Baseball As Religion

Examining the State College Minicamp Roster

Pirates Prospects — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:09:47 +0000

Yesterday, Pirates Prospects posted State College’s minicamp roster. This serves as something of a preliminary roster for the early season, but there will inevitably be changes as more players from the recent draft sign. In fact, some players have agreed to terms but aren’t listed yet because they haven’t officially signed their contracts. The makeup of the Spikes has some very minor added interest due to the recent, silly “mandate” that the Pirates received from State College management, threatening to find another affiliation if the Pirates don’t put a winning Spikes team on the field this season. …

Pirates Promote Gerrit Cole to Double-A

Pirates Prospects — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:04:26 +0000

The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole to Altoona, per the team Twitter account. Cole is coming off a five shutout inning performance last night, where he struck out seven, and allowed two walks and three hits. The right-hander was hitting 101 with his fastball, and 92 MPH with his slider.

On the season, Cole has a 2.55 ERA in 67 innings, with a 69:21 K/BB ratio. He will make his Double-A debut on Wednesday, June 20th. Pirates Prospects will have live coverage of the event.

June Miscellany

Mark A. — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:53:00 +0000

As usual, way too much on my plate.

What’s Wrong With Jameson Taillon?

Pirates Prospects — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:22:09 +0000

Jameson Taillon has an 8.13 ERA in his last six starts.

It was only a month ago today that most people were wondering when Jameson Taillon would be promoted to Double-A. The 2010 first round pick had a 1.47 ERA in 36.2 innings over his first seven starts in high-A. Along with that impressive ERA was a 36:7 K/BB ratio, and just 25 hits allowed. That was on May 15th.

Taillon was scheduled to make his next start on May 16th. He ended up getting shelled for six runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings. At …

Brandon McCarthy may not hit DL

Joe Soriano — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:08:57 +0000

Oakland Athletics ace Brandon McCarthy has … [visit site to read more]

Brandon McCarthy may not hit DL – Call to the Pen – Call to the Pen – A Major League Baseball Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Can Anybody Explain This Game

Lew Freedman — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:43:34 +0000

You would think after all of these years I’d have a better handle on baseball trends, but no, I still can’t figure out the difference between a hot streak and stardom and a slump and the end of a career. But then, since no one in baseball can, either, I don’t know why I have greater expectations for myself.

Just for starters, how about Albert Pujols, Adam Dunn, Jim Thome, Derek Jeter, Josh Hamilton, and Stephen Strasburg. This all relates to the law of baseball averages which in some cosmic sense is tied to the law of averages in daily …

Knobler On Pirates, Brewers, Morneau

Ben Nicholson-Smith — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:30:25 +0000

The trade market remains relatively quiet, but it’s starting to take shape, as Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com explains. Here are some details from Knobler:

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said this week that “you can’t buy when people aren’t selling.” The 32-30 Pirates figure to be looking for offense this summer.
The Brewers are simultaneously preparing for the possibility of becoming sellers and suggesting they could become buyers. They’ve told their scouts to identify prospects to target in the farm systems of contending teams, yet they won’t necessarily sell. They remain interested in keeping Zack Greinke, whose contract …

You own this Mets cap: Gray Wilpon script

Shannon Shark — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:30:04 +0000

Terence says: Road Grey with blue squatchee Wilpon script is pretty sweet!

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Related posts:What’s up with the lopsided M in this Mets script?The Wilpon Settlement: What You Need To Know | The LoHud Mets BlogShould Fred Wilpon Make An Appearance at the New York Mets Anniversary Conference at Hofstra?

Tampa Bay Rays Place Luke Scott on the DL

Justin Hunter — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:26:11 +0000

Rodney Page of the Tampa Bay Times says the Rays have placed

Fish Bites: Marlins’ 3-9 June Record Tells The Whole Story

scootertum — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:11:47 +0000

Typically, when a team is struggling, you can pinpoint one aspect of the game to determine what caused the slump. However, that has not been the case with the Miami Marlins thus far in June. Coming off of a disastrous June in 2011, the Marlins knew that if they wanted to stay in contention, they would have to play good baseball in the month of June. Through twelve June games, they have yet to do that.

In this situation, the Marlins’ 3-9 clearly shows that they have been slumping. But, for the Marlins, nothing has been going right. Although the …