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Homerun

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Everything posted by Homerun

  1. Hollon is very gifted, though has been described as somewhat raw--gifted enough for Perfect Game to rank him number 2 nationally in his high school class. The East Coast Pro Showcase is made up some of the best high school players in the country, mostly of high school seniors to be; yet Hollon, a junior this year, received a lot of attention. Blog from Perfect Game East Coast Pro Showcase: “2013 RHP Clinton Hollon(Lexington, KY) is currently the #2 ranked pitcher in the 2013 class on the Perfect Game list. He didn't throw especially well at the PG Junior National Showcase in mid-June but he was lights out a couple of times out of the bullpen at the WWBA Tournaments in Marietta in July, topping out at 96 mph.” “Hollon was 93-97 mph in his first inning of work here, throwing from an effortless delivery and high 3/4's release point with great extension out front. The velocity comes pretty easy for him. Hollon throws a 76-79 mph curveball that has good spin but he slows his body well before release on the pitch and it has plenty of developing to do.” Baseball America: “Hollon Gives Glimpse Of Future” Link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/08/hollon-gives-glimpse-of-future/
  2. I heard that his Dad now has a hat with a red “B” on it. I also think that his Dad had reservations about the amount of money that his son signed for being posted, but wanted people to know that it wasn’t the amount that a person would typically think of at the 29th round. His Dad and Matt sat and talked a good while about the pros and cons of the decision, so it was not frivolous. His Dad talked to him about the benefits of three years of college and a few more years to be on his own. Matt is a bright student. Going to college might be a “safer” choice on one hand, but his son’s passion for the game of baseball and the opportunity at hand might open up doors. His son decided to “go with it,” but at least he thought about his options as well as the risks and benefits. Boston is probably one of the best organizations for his son to be a part of. At the same time, his Dad supports his son’s decision and realizes that his son’s courage to do it might be the best chance for a pitcher to make it one day.
  3. Smith Deal Caps Jays’ Busy Sunday Baseball America: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2011/08/smith-deal-caps-jays-busy-sunday/
  4. The Toronto Blue Jays have signed three more players from the 2011 First Year Player Draft. Joining the organization are RHP John Stilson (3rd round, 108th overall), RHP Anthony Desclafani (6th round, 199th overall) and RHP Mark Biggs (8th round, 259th overall). Link: http://www.rocketsports-ent.com/blue-jays-sign-three-from-2011-draft/
  5. Red Sox sign 29th rounder Matt Spalding WEEI.com Blog Network: http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2011/08/13/red-sox-sign-29th-rounder-matt-spalding/ "The Red Sox have signed 29th round draft pick Matt Spalding to a $275,000 bonus, according to a major league source. The right-hander, who had recently asked for his release from a scholarship commitment to the University of Western Kentucky, comes to the Sox from St. Xavier High School in Kentucky. The Sox viewed him as a slight (6-foot) right-hander with a big arm, as he touched 95 mph as a senior, and can get swings and misses with his fastball. Those traits justified a bonus commensurate with the slot recommendation for a third-round pick (indeed, Sox third-rounder Jordan Weems, who signed for $500,000, had a $275,000 slot recommendation)."
  6. Matt Spalding, St. Xavier High School, Louisville, KY, signed today with the Boston Red Sox after long negotiations through the summer. He is excited about being a part of one of the best organizations in baseball and playing the game that he loves. The decision to put his college education on hold was a very difficult one; though as an excellent student, he has looked at ways to obtain his degree. This past week he traveled to Boston to complete a physical examination in order to pave the way to complete negotiations before the signing deadline of August 15. He was able to come to terms with the Red Sox to help financially jump start his adult life and received the highest bonus offer from the Red Sox of any high school right-handed pitcher that they drafted. While this step of signing a professional contract is a milestone, his overall goal is to work hard and learn in order to play major league baseball. Jon Adkins, the area scout for the Red Sox, is of similar physical build and was a power pitcher while playing ten years professionally. He could be a good mentor for Spalding as well. Spalding visited Boston and participated with other Red Sox drafted players June 22 and 23 at the Red Sox Classic at Fenway Park and met with the organization. The Boston Red Sox are committed to be the top organization in baseball. The Red Sox put in time, effort, and money in order to help their players develop to their fullest potential. They have state of the art facilities as well as the preeminent coaches and trainers in baseball. Spalding will report to Florida for the remainder of the season in the Gulf Coast League then also participate in the fall instructional league in Fort Myers, FL.
  7. I would like to add that my son played in that tournament when he was 12 years old. Going to Cooperstown and that tournament was one of the most fun baseball trips that our family has taken.
  8. I bought the book last week and find it fascinating. I don’t have the book in front of me, but there are some interesting quotes in it. Billy Beane is the GM of Oakland. He was a highly touted prospect that never really panned out. I first saw him mentioned in The Mental Game of Baseball. Beane’s philosophy was trying to win at the lowest cost possible, essential for a small market team like Oakland. He tried to “buy” what was undervalued and sell what was overvalued. As far as prospects, his actions were to try to take some of the uncertainty out of the draft where previously maybe only 2 picks out of 50 rounds would make it to the major leagues. I thought it was interesting that the book compared his actions to a “card counter” at a casino where there was still a gamble involved, but better odds. Beane was recognized for his “intellectual courage” to use methods and ideas that others rejected or might have not taken seriously. It seems like teams today have used a hybrid version of Moneyball. The Boston Red Sox, I have learned, have seemed to get smart, young businessmen that are bright and use data and video to evaluate players and then try to surround themselves with baseball people as well. The Boston GM is the youngest ever in baseball, a Yale graduate who later got his law degree. The scouting director actually has his degree in strategic decision information systems (or something like that). He, like the GM, was not a "baseball person." His previous job before the Red Sox was with General Electric. It’s hard to argue with success because this management team beat the “Curse of the Bambino” and have won two World Series after a long drought. Bill James worked for Oakland and Billy Bean in the Moneyball era is now on staff with the Red Sox. Here is an interesting article about some of software that the Red Sox and other teams are using: Numbers Game: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2005/05/01/8259759/index.htm
  9. I believe regarding Wireman, “internet journalism” does apply. Though this website is a message board, I think that Wireman does contribute to Kentucky Sports Radio and proudly state on another thread on this website regarding the Central Hardin vs Mercer County final that “Yahoo! Sports picked up one of my videos.” Too, Wireman's post about “Dirty play or not?” was the very first post after the score was listed. Every post made on this thread after the score is listed is about that play. There is no discussion about any other aspect of the game or St. X's cumulative season, since it was their last game of the year. I believe this is magnifying one potential negative aspect of the game and excluding all other parts. My “diatribe” that you accuse me of is somewhat based on this aspect. Again, I think that bringing up this one aspect of the game in the manner that it was could instigate negative feelings in the players and between the schools. I don't think this is the best way to approach it, whether it is in the New York Times or even a message board--hence bring up "ethics." Maybe you're right that this “has nothing to do with St. X,” but I believe that it very well could be a factor in brewing up interest in the story. The analogy of St. X to the “Evil Empire” sports teams, like the New York Yankees and the New England Patriots, has some merit. I was honest enough to say that it is hard sometime to hear comments about St. X that are not based on facts. I am not so sure that there is not some bias in your comments as well.
  10. I asked because I wondered if you are actively involved in “internet journalism.” Your post, particularly the way that you worded it, creates a “sensationalism” aspect to it and one that can inflame negative feelings between people and teams rather than one that builds good relations. I believe that if you are going to actively be involved in “internet journalism” that a course in journalism ethics would be very helpful. I congratulate Central Hardin on a great season and an unbelievable run in the state tournament. Central Hardin often may not get the publicity that their baseball program deserves. Their team goes out and plays quality baseball on the field. The way they play baseball speaks so well of them. They have played the game at a high level and very consistently. I wish each of their players the very best and success in the future. Sometimes schools like St. Xavier create a negative impression to other people, I guess possibly as much because of the cost of tuition and the success that they have had. I guess teams like the New York Yankees in baseball, the New England Patriots in football, and, yes, the University of Kentucky in basketball have this “Evil Empire” view to some people. On Father’s Day, I just want to let you know that I am not rich and have worked my butt off to provide the best education for my son that I can. I have sacrificed immensely so that he could go to St. X. My son played in that game; but with all the baseball going on recently, I had to work and could not be there. Maybe it is a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, but I have worked so hard to help him and I wonder if your post, whether conscious or not, brings out more this negative view of St. X. Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there.
  11. You make a lot of post of this website. You average 12.53 posts per day and have made 27, 955 on this site. I’m glad that you’re honest enough to say “I don't follow baseball very much.” Doing a Google search, a number of “Wireman’s” popped up. Are you Anthony Wireman that has the AllKYHoops.com website? AllKyHoops.com http://www.allkyhoops.com/ http://twitter.com/#!/awireman/statuses/51270541184733184 Or are you a Wireman that coaches girls baseketball for Johnston Central? "I need a history on Wireman" http://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8268 Do you coach or actively provide information to websites on the internet? This information is pertinent to my next response.
  12. I am very disappointed in the phrasing of your question to even include the words “dirty play.” If you were concerned, I would have suggested to ask an open ended question for opinions as to what people thought was going on. Phrasing your question in the way that you did suggests intentional dirty play on the part of the St. X player. From what I can observe from the video, it looks like the Central Hardin first baseman started to celebrate by raising his arm (and possibly moving his foot) as the St. X player was crossing the bag trying to beat out the throw to avoid the last out of the game.
  13. So true, especially in a 7 inning game when it's one game and your out. Momentum can be so crucial in this situation.
  14. Yes, sounds interesting. Didn't know the book was being made into a movie.
  15. Angus threw Tuesday, 8 innings I believe, against Lexington Catholic. I think that I heard that Angus threw 130+ pitches on Tuesday.
  16. Ithought that Cinnamon throw Tuesday? How many pitches, does anyone know? Who will PRP throw?
  17. St. X saves an ace, advances to semifinals Kentucky.com/Lexington Herald-Leader Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/15/1776743/state-baseball-st-x-saves-an-ace.html#ixzz1PPQPsSs1 http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/15/1776743/state-baseball-st-x-saves-an-ace.html
  18. Shepherd is a talented young man; yet with the weak competition that Lawrence County faced, it's hard to evaluate his pitching effectiveness. Pitching statistics would be quite skewed or biased if the competition was very weak that he pitched against. Shepherd seemed to throw a lot of curve balls. The highest that I heard a fastball velocity was 89, once. He seemed to be 84-88. They stopped announcing velocity in the second inning for him.
  19. It does make a difference that NCC is playing Lawrence County, not Midland.
  20. Can Lawrence County win against NCC with their number 2 and save Shepherd? If not, can they win with their number 2 against the winner of Lexington Catholic and PRP?
  21. I thought Osborne would get drafted. He was hitting over .300 in the SEC. He would have more leverage this year as a junior; but i think he is the type of player, he will make his money by proving he can play on the field. His money may not come throught a signing bonus, but a future contract he might sign. I heard one scout say recently that some teams are paying "money to fail" to unproven players and their signing bonuses. Zach Osborne will be very successful in life. He could also make a very good coach as well.
  22. Does NCC have hitters that can hit Shepherd? What about NCC pitching? Do they have any pitching that can give Lawrence County problems?
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