2003 Rookie Debut Thread

[Jimmy]

Stephen Alexander

When we saw this kid available in the Rule V draft we jumped at the chance to select him. Formerly a 2nd round pick out of DAV, this kid was probably left off of the 40 man roster due to his poor defense and low contact. We saw a potential to get better (only 25) based on OSA scouts and our own but we never expected to see his current ratings jump up right away. We decided that he should get a shot this year and we are pleased to see him respond. It's no secret he is an LA kid and his friends and family are thrilled about him come home to LA. He opens his first week of BLB action with a .310 avg and 2 HRs, picking up at least a hit in every game played.

Marco Lona

Lona is a great contact hitter with elite SS defense. Originally part of the highly criticized Dusty Simmons trade, we had high hopes for him coming into this season. He almost didn't make the team when scouts suddenly decided he could not recognize pitches well but we decided to stick with him until ST was over. We are still hoping to see more development in this area of his game but his swing is still good and getting better. He hit .300 in his first week in the BLB. Good Luck kid!

[Delandis]

T.J. Stratman-OF
Drafted 3.12 , 1999 by Dallas

-Originally drafted by the Dallas organization, T.J. has been amazing off of the bench for us. A plus-plus defender T.J. combines good speed with the ability put the bat on the ball and be patient and pick up walks. Albeit very limited AB's, T.J. has a .452 OBP, hitting 9/26 with 5 walks and 5 K. Pat Marlin, who has been struggling to find his swing this year, is already slated to lose a couple of starts to the 25-year old Big Apple native. Stratman could very well be the next great Rule 5 pick for Baltimore.

[funclown]

1B Jon Montalbo

1998- Round 3, pick 4 Pawtucket

.


I don't honestly remember if this pick came via a trade or not, but Jon was drafted more from "OSA" ratings when I looked at him. My guy was a bit cool on him, but by 2001 he changed is view.

Anyway for the first three seasons thought we made a mistake as he showed no contact nor really any power batting just .259 with just 20 homeruns in almost three seasons in single A. Decided a push was needed so was moved to AA at the end of 2000 and THEN 2001 he exploded hitting .304 with 22 hr's. With Lucca and Javara around last season sort of blocking him spent the entire 2002 campaign in AAA where he hit 21 homeruns and OPSing .802. Slumped a little at the end of the year but we think he was starting to get bored but overall his ratings really rounded out last year against both righty/ lefty pitching. Scout has him 5-6-7-5-4 with a POT 5-7-7-5-4. Basically we expect "Reyes" type hitting and only 25! Also, pull hitting power righties tend play well at home.

Not a bad start to the season in 35 games batting .289ave/ 6hr/ OPS .862. He really isn't under much pressure here since we have Lucca/ Simmons/ Quinn protecting the rookie. As Lucca ages two or three season from now we will expect or more larger role. For now, enjoy it rookie!

[Pat]

SP Terry Bornemann
12th overall in 2000
Once ranked as high as a top 10 pitching prospect, now listed at #42.
Lefty, six pitches, 74% groundball

I'm really excited for his debut this week. Good luck Stout rivals. Going to see this guy for years.

[Delandis]

SP Terry Bornemann
12th overall in 2000
Once ranked as high as a top 10 pitching prospect, now listed at #42.
Lefty, six pitches, 74% groundball

I'm really excited for his debut this week. Good luck Stout rivals. Going to see this guy for years.

Sorry Sout. We beat him up too badly last week. He feels like they need the big guns now.

[Pat]

My team is already on cruise control. I have the largest division lead in baseball.

[Matt]

Diego Martinez

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_9060.html

Selected 1.1 in 2001 the kid is now 24 and needs to come up. It was a tossup between him and Danny Gonzalez but after the age controversy with Gonzalez (did anyone else get that e-mail?) we decided to let things cool off.

Behind those two we have Joey Bertin and Ron Burton which my scout thinks are better than the above mentioned. Combined with a BLB rotation of Gomez, Farq, and Rivera we have too many young starters. Come to me in the off-season if you have a young studly slugger to deal.

[Pat]

SP Terry Bornemann
12th overall in 2000
Once ranked as high as a top 10 pitching prospect, now listed at #42.
Lefty, six pitches, 74% groundball

I'm really excited for his debut this week. Good luck Stout rivals. Going to see this guy for years.

8 IP, 1 ER

[funclown]

Originally Posted by Pat
SP Terry Bornemann
12th overall in 2000
Once ranked as high as a top 10 pitching prospect, now listed at #42.
Lefty, six pitches, 74% groundball

I'm really excited for his debut this week. Good luck Stout rivals. Going to see this guy for years.

8 IP, 1 ER

Not to be a dick, but this was Deathvalley. (Sorry UMD)

[Pat]

Had to give him light work for his debut....I know you'll be monitoring his progress like a hawk.

[Pat]

8 IP, 1 ER

2 GS, 2 ER

[Pat]

Making his BLB debut this week is 25-year-old second basemen, Steven Bailey.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_9005.html

Acquired from a trade with Philly, Bailey has never been considered a high prospect. However, he found his bat this year in Triple-A playing on a loaded Richmond Rams team. My scout doesn't seem his as a starter in the bigs but he has a chance to make it at this level as a platoon infielder.

[Pat]

Called up a bunch of guys...too lazy to list their debuts.