jthunder93

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 09:22 PM) AL MVP: Uh-oh. Here we go again. If you enjoyed that vintage, old-school/new-school Miguel Cabrera-versus-Mike Trout debate last year, get ready for Round 2. As Jared Cross wrote the other day, Trout has injected himself into what once looked like a Cabrera-Chris Davis MVP conversation by charging up those AL leaderboards. But if this keeps up, some great sabermetric minds are going to have to explain to the masses how it's possible that Trout leads Cabrera in offensive wins above replacement, but is trailing Cabrera overall because of (gulp) Cabrera's defense. Incredible, huh? But let's save that issue for another day. AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez can tell you all about how Cy Young voters have finally learned to de-emphasize wins. But let's see them try to factor out wins this year, when King Felix is leading the league in ERA but trying to make his case against a guy who is 16-1 (Max Scherzer) -- and first in his league in WHIP, lowest opponent average and lowest opponent OPS. Can't wait for that debate. NL Cy Young: With all due respect for the awesome seasons of Adam Wainwright, Matt Harvey, Madison Bumgarner, Patrick Corbin, Francisco Liriano, Craig Kimbrel, etc., all Kershaw does every five days is remind us that he's the best pitcher in baseball. Still. Just so you know, if Kershaw can finish with the ERA (1.91), WHIP (0.88) and opponent average (.188) he has now, the only pitchers in the live-ball era who have ever been in that neighborhood (or better) over a full season are Bob Gibson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Sandy Koufax and Luis Tiant. Whoever they are. Rookies of the Year: In the AL, Jose Iglesias has a shot to become the first rookie of the year ever to get traded in midseason. But Wil Myers can screw up that claim to fame. And in the NL, this remains one of the wildest rookie-of-the-year free-for-alls ever, with Jose Fernandez, Shelby Miller, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Julio Teheran, Evan Gattis and Yasiel Puig all making cases for themselves that are going to require many, many Advil for the ROY electorate. www.espn.com AL MVP: Mike Trout should not be in the discussion for MVP. At least, not yet. Miguel Cabrera is doing quite a bit better than Trout on offense, and I can see the Angels' failure to make the playoffs hurting Trout. So, that brings us to Davis vs. Cabrera...runs and RBI are essentially equal. Davis has 8 more HR and Cabrera's batting average is 57 points higher. I don't know about you, but I'd take Cabrera any day. AL Cy Young: Scherzer is miles ahead of Hernandez in my opinion right now. His numbers are ridiculous, and I don't know why there's even a discussion.

Good to see Ayala finally break out of his slump, and right when I get back from my travels. 2-for-5 today, and threw out 2 more runners.

Sammy Ayala isn't striking out nearly as much any more, but he can't seem to have any luck with balls falling. I've noticed a great increase in playing time as well. Today he played in both games of the double-header. Does this indicate anything moving forward?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 09:19 AM) 9 PBs in 11 games is unexpected. That is way past a work in progress. If he can't get it done defensively behind the plate, he does have the skill set to play outfield...he did play a fair amount of time in right field in high school. He has a great arm, and has above average speed. Zach Stoner has 7 PB in 12 games.

Patrick Palmeiro hit a home run and a double today for Bristol. Thurman Hall was 2-for-5 with a double...although, he did strike out looking on a full count with the bases loaded to end the game. Earley, Thomore, Ayala, and Stoner all got hits. Nick Parent continues to struggle...batting average down to .106 after going 0-for-4 with 3 K's. That's 3 strike outs in 4 of his past 5 appearances. Jeffry Santos also had an awful day at the plate. Also was 0-for-4 with 3 K's Also, it seems like Ayala is finally getting more at bats...he's played in 3 straight games.

I think we know who to blame for Snodgress losing his no-hitter. Talking about an active no-hitter is a cardinal sin in baseball. QUOTE (Dunt @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:04 PM) Snodgress has a no-no still through 7 QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:18 PM) Snodgress will be taking a no hitter to the 9th. Audio http://www.iheart.com/live/3085/?autoplay=true "Baseball is a unique game in the fact that many of those who play it are some of the most superstitious people in sports...There are [a] set of superstitions that exist as general baseball laws. These are quirks and weird rules that entire teams must follow. One of the biggest ones is not talking about a no-hitter or a perfect game while a pitcher is in the process of performing one. This rule also applies to anyone at the stadium or watching the game from somewhere outside the stadium. It’s considered the ultimate jinx to mention the possibility of the event, and the person who usually breaks this rule is immediately public enemy number one. Strangely, it seems that whenever someone mentions a no-no or a perfect game while it’s happening, it miraculously is broken up sometime soon after. This is the reason that you’ll quite often see a pitcher secluded in a corner of the dugout if he’s closing in on the milestone while the rest of his teammates sit as far away as possible." -- Real Clear Sports

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:20 PM) Crikey, that is a lot of passed balls. He's just 19 though. I was referring to how he was seemingly getting passed over for playing time early in the short season. I'd have to guess that he'll get some next season. Also, he is a very young 19. His birthday was only 10 days ago! This is from the pre-draft scouting report... QUOTE (jthunder93 @ Jun 16, 2013 -> 07:24 PM) "Ayala's three-sport prowess kept him somewhat under the radar in baseball circles, but he made a name for himself at the Southern California Invitational at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in June, hitting an inside-the-park homer against top prep lefthander Max Fried and an RBI single to the opposite field against righty Andrew Potter. A standout defensive end in football, Ayala has a physical, 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame. He projects for average or slightly better power down the road, but scouts are divided on whether he will hit. He tends to get pull-happy and is vulnerable against soft pitches away or hard pitches in. He'll look bad at times in the batter's box, but his feel for hitting has improved and should solidify once he focuses on baseball. Ayala's arm is above-average, but his receiving and blocking is a work in progress. He moves well enough to play a corner outfield spot, but plenty of scouts think he has a chance to stick behind the plate. A club that believes in his power and defense could take him as high as the second or third round, while other teams would be content to let him go to UC Santa Barbara" (Baseball America Scouting Report). This certainly wasn't unexpected (.82 PB/game, but throwing out 56% of runners)

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:04 PM) Snodgress has a no-no still through 7

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 08:57 PM) Good for Sammy, nice for him to start playing well when he got the chance (after that weird delay). I'd also say that 56% is MUCH better than fine. Usually your pitchers alone prevent you from throwing out half the attempts. Right. Also, for the 9 passed balls, I guess that's less than 1 per game (11 games). He does need to cut that number down, though. What weird delay?

Trey Michalczewski hit one to the shortstop, who bobbled it, and was able to reach base safely. Thurman Hall rounded third, got into a rundown, which Bluefield failed to execute, and Hall ended up scoring. Bristol has just taken the lead, 7-6. Trey Michalczewski is at second with 2 outs, and Toby Thomas at the plate...this is the 9th hitter of the inning for the Sox. Toby Thomas struck out, but it's been an interesting inning for the Sox. 5 runs on 2 hits and 4 errors by the Bluejays.

Patrick Palmeiro reached base on a dropped third strike, then Nolan Earley reached on an error, and Sammy Ayala walked...great start here for the Sox, as they trail 6-2 in the 9th. Stoner up with bases loaded, no outs. Bristol Sox are down 6-2...good chance for Stoner to get some more RBI. Never mind. Stoner struck out...batting average is below the Mendoza line again...but a runner did score on a wild pitch. 6-3, 1 out...runners in scoring position for Yount. Yount grounds out, scoring a run. Bristol Sox are down 6-4 now with Victor Velazquez up in the top of the 9th, runner on 3rd, 2 outs. Make that 6-5. Ayala scored on a wild pitch. Bases empty for Victor Velasquez with 2 outs, Sox down by 1. Bloop base hit for Velasquez...error by the outfielder allows him to get to second. Thurman Hall hits a grounder that looks like it might end it. Luckily Hall is pretty quick, and beats it out. Ball gets away from the first baseman, allowing Velasquez to score. It's a brand new ballgame! 6-6.

Ayala is really showing off his arm...threw out his 9th runner of the season. Caught stealing percentage is a solid 56.25% He still does have 9 passed balls in 11 games behind the plate though. His batting average is up to .275 after going 1-for-2 with a BB so far today. Stoner got his first RBI of the season, and brought his average up to .200.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jul 21, 2013 -> 10:16 PM) Are you related to Ayala or something? Nah. I know him though.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 21, 2013 -> 06:39 PM) Hawkins 1/3 with HR #17. Only 1 K on the day. Decent day...still think they should send him down to Kanny for some more development. I don't think this challenge is helping much...his batting average is still just .192. In fact, the only player on Winston-Salem who had a worse batting average was Bill Rice, who was released in late April/early May.

Anyone have any idea why Ayala was pulled in the Bristol game? Was it an injury when he flew out in the 2nd? The Bristol White Sox are playing in Bluefield, West Virginia and Kanny is over in Charleston, WV, as they play the West Virginia Power. Possible call-up? I dunno, I'm just throwing possibilities out there. If that is the case, then I don't know why they would only give him one at-bat, as it's not like Kanny or Bristol is leaving West Virginia today. Bristol did have some players who swung the bat well today... Toby Thomas was 2-for-4 with a triple, 2 runs, and 1 RBI. Patrick Palmeiro was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, 1 run, and 2 RBI. 6 runners successfully stole bases against Angel Rosario.