Monday’s News & Notes

18 Commments

1. The squirrels ‘went nuts? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

   This Hansen kids has been just terrific; he’s had 7 outings now, 6 of them have been good to lights out. The 1 very bad outing, I’d be interested as to what happened. And, he just a pup, a few months past his 21st birthday.

   Sue, I think you’re very legitimate concerns about Tyler Moore’s adjustment to AA thankfully went unfounded. He’s not too far from bypassing Marrero on the prospect list. Good for him.

2. Sue, what happened to the Tatusko promotion? I spoke to my son and he said Ryan was still in Harrisburg???????? Do you know what is going on? Thanks

3. It means I’ll have some mocking to do in my next transactions post because that would mean that his name was placed on the roster but his person was not. That actually isn’t hard for me to believe to be true, given, for example, how Potomac’s Brian Peacock is on the DL but somehow healthy enough to run down to the bullpen to warm up the pitchers.

   1. And to clarify: The mocking would be of the roster shenanigans, not the players.

      1. I was sitting there wondering if they were about to do the “Bally Balester” with Tatusko and convert him to a reliever? Unless a starter gets promoted in Syracuse …
         At this point it is about time to bring Maya up … to see what he can do … and Marquis trade value will never get higher so … ???

      2. The Chiefs website has him listed as “active” not DL like Severino, Mock, Oliver Perez? I think it means he is on the team for their next away game series versus the Norfolk Tides? Today’s doubleheader was cancelled as torrential rains pelt upstate NY.

         I really am still wondering if they are going to convert him to a reliever to replace Kimball? And then there’s Peacock who will likely get promoted to join Meyers in the SYR rotation? Will the convert Detwiler to relief (as some are wondering)?

         If they think a player just isn’t cutting it seems as if they usually just ‘DL’ them.

4. Ahhh, okay thanks, I knew you would know the answer, thanks again.

5. I was at the Senators/Squirrels game yesterday and Roark was very uninspiring. His fastball was lifeless and sat at 90-92 most of the game. It seemed to be too straight when he threw it 91 and 92 but when it backed down to 88-90 the Squirrels didn’t do anything with it. My guess is it was a 2 seamer vs a 4 seamer. He didn’t seem to be able to throw his offspeed for strikes either. Could have been first start of the year jitters because the slower fastball looked really good and his curve seemed to be a good pitch when ahead in the count.

   Derek Norris still seems to have a hard time defensively. He was handcuffed on a couple of blockable balls. He also came out of position on a play at the plate that should have been a sure out and that allowed the runner to sneak in around him.

   Jonathan Tucker can fly. He stretched a pretty routine looking single into a double.

   Tyler Moore has a pretty stroke and looks comfortable around the bag. I’ve only seen him twice but I’ve been impressed with him both times.

   1. Thanks, Pdowdy83, for the onsite report.

6. Norris has been very dissapointing thus far. I was really expecting a huge year out of him. Between last year, the AFL and so far this year, his batting avergae has hovered around .200. Anyone know what is going on? I mean I know about the injuries, but enough time has passed that it shouldn’t be a factor anymore.

   1. If you look at his April (.125/.310/.156 in 11G) vs. his May (.265/.405/.500 in 10G) it seems to me that something has clicked recently. Admittedly, both are small sample sizes. People can harp on his defense, but the fact of the matter is switching him to 1st or LF would be relatively easy to do, but until his bat is ready, there’s no need to rush or panic.

7. Thanks Sue. It would be great if he can turn it around. It’s funny how people were so quick to trade away Pudge because of Norris and Flores. Goes to show that like pitchers, you can never have enough catchers. I’m curious about Freitas. Any scouting reports on him?

   1. Similar to Norris, a hitter learning to catch whose hallmark is patience at the plate. The Hagerstown newspaper had this writeup on him earlier this month.

      1. If I remember right, Freitas is a convert 1st base player….I think he does a pretty good job for being new to the position. But I got to watch Sandy Leon catch yesterday and he’s improving defensively. His batting average is still horrid.

         To me this proves good all-around catchers are hard to come by. So, what’s harder: finding a hitter that can catch, or find a catcher that can hit? What’s the easier skill to teach?

         1. I thought Freitas caught for the U of Hawaii?

            1. you might be right….not sure where I heard it, but maybe it was Leonida.

            2. you might be right….could have been Leonida.

         2. TBR: Tough question! To me, it depends on the level of competency you’re looking for. Great catchers are born IMHO, not made; The special combination of hand-eye coordination (both at the plate & behind it), game command, energy, durability & physical stature is a rare commodity. Both ‘Pudges’ had it, along with Bench, Munson, Campanella, & most of the HOF’s. Good catchers can be made, I think, but will always lack at least one of the basic skills or physical traits. Examples might include Mauer (durability), Biggio (stature), Yeager, Dempsey (couldn’t hit).

            Hitting might be a little easier skill to teach, since it requires an aquireable skill set. See (recognize) the pitch; track the flight & meet it with the swing of the bat. I’m not saying that’s easy, but it is something you can learn.

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