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Friday, July 6, 2012
ATLANTIC LEAGUE COVERAGE CONTINUES ON THE 'INSIDER' AND AT WWW.INDYBASEBALLCHATTER.COM
We are delighted you came to this site to check out recent developments with the Atlantic League and its former players, and we will continue to offer these stories but they now will appear in two other locations. The Atlantic League will always be represented in our weekly subscription publication, the Independent Baseball Insider column, and we will write additional stories at www.IndyBaseballChatter.com Please pay a visit.
Friday, June 29, 2012
COREY SMITH, BEN COPELAND CUT FROM AFFILIATED JOBS; SUGAR LAND'S DREW LOCKE COOLS OFF
Does anyone need a strong bat?
The Chicago White Sox released third baseman (and sometimes first baseman) Corey Smith from their Double-A team in Birmingham, AL, even though the 13-year veteran minor leaguer is only 30 and hit .341 (14-for-41) in his last 10 games in the Southern League.
Smith, a right-handed hitter, was at .286 overall for 65 games this season with 19 doubles, a triple, eight homers and 39 runs batted in. He had a solid .359 on-base percentage.
The New Jersey native helped the Newark Bears capture the Atlantic League title in '07 when he drove in 72 runs in 119 games while collecting 58 extra-base hits and batting .274. He has been largely in Double-A since 2003 with some AAA experience and major league spring training time with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LOCKE COOLS OFF FROM BACK-TO-BACK SLAMS
Outfielder Drew Locke made a huge early impact after Houston purchased his contract from neighboring Sugar Land and placed the 29-year-old with their Texas League franchise in Corpus Christi.
Locke, who signed out of Boston College and played in the Dodgers and Astros systems for seven seasons before joining Sugar Land this year, hit grand slam home runs in back-to-back games and batted .381 with three homers and 12 RBI in his first five games with Corpus Christi, but he has tailed off to .219-4-15 for a 17-game run so far.
FORMER LANCASTER OUTFIELDER CUT LOOSE
Another former Atlantic Leaguer who was released recently is outfielder Ben Copeland. Cleveland cut Copeland out of Class AA. He had been signed away from Lancaster where he hit .319 in 139 at-bats early in 2011.
The Chicago White Sox released third baseman (and sometimes first baseman) Corey Smith from their Double-A team in Birmingham, AL, even though the 13-year veteran minor leaguer is only 30 and hit .341 (14-for-41) in his last 10 games in the Southern League.
Smith, a right-handed hitter, was at .286 overall for 65 games this season with 19 doubles, a triple, eight homers and 39 runs batted in. He had a solid .359 on-base percentage.
The New Jersey native helped the Newark Bears capture the Atlantic League title in '07 when he drove in 72 runs in 119 games while collecting 58 extra-base hits and batting .274. He has been largely in Double-A since 2003 with some AAA experience and major league spring training time with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LOCKE COOLS OFF FROM BACK-TO-BACK SLAMS
Outfielder Drew Locke made a huge early impact after Houston purchased his contract from neighboring Sugar Land and placed the 29-year-old with their Texas League franchise in Corpus Christi.
Locke, who signed out of Boston College and played in the Dodgers and Astros systems for seven seasons before joining Sugar Land this year, hit grand slam home runs in back-to-back games and batted .381 with three homers and 12 RBI in his first five games with Corpus Christi, but he has tailed off to .219-4-15 for a 17-game run so far.
FORMER LANCASTER OUTFIELDER CUT LOOSE
Another former Atlantic Leaguer who was released recently is outfielder Ben Copeland. Cleveland cut Copeland out of Class AA. He had been signed away from Lancaster where he hit .319 in 139 at-bats early in 2011.
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Friday, June 22, 2012
NOTHING OFFICIAL SO FAR ABOUT SCOTT KAZMIR JOINING SUGAR LAND
The heavily rumored story that onetime major league all-star Scott Kazmir would be signing to play with Sugar Land still was without confirmation late Friday afternoon from either the Atlantic League or on the Skeeters' website.
The left-hander won at least 10 games for Tampa Bay every season from 2005-08 before his power pitches started falling off. The Los Angeles Angels released Kazmir last season, and if he intends to try getting his career back on track Sugar Land would be an ideal location since it is right next to his Houston home. He is only 28 or prime time for many players.
The Skeeters, struggling at 22-31 and in last place in the Freedom Division, recently added two-time Atlantic League all-star outfielder Steve Moss, but he is off to a dreadfully slow start (0-for-10, seven strikeouts) even though he had been playing in Mexico. Moss was an all-star the last two seasons with Bridgeport.
CARDINALS RELEASE MITCH CANHAM
Early in training camp, it appeared Mitch Canham, a member of two Oregon State College World Series championship teams, might be catching for Long Island. Then he was signed by St. Louis and the 27-year-old went to Triple-A Memphis. He hit only .125 (6-for-48) and did not drive in any runs in his 18 appearances before being released.
The left-hander won at least 10 games for Tampa Bay every season from 2005-08 before his power pitches started falling off. The Los Angeles Angels released Kazmir last season, and if he intends to try getting his career back on track Sugar Land would be an ideal location since it is right next to his Houston home. He is only 28 or prime time for many players.
The Skeeters, struggling at 22-31 and in last place in the Freedom Division, recently added two-time Atlantic League all-star outfielder Steve Moss, but he is off to a dreadfully slow start (0-for-10, seven strikeouts) even though he had been playing in Mexico. Moss was an all-star the last two seasons with Bridgeport.
CARDINALS RELEASE MITCH CANHAM
Early in training camp, it appeared Mitch Canham, a member of two Oregon State College World Series championship teams, might be catching for Long Island. Then he was signed by St. Louis and the 27-year-old went to Triple-A Memphis. He hit only .125 (6-for-48) and did not drive in any runs in his 18 appearances before being released.
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Monday, June 18, 2012
LANCASTER'S MATT WRIGHT, YORK'S RYAN FEIERABEND DOING WELL IN TRIPLE-A
Justin Christian (Giants by way of Southern Maryland) is the most recent Atlantic League graduate to return to the major leagues, but still other players are making minor league headlines on virtually an every day basis.
Consider the case of Matt Wright, a 30-year-old pitcher still trying for his first major league opportunity in his 13th professional season.
Wright, whose contract was purchased by Philadelphia for its Triple-A Lehigh Valley, PA farm club recently from the Lancaster Barnstormers, has made two starts for the Iron Pigs so far. He does not not have any wins, primarily for a lack of offensive support, but the big (6-4, 270) right-hander has given up only six hits and three runs in 12.2 innings (0-1, 2.13).
Wright has earned praise from his manager, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, and from re-habbing Evan Longoria (partially torn hamstring), Tampa Bay's all-star third baseman.
"I thought Wright threw the ball pretty well for them tonight," Longoria told TheMorningCall.com after he had fanned against the hurler's 95-mile per hour fastball, fouled out to the catcher and skied to right as Durham handed Lehigh Valley a 3-0 loss. "He had some good stuff, and that's good for me to see some good pitching and start to feel comfortable at the plate." Wright gave up only one run and three hits in 6.2 innings.
"It was a good start for him," Sandberg told the online publication. "I think the hitters had a hard time gearing up on his fastball with the variations of his speeds--91 to 95 miles-an-hour--and he threw some change-ups and enough breaking pitches."
YORK'S FEIERABEND ALSO STARTING IN TRIPLE-A
Ryan Feierabend does have major league experience, but not since 2008, so the southpaw knows what he has to do now that he is with Cincinnati's top farm club in Louisville.
"I felt better than my first outing," Feierabend told Courier-Journal.com of his no-decision start in which he gave up two runs. "In my first outing (a 7-3 loss), I hadn't thrown in 10 days. It was definitely a step forward. The ball was coming out a lot better. I was throwing strikes. It was only four and two-third innings, but in the fourth and fifth I felt like I was able to command the fastball a little better." He had gone 3-2, 3.24 while at York.
Consider the case of Matt Wright, a 30-year-old pitcher still trying for his first major league opportunity in his 13th professional season.
Wright, whose contract was purchased by Philadelphia for its Triple-A Lehigh Valley, PA farm club recently from the Lancaster Barnstormers, has made two starts for the Iron Pigs so far. He does not not have any wins, primarily for a lack of offensive support, but the big (6-4, 270) right-hander has given up only six hits and three runs in 12.2 innings (0-1, 2.13).
Wright has earned praise from his manager, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, and from re-habbing Evan Longoria (partially torn hamstring), Tampa Bay's all-star third baseman.
"I thought Wright threw the ball pretty well for them tonight," Longoria told TheMorningCall.com after he had fanned against the hurler's 95-mile per hour fastball, fouled out to the catcher and skied to right as Durham handed Lehigh Valley a 3-0 loss. "He had some good stuff, and that's good for me to see some good pitching and start to feel comfortable at the plate." Wright gave up only one run and three hits in 6.2 innings.
"It was a good start for him," Sandberg told the online publication. "I think the hitters had a hard time gearing up on his fastball with the variations of his speeds--91 to 95 miles-an-hour--and he threw some change-ups and enough breaking pitches."
YORK'S FEIERABEND ALSO STARTING IN TRIPLE-A
Ryan Feierabend does have major league experience, but not since 2008, so the southpaw knows what he has to do now that he is with Cincinnati's top farm club in Louisville.
"I felt better than my first outing," Feierabend told Courier-Journal.com of his no-decision start in which he gave up two runs. "In my first outing (a 7-3 loss), I hadn't thrown in 10 days. It was definitely a step forward. The ball was coming out a lot better. I was throwing strikes. It was only four and two-third innings, but in the fourth and fifth I felt like I was able to command the fastball a little better." He had gone 3-2, 3.24 while at York.
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
HOT-HITTING DE LOME LOST FOR YEAR; CAMDEN GETS ITS CATCHERS BACK
Talk about tough breaks.
Collin DeLome, a 26-year-old lefty-swinging outfielder, seemed to be coming into his own, then, in a flash, he tore his ACL and his season is over.
Houston gave up on its fifth round draft choice from 2007 early this season even though the former Lamar University star had hit 72 home runs in less than six years. He joined the Bridgeport Bluefish, and in short order was tearing up the Atlantic League with a .368 average, five homers, 14 extra base hits and 22 RBI in only 23 games when Atlanta purchased his contract and sent him to its top farm club in Gwinnett, GA. Six games into his fresh start--really, four significant appearances--and he has to wait until 2013 to prove himself to Braves brass. DeLome's 2-for-16 start with four runs scored were barely a chance to show his skills which Bridgeport Manager Willie Upshaw describes as the ultimate: "Five tools".
"He's a good player" and "a very respectful kid" praised Upshaw. He should know. The respected manager/hitting guru had watched as DeLome went 9-for-16 in his last four Bluefish games. Three of those were victories, which have not come as easily since the 6-foot-2 Texan departed.
CAMDEN GETS BOOST WITH VISA ISSUE FINALLY RESOLVED
RiverSharks Manager Jeff Scott was all smiles despite a rainy day Tuesday when he was able to talk about activating regular catchers Alvin Colina and Raul Padron.
The duo, who combined for 21 home runs and 79 runs batted in last year in addition to their defensive duties, had been delayed all season because of visa problems back home in Venezuela.
Collin DeLome, a 26-year-old lefty-swinging outfielder, seemed to be coming into his own, then, in a flash, he tore his ACL and his season is over.
Houston gave up on its fifth round draft choice from 2007 early this season even though the former Lamar University star had hit 72 home runs in less than six years. He joined the Bridgeport Bluefish, and in short order was tearing up the Atlantic League with a .368 average, five homers, 14 extra base hits and 22 RBI in only 23 games when Atlanta purchased his contract and sent him to its top farm club in Gwinnett, GA. Six games into his fresh start--really, four significant appearances--and he has to wait until 2013 to prove himself to Braves brass. DeLome's 2-for-16 start with four runs scored were barely a chance to show his skills which Bridgeport Manager Willie Upshaw describes as the ultimate: "Five tools".
"He's a good player" and "a very respectful kid" praised Upshaw. He should know. The respected manager/hitting guru had watched as DeLome went 9-for-16 in his last four Bluefish games. Three of those were victories, which have not come as easily since the 6-foot-2 Texan departed.
CAMDEN GETS BOOST WITH VISA ISSUE FINALLY RESOLVED
RiverSharks Manager Jeff Scott was all smiles despite a rainy day Tuesday when he was able to talk about activating regular catchers Alvin Colina and Raul Padron.
The duo, who combined for 21 home runs and 79 runs batted in last year in addition to their defensive duties, had been delayed all season because of visa problems back home in Venezuela.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012
SIGNINGS BY MAJOR LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONS TAKING A TOLL
As nice as it is to see Atlantic League players getting fresh opportunities with major league organizations, the sale of these players has at least one team struggling because it is playing shorthanded.
Bridgeport was down to nine position players until it signed league Elliott Ayala, who spent all or part of six seasons with Somerset, Monday.
The Bluefish had outfielders Joey Gathright and Collin DeLome depart within a few days last week when they signed Triple-A deals with Cincinnati and Atlanta, respectively, and veteran major league infielder Ramon Vazquez went on the inactive list. "It (Vazquez) was partly a financial decision," Bridgeport General Manager Bob Goughan told The Connecticut Post."He's not getting paid a lot. He wants to ge ready for winter ball" and he did not want to be a distrction, Goughan told beat writer Rich Elliott.
While we are speculating, it also is possible a thin roster led to Southern Maryland Manager Patrick Osborn activating himself. At 31, former All-Star third baseman Osborn certainly is capable between the white lines, but he had seemed totally content to be a fulltime manager ever since starting that job last year. Osborn has not played to this point.
A DAILY SIGNING
The sale of players has been virtually a daily occurrence of late with Camden losing fleet centerfielder Billy Rice to the Chicago White Sox farm system and Sugar Land third baseman Jimmy VanOstrand joining the Washington Nationals organization.
DeLome and VanOstrand could be on a fast track to the major leagues if their robust hitting continues. Both were hitting .368. DeLome, who started the season with Texas's top farm club in Oklahoma City, drove in 22 runs in 23 games for the Bluefish while VanOstrand had 20 RBI in 27 contests. Rice, who joined Class A Kannapolis, NC, hit .300 in 17 games and shared the Atlantic League lead with three triples.
DOBIES RELEASED, ALDRIDGE SIGNS
Left-hander Andrew Dobies, signed last season from Somerset, has been released by Kansas City while onetime Newark outfielder Cory Aldridge has signed with the Los Angeles Angels and been assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake City. He was in major league spring training with Baltimore.
Bridgeport was down to nine position players until it signed league Elliott Ayala, who spent all or part of six seasons with Somerset, Monday.
The Bluefish had outfielders Joey Gathright and Collin DeLome depart within a few days last week when they signed Triple-A deals with Cincinnati and Atlanta, respectively, and veteran major league infielder Ramon Vazquez went on the inactive list. "It (Vazquez) was partly a financial decision," Bridgeport General Manager Bob Goughan told The Connecticut Post."He's not getting paid a lot. He wants to ge ready for winter ball" and he did not want to be a distrction, Goughan told beat writer Rich Elliott.
While we are speculating, it also is possible a thin roster led to Southern Maryland Manager Patrick Osborn activating himself. At 31, former All-Star third baseman Osborn certainly is capable between the white lines, but he had seemed totally content to be a fulltime manager ever since starting that job last year. Osborn has not played to this point.
A DAILY SIGNING
The sale of players has been virtually a daily occurrence of late with Camden losing fleet centerfielder Billy Rice to the Chicago White Sox farm system and Sugar Land third baseman Jimmy VanOstrand joining the Washington Nationals organization.
DeLome and VanOstrand could be on a fast track to the major leagues if their robust hitting continues. Both were hitting .368. DeLome, who started the season with Texas's top farm club in Oklahoma City, drove in 22 runs in 23 games for the Bluefish while VanOstrand had 20 RBI in 27 contests. Rice, who joined Class A Kannapolis, NC, hit .300 in 17 games and shared the Atlantic League lead with three triples.
DOBIES RELEASED, ALDRIDGE SIGNS
Left-hander Andrew Dobies, signed last season from Somerset, has been released by Kansas City while onetime Newark outfielder Cory Aldridge has signed with the Los Angeles Angels and been assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake City. He was in major league spring training with Baltimore.
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Saturday, May 19, 2012
ATLANTIC LEAGUE CAN BE PROUD OF NEWEST MAJOR LEAGUER AND ITS GREAT ATTENDANCE
What fun it had to be for onetime Atlantic League (Camden, 2010) infielder Mike Costanzo to get his first major league hit this afternoon (Saturday), and to do it at Yankee Stadium during a 6-5 victory for his Cincinnati Reds because he predicted ahead of the series he was likely to hear a great deal of razzing through the similarity of his name and that of Seinfeld television character George Costanza.
Costanzo benefitted from interleague play because it allowed him to get his first major league start as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old, primarily a third baseman and first baseman, went 1-for-3 with his second sacrifice fly since joining the Reds. He is now 1-for-7 at the plate with the other appearances in pinch-hitting roles.
Of the expectation of being called 'Lord of the Idiots' as the sitcom star sometimes was known, Costanzo told FoxSportsOhio.com in advance of a five-game invasion of New York City (Cincinnati played two games against the Mets before moving to Yankee Stadium) "I hear it all the time and I know I'll hear it a lot in New York".
It certainly helps that he now has a major league batting average, even if it is only .143.
DAZZLING ATTENDANCE
The American Association has gotten off to a terrific start at the gate, but it will take a long run if it expects to keep pace with the Atlantic League.
El Paso, TX and Kansas City, KS have both had a 7,000 gate in the first two days of play with the Diablos drawing 7,823 Friday night for a two-day total of 12,042. The T-Bones had 7,026 fans show up for their opener, which also started interleague play with the Can-Am League. Amarillo, TX drew 6,518 for its opener Friday, and Laredo, TX, debuted in the league and opened a new ballpark with crowds of 5,923 and 5,116 in successive games. The league drew 62,992 the first two nights, according to figures compiled by Pointstreak, the American Association's official statistical house.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic League has already drawn 356,262 fans, an average of 4,345 for 82 openings with the new Sugar Land Skeeters leading the way with an average of 6,921 for 10 home games.
Costanzo benefitted from interleague play because it allowed him to get his first major league start as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old, primarily a third baseman and first baseman, went 1-for-3 with his second sacrifice fly since joining the Reds. He is now 1-for-7 at the plate with the other appearances in pinch-hitting roles.
Of the expectation of being called 'Lord of the Idiots' as the sitcom star sometimes was known, Costanzo told FoxSportsOhio.com in advance of a five-game invasion of New York City (Cincinnati played two games against the Mets before moving to Yankee Stadium) "I hear it all the time and I know I'll hear it a lot in New York".
It certainly helps that he now has a major league batting average, even if it is only .143.
DAZZLING ATTENDANCE
The American Association has gotten off to a terrific start at the gate, but it will take a long run if it expects to keep pace with the Atlantic League.
El Paso, TX and Kansas City, KS have both had a 7,000 gate in the first two days of play with the Diablos drawing 7,823 Friday night for a two-day total of 12,042. The T-Bones had 7,026 fans show up for their opener, which also started interleague play with the Can-Am League. Amarillo, TX drew 6,518 for its opener Friday, and Laredo, TX, debuted in the league and opened a new ballpark with crowds of 5,923 and 5,116 in successive games. The league drew 62,992 the first two nights, according to figures compiled by Pointstreak, the American Association's official statistical house.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic League has already drawn 356,262 fans, an average of 4,345 for 82 openings with the new Sugar Land Skeeters leading the way with an average of 6,921 for 10 home games.
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