1990 BLB Debut Thread

[Carlos]

People need to start linking names. I will not go to your team page to see this guy. Pat does this very well. Everyone follow.

[BradZ]

People need to start linking names. I will not go to your team page to see this guy. Pat does this very well. Everyone follow.

I started this year's thread with a linked name and I get no credit. Maybe it's because my guy who made his debut is already back in AAA.

[Carlos]

I started this year's thread with a linked name and I get no credit. Maybe it's because my guy who made his debut is already back in AAA.

Other guys do it as well. I've noticed Pat leaving linked names in places I wouldn't expect. I'll keep an eye out for you dropping links everywhere.

[Matt]

LF Pat Stephens

Stephens was drafted way back in '83 by Syracuse and released in '84, where he was promptly signed by Batavia. In the years since then he's slowly worked his way up the minor league ladder and has spent the past two full seasons in AAA, hitting .291, then .304 respectively. This season he's currently hitting .353/.469/.490. The 25 year old plays left field pretty well and can run on the base paths without getting himself in trouble. With Batavia needing to trim down their glutton of BLB/AAA/AA outfielders it is now or never for Stephens to prove he can play in the BLB.

[funclown]

Samuel Helmrich

Drafted as the 8th pick/ 1st round in 1986. I wanted to hold him off until mid-season, but honestly a slumping Juan Ortiz provoked this move. Batting .323 to start the year off in AAA after batting .281 AA in 1989. Can play all 3 outfield positions, though RF for now if his best spot.

Time to take the #5 prospect out for a spin and see what he can do in big leagues. He's still only 23 so if he struggles can always go back down for more seasoning.

[Spectre]

You know I'm still ticked Pawtucket took him. He was the #1 guy on my board in 1986 and Pawtucket grabbed him ONE pick before me. Needing an OF, I took Clarence Smythe who quickly became a bust.

[funclown]

You know I'm still ticked Pawtucket took him. He was the #1 guy on my board in 1986 and Pawtucket grabbed him ONE pick before me. Needing an OF, I took Clarence Smythe who quickly became a bust.

Lol, sorry that was the previous owner.

[Spear]

LF Chad Austin

The 22 year old from Bastrop, Texas appeared in 6 games last September and batted .200. Austin will get the opportunity to play everyday against left handed pitching as we continue to struggle with too many lefties in our lineup. Austin can play both corner outfield positions and has some decent speed on the basepaths. OSA continues to give him upgrades in his potential rating but we'll see if the 4th round pick can translate some impressive minor league numbers on the grand stage of the BLB. This is Austin's second year in AAA, he has a career .334 average in the Horizon League.


1990 Portland AAA
Austin - .348 - 135 AB - 47 H - 0 HR - 21 RBI - 13 BB - 28 K - .408 OBP

[Delandis]

Angelo Hernandez (OF)

Clay may be happy for this guy. Angelo was the Colonials 5th round pick back in 1985. After just one year in Virginia's minor league system, Hernandez was included in a trade that sent former young ace, Jeff Franklin, to Virginia. Never expected to be a great hitter, Hernandez may get a chance to show off his defensive wizardry and speed on the base paths.

[Pat]

Tyrone Abbott (C/1B/LF)

Drafted 27th overall in '87. Traded to D.C. in the Russ McEvoy trade. Abbott will likely start at 1B versus LH pitching, giving recently acquired 3B Tex Briggs a day off. Triple-A All-Star this season. 25-years-old. #27 overall prospect in the entire BLB.

[Gyrodork]

CL - JJ "Crackpot" Black (You can't make this stuff up, folks!)

The SEI to SP Midlebrooks opens up an Active Roster spot for this 21 year-old with a 100 mph fastball. In 1988 he was drafted out of Highschool in the 2nd round; behind sure-thing-gone-bust C Ty Billings. The GM expressed his optimism (or was it nervousness?) in two words..."Godzilla who?"

[Pat]

This is the guy I dubbed "perfect."

[Clay]

Nickel version....

BA #25 Hector Chavez is coming up this SIM to play out of position. Chavez is the heir apparent to Nino or Poling next season, but he's ready and with Shitty hurt for a month, he's coming up to play LF. I have faith and we need a bat and speed.

[Lintyfresh85]

C Cris Martinez

Martinez, 27, will be getting his first taste of BLB action as he'll be asked to fill in for All-Star catcher Jared Austin who went down for six weeks last sim.

Martinez, himself a AAA All-Star in 1990, has been on a tear since the year started. Martinez was hitting .293/.367/.549/.916 with 13 HR's and 54 RBI's.

At the time of his promotion, Martinez was tied for the Horizon League lead in home runs.

[Pat]

Jerry Chase - RP

Chase, 23, will make his BLB debut against the Wilmington Wildcats this week. Because of his promotion, RP Manny Duran will be sent back to Tripe-A after only appearing in two games after two weeks in the bigs. Apparently the coach doesn't think Duran is good enough to pitch more even though he is one of only three lefties..

Chase started the year in Double-A Auburn. After a promotion to Triple-A where he pitched 30 innings, giving up just three ERs, striking out 27 while walking just four, he really showed he was ready.

My scout thinks there are a few guys in Triple-A a little more prepared for the work load but giving Chase the experience now will further prepare him for the post-season.