Game Notes and Donavan Tate (Possible) Injury Update

Not a whole lot to mention in the 1-0 win for Tri City.

Donavan Tate did not play.

Taylor Gagnon carved up the Em’s all night. Nobody was close to squaring up a ball of this guy. Great location to all his pitches. Most impressive was the fact he never really threw any breaking stuff until the Em’s threatened with guys on 2nd and 3rd and nobody out. He then snapped off some curveballs and sliders to finish the inning strong.

Taylor Featherston has flashed the leather all series long for Tri City but tonight he cranked a Colin Rea fastball for the games only run.

Jeremy Gigilotti seems to get better every time I watch this side arming lefty for the Em’s.

And wow that’s it for the game.

Now on to Donavan Tate.

Game Notes 8/5 Em’s vs Dust Devils

Finally the bats woke up for both teams tonight in a 10-8 win for the Em’s

Definitely one of the more entertaining games of the year. Further details following the jump.

Donavan Tate Injured?

Donavan Tate did not play tonight and was seen in the dugout with his right hand wrapped in a big soft cast. It is not clear if this another injury for the young man or just some sort of precaution but given Donavan’s history of injuries this kind of thing is worth noting. Game Notes coming soon.

8/3 Game Notes: Ems vs Dust Devils

Dust Devil’s beat the Em’s 2-0

Glad to see Clint Moore back for Eugene. It was assumed he was injured but actually he had to be recalled by the military for a brief stint. (West Point Graduate)

For further tidbits from tonight’s pitchers duel click below

Game Notes 8/2

Emeralds vs Tri City Dust Devils

Em’s win 9-4

Stay tuned for pitcher’s notes and velocities tomorrow morning. Until then enjoy some quick notes from tonight’s game.

Top Tools in the North West League; Position Players

In this  feature I will rundown the players with the top tools that I have seen to this date. For full disclosure I am yet to see Tri City or Spokane.The tools I will go over are as followed for position players.

The Hit Tool

Power

Fielding

Running

Arm strength

And here we go

7/27 Ramblings

A quick rundown of what I saw at the field tonight.

The Return of Donavan Tate, The Purchase of a Radar Gun, and My Ramblings

So it has been decided by the powers that be there should be some kind of game summary or something just to encapsulate the little things that won’t show up in a box score, scouting report, but are noteworthy none the less. Also we have the latest addition to the site; readings from a radar gun. Last but not least we have the return of Donavan Tate after his suspension.

Top 5 Hitters: 7/1

Head over to the top position players section to your left to find out who made the cut and who just missed.

Donavan Tate Suspended

**Tate out for 25 games due to failed drug test**

The Padres front office have to be shaking their heads. The 2009 draft was loaded with talent.The Padres held the 3rd overall pick and spent it on Donavan Tate. As a top 10 pick, Tate was expected to rise quickly through the system. So far the only thing rising is the Padres frustration with the talented but troubled young man. They have had to watch as 5 of the first 10 picks reach the big league level while Tate takes his hacks out in short season ball. Last year he missed time due factors he couldn’t control in a broken jaw followed by a hyper extended knee. This year he will be missing time due to a factor that falls solely on his shoulders. A failed drug test.

These days when the term “failed drug test” comes up people are quick to jump on the steroid band wagon. In Tate’s case it was not steroids but rather some sort of recreational drug. The league can only provide this much information as any further details about the type of drug would be breaking league wide confidentiality rules. Usually a player would serve 50 games for this type of infraction but Tate’s case has been reduced to 25 games because of his voluntary enrollment in past drug counseling sessions. Let’s hope the young man can learn from this can come back stronger. There is too much this kid can bring to a field to simply give up on him.