Friday Pebble Report

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 8:09 AM MDT in Rockpile

Jack Etkin has his first farm report today and it focuses on the differences between this year's Sky Sox roster and previous ones. He also confirms that Scott Beerer retired before the season started because didn't make the Tulsa bullpen. We also have the initial setup for all the minor league rotations.

Colorado Springs, L 5-4: It was a good night for the first three spots in the Sky Sox lineup with Sullivan, Seth Smith and Spilborghs each collecting at least two hits. Smith drove in two runs and also hit a triple. In Ian Stewart's AAA debut he collected two hits. Brian Lawrence drew the Opening Night assignment and went 6 2/3 innings. Over that span he allowed 10 hits and allowed three earned runs.

Tulsa, Postponed (Snow): Read the Tulsa World wrap-up. Also find out why the Rockies aren't ignoring the farm system.

Modesto, W 6-3: Jeff Kindel had a big High A debut as he collected three hits in four ABs, two of which went for doubles. It was the top and the bottom of the lineup that drove in the runs, however. Young (1), Fowler (2), Carte (1) and Becktel (2) all drove in runs. An even more encouraging start for Young and Fowler is that they both drew a walk. Jason Van Kooten stole two bases, Becktel one. Andrew Johnston pitched the last inning of the game, allowed two hits and struck out one.

The Mod Bee lets us know that the Nuts are serious about baseball.

Asheville, W 7-4: After some trouble with the lights last night, the Tourists had a great start to the season after Daniel Mayora scored two on a triple and Bret Berglund hit a two-run homer in the 7th inning. The team stole five bases, two by Anthony Jackson. It was also a good night to take a walk as Victor Ferrante had three and Berglund and Michael McKenry had two each. Hector Gomez struck out three times. Josh Sullivan went 3 2/3 innings, allowed three hits and three runs (one earned), walked four and struck out five. Craig Baker recorded the final two outs of the inning and and struck out two for his first professional save.

Check out this Asheville Tourists blog.

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Kevin Goldstein

will be chatting today about minor leaguers today at 1 pm. Get your Rockies questions in early and often.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 8:47 AM MDT reply actions

Cole Garner Switch Hitting

How can you link that Modesto article and not mention the most interesting nugget.....Cole Garner has started switch hitting and this will be the first year he starts batting from both sides during the game.

Have we even talked about this yet?? Am I the last one to hear?

by sg8335aa on Apr 6, 2007 9:24 AM MDT reply actions

We talked

about it a little in this diary.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 9:31 AM MDT up reply actions

Also....

BA has an article on how Morales was scouted and signed by the rockies.....VERY INTERESTING. Its on the front page but requires a login. Great stuff in there.

Most organizations saw him as an outfielder and apparently on of the main reasons why the Rockies were able to sign him over teams like Houston, Yankees...etc....was that the Rockies were the only team to give him a choice between outfielder and pitcher.....Morales chose pitcher and the rest is history.

Ohhh yeah...and we only signed him for $45k

by sg8335aa on Apr 6, 2007 9:43 AM MDT reply actions

It's off the front page now

but here's the link.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 9:47 AM MDT up reply actions

I liked how

he "tried out" for Fernandez on a dive of a ball field, with no mound, high grass, etc.

It just shows how talented guys like Fernandez are to be able to see a gem of a player insuch conditions, and at such a young age.

by David OhNo on Apr 6, 2007 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions

Two hyped rival pitchers battled last night:

Check out the box score of South Bend vs Great Lakes last night. Arizona'z Brett Anderson against LA's Clayton Kershaw. Six BB's for Kershaw in two and a third, while Anderson looked very solid except for getting hit a little hard three times in his five innings. The 9/1 GB/FB ratio and the 6/1 K/BB ratio are very impressive.

Kershaw, meanwhile, is sometimes touted ahead of Morales due to his better control. That certainly didn't appear to be the case last night.

by Rox Girl on Apr 6, 2007 12:34 PM MDT reply actions

Tonight

the Nuts go up against Dallas Buck. Buck didn't pitch in the minors last season so this will be his first taste of pro ball.

If you want to see video of him, you can view it here. For anyone who hasn't seen Greg Reynolds or Keith Weiser pitch you can find video of each while they were in college last year by clicking this.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 12:47 PM MDT reply actions

I removed the permanent link BTW

On the sidebar to Calleaguers since it's been over a year since it was updated.

by Rox Girl on Apr 6, 2007 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Beat me to it

but at least the videos are still available.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions

Goldstein answered one of my questions

so far:

Russ (PurpleRow.com): Greg Reynolds and the Tulsa Drillers didn't finish their Opening Night game as a result of snow, but you have to like those 7 ground outs (out of nine). Would you say that he'll spend 2008 between Tulsa and Colorado Springs with a chance at the rotation mid-2008?

Kevin Goldstein: That might be a slightly aggresive time table, but it's hardly out of the question. I would line him up for 2009 to be safe.

by Russ Oates on Apr 6, 2007 12:50 PM MDT reply actions