This ‘N That
 Mark Trumbo may be emerging from a season-long funk. He’s batting .385 in his last thirteen games. |
I went over to Space Coast Stadium last night to watch the Brevard County Manatees host the Dunedin Blue Jays. The Manatees won the Florida State League’s North Division first half title with a 40-24 record, but got blown out last night 12-1.
I couldn’t help but think of Orem Owlz manager Tom Kotchman after a play in the top of the first. Dunedin leadoff batter Sean Shoffit tripled. The next batter, Raul Barron, grounded to third. No way Shoffit should have scored, but Manatees third baseman Zelous Wheeler fielded the ball and threw to first without first checking Shoffit. This is the time of year that Kotch is teaching his new recruits in Orem the proper way to play pro ball, and a mental mistake like that would have Kotch coming out of his cleats.
Brevard is a much more modest operation than their Angels counterpart in Rancho Cucamonga. I walked up with my ticket to the gate, and handed it to the ticket taker. I’d called last week to establish diplomatic relations with the GM, and said I’d find him when I got to the game. So I asked the young man, “Where can I find Kyle?”
“I’m Kyle,” he replied
“GM Kyle?”
“Yep.”
Meanwhile, in the Angels world …
Trevor Reckling was named today to the U.S. roster for the Futures Game July 12 in St. Louis, but as I wrote on June 19 he’s been suffering lately from wildness. In his last four starts, he’s walked 21 batters in 23 1/3 innings (19 strikeouts). Hopefully it’s just a mechanical issue, but it bears watching.
In my June 22 article looking at the 2008 FutureAngels.com Top 10 Prospects, I mentioned signs of Mark Trumbo coming out of his slump. That trend has continued. In his last 13 games, he’s 20 for 52 with seven doubles and a triple. His AVG/OBP/SLG are .385/.396/.558. Keep going, Mark.
FutureAngels.com 