Ripples on the Pond: Nishioka, Delaney and BR Sponsorship

In case you need another reason to love Tsuyoshi Nishioka, I present you with one of his latest quotes:

"“If I continue to get one hit per game, then I’ll only have 162 hits,” Nishioka said through translator Ryo Shinkawa. “So I’ll try to get more.”"

I’m sorry but if that doesn’t make you smile then you are dead inside.

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I covered Pat Neshek‘s progress with San Diego on Friday night but there is another former Twins reliever on the other coast making a little noise. According to one writer it appeared that Rob Delaney had positioned himself to possibly make the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen.

"“He’s been a strike thrower. He’s been solid against righties. Now he’s more solid against lefties,” Maddon said. “And I do like his makeup. I think it’s a major-league makeup.”"

Of course later in the day on Friday, the Rays optioned Delaney to Triple-A Durham. Despite the “demotion” he showed well for Tampa. In 10.2 innings he had a 3.38 ERA and allowed 6 H and 1 BB to go with 10 SO.

Dusty Hughes, who was the reason Delaney wound up in Tampa, appears to have made the Twins Opening Day roster thanks in large part to 11.0, 6-hit shutout innings this spring. His 6/5 SO to BB rate can’t match Delaney, but he gets the job done and has shown he can have success at the major league level. If you want to read more of my thoughts on Dusty and Rob, click here and here.

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In other news, Puckett’s Pond is now the proud sponsor of Brian Duensing and Luke Hughes‘ player pages on Baseball Reference.