Thursday, May 10, 2007
Old Names, New Places
Good morning everyone! Well, I was right. Lakisha was eliminated from American Idol tonight. Not surprising. It's down to the top three performers, and they are the right three. It will just be interesting to see how the votes end up.
Well, that Twins game was hard to watch last night. Thankfully I was able to flip between it an American Idol. And also, during the latter innings, I was doing an interview with Jeff Straub for his Minnesota Twins Fan Network podcast which should be available for you to listen to later tonight or Friday morning. So be sure to watch for that. I will have a couple of brief Twins thoughts and then the minor league reports, but today, I wanted to do a little something different. It seems like every time I check out one of Rochester's box scores, they are playing against someone who once played for the Twins. I thought that it would be nice to provide you with a quick update on where several former Twins are playing and how they are doing. So, I hope you enjoy this. There are several major leaguers, several in AAA and a few down at AA. I will also have a couple of other names that you may recognize.
The Big League Hitters:
Shannon Stewart- Oakland A's - .237/.323/.322 (28-118), 4-2B, 2-HR, 7-RBI, 14 BB, 11 K
Todd Walker - Oakland A's - .244/.265/.267 (11-45), 1-2B, 4-RBI, 2 BB, 4 K
Bobby Kielty - Oakland A's - .174/.259/.217 (4-23), 1-2B, 3-RBI, 2 BB, 6 K
Damien Miller - Milwaukee Brewers - .216/.286/.270 (8-37), 2-2B, 3-RBI, 4 BB, 8 K
Jacque Jones - Chicago Cubs - .280/.347/.383 (30-107), 6-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 10-RBI, 9 BB, 13 K
Henry Blanco - Chicago Cubs - .353/.368/.471 (6-17), 2-2B, 2-RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Casey Blake - Cleveland Indians - .254/.410/.439 (29-114), 8-2B, 3-HR, 13-RBI, 15 BB, 30 K
Michael Restovich - Washington Nationals - .143/.172/.179 (4-28), 1-2B, RBI, 1 BB, 8 K
Cristian Guzman - Washington Nationals - .143/.200/.143 (2-14), 1 BB, 2 K
Tony Batista - Washington Nationals - 0-2
Chris Gomez - Baltimore Orioles - .303/.324/.394 (10-33), 1-HR, 5-RBI, 1 BB, 4 K
Rob Bowen - San Diego Padres - .218/.338/.345 (12-55), 4-2B, 1-HR, 5-RBI, 10 BB, 20 K
David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox - .311/.425/.623 (38-122), 11-2B, 9-HR, 28-RBI, 23 BB, 24 K
Jose Valentin - Cincinnati Reds - .211/.326/.263 (8-38), 2-2B, 6-RBI, 7 BB, 1 K
Juan Castro - Cincinnati Reds - .115/.179/.154 (3-26, 1-2B, 1-RBI, 2 BB, 8 K
Chad Moeller - Cincinnati Reds - .167/.167/.167 (1-6), 2 K
AJ Pierzynski - Chicago White Sox - .228/.284/.426 (23-101), 5-2B, 5-HR, 11 RBI, 6 BB, 11 K
Doug Mientkiewicz - New York Yankees - .230/.293/.392 (17-74), 3-2B, 3-HR, 10 RBI, 6 BB, 6 K
The Big League Pitchers:
Mark Redman - Atlanta Braves - 0-4, 10.62 ERA, 5 GS, 20.1 IP, 9 BB, 12 K, 2.11 WHIP
Joe Beimel - Los Angeles Dodgers - 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 16 G, 16.1 IP, 8 BB, 7 K, 1.22 WHIP
Aaron Fultz - Cleveland Indians - 3-0, 1 Save, 2.70 ERA, 16 G, 10 IP, 4 BB, 10 K
Willie Eyre - Texas Rangers - 1-1, 1 Save, 2.79 ERA, 5 G, 9.2 IP, 4 BB, 5 K, 1.66 WHIP
JC Romero - Boston Red Sox - 0-0, 1 Save, 3.86 ERA, 13 G, 9.1 IP, 3 BB, 5 K, 1.71 WHIP
Kyle Lohse - Cincinnati Reds - 1-3, 3.21 ERA, 7 GS, 47.2 IP, 9 BB, 32 K, 1.28 WHIP (also hitting .333)
Eric Milton - Cincinnati Reds - 0-4, 5.17 ERA, 6 GS, 31.1 IP, 9 BB, 18 K, 1.53 WHIP
LaTroy Hawkins - Colorado Rockies - 0-3, 2 Saves, 8.59 ERA, 9 G, 7.1 IP, 4 BB, 3 K, 2.05 WHIP
Todd Jones - Detroit Tigers - 1-1, 13 Saves, 2.65 ERA, 18 G, 17 IP, 5 BB, 7 K, 1.00 WHIP
Those Rule V Guys
Levale Speigner - Washington Nationals - 1-0, 2.84 ERA, 11 G, 12.2 IP, 11 BB, 3 K, 1.58 WHIP
Kevin Cameron - San Diego Padres - 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 10 G, 14.1 IP, 13 BB, 14 K, 1.33 WHIP
Former Twins in the Minors (some of these also have been in the Big Leagues and those stats are above):
Luis Rivas (Buffalo - AAA- Cleveland) - .286/.330/.438 (30-105), 6-2B, 2-3B, 2-HR, 15-RBI, 3/4 SB
Michael Restovich (Columbus - AAA - Nationals) - .293/.362/.341 (12-41), 2-2B, 1-RBI
Tony Batista (Columbus - AAA - Nationals) - .290/.350/.542 (31-107), 7-2B, 1-3B, 6-HR, 22-RBI, 1-SB (just called up this week)
Brent Abernathy (Columbus - AAA - Nationals) - .213/.278/.258 (19-89), 4-2B, 6-RBI, 2-SB (had gone 2-7 with Ottawa before the Phillies organization traded him to the Nationals' organization)
Dustan Mohr (Durham - AAA - Devil Rays) - .189/.326/.378 (14-74), 5-2B, 3-HR, 8-RBI, 14 BB, 30 K
Michael Ryan (Indianapolis - AAA - Pirates) - .156/.208/.222 (7-45), 1-2B, 1-3B, 3-RBI
Chad Moeller (Louisville - AAA - Reds) - .250/.300/.500 (7-28), 4-2B, 1-HR, 5-RBI (just sent down)
Terry Tiffee (Norfolk - AAA - Orioles) - .275/.306/.333 (28-102), 1-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 12-RBI
JD Durbin (Ottawa - AAA - Phillies) - 0-1, 5.79 ERA, 1 GS, 4.2 IP, 0 BB, 7 K (start came against Red Wings. I won't mention his one Diambondbacks performance)
Alex Ochoa (Pawtucket - AAA - Red Sox) - .125/.165/.138 (10-80), 1-2B, 3-RBI, 4 BB, 16 K
Corky Miller (Richmond - AAA - Braves) - .226/.382/.321 (12-53) 2-2B, 1-HR, 5-RBI, 2/2 SB, 11 BB, 6 K
Todd Sears (Albuquerque - AAA - Marlins) - .433/.541/.667 (13-30), 4-2B, 1-HR, 6-RBI
Matt Kinney (Fresno - AAA - Giants) - 3-2, 2.87 ERA, 6 GS, 37.2 IP, 6 BB, 22 K, 1.01 WHIP (also hitting .364)
Joe Mays (Las Vegas - AAA - Dodgers) - 1-2, 4.58 ERA, 6 GS, 35.1 IP, 7 BB, 22 K, 1.27 WHIP
Mike Smith (Memphis - AAA - Cardinals) - 4-2, 5.30 ERA, 8 G, 5 GS, 35.2 IP, 7 BB, 26 K, 1.37 WHIP
Grant Balfour (Nashville - AAA - Brewers) - 0-0, 1 Save, 9.00 ERA, 3 G, 3 IP, 1 BB, 4 K, 1.00 WHIP (promoted here recently)
Grant Balfour (Huntsville - AA - Brewers) - 0-0, 2 Saves, 2.38 ERA, 8 G, 11.1 IP, 4 BB, 21 K, 1.06 WHIP
Danny Ardoin (Round Rock - AAA - Astros) - .193/.292/.228 (11-57), 2-2B, 0-RBI, 8 BB, 17 K
Augie Ojeda (Tucson - AAA - Diamondbacks) - .240/.250/.280 (6-25), 1-2B, 6-RBI
Minor League Names You May Remember:
Beau Kemp (Syracuse - AAA - Blue Jays) 0-3, 5.50 ERA, 10 G, 18 IP, 9 BB, 10 K, 1.56 WHIP
Brian Wolfe (Syracuse - AAA - Blue Jays) 0-0, 0.69 ERA, 9 G, 13 IP, 4 BB, 13 K, 0.85 WHIP
Kevin West (Oklahoma - AAA - Rangers) .269/.296/.359 (21-78), 4-2B, 1-HR, 5-RBI, 3 BB, 12 K)
Kevin West (Frisco - AA - Rangers) .297/.372/.486 (11-37), 1-2B, 2-HR, 6-RBI, 4 BB, 8 K (I would love to see West get a shot!)
Willie Eyre (Oklahoma - AAA - Rangers) 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 Save, 5 G, 7.1 IP, 1 BB, 8 K, 0.41 WHIP (hence the call up)
Alex Romero (Tucson - AAA - Diamondbacks) .288/.333/.413 (30-104), 9-2B, 2-3B, 13-RBI, 7 BB, 10 K
Henry Bonilla (Salt Lake - AAA - Angels) 4-1, 3.96 ERA, 7 GS, 38.2 IP, 12-BB, 22 K, 1.37 WHIP
Scott Tyler (Carolina - AA - Marlins) 0-1, 5.68 ERA, 1 Save, 10 G, 12.2 IP, 14 BB, 16 K, 1.89 WHIP (and for some reason, he was called up to the Fish, but didn't pitch)
Luis Maza (Jacksonville - AA - Dodgers) .237/.336/.371 (23-97), 2-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 8-RBI, 14-BB, 17-K (got three ABs in one game at AAA Las Vegas)
Shawn Wooten (San Antonio - AA - Padres) .294/.333/.294 (5-17), RBI
James Tomlin (Inland Island - Hi A - Dodgers) .333/.400/.333 (3-9) RBI, 2/3 SB
Kyle Phillips (Dunedin - Hi A - Devil Rays) .209/.217/.343 (14-67) 3-2B, 2-HR, 7-RBI
Now, did I leave anyone out? I suppose I could have included the likes of Jose Morban, Jason Pridie and Ryan Rowland-Smith, but I decided not to. If you know of others, or other former Twins or Twins minor leaguers in other systems, please leave some Comments or E-mail me. Also, looking at this list, are there any players, outside of David Ortiz, that the Twins could really use at this point? Casey Blake maybe? This Kyle Lohse (as opposed to the one Twins fans saw for six years!)?
TWINS THOUGHTS
The White Sox evened this series with a 6-3 win over the Twins. Here are some thoughts on the game and other notes on the Twins.
Ramon Ortiz had a rough first inning. He gave up four runs. Although the hits he allowed were on broken bats and bloopers, he walked two hitters that really hurt. That said, He went another five innings and gave up just one more run. I know it is almost a moral victory when a pitcher is solid after a bad first inning, but there is some truth to that. What was he supposed to do, throw in the towel, give up more runs and get the bullpen in their sooner. So, bad overall performance, but after the first inning, he was fine, so not a horrible outing.
The Catch - Torii Hunter made a pretty incredible catch. With the bases loaded and two outs, Hunter was playing shallow and a ball was hit to the fence. Hunter turned his back to the infield and ran and then found the ball. He very acrobatically made the catch, falling to the warning track hard and sliding into the fence. It really was a great catch. He then laid on the warning track for about a minute. I think that was just for dramatic effect.
He stayed in the game and later, he had an infield single to increase his hitting streak to 23 games,
Glen Perkins gave up a run in two innings, but he is definitely looking much more comfortable on the mound. Jesse Crain then struck out two in a perfect ninth.
Wow! Did Jason Kubel look bad in his 9th inning pinch-hit at bat. After having to take a strike because Bobby Jenks had thrown eight straight balls, he swung at a slider by his feet and a splitter in the dirt. Was I wrong about Kubel? (Note - I still don't think so!)
This afternoon, it is Carlos Silva going against Jose Contreras.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORTS
Wednesday SethSpeaks
Player of the Day – Luke Hughes,
New Britain Rockcats
Wednesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day –
Oswaldo Sosa, Ft. Myers
Miracle
Rochester 9, Toledo 11 - The Red Wings bats showed up in this game, unfortunately, the pitching just gave up more. David Gassner started and gave up five earned runs on six hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. Jason Miller came in and gave up just one run in the next 2.1 innings. Carmen Cali and Ricky Barrett combined for three shutout innings. Mike Venafro got one out, but he hit two batters and each came in to score. Julio DePaula got the final two outs (both strikeouts), but he also took the loss because he gave up three runs on three hits (including two home runs). Matt Tolbert and Matthew LeCroy each went 3-4. Alexi Casilla went 2-4 with a walk, a triple and three RBI. Denard Span was 2-4 with a walk. Lew Ford went 2-5 with two RBI.
New Britain 14, Harrisburg 2 - The Rockcats scored in double figures for the second straight game. Luke Hughes must have been getting some fastballs because he went 4-4 with his fourth double. Matt Allegra went 3-5. Gil Velazquez was 2-4 with a walk and four RBI. Kyle Geiger went 2-4 with four runs. Brian Buscher had two hits, including his 11th double. Brock Peterson had two doubles (7 on season). Brian Duensing was again the beneficiary of the run support, and he also pitched very well. He gave up two runs (1 earned) on six hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out five. Tim Lahey struck out two in two innings. Danny Powers pitched a perfect inning too.
Ft. Myers 0, Brevard County 1 - Steven Tolleson went 2-4 with his third double. Eli Tintor and Caleb Moore each had a single. That is it for the hits. Oswaldo Sosa pitched great! In seven innings he did not allow a run. He gave up three hits, walked just one and struck out four. Josh Hill took the loss. He went 1.2 innings and gave up the game-winning run. He did not allow a hit, but he did walk four.
Beloit 3, South Bend 6 - Steve Singleton continues to make me wonder why he was not on the Beloit roster to start the season. He went 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Six other Snappers had one hit. Adam Hawes took the loss. He gave up five runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out two. Jesus Carnevale pitched two perfect innings. It seems he has been used every game since he came to the team! Danny Vais gave up a run on two hits in one inning.
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