Minor League Call-Ups Mostly a Disappointing Sort
By Scott Allen
There have been moments of brilliance this season for AAA and AA call-ups . However, for the most part, they have been a disappointment so far, which is the reason the Arizona Diamondbacks will not win the NL West in 2011. Here is a look at just some of what has and and mostly hasn’t worked.
I’ll start with who hasn’t worked out:
Sean Burroughs – He is a great rags to riches story. Eating out of a trash can a year ago, he was rediscovered by Dbacks GM Kevin Towers. He played really well in Reno and got the mid-season call-up. Since his call-up however, he is 7-29 in pinch hitting situations, hitting .218 overall with just 4 RBI.
Cody Ransom – Hitting .091 with just one hit since his promotion. Only 11 at-bats so far, but I can see where this movie plot is headed.
Ryan Cook – You can’t really blame the guy for sporting a 36.00 ERA. Thanks to manager Kirk Gibson bringing him in a tied game in extra innings in his major-league debut, he was a ball of nerves. That was unfair for him to do that to the kid. be that as it may, Cook gave up four runs in 1 inning of work. Three of those runs scored in his first outing when he failed to record an out.
Colin Cowgill – He’s another the jury can still be out on, but right now it isn’t looking good. He is 0-8 since his call-up. Not a promising start
Wily Mo Pena – Hit some amazing home runs, including a game-winner against the Cleveland Indians, but ultimately did little else. Now playing on a minor-league contract for the Seattle Mariners.
Brandon Allen – Sure, he too has 3 homers, but overall hitting just .154. Just 4-26 overall. Third time is not a charm.
Yhency Brazoban – Clearly not the pitcher he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Zach Kroenke – Yeah, who? Remember, guy that went 0-1 with an ERA of 9.00?
Barry Enright – Ok, yes I know he started the season with the Dbacks, but he went down in late April, came back and got blown out in 3 innings of work and was sent right back to Reno. Clearly there is a trend of mis-evaluation
Who has worked out:
Alberto Castillo – 1.17 ERA
Micah Owings – 2.36 ERA – but we already knew what he could do
Josh Collmenter – Although he has been up all but the first two weeks of the season, still, a great move and keeps paying dividends.