While moves keep coming down the pipe, the big news has to be the play of nearly every team heating up right along with the weather. Even with the changes to the upper levels of the system, reinforcements are making waves while forcing the hand of the front office. The Cardinal fraternity welcomed another while saying goodbye to one of my personal favorites, beginning what should end as one crazy summer.
Marco Gonzales finds himself on a much different career path than Mitchell Boggs, but the two will forever be linked for their one-inning appearances on Monday. Granted, I realize baseball is a business, and St. Louis made a sound call in helping find Boggs a spot where he can succeed. This one is just different than the Adam Ottavino’s of the world, and the news actually came as a shock when my Dad said the former top set-up man was dealt for an international PTBNL.
For a guy who has been around the Cardinals since 2005, Boggs had a career than many draftees would envy. He was considered a fast mover out of Georgia and made his big league debut in 2008. Gonzales seems destined for the Michael Wacha treatment and should be knocking on the door as soon as next season if a starter is needed. I think it is the players like Mitchell who make me appreciate the game more, because I see myself as a glue guy and Marco now has some unfairly large shoes to fill.
Monday, July 8th
White smoke — Cory Jones, Peoria, 6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 SO (5-1, 1.02 ERA)
Gray smoke — Travis Tartamella, Memphis, 1-4, RBI, 3 SO (13 SO in last six games)
Black smoke — Jonathan Cornelius, Springfield, 6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 HR, BB, HBP, L
Marco smoke — Gonzales, GCL Cards, 1 IP, H, R (unearned), BB, SO
Tuesday, July 9th
White smoke — Kenneth Peoples-Walls, Johnson City, 3-4, R (.385 AVG, .437 OBP)
Gray smoke — Jonathan Cornelius, Springfield, 6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 HR, BB, HBP, L
Black smoke — Juan Perez, GCL Cards, 2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 6 BB, 2 WP, 3 SO, L
Wacha toes the rubber tonight at home as the Redbirds cling to first half division title hopes. They are two behind Iowa and have handed the keys to Tartamella, who gets his chance to call the shots behind the plate. Speaking of catchers on the go, a familiar name has been promoted to Springfield. Casey Rasmus began the season in Peoria and now makes two family members who will wear the SCards uniform.
