Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Simon Castro’

Okay, I know I took the offseason off. Probably will not get back to posting as frequently as in the past, but the locla landscape has changed a lot and there is plenty of news sites out there to keep you in the know. I’ll do what I can to supplement with intriguing and interesting content as time allows.

Here’s a recap of some offseason news and info you might have missed:

Matt Stairs is the first position player in the modern era to play for 12 teams. It comes at the expense of former Wizard, Chad Huffman, who was DFA’d by the Padres. I personally don’t understand that move.

They also added lefty Cesar Ramos when they put Joe Thatcher on the DL. He’s excited to be back with the big club after having made his debut last year.

Former Wizards infielder, Ray Chang is playing for the Double-A Portland Salt Dogs in the Red Sox’s organization.

Former Wizards catcher, Luke Carlin could not crack the Pittsburgh lineup and was sent down. Good chance he’ll be playing in Indiana again – with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Former DeKalb High School standout and Colorado Rockies farmhand, Jarrett Grube returns to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He joined them midway through the 2009 season. Although he was used as a reliever during his Coloradotenure “Grube excelled as a starter for Southern Maryland last season. In 16 total appearances he started 12 times, and put together a 3-1 record with a 3.36 ERA. He struck out 56 opposed to just 21 walks in 75 innings.”

In other Indy League news, former Wizards infielder, Brett Bonvechio signed a one-year contract with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League.

Former TinCaps’ pitcher, Simon Castro captured a lot of attention this spring. Particularly, from former Wizards catcher, Nick Hundley:

“Castro has been amazing,” Hundley said. “He’s got great energy. He has really got a feel for every one of his pitches. I didn’t realize he was as advanced as he is.”

The Padres’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 28 games and was a big part of the TinCaps taking the Midwest League crown.

Padres’ youth movement hits Triple-A Portland hard: Several former Fort Wayne players; including Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Mat Latos and Greg Burke have seen big league action this year. It’s also spelt a drain on talent for Triple-A Portland. With the likelihood of others (such as Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby winner, Chad Huffman) trickling onto the Padres’ roster in the coming weeks, the chances of Portland improving upon their league worst win-loss record doesn’t look good.

Speaking of Kyle Blanks, he’s starting to earn more widespread attention:

• Nick Canepa (Union Tribune) suggests he has a shot to be legendary
• Dan Hayes (North County Times) shoots the  breeze

Speaking of Will Venable, the former Wizards outfielder has been fortunate enough to play under close tutilage of his father, Max Venable, a former big leaguer who used to be the hitting coach in Fort Wayne. But apparently it was his mother’s advice that kept her son in baseball rather than the pursuit of hooop dreams. See Also: Venable Has Been a Quick Study.

Former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready has been promoted to the Padre’s hitting coach. Probably a move that also is intended to help keep him in the organization rather than jumping ship to be a big league manager when teams start interviewing to fill soon-to-be vacancies.

Mat Latos is also drawing a lot of acclaim since rising from Fort Wayne to the big leauges earlier this season. He netted his first MLB win in his second start. He allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 Padres’ win over the Washington Nationals. He went seven innings in his next start before allowing former Wizards, Michael Ekstrom and Burke to finish his win in a game that also saw a Blanks homer.

While it’s early to call Latos the next San Diego ace of the staff, it’s probably refreshing news following the trade of the former incumbant, Jake Peavy, to the White Sox. In fact, Friday night, Latos gave up seven runs and eight hits in four-plus innings, leading to a 9-2 loss to the Cardinals. The 21-year-old had won his last four starts and was the first Padres pitcher in history to win four of his first five career starts.

More Latos:

• Latos Has Look of Potential Ace – SignonSanDiego
• Latos knows he must control emotions – SignonSanDiego
• It’s early, but there’s a lot to like about Latos – SignonSanDiego
• Latos leads rookie barrage in victory – MLB.com
• Latos Strong in Second Start – Another Padres Blog
• New kid Latos tough vs. Braves – SignonSanDiego
• Quick glance at Latos through PITCHf/x - Another Padres Blog
• Latos’ Early Struggles Against Lefties - FanGraphs
• Latos Shows Promise in Debut – Friar Forum
• Better Latos than Never – San Antonio Missions
• Mission Accomplished: Latos Nails Down First Win – SignonSanDiego
• Calling on Latos – Friar Forecast

On another Jake Peavy note, the former Wizard and Padre has begun his rehab work with the White Sox. He struck out five in his first assignment.

TinCaps right hander, Simon Castro took the seventh Midwest League honor earlier in the month when he was selected as MWL Pitcher of the Week for the week ending Augst 2nd. At the time, he was leading the league in strikeouts with 125 and had just concluded two dominant startswhere he allowed just one run while struck out out 15 over ten innings.

Current White Sox catcher, A.J. Pierzynski hopes to remain in Chicago but realizes tha the might have to try the free agent waters if the up and coming (and cheaper) competition continue to press.

Off the DL: Nick Hundley, Torii Hunter

Taking a Look at the Padres Prospects (requires MadFriars subscription):

• Doug Dascenzo
• Tom Tornicasa
• Tom Bradley

Speaking of MadFriars, FriarForecast recently caught up with John Conniff following his trip to Fort Wayne. He provides his take on the new erea of baseball in Fort Wayne

Wizards Where R They?

• Paul McAnulty: After being released by Boston, McAnulty signed with the Colorado Rockies. He’s now playing with the Triple-A SkySox.
• Jose Lobaton: The Tampa Bay Rays claimed the catcher off waivers from the Padres and assigned him to Double-A Montgomery.
• Freddy Guzman: Now playing in Triple-A Norfolk with the Orioles organization.
• Josh Barfield: After not getting claimed off waivers, Barfield was outrighted from Indian’s 40-Man Roster.

Finally, Paul DePodesta shares his thoughts on the current prospects in the Padres’ system. Many of them are former Wizards/TinCaps.

Pitchers hold Lansing to just two hits in 9-0 shutout

The Fort Wayne TinCaps took a 9-0 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts Saturday to finish a three-game series sweep. It was Fort Wayne’s second shutout of the series in a combined two-hitter while the offense pounded out seven extra-base hits.

Drew Cumberland continued to lead the offensive onslaught, going 3-for-4 with a walk and finishing a home run shy of the cycle. Daniel Robertson went 2-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBIs.

Starter, Simon Castro was a bit wild, but was still able to toss 4.1 scoreless innings and allow just one hit. Lefty, Colt Hynes (1-0) picked up the win in relief.

The TinCaps jumped onto the scoreboard in the top of the 3rd. With runners at first and second and one out, Robertson roped a two-run triple down the left-field line. Sawyer Carroll followed with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 3-0.

A fourth inning Cumberland two-out triple and an RBI from Blake Tekotte pushed the lead to 4-0. With two outs in the fifth, Matt Clark doubles off the wall in right field to drive in Allan Dykstra and make it 5-0. Robertson and Carroll hit back-to-back two-out RBI doubles the next inning to make it 7-0. Cumberland’s two-out, two-run double in the 7th made it 9-0.

Fort Wayne improved to 3-0 while Lansing dropped to 0-3. It was the first three-game road sweep for Fort Wayne since September 2007.

The TinCaps have Sunday off for the Easter holiday. Their next game is scheduled for Monday in Appleton, Wisconsin, against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class-A Brewers). LHP Rob Musgrave locks horns with Wisconsin RHP Wily Peralta in a 7:35pm (Eastern time) start.