Wednesday Pebble Report: Modesto outlasts opponent in 14 innings

by Russ Oates on Apr 29, 2009 7:43 AM MDT in Pebble Report

Colorado Springs, L 3-6: Brandon Hynick surrendered six runs in five innings and struck out one. Of the nine hits allowed, Hynick served up three homers for four runs. Carlos Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base.

Tulsa, L 1-2: In the top of the ninth, Adam Bright walked two with a sac bunt in between. On the second walk, the runner on second moved to third on a wild pitch. Tommy Baumgardner came in and allowed the go-ahead sac fly. In the bottom of the ninth, Darin Holcomb reached third base, but he was stranded there when Daniel Carte grounded out to end the game.

Mike Paulk went 2-for-4 with two doubles and Darin Holcomb went 2-for-4 with a double. Keith Weiser turned in an outstanding effort of 6 2/3 innings, one run allowed, and six strikeouts.

The Tulsa World reports that Bright's shoulder issues led to what happened in the top of the ninth.

Modesto, W 4-3 in 14 innings: Jeff Cunningham, who entered the game in the 12th inning, played hero last night, hitting his first homer of the season to put the Nuts ahead 4-3 in the top of the 14th. Craig Baker then closed the game out for his eighth save.

Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-6 with a triple and a run scored. Lars Davis had two hits and an RBI. Cory Riordan went five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. He also struck out three. Austin Chambliss and and Matthew Reynolds each threw three innings of work. Reynolds struck out five in the process.

Asheville, W 7-6: Down 5-6 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Tourists mounted a comeback to win the game, but it was done in such an interesting way. Pat Venditte came in for Charleston to pitch. Venditte, for those who don't know, is an ambidextrous pitcher. Anyway, Tyler Massey and Ryan Peisel each recorded an out. Carlos Martinez and Scott Robinson each singled to keep the game alive. Then Delta Cleary stepped to the plate, but stood near by at the game's conclusion. A throwing error by the catcher and then the center fielder allowed both runners to score. The Tourists won!

Oh, Delta Cleary did go 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a stolen base (1). Jimmy Cesario collect two hits, one being his first homer, and two RBI. Robinson Fabian went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out seven. Kurt Yacko threw 1 2/3 innings and struck out three.

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Comments

Weiser

Is he too old to be a real prospect at this point? Or his he just a finesse lefty? Because his walk rates are ridiculously low. And this year his strikeout rates have climbed.

by moomacher on Apr 29, 2009 7:50 AM MDT reply actions

He's a finesse lefty.

But that’s not without internal value. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as valuable externally. If you’re looking at him as somebody who could fill Glendon Rusch’s role down the road or be a warm body in the rotation in the event of an injury, that’s fine, but if you’re looking at him as somebody who could replace Jeff Francis or who could be used as a key piece in a trade, you’re a bit off course.

by Rox Girl on Apr 29, 2009 8:50 AM MDT up reply actions

So why did we draft him

in the third round if his ceiling was 5th starter/long man?

by moomacher on Apr 29, 2009 9:06 AM MDT up reply actions

A couple of things on this...

1. 99.9% of the time a player’s ceiling will be higher on their draft day than it is four seasons into their professional career. A ceiling isn’t a projection, it’s the best case scenario and that will gradually go down for everybody except the select few that are actually reaching their best case potential. In fewer cases, such as Brandon Webb, the ceiling will actually go up, but this requires extraordinary circumstances such as figuring out how to throw a devastating new pitch that wasn’t previously in the repertoire.

2. The supply of high ceilinged pitchers is a lot lower than you seem to think. Our first round selection last season, Christian Friedrich, was probably the second best available starter picked late in the first round in 2008 and yet he only has a mid-rotation ceiling. Last season the Rangers selected UCLA"s Tim Murphy in a similar third round spot to where we picked Weiser, and they’re likely to convert him to full time middle relief by the time he reaches the MLB.

3. If your question is why didn’t the Rockies take a flyer on a high school pick there, take a look at the two high school LHP’s selected after Weiser, Tony Butler and Zachary Britton, both of which are now in the Orioles system. Butler would be the type of high ceiling pitcher you’re referring to. He had a plus curve and a FB potential when he was drafted that led some to consider him a potential #1 starter. He also had a “fixable” mechanical issue which led the Mariners to tell him to stop throwing that curve or it would damage his shoulder, and eventually to send him to the O’s in the Erik Bedard trade as a throw in. He hasn’t pitched yet in the 2009 season due to career threatening shoulder soreness. Britton has spent three years in their system and developed into a fine potential 5th starter/long man, which is exactly where Weiser is, go figure.

This is actually a better than normal return rate on HS pitchers in the third round. Since 2000, these are the 3rd round drafted HS pitchers to make it to the majors:

Blaine Boyer
Chase Wright
Jake Woods
Billy Petrick
Ryan Feierabend

That’s not exactly a stellar group.

by Rox Girl on Apr 29, 2009 10:00 AM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for the reply

I was thinking HS pitcher there, and your list doesn’t exactly look great. In fact I’m not even sure I’ve heard of those guys.

by moomacher on Apr 29, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions

I was at the Sky Sox game last night

and unfortunately I had to go late and missed the first 2 EY AB’s, but I was told that he didn’t look very good in his 2nd AB. I saw 2 of his AB’s and he struck out in 1 of those and bunted for a single. I can say this much, the man has incredible speed. Even my work buddies, who weren’t exactly watching all the intricacies of the game, stopped their drunken conversations to take notice and comment on how ridiculous his speed was.

Hynick was very unimpressive last night, obvious by the box score, although the Clement HR was a Colorado Springs HR. I didn’t see Shelton’s HR, but I heard it was crushed. He wasn’t throwing a lot of strikes last night and was behind in the count a lot. It seemed as though the ump had an inconsistent strike zone, but I was not directly behind home plate, so I can’t be sure on that. His fastball was mostly 85-87, and hit 90 a couple times, but he is definitely a command pitcher w/ not a lot to get any swings and misses.

CarGon looked good out there and hit a hard single up the middle for an RBI and a groundout to 2B for an RBI. I didn’t see any reall tough chances that were made in CF, but he looks like a tremendous athlete w/ good speed. Sorry no report on Murton, he did not play last night, I was disappointed in that.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Apr 29, 2009 8:19 AM MDT reply actions

Murton needed a rest from all that hitting he's been doing?

Listen, this signature line is a big part of who I am.

by frightened inmate #2 on Apr 29, 2009 10:18 AM MDT up reply actions

I think so, he's developing arthritis in his hands from hitting the ball so hard consistently.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Apr 29, 2009 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

Also, don't think it was mentioned, but Gomez made his debut for Modesto

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Apr 29, 2009 8:34 AM MDT reply actions

0-for-5 with an RBI and a K.

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

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by Russ Oates on Apr 29, 2009 8:39 AM MDT up reply actions

Not an impressive debut, but a debut none the less

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Apr 29, 2009 9:39 AM MDT up reply actions

RG might find it interesting that Christensen is 2-2 so far today

w/ a double and that average is steadily climbing back to respectability, I really hope he continues to give us something to hang on to. Sorry for the daily updates on him, I’m just in the camp that is still thinking and hoping he will not be a wasted pick.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on Apr 29, 2009 10:42 AM MDT reply actions