Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair, both recently promoted to Advanced-A Visalia, have been elected to Baseball America's Midseason Top 50 list. The two RHP are Arizona's only prospects to make the list with current major leaguer Chris Owings making the Pre-Season Top 100. Shipley has jumped up to 36th from 62nd, and Blair has flown up the ranks by going from outside the Top 100 to 44th.
Perhaps the questionable trades that sent away Archie Bradley, Trevor Bauer, and Tyler Skaggs are not going to be the end of the world after all.
In somewhat related news Mobile 3B Jake Lamb was named to Baseball America's MiLB All-Surprise Team on the back of an impressive season.
Showing posts with label Diamondback News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diamondback News. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Diamondbacks Hire Tony LaRussa
The Arizona Diamondbacks confused everyone this week by announcing that they have hired Tony La Russa as Chief Baseball Officer. The legendary 69-year-old former manager and three time World Series champion (1989 Oakland, 2006 & 2011 St. Louis) joins a team desperately in need of some guidance.
The title of "Chief Baseball Officer" sounds made up, but what it might signify is a major shake-up in management. Perhaps the dual GM experiment isn't working, as rumors fly surrounding one of the GM's level of involvement in team decisions. If the team were to remove one of the acting General Managers, likely Mr. Schroeer, La Russa could take on a bigger role in the organization.
Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall has made it clear that La Russa will report directly to him, placing him above the beleaguered GMs, and control the entire Baseball Operations department. Hall spoke to the media regarding La Russa's involvement :
“The entire organization is obviously frustrated with the results on the field and we are looking to improve… Tony brings us a wealth of knowledge, experience and success, and will work closely with Bert, Andrew and Kirk in evaluating our current state to determine the future of our baseball operations. He is excited and enthusiastic about the challenge, and we are fortunate to have this Hall of Famer on board and a part of the team.”
Few, if any, believe that La Russa has been brought in to take over for Manager Kirk Gibson, but things could be looking bad for him as well if the team continues to struggle. The 50 years of baseball experience La Russa brings to Arizona will be valuable, but it isn't clear if that experience is going to help engineer a total rebuild or just an executive clean out.
Can La Russa help build a winning organization?
The title of "Chief Baseball Officer" sounds made up, but what it might signify is a major shake-up in management. Perhaps the dual GM experiment isn't working, as rumors fly surrounding one of the GM's level of involvement in team decisions. If the team were to remove one of the acting General Managers, likely Mr. Schroeer, La Russa could take on a bigger role in the organization.
Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall has made it clear that La Russa will report directly to him, placing him above the beleaguered GMs, and control the entire Baseball Operations department. Hall spoke to the media regarding La Russa's involvement :
“The entire organization is obviously frustrated with the results on the field and we are looking to improve… Tony brings us a wealth of knowledge, experience and success, and will work closely with Bert, Andrew and Kirk in evaluating our current state to determine the future of our baseball operations. He is excited and enthusiastic about the challenge, and we are fortunate to have this Hall of Famer on board and a part of the team.”
Few, if any, believe that La Russa has been brought in to take over for Manager Kirk Gibson, but things could be looking bad for him as well if the team continues to struggle. The 50 years of baseball experience La Russa brings to Arizona will be valuable, but it isn't clear if that experience is going to help engineer a total rebuild or just an executive clean out.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Roster Churns As Season Starts
The season is barely two days old and the Diamondbacks continue to suffer injures. The newest injury came for important RP David Hernandez, who will likely undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2014 season. Hernandez is an important part of the Diamondbacks bullpen, tossing 60+ inning the last three years. Hernandez's trip to the DL marks Arizona's third Tommy John of the year with Patrick Corbin and Matt Reynolds already out.
The opening in the bullpen was quickly filled by LHP Nick Maronde, a 24-year old hurler with a scant 11.1 innings of major league experience.
Arizona also optioned SS Didi Gregorious, the loser in the 2B/SS back-up competition, and 2B Grant Green to the AAA Reno Aces. The combination of Aaron Hill, JJ Hardy, Chris Owings, and Brian Roberts figure to take up all of the slots for middle infielders, perhaps a good showing in AAA will earn Green and Gregorious a roster spot in 2014 when Hardy and Roberts depart.
Losing Hernandez is a major blow to the Diamondbacks
Arizona also optioned SS Didi Gregorious, the loser in the 2B/SS back-up competition, and 2B Grant Green to the AAA Reno Aces. The combination of Aaron Hill, JJ Hardy, Chris Owings, and Brian Roberts figure to take up all of the slots for middle infielders, perhaps a good showing in AAA will earn Green and Gregorious a roster spot in 2014 when Hardy and Roberts depart.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Early Season Pitching Woes Mount
The Diamondbacks continued to shuffle their roster today in order to make up for early season changes. Arizona has called up RP Will Harris, who pitched well last season, to fill a growing need in their bullpen.
Kevin Gregg has failed to impress anyone, and he may not pitch at all this season. Jordan Norberto was expected to contribute from the bullpen, but he has struggled early and often and Arizona has been forced to look for relief innings elsewhere. Jose Ceda has been very disappointing and was optioned to AAA Reno this week.
The biggest news of the week came from Reno as the Diamondbacks announced the suspension of RHP Alex Colome. Colome has tested positive for a banned substance (Boldenone) and will face a 50-game suspension to start the season. Colome came to Arizona in a trade with the Brewers for Phil Hughes, and management had hoped he would see the starting rotation at some point in 2014. The suspension probably pushes Colome out of the picture for this season.
In other news the Diamondbacks have moved former Astros slugger Marc Krauss to their 40-man roster with the hope that he can bolster their OF depth. Krauss also adds some left handed power to the lineup which may compliment the defense and speed of Tony Campana.
Kevin Gregg has failed to impress anyone, and he may not pitch at all this season. Jordan Norberto was expected to contribute from the bullpen, but he has struggled early and often and Arizona has been forced to look for relief innings elsewhere. Jose Ceda has been very disappointing and was optioned to AAA Reno this week.
The biggest news of the week came from Reno as the Diamondbacks announced the suspension of RHP Alex Colome. Colome has tested positive for a banned substance (Boldenone) and will face a 50-game suspension to start the season. Colome came to Arizona in a trade with the Brewers for Phil Hughes, and management had hoped he would see the starting rotation at some point in 2014. The suspension probably pushes Colome out of the picture for this season.
Can Colome's career recover?
In other news the Diamondbacks have moved former Astros slugger Marc Krauss to their 40-man roster with the hope that he can bolster their OF depth. Krauss also adds some left handed power to the lineup which may compliment the defense and speed of Tony Campana.
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