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This Week in Jacksonville


The Prodigal Sun

The year was 2003. James Loney entered the year as the Dodgers' best prospect. Logan White used the 24th overall pick in the June draft to select a right-handed pitcher out of Defiance, Ohio named Chad Billingsley. And Joel Hanrahan was named the best pitcher in the Southern League. 3 years and however many arm ailments later, Joel Hanrahan seems to have regained that form. After falling off the prospect map last year, Hanrahan has dominated Double A hitters to the tune of a 2.58 ERA, which is good for third in the league. Who knows what sparked this resurgence, but if he can maintain his current production, he may see the big leagues for the first time this year.


The Roche Motel

The weekend belonged to one Andy LaRoche, a light-hitting glove man on the Jacksonville squad. After an 0 for 4 performance, followed by a day off, the third baseman went on a tear over the weekend with a 7 for 10, 2 HR line over 3 games. His batting average is up to .309, with a .400+ On Base Percentage and a .483 Slugging Percentage. LaRoche has been on fire since his disappointing April (.673 OPS). His batting average jumped .110 points in May (.226 to .336) and he collected more than twice as many extra basehits (5 to 11). He's maintained his plate discipline, having walked more times than he's struck out (41 to 32). It's only a matter of time until Andy arrives in Sin City.


Hot As Can Be

While Andy LaRoche has probably been the hottest hitter, and Hanrahan has been the hottest pitcher, the Suns have been arguably the best team in the minors over the past 3 weeks. They've won their last 12 games and 20 of the last 21. They already clinched the first half and secured a spot in the playoffs. As loaded as last year's team was, this one lacks the names but has impressed with results. The defending Southern League champions are 45-20, leading the next team in the division by 11 and a half games.


In Other News


The Billingsley Report

While a few bad starts have inflated his ERA, Chad Billingsley has held his own and then some. When I evaluate pitchers, I tend to take away their worst start to really gauge how well they can be expected to perform. Minus his worst start (1.1 IP, 6 ER), Billingsley's ERA drops .070 points from 3.95 to 3.25. While his walk total is high, his control is one of his better assets and he spots his pitches to both sides of the plate. He's improved his changeup and still has a plus, plus curve. He rarely uses his slider anymore, as he can dominate with his fastball/curve combo. It's only a matter of time until we see C Bill in LA. He should be up by the trade deadline.


Cory Wade flirts with no-hitterRight-hander Cory Wade, a 23 year old pitcher on Columbus' roster, isnt considered a prospect. His name doesnt come up much on message boards or BA.com chats. But on June 7th, he was almost perfect. After allowing a double to the second batter of the game, he retired the next 26 hitters he faced. He didnt allow a walk and struck out 11. That memorable performance lowered his season ERA to 3.57. What's most impressive about Wade is his control, as he's walked just 6 batters in 58 innings while striking out 63. A 10th round pick in 2004, Wade is in his second year in Low A but should see time in Vero Beach soon.


Feeling a Draft

The draft has finally come and gone. I've been following it for just 3 years but this one provided a thrill I wont forget anytime soon. Since the middle of the high school season, Clayton Kershaw had been regarded as the top prep talent available. With Detroit's supposed interest, however, my hopes of him becoming a Dodger had quelled and I concentrated on other possibilities as the 2-day event neared.

Finally, on June 6th, the first pick was announced: Luke Hochevar. Good job, Royals. Enjoy next year's first pick as well. 3 pre-draft deals had dictated the next 3 picks: Greg Reynolds to Colorado, Evan Longoria to Tampa Bay and Brad Lincoln to Pittsburgh. Seattle was definitely going with pitching, and they did so with Cal's Brandon Morrow. After that name was announced, I prepared myself to hear Clayton Kershaw's name to be called one pick early. And as Jimmie Lee Solomon began to announce Detroit's selection, I mouthed the words with him: "Detroit selects...Andrew Miller?!?!?!?!" I couldnt believe it. No rumors had the Tigers picking Miller, and most publications had him falling out of the top 20. But Detroit took a risk on the consensus top talent and left a player available for Logan White that I didnt think would be there. The moment neared, and the pace slowed. The Dodgers werent ready to pick, bringing hope that they'd risk losing out on Bryan Morris, the consolation with Kershaw going to Detroit.

And then Solomon's voice came on again. "With the seventh pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers select...Clayton Kershaw!" I couldnt believe it! I yelled out and clapped, as if the Dodgers' war room or the Kershaw family could hear me. I was ecstatic. Having watched my favorite players in '04 and '05 go to other teams, Kershaw made it to LA. And to top it off, Morris dropped to 26, so the Dodgers got both the pitchers they (and I) coveted. The rest of the day brought more intrigue, as a couple of later round picks caught my attention. 13th rounder Nick Akins didnt play ball for a high school his senior year, but his tools compare to the top talents in the class. 14th rounder Alex White, out of NC, would be an absolute steal if the Dodgers can sign him away from UNC and he would move quickly through the minors. With the Dodgers already having signed Bryan Morris and supplemental first rounder Preston Mattingly (Yes, son of Don), I'll post updates as more signings occur.