Draft Notes: Giants, Angels, Hudson, Garrett
The MLB draft is coming to an end, which means scouting directors will start preparing for next year's draft before we know it. Here at MLBTR, we're still focused on the '11 draftees. Here's the latest:
- The Giants selected Benny Sosnick out of Jewish Community High School of the Bay with their 49th round pick. Sosnick led Northern California high schoolers in batting average and is the younger brother of Matt Sosnick, the agent for Jay Bruce, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and others.
- If this year's draft is any indication, Angels scouting director Ric Wilson appears to like college players, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.
- MLB.com's Tom Singer runs through the current Major Leaguers who were drafted latest, including Kyle Farnsworth (47th round), Orlando Hudson (43rd round) and Mark Buehrle (38th round).
- John Manuel of Baseball America explains that Amir Garrett is a natural at two sports: baseball and basketball. The Reds will try to convince their 22nd rounder to give up a basketball scholarship at St. John's for a pro baseball career.
Giants Continue Eyeing Catchers
Exactly two weeks have passed since Buster Posey’s season ended with a gruesome home plate collision. Faced with the reality that Eli Whiteside is struggling as an everyday player, the Giants appear to be “ramping up their pursuit of another catcher,” according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. It’s even possible that they’ll look to add two catchers.
Whiteside will continue to get most of the starts for now, but his .164/.266/.255 batting line doesn't inspire much confidence and he has thrown out just 15% of would-be base stealers. Whiteside has four singles and five walks in 37 plate appearances since the day Posey went down, so it's not surprising that the 34-27 Giants are considering ways of adding to a catching corps that includes Whiteside and Chris Stewart.
Rosenthal On Rangers, Upton, Marlins, Indians
With only five teams more than seven games out of first place, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports thinks this year's trade market could play out differently than your usual scenario of struggling teams selling to contenders. An unnamed general manager tells Rosenthal “It might be more of a reallocation of pieces than classic buying or selling…Parity also means that teams that aren’t close are saying, ‘Next year, it can be us.’ Maybe they buy a two- to three-year asset that they wouldn’t otherwise.”
Here's the latest from Rosenthal on a number of teams looking to fill needs as the pennant races begin to heat up…
- The Rangers are looking for right-handed relievers and have a number of trade chips to offer other teams. Rosenthal speculates Texas could offer Taylor Teagarden to the Giants for a righty arm, or possibly Chris Davis to the Padres or another team that is looking for offensive help.
- Todd Coffey is drawing interest from the Rangers, and Rosenthal thinks Coffey could be part of a package for Julio Borbon since the Nationals need a center fielder/leadoff hitter type.
- Of course, Washington is also looking at B.J. Upton to fill that hole in center. Rosenthal thinks it's unlikely the Rays move Upton, though they could change their minds if the Nats offer Tyler Clippard and a young positional prospect.
- The Marlins are interested in acquiring veteran bullpen help in exchange for one of their minor league relievers. Right-handers Jose Ceda, Jhan Marinez and Sandy Rosario have all attracted some attention from other clubs.
- While "the Indians’ most obvious need remains a quality starting pitcher," Rosenthal also thinks the Tribe could be in the market for right-handed hitting help. One of Rosenthal's Twitter followers asked if Cleveland could make a move for Hunter Pence, but Rosenthal doesn't think Houston will move Pence and the Indians already have Shin-Soo Choo in right field.
- The Brewers "would love to add another power arm to their 'pen," as Milwaukee relievers rank 13th in the league in K/9.
- The Diamondbacks had an interest in David Purcey before the A's dealt the left-hander to the Tigers on May 27.
- Bruce Bochy thinks rookie shortstop Brandon Crawford can be a productive Major League hitter, which would seem to lessen the Giants' chances of acquiring Jose Reyes before the deadline or trying to sign Reyes this winter in free agency.
- Rosenthal "can't see" Jim Hendry returning as the Cubs' general manager given the team's current state. "Forget about signing a free agent such as the Cardinals' Albert Pujols or the Brewers' Prince Fielder," Rosenthal writes. "The Cubs are so far gone, they are much more than one player away." Carlos Pena, John Grabow, Kosuke Fukudome, Kerry Wood and Jeff Baker are all trade candidates this summer; MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently looked at the values of these players and others on the struggling Cubbies.
Ryan Vogelsong’s Remarkable Run
It's been almost exactly 13 years since Ryan Vogelsong signed his first contract. A fifth round selection by the Giants in 1998, Vogelsong signed on June 7 that year and began his professional career. After posting strong strikeout numbers throughout his first three minor league seasons, Vogelsong was included in a package that sent Jason Schmidt from Pittsburgh to San Francisco in 2001.
After making two appearances with the Pirates that season, Vogelsong required Tommy John surgery at age 24. Things went downhill from there, to say the least. He returned in 2003 and posted passable numbers in the minors, but struggled in the Majors that season and through his next three with the Pirates, posting a 5.87 ERA over 274 1/3 innings of work.
Following the 2006 season, Vogelsong, then 29, headed to Japan and spent three years there, pitching for the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes with solid but unspectacular results. After coming back to the United States, he was released by both the Phillies and Angels last year after signing a pair of minor league deals.
Vogelsong didn't get his own post on MLBTR when he signed a minor league deal with the Giants this offseason. In fact, he didn't even have his own tag prior to this one. But what Vogelsong has done this year is a prime example of the value of minor league deals.
Over his last 39 1/3 innings of work, Vogelsong has allowed three earned runs, striking out 29 and walking only seven. In total, he's pitched 53 2/3 innings of 1.68 ERA ball. His 2.83 FIP and 3.64 xFIP entering play today suggest that while he hasn't been quite that good, he's still been very, very good. His fastball may not be overpowering (averaging 91.1mph), but he's mixed his pitches well enough to have struck out seven hitters per nine innings. The 42 strikeouts he's totaled are three times that of the 14 walks he's allowed.
Earlier today Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News wrote that manager Bruce Bochy said Vogelsong's rotation spot is secure, even when Barry Zito, for whom he's been filling in, returns. And, as Baggarly points out, it's not unreasonable to consider an All-Star bid for the journeyman.
Whether or not Vogelsong continues what's been a remarkable run at age 33, he should still serve as a reminder to all fans who cringe at seeing a perhaps washed-up name sign with their favorite team. Minor league deals and non-roster invites carry very little risk, but the potential for reward is sky-high. Just ask Ryan Vogelsong.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Quick Hits: Giants, Tejada, Mets, Hall
The draft is right around the corner but there's still plenty more going on in the world of baseball..
- The rise of Emmanuel Burriss combined with the return of Pablo Sandoval could push Miguel Tejada out the door, writes Carl Steward of the Mercury News. Even though eating Tejada's contract is less than ideal, Giants GM Brian Sabean has often said that he wants the best 25 players active and contributing, regardless of contract.
- The Mets have released Double-A outfielder Carlos Guzman, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Guzman, 25, was let go in order to make room Bubba Bell and Erik Turgeon, who are moving down from Triple-A Buffalo.
- Mets manager Terry Collins plans to continue using closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage, non-save situations late in games, write Anthony DiComo and Aaron Taube of MLB.com. The Mets have used K-Rod liberally despite his looming 2012 option for $17.5MM, which vests if he finishes 55 games this year.
- Astros GM Ed Wade checked with both Drayton McLane and new owner Jim Crane before releasing Bill Hall, tweets Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. Wade called the move "a big economic hit before [Crane] even takes control of the club."
Minor Deals: Brazoban, Reds, Rangers, Astros, Phillies
Once in a while, a minor move becomes more than just a footnote. For example, about six years ago the Rangers released outfielder Andres Torres, who found his way back to the Majors in '09 after several more stops and put up some big numbers for the Giants. Today's minor deals:
- Yhency Brazoban signed with the Diamondbacks after exercising his out clause with the Rangers, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 30-year-old former Dodger posted a 3.42 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, and 1.7 HR/9 in 26 1/3 innings for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.
- The Reds acquired righty Chris Mobley from the Rangers for future considerations, writes Baseball America's Matt Eddy. The 27-year-old reliever has a 4.61 ERA in 27 1/3 innings across Double and Triple-A this year.
- The Astros signed righty Brad Hennessey, reports Eddy. The 31-year-old, who was drafted by the Giants in '01 17 spots before David Wright, has a 4.69 ERA in 360 2/3 career innings. He last pitched in the Majors in '08.
- The Giants released outfielder Terry Evans, notes Eddy. Evans quickly signed with the Phillies, tweeted Reading Royals beat writer Jason Guarente yesterday. Back in July of '06, the Cardinals sent Evans to the Angels for eventual World Series hero Jeff Weaver, plus cash.
- Eddy reports that the Mariners signed lefty Tony Butler, one of the players they sent to the Orioles for Erik Bedard back in February of '08.
- The Blue Jays released righty Chris Malone, writes Eddy. Malone was the player the Jays acquired from Colorado for Brad Emaus in April, and they only needed eight innings to decide they didn't need him. Emaus, meanwhile, is hitting .355/.419/.645 in 87 plate appearances for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, playing mostly second base.
- Andrew Miller has a June 15th out clause in his contract with the Red Sox, so Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox will consider calling him up to replace Rich Hill, especially given Miller’s recent success (Twitter link). Brian McPherson of The Providence Journal talked to Miller, who isn't thinking about his opt-out.
Outrighted To The Minors: Amezaga, Sosa, Tejeda
We'll keep track of all the day's outrighted players right here:
- Alfredo Amezaga, designated for assignment by the Rockies on May 29th to create a spot for Chris Nelson, cleared waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A, tweets the team.
- Henry Sosa, who was designated for assignment by the Giants last week, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
- Robinson Tejeda cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). The Royals designated Tejeda for assignment last week to create roster space for hard-throwing right-hander Felipe Paulino.
- Dallas McPherson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). The White Sox designated the infielder for assignment Monday after he collected a pair of singles in 15 plate appearances over the course of 11 games. The 30-year-old former top prospect had a characteristically strong .305/.366/.458 line in Triple-A Charlotte before getting the call to the Majors.
Rockies Claim Ryan Rohlinger
The Rockies claimed infielder Ryan Rohlinger off of waivers from the Giants, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). The Giants designated Rohlinger and Henry Sosa for assignment last week to create 40-man roster space for Brandon Crawford and Chris Stewart.
Rohlinger, 27, appeared in one game with the Giants this year, but he has spent most of his season at Triple-A Fresno, where he has a .174/.294/.331 line with more walks (19) than strikeouts (14) in 144 plate appearances as a shortstop and third baseman. He has a .267/.350/.435 line as a minor leaguer since the Giants drafted him five years ago.
Even after making the claim, the Rockies have room on their 40-man roster.
Quick Hits: Matsuzaka, Kroon, Maine, Mariners
On this date in 1975, Nolan Ryan won his 100th career game in style, pitching his fourth no-hitter and tying Sandy Koufax's record (a mark Ryan would later eclipse). Here are the latest links from around the Major Leagues…
- Daisuke Matsuzaka is leaning toward Tommy John surgery, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (Twitter link). Dr. Lewis Yocum found a significant tear in Matsuzaka's elbow and the right-hander will now discuss his options with the Red Sox.
- In honor of the many intriguing draft-eligible college pitchers, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reviews nine current MLB pitchers who didn't spend much time in the minor leagues.
- Marc Kroon, who was a candidate to make the Giants' Opening Day roster, has decided not to opt out of his Triple-A contract, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. The 38-year-old has not appeared in the Majors since 2004, but he has a 3.10 ERA with 11.1 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 20 1/3 innings at Triple-A this year. It would be great to see the 1991 second rounder get another chance in the big leagues.
- Similarly, John Maine is staying in Triple-A instead of exercising his opt-out with the Rockies, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says it's time for the Mariners to make a move and find some "players who can square up on a ball more than a couple of times per week."
Quick Hits: Reyes, Webb, Posey
Babe Ruth played his last MLB game on this date in 1935. The slugger played one inning against the Phillies and grounded out in his final at bat. Here's the boxscore from that game and here are today's links. Happy Memorial Day!
- Ever since Mets owner Fred Wilpon publicly questioned Jose Reyes' earning power, the shortstop is producing even more than usual, David Lennon writes at Newsday. Reyes leads the National League in hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases, though he'll be on the bereavement list for three to seven days (Twitter link).
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney wonders if Brandon Webb, who is now rehabbing, could be a fit for the Reds later this season.
- Dave Groeschner, a trainer for injured Giants catcher Buster Posey, told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that Posey is done for the season, but should be ready for the 2012 season opener.