pioneers3

Here is an article that my co worker wrote from the December Showcase. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9257

I don't know how accurate the report was on twitter last night, but it is rumored that Holmes hit a 100 last night. If that is still not a knock out type pitch, I am giving up baseball. Kolek was up to 98 as someone mentioned. I love that kid, very hard worker. Works on his dad's cattle ranch, wants to be like Nolan Ryan. Rodon won't be around at 5, unless teams are afraid they can't sign him. Beede has a very high ceiling and would be a safe pick for the Twins. Rodon will move faster through the minor leagues, but Beede has just as good as stuff as Rodon. Rodon more polished right now.

Here is his Perfect Game profile with video. I saw him in December, he is 1 large kid. He was a man among boys at this show case. His hitting video shows his potential. http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=388551#boxd0

I will be in Fort Myers and may be able to catch some action. I will make sure I get any info I can to you guys.

Today was a sad day for me. I wish I could of been around more to post for you guys all year, but work got in the way. The season ended for the Kernels in a 4-2* loss (the asterisk I will explain later) I sat with fans who were pissed that the Kernels lost and it made me sad. They won 88 games, and they only had 6 maybe 7 guys who played the whole year in Cedar Rapids. Like I said in my first post, I am a Brewer fan first, but the Twins farm system is loaded with just not prospect, but guys who can play the game. I been around baseball for over 20 years, from playing, coaching and scouting, and Adam Brett Walker hit a ball tonight that I didn't see come off the bat (even though I was watching it from my seat). I heard it. It didn't sound like a "gun shot" it sounded like a cannon went off. The ump called it foul...I don't know if it was fair or foul, but I know this, balls hit that hard, don't hook foul that fast, which it would have to do to be called foul. It would of brought the game to 4-3 and who know what would of happened. Having it called foul kind of took the wind out of the Kernels. Players that impressed me over the the 2nd part of the season are as follow. Brett Lee-Big time pitcher, didn't like him early, was a little cocky and got hit a little bit, but made big pitch after big pitch down the stretch. Tyler Grimes-Grinder, could be a 24-25 type player in MLB, tough out, can play a few spots. Developed as a catcher. Hudson Boyd-One of my favorite Kernels this year, I know him from his Sophomore year in HS, I really believe in my heart he will be a big league set up man or closer. Had nice chat with him tonight and he told me that the weight he lost was to prove that he was serious about his career and that he was going to put on good weight now in his core. He is going to be a 95-97 MPH guy with a dirty slider if he does it right. Niko-Such an athlete. He is my pick besides Buxton and any pitcher to make it to the big leagues first of all the players that came through Cedar Rapids. Is a bit raw but can play. Travis Harrison-he was worn out and struggled down the stretch. Was diving out over the plate, but like Boyd, I seen him the most in High School. Sad thing is I don't think he makes to the bigs with the Twins, 2 years from now he is going to be traded when the twins are making a run. There is no where in the system for him to play. Sano will be at third, OF will be loaded with talent, and DJ hicks are another power guy will be at first. I have others. I will post some more in the off season. I plan on coming to the September 14th game vs the Rays...The twins are now my second favorite team to follow, it will be fun to watch this group that I got to see grow up and develop more. Thanks and I wish you guys the best. Good days are a head of die hard Twin Fans!

Twins could have an interesting problem on their hands if Walker keeps on developing. The guy has 7 future power.

Video From KCRG. Shows Max Kepler's bomb. And the wind was pretty stiff blowing in from CF.

He has such a great swing with great bat speed. Kid is going to be really good. Twins farm system is loaded with talent. For your sake I hope they don't pull a "Brewer" and trade good prospects for a 2 year window.

After the first few times I saw Buxton, I said he is better then Trout. People looked at me with a little, "what ever" look. Not many people give me that look anymore.

It was sweet being at the game and watching 9 hits in a row to start an inning. Wonder when the last time a team had 9 hits in a row. The first few hits were well placed INF hits. Hicks is starting to use the opposite field and with power, hit one off the top of the wall last night, and hit one out to LF tonight. His swing isn't as long as it was early when he tried to pull everything. I really like Hicks a lot.

I was at the Miracle game last night, and I am positive Sano got pulled because he didn't run out the drop 3rd strike. If he hustles at all he is on first base.

Actually Sano was hit by a curveball, they weren't going after him. Rogers hit a guy right after a very hard slide into second. Doug M went out and complain and you could see him tell Rodgers hit the next batter. And Rogers put one right on the leg. I don't know how many I had, I started at Potts sports bar for 10 buck buckets, then went to game...but I had my fair share! It's thristy Thursday when I go again, so maybe I will find the next Josh Hamilton:th_alc:

FYI...on the PG draft, if David Rawnsley is saying something he hears, he is getting it from guys who make decisions in the draft room.

Was at the Miracle game last night. Rodgers started threw real well. He will pitch in the big leagues. Threw 3 pitches for strikes, sat 90-92 from a low 3/4 arm slot. Nasty slider. Developing change up. He will make it to the bigs as a 4-5 starter type or long relief, but he will stay in the bigs later in his career as a LHP vs LHH. I want to compare him to Chris Sale, same body type, same release point. If Rodgers gets a little stronger he could be a mid 90's lefty with a nasty slider. I took our company Intern's to the game, they watched good High School baseball this weekend, and a few made the comment, oh that guy has a big league body, that guy has big league stuff. I pointed out Sano and said this "THAT IS A BIG LEAGUE BODY, what you guys saw this weekend are kids who could grow to that size" I forgot how big Sano was, and I actually think he got bigger from last year. Didn't have the greatest game, but it's baseball. Disclaimer-when I say a guy will play in the big leagues, there is a big If, and I think you all know what it is, so I won't say it. Edit-Didn't realize that Sano went 2 for 4 with a HBP (To many Beers, it was 2 for 1 night) Rodgers Pitched 7 innings, had 7 K's, gave up 7 hits...and hit a guy (on purpose)

Great I am in Fort Myers and I am going to see a kid who I have seen pitch a few times already...great... Congrats to him!

Last night at the Kernels game, they auctioned off the jerseys for the American Cancer Society. I got Tommy's. But I got it pretty cheap. My family, like most everyone's family have went through hard times due to a loved one having cancer. My Uncle passed 4 years ago, he never got to see his Grand Daughter, who is in the photo with me. She also my God Daughter. So what I decided to do is re-sell it/auction it off. Most likely on Ebay and what ever the price is, I will donate that money to the American Cancer Society also. Tommy will also sign it and personalize it for the highest bidder. As soon as I get the auction set up, I will post a link and tweet it out. Thanks Guys and Gals!

Got to the second game tonight, wasn't a very exciting game, Kernels really struggled at the plate, and have the last few games.

Yes 6 man, he pitches this Saturday, should pitch on 25th.

He will pitch May 18th or May 19th, they are going 6 man rotation and they have a DH on Wednesday. with the day off, I think he goes on the 18th.

Allen Simpson puts out the draft board, he had Buxton #1 overall, he knows what he is doing, some of the guys I work with, fall in love to easily with 1 guy and stick with him, I went with Gausman because I was trying to think like Terry Ryan and a little birdie told me that College Arms were a priority for him...Of the 10 picks, I took 5 college arms, got 2 right!

For work last year, we had 30 people do a true Mock Draft of the first 10 rounds...I had the twins. I did select 2 guys the twins took last year in Bard and Chargois. I took Gausman with the #2 pick as I felt the twins were going to go that way. Buxton went #7 to Padres.

Pretty Cool site, the site got me thinking about Dale McReynolds. He played baseball with my Great Uncles, and drafted my Brother out of High School as a favor. Found this article, good quotes from Terry Ryan. McReynolds to be missed by many He spoke at a team fundraiser that I set up where I was coaching at the time, it was about 3 or 4 years before he died, wish I would of recorded his speech. One of the best I ever heard, He sent us a Thank You letter for allowing him to speak, before we had a chance to thank him.

Mike-Berrios has a plus plus fastball and flashes A plus to plus plus slider and has started to develop a quality change up. He is the real deal. You got to remember, he is very young for this league, most guys are 20-22 year old with college experience.

Sounded like Berrios made big pitches when he need to. Hard to believe that kid is only 18 years old.

Ya I forgot about Polanco, just because he really hasn't done anything to wow you, just so steady and consistent.