Independent

Manual only: 
Profile count: 
100
Node count: 
2

Is the "Up" Elevator Getting Crowded?

It was just weeks ago that the Mariners upper-shelf prospect list looked like this:

1/1A. Dustin Ackley

1/1A. Michael Pineda

3. Nick Franklin

4. Ummmmm ... *long pause* ... Taijuan Walker?

There were plenty of lists, but there was total consensus on the Top 3 and then total disagreement on how to weigh toolsy teens who were a looooong way off vs. those closer to the majors but seemingly lacking rock-solid MLB prospect status.

Well, a lot has changed in a few weeks, and most of it (sorry, Mauricio Robles and Dan Cortes) for the better.

James Paxton.  Except for a brief stint in independent league, Paxton hadn't pitched "for real" since 2009, so no one knew what to expect when he finally signed a contract.  What they got was 96-mph fastballs, apparent command of his other pitches, and glowing praise from Doc for his mechanics.

Weekend Update: Erik, Paxton, Rendon, etc.

A handful of interesting developments:

  • Erik Bedard returns to face MLB hitters for the first time since 2009 -- and strikes out the first two batters he faces.  Seven-pitch inning.  Very good news. 

 

  • Also potentially very good news:  James Paxton, the one-time supplemental first-rounder who dropped to the 4th round in the 2010 draft has apparently finally signed.  Paxton lost a lot of time due to injuries, eligibility, holdouts, etc., but when he last pitched for real -- at Kentucky in 09 -- he whiffed 115 and walked only 20 in just 78.1 IP.  He was throwing mid-90s back then, but supposedly had dropped to lower-90s/upper-80s in his pre-draft stint in independent ball (he had been declared ineligible to play at UK in 10). No one really has any idea what he'll show up with, but the ceiling is very high if he can recapture what made him a 1st-rounder.  And he's a lefty from Canada, just like Bedard, so it's a particuarly big day for southpaws from the North.

 

  • New bats (less springy aluminum) were supposed to cause endless headaches and reduce power in college baseball.  And, Anthony Rendon was supposedly hampered by a second ankle injury.  No biggie.  Rendon smashed two HR off USC over the weekend and is off to a .393/.514/.643 start (7 BB, 2 K).  Mariners are probably going to have to hope that the Pirates are reeeeeeally spooked by Scott Boras (not likely).

 

Which brings us to the other candidates for the #2 pick:

The Mean Girls Guide to Getting the Man and the Sex Life You Want!

By anonymous (not verified) | 8/10/10 4:47am |
0 Comments

I’m going to let you in on a secret of mine: I like control. I’m high maintenance, bossy and (if we’re going to be honest with each other) I can be a b*tch. I realize this doesn’t paint me in a flattering light, but I’m okay with that. My husband probably wants to kill me half the time, but you can’t have day without night. If I wasn’t so utterly unbearable at times, our sex life sure as hell wouldn’t be as dynamic as it is. Seriously, think about it.

Image: 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Independent