Future Redbirds

AZ had a wedding to attend, so I’m filling in.

Whether Rick likes it or not, he can’t help but continue to find the spotlight. Now he’s in the NY Times, and the times piece talks of Rick shunning ESPN’s requests for interviews . I kinda hope they leave him alone, but I wonder what will become of Rick once he gets promoted to the show? He’s going to attract attention, I just hope he can handle it.

Over at Gateway Redbirds, they a little Q and A with top pick Pete Kozma. Unfortunately, no one asked when he’s going to sign!

New poll on the right sidebar, asking how much Russell is worth. I say give him the mil already.

Bryan Smith of SI takes a look the Futures Game rosters, and differentiates between the future stars and future regulars. He puts Rasmus in the star category, saying-

Coming off the bench will be Colby Rasmus, a sweet-swinging, make-it-look-easy type destined to be a Jim Edmonds successor in St. Louis. Scouts have compared Rasmus to everyone from Grady Sizemore to Jacque Jones, but his quick success in Double-A has left St. Louis’ expectations on the high end.

Again with the Sizemore comps, not bad. Jacque Jones, who is saying that? Smith puts Anderson in the future regulars category-

Catcher Bryan Anderson has really broke out this season, and his good contact skills and solid defense have some Cardinal fans calling for Yadier Molina’s mask.

I’m not calling for his mask, he’ll still need it when he’s backing up Anderson. The Futures Game is available free on the web at 3 PM. And on to the daily report…

Memphis 2, Albuquerque 3

• Rick Ankiel went yard in his 4th straight game, his 26th of the year. He went 2 for 4.
• Nick Stavinoha went 2 for 4.
• Mike Parisi was pretty dominant, striking out 12 and allowed just 4 hits over 7 innings. He also walked 3 and was charged with all 3 of the Isotopes runs.

Springfield 3, Frisco 0

• Jaime Garcia pitched a great game, striking out 7 and getting 9 ground balls over 7 innings of shut out ball. He allowed 5 hits and walked none.
• Bryan Anderson and Colby Rasmus were out of the lineup, probably headed on a plane to San Fransisco to get ready for the Futures Game.
• In Anderson’s stead, Danilo Sanchez homered.
• Mark Hamilton went 2 for 4 with a double.
• Chris Perez pitched a perfect 9th for his 23rd save.

Palm Beach 5, Brevard County 8

• P.J. Walters got knocked around, allowing 6 runs on 11 hits and no walks, striking out 3.
• Brandon Buckman went 2 for 3 with a homer and a walk.
• Nathan Southard walked, doubled and tripled.
• Shortstop Jose Contreras went 2 for 3.

Palm Beach 2, Brevard County 0 (Game 2 of the doubleheader.)

• Tyler Norrick was brilliant, pitching 6 innings of 2 hit ball, striking out a batter per inning while walking just 1. He did however have 2 ground outs to 10 fly outs.
• Luke Gregerson picked up his 18th save, striking out 2.
• The hitters had no extra base hit, but had 11 singles and a walk. James Rapoport and Brandon Buckman had 2 hits each. Nathan Southard went 3 for 4.
• The Card pitchers ended Matt Gamel’s 33 game hit streak.

QC 4, Beloit 5

• Shaun Garceau got rocked yet again, allowing 5 earned runs over 3.2 innings. What’s with him suddenly?
• Donovan Solano went 2 for 3 with a walk.
• Tim Dorn had the team’s only extra base hit, a double.

Batavia 8, Staten Island 3

• Arnoldi Cruz went 4 for 5 with a double.
• Andrew Brown went 3 for 4.
• Antonio DeJesus went 1 for 3 but walked twice and scored twice. He also had an error and was caught stealing.
• J.D. Stambaugh allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out just 1.

Johnson City 9, Bristol 0

• Ateo Folli went 3 for 5 with a HR.
• Casey Mulligan 2 for 3 with a HR and 2 walks.
• Nick Vera went 2 for 4 with a walk and a double.
• Dognnt Bolivar went 2 for 5 with a double.
• Mark Diapoules got 11 ground ball outs and allowed no runs on 2 hits and 3 walks.
• Nick Additon allowed 3 hits and a walk over 3 innings and struck out 5.

Finally, get this-The GCL Mets and Cards squared off, the Mets no hit the Cards with 7 different pitchers over 13 innings before the game was suspended due to lightening. Really? The game got called because of some lightening? The Cardinal pitchers only allowed 3 hits and when play continues they’ll still be 0-0.