The Providence Journal
Robert Lee - Unlikely leadoff man Bailey reaches a milestone tonight
Bailey, who was selected to play tonight in the Triple-A All-Star game (the game, from Louisville, Ky., is 7 tonight on ESPN-2) for the first time in his career, along with four other PawSox players, was hitting .301 against lefties, went 1 for 9 with Boston last year, and earned a World Series ring. He has twice been called up briefly to Boston this season, going 0 for 5 with three walks.
This season in Pawtucket, he ranks among the International League leaders in slugging percentage (.596, second), on-base percentage (.403, fourth), runs scored (72, second), batting average (.306, fifth), home runs (23, third) and RBI (62, fifth).
He is batting leadoff for the PawSox for the first time in his career, and he is thriving in his new role.
"I love batting leadoff," Bailey said. "I've never had numbers like this before. If they want me to try to steal, I'll do that, too, but I told some of the other guys, with left-handed hitters I just stay put and leave that hole open over there for them, and that works out sometimes."
Joe McDonald - Moss, Lowrie and Spann test hand-eye coordination on the range
It’s nice to see athletes out here and enjoying the outdoors,” said O’Brien.
There’s a Wall of Fame in one of the buildings with autographed pictures of celebrities and athletes from around the world. Before the group left Addieville East Farm yesterday, O’Brien asked if they could send along a few pictures to add to the already impressive collection.
All three agreed.
“This place is perfect,” said Moss. “You would never know where you are here. It’s only 20 minutes from Providence, but it’s like being out in the middle of nowhere. It’s great. It’s perfect.”
Full Version: Sox Minor League News Links, Wed. July 16, 2008
Kevin Thomas - 'Bubba' by name, All-Star by game; Sea Dog Bubba Bell was a small-town, football-playing Texan, but forget the stereotype, he says.
Bell, 25, is one of five Portland Sea Dogs invited to today's Eastern League All-Star Baseball Game in Manchester, N.H.
Bell was a nothing-to-lose 39th round draft pick in 2005. He has sped through the Red Sox system, winning MVP honors in the Class A California League last season, getting an invitation to the prestigious Red Sox Rookie Development Camp in the offseason, and now establishing himself in Class Double-A Portland.
"Bubba's done great," Red Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen said. "We talk a lot about Bubba, from where he started last year. He's so much of a complete player and it's showing in the numbers."
Bell overcame a slow start this season and is hitting .286 with a team-high 13 home runs and 49 RBI. He will not only play in today's All-Star Game, but will also take part in the pregame Home Run Derby.
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After batting .317 in the rookie Gulf Coast league in 2005, Bell came to spring training in 2006, thinking he would play in low Class A Greenville. Instead, he watched as several players were cut, and he was stuck in extended spring training -- a limbo for players with no team.
In 2006, Bell moved six times, between Greenville, short-season Lowell and advanced Class A ball. "I never got settled," said Bell, who still batted .290.
In 2007, Bell was assigned to the new advanced Class A team in Lancaster, Calif., a franchise known for its high winds and hitter-friendly park.
Through July 4, Bell hit .370 with 22 home runs and 83 RBI.
Dan Goldberg - Papelbon may be finding a different way
LANCASTER - Josh Papelbon knew he did not pitch well. He could not say for sure what the box score read, but he didn't really care. The ball simply hadn't gone where he wanted it to go. The JetHawks relief pitcher called his brother, seeking advice and comfort.
"Jonathan has been through everything I am going through," the younger Papelbon said of his brother, the closer for the Boston Red Sox. "He still goes through it. If he leaves a split-finger up they are going to hit it."
Papelbon also keeps in regular contact with his twin brother Jeremy, a pitcher in High-A for the Chicago Cubs organization.
Together the three discuss their successes and failures, each offering encouragement to the other two.
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Papelbon was a 48th-round pick in the 2006 draft, and despite the pedigree, the draft made him an instant long-shot to reach the majors.
He is not an organizational priority, and is suffering a familiar slight to those without large signing bonuses. He isn't pitching as often as he feels he must to improve. He appeared in 17 games through May, but just eight since, a total of 16 innings in the last six weeks.
"It is not ideal, but you get to a situation where you cannot complain," Papelbon said. "You just got to play the cards you are dealt."
Though he has pitched less frequently, he has done so with far more effect, lowering his earned-run average to 4.43 from 5.40 since June 1.
The difference, according to coaches and scouts alike, has been his improved slider.
"He started out using all deception," pitching coach Chuck Smith said. "Now he has progressed to throwing the ball to different sides of the plate as well as being able to elevate that slider. I like how Pap has evolved as a pitcher."
Willie T. Smith III - Baseball fans on pace to set attendance record at Fluor Field; Team on pace to set attendance record
Through 46 home dates this season, 232,262 fans have watched the Drive play. That is an average of 5,049, putting it ahead of last year’s total of 4,991.
Topping 5,000 per game has long been a goal of Drive general manager Mike deMaine.
“We definitely overcame some (bad) weather earlier in the year,” deMaine said. “There are a couple of factors. No. 1, it goes back to that we have tried to maintain, over the course of our existence in Greenville is we go from $5 to $8 (ticket price range). That is an important model we have really tried to hold consistent.
“The economy also plays a big factor. People are tending to stay around town a little bit more this year. I think our price structure and our entertainment here in town is going to create some opportunities to reach some attendance milestones this year.”
Kevin Gray - On Baseball: The future is in Manchester
Fifty-two players, some of the most promising in all of the minor leagues, will showcase their talent before a standing-room-only crowd. And in just a few short years, we'll look back and say, "Remember when he played in Manchester?" That the beauty of Double-A, where the next superstar blossoms right before your eyes. So grab a program and savor the moment.
This very well may be the greatest assembly of on-field talent in New Hampshire since Babe Ruth and the Red Sox played at Manchester's Textile Field (now Gill Stadium) in 1914.
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