May 2009
REMEMBERING HIS FIRST CALLUP
Atlanta Braves catcher and All-Star candidate Brian McCann remembers receiving his first call-up. Receiving that authentic on-field cap for the first time didn’t exactly calm his nerves.
Click to play the video and watch the interview.
http://www1.neweracap.com/Mccann_Call%20Up_Lg_Prog.mov
Can’t view the movie? Download Quicktime for free
MARTINEZ’S TIME FINALLY COMES
The day New York Mets fans have been patiently anticipating finally came and went.
Their star prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez donned his first New Era cap as a professional baseball player in New York’s 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Martinez, 20, became the youngest rookie to start a game for the Mets since 19-year-old Jose Reyes debuted in 2003.
“Today that’s unbelievable [day] for me,” Martinez told the NY Post, “because I want all my life for that moment.”
Although Martinez went 0-3 with a pair of strikeouts against the Nationals, the Mets are confident that his performance this season in Triple-A Buffalo will serve as an indicator of things to come.
In 42 games for the Bisons, Martinez batted .291, led the team with eight home runs and knocked in 28 RBIs.
“To be here, to play in New York, to play for the Mets, to play for the people, that’s great,” Martinez told MLB.com. “That’s unbelievable for me.”
“He’s got a lot to learn,” pitcher Tim Redding told the Post. “But he’s got the skills to be here. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here.”
“The new kid? He has a lot of bat speed; I noticed that right away,” Gary Sheffield told MLB.com. “He’s got a lot of talent.”
MOVIN’ ON UP THE LINEUP
Austin Jackson is moving up. Not to the New York Yankees just yet, but through the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup.
After proving he could adjust to Triple-A pitchers with a .360 batting average through the first 29 games of the season, Austin was promoted to the second spot in the SWB order on Sunday night.
Boasting the fifth best batting average in the International league, Austin says his approach at the plate won’t change with the move.
“I think if I start trying to hit the ball out of the park, I think my strikeouts will go up and I won’t be making as much contact,” Jackson told the Scranton Times.
“I think the thing right now is to just keep trying to get hits.”
Jackson’s Season Stats – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
AVG – .342; 2B – 5; 3B – 2; HR – 0; RBI – 13; BB – 16; SO – 33; OPS – .841
REIMOLD RECEIVES HIS FIRST CAP AS A MEMBER OF THE ORIOLES
Nolan Reimold’s efforts finally have paid dividends.
We highlighted Reimold on May 8. At that time Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, was quoted as saying the following.
“The two main variables are how great our need is and how well he is performing. He’s certainly doing his part.”
MacPhail’s statement wasn’t off the mark. Injuries to both Luke Scott and Adam Jones led to Reimold’s call-up from Triple-A and subsequent start against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
“It’s something you’ve been shooting for your whole life,” Remold told MLB.com. “It’s pretty surreal.”
After receiving work of his promotion from Norfolk manager Gary Allenson on Wednesday, Reimold immediately called who else, but his parents.
Read Robert Falkoff’s full story and watch video of Reimold’s first MLB hit here
BURNING UP THE BULLPEN
The Red Sox have fulfilled many of their most diehard fans’ biggest wish. On Sunday, Boston called-up flamethrower Daniel Bard from Triple-A.
Bard’s popularity lies with his electric stuff. His fastball regularly sits in the high 90s range and has even topped three digits.
“I’m obviously excited,” Bard told MLB.com. “It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life, and I couldn’t be happier. Now that I’m here, I’m just trying to help the team win.”
The noise coming out of Beantown isn’t just hype either. Filling the closer role with Pawtucket in 11 games this season, the 23-year-old right hander has allowed just two earned runs and six hits in 16 innings of work.
He hasn’t been scored against since April 25.
“It seems like the right time,” said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. “He’s been throwing really well. He made some strides with the last stages of his development in recent weeks, so we felt like the time is right.”
“If he attacks the strike zone, he’s going to have success,” said skipper Terry Francona. “It’s hard to get around it. He’ll give up a hit or a home run every once in a while, but his stuff is too good. He handles the running game. There’s not a lot of moving parts for a young pitcher that throws that hard.”
McCutcheon Update:
One step away from making the Pittsburgh Pirates active roster directly from Spring Training, prospect Andrew McCutchen has struggled with inconsistency in Triple-A. McCutchen’s average has dropped to .261 for the season but to a pedestrian .235 in his last 10 games.
His struggles at the plate have been exaggerated with aggressive pitching. When behind in the count, McCutcheon’s average plummets to .133.
McCutchen’s Season Stats – Indianapolis (Triple-A)
AVG – .261; 2B – 5; 3B – 8; HR – 1; RBI – 11; BB – 12; SO – 10; OPS – .790
TOP GUN BEING OUTSHINED?
Catcher Matt Wieters isn’t the only prospect turning heads for the Norfolk Tides. Outfielder Nolan Reimold is doing his fair share and then some this season.
Reimold is making a strong case for an early season call-up by the Baltimore Orioles. But he may need a little assistance to get handed his first authentic MLB cap.
The Virginian-Pilot caught up with Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, to ask about the youngster’s future.
Said MacPhail, “The two main variables are how great our need is and how well he is performing. He’s certainly doing his part.”
The phrase “his part” may be an understatement. A .284 hitter last season for Double-A Bowie, Reimold ranks second in the International League in batting average (.393), homeruns (8) and on-base percentage (.476), as well as third in RBIs (25).
He’s shown strong burst on the base pads with 18 steals and eight doubles.
“The biggest thing is staying consistent,” Reimold said. “So far this year, I have been doing a good job of that.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing, maybe I will get an opportunity eventually. That’s all I can do: worry about having a big season in Triple-A.”
Adam Jones and Nick Markakis start for the Orioles in center and right field respectively, as well as anchor two of the top three spots in the batting order. Reimold’s dethronement of either player is unlikely.
But his natural position – left field – is much more of a toss-up. Felix Pie, Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott all have shared time and all sit ahead of the rookie on the club’s online depth chart.
We’ll keep you posted on Reimold’s progress. Read Rainer Sabin’s full story on the rookie here.
Reimold’s Season Stats – Norfolk (Triple-A)
AVG – .393; 2B – 8; 3B – 0; HR – 8; RBI – 25; BB – 13; SO – 18; OPS – 1.229
START IN JEAPARDY?
Recently called up reliever Mets leftie Ken Takahashi may not make his first start this Friday. According to Newsday, pitching coach Dan Warthen seemed to indicate that skipper Jerry Manuel may be waivering on his original decision.
“Right now. But that could change.” said Warthen regarding Takahashi’s possible first start against Pittsburgh. “Talk to Jerry [Manuel].”
Manuel was unavailable for comment according to the publication.
JACKSON ON A TEAR
Austin Jackson has been on fire since April 27. The eighth-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2005 is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak.
During that span, Jackson has a .424 batting average, a pair of doubles and six stolen bases.
With Double-A Trenton last season, Jackson had three hitting streaks of at least 10 games.
Jackson’s Season Stats – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
AVG – .383; 2B – 3; 3B – 2; HR – 0; RBI – 12; BB – 9; SO – 21; OPS – .921
TAKAHASHI GETTING FAST TRACKED?
Oliver Perez’s woes are opening the door for reliever Ken Takahashi. We told you last week about Takahashi’s long journey to the majors. Well, now it looks like the left hander may be on the fast track to becoming a starting pitcher.
“He’s not [stretched out], but you know me, I could throw him out there,” Mets skipper Jerry Manuel told the NY Post of Takahashi’s potential switch. “I was impressed with Takahashi. That was a find for us.”
Facing a potent Philadelphia Phillies lineup in his first MLB action, Takahashi lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit.
According to published reports, Takahashi – a former starter in the Japanese leagues – could enter the rotation as early as this Friday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Manuel did say that a low pitch count would be in effect in that event.
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