Farmers Only: Yonder!

by BK on Apr 22, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in Farmers only

There was a full slate of exciting games last night, which all would have been better than watching the big league club suck in Chicago.

Alonso

Louisville won a close one in Columbus, 3-2. Homer Bailey started the game for the Bats, and had his first good start of the season, going 6 innings, giving up 2 runs, and striking out 3. The bullpen was nails too, with Adam Pettyjohn throwing 2 hitless innings and Robert Manuel pitching the 9th for his second save of the season. Break up the Bats, they've won 4 straight, in a strikingly similar fashion to the Reds recently... without much hitting. Wes Bankston had a hit with 2 RBI, and Norris Hopper, Adam Rosales, and Craig Tatum all had one hit each. Those four guys were the only ones in tonight's Bats lineup batting over .200. Up next: Ramon Ramirez takes the hill in the finale at 11:35 AM ET.
Tough loss for the Mudcats, as they lose a close one 2-1 to Huntsville. Carolina starter Travis Wood was the story of this one, taking a no-hitter into the 7th. He allowed two runners in the inning (on a hit and walk), and Derrik Lutz allowed both of them to score. Wood is 0-2 right now, but is posting a 0.57 ERA, which is why W-L record is a terrible statistic. Sean Watson also pitched a perfect inning of relief. Not much offense in this one... Todd Frazier had 2 of the 4 Mudcat hits. Up next: Day game today at 11:00 AM.
Sarasota won 7-5 over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on a brilliant performance by Yonder Alonso. Yonder went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and a HR, and 4 RBI total. Dan Perales and Justin Reed added two hits each as well, which was good because the pitching wasn't. Up next: Zach Stewart is scheduled to start tonight at Charlotte, a 7:05 start.

Fairel

Dayton blew a 5 run lead in the 8th to lose their 9th in a row, 7-6 to Great Lakes. It's a shame too, because an awesome start by Matt Fairel was pretty much wasted in the late innings. Fairel gave up 1 run in 6 innings, striking out 12 (!) and walking only 1. Unfortunately, Aguido Gonzalez gave up 4 in the 9th to drop the lead and earn him the loss. Offensively, Frank Pfister went 3-for-4, and David Sappelt and Tony Brown were both 2-for-4 with 2 RBI each. Up next: Josh Ravin tries to get the Dragons back on track, game time 7:00.

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Happy Earth Day

Look at what Dusty’s doing. He’s seeing Dickerson’s water bottles and raising him a whole state.

Hoping Californians can save water like they did energy, the state on Tuesday launched a conservation campaign to nudge all residents to take simple steps to help each other through the drought.

Dubbed “Save Our Water,” the program is modeled after the highly successful “Flex Your Power” campaign that helped California in the energy crisis of 2001.

It includes a new Web site at www.saveourh2o.org, billboards and media advertising.

It even features a celebrity spokesman: former Giants manager Dusty Baker, a native Californian and outdoorsman.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Apr 22, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

to celebrate earthday

i went to the gym and walked on an electric machine that uses energy rather than just walking outside.

Bloop

by justin007000 on Apr 22, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

"You sir, are a great American."

"I can eat mayonnaise with a spoon." - Jeff Brantley

by BK on Apr 22, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

actually that isn't completely true

I used the elliptical machine, find me a natural elliptical machine and I will use it.

Bloop

by justin007000 on Apr 22, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I was reading in the annual BP book about how executives around the league scratched their collective heads when Milwaukee drafted a first baseman two ago when they had Fielder. The scratching stopped because that draft pick was turned into CC Sabithia. Now, I think I finally understand Walt. Screw moving Votto to left; if Yonder is Ted Williams, the Reds trade Votto. If he is just “pretty good,” then he becomes BJ Ryan, trade bait to attract a useful spare part.

So, keep mashing Yonder. Every hit moves us closer to a productive Outfielder.

by timb116 on Apr 22, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

i've been thinking that too.

If neither Votto or Yonder can provide adequate corner outfield defense, one of them could be traded for something useful. I don’t think this is a bad situation, talent has value, and Yonder or Votto could turn into a young talented starting pitcher.

Bloop

by justin007000 on Apr 22, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

"Break up the Bats"

no, really. Break them up. Bring Rosales north or something like that. Maybe Roenicke too.

Also, I am very happy to be riding shotgun in the Travis Wood bandwagon right now.

Drinking Slyde's haterade since 2009.

by Cy Schourek on Apr 22, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

I've been watching Wood and Watson for a couple of years

I think they will help out in a few years.

We gotta have arms to replace Harang and Arroyo come 2011 or 2012 and I think Wood could fill out the bottom of the rotation behind Cueto and Volquez.

Bloop

by justin007000 on Apr 22, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Rosales needs a look-see...

Adam -

Ave. G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
.359 11/ 39 / 1/ 14/ 2 0 4 10 // 28 // /5 / 6 2 // 0 //.422 .718 1.140

The Reds are playing Rosales at 3B in Batland and Frazier is at 1B in AA…2 decent prospects yet neither being groomed to play SS. Rosales is iffy, but Todd lookded like a SS- no-brainer in ST.

Home made stas graph is pretty impressive eh fellas

Its probably going to happen - bend over

by Madville on Apr 22, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

A couple of blurbs from Rotowire (subscription):

Chris Valaika (SS) CIN – Apr 21
http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?id=9369

Valaika’s average sits at .143 after 10 games for Triple-A Louisville, a sobering
start after cruising through High-A and Double-A with a .317 average last season.

ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Valaika obviously needs to make some adjustments, and
he strikes out at an extremely frequent rate. Still, his stats last season
were impressive and he remains one of the top prospects in the Cincinnati organization.

Drew Stubbs (OF) CIN – Apr 21
http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?id=9280

Stubbs has been abysmal to start the season for Triple-A Louisville, hitting
just .125.

ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Stubbs has yet to drive in a run on the year or steal
a base. He certainly isn’t this bad, but the Reds have to be concerned with
his slow start and lack of power after investing a first round pick in Stubbs
in 2006.

Matt Maloney (P) CIN – Apr 22
http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player.htm?id=9438

Maloney has looked good in his first two outings for Triple-A Louisville, posting
a 2.03 ERA in 13.1 innings, with an 8:0 K:BB ratio and 13 hits allowed.

ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Maloney doesn’t have a lot left to prove in Triple-A,
and should be on Cincinnati’s recall list when another pitcher is needed. He
has average stuff, but his control is sharp and he knows how to pitch. His
main weakness is a strong fly ball tendency that could result in excessive
home runs.

Visit http://www.rotowire.com for all of your fantasy sports info.

"All we have to do is catch the ball and not run the bases crazy." - Brandon Phillips

by PeteyHendrix on Apr 22, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

I still think Maloney's behind Bailey at this point if we need a starter

but they’re right in that Maloney doesn’t have anything left to prove in AAA. There are a lot of bats in the Louisville lineup that aren’t hitting right now, but Valaika worries me the most. I think both him and Stubbs will get it together and bring those averages up to a respectable level, but it’s worth noting that Gomes, Dorn, Richar, and Barker are all hitting under .200 in about as many ABs at the AAA level this season. Francisco is under .200 at AA, and Buchholz and Mesoraco are under .200 in High-A. It may not be time to get concerned yet, but if they don’t pick it up in the next couple of weeks, we could have an organization-wide hitting problem.

"I can eat mayonnaise with a spoon." - Jeff Brantley

by BK on Apr 22, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions