Andrelton Simmons gets Braves extension

Andrelton Simmons was given a seven year deal worth $58 million by the Braves. The shortstop has two seasons of MLB experience and is the fifth young player to be locked up long term by the Braves this month. In 2013 he hit .248/.296/.396 with 17 HR, 59 RBI, 76 R, 6 SB in 157 games while establishing himself as one of the best defensive shortstops in the MLB. For his MLB career he has hit .256/.304/.400 with 20 HR, 78 RBI, 93 R, 7 SB in 206 games. He was originally drafted by the Braves in the second round in 2010. Simmons will be 25 on September 4th.

Colorado Rockies 2013 Minor League Stat Leaders

	AVG			OBP			SLG
Corey Dickerson- AAA	0.371		Josh Rutledge- AAA	0.444		Matt McBride- AAA	0.683
Josh Rutledge- AAA	0.371		Rosell Herrera- AAA	0.419		Corey Dickerson- AAA	0.632
DJ LeMahieu- AAA	0.364		Corey Dickerson- AAA	0.414		Josh Rutledge- AAA	0.587
Raimel Tapia- R	0.357		Alec Mehrten- A	0.413		Ryan McMahon- R	0.583
Rosell Herrera- AAA	0.343		DJ LeMahieu- AAA	0.405		Tom Murphy- A,AA	0.571
Matt McBride- AAA	0.328		Ryan McMahon- R	0.402		Raimel Tapia- R	0.562
Ryan McMahon- R	0.321		Raimel Tapia- R	0.399		Francisco Sosa- A	0.529
Francisco Sosa- A	0.315		Francisco Sosa- A	0.397		Charlie Culberson- AAA	0.524
Hernan Iribarren- AAA	0.312		Jordan Patterson- R	0.389		Ryan Casteel- A+	0.523
Charlie Culberson- AAA	0.310		Michael Tauchman- A	0.388		Ben Paulsen- AAA	0.523
	2B			3B			HR
Francisco Sosa- A	35		Corey Dickerson- AAA	14		Kiel Roling- AA	24
Trevor Story- A+	34		Ben Paulsen- AAA	10		Kyle Parker- AA	23
Rosell Herrera- AAA	33		Taylor Featherston- A+	10		Tom Murphy- A,AA	22
Ben Paulsen- AAA	32		Tyler Massey- A+	9		Ryan Casteel- A+	22
Tom Murphy- A,AA	31		Charlie Culberson- AAA	8		Harold Riggins- A+	22
Taylor Featherston- A+	31		Charlie Blackmon- AAA	6		Kent Matthes- AA,AAA	20
Matt Wessinger- A,A+	31		Tyler Colvin- AAA	6		Francisco Sosa- A	20
Kent Matthes- AA,AAA	30		Angelys Nina- AA	6		Derek Jones- A	19
Ryan Casteel- A+	30		Kyle Von Tungeln- A,A+	6		Ben Paulsen- AAA	18
Ryan Wheeler- AAA	29		Raimel Tapia- R	6		Rosell Herrera- AAA	16
Derek Jones- A	29
	RBI			R			SB
Ryan Wheeler- AAA	89		Taylor Featherston- A+	87		Juan Ciriaco- A	50
Francisco Sosa- A	89		Francisco Sosa- A	85		Francisco Sosa- A	30
Kiel Roling- AA	84		Rosell Herrera- AAA	83		Omar Carrizales- R	30
Tom Murphy- A,AA	83		Harold Riggins- A+	77		Matt Wessinger- A,A+	27
Taylor Featherston- A+	81		Matt Wessinger- A,A+	77		Kyle Von Tungeln- A,A+	26
Ben Paulsen- AAA	79		Ryan Wheeler- AAA	74		David Kandilas- A+	24
Ryan Casteel- A+	76		Trevor Story- A+	71		Trevor Story- A+	23
Rosell Herrera- AAA	76		Kyle Parker- AA	70		Rosell Herrera- AAA	21
Kyle Parker- AA	74		Ryan Casteel- A+	67		Michael Tauchman	20
Harold Riggins- A+	65		Ben Paulsen- AAA	64		Angelys Nina- AA	19
Trevor Story- A+	65		Tom Murphy- A,AA	64		Luis Jean- R	19
	AB			H			BB
Trevor Story- A+	497		Rosell Herrera- AAA	162		Kyle Von Tungeln- A,A+	72
Kyle Parker- AA	480		Francisco Sosa- A	145		Rosell Herrera- AAA	61
Matt Wessinger- A,A+	478		Kyle Parker- AA	138		Harold Riggins- A+	57
Rosell Herrera- AAA	472		Taylor Featherston- A+	137		Francisco Sosa- A	57
Taylor Featherston- A+	469		Brian Humphries- A+	136		Matt Wessinger- A,A+	51
Francisco Sosa- A	461		Ben Paulsen- AAA	134		Ryan Casteel- A+	50
Ben Paulsen- AAA	459		Ryan Wheeler- AAA	134		Trevor Story- A+	45
Brian Humphries- A+	473		Matt Wessinger- A,A+	128		David Kandilas- A+	44
Angelys Nina- AA	446		Angelys Nina- AA	125		Will Swanner- A+	44
Tyler Massey- A+	442		Charlie Culberson- AAA	123		Tom Murphy- A,AA	41
	W			ERA			WHIP
Daniel Winkler- A+,AA	13		Jesse Meaux- A	0.90		Dylan Stamey- R	0.87
Ben Alsup- A+	13		Dylan Stamey- R	1.26		Jonathan Gray- R,A+	0.88
Tyler Gagnon- A+	12		Leuris Gomez- A+,AA	1.34		Roy Oswalt- R,AA	0.90
Eddie Butler- A,A+,AA	9		Trent Blank- A	1.35		Jerad McCrummen- A	0.92
T.J. Oakes- A,A+	9		Bruce Kern- A,A+	1.52		Leuris Gomez- A+,AA	0.98
Drew Pomeranz- AA,AAA	8		Jerad McCrummen- A	1.73		Daniel Winkler- A+,AA	0.98
Christian Bergman- AA	8		Eddie Butler- A,A+,AA	1.80		Eddie Butler- A,A+,AA	0.99
Tyler Matzek- AA	8		Sam Moll- A	1.80		Sam Moll- A	1.00
Ben Hughes- A	8		Roy Oswalt- R,AA	1.85		Trent Blank- A	1.01
Antonio Senzatela- R,A	8		Scott Oberg- A+	1.85		Antonio Senzatela- R,A	1.03
						Troy Neiman- A	1.03
						Carlos Polanco- R	1.03
	SO			IP			SV
Daniel Winkler- A+,AA	175		Christian Bergman- AA	171.0		Scott Oberg- A+	33
Eddie Butler- A,A+,AA	143		Ben Alsup- A+	161.2		Cole White- AA	19
Chris Jensen- A+	136		Tyler Gagnon- A+	158.2		Raul Fernandez- A	16
Ben Alsup- A+	133		Daniel Winkler- A+,AA	157.0		Logan Kensing- AAA	15
Tyler Gagnon- A+	120		Chris Jensen- A+	152.1		Trent Daniel- A	15
Christian Bergman- AA	111		Eddie Butler- A,A+,AA	149.2		Rayan Gonzalez- A	12
Tim Gustafson- AA	105		Tim Gustafson- AA	146.1		Dylan Stamey- R	7
Shane Broyles- A	103		T.J. Oakes- A,A+	144.0		Gustavo Brazoban- R	5
Drew Pomeranz- AA,AAA	101		Tyler Matzek- AA	142.1		5 tied	4
Ryan Arrowood- A,A+	99		Ben Hughes- A	136.0

Homer Bailey extension with Reds

Homer Bailey agreed to a six year extension worth $105 million with the Cincinnati Reds. Plus there is an option for a seventh year at $25 million. The RHP has seven seasons MLB experience pitching with the Reds. In 2013 he was 11-12, 3.49 ERA, 199 K, 1.12 WHIP in 209.0 IP over 32 games. For his MLB career he is 49-45, 4.25 ERA, 705 K, 1.32 WHIP in 853.0 IP over 32 games. He has pitched two no hitters: on September 28, 2012 in a 1-0 victory over the Pirates and on July 2, 2013 in a 3-0 victory over the Giants. He was originally drafted by the Reds with the seventh pick of the first round in 2004. Bailey will be 28 on May 3rd.

College Spotlight 021814

The 2014 college baseball season started last weekend across the country. I will again be doing a College Spotlight segment where I will feature one position player and one pitcher each week. The first two to be featured this year are Kent State first baseman Cody Koch and UAB RHP Chase Mallard. 

Koch is a senior out of Perkins High School in Cincinnati, OH. The spotlight shines on him because of a perfect 5 for 5 hit game plus a walk in a 14-5 win over Arizona on Saturday. To go with his five singles he also had three RBI and scored a run. Those were his only hits of the weekend as started the season hitting .455/.538/.455 with 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB in 3 games. Last year in his junior season he played in 31 games with 12 starts while hitting .200/.297/.277 with 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB. He may not have a great baseball future but kudos to the one really good game.

Mallard is a senior out of Cullman High School in Cullman, AL. He did get alot of national attention for his performance against Tennesse-Martin on Friday. Mallard had a line of 7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 13 K while facing 23 batters. The RHP picked up the win in the 5-0 victory. He spent most of his junior season in the bullpen going 2-4, 3.75 ERA, 56 K, 1.49 WHIP, 3 SV in 57.2 IP over 21 games with 4 starts. 

Parting Shots on Cano

It appears that Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long had some bitter grapes to spew on Robinson Cano after his departure to Seattle. Long had some comments about lack of hustle from Cano. While it is typical coach speak it is also laughable that Long is trying to lash out at one of the most productive players under his tenure. 

The coach bio for Long lauds the fact that the Yankees were so productive in his six seasons with the club. During that span Cano was easily the most productive capped by the fact he was the only starter to hit above .300 in three of those seasons: 2010 (.319), 2011 (.302) and 2013 (.314). Besides Cano helping pad Long's bio page the Yankees literally tried to give him the best line up money could by as the team topped the MLB payroll list each season. 

The move to the new stadium in 2009 also helped boost those offensive numbers. Each of those years Yankee Stadium was in the top ten as a hitter's park under MLB Park Factors: 2009 (1st and World Series winner), 2010 (3rd), 2011 (4th), 2012 (8th) and 2013 (9th). In the five year span previous at the old stadium they were 2004 (27th), 2005 (1st), 2006 (13th), 2007 (6th) and 2008 (15th and Long's first year).

Long appears to be living the adage about if you can't do then teach or coach judging by his professional career as a player. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 31st round in 1989 Long spent eight seasons in the Royals minor system as a light hitting outfielder with a little speed. He spent those last six seasons bouncing back and forth between Double A and Triple A never reaching the Majors. His final season was in 1996 spent solely at Double A Wichita where he hit .273/.352/.378 with 3 HR, 48 RBI, 62 R, 9 SB in 128 games as a 29 year old player.

I'm certain Cano will do fine with the Mariners. The ball park will force his power numbers lower but he will anchor a young team. Cano could be the spark to ignite the careers on the cusp in the likes of Kyle Seager, Brad Miller, Mike Zunino and Dustin Ackley. Meanwhile back in New York the Yankees opened their checkbook to give Long Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury to juggle into the line up during the Jeter Farewell Tour. 

Local College Baseball 021714

The 2014 season started last weekend and here is the first report on how my five local college baseball teams are doing. Those five teams are Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska-Omaha, Creighton, Bellevue and Iowa Western. The updates include their standings and who the top three hitters and top two pitchers are.

Nebraska-Lincoln 2-2 --- Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 2-2 \\ Big Ten: 0-0

Michael Pritchard .500/.588/1.214 w/ 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB in 4 games
Pat Kelly .467/.471/.667 w/ 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 R. 0 SB in 4 games
Austin Darby .462/.500/.692 w/ 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB in 3 games

Chance Sinclair 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 K, 0.71 WHIP in 7.0 IP in 1 game
Josh Roeder 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K, 1.20 WHIP, 2 SV in 1.2 IP over 2 games


Nebraska-Omaha 0-0 --- Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 0-0  \\ conf: 0-0

All four games scheduled in Tennessee were snowed out. Next scheduled to play in Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, FL starting on Friday February 21.


Creighton 0-3 --- Home: 0-0 Away: 0-3 Neutral: 0-0 \\ Big East 0-0

Brad McKewon .364/.462/.455 w/ 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 1 SB in 3 games
Kevin Lamb .286/.286/.286 w/ 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 2 games 
Brett Murray .250/.333/.500 w/ 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB in 3 games

Taylor Elman 0-1, 1.80 ERA, 4 K, 1.00 WHIP in 5.0 IP in 1 game
Mark Lukowski 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 K, 1.50 WHIP in 2.0 IP in 2 games


Bellevue 0-3 --- Home: 0-0 Away: 0-2 Neutral: 0-1 \\ conf: 0-0

Galli Cribbs .455/.500/.545 w/ 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB in 3 games
Kyle Kinman .364/.333/.455 w/ 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 R, 1 SB in 3 games
Nate Mullins .273/.333/.545 w/ 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R. 0 SB in 3 games

Ricky Holm 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 11 K, 1.17 WHIP in 6.0 IP in 1 game
Brennan Henry 0-0, 7.20 ERA, 10 K, 1.60 WHIP in 5.0 IP in 1 game


Iowa Western 0-0 --- Home: 0-0 Away: 0-0 Neutral: 0-0 \\ conf: 0-0

Season starts Thursday February 20 at Labette CC in Parsons, KS

Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 Minor League Stat Leaders

	AVG			OBP			SLG
Justin Williams- R,A	0.351		Richi Sanchez- R	0.480		Kila Ka'aihue- AAA	0.620
David Peralta- A+	0.346		Sawyer Carroll- AA	0.438		Jake Lamb- R,A+	0.548
Richi Sanchez- R	0.338		Kila Ka'aihue- AAA	0.426		Raul Santana- R	0.544
Ed Easley- AAA	0.334		Raul Santana- R	0.426		David Peralta- A+	0.534
Chris Owings- AAA	0.330		Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	0.421		Rudy Flores- A	0.528
Raul Santana- R	0.328		Jake Lamb- R,A+	0.421		Mike Jacobs- AAA	0.520
Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	0.315		Vicson Graciano- R	0.408		Daniel Palka- R,A	0.516
Yogey Perez-Ramos- R	0.314		Raywilly Gomez- A+,AA	0.399		Dustin Martin- AA	0.502
Kila Ka'aihue- AAA	0.313		Sergio Alcantara- R	0.398		Brandon Drury- A	0.500
Brad Snyder- AAA	0.311		Tyler Bortnick- AAA	0.397		Zach Esquerra- A	0.500
			Justin Williams- R,A	0.397
	2B			3B			HR
Brandon Drury- A	51		Justin Greene- AA	9		Nick Evans- AA	19
Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	38		Socrates Brito- A	9		Gerson Montilla- A+	19
Sean Jamieson- A+	33		Chris Owings- AAA	8		Rudy Flores- A	19
Fidel Pena- A	33		Jamie Westbrook- R	8		Mike Jacobs- AAA	18
Matt Davidson- AAA	32		Michael Lang- A	7		Matt Davidson- AAA	17
Chris Owings- AAA	31		Yeisson Rosario- R	7		Kila Ka'aihue- AAA	16
Brad Snyder- AAA	29		Tony Campana- AAA	6		Brandon Drury- A	15
Gerson Montilla- A+	28		Fidel Pena- A	6		Jake Lamb- R,A+	13
Evan Marzilli- A+	27		Alex Glenn- A	6		Chris Owings- AAA	12
4 tied	24		7 tied	5		Brad Snyder- AAA	12
	RBI			R			SB
Brandon Drury- A	85		Chris Owings- AAA	104		Ender Inciarte- AA	43
Chris Owings- AAA	81		Gerson Montilla- A+	90		Tony Campana- AAA	32
Nick Evans- AA	81		Sean Jamieson- A+	80		Justin Greene- AA	31
Fidel Pena- A	75		Kevin Medrano- A,A+	78		Mike Freeman- AA	29
Matt Davidson- AAA	74		Brandon Drury- A	78		Socrates Brito- A	27
Gerson Montilla- A+	72		Brad Snyder- AAA	77		Nick Ahmed- AA	26
Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	67		Justin Greene- AA	75		Taylor Ratliff- A	21
Mike Jacobs- AAA	65		Tom Belza- A+,AAA	73		Chris Owings- AAA	20
Rudy Flores- A	64		Nick Evans- AA	73		Tyler Bortnick- AAA	19
Tom Belza- A+,AAA	63		Fidel Pena- A	73		Fidel Pena- A	18
	AB			H			BB
Chris Owings- AAA	546		Chris Owings- AAA	180		Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	72
Gerson Montilla- A+	542		Brandon Drury- A	159		Nick Evans- AA	66
Fidel Pena- A	540		Gerson Montilla- A+	153		Mike Freeman- AA	65
Brandon Drury- A	526		Tom Belza- A+,AAA	145		Kevin Medrano- A,A+	60
Socrates Brito- A	523		Kevin Medrano- A,A+	138		Evan Marzilli- A+	59
Nick Ahmed- AA	487		Fidel Pena- A	138		Raywilly Gomez- A+,AA	52
Tom Belza- A+,AAA	480		Socrates Brito- A	138		Tom Belza- A+,AAA	51
Ender Inciarte- AA	473		Ryan Court- A,A+,AA	134		Jake Lamb- R,A+	50
Kevin Medrano- A,A+	465		Ender Inciarte- AA	133		Breland Almadova- A	50
Evan Marzilli- A+	460		Brad Snyder- AAA	128		Richi Sanchez- R	49
	W			ERA			WHIP
Archie Bradley- A+,AA	14		Geordy Parra- R,A	0.33		Johnny Shuttlesworth- A	0.85
Andrew Chafin- A+,AA	13		Daniel Gibson- A	0.64		Chaz Roe- AA,AAA	0.86
Daniel Watts- A,A+	12		Chaz Roe- AA,AAA	1.11		Henry Garcia-A	0.95
Jesse Darrah- A	12		Jake Barrett- A+,AA	1.21		Warner Madrigal- AAA	0.97
Michael Bolsinger- AA,AAA	11		Gabriel Moya- R	1.50		Anthony Basora- R	0.98
Bradin Hagens- AA	11		Silvino Bracho- R	1.71		Jake Barrett- A+,AA	0.98
Andrew Barbosa- A+	11		RJ Hively- A,A+	1.81		Silvino Bracho- R	0.99
Brandon Sinnery- A,A+	10		Patrick Schuster- A+	1.83		Gabriel Moya- R	1.00
Garrett Mock- AAA	8		Archie Bradley- A+,AA	1.84		Derek Eitel- AA	1.04
Eddie McKiernan- A+	8		Joe Paterson- AAA	1.89		Joe Paterson- AAA	1.05
Keith Hessler- A+	8					Anthony Nunez- R	1.05
Brad Allen- A,A+	8
Blake Perry- A	8
	SO			IP			SV
Archie Bradley- A+,AA	162		David Holmberg- AA	157.1		RJ Hively- A,A+	33
Andrew Barbosa- A+	160		Andrew Chafin- A+,AA	157.1		Jake Barrett- A+,AA	29
Michael Bolsinger- AA,AAA	128		Brandon Sinnery- A,A+	153.1		Enrique Burgos- A	17
Keith Hessler- A+	126		Archie Bradley- A+,AA	152.0		Kevin Munson- AA,AAA	14
Cody Wheeler- A,A+	124		Jesse Darrah- A	151.1		Silvino Bracho- R	11
Andrew Chafin- A+,AA	119		Bradin Hagens- AA	148.0		Kaleb Fleck- A+	9
David Holmberg- AA	116		Michael Bolsinger- AA,AAA	144.0		Jose Jose- R,A	9
Tyler Skaggs- A+,AAA	115		Daniel Watts- A,A+	143.1		Chaz Roe- AA,AAA	8
Brandon Sinnery- A,A+	114		Charles Brewer- AAA	139.2		Gabriel Moya- R	6
Brad Allen- A,A+	113		Keith Hessler- A+	137.0		Tyler Toyfair- R	4
						Luis Ramirez- R	4

Craig Kimbrel extension with Braves

Craig Kimbrel agreed to a four year deal for $42 million on February 16, 2014. The Braves also have an option for a fifth year at $13 million. The RHP has four seasons MLB experience with the Braves. In 2013 he was 4-3, 1.21 ERA, 98 K, 0.88 WHIP, 50 SV in 67.0 IP over 68 games. For his MLB career he is 15-7. 1.39 ERA, 381 K, 0.90 WHIP, 139 SV in 227.1 IP over 231 games. He was originally drafted by the Braves in the third round in 2008. Kimbrel will be 26 on May 28.

Jake Westbrook retires

Jake Westbrook announced his retirement from playing baseball in February 2014. The RHP had 13 seasons MLB experience pitching with the Yankees (2000), Indians (2001-2010) and Cardinals (2010-2013). He split 2013 between Class A Peoria and Double A Springfield while rehabbing injury and with the Cardinals. He was 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 5 K, 0.57 WHIP in 7.0 IP in 1 games at Peoria, was 0-0, 2.45 ERA, 5 K, 1.64 WHIP in 3.2 IP in 1 game at Springfield and was 7-8, 4.63 ERA, 44 K, 1.56 WHIP in 116.2 IP over 21 games with the Cardinals. For his MLB career he was 105-103, 4.32 ERA, 965 K, 1.41 WHIP in 1747.2 IP over 315 games. He was originally drafted by the Rockies with the 21st pick of the first round in 1996. Westbrook was 36 at the time of his retirement.

Freeman Heyward n Teheran Braves extensions

Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward had reached deals with the Atlanta Braves on February 5, 2014 while Julio Teheran was given his sweetheart deal on Valentine's Day.

First baseman Freeman agreed to an eight year deal for $135 million. He has four seasons MLB experience with the Braves and split 2013 between Triple A Gwinnett and the Braves. He hit .500/.583/.700 with 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB in 3 games at Gwinnett and hit .319/.396/.501 with 23 HR, 109 RBI, 89 R, 1 SB in 147 games with the Braves. For his MLB career he has hit .285/.358/.466 with 68 HR, 280 RBI, 250 R, 7 SB in 471 games. He was originally drafted by the Braves in the second round in 2007. Freeman will be 25 on September 12.

Outfielder Heyward agreed to a two year deal for $13.3 million. He also has four seasons MLB experience with the Braves and also split 2013 between Triple A Gwinnett and the Braves. He hit .300/.423/.350 with 0 HR, 6 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB in 6 games at Gwinnett and hit .254/.349/.427 with 14 HR, 38 RBI, 67 R, 2 SB in 104 games with the Braves. For his MLB career he has hit .259/.352/.443 with 73 HR, 234 RBI, 293 R, 43 SB in 532 games. He was originally drafted by the Braves with the 14th pick of the first round in 2007. Heyward will be 25 on August 9th.

RHP Teheran agreed to a six year deal for $32.4 million plus a club option for 2020. He had his first full season in 2013 with the Braves after brief stints the previous two seasons. He was 14-8, 3.20 ERA, 170 K, 1.17 WHIP in 185.2 IP over 30 games. For his MLB career he is 15-9, 3.44 ERA, 185 K, 1.20 WHIP in 211.2 IP over 37 games. He originally signed with the Braves in 2007 as an amateur free agent out of Columbia. Teheran turned 23 on January 27.