Rookie Debuts

[Delandis]

Johnny Gibbons (OF)

A 7th round pick by the Davenport Brawlers in 2007, Johnny Gibbons is getting his chance late in the season due to an extended run of poor play by 34 year old outfielder, Tara Tanaka who was demoted to Annapolis (AAA) earlier today.

Gibbons won the Cape Cod Championship as a rookie with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2004. He showed promise initially, but was otherwise unremarkable in his play for the rest of his time with Red Sox.

Selected by the Brawlers late in the 7th round, Gibbons hit the ground running offensively, hitting .381 in 123 AB and even winning a WL POW Award before inexplicably being cut by the Iowa City (DAV-A) staff just one month after he was drafted.

As with most minor leaguers in the BLB, Gibbons got a call from the Washington Bats minor league system two months later and played relatively well in the Bats system for the next couple of years. Despite his performance, Gibbons still found himself bouncing between Eugene (WAS-A) and Auburn (WAS-AA) before being cut again in 2010.

After a brief stop in Flushing (LAD-AAA) in 2011, Gibbons found his way to the Baltimore system in Annapolis (AAA) this year and didn't disappoint. This year, the 26 year old, switch hitting outfielder hit .298/.343/.410 leading the Futures Federation (AAA) in triples and 2nd in stolen bases with 22 steals.

Johnny will be used primarily in pinch hitting and running opportunities and assuming the Bulldogs maintain their seat atop the Porter, he will also be eligible for the Bulldogs playoff roster.

[Ryan]

The Indianapolis Clowns have selected the contract of Left Fielder Jonathan Morales from the Triple A Fort Wayne Komets this afternoon. Morales will join the Clowns in Batavia for the stretch run, a run many in the Clowns front office hope will stretch into October. Morales, a former 1st round pick (11th overall), has been enjoying a breakout year in Fort Wayne, his first with the club. He's hit for power, clubbing 58 total bases in 96 games, and shown plus defense out in left. His speed on the base paths has scouts across the league dreaming of a future 30/30 season or two. Morales sprays the ball from gap to gap, and it's possible he'll put up double digit tally's for homers, doubles, and triples annually.

[Pat]

The future is now in Indy.

[umd]

SP Willie "Hammerhand" Fajardo
Drafted 2010 1.1

Drafted first overall by Indianapolis, Willie Fajardo was acquired in the offseason in a deal that sent Robby "Coma" English and RJ Manning to the Clowns. Since arriving in the desert, Fajardo had become the top rated pitcher on the Top 100 Prospects list, posting an incredible 11-0 record, 1.57 ERA, and 0.83 WHIP. The strong armed righty boasts exceptional velocity (99-101 mph), a well developed arsenal of pitches (fastball, curveball, change-up) and the ability to keep the ball on the ground.

His AAA success has translated well to the BLB, where he made his debut on July 12, with a 10-3 victory at Washington. Fajardo is currently 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 7 starts. He recently debuted on OSA's Top Pitchers list at #18. At just 23 years old, he is the youngest player on the Top Pitcher and Top Player lists.

[Pat]

SPs Tom "Rascal" Garton and Ernie Fields
1.22 and 4.13 in 2008 BLB Amateur Draft

Rosters expand. Triple-A season is over. Get the kids some experience.

Also calling up


1B Dave DeWoody
International Free-Agent '12

He lead all of Triple-A in HRs with 29. The Mexican import turns 30 in October. This is why we signed him in the off-season. Hopefully he can provide the club with some pop off the bench.

[funclown]

Lol, you guys make me want to bring up 'Beanpole'.

Jistic always yells at me that no pitcher should be brought up til he's 23.

[BradZ]

Lol, you guys make me want to bring up 'Beanpole'.

Jistic always yells at me that no pitcher should be brought up til he's 23.

Bring them up at age 23; sign them to 10 year contract at age 23 and a day.

[Z]

I wonder what Piglet is up to these days.

[Delandis]

Bring them up at age 23; sign them to 10 year contract at age 23 and a day.

Actually, now you just sign then before they even hit the draft.

[umd]

SP Jonathon Arnholt
Drafted 2008 3.5

Acquired in the deal that sent Danny Melgoza to Indianapolis, 25 year old Jonathon Arnholt will get an opportunity to stick in the Scorpion rotation following the injury to ace Gil Brummett. Arnholt, a right hander out of the University of Texas, has pitched the last 2 seasons on AAA Fort Wayne in the Clowns' system. He's compiled a 20-13 record with a 2.77 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Arnholt is known for his ability to keep the ball in the park, giving up just 9 homeruns in over 300 innings pitched. His fastball, splitter and cutter are rated by scouts as plus pitches and he has a reputation as a winning at all levels. Arnholt's won a title at AA Richmond and AAA Fort Wayne in back-to-back seasons.

[Matt]

SP Ian Clark

Filling in for the injured Felipe Vega, our 2nd starter to be lost for the season, the 23 year old Clark will make his BLB debut against #1 ranked Baltimore. Clark was acquired with the #5 pick of the 2010 draft after New York traded the pick to Batavia for SP Ron Burton. This year in AAA Clark wasn't very impressive as he finished with a 7-8 record, 4.47 ERA, and 1.50 WHIP but scouts and management both agree he is ready for the show. The team is hoping he and injured SP Yutaka Omura can combine to form a young 1-2 combo for years to come.

[mike]

Kayden 'Smoke' Walker

• Drafted 2010 (1.6) out of the University of Texas
• Acquired 7/4/11 with Robby Castro and Ty McKay for Zach Henne, Max Cardenas, Tom Padgett.
• LHP #22 - Age 23 years old
• 2012 Minor League Numbers: AA/AAA 16-8 3.09 ERA 207.0 IP, 149 K- 26 BB

The Millers #1 overall prospect, and the 16th overall prospect in the game, Kayden 'Smoke' Walker, will be joining the club this September and will be making his BLB debut on 9/19 vs Toronto. His start will allow the team to set up their rotation for the stretch run. Walker has made his case that he is ready for the show with his mastery of the strike zone he displayed this season in the Minors. He'll head into next season with a chance to win a spot in the rotation. His audition begins this week.

[Delandis]

(I'm just going to post it here. I don't think we need a new thread for every season since this is a sticky now.)

Malik Roberson (OF)

With an extended injury to 2-time All-Star Oscar Sanchez, the Bulldogs last first round pick, Malik Roberson, was called up to the big league roster.

As the 15th pick in the 2010 draft, Malik helped lead the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox to their 4th Cape Cod League Championship. The switch hitting New Jersey native, has the tools to play nearly every position at an acceptable level, but excels in the outfield. Smart and a hard worker, Malik's teammates describe him as a leader both on and off the field and someone who lifts morale in the locker room just with his presence. He's got "top of the scale" speed, stealing 12 bags in just under 80 minor league games this year.

In just his second week on a BLB roster, Malik led the team with 3 home runs, showing the power he displayed regularly in the Cape Cod League.

[Matt]

3B Evan Ventura

Batavia's 2011 1st round pick found himself on the opening day roster this season. The 23 year old is a great defensive player who is learning the in's and out's of 3B due to the wizards who already man 2B and SS for the Muckdogs. The lefty from Cuba has the potential to be guy who can consistently get on base and then steal his way into scoring positions...and the hearts of the Muckdog fans.

[Delandis]

Daniel Flores (SP)

Dominican born, Daniel Flores officially started his BLB career this year. As teammates with fellow BLB'ers like Dave Toste (MAI) and Brendan "Beer Barrel" Hurst (LAM), Flores is a 2-time NCAA National Champion and even won the 2010 NCAA Pitcher of the Year with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Drafted in the 2nd round (#34) in 2011, Flores is extremely smart and knows he wants to get paid for his services. His first big league outing as a starter went well and we hope that he can maintain this level of performance for years to come.