1996 BLB Debut Thread

[Delandis]

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

It was always my plan to start him a AAA. That 1 AB came when he was first put on the team. As you can see, he didn't even blink when he made the jump either. I think Jistic coined it best, its an art not a science. Everyone has their own way of doing things. After a few years, especially if you keep the same scout, you'll have your own indicators that guide your decisions on promotion through the minors.

I could be wrong about dead wrong about Ernie moving up so early, but I really don't think I am.

[Clay]

The timing of the minor league jumps, while important, aren't usually as drastic as the bump to the BLB. If a guys killing a level, bump him.... however.... killing AAA doesn't always equate to BLB success... that has more layers to it.

[Delandis]

killing AAA doesn't always equate to BLB success... that has more layers to it.

I agree. Every case is different.

For example Ron Muenks, another 1996 draftee of ours, was also fast-tracked to AAA after a short stint in Camden (AA). He also is destroying AAA right, but he's not being promoted for at least another year at this point. Most of his numbers and his scouting report say he's BLB ready, but I know he's not. And God knows I could use a lights out reliever like him right now.

[Clay]

I think the most important decisions are:
- A to AA
- AAA to BLB
- AA to AAA

In that order.

I'm also firmly in the camp of "backwards movement kills prospects". If I ever send someone backwards, their ceiling is depth at best. I'm also a never bring a guy you like to the BLB unless you have room for him to stay (unless it's SEP). I tend to have a lot more 25-26 year old rookies because of it.

[Jimmy]

The L.A. Dinos would like to announce the debut of CF Ron Adams. I'm surprised this guy never came into any trade conversations as he has great intangibles. I do not normally post this sort of thing, out of superstition mainly, but the kid deserves a little recognition. He was one of our supplemental picks from the loss of Kinsey/Keppel. With the failure of Dana Phillips this kids development was a godsend. He started slowly due to injuries. I thought his season was going to be derailed but he had other plans, going 8-23 with 3 2Bs and 4 RBI's. He's a spray hitting, switch hitter so who knows how well he is going to keep hitting. All we can say in L.A. is..... "Keep aiming for the gaps kid"!

[Pat]

Jeremiah Kelly - IF

I think he's ready. Lefty hitting infielders don't just grow in trees. He's also a slick fielder and plus on the base paths. Top 100 prospect. Here we go.

[Delandis]

Should contend for New Brew in '97.

[Pat]

Yeah. Going with a group of youngsters next year. Baby Bats.

[Ryan]

Jeremiah Kelly - IF

I think he's ready. Lefty hitting infielders don't just grow in trees. He's also a slick fielder and plus on the base paths. Top 100 prospect. Here we go.

Duh, they come out of chicks butts. Dumbass....

[Lintyfresh85]

Four guys have been called up with the rosters expanding, but I'll focus on just three.

OF - Willie Quick
.267/.353/.468/.821, 17 HR, 64 RBI

Quick, 26, a 4th round pick in 1992 will be making his BLB debut after a steady rise through the Kodiaks farm system. A masher from the left side, Quick will platoon with fellow call-up Zuo-qian Zhang in left field for the rest of the season.

OF - Zuo-qian Zhang
.281/.348/.383/.732, 8 HR, 74 RBI

Zhang, 23, will finally make his must anticipated (in Kodiaks fan circles) BLB debut this sim. After being selected with the 19th pick in the first round of the 1990 draft, Zhang had a long winding road marred by injuries and ratings drops often seen with International draftees. After stabilizing his potential (hopefully), Zhang has spent the past two years in AAA honing his skills to the tune of .288/.358/.419/.777. He's not fully developed yet, but he'll get a shot to play against LHP right out of the gate.

C - Sebastien Turcotte
.287/.351/.403/.754, 5 HR, 54 RBI

Turcotte, 22, an offensive minded catcher, will make his debut after being the centerpiece in the trade of Robby Shannon to Morgantown. While Turcotte won't get a lot of AB's with star Anibal Calderon entrenched behind the plate, Turcotte will likely get 1-2 starts a week to get his feet wet at the BLB level in preparation for a more permanent role with the squad in 1997.

[tomr1962]

Seems that a September call up should not be hurtful to a rookie

[Ryan]

Seems that a September call up should not be hurtful to a rookie

It's all about making sure the guy is ready for the jump, whenever you call him up. September's really a chance to see if a guy is ready for The Show the following season, or to give AAA guys that put up big numbers a shot to prove themselves.

[umd]

Ricky Rangel
1.2 1993

Hartford - Rangel makes his first career start this week, after spending the better part of the last 3 seasons in AAA. Rangel is a product of Long Beach State, where he went 9-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 19 starts in 1993. In New Haven, Rangel has gone 31-22 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Rangel missed 14 months while undergoing Tommy John surgery in 1995. Despite being slowed by the injury, Rangel seems to have managed to retain much of the potential seen in him by top flight scout Terrence Norfleet. If he can perform down the stretch, look for Rangel to contribute as a regular in the Whalers rotation next season.

[tomr1962]

Eric Keifer is in to stay. So far so good, here is to hall of fame career coming up

[Lintyfresh85]

2B - Todd Burley
.292/.348/.506/.854, 13 HR, 56 RBI

Burley, who came over in the Alex Torres trade, is taking over full time at 2B with hopes of making him the permanent 2B starting in 1997. A power bat, with a decent glove, I'm hoping Burley becomes what Mark Steward looked like he could have been.