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: Evan Longoria, 3B, Durham (AAA) to Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) Luke Hochevar, RHP, Omaha (AAA) to Kansas City Royals (MLB) Max Scherzer, RHP, Tucson (AAA)...
I know what you’re thinking… this is news? As you may know by now, we have a few contacts at ESPN: the Magazine HQ. Heck, one of them even writes a conference report for me at Storming the Floor. Fortunately, that road runs both ways, as they occasionally give us a chance to pursue our unique… idiom for a wider audience. Today they’re running the first in what hopefully will become a series of...
Rebel Ridling. In a post written yesterday, my esteemed writing partner tossed the name Rebel Ridling out in the most casual manner. I picked it up and ran around the room like I’d found a hundred dollar bill. Now, before I continue to unravel this delightful mystery, I have to point out that Rebel Ridling is also reason #137 why I’m glad I switched from Journalism studies to regular English Lit years ago. Because if I...
Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in the amateur draft earlier this month, made his professional debut last night for Tampa Bay’s Rookie-level team in Princeton, West Virginia, going 1-for-4 with an infield single. Beckham is the 44th player taken with the first overall choice since 1965; of those, 39 have made it to the major leagues. Steve Chilcott (1966) and Brien Taylor (1991) missed their windows, for various reasons; the jury is still...
Last year, I watched the Major League Futures game for the first time. Players like Justin Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Chin-Lung Hu had great games, foreshadowing their eventual debuts in the majors. There’s no doubt I intend to watch again this year, as five six current Z-meter residents have been chosen to particpate. July 13th in Yankee Stadium is this year’s setting for the Futures Game. The premise pits the U.S. against the world,...
The College World Series ended in Omaha, with the Fresno State Bulldogs pulling off an unlikely championship over Georgia. Congrats to both sets of Bulldogs. Head on over to The College Baseball Blog for a more comprehensive roundup.
This is strange territory for me. Usually, “Now Pitching/Batting For” posts are reserved for prospects on Baseball America’s Top 100 list, those players that anyone who follows baseball is just itching to see in a major league uniform. The Jay Bruces, Clayton Kershaws, and Cameron Maybins of the world, if you will. I thought Eulogio De La Cruz was on the Top 100. I really did. Turns out, though, that I was tricked into...
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: Evan Longoria, 3B, Durham (AAA) to Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) Luke Hochevar, RHP, Omaha (AAA) to Kansas City Royals (MLB) Max Scherzer, RHP, Tucson (AAA)...
Designated Bus Leagues lensman Will is making good on his promise to visit all of the minor league parks in his area this summer, and we are all beneficiaries. I did the same thing last year in my locality of Virginia, so I know how fun this can be. This past weekend, Will took in a little New York-Penn League action, visiting the Hudson Valley Renegades (Rays). Here, Dutchess Stadium plays host to the...
Usually, OMDQ puts one of these columns up to denote the Major League arrival of one of the Bus League faithful. But Lt. Jonathan Johnston is no ordinary player. A 2006 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Johnston had already spent a year on active duty before the Oakland A’s took a flyer and selected him in the 42nd round of the 2007 first-year player draft. His .317 senior-year batting average for Navy no...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
