Baseball notebook: Even in lower minor leagues, information on players abounds

CEDAR RAPIDS — Tommy Watkins searched a somewhat cluttered desk in his manager's office at Veterans Memorial Stadium the other day for papers that illustrate just how much information baseball clubs have on opposing players these days.

Even at the low-Class A minor-league level.

'Here they are,' Watkins finally said, pulling out several sheets.

These were spray charts, showing where Peoria Chiefs batters tend to hit baseballs. Watkins pointed out how a couple of Chiefs, in particular, were right-handed pull hitters, especially on groundballs.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels defensively shifted those players during a recent four-game series, with three infielders on the left side of the infield. Again, this is at the low-Class A level.

'It is just something that has been evolving in the game,' Watkins said. 'It's the information that we have. We don't go shifting a guy just because. It is the information we have gathered from the previous year, or whatever we have in our system, is the reason we do it.'

Video intern Sam Berk is responsible for gathering info on upcoming opponents and distributing it to Watkins, Kernels hitting coach Brian Dinkelman and pitching coach J.P. Martinez. It's as extensive as it gets.

Not only do you have hitter's tendencies, you have pitcher's tendencies as well. You want to know what pitch a guy generally throws on a specific count, they've got it.

There is even information on umpires and their strike zones. It's data the parent Minnesota Twins have acquired through various means, none of them nefarious, by the way.

Every club can and does gather intel.

'I think a lot of organizations share information,' Watkins said. 'They share video and stuff like that. But you look at a team like (Peoria). The Cardinals are in spring training with us in Florida, and in (Rookie-level) Elizabethton, in the Appy League. That's information that you have throughout the year. Sam will print out all kinds of stuff. You would be surprised.'

Watkins said he has no mandate from farm director Brad Steil or anyone else in the Twins system as to how to use the information. It's up to him and his coaching staff to decide.

There's no question the Kernels are shifting much more this season than they did at any time in previous Manager Jake Mauer's four seasons here.

'It's on me, Dink and J.P.' Watkins said. 'If we feel like we should shift somebody, we do it. We had a conversation about shifting and stuff this morning. Just talking to Sam about 'Hey, what you think about this shifting thing?' I think sometimes with runners in scoring position, or late in the game, you don't want them hitting a little dribbler through the hole. But I don't think the shifts have hurt us at all this year.

'Yeah, we have given up some base hits through the hole and things like that. But, especially the way the wind has been (lately), I'd rather those big buys hit a ball through the hole then over the fence.'

Watkins stressed that his players are not given all the information the Kernels have available on opponents. These guys have got plenty to worry about already, trying to figure out how to play professional baseball and move on to the next level of the minor leagues.

There is such a thing as information overload.

'When you're in the big leagues, and you come in from BP (batting practice), you've got a stack of papers on your chair,' Watkins said. 'Some use it more than others. But, man, it's stuff that just goes and goes and goes. You take what you want. It is unbelieveable.'

ODDS AND ENDS

• Former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep Mitch Keller was removed from his start for high-Class A Bradenton last week because of tightness in his back. One of the parent Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospects, Keller lasted just one inning against Daytona, giving up two runs and taking the loss. Keller told The Gazette on Saturday he felt fine and hoped to be able to make his next scheduled start.

• Outfielder Jaylin Davis of the Cedar Rapids Kernels has taken the Midwest League lead in home runs, thanks to a huge longball week. Davis has nine homers going into Saturday, five of which came last week. He hit three in a win over Peoria and added two Thursday night against Wisconsin.

HOW THEY'RE DOING

Joel Booker (University of Iowa) — Outfielder had a seven-game hitting streak through Friday, which has boosted his season batting average to .326 in 36 games for low-Class A Kannapolis (White Sox). Has eight doubles, two triples, 17 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Matt Dermody (University of Iowa) — Picked up pitching wins in his last two relief appearances for Triple-A Buffalo (Blue Jays). Is 3-0 this season with a 3.94 earned run average in 12 appearances.

Mitch Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier) — Left his last start for high-A Bradenton (Pirates) with back tightness. Is 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA in eight starts this season. Holding batters to a .203 average and has an outstanding WHIP of 0.97.

Derrick Loveless (Solon) — Outfielder hitting .179 in nine games for Double-A New Hampshire (Blue Jays), with three RBIs. Began season at high-A Dunedin, but earned promotion.

Tyler Peyton (University of Iowa) — Right-handed pitcher was assigned last week to low-Class A South Bend (Cubs) and made his professional debut, throwing three shutout innings in a relief appearance against Lansing.

A.J. Puk (Cedar Rapids Washington) — Lefty starter is 1-4 with a 4.19 ERA in nine games for high-A Stockton (Athletics), including six starts. Has struck out 54 in 34 2/3 innings.

Scott Schebler (Cedar Rapids Prairie) — Cincinnati Reds outfielder is hitting .241 in 39 games, with 10 home runs and 21 RBIs.

Eric Toole (University of Iowa) — Outfielder hitting .114 in 11 games for low-A Asheville (Rockies). Does have a home run and four RBIs.

Jake Yacinich (University of Iowa) — Shortstop for high-A Inland Empire (Angels) has a .195 batting average in 26 games. Has two homers and six RBIs.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com