Chris Aure released

[Traco Bucco]

Aren't White and Simmons on military duty in Iraq?

White was on the ST roster last year but wasn't in camp.  I asked about him....a trainer said he was on military duty.  Simmons wasn't on the roster and also wasn't in camp.  Neither played last year.  I don't know their current status.

The month after the Pirates drafted White and Simmons, the Army changed its policy on pro athletics.  It now requires soldiers to serve two years of active duty before applying for early release.  As of a year ago, White was planning on applying for early release this spring:

Hill’s roommate is Cole White, a 42nd-round pick by Pittsburgh in June’s draft. He is doing clerical work in the baseball office and expects to go to basic officer training and a unit before applying for early release in May 2010.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_military_athletes_021909/

[Piratesprospects]

   The bottom of the 2008 draft hasnt been a good place to be picked for most of those guys. Aure at 15th round is the highest player gone from it,but Allen Ponder,AJ Fagan,Cole White,Chris Simmons,Mark Carver,Owen Brolsma and Matt Payne are all gone as well.

Where Did you get this information. I do not remember any of these releases. I looked at the rosters from our minor leagues. It does seem they were all released.

Baseball America has a minor league transactions feature that usually runs weekly, and usually comes out on Wednesday.  Here is this week's:

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

[Possum]

   The bottom of the 2008 draft hasnt been a good place to be picked for most of those guys. Aure at 15th round is the highest player gone from it,but Allen Ponder,AJ Fagan,Cole White,Chris Simmons,Mark Carver,Owen Brolsma and Matt Payne are all gone as well.

Where Did you get this information. I do not remember any of these releases. I looked at the rosters from our minor leagues. It does seem they were all released.

Baseball America has a minor league transactions feature that usually runs weekly, and usually comes out on Wednesday.  Here is this week's:

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

Thanks for the link.  He only pitched 33 innings in 2 years.  Wonder, was he hurt or just not very good?  Oh well, not a great loss it seems.

[MAL]

Aren't White and Simmons on military duty in Iraq?

White was on the ST roster last year but wasn't in camp.  I asked about him....a trainer said he was on military duty.  Simmons wasn't on the roster and also wasn't in camp.  Neither played last year.  I don't know their current status.

The month after the Pirates drafted White and Simmons, the Army changed its policy on pro athletics.  It now requires soldiers to serve two years of active duty before applying for early release.  As of a year ago, White was planning on applying for early release this spring:

Hill’s roommate is Cole White, a 42nd-round pick by Pittsburgh in June’s draft. He is doing clerical work in the baseball office and expects to go to basic officer training and a unit before applying for early release in May 2010.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_military_athletes_021909/

It really doesn't matter the status of their military commitment White and Simmons probably don't have much of a future in baseball.

[Traco Bucco]

Aren't White and Simmons on military duty in Iraq?

White was on the ST roster last year but wasn't in camp.  I asked about him....a trainer said he was on military duty.  Simmons wasn't on the roster and also wasn't in camp.  Neither played last year.  I don't know their current status.

The month after the Pirates drafted White and Simmons, the Army changed its policy on pro athletics.  It now requires soldiers to serve two years of active duty before applying for early release.  As of a year ago, White was planning on applying for early release this spring:

Hill’s roommate is Cole White, a 42nd-round pick by Pittsburgh in June’s draft. He is doing clerical work in the baseball office and expects to go to basic officer training and a unit before applying for early release in May 2010.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_military_athletes_021909/

It really doesn't matter the status of their military commitment White and Simmons probably don't have much of a future in baseball.

Probably not--most college players picked in the 41st and 42nd rounds generally don't go all that far in the pros.  Nevertheless, they would have their chance, at least.  Additionally, maybe their leadership training and life experience would make them a good influence on some of their minor league teammates.

[WTM]

FWIW, White is still listed in the media guide and Simmons is not.  Don't know what that says.

[wat.da.buc.up]

Matt McSwain has retired from what I was told. It was called a voluntary retirement. So he wont be around after having a pretty solid year last year.

[MAL]

Matt McSwain has retired from what I was told. It was called a voluntary retirement. So he wont be around after having a pretty solid year last year.

Where did this info come from....

[wat.da.buc.up]

A trusted source.

[WTM]

Jake will be disappointed.  He recently listed McSwain as one of the Pirates' top ten prospects.

[Woobie]

Jake will be disappointed.  He recently listed McSwain as one of the Pirates' top ten prospects.

I hope that was sarcasm on Jake's part, but I fear it's not.

[WTM]

Jake will be disappointed.  He recently listed McSwain as one of the Pirates' top ten prospects.

I hope that was sarcasm on Jake's part, but I fear it's not.

No, it wasn't.  He was serious.

[MAL]

A trusted source.

McSwain is nothing more than a C level prospect so this is nothing to lose sleep over but did your "trusted source" give a reason?