Official 2010 Columbus Clippers Thread

[martyinnewyork]

This team really impresses me. After all the roster turmoil, they really pulled together this past month. In mid-August, it looked like they might not even make the playoffs after squandering a huge lead in their division. Now guys like Pino, Espino, Head, Constanza, McAllister have really come through. And, of course, Kipnis tonight. Congrats as they head to the 9th...

[dazindiansfanuk]

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS - 2010 GOVERNOR'S CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

13-2 the final

[martyinnewyork]

Pestano closes it out and THE CLIPPERS ARE CHAMPS!!!

[TonyIBI]

This team really impresses me. After all the roster turmoil, they really pulled together this past month. In mid-August, it looked like they might not even make the playoffs after squandering a huge lead in their division. Now guys like Pino, Espino, Head, Constanza, McAllister have really come through. And, of course, Kipnis tonight. Congrats as they head to the 9th...

Bingo.

Just an EXCELLENT coaching job by Mike Sarbaugh if you ask me. Guy is a winner. Has won a title now at Mahoning Valley, Kinston, Akron, and Columbus.

Great group of guys, and a large percentage of the guys on the roster were the same ones who won the title for Akron last year. Good to see some "winning" for a change.

CONGRATS!!!

Now onto the Triple-A Championship game on Tuesday night against the PCL. Game is nationally televised on Versus and is at 8pm EST.

[Rocky55]

This team really impresses me. After all the roster turmoil, they really pulled together this past month. In mid-August, it looked like they might not even make the playoffs after squandering a huge lead in their division. Now guys like Pino, Espino, Head, Constanza, McAllister have really come through. And, of course, Kipnis tonight. Congrats as they head to the 9th...

Bingo.

Just an EXCELLENT coaching job by Mike Sarbaugh if you ask me. Guy is a winner. Has won a title now at Mahoning Valley, Kinston, Akron, and Columbus.

Great group of guys, and a large percentage of the guys on the roster were the same ones who won the title for Akron last year. Good to see some "winning" for a change.

CONGRATS!!!

Now onto the Triple-A Championship game on Tuesday night against the PCL. Game is nationally televised on Versus and is at 8pm EST.

First thing I thought of when I heard the score was:

Damn, that Sarbaugh cam manage!

I remember the Aeros chanting Sar Bee! Sar Bee! last year in the video Tony posted. His players seem to genuinely like the guy.

So, is Acta on a 2 yr. deal? Maybe we hire Sarbaugh to manage the big club in '12. We should be about ready to win then.

[A.Zajac]

Wonder if there will be an online stream of the game Tuesday..

[elrod enchilada]

Not to be Johnny One-Note here, but the Phelps-Kipnis issue may have to be resolved sooner rather than later. Kipnis is ready for AAA, and he is a 2nd baseman. Not sure Phelps is ready to start in the majors at second in 2011, and even that only postpones the problem for at most one season. There is a decent chance both will be at Columbus next year.

Why not play Phelps at ss in 2011 at Columbus? Even if he is lacking it wouldn't hurt his game at 2b or elsewhere. It would increase his utility value. And who knows, his range may equal that of Cabrera. Perhaps I am grasping at straws.

The fact is, from what I can see, Kipnis is the starting Tribe 2b come April 2012. The guy is a stud, and if he can play 2b successfully, he could become a bigtime player with his bat and overall game. Phelps has maybe a 50-50 chance of being a legit major leaguer, even a starting major leaguer, come April 2012. Both could be major league ready before the end of the 2011 season. Maybe the Tribe should be proactive. What are our options?

[A.Zajac]

Not to be Johnny One-Note here, but the Phelps-Kipnis issue may have to be resolved sooner rather than later. Kipnis is ready for AAA, and he is a 2nd baseman. Not sure Phelps is ready to start in the majors at second in 2011, and even that only postpones the problem for at most one season. There is a decent chance both will be at Columbus next year.

Why not play Phelps at ss in 2011 at Columbus? Even if he is lacking it wouldn't hurt his game at 2b or elsewhere. It would increase his utility value. And who knows, his range may equal that of Cabrera. Perhaps I am grasping at straws.

The fact is, from what I can see, Kipnis is the starting Tribe 2b come April 2012. The guy is a stud, and if he can play 2b successfully, he could become a bigtime player with his bat and overall game. Phelps has maybe a 50-50 chance of being a legit major leaguer, even a starting major leaguer, come April 2012. Both could be major league ready before the end of the 2011 season. Maybe the Tribe should be proactive. What are our options?

Small sample size, but I do agree, I think Kipnis is ready. However, has his glove progressed enough for AAA? There's no questions about what he can do with the stick, but has he made enough progress with the glove? I still say yes, but we'll see.

[A.Zajac]

keithlaw

Ceiling is above-average bat for 2b with fringe-average defense. RT @russellwith_a_K @keithlaw jason kipnis's ceiling?

[criznit2009]

Not to be Johnny One-Note here, but the Phelps-Kipnis issue may have to be resolved sooner rather than later. Kipnis is ready for AAA, and he is a 2nd baseman. Not sure Phelps is ready to start in the majors at second in 2011, and even that only postpones the problem for at most one season. There is a decent chance both will be at Columbus next year.

Why not play Phelps at ss in 2011 at Columbus? Even if he is lacking it wouldn't hurt his game at 2b or elsewhere. It would increase his utility value. And who knows, his range may equal that of Cabrera. Perhaps I am grasping at straws.

The fact is, from what I can see, Kipnis is the starting Tribe 2b come April 2012. The guy is a stud, and if he can play 2b successfully, he could become a bigtime player with his bat and overall game. Phelps has maybe a 50-50 chance of being a legit major leaguer, even a starting major leaguer, come April 2012. Both could be major league ready before the end of the 2011 season. Maybe the Tribe should be proactive. What are our options?

Small sample size, but I do agree, I think Kipnis is ready. However, has his glove progressed enough for AAA? There's no questions about what he can do with the stick, but has he made enough progress with the glove? I still say yes, but we'll see.

i think Kipnis has to start next year in AAA which leaves Phelps???? And don't forget we also have Jrod, and he could be a pretty damn good 2B too. Pretty nice problem to have 2-3 guys all closing in on the same ML position each with there own set of skills. But ultimately it looks like Jrod is the better candidate for Utility man over Phelps, oh yeah and then theres that Jason Donald guy, kinda makes that 4 guys now...And Kipnis is the guy who looks the best suited for taking over the spot at second. What if his bat ends up being so damn good a move back to the OF wouldn't be that bad??? Grady?
Like I said very nice problem to have, but we shouldn't be too quick to count our eggs before the hatch....Phelps could be a nice prospect to trade if it comes to that, could he maybe be swapped for a A-AA levelish power bat?

[stoike]

keithlaw

Ceiling is above-average bat for 2b with fringe-average defense. RT @russellwith_a_K @keithlaw jason kipnis's ceiling?

Which I translate to "ceiling is all-star level bat for 2B with solid average to above-average defense"

[Upper Box Woodchuck]

Wonder if there will be an online stream of the game Tuesday..

I think it's available if you subscribe to milb.com. Are there enough of us in the Cleveland area to assemble a watch party?

By the way, Tony, are you heading out to OKC?

[A.Zajac]

Wonder if there will be an online stream of the game Tuesday..

I think it's available if you subscribe to milb.com. Are there enough of us in the Cleveland area to assemble a watch party?

By the way, Tony, are you heading out to OKC?

I don't bother with the subscription to milb. I go to plenty of games during the season between MV, Akron, and one or two in CBus.

[Upper Box Woodchuck]

Most of the IL (but not the Clips) have released their '11 schedules. I am frankensteining the clippers schedule and have 107 of 144 games confirmed. I'm looking to confirm more via process of elimination and will post what I have on Monday.

Home opener looks to be April 16th vs. Toledo. Also, the Clips will be the opponent in Toledo's home opener two days earlier (a doubleheader). Season opens in Indy on April 7th.

[MadThinker88]

For those that haven't heard - Tribe recalled Laffey around 5 pm.
Unless they plan on starting Huff for the game against the PCL, CBus might look to use him as a possible lefty in the bullpen for that game.

[martyinnewyork]

Geez, the 2010 season still has some life and Upper Box is already all over the '11 schedule! Now THAT is a FAN!!!

[TonyIBI]

Folks, as I noted a few times, the game on Tuesday is on national TV. So unless you don't have Versus as part of your cable package, then everyone can see it on TV.

Also, as for the Phelps-Kipnis situation brewing....remember, Phelps is going to the AFL this fall to play 3B. Looks like he will be doing what Peralta-Phillips did back in 2004 when Phillips split time at SS/2B and Peralta between 3B/SS. So I see the same kind of thing with a three man rotation among three spots at DH, 2B, and 3B with Phelps, Chisenhall and Kipnis.

[indianinkslinger]

Hey Tony, did Columbus replace Laffey on the roster with Packer for the final game?

[MadThinker88]

Is Huff starting the final game or someone else??

[TonyIBI]

No official move by Columbus, but I anticipate that Packer will not be activated and they just go an arm short. It is one game and being off a few days guys like Espino, Pino would be available in pen if needed. I am willing to bet Huff gets the start.

[TonyIBI]

I tweeted this earlier, but David Huff will indeed get the start on Tuesday in the AAA Championship Game. Will be his final start of the year.

Also, Clippers going with 23 man roster and not replacing Laffey.

[Upper Box Woodchuck]

I tweeted this earlier, but David Huff will indeed get the start on Tuesday in the AAA Championship Game. Will be his final start of the year.

Also, Clippers going with 23 man roster and not replacing Laffey.

So, I take it they're not activating Huffman?

[Upper Box Woodchuck]

2011 COLUMBUS CLIPPERS UNOFFICIAL SCHEDULE

APRIL
7-10 @ Indianapolis
11-12 @ Louisville
13 OFF
14-15 @ Toledo (DH 14th)
16-18 Toledo
19-22 Louisville
23-25 Indianapolis
26-29 @ Gwinnett
30 @ Charlotte

MAY
1-3 @ Charlotte
4 OFF
5-8 Lehigh Valley
9-12 Charlotte
13-16 @ Indianapolis
17-20 Pawtucket
21-24 Durham
25 OFF
26-29 @ Norfolk
30-31 @ Durham

JUNE
1-2 @ Durham
3-4 @ Louisville
5-6 Louisville
7-10 Rochester
11-14 @ Buffalo
15 OFF
16-19 @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
20-21 Toledo
22-23 @ Toledo
24-27 Gwinnett
28-29 Toledo
30 @ Toledo

JULY
1 @ Toledo
2-3 Louisville
4-6 @ Louisville
7-8 Toledo
9-10 @ Toledo
11-13 ALL-STAR BREAK
14-17 Indianapolis
18-21 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
22-25 @ Lehigh Valley
26-29 @ Syracuse
30-31 Norfolk

AUGUST
1-2 Norfolk
3 OFF
4-7 Syracuse
8-9 @ Louisville
10-11 Indianapolis
12-15 @ Rochester
16-19 @ Pawtucket
20-23 Buffalo
24-25 @ Indianapolis
26-27 Indianapolis
28-29 Louisville
30-31 @ Louisville

SEPTEMBER
1 OFF
2-3 Toledo
4-5 @ Toledo

[Upper Box Woodchuck]

NOTE: All of the above dates are official except for the Pawtucket and Norfolk ones (the other two teams not to release schedules yet). I determined the home dates against the two based on the assumption of them both making a single trip to Toledo and Columbus and the away dates were established based on process of elimination (basically the first of the two dates had Indy in Pawtucket, so that had to be Norfolk and the other was Pawtucket). I still need to check on 26-29 vs. 25-28 for the "@ Norfolk" series, but I'm pretty sure of the 26-29 dates.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Kipnis goes deep leading off the bottom of the 2nd to put the Clippers on top 1-0.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Back-to-back doubles by Goedert and Red Hot Jared Head make it 2-0.

[dazindiansfanuk]

J-Rod brings home Head to make it 3-0.

[TonyIBI]

Impressive blast by Kipnis the opposite way to LC. That park in OK looks huge in the outfield....swallows up the outfielder.

[A.Zajac]

Kipnis has done nothing but impress in C-Bus. The guy plain out hits no matter what level he's at.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Huff gives all 3 back and we're tied 3-3.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Man, 3 Clippers picked off 1st through the first 3 innings.

[martyinnewyork]

Guy has a nice balk move...

[dazindiansfanuk]

Kipnis adds a double..... another cycle coming?!

Head drives him in for the 4-3 lead.

[MadThinker88]

Guy has a nice balk move...

Tuned in late. I believe Ryan Friebrand (the Tacoma starter) was raised in the Lorain OH area....

[Jamooky]

Guy has a nice balk move...

Tuned in late. I believe Ryan Friebrand (the Tacoma starter) was raised in the Lorain OH area....

Yep - went to Midview HS in Grafton.

[TonyIBI]

Kipnis adds a double..... another cycle coming?!

Head drives him in for the 4-3 lead.

A screaming line drive off the RC wall. Boy is locked in.

[TonyIBI]

Man, 3 Clippers picked off 1st through the first 3 innings.

Sick move to 1B....completely baffled the Columbus guys.

Man, if not for the three pickoffs, we may have 20 hits and 12 runs already.

[Rocky55]

What say we promote this whole team right now, including Sarbaugh.

Dammit, these kids can PLAY!

[MadThinker88]

The hitting shoes are on tonight. And the announcers are gushing over the way the Clippers are playing the game.

I can only hope it continues to translate as they move up the ladder.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Man, these Clippers hitters have to be wishing these stats counted with the regular season numbers.

[martyinnewyork]

Couple of cheap hits helped Tacoma there...

[Rocky55]

Come on, eight more outs.

[TonyIBI]

Memo to the announcers: Hey guys, it's a splitter that Putnam is throwing that is bottoming out on hitters...not a changeup!

[Rocky55]

Constanza can really motor. He might be faster than Brantley.

[Rocky55]

Kipnis hit that ball off of his shoe tops.

[Hermie13]

What say we promote this whole team right now, including Sarbaugh.

Said he should have been a base coach this winter. Definitely hope he's up sometime in the next 2 years to the ML coaching staff. 3B coach in 2012?

[Lloyd Christmas]

Have the announcers mentioned if the game is going to be rebroadcast?

[dazindiansfanuk]

Kipnis falls a single shy of back-to-back cycles!

[Rocky55]

Carrera covers some ground in center. He's a nice player. Good pickup.

Will Pestano be pitching in Cleve next year?

Game over. Clips are the kings of Triple A Baseball!!!

[Rocky55]

Damn, it's great to see SOMEBODY related to Indians baseball holding up a championship trophy.

Jerad Head the MVP. I liked the announcers idea of giving the MVP to the whole team. It was a team win...Although if I had a vote I might have gone with Kipnis.