Dallas Baseball Magazine

[Sharkn20]

Updated with team logos!! Thank you again BDub!!!!!

[BDub]

Updated with team logos!! Thank you again BDub!!!!!

No problem

[Sharkn20]

Sharkn20 and Danny Romero have started an extension talks

After an injured marred season Danny Romero wonīt reach the 500 PAs required to execute the vesting option of $7,5M that was negotiated when Danny signed for the Sharks back in 2014.

Romero stated "a lot of worst players are getting a lot of more money and he didnīt get injured "on porpuse" to need an extension in order to remain as a Shark at the end of this season"

Sharkn20 never doubted the professionalism of Danny and doesnīt want to lose the All-Star player. He stated "is gonna be a lot of money but I think if we find the middle point it would be a great investment for our organisation"

Danny Romero is asking $132M in 7 years, Sharkn20 wants to give him 4 years with a Team option and in the range of $15M per season. Letīs see who wins this battle.

Update: Romero expressed interest in at least getting Top-15 BLB playerīs money instead of a Top-10 with a player option.

[Carlos]

Good luck keeping him. Hope it works out. Everyone here loves the Danny Romero saga.

[Sharkn20]

Good luck keeping him. Hope it works out. Everyone here loves the Danny Romero saga.

I don't think he worths a Top-15 money... but I guess you've to overpay sometimes and with rhe nww financial mode it will be a Top-30 eventually

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[Pat]

I don't think he worths a Top-15 money... but I guess you've to overpay sometimes and with rhe nww financial mode it will be a Top-30 eventually

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Amazing player...when he is on the field.

Overpaying is fine... Unless he is only suiting up for half the season.

[Sharkn20]

Amazing player...when he is on the field.

Overpaying is fine... Unless he is only suiting up for half the season.

That's the point, or injuries taking the toll too early (aka McLamore)

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[Pat]

That's the point, or injuries taking the toll too early (aka McLamore)

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It wouldn't be without risk. I wish you good luck, sir.

[Sharkn20]

It wouldn't be without risk. I wish you good luck, sir.

Thanks Pat, very polite as ever, see if you can look outside of Dallas for the expansion draft too :)

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[Sharkn20]

The History of SP Tom Driggs
Born in Delano (CA) on the 11/01/1991 Tom quickly became a baseball fan, he always asked her parents for caps, balls and gloves in every toy shop, "oh man, when he was a child he really wanted to dry our pockets, I was working so hard to keep this family afloat but Tom didn't care, he was just worried about getting his stickers, shirts and caps of his favourite team" Driggs dad, stated during this episode. "At the end we thought that would be better to register him in the baseball high school team" Tom's mum said.

"I remember my time in the HS, that was fun, me and my mates hanging around, kicking some asses out there, I use to be the #1 in the rotation as I have to be and all of a sudden the Clemson Tigers and another universities all over the country wanted me"

"I never had the chance to really shine in college, but I worked my ass of in every training and in every appareance"

Tom became an undrafted FA out of the 2011 class.

"That was a very disappointing end but I kept working hard woth the PC of my Clemson and sent a lot of applications to all the teams of the BLB, man I really wanted to be playing for a team, no matter what"

Carlos (Denver BC) sogned him after watching his tape, but after posting an impressive 106 Ks and making the all-star in 2012, the Denver organisation saw something that didn't like them and released Tom.

"I never understood that, what the hell else they wanted from me?? I made 100+ Ks, 8-6 record, 8 saves, but the rest of the team didn't help me at all to improve my ERA, I was really pissed of"

Then Sharkn20 took over the Snappers Franchise and during a massive rebuilding purgue, Driggs was one of the best young pitchers in the pool.

"I remember when I got the call from Sharkn20, I thought, oh this is perfect, a manager who doesn't have any bloody idea of baseball and needs to fill his files, it may be a signal" "I accepted it but I made him clear that had to trust in my skills, I would work my ass of every day but I want my playing time"

After posting a pedestrian numbers in 2013 within an organisation what was falling apart, Sharkn20 decided to keep him another season because his experience in the minor division of the system.

And then the deaft of 2014 happened.

"Oh man, those guys, Salazar, Williams, Cinelli... That was quality, that guys seemed like ready for the majors since day 1, I wanted to be the king and help them but highly motivated I had one of the best seasons ever in this organisation for an A SP"

Tom posted another impressive campaign with a 2.37 ERA and a 6-4 record and made his 2nd all-star appareance. Sharkn20 decided to promote a lot of players to the AA team to finish the 2014 campaign, Tom was included.

"Oh man, tell me about it, it was sweet, getting a promotion playing with this guys for another half a year was so rewarding, I was a star part to help those guys to get stronger, quicker and better. I threw like the hell to them during practises and I remember being in my garden doing extra hours to improve my movement and my own strength"

Tom finished the year with an amazing 4-0 1.32 ERA and a 1.3 WAR in 7 games.

"I felt nothing could stop me, I spent the whole autumn and the fall training hard"

Sharkn20 stated "I had a conversation with our scout and he said to me, watch out Boss woth this guy, he's becoming stronger, his fastball is posting great speeds and gets along very well with this class"

All of sudden the control and movement of Driggs started to grow up and was projected as a 5/5/5 by our scout.

During the first 18 games of the season in 2015 (AA) Tom continued thriving through the fields with a 8-5 Record 2.82 ERA and 88 Ks with a 2.1 of WAR, "the team was playing great and Sharkn20 gave me a call, and said to me if you continue playing hard Iīm keen to promote you to Chicago, the last step before to the majors, I answered to him, no doubts Boss I will throw my ass of in every pitch, please give me the chance"

Tom Driggs got his promotion to AAA, since he has play in 32 games with nearly 200 IPs, 152 Ks and just 16 HRs allowed, with a nice ERA of 3,61 along with his .32 BABIP and 2.8 WAR.

Sharkn20 stated during this episode "I received a call from Seth (Scouting Director) at the beggining of July and he said to me, do you remember Tom? Well heīs ready for the majors right now, he can help you in that #4 / #5 spot which havenīt be the same since Byers left to Denver, maybe you ca bring in some competition for Contreras" Then I went to Chicago during his last 3 starts and the guy got 6 Ks in each one despite giving up some runs and a couple or three of homers. I think I will call this guy up in September see what he can do from the bullpen, and take it from there"

Thatīs how you accomplish your dream from Undrafted to the BLB.

"Iīm thrilling with that oppotunity, I will put along long hours by myself in my back garden every day, Iīm looking forward to meet again that 2014 class and play along them..."

[Sharkn20]

The Chicago Lions win the AAA Horizon League Trophy
It was a Partly Cloudy (74 degrees) day with wind blowing in from right at 11 mph and 14,992 fans roaring on the Bulls Ballpark, another BLB Lager Derby took place, this team between Dallas and Denver AAA afiliates.

Rory Lawrence took the hill in the 1st inning on the game, Tom Clark was ready to set the table for the Lions, 1st pitch first single, fast start for AAA Chicagoīs team, then time for the veteran Switzenberg who made contact with the ball in full count which was nearly to leave the park but was gloved by the Deep D# of Denver. Dave Frank made another contact for a Ground-out while Tom Clark reached 2nd.
Then time for the first run of the game by the Lions, Ethan Manning singled and Tom Clark went all the way to Home with his incredible speed, making it with no throw.
Rory Lawrence was having a rough start, time for Pomeroy and Ryu who got on base with a double and on balls respectively. Time for the young catcher with the bases full and 2 out, a quick fly-out in the first pitch to finish the inning by the relief of Lawrence.

Time for Dave Phillips (MVP of the final) to take the mound. Ian Coffey leading the Toros, ball, strike, fly out to finish the setting up man, then a base on balls to T.J. Scott, ground-out for Jimmy Lockard on full count and the 1st K of the game thanks to Pat Webb

Rory Lawrence had another bad start on the Top of the 2nd, after a promising fly out, Rory allowed a single and a double (Tom Clark again) who facilitated the run for Dave McFarland from 1st base. Lawrence though it was enough and had 2 Ks to finish the inning.

Dave Phillips had some problems to finish the bottom of the 2nd giving up a Single, hitted with a pitch J.R. Santo and gave a contact ball to Eberly sending Daniel Collazo at 3rd. Then a K and a fly out finished the 2nd.

A fantastic 5-4-3 Double play ended the Top of 3rd after Pomeroy reaching 1st thanks to an error while Yuji Ryu was struck out.

Etienne Cote scored another run after a singles from Tom Clark who made his 3rd hit of the evening and Dusty Switzenberg. Again with bases full Rory Lawrence was able to generate a ground ball to retire J.D. Pomeroy and the inning. The Sharks had a great chance to put the game out of reach here.. 3-0 until the Top of the 6th when the Sharks had another chance with 3 men on base and a 1-2 count, however Pomeroy again was unable to put the ball in play.

Then Dave Phillips allowed the first run of the game for the Toros at the bottom of the 6th thanks to a solo Home Run by Ian Eberly to get the Toros back on the game with 2 out.

D.J. Palmer took the relieving duties and after a very long inning (14 pitches) retired the Lions.

Dave Phillips was really tired but our manager decided to keep him on the game, after giving up 3 BBs and 1 out, a ground ball by Pat Webb sent Pat De Lorenzo home for the 3-2 at the bottom of the 7th.

Chicago wasnīt able to score in the 8th, neither the Toros and we went to the 9th and last inning with a tight 3-2 and nothing decided, great final.

Dave Hall allowed the hitters of Chicago to make contact with the ball for a fly out, single, ground out and fly out to retire the Top of the 9th
Then Jermaine Payton was the Closer designed for this game.
Payton allowed a single straight away after a strike, the a wild pitch with 2 strikes made him nervous watching T.J. Scott reaching 2nd. At the end Jermaine was able to strike out Tiscareno. Then another bad thing Pat Webb went to 1st after 4 balls and another Wild pitch sent Scott to 3rd and Webb to 2nd with just 1 out.
Jermaine took time out to relax his nerves and threw 2 consecutive strikes on Collazo to retire the 2nd man.
J.R. Santo made contact but the ball was called a foul at 2F. then a ground out to retire the side and the final

Chicago won the 3rd and last Championship (1978, 2005) as the AAA affiliate is moving to Miami starting next year. Brilliant future for the Sharks ahead after 2 consecutive 3 consecutive play-off appareances and this championship.

[Carlos]

I hate it.

[Sharkn20]

I hate it.

Big resilience from your guys

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[Sharkn20]

Lou Walkup retires,
The manager of Dallas A level affiliate decided to hang up his cap for the last time after the Bowl game in which the Jellifishes lost 8-3 against the Indianapolis Clowns A affiliate.

Lou stated during the news conference "This 60 something years old man had had enough, I did never expect to get where we did in this 2018" "I want to thank Sharkn20 and Cheng-ho Huang Jr. for the opportunity to work for this organisation during the last 3 years" "I have been involved in Baseball since I decided to hang up my bat in 1983 when I played last for California" "Nobody gave me the chance to be a Coach in this league, until Sharkn20 rang back in 2016 to offer me a Job as a Manager" "I think I reached my potential and transmited to our young assets all what I could. And with this great taste in the mouth is time to handover the job to Coach B. (Waylon Burd) and walk towards the sunset"

Lou improved the numbers of Victories of the Peoria Roosters first, then Los Cayos Jellyfish during his 3 years at the reins, classifying the Jellyfishes to the Play-Offs in this last year.

Waylon Burd will take over as a Manager, we expect a lot of good things as he has experience in all levels of the BLB (A, AA, AAA, BLB). Waylon Burd has a very good reputation as a manager. He prefers a balanced conventional style. Most people in the media believe that his current reputation is well deserved (Good). He might have a rather vanilla personality, but most players are fine with it. Heīs been within the Dallas organisation since 2015.

[Sharkn20]

A new awakening, new faces all over The Sharks lineup

The first pitch of the 2019 season is rapidly approaching, and like in many cities there is some new names that you will have to learn, if you want to go along the Dallas Sharks pathway to the 4th consecutive division tittle.

This upcoming year will have a resurrection of teams that were in rebuilding mode, and a lot of competition is expected during the next months. The Sharks approached the off-season with the objective to add some power to the lineup and remove some of the salary attached to the IF.

Old face SP Choong-suk Choi --> New face RP J.R. Evans

Evans was upset asking Sharkn20 to play in the BLB while playing an awful baseball from the mound. After watching some tape from the lefty, Sharkn20 decided to give him a chance in ST, Evans got ecstatic with the opportunity and answered with 14.1 innings without giving up a HR and collecting 12 Ks, 4 saves and an ERA of 1.88. Evans outplayed Choi who was unable to accumulate a positive ERA in 2018. J.R. Will be the less often option for relieve and will get the mop-up duties in 2019, see what the guy has inside.

Old face C Wayne Nelson --> New face C Erik Gault

Gault was acquired from Death Valley during the off-season, as Nelson and the Dallas organisation decided to part ways after just one year of relationship. Erik is superior giving commands to the Pitcher and throwing would-be-stealers out of the 2nd base, despite donīt having the power of Nelson, Gault when giving with ABs is able to generate movement in the bases thanks to his above average contact and A- gap power. Erik has a magnificent work ethic and intelligence, also his presence as a veteran is welcome by the players in the locker room.

Old face 2B Danny Romero --> New face 2B D.J. Barnard

Probably the most reverbering movement of the off-season, Romero spent 5 years in Dallas as one of the new movementīs faces since Sharkn20 arrived to the city. After he was dealt to Baltimore it was obvious that Barnard was going to take the reins at the 2B position full-time. Barnard had a magnificent 2018 and an even better ST this year .379 / .400 / .569 / .969. The organisation has big expectations in Barnar to continue his development both as a hitter and fielder.

Old face 1B Dave Graffing --> New face DH Tom Palmer

Another trade dealt Palmer to Dallas from Toronto, Palmer was excited about the opportunity to bring his power bat to the Sharks organisation. He was able to put 27 balls in the stands in 2018 and that definitely pulled the trigger for Sharkn20, his ability to draw walks and avoid SOs are well known across the league. With Graffing struggling as a full time LHP -DH Sharkn20 was looking for options across the league. Palmer doesnīt know how to field, but he can make contact for distance, and this is all which matters when you play DH.

Old face OF D.J. Jones --> New face OF Jed Davis

Jones was a marred trade from Pawtucket by Sharkn20, he never met the expectations in Dallas, however he was a magnificent defender, something is something. Jed Davis didnīt reach all his potential yet, but he is a cheaper, home-made option to play as a 4th / 5th OF in the BLB and show Sharkn20 that he can be a part of the future. Jed is just 23 years old and has outsanding range and excellent hand-eye coordination and arm to develop into a great defender.

New faces RF / LF D.J. Miller and utliity IF Tom Maroney will also make the BLB Roster openning day in Dallas.