2000 Rookie Debut Thread

[Jistic]

Kicking off another year. We have 4 rookies on the opening day roster. Players are just now starting to trickle up to our big league club. Although the real talent is still a few years out. Here's what we're looking at.


SP - Damien Williams
http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_6094.html
(Rank #42)
We are throwing three rookie pitchers into the fire this year. Damien had been a top prospect since he debuted. While his control is a concern we ultimately see him as being a #5 starter when everyone has made it through the system. We'll be happy with an ERA of 4.50 or lower this year. Williams had a solid spring with an ERA of 3.38. He also walked 20 batters and only struck out 1 .


SP - Ruben Sostre
http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_8702.html
(NR)
Sostre is an interesting case. We really don't know what to expect from him and to be honest anything is a bonus. He'll have all year to show what he can do. As a first round pick he has been somewhat of a disappointment but seems to "not go away." Sostre did pitch in two games last year posting a solid .71 ERA. He also pitched a no hitter through seven innings in his last start but somehow was pulled from the game while the bullpen finished the effort. He's had a rough spring with an ERA near 6.



SP - Ed McGuire
http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_7515.html
(Rank #68)
Going against our policy here of rushing prospects. McGuire hasn't even pitched in AAA yet. At the age of 22 we'd ideally like to see him in about two years. However Ed had a very solid spring and our manager feels he belongs in the rotation now. We'll give him a month at least to show what he's got. If not he may go back in the oven in May.


OF - "Big" Jon Gutierrez
http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_8376.html
(Rank #80 or #38)
Another 22 year old we'd like to cook for a few years but simply can't be held back anymore. It was difficult enough to keep him back as a 21 year old but now is his time. Explosive power his Big Jon's game, as well as striking out. Jon will never get cheated in an at bat. It's usually going over the fence or he's going back to the dugout. We'd like to see him hit at least 20 bombs this year.

Overall with 3 rookie starting pitchers I can see a long season in our drive for the #1 overall pick.

[Pat]

C.J. Yount - MR
Drafted 2.11 in 1996

Made his debut in ST and pitched fairly well. He was actually nearly shipped out of town this week but talks stalled as we got closer to opening day. With the injury of Don Bolton for the year, there was an opening available in the pen and the Bats are excited to have Yount fill the void.

25-years-old, 98 MPH, 7-5-6 potential from my scout, 6-5-5 by OSA, very high leadership. Struck out 80 in 68 IP last year in Triple-A.

[Ryan]

OF - "Big" Jon Gutierrez
http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_8376.html
(Rank #80 or #38)
Another 22 year old we'd like to cook for a few years but simply can't be held back anymore. It was difficult enough to keep him back as a 21 year old but now is his time. Explosive power his Big Jon's game, as well as striking out. Jon will never get cheated in an at bat. It's usually going over the fence or he's going back to the dugout. We'd like to see him hit at least 20 bombs this year.

Can't wait to see how Big Jon does. Power for days, and will strike out a ton, though I wouldn't be surprised to see him rack up some walks, maybe 50-60 a year.

C.J. Yount - MR
Drafted 2.11 in 1996

Made his debut in ST and pitched fairly well. He was actually nearly shipped out of town this week but talks stalled as we got closer to opening day. With the injury of Don Bolton for the year, there was an opening available in the pen and the Bats are excited to have Yount fill the void.

25-years-old, 98 MPH, 7-5-6 potential from my scout, 6-5-5 by OSA, very high leadership. Struck out 80 in 68 IP last year in Triple-A.

Yount looks really nice. I think our scouts may be related...

[Ryan]

2B Ron Wessel

I love this guy, but not sure how successful he'll be at the BLB level. A first rounder in 1996, he's blown through the minor leagues after a couple of tough years at single-A. A talent bump or two later, and Ron looks ready to show his stuff for the Clowns.

He should be a .280 - .300 hitter with gap power. Should pop 40-50 doubles a year, maybe 10-15 homers. Wont walk much. Maybe 30-40 a season, though he won't strike out much either. Pretty good speed, so with that gap rating we could see 5-8 triples a year too. Plays solid D for a second baseman. Has the leader trait, so he won't bang other dudes wives, so that's nice.




CF Travis Basker

A former 4th rounder that my scout has been gushing over for the last few seasons in his scouting report, though his ratings aren't that great, so not really sure what to think. Maybe it's the D.

Travis is a defense first, speedy center fielder. That's the main reason he's here now, instead of busing it in Triple-A again. If he hits north or .265 and can get on base a little, I'd be fine with that. Won't hit for power. Could be a Pat Stewart type with more strikeouts, which would be dandy.

[funclown]

We should start getting more debuts this season in Pawtucket:
]

Wade Tull 24 years old - MR
Drafted 1.21 , 1994 by Maine

Main player involved with the Raulo Guiterez deal. One of many lefties now in the Pawtucket farm system. After three seasons in AAA keeping his ERA around 2.50 and ERA+ above 150 in each season it appears there isn't much left for Wade to prove. 11 appearances in spring training with a 2.81 ERA was good enough for us to give him a shot.

Wade will start in the secondary setup role for now. Our scout still has some concerns about his control, but we will see of our development team can continue to improve him while at the big show.


Oh quick oops on a last season player:

]

Andy Mendez 27 years old - MR
Drafted 6 round 24 pick

Never gave him any props last season since we were in transition.

Late bloomer, Andy became a top 100 prospect two months before his 26th bday. Came up in May and GOT HAMMERED to a tune of 6+ era. After another 5+ era shelling in June....he progressively became a better pitcher finishing the year a decent 4.34 era/ 1.30 whip 37 walks and 92 strikeouts.

Now 27, my scout again thinks he still has room to develop. Looking at Andy as an eventual #4 - #5 starter if he continues to improve.

[funclown]

Like we said, should see more of this next season or two from Pawtucket:
]

Oscar Vazquez 23 years old - SP
Drafted 3.23 , 1994 by Pawtucket

Its been awhile coming for Vazquez. Feels like he's been playing for us forever, but yet he's only 23.

Vazquez played three season at each level A & AA, but not quiet a full season in AAA where he started out on fire this season (3-0 .83 ERA .88 WHIP) This is very young for us, but like Wade Tull another 94 alum we feel he can take his beatings now and learn the rest of the way. 4 solid pitches and on occasion flashed above average control. Has the "durable" tag, but he has had some injuries.

Total "gut" call bringing him up right now.

Nice first start. On a short leash pitched 7 1/3/ 3 earned runs with NO walks and 8 strike outs.

[Jake]

Gong-sun "My homey" Tsai

Tsai makes his BLB debut after coming over from Maine in the Chip Snow trade last year. Ignacio Rodriguez has been great defensively at first this year, but hasn't been able to hit the ocean with a boat, so we're going to move Antonio Torres over from 2B - where he's a liability - and let Tsai man second.

Noodle arm, very average hitter, plus speed. If he can be solid in the field, we'll be happy.

[Carlos]

Gong-sun "My homey" Tsai

Tsai makes his BLB debut after coming over from Maine in the Chip Snow trade last year. Ignacio Rodriguez has been great defensively at first this year, but hasn't been able to hit the ocean with a boat, so we're going to move Antonio Torres over from 2B - where he's a liability - and let Tsai man second.

Noodle arm, very average hitter, plus speed. If he can be solid in the field, we'll be happy.

That sort of attitude won't get you to 100 losses first.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Jimmy]

Making his BLB debut - 3B Jamie Cosby


We got Cosby in a trade with Philly several years back for SP Jayson McQueen and he has blossomed into a solid hitter. We were going to keep him in AAA for the season but injuries and poor performace by Steven Bennet made an early call up necessary. A switch hitter with good gap poweran d a solid eye, Cosby should do well in LA.

[Pat]

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_3936.html
B.J. Jobe - OF
Drafted 1.14 in 1997

19th overall prospect in the BLB. Jobe struggled in Triple-A last year but after 33 games this year he is hitting .315 so I'm going to give him a shot to run with the lead-off spot in both lineups. A free-swinging, switch-hitter with speed to burn, Jobe is a more traditional #1 hitter than current incumbent, 1B Nari Garin. This allows Garin to move into a RBI producing spot, 4th or 5th, and gives the Bats a lot of speed at the top of the line-up.

Jobe will start in LF replacing struggling veterans Shawn Burton and Miguel Angel Monchez. Very skilled defensively, however Jobe hasn't played LF since his senior year at Southern California, when he won the Glove Wizard award.

[Jake]

I should have drafted Jobe at 1.12 that year. I'm stupid like that.

[Delandis]

]
Oscar Lerma- 1B/2B
Drafted 3.8 , 1995 by Baltimore

He actually had one of these before but he wasn't ready in '98. Fast forward to 2000 and Lerma has been very impressive in Spring Training and so far in AAA. He is primarily a 1st baseman, but we've been working on getting some play at 2nd base as well. What we do know is, he can't be any worse than Sze Zhu has been so far this year for us.

Not bad for a guy who's sole, redeeming talent was an "8" in bunting when he was drafted (http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/foru...&postcount=216).

[Pat]

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_8576.html
Tyler McLouth - 3B
Drafted 2.3 in 1995

38th overall prospect will follow B.J. Jobe by making his debut this week. Originally drafted by Wilmington and then traded for three third round picks, in which I received a ton of backlash from the league. Those three players ended up all making it to the BLB and are all currently on the Blue Wave roster. SS Dusty Omohundro, C Shane Gallahue and RF Pat Wilson.

Not a very traditional 3B with little to no power but McLouth has shown good contact, eye and avoid K at the minor league level.

McLouth was invited to Spring Training, only got pinch-hitting at bats and was upset that he was sent back to Triple-A. After struggling through April, McLouth has been on fire in May hitting over .300 in 79 PA. He still has some developing to do, and while he is average at best defensively, I think his addition to the roster is an improvement. He will start immediately at 3B against lefties, shifting the infield to allow Jeremiah Kelly days off against LHSP. If he hits well enough, he could also start vs. RHSP if he outplays Yong-Koo Lim who currently has a .579 OPS vs. righties.

[Delandis]

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_8576.html
Tyler McLouth - 3B
Drafted 2.3 in 1995

38th overall prospect will follow B.J. Jobe by making his debut this week. Originally drafted by Wilmington and then traded for three third round picks, in which I received a ton of backlash from the league. Those three players ended up all making it to the BLB and are all currently on the Blue Wave roster. SS Dusty Omohundro, C Shane Gallahue and RF Pat Wilson.

Not a very traditional 3B with little to no power but McLouth has shown good contact, eye and avoid K at the minor league level.

McLouth was invited to Spring Training, only got pinch-hitting at bats and was upset that he was sent back to Triple-A. After struggling through April, McLouth has been on fire in May hitting over .300 in 79 PA. He still has some developing to do, and while he is average at best defensively, I think his addition to the roster is an improvement. He will start immediately at 3B against lefties, shifting the infield to allow Jeremiah Kelly days off against LHSP. If he hits well enough, he could also start vs. RHSP if he outplays Yong-Koo Lim who currently has a .579 OPS vs. righties.

Its an arms race to see who gets eliminated by Cali?

[funclown]

Sometimes they won't be stars, but can play a role in our future:


]

SS Orlando Saucedo
Drafted 1.12 , 1994 by Los Alamos

Part of the Yoshino deal in 98. After looking good in A, he's only posted so-so number in both AA & AAA. Scout thinks he will end up being a good contact hitter, but we will also have to prepare for him striking alot unless he changes his habits a bit. On the bright side, only 24, a switch hitter and plays one heck of middle IF defense.

Were hoping since he was unhappy that he was just bored. Figure him for the bottom half of the order in the future. Our pitchers will be happy with him behind the mound. Batted .286 and a few HRs to boot in his debut, not bad.



]

Ruben Aparicio - SP
Drafted 2.10 , 1996 by Baltimore

Part of a midseason deal in 98 for Rojas, has rated as high as 45th in the top 100 and still a prospect today. After looking sharp in AA in 99 , Aparicio held his own in AAA the rest of last season. We were keeping him in AAA in 2000 to work on his control, but like Saucido seemed aloof. The final decision was expedited cuz I couldn't stomach another start by veteran/butt crack Raul Gonzalez!

Not high expectations for him this season. Keep working on his game. Can't pitch any worse than the guy he just replaced.


Summary, Pawtucket is getting younger. Still need impact players.