Mike Hollimon released per BA

[RatkoVarda]

Detroit Tigers
Released: 3B Michael Hollimon

The switch-hitting Hollimon seemed destined for, if not stardom, then at least utility when in '07 he batted .282/.371/.478 with 14 homers, 34 doubles and 64 walks as a second baseman in Double-A. Granted, the red flags were present. Hollimon struck out in nearly 26 percent of his at-bats with Erie, and that June he turned 25.

With Triple-A Toledo in '08, Hollimon struck out at an even more furious pace (33 percent of at-bats) but also clubbed 15 homers in 91 games. But wait! He had dislocated his left shoulder during spring training, at least partially accounting for his failings with the Mud Hens. Hollimon had surgery on his torn labrum in September '08, and his play appeared to be affected last season. In a 29-game spell in Double-A, the 27-year-old, now playing third base, batted just .212/.320/.385 with 35 whiffs and 17 walks. He did not play after June 23.

In wrapping up this rambling comment, I'd be remiss not to mention the parallels between (the healthy version of) Hollimon and Mark Bellhorn. A checklist of attributes: switch-hitter, solid defensive second baseman, plenty of walks, above-average power and many, many strikeouts. Bellhorn played his first full season in the big leagues for the '02 Cubs, when he was 27 years old and after he had changed organizations for the first time.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7707

[ROMAD1]

Originally Posted by RatkoVarda

Detroit Tigers
Released: 3B Michael Hollimon

The switch-hitting Hollimon seemed destined for, if not stardom, then at least utility when in '07 he batted .282/.371/.478 with 14 homers, 34 doubles and 64 walks as a second baseman in Double-A. Granted, the red flags were present. Hollimon struck out in nearly 26 percent of his at-bats with Erie, and that June he turned 25.

With Triple-A Toledo in '08, Hollimon struck out at an even more furious pace (33 percent of at-bats) but also clubbed 15 homers in 91 games. But wait! He had dislocated his left shoulder during spring training, at least partially accounting for his failings with the Mud Hens. Hollimon had surgery on his torn labrum in September '08, and his play appeared to be affected last season. In a 29-game spell in Double-A, the 27-year-old, now playing third base, batted just .212/.320/.385 with 35 whiffs and 17 walks. He did not play after June 23.

In wrapping up this rambling comment, I'd be remiss not to mention the parallels between (the healthy version of) Hollimon and Mark Bellhorn. A checklist of attributes: switch-hitter, solid defensive second baseman, plenty of walks, above-average power and many, many strikeouts. Bellhorn played his first full season in the big leagues for the '02 Cubs, when he was 27 years old and after he had changed organizations for the first time.

Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Minor League Transactions

We haven't seen Rhymes this spring have we? It appears the Tigers have a couple of Middle infield prospects they want to roll with and are sorting things out besides that.

[oldglory1999]

Originally Posted by RatkoVarda

Detroit Tigers
Released: 3B Michael Hollimon

The switch-hitting Hollimon seemed destined for, if not stardom, then at least utility when in '07 he batted .282/.371/.478 with 14 homers, 34 doubles and 64 walks as a second baseman in Double-A. Granted, the red flags were present. Hollimon struck out in nearly 26 percent of his at-bats with Erie, and that June he turned 25.

With Triple-A Toledo in '08, Hollimon struck out at an even more furious pace (33 percent of at-bats) but also clubbed 15 homers in 91 games. But wait! He had dislocated his left shoulder during spring training, at least partially accounting for his failings with the Mud Hens. Hollimon had surgery on his torn labrum in September '08, and his play appeared to be affected last season. In a 29-game spell in Double-A, the 27-year-old, now playing third base, batted just .212/.320/.385 with 35 whiffs and 17 walks. He did not play after June 23.

In wrapping up this rambling comment, I'd be remiss not to mention the parallels between (the healthy version of) Hollimon and Mark Bellhorn. A checklist of attributes: switch-hitter, solid defensive second baseman, plenty of walks, above-average power and many, many strikeouts. Bellhorn played his first full season in the big leagues for the '02 Cubs, when he was 27 years old and after he had changed organizations for the first time.

Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Minor League Transactions

Not surprised...he didn't a whole lot imo during the time i watched him

[Edman85]

The margin of error is so slim for guys who are old for their level. We are seeing this with Larish too.

[sagnam]

I long for the day we get a Jeff Larish released thread.

[84 Lives!!!]

I am devastated.

[Microline133]

Originally Posted by 84 Lives!!!

I am devastated.

You better be prepared, there could be at least one more in your former AAT brigade to be released this spring.....

[84 Lives!!!]

Originally Posted by Microline133

You better be prepared, there could be at least one more in your former AAT brigade to be released this spring.....

Bowen's on the edge, eh?

Or is it Rainwater?

[sportz4life]

Originally Posted by 84 Lives!!!

Bowen's on the edge, eh?

Or is it Rainwater?

Would you like to play fantasy with us, we need a patsy..

[baseball3]

Hollimon was released on Friday, why is this news on the following Wednesday?

[hueytaxi]

First I've read it. And I don't think it is Rain.

[ToledoTigerFan]

Holliman=Kelly=Pittaro=Torey Lovullo

[Charles Liston]

Originally Posted by ToledoTigerFan

Holliman=Kelly=Pittaro=Torey Lovullo

Well I suspect that those other guys probably hit at Triple A, although I'm too lazy to look it up. Hollimon didn't. I know that a lot of people feel that Double A is the "true proving ground" and that Triple A is just a place to stash some emergency callups, but to me it seems that half of the pitchers in the International League are interchangeable with half of the guys in big league bullpens. So if you can't hit at Toledo, there's no reason to assume that you're going to hit in Detroit.

It would have been better for Hollimon to get released a couple of months ago and look for a fresh start, assuming his shoulder is healed.

[ToledoTigerFan]

Originally Posted by Charles Liston

Well I suspect that those other guys probably hit at Triple A, although I'm too lazy to look it up. Hollimon didn't. I know that a lot of people feel that Double A is the "true proving ground" and that Triple A is just a place to stash some emergency callups, but to me it seems that half of the pitchers in the International League are interchangeable with half of the guys in big league bullpens. So if you can't hit at Toledo, there's no reason to assume that you're going to hit in Detroit.

It would have been better for Hollimon to get released a couple of months ago and look for a fresh start, assuming his shoulder is healed.

Kelly did a bit, but the other two, not so much. I agree, though, that they should've released him earlier.

[Edman85]

Originally Posted by Charles Liston

Well I suspect that those other guys probably hit at Triple A, although I'm too lazy to look it up. Hollimon didn't. I know that a lot of people feel that Double A is the "true proving ground" and that Triple A is just a place to stash some emergency callups, but to me it seems that half of the pitchers in the International League are interchangeable with half of the guys in big league bullpens. So if you can't hit at Toledo, there's no reason to assume that you're going to hit in Detroit.

It would have been better for Hollimon to get released a couple of months ago and look for a fresh start, assuming his shoulder is healed.

Given the timing, I'm betting he showed up to camp out of shape.

[ROMAD1]

Originally Posted by sportz4life

Would you like to play fantasy with us, we need a patsy..

Hey!!!

I solved my own mystery about Will Rhymes. Those not invited to the big league camp are not yet in minor league camp. Or am I wrong?

[Microline133]

Rhymes has been down there for a couple of weeks at least. He's been working on the back fields as part of the minor league mini-camp. All minor league position players are to report by Sunday....pitchers and catchers are already required to be there.

[Simple Simon]

Well...time for me to get a new 2010 AAT...too bad.

[sportz4life]

Originally Posted by ROMAD1

Hey!!!

I solved my own mystery about Will Rhymes. Those not invited to the big league camp are not yet in minor league camp. Or am I wrong?

You're already playing..this was for my good friend 84L..

[84 Lives!!!]

Originally Posted by sportz4life

You're already playing..this was for my good friend 84L..

I've done football a couple times...

But I would definitely be a patsy as I've never played fantasy baseball in my life, and wouldn't know what the hell I'm doin'...

[redshark63]

Other transactions (per Mark's twitter):

TigsTownMark
#Tigers moves: Jonah Nickerson (RHP), Jeff Gerbe (RHP), and Adrian Casanova (C) all retired.

[vannzee]

Intresting...

My thoughts on Hollimon is that he is a very skilled and verastile baseball player and a real nice guy. I dont think he will be out of a job for long, since he was once highly regarded. I could even see him wind up in a position to make the Majors this year...with some variables playing out just right. If this is the end of the line for him, he made it to the majors and homered once so he can tell the grand kids about that.

I hate to see Gerbe retire. After his first pro season he was invited to spring training and seemed a good bet to be a decent to top prospect. I guess with the injurys he just didnt want to do it anymore.

Nickerson was a good depth pitcher for a system and had a nice college career. I didnt see him any higher then Erie. Casanova was another decent depth guy.

[Microline133]

Originally Posted by vannzee

I hate to see Gerbe retire. After his first pro season he was invited to spring training and seemed a good bet to be a decent to top prospect.

This has always been a bone of centention for me....outside of a couple of shiny games in big league camp, there was never really anything in his performance or profile to suggest he was anything more than your pretty typical minor league pitcher....a C-level prospect with a marginal big league window, at best. Any expectations greater than that were spun up by the media rooting for a home town kid, and writing a couple of nice stories.

[catswithbats]

Originally Posted by redshark63

Other transactions (per Mark's twitter):

TigsTownMark
#Tigers moves: Jonah Nickerson (RHP), Jeff Gerbe (RHP), and Adrian Casanova (C) all retired.

... Ugh. Does this mean I can pick a new Adopt-a-Tiger?

[ballmich]

Wow, that's a bummer that Nickerson decided to end his career. I know he wasn't a top prospect, but I'd have liked to see what he did in AA on the second go around.

[Microline133]

Judging by what I saw from him last year in person, and what scouts told me....his stuff was so far down that I don't think there was much chance of his numbers improving....

[MelissaG915]

aw. You hate to see it when you know the guys, but that's baseball.