Ankiel's start

[MemoriesDK]

1st inning
1 hit, 1 bb, 1 k, no runs
14 balls, 12 strikes

[MemoriesDK]

Here's a more detailed 2nd inning:

1st batter:
-Fastball to the backstop, more of a passed ball since it was off the catchers glove so no need to panic
-ground out to pitcher, Ankiel makes a good play
2nd batter:
-first pitch strike, swing and a miss
-strike, inside fastball
-A nice curveball just outside
-1-2, Ankiel jams the batter but he still sends one down the line for a double
3rd batter:
-ball, low and in. Runner steals third
-Strike on the inside corner, 1-1
-Curveball, ground out, run scores
4th batter:
- curveball inside
-Fastball foul, 1-1
-fastball strike called, 1-2
-A beauty of a curveball, strike 3

[MemoriesDK]

39 pitches for Ankiel.

2nd inning:
5 balls, 8 strikes

[MemoriesDK]

If you haven't noticed I'm only narrating what Ankiel is doing not what Tennessee's batters are.

3rd inning, top of the order up

1st batter:
-1st pitch curve, strike looking
-foul, 0-2
-flyball to shallow center
2nd batter:
-Fastball outside, ball, 1-0
-1-0 pitch, ground ball to 3b, throw high, error, runner reaches 1st
3rd batter:
-fastball inside, gets the call strike
-fastball,Foul ball
-Curve ball inside, ball 2
-1-2 pitch, curve, strike 3, runner steals 2nd
4th batter:
-Fastball, foul
-Strike call on fastball
-Nice curve, strike 3

2 straight k's for Ankiel

[MemoriesDK]

Ankiel getting better by inning
3rd inning:
13 pitches, 3 balls, 10 strikes

So far, 3 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 4 k's

Jeremy Cook warming up.

EDIT: 1 BB also for Rick

[MemoriesDK]

4th inning:

1st batter:
-fastball up, 1-0
-Fly out to left
2nd batter:
-curveball in dirt,1-0
-fastball, high strike, 1-1
-changeup strike call, 1-2
-curveball ground out to thrid
3rd batter:
-fastball strike
-curve swing and a miss, 0-2
-curve fouled
-cruve, swing and a miss, strike 3

[MemoriesDK]

Ankiel likely done

62 pitches, 38 strikes, 24 balls

4 IP, 2 hits, 1 bb, 1 er, 5 strikeouts.
Pretty good considering he's now at a higher level than before.

[MemoriesDK]

That's all, I guess you dont care much about the rest since we don't have many exciting hitting prospects at AA.

A correction, the run was unearned because it scored when the runner advanced because of the catcher's passed ball in the 2nd.

[MemoriesDK]

More updates:
Ankiel hit 93 with his fastball and his curveball's speed was 72-75

[Thorny08]

Sounds like a nice pitched game. A little shacky at first but rebounded nicely! :D

On to Triple A ball if I'm correct. How big is the difference of the level of hitting talent between AA and AAA?

Way to go Rick!

[STLCARDSFAN1]

alright sounds like a great outing for rick.

[Damazin1]

Let's give him some more time. Why mess with the rotation now? I guess we could give him one start in the bigs to build on for next year, but that's about it. I love Rick, but I like our rotation.

[The Tardis]

If Ankiel pitches in the bigs this year, it'll almost certainly be in relief.

[PuxicoRG]

Hey Damazin.

What exactly is your comment in reply to? I don't know that anyone has suggested that Ankiel is being groomed to join the Cards rotation this year, especially in the playoffs.

Last I heard, the plan for him is to get another start at AA, followed by a start or two at AAA, then work out of the bullpen for the Cards in September. If anything, the Cardinals might consider inserting Ankiel into the rotation as a 6th starter, giving the rest of the rotation an extra day of rest. However, since he's rebuilding arm strength from TJ surgury, I'm not sure that that's even realistic.

With all that being said, I suspect that at best, Ankiel will be on the bench as an observer in the playoffs, with a real shot at making the rotation in 2005.

[Damazin1]

My comment was directed at the real lack of a need for Ankiel at this point. Why even bring him up late in the season, when we all know it was a mental thing. Let him start the spring with a shot at making the big league club, and that way he can have his arm strength built. I'm worried about there being a little extra stress on him playing in September and October, but hopefully, the cards will have clinched, and it'll be a moot point.

[Eleven]

My comment was directed at the real lack of a need for Ankiel at this point. Why even bring him up late in the season, when we all know it was a mental thing. Let him start the spring with a shot at making the big league club, and that way he can have his arm strength built.
He will have to sign a free-agent contract. He's no longer bound to the Cardinals after this year. The Cards have to see what they've got before they offer a contract to him.... In other words... He *has* to pitch for the Cards this year (for evaluation reasons), so they can offer him a contract before free agency.

Otherwise... we don't bring him up, and he still goes free agent, and we will be bidding against other teams - not knowing whether he is "cured" or not.

[Eleven]

Although there might be fewer teams bidding for him if he never pitches in MLB this year.

Boras won't like that though... I'm sure that they have said that if he pitches well, they'd like a chance to prove he's "fixed" before the season is over, so that negotiations can begin with solid information.

[Socnorb11]

Eleven - I was thinking that the Cards owned Ankiel's rights for one more year, beyond this, but you may be right. I thought he had to be brought up after his rehab assignment, because he's out of options.

I think he needs to be put on the mound at Busch Stadium, regardless. He's been coddled for what....... 2 1/2 years now? Enough "waiting". If his arm's healthy, let's see what he can do.

[PuxicoRG]

Actually, I think there is a limit on the amount of time that a player can play in the minors on an injury rehab without being placed on waivers. Since Ankiel is out of options, any claim made on Ankiel loses him.

In other words - Ankiel HAS to be on the major league roster in the next few weeks, or be place on waivers with the risk of losing him.

And to Socnorb's question - he went down in the 2000 playoffs. He's essentially been coddled for all of 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 - 4 years total. It's time to fish or cut bait. (Or try to sign him to a 3 year deal for $1 million a year - I'd rather do that with him than So Taguchi.)