Week 15
0-3 out of the AS break, swept by WV
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, .500 for the week, .353 for the season.
Honorable mention:
Won-Il Chon, .455 with 3 rbi's. Making the most of his one shot at PEBA. It took the entire infield going on the DL to get him here.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Octavio Pexego, 1 for 11. Showing his age as the season rolls on.
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon, 7.2 ip, 2 ER, done in by lack of support in a 3-2 loss.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Garcia, demoted to middle relief, works 5 scoreless innings over two appearances.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Bob Harris, 2.2 ip, 6 ER. His clunkers can be a bit clunky.
Edgar Valentin heads to the DL for two weeks, joining a growing list of malingerers in the crowded trainers room.
Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
At 39-54, we are the best last place team in the league. I wonder if that is something the players can rally around?
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
With Edgar Valentin out for two weeks, recently signed minor league free agent Tomas Gonzalez will take over the centerfield duties against right handed pitchers. Another recently signed minor league free agent, infielder Bill Kennedy, will join the roster to help out the injury depleted infield.
The acquisition of 1b Jose Guerra from the Niihama-shi Ghosts assures that veteran DH Octavio Pexego will not be returning in 2022. While there was little doubt the team would not pick up his option for 2022, there had been some thought that the team might try to sign Pexego as a free agent to a one year deal. With Guerra now in the fold, the writing is on the wall for Pexego.
With the trade of pitcher Stephen Clark, the team has recalled lefthander Dave Parkinson to take his spot in the rotation. Attilio Gaivo is continuing his rehab at AAA, but should be back in another week and will likely take that rotation spot at that time. Unless the team manages to trade Bob Harris or Xavier Gomes, both of whom are being actively shopped at the trade deadline.
The acquisition of 1b Jose Guerra from the Niihama-shi Ghosts assures that veteran DH Octavio Pexego will not be returning in 2022. While there was little doubt the team would not pick up his option for 2022, there had been some thought that the team might try to sign Pexego as a free agent to a one year deal. With Guerra now in the fold, the writing is on the wall for Pexego.
With the trade of pitcher Stephen Clark, the team has recalled lefthander Dave Parkinson to take his spot in the rotation. Attilio Gaivo is continuing his rehab at AAA, but should be back in another week and will likely take that rotation spot at that time. Unless the team manages to trade Bob Harris or Xavier Gomes, both of whom are being actively shopped at the trade deadline.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Minor League Report
AAA outfielder Takahiro Fujihara continues to show that he has nothing else to prove at AAA, and he will be on the Ocelots roster in 2022. Fujihara is batting .294/.363 with 22 stolen bags in 68 games at AAA. Fujihara will be the teams 4th outfielder next season, platooning in RF with Roman Suarez and also sharing leadoff duties. The left handed hitting Suarez should see the bulk of the at bats, but the team will find other ways to get Fujihara into the game, be it an occasional game at 1b to give Norman a break, an occasional game in centerfield to give Barron a rest, or coming off the bench as a pinch runner. The speedy duo of Fujihara and Suarez at the top of the lineup should give the Ocelots some decent production out of the leadoff spot.
Orlando Barron continues to make progress as he learns to play centerfield at AAA. It is hoped that with enough progress during the last 6 weeks of the AAA season, some work in CF as a September callup, and a crash course in spring training next year, that Barron will be ready to assume the everyday center field job in RGV next season. He is still likely to play once a week or so at shortstop just to keep his infield skills sharp, as an eventual move back to shortstop in 3 or 4 seasons seems likely if the Ocelots can ever develop a real centerfielder,
SS Min-u Yi continues to struggle with the bat at AAA, but the organization remains unconcerned at this point. He was brought in to be a glove man, and his likely role next season is as a utility infielder who will also spell aging SS Veeneman against left handed pitchers.
Katsunan Inoue is batting .298/.370 for AAA Texarkana in 13 games after batting .304/.385 in 17 games at AA Medicine Hat after his acquisition from Shin Seki. His bat is nearly PEBA ready, but the team still wants him to advance his skills in CF. With one option year remaining, Inoue will be hard pressed to make the club next year. Once his skills are adequate in centerfield, he will likely replace Juan Rosa as the teams 5th outfielder. But to start 2022, it appears Rosa will hold on to a roster spot while Inoue continues to learn centerfield in AAA. Inoue would likely be the first call up in case of an injury to an outfielder.
Pitcher Makoto Shimizu is 2-0 3.49 in 5 starts for AAA Texarkana since his promotion. He continues to impress with his ability to keep the ball in the park, allowing just 2 HR in 95 innings this year between AA and AAA, after allowing just 1 HR in 91.1 innings in his first season as a professional last year. At this point it is hard to see Shimizu making the pitching staff out of spring training in 2022, but he remains on a fast track for RGV and should make it to the big club at some point next season.
AA Closer Dan Field, recently acquired from Yuma, is 0-1 with 4 saves in 6 appearances at AA since his acquisition. The only run charged to him was unearned, and he has not walked a batter in 6.2 innings. Questions remain about Fields control, and he is likely to start 2022 at AAA, though the team is excited about the possibility of having him join the staff in the next year or so.
19 yr old CF Teruo Nagai is making strides in his development at SSA, his 13 walks in 32 games already outpacing the 10 walks in 76 games that he posted as an 18 yr old fresh out of high school. Nagai had an excellent eye at the plate in high school, posting a .488 obp for his high school career, and the Ocelots expect that he will grow into a solid hitter and expect him to be their centerfielder of the future. Nagai for now can expect to play one more season at short season ball before a promotion to A ball in 2023. Expected arrival for Nagai in RGV, mid 2025.
AAA outfielder Takahiro Fujihara continues to show that he has nothing else to prove at AAA, and he will be on the Ocelots roster in 2022. Fujihara is batting .294/.363 with 22 stolen bags in 68 games at AAA. Fujihara will be the teams 4th outfielder next season, platooning in RF with Roman Suarez and also sharing leadoff duties. The left handed hitting Suarez should see the bulk of the at bats, but the team will find other ways to get Fujihara into the game, be it an occasional game at 1b to give Norman a break, an occasional game in centerfield to give Barron a rest, or coming off the bench as a pinch runner. The speedy duo of Fujihara and Suarez at the top of the lineup should give the Ocelots some decent production out of the leadoff spot.
Orlando Barron continues to make progress as he learns to play centerfield at AAA. It is hoped that with enough progress during the last 6 weeks of the AAA season, some work in CF as a September callup, and a crash course in spring training next year, that Barron will be ready to assume the everyday center field job in RGV next season. He is still likely to play once a week or so at shortstop just to keep his infield skills sharp, as an eventual move back to shortstop in 3 or 4 seasons seems likely if the Ocelots can ever develop a real centerfielder,
SS Min-u Yi continues to struggle with the bat at AAA, but the organization remains unconcerned at this point. He was brought in to be a glove man, and his likely role next season is as a utility infielder who will also spell aging SS Veeneman against left handed pitchers.
Katsunan Inoue is batting .298/.370 for AAA Texarkana in 13 games after batting .304/.385 in 17 games at AA Medicine Hat after his acquisition from Shin Seki. His bat is nearly PEBA ready, but the team still wants him to advance his skills in CF. With one option year remaining, Inoue will be hard pressed to make the club next year. Once his skills are adequate in centerfield, he will likely replace Juan Rosa as the teams 5th outfielder. But to start 2022, it appears Rosa will hold on to a roster spot while Inoue continues to learn centerfield in AAA. Inoue would likely be the first call up in case of an injury to an outfielder.
Pitcher Makoto Shimizu is 2-0 3.49 in 5 starts for AAA Texarkana since his promotion. He continues to impress with his ability to keep the ball in the park, allowing just 2 HR in 95 innings this year between AA and AAA, after allowing just 1 HR in 91.1 innings in his first season as a professional last year. At this point it is hard to see Shimizu making the pitching staff out of spring training in 2022, but he remains on a fast track for RGV and should make it to the big club at some point next season.
AA Closer Dan Field, recently acquired from Yuma, is 0-1 with 4 saves in 6 appearances at AA since his acquisition. The only run charged to him was unearned, and he has not walked a batter in 6.2 innings. Questions remain about Fields control, and he is likely to start 2022 at AAA, though the team is excited about the possibility of having him join the staff in the next year or so.
19 yr old CF Teruo Nagai is making strides in his development at SSA, his 13 walks in 32 games already outpacing the 10 walks in 76 games that he posted as an 18 yr old fresh out of high school. Nagai had an excellent eye at the plate in high school, posting a .488 obp for his high school career, and the Ocelots expect that he will grow into a solid hitter and expect him to be their centerfielder of the future. Nagai for now can expect to play one more season at short season ball before a promotion to A ball in 2023. Expected arrival for Nagai in RGV, mid 2025.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 5-2 week for the Ocelots that included taking 3 of 4 from London.
Week 16 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 2-0 2.70 on the week, winning both his starts. Obviously the trade rumors have done little to distract Gomes, as he is now 7-5 3.67 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Dave Parkinson, the rookie lefthander was inserted into the rotation when Stephen Clark was dealt this week, also picking up wins in both his starts.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Kevin Hamilton, brought into an extra inning game and gives up 5 runs. To be fair, the defense behind him wasn't a lot of help, but it would have been nice to have not let that game get away from us.
Batter of the Week:
Won-Il Chon, only on the roster because of injuries to the rest of the infield, bats .476 with 3 doubles, a HR, and 10 RBI. In 10 games he is now batting .469 with a HR and 13 rbi.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .318, 2 Hr and 4 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .265 with 15 HR and 49 rbi on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, .190 obp for the week doesn't cut it for the leadoff spot.
Week 16 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 2-0 2.70 on the week, winning both his starts. Obviously the trade rumors have done little to distract Gomes, as he is now 7-5 3.67 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Dave Parkinson, the rookie lefthander was inserted into the rotation when Stephen Clark was dealt this week, also picking up wins in both his starts.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Kevin Hamilton, brought into an extra inning game and gives up 5 runs. To be fair, the defense behind him wasn't a lot of help, but it would have been nice to have not let that game get away from us.
Batter of the Week:
Won-Il Chon, only on the roster because of injuries to the rest of the infield, bats .476 with 3 doubles, a HR, and 10 RBI. In 10 games he is now batting .469 with a HR and 13 rbi.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .318, 2 Hr and 4 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .265 with 15 HR and 49 rbi on the season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, .190 obp for the week doesn't cut it for the leadoff spot.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 4-0 sim has the Ocelots on a 7 game winning streak, and we have won 9 of our last 11 games. The changes in the bullpen seem to have stabilized the bullpen a great deal.
Highlights from the first 4 games of the week:
The Ocelots score 31 runs in 4 games, with 13 being driven in by LF Enrico Heredia, who batted .500 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in the 4 games. Heredia is batting .276 with 18 HR and 62 RBI in 77 games for RGV.
Xavier Gomes gave us 7 shutout innings in a 7-0 win over WV. Gomes is 7-2 in his last 11 starts, and 8-5 3.43 on the season. He has allowed 3 or less earned runs in 8 of his last 9 starts. We had been considering moving Gomes as the trade deadline approached, but his performance may be earning him a bigger spot in the Ocelots rotation plans for 2022.
Glenn Dixon gave us 8.1 innings, allowing just 2 runs in a 6-2 win over New Orleans. Dixon had a couple of rough outings early on after his trade to RGV, but appears to be rounding back into form after his early season struggles. Dixon is 3-2 4.47 with a 0.99 WHIP in 8 starts with RGV.
The present 7 game winning streak is the Ocelots longest of the season.
Highlights from the first 4 games of the week:
The Ocelots score 31 runs in 4 games, with 13 being driven in by LF Enrico Heredia, who batted .500 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in the 4 games. Heredia is batting .276 with 18 HR and 62 RBI in 77 games for RGV.
Xavier Gomes gave us 7 shutout innings in a 7-0 win over WV. Gomes is 7-2 in his last 11 starts, and 8-5 3.43 on the season. He has allowed 3 or less earned runs in 8 of his last 9 starts. We had been considering moving Gomes as the trade deadline approached, but his performance may be earning him a bigger spot in the Ocelots rotation plans for 2022.
Glenn Dixon gave us 8.1 innings, allowing just 2 runs in a 6-2 win over New Orleans. Dixon had a couple of rough outings early on after his trade to RGV, but appears to be rounding back into form after his early season struggles. Dixon is 3-2 4.47 with a 0.99 WHIP in 8 starts with RGV.
The present 7 game winning streak is the Ocelots longest of the season.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A pair of losses on the weekend has the Ocelots end the week at 4-2.
In the Saturday game, with the Ocelots on a 7 game winning streak, Alberto Semblano was called up to make a start in order to give the rest of the rotation some extra rest. We knew going in we were probably sacrificing the game in order to take the longer term approach of getting a few guys some extra rest, and Semblano didn't let us down, allowing 8 runs in 5.3 innings, and an 11-4 defeat. For the 42 year old Semblano, it was very possibly his last appearance on a PEBA mound.
In the Sunday game, Rule 5 pick Atilio Gaivo finally made his first start for the Ocelots, and he was all we had hoped for, allowing 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings, not walking a batter and punching out 5. He wouldn't be around for the decision however, as the Alleghenies would score a run in the 8th to defeat the Ocelots 2-1. We are hopeful the 24 yr old lefthander will be a part of the rotation for the next 6 years.
July was the Ocelots second winning month in a row, though not by much. The team was 15-14 in June, and 13-12 in July. In fact, since April 28th, the team has played .500 ball, 42-42. Whether we can keep up the streak of positive months in August is a matter of doubt, as we will have 9 games this month against a surging Kentucky squad, plus a 3 game set with Florida and a 4 game set at Amsterdam.
Week 17 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, for his 7 shutout innings performance. We didn't manage to deal Gomes at the deadline, though we didn't really try that hard. We sort of like the idea of having him return to the rotation next year based on what he has done this season. With Gomes around, the only question in the rotation going into next season will be can we find a way to bring Bob Harris back.
Honorable mention:
Glenn Dixon, for his 8.3 innings of work, allowing 2 runs, and getting the victory.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
While some might look at Semblano, we are going to go with Darryl Lewis. We didn't expect much out of Semblano, and at least he delivered on that. We expect more out of Lewis than a 2 inning, 5 Er performance. Only the hot bats and the opponents weak bullpen took Lewis off the hook for the loss in that one as he escaped with a no decision.
Hitter of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, .368, 3 HR, 13 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .271 with 18 HR and 62 RBI on the season.
Honorable mention:
Catcher Doug Fowler, .353 with a HR and 5 rbi on the week.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Tough to pick one this week as the team batted .311 for the week, but Katsunan Inoue will earn the honor with a mere .227 average and 1 rbi for the week.
In the Saturday game, with the Ocelots on a 7 game winning streak, Alberto Semblano was called up to make a start in order to give the rest of the rotation some extra rest. We knew going in we were probably sacrificing the game in order to take the longer term approach of getting a few guys some extra rest, and Semblano didn't let us down, allowing 8 runs in 5.3 innings, and an 11-4 defeat. For the 42 year old Semblano, it was very possibly his last appearance on a PEBA mound.
In the Sunday game, Rule 5 pick Atilio Gaivo finally made his first start for the Ocelots, and he was all we had hoped for, allowing 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings, not walking a batter and punching out 5. He wouldn't be around for the decision however, as the Alleghenies would score a run in the 8th to defeat the Ocelots 2-1. We are hopeful the 24 yr old lefthander will be a part of the rotation for the next 6 years.
July was the Ocelots second winning month in a row, though not by much. The team was 15-14 in June, and 13-12 in July. In fact, since April 28th, the team has played .500 ball, 42-42. Whether we can keep up the streak of positive months in August is a matter of doubt, as we will have 9 games this month against a surging Kentucky squad, plus a 3 game set with Florida and a 4 game set at Amsterdam.
Week 17 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, for his 7 shutout innings performance. We didn't manage to deal Gomes at the deadline, though we didn't really try that hard. We sort of like the idea of having him return to the rotation next year based on what he has done this season. With Gomes around, the only question in the rotation going into next season will be can we find a way to bring Bob Harris back.
Honorable mention:
Glenn Dixon, for his 8.3 innings of work, allowing 2 runs, and getting the victory.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
While some might look at Semblano, we are going to go with Darryl Lewis. We didn't expect much out of Semblano, and at least he delivered on that. We expect more out of Lewis than a 2 inning, 5 Er performance. Only the hot bats and the opponents weak bullpen took Lewis off the hook for the loss in that one as he escaped with a no decision.
Hitter of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, .368, 3 HR, 13 rbi for the week. Heredia is batting .271 with 18 HR and 62 RBI on the season.
Honorable mention:
Catcher Doug Fowler, .353 with a HR and 5 rbi on the week.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Tough to pick one this week as the team batted .311 for the week, but Katsunan Inoue will earn the honor with a mere .227 average and 1 rbi for the week.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
We get a little healthier this week, as CF Valentin and SS Veeneman return from the DL. We get Dickson back next week and should be back to full strength.
With the trade deadline behind us, we look ahead to finishing the season and continuing the building process for next year. After a rough first month, the Ocelots are 42-42 since April 29. With just 4 games separating 2nd and 5th place in the Dixie, we are hoping to continue our progress over the final two months and finish ahead of at least one or two teams and avoid last place. As it is, we have the best last place record in the league.
Trades we have made during the season have certainly transformed the offense and given us a sound foundation from which to build. During this season we have added LF Enrico Heredia (.271, 18, 62), 1b Richie Norman (.335, 7, 36), 2b John Dickson (.298, 8 sb), 3b David Uribes (.299/.397 3 HR, 11 rbi), RF Roman Suarez (.234, 13 SB). We also picked up Jose Guerra, presently in the minors but who should be our DH next season, and Katsunan Inoue, also back in the minors but slated to help in CF next season.
We are virtually set on the 13 offensive players who will go north with the team next year. We will be looking forward to roster expansion in September, when we will call up Fujihara, Inoue, Guerra, and Barron. The month of September will be a chance for us to look at the lineup we have in mind for next season while pushing the veterans who won't be returning off to the side.
With the trade deadline behind us, we look ahead to finishing the season and continuing the building process for next year. After a rough first month, the Ocelots are 42-42 since April 29. With just 4 games separating 2nd and 5th place in the Dixie, we are hoping to continue our progress over the final two months and finish ahead of at least one or two teams and avoid last place. As it is, we have the best last place record in the league.
Trades we have made during the season have certainly transformed the offense and given us a sound foundation from which to build. During this season we have added LF Enrico Heredia (.271, 18, 62), 1b Richie Norman (.335, 7, 36), 2b John Dickson (.298, 8 sb), 3b David Uribes (.299/.397 3 HR, 11 rbi), RF Roman Suarez (.234, 13 SB). We also picked up Jose Guerra, presently in the minors but who should be our DH next season, and Katsunan Inoue, also back in the minors but slated to help in CF next season.
We are virtually set on the 13 offensive players who will go north with the team next year. We will be looking forward to roster expansion in September, when we will call up Fujihara, Inoue, Guerra, and Barron. The month of September will be a chance for us to look at the lineup we have in mind for next season while pushing the veterans who won't be returning off to the side.
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 1-5 week for the Ocelots, which is pretty much what to expect when the heart of your batting order decides to take the week off for all intents and purposes.
Pitcher of the Week:
Darryl Lewis, who pitched 5.2 innings allowing 2 runs in picking up the Ocelots only victory of the week. Lewis is 5-5 4.79 since returning from his injury.
Honorable mention:
Kei Tenno, as the lefty pitched 5.1 innings in two bullpen appearances, allowing just 1 run.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, whose second start back was no where near as nice as the first one, as he allowed 5 runs over 3.2 innings.
Hitter of the Week:
Octavio Pexego, who after a solid start to the season had been missing in action much of the last couple of months. Pexego batted .381 with 2 HR and 5 rbi. Pexego has batted .267 with 13 HR and 54 rbi on the season.
Honorable mention:
Bill Kennedy, up to help us while our infield continued to recover from injuries, batted .333 for the week with 4 rbi.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, who had a big month of July for us(.338, 9 HR, 25 rbi), batted just .190 for the week with no rbi.
Starting pitcher Bob Harris has been demoted to AAA Texarkana for a few weeks. On the surface, we can say it's about his performance. 1-5 over his last 9 starts, with the ERA rising nearly a run. In truth, it's just an excuse to hold his service time back so that he won't reach free agency at the end of the season. A few weeks at AAA and we can bring him back for one more season on an arbitration deal.
Dave Parkinson has been recalled to take Harris spot on the roster. We want to see Parkinson start the rest of the way to have a better idea of what we have heading into next season.
The Ocelots will also go with a 6 man rotation for the time being, with overpaid reliever Jesus Garcia getting the surprise call to join the rotation.
Minor league report.
Pitcher Makoto Shimizu continues to impress, as the second year pro is 5-0 2.83 in 8 starts since his promotion to AAA. This after going 3-1 3.96 in 10 starts at AA. In 114.1 innings on the season at 3 levels, he has allowed just 2 HR. He is making a real push to make it to PEBA in the very near future.
This years 6th round draft pick by the Ocelots, Matabei Kawaguchi, has done a lot to impress so far. He appeared in 19 games at SS-A Homer, where he hit .329/.386 with 3 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 HR, driving in 14 runs and stealing 4 bags. A quick promotion to A ball Nogales, and in 27 games there he has batted .307/.331 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 13 rbi, and stolen 4 more bags. He is nothing short of a triples machine, amassing 11 triples in 376 at bats between college, SS-A, and A ball this season. We are already penciling Kawaguchi into a slot in left field with the Ocelots by 2024.
Pitcher of the Week:
Darryl Lewis, who pitched 5.2 innings allowing 2 runs in picking up the Ocelots only victory of the week. Lewis is 5-5 4.79 since returning from his injury.
Honorable mention:
Kei Tenno, as the lefty pitched 5.1 innings in two bullpen appearances, allowing just 1 run.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, whose second start back was no where near as nice as the first one, as he allowed 5 runs over 3.2 innings.
Hitter of the Week:
Octavio Pexego, who after a solid start to the season had been missing in action much of the last couple of months. Pexego batted .381 with 2 HR and 5 rbi. Pexego has batted .267 with 13 HR and 54 rbi on the season.
Honorable mention:
Bill Kennedy, up to help us while our infield continued to recover from injuries, batted .333 for the week with 4 rbi.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, who had a big month of July for us(.338, 9 HR, 25 rbi), batted just .190 for the week with no rbi.
Starting pitcher Bob Harris has been demoted to AAA Texarkana for a few weeks. On the surface, we can say it's about his performance. 1-5 over his last 9 starts, with the ERA rising nearly a run. In truth, it's just an excuse to hold his service time back so that he won't reach free agency at the end of the season. A few weeks at AAA and we can bring him back for one more season on an arbitration deal.
Dave Parkinson has been recalled to take Harris spot on the roster. We want to see Parkinson start the rest of the way to have a better idea of what we have heading into next season.
The Ocelots will also go with a 6 man rotation for the time being, with overpaid reliever Jesus Garcia getting the surprise call to join the rotation.
Minor league report.
Pitcher Makoto Shimizu continues to impress, as the second year pro is 5-0 2.83 in 8 starts since his promotion to AAA. This after going 3-1 3.96 in 10 starts at AA. In 114.1 innings on the season at 3 levels, he has allowed just 2 HR. He is making a real push to make it to PEBA in the very near future.
This years 6th round draft pick by the Ocelots, Matabei Kawaguchi, has done a lot to impress so far. He appeared in 19 games at SS-A Homer, where he hit .329/.386 with 3 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 HR, driving in 14 runs and stealing 4 bags. A quick promotion to A ball Nogales, and in 27 games there he has batted .307/.331 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 13 rbi, and stolen 4 more bags. He is nothing short of a triples machine, amassing 11 triples in 376 at bats between college, SS-A, and A ball this season. We are already penciling Kawaguchi into a slot in left field with the Ocelots by 2024.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
Another 1-5 week has the Ocelots 2-11 for the month of August after having posted winning marks each of the past two months. The Dog Days are here and the Ocelots seem to have taken up residence in Michael Vick's kennel. The bullpen gets special mention for blowing two late leads against red hot Kentucky.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, who went 7 innings allowing 1 run in his start versus Kentucky. Unfortunately the bullpen gave up 3 in the 8th to cost Gomes the shot at the win. Gomes is 8-6 3.34 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Darryl Lewis, who went 7 innings allowing just 2 runs in his start against Kentucky. He left with a 7-2 lead, and the bullpen would give up 1 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, and 1 in the 10th to lose it 8-7. Lewis is 5-5 4.60 on the season in 14 starts since returning from injury.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Kevin Hamilton, as the lefty reliever posted an 11.57 ERA over 4 appearances on the week. Not that his bullpens mates didn't give him plenty of competition for the 'honor' this week.
Batter of the Week:
David Uribes, .421/.520 with 7 rbi on the week. Uribes is batting .308/.399 with 8 HR and 41 rbi on the season.
Honorable mention:
CF Edgar Valentin, whose .481 obp for the week led to him leading the team with 8 runs scored for the period. He also hit 2 solo HR.
Hitting Goat of the Week, Octavio Pexego, .174 with 8 strikeouts.
Not a lot of expectation that this month will get much better, as we still have 6 games left with Kentucky this month plus a 4 game trip to Amsterdam. At this point just waiting to get into September and begin looking at our guys for next season.
Pitcher of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, who went 7 innings allowing 1 run in his start versus Kentucky. Unfortunately the bullpen gave up 3 in the 8th to cost Gomes the shot at the win. Gomes is 8-6 3.34 on the season.
Honorable mention:
Darryl Lewis, who went 7 innings allowing just 2 runs in his start against Kentucky. He left with a 7-2 lead, and the bullpen would give up 1 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, and 1 in the 10th to lose it 8-7. Lewis is 5-5 4.60 on the season in 14 starts since returning from injury.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Kevin Hamilton, as the lefty reliever posted an 11.57 ERA over 4 appearances on the week. Not that his bullpens mates didn't give him plenty of competition for the 'honor' this week.
Batter of the Week:
David Uribes, .421/.520 with 7 rbi on the week. Uribes is batting .308/.399 with 8 HR and 41 rbi on the season.
Honorable mention:
CF Edgar Valentin, whose .481 obp for the week led to him leading the team with 8 runs scored for the period. He also hit 2 solo HR.
Hitting Goat of the Week, Octavio Pexego, .174 with 8 strikeouts.
Not a lot of expectation that this month will get much better, as we still have 6 games left with Kentucky this month plus a 4 game trip to Amsterdam. At this point just waiting to get into September and begin looking at our guys for next season.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
The Ocelots bounced back from a poor start to the month with a 4-2 week, keyed by returning the favor and sweeping Kentucky after they swept us last week.
Week 20 awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Rookie southpaw Dave Parkinson threw 6 shutout innings in a 3-0 win over Kentucky. It was the third straight quality start at the PEBA level for Parkinson, though the other two were back in July as he has shuttled back and forth between AAA and the big club all season. On the year, Parkinson is 3-1 4.50 in 15 appearances, 3 of them starts.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Garcia, our failed $14 million closer, goes 6 innings and allows just 3 runs in a victory over Kentucky. Garcia had never started a game as a professional in his career until last week, and picks up his first win as a starter. Garcia is now 2-7 5.55 on the season, with 15 saves and many memorable implosions.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who last 1.2 innings while allowing 6 runs in a loss to Dayton. It's the third straight brutal beating taken by Gaivo, but we are going to let the young lefty, just back from a long injury, try to pitch his way through it. He is 0-3 9.00 on the season.
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, .368 with 2 HR and 4 rbi on the week. However, we lost Norman for a month when in Saturday's game, after homering in the 7th, Norman is hit by a pitch in his very next at bat, breaking a finger. Accident? We think not. Norman has batted .311 with 11 HR and 43 rbi in 64 games since he was acquired from Aurora. Having our number 3 hitter on the shelf for a month is going to hurt.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .304, 2 HR, 4 rbi. Heredia is batting .258 with 22 hr and 72 rbi in 97 games since his acquisition from Florida earlier this season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, .176 with a caught stealing for the week.
Bill Kennedy has been re-instated to the roster after Norman's injury. Kennedy will play 3b with Uribes moving over to 1b for at least the remainder of August.
We head out to begin a 10 game road trip with a 3 game visit to Kentucky followed by 4 at Amsterdam. Could be a tough week ahead.
Week 20 awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Rookie southpaw Dave Parkinson threw 6 shutout innings in a 3-0 win over Kentucky. It was the third straight quality start at the PEBA level for Parkinson, though the other two were back in July as he has shuttled back and forth between AAA and the big club all season. On the year, Parkinson is 3-1 4.50 in 15 appearances, 3 of them starts.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Garcia, our failed $14 million closer, goes 6 innings and allows just 3 runs in a victory over Kentucky. Garcia had never started a game as a professional in his career until last week, and picks up his first win as a starter. Garcia is now 2-7 5.55 on the season, with 15 saves and many memorable implosions.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who last 1.2 innings while allowing 6 runs in a loss to Dayton. It's the third straight brutal beating taken by Gaivo, but we are going to let the young lefty, just back from a long injury, try to pitch his way through it. He is 0-3 9.00 on the season.
Hitter of the Week:
Richie Norman, .368 with 2 HR and 4 rbi on the week. However, we lost Norman for a month when in Saturday's game, after homering in the 7th, Norman is hit by a pitch in his very next at bat, breaking a finger. Accident? We think not. Norman has batted .311 with 11 HR and 43 rbi in 64 games since he was acquired from Aurora. Having our number 3 hitter on the shelf for a month is going to hurt.
Honorable mention:
Enrico Heredia, .304, 2 HR, 4 rbi. Heredia is batting .258 with 22 hr and 72 rbi in 97 games since his acquisition from Florida earlier this season.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Roman Suarez, .176 with a caught stealing for the week.
Bill Kennedy has been re-instated to the roster after Norman's injury. Kennedy will play 3b with Uribes moving over to 1b for at least the remainder of August.
We head out to begin a 10 game road trip with a 3 game visit to Kentucky followed by 4 at Amsterdam. Could be a tough week ahead.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 3-4 week for the Ocelots which saw us swept at Kentucky, who we played for a third straight week, before taking 3 of 4 in our trip to Amsterdam.
Week 21 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who bounced back from 3 absolutely atrocious outings to pitch 8 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7, to pick up his first career win in 2-0 shutout of the Lions.
Honorable mention:
Dave Parkinson, as the rookie lefthander wins his 4th straight start, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings in a 4-3 win over Amsterdam. Parkinson is 4-1 4.20 on the season.
Pitching goat of the week:
Jesus Garcia, no stranger to this award, as he gets shelled for 11 runs, including 5 hr, in 5.3 innings over two starts. No truth to the rumor that we've paid for skydiving lessons for Mr. Garcia and packed a chute for him. None at all.....
Hitter of the Week:
C Doug Fowler, .316 with 2 doubles, a HR, and 3rbi. Fowler has had a really nice season for us, batting .290/.356 with 8 hr and 31 rbi in 80 games. After never being able to get off the bench in Crystal Lake and Gloucester, he has proven himself in a bigger role in the RGV this season.
Honorable mention:
Roman Suarez, .389 with 3 stolen bases.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, 0 for 23. And a trip to the optometrist.
Week 21 Awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who bounced back from 3 absolutely atrocious outings to pitch 8 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7, to pick up his first career win in 2-0 shutout of the Lions.
Honorable mention:
Dave Parkinson, as the rookie lefthander wins his 4th straight start, allowing 2 runs over 7 innings in a 4-3 win over Amsterdam. Parkinson is 4-1 4.20 on the season.
Pitching goat of the week:
Jesus Garcia, no stranger to this award, as he gets shelled for 11 runs, including 5 hr, in 5.3 innings over two starts. No truth to the rumor that we've paid for skydiving lessons for Mr. Garcia and packed a chute for him. None at all.....
Hitter of the Week:
C Doug Fowler, .316 with 2 doubles, a HR, and 3rbi. Fowler has had a really nice season for us, batting .290/.356 with 8 hr and 31 rbi in 80 games. After never being able to get off the bench in Crystal Lake and Gloucester, he has proven himself in a bigger role in the RGV this season.
Honorable mention:
Roman Suarez, .389 with 3 stolen bases.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, 0 for 23. And a trip to the optometrist.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 4-2 week for the Ocelots, and it was all the offense, as the team scored 51 runs, batting .336/.408 with 10 HR and 13 sb on the week. Not many weeks you can post a winning record when your pitching puts up a 5.17 ERA, but that's what the Ocelots pulled off this week.
Week 22 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, bouncing back after being the goat last week, hits .381 with 4 hr, 11 rbi, and 3 sb for the week. Heredia is batting .250/.326 with 26 HR and 83 rbi, as well as 11 sb, on the season.
Honorable mention:
Lots of choices here, as it seems everyone in the lineup contributed this week. We will go with leadoff hitter Roman Suarez, who batted .423 for the week and stole 4 bases. He is finally displaying the type of skills we thought he possessed to be our leadoff hitter next season. Suarez is batting .266/.310 with 26 stolen bags in 207 at bats in 62 games.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Edgar Valentin, who hit .125 for the week. He is mostly in a reserve role now that the rosters have been expanded.
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon, who picked up a win over San Antonio, pitching 7.1 innings allowing just 1 run and punching out 10. Dixon has won his last 3 starts and is 5-2 since July 8, and he has allowed 2 or less runs in 8 of his last 10 starts, and has posted a 2.69 ERA over his last 10 starts, walking just 7 while striking out 47 in 63.2 innings.
Honorable mention:
With the staff mostly imploding and relying on the offense this week, there wasn't much that stood out on the positive side beyond Dixon. We will go with Brooks Wallace, who pitched 3 shutout innings in picking up his first save of the season in a 13-3 win over New Orleans. The under rated Wallace has a 3.41 ERA on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who followed his best outing of the season last week with a clunker this week, allowing 6 runs and lasting just 3 innings in his start versus San Antonio. The offense would take him off the hook however, and the Ocelots would win the game 12-11.
Week 22 Awards
Hitter of the Week:
Enrico Heredia, bouncing back after being the goat last week, hits .381 with 4 hr, 11 rbi, and 3 sb for the week. Heredia is batting .250/.326 with 26 HR and 83 rbi, as well as 11 sb, on the season.
Honorable mention:
Lots of choices here, as it seems everyone in the lineup contributed this week. We will go with leadoff hitter Roman Suarez, who batted .423 for the week and stole 4 bases. He is finally displaying the type of skills we thought he possessed to be our leadoff hitter next season. Suarez is batting .266/.310 with 26 stolen bags in 207 at bats in 62 games.
Hitting Goat of the Week:
Edgar Valentin, who hit .125 for the week. He is mostly in a reserve role now that the rosters have been expanded.
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon, who picked up a win over San Antonio, pitching 7.1 innings allowing just 1 run and punching out 10. Dixon has won his last 3 starts and is 5-2 since July 8, and he has allowed 2 or less runs in 8 of his last 10 starts, and has posted a 2.69 ERA over his last 10 starts, walking just 7 while striking out 47 in 63.2 innings.
Honorable mention:
With the staff mostly imploding and relying on the offense this week, there wasn't much that stood out on the positive side beyond Dixon. We will go with Brooks Wallace, who pitched 3 shutout innings in picking up his first save of the season in a 13-3 win over New Orleans. The under rated Wallace has a 3.41 ERA on the season.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Atilio Gaivo, who followed his best outing of the season last week with a clunker this week, allowing 6 runs and lasting just 3 innings in his start versus San Antonio. The offense would take him off the hook however, and the Ocelots would win the game 12-11.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 4-3 week for the Ocelots, where we had some really good pitching but were still bit by our bullpen late twice. As Maxell Smart would say, we were "this close" to a 6-1 week if not for the late meltdowns.
Week 23 awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon. 8 shutout innings, didn't walk a batter, and struck out 8. Okay, so he didn't get the win as the bullpen coughs up 4 in the 9th, but Dixon has allowed 2 or less runs in 9 of his last 11 starts. Rumors of his demise were premature.
Honorable mention:
Tough call giving the honorable mention to a guy who won 2 games, but Darryl Lewis did just that, allowing 4 runs over 15 innings while picking a pair of W's.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 3 innings, 5 runs. He hasn't made it out of the 5th in any of his last 3 starts, seemingly tiring as the season winds down. Not terribly surprising as the 140 innings is the second most of his big league career.
Hitter of the Week:
Octavio Pexego, .500, a HR, 6 rbi in just 10 at bats.
Honorable mention:
Doug Fowler, .375, 1 HR, 5 rbi in just 8 at bats
Hitting Goat of the week:
Katsunan Inoue, .111 for the week.
Week 23 awards
Pitcher of the Week:
Glenn Dixon. 8 shutout innings, didn't walk a batter, and struck out 8. Okay, so he didn't get the win as the bullpen coughs up 4 in the 9th, but Dixon has allowed 2 or less runs in 9 of his last 11 starts. Rumors of his demise were premature.
Honorable mention:
Tough call giving the honorable mention to a guy who won 2 games, but Darryl Lewis did just that, allowing 4 runs over 15 innings while picking a pair of W's.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Xavier Gomes, 3 innings, 5 runs. He hasn't made it out of the 5th in any of his last 3 starts, seemingly tiring as the season winds down. Not terribly surprising as the 140 innings is the second most of his big league career.
Hitter of the Week:
Octavio Pexego, .500, a HR, 6 rbi in just 10 at bats.
Honorable mention:
Doug Fowler, .375, 1 HR, 5 rbi in just 8 at bats
Hitting Goat of the week:
Katsunan Inoue, .111 for the week.
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Matt
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Re: Kitty Litter - The RGV Ocelots Blog
A 3-3 week has us at 68-82 on the season, with at least a shot to get to the 75 wins we were hoping for before the season started. We even have a shot to finish as high as 3rd in the division, as we are tied for 4th with SA at the moment and sit just a game back of New Orleans.
We get a little healthier this week, with Richie Norman coming off the DL in the middle of the week. That should help the lineup out for the last 9 games.
It was not a good week for the pitching staff, as they posted a 6.40 ERA on the week. The offense managed to bail them out just enough to play .500 for the week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Jesus Garcia. It pains me to have to give him the award, I do loathe him so. But the rest of the staff gave me no choice, they were dreadful. Garcia managed to go to the hill 3 times in relief without turning into the human torch, even picking up a win in the process.
Honorable mention:
Ruben Hernandez, the young closer picking up a win and a save in three appearances on the week.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Rookie Dave Parkinson, 7 runs in 3 innings in his lone start.
Hitter of the week:
Enrico Heredia, .391, 3 Hr, 9 rbi on the week. Heredia has batted .261 with 29 hr and 93 rbi in just 121 games for RGV.
Honorable mention:
Rookie Orlando Barron, .300 with 4 stolen bags on the week.
Hitting Goat of the week:
Doug Fowler, a pretty weak 3 for 15 performance.
We get a little healthier this week, with Richie Norman coming off the DL in the middle of the week. That should help the lineup out for the last 9 games.
It was not a good week for the pitching staff, as they posted a 6.40 ERA on the week. The offense managed to bail them out just enough to play .500 for the week.
Pitcher of the Week:
Jesus Garcia. It pains me to have to give him the award, I do loathe him so. But the rest of the staff gave me no choice, they were dreadful. Garcia managed to go to the hill 3 times in relief without turning into the human torch, even picking up a win in the process.
Honorable mention:
Ruben Hernandez, the young closer picking up a win and a save in three appearances on the week.
Pitching Goat of the Week:
Rookie Dave Parkinson, 7 runs in 3 innings in his lone start.
Hitter of the week:
Enrico Heredia, .391, 3 Hr, 9 rbi on the week. Heredia has batted .261 with 29 hr and 93 rbi in just 121 games for RGV.
Honorable mention:
Rookie Orlando Barron, .300 with 4 stolen bags on the week.
Hitting Goat of the week:
Doug Fowler, a pretty weak 3 for 15 performance.