Moyer vs Hultzen: A Minor League Baseball Game

i guess that it was inevitable, i went to another baseball game.  This game was a minor league game between the Tacoma Rainiers (they aren't very good) and the Las Vegas 51s (the alien-y team).  This was supposed to be the pitching duel between the past and the present Mariners pitching... the veteran (49 years old) Moyer vs last year's second pick Danny Hultzen.  So here are some of my impressions of the game (that took place yesterday).  These will be somewhat more centered on the Rainiers since i don't know anything about the 51s (outside of Moyer)



Once again, not having a better lens could have cost me picture taking opportunities.  i can't believe that ruined the Cheney stadium entrance (on the Cheyenne side). 

* The homeplate umpire didn't seem to be calling the low strike (so i expected a higher run scoring game), Las Vegas obliged
* Moyer doesn't look like he has his command back (maybe next year), but he didn't do that badly - striking out 6 in 5 innings.  He wasn't really being hit that hard (except for two homeruns - i'm not sure either would have cleared the fence if they didn't cheapen Cheney stadium).  i was having trouble distinguishing the velocity difference between his change-up and his curveball.  It was pretty much like the game i saw him pitch in Colorado.  He was situationally effective. 
* Adam Moore looked decent behind the plate (defensively), offensively he hit a wall-scraper HR and a single.  i kind of hope he can be one of the M's catchers next year. 
* Carlos Truinfel has a really strong arm (control not so much).  He is probably going to injure someone in the first row someday. 
* Nick Franklin is my new favorite (current) Tacoma Rainier.  He is probably the most interesting position player in Tacoma since Shin-Soo Choo (at least to me).  Yes, i expect him to start next season in Tacoma. 

i am not really impressed by Hultzen.  i expected him to be more polished.  He looked wild the whole game.  It seems that he was struggling with the release point on his fastball.  It is kind of amazing that the only run he gave up was when he walked a run in.  Basically, Hultzen throw from kind of a 3/4 delivery and sits about 90-94 with the fastball (hits 96 a few times).  Some of his secondary stuff (change and curve) look passable. 

i don't see why people are so high on him as a future contributor.  He just doesn't look the part.  Basically, i see his maximum upside as Erik Bedard (especially if he remains on a pitch count).