Thursday Pebble Report: Christian Friedrich dominates again

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 6, 2009 7:00 AM MDT in Pebble Report

AAA Colorado Springs, Rain Out - (59-51, 1st)

The game between the Sky Sox and Nashville Sounds (Brewers) was postponed with two outs in the bottom of the second. Nashville led 1-0 on an unearned run off of Damian Moss, thanks to a throwing error by Mike McCoy. The game will be made up tomorrow at 6:00MDT as the first game of a traditional double header.

The teams will also play tonight at 7:05MDT.

AA Tulsa, L 0-8 - (22-17, 1 GB)

Tulsa suffered an eerily similar fate to their parent club last night, getting a poor performance from their lefty as well as getting shut out at the NW Arkansas (Royals). Keith Weiser (7-11, 4.96) was tagged for 6 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits in 6.0 IP. The Drillers' offense failed to advance a runner past second the entire game, with a Mike McKenry double as the only extra base hit. Mike Paulk walked twice, and Tulsa scratched out five scattered singles from McKenry, Darin Holcomb, Danny Sandoval, Cole Garner and Rex Rundgren. The loss dropped Tulsa a game out of first place with NW Arkansas in the North Division of the Texas League.

Andy Graham (2-4, 4.95 ERA) face the Naturals' Anthony Lerew (6-6, 4.62 ERA) tonight at 6:05MDT.

High-A Modesto, W 9-8 - (20-20, 9 GB)

Christian Friedrich continues to dominate. He allowed two unearned runs to score last night in 5.2 IP, allowing three singles and striking out only 10 against the Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers). Friedrich (2-0, 1.70) struck out 11 in each of his past two outings, so he's now at 32 against 6 walks in his last three starts whileallowing just one run. In his 8 Modesto starts, he has struck out over 11 per 9, has not allowed more than two runs in any start and has a lower ERA and WHIP than at any other stop of his minor league career. If you feel like nitpicking, however, he induced zero groundballs against seven flyouts and has only made it past the sixth inning twice all season. Still, the 2008 1st-rounder will be in AA Tulsa soon. Just because I can, here's my amateur spring training video of the man again: Friedrich K's.

Despite Friedrich's great start and solid offense, the bullpen nearly blew the game though the Nuts never trailed. Sean Jarrett was lit up for four runs (2 earned) in the 7th including a HR, and Craig Baker earned his third win and second blown save by allowing two runs to score in the top of the ninth. Lars Davis drove in Maikol Gonzalez with a walkoff sac fly for the win in the ninth. It was Davis' second walkoff RBI vs the Blaze in barely a month. Gonzalez had doubled - Charlie Blackmon, Hector Gomez, Jay Cox, Michael Mitchell and Davis (twice) also laced two-baggers of their own, while Matt Repec had a HR (6) and 3 RBI.

The teams square off again tonight at 8:05 MDT.

Low-A Asheville, Rain Out - (23-13, 1st)

The Tourists' game vs the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) was rained out. It will be made up as a traditional double header today, starting at 3:35 MDT.

SS A Tri-City, L 1-3 - (27-18, 1st)

The Dust Devils could only manage four hits and an unearned run in a loss to the Eugene Emeralds (Padres). Joseph Sanders doubled while Matthew Sanders, Bo Bowman and Kent Matthes singled. Tim Wheeler and Ben Paulsen were 0-4 with a K each. Rob Scahill (0-2, 4.00) pitched decently, allowing an unearned run in four innings.

Tri-City matches up at the Ems again tonight at 8:05MDT.

Rookie Casper, W 12-9 - (2-1, 1st)

The second half of the Rookie League season started Monday, and the Ghosts started it by facing the Pioneer League champion Ogden Raptors (Dodgers). After exploding for a season high 12 hits last night, Casper is technically in first place in their division after a 12-24 first half. Jared Clark hit his 7th HR already while Nolan Arenado and Eliezer Mesa hit their first professional HR. The trio each had at least two hits, as did Avery Barnes, Chandler Laurent, Angelys Nina and David Hernandez. The Ghosts crushed Dodger 3rd round pick Brett Wallach, son of MLBer Tim, for 7 runs. He got just 4 outs and gave up two round-trippers.

The bullpen defense tried to do their best to give the game away by surrendering 6 runs (only 1 earned) including a 5-run ninth. A two-out error by Dominic Altobelli in the ninth saved David Born's ERA, but he did allow two HRs. Ricardo Ferrer allowed 3 runs in 6 IP for the win.

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Comments

Any thoughts on Vargas in Casper?

He is relatively young at 20, left handed, ok size, and seems to have pitched very well since his first 2 starts. He hasn’t dominated w/ the strikeouts, but almost 2-1 GO/FO during those 6 starts, and did strikeout 6 in his last start. He seems to walk a few too many, although only 5 in his last 4 starts. Is he someone we should pay attention to as a prospect?

Also any new on Billings coming back this year? I know he had shoulder tendinitis, will he pitch again this season?

Finally, whats going on w/ Cedeno? He seems to have taken a major step backwards this year. I was thinking he might break out this year and give us someone to look at as a possible left handed BP arm, maybe even this year. He has been sent back to Modesto and has pitched poorly there. Any news on an injury or just poor performance?

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

by smokinRox on Aug 6, 2009 10:29 AM MDT reply actions

PF - good writeup

I guess you didn’t leave much for discussion :V

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 6, 2009 1:50 PM MDT reply actions

Well thanks.

If I don’t include in depth prospect evaluation like RG, which I can’t do justice nearly to her level, it’s a bit hard to find a jumping point to comment in a lot of Pebble Reports. I figured Friedrich’s surge might get some play, but I suppose that was thrown around last week already.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 6, 2009 4:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Do you worry about Friedrich

going deep into games? Is he inefficient or are they just being cautious?

by moomacher on Aug 6, 2009 5:32 PM MDT up reply actions

If I am correct (and seriously, no guarantees)

Minor League pitchers have pitch counts, so that would explain the 5.2 IP.
I can’t speak to Friedrich’s efficiency.

by Justus on Aug 6, 2009 9:14 PM MDT up reply actions

i need to know more details

Perhaps Rox girl or Russ know about pitch counts etc. He has been getting a lot of strikeouts and swing and misses, which will hurt your pitch count as is, so that may be part of it. Due to this being his first full season, they may be keeping him on a short leash. I guess I’m not saying I’m worried now – just noticing the low amount of innings despite his dominance

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 7, 2009 12:28 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I know they

recently allowed him to go to 100 pitches.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Aug 7, 2009 9:26 AM MDT up reply actions

Rosario

I may have missed this elsewhere, but is there any news on Rosario? Davis and Rauch are catching for Modesto currently and Rosario hasn’t played in the last 10 days or so. I’m hoping it’s just a minor injury and we’ll see him back soon, but I really have no idea.

by mattrob on Aug 6, 2009 5:28 PM MDT reply actions