From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

[BatsareBugs]

Here is my basic player information. It will always be updated.

All blog posts consist of only posts of each weekly report and other important RTTS career posts.
This main post is always the first link in my signature and will be updates accordingly from time to time.
The second link in my signature will refer to the most recent weekly report.

Name: Robert Knowles
Number: 11
Team: Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates AA Club)
Age: 18
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180
Position: RF
MLB Service: None
Major League Debut: N/A
Last Game Played: N/A

Current Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates
Acquired: 2008 MLB Amateur Draft (Round 4)

Past Organizations:
Acquired:

Contract: 1 year, 30,000

Career Statistics:
MLB:

Minors:

Achievements:

Scouting Report:

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[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

MLB Amateur Draft - Post-Draft Report

June 6, 2008

In the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft Amateur Draft*, the Boston Red Sox selected outfielder Rob Knowles out of high school.

Quick Scouting Report:
Knowles is one of the top high school outfielders from his region. His arm strength, power, and speed rate at about average, but they should improve as he matures. He has very good plate discipline but could be more aggressive at the plate. Very average defensively. His size may be a cause for concern and he has not had been durable which may cause him to fall in the draft.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Journal: "Spring Training"
Date: 26 February, 2009

This is my first entry regarding what hopefully turns out to be a decent career. I was invited into Spring Training this year, a little bit early and unexpected given that just came out of high school last year, but I won't complain. I still can't believe I'm here in Florida in Spring Training with major leaguers. We've gone through many drills and have already played in a couple of spring training games and I still have a long ways to go before I'm ready. It's been pretty rough but I'll keep working on it.

Game Logs:
First two spring training games:
Date: 25 February 2009
Opponent: Twins
First at-bat: Grounded out to third. (Batting right).
Second at-bat: Grounded out to short. (Batting right).
Third at-bat: Struck out on what appeared to be a changeup. (Batting right).
Fourth at-bat: Struck out trying to protect with two strikes. (Batting left).
Line: 0-4, 2 K's.

Notes: Failed to get a hit with RISP.

Date: 26 February 2009
Opponent: Pirates
First at-bat: Grounded out to short. (Batting left).
Second at-bat: Singled to right, through the 3.5 hole (Batting left).
Third at-bat: Struck out looking. I thought the pitch was high (Batting left).
Line: 1-3, K

Notes: Take bat off the shoulder next time.

So far my line is:
1-7, 3 K's.

[DeskCoder]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Ouch, but sounds a lot like my line after 2 games. How are you doing in the field? Getting much action out there?

[Pink Mist]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Do you actually get drafted in this game?

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Ouch, but sounds a lot like my line after 2 games. How are you doing in the field? Getting much action out there?

Only one putout, but there have been times where it has gone to defense only for a ground out to second or a home run/double off the wall. Jacoby usually takes the gappers.

I probably have gotten three or four opportunities each game.

Do you actually get drafted in this game?

Yes, you can either select if you want to enter the draft or pick which team you want to try out for (like in previous versions). It doesn't tell you what round, but I figured I'd be a middle-tier pick.

Edit: Actually, if you look at the Roster Foundation part, it tells you what round you were picked (5th Round in my case).

[Pink Mist]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Yes, you can either select if you want to enter the draft or pick which team you want to try out for (like in previous versions). It doesn't tell you what round, but I figured I'd be a middle-tier pick.

Finally, I have been waiting awhile for them to add that in.

[harsh128]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Do you actually get drafted in this game?

You do get drafted but its not very detailed. It just shows you a screen telling you what team you got drafted by.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Journal: "The Food in Fort Myers, Working with Mags, and some other ST stuff"
Date: March 3, 2009

I'll be honest, this is the first time I've been in the state of Florida so I really didn't know what to expect. A couple of days ago I went over to a Red Lobster restaurant down on Cleveland Avenue. I gotta admit, seafood is awesome.

I have gotten off to a rough start in Spring Training. I think I only have one hit but I got robbed on several good plays. Still, my timing is off and I know it. Earlier I worked with Mags on my hitting after our exhibition game against the Reds to work on my hitting. Hopefully I can take his advice and turn things around, although Mags and Terry have told me not to put too much weight into how I'm doing in spring.

Game Logs:
Date: 27 February 2009
Opponent: Rays
First at-bat: Lined out to short. I smoked that one too.
Second at-bat: Flied out to Center.
Third at-bat: Fouled out on the first base side.

Notes: David Price is actually harder to hit in person than on Youtube. I'm still surprised I got the bat on the ball against him.

Date: 28 February 2009
Opponent: Reds
First at-bat: Grounded out to second.

Notes: Pinch-hitting appearance. Saw a kid throw a cup on the field.

Date: 1 March 2009
Opponent: Twins
First at-bat: Struck out swinging.
Second at-bat: Flied out to right.
Third at-bat: Struck out looking.

Notes: Span's batting stance is distracting from Right Field. I need to work on my angles and reads better.

Date: 2 March 2009.
Opponent: Orioles
First at-bat: Flied out to center on a 3-1 count. I think I swung at ball 4.
Second at-bat: Walked. Tim, our first base coach, congratulated me on getting on base for the first time in four days.
Third at-bat: Grounded out to second on a ball that I thought would've squeeked through to center.
Fourth at-bat: Grounded out to second.

Notes: Brian Roberts sure made those plays look easy. Lost two hits to him. All-in-all, an encouraging game even though the results aren't there.

Date: 3 March 2009
Opponent: Can't remember.
I wasn't scheduled to play today. I had a batting session with Magadan after the game.

My Spring Training Line so-far:
1-17, 5 K's, BB

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Blurb in the Boston Herald:
March 4, 2009

Fort Myers, FL - One week into spring training exhibition games and already there are rumblings from fans about the Red Sox sub-par offensive performance during the spring. One of the Red Sox prospects invited in the spring, outfielder Rob Knowles, is one of the players who have had a rough start to spring.

"His timing is certainly off, but he did come in for some extra batting practice yesterday, " said hitting coach Dave Magadan, "it's only spring training so there isn't any concern with the lack of offense so far."

During his batting practice session, Magadan noted that Knowles's timing improved, but he was still pulling pitches down to right field. "He's on the right track for sure."

Knowles was a fifth round pick from last year's MLB draft. He played in short-season single-A club, Lowell Spinners, this past season and was fifth in the league in batting average (.321) and eighth in steals (15).

[Cane_Mutiny]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Good luck with your career, I'll be following.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Journal: "Another week, same results."
Date: March 10, 2009

I thought the batting session with Mags went great on Tuesday. Again, I didn't play that game so I took extra batting practice. I don't think I'll make the big league club, but we'll see what plans they have for me. I don't think I've played well enough this spring.

Only a couple of more weeks left in spring.

Gamelog 3-5 through 3-10
Date: March 5, 2009
Opponent: Atlanta Braves
Line: 1-5, 2 K's, BB
Grounded into a double play, 4-6-3.
Singled to center.
Struck out swinging.
Grounded out to pitcher, 1-3.
Struck out swinging.
Walked.

Date: March 6, 2009
Opponent: Florida Marlins
Line: 0-4, 3 K's
Struck out swinging.
Struck out looking.
Struck out swinging.
Flied to left.

Notes: Worst game ever, but it's only spring training. I think I need another batting practice session.

Date: March 8, 2009
Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays
Line: 1-3
Grounded out to third, 5-3.
Singled to right.
Lined out to short.

Date: March 9, 2009
Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates
Line: 1-3, K
Struck out swinging.
Singled to right.
Grounded out to short, 6-3.

My spring training line:
4-32, 11 Ks, 2 BBs

[alex96]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

ooh that looks tough 4-32 thats a .125 batting average. Is hitting really that difficult in this game? Or is because your still a rookie (sorry if it sounds mean)

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

ooh that looks tough 4-32 thats a .125 batting average. Is hitting really that difficult in this game? Or is because your still a rookie (sorry if it sounds mean)

I'm on veteran difficulty, no adjustments other than with guess pitch on classic 1/4. I think it has more to do with my ratings than anything else. I'm still in spring training so yeah, I expect myself not to fare well against guys like Scott Kazmir, C.C. Sabathia, etc.

I'm also getting use to the adjustments they made with the hitting. I'm telling you, some of these breaking pitches and changeups are devastating. Plus, they've tightened the timing window so I'm still adjusting to that one too.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: From the Sandlot to Cooperstown (MLB 09' The Show RTTS)

Gamelog 3-12 to 3-14:
Date: March 12, 2009
Opponent: St. Louis Cardinals
Line: 0-2, 2 K's
Struck out looking.
Hit by pitch.
Struck out swinging.

Date: March 13, 2009
Opponent: New York Yankees
Line: 2-4, 2 runs, K
Grounded out to first, 3 unassisted.
Struck out swinging.
Singled to center. Scored later.
Singled to left. Scored later.

Date: March 14, 2009
Opponent: Baltimore Orioles
Line: 1-4, 2B
Grounded out to first, 3-1.
Grounded into a double play, 4-6-3.
Doubled to deep left.
Grounded out to second, 4-3.

Notes: The double I hit went over the outfielders head as he tried to do an over the shoulder catch. For a minute I thought he was going to catch it. Oh yeah, and I made a base running blunder when I was at third with one out, I broke for home on contact, forgetting how many outs there were and missed an opportunity to score a run if I had stayed put at third since it was a deep fly ball to right.

My spring training line so far:
7-42, 2 Rs, 2B, 14 Ks, 2 BBs, HBP