1996 BLB Debut Thread

[Pat]

Willie "Ace" Watkins

A closer by trade, not sure how he got the "Ace" nickname, Watkins will be a regular relief pitcher for the Bats. Formerly a 2nd Round Pick, 51st overall, Watkins is armed with a plus fastball (95 MPH) and plus-plus splitter. He still has work to do on his control but he is already 24 years old and now is the time to see what he's got. The Bats bullpen is normally one of the leagues best but currently ranks 8th in the IL.

[Delandis]

We've got quite a few this year:


Derek Vluegel (SP)

1994 (#2 Overall Pick by Baltimore)

-Considered a slight stretch of a pick at 1.2, I can't wait to see what Derek can do in the BLB. After his dismal play in AA Camden in 1995, we really didn't expect Derek to progress this quickly. However, he took his lumps last year and came back this year on fire. He posted matching ERA and WHIP with 1.16, through five starts in Camden before he was promoted to AAA Annapolis. In six games there, he through 35 innings with a 2.29 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. We'd seen enough and he was promoted to the BLB last sim. At just 20 years old, Vleugel will likely see his first big league start against Philadelphia this week.




Danny Morales (MR/SP)
1990 (#98 Overall Pick by Davenport)

-Another international, Danny Morales, was acquired in a trade with Davenport earlier this year. Not really a true starter (just 3 in Stamina), Morales has made a way in the league through hard work and determination. He's got an exceptional cutter, matched with a decent change-up and a below average curveball. Probably better suited in the bullpen or long relief, Morales may find himself back in AAA for more seasoning sooner than than later.




Roberto Castellano
1991 (Undrafted by Baltimore)

-A 3rd international rookie, the Brazilian rookie has been asking for BLB play since we signed him to a minor league contract. He really hadn't been overly impressive in Annapolis, but the fact that he improved his WHIP and ERA this year coupled with the fact that we just needed another lefty in the pen, he's gotten his opportunity. An extremely small sample size, but Castellano played well this week: 1.59 ERA, .57 WHIP in 5.2 IP.




Wes Foster (C)
1992 (#92 Overall Pick by Baltimore)

-Wes was a star catcher for Oklahoma State and we drafted him in the 4th round of the '92 draft. Never really completely dominant at any level, Foster really lucked into an opportunity as we were tired of the poor play and attitude shown by Artie Ward. Foster has responded by platooning with Kyoden Kubota behind the plate and playing well. Wes is batting over .400 in his first twelve games and despite him being scouted as being full developed, I'm intrigued to see if he can get any better.



Don Newman (MR)
1990 (#74 Overall Pick, Pawtucket)

-Drafted straight out of Westland John Glenn in 1990 by the Patriots, Newman was the lesser known trade piece that arrived in Baltimore along with Rex Knight. A lefty known for his extremely deceptively good change-up, fit right in with Baltimore's increasingly impressive bullpen. Newman's main concern will likely be health, but getting a guy with his combination of skill and intangibles has allowed us to really make changes in our pitching staff that is now paying off in wins.

There are few more but I'm running out of time and will post the others later.

[Clay]

Well.... we were going to sit on him for the season and wait until Woodbury left town... BUT... Jerry Daly is done for the year leaving a HUGE hold on our team. That spot will be filled by....


PANCHO BARAJAS (OF)
1.22 in 1993

He's no Jerry Daly... he's no Mel Woodbury... hell... he's probably no Doug Gill... but he will take over the everyday CF job and bat leadoff vs RHP (he'll hit 8th vs L). His injury history and average range has us frightened about the idea of him patrolling our big centerfield... but he is our best option right now. He can run and will be asked to to try to make up some of the 70-80 SBs that we lose.

[Dave]

Geoff Jenkins (CL)
1990 Round 2, Pick 9 (Batavia)

With Yoshida struggling mightily in the closer role and our bullpen a mess as a result, Jenkins got the call and has been immediately thrown into the closer role. He allowed a run in his first appearance against Wilmington but held on for the save, and since then has a win and another save to his name in three appearances. We are hoping his high leadership ability serves to whip the rest of our underachieving players into line.

[Lintyfresh85]

Re-Debut


Doug Bates
1990 Round 2, Pick 19

After a generous trade offer from another owner prompted me to give Doug Bates another shot at the BLB (0-4, 6.95 ERA in 1995), Bates came out and dominated over 7.2 IP of scoreless ball. Unfortunately Bates developed biceps tendinitis and will now miss the next two months.

[Clay]

PANCHO BARAJAS (OF)
1.22 in 1993

He's no Jerry Daly... he's no Mel Woodbury... hell... he's probably no Doug Gill... but he will take over the everyday CF job and bat leadoff vs RHP (he'll hit 8th vs L). His injury history and average range has us frightened about the idea of him patrolling our big centerfield... but he is our best option right now. He can run and will be asked to to try to make up some of the 70-80 SBs that we lose.

Good News, Bad News for his Debut

Good News -- After going 0 for 4 in his 1st BLB Game... he hit in the next 5 going 10 for 25 the rest of the week. Didn't show his speed yet, but did show some extra base motor.

Bad News -- Dude IS NOT a CF. 3 errors and a BRUTAL range. Gotta do something here. Looks like Gill will get a shot. Please heal, Mr. Daly. You're missed.

[Pat]

Pete Phelps makes his debut tomorrow. You've never heard of him because he isn't good.

[tomr1962]

Shaun Patterson goes 9 for 16 after coming over from Maine. His first trip to the bigs. Four of those hits doubles. Poor Wally Robinson will be able to go back to 2nd base. His 23 errors at SS were brutal. Robinson a solid fielder at 2nd could never make the transistion over to short.

[Delandis]

Ernie Bornstein (CF)
1996 (#4 Overall Pick, Baltimore)

-This California native (he's from Sacramento, coincidentally where I currently reside) led the 1996 LSU Tigers to their first NCAA title. Bornstein has all of the tools to be a real impact player in the BLB. After the draft Bornstein was immediately fast tracked to AAA Annapolis where he did not disappoint. In his first 37 games, Ernie hit .337/.402/.470 with 16 SB. With Jerry Daly out for the rest of the year, some scouts believe that he is the fastest man in all of baseball right now.

He has started to get a bit bored with AAA level competition and looks to be ready for the BLB. Ernie will be slotted as our new everyday center fielder, with Rex moving to left field. Learning from one of the best in the game right now will only help his progression as we look for big things from the 22-year old.

[Clay]

Holy fast-track, Batman. That'll be fun to watch.

CF and runs a lot??? Make sure his premiums are paid up.

[Delandis]

Yea its quick. I did a scout request 2 or 3 weeks ago and his stats and his report say he's ready so...........


here's to Jerry Daly and not Amilakhori.


Edit: Did the scout on 7/2.

[Delandis]

Wade Coates (SP)
1994 (#6 Overall Pick, Morgantown)

-Another California kid, Coates is also a champion, however his was earned in the Cape Cod League in 1992 with the Brewster Whitecaps. As the Whitecaps All-Time leader in number of career and single season categories, Coates is another member of the Great Pitching Class of '94. Clocked at 100+MPH, Coates is your prototypical flame thrower. Brought over to Baltimore in a trade for Ivan Garcia (SS), Coates was promoted to Baltimore this year despite a less than stellar performance in Annapolis in the last year and a half.

So far: 2-2, 2.38 ERA in 13 games (5 starts). He also has sat down 52 batters in just 41 innings. With the weak field of IL candidates, Coates may be IL New Brew worthy as he leads all IL rookie pitchers in VORP so far this season.

[tomr1962]

Holy Crap , here I been told to not rush prospects and one at bat and he is in AAA.

[tomr1962]

Pantillimon started at double AA this season after the draft. It then said he is ready for AAA. He is overpowering batters at AA. But I was going to wait until next season to move him up.

[liquidcrash]

Pantillimon started at double AA this season after the draft. It then said he is ready for AAA. He is overpowering batters at AA. But I was going to wait until next season to move him up.

It's always a judgment call when you decide to call someone up. I've been really careful and patient with some prospects, while some others I've pushed and completely skipped levels if I think they can handle it based on their ratings and stats. Generally, I'm not in a huge rush to move players around. Like this year, I'm not in a position where I need to call people up, so I haven't yet.

As for Pantillimon, I think he's ready for AAA. It's your decision, but I think he could handle it just fine.