Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Next-to-last home game of the season

There's always an infinite sadness when the end of the baseball season rolls around. While I enjoy football and hockey's just around the corner, there's a lot to be said for those summer days and nights spent at the ballpark, enjoying America's pastime.

Tonight was the next-to-last home game for the Iowa Cubs, as they played the Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City's top affiliate. They then go on the road to Nashville, where they'll complete their last four games of the season. Being a Cubs affiliate, of course, they're not in the playoffs.

So, my wife and I wanted to attend one last minor league game for the year. What made tonight's game even more special, was autographed ball night. The first 2,000 fans would receive an augotgraphed baseball -- by Iowa Cubs players, MLB players, or Hall of Famers -- given out at the gates at random.

Each of us receievd a twisted, brown paper bag when we entered the stadium, but waited until we reached our seats (behind home plate -- being our last game, we decided to splurge). Our autos were from current I-Cubs -- Jan's was autographed by Brad Nelson and mine was by Ty Wright.


As an added bonus, my wife found another bag that was left by the sink in the lady's room -- Catcher J.C. Boscan. Of the three, Wright is the only one with any remaining potential.

Wright was drafted by the Cubs in the seventh round of the 2007 draft out of Oklahoma State.He was named to the 2010 Southern League mid-season All-Star game prior to being promoted to Iowa in June.

Nelson, who played 1B, is an Iowa boy and was signed by the Cus as a minor-league free agent in December (he was originally drafted by the Brewers in 2001). He made his MLB debut with the Brewers in 2008 and played with them in 2009, as well.

Boscan was signed by the Cubs as a minor league free agent in November. He's actually played in the minors for 13 years, before making his debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2011.

The Cubbies went on to win 5-2, and my player fared better than Jan's -- Wright was 2 for 4, with three RBIs, while Nelson was only 1 for 4. Boscan didn't even play.

It was rather funny to  hear some of the families telling their kids, "Look honey, your ball's up to bat."

Thursday, August 22, 2013

2013 Bowman Platinum Padres case break

Well, I was finally able to make it to RyansCardz to pick up my Padres cards.

If you remember, one of my local brick and mortar card shops was breaking open a six-box case of 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball. Each MLB team was placed upon the bid board, ranging from starting bids of $15 for the Angels, to the lowest, $3, which included teams such as San Diego and Toronto. I was able to get my 16 Padres cards for a $7 bid, or roughly 44 cents per card.

Overall, I was happy with the Padres that were pulled. However, from a six-box case, there were more than a few copies. Let's start out with what I consider the best card of the lot.

 
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospects Green Refractor Max Fried #BPCP55 S/N 143/399
Bowman Platinum Prospects Max Fried #BPP55 (4)

It was nice to get a serial-numbered card. Fried is another lefty arm stockpiled deep in the Padres minor League system. Last May, the 2012 first rounder threw a no-hitter, striking out eight, while walking four in a 1-0 victory over the Great Lakes Loons. He's considered the Padres' #2 prospect by Baseball America, and the 46th overall prospect.

Bowman Platinum Jedd Gyorko #90 RC (2)
Bowman Platinum Ruby Jedd Gyorko #90 RC

You have to love those camo uniforms. Gyorko was the only Friar with a rookie card in the set. I'm pretty sure this is the ruby variation -- at least I don't think it's the sapphire version. For his rookie season, Gyorko is hitting .249, with 86 hits and 14 homers in 90 games. While he was hitting .284 prior to his strained right groin, he went 4-for-43, with one RBI and 13 strikeouts upon his return. It looks as if he may be rounding back into shape, hitting five homers this month alone.

Bowman Platinum Chase Headley #46 (2)
Bowman Platinum Ruby Chase Headley #46

Here's Headley taking a mighty swing. It looks like a decent follow-through, but it's rather hard to tell if it's a hit, or one of his 124 strikeouts. It certainly couldn't have been one of his home run swings -- he's only had two this season. It'll be interesting to see what happens to him after the season ends.

Bowman Platinum Prospects Joe Ross #BPP82 (2)
Bowman Platinum Prospects Refractors Joe Ross #BPCP82

Bowman Platinum Prospects Austin Hedges #BPP76 (2)

Ross continues on with the Low-A Fort Wayne Tincaps, posting a 3-2 record and a 2.71 earned run average in 12 starts. Hedges, meanwhile, who I can't wait to see working behind the plate in San Diego, was promoted to AA San Antonio, thanks in part to an injury to Missions catcher Robert Kral.

The 2013 version doesn't appear to be that much different than last year's set, other than the fact the backgrounds have been airbrushed out. Last year, the border went up about half the card on both the left and right side; this year, it only goes up about a quarter of the card.

The highlight of the case break was a Dual Autograph redemption card of Jorge Soler and Yasei Puig.
Again, I was quite happy with my Padres pulls and look forward his next baseball case break. But with football season rapidly approachiing, it looks as if his next break will be either the Rookies and Stars Football or Panini Momentum Football.







Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I won the Padres Bowman Sterling 6-Box Case Break

Just a quick note. I found out I won the Padres slot on the 6-box case break of 2013 Bowman Platinum, at a cost of $7. However, we have a season-ticketholder event with the Iowa Wild Hockey team tonight, so I won't be able to pick them up until Wednesday night. In the meantime, wish me luck!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Ready for the Padres' next Bloggers Night


Oh, to be back in San Diego again.

Last Thursday night, the San Diego Padres held its first ever “Bloggers Night” for San Diego-area Padres bloggers. The bloggers were treated like VIPs, standing on the field watching batting practice, and getting the opportunity to talk with Manager Bud Black, P Andrew Cashner and LF Jaff Decker.

They then moved up to one of the Padres suites on the Toyota Terrace Deck, where Padres management spoke to them, including Bob Scanlon and Josh Byrnes. Discussions ranged from the Padres blogging scene, to the art of trading players, to those Padres prospects currently residing within the farm system.

Besides the free food and great view, the seven bloggers also got to view upcoming promotional items, including hats, flip flops and a luchador wrestling match. The only downside on the evening, perhaps, was the Friars’ 4-1 loss to the Mets.

If the Padres decide to continue its Bloggers Night series, I’m sure that Marcus (All the Way to the Backstop), Rod (Padrographs), and Gavin (Baseball Card Breakdown), will be more than willing to step up and do our part.

Call me!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Possible Bid Board Pads

RyansCardz, one of my favorite local brick and mortar stores runs a weekly bid board. It's ran like a silent auction -- customers put a card up for bid on the board and you can bid on it, using your membership number. If you have the highest bid when it ends on Saturday, at 1:30 p.m., it's yours.

This week RyansCardz  was breaking open a six-box case of 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball. Each MLB team was placed upon the bid board, ranging from starting bids of $15 for the Angels, to the lowest, $3. Once the bidding closed today, they were to break the case at 3 p.m.

Since this is a six-box case, Ryan expects at least 18 hits from the break.  Needless to say, you get all the cards, even the base, pulled for your team. 

Unfortunately, I had my National Guard drill this weekend, so I wasn't around to see if my bid won, or to observe the case break. I initially posted a $3 bid on both the Padres and the Blue Jays (my AL team). When I last checked Friday night, I still had the high bid on the Jays, but was outbid on my Padres. I didn't even think there was another Padres fan in town.I upped my bid to $6, and still have no idea where I'm at with it. 

In any case, as far as Padres pulls go, this is what's available. I'll let you all know how successful I was once I find out..
 
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Green Refractors #BPCP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Purple Refractors #BPCP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Refractors #BPCP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect X-Fractors #BPCP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Orange National Convention #NC55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Atomic Refractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Blue Refractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Gold Refractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Green Refractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Black #BPP55 Max Fried      
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Cyan #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Magenta #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Yellow #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Red Refractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects Superfractors #BPP55 Max Fried
Bowman Platinum Prospects X-Fractors #BPP55 Max Fried
 
Bowman Platinum #90 Jedd Gyorko RC
Bowman Platinum Gold #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Black #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Cyan #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Magenta #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Yellow #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Ruby #90 Jedd Gyorko
Bowman Platinum Sapphire #90 Jedd Gyorko
  
Bowman Platinum #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Gold #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Black #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Cyan #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Magenta #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Printing Plates Yellow #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Purely Platinum Autographs #CH Chase Headley        
Bowman Platinum Ruby #46 Chase Headley       
Bowman Platinum Ruby #46 Chase Headley
Bowman Platinum Sapphire #46 Chase Headley
               
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Green Refractors #BPCP76 Austin Hedges 
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Purple Refractors #BPCP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Refractors #BPCP76 Austin Hedges              
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect X-Fractors #BPCP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Orange National Convention #NC76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Atomic Refractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Blue Refractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Gold Refractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Green Refractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Black #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Cyan #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Magenta #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Yellow #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Red Refractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects Superfractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges
Bowman Platinum Prospects X-Fractors #BPP76 Austin Hedges 
 
Bowman Platinum Prospects Bat Barrels #RL Rymer Liriano
 
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Green Refractors #BPCP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Purple Refractors #BPCP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect Refractors #BPCP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospect X-Fractors #BPCP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Orange National Convention #NC82 Joe Ross                 
Bowman Platinum Prospects #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Atomic Refractors #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Blue Refractors #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Gold Refractors #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Green Refractors #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Black #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Cyan #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Magenta #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Printing Plates Yellow #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Red Refractors #BPP82 Joe Ross
Bowman Platinum Prospects Superfractors #BPP82 Joe Ross      
Bowman Platinum Prospects X-Fractors #BPP82 Joe Ross

Friday, August 16, 2013

Tyson Ross - Hope for the 2014 rotation?


Just like Jaff Dacker, 26-year old Tyson Ross may be making enough of a noise to be considered for the Padres' pitching rotation in 2014. On Thursday, Ross pitched seven strong innings against the New York Mets (109 pitches -- 74 for strikes), notching eight strikouts, while allowing one run on five hits.

Of course, San Diego went on to lose the game, 4-1, but it was another strong showing for Ross. What's even more impressive, is the 6-foot, 6-inch right-hander has a 1.32 ERA over his last five starts, ever since he was moved from the bullpen into the starting rotation. Adding a changeup to go along with his fastball and slider probably hasn't hurt, either.

Ross came to San Diego last November from Oakland. The Padres sent IF Andy Parrino and P Andrew Werner north to the A's, for Ross and A.J. Kirby-Jones. He's making good on his second call-up with the Padres (July 22), as he was optioned to Tucson on July 9, posting a 1-1 record with a 1.86 ERA.

Meanwhile, there's the possiblity another Ross could be making a bid for the Padres starting rotaton. Tyson's brother Joe,a 20-year old Padres 1st round draft pick in 2011, is currently toiling at Fort Wayne, Ind., San Diego's Low A club. After a decent start, Joe has dropped his last two games and is currently 4-7, with a 6.26 ERA for the Tincaps, with 70 strikeouts and 35 walks.
Joe, three inches shorter than his older brother, began his minor league career in the Arizona Fall League. Last year he started in the Fall League, moving on to the Northwest League's Eugene Emeralds, before finishing the year at Fort Wayne of the Midwest League.

It'll probably be a matter of time befor the younger Ross cracks the Padres roster. You have to admit, it would be pretty cool to see the brothers Ross in the same rotation.

* * * * * *

I'll probably end up regretting this, but I've started a second sports card blog about my other passion -- hockey cards. I've been enjoying writing about San Diego Padres cards so much, I decided to try may hand at hockey. Especially since we just picked up season tickets of the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, who begin play Oct. 12.

Check out "Hockey Card Geek" at http://hockeycardgeek.blogspot.com/ .

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Joltin' Jaff?


Well, it appears that 2008 first-round prospect Jaff Decker is the Friars’ choice to replace OF Carlos Quentin, who was placed on the 15-day DL (retroactive to July 31).  If you were to base his abilities on first impressions, his first start Aug. 11 at Cincinnati, left a lot to be desired. He had nothing to show for that start, going 0-3, popping up to third, lining out to left, and then right field.
In his previous call-up this year, both pitch-hitting opportunities, he also had little to show for his “cup of coffee.” On June 20, he pinch-hit for Luke Gregerson in the 8th inning, drawing a walk in his only appearance. The next night, he pinch-hit for Tyson Ross in the 7th inning, reaching base on a Brandon League error and eventually scoring on a Chris Denorfia sacrifice fly.
Last, night, however, in a 14-2 shellacking by Colorado in the mile-high city, Dacker collected his first Padre hit, home run and RBI. He singled to left in the 5th inning for his first hit, and then in the top of the 7th, he hit a solo homer to right off starter Jhoulys Chacin, ending the night .
Is Decker the answer for Quentin, who should be available to return later this week? It’s hard to tell. While he hit .293 with 23 doubles, one triple, nine homers and 38 RBIs at Tucson, it's too small of a sampling to project how well he'll do. After all, what's to say he won't get sent back down once Quentin's healthy enough to return?

By the same token, with all the Padres injuries – LF Kyle Blanks (Achilles tendinitis), CF Cameron Maybin (left knee) and Quentin – Decker may get all the opportunity he needs.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Padres prospects doing well


For some time now, I’ve gotten the Baseball America Prospect Report delivered to my e-mail inbox. It’s a pretty handy service, which gives you a daily highlight of each organization’s minor league players. They’re listed alphabetically by their parent clubs, with hitters listed first, followed by pitchers, so you do have to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Any way you cut it, it’s a great way to keep track of Padres prospects.
For example, Tuesday, Aug. 6’s report includes the stats for RF Jaff Decker and pitchers Keyvius Sampson and Brad Boxberger. The stats represent the games from Monday Aug. 4 – Tucson playing at Nashville (AAA) and the San Antonio Missions playing at the Frisco Roughriders (AA)
Team   Class    Player, Pos                AB    R   H     BI    AVG

SD       AAA    Decker, Jaff, RF         5      2    3      1      .292      2B (23), CS (6)
 

Despite an 8-5 loss, Decker led off the game with a single (and was abruptly caught stealing), adding another single and a ground-rule double, good for his 38th RBI of the season. A Padres’ first round pick in the 2008 draft, Dacker was only able to play 47 games at AA last season, due to plantar fasciitis. At 23 years of age, he’s one of those frustrating Padres prospects who can show flashes of potential and then play so mind-numbingly bland. He actually earned a call-up to San Diego this season after Everth Cabrera pulled his hammy, earning a hit in two at-bats.

Team   Class    Pitcher                     IP     H   R    ER    BB    K    ERA

SD       AA       Sampson, Keyvius   7      4    0      0       1      6      2.26 W (10-4) Prospect Pitcher/Day

SD       AAA    Boxberger, Brad      2      0    0       0      0      5      3.33

 


Selected by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2009 Draft out of Ocala Forest (Fla.) High School, Sampson defeated the Roughriders, 1-0 in a Texas League tilt. He threw 92 pitches (63 for strikes), while facing 25 batters. Austin Hedges’ two-out RBI in the top of the 2nd would be all the offense Sampson would need.

Sampson continues to be one of San Diego’s hottest pitchers – whether it’s the minor or majors. Since June, all the 22-year old righty has done, is record 82 strikeouts in 72.2 innings, good for a 1.86 ERA.  

Meanwhile in Nashville, Boxberger threw two scoreless innings in relief of starter Anthony Bass. One of the two pitchers acquired in the Latos trade, the former USC pitcher had his A-game going, throwing a total of 84 pitches (56 for strikes). Five of the six batters he faced struck out, while Nashville’s Eugenio Velez grounded out to third.

What will tomorrow bring in the Padres’ minor league system? I’m not sure, but I’m positive I’ll find it my e-mail.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Getting ready for the Yankees


Petco will be packed this weekend, as the Padres play host to the New York Yankees for the second time during the regular season. Excepting the four game rout of the 1998 World Series, the Padres and Yankees have only faced off nine times, with the New Yorkers holding a 7-2 edge in wins, including two shutouts.
The Padres last hosted New York in June 2002, where they lost two-out-of-three games.

It’s interesting to realize the amount of players the Padres and Yankees have shared over the years. Of course, I’m not talking about the many trades, such as Jay Johnstone coming to San Diego for Dave Wehrmeister (1979), or Jim Leyritz being traded to New York for Geraldo Padua (1999).
I’m talking about the players who’ve truly made an impact for both of these teams.


Bursting onto the San Diego major league roster 12 days after becoming the Padres’ first-round draft pick, Minnesotan Dave Winfield proved to be a Padres workhorse. A four-time Padres All-Star selection, as well as a two-time Gold Glove winner, he hit 34 home runs with 118 RBIs in 1979 as captain. After an eight-year career with the Padres, Winfield was granted free agency.
New York came calling with a wad of cash and the former collegiate pitcher signed for a whopping $23 million. Roaming the Yankees outfield from 1981-90, he was named to the All-Star game eight-time more times and earned another five Silver Slugger and Golden Glove awards. He hit .290 as a Yankee, with 205 home runs and 818 RBIs.


All Goose Gossage did during his seven year stint with the Yankees, is tally 42 wins, 151 saves and a 2.14 ERA, to say nothing of 512 Ks and 185 BBs. A six-year, $2.75 million free agent signee from Pittsburgh in 1977, he played in four All-Star games and won the Relief Man Award in 1978.
He signed with San Diego in January 1984, after being granted free agency in November 1983 from the Yankees. His ‘Fu was even more awesome in the Padres orange and yellow. In his initial Padres season, he went 10-6 with a .290 ERA and 25 saves, including the last out of 1984 NLCS against the Cubs. He also earned the All-Star nod in 1984 and 1985 and was 25-20, with a 2.99 ERA and 243 strikeouts as a Padre

Need some Goose Gossage trivia? Who struck out Pete Rose in the Reds player’s final at-bat?
Ding, ding, ding! It was Goose Gossage, on Aug. 17, 1986. Player/Manager Pete Rose stepped in to pinch hit for Cincinnati P Rob Robinson in the ninth inning. The Padres won 9-5.


And of course, there was Jerry Coleman, who played infield for the Yankees from 1949-1957, enroute to winning four championships.  Among his baseball awards were Rookie of Year (1949), All-Star (1950), and World Series MVP (1950). A Marine Corps pilot, he was the only major leaguer to see combat in both World War II and Korea, flying 120 missions and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross twice.
Following a Yankees broadcasting career (1963-70) and a couple of years with the Angels, he’s served as the Padres radio voice since 1972. In 1980, he moved from the airwaves to the dugout, where he managed the Padres to a 73-89 record.

There’s other players, of course – Boomer Wells and Sterling Hitchcock readily come to mind – but I think I’ll stick with these three.
In the meantime, let’s see if Ian Kennedy is worth a win over the Bronx Bombers.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

I can't believe we traded Stites!

Despite all the whining about the Padres front office standing pat during the off-season, this year’s trading deadline saw the Friars get starting pitching, at the cost of RP Joe Thatcher, Minor League RP Matt Stites and a 2014 Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick to Arizona.

In return, they got SP Ian Kennedy from Arizona in one of the few trades that actually went down during Wednesday's trading deadline.

It'll be interesting to see what Kennedy can actually do for San Diego. While he finished fourth to Clayton Kershaw in the 2011 Cy Young vote, he hasn’t been the same pitcher since, going 18-20, with a 4.47 ERA. Of course, he could possibly turn it all around, thanks to “a change of scenery” and the fact that Petco’s still considered a pitcher’s park.

There's no doubt San Diego needs starting pitching. Andrew Cashner (maybe), Jason Marquis (before his injury), who do we have that you'd consider a Number 1 or 2 pitcher? 

 
I won't miss Thatcher, 3-1 2.10 ERA in 50 games this season. He became a Padre following a 2007 trade with the Brewers in a trade that also brought Will Inman and Steve Garrison to San Diego, in return for relief pitcher Scott Linebrink.  But Stite, a 17th round pick from the University of Missouri in in 2011, was a very promising, up-and-coming player.
 
 
Despite all the good, young arms in the Padres system, just how promising was this 22-year old reliever? In his three seasons within the Padres minor league system, he was 8-2, with a 1.53 ERA in 114 games. He also notched 32 saves, with 150 K’s and 19 BB’s, in 135.1 innings pitched.
 
With Stites, Arizona is getting temporarily damaged goods.  It’s more than likely his 2013 season is over, after recently undergoing an appendectomy. He sported a flashy 2-2 record with Double-A San Antonio, as well as a 2.08 ERA and 14 saves.
 
However, for many San Diego fans, a trade is much better than just standing pat. Despite the fact they didn’t even get a whiff of that “big bat,” everyone's been demanding, it remains to be seen how this trade actually pans out for the Padres.