1995 Debut Thread

[Delandis]

I figured I'd get this kicked off early and maybe we can see some the potential ROY candidates or just stars of the future.



Fabrizio Sbarro (MR)
1993 (#9 Supplemental Draft Pick by Baltimore)

-Sbarro has developed just as we expected. An international pick, out of Venezuela, Sbarro fits right in with Batimore's current crop of relief pitchers with a big arm, decent movement and questionable control. The kid considered "a baseball rat" and has been asking to make the jump to the bigs since he was drafted. He's part of the new wave of young Baltimore pitching that will be coming up over the next two years.




Danny Rodriquez (MR/CL)
1993 (#43 Overall Pick by Morgantown)

-Another international, Mexican hurler Danny Rodriquez, was obtained in a big trade earlier this year with Morgantown. His lefty arm is expected to be a huge asset in Baltimore this year late in games. Rodriquez has the ability to throw equally as well against both left and right handed hitters. His fastball is usually maintained around 96-98 mph and couples it with a devastating change-up. We are hoping for Last Call potential from this kid.





Dantel Castaneda (3B)
1989 #10 Overall Pick by Baltimore

-Dantel is the main reason why Baltimore doesn't have a huge problem trading away 1st round picks and will often shy away from selecting high school draftees. I really considered Dantel a bust after a few years in Orlando where we saw absolutely no improvement, only regression. However, Dantel did show signs of maybe putting it all together to make AA All-Star team last year. The movement of Ivan Garcia to Morgantown, gives Dantel a chance to make an impact as a reserve third baseman in Baltimore.

[Clay]

Ivan Bojorquez (SP)

Not the typical way to do it... but instead of bringing Bojorquez - the final pick in the 1st Round (92) - up for Spring Training to WIN a job, the Colonials gave three older AAAAers the chance to beat him our without bringing him up. When no one seemed up to the task, the Colonials decided to break the seal on the right hander. The #26 BA Prospect will enter the rotation at the #4 slot.

[Matt]

LF Hector Coronel (Link)

Picked with the 13th overall pick in the 1994 draft the Muckdogs were ecstatic when Coronel fell to them outside the Top 10. The 6'3, 225lb Brazilian hit .359/.415/.511 in AA then .373/.410/.482 in AAA last season. In spring training he hit .302/.371/.444 with 9 doubles and earned a spot on the Batavia active roster.

[Delandis]

Ivan Bojorquez (SP)

Not the typical way to do it... but instead of bringing Bojorquez - the final pick in the 1st Round (92) - up for Spring Training to WIN a job, the Colonials gave three older AAAAers the chance to beat him our without bringing him up. When no one seemed up to the task, the Colonials decided to break the seal on the right hander. The #26 BA Prospect will enter the rotation at the #4 slot.

I've been waiting to see how he's going to do. I thought you were going to give him BP work last year.

[Pat]

Ivan Bojorquez (SP)

Not the typical way to do it... but instead of bringing Bojorquez - the final pick in the 1st Round (92) - up for Spring Training to WIN a job, the Colonials gave three older AAAAers the chance to beat him our without bringing him up. When no one seemed up to the task, the Colonials decided to break the seal on the right hander. The #26 BA Prospect will enter the rotation at the #4 slot.

Expect rust.

[Clay]

I've been waiting to see how he's going to do. I thought you were going to give him BP work last year.

Thought about it, but didn't want to break the seal unless I got desperate.

Expect rust.

Even rusty Colonials are....wait for it.... the "team to beat."

[Pat]

Even rusty Colonials are....wait for it.... the "team to beat."

I agree...

My owner however, doesn't. He thinks we should win the championship this year.

[Clay]

I agree...

My owner however, doesn't. He thinks we should win the championship this year.

I got "at least make the playoffs". Last year I got "finish better than .500".

[Delandis]

I got "at least make the playoffs". Last year I got "finish better than .500".

For the first time since we've moved to 11, I got "finish better than .500." We've supposed to have been championship contenders every year....damn Colonials.

[Matt]

Mine told me money doesn't make a team...heart does.

He then drove away in his new Ferrari F355 Berlinetta.

[Clay]

Mine told me money doesn't make a team...heart does.

He then drove away in his new Ferrari F355 Berlinetta.

I like his style.

[liquidcrash]

LF Hector Coronel (Link)

Picked with the 13th overall pick in the 1994 draft the Muckdogs were ecstatic when Coronel fell to them outside the Top 10. The 6'3, 225lb Brazilian hit .359/.415/.511 in AA then .373/.410/.482 in AAA last season. In spring training he hit .302/.371/.444 with 9 doubles and earned a spot on the Batavia active roster.

My pick for IL New Brew. It looks like it's a solid group again this year though. It wouldn't surprise me if Bojorquez won it.

I don't think anyone is making a debut for my team to start this season. My owner expects us to finish above .500. That's a nice dream.

[Clay]

My pick for IL New Brew. It looks like it's a solid group again this year though. It wouldn't surprise me if Bojorquez won it.

I don't think anyone is making a debut for my team to start this season. My owner expects us to finish above .500. That's a nice dream.

Coronel will be an interesting case to watch. We've still seen very few (if any) major successes from the INTERNATIONALS in the Feeder League era. Hope he does.

[Spectre]

Hugh Crawford (RF)- Acquired from Hartford in the Ching/Anaya deal, Crawford is a young, toolsy OF with solid potential. He's not going to be a superstar but my scout thinks he could be a solid regular. He plays solid defense at the corners and has a short, compact stroke. This former Arizona Wildcat, now 26, could fill a void at RF that has been filled by a steady stream of guys at the tail end of their careers.


Thang Mac (C)- Mac was a raw prospect plucked out of the Burmese baseball academy. With Anibal Calderon and Colt Guinaine, Mississippi knew it had the luxury of waiting... boy did they wait. After six minor league seasons, their patience has paid off. Mac compiled a near .300 BA behind the plate over his minor league career. He's got as smooth a stroke behind the plate as you'll see in the game. He's got the tools to be a perennial .300+ hitter and a doubles machine. He won't walk like Calderon did but he's a completely different hitter.


TJ Walker (1B)- Drafted out of high school, Walker has slowly worked his way up the Mississippi system over the course of seven minor league seasons. He really took off in the tail end of that journey and shows legitimate power at the 1B position. He's going to be a backup to slugger Joe Rojas this year. Francois St. Laurent will be the primary DH.

[liquidcrash]

Coronel will be an interesting case to watch. We've still seen very few (if any) major successes from the INTERNATIONALS in the Feeder League era. Hope he does.

I've kind of agreed with this (to a point), but I'm not really sure. I thought Manhos should have won New Brew last season, and also in that draft (1991) we had Cavadas win the award. The top of that draft was heavy on internationals who seem to be doing ok. Since then, not as many.

I still haven't put too much time into looking up the success rates of internationals vs feeder league players. I usually prefer feeders simply because you have 4 years of scouting data on them and a track record to go by. But if I saw a stud international player, I wouldn't hesitate to pick one.

I like Coronel a lot. I wanted to trade back into the 1st and get him if he fell any further and I think the top 100 list severely underrates him.

As an aside, Deleon is the only rookie eligible player I have to start this season, but he saw a very brief time in the BLB last year so he doesn't count in this thread. Ivan Cervantes could be up at some point, depending on other roster moves.