MarcusE

Two week update: Niko's ridiculous start to the season has leveled off into what is still very good production, ranking in the top 20 in most offensive states in the APPY League including the top 5 in walks and RBI. 38G | 176PA | 25SO | 23BB | 18-1B | 9-2B | 6-3B | 3HR | 31RBI | .248/.375/.455 | 5SB - 1CS

Niko had a subpar week which saw all of his triple-slash numbers decline and his season SO total pass the BB total. However, the season-long effort remains satisfactory: 28G | 127PA | 25SO | 23BB | 12-1B | 6-2B | 6-3B | 3HR | 25RBI | .265/.402/.529 | 3SB - 1CS

Somewhere over the past week, Mason was moved up to Beloit where he's already been used twice and ended up on both sides of the decision (although the run in his loss was unearned). Congrats to Mason on the quick promotion! On the Season: E-town: 1-1 | 1.35 ERA | 7G - 6.2IP | .600 WHIP - 13.5 K9 - 2.7 BB9 Beloit: 1-1 | 0.00 ERA | 2G - 4.0IP | 1.000 WHIP - 6.8 K9 - 2.2 BB9 Combined: 2-2 | 0.84 ERA | 9G - 10.2 IP | .750 WHIP - 11.0 K9 - 2.5 BB9

Mellow Mason (still trying to come up with a good nickname...) continues to fill the "closer" role for the E-Twins. However, since the team has a penchant for winning games by 10+ runs, they've only provided 3 save situations. One, he blew, the second was while he was hurt and the third was in the second game of a double-header where MM finished off game #1 in a non-save situation. Still, Mason's career is off to a solid start: On the season: 1-1 | 1.35 ERA | 7G - 6.2IP | .600 WHIP - 13.5 K9 - 2.7 BB9 It'd be nice to see Mason put in another Month at E-Town and then throw some late-season heat in Beloit. Has anyone seen reports on whether Mason's fastball speed is still keeping in the mid-90s?

Niko update: Recovering from a sore elbow due to last week's beaning, Niko was only called on to play in 4 games this week...And, he's still mashing: 21G | 99PA | 16SO | 21BB | 8-1B | 5-2B | 6-3B | 2HR | 21RBI | .289/.444/.592 | 3SB - 1CS Most notably young mister Goodrum's OBP is keeping steady due to a continuing glut of walks. In fact, his 21 free passes this season leads the Appy league (Max Kepler is 3rd with 19 BB). Through a mere 100 plate appearances, this high number of walks viewed in combination with a SO/PA ratio that has dropped from .245 in 2011 to .162 in 2012, Niko is increasingly looking like a legitimate top-of-order prospect.

Mason made only one relief appearance this past week, in said game he was perfect over 1 inning with 1 strikeout. On the season: 1-1 | 1.93 ERA | 5G - 4.2IP | .643 WHIP - 11.6 K9 - 3.9 BB9

Niko update: Apparently he left the game Saturday after being hit by a pitch and didn't play Sunday, either. Anyone heard an injury update? Otherwise, the stats are still looking ridiculously good: 17G | 75PA | 12SO | 16BB | 5-1B | 4-2B |6-3B |2HR | 16RBI | .288/.442/.661 | 2SB - 1CS

This week Mason picked up his first professional win and got back on the right track with 2 relief appearances for Elizabethton where he pitched 2 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts. On the season: 1-1 | 2.45 ERA | 4G - 3.2IP | .818 WHIP - 12.3 K9 - 4.9 BB9

Whoops...fixed. This week's Niko Update: Another great week, highlighted by the near cycle (HR short) on Thursday and the actual cycle on Saturday. Niko went 8-24 with 5 walks, 8 RBI and 1 SB Niko's full stats this season: 11G | 55PA | 8SO | 10BB | 4-1B | 2-2B | 6-3B | 2HR | 14RBI | .311/.460/.829 | 1SB - 1CS

Week 1 for Niko at E-Town: 5G - 26PA - 2SO - 5BB - 4 Triples - 1HR - 6RBI - .286/.423/.810 Great start, but 4 Errors at SS may be a sign as to why he's not in Beloit with many of his 2011 teammates. Obviously can't keep up this power rate, but the bat is looking pretty advanced for this level.

[video=youtube;-HzNYRm5Hac]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzNYRm5Hac Born: June 28, 1991 - Grapevine, TX Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 6'2" Weight: 170 Drafted as a P out of Northwestern State University by the Twins - 2nd round (#63 Overall) of 2012 June MLB Amateur Draft. Has started his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins, working out of the bulllpen. College Stats: 2010: NWSU - 0-0 | 3.28 ERA | 14G - 24.2IP | 1.46 WHIP - 5.11 K9 - 2.55 BB9 2011: NWSU - 1-3 | 3.98 ERA | 24G - 40.2IP | 1.57 WHIP - 9.96 K9 - 3.98 BB9 2012: NWSU - 4-4 | 3.63 ERA | 23G - 62.0IP | 1.05 WHIP - 10.16 K9 -2.61 BB9 Report: Melotakis is a left-handed power pitcher with a plus fastball that sits 94-97 mph and is located to both sides of the plate. His secondary offerings lag behind in the form of a spike breaking ball and an average changeup. However, he’s worked exceptionally hard this season on improving both pitches, as it lends to his projection as a starting pitcher. The southpaw’s mechanics are fluid and repeatable, as he’s already demonstrated the ability to attack opposing hitters out of the bullpen with his plus fastball. However, will a big-league bullpen be Melotakis’ final destination?

I'm with you, goblin, he's off to a solid start (besides 2 errors in 3 games) and hopefully it continues.

Mason Melotakis

^^^what?^^^

Starting at SS and batting in the 2 hole, Niko Goodrum began the Rookie Ball season on a less than perfect note by going 0-4/1 BB with a fielding error. However, he and double play partner 2B Jorge Polanco collected their first two of what hopes to be many twin killings this season. Moving forward, we'll stick to weekly updates, just too excited about finally having my prospect in a game!

According to our own Seth Stohs, Niko has been sent to Elizabethton where he will likely be the everyday SS. The season kicks off tomorrow at the Danville Braves. I'm looking forward to a big season out of young Mr. Goodrum with the outside chance of a late season promotion to Beloit if all goes well. Check back often for updates! FYI: Here's a Niko's MILB Elizabethton player page.

Anyone think that some of the recent middle-infield shakeups could also result in Niko ending up with the Beloit squad soon? Seems like he'd fit nicely into the 2-spot in that powerful Snapper lineup.

Niko's still in EST, so nothing really to update. While we wait for his 2012 debut, give the kid a follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/nikogoodrumtc - He's pretty active.

Cartier Niko Goodrum [video=youtube;X4UFN0iMqAM]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4UFN0iMqAM Born: February 28, 1992 - Fayetteville, Georgia Bats: Both Throws: Right Height: 6'3" Weight: 170 Drafted as a SS out of Fayette County HS by the Twins - 2nd round (#71 Overall) of 2010 June MLB Amateur Draft. Pro Stats: 2010: Twins GULF - 36G | 128 PA | .161/.219/.195 | 4SB/2CS 2011: E-town APPY - 59G | 230 PA | .275/.352/.382 | 8SB/1CS 2012: Currently in EST - strong chance he is moved to Beloit before short season play begins. Prospect review from AG.com: "Niko Goodrum had one of the worst debuts you'll ever see from a second-round pick, batting .161 with 34 strikeouts in 36 games at rookie-ball after the Twins selected him 71st overall out of a Georgia high school in 2010. Those struggles weren't overly alarming because Goodrum was considered very raw at the time of the draft and last season the switch-hitting shortstop's impressive physical tools were on full display. He moved up one level of rookie-ball and hit .275/.352/.382 with 15 extra-base hits and eight steals in 59 games for a star-studded Elizabethton lineup that also included Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario. Goodrum still had trouble making consistent contact, whiffing 56 times in 230 plate appearances, but he also drew 21 walks and finished the Appalachian League season on a very strong note by hitting .341/.438/.489 in 26 games during the final month. Like most teenage shortstops he made a ton of miscues, committing 24 errors in 54 starts, but Goodrum's arm is shortstop-caliber and depending on how his 6-foot-3 frame fills out there's a shot he could play the position long term. Goodrum also saw some action at second base and seemingly has the skills to be a center fielder if moving away from the infield proves necessary. He's a long way from the majors, but ranks among the Twins' most intriguing prospects." Twitter Feed: nikogoodrumtc Facebook: Niko Goodrum

If Niko Goodrum is still looking for a good home, I'll take him in.