Future Redbirds

Saving the best for last, we move on to the Reds.

Filed under: behind enemy lines | 3 Comments »

A couple of things never go out of style–Rollie Fingers mustache and the Ball in Glove logo. I like that they’ve brought the latter back, now we just need to see Eric Gagne rock one of those ’staches instead of that ugly goatee thing he has.

Filed under: behind enemy lines | 7 Comments »

In a follow up blog entry to Derrick Goold’s “Future is Now” column regarding Colby Rasmus and his potential to see significant PT in the bigs this upcoming season (I also recommend larry’s analysis and the discussion VEB for more on that), Goold announced Rasmus had won the Cardinal organizational Player of the Year award [...]

Filed under: Colby Rasmus, P.J. Walters | No Comments »

The Draft - Part II
Rany moves quickly into one of the core areas of argument about the draft among fans today: College vs. High School players. Before you keep reading, think through your prejudices on this subject. It’s important to recognize them now before you rationalize them away later if you’re wrong. [...]

Filed under: Sabermetrics, analysis | 23 Comments »

People with small children will recognize the Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. For the rest of you– just wait, your time will come.
The Pirates farm system is by far from being world beater, but there are some gems left over from Littlefield and Co.

Filed under: behind enemy lines | 7 Comments »

Last time we looked the Cubs, in case you missed it. Today, Houston. In a sentence: The state of the Astro farm system is as ugly as their 1980’s jerseys.

Filed under: behind enemy lines | 11 Comments »

First and foremost, Merry Christmas. I had this post in the queue for a little while, so here you go. We’ll be back with ya after the holiday.
So we’ve heard the criticism that Cardinal sites can myopic, focusing only on our own prospects and comparing them with each other. In response to that, I’d like [...]

Filed under: behind enemy lines | 3 Comments »

Baseball America apparently thinks we are trending down, and yet they say this:
Highs: Minor league talent has improved considerably since Jeff Luhnow took leadership of scouting department, with prospects like Colby Rasmus and Chris Perez nearly ready to contribute in the big leagues . . . Double-A Arkansas [ed] Springfield won first- and second-half division [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

No tinsel. No distractions.
Happy Festivus everyone! It’s a Festivus for the rest of us on this butt cold December 23rd. Be sure to gather around the Festivus pole. Air your grievances. And remember, Festivus isn’t over until you pin your old man.

“Let’s rumble!”
I have a few grievances to air, so hear me now.

Filed under: Festivus | 5 Comments »

The Cardinals took one more step closer to a championship by signing Cliff Politte to a minor league contact and inviting him to spring training. YES! Another Festivus Miracle!
Sarcasm aside, Politte was originally drafted by the Cardinals in 1995 in the 54th round and once was the organizational pitcher of the year. His background is [...]

Filed under: Cliff Politte, Redbird recollections | 11 Comments »

The Venezuelan Parallel League wrapped up yesterday. I admit I know little about it, although it strikes me as more of an instructional league more then anything else. Also it seems like a loose version of the minor league edition of the Venezuelan Winter League. If anyone can fill me in, feel free. The Cardinals [...]

Filed under: Winter ball | 11 Comments »

(Note: I’m going to refer to Rany Jazayerli as Rany not because I know him personally but because my fingers have never been able to develop a muscle memory for his last name.)
For several years now, I’ve been pointing people to this twelve part series done by Rany Jazayerli of Baseball Prospectus as the pre-eminent [...]

Filed under: Sabermetrics, analysis | 10 Comments »