While chatting on the Banter last night during the heart attack-inducing end of the game, I noticed a fellow commenter state that Kyle Farnsworth should be the David Ortiz specialist. The numbers, albeit in limited plate appearances, bear out that statement. Farnsworth has faced Ortiz 9 times. Ortiz is 0 for 6 with 4 Ks and 3 BBs. When you compare those numbers to Ortiz’s .313/.333/.563 line in 17 plate appearances against lefty specialist Mike Myers, it’s clear who should be pitching to Ortiz with the game on the line.
If at first you don’t succeed…
It’s the nature of the draft to give second chances. The Orioles yearned for Mark Teixeira’s middle-of-the-order bat in 2001, but sat and watched as Texas popped him with the 5th overall pick, 2 spots ahead of the Orioles. Instead of sulking and blowing the 7th overall pick on, ugh, Chris Smith, the O’s could have made up for losing out on Teixeira by drafting Ryan Howard, who the Phillies took 135 picks after Teixeira’s name was called.
Stuff like this happens every year. Twenty-seven teams didn’t even have a chance to draft Red Sox killer Alex Rodriguez in 1993, but all 27 passed on Scott Rolen at least once. Now of course it’s easy to go back and say these teams missed out, but the point is that there’s talent out there, you just have to look for it. Here’s a couple of the guys that could keep you from throwing a chair when some team picks your guy on draft day:
What You Want: An outfielder that profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat and should move quickly.
The Top Dogs: Kyle Russell, Texas &Â Kellen Kulbacki, James Madison
The Alternative: Grant Desme, OF, Cal Poly. After transferring from San Diego State, Desme was monster for the Mustangs this spring, going .405-15-53 with 12 stolen bases and 17 doubles. Alas, Desme’s season came to a premature end when he was hit by pitch that broke his wrist. He’s a solid athlete with a nice arm and good baserunning skills, and obviously, a plus hit tool. For a team looking to land that masher without breaking the bank, Desme’s the guy.
Pap smear
A-Rod comes through; Ortiz does not; Yankees win game, series
I have to admit: I just finished watching the game (It’s 7 a.m. as I write this). After Alex and Jorge failed to deliver with runners on first and third in the seventh, I was done. The deadly combination of frustration and sleepiness convinced me to turn off Miller and Morgan and hit the sack. “If they come back, they come back,” I said. After all, I have MLB.tv and could watch the game in the morning if I had to.
Which is exactly what I just did.
We’ve been asking Andy Pettitte to shoulder so much burden this year that it almost seems unfair. It’s even less fair that when we ask him to do this, we don’t score any runs behind him (though that obviously wasn’t the case last time he faced Boston). Thankfully, Pettitte isn’t easily discouraged, and continues to pitch like the ace that no one thought he could be.
In the fifth, though, things unraveled. We saw the medical team head out to the mound, which is a unpleasantly familiar sight for this team. Pettitte stayed in, but wasn’t very effective. He loaded the bases and wound up being charged with all five runs scored by the Red Sox. Though they weren’t really all his fault — Bobby Abreu’s complete misplay let in three runs.
Yanks down but definitely not out
It’s clear that the Yanks are facing an uphill battle if they want to make the playoffs. But in their last two series against the Red Sox, the Bombers are 4-2 (and could have been 5-1). After their early-season struggles against Boston, that’s a statement. I think I see life in these Yanks yet. A series win against the White Sox this week would be a huge step. Now if only we could wave good bye to Luis Vizcaino.
What a fantastic trade
Bobby Abreu just misplayed an out into a game-tying single + two-base error. Meanwhile, this afternoon, Gary Sheffield, whom scouts have always preferred to Abreu despite the age difference, hit his fourth home run in 10 games. Sheffield is now batting .266/.378/.493 with 13 HR and 32 RBI. And the Yanks have Bobby Abreu stumbling around right field like a Little Leaguer and Humberto Sanchez out for a very long time. Good trade there, Cashman.
The streak ends….
Mitch Hilligoss’ historic hit streak came to an end today. At 38 games, it stands as the 13th longest hit streak in the history of minor league baseball. Congrats Mitch, best story of the year so far in Yankeeland, bar none.
The mock draft took too much outta me, so no Down on the Farm tonight. Go here instead, and don’t miss Juan Miranda’s line. That dude is absolutely ROLLIN’ right now.