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?

TAKAHASHI.jpgRecently 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?

takahashi2.jpgOliver 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.

WIETERS ISN’T SLOWED BY HAMSTRING INJURY

Matt Wieters continues to show why the Baltimore Orioles’ high expectations are merited

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.  Since returning from a hamstring injury he suffered on Apr. 17, Wieters has hits in six of the last seven games and four RBIs in his last three.

According to MLB.com, the Orioles want Wieters gain professional experience at Norfolk before they give him the call-up to the Major Leagues.

Look for Wieters to make his MLB debut sometime before the All-Star break.

Wieters Season Stats – Norfolk (Triple-A)
AVG – .267; 2B – 2; 3B – 0; HR – 1; RBI – 5; BB – 9; SO – 15; OPS – .760

THE LONG, LONG AWAITED CALL-UP

TAKAHASHI.jpgThe joy and excitement that accompanies the first call-up of a player’s career isn’t diminished by age.

Ask New York Mets reliever Ken Takahashi.

The 39-year-old left hander isn’t exactly a doe-eyed rookie who’ll get star struck at the sight of superstars like Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran.  No, Takahashi’s 14 years of professional experience with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp makes him one of the most seasoned rookies in the Major Leagues.  

But Takahashi’s mileage doesn’t diminish his initiation into the majors or what he’s accomplished.  After nearly a decade and a half of playing baseball, Takahashi received his first big-league call-up on Sunday night following the Mets 8-1 loss to the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Signed to a Minor League contract on March 31 by the Mets, Takahashi’s journey started in February when he was imported into Canada by the Toronto Blue Jays.  After an unsuccessful attempt to win a roster spot through Jays training camp and his subsequent release, the Mets took a chance on the Japanese leftie following Oliver Perez’s poor showing two days ago.

According to MLB.com, Mets skipper Jerry Manuel has indicated that Takahashi may be utilized in a long-relief role.

Takahashi appeared in six games with the Mets’ Triple-A Buffalo affiliate this season, producing a 0.77 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and six walks and struck out nine. He was 66-87 in 433 games, 160 starts for Hiroshima over his career.

Stay tuned.  We’ll give you an update on Takahashi’s big league debut after it happens.

JACKSON STILL WAITING FOR HIS TURN

Despite the frail nature of the Yankees lineup these days, Jackson continues to wait patiently for his shot at the majors.

While the injury to Xavier Nagy, opened the door somewhat, it’s been the health issues of the New York arms that are causing the most player movements to the Bronx.

On Sunday, the Yankees promoted RHP Mark Melancon, RHP David Robertson, and INF Angel Berroa from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while migrating RHP Brian Bruney (15-day), RHP Chien-Ming Wang (15-day) and 3B  Cody Ransom (60-day) to the disabled list.

Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher continue to patrol the Yankee outfield in rotating shifts.

Jackson’s Season Stats – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
AVG – .354; 2B – 1; 3B – 2; HR – 0; RBI – 10; BB – 6; SO – 15; OPS – .887

NO JOKING MATTER

Detroit Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello (pictured left) can testify on the life-altering moment that is the Call-Up.

Sitting before an empty locker with a couple months of spring training firmly behind him, Porcello still couldn’t believe what was happening.

“It doesn’t even feel like I’m packing for Detroit yet,” he admitted to an MLB.com writer at the time. “I think it’ll definitely set in the first game, kind of get to see the atmosphere, that sort of thing.”

RELATED LINKS:
>>> Video: Porcello’s Strong Start

Heading into camp, the 6’5”, 200-lb. right hander knew he had a chance to make it to the majors with little to no professional experience.  There was that slim chance.

Until there wasn’t or so he thought.

Having made the decision to keep Porcello, and fellow rookie hurler Ryan Perry (pictured above right), Tigers skipper Jim Leyland decided to have some fun when he pulled the pair into his office to give them the good news.

“I was just trying to keep a straight face and not look like I was too nervous or anything like that,” Porcello said. “When he said, ‘We’re going to send you down to the Minors,’ I kind of just [dropped my head].

“It wasn’t like it was a far-fetched thing. I knew obviously that was a strong possibility coming into camp, so it wasn’t a big surprise for me. And then, I guess when you make it to the last cut in camp, you hope you’ve got a pretty good shot to make the team.”

When Leyland had enough fun, he admitted it was in the spirit of April Fools and that the duo had achieved their life-long aspiration of making it to the majors.

 “I told [Leyland] that was a sick joke,” said Perry.

Fast forward to present day and the pair are flying high.  Porcello has started two games in the majors, posting a 1-1 record and a 3.75 ERA.  Perry, working from the bullpen, has appeared in six contests allowing just one earned run and fanning five.

With the early success of the pair of rookies, Porcello, Perry and the Tigers couldn’t be happier with Detroit’s choice of putting a Tigers cap on each man’s head instead one representing Toledo.

And that’s no joke.

** Quotes courtesy of MLB.com **

HIGH EXPECTATIONS ON HEYWARD

Jason Heyward – At just 19 years of age, the Braves top outfield prospect has high expectations already weighing on his shoulders.  Completely just the first spring training of his young career, Heyward is already being touted as the best prospect to come out of the Braves farm system in more than a decade by some prognosticators.

Said head coach Bobby Cox:  “He’s a good athlete.  He runs good, plays a good outfield, has really good hitting mechanics and a good eye. He’s really advanced for a teenager.”

Following camp, the 14th overall selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft was shipped to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in Class A ball where he’s hit .318 in his first 12 games.

Heyward’s Season Stats – Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A)
AVG – .318; 2B – 4; 3B – 0; HR – 3; RBI – 8; BB – 7; SO – 8; OPS – 1.037

JACKSON SCORCHING; McCUTCHEN SURPRISES; AND WIETERS WARMS UP

austin_jackson1.jpgAustin Jackson (pictured right) – Following a full season of Double-A ball in Trenton, the speedy Jackson is emerging a legitimate competitor for a position in the Yankees outfield.

Last season, Jackson batted .285 with 33 doubles, 5 triples, 9 HR, 69 RBIs and 19 SB in 131 games, leading Trenton in hits (148), doubles, stolen bases and RBIs.  His named appeared at the top of the Double-A stats charts in several categories, including at-bats (second), hits (third) and doubles (fourth).

As is his nature, Jackson hasn’t slowed down any in 2009, despite a promotion to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.  In his first seven starts, the Denton, TX native is 12/25 (.480) at the plate, has driven in six runs and stolen seven bases.  His versatility could assist his chances of being called-up to the Yankees, as he has spent time patrolling both center and right field this season.

Jackson’s Season Stats – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A)
AVG – .480; 2B – 0; 3B – 1; HR – 0; RBI – 6; BB – 5; SO – 7; OPS – 1.123

Andrew McCutchen – The Pittsburgh Pirates expected their prize center field prospect to have his bags packed and ready for a trip to their Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis as soon as the doors closed on spring training.  Boy, were they surprised.  McCutcheon did everything in his power, including six hits in his final six at bats, to convince Pittsburgh he was ready for a chance at the show.  In the end, he’s still being reassigned.  But an impression was certainly made on the Pirates staff.

“In Andrew’s case, we probably thought it was a much-later-in-the-summer-type progress,” general manager Neal Huntington told MLB.com. “Andrew still had a lot of things to tick off on that checklist. But he’s beginning to check them off a lot quicker than anticipated. The checklist is getting shorter.”

McCutchen continued his hot streak for Indianapolis with three multi-hit games in his first seven games and first-inning triples in back-to-back starts.

McCutchen’s Season Stats – Indianapolis (Triple-A)
AVG – .281; 2B – 2; 3B – 3; HR – 0; RBI – 1; BB – 4; SO – 3; OPS – .892

Matt Wieters – As expected, the Baltimore Orioles assigned their start prospect to their Triple-A affiliate (Norfolk Tides) to start the season.   Wieters return to the minors didn’t start the way he had invisioned.  Held without a hit in his first two games of the season (0-7), Wieters rebounded by hitting .363 in his next three.

Wieters Season Stats – Norfolk (Triple-A)
AVG – .222; 2B – 0; 3B – 0; HR – 0; RBI – 0; BB – 4; SO – 7; OPS – .586