Reds Tidbits (2009 season)

[Jaxbuck]

We get that on the TV version. George Grande and Chris Welsh have everything so damn sugarcoated my stomach gets upset at times. Turrble.

3 1/2 straight hours of Ned fucking Flanders and your tee ball coach spewing baseball cliche's....get em on get em over get em in....he's just a ball player..etc etc etc. I just want to stab them in the fucking eyes with knitting needles.

I'm glad I opted out this year. I get so worked up and agitated with them its unhealthy. I always wonder what we did as fans to deserve the product on the field the past 15 years and the fucking idiots covering it (save for Nuxy of course bless his soul). Its insult to injury.

I agree with the poster who likes Mark Grace. I also think the two idiots that cover the Brewers are pretty funny. For pure tonal pleasure it doesn't get any better than Vin Scully, even if all he does is read the goddamn media guide. I could spend 3 hours listening to him read baking directions and feel like it was time well spent.

 

[EDDIE GGGG27]

Your telling me you dont like these all-time great calls? "And theres bloop to the warning track!"


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trCtAzcp4c"]YouTube - The Best of George Grande[/ame][ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_O1zxFGho&feature=related"][/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_O1zxFGho&feature=related"]YouTube - The Best of George Grande[/ame]

 

[CookyPuss]

I agree with the poster who likes Mark Grace. I also think the two idiots that cover the Brewers are pretty funny. For pure tonal pleasure it doesn't get any better than Vin Scully, even if all he does is read the goddamn media guide. I could spend 3 hours listening to him read baking directions and feel like it was time well spent.

I agree with Scully and you just can't beat Ueker on color. When I had the baseball package a few years ago, I also really enjoyed Steve Physioc (sp?) and Rex Hudler for the Angels. Bert Blyleven (Twins) and Tom Seaver (Mets) were always very informative as ex-pitchers.

 

[EDDIE GGGG27]

Len Kasper for the CUbs will make your ears bleed too.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Your telling me you dont like these all-time great calls? "And theres bloop to the warning track!"

No.

I did not like him on ESPN, I do not like him on FSN.
I don't like to hear him talk, I pray for the day they tell him to take a walk.
I do not like George Grande sam I am.

 

[scott91575]

and the Reds take Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State

2009 Draft | MLB.com: Events

Can't say I am upset with it. Seems like the safe play, and not a big reach. There were other pitchers available with more upside and stronger arms, but Leake is polished, has good control, and already throws 4 pitchers (3 of them at or above average). That should lead to faster development.

 

[EDDIE GGGG27]

His #'s are about the same as Strasburgs excpet for the K's. On MLB network they said the Mariners were considering taking him at #2

 

[scott91575]

His #'s are about the same as Strasburgs excpet for the K's. On MLB network they said the Mariners were considering taking him at #2

I may have looked up old stats if true...give me a minute.

Yep, must have seen his 2008 stats. They are much better in 2009. I will edit my post.

 

[EDDIE GGGG27]

Focus Area Comments
Fastball: Leake threw his fastball from 88-94 mph. It sat comfortably around 91 mph.
Fastball movement: There was above-average sink and plenty of side-to-side movement, with some run to it. He changes arm angles for different looks.
Slider: It's a hard, downward slider, thrown 79-82 mph.
Curve: An average offering ... not an out pitch. He can throw it for strikes in the 73-76 mph range.
Changeup: Close to a plus pitch and he'll throw it at any point in the count.
Control: He has plus, plus command, perhaps a 70 on the scouting scale.
Poise: It's a plus, plus attribute. He has the presence to pitch in the big leagues right now. He's more of a lead-by-example guy -- soft-spoken, but confident.
Physical Description: Leake is an undersized righty, but is athletic and strong, kind of like a Tim Hudson type.
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: Four pitches that are all usable and the ability to command all of them extremelly well. He's extremely durable, having thrown as many innings as just about anyone in the class over the past few seasons.
Weaknesses: There's a little hip turn in his delivery, but it doesn't affect him. There will be those who'll be concerned about his size.
Summary: As a six-foot righty, people may want to overlook Leake as a big-time pitching prospect, but they might be missing the boat. He can throw four pitches for strikes and his poise is off the charts. He may not be that big, but he's athletic, strong and durable with an extremely efficient delivery. He's done nothing but perform with the Sun Devils and whoever looks past his size could have themselves a steal.

Leake is 16-1 so far this year with a 1.36 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched

Leake pitches in the College World Series this Sunday @ 1 on ESPN btw.

 

[jlb1705]

The draft thread on Redszone is quite amusing. A lot of people are up in arms because the Reds passed on players like Crow and Scheppers. I think some of those guys have a fetish for injured pitchers w/ huge contract demands like Jim Bowden had a fetish for five-tool outfielders.

The Leake pick looks really solid.

 

[Dryden]

Sorry Jax, but the bottom of the 4th just gave us Exhibit A why Grande and Welsh are the best combo on TV today:

Welsh: So George, did you get down there early enough to see the big warm hug between Marty and Dunn?
Grande: chuckles. silence.
Welsh: Me neither.

 

[scott91575]

The draft thread on Redszone is quite amusing. A lot of people are up in arms because the Reds passed on players like Crow and Scheppers. I think some of those guys have a fetish for injured pitchers w/ huge contract demands like Jim Bowden had a fetish for five-tool outfielders.

The Leake pick looks really solid.

So far from what I have seen no real reaches. Peake was considered a consensus top 15 pick. Boxberger and Billy Hamilton both 2nd rounders (Boxberger taken in the supplemental round). Not that any of that really matters other than the Reds are still taking what they consider the best player available. Much better than a few years ago where they would take 3rd rounders in round 1 so they can sign them to a cheap contract. I always fear that will return.

Hamilton sounds like an interesting prospect. A 3 sport star, great speed, hit .520 (it was HS), and is a switch hitter. Certainly going to be raw, but seems to have the physical tools (I believe he signed to play football with Ole Miss). I am not so sure about Boxberger. It appears control is a big issue with him.

 

[Dryden]

The Leake pick looks really solid.

Yeah it did ... until Grande just interviewed him and asked (paraphrasing), "What major league pitcher do you pattern yourself after?" to which Leake replied, "Greg Maddux. Otherwise if I don't hit my spots I get hit alot."

 

[jlb1705]

Yeah it did ... until Grande just interviewed him and asked (paraphrasing), "What major league pitcher do you pattern yourself after?" to which Leake replied, "Greg Maddux. Otherwise if I don't hit my spots I get hit alot."

Well apparently he's pretty good at hitting his spots then, because he didn't get hit alot this year at Arizona State.

 

[EDDIE GGGG27]

Yeah it did ... until Grande just interviewed him and asked (paraphrasing), "What major league pitcher do you pattern yourself after?" to which Leake replied, "Greg Maddux. Otherwise if I don't hit my spots I get hit alot."

That was 1 of the most awkward interviews I have ever heard.