Danks article from August...

[RudyLawRules]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/new...b&fext=.jsp

 

 

08/15/2006 2:30 PM ET

 

Faces on the Field: John Danks

Pitching prospect relishes trips through home

By Dan Pieringer / MLB.com

 

There's no place like home, and Oklahoma RedHawks pitcher John Danks knows that as well as anyone. Danks, who was born and raised in Round Rock, Texas, is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in his two starts against the Round Rock Express.

Danks earned his first Triple-A win with an 8-2 victory over Round Rock when the Express visited Oklahoma in June. He pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs on only three hits in the outing.

 

On Saturday, the 21-year-old lefthander led the RedHawks to a 7-2 win over the Express, allowing two earned runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. It was the Oklahoma's first win in six tries at the Dell Diamond this year. More important, it was Danks' first time pitching in Round Rock since the Texas Rangers made him a first-round draft pick out of Round Rock High School in 2003.

 

"It was my first time to pitch professionally in front of my friends and family, and it was a lot of fun," said Danks, who grew up rooting for both the Rangers and the Astros. "It was everything I anticipated. I had so many people here supporting me. To get a quality start like that against the best team in the league ... that doesn't hurt my cause at all."

 

Being able to stay with his family at home made the win that much sweeter for Danks. He got to spend some time with his younger brother, Jordan, who plays outfield for the University of Texas in Austin, about 20 miles south of Round Rock. (Jordan Danks hit .319 in 37 games as a freshman for the Longhorns.) John also got to take advantage of the typical perks of a young man coming back home.

 

"It's awesome," he said. "You don't have to stay in the hotel, you get to stay at home. I've got the dog in bed with me every night. Home cooking ... I get a hot breakfast in the morning, and a good meal at night. It doesn't get much better than this."

 

Danks might be right, it doesn't get much better than that. But at his age, he has a long future ahead of him in baseball, and the sky's the limit for what he might accomplish. Since being drafted in 2003, he has blown through the Rangers' system, playing for seven different teams so far. Just three years after his first professional game, he's already halfway through his first Triple-A season.

 

"I think being young is always an advantage," he said.

 

His quick progression through the Minors is directly linked to his addition of a change-up. Coming out of Round Rock High School, where he went 10-3 with a 1.36 ERA as a senior, Danks had a nasty curveball, but he had never thrown a change. The Rangers organization emphasized the development of Danks' change-up, and it has become his most reliable pitch. It's also helped him be a more versatile pitcher.

 

"It's coming great. I think it's ahead of the curve right now," Danks said. "I didn't ever throw one in high school, so I just learned when I signed in '03. And I think the Rangers' player development helped me with that. They made me use it, when it would have been real easy to throw a curve. They really stayed on me about it, and I think it's helped me a lot."

 

Oklahoma pitching coach Andy Hawkins agrees. Since Danks' promotion to Oklahoma from Double-A Frisco in June, Hawkins has worked with Danks on his delivery, while continuing to emphasize the change-up. The result has been a steady improvement by Danks in his two months with the RedHawks.

 

"Yeah, I think the change-up is [more effective than his curveball] because he throws it for a lot more strikes," Hawkins said. "It's a very effective pitch for him in any count. His curveball's not like that. He can't use it as much when he's behind in the count.

 

"John's really worked to solidify his delivery, and along with the added age is some more maturity," Hawkins continued. "His understanding of what he needs to do has improved every year. He's a young guy coming into his own."

 

But, as with any young player coming into his own, Danks has had his struggles. He got into some trouble late in 2005 when the wear and tear of a full professional season began to show in July and August as he was pitching his way to a career-high 156 innings. Scouts suggested that some added strength could help him adjust to the longer professional seasons.

 

"I'd say I was a little tired, but that's not an excuse, by any means," Danks said. "I think my preparation this offseason, getting some strength, definitely helps. And just going through that last year, I tried to learn everything I could from it. And I think I'm more prepared this year to deal with the longer season and face some more advanced hitters."

 

So far this summer, it looks like Danks' extra strength training is paying off. While he had a few rough starts in July, he's regained his composure, lately. In his last three starts, he has thrown 17 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on 14 hits while striking out 21. His ERA in that span is 3.06.

 

"I feel good about where I'm at," Danks said. "I've been beat up in levels after being called up before, but I think I'm holding my own a little better this year. And we've still got a month left, so I'm just going to keep working on it. I've made some mistakes, but when I'm on and pitching my best, I've been keeping the ball in the ballpark. I'm just trying to learn from everything and take the good from everything."

 

He was certainly "on" in Round Rock on Saturday. In his homecoming, Danks heard the shouts of his family and friends all night long. His parents and his brother came to the game, as did his high school baseball coaches.

 

"I don't have a clue [how many friends and family members were there]. I just know I heard guys yelling at me from the time I started warming up to [when I was] walking off the field. It was real special. And I was real pleased with how I threw."

 

All that yelling just might be Danks' first taste of the buzz he'll someday experience at a Major League ballpark. He says it would be nice to pitch for the Rangers in Arlington, less than 200 miles north of Round Rock. He says that's a place he could call home.

 

And when that day arrives, Danks will once again be reminded: there's no place like it.

 

 

Dan Pieringer is an associtate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

[Heads22]

Danks certainly seems like a nice, grounded guy.

[RudyLawRules]

Another, newer story from yesterday's DFW Star-Telegram.

 

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/16312626.htm

 

Posted on Sun, Dec. 24, 2006

email thisprint this

 

Top prospect says trade is ‘bittersweet’

 

By KAT O’BRIEN

 

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

 

No matter what becomes of Brandon McCarthy in the Rangers’ starting rotation, the loss of John Danks will sting for many fans.

 

Danks, a left-hander who doesn’t turn 22 until April, was rated the No. 1 prospect in the Rangers’ organization last month, according to Baseball America. That followed three consecutive years as the organization’s No. 2 prospect.

 

Danks, for some, was the homegrown pitcher the Rangers had been trying for years to develop, one that was about to pan out. He was the Rangers’ first-round draft pick out of Round Rock High School in 2003, and went a combined 9-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 2006 at Double A Frisco and Triple A Oklahoma.

 

“It’s very bittersweet,” Danks said of the trade Saturday afternoon. “Obviously, I’d rather stay [with the Rangers]. I have friends here. I’m very comfortable here. That being said, the White Sox seem very optimistic. They think I can possibly pitch in the big leagues right out of spring training. It’s just part of the game now. I’ve just got to roll with the punches.”

 

Danks said he had just talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, and that he likely will compete with former top Phillies prospect Gavin Floyd and knuckleballer Charlie Haeger for the last rotation spot.

 

A year ago, Danks was almost traded to the Florida Marlins along with third baseman Hank Blalock for right-hander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell. That trade fell through, and the Rangers turned down numerous overtures for Danks in the past year.

 

“This is an old-fashioned baseball trade where both teams took risks and gave up a lot of baseball talent,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “We love John Danks and we love Nick Masset. Both guys are on the cusp, and we think both guys will have success at the big league level.”

 

The difference between Danks and McCarthy is that McCarthy already has made the transition to the major league level. McCarthy has pitched 151  2/3 innings over two major league seasons. While the Rangers are optimistic that Danks is capable of that transition, there are no guarantees.

 

Right-hander Edinson Volquez was their top-ranked prospect a year ago, but his star fell somewhat when he had a 7.29 ERA in eight major league starts this year.

 

Danks said of the Rangers’ decision: “[Daniels’] job is for the team to win this year. Obviously, McCarthy is probably going to be a bigger part of that than I would.”

 

There was some disappointment on Danks’ part, as he was on the verge of playing for the big league team only three hours from his home.

 

“Obviously, I would have loved to play there,” Danks said. “I loved playing for them. They were the ones that gave me the opportunity to play pro ball.”

 

Ironically, Danks’ younger brother, Jordan, was drafted by the White Sox in the 19th round in 2005. He did not sign, and is an outfielder at the University of Texas.

 

Masset was drafted in the eighth round in 2000 and signed in 2001. He made his major league debut in 2006, allowing four earned runs in 8  2/3 innings. At the minor league level, he was 6-7 with a 3.67 ERA in 32 games, including 15 starts. He had a 2.61 ERA and 15 saves in 20 relief appearances for Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter League.

 

“My reaction was surprised and shocked,” Masset said. “After I have gone over it a little bit, it sounds like the White Sox will be a pretty good fit. Being with the Rangers — it was a great organization. They’ve helped me out a ton.”

 

Kat O’Brien, 817-390-7760 [email protected]

[Jordan4life_2007]

Danks and Masset excite the hell out of me.

[Al Lopez's Ghost]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/new...b&fext=.jsp

 

 

08/15/2006 2:30 PM ET

 

Faces on the Field: John Danks

 

Oklahoma pitching coach Andy Hawkins

 

 

Andy Hawkins? Andy July 1, 1990 no-hit loser to the White Sox on the last birthday of old Comiskey Park Hawkins?

 

Brings back beautiful memories. We now return you to the original thread.

[Harry Chappas]

I hope Danks doesn't show up wearing a Rangers hat. Who the f*** does he think he is talking to the Taxas media as well. Somebody better tell him he can no longer associate himself with the state of Texas.

[YASNY]

I hope Danks doesn't show up wearing a Rangers hat. Who the f*** does he think he is talking to the Taxas media as well. Somebody better tell him he can no longer associate himself with the state of Texas.

 

His parents might not see this the same as you ... considering they live in Round Rock, TX.

[Harry Chappas]

His parents might not see this the same as you ... considering they live in Round Rock, TX.

 

I was joking you know. Sometimes humor around here is missed.

[YASNY]

I was joking you know. Sometimes humor around here is missed.

 

I think you are right.

[bmags]

this article was not as informative as David Of The Same Country.

[Heads22]

this article was not as informative as David Of The Same Country.

 

Of course not.