Official Rangers 2006 Season Thread (Part Two) - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

jthig32 · 05-31-2006, 04:11 PM

Umm..Ok. We're going to continue on now.

So, Nevin traded. I don't understand bringing Hairston. Makes me think they're working on some other type of trade, because Hairston seems to duplicate Jimenez in a lot of ways.

I didn't hear it myself, but I've seen several posters on other boards saying that Nadel mentioned on the radio that the trade was to get rid of "an unhappy presence" so obviously Nevin wasn't too happy about sitting.

Regardless of who we got back and how much money we're picking up on the contract, he's gone and Botts should now get plenty of AB's, which is good.

Edit to add: If the mods are planning on reopening the original thread later then feel free to merge/delete this.

Just wanted to make sure we had somewhere to discuss this.

u2sarajevo · 05-31-2006, 04:32 PM

we sucked today.

Male30Dan · 05-31-2006, 05:31 PM

Why was my wonderful thread closed???

It is bad luck to have two season threads... Open it back up please! See what happens? We lose by 45 to Seattle! Hurry, while we still have a lead on Oakland/LA!

MFFL · 05-31-2006, 06:49 PM

Updated: May 31, 2006, 6:19 PM ET
Rangers deal Nevin to Cubs for HairstonAssociated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Struggling designated hitter Phil Nevin was traded Wednesday by the Texas Rangers to the Chicago Cubs, desperately seeking a bopper to help replace injured slugger Derrek Lee.

The Rangers, who will pay a portion of Nevin's $10 million salary, got utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Cubs.

"We're just looking for somebody who has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark," Chicago general manager Jim Hendry said. "We explored every possibility the last month to add a bat."

Nevin was hitting .216 with nine homers and 31 RBI in 46 games for Texas, where he split time in the lineup with rookie Jason Botts the past week. Nevin had only two hits in his last 32 at-bats, both home runs.

"The way Phil played out of the gate in April, he probably would have been impossible to acquire in a trade like this," Hendry said.

The 35-year-old Nevin came to the Rangers from San Diego last July 30 in a trade for pitcher Chan Ho Park. Nevin hit only .204 with 12 homers and 39 RBI in 75 games for Texas. He played 218 games at first base for the Padres from 2004 until he was traded.

"This gives Phil the opportunity to play first base for the Cubs," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "He's a veteran guy who's played a lot. When we brought up Jason Botts, he got some tough news, but he handled it well."

Lee, the NL batting champion last year and a two-time Gold Glove first baseman, is sidelined with a broken right wrist. He got hurt in a collision at first base with Rafael Furcal of the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 19.

"It's a much-needed deal for us. We needed some right-handed sock," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said.

Hairston, who went to Chicago from Baltimore in the Sammy Sosa trade before the 2005 season, was hitting .207 with no homers and four RBI in 38 games for the Cubs. The 30-year-old Hairston started 21 games this season, 18 at second base, two in right field and one in left.

"I know these guys are working so hard. I know they're going to turn it around," Hairston said.

The Rangers are off Thursday before beginning a 10-game road trip against the Chicago White Sox. Hairston will remain in Chicago and meet his new team there.

ames7 · 05-31-2006, 07:08 PM

I don't much care about who we got back. I'm just glad there's no longer an excuse not to play Botts. Nevin wasn't going to be here next year, we need to see if we have a DH here or not. If not, we need to go get one.

To be real, I forgot Jimenez was still on this team.

EDIT: We're actually picking up a lot more of Nevin's contract than I thought, plus Hairston makes inexplicably more than I thought as well. So we really save virtually nothing here.

Just211 · 05-31-2006, 11:40 PM

Hairston provides an actual backup at CF to give GMJ a rest every once in a while, and also fill Jimenez spot as 3rd 2b. If they leave him at the majors.

nashtymavsfan13 · 06-01-2006, 12:20 AM

Doesn't seem like a great trade to me, but I'm npt a Rangers fan, so I definetly don't know as well as you guys.

jthig32 · 06-01-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just211

Hairston provides an actual backup at CF to give GMJ a rest every once in a while, and also fill Jimenez spot as 3rd 2b. If they leave him at the majors.

Yeah, but the overall thought is that's why we got Guzman from San Diego last week, to be our backup CF.

Most people in the know have been saying that his call up is iminent. Maybe they don't think he's ready after all.

Drbio · 06-01-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Male23Dan

Why was my wonderful thread closed???

Because LonestarROB is a pussy and didn't like getting bitchslapped yet again. He's been editting this thread to but I won't let it go unchecked.

I'd be surprised if Guzman wasn't called up soon. Maybe another trade is on the horizon???? JD has been pretty dadgum good at working the room so far on trades.

Drbio · 06-01-2006, 08:59 AM

THE NEWBERG REPORT
Well, the highest paid player on the Rangers is not Roger Clemens.
And it's no longer Phil Nevin, either.
Hours after Clemens made it official that he'd decided to end his sabbatical
and return to the Astros, Texas announced that it had managed to trade Nevin
to the Cubs, agreeing to send about $4.5 million to Chicago to help cover
the nearly $7 million remaining on Nevin's 2006 contract and getting
infielder-outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. in return. The cash nearly covers
the difference between what Nevin is owed and what Hairston is owed the rest
of the year, giving Texas a little payroll relief. But this trade wasn't
about money.
We can guess that the organization believed the clubhouse would be more
functional without Nevin in it now that his playing time had been reduced.
We can guess that Hairston's arrival might dramatically alter the nature of
the Rangers bench, if it signals another move like I think might.
But this much we know: It's Jason Botts time.
Make no mistake: The Nevin deal is more about creating a role for Botts than
it is about creating one for Hairston. With Ian Kinsler's return to the
lineup, Mark DeRosa was freed up to play all over the field as well as at DH
on occasion, and lately there'd been no reason to think that the
right-handed-hitting DeRosa (.319/.392/.560 in May) wasn't capable of giving
Texas what Nevin (.139/.227/.241 in May) had been counted on to provide.
On May 11, I wrote this: "[W]hen Ian Kinsler comes back, it might not be the
worst thing in the world to have DeRosa give Phil Nevin a little breather."
Add Botts (.417/.563/.833 thus far) to the mix, which Texas did on May 23,
and just giving Nevin a breather was no longer the best alternative. There
were reports -- not to mention confessions from Nevin himself -- that he
wasn't the best influence in the room last summer once he lost his everyday
job. Was he going to be the same with this reduction in duties? Was he
already showing signs?
And there's a big difference in circumstances this time around. Last year
when Nevin was benched, Texas was 13.5 games out of first with under six
weeks to play, and he was due another $12 million. Now, the Rangers are
four games up in the division, with under $7 million left on his deal. Much
easier to cut ties now, and if there was a sense that he was going to be a
problem, it would have been a mistake for the Rangers to cover their eyes
and hope he didn't create too much of a distraction. There's too much at
stake.
But Texas didn't have to simply eat the contract and fire Nevin. The Cubs,
despite being 13.5 games out themselves (and 9.5 back in the Wild Card Race,
with 10 teams to catch), thought for some reason that they needed a
temporary reinforcement for Derrek Lee, who could be back from his wrist
fracture in another couple weeks. Todd Walker, the Cubs' primary first
baseman since the Lee injury, has hit .279/.371/.357 since Lee got hurt.
But Walker probably moves back now to second base, where Hairston had played
most of his games this year, unless the Cubs choose to platoon Nevin and
Walker until Lee returns.
Chicago agreed to send Hairston to Texas for Nevin, an exchange of players
who will be free agents following the season. Hairston will collect about
$1.6 million of his $2.3 million deal the rest of the season, or around $5
million less than Nevin will be paid. The approximately $4.5 million that
Texas sends to Chicago, then, essentially means there is no significant
payroll impact in Texas or Chicago. The Rangers are reportedly saving a bit
under $1 million in the deal.
Back to DeRosa, and Botts. DeRosa's defensive versatility means that he'll
probably be used all over the field, something that Texas couldn't do with
Nevin (who once upon a time was an adequate catcher/corner infielder/corner
outfielder), and as a result Botts is going to get a terrific opportunity to
continue to show what he has shown the last week. If he does, meet your
2007 DH. It wasn't going to be Nevin, regardless of the year he had here.
But the chances are now far greater that it could be Botts, because he's
going to get as many as 300 big league at-bats in 2006 to prove himself.
In 75 games with Texas, Nevin (who was acquired in July for Chan Ho Park)
hit .204/.287/.382, with 12 home runs and 39 RBI, and of course that
includes a very good April 2006 (.287/.369/.557).
What's the other move that the Nevin-Hairston trade could trigger? With
Hairston and DeRosa in flexible roles, and both obviously capable of playing
second base, D'Angelo Jimenez suddenly becomes a lot less important. He
doesn't offer enough power or base-stealing capability to stand out as a
late-inning weapon, and since he's far less versatile a defender than
Hairston or DeRosa, it stands to reason that his days with the Rangers could
be numbered.
So who could be summoned to take Jimenez's place? Freddy Guzman is on a
tear at Oklahoma -- after a slow first week, he has hit .357/.460/.500 in 42
at-bats, with eight walks and just five strikeouts -- and seems to be ready
for a return to the big leagues, but there are two things working against
him: Gary Matthews Jr. isn't showing any signs of slowing down as a leadoff
center fielder (the Rangers would probably want Guzman to play more than
someone like Adrian Brown was if he's going to come up), and Hairston is
capable of playing a pretty good center field himself (though he hasn't yet
this season). Still, if Jimenez is let go in favor of a position player,
Guzman would seem to be the top candidate.
But might it be Oklahoma righthander John Wasdin (who just had a 24-inning
scoreless streak snapped and sits at 3-3, 2.17 for the season, with 61
strikeouts and 17 walks in 58 innings), who could free Rick Bauer up to work
in more late-inning situations? Or righthander Wes Littleton, who didn't
pitch while up last weekend but who has fired 3.2 shutout innings since
being reassigned to the RedHawks? He's certainly more likely than a
longshot like righthander Bryan Corey, who has punched out 30 hitters
between Frisco and Oklahoma and given up five earned runs (1.59 ERA) on 22
hits and seven walks in 28.1 innings, or Frisco lefthander Jesse Carlson,
who posted an ERA of 0.54 in May, scattering seven hits and six walks in
16.2 innings while fanning 14.
A bench of DeRosa, Hairston, Guzman, and Gerald Laird would enable Buck
Showalter to do all kinds of things late in the game, not to mention with
the lineup as we head into the hottest part of the season.
Hairston, who turned 30 last week, has an option remaining but has more than
five years of big league service, meaning he can refuse an optional
assignment. He was having his worst major league season by far
(.207/.253/.244), and was reportedly unhappy with his role in Chicago, who
had acquired him from Baltimore before the 2005 season (with minor leaguers
Mike Fontenot and David Crouthers) for Sammy Sosa. Hairston is a lifetime
.259/.331/.366 hitter, with 105 career steals (at about a 70 percent success
rate) in 682 games.
Hairston sees a healthy 3.85 pitches per plate appearance (3.97 in 2006,
despite his struggles at the plate), which is starting to show up as a trait
that Jon Daniels likes in his position players. A right-handed hitter, he's
faring a bit better against righthanders this year but historically hits
lefthanders better. He's an energy guy.
Hairston's father, Jerry Sr., played for 14 years in the major leagues, 13.5
of those with the White Sox. Hairston's brother, Scott, is a prospect with
the Diamondbacks and a former teammate of Ian Kinsler's at Central Arizona
Junior College. Hairston had at least two other relatives who played
professionally, and he was the first African-American to be a
third-generation major leaguer.
Hairston gives the Rangers some interesting possibilities, but again,
acquiring him was not the point of the Nevin trade.
For all the talk coming out of the Clemens camp about pitching for the team
that would give him the best shot at another ring, it seems pretty clear now
that he was going to remain in Houston if he returned to the mound at all.
He did a good job getting three teams involved that would most scare the
Astros into paying him more than he's ever made. I'll be pulling for him.
Evidently, Clemens will start for Low A Lexington (whose third baseman is
Koby Clemens) on June 6, AA Corpus Christi on June 11, AAA Round Rock on
June 16, and, assuming no setbacks, he'll start for Houston on June 22. If
the Astros skip their fifth starter due to a June 29 off-day, that would put
Clemens on the mound in Arlington on Sunday, July 2 -- which is tentatively
set for Newberg Report Night.
I'm going to firm that up one way or the other very soon.
Lefthander John Rheinecker's Monday masterpiece caused Texas to change its
rotation plans. Rather than option him out due to a number of upcoming
off-days enabling the club to go with four starters for a while, Rheinecker
stays up and will start Tuesday against Kansas City.
Rheinecker went 8.1 innings on Monday, getting 20 of his 25 outs on the
ground or on strikes. He had command of everything, getting ahead with his
fastball and baffling Seattle with his breaking ball. He worked quickly and
pounded the lower part of the zone. It was impressive.
Righthander Antonio Alfonseca made a rehab appearance for Oklahoma last
night, striking out one and giving up a hit in a scoreless inning.
Righthander Frankie Francisco is slated to kick off a rehab assignment with
Frisco tomorrow. He was reportedly hitting 94 miles per hour on Monday in
extended.
Righthander Adam Eaton threw yesterday for the first time since April 5
surgery on his right middle finger. He tossed 30 balls from 30-40 feet on
flat ground, without incident.
Oklahoma catcher-infielder Jamie Burke was placed on the disabled list with
a left ankle sprain. With the assignment of Littleton to the RedHawks,
righthander Jeremy Ward was transferred to Frisco.
Bakersfield righthander Eric Hurley was activated after a brief DL stint due
to wrist soreness.
Oklahoma outfielder Laynce Nix drove in 27 runs in 25 games in May, but he
hasn't played since May 26 due to a case of bilateral pink eye. He'd
homered three times in his last two games.
It's like clockwork. Shortstop Joaquin Arias struggles at the plate in
April, and becomes a different hitter in May. After a .222/.253/.311
opening month with Oklahoma, the 21-year-old hit .299/.303/.392 in May.
Arias's month included only two walks in 108 at-bats. Meanwhile, at
Clinton, third baseman Johnny Whittleman struggled with the bat
(.187/.327/.220) in May, but he did draw an impressive 19 walks. And
Bakersfield outfielder Ben Harrison drew 16 free passes while hitting six
homers and driving in 17 runs in a .242/.370/.495 month, though he did fan
25 times in 27 games.
Frisco lefthander John Danks fared well in his return from a two-start
layoff, fanning six in 3.2 innings of work and giving up two runs on two
hits (including a home run to the final batter he faced) and two walks. He
left the game due to a pitch count and experienced no problems with his
elbow or forearm.
RoughRider outfielder Anthony Webster hit .400/.423/.590 in May, fanning
just five times in 100 at-bats. Teammate Jake Blalock hit .340/.411/.412
for the month.
Blaze reliever Jesse Ingram gave up one run (0.62 ERA) on just five hits and
eight walks in 14.2 May frames, punching out a gaudy 24 California Leaguers.
Catcher Taylor Teagarden is catching bullpen sessions in Surprise, but
probably won't play this season as he recovers from winter Tommy John
surgery.
Earlier this week, the Rangers signed University of Tennessee infielder
Chris Kemp and University of the Pacific righthander Luke Massetti, both of
whom were small-window free agents since they were fifth-year seniors in
2006, and Mount Hood Community College draft-and-follow outfielder Tim
Rodriguez, whom Texas drafted in last summer's 37th round. The club didn't
sign Daytona Beach Community College shortstop Chase Fontaine, last year's
18th-round pick, or injured righthanders Brad Barragar and Dexter Carter.
Texas has begun negotiations with third baseman Steven Marquardt, permitted
since his Columbia Basin Community College club was still alive as of the
Monday night deadline to sign draft-and-follows. The Rangers have until
11:00 p.m. on Monday -- the day before this year's draft -- to come to terms
with Marquardt. Otherwise, he becomes eligible to be redrafted by any club.
Baseball America ranks Marquardt as the number 135 prospect in this draft.
If he doesn't sign with Texas or with whomever drafts him next week, he has
committed to transfer to Oregon State.
Kemp hit .314/.374/.520 for the Vols in 2006, with 11 home runs and 41 RBI
in 55 games. He sat out the 2005 season for academic reasons and
redshirted.
Massetti went 5-5, 4.65 for the Tigers, fanning 62 and walking 22 in 89
innings this season.
San Diego purchased the contract of righthander Brian Sikorski from AAA
Portland. He's fanned 44 hitters in 28.2 innings, walking seven and posting
a 3.14 ERA.
A level down in the Padres system, righthander John Hudgins improved to 3-0,
1.14 last night, firing seven scoreless innings and holding Birmingham to
two singles and a walk while fanning six. He's permitted only nine hits in
23.2 Mobile innings, covering four starts since San Diego acquired him from
Texas in the Guzman deal. The other player the Padres got in the trade,
outfielder-first baseman Vincent Sinisi, doubled in three trips but is
hitting just .200/.325/.262 in 65 BayBear at-bats.
Fantastic news: The Rangers announced contract extensions for radio
broadcasters Eric Nadel and Victor Rojas, and television booth tandem Josh
Lewin and Tom Grieve. Specifics weren't disclosed but the Rangers confirmed
that Nadel's deal should make him "a Ranger for life," and it's been
reported that Rojas, Lewin, and Grieve each got three-to-four-year
extensions.
Kansas City fired general manager Allard Baird, replacing him with
39-year-old Dayton Moore, Atlanta's assistant GM. Funny how old that seems
for a new GM hire these days.

Murphy3 · 06-01-2006, 11:06 AM

It's not about what you get back for Nevin...It's simply getting rid of him without taking on an obscene contract in return. I wouldn't expect Hairston Jr to be a major contributor... but he did allow the Rangers to get rid of Nevin and some of his contract. You couldn't do any better than that....

jthig32 · 06-01-2006, 01:16 PM

Well, to be fair, we didn't even save a million dollars.

But yeah, it's not really about that. We got rid of Nevin, got back a breatching body, and Botts will play DH now.

Good all the way around.

Drbio · 06-01-2006, 02:06 PM

We saved about 2.5mil jthiggy. The Rangers sent Nevin and 4.5 mil to the Cubs for Hairston. The 2.5 mil difference more than covers hairston. DMN reported the Rangers saved more than what Newberg reported so I don't know which numbers to go off of though.

jthig32 · 06-01-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

We saved about 2.5mil jthiggy. The Rangers sent Nevin and 4.5 mil to the Cubs for Hairston. The 2.5 mil difference more than covers hairston. DMN reported the Rangers saved more than what Newberg reported so I don't know which numbers to go off of though.

Remember that we don't save all of Nevin's contract, because we already had to pay for the season up to this point.

From Newberg:

Unless there's deferrals involved, Nevin was owed around 6.7 the rest of the way....Hairston 1.6 or so....so the difference is about 5.1....so if we paid 4.5 as the FWST says, then there's the payroll difference (around 600k). I didn't get that specific in the report because there's too many unknown variables in there

Regardless, it's a moot point. We got rid of Nevin.

jthig32 · 06-01-2006, 03:11 PM

BTW, not to be pessimistic, but Koronka is starting to slip a bit. Especially troubling is that Seattle was the first team to see him for a second time. His next few starts against teams he's already faced could be telling.

He can regress and still be a valuable 4th starter. I certainly didn't expect him to keep up his early season success.

Murphy3 · 06-01-2006, 04:08 PM

In fairness to Koronka, he had a very good start before yesterday's game. In yesterday's game, he was throwing some pretty damn good pitches that were either getting blooped into an open space or dribbling through the hole. Plus, the defense did more than their fair share to let him down...again.

ames7 · 06-02-2006, 11:09 PM

Two comments on tonight's game:
1) What a terrific AB for Kinsler to set up GMJ's game-winning hit. 11 pitches, "battling," as the cliche goes. I do like this about him as a hitter, that he seems to be willing & able to work the count. Botts seems to do this well too.

2) I don't know about you guys, but I am so utterly grateful for how low-stress & simple save situations have become now that Otsuka is the closer. I really think it's better this way, & I'm not just saying that b/c I have Otsuka on my fantasy team.

nashtymavsfan13 · 06-03-2006, 12:56 AM

Wow, Chase Utley of the Phils' went 8-8 2 bombs and 2 rbi's 6 runs scored!!!!

That's just crazy!!!

nashtymavsfan13 · 06-03-2006, 02:54 AM

Sorry, nvm. Yahoo had it wrong. He still had a nice 4-4 game with a bomb an rbi and 3 runs scored.

The Crippler · 06-04-2006, 03:26 PM

Buck is stupid for not playing Laird more. just your routine 2HR and 2 2B game against the world champs...

ames7 · 06-04-2006, 03:36 PM

Rheinecker pretty much ruled again. He goes 8 again...if he can do that consistently, what a huge boost that will be to this rotation.

jly · 06-04-2006, 05:32 PM

man, i like how rheinecker works. no stalling, attacking the players.

Murphy3 · 06-04-2006, 08:33 PM

He basically had one bad pitch that cost him 2 runs.

LonestarROB · 06-04-2006, 10:00 PM

He's looked very impressive so far.

LonestarROB · 06-05-2006, 09:07 AM

Nevin homered in his first AB for the Cubs. I recon 23 or so AB's before his next hit.

:P

Five-ofan · 06-05-2006, 11:22 AM

I like J. R. BTW has anyone noticed chris young giving up 3 hits in the last 16 innings he has pitched? Im still fine with the trade but man he is on fire.

Just211 · 06-05-2006, 02:12 PM

I'm curiuos to see if Young disappears after the all star break

sixeightmkw · 06-05-2006, 09:12 PM

Rangers kicking ass lately. I dig the 2 out of 3 from the Sox

Drbio · 06-05-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just211

I'm curiuos to see if Young disappears after the all star break

Why would he?

Just211 · 06-05-2006, 11:22 PM

like last year, I mean that was supposedly the only knock on him

Drbio · 06-05-2006, 11:50 PM

I don't see it happening....but I may be looking through the heart.

Always liked that kid...too bad we couldn't have moved someone else.

sike · 06-06-2006, 12:59 AM

dang doc...35k? when did that happen?

jthig32 · 06-06-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just211

I'm curiuos to see if Young disappears after the all star break

The idea that Chris Young disappeared last year in the second half is really a false one. He did miss a few starts due to being fatigued, but his numbers were still quite solid for a rookie year.

Pre-All Star Break: 8-5 4.01 ERA

Post-All Star Break: 4-2 4.67 ERA

I certainly wouldn't call that disappearing.

He actually had a lower batting average against in the second half as well.

Drbio · 06-06-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

dang doc...35k? when did that happen?

I guess about 180 posts ago....

TODAY IS DRAFT DAY PEOPLE....no talk about that?????

I hope we grab that Lincecum kid. Tough arm, mentally strong. By many accounts the best pitcher i nthe draft and projected at 8-15. We pick 12th.

u2sarajevo · 06-06-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

I guess about 180 posts ago....

TODAY IS DRAFT DAY PEOPLE....no talk about that?????

I hope we grab that Lincecum kid. Tough arm, mentally strong. By many accounts the best pitcher i nthe draft and projected at 8-15. We pick 12th.

I don't know Doc.... that's an uncomfortable name....

Drbio · 06-06-2006, 11:27 AM

We signed two draft and follows today.....Rangers have been active.

The Rangers have signed Cal Irvine lefthander Glenn Swanson, a fifth-year
senior that the club used its 49th-round pick on last summer. Swanson went
9-4, 2.86 in 14 starts (including an April no-hitter) and seven relief
appearances this season, fanning 69 and issuing 15 walks in 91.1 innings.
The Anteaters' career strikeout leader, Swanson is said by Baseball America
to have a "long medical report," but the publication suggested last week
that he was set to go "much higher" than the 49th round today if the Rangers
didn't sign him.

Still waiting on the pick.

Drbio · 06-06-2006, 12:39 PM

Rangers #1 pick (12th in the draft overall)

Kasey Kiker; LHP

The Rangers had this youngster from Alabama in for two workouts leading up to the draft and he impressed enough on both occasions that they overlooked his smaller stature. Standing 5'11", Kiker flashes a power fastball and a plus curve

From BA's scouting report: "As a 15-year-old in 2003, he was the winning pitcher for Team USA when it won a gold medal in the World Youth Championship in Taiwan. He was the ace of national champion Russell County High's staff in 2005 as a junior, going 12-1, 0.52 with 173 strikeouts and 24 walks in 94 innings. Kiker appeared in the Aflac All-American Classic in August and numerous other high-profile showcases and tournaments, showing guile and aggressiveness each time out. His velocity fluctuated throughout the spring, and his most impressive outing might have come in early May when he pitched at 93 with late life and command of his hard breaking ball and changeup. Kiker carves up hitters with power stuff. His 76-78 mph breaking ball has 1-to-7 tilt with tight spin, and his changeup is more consistent and rates as a present above-average offering. Kiker isn't tall, but he's thick and strong, especially in his lower half."

Five-ofan · 06-06-2006, 12:39 PM

I would like stubbs. I do NOT want drabek. The worst thing you can do for a kid with maturity issues is give him millions of dollars. I was hoping hovechar would fall because of signability again.

Drbio · 06-06-2006, 03:13 PM

Marcus Lemon: SS: Eustus, Florida

The Rangers stayed with pedigreed prospects in Round 4, selecting the son of former big leaguer Chet Lemon who is holding a scholarship from University of Texas. He's got plus power for a shortstop and the tremendous speed you'd expect of Chet Lemon's kid. MLB.com scouting reports note that his "makeup is off the charts."

Baseball America's report begins: "There isn't a player in this year's class scouts want to see succeed more than Lemon, the son of former major leaguer Chet. He's a throwback who puts his best effort into everything. To go along with his championship makeup, Lemon has played through his senior season with his dad extremely ill. Lemon works counts, makes consistent contact and uses the entire field, but he doesn't have much load in his swing and lacks looseness in his hands and wrists at the plate. He has some pull power but because he's a fringe-average runner, he can't rely on a slap approach. He has good hands and enough arm to make plays in the hole at short. His remarkable feel and instincts for the game allow him to make spectacular plays. His ceiling isn't considerable, which could lead him to slide outside the top three rounds."

Chris Davis: 1b / RHP: Navarro College

A two-way prospect who was a draft-and-follow selection of the Angels from last year's draft, Davis actually began his collegiate career at the University of Texas before transferring to Navarro. He's a 6'3", 210 power lefty bat at 1b who ranked among the national Juco leaders with 17 homers.

Note on 4th rounder Marcus Lemon : His chief attributes, aside from his intelligence (a 4.2 GPA) and makeup, are disciplined hitting, sure handedness, and good baseball instincts. His father Chet has been his high school coach.

Five-ofan · 06-06-2006, 04:33 PM

I know chris. He is a good guy and i hope he does well.