Calzones Updates 6-20-2010

We are incredibly surprised to be just 2 games under .500 at this point in the season. While we knew we had upgraded the offense in the offseason, we had major concerns about the pitching coming into the season. But we have had a few starters surprise us and give us a lot more than we expected.

Let's start with César Rodríguez, a 32 year rule V acquisition. We brought in Rodriguez as a rule V pick in the hopes of just having a decent arm that could throw some innings in the middle of the rotation. But Rodriguez has far exceeded expectations. He has won each of his last 6 starts, and is now 8-1 on the season, 3.32. He is SECOND in the IL in wins. Rodriguez has pitched at least 7 innings in 9 of his 14 starts, has allowed more than 3 earned runs just twice in 14 starts this season, and has two complete games. We expect he'll level off at some point, but we're enjoying the ride Rodriguez is giving us.

Another rule V selection, 24 year old southpaw Arthur Graham, is on the disabled list with a little elbow tenderness but should be back in about a week. Graham has posted a fine 6-2 4.22 mark in his 11 starts, and combined with Rodriguez we couldn't be happier with how these two rule V acquisitions have panned out.

On the other end of the spectrum, Augusto Torres, claimed off waivers from London in the spring, has fallen on hard times. After getting off to a 6-2 start, he has lost 6 straight decisions over 7 starts and is now 6-8. We expect Torres to get it turned around, and we still think he can be a back end of the rotation starter for us for years to come.

We reacquired southpaw Tetsu Takuda from Tempe in a minor deal two weeks ago, and Takuda has given us quality starts in each of his first two starts. His last start with Tempe was very good as well, so we think he is starting to turn his season around.

Rookie Cris Reyes has really struggled with his control the last two starts and we need to see a little better out of him in the near future. With Graham due back next week and the recent acquisition of Takuda, Reyes could be slated for a return to AAA in the very near future.

We continue to scrape together a bullpen on whatever we can find on the scrap heap. Recent waiver wire acquisition Kent Murphy has pitched well since his arrival, and we recently claimed Laredo Ranchettes native Tom Cunningham off waivers from Reno. Veterans Steve Wallace and Pancho Lopez have been banished to Joplin for now, while Yasunobu Hara has been placed on waivers and will be sent to AAA if he manages to clear.

Injuries have depleted the middle infield, Jack Cobb has been lost for at least 5 weeks and utility infielder Jiro Heida has been lost for the season. First basemen Martin Higgins has been called up, and he'll play 1st base against right handers with Tom Kirkland moving over to second base. We're hoping the move back to second base will energize Kirkland's stagnant bat. Laredo native Ángel Ramírez will DH against lefthanders with Pexego being asked to wear a glove *cringe* on those days. Silas Boone has been called up to work as the utility infielder, but with any type of decent showing he could take over at shortstop eventually for the struggling José Morán.

The recent move dropping Barry Murdock from leadoff to cleanup has worked wonderfully so far. Murdock is batting .302 with a .375 obp in June. Putting Murdock in between Miyata and Pexego seems to be getting Murdock better pitches to hit, and we still think there are big things in store for this kid down the line. The move has also worked well for Octávio Pexego; he has been on absolute fire the last week or so.

Brock Brett had his first rbi in two weeks when he hit a solo home run on June 15th against Florida. Brett has struggled at the plate, but he's still young and we expect big things from this young man in the future. For now we're cutting back on his playing time and letting Alfredo Gutiérrez get a few more starts.

We'll be back shortly with some minor league updates.