DelPrez's Monthly Minor League (Late Round) Players to Watch

[Delandis]

April 2004 DMLLP Award Winner

Gerardo Cardoza(1B)
AA Savannah Atlantics
OSA: 4-5-3-3-4 | 6-5-5-3-5

-We're back in 2004 with the first OOTP 14 edition of our awards. Our first winner is do-it-all first baseman, Gerardo Cardoza. An early 4th round draft pick in the 2002 draft, Cardoza was a budding star in Mexico who then decided to make a move to the big time.

-A leader in the clubhouse, Cardoza is known for his versatility and work ethic. Now although Cardoza has struggled a bit since being promoted to AA ball, he is still a guy to watch, if only just to see if there more to come.

BLB Potential Comparison:
Jamie Magerl (DAL/WAS)

[Delandis]

May 2004 DMLLP Award Winner

Edwin Uribe(SP)
AA Camden Sand Tigers
OSA: 4-4-3| 5-4-5

-Since I normally talk about my own players in the BLB so much, I try to stay away from profiling my own players in this monthly piece. But hey one little time won't hurt right? (TWSS)

As a high school senior in Puerto Rico, Edwin was as dominant as they come. 10-1, 1.72 ERA, 1.02 WHIP. Somehow, Uribe flew under the radar in the 2002 BLB draft, selected 17th in the 4th round. Since that time, Uribe has done nothing but impress.

Joining an already dominant Single A squad in Socorro (now Vancouver), Uribe helped them win a Single A chip. Moving on to 2003, Uribe continued to dominate winning 15 games, nominated to his first All-Star Game (Single A), winning a 2nd Bush League Championship, and winning the Single A Outstanding Pitching Award.

The Baltimore organization obtained Uribe in a trade earlier this year and can only hope for Uribe to continue on his upward trend.

BLB Potential Comparison:
Dewitt Pierce (LAD)

[Delandis]

June 2004 DMLLP Award Winner

Tyler Fitzpatrick(CF)
AA Eagle River Wolverines
OSA: 5-5-3-4-4| 6-6-3-4-5

-Bustavia is gone. Tyler Fitzpatrick is yet another great pick by the Batavia organization. A 4th round selection in 2000, Fitzpatrick was a 4-year starter on his high school varsity team, leaving as the All-Time career hits leader when he graduated from Blessed Sacrament Huguenot. Along with the ability to put the bat on the ball, the kid is well known for not making many mistakes in the outfield.

After 3 full seasons in Hondo (A), Fitzpatrick was bumped up to Eagle River (AA) where he continues to find success. Tyler even managed to grab a WORT POW Award during the month of June and most scouts believe he has the talent to play at the next level.


BLB Potential Comparison:
Pat Stewart (PIT)

[funclown]

Tyler Deatherage(AAA). It's a nice story to check out

[funclown]

Well.....Does Funclown need to write it or will you do the honors.

[Delandis]

We are here to talk about real prospects. Not your little boy toy first basemen.

[Jistic]

We are here to talk about real prospects. Not your little boy toy first basemen.

Yeah now stop hijacking Prez's thread!

[funclown]

HE will remember this moment.

[funclown]

Months almost over......Deatherage isn't going away.

[Delandis]

Months almost over......Deatherage isn't going away.

I've still got to do July. I don't do August because the number of games is too short for single-A and AA teams.

[Lintyfresh85]

Gus Alvarado!

Only took him seven and a half years in A Ball to start to show promise.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[Delandis]

April 2005 DMLLP Award Winner

Wade Sweet(SP)
A Kinston Indians
OSA: 4-4-3| 4-5-4

-We're back with another look at minor league players to watch for the future. This time we profile former 10th round pick, Wade Sweet.

Wade played college baseball at CSU-Fullerton, starting his college career as a starter. Wade performed pretty well as a freshman, but was relegated to a relief role his sophomore year. As a junior, Wade posted a 4.72 ERA in 11 starts as he was again moved to a starting role. As a senior, Wade was moved to closer and was able to rack up 10 saves in just 18 games played.

As stated before, Wade wasn't selected until the 10th round by the Carolina organization and in 2004 Wade struggled to cope with the talent seen at just the Single A level. However, so far in 2005 Wade has been magnificent with a 1.59 ERA and 4-0 for the month of April.

Wade doesn't seem to possess the intelligence or work ethic that is usually needed to maintain this level of performance against more difficult competition. We will keep an eye on him for now.


BLB Potential Comparison:
Ollie Kane (SP)

[Spear]

He literally throws everything except the kitchen sink. I bet as a 10th round pick, this kid would love to have a career that Ollie has had.

[funclown]

Guess who's having another good season???

[fsquid]

this is what happens when your pour over the draft reports from our scouts on draft day. He does throw everything, sadly none of it well.