Farm Bureau: April 10, 2009
* CLASS A+: VISALIA RAWHIDE - In the California League, the Rawhide (formerly known as the Oaks) got off to a good start with a 6-5 road win over the Padres' affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm.
Although top prospect Jarrod Parker is expected to headline the Visalia rotation, his 2009 debut was deferred until Saturday so that Max Scherzer could make a rehab start in the opener. Scherzer went 4.2 IP, H, ER, 4 BB, 5 K as he continues his recovery from shoulder soreness that landed him on the DL. The walks suggest he's not yet in top form, but Scherzer finished the Cactus League strong and should be on track to join the Diamondbacks rotation next week.
Batting third and playing right field was mighty-mite Collin Gowgill; he powered the Visalia offense with a 2/2, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 RBI performance. A 5'9", 195 lbs product of the University of Kentucky (the alma mater of Brandon Webb), Cowgill was rated by Baseball America as the No. 9 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization. With a hot start, he could graduate to the Southern League by mid-season.
The boxscore shows that Ed Easley, selected as a catcher in the Supplemental First Round of the 2007 Draft, started at 3B and batted fourth. We'll keep an eye on future appearances to see whether this was a one-game oddity or if Arizona may plan to move him from behind the plate on a permanent basis.
* CLASS AA: MOBILE BAYBEARS - Up the chain in the Southern League, the BayBears also won their opener on the road, defeating the Huntsville Stars by a score of 5-4. Mobile starter Matt Torra (W, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K) out-pitched the fireballing Brewers prospect Jeremy Jeffress (3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K).
The save went to Daniel Schlereth, last year's Round 1 pick from the University of Arizona. If lefty relievers Doug Slaten and Scott Schoeneweis struggle in the ML bullpen, fans may soon see Schlereth pitch late innings in Phoenix.
At the plate, catcher James Skelton went 2/3, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB from the two-hole. Cactus League stand-out Gerardo Parra batted third in the order and was productive in each of his five plate appearances. He doubled in his first and only official at-bat, then drew a whopping four walks, stole a base, and scored a run.
* ROUND-UP - The AAA Reno Aces were scheduled to open the season against the Salt Lake Bees. Instead, the Thursday night game was postponed. Nick Adenhart, who was killed in a car accident early Thursday morning, pitched much of last season with the Angels' farm club in Salt Lake City. ... South Bend lost 5-2 to Western Michigan in their Midwest League opener on Thursday. The Low-A Silver Hawks could not capitalize on starter Trevor Harden's 8 K, 0 BB over 5 IP. Touted shortstop prospect Reynaldo Navarro made his full-season debut and went 1/3 with a run scored.
3 responses to this Post, with 3 unique participants
B. O. N. D.
Parker is pitching like a champ so far, should move fast. There's an outside chance of a cameo in September. I could see it happening only if Parker advances to and pitches effectively at Mobile; and his innings pitched are low enough to permit.
I expect that the last trick will be the hardest to pull off. Parker logged 117.2 IP in 2008, so caution would dictate that he be capped at 140-150 IP this season. Barring an injury ...
** KNOCKS-WOOD **
... or an extreme effort to limit his use, there's unlikely to be much in the tank after minor league season expires. And if an injury limits him, the club would have to be comfortable that he is fully recovered, pitching well and in a position to benefit from the extra work.
I think the likelier scenario would be for Parker to pitch at Visalia for a couple months, then finish the year at Mobile. Depending how he handles AA, a return engagement or a stop at AAA would open 2010. Baseball gods willing, I would hope to see him in Phoenix by the middle of next season.
Parker moves to AA Mobile
Jarrod Parker has been sent to AA Mobile by the Diamondbacks. According to AJ Hinch he wasn't being challenged in Visalia. Best of Luck to Parker. AA Mobile will now be loaded with pitching and hitting with lots of Former Oaks (Rawhide) on the roster. Go Evan Frey, Mark Hallbery, Gerrado Parra and Ricardo Sosa. Their pitching is awesome with Parker, Bryan Augenstein, Daniel Schlereth, and wait until Barry Enright gets hot. Go Future Backs!
SnakebitForever
04/30/09
2:26am
Parker's Latest Start
"RHP Jarrod Parker had another dominating outing. Parker’s line: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K. In two starts, he hasn’t allowed a run over nine innings, striking out 11 and walking one." from Nick Piecoro.
Webb, Haren, Parker, and Scherzer are going to be a nice quartet of dominance.... Soon, soon... Of course, that's if Webb is a) healthy, b) on the Dbacks.