Jun
06

DotF(ortenberry)

By Mike Axisa

Jeremy Bleich, the Yanks’ sandwich pick on Thursday (you know, the one I wrote off way too early because I had never heard of him), is starting tonight for Stanford against Cal State Fullerton in Game 1 of their Super Regional matchup. You can catch the game on ESPN2 right now, or follow along on CSTV’s unbelievable Game Tracker. Feel free to talk about it on this thread.

I also want to mention that Brian Foley at The College Baseball Blog previewed the Super Regionals at his site, and also talked NCAA postseason on air with two insufferable LA shock jocks. Make sure you stop by and make fun of his accent. Tell him Mike sent you.

Here’s the AAA, AA, A+ and A- box scores. Crazy, crazy night of action tonight.

  • Alberto Gonzalez had three hits and a double. Jason Lane & Ben Broussard also picked up two baggers. Broussard has been a beast since signing.
  • Matt Carson picked up 3 hits, including a jack.
  • Steven White and Heath Phillips got absolutely creamed, combining to give up 15 hits and 11 runs in 4.2 IP. Both have been lucky that SWB is short on arms right now. See the TJ Watch for JB Cox’s line.
  • Trenton was getting no-hit into the 8th inning, but ended up winning 2-1 thanks to RBI’s from Ramiro Pena and Austin Jackson.
  • Jason Jones had yet another strong start, giving up 1 run in 6.
  • Eduard Nunez & Mitch Hilligoss each picked up 3 hits, Andres Perez picked up 4.
  • Seth Fortenberry had a single in the first, a homer in the 4th, a triple in the 6th and double in the 7th, giving him a good ol’ fashioned cycle.
  • Zach McAllister tossed 7 shutout innings, and now has a 63-9 K/BB ratio in 73.1 IP. Wow.
  • Jon Hovis tossed one of his typical perfect inning after missing over a month due to an unknown injury.
  • Brandon Laird had 2 doubles and 2 RBI. No one else did anything significant (Jesus Montero had the day off).
  • Charleston’s pitching dominated all game, with 4 pitching combining to throw a 4-hit shutout (10 K).

Regular, full blown DotF returns tomorrow.

Posted on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 10:37 pm in Down on the Farm.

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210 Comments »

TurnTwo says:

is this Miami stadium the one ARod’s donation paid for? or was that just for practice facilities?

Mike A. says:

It’s called Alex Rodriguez Stadium at Mark Light Field. What do you think? ;)

TurnTwo says:

ha! didnt know that… alrighty then.

 
 
 
Joey says:

1:30 left with this insufferable, horrible fight until we get to see Mr. future Andy Pettite!

Mike A. says:

It’s okay, they’re on the road so he’s not going to pitching until the bottom half anyway. I really hope Jeff Kaplan is pitching for Fullerton, he’s got one of those funky “one in college” deliveries.

Joey says:

funky as in bad or different?

 
 
TurnTwo says:
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Three-Run jack off Twins’ 27th pick Carlos Gutierrez, ouch babe. ‘Zona leads 6-3 in the 11th.

TurnTwo says:

from what i remember, a pick that didnt make much sense for the Twins, or so the experts said.

Mike A. says:

No. Gutierrez was 3rd, maybe even 4th round talent.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Wow, Miami used their best relievers for multiple innings each, and they’re going to lose. Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the series. This was a great game.

 
Jamal G. says:

Game is finally on, jeez.

 
Joey says:
 
Mike A. says:

Nice, Kaplan’s pitching. Wait to see him from the windup.

Mike A. says:

Unless Dave Serrano fixed him. Shit, I hope not. Stupid new coaches.

 
 
TurnTwo says:

good to see the Mets’ pick for Ratcliff crap the bed his first AB on TV here…

 
Jamal G. says:

Mike, you weren’t kidding about that game tracker, wow.

 
Jamal G. says:

Oppenheimer said Bleich was up to 92-93MPH last time they saw him, I’ve read he can get up to 93-94MPH so let’s check out his velocity (as if we weren’t going to).

TurnTwo says:

looked like a great curve to me!

 
 
Joey says:

limited to 70-80 pitches? Who does he think he is? Joba?

 
Mike A. says:

What is it with Yankee starters and pitch counts? Bah. Bleich only gets 70-80 tosses today.

BigBlueAL says:

did u see his walk total for the season??? kinda scary.

Mike A. says:

He was injured, maybe that had something to do with it. (hopefully)

 
 
Mike R. says:

Looks like that’s all he’ll need. Quick work.

 
 
Mike R. says:

91 MPH FH to get a GO for Bliech. Very nice.

 
Joey says:

Well that was a quick half inning

 
Mike A. says:

I betcha Moose and bullpen coach Mike Harkey have money on this game. Moose is a Stanford alum (of course), Harkey’s an ex-Titan.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Is that a mid-80s change he’s been flashing? Looked like his fastball was clocked at 91.

And honestly, I don’t mind that Bleich is limited to 70 tosses. The absolute worst that could happen is the kid gets overworked after being drafted…God forbid something should happen to him now.

 
DaveM says:

Just tuning into watch Bleich now. Thanks for the heads up guys!!!!

 
Mike A. says:

Ah there’s the Kaplan twist. Last year it was much faster, he slowed it down this year.

Jamal G. says:

Lmao, he looks like he has a bad online connection. Like his body is suffering lag issues with that little twitch.

 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Wow, good defense there. And what a leg kick by Kaplan! So that’s the famed Kaplan twist?

Mike A. says:

Last year it was faster, he slowed down the pace this year.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Am I the only one that thinks college games are more exciting than ML games? I love this stuff.

TurnTwo says:

ill be honest, i never really gave NCAA games much of a look, so i cant say one way or another.

but it is fun to hear the aluminum bats.

Joey says:

fun? I cringe every time I hear it. I need a nice crack of the bat, not a ping

 
 
Joey says:

depends, I love watching my Yankees, but this year I started going to my colleges games (UCF Knights) and I got to see some pretty good teams with Rice being in our division, and USF coming once in awhile, plus some others I can’t remember now. They’re both fun to watch because they’re MY teams to root for. Love the game in general

Mike A. says:

Yeah I hear ya. I love rooting for my teams, but I just enjoy the game in general.

 
 
 
TurnTwo says:

ha! sittin in a frat house, or for the rest of us, at home after work on a friday night wishing i was still in a frat house.

Mike A. says:

and wondering where it all went so horribly wrong…

heh

 
Joey says:

actually sittin in the dorm room bitching about having to wake up early (7am) for work tomorrow (even though I love my job)

TurnTwo says:

eh, sit back with some keystones and call out tomorrow!

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

As a bonus, Drew Storen will almost assuredly come out of the pen to follow Bleich. The Yanks took him late as a signability guy last year but couldn’t sign him. He’s a stud.

 
Mike A. says:

Bleich has a nice big frame. Looks like a lefty Mark Prior.

TurnTwo says:

someone better tell him #21 is off limits once he signs, though…

 
 
Ponch says:

Bleich has a pretty looking curve.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

I was thinking the same thing. It’s nice, tight, and just drops out of the zone.

Mike A. says:

It’s got a nice short break. Not one of those big loopy Barry Zito benders

 
 
 
Devin says:

is it me or does bleich remind u of a more athletic ted lilly. His motion reminds me of lilly

The Scout says:

I had the same reaction

 
 
Manimal says:

Bleich doesnt have a good pick off move like andy

TurnTwo says:

he’s got some time to work on that…

 
 
Joey says:

Nice command, hitting the glove every time

Manimal says:

I agree, the stage certainly hasn’t phased him, it IS the super regionals after all. Looks like Oppenheimer hit jackpot again.

TurnTwo says:

lets be careful not to jump the gun here, but so far, agreed, so good.

 
Joey says:

super regionals > regionals, because they’re SUPER!

Manimal says:

DUH, the next round is the SUPER-DUPER Regionals

 
 
 
 
Ponch says:

Just an aside, but did you see Buster Olney reported today that the Yanks would have taken Schlereth at 28 if he was available? I wonder if that was more Cashman than Oppenheimer, given the bullpen needs.

Mike A. says:

I would have been furious. A reliever at #28? That’s like drafting a kicker in the first round.

cult of basebaal says:

just imagine how you would have felt with Schlereth at 28 and Bleich at 44!

 
Mike R. says:

Maybe it was a strategy to get some goodwill from ESPN. The Baseball Tonight crew would be scared shitless to badmouth Stink’s kid’s team. :)

 
 
Manimal says:

I’m glad we took Cole. Did you guys see the picture with him and the yankees sign at the 2001 world series
http://blog.nj.com/yankees_mai.....t-cole.jpg

TurnTwo says:

atta boy, Gerrit! he, or his dad, knew where his bread was going to be buttered.

Manimal says:

Isn’t that cool? Just justifies getting him in the first round even more.

 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Ready for some utterly useless info?

Fullerton’s coach last year was George Horton, he left to become the coach at Oregon which is bringing baseball back next year after a 20 year hiatus.

Dave Serrano left UC Irvine to take over the Fullerton job after Horton left, and is in the dugout today.

Mike Gillespie took over UC Irvine when Serrano left for Fullerton. Prior to that Gillespie was the manager for the Staten Island Yankees. Prior to that he coached at USC, where his ace was Mr. Ian Kennedy.

Ah how everything comes back to the Yankees.

Manimal says:

Sounds like a soap opera to me.

 
TurnTwo says:
 
Joey says:

it is a Yankee Universe after all

 
Mike R. says:

When did we start playing Six degrees of the NY Yankees? Why wasn’t I invited?

 
 
Devin says:

hes got sporadic velocity 85 87 90 91 id like to see him stick at 89-91 but he does look good..

Manimal says:

change in speeds is good if he knows what hes doing.

Devin says:

yea thats true i didnt think about him doing it on purpose…he sure is around the plate … i wonder how many of these hard hit balls wouldnt play with wood bats

Manimal says:

plus he might be a little scared of pushing his arm to its limits since he strained his arm earlier in the season.

 
 
 
 
cult of basebaal says:

sweet fancy jesus on a teeny tiny pogostick, you didn’t mention that the interview was with Vic “The Brick” Jacobs (or as I like to call him, Thick as a Brick Vic), he’s one of the biggest asshats in LA Sports radio (and that’s stiff competition). Insufferable is a perfect description of him. Laker homer, kobe apologist, pseudo-zen spouting luddite is another. He was part of the hatchet-wielding, stats are bad, computers don’t know baseball crowd that ran Depodesta out of town. It was glorious listening to him eat copious amounts of crow after Loduca got fingered in the Mitchell report (after listening to him drone on and on about how much the Dodgers missed Loduca’s character for years).

 
Jamal G. says:

Mike, I agree with you that the game itself is more exciting but it is ahrd for me to get into because I like to know who I am actually watching, like player wise. Since I don’t restart my Freshamn year of college a year late until this Fall, I don’t have a team to follow :(

Manimal says:

This kid in my town got a full baseball scholarship to Louisville so I just root for them.

 
TurnTwo says:

take my advice… go to a D-1 school, in Florida, Texas, or California. good weather, good sports, and you’ll get the education you need.

Mike A. says:

We are … PENN STATE!!! Who doesn’t want to go to a cold weather state school where there’s little public transportation and girls that have to wear layers of clothes because it’s frickin’ freezing all the time?

TurnTwo says:

i swear to christ, if i heard that damn chant one more time on the beach in negril on spring break, i might have killed someone.

i know nothing about Penn State, and i HATE that place.

 
Devin says:

i have a friend that goes to penn state and i visit often… i love it out there.. the last time i went was for the blue white game and i got a chance to see greg oden eating at the mcdonalds by walmart n larry johnson at one of the clubs on campus

Mike A. says:

LJ is my homey. We’ve partied before. Now he’s all hollywood and shit.

 
 
 
 
Joey says:

root for my Knights :-) I’ll share. According to my friend who follows all this college stuff like I follow professional sports, we had a pretty damn good recruiting class (like top 15 in the nation). All I know is Richardson is one of our commitments, but it’s a win win either way for me. His brother plays for us now, not too bad, big bat but it usually seems all or nothing for him

 
 
Mike A. says:

Bleich is hitting the glove 9 times out of 10.

TurnTwo says:

looks to me like he’s sitting more 87-89 than 93-94.

Jamal G. says:

He’s working back from the elbow injury, he doesn’t have his arm strength back and he probably is not comfortable enough to give it 100% effort. That velocity report came from before his injury.

 
Mike A. says:

Agreed. He only needs to be 90-91 though.

 
 
 
Sal says:

Announcers love this kid.

TurnTwo says:

did you see that hook? nice.

 
 
Ponch says:

I like what I see with Bleich. As Nevin said, his command isn’t spot on, but he’s coming off the elbow injury. His fastball looks lively (if not exactly overpowering ), he’s got a pretty curve and he’s not afraid to attack both sides of the plate. He certainly has some tools to work with.

Joey says:

I think his control has been pretty damn good actually

 
 
Sal says:

Wow what a clinic in that AB!

 
Jamal G. says:

The announcer has a point, Bleich has some balls pitching inside to aluminum bats. Nice K.

 
Mike A. says:
Jamal G. says:

Yeah, I finally see what they mean by “pitchability”. I have to say, I like it.

 
Manimal says:

I am too. I still think there were better options and I’m pretty sure he would still be on the board for their 3rd pick but I’m still impressed

 
Guiseppe Franco says:

This kid’s motion is very smooth and looks like he has good mechanics.

His motion reminds me a lot of Eric Milton. Very similar.

 
 
Ponch says:

Let’s not forget Cory “The Franchise” Arbiso here

 
Jamal G. says:

You know how you know baseball is a thinking man’s game, Stanford’s baseball program is the only one of their athletic programs that are perennial championship contenders.

TurnTwo says:
 
Mike A. says:

And their mascot is a giant tree.

Jamal G. says:

I will never get that thing out of my head, it haunts me.

 
Joey says:

Worst. Mascot. Ever.

Mike R. says:

The comic book guy from the Simpsons. I could here his voice as I read you post. Well done!

 
 
 
 
Mike R. says:

I think it’s safe to say it took about 36 hours for the nay-sayers (myself included) to embrace Bliech.

Mike A. says:

Totally. I usually prematurely dismiss one pick every year, and this year it was Bleich. One game doesn’t make a career, but it’s hard not to like what he’s doing.

 
Joey says:

I was confused for awhile (as in who the hell is that) but I never doubted Oppy (I am proud to say)

Ponch says:

I think Nevin is in love.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

He didn’t drop his knee, Bartlett’s knee was there for a while before Crisp slid. Unless I’m “misremembering” (can’t believe that is actually a word), Crisp started his slide when Bartlett’s knee was already down.

“Let’s not used the word throw. Why don’t you enjoy the track longer than the other racers.” Haha.

 
Manimal says:

that guy must have gotten bunting lessons from Cano

Mike A. says:
 
 
Jamal G. says:

I love the fact that he can drop that Curveball in there for Strike 1. Then follow it up with a Fastball for Strike 2.

 
Joey says:

Beautiful. Pinpoint accuracy there

 
Mike A. says:

I wonder what his pitch count is so far. Can’t be more than 40-45, right?

TurnTwo says:

cant be. very efficient so far.

 
Mike R. says:

I doubt that it could be more than 45. All of his innings have seemed to go by very quickly.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Fungai, herpes, tampons and athlete’s foot ads are not meant for TV!

 
Jamal G. says:

Anybody else feel like they are in bizarro world since we are hearing an ESPN announcer gushing over something pro-Yankee?

TurnTwo says:

ha! hello, vargus…

 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

I love what Bleich is doing tonight. My only complaints are the fly-ball outs (but they *are* using aluminum bats) and the inconsistent fastball velocity, but when you’re pounding the strikezone and hitting your spots, you don’t need to be blowing low 90s heat.

 
Mike A. says:

Man, we’ve had more traffic the past two days than we did all of last June. Show’s how much the site has grown.

Seriously, thanks all.

Jamal G. says:

Thanks to you guys man. I credit my immersment in the world of amateur and Minor League ball soley to you guys. I first stumbled upon In George We Trust and that led me here, got into the prospect profiles and as you can tell, I haven’t looked back since.

Kudos, serious kudos to the three of you. BTW, will we ever see a post from Lex?

Mike A. says:

Lex is just a copy editor. So when Ben, Joe or I post something like “Teh Yankees lost to the rOyals 2-1 todya,” she fixes it. Makes us look a lot smarter than we all are.

Jamal G. says:

I just notcied that she is no longer in the credits…how could you? ;

 
 
 
Joey says:

again, you guys are the best. Comment sections are great to talk to others that love the Yanks, without the absolute chaos and idiocy that takes place over at LoHud. Always up to the minute info and opinions on the pinstripes, it really doesn’t get much better :-) God I feel like I’m kissing ass, but seriously, thank you

 
 
Jamal G. says:

…Still was a bad pick.

 
Ponch says:

I hope this stays a tight game. The pressure doesn’t seem like it bother Bleich much. And as I type that, Fidel Castro goes yard for 3-0.

Mike A. says:

I hope they bring Storen in. That’s kid’s awesome. Too bad the Yanks didn’t sign him last year.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Homer from the #10 overall pick right there.

 
Joey says:

Moose is looking good on that probable bet Mike

 
Mike R. says:

Ed Wade is a GENIUS!!!!!! Castro is the STEAL of the draft!!!!!

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Haha. That seemed a bit too much an aluminum bat home run for my tastes. I mean, if the Astros didn’t have the 10th pick, and other high-upside bats (and arms) to pick from…

…that pick wouldn’t be nearly so indefensible.

Mike R. says:

I was being sarcastic. Castro is very good, but not #10 overall good. Far from it.

 
 
 
Devin says:

maybe the stros didnt botch that pick afterall…

 
Mike R. says:

You know what is funny? I remember the first post here to get over 100 comments. It seemed like a really big deal back then and today this thread is already at 125+ for a College game.

Joey says:

we’re all seeing our future Andy Pettite for the first time. lol

 
 
Guiseppe Franco says:

I said this earlier, but Bleich’s motion reminds me a lot of Eric Milton.

Sound mechanics.

 
Mike A. says:

40 pitches thru 4. Beautiful.

 
Jamal G. says:

40 Pitches through four innings, paging Mr. Chamberlain…Mr. Chamberlain.

 
Mike A. says:

Good. Now let’s see how he does with a man on.

 
Mike A. says:

Needs to work on his pickoff move. Obviously.

 
Jamal G. says:

LoL, this seems like a recent Yankees game. When did Juan Castro become Jose Molina?

 
Joey says:

Eh. Andy will have to work on his pickoff with him next spring (hopefully Andy will be around in sort of an instructional role I guess)

 
Mike R. says:

That was a beautiful move. It looked like he might have caught the 1B off guard.

 
Jamal G. says:

That doesn’t get through with a wodden bat.

 
Ponch says:

That was an aluminum bat single right there.

 
Mike R. says:

Anybody think Bleich gets an invite to ST next season?

Mike A. says:

I doubt it. Kennedy and Joba didn’t last year.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Hopefully that curve breaks the same way in the pros. The stitches on a college baseball are a bit closer together than they are on a regular old ML baseball.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

I think the curve will translate. I do have a question, though; do they use ML baseballs in the Cape Cod League, or college baseballs?

 
 
 
Joey says:

at 50 pitches now

 
Mike A. says:

Heh, he’s at 50 pitches in the 5th inning despite being in a jam?

 
Joey says:

Where did that miss?

Joey says:

Hey ump, check your cell phone- YOU MISSED A CALL!

 
 
Devin says:
 
cult of basebaal says:

maybe we should send robbie down to CS Fullerton for a couple of weeks … maybe they could learn him how to get a bunt down

 
Mike R. says:

Frankie Piliere over at Pinstripe Plus stated that Bleich throws two fastball’s His two seamer is the won we are seeing at the low 90’s and his four seamer is in the 84-87 MPH range with tons of late movement. That’s why the readings have seemed erratic.

Mike A. says:

That doesn’t make sense, the four seamer should be faster. Two seamers loose a little zip because of the movement. Do you have that backwards possibly?

Jamal G. says:

Shows you how nasty Josh Beckett and Joba Chamberlain are, their Two-Seamers consistently hit 93-97MPH.

 
Mike R. says:

There are only two possible explanations for that.

1 – Frankie doesn’t know what he is talking about.

2 – I am a little slow today and wrote that backwards.

I’ll give you a hint…It’s #2.

Mike A. says:

Heh, it happens. Trust me.

 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Nice to see the 91-MPH after such a long inning.

 
Ponch says:

Bee-utiful curve for strike 3.

 
Joey says:

nice inning, love it. he’s pumped

 
Jamal G. says:

Runner on thrid with less than two outs, up by two runs in a playoff game and he strands the runner. You have to love that. This kid has got intangibles. So many things out of his control went wrong in that inning but he kept his composure and got the job done.

 
Devin says:

now that were gettin a good look at bleich keeping in mind that hes not fully back from the injury. what do we see? a 3 4? maybe a 2? whats the reaction?

Joey says:

he’s a lefty which is also a huge plus

Devin says:

i agree with his stuff and his bulldog mentality which is wat im gettin by watching him…i feel he can be a good 3. if he indeed gets that fastball up to 93 like opp said then 2 potential is there

 
 
Jamal G. says:

With the assumption of improved velocity to a 92-94MPH heater, I would say a ceiling as an above average #3, possibly a #2 and a floor of an average #4. Looks to have a pretty nice Curveball now that should only improve under the guidance of Nardi Contreras including that Changeup. If he maintains the Fastball command with the improved velocity, I don’t see why he can’t be a valuable middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Jamal G. says:

But I’m just talking here, haven’t seen him before tonight and I am in no way qualified to give any sort of “scouting report” on a baseball player. Even though it is way too early to be having any sort of judgement on him, it is still fun to do so!

 
Mike R. says:

If he gets his FB velocity up to 92-94 without losing command, improves his curveball AND changeup that’s a #1 in my book. I think it is not very likely that all of those things happen. I’d love to be wrong though.

 
 
Mike R. says:

Best case scenario? I would say #2 starter.

 
 
cult of basebaal says:
 
Devin says:

the met goin deep.

 
Mike A. says:

That shot cleared the trees. Daymn.

Devin says:

theres no way that stance and swing holds up in the high minors though…maybe im wrong i jus see rediculous strikeout potential with those swing mechanics

 
 
Joey says:

wow, Brandon Webb won his 11th tonight. Nice (sorry if this is old news, I just saw it)

 
Joey says:

someone’s getting tired… 4 pitch walk

 
Mike A. says:

Yeah, Bleich is tiring.

Mike R. says:

That’s to be expected. This is his firsts start since the injury. The only other post-injury game he pitched in was 4 innings out of the pen.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Looks like fatigue has taken its toll.

 
Mike A. says:

Man, he does remind me of Pettitte.

Jamal G. says:

That uncanny knack of digging deep when they most need it?

Joey says:

absolutely, plus he has this fluidity in his delivery, while not exactly like Pettite it is very similar

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Now I’m mad. I put that horrible call out of my head earlier tonight. God damn Ed Montague.

 
Devin says:

i dont know if its the smooth motion but the 88 mph fastball is playing up

Ponch says:

The ball looks like it jumps out of his hand.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Still hitting 90-MPH.

 
Mike A. says:

He’s gotta be done now. 72 pitches.

***stands and applauds***

Mike A. says:

***sits down and realizes he’s still in there***

Joey says:

he’s at around 74-75 now, I don’t think the coach will let him start the next inning, or for that matter Cash-man. lol

 
 
Joey says:

Very impressed. Can’t wait to see you in pinstripes!

**Stands and applauds with Mike**

 
 
Jamal G. says:

That’s just great right there, running on empty and he gets out of the inning unscathed. Loving the fact that he’s doing so against a Top 5 ranked team in a playoff atmosphere.

 
Devin says:

wow the announcer absolutely loves the kid.. im sold anotha opp coup in my opinion…heart desire and guts is what comes across to me even more so then his good stuff

 
Joey says:

I couldn’t be happier right now, and since I highly doubt he will be back out next inning I will wish you all goodnight right now, I have to be up early. See ya’ll for tomorrows game (probably)

 
Mike R. says:

I take it we don’t hate this guy anymore and no longer demand an explanation from Damon Oppenheimer. How the hell did BA NOT have this guy among their top 200 draft prospects?

Devin says:

injury im guessing

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Check out the Mets-Padres Gameday videos, the Gonzalez brothers on the Padres right side infeild are making web gem after web gem.

BTW, listening to Kevin Costner and thinking about Field of Dreams, what is your #1 baseball movie? Mine has to be Eight Men Out, followed closely by Bull Durahm.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Mine is 61*.

If Bleich’s velocity tops out at 91-93, I definitely think his ceiling is a Pettitte-like pitcher. Even if his velocity only tops out at 91, though, I think he can be successful if the curve translates and he shows good command.

If his velocity is closer to the high-80s/low-90s, I think the left-handed Kennedy comparisons aren’t totally off the mark. He probably won’t strike out as many as Kennedy has in his college/early professional career, but he probably won’t walk as many, either. Kennedy has command of more off-speed stuff then Bleich was flashing tonight, I think but Bleich makes up for it being a lefty.

Again, these are just my initial impressions. It’s hard to take away *that* much from one start, but I have to say, overall, Bleich colored me impressed (in my completely amateur opinion).

Steve says:

He is nothing like a left handed Kennedy. A left handed Kennedy would be someone who spots his fastball and works off his changeup.

Bleich is actually similar to Christian Friedrich the guy Yankee fans were drooling over(even though they never saw him pitch) and wanting him to drop so the Yankees could take him. How ironic.

Bleich and Friedrich’s best pitch is their curveball. Friedrich’s curve is better, but you saw that Bleich can throw his for strikes and badly fool RHBs with some nasty break. Friedrich’s has a classic 12-6 curve that will produce strikeouts while Bleich has more of a 10-4 slurve break that will produce less strikeouts, but more groundballs.

They both throw about 88-91. But Bleich has a lot more movement to his fastball than Friedrich and he can also throw a two seamer. Once they get to the wooden bats, Bleich will start getting a lot more groundballs while Friedrich will still be a flyball pitcher. Bleich’s changeup is also better than Friedrich’s although he featured his two seamer more in this game.

Friedrich has much better numbers, but that was posted against inferior competition, while Bleich has also been hurt.

It’s funny how every draft “expert” Yankee fan would have loved to have had Friedrich. Yet Bleich might end up the much better pitcher. This is why you listen to your scouts.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Now I’m holding out hope that Storen pitches.

Devin says:

whats the story on storen?

Mike A. says:

Yanks picked him last year but couldn’t sign him. Signability guy, he’s a stud.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Mets lose to the Friars with Johan Santana on the mound, wow.

 
Jamal G. says:

http://www.wavenewspapers.com/.....mp;he=.com

The numbers he’s put up are startling: His .725 (37 for 51) batting average and 1.529 slugging average lead the nation. His on-base percentage of .763 is third nationally. He’s already hit 10 home runs (tied for second in the Southern Section) with 36 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He hit two more homers Friday, including a tape-measure grand slam that cleared two fences, a residential street and a water channel before landing on the grounds of an elementary school.

Oh boy!

 
yanks26 says:

Here’s the recap of the Yanks, while RAB is still concentrating on the draft:

Trenton, Tampa and Charleston all won with nicely pitched games. Tampa and Charleston threw shutouts, while Trenton, behind Jason Jones, only allowed 1 run. Trenton only got
hit, but still manged to win 2-1 behind Austin Jackson’s sac fly in the 8th inning put the game away. Tampa on the hand backed up Zach McAllister’s shutout with 20 hits, led by Seth Fortenberry’s cycle. Scranton was burried by Steven White and Heath Philips 11 runs in 4 2/3 innings. The team came back to tie the score at 12, but JB Cox gave up the winning run in the 8th inning.

Scranton L 13-12
Bernie Castro 2-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
Alberto Gonzalez 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
Jason Lane 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI – Threw a runner out at 3rd
Brett Gardner 1-2, R, RBI, BB, K – Threw a runner out at home
Cody Ransom 2-4, RBI, BB
Matt Carson 3-5, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, K
Steven White 2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K – 24 ER’s in last 15 inning since going to the pen
Heath Philips 2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K
JB Cox 2 IP, 3 H, 1 H, BB, 0 K – Losing Pitcher, .73 ERA in Scranton

Trenton W 2-1
Ramiro Pena 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, K
Austin Jackson 0-2, RBI, BB, K, 2 SB’s – winning run on a sac fly
Jose Tabata 0-2, BB, K
Jason Jones 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Eric Wordekemper 2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K – looks like he’s finally in a groove
Anthony Claggett 1 IP, 2 H, 0’s, 1 K

Tampa W 10-0 (20 hits)
Eduardo Nunez 3-4, R, B
Mitch Hilligoss 3-5, R, RBI
Andres Perez 4-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Seth Fortenberry 4-5, 3 R, 2B, 3B, HR, K – Cycle
Zach McAllister 7 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K – 63 K’s vs. 9 BB’s

Charleston W 2-0
Abraham ALmonte 1-5, 2K
Bradley Suttle 0-4, R, 3 K
Austin Romine 1-4, K
Brandon Laird 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Carmen Angelini 0-4, K
Austin Krum 2-4
Lance Pendelton 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K

 
claybeez says:

Getting mobile version only of this thread.

claybeez says:

Weird. After sending in the above post, the web version has now appeared.

 
 
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