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I had a chance to make my way down to Auburn Saturday night to see the Doubledays in action against the Indians affiliate, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, at Leo Pinckney Field at Falcon Park.  It was a pretty sloppy game for the home team thanks to a lack of clutch hitting and defence.

Auburn left-hander Sam Strickland, the Jays 25th round pick from Texas A&M Kingsville in 2010.


Top 1st - Sam Strickland, induced a pair of ground balls to start the game but they were not converted into outs.  The leadoff man reached on an infield single that Oliver Dominguez could not barehand successfully at second.  Then Dominguez booted the next ground ball to come his way to put men at first and second.   Strickland got the next hitter to fly out but catcher Carlos Perez compounded matters with an errant pickoff throw at second to allow the two runners to move up 90 feet.   A walk and a plunked batter later made it 1-0 Mahoning Valley.   Strickland got the next man on a called strike three but a bloop single to center just in front of Markus Brisker produced two runs to make it 3-0 for the Scrappers.  The tall southpaw deserved a better fate in that inning.

Auburn second baseman Oliver Dominguez singles in the first inning for the D-Days first hit of the game.


Bottom 1st - Dominguez tried to start a rally with a one-out single to center in the Doubledays first but was promptly erased on a 4-6-3 double play ball off the bat of Perez

Top 2nd - Strickland didn't waste any time in the top of the second by retiring all three men he faced on groundballs to second, the mound and to short.

Auburn first baseman Lance Durham, son of Leon, stands at second base after a one-out double in the second inning.


Bottom 2nd -   Lance "Baby Bull" Durham doubled to right after the right field dove way too early for the ball.  A faster runner might have tried to stretch that into a triple.   That was too bad because Marcus Knecht lined out hard to center and Gustavo Pierre (pronounced P-YAY!) popped out to short. 

Top 3rd - Strickland had another three up, three down frame by handling a comebacker and a liner with a fly ball in between.

Auburn right fielder Steve McQuail retreats to first after a single to lead off the third.


Bottom 3rd - Steve McQuail and Yeico Aponte each hit singles to set the table for Brisker at the top of the order.  After showing bunt on the first pitch, Brisker wound up striking out.  Dominguez grounded to second to advance the two runners but Perez flied out to kill the rally.  Make that 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position for the D-Days.

Top 4th - It was another clean inning for Strickland as he struck out two and sandwiched a ground out in between.

Bottom 4th - Durham reached on an error at short but the D-Days could not bring him around the other 270 feet.

Top 5th - Strickland's streak of 12 consecutive hitters retired came to an end after a one-out single but that was erased when Perez threw out the runner trying to steal second to end the inning.

Bottom 5th - After having no luck against Owen "Mountain" Dew, the Scrappers brought Casey "& The Sunshine Band, Not Gloria" Gaynor out to the hill.  Just like the bottom of the third, McQuail and Aponte set the table with back to back singles with Aponte singling back to the mound.  Also just like the bottom of the third, Brisker showed bunt on the first pitch and could not advance the runners as he flied out to right.  Dominguez reached on a fielder's choice that forced Aponte at second and Perez was caught looking at strike three.  That made Auburn 0-for-8 with RISP.

Top 6th - The Scrappers salted this one away here with a five-run frame against reliever Zach Outman.  He gave up five runs on four hits and two walks and one run came on one of two passed balls by Perez.  Outman had two K's also threw a wild pitch before Shawn Griffith ended the inning with a groundout but not before issuing a walk.

Auburn designated hitter Marcus Knecht at the plate.   The former Oshawa Dodger would later single during the sixth inning.  The Toronto native was the team's third round pick in this year's draft.


Bottom 6th - The first two men were retired but Knecht "connected" for a single to center and Pierre finally gave the 965 fans in attendance something to cheer about by smoking a double to center to score the Toronto native from first.  McQuail could not keep the inning going as he grounded out to short.

Knecht is congratulated by McQuail after crossing the plate with Auburn's lone run of the game.


Auburn shortstop Gustavo Pierre stands at second after his double cashed in Knecht.

Top 7th - Griffith was burned for two runs on three hits while a throwing error from McQuail in right allowing a run to score.  The D-Days brought in Matt Nuzzo to play third for Randy Schwartz, Matt Johnson replaced Pierre (as punishment for driving in a run?) and Joe Bowen replaced Perez behind the plate, "HOLY MACKINAW!"

Bottom 7th - Brisker got aboard on an infield single to short.  He'd only get as far as second after he advanced on a groundout to the mound.

Top 8th - Jesse Hernandez relieved Griffin and retired the first two men he faced.  However, two singles, a Bowen passed ball and a double led to two more scrappy runs for the visitors.

Bottom 8th - Nuzzo had an infield single to third and Knecht singled him to second by punching one through to center against reliever James Ehlert.  They would go no further.

Top 9th - Hernandez allowed three singles, one of the infield variety, to load up the bases.  However, he rallied from a 2-0 count to the Taco Bell K-Man, Daniel DeGeorge, and struck him out!!  Hernandez then got a ground out to second to shutout the Scrappers.

Bottom 9th - No amazing 12 run comeback here.  Two K's and a lineout to short to mercifully end the game.

Random Notes - Weird Al Yankovic's "Canadian Idiot" blared over the speakers before the third inning with Canadians Randy Schwartz, a former Barrie Baycat, and Marcus Knecht due up to bat.  Maybe it was a way to get the team fired up.  It didn't work!........Matthew Nuzzo nearly got impaled as he chased a foul ball down the left field line and smacked right into the fence.  He escaped serious injury on the play........Sam Strickland's fastest pitch was 85 miles per hour according to the P.A. announcer as they announce the fastest pitch of the game for both sides.  The radar gun on the scoreboard worked intermittently and only flashes the speed of the pitch for 0.2 seconds.  Owen Dew's fastest pitch for Mahoning Valley was 94 MPH.....The fans actually gave Zach Outman a warm round of applause despite giving up five runs in 2/3 of an inning........The 965 fans left the park in a good mood after getting a free taco thanks to Jesse Hernandez's strikeout of Daniel DeGeorge, the Taco Bell "K" Man of the Game....Three errors, three passed balls and 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position - that was Auburn's ugly line for the evening. 

 

*** 3 Stars!!!  ***

3.  Steve McQuail

2.  Marcus Knecht

1.  Sam Strickland

 

Honourable Mentions - Yeico Aponte, Gustavo Pierre, Lance Durham.

Road Trip To Auburn | 17 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
TamRa - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 08:38 PM EDT (#217638) #
Can someone please get Pierre a uni that FITS?


stevieboy22 - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#217639) #
I actually managed to convince my girlfriend to let me stop at Auburn on our way back from Phillly on Sunday night...

My thoughts:
- Randy Schwartz looked like a disaster defensively. And I got the impression the Auburn fans we're a little frustrated with him. I wasn't that impressed by his swing. I would be suprised if he makes it past Lansing; but I'm not a scout.
- Wojciechowski looked like he will be in the majors faster than most. He was commanding his fastball which sat between 92-95 all night. He topped out at 96. That being said, I don't think I saw him throw anything but fastballs.
- Gustavo Pierre was really impressive. I loved the swing and he looked like he has a real shot to be a good major league player. His swing is very fluid and he has no problem moving his hands around. I am really interested in seeing him develop.
- Juan Hernandez was actually able to hit 92 with his fastball multiple times, but his body seemed to fly open every time he would pump up the gas. You could really sense if he was going to throw a fastball or change based on his delivery.
- I really like the ballpark and thought they put on a fun show.

sam - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 08:49 PM EDT (#217640) #
I think he fashions himself the second coming of Hanley Ramirez
TamRa - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 09:06 PM EDT (#217641) #
What's the story with Drabek? His scheduled turn was Sunday and they patched with a reliever on Sunday and he's not pitching tonight either.
Gerry - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 10:00 PM EDT (#217643) #
Drabek is scheduled to start tomorrow.  The Fisher Cats flipped Drabek and Uviedo for some reason.
Gerry - Monday, June 28 2010 @ 10:08 PM EDT (#217644) #
Three Auburn pitchers one-hitted Williamsport tonight.
TamRa - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 12:39 AM EDT (#217651) #
if you care to know, the Mets gave us Clint Everts for Padillia.

You remember him, right? Fifth overall pick by the Expos in 2002 just ahead of Grienke and Fielder...?

Yeah - that guy.


Sneeps - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 01:01 AM EDT (#217654) #
JPA with another homer and double tonight.  4 rbi's.
Sneeps - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 01:59 AM EDT (#217658) #

Lubansk continues to put up outstanding numbers, to little or no acclaim.  I guess 25 is too old to be a prospect anymore.  A few years ago that seemed to be the expected age to make the bigs.

Season #'s:  (240 ab's), .308 avg, 20 doubles, 6 triples, 13 homers, 45 rbi's, 21 bb, 63 k's, 3 sb, 0 cs.

I think if he was drafted out of college and not high school, and he was one year younger, he'd be a top 100 prospect, but most people have already written him off as a complete bust regardless of his numbers.

Mudie - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 03:59 AM EDT (#217660) #
It's a confluence of thing with Lubanski, he is a little old to be a prospect at 25, not egregiously old but it's a factor.

He hasn't had a good year offensively since 2006, and has had injury trouble, missing most of last year.

He does nothing really well. He can hit a little, his numbers are great but he's in the PCL, a very hitter friendly league, where he plays for Las Vegas, which as a hitting environment  is only slightly more difficult than the moon. His strike zone control is below average, 2.4:1 SO:BB rate career and 3:1 this year. He can field a little, good range for a corner but you wouldn't want him in Center out side of an emergency. He has some speed and is alright on the bases but he's not a top of the order guy in anyone's books, so the attribute is mitigated.

We also shouldn't forget the Royals, who granted are far from flawless in the player evaluation department, did release him this past off-season.

I don't think Lubanski is a complete bust or even a useless player on a major league roster, but he wont hit enough to be a starter, and lefty batting corner outfielders who need to be deployed in a platoon aren't really a precious commodity.
Kelekin - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 06:02 AM EDT (#217661) #
Chris Lubanski is another player in a long line of others who has the potential for decent average and power, yet low OBP, little speed, and below average defense. 

While he has put up a good year, calling Lubanski a prospect is like calling Bowman a prospect.  These are guys that are usually on pace to walk 30-40 times in a season if you're lucky.  Everyone seems to think plate discipline is something that comes with age, but if you're only able to get 30-40 walks as a 25+ year-old, you're going to have a hard time finding value on a major league roster.

I'm just not sure why every .300 hitter in the minors causes excitement when their peripherals are disappointments.

Sneeps - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 07:18 AM EDT (#217663) #
For his minor league career he's averaging 10% wallk rate.  That'll do.  And what about these peripherals (600 ab season)?

50 doubles, 15 triples, 32 homers, 112 rbi's, 10 sb, 53 walks.
Mudie - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 09:04 AM EDT (#217664) #
For his minor league career he's averaging 10% wallk rate.  That'll do.  And what about these peripherals (600 ab season)?

50 doubles, 15 triples, 32 homers, 112 rbi's, 10 sb, 53 walks.

In Las Vegas! I do believe the park factor there is 108 or so? Which puts it on par with the multi-year park factors for Coors or Chase Field listed on Baseball-Reference. The 51's as a team are hitting .298/.351/.482 !!

Also, the stats you list are good but, what about the one you don't list? The one that comes right after walks in every stat line... the 159 strikeouts he'd be projected for over 600 AB.
92-93 - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 10:02 AM EDT (#217667) #

He does nothing really well. He can hit a little, his numbers are great but he's in the PCL, a very hitter friendly league, where he plays for Las Vegas, which as a hitting environment  is only slightly more difficult than the moon. His strike zone control is below average, 2.4:1 SO:BB rate career and 3:1 this year. He can field a little, good range for a corner but you wouldn't want him in Center out side of an emergency. He has some speed and is alright on the bases but he's not a top of the order guy in anyone's books, so the attribute is mitigated.

Most of these things were said about Shin-Soo Choo when he was a Mariners prospect.

Spifficus - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 10:47 AM EDT (#217671) #
While most of these things were probably said about Choo, they probably shouldn't have been. He had much better strike zone control (usually around 1.5k/bb), displayed much more speed (3 seasons in a row of 20+ steals, including 40), had a good defensive reputation (vs the opposite for Lubanski), and had his performances in Tacoma, a definite pitcher's park for the PCL. Yes, I know, it's still the PCL, but Tacoma's not Vegas.

I'm not saying that Lubanski's a do-nothing quad-A sort. He's young enough and had been injured enough that some of the turn around could be legit. For me, he's as much suspect as prospect.
92-93 - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 11:04 AM EDT (#217673) #

You're right, I'm just saying it's easier to write guys off and be surprised than to be confident in them and be disappointed, which is the more usual outcome. I don't know a thing about Lubanski other than what I can gather from his player card, so I tried not to comment on the specific player. Dave Cameron, the "genius" of USS Mariner fame, had this to say about Choo in 2006.

http://www.ussmariner.com/2006/07/11/trade-chips/

Spifficus - Tuesday, June 29 2010 @ 01:17 PM EDT (#217682) #
One of Cameron's criticisms was fair - Choo couldn't hit lefties. He's actually been better at it in the majors. His other one (lack of power) was overstated, since he has value now and is displaying the same amount of power. Choo is a breadth-of-skill type player, where no one piece of his offensive arsenal is significantly above average, but nothing in his game is below average. It's these jack-of-all-trades sorts that seem like they get labeled tweeners the most often.
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