Henry Rodriguez Can Flat Out Bring IT!!!
by saintoakland on Apr 15, 2008 12:16 AM PDT
60 comments
I am huddling on my couch and still thawing out from my journey to San Jose to see Henry Rodriguez battle the San Jose Giants.
I was fortunate enough to get an entire front row of seats for my friends and family that was located within easy speaking distance to the players and coaches.
When I first got to my seat, Henry Rodriguez was getting ready to take the field for his warm-up and he signed a couple of autographs first, one of which was on my game program. When he was done, Jared Lansford signed it as well. I was stoked.
When I finally got a chance to sit down I saw this HUGE young man in the dugout
and after referencing my game notes I saw that he was Chris Carter...A's fans, THIS KID IS HUGE!!! He is also a gentle Giant type who looks happy to be playing the game.
I walked up to him and asked if he was 6-5 and he said that he was. I told him that I'd heard he was big but that I was astounded by just how big he was. He posed for a picture for me and I was in baseball nerd mode for the rest of the night. (Complete with pitch for pitch scorecard)
When H-Rod took the mound it was apparent that he was in an entirely different League than the kids he was pitching too. Well all except for one, the Giants 21 year old catcher, Sandoval, turned around a 98 MPH fastball in a split second and hit it over the CF fence. Every other Giants was just hoping to hit a fastball.
Rodriguez was consistently between 94-98 MPH and didn't walk a batter.
He has some things to work on, like being better with runners on base and gaining command of a true off-speed pitch, but this kid has major league heat.
If he can work on a slide step and add one more pitch he will be Major League ready.
On a funny side note, when I pointed out to the Stockton Manager that H-Rod needed a better slide step, he said that they were working on it and then in a moderately polite tone thanked me. For some reason I took that to mean, "WTF do you know, leave the coaching to us pros".
I'll be interested in seeing IF he can take the next step in his progression. His control was there all night...Well...Except for the time that he nailed a batter with a 98 MPH heater square in the middle of his neck.
If you haven't taken the time to get out and see the Ports yet this year...WHAT's stopping you. Anderson goes tomorrow and Cahill goes on Wednesday. In San Jose, you can sit in the 8th row between the plate and dugout for 8 bucks (General Admission) and the parking is only $7.
Cheers,
Saint
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thanks for the report, saint.
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
thanks for the report
I love reading ANers minor league stories. Can’t wait for the Ports to come down South.
I went last night to see our other phenom, I
was at the Rivercats game. I took my 5 year old down to the railing, and yelled, Carlos, can you sign this for my son, he came over shook my sons hand, and signed the game ticket, my son said thank you, and have a good game. Carlos proceeded to lace a double and a HR, that went out faster than it came in. His bat is QUUUIIIICCCCKKKK. Jason Fernandez needs to back in A ball, because he looked very much overmatched, and Linden hit a big shot, and his walk was I17 on Baseball Bingo, and I won.
i was at the rivercats game on saturday night
when Gio pitched and he looked awfully good. Carlos looked good too, but I got a different reaction from him. He didn’t seem to hustle on the bases and i felt he came across as stuck up. I guess it’s hard to tell from one night, and this is just one man’s opinion, but he will not be my favorite player on the A’s when he gets called up even though I would still like him to hit the snot out of the ball. Also, since I was sitting in the first row next to first base, I got the close up of some player interactions on the field. One of which was Linden, who seemed like a really cool and relaxed guy. He talked a lot to the infielders, primarily the Las Vegas 51’s second baseman.
We've never been in that position. We wouldn't know how to operate, I mean, do we get him a corsage?-Billy Beane on signing a high profile FA
by DyeLongJustice on Apr 15, 2008 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Las Vegas 2B was Angel Chavez
who Linden knows from the years that they both spent in the Giants system, both of them going from Fresno to SF during 2005.
I knew this was coming
I talked about this in a post Saturday (copied below) This whole Carlos don’t hustle thing is getting over blown IMO
Carlos Gonzalez reportWasn’t sure were to post this so I’ll just do it here. Went to the Rivercat home opener last night. First time I’ve ever laid out $90 for minor league tickets but all they had left was two seats right behind home plate. My daughter and I really wanted to check out Carols Gonzalez so we figured what the hell. First off they lost 9-3 but who really gives a damn about the score of a minor league baseball game? We saw what we came to see. Is CarGon the real deal? Yes, very much so. His 2 for 3 night isn’t what caught our eye, even though it was impressive seeing him go the other way for both hits . Stories are already flying around town about him being lazy and shows a lack of hustle. One ball in the gap was all it took to see where this is coming from. When the ball came off the bat, the only question we had was if it was in the park or not. Extra bases was the best case scenario. Gonzalez not only got to the ball, but did so in a manner so smooth it looked like he wasn’t even running hard. But this cat was MOVING make no mistake. Later there was another shot that did get into the gap, it was a up and over the left fielder (Danny Putnum) maybe 10-15 feet to his left. As the ball came off the wall on the first hop Gonzalez beat Putnum to the wall, as arriving in full “glide” to take it and fire it back into the infield. He throws and swings much the same way as he runs. Smooth really should be this cat’s nickname. Things just look so easy to this dude that some people are going to be mistaking it for laziness. There’s a lot of talk about making him a right fielder due to his arm strength. I really do think that would be a mistake. The amount of ground he covers makes him extremely valuable in center. But wherever he plays one thing is for sure, it’s not going to be in Sacramento for very long.
Leon looks more polished than H-Rod.
Then again, I didn’t see him with runners on…
He hit 93 on the gun and had wicked command of a 3/4 arm sinker that he throws in the low 90s. I liked him a lot and told him that he did a great job and he gave me a head nod.
by saintoakland on Apr 15, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm so high on this guy, it's insane
He’s 19. He’s already getting ex-big leaguers out in the Mexican League and current big-leaguers out in the Mexican Winter League. He gets groundballs and strikeouts at crazy rates. He’s pitched successfully in major hitters’ parks. He’s already throwing low-mid 90s and is young enough that that could go up a few ticks.
Did I mention he was 19?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
That sinker will do that:
WOW, I didn’t realize that he was only 19!!!
by saintoakland on Apr 15, 2008 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm on that bandwagon, too
I was conservative on him prior to the spring, because I had not seen him pitch, had seen almost no video, and most people who’s opinions I trust had not seen him. Now that I have seen him pitch a couple of times and have received positive firsthand reports from people I trust, I am a big fan..
The A’s are limiting his innings right now, but I’ve been told that he will be getting more innings later in the year. All the normal caveats with young ptichers apply, but Leon should rocket up prospect boards after this year. It is a ridiculously fun time to be an A’s fan with all of the talent that is in this system.
by BlameChannel53 on Apr 15, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
re
I read somewhere recently that he was going back to the Mexican League in June, and the A’s don’t have him for a full year until next year. Figured that’s why they didn’t find a rotation spot for him somewhere. Yet another dude on the farm I’m very excited by, even if we don’t see him until the second half of 2010.
I was fortunate to work the game in Stockton...
...last week that Rodriguez pitched. He’s got some heat.
I’m working tomorrow’s Sacramento game and I think I’m stuck watching Dan Meyer pitch.
little bit of a difference
but at least you’re at a baseball game
President of the Joey Devine fan club as of 1/15/08. Accepting applications for other positions. "He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown
Yeah, and it's hard to complain with credentials
Real hard to complain. It’s a thrill to have the chance to do setuff like this.
Awesome ... thanks Saint ...
I’m planning on taking a couple of trips down to Stockton this summer …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
On a side note
Craig Italiano is bringing it in Kane County. I’m really optimistic about our homegrown pitching this year to make a comeback. Italiano’s line for the day is 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO. He was a bit wild around the plate with 3 WP tho.
Also another notable is Ryan Webb yesterday brining it. Webb’s line was 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, and 5 SO. This is encouraging since he was just a gascan before. His projectable body is finally projecting as Webb has increased his velocity from the 89-91mph range to 94-96mph now.
One things about the WP's:
The catcher for the Ports was overmatched with H-Rod’s slider yesterday. A more experienced catcher may do a better job and give the pitcher the confidence to throw in the dirt.
The same MAY be said for Italiano in Kane County, I just haven’t seen him.
by saintoakland on Apr 15, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Radio for these games???
Is there any way to get radio on the internet for the Ports or the RiverCats??
Off-Topic:
Can you be prosecuted for accidentally vacuuming a cat?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Fatally?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Let's say you haven't heard any meowing for an awfully long time
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Not sure, but I'd be happy to give you a punch in the jaw if you'd like
[I like cats…]
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Regular jaw
Oh, what kind of cat? Dead cat, that’s what kind of bloody cat it is. ALBATROSS!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I mean, it's a hypothetical question
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Oh.
Broken. It just goes, “Whhhrrrr…MROW!!!!!!!”
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Ah - good thing it didn't happen then
I hate getting prosecuted.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
So...How 'bout that Henry Rodriguez, eh?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Stop talking about my cat!!!!
Which I don’t own. And is still alive and well. Or would be if I owned one. Which I don’t.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Wait..
the cat you don’t have that is alive and well or would be if you owned one but don’t is named Henry Rodriguez?
What are the odds?
I'm here to talk about the past.
That's a question for the Staturday guys
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Fine
But I prefer not to wait until then for an answer.
I hope you find your cat that you don’t have.
I'm here to talk about the past.
wait, if you dont open the bag, the cat could be both dead and alive.
so at that point, I think it’s still not a punishable offense. Just make sure you hire Schrodinger as your attorney.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
You'd be better off with Freddy Riedenschneider
And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@
Great hire a man who wasn't there
for the case of the cat that never was
I'm here to talk about the past.
Can we get a projection
on whether he will or not?
And if so, when?
I need like to know when it’s time to panic.
I'm here to talk about the past.
You should always panic.
Somebody much smarter than me once said, “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
That is awesome, 5Aces!
Who knew my original comment could have led to me learning something so cool. Now I feel great about vacuuming Poochini when I get home!
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Glad I could help
Anytime I can find a reason to break out about the only thing I know about quantum mechanics, and help to keep Poochini clean and fresh looking (i hope), I feel obliged to do so.
"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty
Why Did You change your moniker?
Good stuff, by the way.
PS keep up the GREAT WORK on SilverandBlackPride. It’s nice to see the blog growing steadily. One day it will hopefully be the resource similar to that of AthleticsNation.
"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King
Yeah, I changed it because I Couldn't Log In As Saint anymore:
Thanks Gerard. It is a lot of work, but it is definitely fun!!!
by saintoakland on Apr 16, 2008 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
AN admin should be able to fix that for you if you want saint back
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
H. Rod Promoted To AA Midland
http://athletics.scout.com/a.z?s=304&;p=9&c=2&cid=747621&nid=3710474&fhn=1
So it begins...
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Apr 18, 2008 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't see this blurb
But I thought the matter worthy enough for a diary. So I tip my cap to you sir, for seeing this before I did.
The monster at the end of this blog.
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