Monthly Archives: June 2014

Episode 40: Baseball Camp, Booeymonger, and Guantez the Dead Ferret

by Jordan Shusterman

Welcome to Barbecast 40, Baseball Camp edition. This week’s special guest (at 24:15) is John McCarthy (Coach Mac), the founder of Home Run Baseball Camp and current employer of both members of the BBQ. We talked to Coach Mac about his brief career in pro ball as a knuckleballer (facing Derek Jeter in the GCL!!!!), his transition into becoming a coach, and how he maintains his insane level of optimism on a daily basis. We recorded in a Booeymonger, so we apologize for the semi-poor audio quality. You can and should read more about Coach Mac by clicking here. Our b-ref battle this week included a certain player that may or may not be the oldest living human being on Earth. Tales from Logdog with Lana Berry covered Lana’s surprise appearance on Mean Tweets: Dallas Cowboys edition. Our e-mail segment included some baseball camp stories, what we would do as the Padres GM, and a beautiful World Cup e-mail from OBP. At the end of the episode, you will hear a recording of the story that we, along with our co-counselor Jason, told a group of 100+ campers about the loss of our pet ferret, Guantez. Thanks for listening <3

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A Night With Daniel Bard

by jakemintz

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The night began just like any other. A gaggle of young talented athletes with hopeful futures took the field, while oversized 40-year-olds and their children pretended to watch them. Fleet-footed Dominican infielders gracefully roamed the grassy landscape like gazelles as monstrously large first baseman with hitches in their swings drop their back shoulders on hanging sliders. This is Low-A baseball, the first full-season step on a long Minor League journey towards The Show. It is a place where dreams are supposed to begin to actualize. But on this night, for Daniel Bard, it was an experiment in perseverance.

Daniel Bard threw the greatest pitch of all time. It was a 99 mile-per-hour two-seamer that broke like a reverse slider. Nick Swisher looked like a blind person because Daniel Bard wanted him to. For a two-year period Bard was one of the best relievers in all of baseball. With a fastball that sat in the high 90’s with sharp run and a slider that made babies cry, Bard could look absolutely unhittable at times. When the Red Sox tried to convert him to a starter to extract greater value from Bard’s studly arm, it all began to go downhill.

After two unsuccessful half-seasons with the Sox and then the Cubs, the Rangers scooped him up at the start of the year in a low-risk, possibly high-reward move. After spending some time in extended spring training rehabbing from an offseason rib surgery, Bard was sent to Low-A Hickory to begin his climb back up the ladder. In his first appearance, two days before we saw him, Bard faced four batters. He walked one, hit three, and exited the game before recording an out. Aware of his struggles two days prior we sat full of curiosity and anticipation amongst the otherwise mostly oblivious Hickory crowd.

On the very first pitch of the inning Bard nailed the West Virginia hitter in the back with a 95 MPH fastball. The next two batters each walked as Bard struggled to locate his fastball, slider, and past successes. He got behind 2-0 to the next hitter before throwing his first strike of the game, a 96 MPH cutter on the outer half that looked like it belonged in Arlington and not in Hickory. His next offering was an 80 MPH slider down the dick that the 20-something year old batter had no chance at. Another swing and a miss on a cutter under the hands and Bard had his first out of the year.

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Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (AL West)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

Click here for Part 1 (NL East).

Click here for Part 2 (AL East). 

Click here for Part 3 (NL Central).

Click here for Part 4 (AL Central).

Click here for Part 5 (NL West).

AL WEST

Houston Astros

Houston Astros

  • C Jobduan Morales
  • 1B Bobby Borchering
  • 2B Parker Hipp
  • 3B Arturo Michelena
  • SS Chan Moon
  • OF Ydarqui Marte
  • OF Brauly Mejia
  • OF Teoscar Hernandez
  • DH Kristian Trompiz
  1. RHP Rayderson Chevelier
  2. LHP Geronimo Franzua
  3. RHP Yonquelys Martinez
  4. LHP Starlyng Sanchez
  5. LHP Pat Urckfitz

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

  • C Anthony Bemboom
  • 1B Wade Hinkle
  • 2B Kirby Pellant
  • 3B Danny Richiez
  • SS Goldny Mills
  • OF Ranyelmy Mendoza
  • OF Michael Fish
  • OF Exicardo Cayones
  • DH Abel Baker
  1. RHP Orangel Arenas
  2. LHP Engerberg Rosales
  3. RHP Spencer Trygg
  4. LHP Eswarlin Jimines
  5. RHP Crusito Mieses

Continue reading →

Episode 39: Stephen Bruno > Brüno

by Jordan Shusterman

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Full Barbecasts are back! Now with 25% worse audio quality. Get pumped. Our special guest this week is Ryan Parker of Baseball Prospectus. We talked to Ryan about how he scouts Low-A baseball, Joey Gallo, and other prospect-related thingzzz. You should follow Ryan on Twitter @RA_Parker because he is really good at what he does. Our b-ref battle this week consisted of numerous strange sounds, moreso than actual names. Tales from Logdog with Lana Berry covered how Lana was surviving the sudden tornado in her area. The theme of the e-mail segment was WHAT THE HELL WAS IN CARLOS GONZALEZ’S FINGER with an eloquent backstory from Big Poop. The Barbecuers Update has good news regarding Barbecuer gear that is actually for sale. This isn’t our best Barbecast, but it probably isn’t our worst! Seriously, just go back and listen to Barbecast 38. Thanks for listening <3

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Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (NL West)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

Click here for Part 1 (NL East).

Click here for Part 2 (AL East). 

Click here for Part 3 (NL Central).

Click here for Part 4 (AL Central).

NL WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks

  • C Raywilly Gomez
  • 1B Phildrick Llewellyn
  • 2B Fernery Ozuna
  • 3B Vicson Graciano
  • SS Josue Herrera
  • OF Socrates Brito
  • OF Frankies Alcantara
  • OF Yogey Perez-Ramos
  • DH Stryker Trahan
  1. RHP Silvino Bracho
  2. LHP Jose Jose
  3. RHP Merkis Montero
  4. RHP Wellinton Felix
  5. RHP Johnny Shuttlesworth

Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies

  • C Hamlet Marte
  • 1B Kiel Roling
  • 2B Taylor Featherston
  • 3B Jayson Langfels
  • SS Trevor Story
  • OF Delta Cleary Jr.
  • OF Omar Carrizales
  • OF Kyle Von TungeIn
  • DH Correlle Prime
  1. RHP Johendi Jiminian
  2. LHP Yoely Bello
  3. RHP Salvador Justo
  4. RHP Huascar Brazoban
  5. RHP Joey Payamps

Continue reading →

Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (AL Central)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

Click here for Part 1 (NL East).

Click here for Part 2 (AL East). 

Click here for Part 3 (NL Central).

AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox

  • C Ylexander Villaroel
  • 1B Rangel Ravelo
  • 2B Yolberth Gideon
  • 3B Joxelier Garcia
  • SS Cleuluis Rondon
  • OF Hanleth Otano
  • OF Gorkys Hernandez
  • OF Micker Zapata
  • DH Kale Kiser
  1. RHP Storm Throne
  2. LHP Jhoan Quijada
  3. RHP Eriberto Percel
  4. RHP Diogenes Rosario
  5. RHP Henry Mabee

Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians

  • C Sicnarf Loopstok
  • 1B Jerrud Sabourin
  • 2B Yhoxian Medina
  • 3B Paddy Matera
  • SS Dorssys Paulino
  • OF Silento Sayles
  • OF Yosmar Mujica
  • OF D’vone Mujica
  • DH Giovanny Urshela
  1. RHP Michael Peoples
  2. RHP Duke von Schamann
  3. RHP Kieran Lovegrove
  4. RHP Rodolfo Villasmil
  5. RHP Dace Kime

Continue reading →

Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (NL Central)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

Click here for Part 1 (NL East).

Click here for Part 2 (AL East). 

NL CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs

  • C Yaniel Cabezas
  • 1B Roney Alcala
  • 2B Gioskar Amaya
  • 3B Wladimir Galindo
  • SS Varonex Cuevas
  • OF Charcer Burks
  • OF Jenner Emeterio
  • OF Bijan Radenmacher
  • DH Rock Shoulders
  1. RHP Brohiglyn Rivero
  2. RHP Adbert Alzolay
  3. LHP Yapson Gomez
  4. RHP Greyfer Eregua
  5. RHP Harrinson Bermudez

Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

  • C Chadwick Tromp
  • 1B Jhimmy Lopez
  • 2B Oviel Florentino
  • 3B Ery Bernabel
  • SS Zach Vincej
  • OF Beau Amaral
  • OF Aristides Aquino
  • OF Diohanky Mejia
  • DH Argenis Aldazoro
  1. RHP Werleen Taveras
  2. RHP Franderlyn Romero
  3. RHP Soid Marquez
  4. RHP Wendolyn Bautista
  5. RHP Radhames Quezada

Continue reading →

Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (AL East)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

Click here for Part 1 (NL East).

AL EAST

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles

  • C Steel Russell
  • 1B Rockny Martinez
  • 2B Torsten Boss
  • 3B Yeridolfo Lizardo
  • SS Gonzalo Galastica
  • OF Trent Mummey
  • OF Rochendrick Alexander
  • OF Andrickson Zorrilla
  • DH Pita Rona
  1. RHP Nik Nowottnick
  2. RHP Dioni Dominguez
  3. RHP Lu Franc-Cito LeFranc
  4. RHP Ofelky Peralta
  5. RHP Yeizer Marrugo

Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

  • C Alixon Suarez
  • 1B Darwin Pena
  • 2B Heiker Meneses
  • 3B Jantzen Witte
  • SS Raymel Flores
  • OF Kendrick Perkins
  • OF Raiwinson Lameda
  • OF Forrestt Allday
  • DH Gerardo Carrizalez
  1. RHP Enfember Martinez
  2. RHP Hildemaro Requena
  3. LHP Darwinzon Hernandez
  4. RHP Yankory Pimentel
  5. LHP Jervis Torrealba

Continue reading →

Organizational Lineups: The Best Names In the Minor Leagues (NL East)

by Jordan Shusterman

If it wasn’t obvious already, we absolutely love ridiculous names. For each 2014 team preview, we included a list of the best names in the organization. Because it’s summer, I’m gonna take it one step further. I have assembled a starting lineup and starting rotation of the most spectacular names for every team in baseball using solely players in their respective minor league systems. You will read some of these names and question their legitimacy but a quick Google search will confirm each and every one these as 100% real. As a rule, each position must be played by a player that is actually listed at that position. For example, the Giants have five different shortstops with unbelievable names but I could only choose two (SS and DH). Every team has a DH, and the DH could be any position player. Each team also has a five man rotation. Rotations were certainly difficult to determine because OH MY GOD THESE PITCHER NAMES ARE UNREAL. Okay. TO THE SQUADS.

NL EAST

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

  • C Orrin Sears
  • 1B Juruengelo Tielman
  • 2B Mattia Mercuri
  • 3B Mike Dodig
  • SS Ray-Patrick Didder
  • OF Nisandro Cleofa
  • OF Fernelys Sanchez
  • OF Ledernin Tejada
  • DH Trenton Moses
  1. RHP Osman Manzanares
  2. RHP Evertz Orozco
  3. RHP Dakota Dill
  4. RHP Francois Lafreniere
  5. RHP Jesus Jones

Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins

  • C Yobanis Pinto
  • 1B Viosergy Rosa
  • 2B Terrence Dayleg
  • 3B J.T. Riddle
  • SS Garvis Lara
  • OF Wildert Pujols
  • OF Coco Johnson
  • OF Alinson Peguero
  • DH Iramis Olivencia
  1. RHP Jheyson Manzueta
  2. RHP Jorgan Cavenerio
  3. RHP Yeims Mendoza
  4. RHP Yonqueli Perez
  5. RHP Esmerling De La Rosa

Continue reading →

The CFBBQ Road Trip: A Recap

by Jordan Shusterman

We returned home late last night from our nearly two-week long baseball road trip extravaganza. If you’re wondering why we haven’t had any content here, it’s because all of our daily road trip journal entries have been featured at Baseball Prospectus. We are very happy with how the series turned out, and the series has been made completely free over at Baseball Prospectus for all to read. Below are links to each day’s post with brief descriptions of what we wrote about:

INTRODUCTION AND ITINERARY

In which we explained what the series would be and why we’re doing it.

DAY ONE: LYNCHBURG

Summary: The beginning of the trip and our first game.

Game: Frederick Keys (Orioles) at Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves)

Interviews: OF Kyle Wren and RHP Lucas Sims

DAY TWO: ASHEVILLE AND HICKORY

Summary: We saw two Low-A games in one day. Raimel Tapia was awesome.

Games: Lexington Legends (Royals) at Asheville Tourists (Rockies) and Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) at Hickory Crawdads (Rangers)

Interview: 1B Correlle Prime

DAY THREE: HUNTSVILLE

Summary: We went to an awful stadium with awesome people. Kris Bryant did Kris Bryant things.

Game: Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) at Huntsville Stars (Brewers)

Interview: INF Josh Prince

DAY FOUR: LSU

Summary: We went to a college baseball regional game where the baseball was okay but the college was spectacular.

Game: Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana State University

DAY FIVE AND SIX: HOUSTON

Summary: We attended two games at Minute Maid Park; the first as fans, the second as media.

Games: Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros

Interviews: 1B Chris Carter and OF Dexter Fowler

DAY SEVEN: We got lazy and didn’t write anything.

DAY EIGHT: DALLAS

Summary: We saw a game in Round Rock before heading North to Dallas and the Texas Wranglers.

Games: Omaha  Storm Chasers (Royals) at Round Rock Express (Rangers) and Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers

DAY NINE: FRISCO

Summary: We went to Dr. Pepper Ballpark and drank a lot of Dr. Pepper. We also saw another baseball game.

Game: San Antonio Missions (Padres) at Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers)

Interview: RHP Alec Asher

DAY TEN: LITTLE ROCK

Summary: Bill Clinton World and disappointing Angels prospects.

Game: Springfield Cardinals (Cardinals) at Arkansas Travelers (Angels)

DAY ELEVEN: BACK TO HUNTSVILLE

Summary: We went back to Huntsville because the people there are awesome. Then the rain came.

Game: Mobile BayBears (Diamondbacks) at Huntsville Stars (Brewers)

DAY TWELVE: BACK TO HICKORY

Summary: We returned to Crawdad Land to see a RIDICULOUS baseball game and some talented Dominican teenagers.

Game: West Virginia Power (Pirates) at Hickory Crawdads (Rangers)

Interview: INF Nick Vickerson

DAY THIRTEEN: WINSTON-SALEM, DURHAM, AND GOING HOME

Summary: We saw two rainy games and finally headed home.

Games: Carolina Mudcats (Indians) at Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox) and Norfolk Tides (Orioles) at Durham Bulls (Rays)