As we embark on the 2023 amateur draft his week, let's look back at the draft that happened 10 years ago. The players were drafted were generally between the ages of 18 and 22 and at the time when selecting teams might have been thinking they just signed a star for the future in those rounds. Or possibly just taking a waiver on someone late not thinking they would ever see a ML roster. I will warn you, the 2013 draft was light.......to say the least.
The 1st overall pick in the draft went to the New Orleans Looters who selected 5-tool potential CF Arturo Rodriguez out of Maris High School. He signed for $8M and was assigned to the Looters minor league system where he would spend nearly 5 years before making his debut in New Orelans during the 2018 season. He would spend 5 years there peaking in the 2020 season with a 7.4 WAR before leaving this past offseason and signing with Los Cabos. Career wise for a #1 pick his stats are a little under whelming. .285/.330/.456, 17.8 career WAR, 110 HR, 447 RBI.
Picks 2 and 4 were taken by Reno and Maui and were not signed, so let's take them out of the equation.
Pick 3 went to the Seattle...at the time....Kings, who selected SP Drew "Onion" Schaefer, 22 year old starting pitcher out of Texas A&M. He signed for $9.69M and was given a 2 year major league contract worth $2.9M. Less than 2 months after he was selected there was some controversy, but it will go down as Niagara Falls claimed Schaefer off of waivers. He would spend 2 season in the NFF system before being called up at age 25. He was traded to Jersey Shore 2 years later where he would struggle, bounce around the league to 5 more franchises before ultimately being released by Vista early this season. He is currently a 32 year old free agent. It was a tough ride. At the moment he has a 16-20 record, 6.20 ERA and a career WAR of 0.4.
Rounding out the Top 5, St. Louis selected 2B Joe Sanders out of Purdue University. He signed for $5.29M. He spent almost 3 years in the Browns system before being called up. He won the 2017 ROY award, has a gold glove and has been selected to 2 AS games. While he has a great bat and even better eye, injuries have really limited his production. Nonetheless at age 32 he is starting for the Browns, has 26.9 career WAR and a .310/.384/.379 line and is probably the best pick of the Top 5.
The best player overall in the draft is the unquestionable Dave Dodd of Jersey Shore. Selected as the 2nd pick in the 2nd round by Reno, Dodd was released the same year he was drafted. Jersey took a flyer on the power bat where he toiled around the Jersey Shore system for 3 seasons before making his debut in 2016. Always good speed and glove, Dodd started out as a boom or bust hitter, hitting a lot of home runs and striking out more often than not. Dodd since then has established him as one of the game's most feared hitters, posting a league record in WAR at 12.1, winning a triple crown and 2 MVP trophies.
Currently the best pitcher in the draft would be SP Carlos Lopez, selected by St. Louis as the 1st pick in the Supplemental 1st round. Lopez was drafted out of Texas Tech and made his debut in 2015. 2016 was his break out year where he would 10-3 and a 2.56 ERA. His season was cut short with major arm surgery and he was never the same pitcher. He would pitch in the Browns rotation until 2021 where he came out of the bullpen. He signed a 3 year deal with Austin prior to the 2022 season and is currently part of their rotation. His career stats stand as: 54-50, 4.11 ERA and 9.8 WAR.
Other notable picks include All-Stars OF Alden Lindsey picked 6th overall by Irvine, 3B Richard Coker picked 20th overall by Jersey Shore, and Eliot Helen selected in the 2nd round by St. Louis.
Late round steals include Ryan Campbell selected in the 4th round by San Francisco, Tom Carey 5th round pick of Baffin Island and Jose Padilla 6th round pick of Greenville. All 3 have played in more than 350 games at the major league level.
The 2nd to last pick in this draft actually made the Major Leagues, which is mind boggling. SS Finley Frogley was taken by Hendersonville out of the University of Michigan in the 10th round, pick 27. A pure utility infielder, Frogley appeared in 1 game for the Hitmen in 2018 and actually started 22 games for them in 2018. While his bat was well......not good. .167/.183/.218, he did put up a +1.7 ZR playing shortstop.
As for pitchers, the last pitcher selected to make the Majors was Ramon Soto taken as the 3rd pick in the 8th round by Seattle. He appeared in 3 different seasons from 2018-2020, pitching in 34 games to the tune of a 5.77 ERA. He is currently pitching for Maui's AAA club.
What will this year's draft bring? Will you draft a bust like Schaefer? Will you find a gem like Dodd in the 2nd round or maybe a utility man late? That's the fun in the draft, no one knows what will happen. Happy Drafting!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Future of the BSA; All 24 and Under Team
There are names around the BSA you hear from on a daily basis. Taking a look at the standings can generally give a decent view of who the best team is out there. But who are the BSA's young stars and future faces of franchises? Here is a team of all player's 24 years or younger, whom you will be hearing about over the next decade of BSA baseball. I only included players who are currently on a BSA roster. There's a ton of talent not quite here and they have been omitted. Here's your 25 man roster:
The Rotation
SP: Kevin Bush, Pocatello, Age 23. Already one of the best pitchers in the BSA, Bush won 25 games last season as a 22 year old. He was discovered in Canada as a 17 year old and spent 3 years in the minor leagues before earning a spot in the Boccabellas' rotation full time in 2020. He will likely get to 60 career wins before the age of 24 and his 9.2 WAR from a year ago ranks the 20th best season ever from a starting pitcher.
SP Hong-Ryul Yun, New York, 22 years old. Hailing from South Korea, Yun burst on to the scene last year with a 21-6 record and leading the Knight's rotation to their first playoff appearance ever. A lefty who can hit triple digits on the gun, had 254 K's last season averaging nearly 10 per 9 innings. Awarded $4.75M this past season in arbitration, he could be headed towards one of the biggest contracts in BSA history if he ever were to hit the FA market.
SP Roland Martin, Jersey Shore, 24 years old. The oldest of the bunch, Martin turns 25 in just 2 weeks. He was the D-Bags 1st round choice in the 2017 amateur draft. He spent parts if 5 season in the minors before making his debut in 2021. Martin made a name for himself last season with a 16-9 record winning himself the CL Rookie of the Year award and also a 5 year contract extension that will keep him in Jersey Shore through the 2027 season.
SP Dionisio Penni, Reno, 23 years old. Penni was the 1st overall pick in the draft in 2020 out of Maryland who spent parts of 3 seasons in the Reno minor league system. He dominated AAA batters in AAA last season before being called up. Despite struggling as a rookie in 10 starts last season, he came out hot this season, pitching to a 2.84 ERA in 38 innings before shoulder inflammation put him on the DL. He will miss most of this season, but watch out for him in the future.
SP Jose Martinez, Austin, 23 years old. Martinez was the 14th overall pick in the talent rich 2020 draft, hailing from Villanova. Making the Austin rotation this season, he is the only true rookie on the list. In his 1st 10 BSA starts he is 6-1, 2.13 ERA while striking out 9.1 hitters per 9 innings. He can hit triple digits with his fastball to go with a nasty splitter and a great cutter. He will turn 24 next month, watch out CL Central.
Honorable Mentions: Eduardo Trujillo GRN, Vicente Duran LCC, Arthur Green BRM, Geoffrey Keller CHI, Daniel Grant TOR
The Pen
MR Jorge Aybar. Cleveland, 23 years old. Aybar was signed out of Cuba as a 19 year by the San Francisco organization. Since then he has been traded twice, first to Toronto and then to Cleveland. Though he has pitched very little over AA ball and only 15 innings as a rookie, he has big potential. A left hander who can hit 100 MPH with a nasty cut fastball, he could one day anchor a bullpen.
MR Ienobu Sato, New Orleans, 23 years old. Sato was discovered in Japan by a Looters scout and signed in March of 2019. A true rookie this year making the New Orleans pen after an excellent 2022 campaign in AA. He has an electric fastball which has helped him average 9/k per 9 innings over his minor league career. He avoids giving up home runs and has future closer written all over him..
MR Valentin Resendez, Chicago, 24 years old. A Cuban left hander who signed with Chicago during the 2017 season. He pitched for 5 season for Chicago's A club, dominating from the closers role the last 3 years before making the Chicago pen last year. He had a great rookie season with a 2.97 ERA in 91 innings, tallying 107 K's. He is currently working in a setup role, but wouldn't be surprised to take over the closer's role sometime as early as this year.
MR Cesar Menendez, Chiago, 24 years old. Teaming up with Resendez, these two have the makings of a devastating back end of a bullpen. Discovered in Venezuela by St. Louis, he has since been traded to Los Angeles and then to Chicago. A right hander who can hit 100 with his fastball, put up a 3.04 ERA in his rookie year last in 53 innings.
MR David Simpson, Birmingham, 24 years old. Drafted in the 2nd round and 48th overall by the Steeldogs in 2020, Simpson only threw 143 innings before making his BSA debut in 2021. His true rookie year was last year where he was excellent with a 2.31 ERA in nearly 60 innings. He has increased his K totals this year which could mean he still has room to grow.
CL Christian Escobar, Seattle, 24 years old. Former Top 5 prospect hailing from Mexico who server as the Pike's primary closer last season, saving 22 games. He was set have a breakout year this year, before being sidelined with shoulder inflmmation that will keep him out nearly the entire season. With an excellent fastball and splitter as well as impeccable control, he has the potential to be one of the best relievers out there in the long run.
The Lineup
C Rich Anderson, Orlando, 22 years old. Anderson was the 19th overall pick out of Washington in 2020. He was ranked the 35th overall prospect before this season where he made his BSA debut. His bat profiles as potentially one of the better ones under the age of 25. He has hit .276/.308/.379 in his first 91 PA before going down with a torn abdominal muscle which will keep him out another month.
1B Jeff Daniels, Reno, 24 years old. The 8th overall pick from Reno in 2018, Daniels was a Top 20 prospect for years before busting out last year. he hit .320/.395/.443, good for 39 doubles a 3.4 WAR. His average and OBP were both Top 10 in the BSA last year and he should contend for batting titles for years to come.
2B Jose Sanchez, Birmingham, 24 years old. A Cuban born player who came to Birmingham via Boston in the Jose Hildalgo trade of 2020. He finished 2nd in the NL ROY voting last year, where he finished with near 3 WAR with his .324/.383/.406 line. Sanchez has elite speed and rarely ever strikes out. He should become a threat at 200 hits every season in the future.
SS Dani Vazquez, Reno, 22 years old. Vazquez was discovered by an Irvine scout in 2017 before being dealt to Toronto in 2018. He was one of the main pieces in come to Reno in the famed Seung-chun Mun trade. Vazquez was once thought to be a glove first SS, but now profiles as a top of the order threat. Plus contact, eye and powers to the gap could eventually make him one of the game's best table setters.
3B Jose Salazar, Irvine, 24 years old. Yet another Cuban who was traded to Irvine in 2018 from Baffin Island in the Kyuso Fujita trade. Salazar broke out in 2021 when he won the NL's ROY award as well as a Gold Glove at 3B. He went through a sophomore slump last year and looks to bounce back this year. He rarely strikes out and could walk more than K's in the future. Even if his bat never matures like his potential say they could, his defense is elite.
LF Vicente Bueno, Greenville, 24 years old. A Mexican born player who was signed with the Kansas City franchise in 2016. He was traded twice that year, first to Baffin Island and then to Greenville. A plus-plus defender with elite speed and above average gap power and contact, he is a weapon. Bueno hit .288/.319/.505 in 25 games last year as a rookie and this season already has 10 HR and is hitting .335 in just 42 games.
CF Dante Owens, Niagara Falls, 22 years old. A Candian import for the Frenzy, Owens was considered a Top 5 prospect last season when he made his BSA debut. In 373 PA, Owens hit .290/.342/.470 while leading the BSA in triples with 14. While his power doesn't seem to be matured yet, Owens has the speed and gap power to possibly hit 60 doubles in the future and carry above a 300 average. With decent defense in CF, he could be great sooner than later.
RF Jesus Campos, Irvine, 24 years old. Drafted 5th overall in the 2020 draft out of Cal, it only took him 64 minor league games to reach the pros. He was selected to the NL All Star team, won the NL ROY award and a Gold Glove all in his rookie year in 2021. He has top of the line elite speed, one of the better OF defenders in the game and is only getting better with the bat. He is on pace this season for 23 doubles, 30 triples and 20 Homers to go with 23 stolen bases. Scary good.
DH Antonio Ortega, Seattle, 24 years old. Ortega came to Seattle via UCLA in the 2nd round of the 20202 draft. Always a good contact hitter, Ortega was never seen as a big prospect until lately. Last season in AA, he hit 43 doubles, 23 HR and 88 RBI putting up 4.5 WAR. He made Seattle's roster this year and has played 50 games at 1B, hitting .298/.332/.468 with 12 doubles, 6 HR and 31 RBI. He signed a very cheap extension that will keep him in Seattle for the next 5 years. Is he the next big thing in the pacific northwest?
The Bench
C Vicente Aguirre, Madison, 22 years old. A former Top 50 prospect from the Dominican Republic, he won the Bombers backup catcher position this season. While his strikeout numbers in the minors are a little alarming he profiles out to be a plus contact hitter with great gap power and could add 20 HR a year one day.
2B Marcos Vargas, Chicago, 24 years old. Cuban born, signed with Greenville during the 2015 season. He was traded to Los Angeles in 2018 and then on to Chicago in 2020 in the Jose Valdez trade. Vargas had a solid rookie year in 2021 with 45 extra base hits to go with a .270/.345/.396 line. He slumped badly last year, being one of the worst full time starting options in the BSA. He has bounced back in a big way this year, hitting .336 through 150 PA and on pace for 50+ doubles.
SS Taylor McFarlane, Hendersonville, 23 years old. A 3rd round pick by Los Angeles, he was traded to the Hitmen in this offseason's trade to acquire SP Mendez. Though his bat doesn't quite seem ready for the BSA, his defense is what lands him on this list. He is an elite defender all over the infield, his bat should be good enough to land him as a starter at any infield position.
LF Troy Donaldson, New York, 24 years old. The 6th overall pick in 2018 out of High School, Donaldson spent years on the Top 25 prospect lists before making his debut in 2021. He struggled as a rookie, but had a nice sophomore season last year, hitting .99/..327/.513 with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 10 HR and 14 stolen bases. He should be one of the better defenders in LF this season and if his bat comes around he could over 300 with 25+ home runs.
RF Tom Blake, Reno, 24 years old. Drafted 34th overall by the Cards in 2020, Blake has hit over .300 at every stop in the minors before debuting last year for Reno. He struggled with the stick last year, striking out over 31% of his at bats. 2023 has been a whole new world for Blake though. He is hitting .361/.429/.660, has 13 HR, 48 RBI and 2.5 WAR through just 49 games. This could shape up as a very special season for Blake and the Cards.
There were a ton of choices for bats, it was tough picking just 14 for the roster. And there you have it, your all 24 and under team. The future of the BSA.
The Rotation
SP: Kevin Bush, Pocatello, Age 23. Already one of the best pitchers in the BSA, Bush won 25 games last season as a 22 year old. He was discovered in Canada as a 17 year old and spent 3 years in the minor leagues before earning a spot in the Boccabellas' rotation full time in 2020. He will likely get to 60 career wins before the age of 24 and his 9.2 WAR from a year ago ranks the 20th best season ever from a starting pitcher.
SP Hong-Ryul Yun, New York, 22 years old. Hailing from South Korea, Yun burst on to the scene last year with a 21-6 record and leading the Knight's rotation to their first playoff appearance ever. A lefty who can hit triple digits on the gun, had 254 K's last season averaging nearly 10 per 9 innings. Awarded $4.75M this past season in arbitration, he could be headed towards one of the biggest contracts in BSA history if he ever were to hit the FA market.
SP Roland Martin, Jersey Shore, 24 years old. The oldest of the bunch, Martin turns 25 in just 2 weeks. He was the D-Bags 1st round choice in the 2017 amateur draft. He spent parts if 5 season in the minors before making his debut in 2021. Martin made a name for himself last season with a 16-9 record winning himself the CL Rookie of the Year award and also a 5 year contract extension that will keep him in Jersey Shore through the 2027 season.
SP Dionisio Penni, Reno, 23 years old. Penni was the 1st overall pick in the draft in 2020 out of Maryland who spent parts of 3 seasons in the Reno minor league system. He dominated AAA batters in AAA last season before being called up. Despite struggling as a rookie in 10 starts last season, he came out hot this season, pitching to a 2.84 ERA in 38 innings before shoulder inflammation put him on the DL. He will miss most of this season, but watch out for him in the future.
SP Jose Martinez, Austin, 23 years old. Martinez was the 14th overall pick in the talent rich 2020 draft, hailing from Villanova. Making the Austin rotation this season, he is the only true rookie on the list. In his 1st 10 BSA starts he is 6-1, 2.13 ERA while striking out 9.1 hitters per 9 innings. He can hit triple digits with his fastball to go with a nasty splitter and a great cutter. He will turn 24 next month, watch out CL Central.
Honorable Mentions: Eduardo Trujillo GRN, Vicente Duran LCC, Arthur Green BRM, Geoffrey Keller CHI, Daniel Grant TOR
The Pen
MR Jorge Aybar. Cleveland, 23 years old. Aybar was signed out of Cuba as a 19 year by the San Francisco organization. Since then he has been traded twice, first to Toronto and then to Cleveland. Though he has pitched very little over AA ball and only 15 innings as a rookie, he has big potential. A left hander who can hit 100 MPH with a nasty cut fastball, he could one day anchor a bullpen.
MR Ienobu Sato, New Orleans, 23 years old. Sato was discovered in Japan by a Looters scout and signed in March of 2019. A true rookie this year making the New Orleans pen after an excellent 2022 campaign in AA. He has an electric fastball which has helped him average 9/k per 9 innings over his minor league career. He avoids giving up home runs and has future closer written all over him..
MR Valentin Resendez, Chicago, 24 years old. A Cuban left hander who signed with Chicago during the 2017 season. He pitched for 5 season for Chicago's A club, dominating from the closers role the last 3 years before making the Chicago pen last year. He had a great rookie season with a 2.97 ERA in 91 innings, tallying 107 K's. He is currently working in a setup role, but wouldn't be surprised to take over the closer's role sometime as early as this year.
MR Cesar Menendez, Chiago, 24 years old. Teaming up with Resendez, these two have the makings of a devastating back end of a bullpen. Discovered in Venezuela by St. Louis, he has since been traded to Los Angeles and then to Chicago. A right hander who can hit 100 with his fastball, put up a 3.04 ERA in his rookie year last in 53 innings.
MR David Simpson, Birmingham, 24 years old. Drafted in the 2nd round and 48th overall by the Steeldogs in 2020, Simpson only threw 143 innings before making his BSA debut in 2021. His true rookie year was last year where he was excellent with a 2.31 ERA in nearly 60 innings. He has increased his K totals this year which could mean he still has room to grow.
CL Christian Escobar, Seattle, 24 years old. Former Top 5 prospect hailing from Mexico who server as the Pike's primary closer last season, saving 22 games. He was set have a breakout year this year, before being sidelined with shoulder inflmmation that will keep him out nearly the entire season. With an excellent fastball and splitter as well as impeccable control, he has the potential to be one of the best relievers out there in the long run.
The Lineup
C Rich Anderson, Orlando, 22 years old. Anderson was the 19th overall pick out of Washington in 2020. He was ranked the 35th overall prospect before this season where he made his BSA debut. His bat profiles as potentially one of the better ones under the age of 25. He has hit .276/.308/.379 in his first 91 PA before going down with a torn abdominal muscle which will keep him out another month.
1B Jeff Daniels, Reno, 24 years old. The 8th overall pick from Reno in 2018, Daniels was a Top 20 prospect for years before busting out last year. he hit .320/.395/.443, good for 39 doubles a 3.4 WAR. His average and OBP were both Top 10 in the BSA last year and he should contend for batting titles for years to come.
2B Jose Sanchez, Birmingham, 24 years old. A Cuban born player who came to Birmingham via Boston in the Jose Hildalgo trade of 2020. He finished 2nd in the NL ROY voting last year, where he finished with near 3 WAR with his .324/.383/.406 line. Sanchez has elite speed and rarely ever strikes out. He should become a threat at 200 hits every season in the future.
SS Dani Vazquez, Reno, 22 years old. Vazquez was discovered by an Irvine scout in 2017 before being dealt to Toronto in 2018. He was one of the main pieces in come to Reno in the famed Seung-chun Mun trade. Vazquez was once thought to be a glove first SS, but now profiles as a top of the order threat. Plus contact, eye and powers to the gap could eventually make him one of the game's best table setters.
3B Jose Salazar, Irvine, 24 years old. Yet another Cuban who was traded to Irvine in 2018 from Baffin Island in the Kyuso Fujita trade. Salazar broke out in 2021 when he won the NL's ROY award as well as a Gold Glove at 3B. He went through a sophomore slump last year and looks to bounce back this year. He rarely strikes out and could walk more than K's in the future. Even if his bat never matures like his potential say they could, his defense is elite.
LF Vicente Bueno, Greenville, 24 years old. A Mexican born player who was signed with the Kansas City franchise in 2016. He was traded twice that year, first to Baffin Island and then to Greenville. A plus-plus defender with elite speed and above average gap power and contact, he is a weapon. Bueno hit .288/.319/.505 in 25 games last year as a rookie and this season already has 10 HR and is hitting .335 in just 42 games.
CF Dante Owens, Niagara Falls, 22 years old. A Candian import for the Frenzy, Owens was considered a Top 5 prospect last season when he made his BSA debut. In 373 PA, Owens hit .290/.342/.470 while leading the BSA in triples with 14. While his power doesn't seem to be matured yet, Owens has the speed and gap power to possibly hit 60 doubles in the future and carry above a 300 average. With decent defense in CF, he could be great sooner than later.
RF Jesus Campos, Irvine, 24 years old. Drafted 5th overall in the 2020 draft out of Cal, it only took him 64 minor league games to reach the pros. He was selected to the NL All Star team, won the NL ROY award and a Gold Glove all in his rookie year in 2021. He has top of the line elite speed, one of the better OF defenders in the game and is only getting better with the bat. He is on pace this season for 23 doubles, 30 triples and 20 Homers to go with 23 stolen bases. Scary good.
DH Antonio Ortega, Seattle, 24 years old. Ortega came to Seattle via UCLA in the 2nd round of the 20202 draft. Always a good contact hitter, Ortega was never seen as a big prospect until lately. Last season in AA, he hit 43 doubles, 23 HR and 88 RBI putting up 4.5 WAR. He made Seattle's roster this year and has played 50 games at 1B, hitting .298/.332/.468 with 12 doubles, 6 HR and 31 RBI. He signed a very cheap extension that will keep him in Seattle for the next 5 years. Is he the next big thing in the pacific northwest?
The Bench
C Vicente Aguirre, Madison, 22 years old. A former Top 50 prospect from the Dominican Republic, he won the Bombers backup catcher position this season. While his strikeout numbers in the minors are a little alarming he profiles out to be a plus contact hitter with great gap power and could add 20 HR a year one day.
2B Marcos Vargas, Chicago, 24 years old. Cuban born, signed with Greenville during the 2015 season. He was traded to Los Angeles in 2018 and then on to Chicago in 2020 in the Jose Valdez trade. Vargas had a solid rookie year in 2021 with 45 extra base hits to go with a .270/.345/.396 line. He slumped badly last year, being one of the worst full time starting options in the BSA. He has bounced back in a big way this year, hitting .336 through 150 PA and on pace for 50+ doubles.
SS Taylor McFarlane, Hendersonville, 23 years old. A 3rd round pick by Los Angeles, he was traded to the Hitmen in this offseason's trade to acquire SP Mendez. Though his bat doesn't quite seem ready for the BSA, his defense is what lands him on this list. He is an elite defender all over the infield, his bat should be good enough to land him as a starter at any infield position.
LF Troy Donaldson, New York, 24 years old. The 6th overall pick in 2018 out of High School, Donaldson spent years on the Top 25 prospect lists before making his debut in 2021. He struggled as a rookie, but had a nice sophomore season last year, hitting .99/..327/.513 with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 10 HR and 14 stolen bases. He should be one of the better defenders in LF this season and if his bat comes around he could over 300 with 25+ home runs.
RF Tom Blake, Reno, 24 years old. Drafted 34th overall by the Cards in 2020, Blake has hit over .300 at every stop in the minors before debuting last year for Reno. He struggled with the stick last year, striking out over 31% of his at bats. 2023 has been a whole new world for Blake though. He is hitting .361/.429/.660, has 13 HR, 48 RBI and 2.5 WAR through just 49 games. This could shape up as a very special season for Blake and the Cards.
There were a ton of choices for bats, it was tough picking just 14 for the roster. And there you have it, your all 24 and under team. The future of the BSA.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
April Breezes By; Jersey Leads CL East
The Jersey Shore D-Bags have loaded up once again and take aim at their try for a first World Series title ever after failing in 3 previous attempts. First off though, they must get make their way through a grueling season, but with a 16-8 April they are off on the right foot, but it didn't begin that way. The month got off to a rough start losing the first 4 games of the season, including a 3 game sweep at the hands of division rival, the St. Louis Browns. That was followed up by a 8-6 loss in Seattle and not a start they had envisioned. Things changed from there as they would only lose one other series all month and that was to John Bosma's Greenville 84's.
Led by ace Jose Ramos, who would win the CL Award for Pitcher of the Month, going 4-1 in 5 starts with a 0.88 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 27/4 K/BB ratio. It is Ramos's 6th POTM award. The rest of the staff overall was brilliant outside from the struggles of SP Sergio Martinez who did only finish the month at 0-1, but a 6.33 ERA averaging just over 5 innings per start didn't help.
After a great 2020 season which earned 1B Tadahisa Kisuki the CL Rookie of the Year honors, a 2021 season which Kiuski had a WAR of 6.6 and looked he was a for sure superstar to be was derailed in 2022 when his numbers fell sharply in all categories. He looks out to regain that momentum he had in 2021 with a monster April. Kisuki hit .391/.436/.736 with 8 HR, 13 RBI, 6 2B and scoring 17 runs primarily hitting out of the 2 hole in the lineup.
Not to be outdone was your 2 time MVP Dave Dodd who was right behind Kisuki with 6 HR, 19 RBI, a CL leading 4 intentional walks to go along with 10 stolen bases. Dodd has started the 2023 campaign on pace for 11.6 WAR which would be his 2nd highest total behind his Triple Crown season.
Down on the Farm
Leading the AAA Tuscaloosa charge are two bats you very might well see in Jersey this season. Those two players would be RF Albert Morgan and 2B Ricardo Gonzalez. They combined for 79 hits, 16 doubles, 36 RBI and 36 walks in 26 games for the month. Morgan, who profiles as a DH and possibly a RF in a pinch saw a little use in spring training and as of right now he sits off of the 40 man roster. Gonzalez was seen a lot in Spring Training, starting at both middle infield positions but struggled mightily with the stick. His improving bat and eye to go along with his elite defense are good reasons why he has seen as Jersey's long term solution at 2B to replace the eventual face of the franchise, Mike Bryant.
Even with Jersey's hot start, the Greenville 84's finished the month 15-10, while the St. Louis Browns sit at 13-13. This year should be another tight race as we trudge through the last year of the league containing 28 teams. There is a lot to watch for in Jersey and around the league as a lot of young and upcoming stars are replacing the stars of yesteryear. 2023 is a transition for the BSA and hopefully that means Jersey Shore transitioning into finally getting over the hump and winning that title.
Led by ace Jose Ramos, who would win the CL Award for Pitcher of the Month, going 4-1 in 5 starts with a 0.88 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 27/4 K/BB ratio. It is Ramos's 6th POTM award. The rest of the staff overall was brilliant outside from the struggles of SP Sergio Martinez who did only finish the month at 0-1, but a 6.33 ERA averaging just over 5 innings per start didn't help.
After a great 2020 season which earned 1B Tadahisa Kisuki the CL Rookie of the Year honors, a 2021 season which Kiuski had a WAR of 6.6 and looked he was a for sure superstar to be was derailed in 2022 when his numbers fell sharply in all categories. He looks out to regain that momentum he had in 2021 with a monster April. Kisuki hit .391/.436/.736 with 8 HR, 13 RBI, 6 2B and scoring 17 runs primarily hitting out of the 2 hole in the lineup.
Not to be outdone was your 2 time MVP Dave Dodd who was right behind Kisuki with 6 HR, 19 RBI, a CL leading 4 intentional walks to go along with 10 stolen bases. Dodd has started the 2023 campaign on pace for 11.6 WAR which would be his 2nd highest total behind his Triple Crown season.
Down on the Farm
Leading the AAA Tuscaloosa charge are two bats you very might well see in Jersey this season. Those two players would be RF Albert Morgan and 2B Ricardo Gonzalez. They combined for 79 hits, 16 doubles, 36 RBI and 36 walks in 26 games for the month. Morgan, who profiles as a DH and possibly a RF in a pinch saw a little use in spring training and as of right now he sits off of the 40 man roster. Gonzalez was seen a lot in Spring Training, starting at both middle infield positions but struggled mightily with the stick. His improving bat and eye to go along with his elite defense are good reasons why he has seen as Jersey's long term solution at 2B to replace the eventual face of the franchise, Mike Bryant.
Even with Jersey's hot start, the Greenville 84's finished the month 15-10, while the St. Louis Browns sit at 13-13. This year should be another tight race as we trudge through the last year of the league containing 28 teams. There is a lot to watch for in Jersey and around the league as a lot of young and upcoming stars are replacing the stars of yesteryear. 2023 is a transition for the BSA and hopefully that means Jersey Shore transitioning into finally getting over the hump and winning that title.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tracking Mikey Bryant's Assault on the Record Books; Volume 6
This will be 6th year in a row we will continue to follow Mikey Bryant's rise on the career leaderboards. The recently turned 35 year old is entering the twlight of his career as evidenced by a 4th straight year in decreasing statistics, but he was still good for a 5.0 WAR season last year. 2022 marked a decade for Bryant entreched in the middle of the Jersey Shore offensive assault and a third trip and third failure for Jersey Shore in the World Series. Bryant for the 7th year of his career hit 37+ HR, had his 8th 200+ hit season and his 9th straight 100+ RBI season.
On the downside, his 147 strikeouts were a career high as well as his stolen bases, where he only managed to swipe 2 bags all season long. His OPS of .932 was the 2nd lowest of his career, but only 1 point below that of what he put up for 2022.
Bryant's average of .322 was just 4 points below his career average and dropped him to only 2.2 points ahead of Adam Mason. Paco Rosas raised his career average by almost 4 points and is just a shade below .340 for his career. We do have a new comer to the list though, as Bill Wilson of Boston has enough career at bats to qualify and is your new leader at .3438. Bryant who fell to 3rd in career OPS last year when Paco Rosas passed him, was passed this past season by teammate Dave Dodd. Bryant sits in 4th place just a small fraction of current free agent Shumei Yokoyama.
Last season we saw Oliver Hernandez take over the career hits top position over Jason Jackson. He will get number 2700 this year as he marches towards the first BSA player to achieve 3000. With his 9th 200 hit season, Bryant he entered the Top 10 in all time hits with a tie for 9th with Manny Copriviza for 9th with 2024 hits. He should pass John Crowe this year leaving Sam Sagar as the only retired player ahead of him on the list. Bryant also had his 9th straight season with 30+ doubles which moved him into 25th place and a decent shot at hitting 400 this upcoming season, which would make him the 17th player to do so. Bryant also finished the 2022 season 4th in total bases which put him solidly in 8th all time. A good season will put him less than 100 shy of 4000, a number only achieved up to this point by Sam Sagar.
His 37 HR last year was enough to keep him in 8th place, but former teammated Matt Doyle is gaining on Mikey. Sagar should be passed and current free agent Cade Delaney sits on 14 ahead of Bryant. 35 HR will get him to the 400 mark, currently the only two BSA players to make it that high are Crowe and Yoko. Yoko enters the season 1 shy of tying Crowe for the all-time make, but is currently unsigned. Mikey drove in 115 runs last year which was enough to pass Delaney. Newell and Rivas sit in front of him, while Crowe and Sagar he would need 130+.
Another year, another productive one for Bryant who is showing gradual age, which in the BSA can be a rare thing. While he is signed through 2023, his contract for 2024 is a big one with a team option. Will this be the last year in Jersey for Bryant? Will Jersey work out a deal to keep him here or accept the $26M option? Time will tell. Father time will be telling as well.
Current All-Time Rank. (Previous 5 years are in parenthesis)
BA: 3rd (2nd, 2nd 2nd, 2nd, 1st): .3259
OPS: 4th (3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd): .9593
SLG: 2nd (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st): .5779
VORP: 8th (8th, 9th, 13th, 20th): 624.94 - apparently OOTP doesn't track anymore
Hits: 8th (14th, 27th. 34th, 57th, 96th): 2024
Doubles: 25th (29th, 42nd, 57th, 82nd, NR): 371
Triples: 15th (17th, 28th, 46th, 75th, NR): 51
Triples: 15th (17th, 28th, 46th, 75th, NR): 51
Total Bases: 8th (11th, 14th, 23rd, 41st, 73rd): 3236
HR: 8th (8th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 35th): 365
RBI: 7th (8th, 9th, 19th, 32nd, 53rd): 1230
Runs: 11th (14th, 22nd, 28th, 55th, 86th): 1133
WAR: 6th (10th, 11th,13th, 18th, 24th): 62.28
Thursday, May 28, 2015
D-Bags Head to Playoffs; Face Off Against Sheens
After missing the playoffs in 2021, the Jersey Shore D-Bags stormed back in 2022 winning 107 games and claiming the CL Wild Card with a comfortable margin. Those 107 wins are the 2nd best in team history after the 119 they won back in 2017. There were big years across the board as 4 starters won 15+ games, including Ramos and Martinez who both won 20+. Dave Dodd repeated as the CL Batting champion, while adding in 48 dingers and 130 RBI while Mike Bryant put up a very Bryant like line of .332-37 2B-37 HR-115 RBI. 3 others hit 20+ HR and they had a staggering 11 players hit double digit home runs. A great regular season no doubt, but the real season is about to begin and is the BSA playoffs.
In the 1st round the D-Bags will meet the St. Charles Sheens who won the CL West with a franchise best 101-61 season and the franchise's 1st playoff appearance since 2013 when they were located in Denver. The Sheens feature a good core of homegrown talent that includes Ware, Moss and Cantu. A group of players that joined through savvy trades including O'Sullivan, Wheeler, Mendelson, Escobedo, Carter and Rivera. And it's a young team with the only player over the age of 30 multiple All-Star catcher Victor Antelo. A well rounded team, young, hungry team.
With Jersey getting the Wild Card, St. Charles will be the host team and have the home field advantage at 4 games to 3. St. Charles won the season series 5-4 with 5 of those games being decided by only 1 run. Expect these series to be similar and close like the season series was.
Jersey Projected Starting Rotation:
Game 1 - Jose Ramos
Game 2 - Sergio Martinez
Game 3 - Roland Martin
Game 4 - Ramon Ruiz
Projected Starting Lineup Game 1:
LF Ricardo Berroa
1B Tadahisa Kisuki
DH Mike Bryant
RF Dave Dodd
C Fernando Ramos
2B Lawrence Schroeder
CF Fransisco Torres
3B Fabrice Brodeur
SS John Moore
GO D-BAGS
In the 1st round the D-Bags will meet the St. Charles Sheens who won the CL West with a franchise best 101-61 season and the franchise's 1st playoff appearance since 2013 when they were located in Denver. The Sheens feature a good core of homegrown talent that includes Ware, Moss and Cantu. A group of players that joined through savvy trades including O'Sullivan, Wheeler, Mendelson, Escobedo, Carter and Rivera. And it's a young team with the only player over the age of 30 multiple All-Star catcher Victor Antelo. A well rounded team, young, hungry team.
With Jersey getting the Wild Card, St. Charles will be the host team and have the home field advantage at 4 games to 3. St. Charles won the season series 5-4 with 5 of those games being decided by only 1 run. Expect these series to be similar and close like the season series was.
Jersey Projected Starting Rotation:
Game 1 - Jose Ramos
Game 2 - Sergio Martinez
Game 3 - Roland Martin
Game 4 - Ramon Ruiz
Projected Starting Lineup Game 1:
LF Ricardo Berroa
1B Tadahisa Kisuki
DH Mike Bryant
RF Dave Dodd
C Fernando Ramos
2B Lawrence Schroeder
CF Fransisco Torres
3B Fabrice Brodeur
SS John Moore
GO D-BAGS
Saturday, May 16, 2015
2022 All Star Game Roster Breakdown
In a tight All-Star game this year it was the NL scoring a run in the Top of the 9th inning to prevail in the Mid-Summer classic in a 5-4 game. Joe Cameron of Los Angeles earned the win, Ramon Velez of Springfield being handed the loss and Santiago Gonzalez of Hendersonville notching the save. Judson Backstrom earned the MVP award by going 2-4, scoring twice, hitting a double and Home Run while driving in 2 runs. In what will be remembered as another notch in the NL's belt as they have dominated the game in it's history. Let's break down the rosters and find a few facts.
With an injury replacement for both squads, both team's actual roster was 33 players, equaling a total of 66 All-Stars. Every team had at least 1 representative at the game and the Greenvillle 84's led the way with 7 players off of their squad. The CL was a much more experience group as only 13/33 players were making their 1st or 2nd appearance compared to the 22/33 for the NL. As usual the more appearances you add, the less players you have. The totals broke down like this:
1st Time: 24
2nd Time: 11
3rd Time: 12
4th Time: 3
5th Time: 6
6th Time: 3
7th Time: 3
8th Time: 2
9th Time: 2
Notes:
* It was the 1st time since 2012 that Los Angeles didn't have a Starting Pitcher in the game
* For 11 seasons from 2010-2020, the Frenzy always had 1 or 2 representatives. Last year they sent 3 and this year was a franchise record of 5.
*Shumei Yokoyama represented St. Louis this season making it the 4th team he has been selected for. The others were Alaska (Now Irvine), Hendersonville, Kansas City (Now Springfield)
* The only team to have the exact same representatives as last year was the Toronto Titans who sent Albert Lebel, Matt Doyle and Luis Gonzalez for the 2nd straight year
* Julian Madrid not making the team broke a streak of 6 straight times dating back to his rookie season
*The oldest player in this year's game was Tommy Smith at 37 years old
*The Youngest player in this year's game was Kevin Bush who had just turned 23, who made his 3rd straight appearance. Bush edged out fellow 23 year old Jeff Daniels by about 290 days.
With an injury replacement for both squads, both team's actual roster was 33 players, equaling a total of 66 All-Stars. Every team had at least 1 representative at the game and the Greenvillle 84's led the way with 7 players off of their squad. The CL was a much more experience group as only 13/33 players were making their 1st or 2nd appearance compared to the 22/33 for the NL. As usual the more appearances you add, the less players you have. The totals broke down like this:
1st Time: 24
2nd Time: 11
3rd Time: 12
4th Time: 3
5th Time: 6
6th Time: 3
7th Time: 3
8th Time: 2
9th Time: 2
Notes:
* It was the 1st time since 2012 that Los Angeles didn't have a Starting Pitcher in the game
* For 11 seasons from 2010-2020, the Frenzy always had 1 or 2 representatives. Last year they sent 3 and this year was a franchise record of 5.
*Shumei Yokoyama represented St. Louis this season making it the 4th team he has been selected for. The others were Alaska (Now Irvine), Hendersonville, Kansas City (Now Springfield)
* The only team to have the exact same representatives as last year was the Toronto Titans who sent Albert Lebel, Matt Doyle and Luis Gonzalez for the 2nd straight year
* Julian Madrid not making the team broke a streak of 6 straight times dating back to his rookie season
*The oldest player in this year's game was Tommy Smith at 37 years old
*The Youngest player in this year's game was Kevin Bush who had just turned 23, who made his 3rd straight appearance. Bush edged out fellow 23 year old Jeff Daniels by about 290 days.
2022 Summer Brings Jersey Shore Milestones Galore
Despite just a 13-13 month in July, both June and August have been great months for your Jersey Shore D-Bags which see them sit at a 88-43 record which is good for the 2nd best record in the entire BSA, but still trail rival Greenville by 8.5 games in the CL East standings. The 84's are on pace to best their last year's franchise record of 118 wins and to tie Jersey Shore's CL record of 119 wins.
Along with great team play from your D-Bags, we have seen many players hit milestones hit so far this season and here are a couple notable ones:
Mikey Bryant HR #350. It was July 1, 2022 when Bryant stepped to the for the 4th time in the 8th inning against the Kansas City Cougars. He was riding a 2 game HR streak to put him on #349 the day before against Toronto. With the Cougars up 5-1, they brought in tough lefty and former All-Star Joey Smith to hold down the Jersey offense. With 2 outs and no one aboard, Bryant stepped up to the plate. Before this AB Bryant was just 2-14 against Smith. Smith got ahead 0-2 before Bryant sat on a fastball and deposited 382 feet away in the RF bleachers for his 350th HR and a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. Jersey would go on to lose the game 5-2, but Bryant joined elite company. He became the 8th player to reach the 350 HR mark behind only Crowe, Yoko, Cobra, Sagar, Newell, Delaney and Rivas. At the current moment Bryant sits at 360, 13 behind Rivas, 15 behind Delaney and 17 behind Newell. 400 is certainly in Bryant's sights.
Dave Dodd HR #250. Just 2 weeks to the day after Bryant went for 350, Jersey was playing against a red-hot Pocatello team. The Bocabellas would go on to win the game which was their 19th straight win, but it was Dodd doing most of the damage for the limited Jersey offense. He gave Jersey a quick lead in the 1st with a 2-run HR off of starter Bill Bygrove, his 249th of his career. It was in the 6th inning with Jersey down 1 run that Dodd would meet Bygrove on his first offering with a mammoth 412 foot HR to Right-Center. For his career Dodd is hitting 7-8 with those 2 HR against Bygrove. At age 28, Dodd is the youngest member of the 250 HR club by 3 years and if keeps hitting at his current pace he could be joining the elite of the elite sluggers in his early 30's.
Lawrence Schroeder Hit #1000. 2014 1st round pick SS Lawrence Schroeder joined Bryant and Dodd as only the 3rd Jersey Shore player to accumulate 1000 hits in their career. On July 31st playing in San Francisco against the Bandits Schroeder would leadoff the 6th inning with a single against Pierre Dumont. It would be his only hit of the game, but would be a special one as it was his 1000th career hit. He became the 9th shortstop in BSA history to reach the mark. 2022 is proving to be Schroeder's best season as a pro and couldn't come in a better year as he is set to hit free agency this winter.
Jose Ramos Win #100. Coming into 2022 at age 26 Jose Ramos was already the franchise leader in wins at 87. A great total at only age 26 but always quite telling about the quality of starting pitching that has been in Jersey Shore over the years. With 16 wins in 2021, getting 13 wins in 2022 was almost a shoe-in without an injury, but no one predicted how quick it would come. Ramos won 9 of his 1st 10 starts and on June 17 Ramos sat with a 12-2 record through 15 starts and took the mound against St. Charles. While it wasn't his most dominate start of the season, Ramos gave up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking no one and striking out 5 in 7.2 innings, a 4-4 game from Kisuki led the Jersey offense good enough for a 5-4 victory and win #100 for Jose. The next two highest win totals for Jersey in their history are Greg Schaefer with 84 and Rob Goodship with 71. Ramos became the 56th pitcher to record 100 wins, beating Los Angeles pitcher Ramiro Jimenez to the mark by just 2 days.
A lot of celebrating has gone on this season for Jersey Shore. With just over a month left and an 8.5 game lead in the Wild Card race, could this be the year that Jersey finally celebrates the raising of a trophy in October?
GO D-BAGS
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