January 17 - The Thursday List: 28 Days

I've spent the last two days trying to think of something clever to write, and I'm still thinking ....

While I'm pondering, here is the first installment of Name That Former Ranger Prospect (pictured on the left) and a few, very few baseball notes. 

P.S. Jamey Newberg is not eligible for this contest

Good News:  Mike Hindman's Prospect Previews continue on The Rangers Farm Report with a profile of the OF prospects (Michael Main at #4? Really?)

Interesting News: Signing catcher Adam Melhuse to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. 

This is the guy who lost his job when the Rangers traded for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and as of today that situation hasn't changed with both Gerald Laird and Salty still on the team.  You have to wonder why a player like Melhuse would come back. But on the other hand you have to wonder what the front office told him about how the major league catching situation might change? 

Maybe one of the catchers could be traded - (not very likely) - but Gerald Laird's name is often mentioned in trade rumors - alot can happen during Spring Training. Jon Daniels isn't shy about making a late spring trade (Robinson Tejeda). 

Or maybe since Salty has options left -he may start the season in OKC  - (more likely) - in order to catch every day, sharpen his defensive skills and work with the pitchers who will most likely be his future batterymates (Hurley, Mendoza, Galarraga, Murray). 

Or maybe Adam Melhuse just likes Oklahoma City (okay, that's a real stretch).

Better News: According to the Rangers website, they are going to move Jason Botts back to first base to platoon with Ben Broussard.

By the way Jason's stats from the Mexican Winter League: . 326 BA / .414 OBP/ .500 SLG - 15 HR - 54 RBI.

Today's news:  Signing Jason Jennings. 

Another low risk could be high reward.  Jennings pitched and won in Coors Field so the Ballpark shouldn’t be a problem for him.  Plus, I don't buy the argument that he's blocking the road for young pitchers.  The candidates for the rotation behind Padilla, Millwood, McCarthy and Jennings really lack experience:

• Luis Mendoza has never pitched an inning at AAA and only 16 major league innings in 2007
• Armando Galarraga pitched 24 innings at AAA in 2007 and only 8 in the major leagues last season.
• A.J. Murray hadn’t pitched since 2005 until last season, and only pitched about 80 total innings (combined minor and major) for all of 2007.

And keep in mind:  what happens if Kason Gabbard can’t stay healthy, or just plain can’t pitch well?

Considering the Rangers poor track record of developing their own starting pitching, and their habit of pushing young pitchers to the majors too early (causing more set backs) instead of letting them progress through the minor leagues – I don’t have a problem with signing Jennings.  Please don’t say that it can’t hurt to just throw the inexperienced pitchers out there since this is a re-building year. If you are talking about superior talents like an Adam Miller or Justin Verlander that’s fine to rush them through – but no-one is going to mistake Mendoza, Galarraga or Murray for one of those guys.

They all three have a chance to be good solid major league pitchers. There is no reason to gamble with their development by putting them in a major league situation they aren’t ready for just yet. The same goes for Eric Hurley. If necessary let them get a couple of months at last interim step of development at AAA, then in June start bringing them up.  If Jason Jennings is pitching well – some contender will want him and give up another prospect to stock the farm system with – if not – then the young guys who’ll take his spot will have a little more development experience on their ledger before they are thrown into the fire.

Unbelievable news: The Cardinals are talking about giving Juan Gonzalez an invitation to Spring Training. I suppose if Sammy Sosa can do it - why not Juan. Good luck with all that.

Off-season distraction news: Mrs. Schmenge told me to watch "Chuck" on NBC.

I didn't.  But when I received an I-Tunes gift certificate for Christmas, I downloaded all the episodes of "Chuck" and have been watching them on my I-Pod.  I admit - I'm smitten.  I immediately recognized a certain kind of perverse and witty humor in the writing - then realized I knew why as I watched the credits: a couple of writers and producers on this show also worked on my beloved (and much missed) "Veronica Mars".  Two new episodes of "Chuck" next week - can't wait to see them on a real television screen.

28 Days (and I'm not refering to that terrible Sandra Bullock movie) -- Marla Hooch