Quote from Randy Manese on April 23, 2025, 7:45 am

It was a balmy 64 degrees in Lansing, Michigan yesterday compared to the mid-40's the TinCaps had been playing in at Fort Wayne.  I think the temperature/wind chill definitely affect those players who haven't experienced this kind of cold before.  Watching Isaiah Lowe pitch in his last 2 starts, he just couldn't seem to get loose.  He's had some shoulder issues in the past so the cold might be effecting him in his delivery and extension.  As the weather warms up, look for better results from this Fort Wayne team overall.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 23, 2025, 3:58 pm

DeVries at it again.  2nd AB, tripled to right center, batting LH.  Scored tying run on a balk.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 26, 2025, 2:35 pm

A week away from the Arizona Complex League season opener on 3 May.  These games are not on MiLB.tv so really have to depend on MadFriars for good summaries.  Anxious to see a couple of pitchers - Humberto Cruz and Kannon Kemp - if both are ready to go after tending to some arm discomfort in ST.  On the hitting side, will we finally get reports on Cobb Hightower and Kale Fountain in action?

Expect some debuts from the DSL, but not expecting a lot out of those guys.  Probably a lot of turnover as players get healthy and the ACL likely not more than an extended ST experience as players find their talent level.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 26, 2025, 7:45 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 26, 2025, 2:35 pm

A week away from the Arizona Complex League season opener on 3 May.  These games are not on MiLB.tv so really have to depend on MadFriars for good summaries.

I dont have a lot to do these days, and I live 6 minutes away from the Peoria Sports Complex. So if someone is playing that you want a report on, let me know and I can head over.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 28, 2025, 12:34 pm

Two pitchers have impressed early on in their comeback from TJ surgery - Garrett Hawkins and Reiss Knehr.  Hawkins will soon be promoted out of Hi A to SA and Knehr already in EP.  Hawkins looked like a solid SP prospect a couple of years ago but now seems destined for the pen.  Knehr really never had the build to be a SP and had some good outings in the minors before his injury.  If he keeps it up, he might have a shot of making it in a new made-over bullpen in 2026, projecting that Suarez and Peralta, at the least will be gone.

Quote from WindsorUK on April 29, 2025, 3:37 am

Quote from Randy Manese on April 23, 2025, 7:45 am

It was a balmy 64 degrees in Lansing, Michigan yesterday compared to the mid-40's the TinCaps had been playing in at Fort Wayne.  I think the temperature/wind chill definitely affect those players who haven't experienced this kind of cold before.  Watching Isaiah Lowe pitch in his last 2 starts, he just couldn't seem to get loose.  He's had some shoulder issues in the past so the cold might be effecting him in his delivery and extension.  As the weather warms up, look for better results from this Fort Wayne team overall.

I mentioned this a few years back.

Why is the team in Ft. Wayne? These warm weather kids must get a major culture shock!

Quote from fenn68 on April 29, 2025, 6:24 am

Quote from WindsorUK on April 29, 2025, 3:37 am

Quote from Randy Manese on April 23, 2025, 7:45 am

It was a balmy 64 degrees in Lansing, Michigan yesterday compared to the mid-40's the TinCaps had been playing in at Fort Wayne.  I think the temperature/wind chill definitely affect those players who haven't experienced this kind of cold before.  Watching Isaiah Lowe pitch in his last 2 starts, he just couldn't seem to get loose.  He's had some shoulder issues in the past so the cold might be effecting him in his delivery and extension.  As the weather warms up, look for better results from this Fort Wayne team overall.

I mentioned this a few years back.

Why is the team in Ft. Wayne? These warm weather kids must get a major culture shock!

Not easy to change locations of any minor league team ... needs a venue that either does not already have an existing team under contract or find a situation that the venue and existing team choose not renew their contract.

Finding a location that meets minor league baseball requirements that does not have a team affiliation and suitable ballpark is unlikely.

Basically the Padres are always in completion with 29 other teams for venues and the minor league clubs trying to get the best deals with their own interests in mind.

Having grown up in the upper MidWest ... really only an issue for April. Actually if the players make the ML, this may benefit the players since in the ML they will play in those conditions ... so some exposure in the minors helps.

From what I understand, Ft Wayne has one of the better A+ ballparks and the Padres have an excellent working relationship with local ownership.

I recall a lot of "issues" with teams in the South during  July/Aug trying to play through those excessive high heat / humidity days and then there is the ongoing complaints of having a team (EP) in a high altitude league.

Basically all locales have some minuses.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 29, 2025, 7:57 am

Been to Ft. Wayne for a few games a couple of years ago.  Beautiful stadium in the heart of the city.  Lots of fan support.  As you head into May in the Midwest, it warms up nicely before the humidity settles in later in the summer.  Ft. Wayne used to be Lo A before the minor league reorganization after the pandemic with Lake Elsinore as High A.  For most of the draftees, this likely wouldn't be too much of a transition if you played anywhere but California and Florida.  I agree with Fenn that players need to be exposed to colder weather since they will play in those conditions if they make it to the majors.  Only suggestion I would have is start the Midwest League season a week or two later than other Hi A leagues - this would also balance the rainouts and make-up double headers that are due to the blustery weather.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 29, 2025, 9:30 pm

Henry Baez pitched a beautiful game for San Antonio today, allowing just two hits and 1 walk over 7 innings while striking out 8.  Threw 87 pitches of which 55 were strikes, ie., about 65%.  Game was 0-0 at the bottom of the 9th and Valenzuela hit a 2 run walkout HR with one out.  Great game to watch on MiLB.tv.