Author Topic: Tri-City ValleyCats 2014 (Read 11859 times)

Duman · « **on:** June 08, 2014, 05:06:11 pm »

Talk amongst youselves

Reuben · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2014, 11:28:17 am »

Might try to make it to the season opener this Saturday. Anyone seen a more complete roster list than this? Only has a handful of names. I wonder if Reed and JD Davis will report in time for the opener, and who the starter might be.
Also, to nitpick, it is Tri-City (singular). Evens out because I never know whether Greeneville has the extra "e" or not...

Duman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2014, 11:57:40 am »

Quote from: Reuben on June 10, 2014, 11:28:17 am

Might try to make it to the season opener this Saturday. Anyone seen a more complete roster list than this? Only has a handful of names. I wonder if Reed and JD Davis will report in time for the opener, and who the starter might be.
Also, to nitpick, it is Tri-City (singular). Evens out because I never know whether Greeneville has the extra "e" or not...

I can never keep it straight if it is TriCities, Tri City, Tri-City or if it is Valley Cats or ValleyCats. Just north of GreenEville, the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol make up the Tri-Cities area so that always makes me get the affiliate name wrong.

The current roster that is posted is basically a place holder for players who are in EST. It will get overhauled later this week. I would bet with the number of college jr signs, this is going to be a very god year for the Tri-City ValleyCats

VirtualBob · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2014, 12:43:40 pm »

Quote from: Duman on June 10, 2014, 11:57:40 am

I can never keep it straight if it is TriCities, Tri City, Tri-City or if it is Valley Cats or ValleyCats. Just north of GreenEville, the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol make up the Tri-Cities area so that always makes me get the affiliate name wrong.

Yes ... and "Tri City ..." is even harder to remember because people refer to the area there as both "The Tri-Cities" and "The Tri City Area" (with or without hyphens in both cases, since we do not typically insert them while speaking).

Quote from: Duman on June 10, 2014, 11:57:40 am

The current roster that is posted is basically a place holder for players who are in EST. It will get overhauled later this week. I would bet with the number of college jr signs, this is going to be a very god year for the Tri-City ValleyCats

The current roster is mostly the guys left over from last year who did not get assigned to a full-season squad. There is no need or advantage in updating those rosters until the end of EST. And yes, I expect there to be some talent from the recent draft there in a week or so.

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2014, 09:22:44 pm »

FWIW, Reed was just interviewed on the Astros broadcast. Said he is taking BP before the Astros game tomorrow (Thursday 6/12), then heading to the NY Penn league...

VirtualBob · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2014, 09:43:47 am »

They are leaving it a bit late to announce the roster since opening day is today. I really want to see who is here!

Jacksonian · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2014, 09:58:37 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on June 13, 2014, 09:43:47 am

They are leaving it a bit late to announce the roster since opening day is today. I really want to see who is here!

I sliver of their roster mentioned in this article: http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Cats-looking-for-chemistry-5549233.php

Reuben · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2014, 11:54:48 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on June 13, 2014, 09:43:47 am

They are leaving it a bit late to announce the roster since opening day is today. I really want to see who is here!

It's raining cats and dogs all over the area today, and has all week, so I doubt they'll get the game in tonight.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2014, 02:29:44 pm »

The roster is now up.

Reuben · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2014, 06:32:22 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on June 13, 2014, 11:54:48 am

It's raining cats and dogs all over the area today, and has all week, so I doubt they'll get the game in tonight.

Well, I was wrong, they are playing. Ariel Ovando just got the 'Cats' first hit of the season. He's playing 1B according to the box score... but listed on roster as an OF. Maybe they just needed to stick somebody there until AJ Reed is ready to play.

juliogotay · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2014, 09:19:57 pm »

Ovando is really an afterthought now isn't he?

Duman · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:28:28 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on June 13, 2014, 09:19:57 pm

Ovando is really an afterthought now isn't he?

Not a hot prospect but not yet an after thought. He is the youngest position player on the roster. Looks like they are playing him at 1st some this year too. He was done a disservice by being brought to the states in 11. He should have had a much slower climb.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2014, 07:30:30 pm »

8th-rounder (2014) OF Bobby Boyd has been assigned to the V-Cats.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2014, 11:08:14 pm »

Profile of 13th-rounder Jamie Ritchie, who was on the 2014 Johnny Bench Award Watch List (not that that necessarily put him in exclusive company: 71 other D1 college catchers across the county were also on said list).

Reuben · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2014, 02:57:41 pm »

I did a write-up of my amateurish observations from yesterday's 'Cats game as my Sunday recap. Plus a picture!

chuck · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2014, 03:52:24 pm »

Since Dark Star is now happily married the first-person accounts of what happens on the farm are by far my favorite element of this site anymore.

Reuben · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2014, 10:57:17 pm »

Another beat-down tonight, this time in just 5 innings. Derek Fisher with a nice debut, Ryan Bottger homers for his 3rd game in a row, and Troy "Bartleby" Scribner sees his ERA inflate to 1.57.

juliogotay · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2014, 11:04:44 pm »

Fisher, Davis, Reed hitting 3-4-5 in that lineup.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2014, 02:43:30 pm »

I notice that Rule 5 selection Ravael Santana was released last week. In the BA write-up it mentioned his 2011 break-out season and commented that he "was never the same" after breaking his ankle late in that season. Worrisome in another context.

Reuben · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2014, 05:01:42 pm »

Quote from: VirtualBob on July 08, 2014, 02:43:30 pm

I notice that Rule 5 selection Ravael Santana was released last week. In the BA write-up it mentioned his 2011 break-out season and commented that he "was never the same" after breaking his ankle late in that season. Worrisome in another context.

Maybe a broken fibula is better than a broken ankle! No worries!!...right?

Reuben · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2014, 07:35:07 pm »

Tri-City got trounced today, 18-4. Somewhat amazingly, they had 4 different pitchers each give up 4 or more runs.

On the bright side, Fisher went 1-for-2 with 2 BB, and AJ Reed went 3-for-4 with a 2B and HR. Reed's heating up: .324/.422/.568 over his last 10 games, with 2 HR and 12 RBI. For the season (22 games) he has 15 BB and 14 K.

juliogotay · « **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2014, 10:36:01 pm »

Reed may be ready to graduate to the next level.

Reuben · « **Reply #22 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:21:45 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on July 08, 2014, 10:36:01 pm

Reed may be ready to graduate to the next level.

Why the rush? Why not let him try and rack up some gaudy numbers first, before throwing him into the full-season fire? He's still just batting .277. Plus, like you pointed out, it'll be pretty cool to see what this lineup can do with Fisher, Davis, and Reed in it together.

juliogotay · « **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:09:51 am »

Quote from: Reuben on July 08, 2014, 11:21:45 pm

Why the rush? Why not let him try and rack up some gaudy numbers first, before throwing him into the full-season fire? He's still just batting .277. Plus, like you pointed out, it'll be pretty cool to see what this lineup can do with Fisher, Davis, and Reed in it together.

Your caution is probably wise. He just seems like a man among boys to me at that level.

Reuben · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2014, 10:12:34 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on July 09, 2014, 09:09:51 am

Your caution is probably wise. He just seems like a man among boys to me at that level.

Résumé-wise, for sure. And, they did skip Fontana directly to full-season ball without any time in Tri-City at all, so there's precedent.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2014, 10:30:09 am »

I think the fan-bias factor needs to come into play. As fans, we become far too impatient with the progress of our favorite prospects after a few good outcomes. Promotion is based on real player development not statistical excellence in a small sample size. AJ will get his chances, but it is way too soon to see him pushing Singleton.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #26 on:** July 09, 2014, 08:22:51 pm »

In the small sample size category, Derek Fisher is 2 for 3 so far tonight, lowering his batting average to .714 -- not bad.

Reuben · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:48:04 pm »

Quote from: VirtualBob on July 09, 2014, 08:22:51 pm

In the small sample size category, Derek Fisher is 2 for 3 so far tonight, lowering his batting average to .714 -- not bad.

He's an interesting experiment - the ultra-rare "projectable" high-ceiling college hitter. So far so good.

juliogotay · « **Reply #28 on:** July 15, 2014, 04:14:02 pm »

Davis being promoted to QC. Speculation is he may play 1B.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #29 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:05:53 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on July 15, 2014, 04:14:02 pm

Davis being promoted to QC. Speculation is he may play 1B.

Probably a good bet since Kemmer got promoted to Lancaster.

juliogotay · « **Reply #30 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:50:03 pm »

Quote from: VirtualBob on July 15, 2014, 06:05:53 pm

Probably a good bet since Kemmer got promoted to Lancaster.

And his defense at 3rd didn't sound too encouraging.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #31 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:54:59 pm »

Tyler White got promoted to Lancaster, so that may quash the 1B rumors. Chase McDonald is not going to move to 3B.

Reuben · « **Reply #32 on:** August 02, 2014, 11:03:08 am »

Fisher was removed from Thursday's game, and didn't play last night. Haven't been able to find word of any possible injury. Oddly, the Astros broadcast last night had a graphic up at one point that showed Fisher, his stats, and it said "Promoted to Tri-City". Which made me wonder if he'd actually been promoted to Quad Cities, but I haven't found any record of that either.

Despite his high AVG/OBP, he has yet to hit his first pro homer. On the other hand, 13 SB and 1 CS in 24 games is much more than I was expecting for a guy who supposedly is defensively challenged in the OF. I guess Elias was right when he said he has plus speed.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #33 on:** August 10, 2014, 02:05:16 pm »

G-Astros OF Jason Martin promoted to the V-Cats.

He replaces in the outfield Bobby Boyd who moves up to QC.

Reuben · « **Reply #34 on:** August 10, 2014, 06:41:01 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on August 10, 2014, 02:05:16 pm

G-Astros OF Jason Martin promoted to the V-Cats.

He replaces in the outfield Bobby Boyd who moves up to QC.

Those moves are working out so far: Martin is 3-for-4 with a triple and 2 Runs in the TC game, while Boyd is 2-for-2 with an RBI thus far for QC.

juliogotay · « **Reply #35 on:** August 10, 2014, 08:42:38 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 02, 2014, 11:03:08 am

Fisher was removed from Thursday's game, and didn't play last night. Haven't been able to find word of any possible injury. Oddly, the Astros broadcast last night had a graphic up at one point that showed Fisher, his stats, and it said "Promoted to Tri-City". Which made me wonder if he'd actually been promoted to Quad Cities, but I haven't found any record of that either.

Despite his high AVG/OBP, he has yet to hit his first pro homer. On the other hand, 13 SB and 1 CS in 24 games is much more than I was expecting for a guy who supposedly is defensively challenged in the OF. I guess Elias was right when he said he has plus speed.

Did we ever hear what Fisher's injury is?

GreatBagwellsBeard · « **Reply #36 on:** August 11, 2014, 08:46:08 am »

Quote from: juliogotay on August 10, 2014, 08:42:38 pm

Did we ever hear what Fisher's injury is?

Saw somewhere that he ran into the outfield wall and got shook up. No idea if it was an actual concussion or just a precaution.

Reuben · « **Reply #37 on:** August 11, 2014, 11:05:47 am »

Yeah, google has turned up nothing (though I'm a shitty googler) and I haven't been to a game in a while. Oddly, on the radio pre-game the other day Luhnow was asked about the 'Cats success this year and he just talked about how well the pitchers were doing and how they like to pick college arms who don't walk people. No mention of the kid who ended up being their top pick this year who was batting about .360.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #38 on:** August 11, 2014, 10:13:22 pm »

From a couple of days ago: C Jamie Ritchie, INF Nick Tanielu, OF Bobby Boyd and P Ryan Thompson all named to NY-P all-star game.

If they've named a replacement for Boyd, I haven't seen it. They could do far worse than selecting Derek Fisher for that spot (he did return to action in tonight's game).

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #39 on:** August 11, 2014, 10:31:25 pm »

Ex 1st-rounder (supplemental) Joe Musgrove putting a nice polish on a fine season with the excellent performance tonight (6.2 2 0 0 1 5). He's 4th in the NY-P with a 1.05 WHIP and has a 54/10 K to W ratio in 59 IP.

Duman · « **Reply #40 on:** August 12, 2014, 10:16:01 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on August 11, 2014, 10:31:25 pm

Ex 1st-rounder (supplemental) Joe Musgrove putting a nice polish on a fine season with the excellent performance tonight (6.2 2 0 0 1 5). He's 4th in the NY-P with a 1.05 WHIP and has a 54/10 K to W ratio in 59 IP.

He is finally healthy (shoulder issues IIR) and showing the potential that had him drafted in the compensation portion of the first round in 11 by the Blue Jays. He pitched in 9 games (24 2/3 IP) in 11 , 6 games (17 IP) in 12 and 11 games (32 2/3 IP) in 13. This year, he has pitched in 12 games (59 IP).

Reuben · « **Reply #41 on:** August 12, 2014, 11:27:34 am »

Since it got posted in recaps, and not in this thread, here's my impressions of Musgrove from a month ago:

Quote

Joe Musgrove pitched 2 innings and was impressive, despite allowing a run on 3 singles. His fastball was sitting 92-94, again on a possibly slow gun. He mixed in a good amount of off-speed stuff. Musgrove is even bigger and broader-shouldered than Ordosgoitti. I’m surprised he’s given up so many hits – 71 in about 53 IP between this year and his 2013 GCL season. A 42-7 K/BB ratio and only 1 HR allowed are good signs, though, for the former 46th-overall pick.

Reuben · « **Reply #42 on:** August 17, 2014, 07:34:47 am »

Musgrove with another excellent start: 6 1 0 0 0 4

Also, Derek Fisher with a double and his 1st pro HR.

Reuben · « **Reply #43 on:** August 18, 2014, 05:49:22 pm »

WTHB has a great interview with Fisher. Seems like a good kid. I like that he went out of his way to talk about his manager:

Quote

He also got off on a bit of a tangent when I asked him what he would do if he couldn't play baseball. He wants to stay in the game and talked about the influence that a former major leaguer like Ed Romero has in the development of young players. Fisher said, "Somebody like Eddie Romero, somebody that's played in the big leagues for so long ... he doesn't have to do this if he doesn't want to. He's been around the game for so long and he could be out enjoying his time with his family and his grandsons, but he just loves the game, loves helping kids out, love teaching us. That's why they're here. It's something that we appreciate for sure."

Reuben · « **Reply #44 on:** August 24, 2014, 01:57:37 pm »

Yet another gem from Musgrove: 7/3/0/0/5. now 7-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and just 4 HR allowed in 72 IP (ie. .5 per 9 IP). His K/BB ratio is an outstanding 63/10 and batters have hit only .211 against. He's actually been tougher on lefty batters, .194 BAA and just 1 HR compared to .231 and 3 for RHB.

That's 3 straight starts of at least 6 IP without allowing a run. 6 hits and 1 BB total in those 19 2/3 innings. Will be interesting to see where he ranks on Astros Top 20/30 prospect lists this winter.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #45 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:42:56 am »

Derek Fisher (#8), A.J. Reed (#11) and Joe Musgrove (#16) all made BA's NYP Top 20 League Prospects list.

From the chat:

Quote

Aaron Fitt: I do like J.D. Davis, who might have been No. 21 on this list, just missed the cut. He’s got real bat speed, and he impressed with his opposite-field power this summer. I think you’re looking at a guy with above-average to plus power potential, and he does have some feel to hit. I was surprised, and I think the Astros might have been a bit surprised, that he was able to handle third base fairly well this summer, but he’ll probably be no better than a fringy defender there. The bat is the carrying tool, and he could hit enough to have a chance even if he winds up at first base or left field. He does have a very strong arm, too — he was 92-94 off the mound at Fullerton.

Interesting comments about Reed and Fisher (particularly the latter) are also contained in the chat.