Mike Kaffee, Community News Canes Baseball reporter.
It was back to regular scrimmage coming off an exciting Fall Classic week where Team Orange took home the honors. This week is most important for I believe 7 players it will be their final week to make it or break it. We have several sitting on the bubble and can go either way so each at-bat and each pitch will be important. We already have one player who has left the team as reported a few weeks back, Alex Kuenzle, an OF. At the time, we had 12 OF and he probably saw the handwriting on the wall. We have an overabundance in the OF position and pitching numbering 21, 4 of which are LH. This is where the majority of cuts will come. The IF is pretty well set with backup to cover in case of injury. The only position that might see the ax is at catcher. We now have four with the addition of Ethan Puig who had been Covet’s backup at third. His transition has been excellent never having played the position until a couple of weeks ago. This leaves an extra who you know my thoughts as to who will not be making the team of 34. He can definitely hit but is zero-zero when attempting to throw someone out.
Remember the ad back in 1973 “Is it Ella or is it Memorex”. This was referring to whether Ella Fitzgerald’s recording a high note that could break a glass as her singing live would do. Today we witness something along the same line Is it ——- or Rafael”? I am referring to Hurricane Rafael making its presence known via the blowing winds that seem to carry the ball forever in left field. With three HRs, a triple, and several doubles Rafael gave a helping hand. Daniel Cuvet lit into one that sailed so far to reach the ozone layer that it landed on the start/finish line on Cobb Field adjacent to the Light. “Was it Daniel or Rafael”? The same for Derek Williams and Todd Hudson. Dorian would have joined the group but had to settle for a triple off the left-center field wall. The winds were definitely howling today which helped get the batting back to where it belonged. Twenty-two hits, ten of which for extra bases. Referring back to the being “Is it hitting or is it Rafael? I guess that it was a little of both.
Tate DeRias and Lazaro Collera had donors for the first 4 innings of a 9 inning scrimmage set for today. Tate’s opening and closing innings are where he ran into trouble and runs on the board. Three consecutive singles (Bobby Marsh,Jake Kulikowski,Brandon DeGoti) with two outs, and a man on first (walk) scored two runs. The second run scored by DeGoti caught Hudson asleep at first not paying attention after taking the relay from right. Brandon noticing his lack of attention came home without even a slide. Todd still learning how to play the position which is why I am leaning toward Renzo who is much better defensively at first. He has the experience and is all around better working the position. What is lacking is the height and stretch of Todd(5’10″vs6’6″). Todd is the better hitter, but Renzo may not get as many HRs but is reliable in getting on base. You have heard it before, but my choice at this point is Renzo at first and Todd as DH. I am realistic knowing it is not going to happen but this is as I would like to see it. Returning to the game at hand, the 2nd and 3rd inning went a whole lot better with a 6up/6down performance. In the 4th, he gave up a trio of hits, including a double to Jake Kulikowski, who made it home on a PB. Tate ended on a high note with a strikeout stranding runners on 2nd and 3rd. Tate might be on the bubble.
Lazaro Collera cruised through the first striking out the first two batters faced, walking the next two before recording a final strikeout. In the 2nd inning, he made it easier on himself with a 3up/3down inning. The third Rafael came a calling knocking on the door with Todd Hudson and Fabio Peralta had the left fielder with his back against the walk. Lazaro should have gotten the message Rafael was sending out. The next inning back-to-back HRs to Daniel Cuvet and Derek Williams. Would have liked to have had a tape measure for Daniel. This is what we have been waiting for all preseason and wondering where has his bat gone. Lazaro is a keeper despite the HRs.
AJ Ciscar and Ryan Ashford are next on the bump. AJ threw 4 innings and Ryan shortchanged at 3. The effects of Rafael from the 3rd was still in play with AJ assuming duties with the rock. he opened with a single to Michael Torres Followed one out later an RBI triple by Dorian off the LF wall. With the wind still swirling in left, following Dorian’s triple, Todd laid waste to the ball (HR) to left for a pair of RBIs. AJ like Tate before him, got through the next two innings easy sailing. AJ led off with his final inning with a lead-off single to Fabio who would work himself around to 3rd on a WP. Gaby Gutierrez brought him home on a double to you know where (LF). Dorian followed with an RBI single ending the day. AJ I feel is on the better side of the bubble. Without Rafael, it would have been a whole different story for him as well Collera. Wouldn’t be shocked about which way goes with AJ.
Opposite AJ for three innings, Ryan Ashford. Ryan has been by whipping boy all preseason with his inconsistencies and me burying him so deep in the BP. However, like Lazaro has risen and provided a couple of good performances. Today he continued on his path of redemption and can honestly say he has definitely arisen and will hopefully stay that way. Unlike those who pitched before him today and those following he was the only one to come away unblemished. I thought we were heading in the wrong direction with Jake opening 5th with a double, only to get doubled up on a 9-5 DP. The throw from right by Fabio to double up Jake clicked with Ryan being almost perfect for the remainder of his rotation. He did return to his old ways of providing free passes to first but even with the three walks he never let the game get away from him like his earlier outings. From the graveyard to redemption, Ryan is now a keeper.
The last two pitchers of the day might be getting their lifeline cut. It was definitely not a good outing for either James Kleiven or Brixton Lofgren. Both have been used sparingly during the preseason so I am not sure if they are being ween back slowly into the fold from prior injuries. Each tossed two innings. James started off great with a strikeout but headed south quickly. Single to Renzo, HP to Daniel, walking Derek Williams to load the bases, and doing likewise to Tanner Smith for a run. The bases still loaded hits Adrian Areizaga for the second run and the pin pulled to end the inning. The next inning only got worse with the help from the catcher (Taveras). Walk, WP, walk, out, double(Ogden)E7(2runs), WP, PB(run), walk. Two horrendous innings. If last impressions can kill, James did a good job of it today. Afraid he is on the outside looking in.
Last is Brixton Lofgren. Always pitching one or two innings which is why I think he is being ween back into the pitching rotation and would hate to pass judgment not knowing all the facts. In both innings, he gave up runs. A couple of singles and WPs got him into a jam in his first inning ending with an RBI single by Jake Ogden. His last inning might be his last inning, Fabio opened with a double with Evan Taveras following with a single. Men on 1st and 2nd, E1 to load the bases. Gaby with his second double of the day scored two in which JD pulled the pin. Not a decisive finish for either of the two pitchers and like James, last impressions might count the most for both their futures.
Hitting returned to the Light. Did a lot have to do with Rafael, or I would like to think that a bit more time was spent in the batting cage since Saturday? The other thought is that this group of pitchers might want to be shopping around for another bed to lie in come winter break. We did have exceptions as discussed but overall not as it has been over the Fall Classic where pitching was the top dog and the hitters were in the doghouse. Seven players with multiple hits: Jake Ogden 2-4(double,3RBI); Bobby Marsh 2-5; Jake Kulikowski 3-4(2doubles); Brandon DiGoti 2-5(RBI); Gaby Gutierrez 2-5 (2doubles,3RBIs); Dorian Gonzalez 2-5(triple,RBI); Fabio Peralta 2-4((double). Additionally: HRs: Daniel Cuvet (RBI); Derek Williams (RBI); Todd Hudson(2RBIs).
Tomorrow 930AM will be the final scrimmage before Scout Day on Saturday. Pitching tomorrow will be those pitchers non-draft eligible. It will be the next to last look for those to make sure they are not being discussed as to whether to be around come spring training. The clock is ticking.
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