Matt Breen

I've read that Rocker's contract demands were pretty high - thus he was falling. I saw a chat comment on Fangraphs with Kiley McDaniel - and he gave Rocker a 55% of going to school and 45% that he goes pro. Kumar Rocker. Great name.

Final: Biloxi 6, Mobile 3 Brown Delivers Career Night En Route to Shuckers Win Hager Provides First Career Multi-HR Effort By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers RHP Zack Brown delivers a pitch. The Shuckers hurler spun 7.0 scoreless innings, striking out a career high ten batters. (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Everything went nicely on Thursday night for the Shuckers. The batters banged out 14 hits, including two HRs from Jake Hagar. Meanwhile, Zack Brown was brilliant, tossing seven innings of scoreless ball. It all led to a sweet 9-1 victory of Mississippi. Batting Jake Hager: 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI Jake Gatewood: 2-4, 2B Lucas Erceg: 2-5 Blake Allemand: 2-4 Trent Grisham: 3-4 Tyler Heidemann: 2-3, 2B, BB Pitching Zack Brown: 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 10K, Win Jon Olczak: 2.0 IP, 2 hit, 0 ER, 1BB, 2K Notes Brown has only walked 17 batters in 65.1 innings this year. He has struck out 62. Biloxi Game Log A four run 2nd, including five hits and a walk, got the Shuckers off and scoring. Biloxi Bottom of the 2nd Jake Gatewood singles on a ground ball to left fielder Travis Demeritte. Lucas Erceg singles on a line drive to left fielder Travis Demeritte. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Blake Allemand singles on a line drive to center fielder Taylor Murphy. Jake Gatewood scores. Lucas Erceg to 2nd. Trent Grisham singles on a fly ball to left fielder Travis Demeritte. Lucas Erceg to 3rd. Blake Allemand to 2nd. Tyler Heineman doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Taylor Murphy. Lucas Erceg scores. Blake Allemand scores. Trent Grisham to 3rd. Zack Brown strikes out swinging. Bryse Wilson intentionally walks Corey Ray. Troy Stokes Jr. out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Travis Demeritte. Trent Grisham scores. Jake Hager pops out to first baseman Tyler Marlette.

Williams 2017 numbers show pretty significant splits: 4.05 ERA and a .316 BA vs lefties. Against righties it was 2.36 ERA and a .181 BA. However, just like this year, those are pretty small samples. Just 46 innings last year and 20 this year. Due to the injuries, Williams data jumps all the way back to 2014, where he didn't show hardly any platoon splits in 132 innings of work. He's definitely showing some significant splits of late, but I'm not going to get too caught up in this due to the small sample size and his relative inexperience. A few pitches can really skew the numbers when you're talking 30 batters. That said, I'm not going to discount the recent data. It's something to keep an eye on.

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Jonathan Mayo has the Brewers taking Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Cumming, Ga.). https://www.mlb.com/news/mock-draft-jonathan-mayo-predicts-1st-round/c-279050910

A lot - but not all - of the mocks seem to think Larnach will be gone as his stock as risen a bit of late.

Nottingham will have issues due to his injuries. He just hasn't played that much. Dubon won't make it due his injury. He was doing just fine, but 108 quality ABs at Colorado Springs isn't going to be enough to get him on the top 100 list. Not after a major injury. After his brutal start, Gatewood would have to have to really keep up his hot play to get consideration. I just don't see him there at this time. Peralta, Burnes and Ray are probably all borderline guys as well, but I think each would probably make it. Ortiz is another former Top 100 guy who could slip in if he stay healthy and pitches well, but at this time, he doesn't quite make the cut. Maybe down the road. Another guy who will draw some interest is Zach Brown. However, even if he keeps up his stellar play, he probably won't get everyone's attention quite yet. Most people have seen him as a bullpen arm - but that may change if he keeps producing. Maybe in the offseason. Brett Phillips has been pretty 'meh' this year - so unless he really steps up his game, he won't make it. In all honesty, so much can happen over the next 4-6 weeks, it makes this kind of a futile exercise. But it's fun to think about it.

Final: Biloxi 6, Mississippi 3 Big Blasts Launch Shuckers Past M-Braves Erceg, Gatewood, Ray All Clear the Fence for Biloxi By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score Biloxi got back on track in a 6-3 victory over Mississippi thanks to the bats of Corey Ray (three hits, HR), Lucas Erceg (two hits, HR) and Jake Gatewood (two hits, HR). On the mound, Cody Ponce gave up three runs in six innings of work, while Louis Ortiz tossed shutout ball over the final three innings. Batting Corey Ray: 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB Jake Gatewood: 2-4, HR, BB Lucas Erceg: 2-4, HR Tyler Heineman: 2-4 Pitching Cody Ponce: 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER, 2BB, 5K, Win Luis Ortiz: 3.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 4K, Save Notes Gatewood's 10th HR is tied for the Southern League lead. Ray is tied for fifth in the league with 8 HRs. Biloxi Game Log Gatewood's 5th inning HR gave the Shuckers the lead for good. Biloxi Bottom of the 5th Jake Hager flies out to right fielder Tyler Neslony. Jake Gatewood homers (10) on a fly ball to left center field. Lucas Erceg pops out to shortstop Luis Marte. Blake Allemand flies out to left fielder Travis Demeritte.

Must be a different Gatewood. Our Jake Gatewood has an OBP of .304.

I don't think there's any way Machado doesn't test free agency this off season. That will - to a degree - limit what Baltimore can get for him. If the price is right and the need is glaring - I could see Milwaukee making an offer - knowing full well he's gone after the season. I expect Machado to get $30M annually - 7-8 years, with an opt out after three seasons. Of course, I'm usually short on guesses for these monster contracts. I think, "No one will give the guy a 10 year deal" - but all it takes is one team to back up the Brink's truck. The big think about Machado is that he's elevated his game from really, really good to MVP-caliber. That kind of player is rare, and someone usually overpays for it. But we'll see. It will be interesting.

I would not do anything - as much as I like Yelich. It's just too hard to see what kind of player Yelich will be in five years. I realize that Cain was entering his age 32 season when we handed him a contract, however, we got him right away - not four or five years down the road - so we had a much better grip on what he was. We just don't know that about Yelich. I'm not going to lay this decision on the Braun contract (although it is a good example of longer term deals like this failing). Instead I'd say this about pretty much ANY player. If you control that person through his prime seasons - up to around 30-32 - just be happy for those great years and don't try and go beyond what you have. The odds are against you. Also, there is always the chance you can extend said player when their contract is nearing its end - or even afterwards. It might cost you more to do it in four years, but at least you're more confident that the player will be worth the deal. And sure you might lose a guy you don't want to lose - but such is life. That's why you keep up a good supply of quality young players. It prepares you for the inevitable departures.

To me the thing about the Rizzo slide is that he's going at a guy who can't defend himself. It's a jerk thing to do - taking a guy out when he's not looking. I don't care what the rules are (although I think the rules clearly show that what Rizzo did was wrong). You got someone coming at you that you can see - like at 2B - you're going to be able to react to the body barreling at you. You move sideways, jump, whatever. But Diaz was essentially undefended. Sure, I guess he should have considered that the guy coming at him from the side was going to wipe him out. But he was a full step in front of the plate, and had gotten out of the path of the runner. Hitting a guy undefended is a classless thing to do - even if you think it's fair. A guy is so vulnerable in that situation - it's just wrong.

Final: Mississippi 11, Biloxi 1 M-Braves Jump on Shuckers Early in Series Opener Six-Run Fourth Aids 11-1 Final By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score We've had too many of these ugly games of late for Biloxi. This time around it was an 11-1 lose versus Mississippi. The Shuckers managed just three hits while the pitching staff was pounded - in particularly starter Thomas Jankins, who gave up eight runs in 3.2 innings. Shuckers pitchers surrendered 15 hits and walked eight batters. Batting Corey Ray: 1-4 Blake Allemand: 1-4, 2B Trent Grisham: 1-3 Pitching Thomas Jankins: 3.2 IP, 8 hits, 8 ER, 3BB, 4K, lose Brad Kuntz: 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2BB, 5K, Josh Uhen: 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 3BB, 3K Notes After a nice start to the season, Jankins has seen his ERA balloon to from 2.03 to 5.02 in four starts. He has given up 21 runs in his last 19.1 innings. Biloxi Game Log

Sounds like a plan. I'm on board.

After a rough start, Hiura is hitting .340 over the last four weeks. He was at .180 on April 22, and is up to .289. He is murdering lefties - .405 batting average. Against right handers it's a much more modest .254.

Ortiz was roughed up in his return. 5 earned runs in 1.2 innings.

Final: Mobile 12, Biloxi 0 Big Innings by BayBears Part of 12-0 Defeat 11 Runs In First Four Innings Help BayBears Take Down Shuckers By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers (Michael Krebs) Biloxi Box Score The return of Luis Ortiz was not a pretty one. The big right hander was roughed up - giving up five runs in 1.2 innings of work. It was just as bad for Angel Ventura, who gave up six runs in 2.1 innings. Biloxi lost 12-0. The Shuckers managed only three hits and three walks in the rout. They also had a pair of errors. Batting Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4, 3B Jake Gatewood: 1-4, 2B Darren Seferina: 1-3 Trent Grisham: 0-1, 2BB Pitching Luis Ortiz: 1.2 IP, 5 hits, 5 ER, 2BB, 1K, lose Angel Ventura: 2.1 IP, 7 hits, 6 ER, 3BB, 4K Miguel Sanchez: 3.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1BB, 5K Wuilder Rodgriguez: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1BB, 0K Notes Trent Grisham has struggled since coming back from the IR. His batting average has dropped to .182. Biloxi Game Log A five run 2nd was all Mobile needed on Thursday. The inning started out all right as teh BayBears had a man on second with two outs. What followed: Walk, single, walk, triple, single, single. Game over. Mobile Bottom of the 2nd Jose Rojas strikes out swinging. Michael Barash doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Trent Grisham. Brendon Sanger grounds out, second baseman Blake Allemand to first baseman Jake Gatewood. Michael Barash to 3rd. Jared Walsh walks. Zach Gibbons singles on a ground ball to right fielder Trent Grisham. Michael Barash scores. Jared Walsh to 2nd. Riley Unroe walks. Jared Walsh to 3rd. Zach Gibbons to 2nd. Luis Rengifo triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Corey Ray. Jared Walsh scores. Zach Gibbons scores. Riley Unroe scores. Brennon Lund singles on a ground ball to right fielder Trent Grisham. Luis Rengifo scores. Pitching Change: Angel Ventura replaces Luis Ortiz. Zach Houchins singles on a line drive to left fielder Troy Stokes Jr. Brennon Lund to 2nd. Jose Rojas strikes out swinging.

That's pretty rare. I don't know enough about pricing, but I'd definitely take it to a dealer somewhere - get a feel for what it might be worth. But again, be wary. They'll want to get it off you for cheap. So just ask and tell them 'you'll think about it.' I'm betting there are some online forums that could help as well. Just not sure where.

And with the NL east looking like a pretty big mediocre-fest - I don't see the Dodgers bowing out any time soon. They are only 3.5 games out - and we are just reaching the 1/3 mark in the season. Plenty of time to get things together. As many have noted, a Dodger-Machado marriage would be perfect for 2018. Dodgers have the need, plus a good system so they can give up the prospects Baltimore wants. I've also said that St. Louis is a dark horse team. They have the prospects to make a deal, and they need his bat. Another team would be Cleveland, who could put Manny at 3B, and shift Ramirez to 2B. That would make a heck of an infield.

I can actually see Stearns making a move for an elite player like Machado if - come July - we are playing really well, have a good record, and really could use the upgrade at the position. The key is that you don't want some massive overpay, sapping the system of too much talent - especially for a 3-4 rental. The Yelich deal was unique in that it offered long-term control of the guy - at a reasonable price. Acquiring someone like Machado would be a strict rental. I don't think there's any way to dole out $30M+ for a guy - even someone as good as Manny. Again, the situation really has to mesh with the club's situation. The price can't be prohibitive. The need really has to be there. The team really needs to be in a competitive situation. If someone isn't right, then you don't do it. But a 35 HR, .300 hitting SS can transform the character of your lineup - especially if your shortstop is hitting .200.

I knew that was going to happen around this time. That means Williams and Woodruff are ineligible for our next prospect poll. The only other guys I could see getting bumped would be Phillips - who is 29 ABs away from losing his rookie eligibility. But that would require something to happen (such as an injury) to get him playing time. One under-the-radar guy could be Jorge Lopez. He's bounced up and down on the roster, and by end of July, he may potentially accrue 45 days of service. Peralta is another guy - assuming he is brought back up and sticks in the rotation. If Nottingham hadn't gotten hurt there was a possibility that he could have displaced Bandy - but I doubt that happens now. Josh Pennington is, due to his retirement, the other guy who won't be garnering any votes. I could see Zack Brown and Jankins moving into the Top 25 - plus whomever we take with our top pick in next month's draft. Payton Henry might get some interest as well. And if Nate Orf isn't freed, perhaps he can sneak in. Also, the short ball players will start to accumulate some numbers - such as Lemons and Carmona will start making their mark. I expect Bickford to drop out. Plus a few other fringe guys are not playing or having tough seasons - so there could be some movement there. Should be interesting.

Casey Mize has walked on 8 batter in 89 innings this year. He's struck out 124. Pretty amazing.

From what I've seen in the mocks, both those guys will likely be gone. As you say, we'd have move up a few slots.

I think this really doesn't offer a ton to the Orioles as Russell is under control 2021, which means just as the team was maybe getting good he'd be a free agent. All the other guys are mostly lottery ticket types at this point (but I honestly don't know much about any of them - perhaps I'm undervaluing them). If that's the Cubs offer, I'd counter with something like Keon Broxton, Brett Phillips, Cody Ponce, Brandon Woodruff, and a lower level lottery ticket (perhaps someone like Supek). A major league ready arm (Woodruff) who goes right into the rotation. Two outfielders who can immediately step in and start (Phillips and Broxton). Another arm that is a year or so away from potentially filling out the rotation (Ponce) and then a lottery ticket for down the road. Dubon would have actually been perfect for Baltimore - and perhaps he'd still be of interest to them. I'm not sure what the outlook on his injury is. The Orioles really lack athletic players, and quality position players are really scarce. If the O's are going to rebuild, they are going to be bad for a few years. This gives them several players that can step in now - and potentially fill holes for a long time. No, none of the guys we are offering are all star type player. Most have their flaws. But they are players that can help a team and - if lucky - become quality major leaguers. Machado would become our SS, and Arcia could go down to AAA to - hopefully - grow up a bit and be ready for 2019 (because Machado isn't staying in Milwaukee). I will add that if the team really doesn't think Arcia is a long term answer at SS - they could send him to Baltimore. But I'm looking to 2019 by keeping him. Also, if the O's don't like Woodruff, you could offer Ortiz instead. Probably more upside with Ortiz, but more risk. I would hesitate to include Burnes as I like him more than Woodruff and Ortiz. Just a thought. I would think long and hard before making such an offer, but Machado's bat would really transform this lineup for the rest of the year. Also, perhaps I'm underestimating Machado's value. It just takes one team to over pay. I just don't want to be that team.

I want to point out that the Cubs have a payroll of $182M this season. Machado makes $16M - and has around $11M left on his 2018 contract. The Luxury Tax everyone wants to avoid is $197M. That means the Cubs can fit Machado under the tax - although it wouldn't leave them with a ton of money to work with if they got him. The Dodgers, another team frequently connected to Machado, have a payroll of $187M - which would make acquiring Machado problematic - but not impossible. It would be very tight. Other than the Red Sox - who are over the cap by $35M - no other team really would have an issue with acquiring Machado (at least for going over the Luxury Tax line - some teams might have self-imposed caps that we just don't know about).