Friday, November 20, 2009

11/19 Winter League Report + 11/20 Links! HAVENS, Davis, Thole!

Surprise 7/13/0, Phoenix 4/5/0

The Rafters rallied for 4 in the bottom of the 9th, erasing a 4-3 deficit and earning a come from behind 7-4 victory. Taylor Teagarden's (Rangers) walkoff 3 run shot completed the comeback, after Marcus Lemon (Rangers) tied it with a solo shot.

Reese Havens had another HUGE game with 3 more hits, including his 2nd AFL homer, a 2 run shot. Ike Davis also had a multi hit game, while Nick Evans took an 0-fer. Lemon had the other multi hit game for the Rafters. Josh Stinson pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

2. ss Reese Havens 3 for 4, 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K, .368
4. 1b Ike Davis 2 for 4, run, BB, K, .341
7. lf Nick Evans 0 for 3, .171
Josh Stinson IP, 2/1 BB/K, 3.65 era, 20:9:11, 2:0:1
-----------
c Josh Thole 2 for 4, run, RBI, .411
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .287
c Luis Alen 1 for 1, run, .304
ss Anderson Hernandez 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2b, K, .286
ph Francisco Pena 0 for 1, .175
dh Chris Carter 1 for 4, 2 Ks, .298

Lance Broadway 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 2/4 BB/K, 2.65 era, W (2-2), 83:49:34, 12:2:4
Roy Merritt IP, H, ER, 2/1 BB/K, 16.88 era, 1:1:1
Manuel Olivares 2.1 IP, 2 H, BB, K, 4.11 era, 4:2:1
Jose De La Torre 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, 6.75 era, 0:1
-----------------------------
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 730pm ish
Gameday
----------------------------------
I am way way too lazy to go look up DR boxscores. This is from the always great R. Nitelight on NYFS in the Winter League Thread:

Dominican Republic:

Fernando Tatis was 0-5 with a run scored for Estrellas.
Argenis Reyes was 1-4 with a run scored for Escogido.
Tobi Stoner gave up 3 runs in 5.2 innings for Escogido. 6 hits, 3 walks, 2 Ks.
Wilson Valdez was 1-3 for Gigantes.
Anderson Hernandez was 3-5 with 2 runs scored for Licey.
Francisco Pena was 0-1 for Aguilas.

LINK

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Prospect Focus: Josh Thole

Splits courtesy www.minorleaguesplits.com

The Mets selected Thole in the 13th round of the 2005 draft, and sent him to the GCL Mets, where he hit .269/.406/.337/.743 (28 for 104, 14 runs, 2 2b, 3b, HR, 12 RBI, 20/11 BB/K) in 35 games, an outstanding 1.8182 BB/K ratio, and a ridiculously low .105 K rate, both incredible numbers for an 18 year old in any setting.

Thole hit .370/.514/.407/.921 vs LHP in 2005 (10 for 27, 2b, 6/2 BB/K), with a 3.000 BB/K ratio and a .074 K rate, and .234/.366/.312/.678 (18 for 77, 2b, 3b, HR, 14/9 BB/K) vs RHP, with a 1.556 BB/K ratio, and a .117 K rate.

In 2006, Thole played in 35 games for Kingsport, getting just 96 ABs, and hitting .240/.306/.313/.619 (23 for 96, 4 2b, HR, 7/24 BB/K), a .2917 BB/K ratio and a .250 K rate, both drastically elevated from the year prior. He hit .167/.286/.208/.494 vs LHP (4 for 24, 2b, 2/6 BB/K) and .264/.313/.347/.660 (19 for 72, 3 2b, HR, 5/18 BB/K) vs RHP. Both sample sizes are too small to draw any meaningful conclusions from.

2007 saw Thole in full season Savannah, where he performed markedly better then Kingsport, hitting .267/.372/.311/.683 (104 for 389, 46 runs, 17 2b, 36 RBI, 61/57 BB/K), once again with excellent ratios, a 1.0701 BB/K ratio, and a .147 K rate.

Thole batted .301/.414/.329/.743 against LHP (22 for 73, 2 2b, 11/9 BB/K), a 1.22 BB/K ratio, and a .123 K rate. Against RHP, he batted .261/.368/.312/.680 (82 for 314, 16 2b, 52/47 BB/K), a 1.107 BB/K ratio and a .150 K rate.

Thole, as many Met prospects have done, has improved drastically across the board after making the jump from the Sally League to the pitcher friendly FSL. Thole finished the 2008 season hitting .300/.382/.427/.808 (104 for 347, 49 runs, 25 2b, 2 3b, 5 HR, 56 RBI, 45/38 BB/K), a great 1.184 BB/K ratio and an equally fantastic .110 K rate (which for much of the season was below .100).

Thole got off to a very rough start, hitting .228/.323/.386/.709 in April, and since that point, he hit .314/.393/.434/.828 (91 for 290, 42 runs, 21 2b, 3b, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 38/30 BB/K)

As has been the case throughout the majority of Thole's minor league career, he hit better against LHP then RHP, but this year, that gap narrowed considerably. He hit .333/.386/.432/.818 (27 for 81, 14 runs, 6 2b, 3b, 8 RBI, 6/8 BB/K) vs LHP, with a 0.750 BB/K ratio, and a K rate of .098, while against RHP, he hit .289/.381/.426/.807 (76 for 263, 35 runs, 19 2b, 3b, 5 HR, 48 RBI, 39/30 BB/K), with a 1.300 BB/K ratio, and a .114 K rate.

Thole played the majority of his first 3 seasons as a 1b (142 of 187 games), but in 2008, he played much more catcher, giving him infinitely more value as a player and a prospect.

THE FUTURE: Thole will undoubtedly be in Binghamton to open the 2009 season (after setting career highs in every offensive category except OBP), as the everyday catcher, and one of the few catching prospects in the upper levels of the farm system. While SAL to FSL is one test, the much bigger test for a prospect is the jump from the FSL to EL, the jump Thole will be making in 2009. Thole is solidly on pace for a prospect, playing the entire season as a 21 year old this year affords him a cushion if he were to falter on his trek through the system.

For more on Josh Thole, visit my good friend Joe DeMayo's website, NYbaseballdigest. http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=922

UPDATE 2009: Thole enjoyed yet another terrific offensive season, this time in AA Binghamton, setting career highs in 2b (29), SBs (8), K rate (.089), AVG (.328), and OPS (.817). Overall this season in Binghamton, he hit .328/.395/.422/.817 (126 for 384, 48 runs, 29 2b, 2 3b, HR, 46 RBI, 42/34 BB/K, 8/12 SBs), with a great 1.24 BB/K ratio, and a ridiculously low .089 K rate.

Thole's L/R platoon splits reversed themselves this season somewhat, he hit for an identical average/OBP against both lefties and righties, but flashed off more 'pop' against righties, driving his OPS higher. Against lefties, he hit .328/.391/.388/.779 (38 for 116, 13 runs, 7 2b, 10 RBI, 10/14 BB/K, 1/4 SBs), with a .7143 BB/K ratio and a .121 K rate. Against righties, Thole hit .328/.396/.437/.833 (88 for 268, 35 runs, 22 2b, 2 3b, HR, 36 RBI, 32/20 BB/K, 7/8 SBs), with a ridiculous 1.6000 BB/K ratio, and an equally ridiculous .075 K rate.

THE FUTURE: Thole's gotten a September callup, and is performing decently, hitting .324, albeit with no pop (29 IsoP) as of this writing. I would hope the Mets keep Thole on the conservative path, and allow him to start 2010 in Buffalo (moreso for his defense then his offense).

11/18 Winter League Report + 11/19 Links! HAVENS, THOLE!

Surprise 11/19/1, Peoria Saguaros 9/11/0

Reese Havens had another huge game, falling a homer short of the cycle, powering a 19 hit attack as the Rafters outscored the Sags, 11 to 9. Jenrry Mejia got the start for Surprise and was woefully ineffective, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings. On the plus side, he struck out 3 and got 5 of his 9 outs via groundball.

Aside from Havens, 4 other players had multi hit games, all were 3 hit games. Marcus Lemon (Rangers), Tyler Henley (Cardinals), Taylor Teagarden (Rangers) and Colin Curtis (Yankees).

2b Reese Havens 3 for 5, 3 runs, 2b, 3b, BB, K, .324
Jenrry Mejia 3 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2/3 BB/K, 12.56 era, WP, HBP, 62:36:26, 5:1:3
-----------------------------
c Josh Thole 2 for 3, run, 3b, 2 RBI, 2 BBs, .407
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 5, K, .303
c Luis Alen 0 for 4, K, .273
ss Anderson Hernandez 1 for 2, 2 runs, 2b, 2 BBs, .243
2b Argenis Reyes 1 for 5, run, K, .171
dh Chris Carter 1 for 4, run, HR, RBI, BB, K, .300
rf Fernando Tatis 1 for 3, run, .298

Eddie Camacho IP, 2 H, ER, 1.35 era, 2:1
Jim Warden 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2/1 BB/K, 5.40 era, 0:1:1
Angel Calero 0.2 IP, H, ER, 2 Ks, HR, 6.39 era, W (3-1)
Manuel Alvarez 1.1 IP, H, 1/2 BB/K, 3.95 era, 1:1:2
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, H, BB, 3.12 era, 0:1
Julio De La Cruz IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 Ks, HR, 5.14 era, 1:0:2
-----------------------------
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

AFL Boxscore @ 230pm ET
AFL Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 730pm ish
Gameday

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

11/17 Winter League Report + 11/18 Links!

Surprise 9/11/1, Mesa 2/7/1

All 3 Met offensive players reached base twice, Ike Davis with 2 hits, Nick Evans and Ruben Tejada with a hit and a walk. The other multi hit games were by Jarrod Dyson (Royals) and Colin Curtis (Yankees).

Scott Moviel allowed an UER in 2 innings of work, the lone Met pitcher to appear in the game.

4. 1b Ike Davis 2 for 5, 3 Ks, .333
5. lf Nick Evans 1 for 4, 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, BB, .188
9. ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 3, run, 2b, RBI, BB, .254 (3 for his last 8 with 3 walks)
Scott Moviel 2 IP, H, R, K, 2.45 era, 24:16:8, 2:3:1
-----------------------------
c Josh Thole 0 for 4, K, .398
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 4, RBI, 2 Ks, .324
c Luis Alen 2 for 4, .333
c Omir Santos 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .091
ph Chris Carter RBI, .303
lf Fernando Tatis 3 for 4, run, 2 2b, RBI, .296

Jose Sanchez 5 IP, H, ER, 1/3 BB/K, 2.65 era, 73:47:26, 7:5:3
Angel Calero ER, BB, 6 era, 6:2:4
Edgar Alfonzo 0.1 IP, K, 3.24 era, 5:3:2
Jose De La Torre 2 IP, H, K, 1.80 era, BS (1), 4:1:1
Roy Merritt IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K, 21.60 era, 2:0:1
-----------------------------
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

AFL Boxscore @ 230pm ET
AFL Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 730pm ish
Gameday

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

11/16 Winter League Report + 11/17 Links!

Question: Do you guys like my little blurbs on other prospects on the Rafters? I mean the Yankee, Cardinal and Royal prospects...

Surprise 6/12/0, Peoria Javelinas 4/8/0

Dan Descalso (Cardinals), Brandon Laird (Yankees) and Ike Davis, hitting 234, each had multi hit games, Laird had a perfect game, getting on base all 5 plate appearances. Ike had 2 singles and a walk, and 2 RBI, Ruben Tejada had a hit and walk. Josh Stinson pitched 2 scoreless innings.

4. 1b Ike Davis 2 for 4, 2 RBI, BB, K, .329
9. ss Ruben Tejada 1 for 3, run, BB, .250
Josh Stinson 2 IP, H, 2/1 BB/K, 3.97 era, 32:20:12, 4:1:1
-----------------------------
rf Fernando Tatis 0 for 3, .273
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Question #2: Do you guys use the winter links? Or just check out the scoreboard?

Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard

AFL Boxscore @ 230pm ET
AFL Gameday

PRWL Games @ 715pm
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

VWL: Caracas Boxscore @ 730pm ish
Gameday

DWL: Licey Boxscore @ 730pm ish
Gameday

Monday, November 16, 2009

11/15 Winter League Report + 11/16 Links!

ph, c Josh Thole 1 for 1, .417
ss Anderson Hernandez 1 for 4, run, K, .229
dh Chris Carter 1 for 2, 2b, BB, .303
ss Jose Coronado 0 for 3, .343
c Luis Alen 0 for 3, K, .286
c Omir Santos 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .143
lf Fernando Tatis 0 for 4, .284

Jose De La Torre 1.2 IP, 3/1 BB/K, 3 era, 2:2:1
-----------------------------
Comprehensive Winter Leagues Scoreboard

AFL Boxscore @ 230pm ET
AFL Gameday

PRWL Games @ 715pm
Carolina Boxscore
Gameday

Ponce Boxscore
Gameday

Sunday, November 15, 2009

11/14 Winter League Report! HAVENS, STONER!

Apologies for the lateness, I've been doing stuff all day today.

Question: Do you guys like my little blurbs on other prospects on the Rafters? I mean the Yankee, Cardinal and Royal prospects...

Surprise 2/8/2, Scottsdale 4/7/0

Reese Havens had a breakout game in Arizona today, with a homer and 3 walks, but it was in a losing effort as the Rafters fell 4-2. Mike Moustakas (Royals) and Daryl Jones (Cardinals) had multi hit games. No Mets pitched in the game, while Ike Davis took the only Mets 0-fer.

2. ss Reese Havens 1 for 1, run, HR, RBI, 3 BBs, .276
3. lf Nick Evans 1 for 4, K, .179
4. 1b Ike Davis 0 for 3, BB, .319
-----------------------------
c Josh Thole 1 for 3, run, 3 RBI, BB, K, .410
(game 1) 1b Chris Carter 1 for 2, K, .297
(game 2) ph Chris Carter BB, .297
ss Jose Coronado 1 for 3, RBI, .359
c Rene Rivera 0 for 4, 2 Ks, .000
c Luis Alen 1 for 1, run, HR, RBI, .364
ph, ss Jordany Valdespin 0 for 1, .316
dh Fernando Tatis 1 for 4, run, 2b, K, .300

Tobi Stoner 7 IP, 4 H, 2/2 BB/K, 1.50 era, W (4-1), 11:7:2
Kyle Snyder 5 IP, 3 H, 2/1 R/ER, 2/7 BB/K, 1.80 era, W (1-0), 6:1:7
Manuel Olivares 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2/1 BB/K, 4.85 era, W (2-0), 1:2:1
Edgar Alfonzo IP, 3.38 era, 1:2
-----------------------------
Comprehensive Winter League Scoreboard