Bakersfield Blaze Scouting Request

by Muzia on May 18, 2011 8:11 PM EDT

Hello Reds fans!

I'm a writer with SB Denver, and will be attending a Modesto Nuts game this upcoming Sunday, May 22. Their opponent for that game just so happens to be your affiliate, the Bakersfield Blaze.

Since I'll be bringing my camera and recording video of some Rockies prospects, I'm curious what Reds prospects currently in Bakersfield that your community would like some video/scouting notes on?

The pitching matchup is scheduled to be Parker Frazier (MOD) vs J.C. Sulbaran (BAK).

I'll be on vacation through the end of the month, but will try and post any videos/notes in a new fanpost here by the first week of June. (Rockies stuff has to come first, you know.)

Thanks for your feedback!

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 1 recs |

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Sounds fun!

IIRC Some of our big prospects on the Blaze are: Yasmani Grandal, Henry Rodriguez, Ryan LaMarre.

"Be a smart, Be a smart about it" - Francisco Cordero

by BigStein on May 18, 2011 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

I’d be interested to hear about how Sulbaran looks, as he struck out 13 in 5 innings in his last start after being largely disappointing for the past few years. For those who aren’t familiar, he made his name for the Netherlands team in the World Baseball Classic, but hasn’t done anything since.

Currently, the Blaze boast the two best hitters in the Cal League, Eric Campbell and Stephen Hunt, the latter being an actual prospect. Yasmani Grandal is the big name there, our first round pick last year, and Henry Rodriguez was our top performer at Low-A last year. Other guys who may interest you are a couple of our other guys who have shown upside are the aforementioned Ryan LaMarre (last year’s 2nd round pick), Josh Fellhauer (7th rounder out of Cal State Fullerton that played on Team USA), Alex Buchholz (6th rounder who’s battled injury troubles but has looked great when healthy), and A.J. Means (11th rounder out of Indiana who started for their football team at WR).

Either way, you’re sure to see a slugfest, as our Blaze lead the Cal League in both runs scored and runs allowed. Have fun!

"Aroldis Chapman is a seven course meal followed by four hours of sex on the table with a nymphomaniac model heiress who owns her own brewery." - jch24

by BK on May 18, 2011 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

In case you're not familiar with the Cal League

it’s very, very, hitter friendly. It’s a good thing you’re going to see ’em in Modesto. Apparently Bakersfield is one of the worst stadiums out there.

Let us know how it goes! We’re all excited to here how Sulbaran does.

Let's not kid ourselves. It's really, really, bad.

by Cy Schourek on May 18, 2011 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like to see some video on Grandal's swing, both sides if at all possible

my dad was there for a week and went to a game, said he didnt like Grandal’s stance/swing. The way he described it made it sound pretty strange.

by pack_fan on May 19, 2011 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

I'll see what I can do.

Some days, I feel like I’ve accidentally entered the Church of Tulowitzki on Baseball Easter.
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by Muzia on May 19, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

great, thanks a lot for offering to get some video for us

by pack_fan on May 19, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Check youtube under "pileatedparadise"; I have lots of vids from Bakersfield that I'm getting around to posting.

by wanderinredsfan on May 19, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

www

by wanderinredsfan on May 19, 2011 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure why, but I can't seem to embed a youtube vid.

I’ve tried both the newer and older versions of code offered by youtube to no avai.
Any suggestions?

by wanderinredsfan on May 19, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think SBN allows for embedded Youtube videos in the comments section yet.

Go ahead and just post the links

Some days, I feel like I’ve accidentally entered the Church of Tulowitzki on Baseball Easter.
SB Nation Denver | On Twitter | Random Music Writings

by Muzia on May 19, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's a few links to some Grandal video.

http://youtu.be/juTEMTJPDOg
http://youtu.be/vV0wvF3AlM4
http://youtu.be/a6DFy01sa-M
http://youtu.be/KleVg9IouOM

Just search for vids posted under the same channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pileatedparadise

by wanderinredsfan on May 19, 2011 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Good stuff Wanderin, thanks

I can see the stuff my dad didn’t like in that first video. its a strange stance anyway with how far his front foot is turned in and how he shifts his weight back and then forward again. I couldnt tell on the other video how similar it is from the right side, but the weight shift didnt look quite as dramatic. From what my dad said it sounded like he had his weight forward at first, but it looks more like he’s centered with his weight. the thing I dont like about it is it makes his head move a lot, but I’m not sure how big a deal that is.

by pack_fan on May 19, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't mind his stance, and I really like his swing.

The foot turn is just a mechanism to help keep him from flying open too much. Grandal is not going to be a contact hitter, and realizes his ‘bread and butter’ is driving the ball with power, thus the dramatic weight shift. Inevitably, he’s gonna swing through a lot of pitches, but he really has a great eye and approach at the plate which allows him to walk quite a bit. Considering that Grandal’s a very good receiver who is also a switch hitter, his offensive skills have time to develop into major league quality.

I was initially hesitant, but I’m really starting to believe that the Reds picked a gem in last year’s draft. Injuries aside, I think Grandal will most definitely be a regular major leaguer, and perhaps even a star. Personally, I hope he spends all year in Bakersfield this season, all season in Pensacola (AA) next season, and most of 2013 in AAA. I wouldn’t want to see Grandal in Cincy until 2013 at the earliest, even if he is already on the 40-man roster. Considering the depth at catcher, there is absolutely no need to rush his development, even if he is tearing up the rest of the league.

by wanderinredsfan on May 19, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

His foot being turned in doesn't bother me

makes sense if he’s trying to keep himself closed for his swing. For the weight shift it just seems like its more than I usually see a guy shift back, most hitters will have their weight back as they’re standing there in the box and only a small shift back before their swing. I just didnt like how much his head moves when he shifts back, but I dont think there is anyway around that if he’s going to start with his weight centered like he does. I’m not a swing mechanics expert though, so all I’m doing is just reporting what I see, would not be surprised if what he does with his head is something that is not a big deal.

I agree with you on not rushing him, I’d also like to see how he does out of the CA league before deciding hes ready for AAA. Plus, of course, Meso is ready when we need him. Will be interesting to see what they do with Ramon at the end of the year, with Hanigan signed for a couple years.

by pack_fan on May 19, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions