Minor League Thread: Columbus, Akron, Kinston, Lake County

[sjeppe]

I know Jeremy Sowers isn't anything special either, but where has he been? Is he injured?

 

[Gunther]

Can we stop talking about Anthony Reyes yet?

1 inning plus
1 hit....1 Goddamn hit.
7 earned runs
6 walks

I take it you're not a fan?

I liked his 2008 season, and I feel he has promise. IMO, if he is able to come back strong and healthy, he would be yet another starting option for the Tribe to choose from going forward. If he doesn't make it, so be it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. But if he does well, then we have a quality arm for cheap, which is what we need.

His last two outings have been awful, I agree. But is this so unusual for a pitcher coming off of Tommy John surgery on rehab assignment? I don't think so. If it continues, I'll stop talking about him. Let's see how he finishes the year.

And as for the injuries, it's really been unfortunate. You could say the same for guys like Carl Pavano. Some guys are able to turn it around and come back strong. No harm in wishing him well.

 

[Danboone2006]

I know Jeremy Sowers isn't anything special either, but where has he been? Is he injured?

Sowers is now not even able to get AAA batters out down in Columbus.

And with Reyes, I think you're jumping the gun if you're writing guys off after 5 rehab starts coming off of a year without pitching.

However, I do think the best place for him has been and will be at the back end of the bullpen.

 

[AZ_]

The fact Reyes actually IS a starting option for the Tribe next season is what scares me.

I hate this teams pitching staff....I mean I really do.

 

[Gunther]

The fact Reyes actually IS a starting option for the Tribe next season is what scares me.

I hate this teams pitching staff....I mean I really do.

Frankly I'm not too enamored with the pitching myself, but it is what it is I guess. The rest of this season will be an opportunity for young players to step up and make a name for themselves. Let's hope that happens.

 

[macbdog]

The fact Reyes actually IS a starting option for the Tribe next season is what scares me.

I hate this teams pitching staff....I mean I really do.

Well, FWIW, as of right now he is an option for next season- along with Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot, Kelvin De La Cruz, Alex White, and David Huff. He sure as hell isn't a lock, and he also still has to get past the offseason. The club will be 40-manning him before the end of the season to see if he can help the bigleague club, but dont' think they won't hesitate to jettison him if they don't like how he ends the year. Reyes' elbow had been an off-and-on issue for him since his first year out of college, so it is also possible that his previous arm troubles could be behind him now that the ligament was finally rebuilt. Not saying he is anyone to count on, but in a rebuilding season, it helps that they at least give him until the end of the year to show if he can make it back and produce.

 

[Danboone2006]

^Agreed on Reyes not being a real option in the Rotation. Without adding anyone you'd have to assume 2011 will look like 1. Carmona 2. Masterson 3. Talbot 4. Laffey 5. Carrasco.

I'd say he's #9 on the depth chart rotation wise, but due to his roster situation and having some "experience" he might be around #7.

Carrasco and Scotty Barnes with quality starts for Columbus and Akron last night.

Barnes was backed up by Connor Graham and Bryan Price. All 3 of these guys had rough starts to the season, but have locked down and been close to lights out over the last few weeks. All 3 were acquired in deadline deals last year. (Garko, Betancourt, Martinez)

 

[Gunther]

^Agreed on Reyes not being a real option in the Rotation. Without adding anyone you'd have to assume 2011 will look like 1. Carmona 2. Masterson 3. Talbot 4. Laffey 5. Carrasco.

I'd say he's #9 on the depth chart rotation wise, but due to his roster situation and having some "experience" he might be around #7.

Carrasco and Scotty Barnes with quality starts for Columbus and Akron last night.

Barnes was backed up by Connor Graham and Bryan Price. All 3 of these guys had rough starts to the season, but have locked down and been close to lights out over the last few weeks. All 3 were acquired in deadline deals last year. (Garko, Betancourt, Martinez)

Not a fan of this. Too young. Your only veteran (Fausto) is a shy guy who mumbles to himself all the time - not exactly a leader or someone to emulate. Also, I don't think Masterson is a starter long term. If you put Masterson in the bullpen, and replace him with hopefully a veteran free agent, then you could rotate any number of young arms into the remaining slots depending on who is injured and who is pitching well - pick from macbdog's list above. And if he's healthy, you have to consider Reyes as well. He's a veteran who has seen time and some success in the bigs.

 

[Danboone2006]

Not a fan of this. Too young.

I understand that thought, but I have to disagree. There's no way we're going to get anyone besides an inning eater unless we make a trade. If we need a big league mentor for the kids, I'd bring Nagy up to the big league coaching staff (or some sort of ex SP). We need to figure out once and for all what we have with some of these kids, not 180 innings from Nate Robertson or someone like that.

If we nab a vet they NEED to be lefty, as it stands we're very right heavy.

You have to assume that White will get the "avoid super-two status June call up" and be inserted as the #3,4 starter. There's just way too many guys that we need to figure out before it's too late to be wasting time on a vet.

--
I saw this from Tony Lastoria about Tyler Holt:

"Oh boy do the Indians have their hands full with Holt. That is one intense, wound tight, fiery dude. I think in every at bat he was chirping at the ump today and in the second at bat with bases loaded he flew out and threw his bat and said some choice words to the ump. This kid wasted no time getting comfortable and doing his thing, I will give him that. He's very Nomar Garciparra -like with all the between pitch mannerisms at the plate and really slows the game down getting in and out of the box and getting reset. Human Rain Delay Jr. He's also cocky. All that said, it's fun to have a player like this in the system for a change. I saw some interesting looks from the coaching staff as they watched his shenanigans, and after that second at bat Phil Clark pulled him aside and talked to him. This is gonna be fun to watch!"

I am SO happy to hear there's a guy in our system who's not 75% robot just going through the motions. I plan to head out to LC to see this guy play really soon.

 

[AZ_]

There really isn't a viable left-hander in free agency this offseason.

Unless you want to talk about Ted Lilly or Jorge De La Rosa, and I personally don't...


Brandon Webb and Javier Vazquez are two guys who I believe will be on the Indians radar.

Filling the need of a #2 but both coming off forgettable two year spans. I do believe both would benefit from a change of scenery.

 

[Gunther]

Jason Knapp to start in Lake County tomorrow night:

But come Friday, Knapp will be in the center of the diamond when he gets the start against the Hot Rods.

It will be his first appearance at Classic Park since late last season, when he went 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts before he was shut down because of lingering discomfort in his pitching shoulder.

"The end of last season was frustrating. I just couldn't get healthy," Knapp said.

In late September 2009, Knapp had arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder to remove bone chips. The procedure was successful. Knapp's progress has been steady ever since.

"After 10 months in an exercise program, I'm stronger than I've ever been," said Knapp, whose arsenal includes two-seam and four-seam fastballs, curve and changeup.

When his arm is in good working order, Knapp can fire fastballs in the 98 mph range, and higher.

After getting through spring training without a setback, he made 12 appearances for the Tribe's Arizona Rookie League team. He got word earlier this week that he was headed back to Lake County and would start Friday's game.

"On a scale of 1 to 100, I'd say 110," Knapp replied, smiling, when asked how eager he was to swing back into action at Classic Park.

Knapp was selected by the Phillies in the second round of the June 2008 draft out of high school. He won't turn 20 until Aug. 31. There were tantalizing glimpses of his potential last season before the trade, when he notched 111 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings as a starter for the Lakewood BlueClaws of the Class A South Atlantic League.

"I've learned so much in the process of coming back from this injury," Knapp said. "I feel strong, and I know I'm a better pitcher now than I was before."

SOURCE

 

[Danboone2006]

Knapp's line tonight: 4 IP, 0 ER, 7 K's, 2 BB's.

 

[Chris]

Future ace am confirmed. :chuckles:

 

[sjeppe]

My mom met Jason Knapp on his flight into Cleveland last year when we traded for him. He got her free tickets whenever she wanted to the Captians games, he is a nice guy.

 

[Danboone2006]

What does everyone's Top 5 prospects list look like? (Keeping it to only guys who haven't played in the majors at all)

1. Chisenhall
2. White
3. Knapp
4. Kipnis
5. Gardner