More Owings and Borchering

After posting the last post moments ago, I went to Baseball America's website and read the latest Ask BA article.  Both Chris Owings and Bobby Borchering appear in that as well as they discuss the top 100 prospects list (Owings received votes, Borchering did not but is addressed in a later question).

Owings and Borchering Video

Our good friend Nick Piecoro has a blog post updating Chris Owings' latest injury (oblique) and showing some video of both Owings and Bobby Borchering in the cage.  View it here.

And for the Notre Dame fans out there, check out the progress of Aaron Heilman and his battle for a rotation spot at Steve Gilbert's blog.  Heilman is from Logansport and pitched at Notre Dame before being drafted in 2001.

Some Love (Sort of) for Chris Owings

In the latest "Ask BA" column on Baseball America's website, the question is asked about the best offensive shortstop prospects.  In a roundabout way, Baseball America says that Chris Owings is a good offensive player, but won't have a great impact in the majors. 

In fact, here are the exact words:

That leaves Jurickson Profar (Rangers), Hak-Ju Lee (Rays) and Chris Owings (Diamondbacks) as the best bets after Machado to be shortstops with solid bats. That said, I don't foresee Profar, Lee or Owings making a big offensive impact.

If you want to read the whole article (which includes an updated draft order), click here.

My take:  I have a hard time saying that someone who is 19 and was the leading hitter on a single-A team until he got hurt won't have a big offensive impact.  If they are saying will he hit .330 every year with 40 homers, then the answer is probably no.  But you can have a big offensive impact without blasting a ton of home runs.  Like always, we'll just wait and see.  Here's hoping "C-O" proves them wrong.

Local Pitcher Re-Signs with Diamondbacks and More Prospect Rankings

Logansport High and Notre Dame alumnus Aaron Heilman has re-signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  It's only a one year deal, but it allows him the opportunity to compete for a starting job with the parent club. 

In other news, Minor League Baseball is doing a series of the top 10 prospects at each position.

Bobby Borchering appears on the third basemen rankings, while Chris Owings makes the cut for shortstops.  This is different from the Baseball America rankings that I posted yesterday.  If you go to either of the links above though, you can see the full rankings per position (and other positions through a sidebar).

Lunchtime Links

Some stuff for you to read today:

-Nick Piecoro has another Minor League notebook on his blog, this one features Bobby Borchering , Chris Owings, and Wade Miley among others.

-Also from Nick, a look at what could have been Brandon Webb's final time pitching for the Diamondbacks.

-The Arizona Fall League starts tomorrow. I'll try to keep you updated on what the former Silver Hawks are doing.

-Finally, some changes at the top with the Arizona Diamondbacks as Peter Woodfork and Tom Allison have been relieved of their duties. Despite not getting the GM job, Jerry Dipoto has decided to stay with Arizona, which most people say is a huge benefit to the Diamondbacks. Look for Dipoto to have a shot at a GM job in the near future.

More on the Instructs

Nick Piecoro is flat out killing it on his blog lately. You want information on just about every Silver Hawks player that is in the desert right now? His blog is the place to go: http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/Page0

He has thoughts on Keon Broxton, David Nick, Chris Owings, Bobby Borchering, and Tyler Skaggs from the 2010 club, not to mention former Silver Hawks Jarrod Parker and Brandon Webb.

MWL Top 20 Prospects

Baseball America has released the list of top 20 prospects in the Midwest League. It's not a surprise that Mike Trout of Cedar Rapids headlines the list.

Who else made it? Check it out here.

Not surprisingly, there are three Silver Hawks on the list. Somewhat surprisingly, Bobby Borchering isn't one of them.

Matt Davidson checks in at #9
Tyler Skaggs is #10
Chris Owings is #17

I'd have to think that Borchering was just outside of the top 20.

Baseball America Article on Borchering, Davidson, and Owings

Brian Lester from Baseball America recently talked to Bobby Borchering, Matt Davidson, and Chris Owings along with manager Mark Haley about the trio's first full season in professional baseball. The article can be read by clicking this link, but you need to be a subscriber of Baseball America in order to access it.

Slacking on the Blog

Yes, I know I've been slacking this weekend. Forgive me.

A few things I wanted to mention:

-Great last five games for South Bend, going 4-1. The Silver Hawks are trying for their fourth sweep of the season tonight and their first since May 8-9 when they took three from Dayton (doubleheader on the 8th).

-It appears as if Chris Owings and Mike Belfiore are close to getting healthy. I don't know a timetable for their return, but I do know that when they are back, somebody else has to be moved since the roster is at the maximum of 25.

-Game time tonight is at 7:05 PM Eastern Time, and then a commute back to South Bend. Tomorrow is an off day, which is much needed and well deserved for the players. The team continues the road trip Wednesday at Kane County.

July 9th Roster Move

RHP Kevin Munson added to the team after being drafted in the fourth round this June.

SS Chris Owings placed on the DL with plantar fasciitis retroactive to Tuesday, July 6th.

Full story on www.silverhawks.com.

This gets the Silver Hawks back up to 13 pitchers, and the only thing surprising about Owings on the DL is that it's taken this long for him to get there, after having not played the entire second half.

From the Notes - July 5th

• The Silver Hawks are now just 1-14 against the Loons in 2010 and 3-28 against them in the last two seasons.

• The South Bend bullpen has allowed just one earned run in 14.2 innings over the last four games.

• First baseman Ramon Castillo has hits in each of his first 11 games for South Bend, tying Matt Davidson for the longest hitting streak this season.

• Chris Owings has not yet played in the second half due to plantar fasciitis.

• Keon Broxton recorded his 10th triple yesterday, tying for the league lead and he is now just two shy of the franchise record.

• Pitchers Andrew Wolcott and Brad Wilson have been added to the roster over the last two days.

Two Players Land on DL

The injuries are mounting.

In addition to Chris Owings continuing to battle plantar fasciitis (not on the DL), pitchers Mike Belfiore and Scottie Allen were placed on the DL with their own injuries.

No immediate replacements were named.

Full story can be found at www.silverhawks.com.

From the Notes - June 30th

• The Silver Hawks are two games over .500 in a half for the first time in 2010.

• West Michigan has been shut out in three games and has scored just two runs in five games this half.

• The Silver Hawks have won three straight one-run games and improved to 13-12 in games decided by a single tally.

• South Bend goes for the sweep tonight. They have not swept a series since taking three from Dayton May 8th (DH) and 9th.

• First baseman Ramon Castillo has one hit in each of his first six games for South Bend.

• Randy Rodriguez is making a spot start today, replacing Mike Belfiore who is being skipped with general soreness.

• Chris Owings missed his fourth straight game Tuesday with plantar fasciitis. He is not in tonight's starting lineup.

From The Notes - June 27th

• The Silver Hawks struck out 17 times yesterday – a new season high – but still won the game.

• South Bend hit two home runs in a game for the seventh time this season.

• South Bend is just 3 and 27 against the Loons over the last two seasons (2-14 last year, 1-13 this season).

• First baseman Ramon Castillo has one hit in each of his first four games for South Bend.

• Matt Davidson ranks T-4th with 10 homers, T-2nd with 46 RBIs, and T-2nd with 32 extra base hits.

• Keon Broxton struck out five times yesterday, the second time this season he had 5 K’s in a game against the Loons.

• Chris Owings missed his second straight game yesterday with a sore foot.

Tonight's Lineup - June 26th

Keon Broxton - CF
David Nick - 2B
Bobby Borchering - 3B
Matt Davidson - DH
Alberto Diaz - RF
Ramon Castillo - 1B
Matt Helm - LF
Errol Hollinger - C
Victor Estevez - SS

Brad Gemberling - SP

The pregame interview tonight will be with shortstop Chris Owings about his all-star game experience.

Pregame show begins at 6:45 PM tonight. First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

All-Star Game Recap

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera with me to Fort Wayne, so I don't have any pictures of my own to share with you all. Instead, I will provide links to some other photos taken from the game and share my thoughts on the experience in general.

I did take one picture with my phone. This was the view from our seats just to the third base side of home plate. The picture is of Matt Davidson batting in the first inning against West starter Trey McNutt.

Here are some photo galleries online. This one is from the Midwest League and focuses mostly on the Day One festivities, such as the Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge. Davidson hit eight homers in the first round before being eliminated in the second round of the Derby. Chris Owings participated in the Infield Throwing competition and Tyson Van Winkle finished in a three-way tie for first in the Catcher's Throwing competition.

This gallery is from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and has action shots from the game, including one of Chris, while the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel has more game shots and photos from the pre-game festivities. Finally, here are the photos that Owen took of Parkview Field last season.

Obviously the game was the main highlight, but the between-inning entertainment was also very fun. There was a dancing bat boy, Myron Noodleman, and the Zooperstars (my personal favorite). Each act brought many laughs throughout the crowd and Chris Owings even busted a move on the field.

All in all, the All-Star game was a great experience. Sorry again for the lack of original photos, but I hope these links are enough to help you get a picture of what it was like.

All Star Game Results

I know I haven't posted much over the last few days, but just like everyone else, I sometimes need a break. I also have two nieces and a nephew that I'm seeing for the first time in months, and they get a lot more of my attention than baseball does right now.

As far as the all-star game goes, the East won 6-2.

Unfortunately, no Silver Hawks player had a hit (Chris Owings walked), and surprisingly, neither Charles Brewer nor Eric Smith pitched. I thought both were available and I'm pretty sure the Silver Hawks told the Fort Wayne staff that they could both go an inning, but neither one was called upon.

Casey went to the game and hopefully will have some pictures to post in the next day or two. I might not be back on the blog until Friday from Great Lakes, so I can enjoy the rest of the time with my family.

Changes and Community Service

First, two changes to tell you about:

1) Chris Owings was given a hit in the top of the first inning, instead of what was initially ruled as an error on the third baseman. I speculated on the air that this would be changed, and it was.

2) Cardinals #1 prospect Shelby Miller is not pitching today for Quad Cities. Apparently his arm is tired and he's being skipped. Instead, lefty Dan Calhoun will start.

Now, on to a story in the South Bend Tribune about the Silver Hawks and their efforts with community service. This is a nice piece and lets you know some of what the players do off the field for the South Bend community: http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100608/SPORTS12/100609506/1001/Sports

Four Silver Hawks Named All-Stars

Congratulations to Matt Davidson, Chris Owings, Charles Brewer, and Eric Smith for being named Midwest League All-Stars today.

Certainly well-deserved for all of them, and hopefully they'll get a chance to showcase their skills with a big day on June 22nd in Fort Wayne.

The full story can be found on www.silverhawks.com.

Full rosters for the East and West will be linked when I see them posted somewhere.

From the Notes - May 22nd

TEAM NOTES:

-The Hawks won their first ever game at Classic Park last night. Tuesday’s game @ Bowling Green will be the team’s first there.

-Starting pitchers have a 10-17 record despite just a 2.74 ERA (66 earned runs allowed in 216.2 innings pitched).

-The Hawks improved their extra innings record to 3-3 with the win in 10 innings last night.

-Sunday, May 9th was the last time the Silver Hawks had more than 10 hits in a game (2-9 record in games since).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

-Charles Brewer, tonight’s starter, ranks 3rd in the MWL with a 1.42 ERA.

-Matt Davidson has played in all 42 games for the Silver Hawks this season. He leads the MWL in games played.

-South Bend shortstop Chris Owings ranks T-9th in the league and first on the team with a .310 batting average.