5/11 Minor League Report: Return of FLDS and gadZOOKS!!

But Taylor, Carter and Green can’t keep coming up with these 0 fers with 1+ K’s every other game….
Also, Midland had previously reported that Weeks left last week with a “minor leg injury” but if he’s still out they’re either being very precautionary or it’s worth than they thought…

when did Jeff Baisley rejoin the A’s?

Another big bummer. Wrist injuries are not good. Dixon has pretty much been the only glimmer of hope in the Minors this season. Stassi has surprised me too. Solid power for a 19 Year Old.

1IP 0H 0BB 2Ks so far.

seems that he was sore after Tuesday night’s game in Oklahoma City. The latest is that his return to the A’s will be delayed by “a day or three”

The wifey and I watched our Sacramento Rivercats lose two games Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to the Rangers AAA affiliate, the Oklahoma City Redbirds, whom my wife constantly referred to as the RedHots. SSS observations follow.

Overall: The Rivercats are in trouble. I am willing to give them a break and say that Tuesday’s poor effort resulted from jetlag after a tough flight that morning. And I am willing to say that Wednesday’s 1-0 loss showed the team has a pulse, but it is definitely on life support.

After a couple of routine double-plays late Wednesday, the middle infield shared some high-fives, but that was the only hint of spirit or team comraderie I saw. If I had to describe this team at this point with one image, it would be a long line of solemn hitters trudging back to the dugout after their strikeout. Man, it was grim.

Now I love these guys, and just Sunday, they showed their talent with a 16-5 blowout of Colorado Springs. But the Cats are in a team slump of epic proportions. This may take awhile to work out.

Zuke: It was a pleasure to watch Suzuki catch from just behind home plate. He is a master. Instantly the best hitter on the team. All of you calling for a long-term contract are correct. We must not ever lose this guy.

Cust: I apologize for ever thinking at any time that Cust might have been upset at moving down to AAA and not giving his all. Cust made the catch of his life Wednesday in RF, chasing a bomb to the wall and making a lunging, if not diving, catch. He is most definitely fighting to get back to Oakland.

Chris Carter: Chris went 1 for 6 with 3 K’s, but his swing looks sound. Still fooled on breaking balls. He needs to be in AAA all season with a September cup of coffee. Chris will be fine. After watching Chris 2 years ago at Stockton, and last year at Midland, the following seems abundantly clear to me. When Carter hits, the team wins, when he slumps, the team loses. This guy is the difference-maker. Take our time, Make sure he is ready.

Big Mike Taylor: I hope this is temporary, but Taylor has a terrible swing. On one pitch, he has a Custian uppercut. On the next, he is hacking down on it like he was cutting wood with an axe. The Taylor-Wallace trade may go down in history. Like Boston trading Ruth to NY. Scarey. Please, Michael, make me look like an idiot. Repeat after me: SSS, SSS.

Defense: Wimberly had a brain freeze in LF and just held the ball while a runner advanced to 2nd. Hey, Corey, throw it into the infield. Cardenas had a brain fart at 3rd. With two outs and a runner on 2nd, Adrian cleanly fielded a sharp grounder. The runner headed toward 3rd just in front of him. “OK, I’ll throw to 1st…..No, I’ll just tag this guy…..Wait, I’ll throw to 1st…..Oh, crap, too late.”

Cardenas: He will be fine at 3rd with more experience. Much more experience. At least a full season. Moves well. Strong arm. His swing looked calm and quick. I think he will rather quickly be back batting .300+.

Corey Brown: His swing looks busier and longer than last year at Midland. I remember it being lightning quick. It was nice and smooth, just too long, and therefore missing balls. Corey did, however, make two spectacular layout catches. He is a very good CF.

Storey: Had not seen him before. Didn’t have his best stuff. Hung a slider for one jack. His fast ball had no movement and one down the middle also was knocked out. Better luck next time.

Lenny DiNardo: Although Braden’s granny can throw it faster, LD managed a complete game Wednesday. He threw slow, then slower, then….. Amazing. We still lost 1-0, but fun to watch. Sort of a reverse-Henry.

Can’t wait to see the Cats again.

“On one pitch, he has a Custian uppercut (New Approach). On the next, he is hacking down on it like he was cutting wood with an axe (Stanford Approach)”