Snake Bytes: 06/21 - There is always something worse

Diamondbacks News

[dbacks.com] D-backs show fight with 6-run rally in 8th

[AZ Central] Six-run rally not enough as Diamondbacks’ losing streak hits 17

[Arizona Sports] D-backs’ 8th-inning comeback falls short in loss to Dodgers on Father’s Day

Granted, there was some excitement, but in the end it was yet another sad day in Phoenix. So sad, that even AJ Pollock now feels sorry for us: “You wouldn’t wish that on anyone,” Pollock said.

Well, AJ, it is not like we don’t owe the situation not to ourselves. The team can grind whatever it wants, as Josh Reddick mentioned post-game, but Lovullo was clear when he mentioned: “I think they had 17 baserunners through five innings. That’s unacceptable.” Torey’s comments actually made sense until he started talking again about “we have to follow game plans”.

Worse news is that Lovullo pulled Eduardo Escobar (VanMeter shifted to third in yesterday’s game) because of right quad tightness and he needs to get imaging done this Monday.

So, don’t look surprised if yet another “important” member of the team hits the IL.

Around The MLB

[USA Today] ‘He wants his son back:’ Father of Dodgers’ Andrew Toles refuses to lose son to schizophrenia (via Yahoo Sports)

“He’s not really living, but just floating,” Morgan Toles, Andrew’s sister, an assistant basketball coach at Florida State, tells USA TODAY Sports. “It’s almost zombie-like. I don’t know if he’ll ever get better. None of us do.

[MLB Trade Rumors] Rays To Promote Wander Franco

The pretty much overall consensus #1 prospect in baseball will probably make his debut tomorrow against the Boston Red Sox after the Rays announed they will select his contract. At just 20 years of age Franco is seen as a future annual MVP contender. After the likes of Trout and Tatis, we might get to enjoy yet another exceptional talent for years to come.

[CBS Sports] MLB weekend winners and losers

Well, we all know who this weekend’s losers are (and the weekend before that and the weekend before that - but the weekend before that we actually beat the Mets). Winners? Individual performances of Kyle Schwarber, Gary Sanchez and Francisco Lindor. More interesting the uniforms the Mariners donned to honour the Negro League’s Seattle Steelheads.

[MLB Trade Rumors] Injury updates

The Rockies lost Austin Gomber to the 10 day IL with forearm tightness. The 27-year old was the main piece the Rockies acquired from the Nolan Arenado trade. The San Francisco Giants added John Brebbia to the 40-man roster after returning from a TJ surgery that saw him getting non-tendered in St. Louis. Space was created by shifting Aaron Sanchez to the 60-day IL (biceps inflammation).

[Yahoo Sports] Gerardo Parra said he ‘almost cried’ in first at-bat back with Nationals

If it wasn’t for his number one fan to reside on this site, I wouldn’t have included this article in today’s bytes. This one is for DC.

Across The Wall

[Mexico] Final Olympics Qualifiers to be played this week

Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Kingdom of the Netherlands will battle for the final ticket to the Japan Olympics. The five-game tournament will open with a round-robin (22-24 June), followed by one semifinal (25 June) game and the final (26 June). The winner of the round-robin will advance directly to the final, while the second- and third-place teams will compete in the semifinal.

If we look at seedings, Venezuela is the team to beat. They will take, more or less, the same men to Mexico as in the previous qualifier in the US. That means the team will be led again by Anibal Sanchez, Robert Chirinos, Hernan Perez and D-Back Juniel Querecuto.

If we look at talent, Dominican Republic is probably the favourite. The Dominicans made 10 changes, leaving Jose Bautista out this time. Melky Cabrera is back though, just like Julio Rodriguez, who ranks #5 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. Like we reported last week, D-Backs Luis Castillo and Juniel García were given permission from the organisation to help their country. A 15-4 blow-out over Mexico, that has already qualified for Japan, in an exhibition match last Saturday shows the potential of the team.

Outsider The Kingdom of The Netherlands shouldn’t be counted out though as they combine an interesting mix of players from The Netherlands, Curacao and Aruba led by former D-Back and Giants’ bench coach Hensley Meulens. There is a Schoop, a Profar and a Tromp on the roster, they are just the less talented brothers of the Major Leaguers.

Across The Pacific

[Japan] Japan’s baseball lineup for Olympic Games announced

Japan has melted a roster of speed and power to win Olympic Gold for the first time in its history. The pitching lineup will be led by former Yankee Masahiro Tanaka, currently pitching for the Rakuten Eagles, and long time Yomiuri Giant ace Tomoyuki Sugano.

[South Korea] Korea Olympics’ baseball roster announced

A couple of former Major League players lead the roster of what is otherwise a youthful Korea roster. Notable absences are former Major League All Star Choo Shin-soo and closer Oh Seung-hwan. Choo is not having the impact for SSG Landers many might have expected with a .266/.424/.469 batting line, but Oh leads the KBO with 20 saves in the year.

[Japan] Justin Smoak released to return to family in the USA

The former Blue Jays slugger had a hard time in the NPB and had requested his team Yomiuri Giants to be released. He will officially have to pass the waivers to be able to return to the States to join his family, who couldn’t join him because of COVID-restrictions.

[Australia] Auckland Tuatara to withdraw from ABL 21/22 season

The franchise from New Zealand, who joined the ABL as expansion team in 2018, announced that it will pull out from the 21/22 season. As direct cause COVID-uncertainties were given and the announcement was made now so that the ABL can start planning the season.

The Tuatara played in only two seasons thus far. In both seasons former D-Back Josh Collmenter was a leading member of the team. The Tuatara hit American headlines when in 2019 Twins prospect Ryan Costello was found dead in his sleep just days prior to the start of the season.