2024 Spring Training SIM 2 Complete - Next SIM OPENING DAY Tuesday 11/14

[Pat]

Good point! I think in the BLB, as in the MLB, too many GMs over value their prospects when their high ceiling could be flipped for more BLB talent.

It also seems like the last few years there have been fewer and fewer sure fire prospects, making your strategy even more sound.

I think draft picks are overvalued even more so.

[Hank]

Looks like there are a handful of stars in this years draft.
My scout likes Micah Gordon over d'bag, Javy Gudino. Gudino's projections are insane, but his intangibles are horrible.

Couple good pitchers as well.

[Z]

Botched trade in hindsight: in 2021, I drafted SS Hua Jian in the ninth round. Good glove, fringe bat. I traded him a week after the draft for a Baltimore prospect I just cut from my AAA team.

Jian is now the 78th ranked prospect after graduating to an elite glove at shortstop with a playable bat.

Wish I had that one back.

[funclown]

Looks like there are a handful of stars in this years draft.
My scout likes Micah Gordon over d'bag, Javy Gudino. Gudino's projections are insane, but his intangibles are horrible.

Couple good pitchers as well.

Decent pitching group and again a good amount of bullpen help!

[Z]

I feel dumb. I somehow missed that Wilmington had two pitchers named Davon Charles from 2017 through 2022. I signed one of them this offseason, slightly confused because I thought I remembered him being better, and not realizing I simply signed the shitty one.

[Guest]

I think draft picks are overvalued even more so.

Agreed.

[Delandis]

Botched trade in hindsight: in 2021, I drafted SS Hua Jian in the ninth round. Good glove, fringe bat. I traded him a week after the draft for a Baltimore prospect I just cut from my AAA team.

Jian is now the 78th ranked prospect after graduating to an elite glove at shortstop with a playable bat.

Wish I had that one back.

I saw him getting better right before he left. I probably should've just kept him.

[Z]

The legacy of Ian "Mongo" Brooks is a complicated thing.

He always "felt" like, if not an ace, at least a REALLY good #2 — a frequent All-Star type.

Was he?

The good

• Topped out as #4 overall prospect in spring 2011.
• 2nd in DL Refreshing New Brew voting in 2011.
• Clearly valued highly by many clubs, as he was traded for packages that included a first round pick four times, including once when he was dealt for Dusty Orbon, a first, and a bunch more.
• 39.3 career WAR.
• 125 career wins. Twice finished with 15+ wins in a season.
• 3.53 career FIP.

The bad

• Only an All-Star once, in 2016.
• Maybe there's a reason he was traded so much.
• 128 career losses. As of right now, he actually has a losing record for his career. Even finished in the top ten in losses twice.
• Finished in the top ten for most walks three times.
• That 39.3 WAR? It only ranks 19th among active pitchers. Not in the top 100 all-time.
• 3.73 career ERA is only 6% better than league average, adjusted for ballpark.
• 1.27 career WHIP isn't so good either.

Just kind of weird. How good was he, really?

[funclown]

The legacy of Ian "Mongo" Brooks is a complicated thing.

He always "felt" like, if not an ace, at least a REALLY good #2 — a frequent All-Star type.

Was he?

The good

• Topped out as #4 overall prospect in spring 2011.
• 2nd in DL Refreshing New Brew voting in 2011.
• Clearly valued highly by many clubs, as he was traded for packages that included a first round pick four times, including once when he was dealt for Dusty Orbon, a first, and a bunch more.
• 39.3 career WAR.
• 125 career wins. Twice finished with 15+ wins in a season.
• 3.53 career FIP.

The bad

• Only an All-Star once, in 2016.
• Maybe there's a reason he was traded so much.
• 128 career losses. As of right now, he actually has a losing record for his career. Even finished in the top ten in losses twice.
• Finished in the top ten for most walks three times.
• That 39.3 WAR? It only ranks 19th among active pitchers. Not in the top 100 all-time.
• 3.73 career ERA is only 6% better than league average, adjusted for ballpark.
• 1.27 career WHIP isn't so good either.

Just kind of weird. How good was he, really?

I remember getting him at the end of Pawtuckets run and your dead on. He was never bad per say, but always felt he was a bit of a ratings tease type guy. In the end he's a average #3 starter and or an above average #4 starter. Just how he is. Solid, but nothing great.

[Z]

I remember getting him at the end of Pawtuckets run and your dead on. He was never bad per say, but always felt he was a bit of a ratings tease type guy. In the end he's a average #3 starter and or an above average #4 starter. Just how he is. Solid, but nothing great.

He was better than that.

I'd put him in the same class as frequent Ale rivals Jarrod Syvertson and Dave Toste.

Toste has been a Guides lifer while Syvertson spent his whole career (minus 14 relief appearances last season) in Pittsburgh.

Those guys are good mid-rotation starters for most of their careers — and on occasion, something approximating an ace.*

That Brooks has been traded so many times speaks to the differing expectations you're talking about.


I didn't know this until now: Dave Toste is the active leader in career shutouts and ranks eighth all-time.

[funclown]

He was better than that.

I'd put him in the same class as frequent Ale rivals Jarrod Syvertson and Dave Toste.

Toste has been a Guides lifer while Syvertson spent his whole career (minus 14 relief appearances last season) in Pittsburgh.

Those guys are good mid-rotation starters for most of their careers — and on occasion, something approximating an ace.*

That Brooks has been traded so many times speaks to the differing expectations you're talking about.


I didn't know this until now: Dave Toste is the active leader in career shutouts and ranks eighth all-time.

In Pawtucket's case he was brought in to replace still starter at the time Zach Reeves so yeah guess the expectations were rather large.

[Pat]

My point was two major arm injuries to top pitching prospects who weren't fragile back to back. If they bust because I can't trade for the right players is one thing. This is just shit luck.

Might be something in the water.

If I’m Pat 'Baja' Arballo, I’d be worried.

[umd]

Clay in the water

[Pat]

Don’t forget to set your minor leagues!

[PaulC]

I heard tomorrow was a live sim at 12:01 am to commemorate Opening Day!!