Prospect of the Day:
Jeremy Hellickson - SP - Montgomery Biscuits
Hellickson had his best start in AA. He tossed 6 innings of 5 hit ball and only allowed a single walk and run in the game. Along the way he struck out 5 batters.
AAA:
Jeff Niemann - SP - Durham Bulls
A solid start by Niemann. He tossed 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. He allowed 3 runs in the game.
AA:
Neftali Feliz - SP - Frisco RoughRiders
Neftali made his first AA start. Though not like him uber dominating Low A starts, it was pretty solid for a just turned 20 year old. Feliz tossed 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 6 batters in the game.
Low A:
Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
Heyward is one of the serious candidates for Posse prospect of the year. Today he went 2 for 4 with a run scored, 2 RBIs and a stolen base. The stolen base was his 14th of the year.
Justin Jackson - SS - Lansing Lugnuts
Jackson seems to be starting to heat up. He went 1 for 4 today with his lone hit going for a double. He scored twice in the game and walked once.
Short Season:
Neal Ramirez - SP - Spokane Indians
We are going to start calling him little Dellin. Ramirez tossed 4 innings of 1 hit ball and allowed no runs. While he struck out 4 batters he also walked 4.
Showing posts with label Neil Ramirez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neil Ramirez. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Down on the Farm : Saturday June 28th
Star of the Day:
Neil Ramirez - SP - Spokane Indians
Ramirez had the best start of his young career. He tossed 6 innings of 1 hit, 1 walk ball while striking out 7. He did not allow a run in the game.
Japan:
Yu Darvish - SP - Nippon Ham Fighters
Darvish is starting to look like his old self. He tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 10 batters.
AAA:
Jeff Niemann - SP - Durham Bulls
Niemann tossed a weird game today, allowing only 1 hit over 6 innings. While allowing 3 runs during the game, he walked 5 batters and struck out 4.
AA:
Cameron Maybin - CF - Carolina Mudcats
Maybin is making this list quite a bit by hitting the right categories though he is not making contact nearly enough. He went 1 for 3 today with a double and a walk. He scored a run and also added a stolen base.
Chris Volstad - SP - Carolina Mudcats
Volstad tossed 6 innings of 3 hit ball today, allowing only 1 earned run to score. He struck out 2 batters, but also allowed 3 to reach base via the walk.
Low A:
Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess went 1 for 3 with 2 walks. His lone hit was a double, but he was able to score 2 runs for the Suns.
Short Season:
Josh Vitters - 3B - Boise Hawks
Vitters hit his first professional homerun today. He went 2 for 5 in the game, adding a run scored and 3 RBI's.
Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - GCL Marlins
Galloway makes this list for the first time in his second professional game. After going 0 for 5 in his first game, he got his first career hit. He went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Neil Ramirez - SP - Spokane Indians
Ramirez had the best start of his young career. He tossed 6 innings of 1 hit, 1 walk ball while striking out 7. He did not allow a run in the game.
Japan:
Yu Darvish - SP - Nippon Ham Fighters
Darvish is starting to look like his old self. He tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 10 batters.
AAA:
Jeff Niemann - SP - Durham Bulls
Niemann tossed a weird game today, allowing only 1 hit over 6 innings. While allowing 3 runs during the game, he walked 5 batters and struck out 4.
AA:
Cameron Maybin - CF - Carolina Mudcats
Maybin is making this list quite a bit by hitting the right categories though he is not making contact nearly enough. He went 1 for 3 today with a double and a walk. He scored a run and also added a stolen base.
Chris Volstad - SP - Carolina Mudcats
Volstad tossed 6 innings of 3 hit ball today, allowing only 1 earned run to score. He struck out 2 batters, but also allowed 3 to reach base via the walk.
Low A:
Michael Burgess - RF - Hagerstown Suns
Burgess went 1 for 3 with 2 walks. His lone hit was a double, but he was able to score 2 runs for the Suns.
Short Season:
Josh Vitters - 3B - Boise Hawks
Vitters hit his first professional homerun today. He went 2 for 5 in the game, adding a run scored and 3 RBI's.
Rookie:
Isaac Galloway - CF - GCL Marlins
Galloway makes this list for the first time in his second professional game. After going 0 for 5 in his first game, he got his first career hit. He went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Down on the Farm: Monday June 23rd
Star of the Day:
Jeremy Hellickson - SP - Vero Beach Rays
Hellickson has just been awesome his last three appearances. After fighting through a blister for 2 starts (where he threw 7 innings in total, allowing only 1 hit, no walks and striking out 10), he came back to throw 7 shut out innings last night allowing only 1 runner (via hit) and striking out 4. After throwing 76.2 innings in High A ball this year, allowing only 69 runners and striking out 83, Hellickson was promoted to AA Montgomery.
AAA:
Jeff Niemann - SP - Durham Bulls
With Hellickson and Price on his heals I am not sure if Niemann will ever make it in Tampa Bay. Fighting back from an injury (what else is new), Niemann tossed 5 innings of 2 hit ball. The good news is that he gave up no runs. The bad news is he walked 5.
Low A:
Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
Heyward went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. He is now hitting .332/.390/.490 on the season.
Neftali Feliz - SP - Clinton LumberKings
Most nights a performance like this would get you the Player of the Day, but Feliz was upstaged by the Hellickson promotion. Feliz went 6 innings allowing only 5 baserunners and striking out 10 players. Feliz has had back to back double digit strikeout performances and has only allowed 6 earned runs over his last 53 innings pitched.
Short Season:
Aaron Hicks - CF - GCL Twins
Hicks made his professional debut going 2 for 4 with a couple singles.
Neil Ramirez - SP - Spokane Indians
Ramirez makes this list for the first time. After a rough first start for 2008, he bounces back allowing only 4 runners (2 hits and 2 walks) over 5 innings of 1 run ball. In the process, Ramirez struck out 6 batters.
Jeremy Hellickson - SP - Vero Beach Rays
Hellickson has just been awesome his last three appearances. After fighting through a blister for 2 starts (where he threw 7 innings in total, allowing only 1 hit, no walks and striking out 10), he came back to throw 7 shut out innings last night allowing only 1 runner (via hit) and striking out 4. After throwing 76.2 innings in High A ball this year, allowing only 69 runners and striking out 83, Hellickson was promoted to AA Montgomery.
AAA:
Jeff Niemann - SP - Durham Bulls
With Hellickson and Price on his heals I am not sure if Niemann will ever make it in Tampa Bay. Fighting back from an injury (what else is new), Niemann tossed 5 innings of 2 hit ball. The good news is that he gave up no runs. The bad news is he walked 5.
Low A:
Jason Heyward - RF - Rome Braves
Heyward went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. He is now hitting .332/.390/.490 on the season.
Neftali Feliz - SP - Clinton LumberKings
Most nights a performance like this would get you the Player of the Day, but Feliz was upstaged by the Hellickson promotion. Feliz went 6 innings allowing only 5 baserunners and striking out 10 players. Feliz has had back to back double digit strikeout performances and has only allowed 6 earned runs over his last 53 innings pitched.
Short Season:
Aaron Hicks - CF - GCL Twins
Hicks made his professional debut going 2 for 4 with a couple singles.
Neil Ramirez - SP - Spokane Indians
Ramirez makes this list for the first time. After a rough first start for 2008, he bounces back allowing only 4 runners (2 hits and 2 walks) over 5 innings of 1 run ball. In the process, Ramirez struck out 6 batters.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Posse close out 1st round with stud pitcher
The Oak Ridges Posse closed out the first round of the minors draft by making their fourth draft selection. After going for two high ceiling bats, and one "soon to be in majors" pitchers, they decided to select a high ceiling pitcher in Neftali Feliz.
Feliz is a good sized fire balling right handed pitcher. He brings to the mound one of the best fastballs in the minor leagues that tops out in the upper 90's. What he needs to continue to develop is his secondary pitches, but his curveball has plus potential and his change is improving. If everything clicks with Feliz then he has the potential to be an ace on any staff.
"We have to cross our fingers and hope the Texas Ranger pitchers develop well. We are heavily invested in Blake Beavan, Neil Ramirez and now Neftali Feliz", stated GM Shawn Luddington.Naftali just turned 20 and is currently tossing the ball really well in Low A ball. He has tossed 36.2 inning, allowing 25 hits, 16 walks and has struck out 43. The amazing thing is he has not allowed a run since April 21st which spans 20.1 innings. If he continues this trend he should be seeing High A ball in the not too distand future.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Posse get busy in Minor League Draft
Unlike past years, the Posse entered the MDBL minor draft with only four spots available to be filled but that did not mean they were not busy. Posse management made three selections in the draft portion and also completed two trades that brought some additional young options to the fold and some picks for the future.
"We entered this draft with specific players we wanted to acquire and we are happy to say we got many of the guys we were targeting", stated GM Luddington.
The Posse had two selections in the first round (including the 9th overall selection) and then had to wait until the compensation round to make their third selection. With their first selection they went for 17 year old Seattle shortstop Carlos Triunfel.
Triunfel was signed as an internation free agent in 2006 by the Mariners and was assigned to Low A Wisconsin, which is quite rare for a young 17 year old. Baseball America currently projects Triunfel to be a 5-tool premium position player, and so far he is demonstrating many of the tools. Currently Triunfel is showing he has a very mature bat as he has demonstrated the ability to hit both fastballs and offspeed pitches and uses the whole field. He also has demonstrate very good range defensively and a great arm. What Carlos has not shown yet is the ability to take a walk, which may never come, and the ability to hit for power, which is expected to come. "We are extremely excited about Carlos. Only one other player on our list received a rating similar to Carlos. We expect he will replace Derek Jeter in a few years.", claimed GM Luddington.
To conclude the first round the Posse went the usual route they go for during the draft and that is to select the top talented "next draft" prospects. California High School junior Isaac Galloway was the first target on that list. Galloway is a 5-tool prospect that has the ability to hit for both power and steal bases. His package seems to be very similar to current Posse prospect Andrew McCutchen. Posse management then orchestrated a trade, which could not be completed until after the draft, by sending recently acquired prospects Carlos Gonzalez, Joel Guzman and CJ Henry to the Rampage for the next pick after Galloway, a compensation pick, a player acquired through the auction and the Rampage 2008 1st round minor league draft pick. With the sandwich pick just acquired they Rampage selected on behalf of the Posse, California high school junior Aaron Hicks. "To be honest, the direction of the first round really forced us to react.", stated GM Luddington. "So many high schoolers went in the first round, and when the Millers took Eric Hosmer (who we rated #3 on our 2008 high school list) we got worried that we would not get our top two 2008's. We got Galloway with one, but did not think Hicks would make it until our next pick in the compensation round. Giving up Gonzalez was difficult but with current outfield youngsters Quentin, Maybin, McCutchen and Marrero we figured we could afford to. Guzman and Henry were really throw in's to balance out the rosters to 36. In return, we got Hicks who we covet, we got what should amount to a top 3 pick in the 2008 draft and we knew we probably would get a couple solid pitching prospects late".
The Posse did not pick again until the compensation round where they made two selection. The first one was made by the Posse and they took another high school junior, but this time it was Harold Martinez from Florida. "We have been following Martinez probably longer then any prospect since we took over the reigns in Oak Ridges. In our opinion Martinez and Triunfel are very similar players, and both have the tools to be superstars. This allows us to be extremely deep at SS as both join Justin Jackson
on our depth chart" With the second compensation pick, the Posse had the Rampage select Yu Darvish from Japan. This is actually the second time GM Luddington has drafted Yu Darvish, with the first time being when Darvish was a high school senior in Japan and GM Luddington was running the show for NAFTA. "There is no pitcher I wanted in this draft more then Yu, but I also knew I could get him later in the draft. I first draft Darvish because I knew he had the talent and rolled the dice that he may come to the majors instead of the Japanese league. That did not pay off, but I knew that in a few more years I would re-acquire him.", claimed FM Luddington. Darvish was draft 1st overall, and at the age of 20 is already in his third full season in Japan. So far he is the "next one" in Japan as he already has started 10 games, tossed 80 innings, allowed opponents to bat only .167 against him, walked only 19 batters, struck out 9.11 players per 9 innings and compiled a 2.03 ERA....and he is only 20! Darvish cannot become a free agent for 6 more years, but he is expected to be posted earlier then that. When asked about how long it will be until Darvish will be in a Posse uniform Luddington stated "It is worth the wait. Any high schooler is probably 4-5 years away anyways, wo there is not much of a difference. Just a more experienced and proven option."
In the midst of the compensation round, the Posse made another trade, but this one was much more surprising as they dealt top high school senior Matt Harvey to the Pioneers for Los Angeles Angels Korean youngster Young-Il Jung and the Pioneers 1st and 2nd rounders in the 2008 minor league draft. "Basically we were approached by the Pioneers about acquiring Harvey. We love Harvey's talent but also recognize that Matt's family are very close with the Pioneers management. We actually feel that Jung has as much talent as Matt and were able to acquire another 1st round pick for next year.". Sounds like a win-win trade! Jung is a 17 year old pitcher that has three above average offerings and has the ability to become a #2 or #3 starter. He currently is pitching extremely well in extended spring.
In the auction round the Posse picked up two more players, taking high school junior Casey Kelly and high school senior Neil Ramirez. Ramirez was the final player acquired in the Rampage trade and has the pure stuff to be a top of the rotation starter but so far has not shown any consistency. Casey Kelly was ranked 5th on the Rampage's high school junior draft board, but
also brings a ton of doubters with him. Kelly is an incredibe athlete who can be a top notch baseball prospect as either a pitcher or as a hitter. He has a large frame and will probably outgrow shortstop, but a move to either third base or right field is an option. He has all the tools to do either. He also happens to be one of the top pitching prospects, as evidence by taking the ball in the Florida 6A finals and throwing a complete game 2 hit shutout including striking out top high school senior Michael Main 3 times. What raises questions around Kelly is that he also plays quarterback in football and may not be willing to give up that sport. The good news is he is not being recruited by many top football programs (Alabama, Duke, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee and UCF).
"We are extremely happy with this draft. We acquired top talent at key positions which is always our goal", stated GM Luddington. The Posse also have three first round picks and two second round picks in 2008.
"We entered this draft with specific players we wanted to acquire and we are happy to say we got many of the guys we were targeting", stated GM Luddington.
The Posse had two selections in the first round (including the 9th overall selection) and then had to wait until the compensation round to make their third selection. With their first selection they went for 17 year old Seattle shortstop Carlos Triunfel.
Triunfel was signed as an internation free agent in 2006 by the Mariners and was assigned to Low A Wisconsin, which is quite rare for a young 17 year old. Baseball America currently projects Triunfel to be a 5-tool premium position player, and so far he is demonstrating many of the tools. Currently Triunfel is showing he has a very mature bat as he has demonstrated the ability to hit both fastballs and offspeed pitches and uses the whole field. He also has demonstrate very good range defensively and a great arm. What Carlos has not shown yet is the ability to take a walk, which may never come, and the ability to hit for power, which is expected to come. "We are extremely excited about Carlos. Only one other player on our list received a rating similar to Carlos. We expect he will replace Derek Jeter in a few years.", claimed GM Luddington.To conclude the first round the Posse went the usual route they go for during the draft and that is to select the top talented "next draft" prospects. California High School junior Isaac Galloway was the first target on that list. Galloway is a 5-tool prospect that has the ability to hit for both power and steal bases. His package seems to be very similar to current Posse prospect Andrew McCutchen. Posse management then orchestrated a trade, which could not be completed until after the draft, by sending recently acquired prospects Carlos Gonzalez, Joel Guzman and CJ Henry to the Rampage for the next pick after Galloway, a compensation pick, a player acquired through the auction and the Rampage 2008 1st round minor league draft pick. With the sandwich pick just acquired they Rampage selected on behalf of the Posse, California high school junior Aaron Hicks. "To be honest, the direction of the first round really forced us to react.", stated GM Luddington. "So many high schoolers went in the first round, and when the Millers took Eric Hosmer (who we rated #3 on our 2008 high school list) we got worried that we would not get our top two 2008's. We got Galloway with one, but did not think Hicks would make it until our next pick in the compensation round. Giving up Gonzalez was difficult but with current outfield youngsters Quentin, Maybin, McCutchen and Marrero we figured we could afford to. Guzman and Henry were really throw in's to balance out the rosters to 36. In return, we got Hicks who we covet, we got what should amount to a top 3 pick in the 2008 draft and we knew we probably would get a couple solid pitching prospects late".
The Posse did not pick again until the compensation round where they made two selection. The first one was made by the Posse and they took another high school junior, but this time it was Harold Martinez from Florida. "We have been following Martinez probably longer then any prospect since we took over the reigns in Oak Ridges. In our opinion Martinez and Triunfel are very similar players, and both have the tools to be superstars. This allows us to be extremely deep at SS as both join Justin Jackson
on our depth chart" With the second compensation pick, the Posse had the Rampage select Yu Darvish from Japan. This is actually the second time GM Luddington has drafted Yu Darvish, with the first time being when Darvish was a high school senior in Japan and GM Luddington was running the show for NAFTA. "There is no pitcher I wanted in this draft more then Yu, but I also knew I could get him later in the draft. I first draft Darvish because I knew he had the talent and rolled the dice that he may come to the majors instead of the Japanese league. That did not pay off, but I knew that in a few more years I would re-acquire him.", claimed FM Luddington. Darvish was draft 1st overall, and at the age of 20 is already in his third full season in Japan. So far he is the "next one" in Japan as he already has started 10 games, tossed 80 innings, allowed opponents to bat only .167 against him, walked only 19 batters, struck out 9.11 players per 9 innings and compiled a 2.03 ERA....and he is only 20! Darvish cannot become a free agent for 6 more years, but he is expected to be posted earlier then that. When asked about how long it will be until Darvish will be in a Posse uniform Luddington stated "It is worth the wait. Any high schooler is probably 4-5 years away anyways, wo there is not much of a difference. Just a more experienced and proven option."In the midst of the compensation round, the Posse made another trade, but this one was much more surprising as they dealt top high school senior Matt Harvey to the Pioneers for Los Angeles Angels Korean youngster Young-Il Jung and the Pioneers 1st and 2nd rounders in the 2008 minor league draft. "Basically we were approached by the Pioneers about acquiring Harvey. We love Harvey's talent but also recognize that Matt's family are very close with the Pioneers management. We actually feel that Jung has as much talent as Matt and were able to acquire another 1st round pick for next year.". Sounds like a win-win trade! Jung is a 17 year old pitcher that has three above average offerings and has the ability to become a #2 or #3 starter. He currently is pitching extremely well in extended spring.
In the auction round the Posse picked up two more players, taking high school junior Casey Kelly and high school senior Neil Ramirez. Ramirez was the final player acquired in the Rampage trade and has the pure stuff to be a top of the rotation starter but so far has not shown any consistency. Casey Kelly was ranked 5th on the Rampage's high school junior draft board, but
also brings a ton of doubters with him. Kelly is an incredibe athlete who can be a top notch baseball prospect as either a pitcher or as a hitter. He has a large frame and will probably outgrow shortstop, but a move to either third base or right field is an option. He has all the tools to do either. He also happens to be one of the top pitching prospects, as evidence by taking the ball in the Florida 6A finals and throwing a complete game 2 hit shutout including striking out top high school senior Michael Main 3 times. What raises questions around Kelly is that he also plays quarterback in football and may not be willing to give up that sport. The good news is he is not being recruited by many top football programs (Alabama, Duke, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee and UCF)."We are extremely happy with this draft. We acquired top talent at key positions which is always our goal", stated GM Luddington. The Posse also have three first round picks and two second round picks in 2008.
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