By Jason Arndt
Brewers Farm Report
After a dismal 2014 season with High A Brevard County, Victor Roache has shown a resurgence in the first 18 games of the 2015 season, but has plenty of room for improvement.
Hopes were high for the 23-year-old Roache when he belted a team record 22 home runs for Single A Wisconsin in 2013, a year after being drafted in the first-round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
But plate discipline has plagued him since arriving from Georgia Southern University, striking out 137 times in his first professional season, and subsequently fanned 138 times last year.
While he supplanted Hunter Morris as Brevard County’s single season home run record holder with 18 home runs last year, his batting average plummeted from .248 in 2013 to .226 in 2014, and On Base Percentage took a harder nosedive from .322 to .298.
He walked 46 times in 2013, but experienced a decline of 9 walks last season.
However, he has substantially improved this season, accumulating a 9-game hitting streak, and has hit safely in 11 of the last 12 games.
In the span of 12 games, he is batting .388 with a line of .464 OBP and 1.179 OPS. He has accumulated 19 hits, collected two doubles, a triple and four home runs with 13 RBI.
In the first 18 games of his 2015 campaign, he has pounded out 23 hits, collected two doubles and has five home runs with 18 RBI in 70 at bats for a .329 batting average and 1.005 OPS.
At this time last year, he hit .188 with no home runs and drove in eight runs and plating six.
Despite showing glimmers of hope, Roache continues to be hindered by plate discipline, striking out 23 times in 18 games, compared to 15 at this time last year.
Additionally, the clock could be ticking for him, he will turn 24 at the end of the season and compared to another 2012 draftee, 21-year-old Tyrone Taylor, he is lagging behind schedule.
Roache, who shared the outfield with Taylor and Michael Reed at Single A Wisconsin, is the sole player remaining in Brevard County when Taylor was given the promotion to AA Huntsville (Biloxi) during the 2014 post season, and assignment of Reed to Biloxi prior to opening day.
The Ballot:
Jay Buhner (1988-2001)
Alvin Davis (1984-1991)
Ken Griffey, Jr. (1989-1999, 2009-2010)
Felix Hernandez (2005-Present)
Randy Johnson (1989-1998)
Edgar Martinez (1987-2004)
Jamie Moyer (1996-2006)
Ichiro Suzuki (2001-2012)
Shoestring Catches Recommendations for the Seattle Mariners:
Ken Griffey, Jr.: A 10-time all-star and Gold Glove winner, Ken Griffey Jr., was a member of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. He is Seattle’s all-time home run leader with 417. He was also the American League Most Valuable Player in 1997.
Felix Hernandez: Third on Seattle’s all-time win list at the beginning of this season with 125 victories, Felix Hernandez won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010. The five-time all-star threw a 1-0 prefect game in 2012 against Tampa Bay with a dozen strikeouts.
Edgar Martinez: Seattle’s all-time leader in games played, Edgar Martinez is also at the top of the club’s RBI list with 1,261. The seven-time all-star is perhaps best known for his game-winning hit in game five of the 1995 playoffs against the New York Yankees.
Ichiro Suzuki: In 2001, Ichiro Suzuki was named the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in the American League. Suzuki was a 10-time all-star and Gold Glove winner. He holds Seattle’s all-time record for hits with 2,533. He is also at the top of the franchise’s stolen base list with 438
WEDNESDAY • APRIL 29, 2015
Jeremy Null was outstanding once again for the South Bend Cubs, unfortunately he didn’t factor in the decision, but his performance went a long way towards a 2-0 victory.
At the Plate:
On the Mound:
After a late run to tie things up, the Smokies couldn’t hold Chattanooga off the board the rest of the way, and fell 3-1 this afternoon.
At the Plate:
On the Mound:
Pitching dominated this one, and the Pelicans were able to push across two runs in the 8th to steal it 2-1. The Pelicans only had four opportunities with runners in scoring position, but they came through when it mattered most.
At the Plate:
On the Mound:
Hat tip Sark.
El primer capítulo de la temporada 2015 está en los libros y sí en América Latina se está hablando de algún candidato a ‘MVP’ ojo con Adrián González en la Liga Nacional.
El inicialista de sangre mexicana desde la primera semana de temporada su bate no ha cesado contra sus opositores y muy en gracias a el sus Dodgers de Los Angeles están en primer lugar en su división oeste de la Liga Nacional.
Para muchos ‘fans’ el nombre de González ha tomado a muchos de sorpresa que no lo debería ser. ‘El Titán’ como le conocen muchos de sus seguidores viene de una campaña pasada que fue un Bate de Plate, Guante de Oro y arribó séptimo en votos para Más Valioso del circuito nacional.
Nadie tampoco puede olvidar que fue el monarca en carreras impulsadas el año pasado de la Nacional. Por tanto, nadie borre de sus memorias que este podría finalmente ser finalmente su año después de tantos buenos en su carrera.
Por otro lado, mucha vista con varios nombres en la Liga Americana para el codiciado ‘MVP’. A estas fechas tempranas de campaña bien se pueden mencionar entre nombres a José Altuve, Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz y Yoenis Cespedes.
En el mismo circuito no debe ser extrañeza que una vez más en su carrera Félix Hernández este desde arrancada coqueteando en búsqueda de sus segundo galardón Cy Young. un premio que muchos entienden lo debió haber obtenido la temporada pasada.
Tomando el primer pulso de esta campaña aquí está mi primer ‘ranking’ de este 2015 de los mejores 15 jugadores ofensivos y 15 mejores lanzadores de sangre latinoamericana en las Mayores y ellos son:
JUGADORES
1. Adrián González, Dodgers de Los Angeles
2. Nelson Cruz. Marineros de Seattle
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigres de Detroit
4. José Altuve, Astros de Houston
5. Hanley Ramírez, Medias Rojas de Boston
6. Kendrys Morales, Reales de Kansas City
7. Yoenis Cespedes, Tigres de Detroit
8. José Iglesias, Tigres de Detroit
9. Angel Pagán, Gigantes de San Francisco
10. Alex Rodríguez, Yankees de Nueva York
11. Salvador Pérez, Reales de Kansas City
12. Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins de Miami
13. Starling Marte, Piratas de Pittsburgh
14. Salvador Pérez, Reales de Kansas City
15. Starlin Castro, Cachorros de Chicago
LANZADORES
1. Félix Hernández, Marineros de Seattle
2. Alfredo Simón, Tigres de Detroit
3. Johnny Cueto, Rojos de Cincinnati
4. Aroldis Chapman, Rojos de Cincinnati
5. Jake Arrieta, Cachorros de Chicago
6. Carlos Martínez, Cardenales de San Luis
7. Jeurys Familia, Mets de Nueva York
8. Joakim Soria, Tigres de Detroit
9. Bartolo Colón, Mets de Nueva York
10. Francisco Liriano, Piratas de Pittsburgh
11. Edinson Volquez, Reales de Kansas City
12. Ubaldo Jimenez, Orioles de Baltimore
13. Hector Santiago, Angelinos de Los Angeles
14. Michael Pineda, Yankees de Nueva York
15. Dellin Betances, Yankees de Nueva York
NOTA DEL AUTOR: Como en pasados años, excluimos de este listado a Giancarlo Stanton de los Marlins de Miami aunque su bisabuela por parte de madre es puertorriqueña y otros medios lo incluyen como boricua.
I understand the Orioles’ management’s and MLB’s concerns. They probably don’t want to be sued should a fan be injured or killed at the game or traveling to and from the game. Some of the fans were willing to take that risk today, however; there were photos on Twitter of a lot of fans looking at the game through in the fence in center field.
Thankfully, none of the Cardinals’ games were cancelled or postponed last year after the rioting in Ferguson. I was concerned about the safety of attending a ball game during that time. But downtown St. Louis is a half hour away from Ferguson. Camden Yards is right in the middle of downtown Baltimore.
How sad it is that baseball games have to be played with no fans in attendance or cancelled or postponed due to violence. This world is a sad place, with violence unfortunately becoming the norm. Rather than pillaging and looting, how about we channel that anger into something good? How about we all love one another instead?
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!
Diane
Starter Shane Greene was cruising until he wasn’t. He starting leaking fuel in the third then exploded in the fourth.
The Tigers could have blown this game by running themselves out of a rally in the fifth. I’m not sure sure but isn’t it taboo to make an out at third? Well, with runners at first and second, one out, and Kinsler at the plate, Andrew “Wheels” Romine decided it was a good idea to steal third. Like Miggy in game in one, he got nailed, rally over. Fortunately, the bats came alive and beat the Twins’ bullpen into a conniption after falling behind 7-4.
For all of my complaining, the Tigers got another series win.
Of note:
Off to KC. I hope this series doesn’t turn into basebrawl.
First pitch: 7:05 PM CST
TV: CSN Chicago
Radio: WBBM NEWSRADIO 780
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 47 degrees. 20% chance of rain, a passing shower.
Cubs Lineup:
1. Fowler – CF
2. Soler – RF
3. Rizzo – 1B
4. Bryant – 3B
5. Montero – C
6. Castro – SS
7. Coghlan – LF
8. Hendricks – SP
9. Herrera – 2B