Royals on the Farm 8/29

This is what the Royals' season has done....people are pining for the days of Allard Baird as GM and John Buck behind the plate. Now, I'm as disillusioned as anybody when it comes to the Royals, but let's not forget how bad the Royals were under Baird's watch. David Glass, who probably shouldn't trust Dayton Moore with his money but does, didn't even have enough confidence in Baird to let him run the team. I don't think that's a random thing. Glass knows Baird, I don't. The sad thing is that Moore makes Baird look better than he was. The simple fact is, neither knew what they were doing in putting together an MLB team. Both did some parts of their job well, and both colossally screwed up other parts. Neither should be an MLB GM at this point. Of course, some of the problem is the fact Moore can't seem to get over himself enough to admit failure. You know what they say about excuses, Dayton. And John Buck? He of the lifetime .297 OBP and 82 OPS+? Who's never driven in or scored more than 50 runs in a season? The guy with the 9 % caught stealing percentage this season? Neither he nor Miguel Olivo should be a starting catcher in MLB, which all falls back on Moore. Brayan Pena has hit, but can't play adequate D from what I've seen and read. And let's not forget who pulled off that wizardlike Carlos Beltran deal....it wasn't Moore.

Fantasy football anyone? Still spots to fill. Hit me with an e-mail or comment with your e-mail....

AAA - Omaha: New Orleans 6, O-Royals 0 (4-hitter)

1B Ka'aihue 0-3, BB -- .257
DH Aldridge 0-3, BB, K -- .304
SS Lisson 1-3, 2 K, E (16) -- .232
that's how exciting the O-Royals' offense was Saturday

O'Connor 5 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 9 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 1-3, 6.17 ERA, next year's #5 starter in KC if Moore has his way....just kidding
de la Vara 2 IP, 6 BB, K, WP -- 0.00 ERA, wow, 6 BB, plate's over there
Hamulack 2 IP, 2 H, K -- 5.31 ERA

*** The O-Royals made Zephyrs starter Clay Hensley look like an ace as he pitched a complete-game 4-hit shutout. The Royals had 1 hit after the 2nd. Hensley retired 15 in a row at one point.

The O-Royals are 58-77. The long series wraps today with Lenny DiNardo (10-5, 3.27) facing momentary former Royal righty Brian Lawrence (6-4, 4.94). Alex Gordon is getting a couple days off.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 13, Tulsa 2

3B Lucas 3-3, BB, HBP, 2B (19), HR (9), 2 RBI (49), 3 RS -- .298
CF Dyson 3-6, 2B (7), RS -- .280
C Howell 2-4, SF, 3 RBI (23), 2 K, RS -- .270
3B Maddox 2-5, HR (3), 3 RBI (16), RS -- .193
1B C. Smith 2-5, 2 RBI (81), RS -- .250, on Moustakas' heels for organization RBI lead
LF Lough 2-5, 2 RS -- .330
SS Bianchi 1-3, SF, RBI (38), RS -- .311
DH Mertins 1-5, BB, 3B (7), RBI (53), K, 2 RS -- .281
* NWA stranded 10.

B. Johnson 5 1/3 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP, balk, E (3) -- W, 8-8, 4.67 ERA
J. Bannister 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 K -- 5.68 ERA
B. Wood 2 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 5.54 ERA

*** The Naturals put on a flurry of scoring from the 2nd through the 5th and coasted to the win to regain sole possession of first place in the TL North. A Jeff Howell sac fly and run-scoring Tulsa error gave NWA a 2-0 lead in the 2nd and the Naturals padded the lead with 5 in the 3rd on an Ed Lucas solo homer (his 9th), Howell RBI single and 3-run blast by Marc Maddox (his 3rd) to make it 7-0. Kurt Mertins hit an RBI triple in the 4th and scored on a Jeff Bianchi sac fly with Howell adding a 2-out RBI single to make it 10-0. Blake Johnson finally allowed a run in the 5th but the Naturals finished their scoring in the bottom of the frame on a Lucas RBI single and 2-run Corey Smith single. Blake Wood allowed a run in the 8th but that was it.

The Naturals are 33-28 and a game up on first. Game 2 with the Drillers is today as Everett Teaford (3-7, 5.91) faces Tulsa righty Chaz Roe (7-3, 3.27), who has beaten the Nats twice in his last 10 starts. According to the game report, both David Lough and Jeff Bianchi turned in very nice defensive plays in Saturday's win.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Salem 4, Blue Rocks 3

CF D. Robinson 2-5, 2B (19), RBI (47), K, RS, 2 SB (68) -- .245
3B Moustakas 1-3, BB, HR (16), RBI (85), RS, SB (10) -- .254
2B Giavotella 1-5, RBI (46) -- .254
1B C. Robinson 1-4, K -- .293
RF Van Stratten 1-3, BB, K -- .291

Paulino 7 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 3 K, balk -- 3.69 ERA
Villa 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 5 BB, 2 K, WP -- L, 6-8, 3.66 ERA, lotsa walks for Kelvin Saturday

*** Salem rallied to tie it in the 6th and won in the 9th. Mike Moustakas pounded his 16th homer of the season in the 1st to spot the Rocks the lead and Derrick Robinson added an RBI single in the 3rd. Johnny Giavotella singled home a run in the 5th and Eduardo Paulino had labored but had a shutout going in the 5th. Salem scratched out a run in the 5th then tied it at 3 on 4 singles in the 6th. Both teams left the bases loaded in the 8th and manager Brian Rupp had Villa intentionally walk 2 batters to load the bases in the 9th before a walkoff single ended it.

The Blue Rocks are 40-22 and 3 games up on first. The series comes to a close this evening as Danny Duffy (9-3, 3.21) faces Red Sox righty Dave McKae (2-6, 4.78). If Moustakas reaches 90 RBI, he would be only the 3rd Blue Rock ever to do so in a season. That's a nice accomplishment. OF Luis Del Rosario has been added to the roster from rookie Burlington.

A - Burlington: Beloit 5, Bees 2

CF Norris 2-3, BB, K, CS (9), OF assist at first -- .249
RF Ortiz 2-4, K, SB (7) -- .248
1B D. Wood 2-4, 2B (23), RS -- .276
DH Griffin 1-4, RBI (23) -- .294
C Bonilla 0-3, SF, RBI (36) -- .217
3B Taylor 0-3, BB, RS -- .253
SS R. Wood 0-1 -- .244, left in 5th with injured groin
LF H. Richardson 0-4, 2 K -- .000, Bees debut, OF full of Moore Specials, speedy guys who can't hit very well, hopefully Richardson proves an exception

Runion 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 4-11, 6.91 ERA, BP continues, now allowed 189 hits in 127 2/3 IP, .347 OAV!!!! Basically guys turn into Tony Gwynn when they step to the plate against him.
R. Pena 3 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 4.91 ERA

*** The Bees were being shutout on 5 hits going into the 9th as the Snappers continued to have Burlington's number. Sam Runion gave up 5 runs combined in the 3rd and 4th. The Bees got only a Shawn Griffin RBI single and Jose Bonilla sac fly in the 9th before stranding 2.

The Bees are 30-30 and 7 1/2 games back but still 3 games up on a playoff spot. The teams will make up Friday's rainout with a doubleheader today. Tim Melville (6-7, 3.93) and Mike Lehmann (5-5, 5.69) are set to pitch for Burlington. Lefty Winston Marquez (0-1, 2.77) will start game 1 for Beloit. Don't see an announced starter for game 2.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 3, Chukars 0

LF Stovall 2-4, 2B (9), K, E (7) -- .299, has fielding problems no matter where he plays
C S. Perez 2-4, PB (5) -- .312
2B Franco 2-4, CS (7) -- .268, 13-game hit streak has hiked BA
DH W. Myers 1-3, HBP, 2B (2) -- .389
CF Llanos 0-4, 3 K -- .200
SS D. Batista 0-4, 3 K -- .274
1B Lewis 1-3, K -- .293

Paukovits 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 7 K, HRA, WP -- L, 2-3, 4.96 ERA
Morgan 2 1/3 IP, UER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 5.48 ERA
Hodge 1 2/3 IP, H, BB, K -- 5.48 ERA

*** The Chukars outhit the Owlz, 10-9, but Orem got a shutout out of the deal. Orem scored single runs in 3 separate innings and the Chukars stranded 2 in the 3rd, left the bases full in the 7th and had a couple baserunners caught stealing along the way.

The Chukars are 15-10 and 7 games back now. Orem goes for the sweep today as Santiago Garrido (1-3, 5.77) faces Owlz lefty Patrick Corbin (3-1, 5.05).

Rookie - Burlington: Greeneville 5, B-Royals 2 (comp. of Friday game)

LF Del Rosario 2-4, K, RS -- .271, jump to Wilmington is big, but we'll see how it goes, he was only person in Burlington lineup hitting better than .239
2B Tschepikow 1-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (10), RS -- .209, expected more here
SS Espinal 1-4, 2 K, E (22) -- .235
* RF Geulin Beltre had an OF assist at first.

Hentges 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 3 BB, K -- L, 0-3, 5.31 ERA
Fortuna 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- 4.09 ERA

*** The game picked up in the 5th with a 2-0 Astros lead and Burlington wouldn't get on the board until the 9th. Carlos Fortuna allowed another run in the 5th when play resumed and then gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th to make it 5-0. Burlington had a baserunner in each of the first 5 innings but made nothing of the chances. The only runs came on a Ben Tschepikow 2-run homer (his 2nd as a pro) in the 9th.

Greeneville 2, B-Royals 0 (1-hitter, 7/reg. Sat. game)

2B Tschepikow 1-3, K -- .214
SS Espinal 0-2, S, 2 E (24) -- .233
LF Del Rosario 0-3, 2 K -- .268
C F. Cruz 0-3, K -- .274, has had solid, if unremarkable, season

Billo 5 IP, 2 UER, 3 H, BB, 4 K, 2 WP -- L, 2-2, 1.81 ERA
B. Richardson 2 IP, 4 H -- 3.96 ERA

*** Burlington's offensive woes continued as it appears the Royals have packed them away for the winter early. The Astros scored both their runs in the 4th thanks to a 2-run error by Yowill Espinal. The Royals were threatened with a truncated no-hitter going into the 7th but a 1-out Ben Tschepikow single spoiled that wish. Astros SP Jose Cisnero allowed only 2 walks with 5 Ks over 6 IP to get the win.

The B-Royals are 22-43. The season mercifully comes to an end with the last series starting today at the Bluefield Orioles (32-33). The O's send righty Jesse Beal (5-4, 4.28) to the mound versus an unnamed Royals SP. The Royals are assured no better than a tie for the worst record in the league. They are 3-3 versus the O's this season.

Rookie - AZL: done at 20-35

OPS check (leaving out the rehab guys)

>OF Alex Llanos .833 OPS -- .311*/.366*/.467*, 25 RS, 6 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR*, 16 RBI, 10 BB/35 K, 15/20 SB, 2 E in 31 G/122 ABs -- nice to see from Alex, but performance hasn't continued at IF
>1B Geoff Baldwin .750 OPS -- .251/.347/.404, 25 RS, 7 2B, 5 3B*, 3 HR*, 21 RBI, 21 BB*/59 K*, 3/4 SB, 12 E in 48 G/171 ABs -- nice pro debut, too bad ended with a swoon (.164 BA/.544 OPS in 19 August games), showed potential, though, will he be in Burlington (rookie) next season?
>IF Luis Piterson .728 OPS -- .311*/.361/.367, 28 RS*, 8 2B*, 3B, 16 RBI, 13 BB/34 K, 11/14 SB, 6 E in 47 G/177 ABs -- fairly consistent performer, just turned 19 in June, expect to see in rookie ball again in 2010
>C Mauricio Matos .706 OPS -- .300/.320/.386, 6 RS, 4 2B, 3B, 12 RBI, 2 BB/13 K, 1/1 SB, 3 E in 22 G/70 ABs -- nice step forward from last year, should be at IF maybe in 2010?
>3B Yunior Figueroa .683 OPS -- .271/.312/.372, 27 RS, 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR*, 28 RBI*, 11 BB/27 K, 3/6 SB, 11 E in 49 G*/199 ABs* -- showed flashes, he'll be back in rookie ball

now skipping around....
>shoulda stuck DH Ryan Stovall in there at .690 -- .235/.290/.400, 12 RS, 5 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 7 BB/29 K, 6/8 SB, 9 E in 22 G/85 ABs -- defense was bad, started off on fire but showed he can hit....now where to play him? Has chance maybe to be in A-ball to start 2010, I'd bet
>OF Juan Polonia .677 OPS -- 18/25 SB led team, had couple good games down stretch
>OF Anthony Howard .656 OPS -- .191/.315/.340 in pro debut, 5 2B, tied Polonia for second on team with 16 BB, 11/13 SB, apparently another Moore Special, but at least he can take a walk
> IF Justin Trapp .638 OPS -- .262/.329/.310, 18 RS, 4 2B, 11 BB/36 K, 12/16 SB, 16 E* -- middling pro debut, didn't show much pop, but hit somewhat consistently before going for a .197 BA/.486 OPS in August
> OF Lane Adams .630 OPS -- .233/.339/.291, 18 RS, 2 3B, 16 BB/32 K, 14/15 SB -- can take a walk, didn't show much else, other than maybe good SB instincts
>OF Chanse Cooper .620 OPS -- .214/.405/.214, 7 BB/12 K, 9/10 SB -- see Adams comment

WHIP check

> RP Jack Adams 0.89 WHIP -- 1-1, 1.69 ERA, 3 SV*, HRA, 3 BB/21 K in 15 G*/21 1/3 IP -- .205 OAV, nice pro debut for NDFA, maybe has shot at Bees' pen or higher rookie league in 2010
> RP Lee Roberts 1.13 WHIP -- 1-0, 1.35, 1 SV, 2 BB/14 K in 9 G/13 1/3 IP -- another NDFA who made good, but he moved up
> RP Claudio Bavera 1.21 WHIP -- 4*-0, 0.44*, 2 SV, 11 BB/21 K in 15 G*/20 2/3 IP -- .192 OAV, only problem was walks, another Bees' pen candidate?
> RP Josh Worrell 1.35 WHIP -- 0-3, 4.05, 6 BB/25 K in 12 G/13 1/3 IP -- K rate was great, also K/BB ratio, should see higher rookie league in 2010
>RP Starling De La Rosa 1.42 WHIP -- 1-0, 6.11, 1 SV, 8 BB/26 K in 12 G/17 2/3 IP -- good K rate, not much else, allowed 17 H, so about a hit per inning

others...

>P Luis Ortega 1.45 -- 0-2, 4.47, 3 HRA, 6 BB/39 K in 13 G/48 1/3 IP -- started 5 games, first somewhat regular starter we've hit, allowed 64 hits for .312 OAV
> P Ezequiel Amador 1.50 -- 1-3, 6.39, 5 HRA, 18 BB/41 K in 13 G/50 2/3 IP -- started 6 games, allowed 58 hits, hit 12 batters to easily lead team in that stat, little wild
> P Brian Peacock 1.51 -- 0-5*, 4.93, 6 HRA*, 8 BB/34 K in 11 G/38 1/3 IP -- started 9 games, K rate wasn't bad, allowed 50 hits, tho, for .318 OAV
> P Willian Avinazar 1.63 -- 4*-5*, 6.43, 6 HRA*, 22 BB/59 K in 14 G/56 IP -- started 9 games, pretty raw looking numbers
> P Leonel Santiago 1.66 -- 1-3, 5.40, 3 HRA, 16 BB/66 K* in 13 G/58 1/3 IP* -- started 10 games, allowed 81 hits, so also had problem with that, K rate was great, tho, also raw numbers
> P Eric Diaz 1.91 -- 2-1, 7.20, 3 HRA, 23 BB/40 K in 14 G/35 IP -- other than K rate, not favorable pro debut
> P Robinson Yambati 2.01 -- 2-3, 8.89, 1 SV, 3 HRA, 14 BB/18 K in 12 G/27 1/3 IP -- raw raw raw
> P Jonathon Keck 2.04 -- 1-1, 9.00, 14 BB/24 K in 12 G/24 IP -- had his problems, but good K rate