Missouri Basketball: Meet new power forward Johnathan Williams III

When Johnathan Williams III signed with the University of Missouri on October 18, 2012, he became the second ESPN100 player in this season's freshman class, along with Wes Clark, and the third in the past five years; Phil Pressey was a ESPN100 player in the class of 2010. Williams III is a 6-8, 208 pound power forward from Southwind High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

Williams III is a lefty that is comparable to Lamar Odom. A long, face-up style four can shoot from range, as well as rebound and start the break. Williams III is that rare-combination of length and skill and has a great feel for the game. He brings high energy on both ends of the floor, and has the ability to create shots for himself.

One trait that Williams III will need work on is a more consistent three-point shot. He has the skills to play the perimeter but he will need to develop a post-up game when smaller defenders are matched up with him. Williams III has the potential to be a complete four in college basketball but he needs to fine-tune some skills as he matures.

According to ESPN, Williams III is the 14th best power forward in this recruiting class. Rivals.com said that he is ranked 13th. This is very promising because Mizzou needs a replacement for Laurence Bowers.

Williams III has played with the USA U17 team in the World Championships. Mizzou coach Frank Haith has landed a top recruit and this is what the Tigers need to compete in a tougher SEC this season. Look for Williams III to partner Tony Criswell and Stefan Jankovic, along with junior college transfer Keanau Post as Missouri's bigs next season.

Here is a highlight video of Williams III. He is number three by the way. 

Here is ESPN's analysis of Williams III. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8553306

Related articles

• Missouri basketball: Projecting Mizzou's starting five next season (stlsportsminute.com)
• Former Mizzou star William Moore arrested on battery charges (stlsportsminute.com)
• Missouri basketball: Phil Pressey's decision to leave for NBA was predictable (stlsportsminute.com)
• NFL Draft: Zaviar Gooden is perfect fit for St. Louis Rams in 4th round (stlsportsminute.com)

Read more...

St. Louis Cardinals: Weekly farm system report - May 20 edition

Every Monday, John Nagel of CardinalsFarm.com will provide StlSportsMinute.com with a St. Louis Cardinals Weekly Farm report. This will name a player and pitcher of the week in the Cardinals' farm system and will also run through each team and talk about players who have had good weeks, bad weeks, and also player movement. 

Week 3 covers games from May 13th to May 19th

Player of the Week: Xavier Scruggs - 7/23, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R

Pitcher of the Week: Jonathan Cornelius 14 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K

Memphis Redbirds (AAA)
Memphis ended the week with a 3-3 record. The big news is that top prospects Oscar Taveras and Kolten Wong have been limited due to ankle injuries. Taveras did not record an at-bat and Wong only reached the plate 11 times in the week. The Redbirds will be down another starter as Tyler Lyons is expected to be promoted to St. Louis on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see who gets sent down. My guess is Carlos Martinez. Ryan Jackson started the weak hot and ended cold. Jackson is 0-for-8 in his last 2 games

Transactions

• 5/18 - Mitchell Boggs recalled by the St. Louis Cardinals
• 5/19 - Rob Johnson activated from the 7-day DL

Springfield Cardinals (AA)
The Springfield Cardinals ended the week with a 4-3 record. The Cardinals have been getting quality games from their 1-2 hitters in the lineup. Mike O'Neill and James Ramsey have on base percentages over .450. Xavier Scruggs, our player of the week, continues to rake at Double-A. I believe the only thing keeping him at this level is his plate discipline, which is getting better. While Scruggs' strikeout numbers are about the same, his on base percentage is a lot higher. A promotion could be coming.

Transactions

• 5/13 - Tommy Pham placed on the 7-day DL
• 5/13 - Tim Cooney transferred from Palm Beach
• 5/13 - Boone Whiting transferred to Memphis
• 5/14 - Tyler Rahmatulla transferred from Palm Beach

Palm Beach Cardinals (A+)
The Palm Beach Cardinals ended the week with a 2-5 record. The Beach Birds have really been struggling since Ramsey was promoted to Springfield. The offense has been Jekyll and Hyde lately with more poor perfromances than stronger ones. A bright spot has been the pitching of Jonathan Cornelius, our pitcher of the week. Cornelius made two starts this week and only allowed 3 hits in 14 innings. Their struggles are to be expected with so many players getting promoted or on the disabled list.

Transactions

• 5/13 - Tim Cooney transferred to Springfield
• 5/14 - Danny Miranda activated from the DL
• 5/14 - Tyler Rahmatulla transferred to Springfield
• 5/14 - Cesar Valera transferred from Extended Spring
• 5/17 - Tyler Melling activated from the DL
• 5/17 - Dean Kiekhefer placed on the 7-day DL

Peoria Chiefs (A-)
The Peoria Chiefs ended the week with a 3-5 record. Last week we told you that catcher Gerwuins Velazco was in an iuncredible slump, going 0-for-25. This week, Velazco only recorded 4 at-bats, remaining hit-less. Casey Ramsus was the benefactor to Velazco's slump. Rasmus recorded 19 at-bats this past week and had 4 hits. I am wondering how Steve Bean or Adam Ehrlich are doing at Extended Spring training. Maybe they could provide some offense from the catching spot.

Transactions

• None

Read more...

St. Louis Cardinals begin long road trip Monday after 7-3 homestand

After a successful 7-3 homestand, the St. Louis Cardinals will go on an eight game road trip visiting San Diego for three games, Los Angeles for three games, and Kansas City for a short two games.

The Cardinals are at 28-15 at this point of the season, maintaining the best record in the National League, and the second best record in baseball right behind the Texas Rangers who are 29-15. The Cardinals have been getting it done all season with their starting pitching as they lead all of baseball with a 3.16 ERA.

Shelby Miller, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, and Lance Lynn have at least five wins so far this season. After Friday's nights 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Jaime Garcia has been put on the 15-day DL with left shoulder pain and Mitchell Boggs has been called up.

John Gast carried the Cardinals to a series win in the rubber game yesterday afternoon as the Cardinals defeated the Brewers, 4-2. Gast improved to 2-0 after his Major League debut in a win against the New York Mets earlier in the homestand.

With all the injuries and bullpen issues the Cardinals have been having earlier this season, it has been a pleasant surprise for Cardinal nation as they sit atop the National League. Despite their success, St. Louis only has a 2.5 game lead in the NL Central division between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati as this division race looks to be entertaining all throughout as the regular season winds down in late September.

The Cardinals begin a key eight game road trip tonight as the visit the San Diego Padres tonight at 9 CT. Rookie of the year candidate Shelby Miller (5-2, 1.40 ERA) faces former Cardinal Jason Marquis (5-2, 3.49 ERA). The Cardinals are 14-7 away from Busch Stadium and the Padres have a record of 20-23 and are 12-10 at Petco Park this season.

Related articles

• St. Louis Cardinals: Is Shelby Miller already the Cardinals second best starter? (stlsportsminute.com)
• St. Louis Cardinals: Seth Maness is re-defining efficiency (stlsportsminute.com)
• St. Louis Cardinals: 5 players exceeding expectations for the Cardinals in 2013 (stlsportsminute.com)
• St. Louis Cardinals: Mike Matheny is handling Shelby Miller's workload perfectly (stlsportsminute.com)

Read more...