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Matt Purke, LHP, TCU

Purke didn't pitch last night, but he was still the biggest story as far as the 2011 draft goes, as he was shut down with shoulder woes and will see Dr. James Andrews this week. We won't know just how bad the news is until the good doctor does his work, but it's clearly not good news for a player who already saw his stock slipping. What surprised me most of all was some of the Twitter reaction to the news. There are still plenty of angry Rangers fans over him not signing, and plenty of people who still blame the kid for not talking the millions of dollars offered to him out of high school. Those people are tossing their blame in the wrong direction. Purke made it clear what his price tag was, and was mulling over a huge offer when Major League Baseball temporarily assumed club operations from a financially ailing Tom Hicks. That meant no more offer way over slot, and it meant Purke was going to college. It's not the Rangers' fault that Purke didn't sign, and it's not Purke's either, it's on MLB if you're into finger pointing.

Others Of Note:

  • Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB, K, CS. Not the horrifically slow start of 2010, but even three hits only puts him at .255/.377/.392, which is well below expectations.
  • Brandon Allen, 1B, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB, CS. Seemingly the odd man out in Arizona; still has power and patience.
  • Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 4 K. Working way back from a blister problem; still could get to New York by end of year.
  • Jason Bay, OF, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 4-for-4, 2 HR (2), 3 R, 4 RBI, BB. The Mets could use any good news right about now.
  • Alex Cobb, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K. Now has 25 strikeouts over 16 innings with the International League hitting .182 against him. Most location and speed changing than stuff, but more than good enough to start in the big leagues.
  • Zack Cox, 3B, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 4-for-6, R, K, CS. There was no question about his ability to hit, but the debate was over his power. With 16 of 17 hits going for singles, that's still an open question.
  • Eric Farris, 2B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 Rk, 2 RBI, CS. Three straight multi-hit games and .333/.368/.556 overall. Might get some time at shortstop soon due to need, but profiles much better on the right side.
  • Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-4, HR (7), R, 2 RBI, BB. Minor league co-leader in home runs; .350/.481/.900 line is early indication that last year's numbers were not a complete Cal League fabrication.
  • Grant Green, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 1-for-4, HR (2), 4 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, K. Brutal April slump has him hitting .184/.268/.347 in 12 games; the good news is he's committed just one error.
  • Zack Greinke, RHP, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Threw all his pitches for strikes and had no problems afterward; next outing is at Triple-A.
  • Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 K. Has gone 8-for-15 with six doubles in his last four games; .367/.466/.551 in 13 games overall.
  • Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 4-for-5, HR (2), R, RBI, 2 CS. Home runs in back-to-back games lift line to .415/.418/.660. Zero walks in 53 at-bats is obviously a huge red flag.
  • Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 4-for-4, 2 2B, 3 R, BB, 2 CS. Hitting .379/.514/.828 in nine games; at 23, he could get moved up the Double-A quicker than normal just so the Red Sox can see what he really is.
  • Casey Kelly, RHP, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Good to see him missing bats after striking out just three in his first two outings; the stuff to get both ground balls and strikeouts is there.
  • Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 2-for-3, 2B, 3B, R, 2 BB, K, SB. Has reached base eight times in three games after missing the first part of the season with chicken pox.
  • Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. With the game shortened by lightning, yet official, it's the shortest perfect game in Texas League history, and many believe he's beginning to turn the corner.
  • Neil Ramirez, RHP, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 9 K. One good Triple-A spot start was impressive enough, but two means it's certainly not a fluke. There's no reason to send him back to the Carolina League at this point.
  • Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K. Starting to get stretched out, and could move up quickly once that happens.
  • Jonathan Schoop, 3B, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 3-for-4, R, RBI, K. Featured in yesterday's report; 11-for-25 in last five games and .362/.434/.617 overall in 12.
  • Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 4-for-5, 2 HR (5), 4 R, 2 RBI, K. Hard not to like a player with center field tools and plus-plus raw power, but will he ever hit enough?

Thank you for reading

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delorean
4/20
I'm sure there's a reason Bay is rehabbing in A-ball -- so what is the reason? Too cold/snowy in Buffalo?

Also, is this the first time that two Korean-born players have been listed in a single Future Shock column?
kgoldstein
4/20
Tons of guys rehab in the Florida State League. You have lots of staff there because of the spring trianing site and extended going on, and yes, it's nice and warm. It's not about the level of competition, it's just about seeing live pitching and shaking the rust off.
thesonofhob
4/20
Regarding Matt Purke and blame: it is the Rangers'/Tom Hicks' fault for putting the club in such a financial situation in that MLB had to step in. Of course MLB wasn't going to use other teams' dollars to allow the Rangers to gain a competitive advantage by signing a player way over slot.
kgoldstein
4/20
Sure, if you want to be mad at Hicks, I'm cool with that.
zasxcdfv
4/20
How quickly could you see Ranaudo get moved up? Would he go to A+ or AA? Do you think he could finish the year in AAA?
mattymatty2000
4/20
Probably can't throw enough innings to make that jump. Also, why would you do that to him? The Red Sox don't want him to fail.
ofMontreal
4/20
Well, regarding Purke's mulling of the Rangers offer, I would think he & his team would have gotten some kind of heads up about time restraints. He could have taken the offer when it was submitted. Just sayin'. But it's too bad about his being shut down. I figure you(Kevin) have been waiting for this as it seemed to be between the lines that something must be wrong.
cooper7d7
4/20
While I think MLB only does it with actually signed deals, aren't some overslot deals not announced until the last minute?
jeffr92
4/20
Selig delays approval of almost all of the over-slot deals. Those that are only slightly over start to get announced about a week before the deadline, and those that are way over aren't approved until deadline day. Some ridiculous notion about other agents using other above-slot deals as leverage is the official rationale.
kgoldstein
4/20
What he said.
ofMontreal
4/21
Oh, ok. Yikes. The best interest of baseball at it's finest. Thank you Jeff & Cooper.
timber
4/20
Interestingly (and ironically), Zack Greinke's next start will be against the Omaha Storm Chasers.
zasxcdfv
4/20
I'd love to see Hosmer crush one off him.
mattymatty2000
4/20
Kevin, do Hazelbaker's strikeouts scare you? I would think that could be a real problem once he moves up a level.
kgoldstein
4/21
Definitely. Obviously, his BABIP is completely out of control right now. But he really does have impressive tools. That said, he could become utterly whifferiffic when he gets to the upper levels. More a guy to watch than a big time prospect for now.
MFBabyFeets
4/20
Unfortunate that Jonathan is named after one of Salt 'n Pepa's lesser offerings. I wish his surname was Pushit or Shakeyourthang.
kgoldstein
4/21
Somebody gave this a minus? I get it back to zero at least.
nickgieschen
4/20
When you say Greinke threw all his pitches for strikes, do you mean that in 3 innings he didn't pitch one ball?
kgoldstein
4/21
No, I meant he used all of his pitches. Often first rehab starts are 90-100% fastballs just to get loose, but he used everything.
migueljsteele
4/21
Grant Green, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 1-for-4, HR (2), 4 R, 5 RBI, 2 BB, K

Is that line right for Green? That's a wacky box score line.
crperry13
4/21
That is kinda crazy...How did that happen?
dwachtell
4/21
Wild guess... he got on base via one of his three outs, probably a fielder's choice. Ok -- not that wild at all.
dianagramr
4/21
Here's the PBP, with Grant Green mentions picked out
http://tinyurl.com/3wdvnjh

Midland Top of the 1st

* Jermaine Mitchell doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Chris Swauger.
* Grant Green reaches on throwing error by pitcher Kevin Thomas. Jermaine Mitchell scores. Grant Green to 2nd.
* Shane Peterson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alex Castellanos. Grant Green to 3rd.
* Michael Spina grounds into a force out, shortstop Ryan Jackson to second baseman Jose Garcia. Grant Green scores. Shane Peterson out at 2nd. Michael Spina to 1st.
* Matthew Sulentic grounds into a force out, first baseman Matthew Adams to shortstop Ryan Jackson. Michael Spina out at 2nd. Matthew Sulentic to 1st.
* With Jeremy Barfield batting, throwing error by Kevin Thomas on the pickoff attempt, Matthew Sulentic to 2nd.
* Jeremy Barfield singles on a ground ball to center fielder Thomas Pham. Matthew Sulentic scores.
* With Tyler Ladendorf batting, Jeremy Barfield caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Kevin Thomas to second baseman Jose Garcia.

Midland Top of the 2nd

* Tyler Ladendorf hit by pitch.
* Jason Christian reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Jose Garcia. Tyler Ladendorf to 2nd.
* Petey Paramore flies out to center fielder Thomas Pham. Tyler Ladendorf to 3rd. Jason Christian to 2nd.
* Kevin Thomas intentionally walks Jermaine Mitchell.
* Grant Green hits a grand slam (2) to left center field. Tyler Ladendorf scores. Jason Christian scores. Jermaine Mitchell scores.
* Shane Peterson grounds out to first baseman Matthew Adams.
* Michael Spina doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Chris Swauger.
* Matthew Sulentic walks.
* Jeremy Barfield flies out to left fielder Chris Swauger.

Midland Top of the 4th

* Grant Green strikes out on foul tip.
* Shane Peterson walks.
* Michael Spina walks. Shane Peterson to 2nd.
* Matthew Sulentic grounds into a force out, first baseman Matthew Adams to shortstop Ryan Jackson. Shane Peterson to 3rd. Michael Spina out at 2nd. Matthew Sulentic to 1st.
* With Jeremy Barfield batting, Matthew Sulentic steals (3) 2nd base.
* Jeremy Barfield flies out to left fielder Chris Swauger.

Midland Top of the 6th

* Jermaine Mitchell grounds out to first baseman Matthew Adams.
* Grant Green walks.
* Shane Peterson reaches on fielding error by first baseman Matthew Adams. Grant Green to 3rd.
* Michael Spina grounds into a force out, third baseman Niko Vasquez to second baseman Jose Garcia. Grant Green scores. Shane Peterson out at 2nd. Michael Spina to 1st.
* Matthew Sulentic doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Alex Castellanos. Michael Spina to 3rd.
* Jeremy Barfield singles on a ground ball to center fielder Thomas Pham. Michael Spina scores. Matthew Sulentic scores.
* Tyler Ladendorf flies out to center fielder Thomas Pham.

Midland Top of the 7th

* Pitcher Change: Matthew Frevert replaces Ryan Kulik.
* Jason Christian singles on a ground ball to center fielder Thomas Pham.
* Petey Paramore singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Thomas Pham. Jason Christian to 2nd.
* Jermaine Mitchell walks. Jason Christian to 3rd. Petey Paramore to 2nd.
* Grant Green walks. Jason Christian scores. Petey Paramore to 3rd. Jermaine Mitchell to 2nd.
* Shane Peterson doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Chris Swauger. Petey Paramore scores. Jermaine Mitchell scores. Grant Green to 3rd.
* Michael Spina out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Alex Castellanos. Grant Green scores. Shane Peterson to 3rd.
* Matthew Sulentic strikes out swinging.
* Jeremy Barfield grounds out, third baseman Niko Vasquez to first baseman Matthew Adams.



Midland Top of the 9th
Grant Green grounds out sharply, shortstop Ryan Jackson to first baseman Matthew Adams.