(Each player has three "options" to be sent to the minors once on the 40-man before they must be placed on waivers to be sent there.)

Don't you have to be on the 40 man roster to be called up ?

Performance and role are not the only considerations when it comes to September promotions.

There are rules.

Let's start with the easiest one: A player must be on the 40-man roster.

The Sept. 1 expansion of rosters simply allows a team to go from its 25-man active roster -- the one the team plays with for the first five months of the season -- to the 40-man roster. Any player on the 40-man roster is eligible to be in the majors on or after Sept. 1. The 40-man roster is essentially a protected list. It has the 25 players that the team wants in the majors and then as many as 15 players in the minors or on the disabled list that a team wants to maintain control of. For example, this season relief pitcher Adam Reifer has been on the Cardinals' 40-man roster all year. He did not get a promotion from Class AAA Memphis to the majors. But the Cardinals also couldn't lose him to another team.

Players who are on the 40-man roster must be optioned to the minors at some point during that season. To continue the example: Reifer was at the beginning of this season. Players have three option years.

Shelby Miller is not on the 40-man roster*.

He doesn't have to be yet.

* You can find the official 40-man roster here at Cardinals.com.

This is where it can get tricky, and this is where a team must make careful decisions when it comes to September promotions.

There comes a time in every player's career -- a wonderful time for them, really -- when a team must add them to the 40-man roster and begin the option process. This time means a player is getting closer to the majors with his current team -- or closer to being available to all major-league teams. The current rules state that a player who is younger than 19 on June 5 of the summer he signs has five years before he must go on the 40-man roster. Players who are 19 or older only have four minor-league seasons before they must go on the 40-man roster.

If a player is not placed on the 40-man roster by that time, he is eligible for the Rule 5 draft and can be grabbed by the other 29 teams as long as they stash him on their 25-man roster for the entire next season.

Confused?

Let's attack this simply. Here are the Top 30 prospects in the Cardinals system from this past winter's Baseball America Prospect Handbook, and next to each of them is the year they were drafted/signed and the season they must go on the 40-man or risked in the Rule 5 draft:

1. Shelby Miller, RHP -- draft 2009, 40-man before 2014*

* Miller was 18-years-old on June 5 before he signed.

2. Carlos Martinez, RHP -- signed 2010, 40-man before 2015

3. Oscar Taveras, OF -- signed 2008, 40-man after 2013*

* Taveras first played in 2009, so that's his first minor-league season.

4. Zack Cox, 3B -- traded to Miami

5. Kolten Wong, 2B -- draft 2011, 40-man before 2015

6. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2015

7. Lance Lynn, RHP -- already on

8. Eduardo Sanchez, RHP -- already on

9. Matt Adams, 1B -- added (one year early)

10. Jordan Swagerty, RHP -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2014

11. Trevor Rosenthal, RHP -- added (a year early)

12. Matt Carpenter, 3B -- already on

13. Ryan Jackson -- added (months early)

14. Maikel Cleto, RHP -- already on

15. Charlie Tilson, OF -- draft 2011, 40-man before 2016

16. Joe Kelly, RHP -- added (a year early)

17. John Gast, LHP -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2014

18. C. J. McElroy, OF -- draft 2011, 40-man before 2016

19. Adron Chambers, OF -- already on

20. Tony Cruz, C -- already on

21. Adam Reifer, RHP -- already on

22. Brandon Dickson, RHP -- already on

23. David Kopp, RHP -- no longer in organization

24. Cody Stanley, C -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2014

25. Victor DeLeon, RHP -- signed 2009, 40-man after 2014

26. Adam Ottavino, RHP -- no longer in organization

27. Boone Whiting, RHP -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2014

28. Seth Blair, RHP -- draft 2010, 40-man before 2014

29. Lance Jeffries, OF -- draft 2011, 40-man before 2016

30. Sam Freeman, LHP -- already on

***

Some other players in the minors who must go on the 40-man this winter before the Rule 5 draft or be available in it include 1B Xavier Scruggs, RHP Richard Castillo, RHP Eric Fornataro, and RHP Yunier Castillo. Scruggs is vying with Taveras for the power leads at Class AA Springfield having surpassed the top-hitting prospects in homers and RBIs.

A few players who will be reaching their 40-man requirement for the first time this winter include RHP Robert Stock.

It is not unusual for a team to add a player to the 40-man in September before he must go on the 40-man in the offseason. All it does it start that player's service time clock. It doesn't cost an option. It doesn't take a spot -- especially if he was going to get one anyway. It's just an early nod to the inevitable.

Ryan Jackson, for example, would have been that player for the Cardinals had they not already needed him in the majors.

Each day I receive several dozen questions on Twitter (@dgoold) or in my inbox (dgoold@post-dispatch.com) about whether the Cardinals will call up Wong or Miller or Taveras or Scruggs or Gast or Freeman or any number of recognizable minor-league names. I often reply with the 40-man considerations that are involved. I did so yesterday in error: Scruggs would not be going on the 40-man roster early. He was actually eligible to go on last winter. As for the rest: There are real 40-man concerns.

Adding Miller to the 40-man this September for a callup means he'll come to spring training on the 40-man and if he does not make the major-league team, they must option him to Class AAA. That burns one option. It also takes up one spot on the 40-man that could have been open to maintain another player, add a player, or pick in the Rule 5.

If they do not add him, then he comes to spring training as a non-roster invitee, has the same chance to win a job in the rotation, and there is no option torched if he does not make it.

Ditto with Wong.

Same with Taveras.

But there is a caveat.

And it is an important caveat.

There are players who teams don't expect to need all three option years. In fact, there are players who teams are counting on because of their talent to not need three option years. They are often relied on to reach the majors and stay there, if not star there. Carlos Beltran has three option years remaining, for example. Yadier Molina, too. They came. They stayed. Matt Holliday has one, Lance Lynn has all three, Jason Motte has two, and so does Marc Rzepczynski. Several of those regulars mentioned have enough service time where their options are academic. They'll never be used.

Miller is expected to be that kind of player. He's a top-end prospect at starting pitcher, and that was true even during his struggles earlier this season. Is burning one option to get him in the big leagues for experience that big of deal? If he needs all three options hasn't something gone wrong? Some in the Cardinals believe that Wong will take a run at the starting job at second base next spring. When he goes on the 40-man roster, will he ever be optioned?

Those are the questions that confront a team as September approaches.

On merit, there are many who deserve a September look.

By rule, there are reasons not to give it to them.

I know this stuff can be tricky and confusing. I know there are questions about playoff eligibility and what it means when it comes to the Aug. 31 25-man roster. See, already you're confused again. So, here's the deal: Use the comment section below to ask questions about the process, about the rules. I'll answer or I'll find the answer.

Oh, and of course feel free to make your case for September callups as well. Now that you know the rules in play.

Cardinales added seven players to their practice

9:59 a.m. | Pitchers Harvey Garcia, Alex Ramirez Jr and Carlos Rivas Jr prominent among the new additions

Alex Ramirez’s step-son, Alex jr, had been in Yakult’s farm system while sr was with the ichi-gun team.

Gutierrez will join the Leones Caracas

Caracas

Tuesday September 18, 2012 12:00 AM


Franklin Gutierrez will see action this season with the Leones del Caracas according to Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge. The U.S. strategist assured the Seattle media that 'The Guti' would be participating in winter ball as part of a plan of the organization. The outfielder has seen little action this season, due to constant physical drawbacks. Gutierrez has only participated in 29 games in his eighth major league season. The 2008-2009 season was the last time that Gutierrez played for the Lions.

With the Chicago Cubs in rebuilding mode and their activity at the trade deadline, we should see some top prospect movement as players like Josh Vitters and possibly Brett Jackson get closer to the majors.

Josh Vitters, 3B – Age 22 – Is still only gonna be 23 years old in August, Vitters has moved through the Cubs system at a steady pace. His approach at the plate has improved this season and he’s showing more of the production that got fans excited when this hit Low-A Peoria in 2009. This season, he’s hitting .303 with 31 doubles and 15 homeruns, with 27 walks and 71 strikeouts in 383 at bats. He’s also slugging over .500 for the first time since Peoria too. Look for the Cubbies to call him up soon.
Josh Vitters will join the Leones del Caracas team in November

The President of the Lions confirmed contact with Vitters

CHICAGO. -

Chicago Cubs third baseman, Josh Vitters, counting the days when he will become a member of the Leones del Caracas in this next season of Venezuelan professional baseball.

Vitters plan is to play in November and be with the team for a month or month and a half. "We are still tallying the date. My agent is negotiating with them, but it will be in November when I will begin playing with Caracas. I am excited, because I've heard a lot of that team and Tony (Bell) will also play with them, "said Vitters, from the Cubs' clubhouse at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Lions president, Luis Avila, confirmed negotiations and the signing is imminent and reported that their involvement with the team. Vitters wants to get more experience and improve his skills at third base and as a hitter. These are his goals for the Lions, beyond helping them win. Vitters has two major league homers and five RBIs in 28 games with the Cubs.

Friday, Sep. 21, 2012

Dodgers trying to persuade Iwate schoolboy pitcher Otani to sign with club

Kyodo

HANAMAKI, Iwate Pref. —

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a pitch for blue chip prospect Shohei Otani of Hanamaki Higashi High School on Thursday as assistant general manager Logan White told coach Hiroshi Sasaki that he wants to sign the right-hander after graduation.

White's meeting with Sasaki lasted for more than an hour and a half at the school, but Otani, who is set to finish school in March and announced on Tuesday that he will turn pro, did not attend.

Otani touched 160 kph on the gun during the regionals of this summer's National High School Baseball Championship, and has drawn interest from professional teams both domestic and stateside.

Flush with cash under new ownership led by Stan Kasten and fronted by former NBA star Magic Johnson, the Dodgers were the first in line to woo the teenager, who White likened to the team's Cy Young lefty Clayton Kershaw and rated as one of the best prospects in the world.

The New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox are also believed to be interested in pursuing Otani.

Shohei Otani throws 99mph in a high school game. Scouts, get over there. Now. The kid has a nice motion and is throwing fire.


http://www.giantrobot.com/news/shohei-o ... hool-game/

Japanese schoolboy pitcher clocks 160kph

TOKYO | Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:34am EDT

TOKYO (Reuters) -

A Japanese schoolboy has put worldwide baseball scouts on alert after throwing a pitch clocked at 160kph (100 mph) in a regional high school tournament.

Shohei Otani, 18, has attracted national media attention since his rocket pitch for Hanamaki East high school on Thursday and dominated the build-up to Wednesday's final in quake-hit northern Japan.

"It felt good to throw my favorite fastball like that," Otani told Japanese media, referring to the televised 9-1 Iwate prefecture semi-final win over rivals Ichinoseki.

"That was the speed I promised the coach I would throw so I'm glad to have clocked that figure."

Otani, whose throwing arm has not yet fully developed, and Hanamaki East face Morioka Daifu in the Iwate final.

By comparison, the hardest throwers in Major League Baseball pitch as fast as 170kph.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer, editing by Mark Meadows)

Japan


News in brief for September 21

Posted on September 21, 2012 by sethcer

Nippon Ham GM believe Toin star can win 10 games next season

When I purchased my copy of the Doshin Sports Daily, on the front page was a big color photo of Osaka Toin High School star pitcher Shintaro Fujinami. As a big star in this year’s Koshien National Baseball Tournament, not to mention his success at this year’s U18 World Championship Baseball Tournament in South Korea, he is naturally a popular “celebrity” in Japan. One of the many teams that will pursue Fujinami, who I think is a better pitcher than East Hanamaki High School flame thrower Shohei Otani, at least in short term projections (i.e., next season), is the Nippon Ham Fighters. Fighters GM Masao Yamada believes Fujinami has the potential to win ten games next season. Granted that wins is a “BS” stat to begin with, but Yamada’s point is that Fujinami can step into the Fighters starting rotation right away. The Fighters, which have been hurt by injuries and poor performances by their starting pitchers, is desperately looking to strengthen starting rotation, and adding Fujinami, in both the short term and the long term, makes a lot of sense. Of course other teams will be after Fujinami, but if (when!) Otani chooses to stay in Japan the chances of the Fighters winning the right to sign Fujinami increases.

For those wondering if Otani would be a big league prospect, he would probably rank high on any prospect list. I can think of no other high school pitcher who has more experience playing big games against quality opponents.

YES Network.Com


Japanese high school pitcher hits 100 MPH

07/25/2012 1:05 PM ET


By Stephanie Jenks

The Yankees’ acquisition of Ichiro on Monday has likely dominated the baseball-related headlines in Japan this week, but a prep pitcher in Ichiro’s homeland has lit up the back pages last week thanks to his electric repertoire.

Shohei Otani, an 18-year-old Japanese high school student, captured the attention of scouts around the island nation after he threw a pitch clocked at 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph) during a televised regional tournament semifinal game on July 18.

“It felt good to throw my favorite fastball like that,” Otani told Japanese reporters, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. “That was the speed I promised the coach I would throw so I’m glad to have clocked that figure.”

Currently, the fastest recorded pitch in Major League Baseball belongs to Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman, whose fastball was once clocked at 105 mph.

Otani and his Hanamaki Higashi High School teammates defeated Ichinoseki Gakuin 9-1 in that semifinal game, and were set to face Morioka Daifu in the finals of the Iwate prefecture tournament on Wednesday.

Yup!

One thing we know for sure. He won't be playing for the Indians.

Shintaro Fujinami

Shintaro Fujinami - The "Other" High School Phenom From Japan

Published August 22, 2012 03:44

Shintaro Fujinami has pitched his Osaka Toin High School team into the Koshien Japanese high school baseball tournament. Wednesday Shintaro Fujinami pitched a complete game shutout striking out 8 on 2 hits and 3 walks to defeat Kochi Prefectire's Meitoku Gijuku High School.

Fujinami is considered a top three prospect in the Japanese pro baseball draft this October. His lanky 189mm 78kg frame allows his to look down at the batters, similar to what Randy Johnson used to do in the big leagues.

Night to celebrate: The Yomiuri Giants give skipper Tatsunori Hara a victory toss after clinching the Central League pennant on Friday by beating the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 6-4 at Tokyo Dome. KYODO PHOTOS

Giants clinch 34th Central League pennant

By JASON COSKREY

Staff writer

For the last two years, the Yomiuri Giants have watched another team celebrate. Watched as another group of players paraded around the field clutching the Central League pennant.

No holding back: Captain Shinnosuke Abe (10) and his Giants teammates celebrate their pennant-clinching victory on Friday.


This year, someone else can do the watching.

Led by Hisayoshi Chono and MVP candidate Shinnosuke Abe, Japan's winningest franchise captured the CL title for the 34th time after a 6-4 win over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in front of a packed house on Friday night at Tokyo Dome.

"I just have one thing to say to our fans and players," began Giants manager Tatsunori Hara, "Yusho omedeto gozaimasu (congratulations for this championship). This victory belongs to all of you.

"Our players, one by one, played their hearts out all season long, and they deserve to be called champions."

Chono came up with the biggest hit on this night, breaking a 4-4 tie in the sixth with a bases-loaded single against reliever Ryo Hidaka to put the Giants ahead for good in front of a raucous crowd of 46,290.

Capturing the pennant gives the Giants, who last won the CL in 2009, both a one-game and home field advantage in the Central League Climax Series Final Stage, which begins Oct. 17 at Tokyo Dome.

"Our young players and the veterans all got together to make a great team," Hara said. "It was a fantastic season and a super pennant race. This is the best team I ever managed.

"We expect to carry the momentum of this season through the Climax Series and the Japan Series."

The Giants, who also won the interleague title, improved to 81-38-14 on the year and 11 games clear of the second-place Chunichi Dragons in the CL standings.

"After losing on Opening Day, the Giants recovered and showed great power, winning the interleague title, the first time a Central League team has won," said NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato in a statement. "On July 1, they moved into first place and never dropped out of first place after that, and went on to win the Central League championship."

Steady southpaw: Giants starter Tetsuya Utsumi picks up his 14th victory of the season on Friday.

Abe promised Giants fans a doage (a traditional victory toss for a championship-winning manager) after the team cut its magic number to one with a win over the Dragons on Wednesday in Nagoya.

Abe helped make good on his word with a home run in his first at-bat and an RBI single in his second, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. The Yomiuri captain, a favorite to win the CL MVP Award, leads Japan with a .335 average and 98 RBIs, and his 26 home runs trail only Swallows slugger Wladimir Balentien's 29.

Giants starter Tetsuya Utsumi helped his own cause with a successful squeeze play in the fourth and third baseman Shuichi Murata also drove in a run.

Utsumi (14-5), Yomiuri's Opening Day starter, moved to the top of the CL wins list despite allowing four runs on six hits in six innings on the mound. Satoshi Fukuda and Tetsuya Yamaguchi each worked a scoreless inning of relief and closer Kentaro Nishimura nailed down the title with his 30th save of the season.

Swallows first baseman Ryuji Miyade led a valiant effort by the Birds, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run homer. Balentien was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Hiroyasu Tanaka led all batters with three hits. Pitcher Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi (2-6) was charged with the loss.

Key moment: Yomiuri's Hisayoshi Chono delivers a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning against the Swallows, putting his team ahead for good.

Abe got the Giants off to a fast start with his solo home run in the first inning. The Yomiuri catcher drove in a run with a single in the third and Murata added another with a sacrifice fly.

A one-out single by Tanaka and a double by Miyade put runners on second and third for the Swallows in the fourth, and Balentien delivered with a single that just skipped off the outstretched glove of first baseman Yoshiyuki Kamei. Utsumi struck out Shingo Kawabata, then walked Shinya Miyamoto to load the bases. The next batter, Yasushi Iihara, worked the count full, and was nearly hit by ball three, before being retired on a pop-up in foul territory.

Utsumi retired the first two batters to start the fifth, then gave up a hit to Yuhei Takai. Tanaka also singled, and Miyade cleared the bases with his game-tying three-run shot to left-center.

Murata was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth and Kamei and pinch hitter Yoshinobu Takahashi drew walks to load the bases. The next batter, pinch hitter Yoshihito Ishii, hit into a fielder's choice, then Chono put the Giants ahead with his two-run hit to left.

It's not an option until he is demoted to the minors. If Fedroff were added to the 40 man roster now, his first "option" would be in spring 2013. The same result if he is added to the roster this winter and is shipped back to Columbus in April. Since the team is allowed 3 options on a player before he is DFA'd, and Fedroff has already reached AAA, he would be nearly 30 before he is out of options. If he hasn't made it by then, he never will.

They probably just wanted to take a longer look at Vinnie Rottino.

Pools and venues of the 2013 World Baseball Classic

Fukuoka (Japan), Taichung (Chinese Taipei), San Juan (Puerto Rico) in the first round,Tokyo in the second part are the international hosts

The World Baseball Classic Inc disclosed during a press conference pools and venues of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. To each of the first round 4 pools have been assigned 3 teams. The 4 teams coming from the Qualifiers will be assigned to a pool at a later stage.
Regensburg (Germany) and Jupiter (Florida, USA) hosted 2 of the Qualifiers earlier in September and Canada and Spain earned the right to play in the main tournament. The other 2 Qualifiers will be played in November in Panama City (Brasil, Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama) and in Taipei City (New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese Taipei).

The World Baseball Classic will start on March 2 in Japan and Chinese Taipei.
Pool A will be played in Fukuoka (Japan) and will feature the hosts Japan, China and Cuba.
Korea, The Kingdom of the Netherlans and Australia will play in Pool B in Chinese Taipei.

The other 2 pools will be organized in the United States and will be played from March 7 to March 10.
Pool C will be played in San Juan (Puerto Rico) and will feature the hosts Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Dominican Republic.
Pool D will be played in Phoenix (Arizona) and will see on the field the hosts United States, Mexico and Italy.

The top 2 teams of each pool will advance to the second round and divided into 2 more pools.
Pool 1 of the second round will be played (March 7 through 10) in Tokyo (Japan).
Pool 2 of the second round will be played (March 12 through 16) in Miami (Florida, USA).

The top 4 teams will play in the medal round in San Francisco (California, USA) from March 17 through March 19.

IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari confirmed during the press conference that for the first time the winners will be awarded with the World Champions title: "The Executive voted unanimously. In a relatively short period, the World Baseball Classic has succesfully been established as the pre-eminent international baseball showcase".