We're just trying to keep from doing the unthinkable, promoting Orlando Barron to the big club. He's hitting .298/.381 at AA. Speed, defense, obp. Even at 22, he can't possibly be any worse than what we have been running out there.Warriors wrote:Oof. Even I don't like the sound of that plan, and he might be the second best player in our history.Ocelots wrote:We are on to the next plan. This 37 yr old has been.
Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Darryl 'Quagmire' Lewis had an excellent final tune-up on his just completed injury rehab assignment, pitching 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and striking out 7. He has been called up to RGV and will start on the 27th against Dayton. Floyd Davis conveniently went to the DL for a couple of weeks to create a spot in the rotation right away. Davis also sent us a demand for a trade. We will try to accommodate him.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Week 7 Awards
This is easily the most difficult time I have ever had handing out awards. The offense hit .170 for the week. The pitching staff had a 7.27 ERA. At least they all crashed and burned at once.
Batter of the Week: Enrico Heredia....how bad was the week? The winner of our best hitter award had a .143 avg for the week. He totaled 3 hits. But at least he made them count, 2 doubles, a HR, and 6 RBI.
Honorable mention: There was nothing honorable about this week.
Hitting Goat of the Week: Everyone else.
Pitcher of the Week: Yoichibei Sakai....3 relief appearances, 5.3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 8 k's. He has earned a trip back to the rotation.
Honorable mention: Rafael Rodriguez, 2 appearances, 3 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 3 k. Rodriguez has actually been on a bit of a good run since we pulled him back from waivers, pitching 9.2 innings over his last 3 games (1 start) allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, 8 k's, 0 runs, and lowering his season ERA to 2.95
Pitching Goat of the Week: Floyd Davis, 2 starts, 2.7 innings, 6 ER, leaves second start with a stiff back, gets a trip to the DL for a couple weeks, AND bitches he wants a trade.
This is easily the most difficult time I have ever had handing out awards. The offense hit .170 for the week. The pitching staff had a 7.27 ERA. At least they all crashed and burned at once.
Batter of the Week: Enrico Heredia....how bad was the week? The winner of our best hitter award had a .143 avg for the week. He totaled 3 hits. But at least he made them count, 2 doubles, a HR, and 6 RBI.
Honorable mention: There was nothing honorable about this week.
Hitting Goat of the Week: Everyone else.
Pitcher of the Week: Yoichibei Sakai....3 relief appearances, 5.3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 8 k's. He has earned a trip back to the rotation.
Honorable mention: Rafael Rodriguez, 2 appearances, 3 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 3 k. Rodriguez has actually been on a bit of a good run since we pulled him back from waivers, pitching 9.2 innings over his last 3 games (1 start) allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, 8 k's, 0 runs, and lowering his season ERA to 2.95
Pitching Goat of the Week: Floyd Davis, 2 starts, 2.7 innings, 6 ER, leaves second start with a stiff back, gets a trip to the DL for a couple weeks, AND bitches he wants a trade.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
3-3 for the week.
The pitching was pretty good all week. Just 18 runs allowed in 6 games, but losses by scores of 1-2, 2-3, and 0-3 put a damper on the week. Bob Harris going the distance in a 2-1 loss was a tough one to take. In 4 of the last 5 games, our starter went 8 quality innings, but we went 2-2 in those 4 games, the other loss being a 12th inning loss to Gloucester. Hernandez being the tough luck no decision in that one. Gomes and Sakai picked up wins with 8 inning efforts in there.
Quagmire pitched 5 innings in his return, allowing 3 runs, only 1 of those earned, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5. No run support results in a 3-0 loss.
Closer Garcia was finally on his game, saving all three wins without any unnecessary drama.
Orlando Barron got the call and played SS this week. We couldn't take the 2b situation anymore. Barron is the shortstop and Veeneman will play 2b for the duration of the season. Barron hit .400 for the week with a double, triple, 2 rbi's, and a stolen bag. He'll spend a while in the 9 hole until we get a read on how he will handle the early jump to PEBA.
Tada has absolutely killed the ball at AAA, .302, 13 HR, 35 RBI at AAA in just 26 games. Which is killing me because we need that type of production at RGV. Calling him back up so I can be completely disgusted with his performance next sim when he inevitably goes 3 for 25 with 12 k's and no rbi.
The pitching was pretty good all week. Just 18 runs allowed in 6 games, but losses by scores of 1-2, 2-3, and 0-3 put a damper on the week. Bob Harris going the distance in a 2-1 loss was a tough one to take. In 4 of the last 5 games, our starter went 8 quality innings, but we went 2-2 in those 4 games, the other loss being a 12th inning loss to Gloucester. Hernandez being the tough luck no decision in that one. Gomes and Sakai picked up wins with 8 inning efforts in there.
Quagmire pitched 5 innings in his return, allowing 3 runs, only 1 of those earned, allowing 4 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5. No run support results in a 3-0 loss.
Closer Garcia was finally on his game, saving all three wins without any unnecessary drama.
Orlando Barron got the call and played SS this week. We couldn't take the 2b situation anymore. Barron is the shortstop and Veeneman will play 2b for the duration of the season. Barron hit .400 for the week with a double, triple, 2 rbi's, and a stolen bag. He'll spend a while in the 9 hole until we get a read on how he will handle the early jump to PEBA.
Tada has absolutely killed the ball at AAA, .302, 13 HR, 35 RBI at AAA in just 26 games. Which is killing me because we need that type of production at RGV. Calling him back up so I can be completely disgusted with his performance next sim when he inevitably goes 3 for 25 with 12 k's and no rbi.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Week 8 Awards
Pitcher of the week: This was actually hard to pick this week because the team had an era of 2.50 for the week. We will go with Xavier Gomes, who finally gave us a really good start after moaning he had to be in the rotation. 8 innings, 2 runs, and a win. Gomes is now 2-3 3.69 on the season.
Honorable mention: Bob Harris, 8 innings, 2 runs, but a complete game loss due to lack of support. Seems to always be the case for Hoss. He is 4-5 3.36 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the week: Patrick Barraclough, although to call him a goat when he gives up 1 run in 5 innings over 2 relief appearances is a bit cheap. But that one run did cost us the extra inning game against Gloucester when he gave up the walk off home run starting his 4th inning of work.
Hitter of the week: Edgar Valentin, .476/.522 with 2 doubles, a triple, a hr, 4 rbi, and 3 sb. Valentin is batting .273/.395 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 hr, and 8 stolen bags on the season.
Honorable mention: Rookie Orlando Barron, .400 for his first week in the bigs.
Hitting Goat of the Week: Octavio Pexego, 4 for 26 with 1 rbi on the week.
Pitcher of the week: This was actually hard to pick this week because the team had an era of 2.50 for the week. We will go with Xavier Gomes, who finally gave us a really good start after moaning he had to be in the rotation. 8 innings, 2 runs, and a win. Gomes is now 2-3 3.69 on the season.
Honorable mention: Bob Harris, 8 innings, 2 runs, but a complete game loss due to lack of support. Seems to always be the case for Hoss. He is 4-5 3.36 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the week: Patrick Barraclough, although to call him a goat when he gives up 1 run in 5 innings over 2 relief appearances is a bit cheap. But that one run did cost us the extra inning game against Gloucester when he gave up the walk off home run starting his 4th inning of work.
Hitter of the week: Edgar Valentin, .476/.522 with 2 doubles, a triple, a hr, 4 rbi, and 3 sb. Valentin is batting .273/.395 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 hr, and 8 stolen bags on the season.
Honorable mention: Rookie Orlando Barron, .400 for his first week in the bigs.
Hitting Goat of the Week: Octavio Pexego, 4 for 26 with 1 rbi on the week.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Domingo Hernandez has done all we have asked and more. Despite a mere 3-3 4.07 mark on the season, he is second in the entire league in innings pitched. Except for one brutal outing back on April 10 (1.2 ip, 6 er), he has been consistently solid. He has gone at least 6.2 innings in all but that start, and in fully half of his starts he has worked 8 or more innings. Most outings you can count on him to allow just 2 or 3 runs, in fact he has allowed 3 or less earned runs in 8 of his 12 starts. 6 of his 12 starts have been one run losses for RGV, usually due to lack of support or bullpen issues, things out of Hernandez's control. All in all, we are very pleased with what Hernandez has given us, even if the results in the w/l column haven't quite been what we hoped to this point.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
2021 RGV draft review
The Ocelots did not have a pick until the very end of round 4. The organization concentrated on using their available mid and late round picks to address 3 key organizational needs: 2nd base, left hand hitting outfielders, and pitching.
4-32
SP Cory Wood - 21 yr old right handed starting pitcher. Good size, 6'6 230 lbs. Stamina to work deep into games. He didn't show much in his first two seasons at Villanova, but blossomed in 2021 to go 4-3 2.03 in 10 starts, averaging a tad more than 7 innings a start. In those 71 innings, he allowed 56 hits, 7 walks, and struck out 50, allowing just 2 HR, and posting a 0.89 WHIP. A native of San Antonio, Wood fields his position well and is natural born leader. He has fairly average pitches but throws in the low 90's. The Ocelots envision Woods as a pitcher who can someday be a bigger, slightly harder throwing version of Bob Harris, a workhorse who can work deep into games and hold down a spot in the middle of a rotation.
5-32
RF Dave Vaughn - 18 yr old left handed batter. Vaughn has all the makings of a future leadoff hitter. He makes good contact and has terrific speed. He also has a very strong arm. The biggest concern with Vaughn is his work ethic, but hopefully his talent will carry him through.
6-1
RF Matabei Kawaguchi - 21 yr old left handed batter. Kawaguchi has good raw power and fairly decent eye at the plate. While his defensive skills are rather average, he does combine some speed with his power and while he may never be a superstar, he looks like he has the skills to be a regular as a corner outfielder someday.
6-32
2b/3b Jason Green- 21 yr old right handed batter. Listed as a 1b, we plan to move him to 2b if possible. At worst he has the glove to play 3b, but we hope he can learn 2b and maybe take a trip to winter ball somewhere down the line to work on the defense. Our scout was not especially high on Green, but OSA scouts had a far better opinion, and the stats seemed to lean in the direction of OSA. Green was drafted in the third round by Omaha in 2018, but failed to sign and moved on to college ball. His speed is enough to steal a few bases, and he has almost no power. He is a contact hitter who can hit a few in the gaps, and he has the potential to be a #2 hitter if his bat pans out the way OSA thinks it will. Green offers some leadership and could be a valuable member of the clubhouse someday.
7-32
SP Jose Flores - 21 yr old right handed pitcher. Flores is another guy who might have a chance to be a Bob Harris type pitcher. 4 pitches, stamina to work deep into games, leadership, and throws in the low 90's. Our scout wasn't sold on him, but the OSA scout liked him enough that we felt he was worth a flyer at this point in the draft.
8-32
RF Clyde Johnson - 21 yr old left handed batter. This was a pure power play. Johnson undoubtedly has some power, and he even has some speed with the package. The question is will he hit for enough average. We also question his defensive abilities. If the power ever fully develops and he can for enough average, we could see Johnson in a DH role someday. At the moment we view him as a longshot to ever be more than a 4A type.
9-1
2b Yoshitoshi Shibata - 21 yr old right handed batter. Shibata shows a decent eye and some speed, but his defense is lacking to the point where he will likely be converted into a corner infielder.
9-32
2b Antonio Nartatez - 21 yr old right handed batter. Great defense. Good speed. A questionable bat.
10-1
2b Terrence Morneau - 21 yr old right handed batter. Pretty good defense, a little speed, and maybe a good eye at the plate. His versatility could see him play centerfield at some point. Much like any player drafted this low, the question is whether he can develop into a hitter worthy of making a PEBA roster.
10-32
LF Justin Barnes- 18 yr old left handed batter. Some speed, looks like he will have warning track power. He does have some leadership ability and bats left, which gets him a look. He'll need a lot of extra batting practice to ever become a prospect.
11-1
RF Paul Johnston - 22 yr old left handed batter. Almost 23, Johnston has a long way to go and a short time to get there. Warning track power. A touch of speed. Defensively challenged. Organization soldier at best.
12-1
SP Julian Alaniz - 18 yr old left handed pitcher. 4 average pitches and enough stamina to be a 6 inning starter. Throws in the low 90's. He does have a strong work ethic, and maybe that will help his development. As a lefty, he will get a long look.
13-1
MR Jose Cruz - 18 yr old left handed pitcher. 3 meager pitches. Limited stamina. Awful stats in HS. This was a dart throw on a left handed pitcher, nothing more.
14-1
C Willie Ellis - 18 yr old right handed batter. We had been hoping to grab a project type catcher in the middle rounds but it never worked out, as we kept missing and mostly stuck to our draft board and tried to avoid reaching as it was not one of our key needs. Good defensive ability, great speed for a catcher, and some leadership ability. Bat infested with termites. Would be shock if he ever makes it to AA.
15-1
RF Peer van As -21 yr old left handed batter. OSA thinks he might make some contact. Has a bit of speed. Fairly meager defensive ability. Will have to shock us with the bat to stick around for more than a season or two.
The Ocelots did not have a pick until the very end of round 4. The organization concentrated on using their available mid and late round picks to address 3 key organizational needs: 2nd base, left hand hitting outfielders, and pitching.
4-32
SP Cory Wood - 21 yr old right handed starting pitcher. Good size, 6'6 230 lbs. Stamina to work deep into games. He didn't show much in his first two seasons at Villanova, but blossomed in 2021 to go 4-3 2.03 in 10 starts, averaging a tad more than 7 innings a start. In those 71 innings, he allowed 56 hits, 7 walks, and struck out 50, allowing just 2 HR, and posting a 0.89 WHIP. A native of San Antonio, Wood fields his position well and is natural born leader. He has fairly average pitches but throws in the low 90's. The Ocelots envision Woods as a pitcher who can someday be a bigger, slightly harder throwing version of Bob Harris, a workhorse who can work deep into games and hold down a spot in the middle of a rotation.
5-32
RF Dave Vaughn - 18 yr old left handed batter. Vaughn has all the makings of a future leadoff hitter. He makes good contact and has terrific speed. He also has a very strong arm. The biggest concern with Vaughn is his work ethic, but hopefully his talent will carry him through.
6-1
RF Matabei Kawaguchi - 21 yr old left handed batter. Kawaguchi has good raw power and fairly decent eye at the plate. While his defensive skills are rather average, he does combine some speed with his power and while he may never be a superstar, he looks like he has the skills to be a regular as a corner outfielder someday.
6-32
2b/3b Jason Green- 21 yr old right handed batter. Listed as a 1b, we plan to move him to 2b if possible. At worst he has the glove to play 3b, but we hope he can learn 2b and maybe take a trip to winter ball somewhere down the line to work on the defense. Our scout was not especially high on Green, but OSA scouts had a far better opinion, and the stats seemed to lean in the direction of OSA. Green was drafted in the third round by Omaha in 2018, but failed to sign and moved on to college ball. His speed is enough to steal a few bases, and he has almost no power. He is a contact hitter who can hit a few in the gaps, and he has the potential to be a #2 hitter if his bat pans out the way OSA thinks it will. Green offers some leadership and could be a valuable member of the clubhouse someday.
7-32
SP Jose Flores - 21 yr old right handed pitcher. Flores is another guy who might have a chance to be a Bob Harris type pitcher. 4 pitches, stamina to work deep into games, leadership, and throws in the low 90's. Our scout wasn't sold on him, but the OSA scout liked him enough that we felt he was worth a flyer at this point in the draft.
8-32
RF Clyde Johnson - 21 yr old left handed batter. This was a pure power play. Johnson undoubtedly has some power, and he even has some speed with the package. The question is will he hit for enough average. We also question his defensive abilities. If the power ever fully develops and he can for enough average, we could see Johnson in a DH role someday. At the moment we view him as a longshot to ever be more than a 4A type.
9-1
2b Yoshitoshi Shibata - 21 yr old right handed batter. Shibata shows a decent eye and some speed, but his defense is lacking to the point where he will likely be converted into a corner infielder.
9-32
2b Antonio Nartatez - 21 yr old right handed batter. Great defense. Good speed. A questionable bat.
10-1
2b Terrence Morneau - 21 yr old right handed batter. Pretty good defense, a little speed, and maybe a good eye at the plate. His versatility could see him play centerfield at some point. Much like any player drafted this low, the question is whether he can develop into a hitter worthy of making a PEBA roster.
10-32
LF Justin Barnes- 18 yr old left handed batter. Some speed, looks like he will have warning track power. He does have some leadership ability and bats left, which gets him a look. He'll need a lot of extra batting practice to ever become a prospect.
11-1
RF Paul Johnston - 22 yr old left handed batter. Almost 23, Johnston has a long way to go and a short time to get there. Warning track power. A touch of speed. Defensively challenged. Organization soldier at best.
12-1
SP Julian Alaniz - 18 yr old left handed pitcher. 4 average pitches and enough stamina to be a 6 inning starter. Throws in the low 90's. He does have a strong work ethic, and maybe that will help his development. As a lefty, he will get a long look.
13-1
MR Jose Cruz - 18 yr old left handed pitcher. 3 meager pitches. Limited stamina. Awful stats in HS. This was a dart throw on a left handed pitcher, nothing more.
14-1
C Willie Ellis - 18 yr old right handed batter. We had been hoping to grab a project type catcher in the middle rounds but it never worked out, as we kept missing and mostly stuck to our draft board and tried to avoid reaching as it was not one of our key needs. Good defensive ability, great speed for a catcher, and some leadership ability. Bat infested with termites. Would be shock if he ever makes it to AA.
15-1
RF Peer van As -21 yr old left handed batter. OSA thinks he might make some contact. Has a bit of speed. Fairly meager defensive ability. Will have to shock us with the bat to stick around for more than a season or two.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Darryl Lewis did us no favors in his third start back, lasting just 2.1 innings and allowing 6 runs in the Monday game. The bullpen was already in tatters, that didn't help.
In order to help bail out the depleted bullpen, Mark Boyd and Cesar Hernandez have been called up from AAA, with Stephen Clark and Yoichibei Sakai going back down. This will likely only be for this week, just to have some fresh arms available. Cesar Hernandez will actually make a pair of starts this week (Tuesday and Sunday), with Boyd working the pen. This allows us to keep Rodriguez in the pen, the plan had been for him to start the Tuesday and Sunday games this week.
Minor League Report:
The most exciting pitcher in the organization right now is last years 2nd rd pick, Makoto Shimizu. The 22 yr old right hander is amazing with the control and the ability to keep the ball in the park. In 142.2 innings since being drafted last season, he has allowed just 2 HR as he has climbed all the way to AA in less than one full season. He is likely just 2 starts from a promotion to AAA. He will start two more games this week, and barring any surprises will get the promotion to AAA. We want to keep challenging him. We think he is half a season of AAA and a trip to winter ball away from making the jump to the big club at the start of 2022.
In order to help bail out the depleted bullpen, Mark Boyd and Cesar Hernandez have been called up from AAA, with Stephen Clark and Yoichibei Sakai going back down. This will likely only be for this week, just to have some fresh arms available. Cesar Hernandez will actually make a pair of starts this week (Tuesday and Sunday), with Boyd working the pen. This allows us to keep Rodriguez in the pen, the plan had been for him to start the Tuesday and Sunday games this week.
Minor League Report:
The most exciting pitcher in the organization right now is last years 2nd rd pick, Makoto Shimizu. The 22 yr old right hander is amazing with the control and the ability to keep the ball in the park. In 142.2 innings since being drafted last season, he has allowed just 2 HR as he has climbed all the way to AA in less than one full season. He is likely just 2 starts from a promotion to AAA. He will start two more games this week, and barring any surprises will get the promotion to AAA. We want to keep challenging him. We think he is half a season of AAA and a trip to winter ball away from making the jump to the big club at the start of 2022.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A little late on the week 9 recap
A 3-3 week, which qualifies as a good week in the RGV. The offense had a really good week, batting .338/.396 with 10 HR and 9 sb for the week. The pitching staff on the other hand, not so much, especially the bullpen.
Week 8 Awards
Hitter of the week:
Octavio Pexego, as the aging veteran continues to shine. .480/.519 with 2 doubles, 3 HR, and 5 rbi. Pexego is batting .288 with 10 HR and 35 rbi on the season. He has a chance to make a run at his first 100 rbi season since 2013, he is presently on a pace for 98.
Honorable mention: tough choice as a lot of good offensive performances to choose from this week. We will go with Enrico Heredia, .292/.370 with 4 doubles, a HR, and 4 rbi on the week. Heredia is batting .262/.335 with 10 doubles, 6 HR, and 23 rbi in 37 games since his acquisition from Florida.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Orlando Barron, .200 with 10 k in 25 at bats. We knew the rookie would have his up's and downs.
Pitcher of the Week:
Darryl 'Quagmire' Lewis, who tossed 8.2 innings of shutout ball in his only start of the week, allowing 2 hits, 0 walks, and punching out 4. We won't mention the Monday start which already has him as the front runner for next week's goat.
Honorable mention: Domingo Hernandez, 7 ip, 4 runs, only 2 ER, and a win. The guy is consistent. He has worked at least 6.2 innings in 12 of his 13 starts, and always gives us a chance to win. He is 4-3 3.95 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Tough choice here, especially sorting through the wreckage of the bullpen this week. We will go with closer Jesus Garcia, who had been rolling along nicely after some early season issues, only to have THIS happen.
At 23-35, the Ocelots have seen the Fan Interest plummet over the last few weeks. A close examination of the general direction of attendance and the finances will probably dictate that we begin trying to shop most of our veterans before long. Centerfielders Valentin and Cabrera could be had for next to nothing, as could closer Garcia (provided we can put the flames out!!).
A 3-3 week, which qualifies as a good week in the RGV. The offense had a really good week, batting .338/.396 with 10 HR and 9 sb for the week. The pitching staff on the other hand, not so much, especially the bullpen.
Week 8 Awards
Hitter of the week:
Octavio Pexego, as the aging veteran continues to shine. .480/.519 with 2 doubles, 3 HR, and 5 rbi. Pexego is batting .288 with 10 HR and 35 rbi on the season. He has a chance to make a run at his first 100 rbi season since 2013, he is presently on a pace for 98.
Honorable mention: tough choice as a lot of good offensive performances to choose from this week. We will go with Enrico Heredia, .292/.370 with 4 doubles, a HR, and 4 rbi on the week. Heredia is batting .262/.335 with 10 doubles, 6 HR, and 23 rbi in 37 games since his acquisition from Florida.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Orlando Barron, .200 with 10 k in 25 at bats. We knew the rookie would have his up's and downs.
Pitcher of the Week:
Darryl 'Quagmire' Lewis, who tossed 8.2 innings of shutout ball in his only start of the week, allowing 2 hits, 0 walks, and punching out 4. We won't mention the Monday start which already has him as the front runner for next week's goat.
Honorable mention: Domingo Hernandez, 7 ip, 4 runs, only 2 ER, and a win. The guy is consistent. He has worked at least 6.2 innings in 12 of his 13 starts, and always gives us a chance to win. He is 4-3 3.95 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Tough choice here, especially sorting through the wreckage of the bullpen this week. We will go with closer Jesus Garcia, who had been rolling along nicely after some early season issues, only to have THIS happen.
At 23-35, the Ocelots have seen the Fan Interest plummet over the last few weeks. A close examination of the general direction of attendance and the finances will probably dictate that we begin trying to shop most of our veterans before long. Centerfielders Valentin and Cabrera could be had for next to nothing, as could closer Garcia (provided we can put the flames out!!).
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 4-3 week for the Ocelots (4-2 after the acquisition of Norman and Dickson)
Hitter of the Week:
Edgar Valentin. Despite playing just 3 games this week due to the fact that he sits against southpaws, Valentin hit .545 (6 for 11) with 3 doubles and a HR. On the season Valentin is hitting a robust .293/.414 with 13 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR and 17 rbi. He has also stolen 10 bases. He has far exceeded our expectations to this point in the season.
Honorable mention:
Richie Norman, who only batted .200 for the week, but he made his hits count, with a HR and a team leading 6 rbi for the week.
Hitting Goat of the week:
Mitsunari Yamada, .067
Pitcher of the week:
Xavier Gomes, 8 innings, 2 runs, neither of which were earned, in picking up a win. Gomes is now 3-4 3.83 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Garcia, for making 2 appearances without feeling it necessary to turn himself into the human torch.
Pitching Goat of the week:
Cesar Hernandez, 11.1 innings pitched, 11 er, and a trip to the waiver wire.
With the acquisition of Norman and Dickson, super prospect Orlando Barron was sent back down to AAA to get some AAA at bats and to learn centerfield. Barron is still set to be the teams shortstop next year, but he has the skill set to play centerfield and the organization wants him to get the experience at the position. DH Pat Lilly was also optioned to AAA to create a roster spot. The team would still like to get Lilly some more at bats this year, in what will likely be his final season of his storied career, but those at bats will likely have to wait until roster expansion in September.
Masayuki Tada and his .167 average have been sent back to AAA once again. Despite hitting 19 HR between AAA and PEBA this season, the team can not continue to live with his low batting average at the PEBA level. Tada has played himself out of the Ocelots plans at this point, and the team might even consider dealing him at some point. Called up to take the roster spot and the starting job is Roman Suarez, acquired recently from the Ghosts in the Floyd Davis deal. Suarez, who is projected to be the teams leadoff hitter in 2022, will play RF and bat 9th for the time being.
With Cesar Hernandez being waived, Yoichibei Sakai returns from AAA. He will work the bullpen for the time being, with Rafael Rodriguez moving into the rotation at least temporarily.
AAA SP Rob Johnston, who had never shown any ability to pitch previously (6.05 career ERA at all levels), was finally having a decent season and showing signs of turning the corner and maybe becoming at least a useful 4A type pitcher. He was 3-1 3.90 in 11 games at AA, and 1-0 0.90 in 2 starts at AAA. Then he tore his UCL this week and will miss the remainder of the season. The baseball gods can be cruel.
Taking Johnston's place at AAA will be fast rising Makato Shimizu, last years 2nd round draft pick. Shimizu finished his work at AA with a 3-1 3.16 mark in 9 starts, having previously gone 1-1 3.00 in two starts at A ball. In 154.2 innings at the professional level since being drafted, Shimizu has allowed but 2 HR. He will finish the season at AAA and could be in the mix for a bullpen spot with the Ocelots next season.
The team signed both bonus eligible draftees this week, 4th round pick SP Cory Wood and 5th rd pick RF Dave Vaughn. Wood will start his pro career at A Nogales, in the rotation, while Vaughn will ride the bench at SS-A Homer this season.
Hitter of the Week:
Edgar Valentin. Despite playing just 3 games this week due to the fact that he sits against southpaws, Valentin hit .545 (6 for 11) with 3 doubles and a HR. On the season Valentin is hitting a robust .293/.414 with 13 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR and 17 rbi. He has also stolen 10 bases. He has far exceeded our expectations to this point in the season.
Honorable mention:
Richie Norman, who only batted .200 for the week, but he made his hits count, with a HR and a team leading 6 rbi for the week.
Hitting Goat of the week:
Mitsunari Yamada, .067
Pitcher of the week:
Xavier Gomes, 8 innings, 2 runs, neither of which were earned, in picking up a win. Gomes is now 3-4 3.83 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Garcia, for making 2 appearances without feeling it necessary to turn himself into the human torch.
Pitching Goat of the week:
Cesar Hernandez, 11.1 innings pitched, 11 er, and a trip to the waiver wire.
With the acquisition of Norman and Dickson, super prospect Orlando Barron was sent back down to AAA to get some AAA at bats and to learn centerfield. Barron is still set to be the teams shortstop next year, but he has the skill set to play centerfield and the organization wants him to get the experience at the position. DH Pat Lilly was also optioned to AAA to create a roster spot. The team would still like to get Lilly some more at bats this year, in what will likely be his final season of his storied career, but those at bats will likely have to wait until roster expansion in September.
Masayuki Tada and his .167 average have been sent back to AAA once again. Despite hitting 19 HR between AAA and PEBA this season, the team can not continue to live with his low batting average at the PEBA level. Tada has played himself out of the Ocelots plans at this point, and the team might even consider dealing him at some point. Called up to take the roster spot and the starting job is Roman Suarez, acquired recently from the Ghosts in the Floyd Davis deal. Suarez, who is projected to be the teams leadoff hitter in 2022, will play RF and bat 9th for the time being.
With Cesar Hernandez being waived, Yoichibei Sakai returns from AAA. He will work the bullpen for the time being, with Rafael Rodriguez moving into the rotation at least temporarily.
AAA SP Rob Johnston, who had never shown any ability to pitch previously (6.05 career ERA at all levels), was finally having a decent season and showing signs of turning the corner and maybe becoming at least a useful 4A type pitcher. He was 3-1 3.90 in 11 games at AA, and 1-0 0.90 in 2 starts at AAA. Then he tore his UCL this week and will miss the remainder of the season. The baseball gods can be cruel.
Taking Johnston's place at AAA will be fast rising Makato Shimizu, last years 2nd round draft pick. Shimizu finished his work at AA with a 3-1 3.16 mark in 9 starts, having previously gone 1-1 3.00 in two starts at A ball. In 154.2 innings at the professional level since being drafted, Shimizu has allowed but 2 HR. He will finish the season at AAA and could be in the mix for a bullpen spot with the Ocelots next season.
The team signed both bonus eligible draftees this week, 4th round pick SP Cory Wood and 5th rd pick RF Dave Vaughn. Wood will start his pro career at A Nogales, in the rotation, while Vaughn will ride the bench at SS-A Homer this season.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
4-2 on the week in RGV, making us 8-4 since the acquisition of Norman and Dickson.
Week 11 awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, .409/.500 with 2 HR and 5 rbi. He has been exactly what we needed to perk up the offense and take some of the load off Pexego. In 12 games with RGV he has batted .298 with 3 hr and 11 rbi.
Honorable mention:
Ramon Suarez, who got the call this week to replace the exiled Tada. Suarez batted .357/.500 with 3 stolen bases. He's batting 9th right now, but he showed why the Ocelots like him as the leadoff hitter of the future.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Trevor Veeneman, who has been pretty good for a 35 yr old rookie, but batted .111/.200 this week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Bob Harris, who went 8 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 run in 3-1 win over Gloucester. Harris is 6-5 3.40 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Closer Jesus Garcia, who was perfect in 3 save situations.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Darryl Lewis, with an ugly 4.1 innings, allowing 6 runs.
Week 11 awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, .409/.500 with 2 HR and 5 rbi. He has been exactly what we needed to perk up the offense and take some of the load off Pexego. In 12 games with RGV he has batted .298 with 3 hr and 11 rbi.
Honorable mention:
Ramon Suarez, who got the call this week to replace the exiled Tada. Suarez batted .357/.500 with 3 stolen bases. He's batting 9th right now, but he showed why the Ocelots like him as the leadoff hitter of the future.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Trevor Veeneman, who has been pretty good for a 35 yr old rookie, but batted .111/.200 this week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Bob Harris, who went 8 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 run in 3-1 win over Gloucester. Harris is 6-5 3.40 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Closer Jesus Garcia, who was perfect in 3 save situations.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Darryl Lewis, with an ugly 4.1 innings, allowing 6 runs.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
The Ocelots go 4-3 on the week. This despite being outscored 45-38 on the week, mostly due to a 19-3 loss to Manchester to end the week.
Week 12 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, who hit .360 for the week, with 2 doubles, 2 HR, and 11 RBI. Norman is hitting .319/.362 with 5 HR and 22 RBI in 19 games since his trade to the RGV. Coincidentally, the Ocelots are 12-7 since his acquisition.
Honorable mention:
Edgar Valentin, .286/.348 with 2 HR, 3 rbi, 3 sb, and a team leading 7 runs scored on the week. The veteran Valentin is hitting .272/.388 with 7 HR and 23 Rbi, and has stolen 13 bags on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, as the rookie goes 1 for 17 at the plate on the week. He did continue to flash his speed however, stealing 2 bags.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, with 8 shutout innings in an 8-0 win over San Antonio. Gomes is in a pattern of alternating good outings with bad outings, but overall has a 5-4 3.92 mark on the season.
Honorable mention:
Closer Jesus Garcia, with 2 saves in 3 appearances. He has managed to leave the lighter fluid and zippo at home since that debacle back on June 6.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Glenn Dixon. The first outing of the week wasn't bad, he left trailing 2-1. But that second outing of the week had a final score of 19-3 and we were on the wrong end of it. He didn't make it out of the first, allowing 7 runs, 5 of them earned, before departing. The bullpen came in to throw fuel on the flames and Manchester took out some frustration on us after we won the first 3 games of the series.
Week 12 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, who hit .360 for the week, with 2 doubles, 2 HR, and 11 RBI. Norman is hitting .319/.362 with 5 HR and 22 RBI in 19 games since his trade to the RGV. Coincidentally, the Ocelots are 12-7 since his acquisition.
Honorable mention:
Edgar Valentin, .286/.348 with 2 HR, 3 rbi, 3 sb, and a team leading 7 runs scored on the week. The veteran Valentin is hitting .272/.388 with 7 HR and 23 Rbi, and has stolen 13 bags on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, as the rookie goes 1 for 17 at the plate on the week. He did continue to flash his speed however, stealing 2 bags.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, with 8 shutout innings in an 8-0 win over San Antonio. Gomes is in a pattern of alternating good outings with bad outings, but overall has a 5-4 3.92 mark on the season.
Honorable mention:
Closer Jesus Garcia, with 2 saves in 3 appearances. He has managed to leave the lighter fluid and zippo at home since that debacle back on June 6.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Glenn Dixon. The first outing of the week wasn't bad, he left trailing 2-1. But that second outing of the week had a final score of 19-3 and we were on the wrong end of it. He didn't make it out of the first, allowing 7 runs, 5 of them earned, before departing. The bullpen came in to throw fuel on the flames and Manchester took out some frustration on us after we won the first 3 games of the series.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Somehow the Ocelots manage to have the IL Player of the Week AND go 1-6 for the week. Not easy to do. We can thank the bullpen, which allowed the other team to win in their final at bat 4 times this week. Way to go guys.
Week 13 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, yet again, as he wins IL Player of the Week, on the week hitting .615 with 2 HR and 6 rbi. Norman is hitting a mind boggling .398/.435 with 7 HR and 28 rbi in 26 games since his acquisition from Aurora.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .292, 3 HR, 6 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .249 with 11 HR and 39 RBI for the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Mitsunari Yamada, 2 for 21, .095.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 2 starts, 14 innings, 3.21 ERA. Went 7 quality innings in both starts, with the Ocelots pulling out a 3-2 ninth inning win in one of them, and the bullpen blowing a 5 run lead after he left in the other start. No decisions for the week, but he put the team in a position to win both times. Can't ask for more than that. Gomes is 5-4 3.79 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Darryl Lewis, also two starts, 0-1 3.14. The bullpen did him no favors this week either. Lewis is 3-4 4.04 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Jesus Garcia, 1-2 10.80 on the week. He came in twice with the bullpen on fire, and threw gas on both fires. Somehow he managed to pitch 2 scoreless innings and pick up the Ocelots lone win of the week, but that wasn't enough to save him from being the goat of the week.
Week 13 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, yet again, as he wins IL Player of the Week, on the week hitting .615 with 2 HR and 6 rbi. Norman is hitting a mind boggling .398/.435 with 7 HR and 28 rbi in 26 games since his acquisition from Aurora.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .292, 3 HR, 6 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .249 with 11 HR and 39 RBI for the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Mitsunari Yamada, 2 for 21, .095.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 2 starts, 14 innings, 3.21 ERA. Went 7 quality innings in both starts, with the Ocelots pulling out a 3-2 ninth inning win in one of them, and the bullpen blowing a 5 run lead after he left in the other start. No decisions for the week, but he put the team in a position to win both times. Can't ask for more than that. Gomes is 5-4 3.79 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Darryl Lewis, also two starts, 0-1 3.14. The bullpen did him no favors this week either. Lewis is 3-4 4.04 on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Jesus Garcia, 1-2 10.80 on the week. He came in twice with the bullpen on fire, and threw gas on both fires. Somehow he managed to pitch 2 scoreless innings and pick up the Ocelots lone win of the week, but that wasn't enough to save him from being the goat of the week.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Jesus Garcia has lost the closer role. Newly acquired Ruben Hernandez will take over as the closer for the remainder of the season.
The Ocelots suffered 2 injuries this week, with 3b Yoshida and SS Veeneman both being lost for a month, and RF Rosa being lost for 3 weeks. Masayuki Tada has been recalled to replace Rosa. Tada has a .291 avg and 19 HR, 46 rbi in 43 games at AAA but has struggled at the PEBA level this season. Recently signed 3b Ron Taylor, a 29 yr old career minor leaguer with a .312/.405 career mark but with no power, will help out on the infield for the next month.
The Ocelots suffered 2 injuries this week, with 3b Yoshida and SS Veeneman both being lost for a month, and RF Rosa being lost for 3 weeks. Masayuki Tada has been recalled to replace Rosa. Tada has a .291 avg and 19 HR, 46 rbi in 43 games at AAA but has struggled at the PEBA level this season. Recently signed 3b Ron Taylor, a 29 yr old career minor leaguer with a .312/.405 career mark but with no power, will help out on the infield for the next month.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
3-3 for the week
Hitter of the Week:
Edgar Valentin, .333/.556 3 HR, 5 rbi, 2 SB. Valentin is batting .260/.377 with 11 Hr, 29 rbi, and 17 sb on the season
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .375/.444 2 HR, 5 rbi, 1 SB. Heredia is batting .257/.333 with 13 HR, 44 rbi, and 5 sb on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Richie Norman, batting .398 coming into the week, he was bound to come back to earth at some point. 2 for 24 with a single rbi on the week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon went 7 shutout innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 7 in a 2-0 win over Florida.
Honorable mention:
Newly anointed closer Ruben Hernandez, 3 appearances, 3 saves, and no unnecessary drama.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Newly acquired Kei Tenno, 2 appearances, totaling 1 inning, 4 ER.
Rookie 2b John Dickson was lost for almost a month. He joins fellow infielders Veeneman and Yoshida on the DL. The team is running out of spare parts on the infield.
Hitter of the Week:
Edgar Valentin, .333/.556 3 HR, 5 rbi, 2 SB. Valentin is batting .260/.377 with 11 Hr, 29 rbi, and 17 sb on the season
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .375/.444 2 HR, 5 rbi, 1 SB. Heredia is batting .257/.333 with 13 HR, 44 rbi, and 5 sb on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Richie Norman, batting .398 coming into the week, he was bound to come back to earth at some point. 2 for 24 with a single rbi on the week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon went 7 shutout innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 7 in a 2-0 win over Florida.
Honorable mention:
Newly anointed closer Ruben Hernandez, 3 appearances, 3 saves, and no unnecessary drama.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Newly acquired Kei Tenno, 2 appearances, totaling 1 inning, 4 ER.
Rookie 2b John Dickson was lost for almost a month. He joins fellow infielders Veeneman and Yoshida on the DL. The team is running out of spare parts on the infield.