According to Stacy Long over in Montgomery, Calvin Medlock is coming to the Durham Bulls.
Medlock started last season with the Bulls and stayed with us all season (he had 9 appearances with us in 2007). According to my numbers he appeared in 41 games (including two playoff games), 0-3, 63 innings, with a season ERA of 4.57. It looks like he’s been Montgomery’s closer this year, and has done an impressive job. He’s appeared in 23 games and has 13 (!) saves. Since Montgomery has won 26 games Medlock appears to have had a hand in half of those wins. Overall record 0-1, ERA 3.52. [Just found this article on Medlock's move, also in Montgomery Advertiser]
Don’t know why he started the year in Montgomery and not quite sure how he fits into a bullpen that already has two closers (Thayer and Abreu). And it sure looks like it punches a big hole in Montgomery’s pitching staff. On the other hand, maybe it’s his time. We need some depth among our relievers and we can hope he’s our man.
Could this mean that another one of our guys is on the way back to the Rays?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bulls on the Bay*
Game 53: Bulls 2, Mud Hens 5
Season: 34-19
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun Story, Indy Week Story
I don’t have anything particularly worthwhile to write about yesterday’s game, except to point out amid all the talk about Durham Bulls pitchers’ strikeouts (17, a season high) that the Mud Hen’s OPS was 1.018, implying one of the worst overall pitching performances this year.
Instead let’s take a look at the players who started the year with the Bulls and are now with the Rays.
So, here’s a trivia question: Who’s on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster who is still with the Durham Bulls? Just three players: Pitcher Mitch Talbot (on DL), outfielder Justin Ruggiano, and infielder Elliot Johnson (currently on DL). In other words, there ain’t hardly anyone left for them to take away from us. We can plan on going with what we’ve got for a least a few more days.
*As a former resident of the Tampa Bay area, in that time when the City of St Petersburg was in its “If we build it, they will come” phase (note: they did and they did), I am aware that Tropicana Field isn’t on the Bay. But what is on the Bay besides a port terminal whose major export is phosphates and whose major import is, get this, orange juice?
Season: 34-19
Wrap, Box, Herald-Sun Story, Indy Week Story
I don’t have anything particularly worthwhile to write about yesterday’s game, except to point out amid all the talk about Durham Bulls pitchers’ strikeouts (17, a season high) that the Mud Hen’s OPS was 1.018, implying one of the worst overall pitching performances this year.
Instead let’s take a look at the players who started the year with the Bulls and are now with the Rays.
- Michel Hernandez, catcher. Michel’s last game with us was on April 13 (boy, that seems like a long time ago). He was called to the Rays to fill in for backup catcher Shawn Riggins, who remains on the disabled list. His first appearance with the Rays was April 15 and he’s played in a total of 13 games since then. At bat he’s hitting .289. Not a single passed ball. And he’s stolen 5 bases. Riggans seems to be a fragile guy. I’m not sure we’ll see Michel back here again.
- Reid Brignac, infielder. Reid was essentially our starting shortstop and played in 36 games, his last being May 21. His first game for Tampa Bay was on May 22 where he came in the game for Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett. Since then he’s appeared in 11 games (2 at second base, 9 at short), but only started 6 games. He’s hitting .231 with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. Not sure he’ll stay there once the Rays sort out the health of their infield crew.
- David Price, pitcher. David started 8 games as a Bull. His record was 1-4 with an ERA of 3.93. He got his first start as a Ray on May 25, filling in for DL’d Kazmir. He has now started 2 games. His record is 1-0 and his ERA is 3.00. Assuming he stays as a starter, the Rays have to figure out who to send to the bullpen, trade, or send to us. Given the various complexities of how that works, I don’t figure to see him back in Durham.
- Randy Choate, pitcher. Randy was doing a terrific job as a short reliever for the Bulls (21 appearances, usually only a few batters, 3-0, ERA of 3.72). His first appearance for the Rays was on May 25 and he’s had a total of 4. 3 innings pitched. 2 saves. The Rays have three relievers on the disabled list, one of whom (Chad Bradford) is likely to transit Durham on a rehab assignment soon. Can’t knock his performance with the Rays, but I’m betting we’ll see him back here.
- Joe Dillon, infielder. Joe played 14 games for us (part of the Adam Kennedy deal, I think), and played every infield position (and dh’d) while he was here. His first game with the Rays was on May 27. He has not started in a single game, but has appeared in 5 and is hitting .182 in 11 at bats. He was hitting .262 with us. I don’t understand the business of baseball well enough to guess if he’ll be back, but he sure isn’t seeing much playing time with the Rays.
- Matt Joyce, outfielder. Matt started the year in Tampa, then came to Durham where he was a regular (41 games), playing all the outfield positions and dh’ing a couple of times. Solid numbers with us, but clearly a young man on his way to a permanent spot with the Rays. His first game with Tampa Bay was May 31. He’s played in 3 games so far and is doing very, very well. Tampa Bay has been playing a very odd game all year with their right fielders, a “platoon” system that doesn’t seem to be working very well. I don’t think we’ll see Matt back here. Happy to have him, mind you, but the Rays are smarter than that (I think).
- Dale Thayer, pitcher. Got to mention reliever Dale Thayer. He’s already back, but he had three appearances with the Rays in late May and picked up a save. Happy to have him back. With Dale and Winston Abreu in the bullpen, we’re not likely to lose a game that we’re ahead in the 8th or 9th.
So, here’s a trivia question: Who’s on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster who is still with the Durham Bulls? Just three players: Pitcher Mitch Talbot (on DL), outfielder Justin Ruggiano, and infielder Elliot Johnson (currently on DL). In other words, there ain’t hardly anyone left for them to take away from us. We can plan on going with what we’ve got for a least a few more days.
*As a former resident of the Tampa Bay area, in that time when the City of St Petersburg was in its “If we build it, they will come” phase (note: they did and they did), I am aware that Tropicana Field isn’t on the Bay. But what is on the Bay besides a port terminal whose major export is phosphates and whose major import is, get this, orange juice?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Faith Rewarded
Game 52: Bulls 6, Mud Hens 5 (11 innings)
Season: 34-18
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story
To be honest, last night’s game was a bit dull through the first eight innings. Sure, Ray Sadler dove over the bullpen bench railing and was laid out for a while. But then he went back on the field and his next turn at bat messed up the Mud Hen’s Chris Lambert’s perfect game with a homer. But up until the 8th the most interesting thing that had happened was reliever Dale Thayer finding a new kind of “save”.
In the interregnum between the 2nd and 3rd innings a small child “races” Wool E. Bull around the bases, the child taking off towards first and Wool E. heading the reverse direction. This time the child reached first and kept on going. She was motoring down the foul line heading for the right field wall when Dale came out of the bullpen dugout and herded her back to the base path, to the great amusement of all.
We pretty much gave up at the top of the eighth. The Bulls were down 4-2. However, unlike in a previous game, we decided to watch it out from the terrace on top of the Blue Monster. That’s a really cool place to watch a game from, and an especially cool place to watch a Durham Bull (Chris Nowak) launch one right over the bull (that’s me standing under the bull in the video highlights). And a GREAT place to hear the THUMP of Ruggiano’s hit off the wall in the 11th for the win.
Cannot fail to mention the umpiring last night. I suppose it came out OK in the end, but that really wasn’t a homer in the 4th guys. And that really was a foul ball in Toledo’s 9th. And tossing two guys for arguing balls and strikes? What’s with that? They’ll rotate around today. Let’s hope they do better.
Good quotes in the Herald-Sun and Indy week stories.
Season: 34-18
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story
To be honest, last night’s game was a bit dull through the first eight innings. Sure, Ray Sadler dove over the bullpen bench railing and was laid out for a while. But then he went back on the field and his next turn at bat messed up the Mud Hen’s Chris Lambert’s perfect game with a homer. But up until the 8th the most interesting thing that had happened was reliever Dale Thayer finding a new kind of “save”.
In the interregnum between the 2nd and 3rd innings a small child “races” Wool E. Bull around the bases, the child taking off towards first and Wool E. heading the reverse direction. This time the child reached first and kept on going. She was motoring down the foul line heading for the right field wall when Dale came out of the bullpen dugout and herded her back to the base path, to the great amusement of all.
We pretty much gave up at the top of the eighth. The Bulls were down 4-2. However, unlike in a previous game, we decided to watch it out from the terrace on top of the Blue Monster. That’s a really cool place to watch a game from, and an especially cool place to watch a Durham Bull (Chris Nowak) launch one right over the bull (that’s me standing under the bull in the video highlights). And a GREAT place to hear the THUMP of Ruggiano’s hit off the wall in the 11th for the win.
Cannot fail to mention the umpiring last night. I suppose it came out OK in the end, but that really wasn’t a homer in the 4th guys. And that really was a foul ball in Toledo’s 9th. And tossing two guys for arguing balls and strikes? What’s with that? They’ll rotate around today. Let’s hope they do better.
Good quotes in the Herald-Sun and Indy week stories.
More Moves
According to Stacy Long with the Montgomery Advertiser
- Chris Mason is going back to the Biscuits and
- Jason Cromer is coming to the Durham Bulls. Cromer was with us for two games at the beginning of the season and looked really good. My guess is that he’ll take Mitch Talbot’s spot in the rotation while Talbot’s on the DL.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Roster Change
Per email from Matt DeMargel of the Bulls:
- Mitch Talbot to the 7-day disabled list (arm).
- Chris Richard off the DL (yeah!)
Welcome to the Bulls!
Game 51: Bulls 6, Bisons 4
Season: 33-18
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story
The stories linked above tell you about the game. I want to talk about a guy who is thousands of miles away from his raisin’, as they say around here, who sure looks like he’s found a home in Durham, shortstop Brandon Chaves. After 8 years as a professional, never above AA ball, this native of Hawaii showed up when we were in Rochester (from the Montgomery Biscuits) on May 26th. His first game he went 0-3 with a walk. After that he announced himself to the Bulls and at least this fan. As of yesterday he’s hitting .522 with 12 hits in 23 at bats and 5 walks (only 3 strikeouts). His OBP is .621. His OPS is 1.186! He’s hitting .750 with runners in scoring position. He’s got 5 RBIs. In the field? Seven games, seven double plays. Errors? 0. His Fielding Percentage is 1.000. What else can I tell you about this guy except that he’s fun to watch. I know it’s a small sample, but if “the diamond” (catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second base, center field) is the key to team defense, Chaves is filling the hole left by Brignac more than adequately. In fact, if he keeps it up, Reid may have a bit of a problem when he comes back. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying watching this guy play.
Welcome to Durham, Brandon. Have fun! Here’s hoping you help us get the Governor’s Cup.
I guess that it’s time for our section of the stands to stop hoarding peanut shells and invite Adam Sobsey down from his perch in the press box. It looks like he didn’t jinx the series against the Bisons. Now it’s time to welcome the second-most famous minor league baseball team in America, the Toledo Mud Hens. Our guys achieved lasting fame through the story of a worn-out catcher and rising phenom competing for the attentions of a local baseball Annie. Their guys achieved fame through the exploits of a cross-dressing Army clerk wearing a Mud Hens hat. Sounds like a match-up to me.
Season: 33-18
Wrap, Box, Indy Week Story, Herald-Sun Story
The stories linked above tell you about the game. I want to talk about a guy who is thousands of miles away from his raisin’, as they say around here, who sure looks like he’s found a home in Durham, shortstop Brandon Chaves. After 8 years as a professional, never above AA ball, this native of Hawaii showed up when we were in Rochester (from the Montgomery Biscuits) on May 26th. His first game he went 0-3 with a walk. After that he announced himself to the Bulls and at least this fan. As of yesterday he’s hitting .522 with 12 hits in 23 at bats and 5 walks (only 3 strikeouts). His OBP is .621. His OPS is 1.186! He’s hitting .750 with runners in scoring position. He’s got 5 RBIs. In the field? Seven games, seven double plays. Errors? 0. His Fielding Percentage is 1.000. What else can I tell you about this guy except that he’s fun to watch. I know it’s a small sample, but if “the diamond” (catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second base, center field) is the key to team defense, Chaves is filling the hole left by Brignac more than adequately. In fact, if he keeps it up, Reid may have a bit of a problem when he comes back. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying watching this guy play.
Welcome to Durham, Brandon. Have fun! Here’s hoping you help us get the Governor’s Cup.
I guess that it’s time for our section of the stands to stop hoarding peanut shells and invite Adam Sobsey down from his perch in the press box. It looks like he didn’t jinx the series against the Bisons. Now it’s time to welcome the second-most famous minor league baseball team in America, the Toledo Mud Hens. Our guys achieved lasting fame through the story of a worn-out catcher and rising phenom competing for the attentions of a local baseball Annie. Their guys achieved fame through the exploits of a cross-dressing Army clerk wearing a Mud Hens hat. Sounds like a match-up to me.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Charts
click chart to enlargeWe’re at 50 games, ten times through the rotation, so time to take another look.
The performance chart looks pretty good. A small change in the chart from last time is that I’ve added a “season” bar at the end. A modest concern is that the hitting and pitching trends are trending down. However, we’re still winning. If it were to persist, though, then we might need to start worrying.
The pitching chart shows the terrific job that relievers Abreu, Thayer, and Bateman have been doing. Davis and Hernandez are obviously the stalwarts of the starting crew. A minor note for those who look at these charts but don’t follow the Bulls all that closely, the Hall data reflect my somewhat warped sense of humor. Matt Hall is a position player thrown the the wolves the other day who did a fine job for 1 inning.
The last chart is the really pretty one. If we keep this up, we will continue on with the great year we’re having.
See this post and this one for some of the logic behind the charts.
Webworld
- Rays Party on Rashad Eldridge
- Tampa Tribune on Joyce coming to the Rays (Joyce is from the Tampa area, actually went to the same high school my as my daughter).
- Adam Sobsey concedes that walks are boring, and gets some good quotes from Rays’ executive Chaim Bloom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
