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
Showing posts with label bullpen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bullpen. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Early Jersey Trade Bock
Though we have just hit June 1st and the trade deadline sits just less than 2 months away we have already seen a handful of BSA trades where veterans have been swapped for prospects. Contending teams starting early before the frenzy of the July comes. With that being said, here is an early Jersey Shore Trade Block:
One of Jersey's strong points is the bullpen. Their 3.30 ERA sits 2nd in the CL and they have a slew of talent in AAA as well.
LHP Phillip Moran - The 32 year old is enjoying a much better year in his 2nd year in Jersey, carrying a 3.06 ERA in 35 innings pitched. His K/9 is over 10 while posting an ERA+ of 140. He has a team option of $4 million next season, but with the emergence of Gerald Johnson and the comeback after 14 months after a nasty injury to Hyo-chin Kim, this lefty is available.
C Warren Goyer - The signing of Fernando Ramos in the offseason had Jersey fans thinking Goyer's days might be numbered and after seeing Ramos severely out-hit Goyer in the first 2 months of the season, things are looking that way. At age 31, Goyer is coming off of a 38 HR season and is in the last year of 4-year deal given to him by Jersey after acquiring him from Cleveland in 2016. He still has elite power and rumors have it he is looking for a very modest extension.
1B/3B Alberto Perez - A D-Bag for life, Perez lost his starting position at 1B when rookie Kisuki was called up before the season. The 32 year old has a career slash line of .293/.341/.422. He still plays an above average 3B and has a slick glove at 1B. He is in the last year of his contract and is also looking for a short term extension for any team that is interested in acquiring him.
LF/RF Jose Ortiz - A 4th or 5th option a crowded Jersey OF over the years, Ortiz has above average contact, a knack for hitting the ball to the gap and rarely strikes out. Currently making only $1.25M this season, he will become a free agent at the end of the year. With Berroa and Mendoza knocking on the door from AAA, Ortiz is very much a trade-able asset.
Now we will also accept offers on other players, but these are very much the most available. Feel free to make offers on other relievers as there is a long list of quality arms in the majors and AAA who can help many teams out.
With all the slew of talent, we are looking to restock the farm system. Just letting that be known before offers start being made.
GO D-BAGS
One of Jersey's strong points is the bullpen. Their 3.30 ERA sits 2nd in the CL and they have a slew of talent in AAA as well.
LHP Phillip Moran - The 32 year old is enjoying a much better year in his 2nd year in Jersey, carrying a 3.06 ERA in 35 innings pitched. His K/9 is over 10 while posting an ERA+ of 140. He has a team option of $4 million next season, but with the emergence of Gerald Johnson and the comeback after 14 months after a nasty injury to Hyo-chin Kim, this lefty is available.
C Warren Goyer - The signing of Fernando Ramos in the offseason had Jersey fans thinking Goyer's days might be numbered and after seeing Ramos severely out-hit Goyer in the first 2 months of the season, things are looking that way. At age 31, Goyer is coming off of a 38 HR season and is in the last year of 4-year deal given to him by Jersey after acquiring him from Cleveland in 2016. He still has elite power and rumors have it he is looking for a very modest extension.
1B/3B Alberto Perez - A D-Bag for life, Perez lost his starting position at 1B when rookie Kisuki was called up before the season. The 32 year old has a career slash line of .293/.341/.422. He still plays an above average 3B and has a slick glove at 1B. He is in the last year of his contract and is also looking for a short term extension for any team that is interested in acquiring him.
LF/RF Jose Ortiz - A 4th or 5th option a crowded Jersey OF over the years, Ortiz has above average contact, a knack for hitting the ball to the gap and rarely strikes out. Currently making only $1.25M this season, he will become a free agent at the end of the year. With Berroa and Mendoza knocking on the door from AAA, Ortiz is very much a trade-able asset.
Now we will also accept offers on other players, but these are very much the most available. Feel free to make offers on other relievers as there is a long list of quality arms in the majors and AAA who can help many teams out.
With all the slew of talent, we are looking to restock the farm system. Just letting that be known before offers start being made.
GO D-BAGS
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Mistakes and Poor Offense Plague Jersey; Fall Behind in Series 2-1
On a day that featured 4 errors, 11 pitchers and 11 innings of baseball the Titans of Toronto ended up on top to take a 3-2 win and a 2-1 advantage in this best of 7 Divisional Series. Though Titans starter Gonzales only pitched 4.2 innings, the Titans bullpen combined throwing 6 arms, giving up only 1 run on 3 hits in 6.1 innings, limiting the powerful Jersey offense to just 2 runs on 5 hits.
Jose Lara, making only his 2nd start since coming off his rehab assignment was sharp pitching 6.2 innings giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. The last batter he faced reached on an error when 1B John Warner bobbled a throw, a play that should have ended the inning. Instead reliever Angel Lara would come in and promptly give up a double to German Rivas followed by a single from Luis Gonzalez which would score two runs and give Toronto a late 2-1 lead.
Jersey would come back in top of the 8th and tie the game on back to back doubles by Alberto Perez and Matthieu Vancini, but Bryant would end up stranding Vancini on 3rd with a lazy fly ball to center field two batters later. Toronto would strand a runner on 2nd in the bottom half and John Warner nor Warren Goyer could knock in Fransisco Ibarra from 2nd base in the Top of the 9th.
Jersey would get a real chance to pull ahead in the 11th when Ignacio Rios would hit Jersey shortstop Lawrence Schroeder with a pitch on a 2-2 count and walk Mike Bryant to put two runners on with none out. Toronto would get the force out at 2nd on Ibarra' fielder choice putting runners at the corners for David Dodd. The mistake came when Ibarra lazily was caught leaning off of 1st base on a pick off throw which wasn't even close. Dodd would eventually strike out which would be Jersey's last chance to take the lead in the game.
Toronto would start the 11th with a bloop since from Zaragoza followed by a walk from Overbeek to give the Titans life. Reliever Gerald Johnson would get Ayala to hit a slow chopper where 3B Perez's only play was 1st base giving the Titans 2 runners in scoring position with only 1 out. Catcher Gonzalez would be intentionally walked to set up the double play for 9th hitter Lucero. Johnson wouldn't even give him a chance to win the game with a hit by walking him on 4 pitches and forcing in Zaragoza from 3rd for the winning run to end a frustrating and error filled game for the D-Bags and putting them in a 2-1 series hole.
This is not a position the D-Bags wanted to get into, especially with 2 more games in Toronto. Game 4 both teams will bring back their Game 1 starters on short rest as Jose Ramos looks to even the series with another dominate performance. Meanwhile Lebel tries to avoid losing to the D-Bags for the 5th time this season while putting team on the brink of their 3rd trip to the League Championship Series for the 3rd time in 4 season.
GO D-BAGS
Jose Lara, making only his 2nd start since coming off his rehab assignment was sharp pitching 6.2 innings giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. The last batter he faced reached on an error when 1B John Warner bobbled a throw, a play that should have ended the inning. Instead reliever Angel Lara would come in and promptly give up a double to German Rivas followed by a single from Luis Gonzalez which would score two runs and give Toronto a late 2-1 lead.
Jersey would come back in top of the 8th and tie the game on back to back doubles by Alberto Perez and Matthieu Vancini, but Bryant would end up stranding Vancini on 3rd with a lazy fly ball to center field two batters later. Toronto would strand a runner on 2nd in the bottom half and John Warner nor Warren Goyer could knock in Fransisco Ibarra from 2nd base in the Top of the 9th.
Jersey would get a real chance to pull ahead in the 11th when Ignacio Rios would hit Jersey shortstop Lawrence Schroeder with a pitch on a 2-2 count and walk Mike Bryant to put two runners on with none out. Toronto would get the force out at 2nd on Ibarra' fielder choice putting runners at the corners for David Dodd. The mistake came when Ibarra lazily was caught leaning off of 1st base on a pick off throw which wasn't even close. Dodd would eventually strike out which would be Jersey's last chance to take the lead in the game.
Toronto would start the 11th with a bloop since from Zaragoza followed by a walk from Overbeek to give the Titans life. Reliever Gerald Johnson would get Ayala to hit a slow chopper where 3B Perez's only play was 1st base giving the Titans 2 runners in scoring position with only 1 out. Catcher Gonzalez would be intentionally walked to set up the double play for 9th hitter Lucero. Johnson wouldn't even give him a chance to win the game with a hit by walking him on 4 pitches and forcing in Zaragoza from 3rd for the winning run to end a frustrating and error filled game for the D-Bags and putting them in a 2-1 series hole.
This is not a position the D-Bags wanted to get into, especially with 2 more games in Toronto. Game 4 both teams will bring back their Game 1 starters on short rest as Jose Ramos looks to even the series with another dominate performance. Meanwhile Lebel tries to avoid losing to the D-Bags for the 5th time this season while putting team on the brink of their 3rd trip to the League Championship Series for the 3rd time in 4 season.
GO D-BAGS
Friday, March 28, 2014
Meet Your Jersey Shore Bullpen
After a long run of familiar names and faces the longtime strong point of Jersey Shore pitching has finally turned itself over to a new younger and from what we have seen so far......familiar results. Gone are the leaders in most Jersey pitching categories. Jaime Saenz, Jose Gomes, Lucio Tapia and Daniel Morris have all left over the last 4 off seasons testing free agency and chasing big bucks.
Two weeks before the All-Star break the D-bags bullpen stands with a respectable 3.38 ERA, which is good for 5th in a strong CL. While this could be more impressive, remember that this include Hyo-chin Kim missing the entire season with Tommy John Surgery. Kim finished 3rd in bullpen VORP behind Saenz and new closer Jose Ruiz. So where did this group come from and how did they get here? Let's meet them.
Phillip Moran, 31 years old. Acquired in trade with LA Bruins, 12/8/2018. The elder statesmen of the group and the newest member as well. Moran was lost in the shuffle of a strong rotation and strong pen in LA. He almost has as many games and innings as he had in the past 2 seasons as a Bruin. A hard throwing lefty who is usually one of the first men out of the pen.
Yin-zhen Zong, 28 years old. Drafted by Jersey Shore in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. Zong is one of a handful of players drafted past the 5th round of the 2013 draft to see the Major Leagues. He spent 5 years in the minor leagues before becoming a contributing member of the pen last season. He started the years as the set-up man, but with a knack of giving up the long ball, 9 HR in 37.2 IP, he has been regulated to middle relief duty. Like Moran, a very hard thrower, averages nearly 13 K/9.
Junior Mateo, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2015 season. Mateo worked his way through the Jersey farm system finding a spot in the bullpen just this season. In fact on the season he has only pitched 11 innings so far. His high movement and high groundball percentage makes me an excellent candidate for a D-Bag pitcher though his control is on the low side. He can hit 101 MPH on a good day.
Pedro Vega, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2013 season. Vega was in his 7th season in the minor leagues before being promoted earlier this year due to injuries. He projects as a middle of the road left handed bullpen arm who should succeed if he keeps the ball out of the upper half of the strike zone. Has appeared sparingly this season only seeing 9 innings of action.
Gerald Johnson, 23 years old. Drafted in the 2015 Supplemental Round 1, pick acquired for loss of CL Gordon Brown. Johnson went from A ball to AAA last season and this year is sharing the primary set-up man duties with Angel Lara. Possibly the most talented member of the pen, Johnson throws two nasty pitches in his fastball and change-up while striking batters out at a high rate. The one part of his game which isn't refined is his control. He has walked 21 batters this season.
Angel Lara, 23 years old. Signed as a Minor League free agent in 2013. Lara broke out last season, posting a 2.93 ERA in 55 IP and though his ERA has been higher this year, he has been a much more efficient pitcher. He can hit 99 MPH with his fastball and has a devastating 2nd pitch in his curve-ball and in 85+ IP in his Major League career has only allowed 2 HR.
Jose Ruiz, 26 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2010 season. Though it's not 100 percent certain, we think Ruiz was the first player discovered by Jersey Shore in the history of the franchise as a 16 year old. Being in the organization since 2010 puts him on a shortlist of players to be with the franchise since then. He first appeared in the pen during the 2014 season and at age 26, this is his 5th big league season and 1st as a closer. He may not stick in that position but has been great so far. He leads the CL in saves with 22 and has a WHIP under 1.00.
Hopefully a couple of these young guns can plant their places and once be known as a Jaime Saenz or a Jose Gomes. Until then it will be fun to watch them improve and backup a rotation that has rebounded nicely from the disaster that was 2018.
GO D-BAGS
Two weeks before the All-Star break the D-bags bullpen stands with a respectable 3.38 ERA, which is good for 5th in a strong CL. While this could be more impressive, remember that this include Hyo-chin Kim missing the entire season with Tommy John Surgery. Kim finished 3rd in bullpen VORP behind Saenz and new closer Jose Ruiz. So where did this group come from and how did they get here? Let's meet them.
Phillip Moran, 31 years old. Acquired in trade with LA Bruins, 12/8/2018. The elder statesmen of the group and the newest member as well. Moran was lost in the shuffle of a strong rotation and strong pen in LA. He almost has as many games and innings as he had in the past 2 seasons as a Bruin. A hard throwing lefty who is usually one of the first men out of the pen.
Yin-zhen Zong, 28 years old. Drafted by Jersey Shore in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. Zong is one of a handful of players drafted past the 5th round of the 2013 draft to see the Major Leagues. He spent 5 years in the minor leagues before becoming a contributing member of the pen last season. He started the years as the set-up man, but with a knack of giving up the long ball, 9 HR in 37.2 IP, he has been regulated to middle relief duty. Like Moran, a very hard thrower, averages nearly 13 K/9.
Junior Mateo, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2015 season. Mateo worked his way through the Jersey farm system finding a spot in the bullpen just this season. In fact on the season he has only pitched 11 innings so far. His high movement and high groundball percentage makes me an excellent candidate for a D-Bag pitcher though his control is on the low side. He can hit 101 MPH on a good day.
Pedro Vega, 24 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2013 season. Vega was in his 7th season in the minor leagues before being promoted earlier this year due to injuries. He projects as a middle of the road left handed bullpen arm who should succeed if he keeps the ball out of the upper half of the strike zone. Has appeared sparingly this season only seeing 9 innings of action.
Gerald Johnson, 23 years old. Drafted in the 2015 Supplemental Round 1, pick acquired for loss of CL Gordon Brown. Johnson went from A ball to AAA last season and this year is sharing the primary set-up man duties with Angel Lara. Possibly the most talented member of the pen, Johnson throws two nasty pitches in his fastball and change-up while striking batters out at a high rate. The one part of his game which isn't refined is his control. He has walked 21 batters this season.
Angel Lara, 23 years old. Signed as a Minor League free agent in 2013. Lara broke out last season, posting a 2.93 ERA in 55 IP and though his ERA has been higher this year, he has been a much more efficient pitcher. He can hit 99 MPH with his fastball and has a devastating 2nd pitch in his curve-ball and in 85+ IP in his Major League career has only allowed 2 HR.
Jose Ruiz, 26 years old. Discovered by Jersey scouts during the 2010 season. Though it's not 100 percent certain, we think Ruiz was the first player discovered by Jersey Shore in the history of the franchise as a 16 year old. Being in the organization since 2010 puts him on a shortlist of players to be with the franchise since then. He first appeared in the pen during the 2014 season and at age 26, this is his 5th big league season and 1st as a closer. He may not stick in that position but has been great so far. He leads the CL in saves with 22 and has a WHIP under 1.00.
Hopefully a couple of these young guns can plant their places and once be known as a Jaime Saenz or a Jose Gomes. Until then it will be fun to watch them improve and backup a rotation that has rebounded nicely from the disaster that was 2018.
GO D-BAGS
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