Domeboys wrote: Walt continues to collect former Cardinals as Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the Reds.

Domeboys wrote: Walt continues to collect former Cardinals as Brett Tomko signed a minor league deal with the Reds.

pugsleyaddams wrote:

I recall when Tomko was just starting his ML career. If memory serves me correct, he was about as highly rated then as what Shelby Miller is now. Let's hope Shelby follows a different path.

DizzyDean17 wrote:

pugsleyaddams wrote:

I recall when Tomko was just starting his ML career. If memory serves me correct, he was about as highly rated then as what Shelby Miller is now. Let's hope Shelby follows a different path.

Your memory does not serve you well. Tomko was rated as high as #84 while Miller is in the top six or seven and often called the best right-handed pitching prospect in the game.

Domeboys wrote: Multiple media reports have Izzy making the Angels opening day roster.

I know its early, but which of these doesn't fit:

2009 OPS+  -  89
2010 OPS+  -  132
2011 OPS+  -  89
2012 OPS+  -  89

Colby Rasmus's line through 4 years...I never thought he would have developed like that.

And check out this trend:

2008 OPS+  -  192
2009 OPS+  -  189
2010 OPS+  -  173
2011 OPS+  -  149
2012 OPS+  -  71

Yikes!  Albert Pujols' line through 5 years....ages 28 to 32.

On the positive side of things, Rick Ankiel is hitting .290 playing CF for the Nationals and made a rediculous throw last week, which we, of course, have all seen before.

Domeboys wrote: Hard for me to believe, but former Cardinal farmhand Stuart Pomeranz was called up by the Orioles. He was the second round pick in 2003.

DizzyDean17 wrote:

Domeboys wrote: Hard for me to believe, but former Cardinal farmhand Stuart Pomeranz was called up by the Orioles. He was the second round pick in 2003.

19 IP across 8 games in AA and AAA, 32 K's, 2 BBs 2 runs (both unearned) and 7 hits allowed. Those are monstrous numbers.

Good luck to the young man!

cardinalnationhouston wrote:

DizzyDean17 wrote:

Domeboys wrote: Hard for me to believe, but former Cardinal farmhand Stuart Pomeranz was called up by the Orioles. He was the second round pick in 2003.

19 IP across 8 games in AA and AAA, 32 K's, 2 BBs 2 runs (both unearned) and 7 hits allowed. Those are monstrous numbers.

Good luck to the young man!

Wow good for Stuart. Are those numbers right, 32 K, 2 BB? That is phenomenal.

The Softbank Hawks in Japan are parting ways with Brad Penny. After a terrible first outing, he complained of shoulder pain. He was examined by docs in the US and Japan and is on some sort of rehab program of his own. He only threw 64 pitches in his Japanese career.

Updated today: It is being reported that Penny strongly asked for his release because he was having a hard time adjusting to Japanese lifestyle and Japanese baseball.

Japanese baseball is very different than over here as far as travel, public access etc. Players ride trains with the general public, get dressed for games at their hotel, not at the field.  The food is different and the work ethic is different. There really are no days off, if they are not playing, they practice. Occasionally they get a full day off. Starting pitchers usually only pitch once a week, not every 5 days. If the players don't live close to their field, they ride the train to the field everyday. It can take up to an hour just to get to the field to do any workouts, games etc. And then ride the train home when they are finished for the day.  All the while, signing autographs for anyone who happens to be riding the train with you that day!