Cardinal Draft Retrospect (and a Max Scherzer update)

Max is still out indefinetly with arm troubles, though he still should still go very high in the draft, and some are speculating the Royals will take him. Speaking of the draft, the order was announced yesterday. The Cardinals have first round picks #30 and #42. I have no idea who they will take, but I thought it might be fun to take a look at previous Cardinal 1st round draft picks and how they are now faring.

• Tyler Greene, SS, 1st round, 30th overall 2005. The Georgia Tech standout drew comparisons to Derek Jeter by scouts, though the results thus far aren't much to write home about, but it's still very early. Last season in short season New Jersey Tyler batted .261/.352/.370 in 138 at bats. He was promoted to Palm Beach (A+) where in 85 at bats, he hit .271/.326/.388. Greene is currently struggling at Palm Beach, hitting .154 in 39 at bats. It should also be noted that in his short minor league career thus far, Greene has been an excellent basestealer, swiping 21 bags and only getting caught once. VERDICT: I'd like to seem him get it going at the plate, but the tools certainly are all there.  
• Colby Rasmus, OF, 1st Round, 28th overall, 2005. Had a very strong debut in Johnson City (R) last year, hitting .296/.362/.514, including 7 homeruns and 13 stolen bases. He's currently playing for the Swing. (A-)After starting going only 2 for 28, Rasmus is 8 for 24 with 5 doubles and 2 walks. VERDICT: At only 19, Rasmus has plenty of time for growth, but so far his future looks very bright. Could be Jimmy's heir as the next great Cardinal center fielder, though I'm sure the Cardinals will take their time with him. Needs to cut down K's.  
• Mark McCormick, RHP, 1st Round, 43rd overall, 2005. I was able to see him pitch last year when the Swing visited the Cedar Rapids Kernels late last season. His fastball was consistently hitting 96 and 97 on the stadium scoreboard, and once hit 99. He also displayed a good curve. Unfortunately, he looked Ricky Vaughn wild.  Well, maybe not that wild, but he was still rough, allowing 5.91 walks per 9 in around 43 inning last year. That's on par for what he averaged in college. VERDICT: Because of his heat and his wildness, he's drawn comparisons to White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, only  big Bobby looks like he could swallow McCormick whole and chase him down with a tall can of Amstel Light. I'm no scout, but I'm guessing his future lies as a closer if he can ever harness his control. Or he could end up selling insurance in a few years, I dunno. Until then, he's back with the Swing, and thus far in 2 starts he's pitched 10 innings, walked 9 and struck out 14. Yep, still wild.

Max Scherzer Watch 4/9/06

Voodoo hits, Scherzer, Tigers again in loss to Huskers. Joe Walljasper, Columbia Tribune.

From article-"But things haven’t gone as planned right from the start – Scherzer missed his first start after shutting his right hand in a door – for the junior pitcher or the team. Yesterday, in a key game against Nebraska on Simmons Field, Scherzer left in the fifth inning when the nagging tendinitis in his right arm flared up. Although Missouri’s relief pitching was plenty good enough to win, the Tigers suffered their fourth straight loss, 5-2 in 13 innings.

"A voodoo doll – somebody’s got it and somebody keeps putting the pin in me," Scherzer said."

Max's stock is going to continue to sink with all these injuries. That's too bad.

Max misses start

Sorry for the lack of updates on the Mizzou ace. Currently, I have no internet connection at home, but that will all change in about a week or so.

Down with a sore bicep. Listed as day to day.

 

Max Scherzer Watch 3/11/06

Max Scherzer K’s 9, but Mizzou falls to Boilermakers.

Max Scherzer Watch-K’s 9 in 5

Max Scherzer took the mound for the first time in Columbia this season and struck out nine in five innings. Max allowed three runs on seven hits and walked one, improving to 3-0 on the year.

The KC star has a couple of stories, one on Max’s weird eyes (one’s green, the other’s blue) and the other on the Royal’s possible interest in drafting him.

Max also was the Big 12 pitcher of the Week last week.

Scherzer Sinks #1 Ranked Florida!

It was a huge win for the Tigers, pounding out 22 hits against top ranked Florida. (Unfortunately they lost their next game to Wake Forest.)

Max strengthened his resume, striking out 8 batters and allowed just 1 run on three hits in 7 innings.

Max Scherzer Watch 2/20/06

Sorry for the delay…

Scherzer wins first in his first outing back.

In his first game back after injuring his middle finger on his pitching hand, Max pitched 6 solid innings, striking out 6, allowing only 4 hits and 1 run.

Max Scherzer Watch 2/9/06

Derrick Goold at the Post Dispatch has a nice write up on Max Scherzer today. Max Scherzer: Eyes of the Tiger By Derrick Goold ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 02/08/2006

Unfortunately for Scherzer, he got hurt his finger in a door before the road trip to Charleston , and won’t pitch for at least 2 weeks. Ugh.You can listen into the Tigers game today at noon on www.ktgr.com

EDIT:Whoa, I just noticed something. Look at Max’s eyes! One’s brown, the other is a freaky blue-ish grey. I’m not sure that’s natural, but it is intimidating.

Max Scherzer/Mizzou Baseball Watch 2/1/06

A few days ago, I said I would keep you updated on Mizzou pitching ace, Max Scherzer. In less then ten days the Mizzou season starts, so I thought I’d post a little bit about Max so you’d know more about him and what the hype is about. Actually, I’ll just give you a couple of links to read if you are interested. Enjoy.

Searing Fastball Sets Scherzer Apart by Will Kimmey, Baseball America

Max Scherzer Named to Clemens Award Watch List-CSTV.com

Links on Mizzou, Big 12

Big XXII Preview- Ryan Levy, Baseball Analysts.com

Lofty Expections-Columbia Missourian

(BTW, don’t worry, the Cardinals will still be the the #1 subject here by a longshot.)

Cabin Fever

Is it Spring yet? It’s the week of the Superbowl and I couldn’t be less enthused. Thankfully there is light at the end of the tunnel, as pitchers and catchers report in only 17 days!

Speaking of catchers, did you know Yadier Molina’s nickname is Nags? I don’t like it nor do I know where it came from. Surely we can think of something better then that for Yadier. Any suggestions? My personal vote is for “Gasolina” Molina- It rhymes, he throws gas when it comes to would be basestealers, and his at bat song is Gasolina by Yankee Daddy. (Never dug Latin Hip Hop.)

Help Wanted-News has it the Reds will interview Cardinal Assistant GM John Mozeliak for their GM opening. Mozeliak has brought to the Cardinals more of some Moneyball-esque ways of thinking to the Cardinals. He’s been over the scouting department for a a couple of years and our farm system is just starting to show signs of improvement. While I’d hate to see him go, if there is any team that needs him, it’s the Reds.

Say it ain’t So-Stlcardinals.com writer Matthew Leach reports that So Taguchi is the early favorite to win the left field job. “Gooch” is the designated hustling scrub for the Cardinals now, so I guess I have to root for him. But you don’t get named to the OOPS (Overrated Offensive Player) all star team for nothing. Sure, he’ll slap singles at a decent rate and provide above average defense in the outfield, but that’s about it. Personally,I find myself starting to pull more and more for Larry Bigbie to get the job. Dan at GUB shares my disdain in the prospect of Taguchi starting. Plus, he dug up one freaky anime-esque cartoon done by someone with a strange interest in the Japanese outfielder.
Numbers Game-Wasting time at the official site I discovered who will be wearing what number in 06. To make it 2 consecutive Larry’s wearing #33, Bigbie will sport that number. Junior Spivey will take over #3 as vacated by Abe Nunez. Aaron Miles wore #6 in Colorado, so for reasons I don’t have to explain he’ll switch to #12. Braden Looper is listed at #41, Sidney Ponson is lucky #13, Gary Bennett #28, Deivi Cruz #35, Encarnacion #43, Michael Hernandez is #74 and Ricardo Rincon is #73. Oh, and in case you missed it, Molina switched to #4. (By the way, don’t miss Cardnilly’s numbers series. There you can find something insightful and entertaining about the likes of ex-Cardinal Luther Hackman and Gene Stechschulte, and some good old-fashioned Chad Hutchinson hating. No wonder this blog wins awards!)

New to PAH9-Max Scherzer watch-Starting February 9th the Mizzou Tigers baseball season starts. Maybe it’s due to the new video game, as I am a geek, I’m actually sorta enthused about the college baseball season this year. The Tigers are ranked #10 by Baseball America and pitcher Max Scherzer, a St. Louis native who was an unsigned draft pick by Cardinals in 2003, has been named to Clemens Award Watch List. It maybe a long shot, but here’s hoping that lightening will strike twice and Scherzer falls to the Redbirds again in the draft this coming summer. For now, I’ll keep you posted on his outings.