It will take some time to get used to!

First picture in a Pirate uniform

First Stop Indy then Pittsburgh?

Crazy night last night, as I wrote that JJ was traded to the Pirates Organization and will report to Indianapolis Triple A.

Spoke with JJ last night and he is excited to be going to a team that wanted him in the trade. He spoke with Kevin Towers, GM for the Padres and player development from the Pirates. JJ's biggest concern was how he fit in to the Pirates organization, shortstop, third, second. He was told he will be playing short and then they will go from there. This is just another challenge in the long road to the big leagues. Not sure if he will be in the line up tonight with Indy. He was flying to Washington, DC and then to Syracuse, NY. and getting to the park around 7pm.

Go Bucks!
P.S. Look out when he comes to Wrigley Field!

Off To Pittsburgh!

JJ just called and has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He will report to AAA. Will keep you updated.

Back at it again tonight

JJ went 0-5 last night but put the ball in play. Was one of those nights.

Portland looks to get back on track tonight at 9:05pm cst.

The Iowa Cubs play a 4 game series in Portland starting Saturday. That right the Cubs, JJ's favorite team. Maybe he could tell Mr. Patterson to get back to the Big Leagues and help the Cubs win a world series.

Back in the Groove

JJ had a productive night last night. Returning to shortstop for the second night in a row and only the 3rd time since June 10th. JJ showed how versatile he can be to a professional baseball team. He went 2-4 at the plate with a double and 2 rbi's. JJ has 13rbi's in his last 11 games. He will look to continue his strong finish for July and possibly a September call-up. Let's keep are fingers crossed.

Rough Night

JJ had a rough night at the plate yesterday going 0-5 with 2k's. He also left the bases loaded twice. Grounding out to short and second. No biggie he had a great series though 7-19 .368 and 2hr's.

Tonight the Beavers take on Omaha and JJ will probably be moving back to short with Sean Burroughs coming down to play thirdbase.

Shipment of Wheaties Has Arrived!

Looks like someone has been eating there Wheaties. For the second night in a row JJ hits a home run.

Portland got on the board early as JJ hit his 14th home run of the year a 2 run shot in the first. JJ finished the night 2-5 with a double and 3 rbi's. JJ is hitting 7-14 .500 in the series with two homeruns. Can he make it three games in a row with homeruns? Gametime is 9:05 cst.

Furmaniak's Big Splash!

JJ was 4-5 Last night with 4 runs scored two singles a double and a homerun that landed in the hot tub in left center field. Portland takes on Fresno tonight at 8:05pm cst

Return to the blog

JJ had a 1-4 night last hoping to get back in the grove in Fresno. Hopefully he will hit one out at the hitter friendly Fresno.

The Cape was great met with some prospects and had good meetings hopefully something will come out of it.

OFF TO THE CAPE

Well I think it is time to reveal who is behind this blog. I am JJ's brother John Jr and thought it would be a good idea for friends and family to have a place to track JJ's progress. Currently I work the #2 security company in the US and have been working with JJ's agent on becoming a player agent. I have been involved with his firm (Paragon Sports Management) for two years. I am making my first trip to the Cape Cod league tomorrow and am looking forward to meeting with the players that I have spoken too.

Hopefully, I can get a couple of them signed and things will take off from there. I am not Jerry McGuire but I do care about the athletes that I will be representing, just like I care about my brother and how he is treated. As of 10:30pm cst JJ is 1-2 with a single and a stolen base. I will try to post while I am out in the Cape for the next two days. Keep checking back in.

Tuesday Night in the Rose City

Portland beat Sacramento 2-0 behind great pitching from Justin Germano, a complete game shutout. JJ was 1-4 on the night with a single in the 6th. Currently JJ has a 3 game hitting streak 4-11 .364 batting average with 1 hr and 7 rbi's. Portland takes on Sacramento again tonight at 9:05pm cst.

Monday In Portland

Last Night the Beavers knocked off the Sacramento Rivercats 7-3.
JJ was 2-4 with a double and an rbi. Portland takes on Sacramento tonight at 9:05 cst

Future Padre Site

http://padresminors.blogspot.com/

The link above is to another padres minor league blog that talks about the up-and-coming padres in the minor league system.

Tacoma Series

JJ had a pretty good series at Tacoma, Washington over the weekend. He went 4-12 with 1HR and 6 rbi's bring his totals to 12hrs and 39rbi's

Portland takes on Sacramento's starting on Monday at 9:05pm cst.

JJ Flashes the Leather

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/events/allstargames.jsp?mc=_triple_a

Go to the above link and then under Triple A multi-media select Furmaniak Flashes the leather.

FURMANIAK SHINES IN ALL-STAR GAME

JJ Furmaniak went 2-2 with two singles and a run scored as the Pacific Coast League defeated the International League 11-5 Wednesday at Railey Field in Sacramento California.

Furmaniak came in to play shortstop and made an unbelievable diving play up the middle to steal a hit away from Jake Gautreau. Even the announcers had to say "Wow".

Also, at the end of the game announcer Steve Phillips said "Conor Jackson was the player most ready for the big leagues". Buck Martinez said "JJ Furmaniak was a guy who impressed me today. He is a real spark-plug"

Keep it up JJ.

About This Blog

This blog will track the progress of JJ Furmaniak, Triple-A infielder for the San Diego Padres.
We will have daily box scores of his game and random thoughts on his progress through the minors and into the Major Leagues. JJ is currently on the Padres 40-man roster. On occassion we will have JJ post an article or two along the way. Hope you enjoy it.

JJ Furmaniak 2005 Triple-A All Star

On June 30th 2005. JJ was added to the 2005 Pacific Coast League All-Star Roster.
"It is a nice reward for the first half of the season" JJ added. "I am going to only get probably one at bat and I am going to try for a home run".

Hoping that comes true

Game is Tonight 9pm CST on ESPN2