He's been on my watch list since draft day, when I called him Uggla-like.
Well, since then, here are The Two Dans:
Uggla: .275/.350/.440, .45 batting eye, 18% Ks (minors #s)
Paolini: .290/.380/.490, .75 batting eye, 16% K rate.
Uggla's K rate obviously went up in the bigs, but he's been a very solid hitter. His 2B defense is something neighboring on abominable (as Paolini's would) but Uggla would have been a very decent outfielder. Paolini's non-slash stats keep improving, though, and if he maintains his power in AA, look out.
Uggla got into the bigs at age 26. Paolini's aiming for 25ish if things continue to go well. Not bad for a former pitcher who blew his arm out and only got one scholarship offer as a hitter.
Lovin' Paolini. I thought he was a great choice with upside on draft day, and our small-school East Coast scouts just keep pulling interesting players. Ivy Leaguer Pizzano might get that call up instead of Henry and continue to the non-baseball-school tradition.
~G
Dominos falling ...
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Of course it was pretty obvious that Erasmo Ramirez was back on the Big Club, since he was out there on the mound in the victory over Cleveland.
And no major surprise that Bobby LaFromboise (Talk40 #34) returned to Tacoma to make room. We love "the raspberry" but he's had a rather unpleasant 2.2 IP of MLB experience (16.88 ERA; 3.38 WHIP). But, rest assured ... 3.05 xFIP. I'm not sure if that makes him feel better or not.
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This one is official: Daniel Paolini (Talk40 #26) to Jackson and Steven Proscia (26intheMix) back to High Desert.
That's an awesome sign for Paolini -- and one that we'd called for -- who's been running stride-for-stride with our man Ji-Man Choi (Talk40 #19) as the best hitter in the organization this year.
And a sad sign for Proscia, who's been struggling mightily (.203/.250/.330). In case you missed it earlier in the year, Mike McGee (26intheMix), who had been stuck at High Desert and struggling, retired. I don't expect the same from Proscia, but it's not looking good for an MLB career.
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Not official, but all over Twitter and confirmed by the Deej himself: D.J. Peterson to Clinon.
Apparently the wrist contusion is not a major factor.
The .312/.382/.532 start presumably is a major factor.
Not clear yet if there's a corresponding move. I've been advocating Jabari Henry (26intheMix) to High Desert, but we'll see.
Comments
... and off to a good start.