The 1992 Call-Up Thread

[Gyrodork]

I love it when this happens! Unfortunately, it's frequently offset by some under-achieving veteran. Here's hoping he gets a good 15+ minutes worth of fame.

[Clay]

GUS JENKINS
Pick 2.11 - 1988
BA Prospect #7
Starting Pitcher (R)

It's hard to throw around things like "something had to change" when you have the best record in the BLB and lead your division by 10 games on June 1st. However, Arlen Spencer just isn't providing any type of quality baseball in the #6 spot. The call therefore goes out to Detroit (AAA) for Top Organizational Prospect Gus Jenkins. Though his stats have not been out of this world in the Horizon League, his ratings say he is more than ready and, with his 26 birthday looming in September, it's time to make his debut.

Jenkins call-up is likely a year or two overdue because of the Colonials' depth in the rotation. Because of that, we expect his ability to actually improve when the call comes.

Arlen Spencer will move to the bullpen.

[Sully]

I think his "decent" numbers in AAA are due to him being pissed at Clay Shaver. The guy should fit easily into your back end.

[Delandis]

The guy should fit easily into your back end.

[Pat]

Too easy.

[Sully]

Stop being gay, guys. Half of this league are homophobes. That wasn't intentional.

[Clay]

He's pissed at the team performance and has not actually "asked" for a call-up.

[BradZ]

He's pissed at the team performance and has not actually "asked" for a call-up.

He has season tickets to the Motor City Mechanics?

[Ryan]

Too easy.

Thats what Gus Jenkins said.

[Carlos]

The future is bright in Denver, fans. Lest we forget the disaster of 1992 and remember the heroics of a few, new men.

RF Pancho Alvarez #82

Alvarez is Denver's top prospect and a former Round 3 pick in 1988. Named the #85 prospect in the BLB on April 1992, he has hit .306/.401/.430 in 193 AAA at-bats this season.

Only 22-years-old, Alvarez will fill the role of fourth outfielder, getting some starts against left-handed pitching. The hope is that the experience will improve his game as he prepares to be the everyday RF in 1993.

P T.J. Cook #15

The 23-year-old T.J. Cook will make his BLB debut just one season after being drafted 18th overall. In 302 minor league/international innings, Cook finished 18-13, 3.58 ERA. He struck out 271 batters, walking 82, posting a 1.23 WHIP.

While the numbers don't jump out, Denver expects that Cook's consistency will carry over to the BLB. He will fill a bullpen spot as he matures into a starter in 1993.

P Albert Sanchez #14

A former first round pick, Albert Sanchez posted great numbers in his first AAA stint in 1991. The performance raised Denver's expectations and Sanchez was slated as a starter in 1992. Things, however, have not fared well for Sanchez since the switch.

Sanchez has struggled between AA and AAA in 1992 leaving some to question whether scouts are right to believe he has the make-up to be a successful pitcher in the BLB. Denver has decided to no longer waste time in finding out. Gifted with a heavy 95 mph sinker and a biting slider, Denver hopes that Sanchez can continue to induce ground balls and prevent the long ball in the Bulls bullpen. Through 164 minor league innings, Sanchez has only surrendered 5 home runs.

P Willie Stevens #34

Another former first round pick (6th overall in 1987), Stevens has finally made his way to the BLB roster. It took nearly six seasons, but Stevens has finally put his act together long enough to convince Denver that he is ready.

Still only 23, Stevens struggled early when drafted. In his first professional season while at A ball he posted a 5.49 ERA in 80.1 IP. The next season the number improved to 3.06 in 141 IP. He continued to show improvement pitching in AA where he went 8-12 with a 2.87 ERA over 172.1 IP. But, by that time he was a reliever as Denver feared his 97 mph fastball was susceptible to deep shots as the game progressed.

Though his numbers are not much better in AAA, Stevens was 6-2, 3.18 ERA in 1992 as a starter before his call-up. His 71 Ks in 65 IP raises expectations of high strikeout numbers out of the pen. Denver is unsure if Stevens can ever be a starter, but he should provide enough help as a long man for the time being.

[Pat]

Don Woods
Pick 1.15 - 1986
Starting Pitcher (L)

The revolving door that is my starting rotation continues. Woods was supposed to be special. After being a 1st round pick in '86, he was ranked as high as the 25th prospect in the BLB. However, by 1989 he had dropped completely off the list. After three average Triple-A seasons, Woods is currently having (arguably) his best season, ever, at any level.

My scout doesn't think he is anything more than a back-end starter. OSA doesn't even think he is that good. I really don't expect much, just hoping to get some type of return on my 1st round investment.

Pat Daniels will be sent back to Triple-A.

[Pat]

Don Woods
Pick 1.15 - 1986
Starting Pitcher (L)

The revolving door that is my starting rotation continues. Woods was supposed to be special. After being a 1st round pick in '86, he was ranked as high as the 25th prospect in the BLB. However, by 1989 he had dropped completely off the list. After three average Triple-A seasons, Woods is currently having (arguably) his best season, ever, at any level.

My scout doesn't think he is anything more than a back-end starter. OSA doesn't even think he is that good. I really don't expect much, just hoping to get some type of return on my 1st round investment.

Pat Daniels will be sent back to Triple-A.

Well.....that was a bust.

[Pat]

Mal Dorsey
Pick 5.1 - 1988
Starting Pitcher (R)

A month after being selected with the first pick in the 5th round, Dorsey tore his flexor tendon and underwent surgery keeping him out of baseball for over a year. However, he has since been very healthy. Pretty average across the board but gets it done. Let's see what he can do.

[Carlos]

The future is bright in Denver, fans. Lest we forget the disaster of 1992 and remember the heroics of a few, new men.

RF Pancho Alvarez #82

Alvarez is Denver's top prospect and a former Round 3 pick in 1988. Named the #85 prospect in the BLB on April 1992, he has hit .306/.401/.430 in 193 AAA at-bats this season.

Only 22-years-old, Alvarez will fill the role of fourth outfielder, getting some starts against left-handed pitching. The hope is that the experience will improve his game as he prepares to be the everyday RF in 1993.

P T.J. Cook #15

The 23-year-old T.J. Cook will make his BLB debut just one season after being drafted 18th overall. In 302 minor league/international innings, Cook finished 18-13, 3.58 ERA. He struck out 271 batters, walking 82, posting a 1.23 WHIP.

While the numbers don't jump out, Denver expects that Cook's consistency will carry over to the BLB. He will fill a bullpen spot as he matures into a starter in 1993.

P Albert Sanchez #14

A former first round pick, Albert Sanchez posted great numbers in his first AAA stint in 1991. The performance raised Denver's expectations and Sanchez was slated as a starter in 1992. Things, however, have not fared well for Sanchez since the switch.

Sanchez has struggled between AA and AAA in 1992 leaving some to question whether scouts are right to believe he has the make-up to be a successful pitcher in the BLB. Denver has decided to no longer waste time in finding out. Gifted with a heavy 95 mph sinker and a biting slider, Denver hopes that Sanchez can continue to induce ground balls and prevent the long ball in the Bulls bullpen. Through 164 minor league innings, Sanchez has only surrendered 5 home runs.

P Willie Stevens #34

Another former first round pick (6th overall in 1987), Stevens has finally made his way to the BLB roster. It took nearly six seasons, but Stevens has finally put his act together long enough to convince Denver that he is ready.

Still only 23, Stevens struggled early when drafted. In his first professional season while at A ball he posted a 5.49 ERA in 80.1 IP. The next season the number improved to 3.06 in 141 IP. He continued to show improvement pitching in AA where he went 8-12 with a 2.87 ERA over 172.1 IP. But, by that time he was a reliever as Denver feared his 97 mph fastball was susceptible to deep shots as the game progressed.

Though his numbers are not much better in AAA, Stevens was 6-2, 3.18 ERA in 1992 as a starter before his call-up. His 71 Ks in 65 IP raises expectations of high strikeout numbers out of the pen. Denver is unsure if Stevens can ever be a starter, but he should provide enough help as a long man for the time being.

Injuries, releases, trades have made none of this true.

Cook is starting now. Alvarez is the RF. Stevens is in the rotation. Sanchez is gone. I never did a profile on Pete Jones, but he's handling himself well too. Lots of rookies on this Denver team.

[Jake]

Cook is looking fantastic.