The fact that the tandem rotation is being dropped by the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League two weeks earlier than last season apparently has nothing to do with the club’s recent struggles. According to a team official,
“The Cardinals have traditionally done away with the piggyback system around mid-season, and I think the personnel on this pitching staff lent itself to doing so a bit earlier this year.”
He is correct in timing in that in 2008, the move away from the piggyback starting system in its third season of usage occurred at the break in mid-June. Palm Beach also recently ended their use of the tandem arrangement approximately three weeks sooner than in 2008.
The five Quad Cities starters going forward are Gary Daley, Brett Zawacki (pictured), Kevin Thomas, Hector Cardenas and Arquimedes Nieto. Adam Veres and Scott McGregor head to the pen. Andres Rosales had already been assigned there, but was kept in the starting mix due to a roster that has been in considerable flux.
Other starters unavailable include Josh Wilson, who apparently abruptly retired again, suspended Deryk Hooker and injured starters Jared Bradford and Jonny Bravo, both on the seven-day disabled list.
All the rotation turnover has to be a contributor to the River Bandits’ uneven season to date. Despite a 2009 home record that includes six home series victories against just two losses, the club is scuffling along with a 22-24 record overall.
They are currently carrying a season-long five-game losing streak with a 2-8 mark over their last ten games. The Bandits have struggled on the road all season long, with no series wins, four losses and two splits away from Modern Woodmen Park in 2009.
Some of the Quad Cities hitters have been ice cold, including shortstop Niko Vasquez, having gone just nine for his last 76 (.118), and key RBI man Osvaldo Morales. Since driving in 33 runs in his first 33 games, the big first baseman has just one RBI in his last ten contests and is batting 3-for-25 (.120) over his last eight.
Another factor behind the club’s struggles is their porous defense. The River Bandits have committed 19 errors in their last 11 games, leading to 19 unearned runs. They are tied with Clinton for last in the 14-team Midwest League in fielding percentage (.957).
The Bandits are 13th in errors with 73 and also 13th in total double plays turned (30). They are 13-19 this season when committing at least one error in a game, compared to a 9-5 record in their 14 error-free contests. Vasquez alone has ten miscues in his last 20 games.
After three games at Lansing this weekend, Quad Cities will wrap up their ten-game road stretch with a four-game commuter series against the Burlington Bees that runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of next week.
The new-old five-man rotation starts Sunday with Daley taking the hill in Lansing. The other four will cover the Burlington series in this order: Zawacki, Thomas, Cardenas and Nieto. I plan to be there Friday to check out Nieto’s outing.
As always, for current rosters and the most up-to-date transactions at all levels of the Cardinals minor league system, don’t forget to check out the Roster Matrix.
1. Veres had been one of QC better pitchers – surprised to see him not in the 5 man rotation
2. Hooker should be coming off his 50 day suspension soon – would imagine the plan would be EST until a short season team commences play
3. Any idea why Addition has been out at PB?
Daley has been pitching better in relation to his terrible mess of last year. On a day of appreciation for the utterly different struggles of K Greene, it still seems useful to realize that most of us encounter bumps along the road of life. With good effort and help from others, outlooks can brighten and improve. We can each and all lift our games.
Zawacki is being asked to do a lot, to jump from Johnson City where he struggled last summer to the Midwest League. He may have a fine arm and enjoy future success, but it could be a tough job for him right now.
Fornataro had two years of juco ball, but the Cards went easy on him last summer, modest innings at low level teams. Maybe he has been working through some health issues, not to have appeared yet this season.
vj, according to my PB contact, Additon just “tweaked his arm” the last time he pitched. He should be back in about a week and was not placed on the DL.
Brian, can you give me a reasonable explanation as to why Gary Daley is still with our organization? Is he married to Bill DeWitt’s niece; Luhnow’s daughter or Mo’s cousin? I’ve heard the ‘he has great stuff’ argument, but it seems to me he’s harder to catch than a knuckleballer.
His 4 year career era of 6.59 tells me, (not to mention his 2008 season, which had to be one of the worst in minor league history) he just can’t get it done. He averages 10 hits a game plus 7 walks and lord knows how many hit batters.
I wonder how all the other pitchers feel knowing this guy gets special privileges. I bet there’s a lot of professional jealousy going on in Quad Cities.
Tell me the truth Brian, are you calling in special favors from the Card organization because Gary Daley is related to your wife?
By the way, why is a Hit Batter not also considered a wild pitch. Seems to me to be the exact definition of one.
Axcion, I don’t know. My guess is that because the organization spent a third of a million dollars on the player, they want to try to recoup their investment.
Perhaps some official scorers out there can pitch in, but here is my understanding. By definition, a wild pitch requires one or more runners to have advanced on the bases, but the batter remains at the plate unless it is strike three or ball four. Different conditions than HBP.
Because of that, many more pitches might be considered “wild” when seeing them are not scored that way because the bases were empty at the time and it wasn’t strike three or ball four.
We have all probably seen batters who make a living leaning out over the plate, sometimes even trying to get hit. I have seen countless players hit over the years on good, inside offerings, pitches that were probably not going to evade the catcher and be wild.
Daley’s situation probably does not warrant a change of baseball rules.
Since we are asking info on minor league players, what´s up with McCormack? He pitched one steller inning in Spring Training and then disappeared to the DL again. Did he reinjure his shoulder in that one inning ? Did he tweak something else? Is there any timetable for a return?
Don’t hold your breath waiting for McCormick. The problems have always been shoulder-related. I understand he is on a throwing program but his return is “not imminent”. In other words, about the same status as most of the last five years.
Daley and McCormick have similarities. Both had arm strength. Both played 3 years of college. Both are rep’d by the Super Agent. And other teams did not pounce on them in the draft, even though Boras was not looking for a super bonus.
Why? McCormick missed some starts at Baylor U in 2004 because of a sore sholder; and he was never loved by scouts in terms of composure. Rare velocity on a radar gun, but….. Daley got knocked around his junior year of college. He has arm strength, why the Cards have been patient, despite his struggles. Maybe he could advance as a reliever. Maiques and Daley had some early success in pro ball, then control suddenly became very hard for them. Its got to be frustrating to them and the Cards.
Brian,
Daley has got a lot of bashing, and earlier in the season one would call it well deserved.
Axcion chosing to start problems in a clubhouse that has the upmost respect for the kid is way out of line. The other pitchers and catchers love Daley and many boast of his talent.
Daley, knock on wood, hasn’t a hit batter this year, yes his ball is hard to catch which anybody who knows anything will tell you that this is a good thing because of the great movement on it..
I’ll take Daley as a long shot, he seems to be defying the odds taking the mudslinging that he deserved and is still out there getting better every outting. Coaches are loving him, organiztion is loving him, and despite what Axicion thinks the boys in the clubhouse talk and say that he’ll be the 1st one to make it to the majors.
Ben Chiswick, voice of the Bandits, is even cheering for Daley now. Unfortunately the last few outtings for Daley according to Ben were compiled with very poor defense. But crap happens., to fielders and pitchers.
Quad Cities is moving around some infielders and they are learning new positions. That leaves then a little more vulneralbe in the learning process.
The coaching staff, whom I’m told has no personal conections with him or his girlfriends, is elated with him. and his his last 4 outtings which produced 13 k’s 5bb in 13 innings. The velocity of his 94+ fastball is picking up speed. Yes earlier on some balls were hit hard thats what happens when pitchers are working hard to stay in the zone especially when they throw gas.after having problem with it..
Brian I would think that you would be applauding his progress, instead of being down on him.
As Jumbp Shimp said, with good effort and enouragement, futures can brighten.
Optimizm is much more productive then always looking for the negative. In any walk of life.
Brian one correction to my comment, it was 13 k’s in 9 innings and I do not know how to edit. OOPs. Sorry!
Thanks Brian, good point on the hit batters. I’m sure you remember Ron Hunt (hit 52 times in one season), who crowded the plate even more than Rickey Henderson.
Hey have you heard any more on Jose Martinez? I’ve been a fan of his since he joined the organization. His ability to hit with runners in scoring position reminds me a lot of Renteria in his prime. With all he’s been through this past year with the murder of his family members, I’m cheering for him even more to make it all the way back and excel at the same time. I’m sure the parent club is trying to keep him low key so he can focus on baseball (and rightfully so), but if you get a chance to interview him, please let him know that the Cardinal Nation is behind him 100%.
Axcion, Martinez has been in camp but after he got past a foot problem he then hurt his shoulder. Still in rehab last I heard. A tough year all around.
Owl, welcome to the site. Please post often. Having said that, you may have confused my post with Axcion’s. I posted nothing that should be construed as being down on Daley.
Brian, Glad to finally have time to do a little more than read. I guess it takes a Axcion type personality to bring me to post.
Following baseball for to many years to count, a wise old bird told me,”Good things come to those who wait”,” Rome wasn’t built in a day,”BLa Bla BLa, and if you truely have electrifing stuff I’m sure it takes a little time to first appreciate it, and then to learn what can really be done with it if it is as good as people say.
So many come and go in this game we love. For many reasons none of us will ever undrstand. But understanding just how hard it is to stay the course even when there is heavy weather or huge obstacle to over come is a admiral quality in any human being whether they succeed or not.
[...] Walton reports that the tandem pitching rotation in Quad Cities is being done away with early. It’s really hard to be interested in the River Bandits this year but I’m definitely [...]
Aren’t owls suppose to be wise? Sorry, just kidding. That’s my personality type coming through again. For someone who doesn’t want to judge Daley on his lack of quality performance in 3+ years, you sure are quick to judge me based on one post. But I can tell you have those superhuman ESP traits, which give you a vast advantage over me.
I am quite fluid in human dynamics and the reality is that people will get upset when they feel someone is getting preferencial treatment over them when they have performed better. It’s human nature. I’m not sure what it’s like in your world sunshine and I appreciate the fact you feel the need to defend Daley. That’s your right….freedom of speech and all that.
Quite frankly I didn’t realize Mr. Daley was taking all this abuse from whomever, I don’t live around there to see it. You obviously do and as such have a very narrow minded bias towards the whole subject.
Just how I’m starting trouble in the locker room is beyond me. Even though Brian’s work is well respected and certainly well read, I doubt if my comments were posted in the dressing room. And let’s face it, even if you asked one of the other pitchers bumped from a rotation spot what they really though, they wouldn’t tell you the truth. They would give you the company line, as they would in front of the microphone, but away from the field the truth comes out. Brian does not want to get involved with this petty disagreement, but he knows exactly what I’m talking about. These boys are all competitors who have busted their buns to get where they are and they’re not about to throw it away by rocking the boat.
I wonder if you’ve really have actually talked to all the players and coaches to know exactly what they think on the subject. No, I didn’t think so. So perhaps you shouldn’t be speaking for them and pretending you know what they think. For that matter I guess I shouldn’t be assuming it either. So if it makes you feel better, I recant the inference that there is professional jealousy in the clubhouse.
However, I asked a very legitimate question of Brian based on my observations of Daley’s pathetic (my opinion) performance in the his minor league career. The last two especially have seen his numbers rival the worst of any professional minor leaguer in baseball history. I wonder how guys like Matt Spade, Armando Carrasco, Miguel Flores, Wayne Daman, Jameson Maj, Donnie Smith, Zach Pitts and Josh Hester can have terrific seasons with era’s in the 3.00+ and be released in spring training without a chance to fail in the next season. They would all, to a man, wish the Cardinal organization had put as much time into their careers as what’s been granted to the goldboy. Ask them if they feel Daley is getting special privileges. They’ll give you an honest answer and it will not have expletives deleted. Oops, I’m assuming again. Seriously call them.
I’ve managed two offices for over 18 years and I’m well versed in human jeolousy and the ability to turn that pettiness into backstabbing and complaining. As I said, it’s just human nature here in the real world. Just so you’re up to date on my personality type, let me tell you directly; I’m a realist.
That heartless personality you think I have, please read my post on Jose Martinez.
Brian let me apologize to you for bringing any conflict to your website.
Its the nature of the minor leagues that a lot of players do not get a lot of playing time. There are more players than roster slots for all of them. This why there was not room for Maj, Pitts, Hester, and many others.
Its reasonable to wonder why Daley is at Quad Cities, when his former team-mate Ottavino is up at AAA. People are different and Daley suffered a loss of control problem, like Ankiel did once. While Rick gave up pitching, the Cards were patient, as they have been with Daley, who is blessed with an uncommonly good arm. Daley has improved this year, which is good, yet he still has far to go.
The Cards are running a business. Its expensive to scout and then to operate more teams than any other franchise. They actually do not want to waste minor league roster slots. The Cards would not keep Daley, if it was just because he were related to somebody. In recent years, they have released players with names like van Slyke, Gibson, Schoendist.
I think Jumbo summed it up very nicely, and maybe I should reserve my opinion of your personality type for a later date, or leave it as none of my business, and apologize.
I’m sorry ! But seriously I don’t think you want to call me sweetheart.
Im suprised that no one commented on the tandem system which has received a lot of negative reaction.
I really like it for the lower minors. It gives a couple of months for pitchers to find their role without being shunted to the pen from the start. That gives them the time and opportunity to have the all-important bullpen sessions to work on that critical third pitch. Relief pitchers have a hard time getting bullpen sessions in because they are pitching more often and have to be ready to pitch almost every day. The teams start with 10, drop to 8 and finally 5 as pitchers eliminate themselves as potential starters.
If you have been reading the Quad Cities reports you know that the players who are interviewed consistently say that Daley is the most likely Bandit to reach the majors. He is a guy who could be out of the game in a year if he can’t progress or could be getting a mid-season promotion to AAA sometime next season. I don’t think any of you would want the Cardinals to release the player with the highest upside. With his stuff an improvement in command could elevate him to elite prospect status overnight.
McGregeor started and Neito relieved last night. Looked almost like a piggy back.
Sooner, I also think the tandem rotation has been a good idea. A lot of traditionalists seem threatened by change. This is one very small example. My take is that (unless the race is fixed and the outcome is known in advance) the best way to have the winner is to bet on as many of the thoroughbreds running as possible. Nobody is good enough to know at those levels which ones will eventually make it and which will not.
Uh, CC, I think you read the article too quickly. I said the standard five-man rotation starts Sunday, today.
Hi jumbo! The comments of who Daley is related to, including Brian were made totally in jest. As for the others, my point is fairness. Yes, I know ‘no one said life is fair’ and yes I know we can’t keep everyone. The point is these guys performed very well and were cut while Daley has a teflon coating of high draft pick and large signing bonus that have generated far greater patience and privileges than more deserving players whose dreams have been dashed. Any player drafted just wants an equal opportunity to succeed and I think you’ll agree with that. Realistically, I’m sure they all know the higher drafts will get preferencial treatment because of that draft status, but not to the point of a Daley. If Daley has such great upside, why did we let Nick Webber go? He’s very similar to Daley, but they rushed him through the system ahead of his success and development. Perhaps if we’d given him the same patience and personal training he’d still have a career too. So, to me, I’m sorry but I just think we’re wasting our resources on this guy. Just MY opinion.
Owl, can’t imagine why I’d want to call you sweatheart. Unless of course, you’re really Jessica Simpson.
Webber was a college closer who the Cards tried to convert to starting pitcher, but he could not sustain velocity into a game. Converted back to reliever, he still did not show a lot. The Cards input 50 new guys each year and to make room, 45 others have to give up on their hopes. Daley can sustain velocity for 100 pitches, so has much more arm strength than Webber. This is why the Cards are using him as a starting pitcher.
As to playing time, its not allocated evenly. It is focused on guys with the most potential. Even if some enjoy statistical success at rookie or A ball, we may just thank them for their service and send them on to their next occupation, because we have more players than roster slots. If Daley does not continue to improve in the years ahead, room will have to be made for someone else. Every player is on borrowed time.
Brian,
Score one for the new rotation. Not that the odds were not in the Bandits favor to win.
They say that Daley’s fast ball topped out at 97 a few times yesterday with super movement, and for the most part was in the 94 range. Can you verify?
Cutler had one heck of a day at the plate, infield showed flares of greatness , but the outfield could use a little work. But then again can’t we all at times.