A baseball career: My journal

[antidan444]

March 10, 2014 (ST: Astros at Orioles)

I felt good this morning, so I begged Porter to let me get in the game against the O's, who I grew up a huge fan of, living 80 miles away. He gave in to my request, and I was a happy camper, as I got to face some of the guys I rooted for.

FIFTH INNING

A 1-2-3 inning with three groundouts. The third batter of the inning was Chris Davis, holy crap, he's even bigger in person, a man mountain. Fortunately my sinker had good life and he couldn't get under it.

SIXTH INNING

I made a good 3-1 sinker to Matt Wieters (ZOMG Matt Wieters!) and he grounded back to me for the first out. Nolan Reimold singled to right, but I got J.J. Hardy to ground to third and the guys turned a nice around-the-horn double play to end the inning.

I wish my sinker always had this kind of movement. I think I was a little extra amped up to face the O's.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, walks or Ks, 11 of 15 pitches for strikes.
SEASON STATS: 6 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 K, 1.50 ERA.

So far, I'm throwing strikes and pitching well. They're definitely wanting me to make the club ... apparently Astros fans are enamored with me and management thinks my presence on the club could sell some tickets.

[antidan444]

March 12, 2014 (ST: Astros at Athletics)

The script was a little different for this game: Our starter got shelled and was out in the third, so one of our lesser-used long relief guys got some time. Then I got called in with two outs in the sixth and the bases empty.

My outing couldn't have been any better: Seven up, seven down on two easy flyouts, four routine grounders and one soft grounder to second that was the only tough play. I didn't have my best control (16 strikes in 28 pitches) but I made good pitches when behind in the count and my stuff had good life again.

I'm starting to build momentum for a possible major league bullpen spot. Porter was all smiles when he came to get me ... I think he's one of my biggest supporters and wants me on the club.

SPRING STATS: 8 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 K, 1.08 ERA

[antidan444]

March 14, 2014 (ST: Indians at Astros)

It was back to the routine of working the fifth and sixth innings again.

FIFTH INNING

I got behind the count on the first two hitters and paid for it, as Michael Pence lined a double to the left corner and scored on Adam Abraham's single to left. I retired the next three guys on groundouts.

SIXTH INNING

With one out, I gave up clean singles to Lonnie Chisenhall and Carlos Santana, but I got Asdrubal Cabrera to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Only 17 of my 30 pitches were strikes and I fell behind against most of the hitters today. The double play helped minimize the damage.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks or Ks
SEASON STATS: 10 1/3 innings, 10 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 1 K, 1.74 ERA

[Big T]

Is the majors calling? Good luck

[antidan444]

March 15, 2014 (ST: Astros at Rangers)

Manager Bo Porter came to me a couple hours before game time, asked how I was feeling (fine), and said he would probably pitch me today to see how my arm responds to a third outing in four days. I had no problem with that, and so I got the fifth and sixth innings again.

FIFTH INNING

A 1-2-3 inning with two groundouts and Lorenzo Cain's line-drive out to right. Got a little lucky on that one.

SIXTH INNING

Ian Kinsler lined a single to center leading off. After getting a fielder's choice groundout, Lance Berkman (another hitter against whom I had to contain my "OMG!" reaction) ripped a fly to the gap in right, but Chris Carter ran it down and made a great leaping catch. A groundout to second ended my outing.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs/walks/Ks
SPRING STATS: 12 1/3 innings, 11 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 1 K, 1.46 ERA

Personal note: This is now 26 2/3 innings going back to my last two starts of last season that I have worked without walking anyone. I made that my number one goal before those two starts last year, and without question those two starts were a turning point for me.

[antidan444]

March 17, 2014 (ST: Astros at Rays)

Our starter, Jeff Francis, tweaked a side muscle in the third and had to be relieved with a long guy, so that pushed my appearance back until the sixth. It was still a 0-0 game when I got the call with two outs and the bases empty ... to face Evan Longoria, another name I can't believe I'm facing. That's been one very cool aspect of this spring. I'm a kid again. (Again? The vets would laugh at me for that.)

I wasn't laughing after getting Longoria to ground out to third (a nice backhanded stop up the line), because I felt a twinge in my hamstring. Just like that, my day was done and I held my breath as I visited the doctor.

Fortunately, the MRI was negative and it appears to be a mild strain. A day of rest should be all that's needed. I breathed a sigh of relief.

[antidan444]

March 18, 2014 (ST: Royals at Astros)

I woke up with absolutely zero issues with my hamstring, even after a light jog, so I told Porter I was good to go.

FIFTH INNING

My defense made two pretty nice plays to help me get through a 1-2-3 inning.

SIXTH INNING

After a routine flyout and a pretty good play at short for a 6-3 out, I fell behind Mike Moustakas 2-0 and had to challenge him with a meatball sinker. I knew it was gone on contact. I came back and got a rare strikeout against Salvador Perez to end the inning and the outing. No hamstring issues at all.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 K
SPRING STATS: 14 2/3 innings, 12 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 2 Ks, 1.84 ERA

[antidan444]

March 20, 2014 (Astros at Blue Jays)

Back to the usual routine ... it is nice to know what to expect on a day-to-day basis.

FIFTH INNING

Melky Cabrera lined a single to right leading off, but I got Edwin Encarnacion to ground into a 4-6-3 double play and Jose Reyes to pop up to short.

SIXTH INNING

Eugenio Velez hit a bloop to left near the line that fell two feet in front of the outfielder for a leadoff single. The game was tied at 4 so Toronto had Andy LaRoche lay down a sac bunt. Ryan Goins flew out to center, but Emilio Bonifacio hit a pretty good first-pitch sinker to left, just out of reach of the shortstop, for an RBI single. I struck out Josh Thole looking with a perfect changeup to end the inning, but the run wound up saddling me with the loss.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 K
SPRING STATS: 16 2/3 innings, 15 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks, 3 Ks, 2.16 ERA, 1-1 record

[antidan444]

March 21, 2014 (ST: Twins at Astros)

Interesting side note: The Twins are now managed by Tony La Russa.

This was another test of my durability, as I took the mound for the fourth time in five days.

FIFTH INNING

After getting two groundouts, I left a 2-1 sinker over the heart and Ray Olmedo hit it out. Probably the worst pitch I've made all spring. I got a flyout to center to end the frame.

SIXTH INNING

This was a fun inning, facing a lot of name guys.

Ryan Doumit -- I struck him out looking on a 1-2 curveball. This was a pretty generous call by the ump on the outside corner.

Joe Mauer (ZOMG!) -- I got behind in the count, then got a little lucky as he got just a little under a sinker and flew out to deep center.

Josh Willingham -- He lined a single to center.

Aaron Hicks -- He flew out to right, with our RF making a pretty nice running catch in the gap.

I wasn't real happy with my control today, only 18 of 31 pitches were strikes.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 1 K
SPRING STATS: 18 2/3 innings, 17 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks, 4 Ks, 2.41 ERA

[antidan444]

March 22, 2014

Wanted to share this very positive story from the Houston beat reporter:

TEENAGER KAUFFMAN SHOWING HE MAY BELONG, AFTER ALL

By BRETT JENKINS
Houston Chronicle

For a few short weeks in spring training, Dan Kauffman has made a lot of people eat crow.

Those people — and there were plenty of them — were the ones who criticized the Houston Astros' selection of the young right-hander with the first overall pick in last year's draft. They said he wasn't tall enough (5-foot-8) and doesn't throw hard enough (his sinker tops out around 92 mph). They pointed to his ordinary high school stats — a 2.95 ERA and a 76-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 88 1/3 innings — as another poor sign. And when Kauffman struggled for most of two months while bouncing around various minor league stops, those people voiced their opinions even louder.

"I heard it. How could I not?" Kauffman said. "The thing is, I'm always my harshest critic. People saying I sucked last fall didn't bother me, because I did suck. I needed to get better. I needed a fire lit under me."

The Astros were once again roundly criticized for placing Kauffman on the 40-man roster this offseason. But at least for now, The Astros and Kauffman are getting the last laughs.

Instead of floundering this spring, Kauffman has flourished. He has made more appearances (10) and pitched more innings (18 2/3) than any other pitcher, and they've been quality innings — He's 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA.

Kauffman points to his final two starts with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks as the start of his turnaround.

"I was really struggling with my control — walking far too many people, trying to be too fine and not trusting my stuff," Kauffman said. "I was tired of the walks, and I just told myself that I was going to throw strikes, and if I get hit hard, at least they're earning it, but they weren't earning it when I was walking people. I'm going to go after hitters."

Kauffman hasn't walked a batter this spring — stretching his consecutive innings streak without a walk to 33 innings. Opposing hitters are not making much solid contact against him, either, hitting just .245 against his assortment of movement-heavy pitches.

"I've been able to make some good pitches with runners in scoring position, get some double-play grounders, let my defense do the work," Kauffman said. "I'm still working on putting hitters away when ahead in the count, and I want to get a few more strikeouts, but mostly I'm trusting my stuff, and it's working out."

Astros manager Bo Porter has liked what he's seen from the 19-year-old, and thinks there's a spot in the bullpen for him this season.

"The thing about him is he learned from his struggles, put his chin down and got to work," Porter said. "He's one of the first guys in here, one of the last to leave. He doesn't have that 'first overall pick' entitled attitude, and I think some of that is he's heard the criticism, he's gone through the trials and he's channeled all that in a positive way.

"I'd love to have him out there (in the bullpen). I don't know for sure if he's ready stuff-wise, but from a character standpoint, the way he carries himself and goes about his business, absolutely he's ready."

Kauffman is trying to keep his excitement at a possible roster spot muted.

"Of course, thats been the goal since I arrived for spring," Kauffman said. "But no matter what the organization decides, the bottom line is, whatever the name on the front of my jersey is, I'm going to give that team everything I have, and I'm going to keep working to get where I want to be."

[antidan444]

March 23 (ST: Astros at White Sox)

Manager Bo Porter called me into his office this morning and told me he was changing my role to one of two setup guys, and that I'd likely be pitching the seventh and/or eighth innings now. He said I should prepare for these games mentally as if they're regular season games because I may very well have the role when we head for Houston. Alrighty then!

I was given a 2-0 lead to start the seventh ...

SEVENTH INNING

Alejandro De Aza -- I threw a good 3-1 sinker and he grounded to second.
Carlos Sanchez -- He grounded to first, and I beat him to the bag to take the throw.
Hector Gimenez -- Struck him out on an 0-2 sinker. That's how you put a guy away.

EIGHTH INNING

The White Sox threw two good pinch hitters at me here ...

Justin Morneau -- He grounded a sinker to second for an easy out.
Alex Rios -- Delino DeShields Jr. robbed him up the middle for a 4-3 out. Thanks, Delino!
Jeff Keppinger -- This should have been my first walk of the spring, but he swung at a 3-1 sinker well off the plate and grounded out to third.

Six up, six down! That couldn't have gone any better, as we won 2-0.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 0 hits/runs/walks, 1 K
SEASON STATS: 20 2/3 innings, 17 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks, 5 Ks, 2.18 ERA

[antidan444]

March 26, 2014 (ST: Orioles at Astros)

Another crack at my "beloved" O's, as I got the ball in the seventh trailing 3-2.

SEVENTH INNING

Jonathan Schoop -- A routine 4-3 groundout.
Nolan Reimold -- He fouled out to first.
Steve Pearce -- Our fifth-string shortstop made a meal of a routine grounder.
Adam Jones -- He ripped a pitch to deep left center, but Justin Maxwell chased it down in center to end the inning.

EIGHTH INNING

Travis Ishikawa -- A routine 6-3 groundout, and no error this time.
Matt Wieters -- He hit a clean single to right on a decent first-pitch sinker.
DJ LeMahieu -- A rare Oriole I'd never heard of. I threw a poor 2-2 pitch and he ripped it to left for a single.
Xavier Henry -- He got under a sinker just a little too much and it was run down in the left-field gap.
JJ Hardy -- A pretty routine shallow F7 ended the threat, giving me another scoreless two innings. Our offense never got the tying run, though.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs/walks/Ks, 17-25 strikes
SPRING STATS: 22 2/3 innings, 19 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks, 5 Ks, 1.99 ERA

[baseballonly]

Hmm...Think you have a chance to earn a starting job?

[antidan444]

March 27, 2014 (ST: Astros at Angels)

We were trailing 3-0 when I entered in the seventh. The Angels were making wholesale lineup changes so most of the big names were out.

SEVENTH INNING

Jack Wilson -- An easy 3-1 groundout on the first pitch. I actually like getting in on the fielding plays and stretching my legs.
J.B. Shuck -- I failed to put him away once I got up 0-2, and he singled to right on a 3-2 pitch. Aw, shucks.
Hank Conger -- He hit a can of corn to center.
Kaleb Cowart -- Routine 4-3 to end the inning.

EIGHTH INNING
Luis Jimenez -- A big one-hopper to third for an easy out.
Matt Long -- He blooped a single to short left, then for some reason tried to stretch it to a double and was thrown out by 20 feet. Oops.
Sean Rodriguez -- He hit a screamer, but right at the left fielder.

At this point, unless something really awful happens, I can't imagine not making the big club. I'm starting to allow myself to get excited for my first Opening Day. It won't be quite how I envisioned it (as a starter), but it will do.

GAME STATS: 2 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs/walks/Ks, 19-28 strikes.
SPRING STATS: 24 2/3 innings, 21 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks, 5 Ks, 1.82 ERA

[antidan444]

Originally Posted by baseballonly

Hmm...Think you have a chance to earn a starting job?

I forgot to clarify this, because I just found out myself late yesterday ... Dan's 2.5-star current rating is for relief pitching, he's still rated 0.5 stars as a starter. So, no, I don't think the Astros are going to put him in the rotation this season (barring more ratings improvement), but he sure seems like a lock to be a key part of the bullpen, which was unexpected.

[baseballonly]

Originally Posted by antidan444

I forgot to clarify this, because I just found out myself late yesterday ... Dan's 2.5-star current rating is for relief pitching, he's still rated 0.5 stars as a starter. So, no, I don't think the Astros are going to put him in the rotation this season (barring more ratings improvement), but he sure seems like a lock to be a key part of the bullpen, which was unexpected.

Idk, if I was Dan I think I'd rather be a SP in Double A than a RP in the majors.

[antidan444]

Personally, I'd take the major league gig.

From an organizational standpoint, I think the Astros are crazy, and starting in the minors would be better.

From a storytelling standpoint, it's kind of up to the AI, and this is what the AI is doing. I'm just rolling with the punches and trying to make the story somewhat entertaining.

[antidan444]

March 31, 2014 (ST: Rangers at Astros)

The final game of what has been a wildly successful spring training, far better than I had hoped for. I was guaranteed a couple innings today by manager Bo Porter, and wound up turning in my longest effort of the spring.

We trailed 1-0 when I took the mound to start the seventh ...

SEVENTH INNING

Lance Berkman -- I struck him out on four pitches, all quality sinkers, the last two he waved through. This might be the first time I got a guy to swing and miss twice in the same at-bat this spring.
Engel Beltre -- An easy 1-3 comebacker.
Craig Gentry -- Routine 6-3 groundout.

We scored a run in the bottom half for a 1-1 tie.

EIGHTH INNING

Elvis Andrus -- I threw a good 2-0 sinker for a 4-3 groundout, and Elvis left the building ...
Mitch Moreland -- Another easy 1-3 comebacker.
Jurickson Profar -- I was excited for this battle, as I suspect Jurickson and I will see plenty of each other over the next decade. I won this battle with a 4-3 groundout after he chased some pitcher's pitches early in the count.

With the game still deadlocked, and five off days between this game and the start of the season, Porter let me keep going.

NINTH INNING

Mike Olt -- He singled to left on a 3-1 "get it over" curve. I waved off the typical sinker just to do something different.
Dominic Brown -- I got him to pop up to short.
Greg Miclat -- He flew out to center on an 0-2 pitch.
Berkman -- This is the first time all spring I faced the same guy twice in a game. He pounded a 1-1 sinker right to the first baseman to end the inning.

We went into extras tied at 1.

TENTH INNING

Lorenzo Cain -- I struck him out by elevating an 0-2 sinker intentionally.
Mike Jacobs -- A routine 4-3 groundout.
Russ Mitchell -- I threw a poor 1-2 sinker and he ripped it to center for a single, ending my outing. The next batter flew out, so the single didn't hurt.

We wound up losing 2-1 in the 14th.

GAME STATS: 3 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 Ks, 30-47 strikes
FINAL SPRING STATS: 28 1/3 innings, 23 hits, 5 runs, 0 walks (!!!), 7 Ks.

I threw the most innings of any major league pitcher this spring, and was among the league leaders in ERA and WHIP.

I'm 99 percent sure I have a bullpen spot waiting for me in the majors. Being a reliever is not my dream, but at 19, with a spot in the bigs likely, who am I to complain? The organization has told me they will make me a starter down the road, maybe in a year or two. I plan to hold them to that.

Final cut-downs have yet to be made, so nothing is set in stone. But it sure seems I have nothing to worry about, except wait for my big league debut.

[antidan444]

April 2, 2014

I was called into a meeting with general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter today. They didn't beat around the bush: I am a major leaguer.

To start out, I will be the team's primary middle relief arm. The fifth and sixth innings will usually be mine, if needed. Any role, as of right now, is perfectly fine by me.

Seems the rest of the guys were in on the news before I was, because they were waiting outside the door with congrats and a few good-natured ribs. I had to do a couple interviews, too.

I don't think this has sunk in yet. It may not for a while.

-----

COMING UP: A LOOK AT THE 2014 ASTROS

[Clemente21PIT]

Hooray! You are now the Mike Trout and Bryce Harper of Relief Pitching!

BTW: DJ LeMahieu is currently on the Rockies, he must have been traded to the Orioles in your league. DJ LeMahieu Stats, News, Pictures, Bio, Videos - Colorado Rockies - ESPN