Around the Bases - July 3, 2009

Matusz has allowed only 1 ER in his last 40 innings

You can cross these names off your shopping list…
The biggest names in the International Market to sign on the first day were Wagner Mateo, OF signing with the Cardinals for $3.1MM; Gary Sanchez, C signing with the Yankees for $2.8MM; and Jose Pena, RF signing with the Cardinals in the day's best bargain for $400k.


Speaking of International Players…
Keep your eye on 17yo, Grabiel Hernandez, SS of the Cardinals, who went 4 for 4 yesterday with a walk and hit for the cycle. Over his last 8 games he has posted a .469/.553/.750 and is now 3rd in the Dominican Summer League in AVG, 4th in OBP, and 4th in SLG.

Maybe he really is more than a Relief Pitcher…
When the Cardinals drafted former wunderkind, Robert Stock, in the second round a few weeks ago, it was a little bit of a surprise. When they told everyone they were drafting him as a Catcher not as a Relief Pitcher where he experienced most of his collegiate success, it was a shock. But after yesterday’s 2 for 3 with a home run and a double, his OPS stands at 1.031…and the baseball world is scratching their heads and going hmmmmm.

I guess this isn’t Fort Wayne anymore Toto…
After Nick Schmidt proved to the world that he was fully recovered from 2007 Tommy John surgery by destroying Midwest League hitters to the tune of a 2.79 ERA in 13 appearances, things appeared to be looking up for his once uncertain career. Two starts in the California League haven’t gone so well. Yesterday, in 1 2/3 innings, he yielded 7 Runs, on 5 hits and 4 walks, leaving his ERA at 12.91.

They just keep coming…
The Braves have already graduated Kris Medlin and Tommy Hanson to the Majors this season, but 22yo, left-hander, Scott Diamond, doesn’t intend to be forgotten. Diamond has a 3.21 ERA through 15 Southern (SOL) League starts, after last night’s 8 scoreless inning performance where he struck out 8, while allowing 2 hits and 3 walks.

And Oakland isn’t much different…
Already possessing one of the Major’s youngest rotations, not including Dana Eveland waiting in AAA, the A’s 2007 first round pick, James Simmons is making some noise. Yesterday he threw a complete game, allowing 1run, on 6 hits and a walk.

Ugly performance of the day…
Belongs to Matt McBride of the Indians, who went 0 for 7 with two strikeouts in a doubleheader.

I think he’s almost ready…
The Orioles’ 22yo, left-hander, Brian Matusz threw 7 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks, while fanning 6. Through 3 Eastern (ESL) League starts he now has a 0.49 ERA and has fanned 21 in 18 IP.

We’ve mentioned it before but…
Since he keeps posting solid numbers, we thought we’d mention again how much we really like the Angels 7th round pick from last June’s draft, Will Smith. The 19yo tossed 7 scoreless innings yesterday, allowing but 2 hits and a walk, while fanning 6. This gives him a 3.26 ERA in 13 Midwest (MWL) League starts.