MINORS FINAL 6/29: Wrapping up the farm system shakeup

[KB21]

Another interesting move is starting Sal Giardina at Rome right off the bat.

[nsacpi]

I'm curious to see how quickly some of the Danville pitchers get promoted given the dire situation in Rome. I suspect they won't rush Grosser given his age. Let him have a taste of success. But older guys like Waszak, Matt Kimbrel, Michael Flores, Ubiera, Dirks, Kinman, Roney, Povse, Barker and Sims could be going to Rome soon.

[50PoundHead]

Another interesting move is starting Sal Giardina at Rome right off the bat.

For some reason, this gets done with catchers periodically. Caratini is going to get most of the ABs behind the plate and they've had a lot of guys behind him thus far this season (Nunez, Sanchez, Sears, De La Rosa). As a four-year college player, my guess is they want to toss Giardina right in there.

And I agree that a lot of the college pitchers could be in Rome sooner as opposed to later. When is 2013 #12 Ryan Gunther expected back. I see that Chris Diaz (2014 #5) is already in Rome. The two guys I have been most disappointed in this season have been Flores and Ubiera. I thought they would be solid contributors in Rome.

[rico43]

For some reason, this gets done with catchers periodically. Caratini is going to get most of the ABs behind the plate and they've had a lot of guys behind him thus far this season (Nunez, Sanchez, Sears, De La Rosa). As a four-year college player, my guess is they want to toss Giardina right in there.

And I agree that a lot of the college pitchers could be in Rome sooner as opposed to later. When is 2013 #12 Ryan Gunther expected back. I see that Chris Diaz (2014 #5) is already in Rome. The two guys I have been most disappointed in this season have been Flores and Ubiera. I thought they would be solid contributors in Rome.

What I've read about him is that Giardina has worked a ton of tournaments and is quite a leader behind the plate. Think guys in the Ross/Laird/Corky Miller vein.

[50PoundHead]

What I've read about him is that Giardina has worked a ton of tournaments and is quite a leader behind the plate. Think guys in the Ross/Laird/Corky Miller vein.

That may help the Rome staff some. When a guy is drafted that late, it's usually for something that is perceived as value-added over raw talent. Who knows what Giardina might develop into, but if he has the qualities you mention, at the very least he could be a solid organizational guy who develops into a "coach on the field" guy who helps with the development of those around him.

[Julio3000]

I don't know about depth, but we have a lot of breadth at C.

[nsacpi]

I don't know about depth, but we have a lot of breadth at C.

That starts at the top with Laird. He sets the standard.

[KB21]

That starts at the top with Laird. He sets the standard.

It's strategic. Block the umps view of the strike zone for pitch framing purposes.

Evan Gattis is 6'4", 260 lbs
Sal Giardina is 6'4", 220 lbs
Wigberto Nevarez is 6'3", 220 lbs

[nsacpi]

It's strategic. Block the umps view of the strike zone for pitch framing purposes.

Evan Gattis is 6'4", 260 lbs
Sal Giardina is 6'4", 220 lbs
Wigberto Nevarez is 6'3", 220 lbs

mini Lairds

[rico43]

It's strategic. Block the umps view of the strike zone for pitch framing purposes.

Evan Gattis is 6'4", 260 lbs
Sal Giardina is 6'4", 220 lbs
Wigberto Nevarez is 6'3", 220 lbs

But the best catcher in the system (now that Bethancourt is up) might be Tyler Tewell, all 5-11, 185 of him. What is he thinking?

[The Chosen One]

Of course it's still early, but I wasn't thoroughly impressed with Bethancourt's setup and positioning behind the plate on Saturday.

Mac setup and positioned himself like a pro from the first day he was called up. He leads the league in framed strikes still, and a huge part of it, is his posture and the way he catches. Almost Eddie Perez-like, the way there's very little to no movement of his glove from the time the pitcher winds up, to the time the ball is caught.

Bethancourt might have a good arm and he may block wild pitches well, but Mac's pitch framing was a thing of beauty.

[KB21]

Of course it's still early, but I wasn't thoroughly impressed with Bethancourt's setup and positioning behind the plate on Saturday.

Mac setup and positioned himself like a pro from the first day he was called up. He leads the league in framed strikes still, and a huge part of it, is his posture and the way he catches. Almost Eddie Perez-like, the way there's very little to no movement of his glove from the time the pitcher winds up, to the time the ball is caught.

Bethancourt might have a good arm and he may block wild pitches well, but Mac's pitch framing was a thing of beauty.

I did not get to watch it. The 2nd game of the double header got pre empted by an exhibition tennis match between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendel on my FSS station, and it was blacked out on my MLB package.

[KB21]

But the best catcher in the system (now that Bethancourt is up) might be Tyler Tewell, all 5-11, 185 of him. What is he thinking?

He did not get the memo.

[The Chosen One]

I did not get to watch it. The 2nd game of the double header got pre empted by an exhibition tennis match between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendel on my FSS station, and it was blacked out on my MLB package.

That's because it wasn't on your regional FSS station... it was on FS1 (new national Fox Sports network).

[catcher10]

He did not get the memo.

Genetics, I blame his father!

[catcher10]

But the best catcher in the system (now that Bethancourt is up) might be Tyler Tewell, all 5-11, 185 of him. What is he thinking?

Cat like reflexes.

[JohnAdcox]

Does Salcedo's move to OF mean Braves think he sucks at 3rd, or they want Peraza to play 2nd/3rd like Prado.

Really hoping the latter, but fear it may be the former as well.