News/Events 8.5.06 CLICK HERE FOR MATT CARSON ARTICLE
8.4.06
Faces on the Field: Carlos Gonzalez RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- It's no secret that the Dodgers, after signing Roberto Clemente, tried to hide him in Montreal for a season, giving him little playing time in hopes that his immense talent wouldn't be noticed. Didn't work. When asked whom he considers his baseball idols, Carlos Gonzalez quickly mentioned Clemente. It's interesting, because there are folks who have compared the Venezuelan native to the legendary Puerto Rican. Much like Clemente, Gonzalez is at ease at the plate, spraying hits here and there, seemingly at will. And then there's the arm. We can't mention Clemente, and Gonzalez for that matter, without noting that both are known for having arms that draw as much respect as their bats do, if not more. Finally, like his idol, Gonzalez has no place to hide. Not that he could hide, even if he wanted to. Gonzalez is one Arizona's top prospects, and one of the most sought-after players in Minor League ball. He's also steamrolling toward a California League Most Valuable Player Award after having won the Midwest League MVP a year ago. Now, Gonzalez isn't arrogant. Far from it. He's quiet, a bit shy and somewhat hesitant to speak about himself. But when you ask him about Clemente, his eyes light up and he looks every bit like the 20-year-old he is. "I had never seen him play before, but everyone talks about him," Gonzalez said. "My older brother liked him, too. When people say I am like him, it makes me feel real happy. Everyone knows Clemente. He's a great player, and when people say that, I feel blessed. "I know a lot about Clemente. It's kind of important for me. He played right field, and I play right field. I just think he's someone that's very important to know. He was a great player and people like to watch players like him. That's why I try to do the best I can, and show what I can do every day." Gonzalez's best seems to be just a bit better than most everyone else's. His nonchalant approach at the plate may at times present the appearance of malingering (or at least inattention), but such is not the case. Like Clemente, Gonzalez is gifted enough to make everything he does look simple. And when that much talent is in play, it's easy to cry "lazy" -- a rap that plagued Clemente early in his career. There's no room for interpretation, though, when it comes to his production. Gonzalez is leading the California League with 86 RBIs and is eighth in hitting (.310). His 18 homers have already equaled his total from last season, when he hit .307 and drove in 92 runs in South Bend. He's had a bit of a setback, though, the last few days. He was hit by a pitch in the back of the neck last Thursday and missed a game because of it. And he left Sunday's game against Rancho Cucamonga because of tightness in his back, but is expected to play when the JetHawks travel to Visalia on Tuesday. Lancaster manager Brett Butler was a spark plug, grinder of a player during his 17-year career. He beat out bunts, stole bases and liked to get dirty. So, when he says that Gonzalez is something special, it gets your attention. "I heard about all his talent before I got here," Butler said. "And he's going to be a good one. He's a five-tool guy, and since I've had him I realize Carlos is going to be [as good] as Carlos wants to be. I have no doubt about him being a big leaguer, it's just a matter of how great he's going to be. He'll determine that, though." Gonzalez isn't too concerned about reaching Arizona. In fact, he says he's not even thinking about getting out of Lancaster and making the jump to the Double-A Southern League. He knows he'll get there someday if he just keeps doing what he's been doing. Gonzalez is aware of Butler's opinion that "only Carlos can hold back Carlos," and he agrees. "One of the hardest things to do in baseball is play when you're not feeling 100 percent," Gonzalez said. "But when you don't feel 100 percent, that's when you have to work harder and push more. That's the hard part. "But I trust in myself. And I think that I can hit any pitcher. When I feel confident in myself, that's when everything good happens. It's important that you trust yourself." Like his idol, there's no shortage of confidence in his own ability. But it's not arrogance. Gonzalez knows what he is capable of, and doesn't mind sharing his thoughts when asked. The pitchers in the California League, however, wish he would take his thoughts and his bat and just go elsewhere. Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. 6.13.06
It’s Official: Jeffress Inks Pact With Brewers
5.30.06 Pauley to make debut for Sox
TORONTO -- With one David down, the Red Sox got another to take his place. The 23-year-old Pauley is making the jump to the Major Leagues from the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, for whom he's gone 2-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 10 starts this season, striking out 47 and walking just 17 in 60 1/3 innings. He has never pitched at the Triple-A level. "He's been throwing the ball pretty well," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "We like the way he pitches. We think he can handle a start or two or whatever it ends up being." Pauley, who got the news after Portland's game on Monday, said he felt "pure excitement." "It's definitely a big surprise," said Pauley. "It's a pretty significant jump." The native of Colorado said that his parents plan to fly in from Denver to watch his debut. "I'm sure the adrenaline will be going pretty good," he said. "I'll just have to bear with it and try and keep myself somewhat calm. "It doesn't really matter where you're at, whether it's Double-A or the big leagues, there's always a little bit of nervousness for every start." The Sox will wait until after Tuesday's game to put Pauley on the 25-man roster. "We need to look at Boomer a little bit more and try to get a better read on how close or far away he is," said Francona. Pauley got the nod over lefty Abe Alvarez for two reasons. First, Boston favored a right-hander against the Blue Jays' power-laden lineup. Second, Alvarez was sent down just over a week ago, meaning that the Sox would have to put someone on the disabled list to bring him back so quickly. "We didn't want to rush a lefty in to face Toronto, and we didn't think that it would bother (Pauley's) progression," Francona said. "We really enjoyed watching him pitch this spring and getting to know him a little bit. We're excited to watch him pitch and see how he does. "We have a day off (on Thursday), so it's not like he's got to go eight (innings). Hopefully, (the Jays') unfamiliarity with him will get him through." An eighth-round pick by San Diego in 2001, Pauley was traded to Boston along with Jay Payton in the deal that sent outfielder Dave Roberts to the West Coast. Primarily a sinkerball pitcher, Pauley also throws a two-seam fastball and curveball. He made three spring starts with the Sox and got a taste of big-league life in an April 1 exhibition outing against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. "It definitely takes a little bit of the pressure off," Pauley said of his spring experience, "especially getting that start in Philly, too. I kind of know what to expect." When it comes to analyzing Pauley's Double-A ERA and strikeout totals, Francona said that it's important to remember that Minor League umpires have been on strike this season, meaning that amateurs have been calling the balls and strikes. Based on league-wide numbers, it looks as though pitchers are getting the best of the bargain. "Trying to translate that plate into a Major League plate isn't easy," Francona said. "I think we have to take that into consideration." For his part, Pauley isn't worried about adjusting to a more narrow strike zone when he toes the rubber at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. "I've always been able to throw strikes," he said. "I'm pretty much always around the plate. If I don't get a couple of calls on the corner, I can understand that. I've been there and done that. As long as I keep the ball around the plate and keep the ball down, I think I'll be all right."
5.28.06
SAN FRANCISCO -- The phone call came once again for outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, summoned to the Rockies on Sunday because second baseman Luis Gonzalez went to the disabled list with wrist inflammation. "Being in Triple-A, you have to be prepared for whatever," Spilborghs said. "But this is just a small stretch. The guys in Triple-A and the guys in Double-A, we all know it. The guys up here earned their spot, so we just root them on." Still, Spilborghs was ready when the Rockies needed him, and manager Clint Hurdle gave him the "gut start" in center field, No. 2 in the order behind second baseman Jamey Carroll, on Sunday as the Rockies attempted to avoid being swept in a three-game set with the Giants. Spilborghs, 26, has functioned well in an emergency role over the last two years. He was with the Rockies from April 22 to May 4 and batted .400 (4-for-10) with four walks, including 3-for-7 as a pinch-hitter. He batted .317 in 36 games at Colorado Springs, with hits in 13 of his last 14. Spilborghs avoids wondering if an expanded role is in his future. "I enjoy my role of being able to come up here and do what I can whenever I come here," said Spilborghs, who played center in winter ball in Mexico and has played it consistently at Colorado Springs. "I understand the roster spots and the situations when there's not room. All I can do is wait my turn and keep impressing them."
5.27.06 The Nationals' inability to execute wasted a solid performance from Shawn Hill, who was recently recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. Hill was able to keep Washington in the game, working seven innings while allowing only one run on five hits. Hill's performance in Saturday's game was in stark contrast to his prior three Major League starts while Washington was still in Montreal. Hill was 1-2 in those starts with an ERA of 16.00. The right-hander has spent the last two years recovering from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. Saturday was a different script, as Hill kept the Dodgers hitless between a Rafael Furcal one-out single in the third and Russell Martin's two-out double in the seventh. "[That was] just an outstanding performance by the kid," said Robinson. "No, we couldn't ask for any more than that. That's what we needed for him to give us, and that's what he gave us. We didn't look for it, but that's what we needed in this game with [Derek] Lowe pitching today. He kept us in the ballgame, and gave us an opportunity to win. Couldn't ask for any more." Hill credits Schneider with the change in results. "I actually wasn't that nervous going into today," said Hill. "Two years ago, [I] got that out of my system. I just threw strikes and kind of let Schneider guide me through the whole day. ... All of my pitches were working at certain points." The other factor standing in the way of Hill's second career Major League win was Lowe. Lowe didn't rely on just his sinker and limited the same Nationals lineup that pounded Dodgers pitching on Friday -- to the tune of 16 hits -- to five hits and one run over seven innings. "We kind of mixed in everything -- it wasn't a steady dose of anything -- to try and keep them off balance," Lowe said. Johnson agreed. "Sinker, cutter, curve, everything," said Johnson. "He had every pitch." Those are the kinds of pitchers that will make you sick.
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