The Z-meter tracks the story arcs of 25 top prospects (or players we just like) on their way to the bigs. It is named after current Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman, who made the transition from anchoring the University of Virginia to starring in MLB in one year. Promoted: None Nobody has accumulated stats yet, so this first edition of ’09 will just introduce you to the players and give you some idea of...
I spent a little time the other day cleaning up our team affiliations page. Teams switch organizations every year, so it’s a crucial maintenance task. A few have even changed locations. Here are a few of the notable changes. The Gwinnett Braves – Atlanta pulled their triple-A franchise from Richmond, VA and moved it to the Atlanta suburbs. That makes it a short drive for anyone who gets called up, certainly. I’ve always wondered...
OBAMA PULLS OUT VICTORY IN FORT MYERS Democratic nominee sweeps Goldklang Group’s “Bobblection” If presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama wins the election in November, he will look back at the Goldklang Group’s “Bobblection 2008” as his springboard to the White House. Obama finished a clean sweep taking the Fort Myers vote on Monday night, to complete a six-city blanking of John McCain. Obama garnered 54.4% of the vote (500 bobbleheads), while McCain notched 45.6%...
Kudos to OMDQ for making it out to see Travis Snider win the AA Home Run Derby. Because the slugger is back, back, back, GONE! Reports from the Fisher Cats, who gave Snider a home for 98 games this season, indicate that Snider is on his way to the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. I took the liberty of making a google map of Snider’s summer, and it gives a pretty good graphic representation of the...
We spend a lot of time talking about prospects here, but there’s no doubt that players and big-league potential are only part of the appeal of minor-league baseball. For many Americans, a day at the local ballpark is an entertainment option, competing against the movie theater or mini-golf. For more casual fans, especially those with kids, the physical amenities offered by the ballpark can sway the vote. My own five-year-old son will vote loudly...
We’ve tried hard to ignore the facts here at Bus Leagues, but it can’t be overlooked anymore: Jay Bruce, our first blog-crush, is gone for good, never to return. And while we couldn’t be happier to observe his early success in The Show from afar, his career growth has left an obvious void in our lives. Who will we discuss in hushed tones over Gmail Chat? Whose name will grow exponentially in the tag cloud...
Getting to know other writers is one of the best things about having a blog. Since OMDQ and I have been in the writing version of the Bus Leagues for more than a year, we have met some great people we are proud to call friends & colleagues. One of those is Jordi, who writes about baseball, politics, and other blood sports at his site, The Serious Tip. Today, he shares his weekend experiences...
Interesting story out of Vero Beach today, where Rays lefthander Scott Kazmir made a rehab start for the team’s Class A affiliate. Thanks to a mixup between himself and the coaching staff regarding the length of the outing (Kazmir was planning on 70-75 pitches, the coaches wanted him to finish his work in the bullpen after he finished the fourth inning with a count of 54), Kazmir ended up on a short leash when...
With 300+ minor league teams in these United States, OMDQ and I will need some way to focus our energies, and this is one way we figured to do it. Monday is “A” ball day. That will include Rookie League and every form of A ball. Wednesday we’ll check out the AA clubs, and then on Friday on up to AAA. We’ll also develop a few weekly features to slot in on the other...
Baseball America has selected OF Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds’ system as the 2007 Minor League Player of the Year. ***UPDATE: Sporting News agrees*** Bruce has certainly been seen in many minor-league ballparks this season, as he advanced from the A+ Sarasota Reds to the AAA Louisville Bats over the course of the 2007 season. He never faltered on that journey, ending his season with a .319 batting average, 89 RBIs, and 306...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
