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my annual 4-day Gwinnett scouting mission
- Thread starter Knucksie
- Start date
Another rainout. They'll try again for another double dip tomorrow at 5:05pm. No word on rescheduling the other game. Friday was supposed to complete the season series between the 2 teams. Only postive about these postponements is that the weather forecast was extremely accurate!
Dinner before the game here:
http://www.lagerhaus95.com/
Dinner before the game here:
http://www.lagerhaus95.com/
The double header sweep was decisive but not necessarily proof positive of any inherent greatness. This isn't to be pessimistic about the results, but there wasn't anything particularly challenging about the Bisons. Unfortunately, my only conversation with my buddy, Carlos, was briefly on Thursday, prior to the announced cancellation. So, there was never an opportunity to go through the Bisons lineup to get a better handle on who was upside for Buffalo. On the surface, 2B Ryan Goins probably will be pretty good. His name arose in the other thread. Have no idea how the Blue Jays org rates him or if they have any inclination to move him. Instincts tell me that there's probably a "wait and see" approach to see how he'll continue to develop. Which brings us to the other name, which came up in the course of conversation.
Carlos and I did talk about Ricky Romero on Thursday, in case this ended up being a bad contract for bad contract swap. He assured me that Romero was essentially raw suckage. During Game 1 of the DH. He walked 9 batters in 2 2/3 innings. His ERA is over 6.00 at the AAA level. For those of you, who are still thinking that this might be a Roger McDowell recalamation project in a swap for Uggla, this is something to consider before venting your feelings all over the Bravesphere. Now onto the game itself.
Romero gifted the game, which was over before he mercifully got relieved. Other thoughts: this was my first witness of Schlosser. It would take a lot for a side arm delivery to impress me. It was cool when Kent Tekulve, Dan Quisenberry and Mark Eichhorn did it, but that hasn't been since the 80's. Schlosser got guys out, which counts for something, but apparently he hasn't otherwise demonstrated consistency on the year. Long term career projections is that he's probably a long shot for any kind of sustainable major league career, and would have to be some kind of setup man if he even makes it that far. Let me pause for a second to mention the conditions, which were extremely unseasonable and affected the results of these games. It was see-your-breath, late fall, football weather. Wind was blowing in from Lake Erie, which prevented any hard hit ball to carrry.
Other observations: I paid extra attention to Bethancourt, because his name came up in this thread and he's rated as #2 in the system. He's still got a way to go at the plate. Physically, he's filled out and carries himself like a professional. These seem like small details, but these are the kinds of things that scouts include in reports. La Stella finally came though in a situation, which wasn't just working a count/drawing a walk. He nailed a double to the gap in right. The RH was playing him as if he were a dead pull hitter. Those who are following him might want to take notice, since different defensive positioning would've led to a relatively easy flyout on the play. Still it added a little drama. More drama came in the 7th inning, when Obispo could've blown a save, which resulted in Beato having to come in to clean up that mess. Final score G-Braves 4, Bisons 1.
Game 2 should've been a lop-side pitching matchup. It was Maya vs. Drabek. Yes, my question was "who's Maya?" too. Drabek needed no introduction. Son of early 90's staff ace, Doug, and was former 1st round draft pick, then centerpiece in the trade of Roy Holliday to the Phillies trade. Most of his pitches were for strikes, while Maya's strikeout to walk ratio (in this game) was not nearly so. The G-Braves weren't fooled by any of baby Drabek's stuff, and loaded up on 12 hits over 5 innings, before the bullpen took over. Bethancourt rested for the 2nd game, being spelled by Lerud. It did come as a surprise to read in the Buffalo News, this morning, that Gwinnett are the top hitting team in the IL. Cunningham, Gosselin and Terdo appear to be fairly consistent, all them close to .300 or above. Salcedo is a work in process. Like Bethancourt, he's a big boy, but is less adept that plate against AAA pitching.
La Stella, we've discussed, but there is something else to add. Twice there were La Stella throws to first on what should've been DP's, but the runners were safe both times. This kind of proved accounts of substandard defense. Since this board has been loaded with praise about him in some Atlanta media and quite often on this board, it affirmed some of my suspicions that the calls were annointing him as the new savior because of Uggla's ineptitude. He's not ready for the majors. Defense is, of course, very coachable and he'll have to demonstrate that he can do more than draw walks, especially since he has no power (ie, 0 HR's with plenty of AB's at AAA this year). Don't take this as a criticism, because he's being given the opportunity, but should stay where he is with other options.
Final score was 9-3 in Game 2. Dinner at Lagerhaus 95 was quite enjoyable. If any of you visit Buffalo, it comes recommended.
Carlos and I did talk about Ricky Romero on Thursday, in case this ended up being a bad contract for bad contract swap. He assured me that Romero was essentially raw suckage. During Game 1 of the DH. He walked 9 batters in 2 2/3 innings. His ERA is over 6.00 at the AAA level. For those of you, who are still thinking that this might be a Roger McDowell recalamation project in a swap for Uggla, this is something to consider before venting your feelings all over the Bravesphere. Now onto the game itself.
Romero gifted the game, which was over before he mercifully got relieved. Other thoughts: this was my first witness of Schlosser. It would take a lot for a side arm delivery to impress me. It was cool when Kent Tekulve, Dan Quisenberry and Mark Eichhorn did it, but that hasn't been since the 80's. Schlosser got guys out, which counts for something, but apparently he hasn't otherwise demonstrated consistency on the year. Long term career projections is that he's probably a long shot for any kind of sustainable major league career, and would have to be some kind of setup man if he even makes it that far. Let me pause for a second to mention the conditions, which were extremely unseasonable and affected the results of these games. It was see-your-breath, late fall, football weather. Wind was blowing in from Lake Erie, which prevented any hard hit ball to carrry.
Other observations: I paid extra attention to Bethancourt, because his name came up in this thread and he's rated as #2 in the system. He's still got a way to go at the plate. Physically, he's filled out and carries himself like a professional. These seem like small details, but these are the kinds of things that scouts include in reports. La Stella finally came though in a situation, which wasn't just working a count/drawing a walk. He nailed a double to the gap in right. The RH was playing him as if he were a dead pull hitter. Those who are following him might want to take notice, since different defensive positioning would've led to a relatively easy flyout on the play. Still it added a little drama. More drama came in the 7th inning, when Obispo could've blown a save, which resulted in Beato having to come in to clean up that mess. Final score G-Braves 4, Bisons 1.
Game 2 should've been a lop-side pitching matchup. It was Maya vs. Drabek. Yes, my question was "who's Maya?" too. Drabek needed no introduction. Son of early 90's staff ace, Doug, and was former 1st round draft pick, then centerpiece in the trade of Roy Holliday to the Phillies trade. Most of his pitches were for strikes, while Maya's strikeout to walk ratio (in this game) was not nearly so. The G-Braves weren't fooled by any of baby Drabek's stuff, and loaded up on 12 hits over 5 innings, before the bullpen took over. Bethancourt rested for the 2nd game, being spelled by Lerud. It did come as a surprise to read in the Buffalo News, this morning, that Gwinnett are the top hitting team in the IL. Cunningham, Gosselin and Terdo appear to be fairly consistent, all them close to .300 or above. Salcedo is a work in process. Like Bethancourt, he's a big boy, but is less adept that plate against AAA pitching.
La Stella, we've discussed, but there is something else to add. Twice there were La Stella throws to first on what should've been DP's, but the runners were safe both times. This kind of proved accounts of substandard defense. Since this board has been loaded with praise about him in some Atlanta media and quite often on this board, it affirmed some of my suspicions that the calls were annointing him as the new savior because of Uggla's ineptitude. He's not ready for the majors. Defense is, of course, very coachable and he'll have to demonstrate that he can do more than draw walks, especially since he has no power (ie, 0 HR's with plenty of AB's at AAA this year). Don't take this as a criticism, because he's being given the opportunity, but should stay where he is with other options.
Final score was 9-3 in Game 2. Dinner at Lagerhaus 95 was quite enjoyable. If any of you visit Buffalo, it comes recommended.