Royals on the Farm 9/2

Still a few fantasy football openings, draft pushed back to Sunday afternoon, e-mail me for an invite....

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 17, Iowa 7

RF Aldridge 4-4, BB, SF, 2 2B (18), 2 RBI (70), 3 RS, E (3) -- .320
DH Gordon 3-4, BB, SF, 2B (3), HR (2), 5 RBI (8), K, 4 RS -- .304
SS-3B Lisson 3-6, HR (12), 2 RBI (40), 2 K, RS -- .233
3B Thorman 2-3, BB, 3 RBI (62), RS -- .288
1B Ka'aihue 2-5, BB, RBI (55) -- .256, 98th BB
2B-SS Hernandez 2-3, 3 BB, 3 RS -- .303
LF Suomi 2-6, K -- .156
CF Raines 1-2, 2 SF, BB, 2B (10), 2 RBI (25), 2 RS, SB (15) -- .230
PH-2B Tschepikow 1-2, RBI, RS -- .500, AAA debut
* The Royals stranded 12.

Nicoll 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- W, 2-1, 7.65 ERA, easy to win with 17 runs of support
Chavez 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, K -- 3.46 ERA
de la Vara IP, UER, 2 H -- 0.00 ERA

*** The jury is still out on whether Jeff Samardzija should have stuck to football. The Royals lit him up for 6 ER over 2 2/3 IP en route to drubbing the I-Cubs. Iowa got to Chris Nicoll for 2 in the 1st but Omaha answered with 3 runs on RBI singles by Alex Gordon and Scott Thorman and a sac fly by Cory Aldridge. Iowa tied it in the 2nd but Omaha took the lead for good with 3 in the 3rd on RBI singles by Thorman and Mario Lisson and a Tim Raines Jr. sac fly. Omaha answered an Iowa run in the 5th with 4 runs on a Gordon sac fly, Kila Ka'aihue RBI single, run-scoring wild pitch and Thorman RBI groundout. Gordon slammed a 3-run homer in the 6th for his 2nd for Omaha and 2nd in the last 2 games. Raines added another sac fly in the 7th, Aldridge hit an RBI double in the 8th, Ben Tschepikow picked up his 1st AAA RBI with a groundout and Mario Lisson went solo for his 12th homer to finish the scoring.

The O-Royals are 62-77. They go for the 4-game sweep tonight as Mike O'Connor (1-3, 6.17) faces Cubs lefty Casey Fossum (6-4, 3.88).

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 8, Arkansas 2

RF Lucas 3-5, 2 2B (21), GS (10), 6 RBI (56), 2 RS, SB (17), E (14) -- .297
1B C. Smith 3-4, BB, HR (21), 2 RBI (88), K, RS -- .252
SS McConnell 3-4, 2 RS, CS (5) -- .222
CF Dyson 1-5, K -- .268
LF Lough 1-5 -- .326

Lerew 6 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 7 H, 6 K, HRA -- W, 10-6, 4.09 ERA
Hartsock 3 IP, H -- SV, 6, 2.96 ERA

*** Ed Lucas was the man of the night as his 9th inning grand slam put the game pretty much out of reach. Lucas doubled and scored on Corey Smith's 2-run blast (his 21st) in the 1st to give NWA an early 2-0 lead. Lucas stroked a 2-run double in the 3rd and the Naturals took a 4-2 lead into the 9th. With 2 outs and the bases full, Lucas hammered his 10th homer of the season to put his one-man wrecking crew night to an end. Aaron Hartsock retired the last 7 Travelers in a row.

NWA is 35-30 and a game up on first. Game 3 is tonight as Rowdy Hardy (4-3, 2.75) faces Travelers lefty Michael Anton (2-8, 5.42). Pitcher Matt Kniginyzky has left the team to play for Canada in the IBAF World Cup that Tug Hulett and Irving Falu are also taking part in.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Myrtle Beach 1

SS Seratelli 2-4, 2 RBI (31) -- .277
1B C. Robinson 2-4, RBI (55) -- .292
CF D. Robinson 1-4, 2 CS (23) -- .245, drops SB % to 75% (69-92)
2B Giavotella 1-4, 2B (24), K, RS -- .257
3B Moustakas 1-4, 2B (32), K, RS -- .255
RF Van Stratten 0-2, BB, S, RS, SB (5), E (4) -- .279
DH Fontaine 1-2, 2 BB -- .310
LF Del Rosario 0-2, 2 BB, K -- .000, Wilmington debut

Villa 6 IP, UER, 2 H, BB, 7 K, 2 E (3) -- 3.38 ERA, very nice spot start
Rivas 1/3 IP, H, BB, WP -- 5.09 ERA
Keating 1 2/3 IP, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, win in A-Advanced debut
Sisk IP, nada -- SV, 21, 1.95 ERA

*** Patrick Keating pitched 5 perfect outs in his Wilmington debut and picked up the victory as the Rocks swept the Pelicans. Two Kelvin Villa errors, one after he took a liner off a leg, led to the Pelicans' only run to take a 1-0 lead in the 6th but Johnny Giavotella led off the Rocks 6th with a double and scored on a Clint Robinson single to tie it. Keating came in to strand 2 in the 7th and Anthony Seratelli came through with a 2-run single in the 8th to provide the margin of victory.

The Rocks are 43-23 and 3 1/2 games up on first with a magic # of 2 to clinch the second-half division title. They have today off before the season's final 4-game set. OF Derrick Robinson was named to the Carolina League end of season All-Star team despite his .245 BA and .295 OBP. It was the 69 steals and a hot August that did it, and a solid defensive reputation thanks to his speed. Danny Gutierrez was a late scratch from Wednesday's start so manager Brian Rupp could work out a postseason rotation, assuming the Rocks get there. RP Scott Kelley will also be added to Wilmington's roster for the playoff push.

A - Burlington: Bees 2, Clinton 1

CF Norris 2-4, RBI (22), RS, 2 SB (44) -- .249, in comparison to D-Rob, has 83% SB % (44/53)
LF Ortiz 1-4, RBI (19) -- .256
3B Taylor 0-3, K, E (12) -- .249
C Bonilla 1-3, K, CS (4), PB (15) -- .219
SS R. Wood 1-3, K, RS -- .233
RF H. Richardson 0-2, S, 2 K -- .154

Hodgson 5 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, WP -- 4.08 ERA
Odenbach 2 1/3 IP, 2 H -- W, 2-0, 2.95 ERA
Thompson IP, 2 K -- SV, 8, 2.78 ERA

*** The Bees gutted out a win over Clinton to cut their playoff-clinching number to the slimmest of margins Wednesday. The game was scoreless until Ivor Hodgson finally faltered in the 6th as Clinton scored on 2 hits and a walk before Dusty Odenbach came in to strand 2. Adrian Ortiz tied it with an RBI single in the bottom of the 6th and a Patrick Norris RBI fielder's choice in the 8th broke the tie. James Thompson followed with a perfect 9th for his 8th save.

The Bees are 33-31 and 5 games up on a playoff spot, so their magic # is 1. They can clinch it tonight as Sam Runion (4-11, 6.91, not sure why they're still running him out there to start) faces 'Kings lefty Bobby LaFromboise (8-8, 4.06). IF Juan Rivera was activated from the DL. Overall, the Bees are 62-72 while Clinton is 67-65, but somehow in the MWL's weird system, the Bees are up on the 'Kings by 5 games for a playoff spot. That doesn't seem right.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 9, Idaho Falls 5

LF Pickett 3-4, RBI, OF assist at third -- .261
3B Alfaro 2-4, RBI (20), K -- .250
RF D. Rodriguez 2-2, RS, SB, CS -- 1.000, IF debut
DH Myers 1-3, BB, HR (3), RBI (8), K, 2 RS -- .353, what a start to his pro career...
C S. Perez 0-4, RBI (32) -- .300
CF Llanos 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS, SB (3), E (3) -- .206
SS D. Batista 0-4, S, 2 K -- .274
1B Lewis 1-4, 2 K, RS -- .327
2B Franco 0-4, HBP, K -- .287, hit streak snapped

Dwyer 2 IP, H, 3 BB, 4 K -- 1.59 ERA
Arias 4 IP, 6 R (3 ER), 5 H, 4 BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 3-4, 4.70 ERA
Hodge 2 IP, 3 UER, 3 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- 4.85 ERA
Folmer IP, 2 H, K -- 4.61 ERA

*** Casper went on an offensive tear from the 5th through the 8th to drop the Chukars' playoff chances another notch. Casper scored 2 off Carlos Arias in the 3rd after 2 decent innings by Chris Dwyer for his 3rd pro start. An error and Jovan Pickett RBI single tied the game in the 4th but Casper scored 3 in the 5th and another in the 6th off Arias, and 1 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th off Mitch Hodge. IF got a solo homer from Wil Myers for his 3rd for the Chukars and a J.D. Alfaro RBI single in the 6th and a Salvador Perez RBI groundout in the 7th but that was it.

The Chukars are 17-12 and 7 games out with 9 games left. Game 2 is tonight as Bryan Paukovits (2-3, 4.96) faces an unnamed Ghosts starter. P Ryan Dennick, OF Derek Rodriguez and IF Malcom Culver have been moved in from rookie Burlington to help finish out the season for the Chukars.

Rookie - Burlington: done at 24-44

OPS check (* - led team)

>SS Yowill Espinal .734 OPS -- .246/.327/.407*, 31 RS*, 9 2B, 4 3B*, 7 HR*, 23 RBI, 22 BB/53 K, 20/34 SB, 26 E* (easily led team) in 63 G*/236 ABs* -- I'm not as enthused about Espinal as others seem to be, but he does look to have some potential, I'm just not overwhelmed by the #s...rebounded from bad July with .800 OPS in August, showed nice improvement from '08, plus he's only 18 so that makes things a little rosier
>OF Luis Del Rosario .706 OPS -- .268/.330/.376, 19 RS, 8 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 19 BB/60 K, 19/26 SB, 6 E in 57 G/213 ABs -- hit better, got on base better than Espinal but not as much pop, plus about a year older at 19...we'll see who pans out better, or if either does...showed decline in plate discipline from '08 in AZL (27 BB/44 K in 172 ABs)
>C Fernando Cruz .702 OPS -- .277*/.308/.394, 22 RS, 11 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 7 BB/23 K, 2/2 SB, 2 E in 51 G/188 ABs -- also 19, doesn't strike out much, but doesn't walk much either, OPS was steady but hit over .300 in August...good news is numbers were much better than last year at Burlington...will he be with Myers at C in Burlington (A) next season?
>OF Gabe MacDougall .654 OPS -- .207/.378/.276, 4 RS, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 6 BB/5 K, 1/4 SB, 3 E in 8 G/29 ABs -- small sample size, missed rest of season with broken hand, just made note as he is a 2009 draftee
>1B Jake Kuebler .650 OPS -- .215/.340*/.311, 27 RS, 5 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 28 BB*/52 K, 7/9 SB, 15 E in 55 G/177 ABs -- also good improvement from '08 for AG's cousin, but no great numbers, gave him the OBP lead because MacDougall didn't play enough....not great D at first, but does know how to work a walk...OPS improved each month

others...
>2B Ben Tschepikow .644 OPS -- .232/.278/.366, 8 RS, 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5 BB/14 K, 1/2 SB, 2 E in 24 G/82 ABs -- nothing here to be really impressed with, we'll see where he starts 2010
>OF Geulin Beltre .639 OPS -- .217/.263/.376, 29 RS, 14 2B*, 2 3B, 6 HR, 27 RBI*, 12 BB/64 K*, 8/14 SB, 7 E in 61 G/226 ABs -- had some pop, but no command of strike zone, still nice improvement over '08, not even 19 until Oct. 27, some raw power to work with, only .457 OPS versus lefties, might want to stick to hitting lefty rather than switch-hitting...OPS also improved each month
>IF Malcom Culver .637 OPS -- .217/.316/.321, 10 XBH, 25 BB/37 K, 8/12 SB, 14 E in 61 G/184 ABs -- first full season as position player, only 19, OPS declined each full month, although OBP rebounded in August...probably in rookie ball again in 2010??? Maybe Burlington (A)...
>OF Jovan Pickett .614 OPS -- .259/.318/.296, 4 XBH, 10 BB/32 K, 23/30 SB*, 3 E in 46 G/162 ABs -- has mediocre hitting skills plus speed, right in FO's wheelhouse...
>C/DH Wil Myers .563 OPS -- only 4 G/16 AB, .125/.125/.438, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 0 BB/3 K -- has looked more promising in Idaho Falls....
>OF Derek Rodriguez .553 OPS -- 6 BB/26 K, 9/12 SB in 31 G/88 ABs -- not sure that's worth a small call-up, but whatever
>IF Ryan Wood .520 OPS -- .174/.303/.217, 15 RS, 4 2B, 6 RBI, 16 BB/15 K, 4/7 SB, 5 E in 27 G/92 ABs -- showed good strike zone awareness, probably got him the call-up to A-ball....

WHIP check

>P Buddy Baumann 0.80 WHIP -- only 5 IP in pro debut before hurt
>P Scott Kelley 0.88 WHIP -- 0-2, 1.38, 1 SV, 7 BB/27 K in 11 G/26 IP -- earned call-up to help Wilmington, .176 OAV
>P Greg Billo 1.02 WHIP -- 2-2, 1.81, 1 SV, 4 HRA, 16 BB/51 K in 13 G (8 starts)/54 2/3 IP -- very nice season, repeated decent K rate, better K/BB than '08 debut, only 19 in July, 0.39 ERA in 23 IP in August, .205 OAV overall
>P Dusty Odenbach 1.04 WHIP -- 1-0, 0.55*, 2 SV, 5 BB/12 K in 6 G/16 1/3 IP -- .197 OAV
>P Tyler Sample 1.07 WHIP -- 4*-2, 2.84, 1 SV, 2 HRA, 20 BB/44 K in 12 G (9 starts)/50 2/3 IP -- .184 OAV overall, 4-0, 1.78 ERA, 0.89 WHIP in 30 1/3 August innings...showed potential, probably in Bees rotation in 2010...
>P Ryan Dennick 1.14 WHIP -- 1-2, 2.43, 1 SV, 2 HRA, 11 BB/34 K in 14 G (1 start)/33 1/3 IP -- .221 OAV, also pitched well in August, 1.13 ERA in 16 IP to pick up call-up to IF

others...
>P John Lamb 1.21 WHIP -- 2-2, 3.95, 4 HRA, 9 BB/25 K in 6 starts/27 1/3 IP -- .238 OAV, has been better in Idaho Falls...should be in Burlington with Sample in 2010
>P Leondy Perez 1.22 WHIP -- 2-5, 3.84, 7 HRA*, 21 BB/62 K* in 13 G (12 starts)/63 1/3 IP -- .240 OAV, good K rate, numbers worsened from July to August, turned 20 in August, may have shot at Burlington rotation too...
>P Lee Roberts 1.25 WHIP -- 2-1, 4.50, HRA, 2 BB/12 K in 4 G/12 IP -- nice K/BB and K rate, probably in A-ball pen for 2010, if not IF
>P Keaton Hayenga 1.27 WHIP -- 4*-7*, 3.66, 2 HRA, 16 BB/34 K in 13 starts/66 1/3 IP* -- first full taste of pro ball for 21-year-old, .249 OAV, numbers went downhill in August, may have had some fatigue in return from injuries...K rate was ungood...
>P Brett Richardson 1.32 WHIP -- 4 SV*, 5 BB/15 K in 17 G*/25 IP -- downhill from '08 pro debut
>P Carlos Fortuna 1.48 WHIP -- 3-6, 4.09, 1 SV, 7 HRA, 25 BB*/43 K in 13 G (8 starts)/50 2/3 IP -- only 19, .259 OAV, July was worst month but settled down in August...probably in IF to start 2010?
>P Chase Hentges 1.63 WHIP -- 0-3, 5.31, 1 SV, 2 HRA, 20 BB/20 K in 12 G (6 starts)/42 1/3 IP -- .287 OAV, only 19, room for improvement, bet he's in rookie ball again in 2010, also suffered from bad July but only mediocre August
>P Onassis Sirrett 1.67 WHIP -- 1-1, 3.98, 4 SV*, 2 HRA, 6 BB/22 K in 14 G/20 1/3 IP -- ended season as closer, .329 OAV, followed up stellar July with poor August...