HBD for HDer's II experienced a banner year for internationals in 2007. The DC 42's started the year by going all in for Cuban refugee Tony Castillo, not knowing what was to come. 12 prospects ended up signing for 10 million dollars or more, 6 of whom signed big league deals. In addition to those 12 there were many more quality internationals to be had, this was a classic case of the supply outstripping the demand. Owners frantically tried to secure bonus money each time a superstar international came along.
Note - The third percentage listed is not OPS. It is OBPI. OBPI stands for On base percentage plus isolated power. I view OPS as a step in the right direction for player evaluation but still inadequate. I came up with OBPI to use in it's place, it is essentially a way of combining slugging percentage and on base percentage. A simple way to come up with OBPI is to subtract batting average from slugging percentage and then add that number to OBP.
Without further adieu, I present you with the top 5 internationals of 2007.
1. Miguel Sosa
Franchise: Columbus Crush (rpappy)
Hometown: Barahona, Dominican Republic
Primary Position: SP
B/T: S/R
Age: 22 Ht./Wt.: 6'3" 180
Bonus: 24.7 m
The grand prize of the legendary 2007 international crop is Miguel Sosa. Sosa throws 5 pitches (4-Seam FB, Curveball, Forkball, Change Up, Slider) with varying degrees of proficiency. The Dominican tore through the low minors after coming to terms with Columbus, winning 9 of his 11 starts. Sosa will anchor the Columbus rotation for years as a perennial Cy Young candidate.
Best Comparison: Pedro Martinez
2007 stats: 83 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 9-0, 96 K's
Awards: None
ETA: 2009
2. Jolbert Telemaco
Franchise: Pawtucket Privateers (harkov)
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Primary Position: LF/RF
B/T: R/R
Age: 19 Ht./Wt.: 5'11" 196
Bonus: 18.2 m (MLB)
Picking between Telemaco and Castillo was very difficult but the Panamanian gets the nod at number 2 on our list. Telemaco is a masher who will drive in a ton of runs but save none in the outfield. Telemaco will be an MVP candidate for the Privateers in the near future, for the time being he will destroy pitching in the low minors. It is unclear whether the Privateers will deal with Jolbert's mediocre to poor defense in the outfield or relegate him to 1B.
Best Comparison: Manny Ramirez
2007 stats: .397, .467, .776, 41 R, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 6 SB
Awards: None
ETA: 2010
3. Tony Castillo
Franchise: Washington DC 42's (schuyler101)
Hometown: Preston, Cuba
Primary Position: LF
B/T: R/R
Age: 21 Ht./Wt.: 6'1 224
Bonus: 26.0 m (MILB w/STI)
26 million dollars for the 4th best position prospect speaks to the depth of the 42's system. The Cuban refugee was worth every penny and won the AA NL MVP in his first year of pro ball, despite missing about 30 games to injury. Expect to see Castillo continue to grow and fill out, finally settling in at the top of DC's batting order within a few seasons and becoming a perennial MVP candidate.
Best Comparison: Moises Alou
Strengths: Hitting, Baserunning
Weaknesses: Fielding, Speed
2007 stats: AA - .407, .489, .782, 115 R, 27 HR, 134 RBI
Awards:
2007: AA - NL MVP, Silver Slugger LF
ETA: 2009
4. Alex Abreu
Franchise: Louisville Derbies (gerald007)
Hometown: Maneadoro, Mexico
Primary Position: CF
B/T: R/R
Age: 19 Ht./Wt.: 6'1" 177
Bonus: 5.4 m (MILB w/STI)
The Derbies found the steal of the season in Abreu, who comes in at 4th on our list despite receiving the 19th highest bonus in 2007. Abreu is a slick fielding centerfielder who has the potential to win more than a few gold gloves down the line. Abreu is also quite capable with the stick as he showed while progressing from Rookie ball to Low A.
Best Comparison: Andruw Jones
2007 stats: .333, .440, .711, 21 R, 4 HR, 27 RBI
Awards: None
ETA: 2010
5. Willie Espinosa
Franchise: Syracuse Saltine Warriors (namshub)
Hometown: Zulia, Venezuela
Primary Position: CF
B/T: S/R
Age: 21 Ht./Wt.: 5'10" 188
Bonus: 12.0 m (MLB)
Espinosa was signed in the second half and appeared in 21 games for Syracuse's High A affiliate. Willie played excellent baseball and will start 2008 in Double A. He is believed to be close to his peak and is poised to zoom through the minor leagues
Best Comparison: Melvin Mora
2007 stats: .316, .447, .763, 19 R, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB
Awards: None
ETA: 2009
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
42's Top Pitching Prospects
On the Farm: Top Pitching Prospects
The 42's hope to build a quality staff in the coming years around the following prospects amongst others. The numbers in parentheses following mention of pitches are the current pitch rating followed by the projected.1. Jose Johnson
Role: #1 Starter
B/T: L/L
Age: 21 Ht./Wt.: 6'1" 189
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 2006 Round 1, Pick 7
Bonus: 3.4 million
2. Mendy Griffin
Role: Wherever he can be used, Setup, Closer, Long Relief, even spot or tandem starter.
B/T: R/R
Age: 23 Ht./Wt.: 6'4" 188
Acquired: 2003 trade with San Antonio
Draft: 2002 Round 1, Pick 10
Bonus: 3.2 million
3. Lawrence Wright
Role: #1 Starter
B/T: R/R
Age: 22 Ht./Wt.: 6'2 182
Acquired: Draft
Draft: 2005 Round 1, Pick 3
Bonus: 3.8 million
See the full report at http://42s-hbd.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
AA World Series - Chew top 42's in one for the ages
The 42's won the first 3 games of the AA world series and were trotting out staff ace Jose Johnson for game 4. What could go wrong?
Everything.
In game 4 the Chew got to Johnson early and often and cruised to a 14-12 win that looked a lot closer than it was. The Chew got Juan Espada in game 5 and won 17-9 to make things interesting. The 42's were up 3 games to 2 but were headed back to the Chew's home stadium and facing a team with all the momentum. Charleston won game 6 convincingly 6-1 but in game 7 again had to beat Jose Johnson, who had gone 18-1 during the regular season. Charleston had their own ace on the hill and Matt Gordon was up to the challenge. Both starters allowed early runs and the score was deadlocked at going into the 9th inning. Walter Krause retired the 42's 1-2-3 to take it to the bottom of the inning and possible extra innings. After retiring the first 2 batters 42's closer Slash Langston gave up a 2 out, opposite field solo home run to DH Nick Alexander. The home run barely cleared the wall and the outstretched glove of Carlos Mateo.
In a series filled with former first round picks and international bonus babies it was 17th round pick Nick Alexander who walked off the field both hero and MVP. For the series Alexander went 12-29 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs
Everything.
In game 4 the Chew got to Johnson early and often and cruised to a 14-12 win that looked a lot closer than it was. The Chew got Juan Espada in game 5 and won 17-9 to make things interesting. The 42's were up 3 games to 2 but were headed back to the Chew's home stadium and facing a team with all the momentum. Charleston won game 6 convincingly 6-1 but in game 7 again had to beat Jose Johnson, who had gone 18-1 during the regular season. Charleston had their own ace on the hill and Matt Gordon was up to the challenge. Both starters allowed early runs and the score was deadlocked at going into the 9th inning. Walter Krause retired the 42's 1-2-3 to take it to the bottom of the inning and possible extra innings. After retiring the first 2 batters 42's closer Slash Langston gave up a 2 out, opposite field solo home run to DH Nick Alexander. The home run barely cleared the wall and the outstretched glove of Carlos Mateo.
In a series filled with former first round picks and international bonus babies it was 17th round pick Nick Alexander who walked off the field both hero and MVP. For the series Alexander went 12-29 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs
AAA World Series - 42's top Chew in 5
In a contest between the winningest AAA team and the AAA representative of arguably the finest top to bottom franchise in either league it was the 42's that came out on top. After losing the first game of the series the 42's went on to sweep the last 4 games to take the AAA crown.
What the series lacked in drama was made up for in Star Power. Both squads boasted a slew of future Major Leaguers. Pitchers Joey Romero & Enrique Moraga along with 2B Hugh Branson headlined the Chew AAA team. 1B Yamid Encarnacion and pitchers Sammy Henriquez & Mendy Griffin are certain to be starring for the 42's ML team in the near future.
After hitting 4 HR's and driving in 8 runs 42's Catcher Mateo Medrano was named series MVP.
Career Minor Leaguer and former 42er Norm Cooper was bittersweet about the victory. "It was nice to see alot of my former teammates and friends out there celebrating but it killed me at the same time. We really wanted this one."
What the series lacked in drama was made up for in Star Power. Both squads boasted a slew of future Major Leaguers. Pitchers Joey Romero & Enrique Moraga along with 2B Hugh Branson headlined the Chew AAA team. 1B Yamid Encarnacion and pitchers Sammy Henriquez & Mendy Griffin are certain to be starring for the 42's ML team in the near future.
After hitting 4 HR's and driving in 8 runs 42's Catcher Mateo Medrano was named series MVP.
Career Minor Leaguer and former 42er Norm Cooper was bittersweet about the victory. "It was nice to see alot of my former teammates and friends out there celebrating but it killed me at the same time. We really wanted this one."
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Chew down Pelicans in 6
Charleston Chew take Low A World Series 4-2. In the end, the Chew offensive machine was just too much for New Orleans top rated pitching staff. The turning point of the series was when the Pelicans gave up 5 unearned runs, which resulted in a 3-run loss in game two.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Low A World Series Preview
The Low A WS matches two coaches who used to rumble in the SEC in Crum. One went on to win NCs and the other... well he doesn't coach there anymore. Not that that has anything to do with the Low A WS (I just wanted to plug my latest NC and give js a hard time for leaving Vandy).
The Low A playoffs pretty much stuck to the script with the best record from the NL matching up against the second best record from the AL. The Chew are led by RBI machine Doyle Guerrero and his 26 HR and 150 RBI. The Pelicans will look for Orber Amaro to continue swinging the hot bat that produced 38 HR and 140 RBI.
The Pelicans will throw Low As best pitching staff, 3.26 Team ERA, against the Chew machine that produced Low As best offense, .340 team batting AVG, 248 HR and 1325 RBI. First round draft picks Red Roosevelt, 3.69 ERA, of the Chew and Fausto Rivera, 2.08 ERA, of the Pelicans offer a preview of what one day may be a Major League World Series Game 1 match up.
Follow the action at http://hdersiimlr.blogspot.com/
The Low A playoffs pretty much stuck to the script with the best record from the NL matching up against the second best record from the AL. The Chew are led by RBI machine Doyle Guerrero and his 26 HR and 150 RBI. The Pelicans will look for Orber Amaro to continue swinging the hot bat that produced 38 HR and 140 RBI.
The Pelicans will throw Low As best pitching staff, 3.26 Team ERA, against the Chew machine that produced Low As best offense, .340 team batting AVG, 248 HR and 1325 RBI. First round draft picks Red Roosevelt, 3.69 ERA, of the Chew and Fausto Rivera, 2.08 ERA, of the Pelicans offer a preview of what one day may be a Major League World Series Game 1 match up.
Follow the action at http://hdersiimlr.blogspot.com/
The Minor League Report
The Minor League Report is your place for all things related to the minor leagues of HBD for HDers II. Check in from time to time for minor league highlights. Updates that are prime time worthy will also be submitted to the HDers Gazette.
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