Royal Rooters > Sox Minor League News Links, Thurs. July 3, 2008

Full Version: Sox Minor League News Links, Thurs. July 3, 2008

Royal Rooters > WE'RE TALKIN' BASEBALL > DOWN ON THE FARM

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 09:31 AM

Gordon Edes - Red Sox Notebook: Pedroia does a little extra

Five members of the Pawtucket Red Sox were selected to play for the International League in the Triple A All-Star Game: second baseman Joe Thurston, who is leading the league in hitting (.324), outfielder Jeff Bailey, designated hitter Chris Carter, outfielder Jonathan Van Every, and knuckleballer Charlie Zink. The game is in Louisville, Ky., July 16, the day after the big league game, and will be televised on ESPN2.

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Meanwhile, in Portland, three Sea Dogs were named Eastern League All-Stars: pitcher Michael Bowden, outfielder Bubba Bell, and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti. The game is scheduled for July 15 in Manchester, N.H.

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Top draft pick Casey Kelly, who worked out at Fenway Park Tuesday and doubled off the Monster in an intrasquad game, visited during batting practice yesterday. Kelly has signed a letter of intent to play quarterback at the University of Tennessee, but he is from a baseball family - his father, Pat, is a former catcher and currently manages Cincinnati's team in the Gulf Coast League - and several big league scouts predicted he will eventually sign with the Sox. Most teams project Kelly as a pitcher, but he also played shortstop at Sarasota (Fla.) High and after a slow start hit very well at the end of the season. He expressed a preference for playing every day but said he was open to pitching. "That's part of the negotiations," he said . . .

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 11:12 AM

Jeff Horrigan - Top pick faces difficult choice

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Casey Kelly has the most important decision of his young life to make in the upcoming weeks, and the Red Sox [team stats]’ first-round draft choice figures he can’t go wrong either way.

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“It’s a hard decision, but there’s no wrong decision,” he said. “Either way is good for my future.”

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The other big decision for Kelly, if he signs with the Sox, will be choosing between pitcher and shortstop. At Sarasota High this spring, the 6-foot-3 right-hander was 8-1 with two saves and a 1.16 ERA. He hit .473 with 13 doubles, five homers and 31 RBI. The Sox are believed to be favoring the pitching path, but Kelly is leaning in the other direction.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 02:49 PM

The Providence Journal

Joe McDonald - Red Sox 7, Rays 6 -- Hurst, coach like Buchholz’s change

“He’s got incredible stuff,” Hurst said. “For every young kid, especially with ability like that, it’s about the next step — making that last step to cross the threshold and become a major-league pitcher. He certainly has the ability and has terrific stuff. Now it’s just a matter of making it work at the major-league level.”

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He has a 4-1 record with a 1.63 ERA in 38 2/3 innings of work. He’s recorded 38 strikeouts and issued 15 walks while adjusting his motion.

“He’s made some very good strides with his new arm slot, but he still needs some consistency with it,” said Sauveur. “There are times when he reverts back to the old arm slot when he feels like he needs more velocity, but he really doesn’t need to. His new slot is where all the positives results will come from.”

His new arm slot is about five to nine inches away from his head. His old arm slot was more over the top of his head, which forced him to tilt his head in order for his follow-through to come through. Now there’s less head movement, which is giving him more direction and command toward the plate.

Joe McDonald - Chiefs 6, PawSox 5

The PawSox’ Chad Spann hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-4. It was his second home run of the season. Brown recorded his second triple of the season.

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The International League announced its All-Star roster for the midsummer classic, to be held July 14-16 at Louisville. The PawSox will have five players, their most ever, at the All-Star festivities. Pitcher Charlie Zink, infielder Joe Thurston and outfielders Chris Carter, Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey have been named to the I.L. team. …

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 03:27 PM

David McDonough - Sea Dogs' all-stars help top Trenton; Bubba Bell and Jeff Corsaletti have big games after being named to the league all-star game.

TRENTON, N.J. — Bubba Bell and Jeff Corsaletti, who were named earlier in the day to the Eastern League All-Star game, hit home runs Wednesday night to lead the Portland Sea Dogs to an 11-5 victory against the Trenton Thunder.

Bell, Corsaletti and pitcher Michael Bowden will represent the Sea Dogs in the July 16 game at Manchester, N.H.

Corsaletti hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Bell added a two-run double and a three-run homer. Bell left the game after the fifth after hitting his head on the outfield dirt but felt fine after the game.

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Portland starter Kyle Jackson had the Thunder under control for four innings but got in trouble in the fifth.With one out, Trenton got back-to-back singles, and Austin Jackson tripled to center. Chris Malec’s second double of the game scored Austin Jackson and cut the lead to 11-4.

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For Bowden, Bell and Corsaletti, the All-Star honor is well-deserved. Bowden is third in the Eastern League with a 2.48 ERA and second in strikeouts. Bell has been over .300 most of the season and leads the Sea Dogs with 13 homers.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 03:42 PM

Brendan McGair - Hurst helps out in new capacity

The current group of Red Sox owners has made it a priority to welcome back past players, Hurst being the latest example to join ex-Sox Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant. A left-hander who pitching in Pawtucket in 1980-81 and would later go on to win 88 games in nine seasons with the BoSox, Hurst assisted during spring training before being asked in late February to, as he phrased it, “to provide another set of eyes.”

“They just want another opinion to put in the mix,” Hurst was saying after taking in a bullpen session with prized prospect Clay Buchholz. “I visit with Ralph and Mike based on what I see and express my thoughts.”

The credit goes to Craig Shipley, Boston’s head of international scouting, for reintroducing Hurst to his Red Sox roots. The two were teammates with San Diego in the early 90s and frequently crossed paths internationally (Hurst served as the pitching coach for the Chinese national team for several years and has worked for a MLB-sponsored academy in Europe the past eight years).

Brendan McGair - PawSox lose, but win on All-Star ballot

Pitcher Charlie Zink, infielder Joe Thurston and outfielders Jeff Bailey and Chris Carter were elected to start while outfielder Jonathan Van Every was named a reserve. The five selections is a club-record.

The Triple-A version of the Midsummer Classic takes place July 16 in Louisville.

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The hometowners returned to McCoy Stadium Wednesday winners of 11 of their past 12 games and 17 of 20. Yet Syracuse’s Danny Sandoval, a former IL batting champ, dropped a perfect bunt that caught everyone in the stadium by surprise. Scott Lydon, who drew a walk and stole second on a pitchout, scored the game-winner.

“I tip my hat on a play like that,” said Johnson.

PawSox starter Edgar Martinez lasted just three-plus innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Miguel Asencio pitched four innings of one-run ball.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 03:55 PM

Eric Harding - JetHawks rally, then fall short

ADELANTO - After two games of sloppy baseball, which saw 14 errors, both teams got back on track Wednesday night.

Unfortunately for the JetHawks, they came out on the losing end, falling, 7-6, to High Desert at Stater Bros. Stadium.

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Right fielder Daniel Nava started the rally with an RBI double off the wall in center to score Josh Reddick, who led off with a walk.

After catcher Luis Exposito was hit by a Austin Binens-Dirkx pitch, Zak Farkes capitalized with a three-run home run to straight-away center to pull within 6-5.

Later in the frame, with two runners in scoring position, reliever Mark Wagner got first baseman Lars Anderson to strike out swinging to end the threat.

It didn't take long for the JetHawks to tie the game in the seventh.

Reddick led off with a triple that was smacked through the legs of Korey Feiner at first and into the right field corner. Nava followed with an RBI single up the middle to make it a brand new ballgame at 6-6.

However, the JetHawks missed an opportunity to do further damage in the frame. A sacrifice bunt by Reid Engel advanced the runners to second and third, and after Farkes was walked intentionally to load the bases, second baseman Luis Segovia struckout and Place grounded out to end the inning.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 04:09 PM

Willie T. Smith III - Jones, Drive nip Gnats

With the score tied, the bases loaded and two outs Jones drilled a ground ball down the right field line to drive in the winning run in a 4-3 Greenville victory in front of 4,012.

"(Jones) has been consistent all year," said Greenville manager Kevin Boles. "The work he has put in has been key. He has really protected our lineup. He's protected the young hitters and it has really been a credit to him. He really does a nice job at the plate."

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Greenville got solid play from its bullpen as Kyle Fernandes pitched three innings of shutout baseball and Javier Garcia (2-0) threw a perfect ninth.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 04:20 PM

The Lowell Sun

Spinners rally falls short

ABERDEEN, Md. -- The Lowell Spinners rallied in the late innings, but fell short in a 4-2 New York/Penn League loss to the host Aberdeen IronBirds last night before a crowd of 6.529 fans at Ripken Stadium.

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The Spinners brought the tying runs to the plate in each of the last two innings but could not get them across.

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The Lowell bats finally came alive in the eighth when Ryan Dent lined a solo homer -- his third of the season -- to put the Spins on the board.

A single by Mitch Dening and walk to Carlos Fernandez-Oliva brought the equalizer to the plate, but Lowell could muster only one more run on a Ronald Bermudez fielder's choice grounder to third.

The Spinners, who stranded eight runners, threatened again in the ninth when Rafael Cabreja belted a two-out triple before a strikeout ended the game.

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Kyle Weiland (0-1, 0.71 ERA) was tagged with the pitching loss after tossing 3 2/3 respectable innings of three-hit middle relief with four strikeouts.

Hunter Strickland also threw 1 1/3 innings of one-hit ball for Lowell.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 04:40 PM

Dennis Mahoney, Pioneer Local - Tomoleoni hopes to make quick impact with Red Sox

Tomoleoni, a left-handed pitcher, has already made an impact with the Class A Lowell (Mass.) Spinners. He picked up his first save Monday night against Oneonta despite allowing his first run in three appearances. He also has a win to his credit.

Tomoleoni already knows about beating the odds following Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He never lost sight of his goal to pitch in the major leagues one day and has his velocity back to 89-91 mph after spending time on the shelf while pitching for Barry University in Miami, Fla.

"I'm here, and that's what counts," said Tomoleoni. "Things are going well so far. We have a lot of pitchers on our staff, including guys who were drafted when I wasn't. But we all have to prove we belong here and we play a ton of games (77 games in 80 days) and I know I'll get plenty of chances.

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 04:51 PM

Matt Clements, InsideCarolina.com - Heels' catcher Federowicz to turn pro

North Carolina junior catcher Tim Federowicz will forgo his final year of eligibility at UNC and sign with the Boston Red Sox.

Upon being cleared to play in the next few days, Federowicz will sign with the Red Sox organization and join their minor league club, the Lowell Spinners.

"I am in Lowell, Mass. and about to sign with the Red Sox," Federowicz told Inside Carolina on Thursday. "I am waiting for my drug test to come back at the end of the week.

"I expect to sign on Friday or Monday - it takes about seven to ten business days. I took the drug test last Thursday. I will be with the Lowell Spinners after that."

RedSoxAnni

Jul 3 2008, 05:23 PM

Dennis Maffezzoli - Kelly stops at Trop after seeing Fenway

ST. PETERSBURG — - Casey Kelly has been on a whirlwind tour.

Tuesday, he was in Boston, working out at Fenway Park.

Wednesday, he was at Tropicana Field taking in the Red Sox game against Tampa Bay.

It's not as hectic as it could be, though.

The former Sarasota High standout and first-round pick by the Red Sox in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft still hasn't signed with Boston.

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