Dave Saltzer

Scotty, I think you should list Hermosillo as stock rising. The rest of the teams and national scouts are starting to see what we've seen in him, and his stock overall is rising. Yes, I was a bit shocked to see him start at IE, but, he's been promoted, and he isn't flailing. Going from A to AA is one of the biggest jumps in the Minors, so, I'd rank him as stock rising.

Scotty, I've been very impressed on Hermosillo since seeing him in Orem and have been singing his praises since then. As you recall, I've wanted him ranked higher on our lists. Not tbat they are similar players, but it was like some other player I had highly ranked when no other national publication knew his name--Kole Calhoun. We do our work here and we know our system better than just about anyone. There are reasons why pro scouts read our reports (I know for a fact that they do) and consider our rankings very seriously.

How long do you think that will last when he's giving up 2.7 HRs/9 IP? That's 0.8 HRs/9IP more than last year. And, that's not having to face a DH--he gets to face a pitcher every 9th batter. His FIP is way up (6.42 vs. 5.62) and again, that's facing pitchers. He's still not averaging past the 6th inning, which will become a massive burden on the pen, especially when he gets shelled by the 3rd inning. I'm happy he's doing okay in San Diego--that was a good fit for him. But cherry pick a stat to make a false point.

Thanks for another good update. I look forward to going out and catching a game or two with you soon. We'll do some joint interviews.

Good list on our prospects. Just remember that each league has different effects on hitters and pitchers. A pitcher with a 3.5 ERA in the Cal League is doing quite well. The same numbers in the MidWest League is nowhere near as impressive. The MWL supresses offense as much as the Cal League boosts it.

Good post Scotty. I'm pretty much following all of the same with a few others that I'd add for various reasons. Several are in Arizona right now, whom I'm waiting to see such as Nonie Williams, Cole Duensing, and Leornado Rivas off the top of my head). At Burlington, I'd add Sam Pastrone to your list. He's 19 and still can project a bit more. I'd like to see if it happens. At IE, I'd add Jeremy Rhoades who is being made into a reliever and could move as such, Taylor Ward (on the 7-day DL), Jose Rojas (local kid, late round pick skipping a level), and Adam Hofacket (another local kid trying to do good). Brendon Sanger, and Jake Yacinich. At Mobile, I'd add Greg Mahle and Abel de los Santos to see if they can get back up to the show or not. At AAA I think you got all the guys I'm heavily following. And, just because I didn't list one here doesn't mean I don't check up on them. it's just these are the guys I will check trends and things a lot more than the others. But, if another player starts doing some great stuff, I'll add him to the list. And, to answer TroutCron's question: No, not all of them will pan out. But the thing is, you never really know which ones will or won't, and it's better to cast a wider net. When it comes to pitchers, most MLB clubs will go through at least 20 pitchers in a season (and at the rate we're going, we could push 30), so, I'd rather know more about them and be following them. It's not always about who will pan out--as I said, some just have interesting stories and things that I've gotten to know over the years. But, following the minors is a lot of fun and makes the season a lot more interesting as you see them develop, get promoted, etc. Instead of trying to tear down people for doing that, why not try following some and see how much more interesting it makes the season and the game for you.

Good job and good interview. Interesting stuff.

My teams went 2-0 yesterday. The AA team won a nailbiter 4-1, and my AAA team won a blowout 18-2! I guess I'm doing too well to get my own Fire Saltzer thread!

Really good job Brent. Thanks for doing it and posting it so fast. Maybe you and I can meet up soon and do a video interview of Thais, Justus and Barria.

Okay. Ask about what they worked on in Spring Training and what they hope to accomplish this season. Ask them how they would define success for the year. Try and develop a theme for the article like that and then ask questions along those lines. I would definitely talk to Hermosillo, Thaiss, Barash, Justus, Long, and Barria (I don't think he speaks English--if you speak Spanish or have an interpreter that would be great).

In AA 7-11 were on fire. #7 went 0/2 with a BB, #8 went 1/3, #9 went 1/2 with a BB, #10 went 2/3, and #11 went 1/2 with an HBP. #10 got the game ball. In AAA, not so good. 7-9 went a combined 0 for 6 with 3 Ks. However, my absolute new kid to the game, whom I wrote about before, made a spectacular catch and for the first time put the ball in play both times up (he grounded out both times--but that is a huge improvement for him), and got the game ball. Most importantly, all players got a snack shack ticket. Many an Icee was consumed.

So, yesterday, my twins won a nailbiter 4-2, and my eldest lost 6-0. I've been having a lot of split days that way lately.

Will you be doing video interviews, audio interviews, or just general interviews to write a piece? I am planning on heading out there sometime soon to get a video interview with Thaiss and some others. If you want, i can give you some standard questions based on what type of interview you will be doing.

Thanks for sharing. I agree with all of your notes. My teams' creeds are: We hustle. We all contribute. We pick each other up. We stay calm under pressure. And we have fun! I had all the coaches and players sign that at the first practice, and then I laminated it. I bring it to every game and hang it in the dugout. My boys totally get it and I love that about them. I have very few problems, and the parents keep telling me how this is the first time they feel like it's been a true team and they love how much their boys are growing under me. It's a ton of work that I wouldn't trade for the world.

True story from this season. I got a player who at age 12, had never played a game of baseball before. He had never even thrown a ball before. At tryouts, he didn't even know how to run to first base (he just run off the field). But I picked him because he hustled and didn't give up. He only had an old, used glove. I gave him a bat to save his parents some money. Since then, I've literally had one coach working with him almost exclusively at every practice. He's never missed a practice. He cheers in every inning (I can always tell it's him because he's half French, half Spanish, and has no idea what typical cheers are, but he's cheering his team on anyway). Flash forward to our first game. I'm batting him 9th. I believe in the baseball gods, and that they frown on bad form, so I play him and every other kid equally (I don't have to play him the full game--and he plays as much as every other kid). In the 2nd inning of our first game, he's up. He gets a legitimate walk. He steals second. He takes 3rd on a passed ball. He scores my team's first run of the season on a hit by my leadoff hitter. Later in the game, I have him in left field. He doesn't have an arm at all--at that time, he could maybe throw the ball 20 feet. We have bases loaded and a 2-run lead with 2 outs. The batter rips it to left field. 1-run scores. My player gets the ball, throws it to 3rd, and my 3rd baseman throws it home to get the runner out at the plate and we go on to win by 1 run. Guess who got the game ball that game. Yes, I believe in the baseball gods, and they smile on good form.

The Minor League season starts this Thursday, so that's why I'm asking. It seems to me that the Angels are a bit late in announcing them, and I don't know why. And yes, I appreciate all that John Smith does in getting this out, which is why I was hoping I just missed them and he was going to post them. I'm curious where several players end up.

Did I miss them somewhere, or are they just late in being announced? If you've got them, please post them. Thanks!

You wouldn't take the over on HRs?

So where are my stories and thoughts from other Little League coaches and managers?

I am sorry for your loss, but please don't misread my article. I LOVE what I'm doing and managing 2 teams with my boys. I love watching all the players grow and develop. I love being known throughout the community. Yes, I'm tired. But, I wouldn't trade it for a minute. Sure, it's stressful, but as I said, I'm sure it's keeping me young. The point of the article was comparing the differences in stresses between managing in Little League and managing in the Majors. Two similar jobs with totally different stresses. My bet is managing Little League has more stress but also more reward than managing in the Majors.

We should merge this with the thread on The Line which has one website's odds on these issues.

I'm watching the game right now with a bunch of scouts, and we're all looking up the records for most consecutive strikeouts in baseball for starters and relievers. They all say they'd find a way to get him on the roster.

It's not just the talent that stands out with Jones. When I talked with all the coaches (both rival and Angels) about him and other players, they talked about his mental approach to the game as much as his tools. He was one of the youngest players at Orem, but was one of the most mature. I really enjoyed getting to meet him, and encourage all of you to head out to the IE66ers as soon as he's there to go see him play and to get to know him. Between him and Hermosillo, we will have a solid future in LF developed internally.

Want to know what else is 27? And even he knows which way the farm is moving . . .

Can someone reach out and see what we can do? Way too young.