The amateur draft always a favorite time of the year for GM Josh Swain. The way real teams build their core is to through the draft. Jersey Shore is no exception to the rule, just look at their former 1st round picks: Mike Bryant, Matt Doyle, Richard Coker, Lawrence Schroeder, Fabrice Brodeur, Gianluigi Ciottone, Roland Martin, Gerald Johnson, Matthieu Vancini....and those are just 1st and 1st round compensatory picks over the past 10 years.
The D-Bags selected 24th this year and for the 3rd year in a row and for the 4th time in 5 years they chose to selected a prep player over going the going the college route. They selected out of Sante Fe High School, Catcher Ben Morton, or simply as his teammates call him.....Cadillac. In his senior year and first year as a starter, Morton caught 36 of the teams 40 games while hitting 8 doubles, 6 homers and driving in 33 runs. He finished with a triple slash line of .299/.389/.493. While not lighting it up like a lot of first rounders in high school do, Jersey's scouts see the tools While his defensive tools won't light the world on fire, scouts predict him to be middle o the road if he can live up to his potential, but his bat is why he got chosen here. "We have his bat and gap as plus tools and his power at plus-plus. He will never be a guy who walks a lot and probably will strike out his fair amount of times, but catchers are still one of the more rare positions in the BSA and if he can refine his hitting tools he could be one of the better hitting catchers in the league, but he has a long ways to go for that. I imagine he struggles pretty good with A pitching, but being at age 18 we have a lot of options going forward," said GM Swain.
Jersey won't pick again until the 62nd overall pick which will be their regular 2nd round pick. While that is a lot of players to be picked between now and then, don't be surprised to see GM Swain find a player who will turn out to be productive, it's just what they do in Jersey during a draft.
Last year's 1st round pick Miguel Serna, who was drafted 21st overall last season, is starting to pick it up in A ball after struggling last season. While the power hasn't come around he is hitting .251 and has 20 doubles in A ball. Jersey's other 1st round pick, SP Ben Head, another prep player, is improving as well. He has reduced his BB/9, while picking up his K/9 and H/9. His FIP is 4,43 and will probably spend the rest of the year in Manhattan to improve. 2nd round pick and 63rd overall last season 2B John Moore is really picking it up in AA. Moore turned 24 this year has shown off his speed with 18 steals, 18 doubles and 3 triples. He has struggled in the field, but management has him playing shortstop trying to improve his range there as he has been scouted to be one of the better fielding 2B at the AA level. Chances are he will be playing in AAA before the year is done.
GO D-BAGS
Showing posts with label 2021. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2021. Show all posts
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Dave Dodd; Man or Machine?
It has been evident for years that Dave Dodd had the talent to be a special player. The way he went from an everyday outfielder in A ball in 2015 to manning RF for Jersey the very next season as a 22 year old was no mistake. The power potential was always there. In 2015 he hit 15 HR in just 41 games in AAA before being called up to the show. In 4 full big league seasons he has never failed to top 30 2B, 30 HR or 100 RBI. He has speed, he plays defense and the scary part.....he is improving.
Turning 27 early this season all you have to do is look at his numbers to see the improvement. He has improved on his batting average every year he has been in the league. Hitting .254 as a rookie in 2016, .289 in 2019 and now this year 75 games into the season an eye-popping .399. As a rookie Dodd broke the all-time record, and still holds it, for strikeouts in a season at 204. Last season he struck out 138 times and in 2021 he is on pace to K just 83 times.
At age 27, Dodd very well could be in the perfect storm. He hits directly behind one of the greatest hitters in the BSA in Mike Bryant and has power hitting all-star Jaime Torres directly behind him. He is in his prime. The 26-28 ages are well known for sluggers putting up the biggest numbers of their career. From Luis Padilla's record season at age 26, Jeff Cole's 12 WAR at age 27, Zach Hutchinson's 12.1 WAR season at age 27, and Bryant's Triple Crown season at age 28 now is Dodd's time.
So far in 2021 he is putting up video game numbers. When you look at the leaderboard it is a collage of Dodd's face over and over again sprinkled in with a couple other faces. His. 399 batting average is 26 points higher than Bill Wilson of Boston. His .471 OBP is 28 points higher than Al Mills of Greenville. This might be the most unbelievable one: his .853 slugging is 186 points higher than Matt Doyle of Toronto. The record for slugging in a season is .699 by Felix Morales. He has 10 more HR than Doyle as this point as well. If Dodd stays on his current pace he would shatter BSA records. A WAR of 15.8, 71 HR, 243 hits, 187 RBI. A triple slash of .399/.471/.853 to go along with an OPS of 1.324.
No one can say what is going on with Dodd right now. He already has a Player of the Month trophy to go along with 5 player of the week trophies in 2021 alone. All we can say to the fans of Jersey Shore and the BSA, sit back and enjoy it. You might be witnessing a season for the ages and seasons like this only come around once in a great while. Enjoy it will it lasts, I know I will!
GO D-BAGS!
Turning 27 early this season all you have to do is look at his numbers to see the improvement. He has improved on his batting average every year he has been in the league. Hitting .254 as a rookie in 2016, .289 in 2019 and now this year 75 games into the season an eye-popping .399. As a rookie Dodd broke the all-time record, and still holds it, for strikeouts in a season at 204. Last season he struck out 138 times and in 2021 he is on pace to K just 83 times.
At age 27, Dodd very well could be in the perfect storm. He hits directly behind one of the greatest hitters in the BSA in Mike Bryant and has power hitting all-star Jaime Torres directly behind him. He is in his prime. The 26-28 ages are well known for sluggers putting up the biggest numbers of their career. From Luis Padilla's record season at age 26, Jeff Cole's 12 WAR at age 27, Zach Hutchinson's 12.1 WAR season at age 27, and Bryant's Triple Crown season at age 28 now is Dodd's time.
So far in 2021 he is putting up video game numbers. When you look at the leaderboard it is a collage of Dodd's face over and over again sprinkled in with a couple other faces. His. 399 batting average is 26 points higher than Bill Wilson of Boston. His .471 OBP is 28 points higher than Al Mills of Greenville. This might be the most unbelievable one: his .853 slugging is 186 points higher than Matt Doyle of Toronto. The record for slugging in a season is .699 by Felix Morales. He has 10 more HR than Doyle as this point as well. If Dodd stays on his current pace he would shatter BSA records. A WAR of 15.8, 71 HR, 243 hits, 187 RBI. A triple slash of .399/.471/.853 to go along with an OPS of 1.324.
No one can say what is going on with Dodd right now. He already has a Player of the Month trophy to go along with 5 player of the week trophies in 2021 alone. All we can say to the fans of Jersey Shore and the BSA, sit back and enjoy it. You might be witnessing a season for the ages and seasons like this only come around once in a great while. Enjoy it will it lasts, I know I will!
GO D-BAGS!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Bryant Starts Season Hot; Clubs 300th Career HR
When Mikey Bryant ended the 2020 season with 297 career home runs, everyone knew it wouldn't take him long in the 2021 season to hit 3 and reach the milestone of 300, but what they didn't know is that it would only take 3 games. Bryant homered in both of the 2 game opening series again the 84er's to put him at 299 heading into a 3 game set in Reno on April 5th, 2021. Luis Lopez was the starter for the Cards and a pitcher Bryant was a then 2-7 against without a HR. After grounding out in the 1st, Bryant would a 0-1 pitch and launch it 438 feet to dead center easily clearing the CF wall for his 300th career bomb.
Bryant becomes the 10th big leaguer to hit for 300 HR in the history of the BSA, behind Shizue Chouda who hit his 300th before the end of last season. Though Bryant amassed 40 HR last year, through 51 games in the 2021 season he has struggled. As of May 30th, he sits at 8 HR which puts him on pace for only 25. In the past he has heated up in the summer months, particularly August, so time will tell if can put up another great season at age 33, Jersey Shore could sure use his bat as they sit 6 games under .500.
The only real viable candidate he can pass on the all time list this year year is George Alston who sits at 315 homers. He is active playing in AAA Lansing, but hasn't seen BSA time since 2019. There is still a good chance that Bryant could reach the 400 HR club and beyond if he doesn't harshly regress in the next 2 years. Even only a 30 HR season would put him would put him around 330. The real question to be asked is if Jersey Shore will resign him after this season where he is a pending free agent. Only a handful of parks around the league are as offensively friendly as the park in Jersey. I really don't see the D-Bags letting him walk, but we have seen stranger things in the BSA.
Meanwhile in the lineup, Dave Dodd and his incredibly hot start have him sitting on 184 HR at only 27 years old and he might be peaking now. Tracking his stats should be a fun thing to do as well.
GO D-BAGS
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Meet Your 2021 Jersey Shore D-Bags Pitching Staff
A late in season run saw Jersey Shore capture their 3rd CL Eastern Division title in 4 years and their 2nd ever World Series appearance last season. Though they fell to Boston in 5 games, the season was considered a success and saw a lot of young players step in and make big contributions. A year later and a new season are upon us and we have a lot of familiar faces but the staff also has a few changes. Jersey lost 4 fairly big contributors from the past couple years. Those names include SP Art Ellis, SP Greg Schaefer, MR Phillip Moran and MR/CL Jose Ruiz. Who will be taking their spots? Find out below.
Pitching
Art Ellis really showed his age in the past 2 seasons and declining his large option was a no brainer for Jersey. Greg Schaefer on the other hand wasn't the easiest decision. Rumors have it that Jersey was in talks with Schaefer and at least 2 other clubs for a sign and trade, but nothing materialized. Coincidentally both of these players, including MR Jose Ruiz are all with division rival Madison now.
The Rotation
Jersey brings one of the strongest rotations we have seen from them in years. 4 members are under the age of 26 and Jose Ramos is coming off his best season as a pro. If they pitch up to their potential, Jersey should be very much in the hunt to win the East for a 4th time in 5 years.
Jose Ramos - 25 years old, IFA signing 2013 season. Ace of the staff, 41 wins over the last 2 seasons and finished 2nd to Lebel in Cy Young voting last season.
2020 stats: 18-5, 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 3.45 K/BB
Contract: $7.06M. Signed through 2023 season.
Sergio Martinez - 24 yeras old, IFA signing 2013 season. After great 2019 season he took a step backwards last year. Jersey is hoping it was just a sophomore slump. Highly talented.
2020 stats: 14-10, 4.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, 1.61 K/BB
Contract: $2.59M. Signed through 2024 season.
Ramon Ruiz - 24 years old, IFA signing 2013 season. Ruiz got his feet wet last year getting 12 starts with mixed reviews. He really burst onto the scene in 2019 winning 21 games in AAA after being thought of as a C type prospect. His only downfall would seem to be his stamina.
2020 stats: 6-2, 4.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.65 FIP, 3.05 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should become Arb eligible in 2023.
Jose Lara - 30 years old, acquired via trade with Toronto after the 2017 season. The elder statesman of the rotation, Lara has been a polarizing, up and down starter since coming to Jersey, not what they expected when the trade was made.
2020 stats: 12-10, 5.70 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 5.14 FIP, 2.23 K/BB
Contract: $15M. Signed through 2023 season,
Javier Garcia - 24 years old, acquired via trade with Vista during 2015 season. A strong spring training won the 5th spot for Garcia this year. After 3 straight years of striking out 225+ batters in AAA he got 3 starts last year for Jersey. Probably not a long term option, but can throw heat.
2020 stats: 1-1, 5.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4.18 FIP, 2.75 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should be arb eligible in 2024.
The Bullpen
The only loss in a fairly inexperienced pen was Ruiz but Jersey had the man power in AAA to replace him internally. Mungo's option was picked up to anchor the bullpen as it should be one of the team's strong points again this season.
Jaime Saenz - 35 years old, re-acquired via trade with Baffin Island during the 2020 season. The 2021 season will be the 10th Saenz will appear in Jersey. One of the better relievers in the game and hardest throwing pitchers.
2020 stats: 6-3, 35 saves. 2.43 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 1.99 FIP, 4.95 K/BB.
Contract: $9M. Signed through the 2021 season.
Gerald Johnson - 25 years old, drafted 2015 in 1st compensatory round. Johnson is a closer in the wings, who is said to have one of the better fastballs in the league. Likes to keep the ball on the ground, only flaw is he lacks control at times.
2020 stats: 7-2, 10 saves. 2.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.76 FIP, 3.45 K/BB.
Contract: $1.04M. Signed through the 2025 season.
Angel Lara - 25 years old, signed as an IFA 2013 season. Hard throwing right hander and 2021 will be his 4th season in the Jersey pen. Like Johnson, groundball pitcher who avoids giving up the long ball.
2020 stats: 5-4, 2 saves. 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.18 FIP, 2.42 K/BB.
Contract: $820K. Signed through the 2022 season.
Hyo-chin Kim - 24 years old, signed a MLC during 2013 season. After tearing his UCL in spring training of the 2019 season and missing the entire year, he came back in 2020 and the best season of his career. This will be his 5th season in the pen and could be a future closer.
2020 stats: 6-1, 2 saves. 2.43 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2.78 FIP, 5.71 K/BB
Contract: $1.49M. Signed though the 2026 season.
Luis Cortez - 26 years old, received via trade with Vista during the 2014 season. Talented hurler spending his 4th year as part of the Jersey pen, but has never pitched a full year, always bounced between Jersey and AAA. Out of options so it's time to put up numbers.
2020 stats: 0-1, 1 save. 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 5.63 FIP, 2.00 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should be arb eligible in 2023.
Claude Pinard - 27 years old, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. Pinard is a true rookie after taking a couple extra years to reach the pros. Was great last year as the closer in AAA and impressed in spring training.
2020 stats (AAA): 7-3, 16 saves. 2.45 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.05 FIP, 3.17 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should become arb eligible in 2024.
Yin-zeng Zong - 30 years old, drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. Zong is the only 7th round pick from 2013 to see major league action. Put up his best numbers as a pro last season and throws very hard.
2020 stats: 3-1. 1.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 3.58 FIP, 2.78 K/BB
Contract: $830K. Signed through 2023 season.
There you have it. Your 2021 Jersey Shore pitching staff. The 12 man rotation is a lot for the D-Bags who usually only carry 11 men. There are a few options in AAA including top prospect SP Roland Martin if injuries or poor play arise. Can this staff be one of the best in the CL? Only time will tell.
GO D-BAGS
Pitching
Art Ellis really showed his age in the past 2 seasons and declining his large option was a no brainer for Jersey. Greg Schaefer on the other hand wasn't the easiest decision. Rumors have it that Jersey was in talks with Schaefer and at least 2 other clubs for a sign and trade, but nothing materialized. Coincidentally both of these players, including MR Jose Ruiz are all with division rival Madison now.
The Rotation
Jersey brings one of the strongest rotations we have seen from them in years. 4 members are under the age of 26 and Jose Ramos is coming off his best season as a pro. If they pitch up to their potential, Jersey should be very much in the hunt to win the East for a 4th time in 5 years.
Jose Ramos - 25 years old, IFA signing 2013 season. Ace of the staff, 41 wins over the last 2 seasons and finished 2nd to Lebel in Cy Young voting last season.
2020 stats: 18-5, 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 3.45 K/BB
Contract: $7.06M. Signed through 2023 season.
Sergio Martinez - 24 yeras old, IFA signing 2013 season. After great 2019 season he took a step backwards last year. Jersey is hoping it was just a sophomore slump. Highly talented.
2020 stats: 14-10, 4.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, 1.61 K/BB
Contract: $2.59M. Signed through 2024 season.
Ramon Ruiz - 24 years old, IFA signing 2013 season. Ruiz got his feet wet last year getting 12 starts with mixed reviews. He really burst onto the scene in 2019 winning 21 games in AAA after being thought of as a C type prospect. His only downfall would seem to be his stamina.
2020 stats: 6-2, 4.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.65 FIP, 3.05 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should become Arb eligible in 2023.
Jose Lara - 30 years old, acquired via trade with Toronto after the 2017 season. The elder statesman of the rotation, Lara has been a polarizing, up and down starter since coming to Jersey, not what they expected when the trade was made.
2020 stats: 12-10, 5.70 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 5.14 FIP, 2.23 K/BB
Contract: $15M. Signed through 2023 season,
Javier Garcia - 24 years old, acquired via trade with Vista during 2015 season. A strong spring training won the 5th spot for Garcia this year. After 3 straight years of striking out 225+ batters in AAA he got 3 starts last year for Jersey. Probably not a long term option, but can throw heat.
2020 stats: 1-1, 5.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4.18 FIP, 2.75 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should be arb eligible in 2024.
The Bullpen
The only loss in a fairly inexperienced pen was Ruiz but Jersey had the man power in AAA to replace him internally. Mungo's option was picked up to anchor the bullpen as it should be one of the team's strong points again this season.
Jaime Saenz - 35 years old, re-acquired via trade with Baffin Island during the 2020 season. The 2021 season will be the 10th Saenz will appear in Jersey. One of the better relievers in the game and hardest throwing pitchers.
2020 stats: 6-3, 35 saves. 2.43 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 1.99 FIP, 4.95 K/BB.
Contract: $9M. Signed through the 2021 season.
Gerald Johnson - 25 years old, drafted 2015 in 1st compensatory round. Johnson is a closer in the wings, who is said to have one of the better fastballs in the league. Likes to keep the ball on the ground, only flaw is he lacks control at times.
2020 stats: 7-2, 10 saves. 2.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.76 FIP, 3.45 K/BB.
Contract: $1.04M. Signed through the 2025 season.
Angel Lara - 25 years old, signed as an IFA 2013 season. Hard throwing right hander and 2021 will be his 4th season in the Jersey pen. Like Johnson, groundball pitcher who avoids giving up the long ball.
2020 stats: 5-4, 2 saves. 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.18 FIP, 2.42 K/BB.
Contract: $820K. Signed through the 2022 season.
Hyo-chin Kim - 24 years old, signed a MLC during 2013 season. After tearing his UCL in spring training of the 2019 season and missing the entire year, he came back in 2020 and the best season of his career. This will be his 5th season in the pen and could be a future closer.
2020 stats: 6-1, 2 saves. 2.43 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2.78 FIP, 5.71 K/BB
Contract: $1.49M. Signed though the 2026 season.
Luis Cortez - 26 years old, received via trade with Vista during the 2014 season. Talented hurler spending his 4th year as part of the Jersey pen, but has never pitched a full year, always bounced between Jersey and AAA. Out of options so it's time to put up numbers.
2020 stats: 0-1, 1 save. 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 5.63 FIP, 2.00 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should be arb eligible in 2023.
Claude Pinard - 27 years old, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. Pinard is a true rookie after taking a couple extra years to reach the pros. Was great last year as the closer in AAA and impressed in spring training.
2020 stats (AAA): 7-3, 16 saves. 2.45 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.05 FIP, 3.17 K/BB
Contract: $400K. Should become arb eligible in 2024.
Yin-zeng Zong - 30 years old, drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. Zong is the only 7th round pick from 2013 to see major league action. Put up his best numbers as a pro last season and throws very hard.
2020 stats: 3-1. 1.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 3.58 FIP, 2.78 K/BB
Contract: $830K. Signed through 2023 season.
There you have it. Your 2021 Jersey Shore pitching staff. The 12 man rotation is a lot for the D-Bags who usually only carry 11 men. There are a few options in AAA including top prospect SP Roland Martin if injuries or poor play arise. Can this staff be one of the best in the CL? Only time will tell.
GO D-BAGS
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