Cleveland Sports Forum

This guy must be related to Grady!

A’s place Scott Sizemore on DL with another knee injury


After missing last season following left knee surgery Scott Sizemore came back to be the A’s starting second baseman, but now he’s back on the disabled list with more knee problems.

Sizemore sprained his left knee while unsuccessfully chasing after a pop up Tuesday night and limped off the field.

joez wrote:I was checking out the Detroit boxscore today. Team batting average is .297. Everyone in today's lineup hitting well over .300 except for Jhonny Peralta who is hitting a paltry .276 and Victor Martinez a dismal .120.

I watched that game. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, but the Jays came back to win. A long as other teams in the Central lose, we won't get buried too deep in the standings.

Coco Crisp is about as hot as a player can get, homering in his fourth straight game on Tuesday. Dating back to 1916, Crisp became the 16th leadoff hitter to homer in four consecutive games.

[ Better make him pee in a cup ]

Major meltdown for Joel Hanrahan!

Joel Hanrahan pitching for Boston BAL BOS
J Hanrahan relieved A Bailey. 3 5
C Davis homered to center. 4 5
M Wieters struck out swinging. 4 5
J Hardy fouled out to third. 4 5
R Flaherty singled to left. 4 5
A Casilla ran for R Flaherty. 4 5
A Casilla stole second. 4 5
N Reimold walked. 4 5
C Dickerson ran for N Reimold. 4 5
N McLouth walked, A Casilla to third, C Dickerson to second. 4 5
A Casilla scored, C Dickerson to third, N McLouth to second on wild pitch by J Hanrahan. 5 5
M Machado homered to left, C Dickerson and N McLouth scored. 8 5
A Miller relieved J Hanrahan.

Awk!

Outstanding start for Hector Rondon 3 2/3 IP 6K 2bb 1 hit

TJ McFarland 3 1/3 0 run 1 hit 0 walks 5 K.

Pretty good debuts for our Rule 5 losses.

I hated to lose Hector especially when based on his winterball stats and progress. I watched a few of the games he pitched in and he looked like he was throwing extremely well. There were nothing but good reports out of Venezuela on his progress. I was surprised we subjected him to the draft.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Cubs feel Hector Rondon not only is finally healthy, but could also be a key part of the bullpen in 2013

The Cubs have been following him in Venezuela this winter, where he's pitching for Leones del Caracas and had a 2-1 record and 3.71 ERA in 19 games, all in relief. He has struck out 11 and walked five over 17 innings. Hitters were batting .172 against him this winter.

"Coming up through the Cleveland organization, he was one of the top prospects," said Cubs player development director Jason McLeod. "He's always been a prolific strike thrower with great stuff. Now he's missed the better part of three years with the elbow, and there's obviously risk involved."

Cubs coach Franklin Font is on the Leones staff in Venezuela and has filed reports on Rondon, plus the Cubs have sent their scouts to watch the right-hander. All the reports have been good, McLeod said.

"You take the risk with the elbow," McLeod said, "but if he comes in healthy, he's got a chance to not only make the team, but help the team. The way he's been throwing, his stuff is really good."

Rondon led the Indians' organization in strikeouts in 2009 with 137 and was fourth in innings pitched. He's made just 13 appearances in the last three years as he rehabs his elbow.

"He was a really good prospect with the Indians," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. "We've been watching him in Venezuela this winter, and he's been throwing really, really well. He's got a great arm, and we feel we can capitalize on that he's healthy now and throwing the ball well."

Ross Atkins, Indians vice president of player development, said he wasn't surprised Rondon was selected.

"Hector is a very good pitcher that we obviously have a lot of respect for and a history with," Atkins said. "We hate to see him go, but we're happy for him in this opportunity and certainly, selfishly, hope we get him back."

Atkins' reports on Rondon's progress in Venezuela were that he was aggressive with his fastball.

"His strikeouts were a little bit down probably for Hector, but he was very aggressive and obviously very effective while he was there, and he's been healthy and durable," Atkins said. "With Hector, you're looking at a guy who was in the Futures Game and was obviously a top-tier prospect. He had a real tough break with his surgery and the procedures. The reports were good. I think most importantly for Hector, he was healthy."

[ Pretty much what I posted in the winter folder ]

Hector Rondon (RP, Leones del Caracas): (W, 2-1), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 1 K.

Rondon debuted and surrendered 4 runs in 1/3 of an inning. All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that was the case Tuesday for Rondon. The right-hander allowed an earned run following 14 consecutive appearances of scoreless relief. Despite Tuesday’s hiccup, Rondon’s numbers remain impressive, and he now has a 3.71 ERA in 19 games and 17 innings this winter.

Rondon's spring stats:
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2013 Major League Stats

I mentioned in the winter folder at draft timethat I thought Rondon was well enough and he would become a part of that Cubs staff.

Prospect Soler suspended five games for outburst

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | 4/11/2013 3:15 P.M. ET

CHICAGO --

The Florida State League suspended Cubs top prospect Jorge Soler five games for leaving the dugout and wielding a bat during a game Wednesday night.

"Jorge is tremendously remorseful about what happened and understands what he did was wrong," said Theo Epstein, the Cubs' president of baseball operations. "He didn't sleep last night -- was up all night thinking about it. He was very apologetic. He understands this can't happen again and understands there will be discipline associated with it."

Soler, who is playing for Class A Daytona, was ejected in the seventh inning. Clearwater second baseman Carlos Alonso came down on Soler after he slid into second trying to break up a double play. Soler and Alonso exchanged words and were separated. But Soler re-emerged from the Cubs dugout with a bat and made his way toward the visitor's dugout. He was restrained by teammates, then ejected. Daytona pitcher Frank Del Valle was the first to get to Soler.

"I think he was frustrated by some things, and there was some emotional things he was fighting with," Daytona manager Dave Keller told The Daytona Beach News-Journal after the game.

"When he slid into second base, [Alonso] ended up laying on top of him. He was laying on him, so [Soler] pushed with his arm to get him off him, and I think the second baseman interpreted that the wrong way, like he wanted to fight or something," Keller said.

Epstein reviewed the video of the incident and spoke to Soler Thursday morning. According to the outfielder, there was some talk back and forth during the game, and something was said about Soler's family, and Epstein said, "that's when he lost his cool."

"He understands and we agree that's not an excuse for what happened," Epstein said. "He has to find a way to better manage his emotions on the field. We condemn the act and what took place, but we support the player. We believe in Jorge as a person as well as a player. It's our responsibility to work with him and make sure he has a better way to channel his emotions on the field and make sure something like this doesn't happen again."

Anyone around Soler in Spring Training could see he was well-mannered, friendly and had a quick smile. But he's also young and adjusting to life in the U.S.

"This is a great kid who has already overcome a lot in his life and someone we're not worried about at all for the long haul," Epstein said. "He's been thrust into a very high-profile situation very suddenly, and it's our job as an organization to make sure he has the tools to make good decisions even in the heat of the moment."

The entire incident was over quickly, Epstein said.

"There was no swinging of the bat, whatsoever. There was no physical contact. There was no violent act," Epstein said. "This was merely a situation of grabbing a bat, which he shouldn't have done, and heading toward the opposing dugout, which he shouldn't have done."

The news of Soler's outburst surprised Cubs players, who were with the 21-year-old outfielder in Spring Training.

"He came here to work hard, to be in the big leagues, and not pay attention to the negative in the Minor Leagues, because sometimes there are some people who are negative," veteran Alfonso Soriano said. "I said, 'Don't think about that, just think about how you came here to play hard, and sooner or later, you'll be in the big leagues if you do the right thing.'"

Soler's father lives in Miami, and his mother and sister are still in Cuba. Soriano tried to give the young outfielder advice in Spring Training and planned on calling Soler.

"I'd tell him to focus and play baseball and not listen to anybody. Just play baseball," Soriano said.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he recalled an incident in rookie ball when one of his players grabbed a bat and went after the opposition.

"We had all kinds of incidents. It was a mess," Sveum said. "We only won 17 games."

That doesn't give Soler a free pass.

"Anything like that is surprising, but the circumstances, you don't know because you weren't there," Sveum said. "You don't know what set somebody off. I really don't know all the details yet, except obviously there was an incident you want back."

Soriano said he was surprised to hear about Soler's actions.

"I talked to him a lot in Spring Training, and he looked to be a nice guy, quiet guy," Soriano said.

Soler signed a nine-year, $30 million contract last June, but Sveum said he didn't think that made the outfielder a target.

"When you're in the Minor Leagues, I don't think anybody knows or cares how much money you've got," Sveum said. "The guy's obviously a good player and going to be a really good player. You just have to be able to handle your emotions, that's all."

Anthony Rizzo said Soler, who played just 34 games last season in the Minor Leagues, is still adjusting to life in the U.S.

"He hasn't even been here a year in the States," Rizzo said. "He's got to adjust. That's why he's not in Triple-A or Double-A. He has to learn the ropes. Everyone has made mistakes. Everyone in this clubhouse has made a mistake playing. It's something you learn from."

Thank you for the explanation, Theo.

Jorge Soler is inspired by Yoenis Cespedes, but reminds some of Sammy Sosa.

Soler drawing comparisons to Sosa

By Sahadev Sharma | ESPNChicago.com

A blazing fastball, Herculean power or rabbit-like speed. These are the types of superlatives that are often bandied about when discussing baseball's top prospects.

But every once in a while, there's a prospect who doesn't even need to display his talents on the field, anyone within eye-shot just knows he's special. That seems to be the case with the Cubs' big-money signee from Cuba, Jorge Soler.

"The first thing that jumps out is his body," Cubs' vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said of the 6-3, 205-pound Soler. "He's a very large, strong, young man. Your eyes go right to him when you see him step out on the field. He's a physical specimen."

While his size is already impressive, Soler, who signed with the Cubs in June to a reported nine year, $30 million deal, still has room to add to his 20-year-old frame. And when he's actually playing in a game, Soler has shown that the excitement generated from his appearance is justified.

"Power and strength are going to be a big part of his game," McLeod said. "When he does fulfill his potential, we think he has a chance at being a power, run-producing bat in the middle of a major league lineup."

It may seem obvious that McLeod would sing Soler's praises, but watching Soler only confirms what he says. It's easy to see why Soler's large frame often garners comparisons to former Cubs' star Sammy Sosa.

"The strength and swing really jump out at you," said one rival NL scout. "He's quick to the ball but he's long in the zone, the ball jumps off the bat real well and he shows a pretty good feel for the strike zone as well. He's going to be an impact offensive threat."

After 14 games in the Arizona Rookie League, Cubs' brass decided Soler was ready for full-season baseball and sent him to its low-A affiliate Peoria Chiefs. Soler didn't disappoint, as he posted a .338/.398/.513 line, with three home runs and five doubles in 20 games.

“
There aren't an abundant amount of Cubans in the big leagues, so any time I see any big leaguers that are Cuban, it's motivation because I'd like to be one of the select few.

”
-- Jorge Soler

Despite only walking six times, Soler displayed the ‘feel for the strike zone' that the scout mentioned by striking out only six times in 80 at-bats. While his play in right field still needs improvement -- specifically his routes to the ball -- he's gotten rave reviews for his strong arm and has the instincts and athleticism needed to eventually be a strong defensive player.

Soler often gets compared to fellow Cuban refugee Yoenis Cespedes. But outside of their Cuban heritage and impressive displays of power, the two aren't very similar. Cespedes, who signed with the Oakland Athletics prior to spring training, is four inches shorter, over six years Soler's senior and came to the UP.SS. major league ready.

Cespedes has not disappointed in his first big league season (.289/.344/.475 with 16 home runs), adding a much needed offensive boost to a surprising Athletics team that is currently atop the AL Wild Card standings.

"I definitely look to (Cespedes) for motivation," Soler said through translator and Peoria teammate Kenny Socorro. "There aren't an abundant amount of Cubans in the big leagues, so any time I see any big leaguers that are Cuban, it's motivation because I'd like to be one of the select few."

Soler's life in the United States, both on and off the field, hasn't been as difficult a transition as one would imagine. With more access to everything he needs, Soler says life is more comfortable in the US.

"It's not too different, but the big difference is that every player is a little more polished," Soler said when asked to compare playing in Cuba and the United States. "Pitchers throw a little harder, they locate their pitches a little better (in the US). It's a different level, but the game itself is the same."

Though he's impressed thus far in his short stint in the minors, the Cubs opted not to send Soler to the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is a league that runs from early October to mid-November and consists of six teams comprised of multiple prospects from every MLB team's minor league system.

McLeod said the decision was based more on experience rather than talent. When he signed in June, Soler hadn't played since November. If he had gotten a full season of minor league ball under his belt, McLeod felt that Soler likely would have been someone they placed on the AFL roster. However, with his inexperience, the Cubs decided having him work in the instructional league was better for his development.

"It's more intensive instruction and more one on one," McLeod said of the instructional league. "You can really break down mechanics and zero in on areas for improvement. They play about three games a week, so you're still getting live action. So he'll get four weeks of instructional league then an offseason strength and conditioning program."

While he's been pleased with how he's performed so far, Soler says his offseason goals include getting in better overall shape to be prepared physically for the next level, working on his defense and fine tuning his swing.

Though he's admired Cespedes' success in the big league from afar and undoubtedly is eager to patrol the same right field that Sosa once did, Soler knows he has his work cut out for him before he's ready to perform at the highest level.

"Yes, of course (I'm looking forward to seeing Wrigley)," Soler said with a smile. "(But) I still need to make a lot of adjustments to get to the big leagues."

The Cubs can only hope that when Soler finally does arrive in Chicago, not only will his appearance elicit memories of Sosa, but his stat line will as well.