest signings in Jose Abreu.
- While the news on the PED front has thankfully been fairly quiet this season, multiple minor league ballplayers have been disciplined. Baseball America maintains a regularly updated page documenting those suspensions — a useful resource for fans looking to understand the issue in its broader context.
- The Nationals have promoted or traded many of the organization’s best internally-developed talent in recent seasons, but have stockpiled a solid array of talent at their Class-A affiliate, writes James Wagner of the Washington Post. Led by top prospect Lucas Giolito, the Hagerstown rotation includes a series of intriguing 2013-draftees in Jake Johansen, Austin Voth, and Nick Pivetta.
AL Notes: Angels, Tigers, Baker
The Angels, who have reportedly run into difficulties in their negotiations for a new deal to extend the team’s lease in Anaheim, are discussing potential alternative sites in two other California locations, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times: Tustin and, most recently, Irvine. A 2016 opt-out of the team’s current lease is looming in the near future.
- In his podcast today (audio link), ESPN.com’s Buster Olney touched on several topics relating to the Tigers. Club GM Dave Dombrowski, joining for an interview, said that he is still looking internally first for bullpen solutions, calling it “a little early for clubs to be making trades at this time.”
- Dombrowski also talked about Robbie Ray, the key piece acquired in the Doug Fister trade. He indicated that Detroit’s evaluators seemingly placed a higher value on Ray than did other teams around the league, saying that Ray “projects to be at least a number-three starter.” Though the club does not expect him to reach that level (let alone his potential ceiling) during his first call-up, Dombrowski said that Ray has thrown well enough at Triple-A to earn a chance to fill in at the big league level.
- Discussing the Tigers’ reported $144MM extension offer that Max Scherzer declined with fellow ESPN analyst Keith Law, Olney noted that many players and agents he has spoken with felt they would have taken the deal. But the calculating Scherzer — who, in Olney’s opinion, may be the “pitcher’s version of Joey Votto” in terms of his incorporation of statistical analysis into his game — apparently determined that he will hold a good enough hand to warrant the risk of waiting for free agency.
- Starter Scott Baker has not elected his opt-out clause with the Rangers, tweets Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com, after apparently not finding a major league opportunity elsewhere. If he finds such a chance, however, Baker will be able to opt out at that time, Cotillo adds.
Minor Moves: Dillard, Hanzawa, Roth, Maier
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league…
- Righty Tim Dillard has signed with the Brewers, reports Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com (via Twitter). The 30-year-old played independent ball most recently, but does have 73 MLB relief appearances under his belt, all with Milwaukee. His career ERA stands at 4.70.
- Shortstop Troy Hanzawa has been released by the Phillies, according to the International League transactions page. Hanzawa, 28, has spent his entire career in the Phillies organization, but has never cracked the MLB roster. He was struggling mightily at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the season’s early going.
- The Angels announced today (on Twitter) that lefty Michael Roth has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Double-A Arkansas. Roth was designated for assignment last week in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Mike Morin. Roth posted a 5.48 ERA with more walks (12) than strikeouts (10) in 21 1/3 innings in the Arkansas rotation.
- The Royals have signed Mitch Maier to a minor league deal and assigned him to Double-A, reports Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). The Royals originally drafted Maier with the 30th overall pick of the 2003 draft, and he batted .248/.327/.344 for them in 1117 plate appearances from 2006-12. Maier hasn’t appeared in the Majors since, though he hit well in 31 games for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate last season.
- A look at MLBTR’s DFA Tracker reveals a handful of players that are currently in limbo was they wait to be traded, outrighted, claimed on waivers or released: Moises Sierra (Blue Jays), Nick Buss (Dodgers), and Greg Dobbs (Marlins).
Orioles Outright Josh Stinson
The Orioles have outrighted reliever Josh Stinson to Triple-A, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). Stinson has already cleared waivers, says Kubatko. The move clears space for the activation of Troy Patton from the restricted list.
Stinson, 26, was off to a rough start to the 2014 campaign, as he carried a 7.15 ERA through 11 1/3 frames while carrying a WHIP just south of 2.000. He was more effective in limited action last year, when he posted a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings. Stinson was originally claimed by Baltimore off waivers right at the start of the 2013 season.
Latest On Joel Hanrahan
THURSDAY: Despite the early struggles of Edward Mujica, it doesn’t appear likely that the Red Sox will end up signing Hanrahan, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).
WEDNESDAY: The Rockies, Rangers, Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers are among the teams showing strong interest in free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Hanrahan impressed scouts from as many as 20 teams at a showcase two weeks ago, hitting 93 mph on the gun and appearing to be in good shape. The 32-year-old Hanrahan is roughly two weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery.
The teams listed by Heyman have all seen some degree of bullpen struggles with the exception of the Red Sox, whose collective 3.25 bullpen ERA ranks eighth in the Majors. The other four teams are each in the bottom half of the Majors in terms of reliever ERA, with the Tigers (5.48) and Rangers (4.45) displaying the most troubles in run prevention. Each of the clubs mentioned by Heyman has been relatively stable in the ninth inning to this point, meaning that Hanrahan would likely be ticketed for a setup role should he latch on with any of the five.
Recent reports have indicated that the Mets are also interested in Hanrahan, to an extent, but they aren’t sure whether or not they’ll be making him an offer.
NL East Links: Mets Payroll, Phillies, Harper, Nats
The Mets‘ relatively low payroll has left them with the ability to make additions that will boost the payroll on the trade market this summer, GM Sandy Alderson told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times yesterday. “We have the authority to go higher if it’s necessary at the trade deadline,” Alderson told Kepner. “I’m not worried about that at all.” Alderson, who somewhat controversially stated a goal of 90 wins for the Mets prior to the season, said he’s optimistic about his team’s chances, knowing that the rotation can continue to compete and the offense is bound to improve.
Here’s more from the NL East…
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. participated in a Q&A with Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News and discussed a host of Phillies-related topics. Asked if he was concerned that every right-hander who opened the season in the bullpen (with the exception of Jonathan Papelbon) had been demoted to Triple-A, Amaro replied: “We’ve already started looking outside with other teams and also with possible free agents. We’ve touched base with a couple of them to see if they’re fits.” Asked if the team had the money to spend on a free agent reliever (i.e. Joel Hanrahan), Amaro said, “If there’s money to spend and we feel it’s something we should do, then we’ll have to address it.”
- Also within that piece, Amaro discussed his lack of production at third base from Cody Asche. Amaro noted that Asche has typically been a slow starter at every level and preached patience in Asche. Of course, if his struggles continue, the Phillies do have top prospect Maikel Franco waiting in the wings. Franco, however, is hitting just .172/.234/.253 in 94 Triple-A plate appearances after his monstrous .339/.363/.563 line at Double-A in 2013.
- FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal writes that there’s too much scrutiny on Bryce Harper, who, at 21 years of age, would be the youngest player on the Nationals‘ Triple-A affiliate and even the youngest on their Double-A affiliate. He praises Nats manager Matt Williams for pulling Harper following a lack of a hustle just two days after a team meeting in which he mandated such behavior. However, Rosenthal questions Williams’ willingness to discuss the situation at length with the media.
- In a blog from earlier this week, ESPN’s Keith Law took a more critical view regarding the Nationals‘ handling of Harper (ESPN Insider required and recommended). Law feels that Williams singled Harper out with his public reprimand, pointing to the fact that veteran Jayson Werth gave a similarly half-hearted effort on a check-swing grounder a day after Harper’s benching and received no public criticism. Law writes that the Nats made a mistake in hiring a manager with zero experience.
- Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan analyzes the curious way that pitchers are pitching to Anthony Rendon and wonders why the league hasn’t adjusted to him yet. Rendon, Sullivan writes, has seen more in-zone fastballs than all but two hitters over the past year, and he’s tattooed those pitches accordingly, yet the rate of in-zone fastballs he’s seeing is actually increasing. Sullivan points out that players who see a comparable amount of fastballs are names like Jeff Keppinger and Jamey Carroll, but Rendon possesses significantly more power than either, leading to his great success thus far in 2014.
Blue Jays Designate Moises Sierra For Assignment
The Blue Jays announced, via press release, that they’ve designated outfielder Moises Sierra for assignment in order to clear a 40-man and 25-man roster spot for infielder Steven Tolleson. Toronto also announced that Jonathan Diaz has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, with outfielder Anthony Gose being recalled to take his place.
The 25-year-old Sierra struggled greatly in his time with the Jays this season, collecting just two hits and a walk against nine strikeouts in 35 plate appearances. Despite his lack of production in 2013, however, Sierra was a well-above-average bat in 2013, slashing .290/.369/.458 in 122 plate appearances at the Major League level. Sierra has posted an identical .782 OPS in his career at the Double-A and Triple-A levels.
Tolleson, 30, has a bit of Major League experience with the A’s and Orioles, having batted .225/.273/.350 with three homers in 129 plate appearances. He’s been highly versatile throughout his career, playing second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions. At the Triple-A level, Tolleson is a .285/.368/.409 hitter in 2040 plate appearances.
Dodgers Designate Nick Buss For Assignment
The Dodgers announced that they’ve designated outfielder Nick Buss for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Red Patterson, who will make his Major League debut and start the second game of today’s double-header against the Twins.
The 27-year-old Buss made a brief cameo with the big league club in 2013 but has spent the vast majority of his career in the minor leagues since being an eighth-round pick of the Dodgers back in 2008. Buss is a career .296/.358/.503 hitter in 157 games at the Triple-A level, though he’s never ranked among the organization’s top 30 prospects (per Baseball America).
Patterson, 26, has a 4.15 ERA through his first four starts this season but excelled at Triple-A as a 25-year-old in 2013, posting a 3.03 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 107 innings (he split the season between the rotation and bullpen). Patterson will be the 26th man on the roster for today’s twin bill and likely head back to the minor leagues following his start.
Quick Hits: Towles, Braves, Prospects
There have been 23 perfect games in Major League history and 16 instances of a player hitting four home runs in one game, and both of these rare baseball events have taken place on April 30. White Sox right-hander Charlie Robertson threw a perfecto against the Tigers on this day in 1922; 39 years later, the legendary Willie Mays homered four times as part of a 14-4 Giants rout of the Braves. Incredibly, there have been two other instances of a four-homer game and a perfect game on the same day — July 18 (Pat Seerey in 1948 and David Cone in 1999) and May 8 (Josh Hamilton in 2012 and Catfish Hunter in 1968).
Here’s some news from around the majors as we head into May…
- J.R. Towles is fully recovered from a home plate collision that ended his 2013 season and is receiving some interest from Major League teams, MLBTR’s Zach Links reports (Twitter links). Considered a top-55 prospect headed into the 2008 season, Towles hit .187/.267/.315 in 484 PA with the Astros from 2007-11. The catcher spent 2012-13 playing for the Triple-A affiliates of the Twins, Dodgers and Cardinals, and is currently hitting well for the independent Bridgeport Bluefish.
- Three years ago, Jason Heyward was seen as the Braves‘ signature star of the future while Freddie Freeman was projected to have a more modest ceiling, Sports Illustrated’s Ben Reiter writes. Now, Freeman is emerging as one of the game’s best first basemen while Heyward has yet to truly break through thanks to both injuries and a hole in his swing. Reflecting how the two players have switched roles, the Braves only locked Heyward up to a two-year commitment during their offseason extension frenzy, while Freeman was given an eight-year, $135MM contract.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Jim Bowden looks at seven top prospects who could be making their Major League debuts sometime this season.
- Fortitude is a quality that every scout wants to see in a pitcher, yet it’s one of those intangibles that is hard to both identify or even define, Jason Parks of Baseball Prospectus writes.
AL Notes: Abreu, Carbonell, Astros, Baker
2014 looked like a rebuilding year for the White Sox, but with Jose Abreu bursting onto the scene to become a star power bat, could the Pale Hose contend this season? GM Rick Hahn told reporters (including CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes and MLB.com’s Scott Merkin) that “it really is a balancing act. You don’t want to pass on a chance to win. They are sacred. At the same time, this is a long-term proposition we are trying to build here, sustain over an extended period, and we don’t want to hamper our ability to do that.” It’s still too early in the season to make “short-sighted” moves, Hahn said, yet if the Sox are in the race in a couple of months, the team will re-evaluate its goals for the season.
Here’s some more from around the junior circuit…
- White Sox executive VP Kenny Williams talked to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times about his experience scouting Abreu and then his discussions with owner Jerry Reinsdorf about raising the club’s bid for the heavily-courted slugger. It was Reinsdorf, Williams said, who actually endorsed paying more for Abreu. The extra push seems to have paid off, judging by Abreu’s huge April performance.
- The Yankees are interested in Cuban outfielder Daniel Carbonell, according to media outlet Diario de Cuba (hat tip to Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues). The Yankees scouted Carbonell during a February workout. The switch-hitting 23-year-old is a free agent and can be signed for any price as long as he signs before July 2.
- Astros amateur scouting director Mike Elias discusses his team’s scouting process, current top prospects and the upcoming 2014 amateur draft with Sportsnet.ca’s Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- It looks like Scott Baker will indeed stay with the Rangers‘ Triple-A affiliate, sources tells Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish (Twitter link). Cotillo previously reported that Baker would only use his May 1 opt-out clause if he could find a Major League deal with another team, and the White Sox and Indians had some interest in Baker’s services.