Just another day...

...that was how Cole Hamels described his latest outing as he destroyed AAA Norfolk in his first start at baseball's highest minor league level this year. Hamels, who has a history of freakish injuries including hurting his shoulder in a bar fight, managed to strike out 14 in 7.0 innings pitched last night.

Ok, so I really don't know how Cole Hamels described this outing. I just made that up because I was bored. But, in reality, it was just another day for Hamels. All night long his fastball hovered in the 86-91 range, which is just a tick above average for a lefty. Granted, he has what is probably considered the best changeup in the minors, but one wonders if his control suffers even slightly if he will find himself being another one of the talented group of AAAA pitchers never to make a dent in the majors.

Johan Santana - welcome back. Now do it against someone other than baseball's biggest laughingstock.

Rich Hill - wow! It's about time the Cubs call him up, isn't it? I mean, everyone's hurt on the big club anyway. 33K's in 24 IP, with a 0.80 WHIP.

Jered Weaver looking solid, but those 4 HR's allowed in 23 innings have to be a concern...he is looking more and more like his brother by the day...that's not bad, but it's nothing special either...

Is Jonathon Van Every the next Adam Dunn? In 62 AB's, he's posting a 1.021 Slugging percentage at AA Akron, with ELEVEN extra base hits and TWENTY THREE strikeouts. He has only walked eight times. He's also 26 in AA. Dunn is 26 in the majors. Probably not.

Stat line of the day:
Josh Beckett - 3.2 IP, 6 H, 8 ER, 5 BB, 3 HR...and he managed to throw 100 pitches...good decision Terry...

Second Stat Line of the day:
Ben Broussard - 4 for 5, 2 runs scored, 2 HR, 8 RBI...thank you Josh Beckett.

Al Pujols was 0 for 3 yesterday...cut him...

Who is Michael O'Connor and why have I never heard of him? (SP, Nationals)

Apparently when your wife isn't the talk of the town or talking about sleeping with your teammates, Kris Benson can be an effective pitcher...did you see her latest magazine cover - FHM I think...wow...how could you NOT be an Oriole player and be constantly attempting to parade seductresses around Kris every chance you get?

Stupid millionaires...

...play baseball. Latest example, I'm reading the headline:

Devil Rays Prospect Throws Bat at Umpire

Now, I read the headline and think to myself "What the hell has Elijah Dukes done now?" But, I click on the story to read it and I quickly find out that Dukes is turning into a saint while his AAA teammate and #1 PROSPECT IN THE MINORS Delmon Young has gone off the deep end in arguing balls and strikes and done the unthinkable.

I have not yet heard of any repercussions, but I am certain they will be coming. And they should, for this was the bonehead of bonehead moves...

At the beginning of the year, Young was mumbling about how he was disgruntled with the Rays organization for not moving him up to majors yet as he felt he was ready. Well, I think that it's quite obvious that while his bat may be ready, emotionally he has a long way to go. In light of this most recent outburst, Young better be prepared to toil down in AAA a long time this season.

Idiot...be a man and take a swipe at him, don't just throw a bat...

In other news, Jon Rauch completed the ever popular 1.0 IP, 4K inning yesterday. Gotta love that.

My Howie Kendrick watch stands at 4 AB, 0 hits, 0 errors...this seems more exciting than having a Barry Bonds watch.

Justin Morneau is terrible...but I don't know if he needs to shoulder the blame or if Twins coaching needs to shoulder the blame...could SOMEONE teach these guys how to lay off a ball in the dirt? It hasn't happened in years, I guess I don't know why I would start the dream now...

John Lackey...I just don't buy it...there is a blow up coming soon...

Here's a headline you don't expect to see: "Brewers sweep Braves." This just in - Ben Sheets, Good. When Healthy.

What is with these extended consecutive games with homeruns streaks? Morgan Ensberg, now Kevin Mench? What do you think? The dead ball era coming back anytime soon? Geesh...

One month (almost)into the season, Mariano Rivera has as many saves (2) as Shawn Camp.

Of Note...

Let the Howie Kendrick error watch begin today as he was recalled yesterday when Macier Izturis was placed on the DL...knowing Mike Sciossa and his history for rookies, if Kendrick does not maintain a .320 BA with impeccable defense, he will find himself back in the minors in two shakes of a lamb's tail...and yes, I did just say that.

Brandon Phillips has pulled one of the more amazing feats I have seen through the month of April - he has a lower On Base Percentage as of April 25th (.347) than batting average (.354). This is impressive, to say the least...

Best trade in Twins history? Looking like Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser (0.75 ERA, 23 K's in 24.0 IP in AAA this season) for A.J. Pierzynski...of course, the irony is A.J. helped the White Sox win it all last year, but this haul beats the hell out of Chuck Knoblauch for Eric Milton, Brian Buchanan and Cristian Guzman...

How about those Millers? Adam and Greg are looking stunningly good after elbow and Tommy John surgery the last year...can they stay healthy now, though?

Luke Hochevar - what an idiot. Just dump Scott Boras, ask the Dodgers for the same offer sheet, sign, and get back into real baseball instead of this independent crap. Players like him, J.D. Drew, Matt Harrington and Travis Lee taint baseball as much as players who took steroids before they were illegal. I drafted him in a fantasy league this year and yet I wouldn't be the least bit sad if he fell flat on his ass.

Phillip Hughes - a ridiculous 24:1 K to walk ratio to start the season - almost as ridiculous as Radhames Liz's 33 K's to 5 walks in ONLY 15 INNINGS...How had I not heard of this kid?

Will Lastings Milledge be better than Delmon Young? He is this April. He's actually better than just about any offensive player in the minors this April.

Got your mock baseball first year player drafts ready yet? Amazingly, the draft is only 42 days away...