Been a while since my last post, but now that the minor league regular season has ended its time to look back at the top performers, highest ceiling and biggest disappointment.
Player of the Year- Cedric Hunter
A year after struggling at AA San Antonio, the 22 year old was back with the Missions and he put himself back on the map. With a line of .308/.373/.423 in one of the toughest hitter leagues in the minors, he struggled after his promotion to AAA but finished with a combined .287/.342/.397 line to end the year. He was very patient at the plate, with a 47/44 BB/K ratio. He needs some more polish, but the 2006 3rd round pick is looking like he could compete for the CF job in the next year or two.
Highest Ceiling- Cory Luebke
Cory has since been promoted to the big leagues but boy did he look great at the minor league level. Going 10-1 with a 2.68 ERA and a 88/29 K to Strikeout ratio across two levels. He is the most polished arm in the system and for good reason, a lefty who hides the ball well, and comes at you with a low 90's fastball and average secondary pitches. He struggled in his first start but that is expected of young pitchers. Newspaper reports he was in awe of Petco Park and the crowd, expect Cory to have a big impact the rest of the season, and possibly be a part of next years starting rotation out of Spring Training.
Biggest Disappointment- Aaron Poreda
The prize of the Jake Peavy trade has been nothing but disappointing so far, struggling with his command at both the AA and AAA levels. A 47/64 Strikeout to BB ratio will not get it done anywhere, especially as a reliever. Which is what the organization seems to see him as now, since he only has one start in his last 10 appearances. Looking back at the entire Peavy trade the only bright spot has been Ryan Webb, he's been a serviceable reliever.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Why the Padres shouldn't make a big move
97 games into the season, the Padres have a 3.5 game lead on the San Francisco Giants, The Dodgers and Rockies are 6 and 8 games back respectively. There is no need to make a move, its great that there is talks though, bats seem to be coming alive, and the pitching has kept on pitching well. Ernesto Frieri has been a great revelation, and there is still bullpen help down in the minors, Evan Scribner, the AA closer could come up and help the bullpen out.
Pitchers like Simon Castro, Corey Luebke and Cory Kluber could all come up and make a spot start, they have all put up excellent numbers in AA and AAA.
Besides, to get a good bat would mean Simon Castro or young guns like Matthew Lolis, Keyvius Sampson or Adys Portillo would have to be involved. All for one shot? Sure that sounds great, but Adrian Gonzalez is surely gone after this year, Jon Garland, Kevin Correia and others could be gone after the year as well. They made it this far with the guys they have, they should let them finish it, they have great chemistry and should be allowed to make a run with the guys they have.
Pitchers like Simon Castro, Corey Luebke and Cory Kluber could all come up and make a spot start, they have all put up excellent numbers in AA and AAA.
Besides, to get a good bat would mean Simon Castro or young guns like Matthew Lolis, Keyvius Sampson or Adys Portillo would have to be involved. All for one shot? Sure that sounds great, but Adrian Gonzalez is surely gone after this year, Jon Garland, Kevin Correia and others could be gone after the year as well. They made it this far with the guys they have, they should let them finish it, they have great chemistry and should be allowed to make a run with the guys they have.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Waiting for 2014
2014 is a long ways away, but it is the light at the end of the tunnel for the San Diego Chargers, it is the year GM AJ Smith's contract is up. Until then the Chargers will continue to have players who will leave their blood and sweat on the field while their GM waits to give them the boot or hide behind a letter with a stamp on it.
As the Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill saga continues, we continue to see the arrogant business side of AJ Smith. He who notified his two star players, that if they did not sign their RFA tender, they're salaries would be reduced to peanuts, and they were. Being a great professional he "communicated" this to his players by sending a letter, no visit no call that we know of was made.
That is not how you treat your franchise left tackle, the one who protects your $90 million dollar quarterback, and according to holdout reports both players are willing to hold out until November and only return to play the last 6 games of the season. Which will allow them to become free agents and leave the following season. If the Chargers are to play like this for 10 games, Rivers would be in danger EVERY play, backup Tra Thomas is exactly that, a backup, he won't stand a chance against Dumervil, Seymour and Hali of the AFC West. Not to mention the effect on the running game, is Ryan Matthews supposed to run to the right side only?
The loss of Vincent Jackson would mean Antonio Gates sees more double coverages, less space for the big man to operate in. Floyd was a revelation last year but his success was based on the attention Jackson receives.
The division is still the Chargers to lose, none of the other teams seem capable of overtaking them for first anytime soon, but this is building up to be another one playoff game and out season, which would be no surprise around here. This team has been nothing but a playoff disappointment since 2004, tagged as Super Bowl favorites many times only to be a bust one or two games in.
Back to AJ, how hard would it have been to go meet with his two players? Give them a nice little speech saying, "Hey we've got a chance to do something special here, our time is now, but we need you guys, " with some "The CBA is an issue so we can only offer you this for this year, but once its all worked out we will make sure you guys get paid". That was a little much, never going to happen but I can only wish, and coming out of AJ's mouth it would have been a great big lie. He signs his franchise quarterback this past year but fails to sign his LT after 5 years? And how about Luis Castillo's contract? Not only does he draft him after taking roids in college, he then proceeds to extend him three years after he's drafted. Before Rivers, Jackson, McNeill, MERRIMAN and numerous others.
If anyone deserved a extension in 2006-2007 it was Merriman, it was his play that lifted the Chargers mediocre defense, he helped Cromartie put together that incredible season. We saw the Merriman effect the following year where teams ran and passed all over while he was gone, and its no surprise AJ tries to trade a guy who is so important to this team.
And today AJ comes out saying " It hurts" not having his players this season? Was that a joke? Sarcasm? I don't believe it one bit, if he was so hurt he would go visit his players like Mike Holmgren did in Seattle, explain some things. But he must be too good for it, or must not want to wast gas due to the BP oil spill, who the heck knows what goes on in his mind.
Now I'm just ranting, but its what happens when you love a team this much, and as much as it pains me to say it, we will continue to suffer as long as AJ is GM. And my last painful thought.
The Chargers will not win a Super Bowl as long as AJ Smith is the GM.
As the Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill saga continues, we continue to see the arrogant business side of AJ Smith. He who notified his two star players, that if they did not sign their RFA tender, they're salaries would be reduced to peanuts, and they were. Being a great professional he "communicated" this to his players by sending a letter, no visit no call that we know of was made.
That is not how you treat your franchise left tackle, the one who protects your $90 million dollar quarterback, and according to holdout reports both players are willing to hold out until November and only return to play the last 6 games of the season. Which will allow them to become free agents and leave the following season. If the Chargers are to play like this for 10 games, Rivers would be in danger EVERY play, backup Tra Thomas is exactly that, a backup, he won't stand a chance against Dumervil, Seymour and Hali of the AFC West. Not to mention the effect on the running game, is Ryan Matthews supposed to run to the right side only?
The loss of Vincent Jackson would mean Antonio Gates sees more double coverages, less space for the big man to operate in. Floyd was a revelation last year but his success was based on the attention Jackson receives.
The division is still the Chargers to lose, none of the other teams seem capable of overtaking them for first anytime soon, but this is building up to be another one playoff game and out season, which would be no surprise around here. This team has been nothing but a playoff disappointment since 2004, tagged as Super Bowl favorites many times only to be a bust one or two games in.
Back to AJ, how hard would it have been to go meet with his two players? Give them a nice little speech saying, "Hey we've got a chance to do something special here, our time is now, but we need you guys, " with some "The CBA is an issue so we can only offer you this for this year, but once its all worked out we will make sure you guys get paid". That was a little much, never going to happen but I can only wish, and coming out of AJ's mouth it would have been a great big lie. He signs his franchise quarterback this past year but fails to sign his LT after 5 years? And how about Luis Castillo's contract? Not only does he draft him after taking roids in college, he then proceeds to extend him three years after he's drafted. Before Rivers, Jackson, McNeill, MERRIMAN and numerous others.
If anyone deserved a extension in 2006-2007 it was Merriman, it was his play that lifted the Chargers mediocre defense, he helped Cromartie put together that incredible season. We saw the Merriman effect the following year where teams ran and passed all over while he was gone, and its no surprise AJ tries to trade a guy who is so important to this team.
And today AJ comes out saying " It hurts" not having his players this season? Was that a joke? Sarcasm? I don't believe it one bit, if he was so hurt he would go visit his players like Mike Holmgren did in Seattle, explain some things. But he must be too good for it, or must not want to wast gas due to the BP oil spill, who the heck knows what goes on in his mind.
Now I'm just ranting, but its what happens when you love a team this much, and as much as it pains me to say it, we will continue to suffer as long as AJ is GM. And my last painful thought.
The Chargers will not win a Super Bowl as long as AJ Smith is the GM.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Top Prospect Watch: Drew Cumberland
Since being drafted in 2007, SS Drew Cumberland has shown flashes of brilliance, hitting for average and speed at Low-A Fort Wayne. But injuries slowed his development, he started off this year in High-A Lake Elsinore and has taken off, sure its a hitters league but "Cumby" is putting up some amazing numbers.
His line so far .371/.410/.546 which includes 13 2B, 4 3B's and a surprising 7 HR along with 35 RBI's. Andrew has also stolen 20-29 bases, showing his elite top of the order speed. He would be the perfect leadoff man at Petco, he hits for average and has good speed, while Cabrera has played well in his short time here its hard to believe he is the SS of the future. In his two seasons here he has been plagued with injuries, in the case he continues that way Cumberland could step in, take the SS spot and not give it back, that's how good this kid is.
Cumberland spent two years in Fort Wayne, two very succesful ones, with last year's squad winning the league championship. The Padres promoted most of that squad to Lake Elsinore and all they've done is clinch the first half championship with games to spare. All this with top prospect Jaff Decker struggling at the plate. For more on Cumberland here's an interview with Andrew Cumberland with my good friends from So Cal Gold.
His line so far .371/.410/.546 which includes 13 2B, 4 3B's and a surprising 7 HR along with 35 RBI's. Andrew has also stolen 20-29 bases, showing his elite top of the order speed. He would be the perfect leadoff man at Petco, he hits for average and has good speed, while Cabrera has played well in his short time here its hard to believe he is the SS of the future. In his two seasons here he has been plagued with injuries, in the case he continues that way Cumberland could step in, take the SS spot and not give it back, that's how good this kid is.
Cumberland spent two years in Fort Wayne, two very succesful ones, with last year's squad winning the league championship. The Padres promoted most of that squad to Lake Elsinore and all they've done is clinch the first half championship with games to spare. All this with top prospect Jaff Decker struggling at the plate. For more on Cumberland here's an interview with Andrew Cumberland with my good friends from So Cal Gold.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Minor League Update
Donavan Tate will join the Arizona Rookie League June 21st.
James Darnell will return to San Antonio this week after being with Fort Wayne this past weekend.
Top minor league club the Lake Elsinore Storm, will send five players to the High A All Star game. SS Drew Cumberland, P Brad Brach, CF Blake Tekotte, RF Dan Robertson and 2B Cole Figueroa.
James Darnell will return to San Antonio this week after being with Fort Wayne this past weekend.
Top minor league club the Lake Elsinore Storm, will send five players to the High A All Star game. SS Drew Cumberland, P Brad Brach, CF Blake Tekotte, RF Dan Robertson and 2B Cole Figueroa.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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