Down on the Farm - 2012 Edition

[Gaddabout]

The thread to discuss prospect progress. Maybe a sticky thread?

Chase Anderson is having a really nice season in Mobile. I know he's 25 and the D-Backs have moved him up slowly since drafting in 2009, but it looks like it's paying off. All of his numbers suggest he should be in Reno.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502624

Adam Eaton was having a nice start in Mobile so he apparently got bumped up to Reno, where pitchers can't get him out. He's also collecting the OLDER Adam Eaton's paychecks (actual, literal MLB payroll accident).

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=594809

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/157885

 

[ASUCHRIS]

The thread to discuss prospect progress. Maybe a sticky thread?

Chase Anderson is having a really nice season in Mobile. I know he's 25 and the D-Backs have moved him up slowly since drafting in 2009, but it looks like it's paying off. All of his numbers suggest he should be in Reno.

Don't the D-Backs typically keep their MLB ready pitchers in Mobile as opposed to Reno because it's a more realistic hitting environment? From what I remember, the PCL messes with their heads because its such a hitters league.

 

[Gaddabout]

Don't the D-Backs typically keep their MLB ready pitchers in Mobile as opposed to Reno because it's a more realistic hitting environment? From what I remember, the PCL messes with their heads because its such a hitters league.

It's high elevation, I guess. I don't know why, but the PCL has become the place where the D-Backs keep their backup vets. But it's not generally a place where you send top prospects, for reasons that are unclear to me. Mobile is a great place for a pitcher because the humidity gives you some extra spin and the ball is heavier. Everyone is young with high expectations. I think if you send a kid to AAA, it's like sending a teenager to a biker gang party. A bunch of 35-year-old not-quites, has-beens, and perennial MLB benchers on a roster with a few dots of potential. You probably don't want kids picking up their bad habits (or attitudes).

 

[82CardsGrad]

It's high elevation, I guess. I don't know why, but the PCL has become the place where the D-Backs keep their backup vets. But it's not generally a place where you send top prospects, for reasons that are unclear to me. Mobile is a great place for a pitcher because the humidity gives you some extra spin and the ball is heavier. Everyone is young with high expectations. I think if you send a kid to AAA, it's like sending a teenager to a biker gang party. A bunch of 35-year-old not-quites, has-beens, and perennial MLB benchers on a roster with a few dots of potential. You probably don't want kids picking up their bad habits (or attitudes).

Reno is managed by a very strong, well-principled man in Brett Butler. I happen to know Brett and IMHO, if there was ever a guy/manager you would want your young guys to be around, it's Brett.

I also am beginning to wonder if a guy like Goldie was actually hurt by not spending time at Reno. In fact, I am now of the belief that he would be better off being sent there versus continuing to aimlessly struggle in the bigs...

 

[Gaddabout]

Reno is managed by a very strong, well-principled man in Brett Butler. I happen to know Brett and IMHO, if there was ever a guy/manager you would want your young guys to be around, it's Brett.

I also am beginning to wonder if a guy like Goldie was actually hurt by not spending time at Reno. In fact, I am now of the belief that he would be better off being sent there versus continuing to aimlessly struggle in the bigs...

Butler's a little wacky, and I don't mean in a funny/ha ha kind of way, but I'll take your word for it otherwise.

 

[azsportsfan01]

It's high elevation, I guess. I don't know why, but the PCL has become the place where the D-Backs keep their backup vets. But it's not generally a place where you send top prospects, for reasons that are unclear to me. Mobile is a great place for a pitcher because the humidity gives you some extra spin and the ball is heavier. Everyone is young with high expectations. I think if you send a kid to AAA, it's like sending a teenager to a biker gang party. A bunch of 35-year-old not-quites, has-beens, and perennial MLB benchers on a roster with a few dots of potential. You probably don't want kids picking up their bad habits (or attitudes).

AAA has become a place for emergency players. Rarely do you see teams send top prospects to AAA, especially in the PCL.

 

[overseascardfan]

You have the usual suspects on everyone's radar, early round draft picks like:

Bobby Borchering
Matt Davidson
Chris Owings
Ryan Wheeler
Archie Bradley
Marc Krauss
Trevor Bauer
Tyler Skaggs
David Holmberg
Charles Brewer

The guy I had no idea was on the farm is Josh Bell, the former uber prospect in the Dodgers system who got traded to BAL for George Sherrill. He is raking down in Reno hitting .330 + with 4 HR's. I would like to see him called up soon.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Butler's a little wacky, and I don't mean in a funny/ha ha kind of way, but I'll take your word for it otherwise.

He's got quite a life story Matt... it's a miracle he's still with us. He's got endless energy and passion and I think those attributes, more than anything else has garnered the "whacky" reputation...
I can say that I know of no other person as tough as Brett. He's an amazing man and one that instantly gains your respect the second you meet him.

 

[Gaddabout]

The guy I had no idea was on the farm is Josh Bell, the former uber prospect in the Dodgers system who got traded to BAL for George Sherrill. He is raking down in Reno hitting .330 + with 4 HR's. I would like to see him called up soon.

That trade just happened like a month ago and completed a few days ago. D-Backs sent the O's LHP Michael Belfiore, whom they drafted with a compensation pick (IIRC) back in 2009. D-Backs stalked the O's for him. Heard the Dodgers actually wanted to re-acquire him.

Gotta like a 25-year-old switch-hitting 3B who seems to have found a will to match his superstar gifts, but he has been awful up until now. Like .096 last year in AAA bad.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Bauer bumped up to Reno and is starting this Friday!!

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Bauer bumped up to Reno and is starting this Friday!!

Odd...not sure what that means. With Hudson coming back soon, it seems unlikely that anyone else would be losing their rotation spot.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Odd...not sure what that means. With Hudson coming back soon, it seems unlikely that anyone else would be losing their rotation spot.

I have no doubt that trade considerations are already being considered... The D-Backs simply have too many arms and not enough bats. They need to acquire a legit bat via a trade.
Not sure which way they'll go as there are a ton of possibilities...

I wouldn't be surprised to see a package of arms like Corbin/Shaw, Saunders/Shaw... Of course, in order to get anything in value you have to part with value... so, they might need to toss in someone like Skaggs...but I REALLY hope they find another avenue to take as I'd hate to see Skaggs go before seeing him in the bigs with us!

 

[AZ Native]

I agree. I would hate to see us get ride of Skaggs or Bauer before giving them a chance in the Bigs. I wonder if we are considering trading any underperforming bats along with an arm.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I agree. I would hate to see us get ride of Skaggs or Bauer before giving them a chance in the Bigs. I wonder if we are considering trading any underperforming bats along with an arm.

I wouldn't be surprised if guys like Roberts or Ransom are being used as trade bait as well... Particularly Ransom given his positive start to this season. Just not sure how much guys like that will net in return. And frankly, I'm not even sure what is truly available to this team in the way of quality bats... We can't afford to dump players and get Aaron Hill's or Ryan Roberts in return.

Should be interesting though...

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I have no doubt that trade considerations are already being considered... The D-Backs simply have too many arms and not enough bats. They need to acquire a legit bat via a trade.
Not sure which way they'll go as there are a ton of possibilities...

I wouldn't be surprised to see a package of arms like Corbin/Shaw, Saunders/Shaw... Of course, in order to get anything in value you have to part with value... so, they might need to toss in someone like Skaggs...but I REALLY hope they find another avenue to take as I'd hate to see Skaggs go before seeing him in the bigs with us!

Yeah, we're in a really tough spot right now. Our starters are decent enough when Hudson is back and our bullpen has been excellent in May. We'd have a much better record if our offense, and specifically Upton wasn't so putrid.

At this point, what is the solution? There are no obvious bats to bring up, and almost the entire lineup is hitting below expectation. Maybe the answer is just to wait for Young/Hudson/Drew to come back, and hope that cures what ails us. (Or just have Upton get his head out of his ass)

I really don't see a much better alternative at this point, and would HATE to give up a guy like Shaw in any trade. His combination of velocity and movement is pretty rare.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yeah, we're in a really tough spot right now. Our starters are decent enough when Hudson is back and our bullpen has been excellent in May. We'd have a much better record if our offense, and specifically Upton wasn't so putrid.

At this point, what is the solution? There are no obvious bats to bring up, and almost the entire lineup is hitting below expectation. Maybe the answer is just to wait for Young/Hudson/Drew to come back, and hope that cures what ails us. (Or just have Upton get his head out of his ass)

I really don't see a much better alternative at this point, and would HATE to give up a guy like Shaw in any trade. His combination of velocity and movement is pretty rare.

Man... it's sad when we are pinning our hopes on the return of a career .242 hitter (CY). Sadly, there really aren't a ton of exciting options available to this team. In order for the D-Backs to be successful, it takes combination of Upton playing up to or at least close to his potential, our pitching being solid across the board, and getting key contributions from guys like CY, Goldie, Parra and Miggy.

We know CY will tail off at some point and float back down to his career averaged. Which, could be workable if Upton get his head out of his ass as you say, and Goldie were to show up, and Parra and Miggy become more consistent contributors...

And speaking of Miggy - I would not at all be surprised if he is also being tossed into the trade mix as I believe he's a free agent next year. Not sure the D-Backs are going to be able to pay him...

 

[overseascardfan]

I have no doubt that trade considerations are already being considered... The D-Backs simply have too many arms and not enough bats. They need to acquire a legit bat via a trade.
Not sure which way they'll go as there are a ton of possibilities...

I wouldn't be surprised to see a package of arms like Corbin/Shaw, Saunders/Shaw... Of course, in order to get anything in value you have to part with value... so, they might need to toss in someone like Skaggs...but I REALLY hope they find another avenue to take as I'd hate to see Skaggs go before seeing him in the bigs with us!

Maybe Kennedy is on the block. He would probably be the best big league trade chip we have. He could bring us the 3B with some pop we need. Promoting Bauer to replace the ace of the staff makes sense.

 

[overseascardfan]

Odd...not sure what that means. With Hudson coming back soon, it seems unlikely that anyone else would be losing their rotation spot.

No starter has secured their spot. Bauer easily would be an upgrade over anyone including Kennedy.

 

[Gaddabout]

Ransom has ZERO trade value.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Ransom has ZERO trade value.

Yea... just can't even muster an attempt to argue that...

 

[82CardsGrad]

No starter has secured their spot. Bauer easily would be an upgrade over anyone including Kennedy.

Yet to be proved... Kennedy is about as reliable as they come. I hope to GOD Bauer proves to be as reliable as Kennedy!

 

[Gaddabout]

No starter has secured their spot. Bauer easily would be an upgrade over anyone including Kennedy.

Hmmm. Is this the Backup QB Theory?

I find your statement amazing, especially since Bauer has yet to throw a single pitch to a MLB hitter. If it's taking him 115 pitches to get through 6/7 innings in AA, it's sort of terrifying to think how he'd get through that same stretch in the bigs. This is not a video game. He's not the perfect prospect -- he still has a few warts.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

No starter has secured their spot. Bauer easily would be an upgrade over anyone including Kennedy.

Please. Kennedy was a Cy Young candidate last year, and Bauer has pitched exactly 0 innings in the major leagues.

Let's see Bauer have some big league success before we make ridiculous proclamations.

 

[overseascardfan]

Please. Kennedy was a Cy Young candidate last year, and Bauer has pitched exactly 0 innings in the major leagues.

Let's see Bauer have some big league success before we make ridiculous proclamations.

Hmmm. Is this the Backup QB Theory?

I find your statement amazing, especially since Bauer has yet to throw a single pitch to a MLB hitter. If it's taking him 115 pitches to get through 6/7 innings in AA, it's sort of terrifying to think how he'd get through that same stretch in the bigs. This is not a video game. He's not the perfect prospect -- he still has a few warts.

Scouts felt that Bauer was ML ready when we drafted him and speculated he would be up in the bigs at some point this season. Prior to last year Kennedy was nowhere near "Ace" status and until he can prove last year wasn't a fluke like most players on the roster it is very possible Bauer is on his level, hell look at his stats so far. As for the 115 pitch comment, he is known for throwing a lot of pitches so this shouldn't be a concern.

 

[Gaddabout]

As for the 115 pitch comment, he is known for throwing a lot of pitches so this shouldn't be a concern.

If you can't get to 7 innings under 100 pitches, you can't go more than 7 innings most days, and you can't be an ace. That's 3-5 starter/innings eater kind of stuff. It doesn't matter what kind of shape he's in and how right he is about his durability, everyone's stuff starts to flatten out and slow down after 80 pitches. After 100, every pitcher is running on savvy and wits.