River Avenue Blues

River Ave. Blues ยป Archives for Mike

2008 Elias Rankings released

by 17 Comments

I don’t have a link for you yet, but this year’s Elias rankings are out. Quick rundown of the Yanks: Abreu, Pettitte, Moose & Marte are all Type-A’s, Pudge is a Type-B, and Giambi isn’t anything. Eddie Bajek at Tigers Thoughts had Pudge projected as a borderline Type-A, but alas, he barely missed the cut. Marte’s ranking isn’t worth anything, they’ll almost assuredly pick up his option. All-Star Catcher Jason Varitek is inexcusably a Type-A, somehow ahead of Pudge. Bah.

Update (1:45pm): Farnsworth is neither a Type-A or B. Hah.

Update (3:45pm): ESPN’s Free Agent Tracker has the Elias Rankings. Check them out there.

Russo’s hot hitting continues

by 7 Comments

AzFL Peoria (10-2 loss to Phoenix)
Kevin Russo: 2 for 4, 2 K, 1 CS – 15 for his last 26 (.577) … he’s hitting .383, fifth in the league amongst players with as many at-bats

HWB Waikiki beat Honolulu 9-0, but no Yankees’ farmhands played in the game,

Tuesday’s Games

AzFL Peoria (3-2 loss to Scottsdale)
Kevin Russo: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 2 K
Humberto Sanchez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 Balk, 3-2 GB/FB – 20 of 37 pitches were strikes (54.1%)

HWB Waikiki (12-9 win over Honolulu)
Austin Romine: 0 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 PB – first game back after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch last week

2009 Draft Order

by 40 Comments

With the World Series over and the Hot Stove ready to ignite, it’s time to unveil a new feature for you here at RAB: the 2009 Draft Order Tracker. It is what it sounds like it is, a means to keep track of the changes in next year’s draft order due to free agent compensation. I’ll update the page throughout the winter and leave it up until next year’s draft so you can check back any time to see who’s picking where. Cool stuff, no?

World Series Game 5: Rays @ Phils … again

by 257 Comments

We all know what happened Monday, there’s no need to go back over that. What we’re looking at tonight is a three-and-a-half inning mad dash to the finish, almost a sudden death baseball game.

The game will resume in the bottom of the 6th inning, tied at two. The pitcher’s spot is due up for Philly, so they’ll presumably announce a pinch hit for starter Cole Hamels. Grant Balfour is still in the game for Tampa, and was already announced in the 5th inning, so if Charlie Manuel goes to a lefty pinch hitter, Joe Maddon can counter with a lefty reliever without Balfour having to face one hitter first.

When the Rays come to back in the top of the 7th, Dioner Navarro will lead off, with the pitcher’s spot due up fourth in the inning. Philadelphia has a major advantage tonight because they have 12 outs to play with while Tampa only has 9.

The game should be a blast tonight, all the excitement of a postseason nail-biter finish without the drag of he first six innings. Brad Lidge hasn’t thrown more than one inning in an outing all season, but with everything on the line tonight, I suspect you’ll see him out there at the first hint of trouble in the 8th. David Price is available for multiple innings, and it’s pretty much a forgone conclusion that Tampa’s season will be decided when he’s on the mound.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:37pm, and this one might be over by 10. Imagine that.

Tampa Bay
6. Dioner Navarro, C
7. Rocco Baldelli, RF
8. Jason Bartlett, SS
9. Pitcher
1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. BJ Upton, CF
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Evan Longoria, 3B

Philadelphia
9. Pitcher
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Jayson Werth, RF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Pat Burrell, LF
6. Shane Victorino, CF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C

Pat Venditte takes home MiLBY

by 23 Comments

Venditte, the Yanks’ 20th round pick in 2008, took home the Minor League Yearly Award for Best Reliever in a Short Season League. The ambidexterous hurler made will be remembered for an exchange with a switch hitter, but he was untouchable on the mound: 32.2 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 10 BB, 42 K, .117 BAA, and a league leading 23 saves. Congrats to Pat. MiLBY today, Cy Young tomorrow.

Wang selected as one of Taiwan’s Most Outstanding Young Men

by 12 Comments

Via The Taiwan News, Chien-Ming Wang was one of ten people selected as Taiwan’s Most Outstanding Young Men & Women for 2008. “Wang’s fighting spirit and superior career achievements have made him a role model for young people in Taiwan,” said Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, one of the judges. The award presentation ceremony will be held November 21st. Congrats to the Wanger.