Dust off cleats, gloves and bats Spring is here! The boys arrived this week to prep for the regular season and solidify their spots on the big club. There a few new faces and a couple faces which will not be seen, but overall on paper the D-Bags are primed for a big year. While the whole 40 man roster is invited to ST, there will be 37 members of the D-Bags organization here for the next few weeks. Of these 38, 25 will earn Big League spots and this is to breakdown the locks, solid and bubble players.
Starting Pitching (5)
The starting rotation will consist of 5 members, and will more than likely the rotation we saw this team end the season with last year.
Locks
Bubble
Rob Goodship - After having 2 very promising starts towards the end of last year, Goodship remains the favorite to round out the rotation at this point
Greg Schafer - Former Rule V pick rounded out the rotation last year and in 13 starts he posted an ERA north of 6.30 until being demoted. In AAA, he flat out dominated, winning 6 of 7 starts putting up a 1.53 ERA. A couple great starts could lead him past Goodship. He is only 23 years old.
Not Likely
Justin Terry - This 29 year old righty pitched very solid in AAA last season posting a 16-4 record and an ERA of 3.49. Jersey signed him to a small extension, but doesn't look to be more than a 7th-8th option at this point.
The Bullpen (6)
The bullpen will be again one of the stronger points of this year's club. With the extension of Daniel Morris, the entire bullpen is back, who posted the 2nd best ERA in the league last year.
Locks
Bubble
Alonso Jiminez - This rookie is one of the frontrunners to win that last bullpen slot. He pitched also perfect baseball in his call up last year, allowing 6 base runners in 9 innings, giving up 0 runs and K'ing 7.
German Huerta - After posting a solid 3.02 for Jersey 2 seasons ago, Herta reverted told his minor league self posting an ERA around 5.
Gabriel Barrentez - The lone lefty of the bubble group. Was injured much of last year, but when he was healthy he was good. He put up a 2.75 ERA in AAA during 19 innings of work. Also threw 4.2 innings of scoreless ball for the big club.
Marv Williams - Probably the most interesting character of the group. Was drafted a starter, won 12 games in 2010, couldn't get anyone out in 2011 and pitched decent in AAA in 2012. Has massive talent, but can't put up the numbers. Has an outside shot at a bullpen slot.
Brian Wilson - Spent the 2012 season as the closer for AAA Tuscaloosa. Saved 32 games while posting a 2.81 ERA and had a K/IP ratio of nearly 1. Can hit 99 on the gun and has a sinker that induces a lot of ground balls. Might not find a bullpen slot this year, but will in the future.
Catching (2)
The catching duo last year of Mario Ramirez and Jorge Lozano maybe wasn't the idea situation, but between the two of them in 760 PA, they put up 28 HR, 123 RBI, which cannot be argued by anyone. A new face adds his name to the list though.
Locks
Jorge Lozano (1)
Bubble
Mario Ramiez - Though his line from 2011 looks good from the stat sheet, much of those numbers were because of a hot start. As the season rolled on, Lozano got more AB's. Will be interesting how he hits in ST.
Luis Antonio Duran - The 24 year old backstop put up his 2nd straight monster season in AAA last year. With a line of .312/.454/.535 to go with 31 HR this kid looks ready to contribute. An on base machine who switch hits, should give Ramirez a run for his money.
Corner Infield (2-3)
Here is about the first place where you will see some changes from last season. Slick fielding power hitter David Pena was shipped off to New York in the offseason. He played primarily 1B, but also filled in at 3B when Parker Morrow needed a day off. There are many intriguing bats here to choose from.
Locks
Parker Morrow (1)
Bubble
Starting first baseman is a true competition in this year's camp. We have 3 candidates who have their own accolades for starting.
GO D-BAGS!!
Corner Infield (2-3)
Here is about the first place where you will see some changes from last season. Slick fielding power hitter David Pena was shipped off to New York in the offseason. He played primarily 1B, but also filled in at 3B when Parker Morrow needed a day off. There are many intriguing bats here to choose from.
Locks
Parker Morrow (1)
Bubble
Starting first baseman is a true competition in this year's camp. We have 3 candidates who have their own accolades for starting.
Milliard Cross - He started 80+ games last year and while he was not spectacular, he got the job done. Plays great defense and has the ability to hit 20+ HR over the course of a full season. Strikes out a lot.
Derrick Wright - Came over from Sacarmento last season and KILLED AAA pitching, setting a new league record for RBI. At 27 he looks primed to breakout. Hit 31 HR's last year, and knows how to take a walk. Will see a of time in ST.
Manny Romero - This 25 year old played very well in AA Gainesville last year, hittin 25 HR and driving in 112. Usually players do not skip AAA, but over the course of the off season scouts say he has developed tremendously and is ready to help the club now. Will also see plenty of time in ST.
Middle Infield (4)
Shortstop is the only position that is locked in up the middle. Oft-injured Jerome Lindsey showed up for camp healthy and in shape and after his great play last season he has locked himself into a starting role. The rest of the group is interesting.
Locks
Jerome Lindsey, Fred Ross (2)
Bubble
Antonio Ruiz - The uber prospect. Can hit for average and power and has shown in AAA. Started 50+ games last year for Jersey, struggled, but officials are hoping he can bust out this year and take the starting role at 2B
Juan Gomez - Plays every IF position and has plus speed. Has virtually no power, but is only 22 years old. Makes for a great utility player if the club has room to keep him on the roster.
Marvin Taylor - Plays every IF position, and plays them all very well. Gold glove caliber all over. Has plus speed and a great eye. Should be a favorite based on tools but hasn't seem to put it together yet at the ML level.
Outfield (5)
The outfield in Jersey should be a crowded place this upcoming season. A lot of AB's to go around, but who will get them? New face Leon Foster will get a lot of playing time. He hit 36 HR last year for New York and brings some much needed power to this OF.
Locks
Bubble
OK this bubble list might be a little long, but 3 of these players will make the team, there just isn't concrete evidence for anyone yet.
Ik-jun Ye - I put him first on the list because a) he's 31 and b) he is out of options. Came out with a bang last year, but slowly settled into a 1-37 slump down the stretch bringing his numbers down considerably. Crushes Left-handed pitching.
Jon Price - The slick fielding speedster was thought to be gone of FA, but at the last minute Jersey gave him a 2 year, 1.1 million dollar deal to stay. Signs point to him making the team, but he is so up and down that his spot might be up for grabs.
Bill Welshman - Came over from Orlando last year. Plays great defense and has great speed. In 280 AB last year between clubs his average hovered around .200. Hits great in AAA, would make a great bench player if he could get his bat going on the ML level.
Michael Paul - He should be a lock. Posting a VORP near 38, 2 seasons about for LA, Paul came over and struggled for Jersey. He was sent down and excelled in AAA and came back for the stretch run and picked it up in September. Would be surprised if he is left of the 25 man roster. Makes too much money and is a great RF.
Ramon Taverez - You might be thinking, What? Bubble? Tavarez hit .288 and knocked 15 HR in one of the bigger surprises of the season for the D-Bags. We are just worried it was a fluke. If not, he should see time in RF and possibly DH.
Joe Henderson - This list seems full of speedy OF who lack power, and Henderson is no exception to this rule. The only thing he brings to the table over the others is he actually played well last year. He is a lefty masher, hitting almost .400 against them last year. Has a MLC, is more than likely set to start the year at AAA.
Bob Thomas - 26 year old who has been quietly overshadowed in AAA the past 2 seasons. A good bat, hits for average, can hit the long ball, has a decent eye. Plays LF, RF and a little 1B. With a lefty laden team, in the case being left handed might mean a trip down to Tuscaloosa to start the season though.
There are your 37. We have identified 15 locks. That means of the remaining 22 players, there are 10 spots up for grab. Sure things like contracts, options and age will be a factor. Usually there might be 3-4 spots up for grabs, but that is what is going to make this ST a fun time. Many players vying for few spots! Enjoy!
