Archive for the ‘SP’ Category
Monday, April 7th, 2008
Reds rookie starting pitcher Edinson Volquez received a standing ovation from 26,566 fans after allowing only one run to the Phillies while striking out 7 in 5 1/3 innings pitched on Sunday. If you missed the boat on picking up Johnny Cueto for your fantasy squad, Volquez is your man. He had the most K’s of any pitcher in spring training and looks to continue that trend into the regular season. Johnny Cueto is one of his best friends and the two have a friendly rivalry going which should motivate them both this season. When asked about Cueto’s slightly better 10K performance last week, Volquez took a light-hearted jab:
“Cueto cheated, because I didn’t pitch seven innings like him,” Volquez said smiling. “No, I don’t feel like we’re in competition. We’re all teammates. I just feel really excited to get my first win in Cincinnati.”
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Fantasy Sleepers, MLB Prospect News
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Edinson Volquez, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Friday, April 4th, 2008
That’s “Johnny 10K” Cueto, of course.
In his debut on Thursday, Cueto got the win for the Reds against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Faithful readers of MLBPN would have (hopefully) already owned him on their fantasy teams and had him in the lineup for his overwhelming performance. If not, now is the time to try to claim him off the waiver wire if he isn’t gone already, which he probably is.
Through 7 innings Cueto struck out 10 batters, something no Reds pitcher has done in a major league debut – ever. Cueto had a perfect game going until the sixth inning when he allowed his only hit of the game, a home run by Justin Upton. There was already a major fantasy buzz about Johnny 10K after his strong spring showing, but now that buzz has reached a fever pitch. Even Manager Dusty Baker can’t help but be impressed:
“He was hitting that low and away fastball and mixing in his slider and an occasional changeup,” said Baker. “He threw the ball as well as anybody can throw the ball. The way he threw the ball today has no age to it.”
Sure its only his first start, but Johnny 10K is looking like the real deal. Did we mention he’s only 22 years old?
Tags: Cueto, Fantasy Sleepers, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospect News
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Johnny Cueto, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
Angels 25-year-old reliever Darren O’Day made his first major league appearance on Monday, getting himself out of a jam in the 8th by striking out the Twins’ Brendan Harris and inducing a flyout from Adam Everett. Although he’d never played above Double-A, O’Day went 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 17 2/3 innings this spring, and found a spot on the roster when 4 of their pitchers wound up on the DL.
Quick note on the Angels’ pitching situation: Kelvim Escobar is potentially done for the season, and I can’t be the only one who thinks that John Lackey’s injury is more significant than the Angels are letting on. Perhaps that will keep Nick Adenhart in the starting rotation longer than expected, and could create a regular bullpen job for O’Day. A shakeup appears imminent in Anaheim.
Tags: Angels Prospects, Darren O'Day, MLB Prospect News, Nick Adenhart
Posted in Angels Prospects, Darren O'Day, Nick Adenhart, P, RP, SP | No Comments »
Monday, March 31st, 2008
Tags: Blake DeWitt, Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Prospects, Hiroki Kuroda, MLB Prospect News
Posted in Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Prospects, Hiroki Kuroda, P, SP | No Comments »
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
Kind of a funny piece today from Reds beat writer John Fay. He shows his projected lineup and rotation from two months ago, on February 5th. He had 1B Joey Votto batting lead off, and starting CF Jay Bruce batting in the 7 spot. Of course we know now that Bruce has been optioned to Triple-A and Cincinnati’s new CF is Corey Patterson, who wasn’t even on the Reds on February 5th. Fay is still projecting Votto in the starting lineup, but batting 8th in the lineup instead of lead off.
Fay didn’t fair quite as well with his projected starting rotation. After the obvious first two in Harang and Arroyo, he had Matt Belisle, Jeremy Affeldt, and Homer Bailey. Fay missed on all three. Today the 3-5 spots in the rotation are expected to be occupied by Johnny Cueto, Josh Fogg, and Edinson Volquez. All of the Reds top prospects are definite fantasy sleepers this year.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in 1B, 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, CF, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLBPN Top Prospects, OF, P, Reds Prospects, SP, Top 5 Prospects | No Comments »
Friday, March 28th, 2008
- Rookie pitcher Jair Jurrjens found out that he will start Wednesday, game 3 of the regular season. He’s stoked. So might fantasy owners be if this kid can turn a great spring into a solid rookie season.
- 18-year-old Jason Heyward dressed for the Braves’ final Grapefruit League game against the Mets, and replaced Jeff Francoeur in left field in the 4th. He struck out in a 6th inning at-bat. The 14th pick in the 2007 draft, the Braves have high hopes for this young talent. Keep an eye out for him in the next couple years.
Tags: Braves Prospects, Jair Jurrjens, Jason Heyward, MLB Prospect News
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Braves Prospects, Jair Jurrjens, Jason Heyward, MLBPN Top Prospects, OF, P, SP | No Comments »
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, Franklin Morales was named the fifth starter by manager Clint Hurdle. Jeff Francis will start the season opener against St. Louis and Morales will make his first appearance on April 6th against Arizona. Morales was 1-2 this spring with a 6.65 ERA.
Tags: MLB Prospect News
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Franklin Morales, Rockies Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Angels pitching prospect Nick Adenhart got knocked around for 7 runs in 4 innings on Tuesday, raising his spring ERA from 2.93 to 5.16. This doesn’t help his bid to replace John Lackey as the 5th starter until Lackey returns in April from a right triceps strain. Still, manager Mike Sciocia has not ruled out Adenhart, who is competing with Dustin Moseley for the job. Sciocia likes Adenhart’s stuff, and mentioned that these types of outings will happen and chalked it up to a learning experience.
Tags: Angels Prospects, MLB Prospect News, Nick Adenhart
Posted in Angels Prospects, Nick Adenhart, SP | No Comments »
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Dodgers pitching phenom Clayton Kershaw has done everything possible to prove that he is a major league caliber pitcher this spring. On Tuesday he threw 3 scoreless innings against the Brewers’ starting lineup, striking out 6, including a guy by the name of Prince Fielder. However, the Dodgers are being cautious with the 20-year-old and will have him start the year in Double-A Jacksonville, and will likely bring him up to the big league club later in the season. Manager Joe Torre likes what he sees, but says he wants Kershaw to fine-tune his pitches while not taxing his arm so he can be fresh for the summer. Until then, it looks like Esteban Loaiza or Chan Ho Park will occupy the 5th starter spot.
Tags: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Prospects, MLB Prospect News
Posted in Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Prospects, MLBPN Top Prospects, P, SP | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
News comes out today that the Reds have decided to round out their rotation with Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Josh Fogg. This leaves Homer Bailey as the odd man out. The Reds today optioned Bailey to Triple-A Louisville. The company line appears to be that Bailey needs to work on his control and mechanics at Louisville, but there have been reports that they are hoping he’ll adjust his attitude as well. Bailey had a 5.21 ERA in 19 IP, and most scouting reports had him unable to hit the strike zone. Hopefully Bailey can turn things around in the Minors and finally realize the immense potential most scouts think he has.
Tags: Homer Bailey, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in Homer Bailey, P, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
