dolfinfan305

I want the Marlins to trade for a guy who is in the top 10 w/ RISP (runners in scoring position). Thats why we were so good last season in the playoffs w/ Pudge. If he had anyone on you know that run was scoring b/c he so darn clutch. Thats the type of guy we should be trading for. I couldnt find the data on the net so if anyone can help me out thanks in advance.

I would do a small trade w/ Toronto for Greg Zaun to shore up the catcher position.

Marlins draft Barone Thursday, June 10, 2004 By Nathan Mixter/Sports Editor Former Baler Daniel Barone was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round as the 338th overall in the amateur MLB Draft. Photo by: Nick Lovejoy/Photographer He?s been drafted before, but this time it was something special. Former Haybaler Daniel Barone was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Draft by the Florida Marlins on Monday and was the 338th pick overall. Barone, 21, who graduated in 2001 from San Benito High, was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 41st round after his first year at Monterey Peninsula. Unlike last time, the timing and placement were just what he was hoping for. ?It was great,? Barone said. ?I was thrilled to be picked where I was. I knew I had a chance to be picked in the top 15.? Barone, a 6-foot-3 195-pound right hand pitcher, received interest in his services by several National League teams. He said the only team in the American League that expressed interest was the Athletics. The Phillies and the Marlins both gave Barone a call during the draft to let him know of their intention of selecting him. He had a workout with the Giants on May 3 at SBC Park in San Francisco. As a lifelong Giants fan, he was hoping to join the team. But he said it doesn?t matter what team he plays for because he will put in the same effort anywhere. ?I threw well,? Barone said. ?I faced three batters and got two to strikeout and one to popup. It was awesome. The field was just so perfect.? Barone will be meeting with the recruiters today in Napa and said he plans to sign with the team at that time. He will be leaving on Sunday to join the team?s Single A affiliate in New York, the Jamestown Jammers. Although he has primarily pitched in relief, he said the Marlins want to try him out as a starter. Barone?s former coach at Monterey Peninsula College, Daniel Phillips, said he wasn?t surprised to see him drafted as high as he was. ?I couldn?t be more proud of anyone right now,? said Philips, who was following the draft through each round. ?He is very mature for his age. His fastball is what impressed most of the scouts. He pitches right around 90 and is not afraid to go inside. He?s a good student of the game and is willing to learn. He is a tremendous person both on an off the field. He should be able to play for a long time because of his maturity.? Barone was an All-Conference player at Monterey Peninsula and Sonoma State. He was majoring in sociology at Sonoma State, but said he will probably postpone his last year of school and hopes the Marlins will be able to cover it when his career is over. Sonoma State advanced to the Regionals last year and was one game away from advancing to the World Series. GP GS CG W-L S IP R ER ERA H BB SO HB WP BK 2003 Sonoma State 14 11 5 5-4 1 80.0 46 40 4.50 83 18 63 2002 Monterey Peninsula 14 14 9 9-5 0 107 47 39 3.28 89 13 68 14 0 2 2001 Monterey Peninsula 17 10 1 4-7 1 68.2 63 52 6.82 93 28 36 10 4 1

He (Brad) has whipped Georgia, the host at the Athens Regional, with 12-for-16 hitting and nine RBI in four career games. Lately, Howie McCann cannot stop gushing at the two clutch home runs Brad hit at the ACC tournament, especially the shot off Georgia Tech's Micah Owings. "That is by far the best ball he's ever hit in his life," Howie said. "How far do you think that went? I had scouts saying 450, 470. It's been a long road, but everything's worked out for the best. Most important, Bradley's happy." http://www.thestate.com/mld/state/sports/8835206.htm Sounds like a clutch hitter w/ power. My type of player Usually when a person is about to make a life-altering decision, they get to take their time. They can research it, go over the pros and cons of each side and then make an informed, well-thought out choice. It didn?t quite work that way for Brad McCann. When his life-altering decision was presented to him, he had five seconds to decide. Five seconds. In June of 2001, McCann was one of the highest-rated prep shortstops in the country. The Duluth grad was told he would possibly go as high as the first round in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. So he listened to the draft on the Internet and was surprised through three rounds when his name hadn?t been called and his phone hadn?t rung. Then, when the fourth round began, the decision came. The Cincinnati Reds called and told McCann they wanted to take him in the fourth round and were offering a signing bonus well into six figures. They wanted to know if he would sign at their offered price, and then told him he had exactly five seconds to decide. ?We had a set thing,? McCann said of his asking price. ?Teams knew that, and (the money the Reds offered) wasn?t that, so I said, ?No.?? He also figured another team would call. After all, the Duluth grad was considered one of the top hitting infielders in the entire country. So certainly some other club would be interested. But the phone didn?t ring again. And all 50 rounds went by without McCann?s name being called. ?The media stuff is cheap,? he said. ?People were telling me I was the third (best) shortstop in the country, people were calling me a first or second-round pick. ?Nobody really had me clued in with everything. The draft is just so unpredictable.? And unkind, in McCann?s case. If things weren?t tough enough for him, after not being drafted at all ? most teams figured he was unsignable after the fourth or fifth round ? he got another dose of bad news. Ron Polk, who was the head coach at Georgia and an old friend of his dad Howie, was leaving Athens to head back to Mississippi State. McCann had signed with the Bulldogs almost solely because of Polk. Now he was leaving and McCann suddenly had to wonder about his college future as well. He didn?t want to go to a Polk-less Georgia team and pro ball was out of the question when he wasn?t drafted. So he enrolled at Gulf Coast Community College, allowing him to re-enter the draft the following season. Then midway through the year, he injured his hand and was forced to miss almost 30 games. ?I?m sitting there thinking, ?Come on. Is everything going to go wrong at one time??? McCann said. Nine months earlier, he was a simple ?yes? away from being the Cincinnati Reds? fourth-round pick, with plenty of money in his bank account. Now he was at a junior college and he was injured, having no idea what the future held for him. McCann?s stock fell after the injury and he wasn?t drafted until the 22nd round of the 2002 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. ?I felt so bad for him,? said younger brother Brian, who was selected in the second round of the same draft by the Atlanta Braves. ?I talked to him about it a couple of times and he called me up. But going to Gulf Coast, that junior college, was probably the best thing he?s ever done.? The best thing it did for McCann was allow him to choose another four-year university to attend, other than Georgia, which he had no real interest in after Polk?s departure. He decided on Clemson. ?It just felt right to me,? McCann said. ?I talked with coach (Jack) Leggett, he recruited me out of high school, and he knew I could play a little bit.? Turns out he can play a lot. And it turns out, Clemson was a perfect fit for McCann. He became one of the most feared hitters in the conference in 2003, leading the Tigers in batting average (.347), RBIs (67) and finishing second in home runs (nine). His offensive exploits led to him being named the second-team All-ACC third baseman. Now he?s in the prestigious Cape Cod League, for the second year in a row, with other college stars from around the country. If he has a good showing over the summer, and another monster year for the Tigers, McCann will probably be one of the top college prospects in the 2004 draft. But he?s not thinking about that right now. In fact, he?s more interested in talking about his younger brother Brian, who recently played in the South Atlantic League All-Star game and is leading the Rome Braves in home runs with 11. ?He?s a stud,? McCann said of his little brother. ?And he?s not so little anymore. He?s 215 pounds and he?s a stud. He?s making us real proud.? And you can sense how much the older brother really cares about the younger one when he?s talking about the difficulty he went through during his draft experience. ?I was praying to God it didn?t happen to him,? Brad said. It didn?t. Brian was drafted in the second round by the Braves and signed for $750,000 on the same day his future roommate, and Parkview grad Jeff Francoeur also signed with Atlanta. Brian didn?t have to go through the roller-coaster ride that Brad did during the draft process. And much of that can be attributed to lessons learned by the McCanns from the year before. ?We were aware,? Brad said. ?And more prepared. I didn?t want him to go through what I did. High-school wise, I was more mature than he was, and so I?m glad it happened to me. I wouldn?t have been able to take it if it happened to him. ?I love that kid more than anything. I?m so happy for him.? The feeling is mutual. Little brother cared so much about how his older brother was doing in his first ACC season that he would decline offers from his friends to go out in Orlando so he could get back to his hotel room, log on the Internet, and see how his brother was doing in his game. ?All my friends would get on me down in spring training,? Brian said. ?Like Jeff would get on me for going straight home to check on his stats on the Internet. To see how he was doing. And I was just hoping he would do exactly what he did this year, which is have a great season.? A great season that got himself right back in position to be a potential high-round draft pick. ?Yeah, here comes the process all over again,? Brad joked. But this time he?ll be ready for it. And that decision, that five-second decision that most teenagers would replay in their head a thousand times, will be a distant memory. ?He handles everything well,? said his mom, Sherry McCann. ?I?m sure now he realizes (not signing with the Reds) was the best thing he could?ve done. He loves Clemson. ?And he?s happy. It?s one of those things where if you?re kids are happy, then you?re happy.? ?Obviously, you think about the stuff you?ve done,? Brad said. ?And what woulda, shoulda, coulda, but I talked to my family, and really, I told myself whatever happens, happens. Everything is meant to be and I don?t regret anything. ?It was the best decision I ever made.? And he made it in less than five seconds. http://www.gwinnettdailyonline.com/GDP/arc...17B3A671644.asp Sounds like we might have gotten a steal in the 6th round.

Sounds like another Juan Pierre

4. Joe Pietro, of, St. Cloud (New Orleans). Yes, the Privateers come out of the Northwoods League looking strong for 2004, with three of the four best prospects. Pietro, a transfer from Creighton, has learned how to hit in order to take better advantage of his speed, which is his best tool. He consistently got down the first-base line in less than four seconds and has excellent range in center field. League managers said his arm was improved from last year. http://www.riverbats.com/OLDSITE/interest.htm

This Scout is smoking grass. SS Josh Wilson for Carolina is having an awesome year. For him to make those comments when the player is playing the absolute opposite means this guy doesnt know didly squat or wants to be an asse.

Isnt Kalas Craigs counterpart on D-Ray telecasts

If Choi continues to impress and improve, there wont be any room for Stokes on the Club. He cant play the outfield so its either first base or bust. Stokes would be a perfect fit for an American League team with the DH. I wouldnt like to trade him but if we did it better be for something really good b/c this power potential is not found everyday.

Totally Stokes By Travis Sawchik, Rocky Mount Telegram ZEBULON ? When Jason Stokes takes batting practice, his quick, vicious swing summons a crowd around the batting cage. As the Mudcats' Josh Willingham, who is a fine hitter himself, and shortstop Jimmy Goelz waited for their swings in the cage Wednesday, they couldn't help but look at each other with boyish smiles, making sure the other was not missing Stokes mash batting practice tosses over the 400-foot marker in center field. But Stokes, despite his obvious thunder-clap power, is flawed. At, 22, he is not fast, he does not possess a strong throwing arm and was not blessed with a graceful glove. Those traits ended an attempt to make him a left fielder earlier in his career ? the Florida organization's attempt to solve the China-like population issue with its first base talent ? rather quickly. But the Marlins knew all that when they made Stokes, out of Coppell High School near Dallas, a second-round selection in the 2000 draft. They didn't know that last season, Stokes, for the first time in his life would have his lone tool betray him. In the heavy, humid air of the Florida State League, Stokes struggled in high-A Jupiter with a .312 on-base percentage, and 135 strikeouts in 462 at bats. It was a dramatic fall from his outstanding campaign in the Midwest League in 2002 (.421 on-base percentage and 27 home runs in just 349 at bats). As a result he did not make the Baseball Prospectus top-50 prospects list heading into 2004. "It took a little bit of my confidence away," said Stokes, who measures in at a massive 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. "In any other field, balls that were hit to the warning track could go out. I could have had five, 10, 15 more home runs, or hits in the gap that could have raised the average up." Stokes has rebounded nicely this season in the hitter-friendly confines of the Double-A Southern League. Stokes leads the league in home runs (16) and RBIs (56), impressing first-year Mudcats hitting coach Edwin Rodriguez. "Pretty much all the parks in the majors leagues are hitters' parks," Rodriguez said. "He hit 17 home runs last year in Florida State League, when he was hitting in huge parks. The power is there. "We were playing in West Tennessee (this season) and everyone says it's a pitchers' park, but he hit it well out there. When his swing is good and his swing in compact and short there is no park that can hold him." But Stokes' plate discipline is still poor. He has already struck out 70 times in 210 at bats this season and that ratio (3.33 Ks per at-bat) is worse than his 3.42 strikeout to at-bat ratio from his hellish 2003. The trend has proven to be a steady decline from his first full pro season in 2002 when the ratio was 3.62. "He has to make enough contact for his power to play," said one AL scout. "If he breaks into the big leagues when the team is contending they are going to have less patience with him. If they are rebuilding or in the middle then they will have more patience." Stokes said he realizes he is striking out too much, but in the age of Moneyball and on-base advocates, he takes to the idea of drawing a walk as a child does being presented with steamed broccoli. "The last thing I'm looking to do is walk," Stokes said. "You can't get all your RBIs walking all the time. Power guys like me like to chase a lot of pitches out of the zone, which I've been doing a lot of this year. If I would cut those in half, I would be batting .300. "I think I have the potential of hitting .300 but its hard to do. I still don't have that many pro at-bats." Rodriguez still thinks he can be a complete hitter and that his .341 batting average in Kane County was not a career anomaly, and that Stokes has grasped his concept of hitting to all fields well. Moreover, Mudcats manager Ron Hassey said he is pleased with Stokes' improved defense at first base. Still, scouts say that on a typical 23-man Double-A roster, only five players will even get so much as a single at-bat or throw one pitch at the major league level. Stokes has already overcome a few obstacles. He handled a couple million dollars as an 18-year-old. He is recovered from a 2002 surgery that removed a bone cyst from his left wrist, and Derrek Lee and Adrian Gonzalez, former first basemen in the Florida organization, have been traded. Even with his one powerful tool, the odds on Stokes are likely around 50-50. Only strikeouts and solid play from Marlins first-year first basemen Hee Seop Choi keep Stokes from his ultimate goal.

I wouldnt part with Stokes unless we were getting something that we really need - like trading him to the Yanks for catcher prsopect Dioneer Navarro and a player. The other player who has come out of nowhere to earn a Top 5 prospect ranking is Adam Bostick. The guy has a 2 something ERA and has something like 1.5 SO for every IP. These are not exact numbers since im too lazy to look them up =). I wouldnt trade him Adam either. Untouchables (unless we get something very good and cheap in return): Heremida, Stokes, Murphy, Bostick

I like this pick...the guy has good stats

Here is the link to it but i dont have access to Baseball America. Can someone who has access do a copy paste into here? Thanks in advance. http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/2004...4draftorgs.html

Vargas Gives Dirtbags Two-Way Threat By Will Kimmey February 24, 2004 Jered Weaver easily rates as Long Beach State's best player. The junior righthander racked up 30 strikeouts in his first three starts of the season after dominating for Team USA last summer, and could be drafted among the first five picks come June. But Jason Vargas might just be the eighth-ranked Dirtbags' most important player. Long Beach State assistant coach Don Barbara watched Vargas pitch and hit Cypress (Calif.) Junior College to the California juco championship last year and identified him as a replacement for fellow lefty Abe Alvarez, a second-round pick last year by the Red Sox, in the weekend rotation. "I guess coming in we wanted him to be our third starter," coach Mike Weathers said. "We had two good freshmen (coming in) but didn't know if they'd be ready. We figured if he also hits, that would be second-hand. Our need was greater on the mound, but certainly we knew he could hit." Vargas earned the Sunday starter's role, and in his first three starts, he went 2-1, 3.32 with 20 strikeouts and three walks. The lefthanded hitter's work at the plate has also been first-rate. He won the DH job and was leading the team in batting (.481), on-base percentage (.600), slugging (.630) and intentional walks (three) while batting third. "I'm glad I didn't have to wait very long to get that first hit or win because it takes the pressure off," said Vargas, who became the first two-way player in Weathers' 12 years at Long Beach State, the first nine as an assistant to Dave Snow. "We were kind of leery having a two-way guy," Weathers said. "Before our first series at Cal, I was meeting with the umpires because I've never had a DH/pitcher in the lineup. I didn't know the rules." Four Years, Four Teams Vargas has battled a learning curve of his own. He's on his fourth different team in four different cities in four years. The Twins drafted him in the 43rd round out of Apple Valley (Calif.) High, but he instead chose to attend Louisiana State. Vargas earned a solid amount of playing time for a freshman there, playing 15 games at first base and taking the mound on 13 occasions, but something didn't feel right. "It wasn't the right fit," he said. "I have nothing bad to say about that program or the coaching staff." Vargas transferred to Cypress for the 2003 season, picking a junior college so he'd be draft-eligible. He was the Southern California JC player of the year for his work on the mound and at the plate, but as the season wore on, his arm slot dropped and his velocity fell with it, into the mid-80s. That combined with Vargas' signing bonus demands depressed his draft stock, so he went undrafted. "I really thought I was going to sign and everything started falling apart for me," Vargas said. "I realized I needed to go get focused. I realized that it's not as easy as high school, where talent is going to take you where you want to go. Everyone (in college) is as talented as you, and it's just who wants to work more." That idea led Vargas to Long Beach State. He liked the school's history of producing major league talent and liked the school's hard-nosed mentality even more, especially after getting a recommendation from former Dirtbag J.J. Newkirk, who played for Vargas' father Joe at Apple Valley. "We were real fortunate to get a guy like him," pitching coach Troy Buckley said. "He's real aggressive and very physical. He could be a Friday or Saturday starter at other schools. Stuff-wise, he's probably better than (sophomore lefthander Cesar) Ramos, but Cesar has experience in regionals, and that's why he got the nod for Saturday starter." Vargas showed his new work ethic upon his arrival. He threw with the pitchers in side sessions and took batting practice while the rest of the pitching staff took part in their conditioning regimen. He then used his free time to make up for missed training sessions and weight work. Keep The Change Vargas also proved a fast learner. Buckley taught him to keep his top half aligned with his lower half over the rubber and not drift toward the plate as he twisted through his delivery. The tweak allowed Vargas to repeat his mechanics and keep his arm higher, which in turn increased the velocity on his fastball and improved the break on his curveball. Now he pitches at 88-91 mph, tops out at 95 and even hit 94 in the seventh inning of a recent start. "My velocity right now is beyond where it's ever been," Vargas said. "I want to give all the credit to 'Buck' for helping me. It definitely makes me think what I could be doing now if I would have been here the last three years." Buckley also has helped Vargas improve his changeup in just two weeks. "It really saves him when he doesn't have his fastball command," Buckley said. Vargas already has shown complete confidence in the pitch. After surrendering a first-inning homer to Southern California's Joey Metropoulos on a changeup he left a bit high, Vargas went right back to his change the next inning and induced a pair of swings and misses. The addition of the changeup gives Vargas the three solid pitches he'll need to work out of a rotation in the professional ranks, which combined with his other attributes should put him in the top five rounds of this year's draft. "You're looking at a college lefthander who's an arm-strength guy," Buckley said. "He's not Alvarez as far as pitchability or control, but I think his future is on the mound. Just because of what the draft is, with the risk of high school arms, if he proves himself over a full season, he's not that far away. His days are going to keep getting better." Vargas said he'll hit or pitch at the next level, whatever a team wants him to do. "I know what it's like to get a game-winning hit, and that's a pretty sweet feeling," he said. "But I also like being on the mound at the end of the game." For now, he'll keep doing both for Long Beach State, and doing both very well as his two-way successes cause worry for plenty of coaches--even his own. "We need him to pitch," Weathers said. "Now that he's hitting--if he gets hit by a pitch or turns an ankle running the bases--if he gets hurt, you lose two players. But he says, 'Coach, I know how to do this. I've been doing it all my life.' " And it makes him all the more valuable.

Blue plate special By JIM MASHEK Barry Gunther spent his first two seasons at Ole Miss in the bullpen, making an occasional start at designated hitter or behind the plate. Charlie Waite was entrenched as the Rebels' catcher for the first three seasons of Mike Bianco's tenure as the Ole Miss coach. Gunther didn't let that time go to waste, however, and has emerged as one of the Rebels' steadiest players this season in their pursuit of the school's first Southeastern Conference title since 1977. Ninth-ranked Ole Miss (38-15, 17-10 Southeastern Conference) closes regular-season play with No. 4 LSU (38-14, 16-11) in a three-game series starting Friday night in Oxford. Ole Miss shares the overall SEC lead with Arkansas and Georgia, with LSU one of three teams just one game back in the standings. "Obviously, it was hard to sit on the bench, but I realized my position on the team," Gunther said. "I'd been a starting catcher since my freshman year in high school. I knew Charlie Waite was a great catcher. I just waited my turn, I guess. "I knew I had to be patient." Gunther's patience has been rewarded with a breakthrough junior season with the Rebels. He handles the most effective pitching staff in the SEC. The Rebels' team ERA is 3.28, second only among league teams to Alabama, the last-place team in the SEC West. He ranks third among the Ole Miss hitters with a .352 average. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has collected 14 extra-base hits and 27 RBIs, but his greatest value to the Rebels, not surprisingly, is on defense. Gunther has committed just three errors all season and retired nine of 36 base runners attempting to steal a base against the Rebels. Bianco was the catcher on LSU's 1989 squad that finished third in the College World Series. He likes what he sees in his protege. "A lot's been made about what Barry has done with the bat," Bianco said, "but he's raised his game defensively, too. He's been a workhorse back there. He does a great job of receiving, throwing and blocking (plays at the plate). He's had so many big hits for us, too. "Barry and Charlie were close. He understood his role his first two years here. He got to play in some SEC games, and he just kept working." Gunther hits in the nine-hole for the Rebels because he's been most effective in that spot. He's eligible for the pro draft this summer but is more likely to return for his senior year at Ole Miss, which Waite did before going in the 23rd round of last year's draft to the Philadelphia Phillies. Gunther's older brother, Josh, was a pitcher at South Carolina after making a name for himself at Manatee (Fla.) Community College. His younger brother, Yogi, is a freshman second baseman at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale. Asked if his kid brother was named after New York Yankees catcher/wordsmith Yogi Berra, Gunther said, "That's the only other Yogi I know." Gunther likes taking charge on the field, and the Rebels will need his leadership skills in their highly anticipated series with five-time national champion LSU. "It's the most demanding position out there," he said. "I like having the pressure on me, being in charge out there. It's kind of like being the quarterback in football." One of Ole Miss' most effective pitchers for the 2004 season is through. Sophomore left-hander Brae Wright, who has compiled a 6-2 record for the Rebels, was dismissed from the team on Wednesday. Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco announced the move and had twice taken disciplinary action against Wright earlier this season. Wright also had struggled with arm trouble, but he still had a 2.81 earned-run average with 49 strikeouts in 671/3 innings pitched. Wright, who is from Southaven, made his last appearance for the Rebels in a 7-3 loss to Georgia on April 25. He made 19 starts in his two seasons with the Rebels, going 10-6.

Davis Relishes Special Season by Doug Krikorian, Long Beach Press-Telegram May 6, 2004 There was no one who had a closer glimpse of the greatness of Sandy Koufax than John Roseboro, who, after all, served as his catcher when Koufax was dispensing his memorable magic for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim McCarver had a similar experience in his career, since he caught Bob Gibson when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals and then Steve Carlton when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. A catcher, of course, has the most thankless, grueling task on a ball field, as he must crouch on every pitch, as he continually gets struck on various parts of his anatomy by foul balls, as he so often gets bowled over at home plate by charging baserunners. But a catcher is vital to the success of a baseball team, and seldom does one emerge victorious in the World Series without having a quality one, as certainly was the case last fall when Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez triggered the Florida Marlins to their stunning upset of the New York Yankees. What enhances the profile of a catcher even more is if he's fortunate enough to work with a dominant pitcher, as Rodriguez did with Josh Beckett and as Roseboro and McCarver did with Koufax, Gibson and Carlton. Well, the Long Beach State 49ers, aka the Dirtbags, have an impressive 31-12 record this season, and, by the sheerest coincidence, they happen to have an extraordinary catcher, Mr. Brad Davis, to go with their storied pitcher, Jered Weaver. Davis has been overlooked in the hysteria surrounding Weaver, but he's been performing at such a high level that he's a serious candidate to win the Johnny Bench Award, a honor bestowed on the top collegiate catcher. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior from Mission Viejo is leading the 49ers in hits (55), and is second in batting average (.344), second in runs (33), third in RBI (27) and even tied for first in stolen bases (four). Catchers are invaluable commodities, and you'd think one of Davis' caliber he also has three home runs and six doubles would be receiving widespread recognition. But on this 49er team, in the Spring of Jered Weaver when the right-handed phenomenon has a 12-0 record, a 1.42 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 95 innings, Brad Davis has become one of the spear carriers, much like the Dirtbags' brilliant shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, or slugging first baseman Mike Hofius, or hard-hitting outfielder John Bowker, or pitcher-designated hitter deluxe Jason Vargas, or other people like Cesar Ramos, Josh Buhagiar, and Danny Mocny. Brad Davis doesn't mind being kept in the shadows by Weaver's immense achievements. In fact, he's savoring every moment he gets to catch Weaver. "It's just been a great experience.' he says. "Jered brings terrific energy to the field when he pitches. It makes playing the game a lot of fun. The publicity that has surrounded him this season has been tremendous. We kid him about it all the time, but he hasn't changed one bit since he arrived here three years ago. Oh, I guess you can say he's changed a little as a pitcher. He's definitely now more dominant.' So what makes Jered Weaver so unique? "He has an unorthodox delivery, and he has tremendous velocity on his fastball,' says Davis. "He also has terrific control, and knows how to change speeds. He's just a complete pitcher.' Davis and Weaver have become close friends, and are roommates at an off-campus apartment. He senses when Weaver is set to have one of his overwhelming outings, like the ones he had earlier this season when he able to strike out 10 consecutive batters. "The tipoff for Jered having his best stuff is when there is a swagger about him before the start of the game,' says Davis. "When I see that swagger, I think to myself, 'This is going to be one of those dominant games.' And it usually is.' Brad Davis has started 42 games at catcher this season, but last season injuries to teammates resulted in his fulfilling a utilityman role, as he also played first base and in the outfield. "Didn't mind it a bit,' says Davis. "I'll do anything to help the team.' When he isn't playing baseball or pursuing his studies he's majoring in communications Davis will repair to Seal Beach, or Huntington Beach and do some bodyboarding. "A lot of fun,' he says. But he admits nothing matches the fun he's been having catching Jered Weaver the past few months. "It's been pretty amazing ... a once in a lifetime opportunity,' says Davis, who figures to be an early round pick in the upcoming amateur draft. "The Friday nights always have been exciting here at Long Beach, but this spring they've really been pretty special because of Jered. He's just had some incredible games. I'm sure one day I'll look back on this with great fondness. Actually, I'm appreciating it right now. I'm enjoying every moment of it.' http://www.longbeachstate.com/local/sid/fe...avis050604.html

NEW YORK -- MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, will once again offer fans an interactive media showcase with its coverage of Baseball's 40th annual First Year Player Draft on June 7 and 8. Coverage will begin at 12:50 p.m. ET on Monday, June 7 with the 2004 free "MLB.com Draft Show," presented live in streaming video from the company's studios in New York City. The show will take fans inside the event with exclusive pick-by-pick coverage of the first five rounds as well as all-access features, exclusive highlights and interviews. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo will be the show's host, joined by analysts Fred Claire (Dodgers general manager from 1987-98) and Darryl Hamilton (Milwaukee's 11th-round pick in 1986). They will provide a preview of the draft, giving a look at the top prospects as well as an interview with Roy Krasik, senior director of Major League Operations, who will explain how the process works. The draft begins at 1 p.m. ET, and MLB.com is the only place where behind-the-scenes scouting video of the majority of players is made available for viewing on demand. In addition to that footage and the live Draft action, MLB.com's special section dedicated to the event will offer fans a variety of additional features including a video flashback of the top 10 Number 1 picks of all-time and video of some of the former draft picks who have attained stardom. "For some 1500 young men and their families Baseball's annual First Year Player Draft is one of the most exciting events in their lives," said Allan H. "Bud" Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball. "Over a two-day period their dream of getting a chance to one day become a big leaguer becomes a reality for this talented group of athletes," "The draft has all the ingredients for phenomenal content; it's a jewel event that brings fans of every team and every prospect online," said Dinn Mann, senior vice president and editor-in-chief at MLB.com. "The draft gives us the privilege of collaborating with scouts, front-office executives, coaches and players at every level for information and insights that are second to none. Further, it provides a real-time, breaking-news stage, marrying the power of our searchable database with the depth and speed of our original text, audio and video coverage." As always, the Major League clubs take turns selecting players in reverse order of their won-loss records at the close of the previous regular season, with National and American League clubs alternating selections -- so San Diego is on the clock first, immediately followed by Detroit. The draft concludes at the end of the 50th round of selections. In addition to the "MLB.com Draft Show" for viewers, MLB.com Radio once again will broadcast exclusively the entire draft. That will include the live draft conference call throughout the event. Seth Everett will be the radio host and will be joined by Dave Rawnsley, scout/writer for Perfect Game USA, and also by Mayo. Everett and Mayo will be the commentators for the second day of the draft on MLB.com Radio. MLB.com visitors also can find a recap of the draft on June 9, with Mayo's appearance on "The Show To Be Named Later." That addition to MLB.com's 2004 programming lineup airs at 1 p.m. ET each Wednesday.

The Rockies have a catcher at AAA called J.D. Closser that is a pretty decent prospect. He has a .283 BA the past 2 seasons w/ an average of 13 HR's. This year he is batting over .300 and the guy doesnt strike out alot either. Charles Johnson makes this guy expendable and should be considered if we trade Darren Oliver back to Colorado.

It ticks me off to see we keep battling to get the leads and these guys keep coming back and winning with late game heroics. They have a hell of a team but come on - they have hit a gazillion HR's vs us. I dont mind losing but losing when a team plays the kind of baseball that got you a championship last year now thats scary.

I cant believe no one knows how we got Abe Nunez. He was a PTBNL in the Matt Mantei Deal. We received from ARZ Penny, Vlad Nunez, and Abe Nunez.

I saw them on Ebay during the playoffs last year. Best bet is to due a seach for completed items and e-mail a seller who sold them before.

Hey TrueFan. So are the orange jerseys going to be worn by players in games in the future?

We cant send Ramon down b/c he is out of options. Only way it can happen is if we waive him and no one claims him but you know some team will pick him up and give him a shot.

The guy has no heart. When we got him i was alarmed with his weak RISP average. Take his butt out and butt Niner at first!!!

They also could bring in Niner to plays some 1st base and insert Nunez at LF....I think that would be a much better lineup until Choi gets his groove back.