OKC vs. SLC 7/23

[TXRangers13]

Hey guys I was at the OKC/SLC game and just wanted to pass along some notes...

First off, WOW what a terrible umpire behind the plate, he tossed Jones and Hawkins after OVERRULING A correct call. The ball was ripped to deep LCF and hit the top of the wall and then came back into play, the 3B ump correctly ruled the ball live, well the HP umpire who had NO ANGLE, overruled him (3B was closest), prompting Jones to flip out, he was tossed, Hawkins who was visiting the mound then made a comment and was tossed as well. Laird got into it, and Jason Ellison (the CF) ran in and was pointing that the ball couldn't have hit the grass behind the wall and come back into play because there was a small fence (in play) on top of the wall that would have stopped the ball. Needless to say, Hector Ortiz was the only coach left, but the Special assignment coach who was with Laird (who looked alot like Mark McLemore) seemed to take over "managing" the team in the dugout.

Gerald Laird is NOT healthy, he looked stiff and could not seem to run well at all. Quite honestly, I think he is still hurt.

Joaquin Arias is one hell of a baserunner.

Nelson CRUZ is a FREAKING BEAST. He jacked two homers that "just sounded" different. One LEFT THE BALLPARK on the FLY, estimated at easily 500 ft. The other was a measly 440'. He looks excited to be playing well, and was really into the game (I was impressed).

Kometani is not the closer of the future, has some good breaking stuff, but is not closer material.

Calero looks MLB-Average, nothing special here.

The Lizard could not get his breaking stuff going in the bullpen but threw a good FB.

John Mayberry Jr. is a beast and has the body to be a STAR one day. He will pan-out.

[ffdean]

Hey guys I was at the OKC/SLC game and just wanted to pass along some notes...

First off, WOW what a terrible umpire behind the plate, he tossed Jones and Hawkins after OVERRULING A correct call. The ball was ripped to deep LCF and hit the top of the wall and then came back into play, the 3B ump correctly ruled the ball live, well the HP umpire who had NO ANGLE, overruled him (3B was closest), prompting Jones to flip out, he was tossed, Hawkins who was visiting the mound then made a comment and was tossed as well. Laird got into it, and Jason Ellison (the CF) ran in and was pointing that the ball couldn't have hit the grass behind the wall and come back into play because there was a small fence (in play) on top of the wall that would have stopped the ball. Needless to say, Hector Ortiz was the only coach left, but the Special assignment coach who was with Laird (who looked alot like Mark McLemore) seemed to take over "managing" the team in the dugout.

Gerald Laird is NOT healthy, he looked stiff and could not seem to run well at all. Quite honestly, I think he is still hurt.

Joaquin Arias is one hell of a baserunner.

Nelson CRUZ is a FREAKING BEAST. He jacked two homers that "just sounded" different. One LEFT THE BALLPARK on the FLY, estimated at easily 500 ft. The other was a measly 440'. He looks excited to be playing well, and was really into the game (I was impressed).

Kometani is not the closer of the future, has some good breaking stuff, but is not closer material.

Calero looks MLB-Average, nothing special here.

The Lizard could not get his breaking stuff going in the bullpen but threw a good FB.

John Mayberry Jr. is a beast and has the body to be a STAR one day. He will pan-out.

Nice post. Thanks for the good info. Lots of questions on this site regarding Arias' arm. What did you notice in that regard?

[TXRangers13]

To be honest I don't recall him having more than one putout. But that was a clean throw to first. I saw no problems, he looks healthy and seemed to be really upbeat.

[AndySeiler]

Gerald Laird is NOT healthy, he looked stiff and could not seem to run well at all. Quite honestly, I think he is still hurt.

That's interesting, because we've had conversations about Laird and his health regarding trade rumors in the Major League forum and on lonestarball.

[TXRangers13]

The trainer worked on him for a good 30 minutes and the first thing the guy I went to the game with said was, wow Laird is limping still and sure enough he was. He also seemed unable to drop down to block balls, rather flipping them with his glove.

[AndySeiler]

He also seemed unable to drop down to block balls, rather flipping them with his glove.

Salty did the same thing in Chicago today a few times, and I'm hoping it has more to do with health than with effort.

[lowoutside]

TCRangers13- good post, nice summary.

Basically everything I have thought.

If Lizard struggles with his control he guts too many pitches and gets bombed.

Agree on Kometani. He is solid and averages near a K per inning but I see him as a solid 7th inning guy. To be considered a potential MLB closer he'd need to pickup 3-4mph and that won't happen.

Calero is what he is, an average to below average MLB retread. Worth the little $ Rangers are gambling on him.

Cruz is having one of the best years ever in minor league history. A man among boys at this point.