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TFFA--it seems like the Cats have been in a bit of a tailspin lately, what are the chances they make the playoffs?

Right now, the Rock Cats are tied with the Reading Phillies for the second, and final, playoff spot in their division. The Trenton Thunder have a 5 game lead over both New Britain and Reading, but have been having a rough go lately, too. In fact, all 3 teams at the top of the division have been scuffling.

 

New Britain has 4 games coming up this weekend with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, who are in last place in the division, so that's a good chance for NB to make up some ground. Thereafter, though, they play a 4 game series on the road against Trenton, which will be tough.

 

Bottom line: I think their chances are still good. It helps that these top 3 teams are all having a rough time. If Trenton continues to scuffle, it's basically going to be a 3 team race for 2 playoff spots, and I like those odds.

Good luck to Josmil Pinto, hoping he rips it up in AA the rest of the season.

What is the status of Aaron Hicks and Hernandez, the pitcher the Twins acquired for Liriano? Both left Tuesday's games with injuries, I believe.

Joe Benson has been out the last several games. He's got a knee injury and there is a decent chance that he misses the rest of the season. Tough year for a really hard working, good guy.

 

Aaron Hicks was out of the lineup last night. Mainly it was just a day off, but he was also resting a sore Achilles.

After the Hicks injury, manager Jeff Smith said he'll "be fine." I would hope he's back in the lineup soon.

 

Still digging on Hernandez.

The Pedro Hernandez injury is not believed to be serious... not sure how to take that.

I heard the same last night -- Aaron Hicks is basically fine, but it made sense to give him a night of rest.

For what it's worth, Arcia was fine in center field.

Can anyone tell me why, in the Elizabethton box score, under the "Batting" section, they list Romy Jimenez as "Trinidad, R"?

Can anyone tell me why, in the Elizabethton box score, under the "Batting" section, they list Romy Jimenez as "Trinidad, R"?

 

He was formerly known as Romy Trinidad, but due to paternal/maternal sir name kind of stuff, he is now going by Romy Jimenez. And I do not understand why milb.com mixes and matches his names. They generally say Jimenez in the box score, but down in the details, they say Trinidad.

Good to see Pinto homer after a MUCH-deserved promotion. What do guys think about his defense as a catcher?

 

GREAT to see Stuifbergen pitching well. Too many pitchers with lost seasons or 3/4 seasons. I have much more confidence in the long-term success of Stuifbergen than I do of Hermsen.

What the heck is with pitchers that the Twins have ditched down to AAA suddenly acting like they are King Felix (blackburn and Hendriks), and then up here, acting like how we've seen them over the last few years (they can't pitch their way out of a paper bag).

I'm sure some of it is mental and some of it is tougher hitting.

What the heck is with pitchers that the Twins have ditched down to AAA suddenly acting like they are King Felix (blackburn and Hendriks), and then up here, acting like how we've seen them over the last few years (they can't pitch their way out of a paper bag).

 

I think that's the precise definition of a AAAA pitcher.

What the heck is with pitchers that the Twins have ditched down to AAA suddenly acting like they are King Felix (blackburn and Hendriks), and then up here, acting like how we've seen them over the last few years (they can't pitch their way out of a paper bag).

 

I think that's the precise definition of a AAAA pitcher.

 

Hendricks is 23 years old. You might have an argument with Blackie, but it is way too soon to say the jury is out on Liam.

The Pedro Hernandez injury is not believed to be serious... not sure how to take that.

 

In other words, he's out for the season.

The Pedro Hernandez injury is not believed to be serious... not sure how to take that.

 

In other words, he's out for the season.

 

He is out for the year. They aren't going to rush him back.

The Pedro Hernandez injury is not believed to be serious... not sure how to take that.

 

In other words, he's out for the season.

 

He is out for the year. They aren't going to rush him back.

 

 

They have to wait the required 14 days before they can put him on the DL. (It might only be 6 days for the minors.)

What the heck is with pitchers that the Twins have ditched down to AAA suddenly acting like they are King Felix (blackburn and Hendriks), and then up here, acting like how we've seen them over the last few years (they can't pitch their way out of a paper bag).

 

I think that's the precise definition of a AAAA pitcher.

 

Hendricks is 23 years old. You might have an argument with Blackie, but it is way too soon to say the jury is out on Liam.

 

Thank God someone acknowledges the fact that Hendriks is a 'pup' and has capacity to still learn and be coached!!! Being Australian and 23 (through no fault of his own) means he his probably somewhere between 2000 and 3000 hours behind USA players. As Seth and a number of bloggers point out he is ahead of schedule!!!! Let's hope he can learn and continue to improve. One thing I am lead to believe through ttalking to his minor league coaches (Ft Myer, New Britain and Rochester) is that he won't take short cuts and he will work as hard as anyone to make it happen!!!

Which is why I would've brought up Vasquez for a longer looksee. Hendriks is still in the mix, but the Twins need to tryout others for 2012.

Sorry -- didn't mean to imply that Hendricks' ceiling is an AAAA pitcher (certainly I think he will be a decent starter, hopefully soon); only that he has been at that level most of this season it feels like.