Series Thread: Homecoming for Hamilton and the BoSox are in town

[WastinSomeTime]

Did not read the 1st round pick busts you have there donaldson but Jake Skole is one of them for sure. He should not even be on Frisco. He has not warranted going above low class A ball.

 

[donaldson79]

Did not read the 1st round pick busts you have there donaldson but Jake Skole is one of them for sure. He should not even be on Frisco. He has not warranted going above low class A ball.

Among their first-round pitching selections: a guy who didn’t even have the crucial ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow (R.A Dickey); guys who became part of an acronym before ever pitching in the majors (Thomas Diamond and John Danks of the so-called “DVD” trio that also included Edinson Volquez); a guy they couldn’t sign because of financial problems (Matt Purke) and another recently released after a DWI arrest (Kevin Matthews).

 

[RevSader]

Matt Harrison is going to pitch for Round Rock...this is some big stuff. Will he be able to do it? I know they won't bring him up unless they are 100% confident he is ready to go. The fact he can even take the mound at all is an accomplishment itself.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Boy these Angels announcers are some damn homers.

... as opposed to Buzz and TAG.

 

[romeo212000]

Matt Harrison is going to pitch for Round Rock...this is some big stuff. Will he be able to do it? I know they won't bring him up unless they are 100% confident he is ready to go. The fact he can even take the mound at all is an accomplishment itself.

I really never expected him to make a rehab start in a minor league game. However, he's not out of the woods yet. Not even close. We should get a report on his velocity, I would think. As I've said, it makes no difference how he's feeling if his fastball isn't hitting at least 91-92, and preferably, 92+

 

[Windingmywatch]

Would be nice to have him available for 2B and to back up Beltre and provide some more offense

All of what you say ... and EG said in his story ... but only roster spot that might be open is Rosales' spot.

Young guys need daily PT. Rua's game does not advance getting 3-4 days of PH/PR work off the bench. My bet is when Rua is ready for activation he gets optioned to AAA.

 

[romeo212000]

All of what you say ... and EG said in his story ... but only roster spot that might be open is Rosales' spot.

Young guys need daily PT. Rua's game does not advance getting 3-4 days of PH/PR work off the bench. My bet is when Rua is ready for activation he gets optioned to AAA.

Could option Alberto back to AAA.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Among their first-round pitching selections: a guy who didn’t even have the crucial ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow (R.A Dickey); guys who became part of an acronym before ever pitching in the majors (Thomas Diamond and John Danks of the so-called “DVD” trio that also included Edinson Volquez); a guy they couldn’t sign because of financial problems (Matt Purke) and another recently released after a DWI arrest (Kevin Matthews).

Skole's best year was in 2011 at Hickory. Demotion to start 2012 at Spokane then jumping to Myrtle Beach was a further regression. He's just filling a roster spot now. No longer on the depth chart.

I assume Cody Buckel is on the top 10 bust list.

 

[RevSader]

I really never expected him to make a rehab start in a minor league game. However, he's not out of the woods yet. Not even close. We should get a report on his velocity, I would think. As I've said, it makes no difference how he's feeling if his fastball isn't hitting at least 91-92, and preferably, 92+

I don't think he sets foot in the majors unless he's low to mid 90s. But as a personal accomplishment what he did by pitching the spring game was impressive.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Could option Alberto back to AAA.

Yep TEX could ... but that takes the pressure off Elvis unless you want Rua to be ready to be your everyday SS.

 

[Bmurph]

Kelly being a RH and his recent struggles, gives me a little hope for our offense today. Wind blowing out at 9mph. Lets put up some runs today Rangers!

 

[Windingmywatch]

I don't think he sets foot in the majors unless he's low to mid 90s. But as a personal accomplishment what he did by pitching the spring game was impressive.

If his control is spot on ... his path to the 25man might be as a Closer or other specialist. If you are a painter you don't need mid 90s FB. (See Mariano Rivera)

 

[Windingmywatch]

I appreciate what the Rangers are trying to do, but no, Chi Chi did not "flirt with a no-no," as their webpage is stating.

I think the MLB rulebook says you have to have to be within 6 outs to qualify for a Flirt.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Interesting on how the Rangers have fared with 1st round draft picks and last night for Gonzalez.

Grant: Gonzalez gives Rangers hope after team has struck out with multiple first-round pitching busts | Dallas Morning News

And you guys are gonna love this:

Do you see the Rangers making a run at Grant Balfour?

Grant: This team can use bullpen help. I do not rule out any veteran bullpen options at this point. Now that Balfour has opted out of his deal with the Rays, I'd say its certainly a possibility, though this team hasn't ever pursued Balfour with any aggressiveness in the past.

From Banister on Feliz:

On how Neftali Feliz is dealing with not being the closer:

"Obviously, he wants to be that guy. There are some things that we've asked Neftali to be able to do, that he needs to get back to. We still believe he's a winning player for us. He's got to be able to come out and give us a sense of urgency. We'd like to see from pitch one the explosive fastball so that the slider can play. The club needs to see that energy from you that they feel comfortable with that there's a positive vibe when you come through that gate and you walk on to that field. And Neftali knows that. We've had that discussion and have talked about it. He wants to get back to that type of guy. We just need to figure out how to help him to do that and put the pieces back together for him."

Balfour: I detest Balfour. On top of that he's not very good which is why I want him to be on OAK or LAA staff again.

Feliz: Quick show of hands of those who see Feliz having a critical role in 2016-17 pennant charge?

 

[romeo212000]

If his control is spot on ... his path to the 25man might be as a Closer or other specialist. If you are a painter you don't need mid 90s FB. (See Mariano Rivera)

I disagree. Harry will be brought into the rotation or he won't be on the 25 man at all.

 

[romeo212000]

Balfour: I detest Balfour. On top of that he's not very good which is why I want him to be on OAK or LAA staff again.

Feliz: Quick show of hands of those who see Feliz having a critical role in 2016-17 pennant charge?

I think Feliz is gone by 2016-2017.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I disagree. Harry will be brought into the rotation or he won't be on the 25 man at all.

Whose spot?

 

[romeo212000]

Whose spot?

Pitching has a funny way of working itself out. However, I think one of Gallardo or Wandy gets moved at the deadline, especially if Harry is healthy and effective.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I disagree. Harry will be brought into the rotation or he won't be on the 25 man at all.

Odds of Harry taking ______ spot:

Colby? Not a chance.
Gallardo? Not until Gallardo traded prior to deadline.
Rodriguez? Ditto Gallardo
Martinez? Possible but not likely
Gonzalez: Most likely.

And after we figure out who Harry bumps ... who does Holland bump after the ASB? ... and then Perez?

Harry might bump Chi Chi ... but Holland and Perez are going to have to wait until Gallardo and Rodriquez are gone. TEX needs to keep them in the rotation to maximize their trade value. Means both of them are going to get the best defense and offense behind them as well.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Pitching has a funny way of working itself out. However, I think one of Gallardo or Wandy gets moved at the deadline, especially if Harry is healthy and effective.

If Harry goes out on rehab next week ... TEX has 30 days to activate him or do something else. The deadline is too far away for that to fit.