Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Josh Geer’

If you are like me, you thought former Fort Wayne Wizard Josh Geer would win the fifth spot in the San Diego Padres rotation coming out of Spring Training. He almost go tthe gig, but got sent down to Triple-A Portland very late. Never the less, it was expected that he’d be on the short list for a callup.

With some injuries in the Padres’ rotation, Geer did indeed get the call-up and started in place of the fairly recently acquired Walter Silva. Over seven innings, he gave up six hits and two runs, only one of them being earned. he struck out four and walked none. Unfortunately, the Padres bullpen gave up three runs after Geer exited, so not only did he not get a win, but the Padres lost to the Phillies as well.

While Geer’s sport on the parent club roster is expected to be short-lived, it does create a pitching vacancy in Portland. The Fort Wayne TinCaps’ Michael Watt got the call to take up Geer’s spot – quite a jump from Low-A to Triple-A.

Watt was a second round pick of the Los Angels Dodgers in 2007 (86th overall). He came to the Padres’ organization last Winter to complete the Greg Maddux trade. In two appearances with the T’Caps, Watt has pitched four perfect innings, boastin a 0.00 ERA while striking out eight.

No corresponding move was made following his promotion. One might wonder if Mat Latos or Jaff Decker are close to joining the TinCaps roster and an announcement will come soon.

The Padres started trimming spots in Spring Training camp today by optioning two players to Double-A San Antonio and sending five to their Minor League camp. Former Wizards Ernesto Frieri and Wilton Lopez were sent to Double-A San Antonio. Right-handed pitchers Mat Latos, Gabe DeHoyos, Will Inman, Oneli Perez and left-hander Nick Schmidt to their Minor League camp. Latos, DeHoyos and Schmidt are former Wizards. Sounds like Latos is slated to start the year at Lake Elsinore.

Jaun Rincon is having a good start to the Spring camp with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee:

“I thought he threw the ball extremely well with some late movement,” Leyland said. “Threw a couple four-seamers in. Threw some high fastballs that had some late tail to them, actually ran like a cutter.

Josh Geer is vying for one of two open rotation spots:

“It feels really good to know that there are two spots open for the starting rotation,” Geer said. “It gives everyone a good chance of making the team. I feel real confident that I can be one of those guys.”

Cesar Ramos also wants one of those spots. Today was not a good day for either of them.

Hot-Prospects has the dish on laster year’s standout Wizards pitcher, Jeremy Hefner:

The Oral Roberts alum increased his stock significantly with an excellent showing at Low-A Fort Wayne last season going 10-5 with a 3.33 ERA and 43 BB/150 K in 145 IP.  Hefner controls his three pitches quite well, an 89-91 MPH fastball, a sweeping slider, and a heavy changeup that he uses effectively against . . .

Lake Elsinore recently interviewed Peter Ciofrone.

Greg Burke has a good chance to make the Padres’ roster sometime this year, if not breaking camp with the Big League squad:

despite being 26, Burke is considered one of the Padres’ top advanced arms in their system, especially after a breakout season with Double-A San Antonio in 2008 as well as a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League.

Former Wizards pitcher, Josh Geer, made his major league debut this season, garnering a win in his first MLB start. Overall, he wnet 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts with the Padres after being promoted from Triple-A Portland. He’s expected to go into Spring Training and complete for one of the starting gigs in the 2009 rotation. However, the concern now is a frayed ligament in his elbow, which could mean simple rest, or it might mean he’s heading to Tommy John Surgery.

Geer had an MRI in San Diego on Wednesday that revealed fraying to his UCL, said general manager Kevin Towers. Towers said it’s too soon to know if surgery will be needed.

The right-hander was selected by the San Diego Padres in round three (98th overall) of the 2005 draft. He joined the Wizards for 5 games that year and collected a 1-1 record with a 4.25 ERA. He struck out 23 and walked nine in 29.2 innings pitched.

He spent about half of 2006 with the Wizards too. In 12 games, he went 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA while striking out 46 and walking 13 over 72.2 innings pitched. He also had one complete game.

Hoepfully, it will just take a couple weeks of rest and not an appointment for Tommy John surgery. The latter would sideline the young pitcher for at least 12 months, meaning we wouldn’t see him throwing again until Spring Training of 2010 or perhaps in instructional league play similar to Matt Bush and Nick Schmidt’s recoveries this year.

Chase Headly Has Bright Future

First off, Duh! With that said, Cory Brock put together a really nice piece on the Padres’ rookie outfielder who played third base for the Wizards. Its really good at pointing out how Chase Headley has doen everything right within the organization and consistently strived to improve himself while taking his game to higher levels. Take his recent four-hit performance (in a game former Wizard Dirk Hayhurst spot started for another former Wizard in Jake Peavy and former Wizard Luke Carlin was the only bench player not used) and combine that with the fact that the Padres MASH unit is filled with outfielders, and one might rightfully speculate that we’ll see him with the big league squad out of Spring Training.

MadFriars Interview Sawyer Carroll

Sawyer Carroll appeared in a handful of games with Fort Wayne at the end of the season, capping what can be considered a successful pro debut. Denis Savage of MadFriars caught up with the prospect. (subscription required).

Ekstrom & Geer Come Through

Savage also put together a solid article that details the rise of the two former Wizards pitchers, who were teammates on the 2007 Champtionship San Antonio squzad. (Subscription Required).

LeBlanc Gets Win, Leg Up on 2009 Competition

SanDiego Spotlight details Wade LeBlanc’s first MLB win a week ago Monday:

The victory for Wade comes in his third major league start and gives a glimpse of what may come next season.  The Padres are actively auditioning young talent for next years roster and Wade LeBlanc would love to break camp with the big league club next year.

LaTroy Hawkins May Return to Houston

There’s speculation that the LaTroy Hawkins, who put together one of the most dominant pitching performances in Wizards’ history, may be resigned by the Houston Astros for 2009.

Hawkins has pitched so well the Astros would like to bring the right-hander back for another season if the price is right. Hawkins, 2-0 with a save and a 0.00 ERA in 20 games, has struck out 22 and walked just four in 17.0 innings.

With the news that the Padres will release second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and pitcher Brett Tomko to make room for Wade LeBlanc and Matt Antonelli, anyone can see that the Padres are already making plans for next year. This is the latest in a series of moves that have involved bringing minor league talent to the Padres, and many of them have included former Wizards.

I gotta think there will be many more moves in the remaining days of the 2008 season that could spell opportunities for other former Wizards, which should also make for an interesting Spring Training as the prevailing speculation is that the Padres will continue to slash payroll.

As part of a pitch to get Brian Giles to accept a trade to the Red Sox this past week, a Padres executive painted a stark fiscal picture for 2009, saying club owner John Moores might shrink the payroll to $40 million. [SignonSanDiego -August 9, 2008]

GM Kevin Towers denies this claim, but then again, he also hasn’t seen the budget for 2009 yet. Yet, the Padres already field one of the lowest salaried teams in Major League Baseball.

The Padres don’t have any large contracts on the books for ’09; Giles would be their most expensive player at $9MM unless they choose his $3MM buyout.  After that it’s Jake Peavy at $8MM, Khalil Greene at $6.5MM, Chris Young at $4.5MM, and Adrian Gonzalez at $3MM.  By my count they have six arbitration-eligible players, including Josh Bard, Heath Bell, Scott Hairston, and Jody Gerut [MLBTradeRumors.com].

There is also speculation that John Moores’ divorce is a factor that may adversely impact the team.

California is a community property state, which means Becky Moores — the soon-to-be-ex-Mrs.-John — is in play and there already are indications that player payroll will be cut significantly in 2009 (it’s just over $70 million this year). That’s why the Padres already have worked hard to trade Giles and pitcher Greg Maddux this season, positioning themselves for an early start on the payroll-shedding process [CBSSports.com].

So what does this mean for former Wizards who are trying to crack a big league roster? Certainly, the Padres are trying to add by subtracting. There’s the possibility that the Padres may try to move Khalil Greene and his $6.5MM salary, shich might provide a spot for Sean Kazmar, who made his debut just a couple weeks ago. But the rookie is now learning how to play outfield (a la Chase Headley) during this season’s Arizona Fall League. The move could merely be an attempt to get him more at-bats, or it could mean there is nowhere to play Kazmar in the infield.

Kazmar will join the Peoria Saguaros in the AFL with pitchers Greg Burke, Cesar Carillo, Mike Ekstrom, Wilton Lopez, first baseman Kyle Blanks and outfielders Mike Baxter and Chad Huffman. All of them except for Carillo are former Wizards. If Blanks keeps playing the way he has lately, San Diego may have to move him or Adrian Gonzalez or find a place elsewhere on the diamond for one of the two.

Like Kazmar, Brian Joynt, who played third this season with the Wizards before his promotion to Lake Elsinore will see time in the outfield.

Baxter will also get time at an unfamiliar position. The outfielder hit .270 with seven home runs and 47 RBIs at Double-A San Antonio and will get some looks at catcher. This season has seen three different former Wizards serve the backstop role. Luke Carlin and Nick Hundley have seen the most time between the three, which might suggest Colt Morton could be moved to another team during the offseason. the starting catcher, Josh Bard may not be around for 2009 either if the Friars think Carlin and Hundley can do the job.

Longtime closer, Trevor Hoffman has had some troubles while attempting to nail down games this year. There is divided opinion about whether it is time for a change or not. The Portland pitcher who produced the most saves this year, Jared Wells, is now in the Seattle organization (traded earlier this season). That may bring about an opportunity for Greg Burke, who will see action in the AFL and has collected 23 saves at Double-A San Antonio. Lake Elsinore doesn’t have anyone who is ready to fill that void. And while Jackson Quezada collected 27 saves on minimal opportunities in Fort Wayne, that is probably too big of a jump from Low-A to the MLB (but then again, it worked out well for the Royals and Joakim Soria).

All this should make for an interesting winter and 2009 Spring Training. There should be some names that are familiar to Fort Wayne fans on the San Diego Roster come opening day. The best part is that we have the whole month of September to see some of these great former Wizards make the most of their opportunities. Chase Headley, Will Venable, Wade LeBlanc, Sean Kazmar, Josh Geer, Dirk Hayhurst, Matt Antonelli, Nick Hundley have joined Jake Peavy on the parent club roster and maybe some others will soon follow.

When you factor in the former Wizards who are with other organizations, there have been nine former Wizards to debut at the MLB level. This ranks second only to 2002, which saw 11 prospects (including Jake Peavy and Oliver Perez) hit the big leagues. With about a month to go, I am sure we’ll see at least 3-4 more.

I’m predicting we’ll see Dale Thayer (P-Rays), Brett Dowdy (SS-Padres), David Freese (3B-Cardinals) this season.

It wouldn’t be too surprising to also see Jon Link who had 35 saves with the White Sox’s Double-A Birmingham Barons and was named the Southern League’s Top Reliever of 2009. He was one of 15 players, and the only reliever, named to the league’s post-season All-Star team and was the lone Baron selected. He was one save shy of the league saves record. But given the Sox’s playoff race, he’s probably a 2009 debut.

Anyone else have thoughts on the Padres prospective 2009 squad and/or which prospects we’ll see make their MLB debuts this season (whether they are in the Padres’ system any longer or not)?

Former Wizards Pitcher, Josh Geer made his Major League Debut tonight. He became the 71st Wizards player to reach the MLB level one night after another former Wizard, Will Venable became the 70th. Venable was also in tonight’s lineup, as was former Wizard Chase Headley.

Geer pitched 5 innings. He gave up two runs on five hits and walked three while striking out five. Thanks to some timely Friar’s offense, it was enough to garner his first MLB win.

“That’s special, to go out and win your first start,” said Padres catcher [and fellow former Wizard] Nick Hundley after the 9-4 win at Petco Park.

Geer, a 25-year-old promoted from Triple-A on Friday, escaped after the Rockies put runners on second base and third with none out in the first inning [source: SanDiegoOnline].

The right-hander was selected by the San Diego Padres in round three (98th overall) of the 2005 draft. He joined the Wizards for 5 games that year and collected a 1-1 record with a 4.25 ERA. He struck out 23 and walked nine in 29.2 innings pitched.

He spent about half of 2006 with the Wizards too. In 12 games, he went 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA while striking out 46 and walking 13 over 72.2 innings pitched. He also had one complete game.

After Fort Wayne, Geer quickly rose through the Padre’s ranks and had his best career year last season while at Double-A San Antonio where he went 16-6 with a 3.20 ERA. This year, he is 6-7 with a 4.08 ERA at Triple-A Portland.

Geer is the ninth Wizard to make his MLB debut this season. That number currently ranks second to 2002; which saw eleven former Wizards make their MLB debuts.

Looks like Will Venable will become the 70th former Wizards player to make his MLB debut. He is in the starting lineup for the Padres tonight against the Colorado Rockies after having his contract purchased along with fellow former Wizard, Josh Geer. Tonight’s lineup features four former Wizards as Dirk Hayhurst makes his second MLB start.

Geer will start tomorrow’s game for the Padres and be the 71st former Wizard to debut.

Also on Saturday, former Wizard, David Pauley is expected to pitch for the Red Sox in a spot start. This will be his third Major League stint with the BoSox. Hopefully he’ll fare better this time around. More an all these players to come.

Scott Hairston was putting together his best season Major League season, so it is unfortunate that it will come to an early end due to a torn thumb ligament that was suffered Wednesday during the outfielder’s diving attempt at a play. He could have surgery as soon Friday to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Former Wizard and a personal favorite here at BBIFW, outfielder Will Venable will more than likely will be promoted from Triple-A Portland to replace Hairston’s spot on the roster, General Manager Kevin Towers said.

Venable was scratched from the lineup Thursday night in Portland, a sign which is solid sign that he’s in store for a promotion. The the former Princeton baseball and basketball star could join the Padres before Friday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

UPDATE: MadFriars is reporting that right-hander, Josh Geer will also likely debut this weekend for San Diego:

After winning the Texas League Pitcher of the Year last season with Double-A San Antonio, Josh Geer has gone 8-9 with a 4.54 ERA across 28 games, including 27 starts, for Triple-A Portland. The right-hander has logged 166.2 innings, giving up 187 hits and 45 walks while striking out 107 . . . Geer is expected to start on Saturday and the announcement of the move could wait until then

So now the race is on to see which will be number 70 and 71!

Last week, former Wizards player, Michael Cuddyer and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $2.75 million signing bonus in addition to salaries of $5 million this year, $6.75 million in 2009 and $8.5 million in 2010. Minnesota also has a $10.5 million club option for 2011. The signing comes on the heels of a 2007 season where Cuddyer emerged as a dependable run producer in the middle of the lineup. In 2006, he hit .276 with 16 homers and 81 RBIs. He led the AL with 19 outfield assists.

Through his career, he has bounced around from second base to third base, and even played a little at first, before settling in at right field two years ago. However, with the departure of another former Wizards alumnus, Torii Hunter, the Twins may use Cuddyer to fill the void in the center if prospects, Denard Span and Jason Pridie, don’t prove they are ready

Michael Cuddyer was a first round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins in 1997, going ninth overall. As a Wizards player in 1998, he compiled batted .276 with 82 runs and slugged a team best 12 home runs. He had 81 RBI’s and swiped 16 bases.

Baseball America declared him the Twins top prospect and he represented the Wizards at the Midwest League All-Star Game that year. Cuddyer is featured on page 59 of Baseball in Fort Wayne.(Photograph courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards)

This week also saw other Wizards alumni make news as they earned organizational honors from the Sand Diego Padres. 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner, Jake Peavy, received the Clyde McCullough Award as the club’s top pitcher in 2007. Chase Headley took the Minor League Player of the Year Award, while Josh Geer was named the Pitcher of the Year.

Geer was selected by San Diego Padres in 3rd Round (98th overall) of 2005 amateur entry draft. While in Fort Wayne over parts of two seasons (2005 & 2006), he compiled a 7-3 record in 17 games; striking out 69 batters and walking 22. He tossed a complete game shutout during the 2006 campaign.

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready, who led the San Antonio Missions to the Texas League championship in his first season, was selected as the Jack Krol Award winner for contributions in player development. [Read More at MLB.com]

[tags]Baseball America, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Chase Headley, Jake Peavy, Josh Geer, Michael Cuddyer, Midwest League, Randy Ready, Wizards[/tags]