Baseball is about statistics. There are more statistics in baseball than in any sport combined. And we here in Jersey are no different, we love tracking our players and their accomplishments. Here is a list statistics and what we might be in store for the 2016 season. Some more likely than others.
Let's start on the pitching side of things.
Pitching:
35 year old Dan Macias has 3 wins in 4 starts. It's a long shot, but 19 more wins this year (22 wins total) would make him the 3rd ever pitcher to reach 150 wins. With 2 more wins he passes Ethan Pickup for 5th All-time.
Sticking with Macias, his 19 K's thus far puts him just 105 K's from 1800, which (After Ricky Bolden does it soon) would make him the 5th pitcher to reach this milestone.
Rob Goodship with 1 win this season, needs 12 more this season for 51 career, which would make him the current all time Win leader in D-Bag history.
Jaime Saenz with 2.6 VORP this season needs 17.4 more this season to pass former closer Daniel Morris as the franchise all-time VORP leader.
Hitting:
Leon Foster, with 17 RBI in 16 games, needs 92 more RBI to join the 800 RBI club which has only been accomplishment thus far by 5 players and 2 soon to be members. 109 RBI might be a stretch for the season though.
Foster also needs to strikeout only 3 more time to join the 1100 club, occupied by 3 players. With 103 more he would join only John Crowe, and possibly Enrique Jarmillo as the only players on the 1200 list.
Mikey Bryant, 3 HR thus far, needs 5 more to make him the 1st D-Bag ever to hit for 100 career HR. It would also only make him the 3rd 2B ever to hit 100+ HR behind Luis Pezina and Jeff Cole.
Matt Doyle would need 23 total, already has 5, for the 100 HR plateau as well. Doyle has average a HR ever 14.23 AB in his career so far. Career leader John Crowe has a 15.62 average for his career.
There are also a few team records Bryant could set this season. He needs to score 111 total runs this season to set the team record in runs, he currently sits 3rd behind Parker Morrow and Mason Bonniface. He would also need 226 hits (which would break his own team record of 209) to pass Parker Morrow the only man he sits behind at this point.
With the team's last 5-4 win over Austin on 4/22 with 4 total bases, Bryant passed Morrow for 1st on the franchise record for total bases.
With 29 HR this season (which would be a career high) Luis Antonio Duran would become the 8th catcher to hit 100 HR in BSA history.
With most players being in their mid-20's there isn't a lot for milestones. But some things to look this season besides the amount of wins the D-Bags rack up!
GO D-BAGS!
2016 is underway! Before we get too far into the season we would like to introduce to the roster, a couple new faces, but mostly a recognizable cast!
Starting Pitching - Jersey brings back a strong staff, with Macias the veteran leader and rest ranging from ages 26-30.
Art Ellis - 30 years old. Supplanted Macias as Ace of the staff last season. Came to Jersey in trade with Madison Bombers.
2015 stats: 13-8 2.94 ERA 1.20 WHIP
Contract: $9.6M. Signed through 2021 with last year being a team option.
Dan Macias - 35 yeras old. Came to Jersey in trade with Orlando before 2014 season. Former 20 game winner.
2015 stats: 10-14 4.32 ERA 1.35 WHIP
Contract: $8.81M. Signed through 2017 season.
Jerry Burgess - 29 years old. Came to Jersey in trade with El Paso during 2015 season. Control can be his achilles heel.
2015 stats (Jersey only): 7-3 4.76 ERA 1.36 WHIP
Contract: $6.85M. Signed through 2020 with last year being a team option.
Rob Goodship - 29 years old. Came over from Edison (Now Boston) as a waiver claim before the 2011 season. Longest team member in the starting rotation.
2015 stats: 11-6 4.03 ERA 1.44 WHIP
Contract: $3.79M. Signed through the 2020 season.
Greg Schaefer - 26 years old. Came over to Jersey via the Rule V draft in 2011. Youngest member of the rotation.
2015 stats: 13-11 5.16 ERA 1.44 WHIP
Contract: $2.08M. Signed through the 2017 season.
Worth Noting: Top pitching prospect Jose Ramos sits in AAA and is the closest starter to the Bigs. At only 20 he needs a strong season to prove he is worth bringing up.
Jose Ramos - 20 years old. IFA signing 2013. Huge potential, has yet to post good results in AAA.
2015 stats: AA: 10-8 3.65 ERA 1.10 WHIP AAA: 2-4 4.41 ERA 1.41 WHIP
The Bullpen: - Jersey brings back another strong pen with some new faces, gone is Daniel Morris who had spent his career on the team.
Dave Rice - 26 years old. Came over to Jersey via the Rule V draft his past offseason from Pittsburgh (Now Chicago). Has never pitched above AA.
2015 stats: AA: 6-4 4 saves 3.61 ERA 1.32 WHIP
Contract: 400K. Not arbitration eligible through 2019.
Jose Ruiz - 23 years old. Was drafted in the inaugural draft by Jersey. Hard throwing right-hander, will be the main middle reliever.
2015 stats: 4-4 1 save. 4.07 ERA 1.33 WHIP
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible through 2017.
Chris Woodruff - 31 years old. Was claimed in waivers this offseason from Jacksonville. Talented right handed who has never seemed to put it together.
2015 stats: 1-2 1 save. 6.44 ERA 2.01 WHIP
Contract: 600K. Signed through 2017.
Lucio Tapia - 31 years old. 1st of 3 hard throwers at back end of bullpen. Claimed off of waivers from Whitewater (St. Louis) during 2010 season.
2015 stats: 6-3 3 saves. 2.44 ERA 1.33 WHIP.
Contract: 3.26M. Signed through 2018 season.
Jose "Dog Pound" Gomes - 29 years old. Was drafted in the inaugural draft by Jersey. Hard thrower, will be primary set-up man.
2015 stats: 4-3 7 saves. 3.92 ERA 1.18 WHIP
Contract: 3.47M. Signed through 2018 season with last year being a player option.
Jaime "Mungo" Saenz - 30 years old. One of only 2 lefties on the staff. Joined Jersey during inaugural draft. Will be the closer with Morris departing for Baffin Island.
2015 stats: 16-0 2 saves. 1.99 ERA 0.95 WHIP
Worth Noting: Jersey's AAA club is filled with young talent whom aren't scheduled to be ready for the Bigs as of the start of the season, but could be called up for a chance at anytime. They include:
Hyo-Chin Kim - 19 years old. IFA signing 2013. Quality lefty who has stamina to possibly spot start. Called up to AAA late last year.
2015 stats: AA: 4-5 4 saves. 3.44 ERA 1.38 WHIP AAA: 2-0 4.60 ERA 1.31 WHIP.
Takafumi Ogusuku - 20 years old. IFA signing 2013. Can hit 100 MPH with his fastball, Control and giving up the long ball are his faults.
2015 stats: BSA: 0-1 5.29 ERA 1.00 WHIP AAA: 6-3 2 saves. 2.92 ERA 1.46 WHIP
Yin-Zhen Zong - 25 years old. Drafted by Jersey, 7th round 2013. Slowly worked his way through the system. Struggled thus far at 1.5 years in AAA. Seemed to find his "stuff" last season.
2015 stats: AAA: 5-9 (25 starts) 6.94 ERA 1.77 WHIP
The Catchers - Jersey made a hard decision to bring back Duran despite high salary, he is far and away the best on the roster, but the back up spot always up for debate.
Luis Antonio Duran - 27 years old. Claimed off over waivers from Alaska (El Paso) during 2010 season. 3 straight years with 20+ HR, last season being his best with 136 OPS+
2015 stats: 21 HR 67 RBI .272/.404/.469
Contract: $8.75M. Free agent after current season.
Albert Lopez - 28 years old. Signed a MLC during the 2011 season. Great ability and arm at catcher. Caught and played excellent during 2015 postseason after Duran injury. Average hitting talent.
2015 stats: AAA: 14 HR 48 RBI .272/.349/.491 BSA: 0 HR 3 RBI .159/.213/.205
Worth Noting: - While Lopez won the backup job, there are 2 candidates in AAA who can step in and catch if he doesn't get the job done.
Tomas Gutierrez - 28 years old. Came to Jersey in trade with Cleveland before 2013 season. Primary back up during 2015 season. Average overall hitting and defense.
2015 stats: BSA: 2 HR 15 RBI .237/.329/.360
Contract: 400K. Eligible for arbitration after 2017 season.
Ramon Garcia - 33 years old. Many of you might remember Garcia. He was drafted in the inaugural draft by Jersey, then came back on a MLC before the start of the 2015 season. Great contact hitter.
2015 stats: AAA: 5 HR 29 RBI .299/.367/.392
1st Basemen - Entrenched by Matt Doyle at first, the position should stay filled for years to come.
Matt Doyle - 26 years old. 1st round pick, 2011 draft. Phenom. Led CL in HR last year with 44, looking to improve on that. Could see RBI title fall if he stays healthy.
2015 stats: 44 HR 147 RBI. .302/.386/.572.
Contract: 4.7M. Signed through 2021 season.
Manny Romero - 28 years old. Drafted in the inaugural draft as a 22 year old. Primary DH, has huge gap power. Hits lefties very well.
2015 stats: 24 HR 82 RBI. .261/.313/.461.
Contract: 2.89M Signed through 2018 season.
Worth Noting: After losing Edgardo Gonzales to waivers, possible candidates are slim in AAA, but many players can be 1st if necessary.
Derrick Wright - 30 years old. Spent 2015 with Jersey, now is in AAA. Came to Jersey in the Jose Brito trade with Sacramento in 2012.
2015 stats: 3 HR 14 RBI. .238/.336/.389.
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible after the 2017 season.
Stephen Allison - 27 years old. Drafted in the inaugural draft by Jersey. Has power potential but tough time seeing because of limited AB's. Could be a platoon player against lefties.
2015 stats: AAA: 8 HR 24 RBI .302/.380/.594 (106 AB)
2nd Basemen: Much like 1st base, 2nd base is occupied with a super star. Mikey Bryant is currently the only one listed on the roster.
Mike "Coffin" Bryant - 28 years old. Drafted in the 1st round in 2010, 21st overall. Back-to-back seasons of 37 HR and 130 RBI. Left handed with big power and above average glove and speed.
2015 stats: 37 HR 131 RBI .323/.379/.563.
Contract: 4.9M. Signed through 2021 season with the last year being a team option.
Worth noting: If Bryant were ever need to be replaced, the only full option is Aaron Bailey, even though there are others who play some 2nd base.
Aaron Bailey - 27 years old. Draft in the 2011 draft, round 4. While Bailey doesn't play a good 2nd base, he has power and a decent eye.
2015 stats: AAA: 25 HR 86 RBI. .305/.387/.556
Shortstop: Adam Morrow slides over to SS fulltime this year after playing primarily 3B in his rookie season.
Adam Morrow - 27 years old. Morrow is a slick fielding IF who doesn't play SS as well as 3B but he's learning. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft. Won CL ROY last season, has insane eye.
2015 stats: 4 HR 61 RBI. 100 R 120 BB. .282/.402/.360
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible after the 2017 season.
Marvin Taylor - 30 years old. Prototypical utility IF. Plays every IF position at an elite level. Signed as FA, April 2011. Good eye and great at limiting K's.
2015 stats: 1 HR 26 RBI. .240/.344/.299
Contract: 895K. Signed through 2017 season.
Worth Noting: While Morrow's job is safe, there is another former 1st round pick who hit AAA very well last year and could cause the problem of "too many players" in the IF for Jersey, which is never bad.
Lawrence Schroeder - 24 years old. 1st round pick, 2014 draft. Young new school prototypical big SS. Sits at 6'3" 225 pounds. Has above average contact, great gap power and above average power.
2015 stats: 19 HR 95 RBI. .287/.338/.457
3rd Basemen: After spending a lot of time ripping AAA, playoff hero, Alberto Perez gets the nod to be the opening day starting 3B, pushing Morrow to SS.
Alberto Perez - 28 years old. Was drafted in the 47th round of the inaugural draft. Hit .300 at every level, including last year in limited AB's. Has a decent glove, doesn't K much and an average eye.
2015 stats: AAA: 7 HR 40 RBI. .398/.486/.536. BSA: 5 HR 24 RBI .306/.345/.511
Contract: 400K. Signed through the 2020 season.
Worth Noting: Perez is on the person on the roster listed at 3B, but his backup is Taylor. The next person in line for the 3B resides in AA, but could soon be at AAA.
Richard Coker - 22 years old. 1st round pick, 2013. Coming out of high school, Coker has shown a pattern, struggle in your first year at a level, succeed the next, pointing his way to AAA this year should be soon.
2015 stats: AA: 9 HR 76 RBI. .301/.350/.419
The Outfield: Now while we could break this up into individual positions, so many can play 2 or more, this was easily. While no superstars exist, the OF is chalked full of talent.
Sergio Rodriguez - 28 years old. Draft by Jersey in the inaugural draft. It took him 5 years to move up the minor league system and get regular AB's for Jersey, but paid off. Rangy, speedy OF with average hitting skills across the board.
2015 stats: BSA: 7 HR 26 RBI. .320/.400/.549. AAA: 11 HR 40 RBI .317/.413/.518
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible after the 2017 season.
Leon Foster - 30 years old. Came to Jersey in trade with New York before 2013 season. Great OF with great power. Top 10 all time in BSA for HR. Likes to K....a lot. Injury troubles as of late.
2015 stats: 11 HR 36 RBI. .273/.356/.517
Contract: 13.87M. Free agent after 2016 season.
Tim Duncan - 27 years old. Came to Jersey in trade with LA during 2014 season. The long awaited time of Duncan is here after Powers left for FA. Elite speed and above average defense and contract. Leadoff hitter potential.
2015 stats: AAA: 16 HR 58 RBI. 38 SB. .317/.382/.483.
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible after the 2018 season.
Peter Larson - 29 years old. Came to Jersey with Duncan in 2014 trade with LA. Good contact hitter with elite eye, best in baseball. Average defense. Seems to be prone to injury.
2015 stats: 4 HR 44 RBI. .268/.437/.379
Contract: 4.4M. Signed through 2019 season, last year being a player option.
Jose Ortiz - 27 years old. 2nd season in Jersey, came over via Rule V draft from Reno, 2015. Good contract hitter, loves hitting to the gap and rarely strikes out. Average defender, lacks much speed.
2015 stats: 1 HR 25 RBI 18 2B. .341/.401/.482 (164 AB)
Contract: 400K. Arbitration eligible after the 2017 season.
Al Ryan - 27 years old. Came to Jersey in a trade with Greenville before the 2014 season. Lefty with big power. 2 straight seasons with 20+ HR. Average defense and speed.
2015 stats: 21 HR 71 RBI. .265/.355/.473.
Worth Noting: While Jersey has this group of OF, there are a handful in AAA that should be capable now or at some point this season to step up if need be.
Taro Kino - 28 years old. Signed a MLC during the 2011 season. Right handed with good contact and power. Hasn't taken advantage of MLB Ab's yet, hence why he is in AAA still.
2015 stats: AAA: 24 HR 68 RBI. .344/.429/.594 BSA: 0 HR 10 RBI .236/.336/.368 (106 AB)
Ken Taylor - 28 years old. Came to Jersey in a trade with Vista during the 2014 season. Left hander with big power, great gap power and average eye. Above average glove.
2015 stats: AAA: 27 HR 87 RBI. .290/.407/.645
Fransisco Torres - 20 years old. IFA signing 2013. Torres is former #1 overall hitting prospect who seems to have fallen off a little. Good gap and power, great eye. Great LF and above average speed.
2015 stats: AA: 21 HR 62 RBI 28 2B. .358/.510/.642. Only played 12 games in AAA.
Dave "Diamond" Dodd - 21 years old. Signed a MLC during the 2013 season, former 2nd round pick of Reno. Huge potential. Great contact skills, elite power and speed, above average glove.
2015 stats: AA: 15 HR 58 RBI 20 2B. .280/.355/.444.
There is your 25 man roster plus a slew of players you might see during the upcoming season. Can these players lead Jersey to another playoff run, we think so!
GO D-BAGS!
After taking a tough loss in Game 7 of the World Series against the mighty Hendersonville Hitmen, there was a lot of uncertainty when it came to Jersey players. A lot of star players with contracts set to be up, a player's option and a few holes opening up. Here's what has happened since that fateful day in Hendersonville.
The day after the season Leon Foster decided to accept his 13.87 Million dollar option he was given in 2013 as part of his 4 year extension. After starting out decent last season Foster strained his hip and missed 3 months. Jersey brass thought it was inevitable he would take the option but I think deep down everyone hoped he would turn it down. Foster should start in CF, at least against lefties, this up coming season. Foster sits 8th on the All-time HR list with 205.
The first two weeks of November had to feel like Christmas for many Jersey Shore fans. On November 4th Jersey announced they bought out 2, possibly 3 years of arbitration and signed superstar 1B Matt Doyle to a 6 year deal worth 39.35 million dollars. The deal will keep Doyle in Jersey through the age of 32. Doyle led the CL in HR last year with 44 and only 2 seasons into his Jersey career he sits only behind Mikey Bryant on the Jersey Shore all time HR list with 77.
Three days later on November 7th, Jersey announced they avoided losing their FA deadline pickup Jerry Burgess by agreeing to a 5 year contract worth 45.29 million dollars. Burgess won 7 starts after coming over from El Paso and was vital in their playoff run winning 3 of his 6 starts and keeping Jersey within striking distance in Game 7.
Five days after the Burgess signing, Jersey announced they had come to an agreement with FA to be and arguable ace of the staff 30 year old Art Ellis to a 6 year contract which will keep him in Jersey for the remainder of his career. Ellis posted one of the best seasons put up by a Jersey hurler, posting a 2.94 ERA and striking out 210.
On November 21st, the league announced that MR Brian White recieved a new contract worth 600K through arbitration, which was no surprise, and Catcher Luis Antonio Duran won his arbitration hearing and will receive $8.75 million this upcoming season. With Duran's number being that high, there is probably a slim chance he will be back for 2017. Regardless he will be starting the season as the team's starting catcher.
Free agency started November 24th and Jersey said good-bye to two players. The first being one of the longest tenured player closer Daniel Morris. With the money going to the starters, there was just not enough to go around. Morris leaves Jersey leading the team in all-time ERA (2.59), Saves (170), appearances (387), BB/9 (2.0), K/BB (4.18), WHIP (1.17), OOPS (.626) and VORP (139.4).
Also departing through free agency is the speedy OF Scott Powers, who spent 3 years in Jersey after a trade from Niagara Falls. Powers a multi-use speedy OF, never lived up to the potential Jersey thought they would get when they made the trade in 2013. His spot on the roster will go to one of the money OF Jersey has stashed away in AAA.
The Rule V draft took place on December 1st and with the 22nd pick Jersey selected MR David Rice with the 22nd pick. Rice of the former Pittsburgh (now Chicago) franchise. Rice will become the 2nd lefty in the pen after new closer Jaime Saenz. Last season Rice pitched in AA and a 3.61 ERA and 140 K's in 124.2 IP.
Jersey also lost a player in the Rule V draft as well. St. Charles selected speedy utility infielder Dave Henson whom Jersey signed to a MLC in 2014 after being released from Vista. Henson hit .270 with 14 SB in 63 AB with Tuscaloosa last season.
Towards the end of Spring Training Jersey made a couple of waiver moves. The first being claiming MR Chris Woodruff from the Jacksonville Jackhammers. Woodruff struggled in Jacksonville last year posting a 6.44 ERA in 50.1 IP, but the Jersey brass must have seen some potential.
On the same day Jersey claimed Woodruff, Boston claimed 1B Edgardo Gonzales. Gomzales who has been with Jersey since the inaugural draft always has played well in AAA but has had trouble cracking the 25-man roster. Gonzales got only 29 AB in the last 3 seasons.
On April 2nd, the day before the season was set to begin Jersey announced another contract extension. One of the best hitters in last year's playoffs 3B Alberto Perez agreed to a 4 year deal buying out his arbitration years worth nearly $8M dollars. Perez is slated to start at 3B this season with Adam Morrow sliding over to SS.
Losses: CL Daniel Morris, CF Scott Powers, SS Dave Henson, 1B Edgardo Gonzales
Additions: MR Dave Rice, MR Chris Woodruff
Extensions: SP Jerry Burgess, SP Art Ellis, 1B Matt Doyle, 3B Alberto Perez
2016 is here! Look for the roster breakdown, coming soon!
GO D-BAGS
