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.
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