Short Stop For The Shortstop?
Jed Lowrie has looked fantastic, and I’m not talking about what you see in his numbers within the box scores. I’m talking about what you see when you watch him play. He has energy and poise, which is an effective combination when married with the skills he possesses. It’s the reason I believe he just might stick with the club. I’m not buying the demise of Julio Lugo as a Red Sox just yet, but a mid-season trade is a definite possibility. Question is, who might get dealt? I imagine the return on Lowrie just might bring the piece the Red Sox could be looking for prior to the deadline, while dealing Lugo would only rid them of an unwanted contract.
Foundation of Youth
John Bowker just keeps on hitting. It’s obvious the San Francisco Giants are rushing many of their prospects, but Bowker seems to have seized his opportunity and it’ll be interesting to see how the team handles him. When you’re tied for the team lead in home runs after 22 at bats and you’re leading the team in RBIs, you’re going to find at-bats.
Diamond In The Minors
Max Scherzer’s numbers so far are impossible to ignore. He has K’d 29 in 17.0 scoreless innings in Triple-A this year, while improving his groundball rate. Add in the fact that the Diamondback’s rotation includes an old and fragile Randy Johnson, a recovering Doug Davis and the shaky Edgar Gonzalez and it’s easy to see how Scherzer could be promoted quickly.
League Of His Own
I usually don’t like to write about what I do not view firsthand, but I am about to make an exception as the numbers I’m seeing from Trevor Cahill make me want to watch him pitch in person more than any other prospect. 11 IP, 1 ER, 17/1 K/BB. Add in the fact he’s doing all this for the for the Stockton Ports in the California League, a hitter’s haven, where he has not surrendered a HR, and it’s something I need and want to see firsthand. Good news is the Stockton Ports play at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a four-game series next weekend. I’m planning driving the hour plus to check him out. Can’t wait.
Second Thoughts
Asdrubal Cabrera has looked less-than-stellar this year at the plate and the Cleveland Indians might eventually be kicking themselves for not taking some of the rumored offers for him in the off-season. Whispers in Cleveland have Jhonny Peralta moving to third with Cabrera sliding over to his natural position of SS. This would allow the team to bring Josh Barfield back up to play 2B, although I’m not sure who the odd man out would be on the roster? Andy Marte? Jason Michaels? David Dellucci? It might shake things up in Cleveland, but I’m not sure it’s the answer and I’m also not sure why they didn’t just do this during Spring Training.
Longoria Marriage Announcement
The contract signed by Evan Longoria was a brilliant move by the player and the team. It is the perfect marriage of talent and team. The pundits that balk at the deal are, in my opinion, stupid and biased. The deal obviously gives Longoria long-term security and shows that the Rays are very serious about building a team that can and will contend in the very near future. Longoria is going to be a star and it’ll be nice to see him remain with Tampa Bay, rather than the usual suspects being the only teams that can afford him as a free agent. Aren’t we all a little tired of seeing that happen? I know I am.
Great Seats Still Available
If I was in my twenties, I swear I’d relocate to Tampa Bay and buy season tickets to the Rays so I could have a front row seat to what I think will be one fun run in the very near future. How often do you get to witness young talent like this maturing before your eyes at nearly every position? Not often. Plus, how often can you witness all this from just about the best seats in the house. Again, not often.
Breathing Through His Eyelids
Watched Scott Olsen on Sunday and he looks a lot like the pitcher I saw in 2006. He pitching with his head, which many will say is a scary scenario, but I’m saying that’s a very good thing. His emotions seem to be in check and the more I see him, the more I believe he’s back.
Brewed To Perfection
Watched Yovanni Gallardo pitch on Sunday and he’s already back. I saw no ill effects from his surgery and am thinking it was very smart of the Brewers to give him that extra start in the minors.
Uphill Battle
The numbers on Shawn Hill’s first start are deceiving. Hill gave up four runs in five innings against the Seattle Mariners, but he was throwing one run ball with six strikeouts and no walks before the sixth inning. Then he hit a wall and gave up three hits in the sixth, which is when he was yanked. Two men he left on base eventually scored off of Jesus Colome. Once Hill gets his stamina, watch out. Guy just needs to say healthy, of course, but he is a really nice pitcher to have this year.
Who You Should Be Watching This Week:
Scott Olsen, Luke Hochevar, John Lannan
Jason Kubel, John Bowker, Wladimir Balentien
Jed Lowrie, Clint Barmes, Josh Barfield
Cardinals at Brewers, Mets at Cubs, Angels at Tigers
Major League Words of Wisdom: Brian Sabean is polishing the brass on the Titanic. It’s all going down, man.
Phil Brody resides in Los Angeles, California. He works as a freelance writer and director. In his spare time, he devours everything baseball. He can be reached at: philbrody@earthlink.net.