JPN366

So, should I expect to see Jeffrey Marquez soon in B'ham?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 16, 2009 -> 05:50 PM) I'm listening to the radio for the W-S game, never done that before. The announcer, going solo, is actually pretty good. I correspond with Ed Collari via e-mail, he is a hell of a nice guy. Very helpful and will answer any of your questions.

I have an authentic red Braves #18 Jarrad Saltalamacchia jersey. Got it right before he was traded to Texas. $250 bucks and it was hell getting it made. MLB Shop has a policy where you can only get 12 letters on the back of a jersey, Salty's last name is 14 letters. But, since he was an actual player and his name was available under the drop down player menu, I figured they'd make an exception. When I got the e-mail invoice, it just said "#18 Name: SALTALAMACCH." So, after many phone calls and haggling, I insisted that they cancel the order if they weren't going to put his whole name on the back. I thought the order was cancelled, then I got a package in the mail. I pulled out the jersey and it had all 14 letters on the back. I hope that anybody else who's ordered a Salty jersey since then has gotten his whole name, or that I at least got MLB Shop to alter it's policy if an actual player's name is longer than 12 letters.

Ozuna Jersey

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 08:47 PM) And miss "swang" through the ball, Cubby love and three different pronunciations of Viciedo in one game...no way! Besides, I always have problems with that silverlight program and the Barons' feed on my computer for some reason. Beckham is 1/2 (the out was almost a HR in the LF corner) with 2 walks in his last two AB's. Use the feed from MiLB.com Curt Bloom

Listen to CB instead of the Smokies announcers.

With all the right handed bats on the Barons with the exception of Brandon Allen, they are going to feast on lefties.

Okay, here's a list of available numbers not assigned to someone on the 40 man roster or a coach below #59... 1, 6, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39, 49, 51, 58

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 04:11 PM) Poor Pods. He couldn't get 20 while he was here cause Garland had it (I believe he was 20 in Milwaukee). Then he got let go last year and Quentin took 20. Now he can't even get his older number back cause of Fields. I think 24 is the way to go here... Isn't 24 Dayan Viciedo's number?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 01:08 PM) If you guys post the questions, I'll do my best to get them answered from the really nice people in Charlotte. That organization, along with every org in the Sox system have really treated me and FutureSox tremendously over the years. Really the Sox minor league system is full of class acts, imo!!! I always have trouble with them. Can you get the jersey numbers for some of the players? I want to edit the roster on the Knights Wikipedia page. I'm looking for Jimmy Gobble, Josh Kroeger, Gookie Dawkins & Scott Podsednik.

I can provide info for the Barons, and I correspond with the W-S radio guy, so I can cover them too. But, I think we really need an insider to get info on Charlotte. I know most of my e-mails to their people go unanswered.

From Baseball America's minor league transactions for the White Sox for April 4th through the 10th... Franklyn German, Ryan O'Malley & Brad Salmon were released. Kyle Aselton (former Twins pitching prospect) was signed and is with B'ham. Mark Fleisher voluntarily retired. Ryan Z. Braun, Ricky Brooks, Justin Cassel, Clevelan Santeliz, Justin Edwards, Mike Grace, Eric Hollis (as always, he's B'ham's unofficial player/coach, bullpen/emergency active catcher, as well as a native of Alabama) & Jose Martinez were placed on the DL.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 12:21 PM) Yes, I read that from one of you guys who lives down there. I forgot who is the forumer that lives down there. Me.

Either #1 or #27 for Podsednik if he comes up.

Bad footwork seems to be a big part of Viciedo's defensive issues from what I've seen. He seems to be hesitant when the ball is hit to him. He stands too upright when he is at third, a third basemen needs to be squating a little bit in preparation. One of the White Sox roving fielding instructors needs to spend some extensive time with him if they really want him to play adequate third base.

Well, I guess you guys covered everything. Beckham's homer was barely fair, maybe 2 to 3 inches, not feet. But he hit it far enough, about 390 to 400 feet. John Ely pitched better than his line suggests. There was a lot of swings and misses. It was a small crowd, so I could hear more. Ely made a very audible exhalation as he released the ball on every pitch. He has a deceptive motion and he pops the glove well. If you could hear Gabby Martinez getting heckled, that was my friend Mark. Nothing much else to report.

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 12, 2009 -> 05:10 PM) Birmingham just started. Lucas Harrell started the game with an HBP on former Baron Victor Mercedes. Apparently Victor and Lucas have "history."

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 12, 2009 -> 05:52 PM) Birmingham isn't going to go 141-1 after all. They only play 140 games.

Maybe it's to cut down on travel expenses. Pearl, Mississippi to Zebulon, North Carolina is long drive.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 05:06 PM) I noticed the AA schedule is pretty much all 5-game series throughout the season. Is this new for 2009, or have they done this before? I kinda like it. One time through everyone's rotation. Since 2006. Homestands are either 5 or 10 days. Only one 10 game homestand this year for the Barons though.

Right field in Charlotte must be short, because they had Owens starting in right yesterday. Hope he didn't have to throw a runner out at home. He started in left field the day before.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 11:40 AM) Any info on why Cassel is on the DL? Nope, just lists the players on the DL. I'm waiting for Baseball America to update the weekly minor league transactions to see what the final cuts, etc. were.

Solved...he is the fifth starter for Charlotte. Awesome job by the Knights people to keep their roster updated. According to the Int'l League Active Player PDF, Ryan Z. Braun, Justin Cassel & Sergio Santos are on the DL. Although I thought Santos had been traded to San Fran. Plus, Franklyn German is not listed on the roster at all.

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 12, 2009 -> 10:20 PM) Extremely valuable. I always look forward to your input after games. Sorry for the lack of eloquence. Like I told you, I knew going into the season that there was going to be a lot of curiosity about the Barons, so I'm trying to pass along as much as I can. Don't want them to do too well, I'd like them to stick around as long as possible. Especially Flowers, I want to watch him win the All Star home run derby.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 12, 2009 -> 09:57 PM) I greatly appreciate the live updates. Sounds like you get to see some exciting players. Couldn't agree more about Nunez...it's really disappointing the overall package we got for Swisher. Trying to give you guys some outside the box score info. I try to post as soon as I get home.