Link Report for Games of Monday, June 11th

[Mass Haas]

Link to Hernan Iribarren photo from Jackson, TN Monday night:

 

www.jacksonsun.com/apps/p...006/SPORTS

[TheCrew07]

Well statistically speaking this has been his best season by far in his career. Stats below.

 

www.thebaseballcube.com/p...ring.shtml

 

Not that I'm unopposed to him, but he's been pretty crappy in spring training where a guy like him has to excel to get a roster spot.

 

Balfour and Thatcher would be my first 2 promotions. Balfour had MLB success before a series of injuries nearly ruined his career, but he looks to be back on track. I don't want to pigeon hole Thatcher as LOOGY, his splits are nearly identical vs R or L batters (ERA excluded). I think he can give us what Shouse does and more. Shouse just never has done it for me, he seems like a gimic pitcher which other teams are starting to figure out. I still have a hard time believing his career ERA is just above 4.

 

I tend to favor relievers that can go multiple innings on a regular basis and besides Villy, how many of those do we have (excluding closer and setup guy)? Capellan seems to be up to fill Dessens role, I'm not a big Wise or Shouse guy by any stretch. Balfour, Thatcher, Sarfate, Yo, and Oxspring would meet my ideal criteria for this seaon, but I'd rather see Balfour, Thatcher, and Yo (if need be) be called up first. Oxspring has been encouraging, but he only has 12 innings of MLB experience under his belt. I'm not sure how to explain this, but I think we could deepen the pen by reducing the number of pitchers and adding more quality arms. I've always favored a longer bench as it lends itself to more flexibility at the plate.

[Mass Haas]

All four affiliates were on the road Monday, so media reports with news on them are spotty. This is worth noting from Hickory -- not only did LHP Brae Wright limit baserunners Monday, but:

 

Some of his most important throws were to first base, where he picked off three Hickory runners.

 

"He was slow to the plate," Hickory manager Gary Green said. "We were going to try to get something going (on the bases)."

 

From the box score:

 

Pickoffs: Wright 3 (Presley at 1st base, Negrych at 1st base, Laboy at 1st base).