Calzones Corner

[Matt]

Calzones Corner

The playoff chase is well underway, though one would hardly know it by the Calzones recent abysmal play, losing 5 of 6 contests to Charleston and New Orleans, two teams ahead of them in the standings. The recent dry spell has the Calzones clinging to the last playoff spot by a razor slim one game margin over Arlington. It could be that the race for that final spot is decided in the last series of the season, when Arlington comes calling in Laredo for a 3 game series.

Ramon Ornelas, on the disabled list for the last month with a sore left knee, is progressing well and should begin throwing off a mound early next week. If all goes well, Ornelas could be ready to return by the final week of the season. Ornelas, the 12 year veteran, has found new life in Laredo under the tutelage of Calzones pitching coach Steve Moore. Ornelas, drafted in the 13th round of the PEBA Inaugural Draft, was thought to be washed up and his selection at all in the draft shocked many baseball experts. But the Calzones brain trust obviously saw something to like about the soft tossing right hander, and until his injury Ramon had pitched very well for the Calzones. In fact, until the injury, Ornelas may have been the best pitcher on the staff, posting a 10-2 record with a 3.04 era in 19 games, 16 of those starts. Most impressive was the mere 18 walks allowed in 112 innings and the better than 3 to 1 k/w ratio. Rumor has it the Calzones were on the verge of offering Ramon a 2 year extension prior to the injury, but might now wait to see how well he heals.

1b Juan Otero is completely unhappy in San Antonio. Acquired at the trade deadline, Otero has been limited to occassional duty against left handers, but even that playing time has been cut because of his struggles against lefties. His poor attitude has completely alienated his teammates and several have expressed their desire to see him go. The Calzones had hoped to convince Otero to resign for next year with the idea that Otero could be the full time DH next season, but his relationship with management and teammates has soured to the point where both sides have agreed that further negotiating would be pointless. With their tenous position in the playoff chase, Otero's situation has definately become a distraction. His profanity laced tirade in front of ESPN camera's earlier this week left no doubt as to his mood, and the Calzones might well be served to release this cancer before he undermines their entire season.

Bill Taylor continues to pitch well, despite his two recent losses he is 7-3 since his callup with a 3.79 era, and only one start was what you might call "bad". In only two of his 12 starts has he given up more than 3 earned runs, so he definately gives the Calzones a chance to win every time he takes the mound. The Calzones are 8-4 in his 12 starts, and Taylor could very well be in the Calzones playoff rotation.

It should be a little known secret by now, but the Calzones are typical bullies. Their record against sub .500 teams is a hefty 50-23, while their record against above .500 teams is a ghastly 29-37. Of the 5 other teams who are above .500 in the IL, the Calzones have a winning record against just one, Charleston, whom they have defeated in 10 of 15 meetings. On the flip side of that coin, the Calzones have won just 4 of 15 meetings with New Orleans, who just swept the Calzones at home this past week. These numbers combined with the Calzones very mediocre road record do not bode well for their chances in the playoffs, should they manage to hold onto that final wild card spot.

With the Calzones in the thick of a tight pennant race, they are actually lowering ticket prices. Yes, you heard it here first, the Calzones will lower the price of tickets for all remaining home games in an effort to make sure the park is completely full for every home game. While the cost of box seats and prime seats along the baselines will remain unchanged, the cost for for upper deck tickets has been lowered by 25%, and bleacher seats will be half price for the remainder of the season.

Let's meet the Calzones September callups, shall we?
The Calzones only called up two pitchers, but both are left handers and appear to be major league ready. Rafael Perez is a 23 year old southpaw from the Dominican Republic. He was 6-2 with 3 saves and a 3.41 era for AAA Joplin in 55 games, 2 of them starts. He walked 24 while striking out 52 in 68.2 innings. He'll work mostly in a mopup role or face the occassional lefthanded batter. So far he has pitched 1 inning, allowing a walk and striking out 1.

The other pitcher is southpaw Yasujiro Takata, 25 yr old from Japan. Takata was fantastic for Joplin this season, posting a 6-1 mark with 5 saves and a 2.42 era. He walked 21 while striking out 49 and allowed just 2 hr in 63.1 innings. He is very likely a member of the Calzones bullpen next year. He is working some in middle relief as the Calzones head down the stretch, so far he has pitched in 5 games, allowing just 2 runs in 8.1 innings for a 2.16 era.

The Calzones called up catcher Richard Carney, a 25 year old left handed batter. The Calzones are very high on his defensive skills and his ability to call a game, and he could be part of a catching platoon next season if Gonzalez is traded in the offseason or moved to DH. In 304 at bats at AAA, he hit .257 with 5 hr and 28 rbi. So far he is 1 for 3 with 1 rbi in one game with the Calzones.

Also recalled were two first basemen, each of whom saw time with the Calzones earlier this season. Left handed hitting Martin Higgins, the GM's son, hit .280 with 11 hr and 59 rbi in 407 at bats at Joplin, and was 6 for 18 with 1 hr and 1 rbi in an earlier callup with the big club. So far he has not seen an at bat since his recall. Also returning was right handed hitting Sergio Garcia, who has nothing left to prove at the minor league level. He hit .247 with 3 hr and 16 rbi in 80 at bats in his earlier callup. He hit .326 with 4 hr and 10 rbi in 92 at bats at AAA Joplin, and .288 with 2 hr and 11 rbi in 52 at bats at AA Monterey. With Otero being a major hemerhoid, look for Garcia to get a little more playing time down the stretch.

The Calzones called up two more infielders to add some depth, though it's doubtful either play much into the Calzones future plans. 3b Cesar Ruiz is a 27 year old right handed hitting third basemen with a decent glove but no bat. He hit .244 with 0 hr and 40 rbi for Joplin, it's likely he is only up to give the Calzones another option off the bench. He'll likely be a free agent after the season and the Calzones probably will not bring him back. The other infielder is SS Angel Zuniga, who has spent the season on the farm but at 24 years of age he is a veteran of 4 major league seasons already. He is major league ready, but the Calzones have no place to play him. He'll see some time and maybe get showcased for a game or two as the Calzones may attempt to deal him in the offseason. He hit .289 with a .367 obp in 405 at bats at Joplin, with 1 hr and 42 rbi.

Two outfielders were called up. 28 year old Antonio Lopez, who had three earlier callups to fill in at the major league level this season, returns for a 4th stint. He has hit .262 with 0 hr and 3 rbi in 65 at bats with the Calzones, while he hit .257 with 4 hr and 24 rbi in 230 at bats at AAA Joplin. Lopez is best known for his defense and should see some time in the outfield as a defensive replacement down the stretch. A free agent after the season, the Calzones are still debating on whether to offer him a contract for next year. With a developing line of prospects at centerfield in the minors, it might be just a bit too crowded to keep the veteran around any longer.

The other outfielder recalled was 25 year Antonio Rodriguez, a right handed batter who was released after just 17 minor leage games by the Gloucester organization. He hit .272 with 4 hr and 31 rbi in 243 at bats for Joplin, as well as stealing 9 bases. The Calzones aren't convinced he will hit at the major league level, but they are intrigued by the glove work and the speed and may keep him around a bit longer to see if he develops. His most likely role down the stretch will be as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.

The Calzones may make another callup or two after the minor league teams complete the playoffs, stay tuned.

See you at the game.