Ruben/Josh

[Edgy MD]

Are these guys not impressing you as legitimate, still-improving big-leaguers?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Both. Thole is really propping up the ass-end following the Davis-Bay canyon.

[Ceetar]

Yes.

I actually thought Josh gets a bad rap. His poor start last year colored the whole season, and I do think he improved.

So far Niese too. Hoping to see something solid from Gee. There's a lot of "still improving" on this team. And Wright and Pelfrey aren't above putting the work in to continue to improve.

But Josh/Ruben. yeah. Tejada's so young. Glad to see he's off to a nice start and getting in the middle of things. Hope he continues to adjust as the league adjusts back.

[TransMonk]

Very much yes.

I love what Ruben has done at the top of the order and I'm really impressed with Thole's at-bats and what looks to be improved defense.

It's only been four games, but I like what I've seen from almost the whole team. Ike needs to get right, but I think he will.

[Ceetar]

TransMonk wrote: Very much yes. I love what Ruben has done at the top of the order and I'm really impressed with Thole's at-bats and what looks to be improved defense. It's only been four games, but I like what I've seen from almost the whole team. Ike needs to get right, but I think he will.

And the other guy..well..

It might not be Nieuwenhuis who has to watch for Torres' return.

[TransMonk]

Yeah, but he's got 2 more hits than Ike right now, as meek as they may be.

My expectations for Bay are nil, which is why he can't disappoint me. If Kirk takes his spot once Torres comes back, so be it. Ike still needs to get right.

But Ruben and Josh have been most impressive in this small sample size. If nothing else, I'm not sure Torres will be given the leadoff spot back once he returns.

[Ceetar]

we'll see on that. I hope Collins doesn't lock himself into one lineup and if/when Ruben struggles a little he's not afraid to mix it up a bit.

I almost want to put Bay there. Can still walk, mostly a singles hitter..

very lefty heavy lineup though. Heard talk about even batting Nieuwenhuis leadoff in that regard.

[Centerfield]

Throw Captain Kirk in there. I had no idea that this guy was so big. Who's down in Buffalo playing LF? Let's get rid of Bay and field a full team of homegrowns.

[Ceetar]

Centerfield wrote: Throw Captain Kirk in there. I had no idea that this guy was so big. Who's down in Buffalo playing LF? Let's get rid of Bay and field a full team of homegrowns.

yeah, he's huge.

No one else on the 40man. Lagares and den Dekker maybe the next two depth wise? Valdespin?

[Edgy MD]

I knew the offense would come for Thole, but a good start is certainly important for the ol' cahnfidence. What I am pleasantly surprised by is his improved performance on balls in the dirt.

It's really kind of interesting that, with Dickey in his third season with the team, they still haven't tried to recruit a knuckleball-catching specialist, or even bring in Doug Mirabelli or Bruce Benedict of someone to tutor folks. Josh is going to get that headache every fifth day and that's that. Baptism by fire.

Batista by fire, too.

[Edgy MD]

Buffalo's leftfielder is non-homeboy Vinnie Rottino. Homies playing outfield at AAA right now are Jordany Valdespin and Raul Reyes, neither one really projecting as a big-league starter out there, but who knows?

Probably your best hope for the all-farmboy team are in seeing den Dekker in center and Nieuwenhuis in left. Or maybe Duda in left and Nieuwie in right.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ceciliani will leapfrog Den Dekker in the pekking order before too long, I predict.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

What, this team doesn't need defenders? Denigrating defense is just plain... unAmerican.

Paid for by MATT DEN DEKKER FOR 4th OF 2012

[ashie62]

Thole is an everyday catcher who is not an automatic out...check.

Tejada Future all star... Jose who?...check