+ and – after the team is basically a team strength indicator. Birmingham, a strong team, would have +8 because they have eight more wins than losses, where Burlington, -7, would have seven more losses than wins. It’s nothing more complicated than that, but it helps you gauge whether they’re beating up quality opponents or ringers.

Hensley did end up going today, but game two was rained out and this particular affair only lasted five innings.

Hensley’s line:
L, 6.75 ERA in 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 4/4 K/BB

What do you think the prospects of Liddi and Dunigan being MLB caliber players in the future? I know they are playing in HD where numbers are incredibly inflated.

Scouts liked Liddi after he first came on, but his development stagnated for a while. He didn’t really become the defender people thought he would be nor did he put up the right kind of numbers on the field. I don’t know what he’s doing right now that’s any different. His walk rates are down and his K rates are roughly the same, it’s just that the hits have gone through the roof. Confidence will do a lot to improve a guys game, but I’m not really ready to move him up the charts just yet, not until I see that something that indicates a clear breakthrough, one that isn’t lost in the park effects.

Dunigan is more interesting to me right now because he’s 1) left-handed 2) able to play first or either outfield corner 3) capable of drawing walks 4) has a pretty intriguing power speed combo, and 5) hasn’t been taking advantage of the home park quite as much. He’s older, so there’s not as much you can project out of him, but he was more athlete than player in college. His trajectory may be a little different.

Good questions all around guys. Don’t hesitate to keep asking them, as they often help to clarify my stance. I can talk up a guy for having a good week without thinking he’s a particularly great player, as you’ve seen. I’ll try to keep answering as much as I can.

Also, are you surprised Hensley skipped a level and went straight to AA to make a start tonight? Any thoughts on his long term projection? Thanks for the good work.

I have another question pertaining to Carrera. I know he plays CF right now (or he has) how is he defensively?

If I recall, he was named the best defensive outfielder in the Florida State League, so he’s no slouch out there in the field.

As for the CS percentage, I’ll have to listen to some more games and get back to you. His career numbers aren’t that bad, more like 2.5:1.

I have another question pertaining to Carrera. I know he plays CF right now (or he has) how is he defensively? From all the scouting reports they say he’s fast but as you said all defensive players arn’t created equal. Also what do you see as his big issue with base stealing.. 5/10 is horrible for a guy of his caliber of speed.

Actually, Saunders was in left his first two games back, and he’s played there at times in the past. It’s not a permanent shift at this point but he’s getting the experience. I’d describe the philosophy more as “we want outfielders to get work at all OF positions they might be capable of playing.” You saw this, for example, with Adam Jones and Shin-Soo Choo.