RealGM

We need a place for this business. How about here?

I really don't think this is a very good spot.

Let's take a poll of people who care.

OK, Pawtucket (AAA), Portland (AA), Lancaster (Hi-A) and Greenville (Lo-A) all open on April 5. Lowell (Short Season-A) starts June 19.

Interesting prospects in AAA: Delcarmen (RHP), Kottaras (C), Moss (LF), Murphy (CF), Spann (3B), Hansen (RHP), Martinez (RHP), Hansack (RHP), Pauley (RHP), Alvarez (LHP), Gabbard (LHP). Also, McEwing (2B, SS), Ochoa (RF), Corey (RHP) and Breslow (LHP) could see time in Boston if anyone gets injured.

AA: Buchholz (RHP), Hottovy (LHP), Bryce Cox (RHP), Kyle Jackson (RHP), Jeff Natale (2B), Jed Lowrie (SS), Ellsbury (CF), Corsaletti (RF)

Hi-A: Bowden (RHP), Masterson (RHP), Bard (RHP), Kris Johnson (RHP), Mike Rozier (LHP), Tony Granadillo (2B, 3B), Zach Daeges (3B), Chris Turner (LF), Luis Soto (RF). This team is absolutely stacked and they're playing in the most hitter friendly park in the minors. So keep that in mind if you're looking at any stats for these guys.

Lo-A: Lester (LHP), Dustin Richardson (LHP), Josh Papelbon (RHP), Jordan Craft (RHP), Jon Egan (C), Lars Anderson (1B), Kris Negron (2B), Argenis Diaz (SS), Carlos Fernandez-Oliva (LF), Jason Place (CF), Reid Engel (RF), Mickey Hall (DH). Very awesome outfield and Lars Anderson is just beastly. Plus I love Kris Negron.

Lowell's roster hasn't been announced, but some names likely include Caleb Clay (RHP), Ryan Kalish (OF), Chih-Hsien Chiang (2B), Josh Reddick (OF). Chiang is awesome.

Obviously there are more players on these teams, but I just listed the major prospects or guys I like.

Lancaster's rotation is absolutely money.

I really want to see how both Beltre and Tejeda do this season.

kobeSTOPkobeDONT wrote:Lancaster's rotation is absolutely money.

It sucks that it'll be all but impossible to put up an ERA under 5 in that park, though.

Beltre and Tejeda are in Extended Spring Training now and will probably head to the Gulf Coast League whenever that starts up. Tejeda is at short and Beltre is manning centerfield.

That's nuts that the two 16 year old Dominicans are coming to America straight after signing. That=really really nuts. Usually, they spend a year in the DSL and then come and play in the CGL and then, at 18, start at low A ball. Theo and Co. are really pushing the ball on this.

I've been interested in Mitch Denning since he signed with the Sox because I have a soft spot for Aussies. I want to see what the kid can do seeing as how I've been pining for him for a years plus now. mahalo
~Chach~

Luis Sumoza is also another really young guy to watch out for. He was in the GCL last year as a 17 year old (Beltre and Tejeda are 17, too). He only hit .205/.262/.291, though. But all of his tools are above average.

Overall, that GCL team looks pretty talented. Ty Weeden has a lot of power and athleticism behind the plate, Willy Mota is making the conversion to pitcher after flopping bigtime as an OF.

Nice-- Jon Lester will be starting the opener for Gabe Kapler's club tonight, the Greenville Drive. Lars Anderson makes his debut as well, I believe.

Chach wrote:That's nuts that the two 16 year old Dominicans are coming to America straight after signing. That=really really nuts. Usually, they spend a year in the DSL and then come and play in the CGL and then, at 18, start at low A ball. Theo and Co. are really pushing the ball on this.

~

I

Portland has its first game snowed out. Who decided it would be a good idea to have April baseball in Maine?

Hey, look at that--Brandon Moss starts off his season with a Grand Slam.

Lester has thrown 3 scoreless innings so far. 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.

Jason Place has a double in his 1st AB and Lars Anderson is 0-1. Both are due up this inning.

Bowden goes tonight for Lancaster at 9:30 PM EST.

Lester with 4 scoreless innings, 1 hit allowed, 1 walk and 5 K's. Jason Place with 2-2 with a double and Lars Anderson is 0-2.

Bowden's start gets underway in 30 minutes.

Bowden has had an OK night so far. 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R (0 ER), 4:1 K:BB, 1 HR. 4 ground outs, 1 fly out.

Get ready for some wacky scores in Lancaster this season.

Manny Delcarmen was dealing in Pawtucket until he gave up a 2-R shot. But he still struck out 4 in 2 IP. Corey and Timlin both pitched an inning without giving up a hit, walk or striking anyone out.

Greenville is locked in a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the 10th!

EDIT: Bowden's final line: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 K, BB, HR, 9 ground outs to 1 flyout.

Big day today. Hansack, Buchholz and Bard all pitch. Well, Buchholz was supposed to pitch but obviously Portland has to meet its quota of 35 postponements.

Who decided to start April games in Portland? Let the Sea Dogs travel for the first month of the season.

I have a bad feeling about Bard in that ballpark. He's a guy who gets flustered easily and he's going to give up his fair share of popup homers.

Hansack with 10 K in 5.67 IP. Nasty.

Bleeding Green wrote:Hansack with 10 K in 5.67 IP. Nasty.

Whew.

Dan Bard was less than spectacular in his professional debut: 2.67 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, BB, K, HR. 5:2 Ground:Fly.

But Bryce Cox is filthy. 2.33 IP, 4 K, 2 BB. 2:0 Ground:Fly. He's going to be something special.

Antonio Granadillo, 2B sleeper, hit his first homer of the season.

Brandon Moss continued his hot streak as he went 2-4 with a double. Murphy went 2-5, both singles.

Craig Hansen with 2 shutout innings. He allowed 1 hit, one walk and struck out 4.

For Greenville, Lars Anderson went 2-4 with a double and K. Jason Place 0-3 with a walk and run. Argenis Diaz went 2-3 with a run. Mickey Hall went 2-4--he's a guy I'd really like to see do well. He can work the strike zone and he has great power potential.

Phillip Hughes, Yankees top pitching prospect, had a good start as well. 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 9 ground outs to 0 flyouts.

Bleeding Green wrote:But Bryce Cox is filthy. 2.33 IP, 4 K, 2 BB. 2:0 Ground:Fly. He's going to be something special.

That was Tim Cox. Bryce Cox is already at AA and they've been postponed every game so far; including today.