Mike - I noticed D'Antona (Tennessee/Dbacks AA) started at C on 8/1 and has had at least one other game in which he logged time behind the plate. I can't find anything that indicates whether this is just to set him up as an "emergency catcher" or part of a long-term experiment at changing his position. Do you hear anything on that?

Callaspo!

I noticed D'Antona (Tennessee/Dbacks AA) started at C on 8/1 and has had at least one other game in which he logged time behind the plate.

He started yesterday behind the dish as well.

This appears to be in part because the Smokies are short-handed. Tennessee was playing with a 21-man roster (they've since gotten Castellanos back) before Mock and Chico were traded, with INF Danny Richar day-to-day, necessitating some creative managing on Bill Plummer's part. Phil Avlas and Wilkin Castillo have been handling the catching since Miguel Montero was promoted, but Avlas is banged up and has been in the OF a lot lately. Mark Reynolds, normally an OF, has been playing 2B with Richar sidelined, and the Smokies had no healthy back-up position players the other night when Agustin Murillo was forced to leave after a HBP.

I haven't seen anything that suggests a position switch is in the works for D'Antona. The Knoxville papers and the Web site have been silent about it, which leads me to believe that it's just a temporary thing to help relieve some of the stress on Avlas and Castillo.

-- MWE

It looks like A.J. Shappi will be promoted from Lancaster to take one of the slots vacated by Mock and Chico. Clint Goocher, who has been working out of the pen but who started for the Smokies a year ago, will likely fill the other spot for the time being.

-- MWE

thanks - appreciate it, Mike.
yeah, I saw yesterday's start at C, which triggered the question. . . and had noticed Avlas has been in the OF. . . but wasn't Reynolds at SS in Lancaster (prior to moving to Tenn)?

As an aside, I can't speak from a tremendous amount of experience, but is the Smokies' Game Notes among the best you have ever seen? I get the Dbacks' game notes in my section at Chase and it is on par with most minor league and college publications. (yawn) The Smokies, on the other hand, have 20 page game notes with hitting charts and all kinds of useful information. I have never seen a minor league team do anything approaching that, but I haven't been scouring a bunch of minors' game notes lately, either.

Just curious.
spb

but is the Smokies' Game Notes among the best you have ever seen?

Yes, and I'm glad they started publishing them (although they don't always have the latest game up, unfortunately).

-- MWE

AJ Shappi's mom posts on the AZ message board, and she wrote last night that AJ got the call to AA. AJ was pretty upset with the Livan trade as it appears Matt Chico was one of his best friends in the organization, and it's bittersweet for him to get promoted to AA, yet take Chico's spot...

Reynolds played (tried) different positions in high A; he tried 3B, but it seems his reactions aren't quick enough there, and he tried CF, but isn't fast enough. So he can man LF or SS or 2B, wherever he's need. Btw, Reynolds has adapted to AA quite nicely; he's turning into a prospect...

A nice rise from the ashes for D'Antona, btw; however, he's most likely a trade bait. The Dbacks will have to decide whether to protect him on the 40 man roster this year; I don't see him being lost in the rule 5, however. Chico and Mock would've been candidates for the 40 man roster too...

However, it appears Zeringue will be a total bust. At least the Dbacks have OF prospects coming out of their ears, so they won't miss him much. It's a shame though, Rizzo had high hopes for him. The Dbacks should've taked Pedroia in the second round, just to spite kevin...

Btw, Matt Torra Bora back in action:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=457730

yesterday he pitched 3 innings, no runs, no walks, 3 hits, 3 Ks.

Hi! Levski,

Yeah, I thought of "momma" when I saw the news re: AJ. Incidently, what's the scoop on the Dback bullpen site? I know Jimmy somehow is tangetially connected to the big news story here in Phoenix. . . but do you know any more than that about what's going on? I checked in at his 'snakepit' and found only cryptic references to the situation.

re: Torra, I am encouraged, but hope he continues to progress because he appears to have been rather fortunate in all three outings. He's been helped in his six innings by two flyball DPs. Combined with the number of extra-base hits for which he's been touched, it suggests the guys are squaring up pretty good on him. I know, I know. . . it's early, small sample size, your mileage may vary, yada yada. But it's my nature to worry, especially when I want a guy to succeed as much as I want Torra to. I am hoping to see fewer of his pitches hit right on the button.

As for D'Antona - he and Carter (and Gonzo?) need to be shipped to an AL team that can give them a shot at DHing.

Too bad about Zeringue, I really thought Rizzo had another hitter there.

Stephen, you might have to contact Jim directly about the Dbacks bullpen site. I do know a little bit, but am not sure I should disclose it here. Jim is hoping it'll be up and running in a couple of weeks though...

These are Torra's first appearances since the surgery. I can be optimistic about that, no? Heck, even the fact that he's pitching on schedule (early August) is encouraging. I don't even care what his stats are in 06...

Zeringue doesn't seem able to adjust to breaking balls. I think the Dbacks may have dropped the ball there by rushing him to AA...

thanks - never mind about the bullpen. . . nothing but my morbid curiosity mixed with some concern for Jim.

re: Torra - abso-freaking-lutely you can be optimistic. I was also stoked to see him begin pitching basically on schedule. I need to keep my expectations reasonable - thanks for the reminder. On a similar topic, I'm stunned Dallas Buck would consider NOT having surgery. NOW is the time to fix whatever is wrong, IMO. If you have heard anything there, please share.

re: Zeringue - you may be right about him being pushed a little too far, but a 22-year-old polished college hitter ought to be able to be productive in AA after having done so at 21 in A. At 23, he's too old to be doing the CA league again. (and especially to be doing it with a 4 to 1 K/BB) Poor guy's gotta be frustrated.

Oh, and I think the issue you raised (this off-seaon's 40-man roster) is the story of the year for the Dbacks. They have a LOT of folks for a very few roster spots. I still believe that's part of the motivation for the Livan trade. I will be following with great interest.

Lancaster's closer Matt Elliott has been promoted to Double A Tennessee. It's partly on merit, and also because the organization wants him to pitch in the AFL.
Also, South Bend's Anthony Cupps was promoted to Lancaster. Cupps will take Shappi's spot in the rotation.

AJ Shappi debut in AA wasn't too hot. He's got time to get better though. Whether he has the stuff is another question...

Miguel Montero has been en fuego since arriving in AAA. Amidst the Estrada talk that he wants to get a long term deal and/or get traded to the Bay area, Montero could step in as soon as next year. I say trade Estrada to the Giants, for Nathan, Bonser and Liriano. Why not...