GatewayRedbirds.com

Memphis lost 7-4 to the iCubs. Blake Hawksworth gave up 5 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings. Rick Ankiel was 3 for 4 with a double. Box Log



Springfield won 6-2 against Wichita. Mitch Boggs pitched 6 scoreless innings with 5 Ks. Mike Cooper, recently promoted from Palm Beach, gave up 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Bryan Anderson was 2 for 2 with a homer and 2 walks. As impressive as Anderson was, Joe Mather was even more so – he went 3 for 4 with 2 homers and a double. The first homer was measured at 430+ feet. Box Log

Palm Beach won 9-5 against Vero Beach. Gary Daley had 9 Ks over 6 innings. Allen Craig was 3 for 5 with 2 homers. Brandon Yarbrough, Casey Rowlett, and Jose Martinez also had multiple hits. Shane Robinson was hitless but had 2 more stolen bases after 3 walks. Box Log

Quad Cities lost 7-3 to the Burlington Bees. Tough night for costarters Tyler Herron and Brad Furnish. Herron gave up 3 runs over 4 and 2/3 innings (although 2 of the runs were allowed by the bullpen). Furnish gave up 4 runs over 2 innings. At one point he walked the bases loaded and then hit a batter to drive in 1 of the runs. Brandon Buckman was 3 for 4. Box Log

Way to go Rick! Keep swinging the bat.

By the way, there was discussion about his high tendency to strike out. He's currently striking out 18% of the time so far in 07. The Dave Kingman comparison were offered. Well, Kong Kd over 27% of the time as a ML hitter. And by comparison, John Rodriguez is once again striking out at a 26% clip. Right at his major league average. A Dave Kingman without the power, if you will.

New Pagodi wrote:

That is awesome. And thanks for the updates, they are much appreciated.

Anderson is showing more power. Any reports that he bulked up during the off-season?

I have had a man crush on Rick Ankiel since I first saw his curve ball on the little tv set in my neighbor's kitchen one night.

If he makes it back to the majors as an outfielder I will pretty much bug out.

What's up with Mather?
He's just ripping the ball.
If he keeps this up he's a real prospect to watch.
His player page indicate SS, but he's been playing first.
What other positions would he be able to play?

Mather has played, I believe 3B, 1B and a little outfield in his time in the system. The interesting thing is he was drafted the same year as Terry Evans and is having an Evanisque type of breakout season.

Mather was drafted as a third basemen, and he continued to play that position in the rookie and short season leagues. However by the time he started playing for a full season, he had been moved to the outfield. He was moved to first base this year due to overcrowding in the outfield.

How about Allen Craig for Palm Beach. The Cards took him in the 8th round of last years draft. Hes hitting .348 with 4 hr and 16 RBIs this year. He's lised as a SS but he also plays 1b. Craig hit .257/.325/.400 with four home runs and 29 RBI for short-season Class A State College and was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star game. In early August he partially tore the patella tendon in his knee and missed the rest of the '06 season. The Cards thought enough of him to skip him over low A and right to High A. He is off to another good start this year. He might be a sleeper in the system.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... pid=501800