On Thursday evenings during the regular season our Emails to you usually would consist of News and Notes. Those notes also could include items you would see on other days of the week – such as injuries, minor league news, changes in pitching rotations, players lighting it up or stinking up stadiums.
This week, because the minor league season didn’t begin until Thursday, we switched the News and Notes to Tuesday and are bringing you information on those opening games.
NOTE: We have extended the free period for these Emails through Sunday, April 18. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
During this weekend, we’ll provide you with information on how you can subscribe for five (or more)-times-a-week themed Emails during the regular season.
That subscription would include occasional Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay. He was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Let us know of your interest and what you’d like to see by Emailing lary@fantasybaseballscout.com.
Thanks for your continuing interest in and support of Fantasy Baseball Scout.
A key to first pitching call-ups
A rule of thumb is that the first pitcher a major league team recalls during the regular season is the Opening Day starting pitcher for its Triple-A affiliate. That isn’t always the case, because sometimes a team needs a pitcher to fill a specific role, such as left-handed relief specialist, and sometimes by the time the parent team needs a pitcher the Opening Day guy has been injured or has pitched himself out of consideration.
As a service to you, we’re providing a list of the starters for each of the 30 Triple-A teams’ opener.
Not entirely a list, though, because we want to single out a few – most of whom are top prospects who had exceptional pitching lines. The best effort was by Blue Jays LHP prospect Brad Mills, with a line of 620009 for Las Vegas. Angels LHP prospect Trevor Reckling’s line for Salt Lake City was 650023. Our Best Arm from the Farm, Rays RHP prospect Jeremy Hellickson, was 542116 for Durham. LHP Derek Holland, who was in the Rangers’ rotation last season and should be again this season before long, gave up a run on career minor leaguer Michael Restovich’s home run for Triple-A Albuquerque as part of a line of 651106. RHP Vin Mazzaro, down from the Athletics rotation, had a line of 4 1/3 0027 for Sacramento. The best line for a National League affiliate was the 510016 for Jhoulys Chacin with Colorado Springs in the Rockies’ organization.
The Red Sox sent RHP Boof Bonser to Pawtucket to start on an injury-rehab assignment. Others who have enough years that they’re no longer considered prospects were RHP Ruddy Lugo, Toledo (Tigers); RHP David Pauley, Tacoma (Mariners); RHP Josh Banks, Round Rock (Astros); RHP Kameron Loe, Nashville (Brewers); RHP Kevin Hart, Indianapolis (Pirates), and LHP Evan MacLane, Memphis (Cardinals).
The other Triple-A starters were RHP Chris Tillman, Norfolk (Orioles); RHP Lucas Harrell, Charlotte (White Sox); RHP Carlos Carrasco, Columbus (Indians); RHP Gaby Hernandez, Omaha (Royals); RHP Anthony Swarzak, Rochester (Twins); RHP Ivan Nova, Scranton (Yankees); RHP Kevin Mulvey, Reno (Diamondbacks); RHP Jim Parr, Gwinnett (Braves); RHP J.R. Mathes, Iowa (Cubs); RHP Sam LeCure, Louisville (Reds); RHP Ryan Tucker, New Orleans (Marlins); RHP James McDonald, Albuquerque (Dodgers); RHP Tobi Stoner, Buffalo (Mets); LHP Brian Mazone, Lehigh Valley (Phillies); LHP Wade LeBlanc, Portland (Padres); RHP Kevin Pucetas, Fresno (Giants), and RHP J.D. Martin, Syracuse (Nationals).
Making his regular-season pro debut Sunday is Nationals RHP prospect Stephen Strasburg, who will start for Double-A Harrisburg. That’s the same day Reds LHP prospect Aroldis Chapman is scheduled to start for Louisville at Toledo.
The day’s hitting hero was Indians C prospect Carlos Santana, who had a memorable Triple-A debut with two home runs in Columbus’ 17-4 rout of Indianapolis.
Major matters
The Rangers put C Salty on the 15-day disabled list because of a tight upper back. He told the team after Tuesday’s game, in which he struck out as a pinch hitter, that he had been injured Monday. GM Jon Daniels admitted that the team was upset, but added that there wouldn’t be any action taken against Salty. To take his place, Texas purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma City the contract of C Matt Treanor, a fantasy non-factor. In most games, C Taylor Teagarden will be given a chance to kill your fantasy team’s batting average.
Also missing the Rangers-Blue Jays game was 2B Aaron Hill, because of a tight right hamstring. In his place was 29-year-old minor league journeyman Mike McCoy, who led off the game with his first major league hit and had another single to drive in a run during Toronto’s game-winning three-run rally in the ninth inning.
The Mariners fortified their bullpen by adding RHP Jesus Colome. To make room, they designated OF Ryan Langerhans for assignment.
Jonny Gomes’ walk-off home run against Cardinals RHP Jason Motte gave the Reds a 2-1 victory at home.
Our Jarrod Washburn Award winner, RHP Kevin Slowey, earned his first win with a pitching line of 5 1/3 71123 in the Twins’ 10-1 rout at LA/Anaheim.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. We’ve also put a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games.
Blue Jays RHP Jason Frasor picked up his second save in their 3-1 victory at Texas. Toronto won with three runs in the ninth as the Rangers’ closer, RHP Frank Francisco pitched for the cycle – allowing a home run, triple, double and single in that order.
Indians RHP Chris Perez also had his second save, in a 5-3 win on the south side of Chicago.
Receiving their first save were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, 6-5 over the Phillies; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, in relief of RHP Randy Wells in a 2-0 victory in Atlanta; Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez, finishing up for LHP Brian Matusz in a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay, and Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, in relief of LHP Nate Robertson as Florida won 3-1 at CitiField.
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