The Official 2008 Kinston Indians thread

[G-Strang]

whats the deal with pontius he's getting lit up in kinston

[consigliere]

Pontius is facing the realities of a tougher league. He's pitching in a league where a lot of the players are much older than him. THis is example #1 of why teams typically don't force guys up a level....although in the Indians defense Pontius did force their hand. Still, I believe he is learning a lot and growing from the experience.

When I go to Kinston this Friday, Pontius is one of the guys I am hoping to talk to.

[ArtGold]

Hector Rondon has to be climbing up the prospect charts with the way he is pitching at 20 years old. He went 7 innings yesterday, allowing 3 hits, an unearned run, 2 walks and 9 k's. Overall he has a 3.45 ERA with 83 K's in 75 2/3 innings. I like the almost 4 to 1 strikeout ratio. He got off to a rough start too- his ERA was over 11 after his first two starts and since then it's 2.63. So far in June it's 1.23!

Yeah, in that scout piece I ran a week back he had Rondon in his Indians Top 10, and I agree.

Indians have a lot of good, young starting pitching at the Single-A level with Rondon, De La Cruz, Miller, Morris, and Archer. Gomez has struggled some, but done well too in a league that is mostly three years older than him.

That is the impressive thing about Rondon. He is pitching well against players who on average are three years older. Same thing with outfielder Nick Weglarz, who at 20 is facing pitchers three years older than him yet showing incredible plate discipline and power.

I've been following Gomez and Rondon for a few years now, and think that both still look pretty promising, especially based upon their ages. I know the trio in Lake looked good earlier this season, but I still think that Gomez and Rondon may end up being better pitchers.

[consigliere]

As expected, some roster moves after the all star break with Perdomo going to Akron and Vinnie Pestano to Kinston.

[consigliere]

K-Tribe Loses 10-6

The Kinston Indians came back off the All-Star Break with the big bats but fall short of beating the Frederick Keys, losing 10-6 in game one of a three game series in Maryland. Both teams scored five runs each in the first three innings with Kinston smacking three home runs. The K-Tribe got a two-run homer from Brian Juhl in the second and then back-to-back homers by Nick Weglarz and Jared Goedert. Frederick's Matt Wieters hit his league-leading 15th home run of the season before being promoted to AA Bowie after the game.

The Indians got a run in the fifth on a Jason Denham single to break open a 5-5 tie. The Kinston bullpen couldn't hold, giving up five runs in three innings of work to spoil what would have been Jeanmar Gomez's third win of the season. Gomez settled down after a rocky start, allowing five runs in five innings, but left with a lead that the 'pen would relinquish.

The K-Tribe loses just their second game since the second half started, but remains in first place in the Carolina League Southern Division. They look for win number six in eight games when Shawn Nottingham takes the mound against Frederick starting at 7:00 PM Friday night in Maryland.

[onlyindreams]

Mills went 3 for 4 with 2 homers and the k-tribe won 10-1.

[dnosco]

Interestingly, in a 10-1 blowout they had Nottingham go 4. That's no so strange because they are just stretching him out from his season in the bullpen.

What is strange is that Pestano went 2 in the middle of the game, Pontius went two and then Wagner AND Cevette split the 9th. The only way that makes sense is if Wagner got hurt....or they were showcasing a lot of their minor league relievers.

Please, no trades where we bring in veterans and trade young guys away, Mark, you just suck so bad at those the odds of success are zero or lower.

[nadafadafan]

Mentioned here first on another thread, trade the kids for some 30 year olds? don't we owe a player to be named or cash to a team now!!! The likely choices would be Pontius, Pestano, Head or Landis or possibly Newsom ( he won't do anything at the bigs). Teams will catch on to the 83-84 fast ball, and his numbers give him some credit unless they scouted him?

This is just a guess, Pestano goes, looked at his Bio on Kinstons board and kid really has been in the hot spot his whole career with Cal State Fullerton, Lake County and did you see his junior year stats and they had the number 5 rated RPI in the country(looked up the archive season) so he pitched against the best and still had 13 saves with an 0.96 ERA before he blew out his arm. Besides there is a viedo of him going through Tommy John Process ( Take a look at the First Picture that comes up his eyes( mean looking just like a stopper eyes) some team will give up someone for him and don't need anymore closers.

[dnosco]

PTBNL for Fasano? Only a moron would give up a prospect like one of these guys for Fasano......oops, we may be in trouble.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Is Beau Mills hurt??

Tonight is the 2nd straight game he's not been in the lineup.

[consigliere]

Daz, no word on Mills. Will check on that.

By the way, Wow, what a display by Mills on Friday. I was in Frederick, MD to catch up with the guys to get some material for articles and talk to coaches as well. Anyway, Mills looked fantastic. Frederick's stadium has a 20-some foot high fence that goes from foul pole to foul pole, and above that another 10 foot "baggy" section where if the ball hits that it is a home rune. Anyway, Mills' first HR was a laser into the RC baggy section. His second was a bomb to dead RF that cleared the baggy section. Absolute moon rocket.

John Drennen should of had two home runs as well. He hit one to deep RC that just missed the baggy section. Hit it to the top of the 20 foot wall for a double. Also, in his first at bat, he got around on one that he absolutely crushed into the parking lot to the foul pole side of RF.....but it hooked foul by 10 feet. Woulda been a 400 foot blast down the line easily if it were fair.

Rivero looked good coming back from injury as well. Pestano looked really good, and while warming up coming into the 5th inning he had the warmup catcher (Richard Martinez I think) struggling to catch the ball. Would think he was throwing a knuckleball...but I guess when you are not used to a submariner it happens.

I'll be back there for sure next year when Kinston comes north. As an FYI, for any around the Cleveland area who want to see Kinston, Frederick is about a 5 hour drive from Cleveland. And easy short trip....and Frederick is a cool little Civil War town too to pass the time if you stick around for a day or two.

Anyway, I won't see Kinston again until the first week of August when I catch them in Myrtle Beach.

[Bigfist]

Mills is out with a rash in his armpits...supposed to be pretty painful. At least, that is what I heard on the radio today.

[consigliere]

Ouch.

The Kinston Indians surrendered just their third loss of the second half dropping a 17-3 decision to the Potomac Nationals Monday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The Nationals were all over Kinston pitching scoring in each of the first four innings, including a season-high nine runs given up by the K-Tribe in the fourth inning. Potomac hit five home runs in the game including two by Marvin Lowrance, and one each from former K-Triber Brian Finnegan and former East Carolina Pirate Trevor Lawhorn. Lawhorn went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. He is hitting .302 in his 16 games with Potomac so far this season.

The loss was the worst K-Tribe loss since a 21-8 pounding from Lynchburg back in 2005. The Indians gave up season highs in runs with 17, hits with 18, and home runs with five. Kinston's Carlton Smith (5-5) took the loss. Joe Norrito (6-1) got the win for Potomac.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Lost in the mauling that the K-Tribe took was the fact that Sipp was back on the full season roster with a scoreless inning and 2K.

As encouraging as his early results have been (5IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 6K) you have to imagine he might hit a bump in the road at some point in his comeback from TJ surgery.

Will be interesting to see how long they keep him at Kinston though.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... pid=448609

[consigliere]

I don't believe Sipp is expected to stick in Kinston long. In fact, that one appearance last night might be all he gets before going to Akron or even straight to Buffalo.

Important to get hm back on track by the end of the season....he should be 100% and ready to go by spring training next year and would be a great LH power pitching option for the Indians bullpen to team up with Perez.

[consigliere]

Kinston was bombed for the second night in a row, losing 10-2. RHP Jeanmar Gomez went 4.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 11 hits, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. 1B Beau Mills returned to the lineup and went 1-for-4. 3B Niuman Romero was 2-for-2.

[Bigfist]

Pretty good fight, though..nice bench clearing brawl. Romero was ejected after he got run over in run down and he fired the ball at the guy who ran him over. Don't think anyone was hurt, though.

[nadafadafan]

reported that Elarton left the Indians for indefinite period last night, I know that most people don't care but now I heard that Dan Cevette left the Kinston Indians last night also? both are player decisions? is this a mase exodus that we are not aware of or just a couple of players with confidence problems? who gets moved up or down to Kinston and is Mastny the answer at Cleveland. Is this Newsom or Stevens time at the big club with what happen last night with JOBO?

Wedge said this is the road series that determines the season outlook for the Indians, Do we get Huff a start and some others a taste of the Bigs?

[Bigfist]

Well, Tony probably has the details, but Cevette gave up 7 runs in 1 inning (in addtion to allowing 2 inherited runners in) in that 17-3 game.

[consigliere]

Lefty Dan Cevette has retired. I had just talked to him last Friday in Frederick, but I guess he finally had enough after his last outing when he gave up seven runs in 2/3s of an inning earlier this week.

[consigliere]

Kinston loses 3-2. Tomlin goes 6.1 innings and allows 2 runs on 7 hits no walks and punches out 6. Sipp with another scoreless/hitless inning of relief with 2 strikeouts. Offense was brutal.

[martyinnewyork]

Bad night for the system - parent team the only one's without a loss, and they were idle.

Too bad for Dan Cevette, he's had a long, tough road. He had some great outtings this year, but I wondered when I saw his last line score if something might be up. Best wishes for him...

[dazindiansfanuk]

Rondon on the bump for the K-Tribe tonight and so far the 20 year old is continuing his hot streak.

K-Tribe lead 1-0 on a Nick Weglarz RBI single in the first.

Rondon with 3 hitless picking up 6Ks so far (95K in 85IP this year)

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_kinafa_1

[dazindiansfanuk]

Another great start for Rondon

6.2IP, 2H, 0R, 4BB, 8K

K-Tribe lead 3-0

Weglarz 2-for-3 with an RBI single & a HR.

[dazindiansfanuk]

It seems we get forget about our worries about Weglarz lack of power (well, I was starting to get concerned anyway).

After hitting his 8th HR last night, Weglarz has launched #9 & #10 tonight as part of a 3-for-3 night.

K-Tribe tied at 4 after 7.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_wswafa_1

[Charts]

It seems we get forget about our worries about Weglarz lack of power (well, I was starting to get concerned anyway).

After hitting his 8th HR last night, Weglarz has launched #9 & #10 tonight as part of a 3-for-3 night.

K-Tribe tied at 4 after 7.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_wswafa_1

Make it 4 for 4 as he gets himself a double

[Mcreek]

It seems we get forget about our worries about Weglarz lack of power (well, I was starting to get concerned anyway).

I'm not concerned at all with Weglarz , the guy to be worried about is Beau Mills.

In his first 549 AB"S as a proffessional here are Mills numbers:

264/347/446/793

W/K: 60/117

43 doubles, 17 homers and 92 RBI"S for supposedly an advanced bat.

[dazindiansfanuk]

It seems we get forget about our worries about Weglarz lack of power (well, I was starting to get concerned anyway).

I'm not concerned at all with Weglarz , the guy to be worried about is Beau Mills.

In his first 549 AB"S as a proffessional here are Mills numbers:

264/347/446/793

W/K: 60/117

43 doubles, 17 homers and 92 RBI"S for supposedly an advanced bat.

Mills is an advanced power bat, but I don't think he was ever considered an advanced all-round hitter - his plate discipline was always in question.

Still, that has shown improvement this year and I'm pretty sure he leads all Tribe farmhands in XBH.

[dnosco]

Mills is supposed to be a power bat. Look at his HR totals and those of the much talked about LaPorta. Admittedly LaPorta may be pumped up based on the SL and maybe his park (what is the park rating, with all those guys hitting well something tells me it is a hitter's park but I could be wrong). But when you compare the one thing Mills supposedly does well and what LaPorta does well, it is looking more like Mills, who has, BTW, played 1B all year (so much for drafting a guy with a hurt shoulder), will not hit for average, OBP and his power above 20 HR is now suspect.

That being said, it is early. But, like Brad Snyder's strikeouts, if Mills doesn't show 35 HR type pop at AA next year we may be looking at another one tool guy whose tool comes up short.

[onlyindreams]

I've wondered if Weglarz is just too selective at the plate. It would be interesting to see how many called strikes he takes. Since the break he has 4 bb/11k's and is starting to hit HR's so maybe he's realized that you don't always have to get a perfect pitch to hit. I wish STO would show some minor league games so we could get a feel for some of these guys.

[martyinnewyork]

Dennis - saying Mills' "tool comes up short" is definitely hitting below the belt... let's stick to his baseball skills, eh?

[Dragon]

lol

I'm actually surprised in a good way about Mills BB and also did not know he was so young. I thought he was a more advanced college hitter when the Indians drafted him.

Weglarz looks special, is only 20, and I'm going to quit talking about him now for fear he will step on something and ruin his career.

[carnegie44115]

Mills with his 13th HR of the season, 7-0 Kinston. One question about Mills though, is I havent listened to too many Kinston games, but I am always looking at the boxscores, but does anyone know why Mills is always hitting in the 2 hole? I cant see this being the spot the Indians envision Mills hitting at the major league level

[dazindiansfanuk]

Mills now 3-for-4 with his 24th 2B, 13th HR and 5RBI to give him 57 on the season.

The BA (.273) isn't as pretty as you'd like, but Mills is still having a good year.

On the subject of him batting 2nd, I would assume it's just designed to get him as many ABs as possible. Plus, it might also be by design to improve his plate discipline - which it has done.

[dazindiansfanuk]

K-Tribe wins game 1 of the DH 14-3.

Mills paced the offense going 4-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 5RBI

Carlos Rivero drove in a pair

Niuman Romero with a 2-run HR.

Jeanmar Gomez was the beneficiary picking up his 3rd win (5IP, 5H, 2ER).

Tony Sipp makes his first appearance of more than 1 inning, spinning two scoreless...... but, shock horror, allowing his first hit of the year (in now 8 scoreless innings)!


http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_wswafa_1

[dazindiansfanuk]

Heading into the bottom of the 6th of game 2, the K-Tribe lead 2-0.

Shawn Nottingham continuing his resurgance since moving down to High A and back into the rotation with 5 scoreless so far.

Mills with his 26th 2B (41XBH hits for the year).

Weglarz with a hit, BB and a SB!!

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_wswafa_2

[dazindiansfanuk]

K-Tribe give up 3 in the bottom of the 6th to lose 3-2 in the 7 inning contest.

Nottingham allowed the first 3 to reach, including a sacrifice bunt with a late throw failing to retire the lead runner. Followed by a sacrifice fly to end Nottinghams night.

Finocchi relieved and allowed a single to tie the game, followed by a squeeze bunt to push across the go-ahead run.

You have to wonder if Finocchi's mechanics are still a little off coming back from his broken leg.... he allowed 1 HR in 74IP last year and was a ground ball machine - he's given up 4HR in just 7IP so far this year.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_wswafa_2

[nadafadafan]

why did we bring up this kid from lake county? Tremie doesn't use him and this kid should be getting some innings in Lake County. I can say we have lost 2 out of the last three with this BS. With two outs in the bottom of the 6th of a 7 inning game we bring in a guy that has a 10.50 ERA instead Pestano with a 1.48 what gives. If this kid cannot go 4 outs he should not be up at Kinston anyways. Either you guys know something more than I do but stupid move, in Saturdays game with a 5-4 lead going in the bottom of the 8th Wagner gives up 3 hits in a row and with 2 out and runners on 2nd and third Tremie keeps him in and guess what gives up the 4th hit to lose the game. Consig in 3+ weeks this kid has thrown 4.1 innings shouldn't we move him back to Lake County and let him get some playing time? And if you are holding him for saves guess what both the games I just described were both save oppurtunities.

[dazindiansfanuk]

why did we bring up this kid from lake county? Tremie doesn't use him and this kid should be getting some innings in Lake County. I can say we have lost 2 out of the last three with this BS. With two outs in the bottom of the 6th of a 7 inning game we bring in a guy that has a 10.50 ERA instead Pestano with a 1.48 what gives. If this kid cannot go 4 outs he should not be up at Kinston anyways. Either you guys know something more than I do but stupid move, in Saturdays game with a 5-4 lead going in the bottom of the 8th Wagner gives up 3 hits in a row and with 2 out and runners on 2nd and third Tremie keeps him in and guess what gives up the 4th hit to lose the game. Consig in 3+ weeks this kid has thrown 4.1 innings shouldn't we move him back to Lake County and let him get some playing time? And if you are holding him for saves guess what both the games I just described were both save oppurtunities.

Pestano was promoted on June 26th..... 12 days ago.... not 3+ weeks.

He pitched on Thursday and walked 3 in his 1 inning.... perhaps they're working on some mechanical things in the bullpen in light of that.

[nadafadafan]

walked two with an IBB and didn't allow a run, need a better response Daz, do we want a guy with 15 saves on the mound in a save oppurtunity or a 10.5 ERA? and didn't Finoc give up a couple of runs a couple of games ago to get the loss in a 0-0 game in the 8th? I asked for an answer to a ? I usally enjoy reading your blogs but this was well you know. I am simply saying if we don't use them leave them where they get some playing time. Every Pitcher has to throw to develope wouldn't you agree.

By the way Pestano is 15 out of 17 in saves with a 2-1 record and a combined ERA of 1.38 but he walked two and IBB one in a game great reasoning. Do we really want to change the way he throws?

Is Perdomo and Newsom getting some innings in I hope, i should have looked before responding but didn't.

[consigliere]

walked two with an IBB and didn't allow a run, need a better response Daz, do we want a guy with 15 saves on the mound in a save oppurtunity or a 10.5 ERA? and didn't Finoc give up a couple of runs a couple of games ago to get the loss in a 0-0 game in the 8th? I asked for an answer to a ? I usally enjoy reading your blogs but this was well you know. I am simply saying if we don't use them leave them where they get some playing time. Every Pitcher has to throw to develope wouldn't you agree.

By the way Pestano is 15 out of 17 in saves with a 2-1 record and a combined ERA of 1.38 but he walked two and IBB one in a game great reasoning. Do we really want to change the way he throws?

Is Perdomo and Newsom getting some innings in I hope, i should have looked before responding but didn't.

Nada, easy man. Daz was simply throwing out a potential reason he may not have pitched.

I am unsure why he has not pitched more, although I am unsure there is an issue here. Wagner from the sounds of it has been anointed the closer for now in Kinston, so he has been getting the bulk of that responsibility.

Anyway, Pestano has pitched three times, most recently on July 3rd. July 4th he wouldn't have pitched since they rarely throw guys on back-to-back nights. July 5th they needed to get Finocchi in there for some work. On July 6th the game was rained out. Today Sipp needed some work in Game 1 of the DH and in Game 2 who knows.

No biggie at this point. He'll get his chances.

[dazindiansfanuk]

walked two with an IBB and didn't allow a run, need a better response Daz, do we want a guy with 15 saves on the mound in a save oppurtunity or a 10.5 ERA? and didn't Finoc give up a couple of runs a couple of games ago to get the loss in a 0-0 game in the 8th? I asked for an answer to a ? I usally enjoy reading your blogs but this was well you know. I am simply saying if we don't use them leave them where they get some playing time. Every Pitcher has to throw to develope wouldn't you agree.

By the way Pestano is 15 out of 17 in saves with a 2-1 record and a combined ERA of 1.38 but he walked two and IBB one in a game great reasoning. Do we really want to change the way he throws?

Is Perdomo and Newsom getting some innings in I hope, i should have looked before responding but didn't.

Nada, easy man. Daz was simply throwing out a potential reason he may not have pitched.

I am unsure why he has not pitched more, although I am unsure there is an issue here. Wagner from the sounds of it has been anointed the closer for now in Kinston, so he has been getting the bulk of that responsibility.

Anyway, Pestano has pitched three times, most recently on July 3rd. July 4th he wouldn't have pitched since they rarely throw guys on back-to-back nights. July 5th they needed to get Finocchi in there for some work. On July 6th the game was rained out. Today Sipp needed some work in Game 1 of the DH and in Game 2 who knows.

No biggie at this point. He'll get his chances.

Nada

Don't take anything I was saying as a shot at Pestano.... I was just throwing a hypothesis out there.... it's probably 100% wrong.

That said, don't dismiss Finocchi either..... coming into this year he was higher on the relief prospect radar than Pestano, but is coming back from a broken leg.

Again, it's all about development down in the minors..... pitchers are in the game (or not in the game) for one developmental reason or another..... winning comes second.

[nadafadafan]

Nothing personnel taken and if I wood be saying the same thing about Perdomo in this case it would still be about why?

If any level is not ready for someone to throw regularly why move any of them up to sit. I won't say that in some tones I feel a little for the guys that go 6 innings and leave with a 2-0 lead and get no decision or the kid that goes 3-5 or 5-5 and walks off a loser because one needs more work than the other. Maybe we should not give these kids a roll, lets just pitch them in any situation.

I will admit I still find it difficult for these kids that since Little league through College it has always been about winning and only when you reach the Majors does again become about winning.

I would see the concept if every pitcher only went 5 innings no matter what , then it would give the club a chance to get all the pitchers in regularly.

Consig great philosphy but I still can't listen to Lake County or Kinston with out getting into the game, I am moving up to Akron they may have the same philosphy but they seem to win or I can just turn off the broadcast after 5?

Thanks guys, but it has always been about winning in everything, in Life, work, relationships, friendships and in sports. I just don't think having these kids turn it on and off works' but this is my opinion.

[consigliere]

Nada, really my last comment on this as this is just going in circles.

Again, the players play to win. Nothing has changed on that front. But, first and foremost, with the coaching staff and the Indians it is about player development first and winning second. They would rather put a guy in a situation to "learn" such as a left-handed hitter hit against a lleft-handed pitcher late in a game than do the pinch hit thing you often see late in games at the ML level.

Also, these pitchers are typically on a regular schedule. Relievers often work every 3 days on average. They get everyone pretty much equal time, and sometimes the starters working deeper into games can affect that.

Also, you have to realize that Kinston has one extra reliever right now in Tony Sipp. He is on a rehab assignment, and he gets priority with innings. He won't be there long, but as long as he is there is means that some of the relievers may be used a little less than they normally would. He is expected to pitch again today I believe as the Indians want to test him on back to back days.....so he likely takes up some time from a guy slotted to go today.

[consigliere]

Kinston split a double header with Lynchburg, winning game two 9-2 after the Indians dropped the opening game of the double dip 7-1. Kinston jumped all over the Hillcats in game two, scoring five runs in the first inning helped by a grand slam home run from Jared Goedert. It was Goedert eighth home run and second grand slam of the season. Every K-Triber in the lineup had a hit in game two as Kinston banged out a total of 14. Niuman Romero went 2-for-4 with a home run in game two, extending his team high hit streak to 15 games. Goedert, Nick Weglarz and Johnny Drennen each added two-hit a piece for Kinston. Matt Meyer (3-0) picked up the win for Kinston, pitching two innings of scoreless relief. Sung-Wei Tseng got the spot start for the K-Tribe, giving up just two hits and an earned run in three innings of work.

The Hillcats scratched the K-Tribe, handing Kinston a 7-1 loss in game one of a double header. The Hillcats got to Kinston ace Hector Rondon in the second inning, scoring three runs on three hits and two walks. Rondon would give up three more runs on back to back to back hits in the fifth inning. Rondon (7-3) suffered his first loss since May 9th, giving up six earned runs on eight hits. The K-Tribe starter had won his last five starts in a row coming in. Rondon’s next appearance will be for the World Team in the MLB futures game from Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The K-Tribe got their lone run of the ballgame when Johnny Drennen delivered an RBI double, scoring Cirilo Cumberbatch, in the fifth inning. Drennen went 2-for-3. Blair Johnson (3-1) picked up the win for Lynchburg.

[TitoFrancona]

Kinston split a double header with Lynchburg, winning game two 9-2 after the Indians dropped the opening game of the double dip 7-1. Kinston jumped all over the Hillcats in game two, scoring five runs in the first inning helped by a grand slam home run from Jared Goedert. It was Goedert eighth home run and second grand slam of the season. Every K-Triber in the lineup had a hit in game two as Kinston banged out a total of 14. Niuman Romero went 2-for-4 with a home run in game two, extending his team high hit streak to 15 games. Goedert, Nick Weglarz and Johnny Drennen each added two-hit a piece for Kinston. Matt Meyer (3-0) picked up the win for Kinston, pitching two innings of scoreless relief. Sung-Wei Tseng got the spot start for the K-Tribe, giving up just two hits and an earned run in three innings of work.

The Hillcats scratched the K-Tribe, handing Kinston a 7-1 loss in game one of a double header. The Hillcats got to Kinston ace Hector Rondon in the second inning, scoring three runs on three hits and two walks. Rondon would give up three more runs on back to back to back hits in the fifth inning. Rondon (7-3) suffered his first loss since May 9th, giving up six earned runs on eight hits. The K-Tribe starter had won his last five starts in a row coming in. Rondon’s next appearance will be for the World Team in the MLB futures game from Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The K-Tribe got their lone run of the ballgame when Johnny Drennen delivered an RBI double, scoring Cirilo Cumberbatch, in the fifth inning. Drennen went 2-for-3. Blair Johnson (3-1) picked up the win for Lynchburg.

Nice to see Goedirt hitting for some power again. If I recall correctly he only had a couple of HRs only a month ago. How has his defense been at 2nd?

[consigliere]

Nice to see Goedirt hitting for some power again. If I recall correctly he only had a couple of HRs only a month ago. How has his defense been at 2nd?

Goedert has had a solid season. This is probably more the player he is than the two-month reign of terror he had on the SAL early last year. His walk-rate has dropped some, but he still shows good pop with the bat. And, he has been consistent all year. No big treaks or slumps....just steady and playing well in the 4-hole for Kinston.

His defense has been very good, playing mostly at 3B because Mills isn't playing there. Getting some time in at 2B and doing well. He will never be a gold glover, but this guy is just a student of the game and is solid.

[TitoFrancona]

Nice to see Goedirt hitting for some power again. If I recall correctly he only had a couple of HRs only a month ago. How has his defense been at 2nd?

Goedert has had a solid season. This is probably more the player he is than the two-month reign of terror he had on the SAL early last year. His walk-rate has dropped some, but he still shows good pop with the bat. And, he has been consistent all year. No big treaks or slumps....just steady and playing well in the 4-hole for Kinston.

His defense has been very good, playing mostly at 3B because Mills isn't playing there. Getting some time in at 2B and doing well. He will never be a gold glover, but this guy is just a student of the game and is solid.

Which is kind of interesting because he isn't all that far behind Green in development. Maybe having Goedert makes their decision on which PTBNL they choose, easier.

[onlyindreams]

That's Rondon's first bad start in a while.

The Hillcats scratched the K-Tribe, handing Kinston a 7-1 loss in game one of a double header.

Why didn't we de-claw them in game 1 to prevent such a thing from happening?

[alexcolefencecompany]

i've seen goedert many times this year. i honestly think his defense is below average. glove is ok, but has bad range and a really weak arm. i don't see how he could be a MLB second baseman, and i think he'd definately be a weak MLB 3b defensively. the kid does hit well and hustles.


also, mills is not a 3b and i'm 99% sure he'll never be one for the tribe. first, he's big and has little range. also, he's played 3b this year ZILCH. if the tribe braintrust saw him as a possible 3b, he'd definately be playing there some.


also, johnny drennen has been in kinston long enough to be the mayor. is he even on the radar as a prospect any more, or is his lack of power and only decent speed mean it's not looking good for jd?