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Your 2013 Helena / Maryvale Brewers -- Latest: RHP Scott Lieser feature article

Mass Haas

By Mass Haas,
in Brewers Minor League Talk

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Mass Haas GOAT

Mass Haas

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Brewers' Banda having quality year

By ZAC VIERRA for the Independent Record

 

In Little League, one of Anthony Banda’s coaches tried to convince him to throw right-handed. When Banda realized he couldn’t throw with his right hand he decided to stick with what’s comfortable and pitch from the left side.

 

He made the right decision.

 

In his second professional season, and first with Helena, Banda has rounded into form, especially in the second half of the season.

 

The 6-foot, 3-inch southpaw has given Helena a quality start in three of his last four outings and has posted a team-leading six quality starts this season.

 

The only other Brewers to have a quality start this season are Zach Quintana and Tyler Linehan.

 

In the first round of the Pioneer League Playoffs against Great Falls, Helena skipper Tony Diggs has a weapon to match up with the Voyagers’ Jake Sanchez, the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year.

 

“Banda has been giving us quality starts from the top to the bottom. He has had a couple outings that were kind of rough and kind of in-between, but he has been a solid mainstay in the rotation. He’s been good,” said Diggs.

 

Banda credits his recent accomplishments to focusing on his fastball-change up combination to keep hitters off balance.

 

But Banda, who is a humble guy, is quick to credit his teammates for his success this season.

 

“We have been playing so well as a team everything has been going so well and clicking together it’s not just pitching, it's defense and the offense because if you pitch and put up all zeroes, you still are not going to win,” said Banda.

 

With players such as Angel Ortega and Taylor Brennan making web gems on the left side of the infield, and mainstays like Omar Garcia and Michael Ratterree tracking down balls in the outfield, Banda has felt confident in the defense behind him this season.

 

And although he is second on the Brewers with 45 strikeouts, Banda has focused on pitching to contact because of the trust in his defense.

 

“I feel so comfortable just throwing the ball over the plate and letting them hit it and letting my defense work,” he said. “Most people just see pitching as trying to strike people out, but it’s not all about that. I believe the pitcher’s job is to throw the ball of the plate and let them hit it and let your defense work. They are there for a reason.”

 

This season has been one of milestones for Banda. After getting drafted by Milwaukee in the 10th round out of San Jacinto Junior College in June 2012, this was his first season where he attended spring training. It has also been his first season starting fulltime after splitting between the bullpen and the rotation last year with the Arizona Brewers.

 

Banda likes starting and enjoys the routine of knowing when he will be pitching. But he also knows it comes with responsibilities.

 

“As a starter you are supposed to get the job done, and if you don’t get the job done, you can end up in the bullpen,” he said.

 

Since he has been starting all season, Banda has racked up some mileage on his arm. He has pitched 60 2/3 innings, second most on the team behind Quintana, much more than the 41.2 innings he pitched in his first pro season with Arizona.

 

Although Banda has thrown more than ever and was skipped the last time through the rotation, he feels great physically.

 

“I feel kind of stronger compared to last year at the end of the season. I’ve gotten more confident and just my overall body feels so much stronger than what it was at the beginning of the season and last year,” said Banda.

 

One reason for his health this late in the season could be his delivery, a trait that goes all the way back to the Little League coach that told him to throw right-handed.

 

Throughout his time growing up, right-handed pitchers coached Banda. Because of this, he believes he has developed a fluid delivery, almost like a standard right-hander instead of quirky lefties like Mitch Williams or Dontrelle Willis.

 

Banda has looked up to Philadelphia Phillies southpaw Cliff Lee and has developed a similar smooth windup and throwing motion.

 

“When people see left-handers they think weird, they think funky, they think something different. But for me it’s straightforward. I think it’s easier; it’s less dramatic,” he said.

 

Now that the playoffs have begun, the goal for Banda and his teammates will be to come away with a Pioneer League championship ring.

 

But as much as the Pioneer League is about winning, it is also about development as players try to reach the big leagues. Banda’s development has impressed his manger.

 

“He has shown the ability to make adjustments. He has shown the ability to throw strikes and when you do that especially being left-handed, you have a bright future,” said Diggs.

 

James Ridle Photo / Blackfoot Media Group

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/0a/f0ae3440-056b-11e3-8e93-0019bb2963f4/520c67f6d8696.preview-620.jpg

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Mass Haas GOAT

Mass Haas

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Baseball America released their Arizona League Top 20 --

 

RHP Devin Williams lands at #12.

 

No room for 19-year-old RF Elvis Rubio.

 

LHP Clint Terry, who was a "young" 21 (June birthday), also would have merited consideration, but tough to overcome draft status (18th round) on these short-season prospect lists.

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Mass Haas

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Baseball America's Top 20 for the Pioneer League includes (stats at links below):

 

16. OF Michael Ratterree, League MVP, will be 23 in February

 

17. RHP Barrett Astin, University of Arkansas 3rd rounder

 

19. C Dustin Houle, superlative defense

 

1B Adam Giacalone, 3B Taylor Brennan on the outside looking in...

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Kelbysdaddy Draft Eligible

Kelbysdaddy

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What's the knock on ratterree? I know he wasn't a big name coming out of this last draft but everything I saw about the brewers getting him when they did was that it was a great value pick and a 10th round steal. He was the league MVP and had a great first pro year and then is 16th on the prospect list?
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Mass Haas GOAT

Mass Haas

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From Baseball America's 2013 Draft Report Card feature -- round in parentheses

 

Fastest Runner

 

1. Johnny Davis, of, Brewers (22)

 

2. Omar Garcia, of, Brewers (7)

 

3. Matt McPhearson, of, D’backs (4)

 

4. Adam Engel, of, White Sox (19)

 

5. Champ Stuart, of, Mets (6)

 

Best Pro Debut -- College Players

 

1. Kris Bryant, 3b, Cubs (1)

 

2. Jonathan Gray, rhp, Rockies (1)

 

3. L.B. Dantzler, 1b, Blue Jays (14)

 

4. Michael Ratterree, of, Brewers (10)

 

5. Michael Fish, of, Angels (32)

 

Best Pro Debut -- Junior College Players

 

1. Vic Caratini, 3b/c, Braves (2)

 

2. Omar Garcia, of, Brewers (7)

 

3. Tim Anderson, ss, White Sox (1)

 

4. Kenny Mathews, lhp, Indians (7)

 

5. Toby Thomas, ss, White Sox (21)

 

***

 

Read the entire report at the link.

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Eye Black GOAT

Eye Black

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From Baseball America's 2013 Draft Report Card feature -- round in parentheses

 

Fastest Runner

 

1. Johnny Davis, of, Brewers (22)

 

2. Omar Garcia, of, Brewers (7)

On the Baseball America podcast (JJ Cooper and John Manuel) from the end of October (15-minute mark), they labeled Johnny Davis an 80 runner. They had reports that Davis runs a 6-flat 60, and he is in the 10.4/10.5 range in the 100-meters. They also said it is the fastest 60 time they have ever been given for a prospect. His Junior College coach put a "Billy Hamilton's speed with Ricky Henderson's body" comp on him. He is 23 years old already, but if he can continue to get on base near the .350 clip he did in his first 100 professional at bats, he could be an interesting player to follow over the next couple of seasons.

Not just “at Night” anymore.
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TooLiveBrew Milwaukee Brewers

TooLiveBrew

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From Baseball America's 2013 Draft Report Card feature -- round in parentheses

 

Fastest Runner

 

1. Johnny Davis, of, Brewers (22)

 

2. Omar Garcia, of, Brewers (7)

On the Baseball America podcast (JJ Cooper and John Manuel) from the end of October (15-minute mark), they labeled Johnny Davis an 80 runner. They had reports that Davis runs a 6-flat 60, and he is in the 10.4/10.5 range in the 100-meters. They also said it is the fastest 60 time they have ever been given for a prospect. His Junior College coach put a "Billy Hamilton's speed with Ricky Henderson's body" comp on him. He is 23 years old already, but if he can continue to get on base near the .350 clip he did in his first 100 professional at bats, he could be an interesting player to follow over the next couple of seasons.

Great catch -- thanks for sharing

Stearns Brewing Co.: Sustainability from farm to plate
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Eye Black GOAT

Eye Black

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Man, the ball really has 'that sound' for Denson. I must be way too high on him, because I'm not sure how exactly he lasted so long in the draft.

I have the same thoughts on Denson. He is currently 18 years and 2 months old. He was very young for his grade and could still be in High School this year. I really like Denson's swing mechanics in the video. His swing appears to have a smooth pre-swing load (when he doesn't rush) and his overall swing seems fluid throughout, especially for a guy that generates some serious power. And as TLB points out, I think that is how they are supposed to sound.

 

I realize you can only capture a limited glimpse of player by watching 2-minute videos, so I won't go too far over the top here. I will say Denson is certainly a player that intrigues me, and I looking forward to watching him over the next couple of years to see how he develops.

Not just “at Night” anymore.
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