Rookie Debuts

[Delandis]

Gil Pelicano (SP)

Gil has likely had one of the most improbably routes to The Show.

He never pitched a game in high school, yet he has a high school championship ring. His name wasn't called in 2008 when he was eligible for the draft. In fact, he didn't get a call until April of 2009. He is dumber than a brick and lazy as hell. Luckily for Gil, he grew into a 6'5, 200lb man with a rifle attached to his shoulder.

He's made his rounds from Annapolis (BAL) to Reno (DVS) to the Philadelphia system (where he never played a game) back to Annapolis currently ranked #38 on the Top Prospect List. He seemed to be sulking in Annapolis with a few poor outings so we figured it is time for Gil to "put up or shut up."

Pelicano gets his first chance to shut me up on Thursday vs. Toronto.

[mike]

We've had a few guys recently make their debuts so I will cover it all here:

Tristan Nelson - C Maybe forced into action a bit earlier than anticipated, the 23 year old native of North Carolina hardly shies away from a challenge. Drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft (1.13) this baseball rat is the first one to the park and the last to leave. Solid defensively, he's a guy that has a chance to be the catcher of the foreseeable future in Pittsburgh.

Ron 'Hangman' Bynum - SP One of the prized prospects in the game, this ground ball throwing lefty out of USC was selected in the first round of the 2011 (1.21)

CJ Cohen - MR The former Clemson Tiger was selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft (2.1) by the Indianapolis Clowns. He was acquired along with Yuji Ryu and a 10th round pick for Travis Wallis. He immediately became a set up man for the Millers.

Tom Michie - SP This southpaw acquired back in 2009 from Philadelphia in exchange for for 3B Tom Griffiths. He makes his debut in Pittsburgh rotation and to this point has tossed a few games of quality ball.

[Delandis]

Tom Monk (RP)

Selected in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft, Tom Monk has taken a rather interesting route to The Show. Despite the two High School Championship rings in his possession, Monk never pitched a single game in high school. However, he was still impressive enough to the then-Cleveland Buckeye scouts to be selected #13 overall in 2009. In 2010, Monk was traded to Bulldogs in a deal that sent Ron Wessel (2B) to Hartford (formerly Cleveland).

Monk has done nothing but impress since that time, selected to the All-Star Team at every minor league level (2011-A, 2012-AA, 2013-AAA). Despite only clocking 91-93 MPH on the radar gun, the Texas native has mastered the ability to control his pitches. At release his fastball is nearly indistinguishable to his curve to opposing batters, until the ball hits the catcher's mitt. Then by that point, they have already swung through the pitch.

Praised for his work ethic, intelligence and desire to win, Monk has been an integral part of this year's success with a 2.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 73 K and just 13 BB in 51 innings of work in relief.

[Sharkn20]

CL Danny Trujillo

After a disappointing affair with Batavia, Dallas snatched him with a minor league contract and Trujillo pitched himself into the majors with an outsanding pitching, closing 16 games in AAA with a 1.61 Era and 13.5 K/9, we´re a little bit concerned with his 5.5 BB/9 but we want to see him in action this year.

The injury of Oscar Angulo and after moving Byers to SP (come on guy, now is time to show me why are you demanding it) a door is opened early for Trujillo

[BDub]

Selected in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft, Tom Monk has taken a rather interesting route to The Show. Despite the two High School Championship rings in his possession, Monk never pitched a single game in high school. However, he was still impressive enough to the then-Cleveland Buckeye scouts to be selected #13 overall in 2009. In 2010, Monk was traded to Bulldogs in a deal that sent Ron Wessel (2B) to Hartford (formerly Cleveland).

Monk has done nothing but impress since that time, selected to the All-Star Team at every minor league level (2011-A, 2012-AA, 2013-AAA). Despite only clocking 91-93 MPH on the radar gun, the Texas native has mastered the ability to control his pitches. At release, his fastball is nearly indistinguishable to his curve to opposing batters until the ball hits the catcher's mitt, and they have swung through the pitch.

Praised for his work ethic, intelligence and desire to win, Monk has been an integral part of this year's success with a 2.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 73 K and just 13 BB in 51 innings of work in relief.

Im a fan of Monk. Wanted him in the draft.

[Delandis]

Sammy Thomas (3B)

Thomas is one of those "dirt dog" kind of guys that every team needs. As a 4-year starter with the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League, Thomas was a solid player averaging a respectable 14.55 VORP rating at third base with the Cardinals.

Selected 111th (5.15) in the 2008 draft by Baltimore, Thomas continued to prove himself as a solid talent at the plate and an above average defender at third base in the Baltimore system.

After six years of grinding in the Baltimore system, Thomas was called up in September of 2013 following a very good season in Annapolis. Sammy didn't disappoint. He went on to hit .290 at the BLB level during his call-up audition, earning a seat at the table for 2014.

This year as a rookie, Sammy has blossomed as an unexpected force at the plate, a solid defender at third base, and a integral part of our unexpected run for the Stout title.

[Sharkn20]

RF Jamie Williams (Dallas Sharks)

With 58 days of Major Service after being injured in ST last year for a couple of months, Williams "Officially" makes his debut in the BLB.

Jamie was selected #14 Overall by Dallas in 2013 and after pounding the ball in A during 2 weeks was promoted straight away to AA when he finished with a .350 average and OPS+ 174 the season. In 2014 after his injury Williams was steadily regaining his confidence and power at the plate and got his promotion to AAA with 57 games to go. This allowed williams to collect more than 200 ABs with over a .250 average and a WAR of 0.7.
Williams played well during ST and was about to make the team but then Sharkn20 decided to send him back to AAA to improve his ability to avoid Ks, unfortunately for the Sharks and fortunately for him Mojica broke his elbow on Friday and now a great chance for Williams to show that he´s ready for the show is on his front.

Under my opinion it might be a little bit early for him, but what the hell, he´s almost fully develop, the guy knows how to but and is outsanding in coverage. Let´s do it!!

If Williams plays good during the next 6 months, the Sharks can move on from Mojica and continue their youngster movement!

[Delandis]

Dave Graves (2B)

This former Tigers (Clemson) star was selected as the 19th overall selection in last year's (2014) amateur draft. As a sophomore, Graves was given the starting second baseman job for the Tigers in 2012 and he responded by leading the Tigers to 31 wins and their first NCAA playoff appearance in a decade. The Tigers went on to make the playoffs the following two seasons as well, with Graves cementing his legacy amongst the all-time great Tigers' hitters.

Our scouting team predicts big things for Dave. But barring injury, Graves will likely only get spare pinch hitting opportunities while just sitting back and learning from one of the long time, consummate professionals in this league in Joey Daily. Hopefully Daily's knowledge of the game combined with Graves potential will lead to great things for the eager 21 year old from Lower Allen, PA.

[Delandis]

Tom Perry (IF/OF)

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft, Tom Perry is a supreme athlete who is able to play pretty much every position on the field, but really has found a home at shortstop within the Bulldogs organization.

As a hitter at Stanford, Perry was able to amass 30 home runs and a very respectable .919 OPS in his three years as a Cardinal. Tom almost was sent back down to Annapolis following a poor display in spring training, but Bulldogs management decided at the last minute to give as many young players the opportunity to learn behind the battle tested veterans who are making their final trot around the proverbial diamond.

[mike]

Even though he had a cup of tea at the end of last season to wet his beak a bit, we consider this to really be the debut of Jamie O'Hearn.

The third pick in last years draft began the season in AAA where he hit .348/.387/.565 .952 with 9 of his 24 hits going for extra bases. The 21 year old has expected to be on the BLB squad since the draft, and he will now have the CF job for the foreseeable future.

Joining him on the trip from Allentown to Pittsburgh will be 2012 1.5 draft choice out of UNLV, Cy Mock. Mock makes his major-league debut after an injury forced 1B to miss a few weeks. This season in AAA, Mock was hitting .347/.390/.565 .945.

Both of these players will join a stagnant Millers offense in hopes to light a spark under some of the other players.

Finally, making his BLB debut will also be 2B Pat Vickers. Vickers, a 2nd round pick last season, number 34 overall will join the club after hitting .324/.366/.419 in AAA

[Delandis]

Dave Hallock (2B)

Selected in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft, Dave will replace fellow rookie and utility player, Tom Perry as a 5th infielder and outfielder. Hallock has bounced on and off the Top 100 over the last couple years, but is currently ranked as the #78 prospect in the BLB.

Hallock possesses "All-Star speed" according to my scout and although he is able to play nearly every position on the field, he excels as a second baseman. Dave has put in his time as a minor leaguer and through his exceptionally hard work ethic, this year he earned his first POTW and POTM (May 2015) awards of his professional career.

His career has been one of my personal favorites to watch. I'm rooting for him to succeed at the BLB level, if only as a bench player.

[Matt]

SP T.J. Elkind

The 24th pick in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft will fill out the bottom of the rotation for Batavia. Going straight to AA ball he was 6-6 with a 2.41 ERA in 2014 before being called up to AAA in 2015. With the decline of Jarrod Swann and poor start by Ye-quing Ma he was called up and is currently 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 2 starts.

IF Geoff Perritt

Drafted in 2011 with the 1st pick of the 2nd round Perritt reached as high as #15 on the Top Prospect list. Nearing 25 years old he's unhappy about playing in the minors and we're going to see if can develop as hoped pinch hitting/running and playing defense. He's a stud IF defensively and we're hoping he turns into a Tyler Johnston type player.

MR Milt Hammonds

Nearing 25 years old Hammonds got the call up due to a lackluster effort by a few vets early in the season. Another 2nd round pick, this time in 2012, Milt was an ace for Batavia's minor league teams over the last few years. This year in the BLB he was 2-0 before getting shelled and seeing his ERA skyrocket to almost 8...but we hope he calms down and hope for him to be a 3.00 ERA reliever down the stretch.

[Z]

SP Liam Kincaid

Acquired from Death Valley two offseasons ago in the Tom Estes trade, Kincaid made his BLB debut on 7/31, starting the game against Pittsburgh.

He threw 7 innings, allowing only two runs, and recorded a win.

The 24 year old right-hander earned his trip to Maine by posting a 1.91 ERA in 16 AAA starts this season -- and a 2.44 ERA in 39 total starts at AAA in the two seasons since the deal.

He has a terrific sinker that allows him to induce a lot of harmless ground balls.

[Z]

IF Al Guevara

A 9th round pick way back in 2007, Guevara joins the Guides this week as a utility infielder.

The 26-year-old Nicaraguan is a glove-first player who can play anywhere in the infield as well as the corner outfield positions.

[BDub]

Looks like Kincaid forgot to show up for photo day.