Author Topic: Lexington Legends (Read 11144 times)

Duman · « **on:** April 02, 2008, 09:28:36 am »

Welcome to the Lexington Legends 2008 thread. Here is where we will welcome your thoughts, questions, observations and especially your first hand accounts of the Legends this season.

Duman · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2008, 08:36:21 am »

As I have been reading the Lex paper for the From the Bus Stop post, I have been struck by how negative the manager is on this team. Seems less guarded than normal. That can't be a good thing. Granted they are 2-10 but either the paper is only choosing to post the negative (the beat writer has changed since last season) or else Langbehn isn't giving them much to work with.

Hornstros · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2008, 10:33:07 am »

What's the Over/Under on games that Nick Moresi will be seen in a Lexington uniform?

Towlie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2008, 10:26:25 pm »

Whats the word on Matt Cusick?

Duman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2008, 08:18:39 am »

Quote from: Towlie on April 16, 2008, 10:26:25 pm

Whats the word on Matt Cusick?

The word is "on fire". Actually that is two words but he is ripping the cover off the ball with unexpected power. He only hit 3 dingers last season in Tri Cities. If he can keep up the extra base hits along with his solid OBP, he should be in Salem at the All Star Break.

Duman · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2008, 08:53:08 am »

Quote from: Hornstros on April 15, 2008, 10:33:07 am

What's the Over/Under on games that Nick Moresi will be seen in a Lexington uniform?

What are you suggesting, that he be released? Those who work with him on a regular bases have a much better idea of his development that we do so I will let them make that call. Has he been a disappointment so far? Yes.

Hornstros · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:22:43 am »

That was the implication. However i'm going to go ahead and stick my foot in my mouth for the time being. No doubt on the development front. Mainly, i was hoping you or Jacksonian might know some "insider info" that i'm unaware of.

That said, i imagine the idea of releasing him would not even happen unless Moresi was blocking the development of another OF. I understand the upside with Moresi is there. But sans the hot steak he was on last year for a few weeks, it doesn't seem as if he has really hit since he was drafted by the Astros.

On a side note, i'm really excited about Cusick. Hope he keeps it up. It would be great to get some decent prospects/possibly MLB players out of last year's draft to give all the National AP guys a big shitburger to eat

Hornstros · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:27:56 am »

Interesting stat:

Sergio Severino has been the model of consistency thus far in that all 3 of his starts in this young season, he has pitched 5 innings and given up only 2 hits each time

Jacksonian · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:35:24 am »

Quote from: Hornstros on April 17, 2008, 10:22:43 am

That was the implication. However i'm going to go ahead and stick my foot in my mouth for the time being. No doubt on the development front. Mainly, i was hoping you or Jacksonian might know some "insider info" that i'm unaware of.

That said, i imagine the idea of releasing him would not even happen unless Moresi was blocking the development of another OF. I understand the upside with Moresi is there. But sans the hot steak he was on last year for a few weeks, it doesn't seem as if he has really hit since he was drafted by the Astros.

On a side note, i'm really excited about Cusick. Hope he keeps it up. It would be great to get some decent prospects/possibly MLB players out of last year's draft to give all the National AP guys a big shitburger to eat

Moresi's not in anyone's way, so no worries there. The hope for his development has dimmed as he hasn't been able to produce results from the changes the Astros have tried to make in his swing. But he's a defensive asset. Notice he's the regular CF at Lex, not DeLome. DeLome is getting his AB's and working on his offensive development while being able to play the less demanding LF. If Moresi never develops offensively, a guy with his defensive skills is still valuable and I'd guess the Astros will keep him around at least until he becomes a free agent.

Hornstros · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:58:08 am »

Quote from: Jacksonian on April 17, 2008, 10:35:24 am

But he's a defensive asset. Notice he's the regular CF at Lex, not DeLome. DeLome is getting his AB's and working on his offensive development while being able to play the less demanding LF.

Thanks for the tidbit. That does make sense

Duman · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2008, 07:31:24 pm »

Don't know the extent but has not been in the line up since the weekend. Radio is saying he is injured but not saying specifics.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2008, 04:05:04 pm »

As Duman documented Severino threw 6 innings of no-hit ball yesterday. His turn in the rotation doesn't come around again until after April ends. So for April he finishes with 24 IP, 4 ER, 13 BB, only 9 H, and 32 K. He's doing on the mound what Cusick is doing in the batter's box.

Duman · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2008, 07:18:54 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on April 28, 2008, 04:05:04 pm

As Duman documented Severino threw 6 innings of no-hit ball yesterday. His turn in the rotation doesn't come around again until after April ends. So for April he finishes with 24 IP, 4 ER, 13 BB, only 9 H, and 32 K. He's doing on the mound what Cusick is doing in the batter's box.

He had one bad outing in the bunch and he has had issues with control as he has hit 6 batters in addition to his 13 walks. He mentioned in the article linked earlier today, that he was working on his "concentration". In Greeneville, he was very emotional pitcher and that has probably slowed his development some. I expect some dominoes to fall with him going to Salem, Trinidad going to CC, James going to RR in the not to distant future.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2008, 01:12:29 pm »

Duman --

Great write-up on April performance. One thing I might add, though, is that when the team gives up so many 4-out innings, it is not surprising that team WHIP suffers. Corrado & Ramirez constitute a "holey" left side of the infield with 10 errors each (in 20 and 19 starts respectively), and Roberto Mena, who has the other 9 starts on the left side along with 2 at 2B, adds another 3. Matt Cusick has 5 more in his 22 starts at 2B and even Eric Taylor (22 starts at 1B) gets in on the "action" with 3. As a team they have 41 errors in 24 games (not counting pitcher errors which seem to be hard to track down on MiLB.com).

So my question is, does anyone who is watching the Legends regularly have any insight into this situation? Is the fielding as bad as it looks from the error count? Are the fields in bad shape? Do the infielders have good range to balance out the error count? Or are they simply not concentrating? How about the DP combo ... Ramirez-to-Cusick-to-Taylor has a nice ring ... does it happen very often?

And on a more-or-less related topic, how is that crowded outfield looking? They seem to be making room for all 5 guys ...
DeLome - 18 starts in LF plus 5 at DH
Moresi - 19 starts in CF
Dixon - 12 starts in RF plus 9 at DH
Brown - 12 starts in the OF (2/4/6) plus 3 at DH
Barnes - 11 starts in the OF (4/1/6) plus 3 at DH

How do the various alignments actually work out in the field?

Jacksonian · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2008, 01:53:03 pm »

Quote from: VirtualBob on April 29, 2008, 01:12:29 pm

Duman --

Great write-up on April performance. One thing I might add, though, is that when the team gives up so many 4-out innings, it is not surprising that team WHIP suffers. Corrado & Ramirez constitute a "holey" left side of the infield with 10 errors each (in 20 and 19 starts respectively), and Roberto Mena, who has the other 9 starts on the left side along with 2 at 2B, adds another 3. Matt Cusick has 5 more in his 22 starts at 2B and even Eric Taylor (22 starts at 1B) gets in on the "action" with 3. As a team they have 41 errors in 24 games (not counting pitcher errors which seem to be hard to track down on MiLB.com).

So my question is, does anyone who is watching the Legends regularly have any insight into this situation? Is the fielding as bad as it looks from the error count? Are the fields in bad shape? Do the infielders have good range to balance out the error count? Or are they simply not concentrating? How about the DP combo ... Ramirez-to-Cusick-to-Taylor has a nice ring ... does it happen very often?

And on a more-or-less related topic, how is that crowded outfield looking? They seem to be making room for all 5 guys ...
DeLome - 18 starts in LF plus 5 at DH
Moresi - 19 starts in CF
Dixon - 12 starts in RF plus 9 at DH
Brown - 12 starts in the OF (2/4/6) plus 3 at DH
Barnes - 11 starts in the OF (4/1/6) plus 3 at DH

How do the various alignments actually work out in the field?

I'm not Duman, but I can hit on some of this. Corrado has not been a regular 3b (see last year's draft review and he played there part-time at Tri-City). It's no surprise to me he's had some difficulty defensively. Cusick is obviously a good hitter. Defensively he's still a work in progress. I've seen him take what looks like odd routes to grounders, and I'm not sure how good his footwork is. Sidenote - all Lex home games are video broadcast but you have to pay to see them live. But, the archived games are free. Find the multimedia menu to access on their homepage. I've always heard Ramirez was a good defender so I'm not sure on him. I've seen that DP combo once that I recall, and it went well.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2008, 01:58:00 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on April 29, 2008, 01:53:03 pm

Sidenote - all Lex home games are video broadcast but you have to pay to see them live. But, the archived games are free.

Wow ... I had not realized that. Now I know what to do when I'm stuck in a hotel with jetlag-induced insomnia.

farmstros · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2008, 08:56:43 pm »

I didn't know that either. Thanks for the info.
Is it just Legends archived games that are free, or are all four teams available?

jonbloozy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2008, 10:55:16 pm »

I've watched a few of the available RR games this year, saw Hooks games last year, too, free

Duman · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2008, 06:55:41 am »

Max Sapp, who hasn't played since 4/12 has been placed on the DL.

Towlie · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2008, 02:42:24 pm »

Has Sapp shown any flashes of 1st round talent? It seems that hes just been a major disappointment when it comes to performance and health...but he is only 20.

farmstros · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2008, 05:19:27 pm »

per Milb.com Bryan Brown, IF(2007 Greeneville) and Joe Melton, C are now on the Lexington roster. Melton is the player who played high school baseball for Roy Oswalt's brother, I think in Tennessee.

Duman · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2008, 06:37:31 pm »

Quote from: farmstros on May 06, 2008, 05:19:27 pm

per Milb.com Bryan Brown, IF(2007 Greeneville) and Joe Melton, C are now on the Lexington roster. Melton is the player who played high school baseball for Roy Oswalt's brother, I think in Tennessee.

I liked Bryan Brown who played in G'ville last year. Smooth with the glove. Played with Brett Robinson in college. Was signed as a NDFA after G'ville's season had started.

Joe Melton played in the Golden Baseball League last season with Reno. He hit .278 in 8 games

You are right about the Oswalt connection. From MILB

Quote

Catcher Joe Melton went undrafted last June after finishing out his career at Crichton, an NAIA school in Tennessee. Then, after appearing in only eight games for Reno of the independent Golden League, he was sidelined with a sprained left wrist that cost him the remainder of the 2007 season. So how did he wind up signing a deal with the Astros last month? Well, it didn't hurt that his Brighton High School coach back in Memphis is Brian Oswalt, brother of Houston ace Roy Oswalt.

"I think he might have said something," said Melton, who expects to begin this season in Lexington. Melton said he "did okay" in Reno, though he was only there for a month and a half last season, where he went 5-for-18 before suffering the injury. "I played hurt," he said. "I played, sat out four games, went back. They haven't said too much to me here, though. I've been working on my timing here, and making sure my hands are right. My hands have a tendency to drop a lot, so I'm trying to keep them up there. It's a love/hate game, and I'm loving it. My swing is getting better. I spent a lot of time working on it with my coaches back home."

VirtualBob · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2008, 06:56:00 am »

I notice that Brian Pellegrini has joined the Legend and started in LF last night. He spent a little time at Tri City last year, mostly at 1B. I was a little surprised that he would be next in line.

I didn't see any other roster move, but I expect Duman or someone will inform us when that is public.

farmstros · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2008, 07:15:35 am »

MiLB.com has Colt Adams newly listed on the DL, which would make room for Pellegrini's addition.

Moose Marathon · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:36:19 am »

Quote from: VirtualBob on May 16, 2008, 06:56:00 am

I notice that Brian Pellegrini has joined the Legend and started in LF last night. He spent a little time at Tri City last year, mostly at 1B. I was a little surprised that he would be next in line.

I didn't see any other roster move, but I expect Duman or someone will inform us when that is public.

Did he ever make it back last year since the attached posts, http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=103038.0, or was this his first game back?

If so not a bad first game back. Thanks for any info regarding this subject.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:39:52 am »

Quote from: Pence Einertson on May 16, 2008, 09:36:19 am

Did he ever make it back last year since the attached posts, http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=103038.0, or was this his first game back?

If so not a bad first game back. Thanks for any info regarding this subject.

I believe this is his first game back since then.

farmstros · « **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2008, 10:11:17 am »

listened to the archive of last night(Thursday's) Legends game. According to Rob Gidel(Legends announcer), Brandon Barnes is back to Florida(extended spring training). Also, Cat Everett has joined Lexington.

Duman · « **Reply #27 on:** May 16, 2008, 01:36:19 pm »

Quote from: farmstros on May 16, 2008, 10:11:17 am

listened to the archive of last night(Thursday's) Legends game. According to Rob Gidel(Legends announcer), Brandon Barnes is back to Florida(extended spring training). Also, Cat Everett has joined Lexington.

This is correct. There were some other moves I will highlight in the transactions when I get a chance today.

Hornstros · « **Reply #28 on:** May 30, 2008, 11:13:57 am »

Any word on Cusick and the possibility of him being injured? He hasn't played since last Saturday.

Duman · « **Reply #29 on:** June 02, 2008, 09:22:50 pm »

Quote from: Hornstros on May 30, 2008, 11:13:57 am

Any word on Cusick and the possibility of him being injured? He hasn't played since last Saturday.

He is playing again. Pulled on the golden sombrero last night. Also played 3rd base and Corrodo played 2nd, all be it not well, as Corrado made 3 errors.

Duman · « **Reply #30 on:** June 02, 2008, 09:24:12 pm »

Severino & Cusick named to SAL Northern All Star Team.

farmstros · « **Reply #31 on:** June 02, 2008, 11:02:57 pm »

Now that he is back, I heard from the Legends radio announcer, Rob Gidel that Cusick had a wrist injury...

Duman · « **Reply #32 on:** July 02, 2008, 02:05:03 pm »

Quote from: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5867110.html

From McTaggart today

:

Ricky Bennett going to Lex to discuss Sapp's lack of offensive progress:

Quote

"We're going to find out what we can do to get it going," Bennett said. "He needs to go out and hit. For whatever reason, whether mechanical or his approach — we don't know what it is — he's a better hitter than he's showing."..."We were hoping he would be further along offensively than he is right now," Bennett said. "He's scuffling a little bit. We've had a lot of conversations recently about what to do to get him on track. This is his second year and you'd expect him to take a step forward, but he hasn't done that yet."

Duman · « **Reply #33 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:24:30 am »

According the to Lex paper:

Quote

When Legends hitting coach Stubby Clapp takes leave to play second base for the Canadian Olympic team, his spot will be filled by Todd Self, bench coach for 2A Corpus Christi. Self will report within the week.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #34 on:** July 20, 2008, 06:53:42 pm »

Fixler hit 3 home runs today and drove in 6. That's got to be the team highlight of the year.

Duman · « **Reply #35 on:** July 21, 2008, 11:47:50 am »

Here is the Fixler story from MILB.com

Towlie · « **Reply #36 on:** August 05, 2008, 07:59:57 pm »

Brian Pellegrini has hit his 20th hr so far, would you say he has the most power in the farm system? Its either him or DeLome right? Though compared to DeLome, Pellegrini has the patience of a Buddhist monk.

Hornstros · « **Reply #37 on:** August 05, 2008, 11:11:58 pm »

Quote from: Towlie on August 05, 2008, 07:59:57 pm

Brian Pellegrini has hit his 20th hr so far, would you say he has the most power in the farm system? Its either him or DeLome right? Though compared to DeLome, Pellegrini has the patience of a Buddhist monk.

To add to that....for the stereotype one naturally puts on the guy for a power hitting left fielder, he steals a decent bit of bases and has a pretty good success rate. Is that simply due to his age at this time? Is he supposedly a 'smart base runner'?

His HR/ab is astounding

Jacksonian · « **Reply #38 on:** August 06, 2008, 09:03:35 am »

Quote from: Towlie on August 05, 2008, 07:59:57 pm

Brian Pellegrini has hit his 20th hr so far, would you say he has the most power in the farm system? Its either him or DeLome right? Though compared to DeLome, Pellegrini has the patience of a Buddhist monk.

I'm not sure Pellegrini has the most raw power, but he's certainly the most accomplished home run hitter.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #39 on:** August 06, 2008, 09:04:16 am »

Quote from: Hornstros on August 05, 2008, 11:11:58 pm

To add to that....for the stereotype one naturally puts on the guy for a power hitting left fielder, he steals a decent bit of bases and has a pretty good success rate. Is that simply due to his age at this time? Is he supposedly a 'smart base runner'?

His HR/ab is astounding

I haven't followed him that closely.