BLB Debut Thread- 1983 Edition

[Spectre]

Let's keep it rolling, introducing the 1983 edition of the BLB Debut Thread!

Mississippi has called up two promising young talents, both becoming the first players from the 1982 draft to make the BLB:

1. SP Don Stevens- After dominating opposing hitters at the AAA level, the 17 year old righty and #1 pick of the 1982 draft will make his debut and become the youngest BLB player in history this week. He was mediocre at AA but I challenged him and he answered the call when he got moved up to AAA. Sure the offense stinks but I want him to get his feet wet these next two months. I'm not expecting much but I'm hoping he just gets better and keeps improving. He destroyed AAA and I don't think he was getting challenged there anymore. His July AAA numbers: 42 2/3 IP, 64 Ks, .94 WHIP. Welcome to the Show kid!


2. CL Zander Tillman- He was another guy who I challenged by moving him up a level after a so-so performance at AA, and he responded. He has a 0.77 WHIP and 9 saves with a 1.54 ERA at Mobile. He was the top pick of Round 2 in the same draft as Stevens, and started his career at Lexington without making a stop at Tallahassee. "The Sheriff" will immediately be granted closer duties for the squad, and my Mexican duo of Fuentes and Sanabria will move into setup and middle relief for the time being. Again, my scouts think he still needs to work hardcore on his control but the stuff is there.

[spot]

Based on how these guys perform you could effectively change how the game is played in the BLB. If we see some success then we may be getting a whole lot younger overall especially at pitching.

[Clay]

Based on how these guys perform you could effectively change how the game is played in the BLB. If we see some success then we may be getting a whole lot younger overall especially at pitching.

I think Franklin, Aurillo and Tardiff blazed that trail already.

[Lintyfresh85]

... my Mexican duo of Fuentes and Sanabria will move into setup and middle relief for the time being.

Don't screw them up! Team Mexico needs them!

[Clay]

Don't screw them up! Team Mexico needs them!

Team Mexico did wonders for Alberto Hernando. Since coming back from the WBC, he's been tearing through the minors. He'll be the understudy in Virginia next season and step in for Fortin when his contract expires (if Fortin doesn't move to 1B).

[Whale]

For Hartford, not a big entry, but due to Coto leaving, a spot opened up in the bullpen for 1980 1st round pick Takanibu Maeno. 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 60+ innings of work in New Haven. The youth movement is beginning in Hartford.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_3068.html

[Clay]

Not sexy by any stretch, but 22 year old reliever Romano Gonzalez made his BLB debut on 7.23.83. He's worked 3.0 innings so far and has not surrendered a hit or a run. However, his 6 BBs is concerning.

.....

The only other significant call-up that I anticipate in Virginia will be Alberto Hernando (C) in September. There should be some movement in the minors - including "The Skull" potentially moving to AAA, Jerry Tracy moving to AA and '82 First Rounder and potential Superstar Yorki Maeda moving up to AA ball. Maeda is a wildcard because he was drafted at a young 16 and is only 17 right now. Don't want to rush him.

[Guest]

Teodor Leal, 3B

Nothing left to prove at AAA, hitting .307 with 15 HR and 68 RBI so far this year and has over 700 AB's there. I'm trying him at second instead of third, so it'll be interesting to see how it works out. He can't be any worse than Brenton was.

[Spectre]

Stevens went 7 innings in his debut against Syracuse, striking out 3 and walking 4. Tillman was up and down but I think those two are here to stay

[Lintyfresh85]

Stevens has the stuff... the question is does he have the control to battle the hitters in longer counts without walking them?

[Sully]

Stevens has the stuff... the question is does he have the control to battle the hitters in longer counts without walking them?

Thanks, Tim Kurkjian.

[Spectre]

Stevens has the stuff... the question is does he have the control to battle the hitters in longer counts without walking them?

I'm not too worried about that, his control was always the highest rated attribute by every single one of my scouts. His 8 and 7s in control across the table was the main reason I picked him instead of Gonzalez. Right now, his control isn't quite there yet but I'll deal with it this season.

[rubisco43]

i'd worry more about letting him throw 126 pitches in ANY start.

[Sully]

i'd worry more about letting him throw 126 pitches in ANY start.

Was that his pitch count?

Being out of it, I'd have him on a strict low pitch count for the rest of the season, he's already at 175 IP for this season. Some guys haven't been around since the beginning, but they need to take a look at some young guys like Larry LaRochelle and Jerry Dean. They were studs. LaRochelle threw roughly 715 IP in his first three seasons, and hasn't been the same since. Dean threw 5 great seasons of at least 216 IP, and he's currently in the midst of his worst season....by far. His lowest ERA before this season was 3.53 back in 1980. This year, he's at 5.56.

The innings add up on these young guys, and even some older guys. Some might not want to believe it, but the proof is there. Sure, there are some exceptions, but it's too risky of a gamble.

[Spectre]

Was that his pitch count?

Being out of it, I'd have him on a strict low pitch count for the rest of the season, he's already at 175 IP for this season. Some guys haven't been around since the beginning, but they need to take a look at some young guys like Larry LaRochelle and Jerry Dean. They were studs. LaRochelle threw roughly 715 IP in his first three seasons, and hasn't been the same since. Dean threw 5 great seasons of at least 216 IP, and he's currently in the midst of his worst season....by far. His lowest ERA before this season was 3.53 back in 1980. This year, he's at 5.56.

The innings add up on these young guys, and even some older guys. Some might not want to believe it, but the proof is there. Sure, there are some exceptions, but it's too risky of a gamble.

Hmmm, thanks for the food for thought guys. I'm going to limit his innings big-time for the rest of the season.

I'll probably put him on a 90 pitch count after the next two sims. After two sims, he'll be at about 150 innings. If I limit him, then hopefully he'll finish at 175 or so. I also plan to going to a 6 man rotation so that will knock down his innings even more.

Appreciate the advice guys- Stevens is the key to my franchise. If I lose him, it would hurt.