Rick Ankiel called up by Cardinals... (1 Viewer)

[posty]

From Rotoworld...

Cardinals recalled OF Rick Ankiel from Triple-A Memphis.

A great story. Ankiel's promising pitching career was ruined by injuries and the inability to throw the ball over the plate, but he's turned himself into a power-hitting outfielder. Ankiel ranks second among all minor league hitters with 31 homers, although as a 28-year-old at Triple-A his lack of plate discipline and high strikeout totals are equally as important. He's not a great prospect, but he may very well carve out a solid career as a hitter.

 

[JZilla]

If they make the playoffs, what are the odds he swings and flings his bat into the crowd a few times?

 

[MrPhoenix]

If they make the playoffs, what are the odds he swings and flings his bat into the crowd a few times?

If he sticks as a reserve OF with pop, I'll be happy. I don't see him as a full-time starter with his lack of plate discipline, but there are much worse guys to stash on your bench. Think Russell Branyan.

 

[curta269]

I wanted to watch the game tonight, but it is blacked out here again. I used to get all Cardinals games on Fox Sports Midwest, but something is going on between them and Insight cable. Its frustrating.

I'm glad he is coming up. The team isn't scoring very much and, hopefully, he will provide a spark. Us Cardinal fans haven't had much to cheer about this season either, but it will be cool to root for Ankiel for the rest of the season. What a great story!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sweet. The Cards were really lacking in players who don't hit for a high average, strike out a lot, and have a lower OBP than Adam Wainwright.

 

[MrPhoenix]

Sweet. The Cards were really lacking in players who don't hit for a high average, strike out a lot, and have a lower OBP than Adam Wainwright.

He's better than So Taguchi.

 

[Jiggyonthehut]

3R HR

I literally got goosebumps when I saw that blast. Good for him.

 

[JZilla]

1 DOWN, 757 TO GO

 

[Ghost Rider]

That was awesome. So awesome that even Tony LaRussa was smiling and clapping in the dugout like I have not seen him do in ages. Great stuff!

 

[John Black]

I really don't follow baseball but that's an awesome story.

 

[Despyzer]

Ankiel's promising pitching career was ruined by injuries and the inability to throw the ball over the plate

That'll do it to you every time.

 

[Frostillicus]

He was awesome on some version of High Heat I had.

 

[CrossEyed]

Truly one of the all-time feel good stories. I can remember feeling so bad for Ankiel watching him struggle to throw the ball over the plate. Most guys would have just bailed. Great job to persevere and head in a completely different direction. Hope he has a great career.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

31 HR in 381 in AAA this season. Jesus.

 

[pigskin pimp]

31 HR in 381 in AAA this season. Jesus.

With 90 strikeouts. If only this guy knew what a strike zone is. Oh, wait, never mind.Good story, nevertheless. Good for him.

 

[Green94]

but that's an awesome story.

 

[Capella]

31 HR in 381 in AAA this season. Jesus.

With 90 strikeouts. If only this guy knew what a strike zone is. Oh, wait, never mind.

Geez, tough crowd. Not like the guy has been hitting full-time for the past 10 years. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he may find an eye once he gets more experience. He can already obviously hit, so he's more than on his way.

 

[Da Beers]

but that's an awesome story.

I'm a Cubs fan, and I'm still rooting for the guy

 

[curta269]

He hit another home run in the 1st today. He is 2-3 through the 5th inning.

The comeback continues!

 

[curta269]

He just hit his 2nd HR of the day in the 7th. 3-4 today! Wow!!

 

[curta269]

He made a great sliding catch into the wall in the 8th inning. He can play D too!

 

[Gaddis]

This kind of sucks. I missed out on Ryan Braun and Justin Upton, and now that I have first waiver priority, it's looking like I might have to use it on Ankiel. Dammit.

 

[[scooter]]

Just wait until the pitchers stop throwing him fastballs. He'll start talking like Pedro Cerrano.

 

[thetman]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

 

[[scooter]]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

 

[TheFanatic]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

 

[Gaddis]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

Of those three, he only hit Lowe:vs. Young 0/3 2Ksvs. Penny 0/3 2Ksvs. Lowe 2/3 1HR 2 RBIs

 

[[scooter]]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

Of those three, he only hit Lowe:vs. Young 0/3 2Ksvs. Penny 0/3 2Ks

 

[curta269]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

Of those three, he only hit Lowe:vs. Young 0/3 2Ksvs. Penny 0/3 2Ks

Probably the same numbers of Pujols against those 3 guys this week.

 

[curta269]

1-3 with a 2B and run scored so far today. He hit the 2B off of a lefty too. He looks pretty good at the plate, especially wiht his limited experience hitting.

 

[BoulderBob]

I'm hoping the guy can stick around. He may never hit .270 in the bigs, but this would be a great story. Good luck Rick!

 

[TheFanatic]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

Of those three, he only hit Lowe:vs. Young 0/3 2Ksvs. Penny 0/3 2Ksvs. Lowe 2/3 1HR 2 RBIs

Wow...Yeah, your right...the guy having just a partial season in the minors as a hitter he comes into the majors and is hitting .375 after 4 games is crap. 28 years old. Been a pitcher his entire career and switches positions. You're right, the guy sucks. I can't believe he's even in the majors. Like I said, hate all you want but the kid is putting up impressive numbers. He may not have hit Young and Penny, but he is hitting major league pitching is he not? Jealousy and hatred are such admirable qualities....

 

[MrPhoenix]

As a 4th OF, I'd be pretty happy with Ankiel as a member of the team. Anything more than a lefty platoon start and I'm a little . His K's in the minors are a bit alarming.

 

[curta269]

If Ankiel continues to do well, we are going to have to start calling him "Cinderella Man!"

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I remember when Mark Prior was drafted by the Cubs, hearing some expert like Peter Gammons say that he was good enough hitter that he could become a position player in the pros if he wanted to. With all his arm troubles, maybe he should try to be the next Rick Ankiel.

any other pitchers you think could make a successful transition like this?

 

[TitusIII]

I remember when Mark Prior was drafted by the Cubs, hearing some expert like Peter Gammons say that he was good enough hitter that he could become a position player in the pros if he wanted to. With all his arm troubles, maybe he should try to be the next Rick Ankiel.any other pitchers you think could make a successful transition like this?

Dontrelle WillisBig ZHampton (should have happened a long time ago)I've seen all 3 make some excellent plays in the field, but I doubt they could find a position like Ankiel did.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Ankiel's big 3 run blast in his first game was on a curveball. Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless.

Jobu must've answered his prayers, then.

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....Hate on Hater....

Of those three, he only hit Lowe:vs. Young 0/3 2Ksvs. Penny 0/3 2Ksvs. Lowe 2/3 1HR 2 RBIs

Wow...Yeah, your right...the guy having just a partial season in the minors as a hitter he comes into the majors and is hitting .375 after 4 games is crap. 28 years old. Been a pitcher his entire career and switches positions. You're right, the guy sucks. I can't believe he's even in the majors. Like I said, hate all you want but the kid is putting up impressive numbers. He may not have hit Young and Penny, but he is hitting major league pitching is he not? Jealousy and hatred are such admirable qualities....

You're the one who was chest thumping about his hitting Penny and Young. Don't lower your standards now that he didn't. What's his impressive feat - the ability to hit "a bunch of chumps"?

"Nothing like making stupid comments when you're clueless"

 

[Ghost Rider]

Oh, so now a MLB player isn't worth a darn if he can't hit well against the best pitchers in the league?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh, so now a MLB player isn't worth a darn if he can't hit well against the best pitchers in the league?

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....

Hate on Hater....

They're his words. He started this line of thinking. Who Ankiel faced was significant when he thought he performed well against the best of the best. Now it doesn't matter who those hits came against? OK.

 

[shuke]

Oh, so now a MLB player isn't worth a darn if he can't hit well against the best pitchers in the league?

 

[Despyzer]

I remember when Mark Prior was drafted by the Cubs, hearing some expert like Peter Gammons say that he was good enough hitter that he could become a position player in the pros if he wanted to. With all his arm troubles, maybe he should try to be the next Rick Ankiel.any other pitchers you think could make a successful transition like this?

Speaking of Cubs... the game crew was saying that Pinella flirted with the idea of moving Zambrano up in the order a notch or two on days that he pitches.

 

[curta269]

I remember when Mark Prior was drafted by the Cubs, hearing some expert like Peter Gammons say that he was good enough hitter that he could become a position player in the pros if he wanted to. With all his arm troubles, maybe he should try to be the next Rick Ankiel.any other pitchers you think could make a successful transition like this?

Speaking of Cubs... the game crew was saying that Pinella flirted with the idea of moving Zambrano up in the order a notch or two on days that he pitches.

I wouldn't blame him. Zambrano can flat out hit. He is probably better than the 7th or 8th place hitter in the Cubs lineup when he pitches.

 

[[scooter]]

I remember when Mark Prior was drafted by the Cubs, hearing some expert like Peter Gammons say that he was good enough hitter that he could become a position player in the pros if he wanted to. With all his arm troubles, maybe he should try to be the next Rick Ankiel.any other pitchers you think could make a successful transition like this?

Jim Abbott.

 

[[scooter]]

Trivia: who's the only pitcher to start a game at DH?

 

[Capella]

Trivia: who's the only pitcher to start a game at DH?

Pretty sure it was Rhoden. I remember it was a Yankee.

 

[[scooter]]

Trivia: who's the only pitcher to start a game at DH?

Pretty sure it was Rhoden. I remember it was a Yankee.

Ding ding ding! It was mainly a stunt on Billy Martin's part. Rhoden had hit .251 with Pittsburgh but he hadn't swung a bat in 2 years by the time Martin DH'd him.

 

[TheFanatic]

Oh, so now a MLB player isn't worth a darn if he can't hit well against the best pitchers in the league?

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....

Hate on Hater....

They're his words. He started this line of thinking. Who Ankiel faced was significant when he thought he performed well against the best of the best. Now it doesn't matter who those hits came against? OK.

Last I checked it was still major league pitching. He's still in the show. And he's doing pretty well both at the bat and in the field. You can hate all you want, but the guy is doing well and so is the team. Why all the hate? Did you have him as a pitcher in your keeper league?

 

[Steelers4Life]

It's a great story, but he's got way too many holes in his swing at this point to realistically expect him to be a full time, productive player. The fact that he's made it all the way back after falling apart like he did is impressive enough.

He struck out a ton in the minors, and I understand that he's gotten a hold of 3 HRs so far, but he's also struck out 9 times in 23 plate appearances. He's struck out multiple times in 4 of his 5 games so far.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh, so now a MLB player isn't worth a darn if he can't hit well against the best pitchers in the league?

Let's see, 3 games, 3 HR's. a 417 BA and he faced Young, Penny and Lowe in that three game stretch? Bunch of chumps were throwing to him so I can see why he did so well....The kid is doing something right....

Hate on Hater....

They're his words. He started this line of thinking. Who Ankiel faced was significant when he thought he performed well against the best of the best. Now it doesn't matter who those hits came against? OK.

Last I checked it was still major league pitching. He's still in the show. And he's doing pretty well both at the bat and in the field. You can hate all you want, but the guy is doing well and so is the team. Why all the hate? Did you have him as a pitcher in your keeper league?

Why do you assume "the hate" is for the player and not the ridiculous post or poster?

 

[MrPhoenix]

It's a great story, but he's got way too many holes in his swing at this point to realistically expect him to be a full time, productive player. The fact that he's made it all the way back after falling apart like he did is impressive enough.He struck out a ton in the minors, and I understand that he's gotten a hold of 3 HRs so far, but he's also struck out 9 times in 23 plate appearances. He's struck out multiple times in 4 of his 5 games so far.

Yeah, his plate discipline is the suck, but you gotta consider that he's been batting full-time for only a couple years now. Throughout his career, he's been a pitcher, and that's what he's been told to focus on. I think he's got the ability to be, at miminum, a decent starter on a mediocre-to-bad team, but on a good team, he's a 4th OF at best. If he works on his eye in the winter league or through some other means, I think he does have potential to be a solid, if not spectacular, player. The talent is definitely there (I still have no idea how he hit that 2nd HR on sunday. The ball was pretty much at his hands and he bombed it!), though.