1997 BLB Debut Thread

[Pat]

Toby Day. #79 on the top 100. 23 years old. Corner outfielder. Spent all of last year at Triple-A and has shown significant improvements in his K/BB so far this season and will make the jump due to injuries at the BLB level. A contact hitter, who fields the corners well and is slow as a snail. Former 2nd round pick. Struggled in Spring Training and likely will be in over his head, but I thought I would give him a shot with no other quality options healthy.

[Jistic]

And he crapped his pants the minute they snapped his picture for the media guide. We'll be following this one.

[Carlos]

And he crapped his pants the minute they snapped his picture for the media guide. We'll be following this one.

Gold.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Spectre]

Artie Clemons, CF
I didn't want to call him up yet, but he pushed my hand. Clemons was a first round pick in 1993 out of high school. He's been one of the best pure hitters in the minors the last three seasons, hitting comfortably above .300. He was named the #10 overall prospect in the game at the start of the year. He's got great gap-to-gap power and will get a ton of extra bases. He doesn't walk a ton but he does walk enough to have the chance to be an impact top of the lineup hitter. He also has great speed and plays elite defense in CF. He will hopefully be a cornerstone of this lineup for years to come.

[funclown]

Peter Bowbly, 1B/3B/LF/DH/RP

Drafted in 93 (9th round 12th pick) poor Peter was cut 8 days later by those mongols in Philly. Was picked up by Pawtucket a few months later, but we weren't really sure if he was a pitcher or a hitter. So... Peter started pitching the next couple of seasons and even showing some promise in 94' in AA. 95' Bowbly struggled on the mound. Seemed Peter was again ready to find a new home with another team, when Legendary hitting coach Dave "boy watcher" Dunkley observed Peter hitting the batting cages after practice. Seemed Peter's passion was the bat. Switched back to the hitting lineup mid 95', even occasionally went both ways Peter has improved each season in every facet of his hitting game, even learning some fielding here and there. Right now, might as well see what the kid has.

Does he continue to improve and stick in the stadium that normally ruins lefties careers? Will his continual use of pot slow his growth? What about the brain damage he took in 91? (it involved midgets) So many questions, time to answer them.

[Delandis]

Angelo Falconieri (MR)

-Drafted as a 1st round supplemental pick in 1994, Angelo has done nothing but impress since he's joined our organization. Angelo has pretty much all the intangibles you'd like to see out of a young guy: work ethic, intelligence, loyalty, leadership. Couple that with outstanding control and an arm that is still growing in strength, we're going to give him a chance to help out our rotation year.

I think he was pretty bummed that he didn't get the call up earlier this year and I saw his mood beginning to change for the worse. With Willie O'Reilly stinking it up in the BLB, I figured I'd give the 21 year old a chance.

Plus, he's part of our "proving that internationals ARE valuable" experiment.

[Pat]

Cy Pryor - SP
6-4, 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP (AAA)
96 MPH FB, 8 Stamina, 52% GB, 4-5-5 (OSA)

Drafted 24th overall in 1989, the year after the Bats won their last Championship. Cy Pryor will make his BLB regular season debut this next sim. He has seen time in Spring Training but never cracked the roster.

Progressing smoothly through the minors, and being ranked top 100 in 1990 and 1991, he finished the 1993 season in Triple-A (3.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP), Pryor career hit a few snags. In 1994, he struggled for the first time since being drafted. Then he went 0-5 in his first seven starts, Pryor was sent back down to Double-A, where he didn't pitch very well and was upset about the demotion. After starting 1995 in Double-A, where he played at his normal high level, he suffered an injury pitching required surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Enter 1996, back in Triple-A, solid season. His 1997 hasn't been the smoothest but his last seven starts he has been dominant.

This is probably a guy who deserved a look earlier. You live and you learn in the BLB. There are question marks in the rotation this year and headed into 1998, who knows. This debut is a huge opportunity for Pryor. Similar to the career path/opportunity Pat Daniels saw three seasons ago.

[funclown]

CF Troy Stucker

Drafted in the 1991 first-year player draft (Round 7, Pick 12, 156th overall pick)

One of many late round high school kids. Will be 24 soon. Outstanding defensive CF. An injury to Marlon DeClare forced an early call up. Only had a OPS+ of 110 in AAA so a bit premature as Stucker was slated to be our 4th OF in 98/99. Seven seasons of steadily improved play at each level so if anything nice to get a quick look at him in the big show.

Only starting against lefites and summoned as a defensive replacement in the late innings. Batted .375 in very limited at bats his first week out. Not expecting huge things from him this season and will most likely find himself back in AAA to start 98 in order to sharpen his eye at the plate.