Official 2012 Akron Aeros thread

[MadThinker88]

The Saturday nite game (7/14) not only has fireworks afterward, the pitching matchup should be a good one: Gerrit Cole (for Altoona) vs G. Soto for Akron.

Might well be worth a road trip. Anyone else looking to head to the game????

[dazindiansfanuk]

No-hitter for Gio Soto!!!!

[danh8]

I think it's about time to start stepping on the gas peddle with Preston Guilmett, and get him moving onward and upward. Kid just does nothing but kick ass all the way up through the system ...Once he settles in he just gets after it and succeeds in unbeleivably quick and easy fashion... Pestano did similarly as he moved up through. As much as our bullpen outside of Smith, Pestano, and Perez have been this year..and the collection of has beens that junk up the bullpen in Columbus I think it would make great sense to get the ball rolling and maybe think to stop blocking our homegrown kids, dispensing with the organizations AAAA bullpen filler and move the kid along and get him possibly to the show and helping us out in an area we could use him..

[homerawayfromhome]

Thing about Guilmet is it seems the Tribe views him much like Cory Burns.

[Tondo]

Thing about Guilmet is it seems the Tribe views him much like Cory Burns.

Speaking of...3.09 ERA, WHIP just over 1 and 15:64 BB:K for the Padres AAA team...he had a 5.54 ERA in April and has been pretty dominant since

Hope we keep Guilmet if he's "just" a throw-in in a trade....guys like him have more value to us than as a trade chip

Generally speaking: I'll probably never get how you can undervalue consistent, dominant performance from a spec...I always ranked guys like Kipnis, Tomlin and Pestano MUCH higher than most around here...in fact: I had Burns in my Top 20 last June

Anyway...big Guilmet fan here

[Hermie13]

Thing about Guilmet is it seems the Tribe views him much like Cory Burns.

Speaking of...3.09 ERA, WHIP just over 1 and 15:64 BB:K for the Padres AAA team...he had a 5.54 ERA in April and has been pretty dominant since

Hope we keep Guilmet if he's "just" a throw-in in a trade....guys like him have more value to us than as a trade chip

Generally speaking: I'll probably never get how you can undervalue consistent, dominant performance from a spec...I always ranked guys like Kipnis, Tomlin and Pestano MUCH higher than most around here...in fact: I had Burns in my Top 20 last June

Anyway...big Guilmet fan here

I don't think I'd brag about ranking a guy like Tomlin very high considering since June 1st of 2011 his ERA is over 5.30 (we're talking 30 starts), and he's probably in danger of losing his rotation spot if he doesn't pick it up. Kipnis...well he was pretty much a consensus top 3 guy (him, Chiz, and Pomeranz), so not sure how you had "MUCH" higher than most around here. Very few people were not high on Kipnis. I know personally I almost never rank relievers that high (sure there are others too). I'll give you Pestano if you did have him high as to this point he has been one of those few that was worthy of being ranked high (I know I overlooked him). Burns...having a good year at AAA but nothing that screams future star reliever. Could prove people wrong though (and you right). Don't recall many people that liked that trade when it happened though. Do think the Tribe has struggled at times with relievers though (Mujica, Adams, Breslow, etc). Hope you're right on Guilmet though and he becomes stud backend guy for the Tribe.

[Tondo]

For the record, I had Kipnis at 1 over Pomz, White and Chisenhall last July and Tomlin and Pestano almost never made any Top 20 lists, no matter how dominant their production. Numerous more heralded SPs never made it to the Show or turned out to be worse than Tomlin...otoh, guys like Hagadone and L.Washington didn't make my Top 20...Hagadone was and is a LOOGY at best...that's when he has some control, which he never had anywhere. Washington is all hype, I can see from here that he doesn't have the will (and thus consistency) to make it to the Majors...and the red flags were there on draft day too...the "tools" or "stuff" hype gets thrown around too much around here

Back to the Aeros: Guilmet with another clean 1-2-3 save with 2 Ks with House and Armstrong doing their jobs before him...hope we don't throw him away for another Cunningham. I don't care how hard he throws, he gets Ks, limits walks and doesn't get hit a lot....that's what it's all about, right?

[Hermie13]

the "tools" or "stuff" hype gets thrown around too much around here

Around here or everywhere? Cause the Indians (and people on this site) are far from the only ones that go on tools/stuff...

It's why a guy like Kipnis was valued way more than Phelps despite Phelps putting up better numbers at a higher level for much of last year. For every Tomlin that does beat the odds (at least for a bit), there's a guy like Phelps who puts up big minor league numbers but not much else.

[Tondo]

That's debatable...Phelps never was as consistent as Kipnis, struck out more and never had the power and speed performance to come even close to Kipnis

I don't disregard tools altogether...I just don't care much for them on paper, they have to show up when the game is played...that's when and where they materialize, everything else is hype talk

Take Guilmet and Fedroff...both don't have much stuff/tools, but Guilmet still producing "as if" he was a 5 star spec, Fedroff otoh still has no power or speed to show and that's why I never was high on him DESPITE great production...that said, I think there's a spot on a MLB 25 for him as a 4th OF hitting 7-9 every now and then

[Hermie13]

That's debatable...Phelps never was as consistent as Kipnis, struck out more and never had the power and speed performance to come even close to Kipnis

I don't disregard tools altogether...I just don't care much for them on paper, they have to show up when the game is played...that's when and where they materialize, everything else is hype talk

Take Guilmet and Fedroff...both don't have much stuff/tools, but Guilmet still producing "as if" he was a 5 star spec, Fedroff otoh still has no power or speed to show and that's why I never was high on him DESPITE great production...that said, I think there's a spot on a MLB 25 for him as a 4th OF hitting 7-9 every now and then

Suppose it is debatable. Phelps actually homered more often last year at AAA than Kipnis and really didnt' strike out that much more (never struck out 100 times in a season whereas Kipnis did). Phelps had a better OPS in AAA last year than Kipnis too (at the same age).

Again, hope you're right on Guilmet though his K-rate has dropped as he's progressed up the ladder and his walk rate has gone up (and consequently so has has his K/BB ratio). Definitely has pitched well but looks far from a 5 star spec IMO (though only seen him pitch a couple times so probably not the best judge out there). Don't want to sound like I hate Guilmet (I don't), just can't get all that excited about relievers in AA. Not really pitching any better than a guy like Josh Judy did down there a few years ago.

As far as Fedroff and a 4th OFer...there's a few guys in AAA I think could handle that role just fine at the ML level...

[Tondo]

Funny you mention Judy, since he and Hagadone were my most overrated specs the past 2 years or so...Judy never came even close to Guilmet's WHIP, ERA and walk rate....he had the Ks going for him (like Hagadone)....but if the rest isn't there: red flag alert

Phelps' OPS was marginally better than Kip's and he had 2 more HRs in 30 more ABs (career numbers to boot as he never had 10 before) and didn't have the speed to keep up...he also, and that was my point as I don't look just at annual production, never was as consistent as Kipnis the years before

4th OF...yeah lots of them in AAA and AA in this system...I'm probably 1 of the last Zeke Cabrera believers around...he had 2 bad months to start off the season but has been last year's version since, meaning: high OBP and steals....I think he, Fedroff and Rottino would all upgrade on Cunningham offensively...not sure about defense though

Speaking of 4th OFs...Neal 3-4 and a walk in a 6-5 Aeros win, S.Wright roughed up in the 1st but settled down after

[criznit2009]

Hey anyone know what is going on with Chun Chen???? Hasn't played a game since July 8th....

[Pork Chop Pough]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/mi ... 13716.html

Tough Break For Chen

Akron's Chun Chen (Indians) did not make it to Reading for the all-star game because he jammed his thumb in a game against Bowie on July 8, according to Aeros teammate (and lone minor league knuckleballer) Steve Wright. Chen, who who ranks fourth in the league with a .321 average, has spent most of his time at first base this season after ranking second in the EL in passed balls last season with 18 in 82 games.

[criznit2009]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/news/2012/2613716.html

Tough Break For Chen

Akron's Chun Chen (Indians) did not make it to Reading for the all-star game because he jammed his thumb in a game against Bowie on July 8, according to Aeros teammate (and lone minor league knuckleballer) Steve Wright. Chen, who who ranks fourth in the league with a .321 average, has spent most of his time at first base this season after ranking second in the EL in passed balls last season with 18 in 82 games.

Thanks Pork Chop.

[criznit2009]

And he's back! Chun Chen played todays game at 1B his 1st in almost a month. went 0-3 with 2k's and 1BB.

[artgold]

Neal shouldn't be at Akron, deserved to be promoted to Columbus a month ago.

I know the Indians aren't really considering him as a potential contributor, but what would it hurt to give him time in AAA?

It isn't like he is blocked by super prospects at Columbus.

[nubballguy]

Aaron Cunningham. Aaron needs the ABs. Need to get him right for his triumphal return to the bigs. Really?

[dazindiansfanuk]

Danny Salazar seemingly getting the start for the Aeros tonight on 3 days rest.

Good to see a guy on the 40-man make actually make it to AA.... and good reward for a good season so far for Danny - even though he's really been restricted in his IP.

[Rocky55]

Trey Haley's having himself a nice year. Had a really nice stretch in Carolina & so far, so good in Akron. After knocking the rust off in AZ he's been money. A decent/good reliever isn't what you hope for out of a 2nd round pick but it's better than nothing.

[Rocky55]

The Aeros behind Danny Salazar beat Gerrit Cole, 4-1.

Jordan Henry went 2-3 with a walk and a SB...He owns Cole's ass.

[homerawayfromhome]

Actually Rocky55 a decent reliever is the floor from what you would want / expect from a 2nd rd pk which is better than the alternative of nothing at all. I saw where someone compared Haley to Daniel Bard that could be the case, Haley IF he can stay healthy could be a very solid 7/ 8 inning guy or may even have enough to be stretched out again as a starter...he of course would have to prove himself healthy for a cpl yrs but the Tribe can't simply 'protect' everyone of these guys. A some point they have to hit on a few guys like Haley who have had injury concerns but also tremendous potential.

[Rocky55]

Shawn Armstrong continued his domination last night, striking out the side in 1-IP. In 16 games in Akron he's now 1-0, 3-SV, 0.93 ERA, 19.1-IP, 12 hits, 2(!) runs, 12 walks, 22 K's. Pitched on 3 levels this year totaling 66-IP, 48 hits, 37 walks, 78 K's. Death on RH batters (.125 BA-YTD).

If he finishes the year strong he might make Joe Smith expenbable.

[homerawayfromhome]

I think we may see Tyler Sturdevant before Armstrong but I completely agree Joe Smith will be expendable at least next yr at A-S break. Although I think it's a real possibility he is sent off this winter for prospect or two.
CC Lee will likely be back sometime next yr and hopefully making noise.

[muddie]

Congratulations to the Aeros on winning the Eastern League championship. There is help on the way.