A Closer Look At Ralston Cash
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 1:08 PM PDT
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The Dodgers on Tuesday finalized a contract with Ralston Cash, a right-handed pitcher from Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Georgia and their second round pick from this year's draft. Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reported the signing bonus to be $464,000. Cash is the 17th high school pitcher drafted in the first two rounds by Logan White in the past nine years.
Cash will play in the Arizona rookie league, which just began their season this week, although he said no timetable has yet been set for his future. Cash was gracious enough to answer some questions via email about baseball, life, and his future.
On his high school baseball coach, Deuce Roark:
He had a great influence on me, I have a strong mental game most say..And all the credit goes to him on that one. We use to do exercises to make our minds mentally tough, and they worked..He also helped me mature, and he got me the academic help I needed.
The Dodgers met with Cash at Dodger Stadium on June 6, one day before the draft. He threw a bullpen session under the watchful eyes of Logan White and others. "The bullpen was amazing, but the best part was getting out there and watching the game," said Cash, "The fans are crazy about their Dodgers, and that is what I loved."
Cash had committed to play baseball at the University of Georgia, but the lure of turning pro appealed to him. I asked Cash if the choice between the college experience and turning pro was a difficult one:
No sir, just mostly because I prayed that God would help me make the decision and give me a sign of where to go. Getting drafted in the second round just seemed like a sign I needed to take.
I asked Cash to describe his pitching arsenal and if there was a current major league pitcher comparable in style:
89-92 sinking fb. Fastball, Slider, Changeup and sometimes a sinker is in my arsenal. No pitchers I would compare myself too, I don't really watch the game that much.
Cash said he didn't really have a favorite baseball player or team, although the Dodgers are his favorite team now (which is understandable when their logo appears on your paychecks). He does, however, look up to Ethan Martin, who was drafted in 2008 by the Dodgers and is currently with Class A Inland Empire. Martin, you see, is Cash's cousin. "It means a lot, and I think it's the coolest thing in the world to be in the same organization as him," said Cash, "I look up to him a lot and hope to fill the shoes that he has left behind for me."
Cash, who was exceedingly polite in our email exchange, comes across as someone with a strong head on his shoulders. His maturity comes from his faith, a recent change in his life. I asked him how a 2009 Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp altered his life:
Every bit of it changed.. My outlook on life, and my performance on the field also changed. In the weight room I sacrifice it all to the Lord. ON the field I give all my effort for the Lord and if I succeed, all credit is given to the Lord. He is an awesome God and has changed my life unbelievably.
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It is beyond crazy that this match has been suspended due to darkness…twice!
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
If his FB (with movement) is between 89-92
Should we figure it tops out at 94ish? If so, how good is that velocity for an 18 year old?
Pretty decent
Usually the case that just filling out and getting access to pro trainers for an 18yo is gonna add some velocity, so someone who is in the low 90s already figures to have a good chance of getting up into the mid-high 90s with little more than growing into his frame.
Mind you I’ve not seen how big he is, I’m simply assuming that he’s like most 18yos and hasn’t really filled out his last growth spurt yet.
Sounds like a good guy.
That would be awesome to be playing pro ball in the same organization as your cousin.
By the way
isn’t last night’s game how Joe Torre managed teams usually win games? Be patient and bide your time, hit the bad pitch for a bomb, pummel a middle reliever or two in the sixth/seventh? Sucked to be on the receiving end of that last night.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I wonder if Deuce
is a given name or a nickname in this case.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I tried to find him on Baseball Reference but to no avail.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh-oh
Strasburg in trouble, 1st and 2nd, one out.
Oh wait, he’s got Betancourt up now… nevermind.
That seems to be what he's implying.
Either that or the fact that he knows he is wanted in the Dodgers organization (as evidenced by the 2nd round pick).
The high level of pick
clearly anoints him as a professional pitcher. If he blows out the UCL, but receives the miracle of successful TJ surgery, he is still getting the sign. If he tears up the labrum, not so much.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
If he had been drafted
by the Astros in the 2nd round I wonder what he would’ve taken that sign to mean. :)
I dunno
75,000 more dollars? (I have no idea what the difference is early second to late second round)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I was just making a joke.
Wondering if he would still feel it a blessing to get drafted by a floundering team. :)
Maybe Cash can teach McDonald some of those tricks
his coach taught him to have a tough mental frame of mind.
OT: well drinks?
I was absorbed in the marathon tennis match all day until now, and so missed the last thread while it was happening.
I’ve been curious as to what exactly “free well drinks” (re SB Nation Day) means, and its derivation. What’s a well drink – a soft drink? Something more or less specific than that? And where does the name come from? (Drinking from the well = water? Some sort of bin with cans?) I’ve never heard the term before.
Some people actually acquire a taste for the well drink, preferring the generic brands of alcohol for various reasons. This might not necessarily be a bad thing, according to a study in 2008 in which subjects were asked to drink various wines in an MRI, allowing scientists to study their reactions. When subjects drank an expensive wine and knew it was expensive, they often had the same reaction as they did when they drank a cheap wine and were told it was expensive. On the flip side, when subjects drank cheap wines and were told they were cheap, they registered less delight in the taste, and the same held true when they were given samples of expensive wines and told they were cheap. This suggests that the perceived cost of a beverage may have more of an influence on the taste than we think, so if you can ignore the "bargain basement" connotation of the well drink, you might find yourself enjoying them.
When I set up a restaurant bar
I had to decide what was in the “well,” you usually have to consider how many kinds of vodka, scotch, gin, rum you were planning to carry and then how many pricing levels you want to have.
I would be surprised however, since Crown Royal Black is sponsoring the event, that you could not get some CRB in the well that night.
it’s on.
Advantage Dave for spelling his favorite Vodka correctly :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I was going for Grey Goose is way worse than something like Smirnoff and it’s only popular cause it’s expensive.
by regfairfield on Jun 23, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Got that
Besides Grey Goose is French Vodka. Who wants to drink French Vodka? French wine, sure. Vodka? No way – I’m heading farther north for that.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
The French should stick to their Sham-pag-in.
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
How can you discern that brand difference in your cosmo? ;-)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
have to admit I know nothing about booze
which is kind of funny since I worked at a Liquor store but our clients were drunks and all I did was work in the cooler room mostly filling up the Coors and Bud lines.
Good link
I would add that in this context a well drink is probably limited to one mixer, e.g., gin and tonic, rum and coke, scotch and water.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Oye, last trip to Vegas has made Gin and Tonic evil to me.
by robotmadeofnails on Jun 23, 2010 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I only do that when I’m rolling down the street.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
You ever hear the rockabilly version of Gin & Juice?
Ladies and gentlemen, The Gourds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunrKwykK_Y&feature=related
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Jun 23, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
That's pretty good
almost as good as “Boyz N Tha Hood” by Dynamite Hack
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks. That was unexpected. I wonder how rough the cheap stuff is. I don’t think I’ll be able to find out for myself on this occasion, maybe another time.
I’ve never had a problem with anything if you aren’t drinking it straight up.
by regfairfield on Jun 23, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Judging by the upscale look of the place
the well shouldn’t be horrendous.
Of course, when you mix with something as overwhelming as Coca-Cola, it doesn’t matter how cheap the rum is.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
you are aware you just rhymed, aren’t you?
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Also good friend
Sam DC is there.
He bought his tickets many weeks ago before there was a sniff that Strasburg was pitching.
If Strasburg ever pulls a Prince
(Rogers Nelson, not Fielder)
and changes his name to a symbol, I suggest:
>
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
A guy here named Nelson just had a kid
Earlier he had a joke-entry only baby naming contest, with weekly winner. I was the first to submit “[symbol] the Baby Formerly Known as Prince Rogers Nelson” FTW.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
When does he play a team thats actually good
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Jun 23, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
and I'm sure
the analysts will call that the “true test”
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I've finally looked up the gig for the LA SB Nation kick off
That looks like a great place. 45, 55 inch plasma’s? Is that a plasma for each patron?
So several things.
1. For a place that cost 3,000,000 to build, they seem to have skimped on what most of us would consider a functioning or useful web site.
2. I have a hard time believing they will still be in business one year from now but I’m very curious to see the crowd on Tuesday Night
3. Here is the Map Link:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Woodland+Hills&1s=CA&1z=91367&1y=US&1l=34.1766&1g=-118.6168&1v=ZIP&2c=Los+Angeles&2s=CA&2a=1615+N+Cahuenga+Blvd&2z=90028-6201&2y=US&2l=34.10023&2g=-118.32953&2v=ADDRESS
4. I’d suggest taking the red line to Hollywood and Highland and walking the two blocks.
For those who are coming from the Valley you can take the Subway (RedLine) from Lankershim and the stop you want is the 2nd stop.
La Cienega
is a bit more than two blocks isn’t it?
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
Most likely
Free parking is scarce in Hollywood. The streets are all metered until 6:00 P.M. (if not longer) usually as well.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
You want the Hollywood and Vine stop
not the Hollywood and Highland
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Ralston Cash seems to have a bit of Tim Tebow in him.
Going to make it hard to root for him if he continues to lay it on thick.
I have never had much of a problem with Tebow, but I hate how he gets covered. If that makes sense.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Has anyone mentioned that Phil Jackson is leaning toward retiring
That is 3 major stories to lead off Sportscenter, World Cup, Wimbledon and Phil/Lakers.
Anybody still think the Dodgers arent
inclined to stock pile there system. This is the third great draft in a row. Even if Lee doesnt sign that mean the dodgers get that comp in an even deeper draft pool next year. Oh yeah Neon Leon went 2-4 yest. Dodgers have some athletes in the system
true true
but Lee is asking for a 5 mill bonus so looking at that they probably werent enamored with anyone. I think the dodgers have a realistic shot at signing everyone on your list except for Gausman. The question I have is will any of these catchers pan out because they seemed to be on a tear with these college catchers trying to find one.And no May is not even close to the answer.
2009 was a great draft? I mean too soon to tell, but Miller’s the only one that’s done anything relevant so far.
by regfairfield on Jun 23, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I wouldnt say that
you kind of expected Miller to be more advanced. Garcia put up pretty good numbers at what 17. I wouldnt call Songo’s and Smith’s season garbage. Wallach like other dodger pitchers has had his times. His periphs are a little more that 2:1. Ames threw well and had eye popping periphs but then again that was at AZL.Gould has a ceiling but yet to really throw he got his feet wet but nothing more. Remember out of every draft you usually get one above average MLB player and another average MLB player. I wouldnt say its a great draft but they seemed to have started to fill their system from promotions and trades.
also not to mention
that kid that has scouts drooling all over themselves in Pericht. He can move up fast in the org but just needs to refine his skills behind the dish.
I’m not saying it was a bad draft, or that Songco or Garcia’s season was garbage, but I wouldn’t call one guy performing a great draft. Right now I’d call it average with a heavy dose of way too soon to tell.
by regfairfield on Jun 23, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
well true true but i mean
i guess it depends on what you are looking for. Personally I like what the Dodgers did in 09. They started targeting college kids who have a chance to move fast. I am just curious who they move behind the dish. alla Martin,May,Delmonico
Royals threatening against Strasburg in the 5th.
Looks to probably be their best shot at doing some damage.
It’s a shame he missed his window for that Triple A All-Star Game :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Too bad the fans don't vote in starting pitchers.
Guarantee that Strasburg would be top 5 in voting right now.
From a pure entertainment perspective…I would like to see Strasburg in the All-Star game.
by robotmadeofnails on Jun 23, 2010 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
All his purity/innocence
will be gone the first time he sees Alyssa Milano in the stands. Thank God we don’t have Lady Gagag as a fan.
I cracked up
after hearing what Jerry Seinfeld said about her.
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
She does seem to have a thing for Dodger pitchers
I can think of way worse reasons to abandon your faith then her.
(Figured I’d keep the breasts Dodger-related this time)
I am not saying she still won't be attractive in 2014
But even if the kid makes it here in 4 years, the former “Who’s the Boss” star will be 41, so maybe a new actress will need to become a fan by then.
Why even bring Strasburg up if he can't hit with runners in scoring position?
I thought this guy was supposed to be good.
NL Rookie of the Year
Heyward: .259/.378/.473, 11 HR, 51 RBI
Strasburg: .167/.167/.167, one measly hit
The choice is pretty obvious.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah
but how’s Heyward’s off-speed stuff?
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Looks like he’s done for the day:
6 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
Disappointing. He didn’t have his usual “I’m Rick James, bitch” stuff.
only 9 K's?
clearly they should shut him down for the season
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
No walks in three out of four starts will get it done.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Quoting JJ24
“Imagining that this may be DC version of Fernando mania. Yesterday’s game no even half full stadium. All this is in 95 degree heat and high humidity.”
“Crowd is energized, every batter every inning. People standing and clapping on 2 strike, 2 out counts in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Near sellout for a weekday day game.”
He also dropped the ominous “smooth delivery but kind of reminds me of Mark Prior” card.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
JJ24
also adds.
“Just finished the 6th w/Strasburg K. He’s on a pitch count. Prob getting taking out. Mass exodus of fans.”
Speaking of…a lot of Angels fans were strolling in late last night, surely that can’t be
by robotmadeofnails on Jun 23, 2010 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea, thats one scary comp
Expect domination for 2-3 years, followed by his arm exploding like, well…
He passes the “are you better than A. Martinez?” test though, so there’s that.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Angels lineup - same as last night
Kendrick 2B
Frandsen 3B
Abreu RF
Hunter CF
Matsui DH
Rivera LF
Napoli 1B
Mathis C
Wood SS
Pineiro P
He’s busy mayoring Sacramento right now
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d trade both of them for KJ. But where you play him? 2nd and 3rd is already taken by DeWitt and Blake, and Manny plays in LF.
There's only one KJ
and he dunked over Olajuwon
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I wasn't sure which one they were talking about
Knowing Silverwidow he meant Jansen.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
At this point there’s nothing left for him to prove in the minors.
I would prefer to trade Sherrill if anyone, maybe he’ll have a good couple of weeks and we can get something before we have to DFA him.
11 walks (and I know, 27 strikeouts!) in 16 2/3 innings in Double A, and “there’s nothing left for him to prove in the minors”?
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
nothing left for him to do to prove that he’s a better option that half of the guys in the bullpen in Los Angeles. *
Do you know that
I realize the stinkiness of Troncoso, Sherrill and Belisario would make you think that but its a lot different pitching to minor leaguers who may not have the bat speed to hit a straight fastball and major league hitters.
come now
he could be GREAT, the ceiling is Broxton not middle relief. Look at how fast he’s come and he hasn’t been pitching for even a year.
I agree
I am looking forward to his September callup and replacement of Cory Wade on the postseason roster.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Followed by his K-Rod like emergence as a little-known (outside TBLA) rookie to dominate the playoffs and carry his team(’s bullpen) to the championship?
Hey… it all fits.
I’m thinking bigger. K-Rod only had five postseason wins in 2002.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Eric is tapping his fingers like Mr. Burns
“Excellent, it’s all falling into place.”
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
meercat
you have programmed me into very pessimistic views about our minor leaguers plus the fact that middle relievers are just not that reliable.
But I don't view him as a middle relief pitcher
and the guys who are not very reliable are the pitchers with suspect peripherals. Jansen is not that guy. His command has already improved in 12 months to the point, I would not hesitate to bring him up.
Ian Snell. I’m sticking with this one.
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Did you read the article where he talked about killing himself because he got booed? The man is a total headcase.
by regfairfield on Jun 23, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
you put that song in my head
curse you.
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Just don’t boo me, I can’t take it.
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
That is outstanding. It fits with his reincarnated personality on Twitter
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with comment # 2 that it is probably a cigar and not his middle finger
by robotmadeofnails on Jun 23, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m flipping you and commenter #2 off right now.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
There’s always Frank Reberger
http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-Topps-Baseball-548-Frank-Reberger-Giants-/270592658845
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty funny, from a pretty funny looking Topps set.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
First set I ever collected. Those guys are my cardboard gods.
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I inherited a bunch of cards
from my brothers (translation: I found them in the closet after both were no longer living at home) from 1974-1980, so that was my introduction (in about 1985 or so).
I didn’t know much about pre-1974, but I do like the 1971 and 1973 designs:
1971:
1973:
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
my Dad gave me a bunch of cards he found
I’ll have to see which they are when i get home.
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually completed the 1973 set card by card, it’s the prize of my collection.
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
That is outstanding. I did the same for 1986-1990 Topps, and have since gone back to get older sets.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
My wife and I actually put the 1987 Topps together. I have ’86 too but I confess that I bought it complete.
by Little Blue Bicycle on Jun 23, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Not a ton of people in the stands at Dodger Stadium in that 1972 game.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank god
Lets hope for some dominance
by SeanMillerSavior on Jun 23, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder, depending on his success level
Where he could end up by the end of August.
"You're the only woman to ever love me." "I never loved you." "I meant physically!"
Has his promotion been announced somewhere?
by Eric Stephen on Jun 23, 2010 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions
same place Strasburg Cy Young award was announced
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 23, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
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