The CBN Weekly Review - Week 32, 2013
* Last week was an exciting one for Canadian Baseball fans, becoming one of the most exciting weeks of the year to date as far as news, maybe second only to draft week. .... MLB open workouts 2014 Canadian draft list 2013 Canadians in the Minors 2013 Canadian collegians playing summer ball 2013 Canadians in College Letters of Intent
By Peter Bean
In the Majors…
Just off the heels of his promotion and first start, our own blogger, Minnesota Twins SP Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) took the mound for his second MLB appearance. While his first start – an 8 1/3 scoreless innings dominance against the Kansas City Royals was strong, Albers second start was even better pitching a complete game, two-hit shutout. Albers now holds the Twins records for a scoreless streak to start a career. Coming back down to earth on the 17th, Albers suffered his first loss of his MLB career going seven innings and giving up five earned runs. He finishes the second week of his major league career with a 2-1 record, maintaining a 1.85 ERA 24.1 IP 14 hits 5 ER 2 BB and 7 K’s.
Albers also submitted his fifth blog on the 16th which has been read over 2,500 times over the past two days by fans from all over North America.
On the 15th another big piece of news broke on Twitter that Chris Robinson had been called up by the San Diego Padres. Chris Robinson is a nine-year veteran of minor leaguer ball and a long-time member of the Canadian National team. Most recently, Robinson caught for the Canadians at the World Baseball Classic and played an important role in helping Team Canada qualify for the WBC back in September 2012 in the Germany qualifiers.
Bob Elliott provided a round up of Robinson’s contribution to Canadian Baseball on the 16th. Since his promotion Robinson has been sent back down to triple-A with the return of Nick Hundley. He did not see any game action during the call up. In an article on Padres.com Tim Towers says manager Bud Black spoke to Robinson about his future and hinted at a September call up.
Chris Robinson is also a Canadian Baseball Network Blogger. His blog can be read here.
In two weeks, two of our MiLB bloggers were promoted to the majors. Needless to say August has been an exciting month! Any other minor leaguers looking for a good luck charm through the organizational ladder?
In Blue Jays coverage, David Matchett talks about the return of Munenori Kawasaki to Toronto and their performance when Kawasaki is with the team. Devon Teeple compares Brett Cecil’s season, from his brilliant first half performance to his dismal second half.
Around the minors…
110 Canadian players are now (or have been) active in the minor leagues during the 2013 season and George Farelli has his weekly update of Canadians in the Minors here.
Bob Elliott filed his annual look at the draft and which program had the best year with the Ontario Blue Jays being top dogs with six current or former players drafted.
In an ironic twist, the pitcher sent down when Andrew Albers received his call up was LHP Scott Diamond (Guelph, Ont.) who pitched a shutout at triple-A Rochester last week winning him the Canadian Baseball Network’s Player of the Week award.
Maxx Tissenbaum told about being on the same field as re-habbing Detroit Tigers 3B Omar Infante.
Around the Sandlots…
The World Baseball Challenge started in Prince George BC this week and all our coverage can be found here.
On the CBN Podcast we spoke to Greg Hamilton of Baseball Canada about the Junior National Team who arrived in Australia last week for a 10-game exhibition schedule in preparation for the IBAF 18U World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan Aug. 30-Sept. 8. Adam Morrisette has the story here.
Do you know who Gareth Morgan is? If you don’t, you soon will. Listed #1 on the Canadian Baseball Network Draft List for 2014 Gareth Morgan is expected to make a splash at next year’s draft. Alexis Brudnicki spoke to Gareth last week.
The 18U Midget and 21U Junior Championships began last week in Trois-Riviéres (18U) and Dartmouth (21U). Ryan Morissette has the coverage in our Sandlots section.
Around the Web…
Melissa Couto had a piece in the Globe and Mail about Andrew Albers stellar debut.
Rob Fai of the Vancouver Canadians highlights NWL Pitcher of the Week Shane Dawson.
Corey Brock of MLB.com discusses Chris Robinson’s promotion.
Mark Booth of the Delta Optimist speaks to Tom Robson about his time with his hometown Vancouver Canadians.
In other news…
Don’t forget that the MLB Scouting Bureau is still holding open workouts with upcoming events on the 20th in Welland and the 21st in Etobicoke Ontario.
Coming this week…
The Canadian Baseball Network Podcast will release part 1 of our special Tom Cheek tribute. Guests for this special edition are Jerry Howarth and Bob Elliott.
More coverage from the Junior National Team’s visit to Australia and April Whitzman has a new blog about the resurgence of Brett Lawrie at the plate for her CBN blog April Means Baseball.
Alexis Brudnicki also has a story on Chris Robinson coming early this week
That's it for week 32 of 2013