Steve Z notes, along with a series of links, that with the opening day of baseball's minor leagues fast approaching, it might be time for a minor-league baseball thread. I couldn't agree more. Here's Steve's recent roundup of news from Syracuse and Charleston; I'll aim to have some more to add later. Chime in with your own observations and links as well.
- The Charleston Alley Cats gear up for their opening day Thursday, with Danny Core as the scheduled starter.
- The Fisher Cats (no relation to alley cats) arrived -- with hype -- in Manchester. The story of 21-year old Brandon League's transition to closer continues here. "I don’t know exactly what my role is going to be, but I hope to be a closer," League says. McGowan gets the start on Thursday against the Yanks' AA affiliate.
- In Syracuse, David Bush is the surprising opening day starter Thursday. His spring stats (19 K, 1 BB, 5 ER, 15 IP) probably pushed him ahead of Arnold, possibly on the major league depth chart as well. Until Peterson (or League!) arrives from New Hampshire, the Chiefs closer will be none other than ... Mike Smith. That leaves a rotation of Bush, Arnold, Miller, Chen, and Baker (until Dustin arrives).
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040406045831999