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 EDITED BY JOSH NORRIS LEADING OFF

BATTING ORDER ASK BA

BY J.J. COOPER

Departments Features Columnists Meteoric Rise

Prospect Pulse................................................. 15 Jerry Crasnick .................................................... 4 Garrett Stubbs went from being unranked in
MINOR LEAGUE PREVIEW 2016 to the Astros Top 10 in 2017. How often
On Campus...................................................... 22 Peter Gammons................................................. 7
The Brewers and Phillies jump-started their does that happen?
Business Beat .................................................. 24 Tracy Ringolsby ................................................. 7
rebuilding with key prospect trades ..........12-14
Organization Reports....................................... 26 John Manuel ..................................................... 8 JASON, LOS ANGELES
The Cubs Dylan Cease hopes to buck the
High Heat ......................................................... 32 Jayson Stark .................................................... 38
trend off Georgia prep arms falling short ........ 13
Draft Dish ....................................
..................
............................... 344

I
Minor leeague executives answer t actually happens more than one might
Scoreboard ............................... ....
...............
................................ 377 think. By my count, there are 21 players
the burnning questions for 2017 ...................... 20 NEXT ISSUE who made a teams Top 10 in the 2017
INTERN
NATIONAL MARCH MADNESS Prospect Handbook who were eligible for the
In addition to every Opening Day
2016 list but did not crack the Top 30.
We wrapp up the World Baseball Classic roster, we'll also take a look at the
Most of the players who make that jump are
with waall-to-wall coverage ............................ 16 Rockies Riley Pint and the Red Soxs
like Stubbs. The typical profile of players who
Jason Groometwo of the sports most
go from unranked to Top 10 is pretty straight-
PAG E 14 intriguing arms making their full-season
PAG E 5 forward. It happens largely for international
debuts. Well also have complete cover-
signees (who usually dont even get to play a
age of all the talent from this year's
pro game before they are eligible for their first
National High School Invitational and
CLIFF WELCH

Prospect Handbook) and for later-round draft

how it could play into the 2017 draft.
picks. Usually those draft picks fell in the draft
for some reason (concerns about their size,
hitting ability or control, for example).
Vol. 37
7, No. 9 COVER PHOTO: JOHN WILLIAMSON There just isnt enough time for a player
to prove hes better than a predraft scouting
report in the limited exposure he gets after the
draft. Stubbs is a great example. As impressive

archives
as his career at Southern California was, he
FROM THE slid to the eighth round as a senior because
scouts worried about his small frame.
In his pro debut, Stubbs played in 36 games,
racking up 118 at-bats. While scouts liked his
MAY 2, defense and his advanced understanding of
1999 catching, nothing in that limited look dem-
onstrated that he was a Top 30 Prospect in a
very deep Astros farm system.
IN THIS ISSUE: A year later, Stubbs still wows scouts with
Six-foot-10 Mariners his defense but hes now shown he can do
pitching phenom Ryan that and hit, with a .304/.391/.469 stat line
Anderson always stands between high Class A and Double-A. Stubbs

GABRIEL ROUX, GETTY IMAGES

out from the crowd. still faces questions about his stature, but pro
scouts are much more confident in his ability
ALSO: The Pan- to be a big league catcher.
American Games rosters Its a similar story with Braves No. 9 pros-
include non-40-man pect Patrick Weigel. The righthanded Weigel
roster minor leaguers for had a spotty college career because control
the first time. Adrian Gonzalez and Mexico beat Miguel Cabrera and Venezuela in a game but lost out on a tiebreaker problems kept him from fully utilizing his
plus-plus fastball. Thats why he fell to the
Of all the things there are to love about seventh round in the 2015 draft. An 0-3,
minor league baseball, nothing gets people
more excited than logos.
Even if you have no idea whos going to be
Mexico livid over WBC exit 4.53 debut with 4.5 walks per nine innings
with Rookie-level Danville did nothing to
alleviate those concerns and ensured he wasnt
pitching for Quad City this year, you have a Mexico beat Venezuela 11-9 in first-round include that ninth inning, or did Mexico just anywhere near the Braves Top 30.
definite opinion on the River Bandits logo pool play in the World Baseball Classic, but get credit for eight innings because it didnt A year later, Weigel has transformed himself
(thumbs down). thanks to a convoluted tiebreaker, Venezuela get an out in the ninth? Classic officials went as a prospect. He fixed many of his control
As it has been four years since we last did was the team that kept playing. with eight innings, not nine. issues, cutting his walk rate to a more man-
a major review of minor league logos, we Mexico, Venezuela and Italy all finished 1-2 The rule doesnt specify outs, Gonzalez ageable 3.3 BB/9. And once he found the
thought it was high time we surveyed the in Group D (with Puerto Rico winning the said in the postgame in Jalisco. It specifies zone more often, his plus stuff became much
landscape and let everyone know the way group 3-0), necessitating a one-game show- partial innings. And if you go to a judge, this more effective. He cruised through the South
things should be. down at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco is a partial inning. Atlantic League and earned a late-season pro-
What we found is that things have calmed to determine the second team to advance. Dodgers star Adrian Gonzalez, brother of motion to Double-A Mississippi.
down since four years ago. In part thats The WBC technical committee ruled the the manager, said he would never play in the The craziest jump onto a Top 10 in 2017
because the National Association put limits tiebreaker to determine which two teams Classic again after the controversy. He scolded goes to Dodgers No. 6 prospect Andrew
on how often teams could change their logos. would play for the final spot came down to MLB officials such as Joe Torre and Kim Ng Toles. Toles ranked as high as the Rays' No.
Its also because the huge boom in minor the fewest runs allowed per defensive inning after the event. 6 prospect heading into 2014, but he did not
league merchandise sales has leveled off, creat- in pool play. Venezuela had 1.11 runs allowed, During the game when they posted it on play for anyone after he was released in 2015.
ing less of a frenzy to slap something, any- and Italy had 1.05 runs allowed. Mexico had the broadcast, they came into the dugout and The Dodgers signed him in time for the 2016
thing, cute on a T-shirt right away. 1.12, sending the home team, well, home. said, Hey, we just need to win by two, Prospect Handbook, so he was technically eli-
Still, merchandising is big business, and it The WBCs official Twitter feed initially Gonzalez told reporters after he returned to gible. In 2016, Toles showed he had mastered
has driven an unprecedented wave of creativ- indicated that Mexico would advance in Dodgers spring training camp in Arizona. some of the anxiety issues that he had dealt
ity and innovation in logo design. Even after the tiebreaker, and Classic officials had told The whole game strategy changes by what with and made the big leagues.
a drop from the salad days, licensed minor Mexicos players and manager Edgar Gonzalez we were told.
league merchandise still racked up $32.4 mil- that it needed only to win its final game by The Classic could have used Mexico in
lion in sales last year. two runs to advance in the tiebreaker. Instead, round two in San Diego to boost attendance, HOW TO REACH US
Our favorite logos appear on these pages, as Venezuela beat Italy to advance to the second and the controversy would have been moot if MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 12877, Durham, NC 27709. STREET
well as our least favorite logos. The selections round. Mexico just had held its 9-4 lead against Italy. ADDRESS: 4319 S. Alston Ave. Suite 103, Durham, NC 27713. EMAIL
were made by Baseball America's editorial The problem concerned Mexicos first That didnt stop Gonzalez from venting. ADDRESS: letters@baseballamerica.com.
staff, in consultation with the graphics experts game, a 10-9 loss to Italy in which Blue Jays Theyre trying to become the World Cup, PHONE: (919) 682-9635; (800) 845-2726 FAX: (919) 682-2880.
SUBSCRIBERS: To find when your subscription expires, look for the issue code
who make each issue so attractive. We gave closer Roberto Osuna and Mexico blew a 9-4 he said in a memorable sound bite, but at the top of your mailing label. As a guide, this is issue 1709/170401the
their opinions the most weight. lead in the ninth without recording an out. theyre not even close to being the Little ninth issue of 2017, and the first issue of April, 2017. We publish 24 issues a
Should Mexicos innings total for the event League World Series. year; biweekly except for double issues in August and December.

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

3
LEADING OFF
Zimmers could join rare company
JUPITER, FLA. leagues, where the brothers will stare each
Eric Zimmer keeps other down from a distance of 60 feet, 6
a busy schedule as an inches. Its a more novel occurrence than you
anesthesiologist in San might think.
Diego, but hell break
free whenever possible A Small Fraternity
to travel to Arizona in Baseball brother acts are part of the fabric
March to spend time of the game. The DiMaggios, Alous, Boyers,
with his two sons. Kyle Alomars and Molinas made their marks as
Jerry
is a righthander in the position players, and the Perrys, Niekros,
Crasnick Royals system and
Bradley is an outfielder
Martinezes, Forsches and Deans achieved suc-
cess as pitchers. According to the Society for
Baseball Writer, in the Indians chain, American Baseball Research, there have also
ESPN.com
and its a treat for them been 15 pitcher-catcher brother batteries in
jerrycrasnick
@baseballamerica.com to meet up at the end the major leagues since 1876. The most note-
of a long day of Cactus worthy: Rick and Wes Ferrell of the Red Sox,
League baseball with an Mort and Walker Cooper of the Cardinals
assurance that dad will pick up the tab. and Norm and Larry Sherry of the Dodgers.
After one recent 90-degree grind, Kyle The Zimmers have a chance to achieve a
brought a couple of friends from Royals camp more unusual feat: Theyre trying to become
to a combination restaurant-bowling alley- the fifth brother tandem in more than 50
billiards-and-laser-tag-emporium called the years to square off when one is primarily a
Main Event in the Phoenix suburbs. pitcher and the other a position player. Cory
Its sort of an overgrown Dave & Busters, and Colby Rasmus, Ruddy and Julio Lugo,
Eric said. We played some video games and Ken and George Brett and the Sherry brothers
yukked it up and unwound a little bit. Then are the only siblings who fit the description
youre done and you come out of the parking going all the way back to the early 1960s.
lot and one of them turns left to go back to his The intra-family rivalry remains a motiva-
complex, and the other one turns right to go tional force as the brothers navigate the upper
to his. And dad gets to stand there with a big reaches of the minors. Kyle needs to conquer
smile and be thankful and grateful that this is an exasperating run of health issues, and
even happening. Bradley needs to refine his swing and make
In the Zimmer familys dream scenario, more consistent contact. But theyre anxious
all roads will eventually converge in the big to apply the finishing touches and go head-
to-head as professionals.
Absolutely, weve talked about it, Eric
said. Well get calls from reporters or their
old coaches will say, We cant wait to see
when you guys face each other. And very
quickly you can see that gleam in their eye. It
takes them back to when they were a 12-year-
old versus an 11-year-old racing down the
beach in La Jolla. Its game on, and family
bragging rights are on the line.
One-Man M*A*S*H Unit
When the Royals signed Kyle for $3 mil-
lion as the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft,
they were convinced he was better than Mark
Appel, Kevin Gausman or any of the other
college pitchers that year. General manager
Dayton Moore, who previously worked in the
Braves organization, watched him pitch and
was reminded of a young Adam Wainwright.
Then Kyle was beset by a mind-numbing
run of injuries that forced him to dig deep for
resolve. He had bone chips surgically removed
in 2012, spent time on the disabled list with
elbow tendinitis in 2013 and spent much of
the next two seasons recovering from surgery
to repair his right shoulder labrum and rota-
tor cuff. Last summer, when Kyle thought
his problems were finally behind him, he was
diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome
the same malady that ended Mets starter Matt
Harveys season in July. Zimmer had surgery
in August to fix the problem.
Going through it is the worst thing in the
world, Kyle said. You can ask anybody whos
been injured for an extended period of time. It
rips out part of you. That competitive spirit is
fighting to get out and its at bay for so long.
Its awesome to watch your teammates suc-
ceed, but you want to be out there with them.
Like it or not, youre forced to learn patience.
While Bradley was hitting .250 with 15
home runs and 38 stolen bases between
Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus last
season, Kyle watched his games via computer
and passed along observations. If he couldnt
play himself, he could at least take solace in
helping his brother progress.
BaseballAmerica.com
4
ESTABLISHED 1981 P.O. Box 12877, Durham, NC 27709 Phone (919) 682-9635
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MAJOR LEAGUES matt.eddy@baseballamerica.com
After having thoracic-outlet surgery last year, MINOR LEAGUES/BUSINESS josh.norris@baseballamerica.com
Kyle Zimmer feels like his old self this spring PROSPECTS kyle.glaser@baseballamerica.com
REPRINTS
SUBSCRIPTIONS/CUSTOMER SERVICE
sara.mcdaniel@baseballamerica.com
ronnie.mccabe@baseballamerica.com
The Indians selected Bradley, who, like Kyle, WEBSITE vince.lara@baseballamerica.com
attended the University of San Francisco, with CORRESPONDENTS
the 21st overall pick in 2014. BILL BALLEW Asheville, N.C.; SHI DAVIDI Sportsnet Canada; MIKE DIGIOVANNA
Los Angeles Times; BOB DUTTON Tacoma News Tribune; ALAN ESKEW Topeka, Kan.;
Seizing The Day JACK ETKIN Denver; DERRICK GOOLD St. Louis Post-Dispatch; WAYNE GRACZYK The
Japan Times; SCOT GREGOR Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.); TOM HAUDRICOURT
If theres a different, more optimistic tone Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; JIM INGRAHAM Cleveland; CHRIS IOTT MLive Media
Group (Detroit); JAKE KAPLAN Houston Chronicle; GEORGE KING New York Post;
in Kyle Zimmers voice this spring, its because STEVE KRONER San Francisco Chronicle; ROCH KUBATKO MASNSports.com
his body is finally telling him what he wants (Baltimore); LACY LUSK Washington, D.C.; PHIL MILLER Minneapolis Star-Tribune;
BILL MITCHELL Tempe, Ariz.; JOHN PERROTTO Pittsburgh; NICK PIECORO Arizona
to hear. The old aches and doubts have sub- Republic; BILL PLUNKETT Orange County (Calif.) Register; MIKE PUMA New York
sided and he feels the ball coming out of his Post; C. TRENT ROSECRANS Cincinnati Enquirer; HARVEY SAHKER Toronto; JEFF
SANDERS San Diego Union-Tribune; JIM SALISBURY Comcast Sportsnet/csnphilly.com;
hand with more fluidity, the way it did in ALEX SPEIER Boston Globe; CASEY TEFERTILLER San Bruno, Calif.; MARC TOPKIN
more promising times. Tampa Bay Times; WALTER VILLA Miami; JEFF WILSON Fort Worth Star-Telegram;
GORDON WITTENMYER Chicago Sun-Times
Instead of just getting through the day, Im
getting up and attacking the day, he said. Its STATISTICAL SERVICE
the difference between getting up and saying, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ADVANCED MEDIA
Oh, gosh, I hope I can get through today,
and saying, Lets go. Lets get after this. BASEBALL AMERICA ENTERPRISES
Nevertheless, the Royals dispatched Kyle
to minor league camp after just 2.1 innings
with the big club, and hes in the process of CHAIRMAN & CEO Gary Green
building innings and arm strength against a PRESIDENT Larry Botel
backdrop of skepticism. The spring has been GENERAL COUNSEL
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Matthew Pace
Amy Heart
more eventful for Bradley, who made a splash INVESTOR RELATIONS Michele Balfour
in Clevelands spring training opener when he DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Joan Disalvo
PARTNERS Jon Ashley
launched an opposite-field home run while Stephen Alepa
his grandmother Cathy shouted her approval Martie Cordaro
Brian Rothschild
from the Goodyear Ballpark stands. Andrew Fox
The brothers shared an apartment dur- Maurice Haroche
Dan Waldman
ing Cactus League play in 2016, but theyve Sonny Kalsi
branched out this spring. Kyle is rooming Glenn Isaacson
Robert Hernreich
with Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield Craig Amazeen
and a minor leaguer, while Bradley is staying Peter Ruprecht
Beryl Snyder
at the team hotel in Goodyear. The 20-mile Tom Steiglehner
drive is far enough for them to spread their
wings, yet close enough to have dinner when
their schedules permit.
MANAGING PARTNER David Geaslen
After rough days, they commiserate. And CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Jonathan Segal
when things go well, theyre more embold- CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Sue Murphy
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT Tom Johnson
ened to focus on the ultimate goaldisplac-
ing those pesky Rasmus brothers as the latest BASEBALL AMERICA (ISSN 0745-5372/USPS 591-210) April 7, 2017, Vol. 37, No. 9 is
published bi-weekly with a double issue in August and December, 24 issues per year, by
pitcher/hitter big league brother tandem. Baseball America Enterprises, LLC, 4319 South Alston Ave, Suite 103, Durham, NC 27713.
My impression right now is that theyre Subscription rate is $92.95 for one year; Canada $118.95 (U.S. funds); all other foreign
$144.95 per year (U.S. funds). Periodicals postage paid at Durham, NC, & additional mailing
both planning on Major League Baseball offices. Occasionally our subscriber list is made available to reputable firms offering goods
careers, Eric said. Theyre not just saying, and services we believe would be of interest to our readers. If you prefer to be excluded,
Hey, its been fun to get to Double-A or please send your current address label and a note requesting to be excluded from these
promotions to Baseball America Enterprises, LLC, 4319 South Alston Ave, Suite 103,
Triple-A, and if it doesnt work out, thats Durham, NC 27713, Attn Privacy Coordinator.
OK. They have the skills, the talent and the POSTMASTER SEND all UAA to CFS (See DMM 707.4.12.5); NONPOSTAL & MILITARY
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April 721, 2017
LEADING OFF EDITED BY JOSH NORRIS
Padres add
Hernandez to
their Cuban haul
BY BEN BADLER
The Padres have an agreement to sign
18-year-old Cuban lefthander Osvaldo
Hernandez for $2.5 million, according to
multiple sources. His contract is subject to
the 2016-17 international bonus pools, which
the Padres blew past when the signing period
opened last year on July 2.
Between signing bonuses and the overage
tax payment due this summer, the Padres have
committed nearly $80 million to international
amateur signings during the current 2016-17
signing period. The Padres other Cuban sign-
ings since July 2 include lefthander Adrian
Morejon ($11 million), outfielder Jorge Ona
($7 million), righthanders Michel Baez ($3
million) and Ronald Bolanos ($2.25 million)
and lefthander Ramon Perez ($400,000).
At 6 feet, 175 pounds, Hernandez has
shown advanced feel for his age for a wide
repertoire of pitches, starting with a fastball
thats ranged from 89-94 mph since he has
been showcased in the Dominican Republic.
He has shown the ability to manipulate
multiple breaking pitches. He throws a hard
76-79 mph curveball with tight spin and good
depth that has a chance to be plus, along with
a slider that gives him a second potentially
average or better breaking ball. His changeup
is another offspeed pitch thats advanced for
his age and could give him another above-
average weapon down the road.
In Cuba, Hernandez pitched for Artemisa
in the countrys 18U national league in 2016.
He posted an ERA of 0.92 in 68.2 innings
with 84 strikeouts and 23 walks that year,
ranking fifth in the league in ERA and third
in strikeouts. In October 2016, Hernandez
pitched in the COPABE 18U Pan American
Championship in Mexico. At that tourna-
ment, he pitched twice against the United
States, the first one a start in which he held
the U.S. to one run over 5.1 innings with
five strikeouts, three walks and just two hits
allowed, facing a lineup of projected 2017
first-round picks including Hunter Greene
and Royce Lewis. In the gold-medal game
against the U.S., Hernandez didnt start,
but he threw 4.1 innings of relief, allowing
two runs on three hits with one walk and
no strikeouts in the 6-1 U.S. victory. At that
time, Hernandezs fastball was more in the
mid-to-upper 80s, but hes added velocity
since then in the Dominican Republic.
NBA, MLB exec
Krause, 77, dies
STAFF REPORT
Jerry Krause, a longtime baseball scout in
addition to his signature role as the general
manager of the NBAs Chicago Bulls cham-
pionship teams, died March 22. He was 77.
Krause is one of the rare scouts who had
success in two sports. As a baseball scout, he
helped recommend the White Sox trade for
shortstop Ozzie Guillen. His scouting career
preceded his stint as the Bulls GMduring
which time his Michael Jordan-led teams
won six NBA titlesand he returned to
baseball scouting after his basketball career
ended. He worked in the scouting depart-
ments for the Yankees, Mets, White Sox and
Diamondbacks.
6
PERSPECTIVE | Paul Trap
SeaWolves announce
truly alternative idea
The Erie SeaWolves will award themselves the Eastern League championship on Alternative Facts Night
BY JOSH NORRIS
The Erie SeaWolves have come up with a
promotion to trump them all.
The Eastern League club will host
#AlternativeFacts Night at UPMC Park on
Aug. 25, against what theyve dubbed the
Akron Yellow Bath Toys (the alternative name
for the Akron RubberDucks, of course).
For those unaware, the alternative facts
term stems from a phrase coined by adviser
Kellyanne Conway in response to a ques-
tion about attendance at President Donald
Trumps inauguration.
On Alternative Facts night, the Seawolves
will celebrate their 2016 Eastern League
championship. The crown was actually won
by Akron, but that wont stop Erie from hand-
ing out replica championship rings to the first
1,000 fans in attendance.
BaseballAmerica.com
paultrap@BaseballAmerica.com
While it was a tough decision to decide
which championship to honor, the SeaWolves
said in a press release, the team will celebrate
its most recent one.
History says Erie has never won an EL title,
but history has no place on Alternative Facts
Night. The SeaWolves opponent on this
night may dispute the teams 2016 title run,
the team wrote. Very unfair. It is up to the
fans, who are tremendous fans by the way, to
decide.
The team also noted that while UPMC
Parks listed capacity is 6,000, it expects no
fewer than 1.2 million fans through the turn-
stiles on Alternative Facts night.
Proceeds from in-game promotions that
night will go to the Partnership for Eries
Public Schools. After the beating the truth
is going to take, theyre going to need all the
help they can get.
IN SHORT | PEPPER
Pair Convicted For
Cuban Smuggling
A Miami jury convicted player agent Bart
Hernandez and trainer Julio Estrada in March
on a series of charges stemming from the
smuggling of players from Cuba into the United
States. Both men remained free on bail until
sentencing, scheduled for July 11, but were
facing 15 and 35 years in prison, respectively.
The pair was convicted on 12 counts relating
to falsely obtaining visas for Cuban defectors
to obtain entry into the United States. Some of
Hernandezs clients have included White Sox
first baseman Jose Abreu, Marlins shortstop
Adeiny Hechavarria, Royals outfielder Jorge
Soler and Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin,
among a host of others.
The government charged that Hernandez
and Estrada worked through back channels
to smuggle players from Cuba into Haiti or
Mexico and then across the United States bor-
der. Abreu testified at trial that he at one point
ate a piece of his own passport because he
feared getting caught.
In exchange for their services, Hernandez
and Estrada charged their clients high fees,
sometimes up to 30 percent of their major
league contract.
Fernandez Implicated
As Driver In Crash
After concluding its investigation, authori-
ties in Florida determined that former Marlins
ace Jose Fernandez was behind the wheel of
his boat the night he and two other men were
killed in a crash in waters off Miami Beach.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported
that an investigation revealed that Fernandez
was under the influence of both alcohol and
cocaine and had pushed the boata 32-foot
SeeVee named Kaught Lookingup to its max-
imum speed of 65 mph. Two of Fernandezs
friends, Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Macias,
were killed in the crash, which occurred on
Sept. 25.
Fernandezs blood alcohol content at the
time of the crash was .14, above Floridas legal
limit of .08, the newspaper reported.
No matter what the report has concluded,
nothing will ever diminish Joses everlasting
positive connection with Miami and the Miami
Marlins, Marlins president David Samson said
in a statement. Nor can it lessen the love and
passion he felt for his family, friends, team-
mates and all his fans in South Florida and
around the world.
Mets Release
Outspoken Farmhand
The Mets released 27-year-old outfielder
Kyle Johnson right before minor league
spring training games commenced.
Johnson isnt particularly notable for his
play in recent seasonshe hit .213/.294/.305
last year between Double-A and Triple-A. He
is notable for speaking publicly about his
attempt to join a lawsuit against Major League
Baseball in which minor league players seek
higher salary rates.
Ive talked to mentors that Ive had around
the game, and people who are coaches in
the organization, Johnson told USA Today in
January, and basically said, Is this something
thats going to be held against me? Its a funny
line, because nobody can really give you a
straight answer. Of course theyre going to say,
No, but its terrifying to think that my oppor-
tunity in baseball could change because Im
being outspoken about this.
April 721, 2017
 Winning ways MAJOR LEAGUES

Blue Jays build new culture

DUNEDIN, FLA.
In many ways, the Blue Jays these past
two years have returned to the glory days
of the Pat Gillick era. Toronto in 2015
made the playoffs for the first time since
the World Series championship team of
1993. Over the past two seasons the Blue
Peter Jays won 11 more games than any other
Gammons American League East team, attracted
6.1 million fans to Rogers Centre and
Columnist,
MLB Network
on most nights had more than a million
people watching on television.
petergammons
@baseballamerica.com When the Blue Jays hired Mark
Shapiro away from the Indians in August
2015 to serve as president of baseball
operations, his mission statement was to change the culture.
Shapiro hired Ross Atkins, his farm director in Cleveland,
as general manger. Subsequently he brought on former Red
Sox GM Ben Cherington to oversee scouting and player
development and Eric Wedge, the former Indians manager,
as field coordinator. He hired a rising scouting star named
Chris Antonetti (Indians), Sandy Alderson (Mets) and Brian
Sabean (Giants).
Mike Hazen has already made a major impact on the
Diamondbacks. So will Derek Falvey with the Twins.
These are people who understand that the game today
requires a culture that understands that players are people who
require respect, said one young National League executive.
What worked 20 years ago does not work with the people
who play today.
Window Remains Open
This years Blue Jays team has a legitimate chance to win the
division. Their center fielder Kevin Pillar said last years post-
season loss to the Indians in the AL Championship Series hurt
more than the previous year, which speaks volumes about
how repeated success breeds expectations. Toronto did not
re-sign Edwin Encarnacion, but it replaced him with Kendrys
Morales, and veterans such as Jose Bautista, Russell Martin,
Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson are driven to succeed.
Do the Blue Jays need Devon Travis to be healthy? Yes. Can
Justin Smoak and Steve Pearce produce? They think so.

Steve Sanders from Cheringtons regime to run the scouting
department.
Most important of all, Shapiro built respect between uni-
formed and non-uniformed personnel. He knew from Atkins
work with the Indians that he has a remarkable ability to
connect and communicate with everyone. The same is true of
Cherington. The same is true of holdover assistant GM Tony
LaCava, who also worked for Shapiro in Cleveland, and farm
director Gil Kim.
To build an organization that can sustain its culture and
build accountability and values in developing players is essen-
tial, Shapiro said. The game is more than raw talent or num-
bers. So were trying to build, develop and win simultaneously.
Several organizations have accomplished this kind of multi-
tasking that is so different from the 1980s and 90s. Theo
Epstein accomplished it with the Red Sox and Cubs by build-
ing, developing and winning simultaneously. Other examples
include Dayton Moore (Royals), Neal Huntington (Pirates),
And if David Prices elbow issue lasts two or three months
or longerinto the season, then the Blue Jays think they have
a better rotation than the Red Sox. Aaron Sanchezs sinker
makes him, as Gibbons said, an elite No. 1 starter. He is
supported by J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada, Marcus Stroman
and Francisco Liriano, who if you talk to scouts in Florida, is
throwing as well as anyone here.
The Blue Jays know Boston has star power, but David Ortiz
has left, and if Price and Drew Pomeranz have elbow problems,
the Red Sox have little rotation depth. The Orioles have a sus-
pect rotation but hit a lot of homers. The Yankee rotation is to
be determined, but Masahiro Tanaka is a dominator.
So Shapiro and his front office have to focus on the now
and devote themselves to building a sustainable organization.
They understand that after this year or 2018 that Bautista and
Martin could face leaner times in their mid- to late 30s.
As one National League GM said: By 2019 the Yankees (and
their No. 2 farm system) are going to be beginning another run
CLIFF WELCH
Aaron Sanchez has true No. 1 starter upside with his turbo sinker
like its 1996 all over again . . . They can trade for whomever
they choose, and they are whittling down the payroll so they
can sign Bryce Harper or Nolan Arenado or Manny Machado
after 2018. Brian Cashman has done an incredible job.
By then the Orioles might be relying on a weak farm system
to live year to year. The Red Sox plan to continue trading off
young players to try to win in their 2016-19 window, while
trying to extend Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts. Then they
must figure out how to rebuild their pitching staff with a frac-
tion of their former minor league talent pool to trade.
But by 2020, the Blue Jays will have had four years of build-
ing their culture, one that can be sustained when they can draw
3.5 million fans each year and when a million sets of eyes watch
across Canada every night.

Q Japan has a strong professional system

Classic underscores itself. While 63 Japanese-born players have

appeared in the big leaguesincluding nine
last year59 of those players have arrived

global roots of MLB in the big leagues since 1995, when Hideo
Nomo became a sensation with the Dodgers.
The first Japanese big leaguer was pitcher
Masanori Murakami with the 1964 Giants.
DENVER Marichal (inducted 1983) and Pedro Martinez Q Australia has produced 30 big leagu-
When it comes to the (2015)and at least four more are on the ers, including four who appeared last year,
World Baseball Classic, horizon: Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz, notably relievers Liam Hendriks and Peter
it is vogue to root for Adrian Beltre and Albert Pujols. Moylan.
the underdogs. If those Q Venezuela has produced 358 big leagu- Q Korea has had 22 big leaguers, including
underdogs succeed, ers, including 102 who were active last year. nine who played last year. Among them is
then interest builds on Known for shortstopsincluding the likes the Rangers Shin-Soo Choo. Chan Ho Park
Tracy an international level,
and that could mean
of Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Guillen and Omar
Vizquelthe country has also shown some
became the first Korean big leaguer in 1994.
Q Colombia has produced 20 big leagu-
Ringolsby making inroads into thunder. The Tigers Miguel Cabrera already ers, six of whom were in the big leagues last
Columnist, areas where baseball has holds the Venezuelan record with 446 home year, including top-line starting pitchers Julio
MLB.com been an afterthought. runs. The Mariners Felix Hernandez has Teheran and Jose Quintana. Edgar Renteria,
Thats why it was become the countrys top big league pitcher. the manager of Colombias WBC team, hit
so encouraging to see Q Puerto Rico has produced 257 big leagu- .286 in his career with 140 home runs. In
Israel go undefeated in the opening round of ers, 26 of whom appeared in the big leagues 1974, Angels shortstop Orlando Ramirez
this years WBC, though its Cinderella dreams last year. Roberto Clemente became the first Felix Hernandez will pass Freddy Garcia this year became the first native of Colombia to appear
turned into a pumpkin in the second round. player born outside the U.S. to be inducted to establish a wins record for a Venezuelan pitcher in the big leagues since 1902.
Its why the Netherlands advancing to the into the Hall of Fame (1973). He has been Q The Kingdom of the Netherlands has
final four in 2013 and repeating the feat in joined by Orlando Cepeda (1999), Roberto including 14 who appeared in the big leagues had 12 big leaguers, including young mid-
this installment is cause for inspiration. Alomar (2011) and Ivan Rodriguez (2017). last yearbut there is a catch. Mexico has dle infielders who grew up in Dutch ter-
Consider, there has never even been a major Q Canada has produced 246 big leaguers, its own professional leagues in the summer ritories in the Caribbeansuch as Xander
league player who was born in Israel. At the 13 of whom played in the big leagues last year. and winter, and until the breakthrough of Bogaerts, Didi Gregorius, Jurickson Profar
other extreme is the United States, where Ferguson Jenkins became the first Canadian Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, the players and Jonathan Schoopas well as Hall of
baseball is the national pastime. Hall of Famer. Larry Walker is the most from Mexico were leery about coming to the Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven.
And then there are the 14 other countries dynamic Canadian to play in the big leagues. U.S. and playing in the minor leagues. The Q Taiwan has had 11 players appear in the
who participated in this years WBC, each Q Cuba has produced 199 big leaguers, greatest Mexican player in history, Hector big leagues, including three last season. Chin-
with their own unique history of big leaguers: including 29 who appeared last season. The Espino, played just 32 minor league games Feng Chen was the first to make it to the
Q The Dominican Republic has produced production of players, however, has been in the U.S. He hit a Mexican-record 484 majors with the 2002 Dodgers.
more big leaguers (669) than any country limited because of the relations between Cuba home runs in his career, all but three in Q Italy has had seven players appear in the
other than the U.S. and had 130 appear and the U.S. Tony Perez, however, was elected Mexico. Those came when he signed with the big leagues, most notably Alex Liddi, cur-
in a big league game last year. The D.R. to the Hall of Fame in 2000. Cardinals late in the 1964 season and played rently a Mexican Leaguer who played with
also produced two Hall of FamersJuan Q Mexico has produced 121 big leaguers, 32 games at Triple-A Jacksonville. Seattle from 2011-13.
April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com
7
PERSPECTIVE Early mock
Two-way talents lead Class of 17
Predicting the first
round of the 2017
draft may prove a fools
errand.
Not because the draft
is unpredictable and
teams have less con-
John sensus among the top
picks than ever with
Manuel more looks and more
information available,
Editor in Chief
Baseball America though both of those
johnmanuel
are true. Not because
@baseballamerica.com the most predictable
drafts are the loaded
draft classes, especially
the ones with deep college hitting and pitch-
ing classes.
This is not one of those years. Its a year
with depth of velocity in the prep class, like
every draft since 2013 has been on the high
school side. But its characteristically light
on the college side in position players with
athleticism, and it has two candidates to go
No. 1 overalla selection the Twins will
makewho fit profiles that never have fit
with that selection in more than 50 years of
draft history.
One of course is Hunter Greene, the right-
hander and infielder out of Notre Dame High
in Sherman Oaks, Calif., who has earned
some Dwight Gooden comparisons from
scouts, hit 102 mph this spring and also has
the power to be a legit hitting prospect. If the
Twins draft Greene as a pitcher at No. 1, hed
be the first high school righthander ever to
lead off a draft.
The other is more of a surprise, as
Louisvilles Brendan McKay has gotten off to
a ridiculous start and started to earn serious
consideration as the top selection, even as a
hitter. Earning comparisons to John Olerud,
McKay is a lefthanded hitter and pitcher who
entered the spring already acknowledged as
the best pure hitter in the college class. After
hitting 10 homers combined in 439 at-bats in
his first two seasons, hes hit four in 54 at-bats
this year while leading No. 1 Louisville to a
19-1 start.
If McKay keeps hitting for that kind of
power, though, his combination of 70-grade
hitting ability with plus power could land him
in the No. 1 spot. No college first baseman has
been drafted first overall; the last first baseman
picked that high was Adrian Gonzalez out of a
San Diego high school in 2000, and Gonzalez
is another solid comparison point for McKay.
Class Shaping Up?
Other key trends shaping up now for the
2017 draft class:
Q Both Greene and McKay are two-way
players, viable options both as hitters and as
pitchers, leading a bumper crop of two-way
talents. Greene has loud raw power, but most
clubs prefer him on the mound because he has
such easy velocity, with triple-digit radar-gun
readings already this spring. Greenes in the
conversation for being the hardest-throwing
high school player in draft history, joining
the likes of Tyler Kolek (2014) and Riley Pint
(2016) from recent drafts.
Scouts are quite split on McKay; four clubs
national evaluators split down the middle on
him as a hitter or pitcher, but agreed his hot
start at the plate and on the moundwhere
he pitches inside effectively with his fastball
at an advanced levelhad pushed him to
the top of the college board. For many clubs,
McKay is the top prospect in the college class
as both a pitcher, with a No. 3 starter ceiling,
and as a hitter.
8
The other top two-way option, Huntington
Beach (Calif.) Highs Nick Pratto, has moved
up boards offensively and almost assuredly
will go out as a hitter. Hes one of the most
polished bats available, high school or college,
and compares favorably with McKay offen-
sively, with some scouts considering him more
likely to hit for power.
Other potential first-rounders who could
go as pitchers or hitters include Prattos team-
mate Hagen Danner, a righthander/catch-
er; Louisville prep righthander/outfielder Jo
Adell, who has elite tools in the outfield and
one of the best breaking balls in the class on
the mound; righthander/first baseman Joe
Perez of Miami-area Archbishop McCarthy,
who has hit 98 mph this spring; and Virginia
lefthander/center fielder Adam Haseley, who
has helium at the plate with a career-best seven
homers alreadysix to the opposite field.
Q The top of the draft should be unpredict-
able for two other reasons. The compressed
bonus slots at the top of the draft leave less
room for teams at the top to cut deals; the No.
1 pick bonus allotment is just $7.4 million,
rather than $9.2 million, and the top three
picks are compressed together, leaving less
room for deal-cutting for teams and agents.
Second, many of the teams are under new
management. Eight of the top 10 teams in the
draft have changed general managers in the
last three years, including Minnesota, picking
No. 1, where Derek Falvey and Thad Levine
have taken over the front office with Sean
Johnson promoted from within as scouting
director. Only the Reds (No. 2) and Athletics
(No. 6) have any long patterns of behavior,
though the Braves (No. 5) are essentially back
under old management.
ROBERT GURGANUS
Adding power to his speed and center-field
defense pushed Adam Haseled up draft boards
BaseballAmerica.com
Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks
This is so early that Its a total crap-shoot
to assign players to teams this early, but that
doesnt mean it isnt still fun. So heres an early
look at what the first 10 picks could look like
come June 12.
1. TWINS. HUNTER GREENE, RHP, NOTRE
DAME HIGH, SHERMAN OAKS, CALIF.: The
Twins have nine players in consideration for
the top spot, a diverse group that includes
McKay, college righthanders J.B. Bukauskas
(North Carolina), Alex Faedo (Florida) and
Kyle Wright (Vanderbilt), Vanderbilt out-
fielder Jeren Kendall, Virginia first baseman
Pavin Smith and prep outfielders Austin Beck
(Lexington, N.C.) and Royce Lewis (San Juan
Capistrano, Calif.).
2. REDS. BRENDAN MCKAY, 1B/LHP,
LOUISVILLE: The Reds are said to prefer
McKay as a pitcher. As one scout outside the
organization put it, Typically, the hitters at
the top of draft have more explosive athleti-
cism than McKay does. Hes a really good hit-
ter, but hes not super explosive. With those
kinds of guys, theres usually no margin for
error, though with him there is the pitching.
3. PADRES. ROYCE LEWIS, SS/OF, JSERRA
HIGH, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF.:
Everyone expects the Padres and GM A.J.
Preller to try to do what it takes to push
Greene down to them at No. 3, but Lewis is
an athletic bonanza and a potentially explo-
sive consolation prize. However, he was off to
a slow start to his prep season, and he was in
danger of seeing his draft stock fall.
4. RAYS. J.B. BUKAUSKAS, RHP, NORTH
CAROLINA: Bukauskas has come out of the
gates much stronger than Vanderbilts Kyle
Wright (stuff sound, command and perfor-
mance below-par) and Floridas Alex Faedo
(performing, more modest fastball velocity).
Bukauskas has sizzled with a plus fastball,
70-grade slider and improved changeup that
he threw effectively and frequently against
Virginia. His fifth start was a 14-strikeout
sizzler at Georgia Tech, and he was 3-0, 1.09
with 51 strikeouts and seven walks in 33
innings.
Im not worried about the changeup, one
evaluator said. He had it in high school,
weve seen it. Its the command and delivery
you want to see, and those are better too.
5. BRAVES. AUSTIN BECK, OF, NORTH
DAVIDSON HIGH, LEXINGTON, N.C.: Its a
banner year in North Carolina with lefty
McKenzie Gore and Bukauskas drawing in
crosscheckers and scouting directors by the
dozen. Both could go in the top 10 picks, but
Beck, who has returned from a torn ACL to
show plus tools across the board, has wowed
them even more than Gore.
Beck has had a couple of Roy Hobbs
performances where hes made the game look
ridiculously easy, and the Rays are in heavy at
No. 4 as well. Beck is the drafts fastest riser,
and one front-office official said he had the
highest upside in the draft of any position
player. He also could slide back down the
draft as teams fret about his lack of wood-bat
track record, after missing last summer and
fall with his knee injury.
6. ATHLETICS. JEREN KENDALL, OF,
VANDERBILT: Kendall remains the top ath-
lete on the college side but appears to have
fallen behind McKay for most teams as the
top college position playerat least for those
teams that consider McKay a hitter. Kendalls
swing-and-miss problems have not abated as a
junior, but hes still extremely fast, has plenty
of raw power and is a force at the top of a
lineup or defensively in center field.
BILL MITCHELL
Scouts prefer Hunter Greene on the mound, but
hes a legit prospect as a power-hitting infielder
7. DIAMONDBACKS. ALEX FAEDO, RHP,
FLORIDA: Fall knee surgery has put Faedo
behind schedule a bit this year, and while hes
pitched well and still has a double-plus slider,
his fastball velocity has dipped, and he pitched
poorly in a loss at Auburn. Its not the 93-96
weve seen in the past, one director said. Its
more 88-92. But he has time to get it back.
8. PHILLIES. KYLE WRIGHT, RHP,
VANDERBILT: While Wrights thrown hard
enough, the projectable presumed next
Commodores ace was off to a slow start (0-3,
4.33, 27 IP, 30 H, 28-8 K-BB ratio) due to
spotty command, of both his fastball and
his secondary stuff. He was better in a mid-
March start at Mississippi.
9. BREWERS. PAVIN SMITH, 1B, VIRGINIA:
Smith has a long, trusted track record as a
hitter and has some offensive similarities to
McKay, with more pure hitting ability and bat
control than explosiveness. He had five home
runs and three strikeouts through 78 at-bats.
10. ANGELS. ADAM HASELEY, OF, VIRGINIA:
The Angels would like to take a college posi-
tion player with track record, and this draft is
shy on those. They saw a lot of Haseley while
scouting last years first-rounder the Cavaliers
Matt Thaiss. Haseley has hit his way up the
ladder as an athletic center fielder with hit-
ting ability, emerging power and middle-of-
the-diamond defense. The other option for
the Angels would be UC Irvine DH Keston
Hiura, the toughest player to peg in the
first round. He has not played the field this
spring due to a lingering elbow injury that
also limited him to DH last summer with
USA Baseballs Collegiate National Team.
However, Hiura rakes (.419/.525/.855 start in
62 at-bats), with many scouts projecting him
as a future plus hitter with plus power.
Hes likely to need elbow surgery once the
draft is over, and clubs have to guess as to
whether or not he can play second base or
settle into left field as a pro.
Teams arent likely to guess in the first 10
picks. But so far this year, they have to guess
as to which players deserve to be picked that
high in a class where only Greene and McKay
have separated themselves from the pack.
April 721, 2017
MINOR LEAGUE PREVIEW

Pace of play, Tebow-mania will draw attention

S
pring training is headed for home and the minor league season is here at long last. Prospects are
spreading out across the country and readying themselves for the grind of a 140-game season. In
Storylines to Watch:
minor league front offices, however, the preparation started long ago. Tickets were sold, bobble- On and O The Field
heads and specialty jerseys were dreamed up and trends on social media were carefully monitored to
ensure their Twitter feed is as up to date as possible. PACE OF PLAY: Game length and pace of
Last seasons minor league campaign was marked on the field by the ascent of Red Sox outfielder play remain hot topics that continue to bleed
Andrew Benintendi and Minor League Player of the Year Yoan Moncadas rise from high Class A to the into the minor leagues. Pitch clocks and other
majors. The sport-wide spike in velocity continued as well, with at least 71 minor leaguers touching or speed-up rules were instituted before the
surpassing 100 mph with their fastballs. Mariners righthander Thyago Vieira was the velocity king, with 2015 season after a trial run in the Arizona
a peak of 104 mph during the season. Righthanders Julian Fernandez (Rockies), Michael Kopech (White Fall League, and now the minors seem poised
Sox), Rodolfo Martinez (Giants) and Jorge Guzman (Yankees) all hit 103 mph as well. to add another element at the lowest levels.
Off the field, the biggest story of the season was the realignment of the California and Carolina Major League Baseball has proposed using
leagues. After years of rumors, The Cal Leagues High Desert and Bakersfield franchises were shut down international-style tiebreaker rules in the
and replaced across the country in Kinston, N.C., (the Down East Wood Ducks) and Buies Creek, N.C. Rookie-level Arizona, Dominican Summer
(for a couple of years before a move to Fayetteville, N.C.). The explosion of rebranding ran a close sec- and Gulf Coast leagues to curtail extra-
ond as the minors biggest story. Five teams got new namesthe Binghamton Rumble Ponies (former- inning games. If instituted as expected, any
ly Mets), the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Suns), the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Zephyrs), as well as the extra inningwhich could be the eighth for
aforementioned Wood Ducks and Buies Creek Astros. The Staten Island Yankees attempted to change doubleheaderswould begin with a runner
their names, but local government blanched at the proposed choices and the club scrapped the plan. on second base. The goal: promote scoring
A couple of other clubsthe Memphis Redbirds, Lynchburg Hillcats and Lowell Spinnersalso got to keep games from running too long and
new looks while keeping their names. taxing pitching stas. None of the aected
leagues had received word to institute the
SO WHATS ON TAP FOR 2017? rules yet, but the changes seemed likely.
Though used in the World Baseball Classic,
New Franchises tiebreaker rules arent likely to make their way
into the majors. If they succeed in the low lev-
els, however, theres a chance theyd be used
throughout the minors in an eort to both
speed up games and save pitchers arms.
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: In both the macro
and micro views, the latest craze around
the minor leagues involves rebranding. Five
teamsJacksonville, New Orleans, Florida,
Binghamton and Kinston (Down East)
changed their identities this oseason (were
excepting the Buies Creek Astros because
they will change again once they move into
their permanent home in Fayetteville, N.C.,
for the 2019 season). Several more, however,
are continuing the recent trend of one-night
switches. The most notable example of this
phenomenon involves the Fresno Grizzlies,
who morph on each Tuesday home game
into the Fresno Tacos and don a completely
dierent uniform than the version they wear
most nights. Charlotte, Brooklyn, Aberdeen
and Reading are all doing something similar
this season, and almost certainly will enjoy a
nice revenue bump that comes from the cor-
responding merchandise sales.
The Fresno Grizzlies
become the Tacos every
Tuesday, with tasty
results.

TIM TEBOW: The 2007 Heisman Trophy win-

ner and former NFL quarterback began his
baseball comeback with a tryout last August
BUIES CREEK ASTROS DOWN EAST WOOD DUCKS FLORIDA FIRE FROGS before the Mets signed him for $100,000. He
Replacing: Bakerseld Blaze Replacing: High Desert Used To Be: Brevard County played in instructional league and then the
(California) Mavericks (California) Manatees (Florida State) Arizona Fall League in his rst pro exposure.
The Blaze were shut down The Mavericks began the After 22 years in Brevard After plenty of cameos with the big club in
after the season as part season by dueling with the gov- County, the Manatees moved spring training, Tebows next stop will be at
of the California-Carolina ernment in Adelanto, Calif., over across the state to Osceola the low Class A level to open the minor league
League realignment, with the terms of their stadium lease, County Stadium in Kissimmee, regular season. The Columbia Fireies have
the latter adding a franchise and closed the season with the Fla. The new franchise also played up Tebows incoming arrival, and rival
in Buies Creek, N.C. Theyll ultimate walk-off: a champion- became a Braves affiliate, leav- teams around the South Atlantic League have MORE MOVEMENT COMING? The long-
play at Jim Perry Stadium ship win in their final season in ing the Brewers to move their played up their home dates against Columbia rumored shift between the Carolina and
on Campbell Universitys the California League. Theyll high Class A affiliation into the on Twitter. The AFL saw an uptick in atten- California leagues happened last season when
campus for the next two bring Carolina League baseball Carolina League. dance thanks to Tebow, and the SAL is likely to High Desert and Bakersfield were shuttered
seasons before moving to back to a refurbished Grainger feel the same boost. He wont have a Michael in the Cal League, and the Carolina League
Fayetteville, N.C., in 2019. Stadium in Kinston, N.C. Jordan-level impact, but teams around the added two franchises that became the Down
league are certain to feel the benets of his East Wood Ducks and Buies Creek Astros.
Down East Florida presence as long as he keeps at it. With the lid removed, might we see more
Wood Ducks: Fire Frogs:
franchise movement? Folks in San Antonio
Snap Judgments The Wood Ducks The former Br
County Manat
evarrdd have been rumored to be seeking g a move up
Will Lingo is not just Baseball Americas publisher, but nickname works; the ees livvee to Triple-A, with the Pacific Coast League fran--
up to their franc
hes also the self-proclaimed judge of all logos. Here are regional Down East hisees
s chise in Colorado Springs moving g there. The
his thoughs on this years crop: moniker and overall history of good
nicknames and Texas Leagues Missions
o s would
ou d then be b look-
oo -
ts: look, not so much. logos.
Lynchburg Hillca ing
i for a new home, with Texas cities Amarillo
e new log o com bin es the hills and the or
o Lubbock mentioned as possibilities, as well
Th eans
than the le
cat in a much better way New OCrrlakes: as
a former TL member Wichita. Could that trig--
and the colo r scheme is nice. Baby
pre vio us log o, r a nice ger a more geographically friendly alignment
Credit fo
C of
o the Triple-A leagues? One that would place
but
local , ti e
central
c time-zone teams like Iowa,a NewN
e n ic k n ame
th
g o a re an Orleans,s Memphis aand Nashville
N any--
and lo
Memphis ss ent.
m where but the PCL would make a lot off
Redbirds: embarra sense and would make travel sched--
Cool update, u a little bit less hectic..
ules
with more of a
Memphis feel
but maintaining
a professional Lowell The minors
o
look. Spinners: most
o famous
a ou
Not a huge player, Tim
Tebow,, will
departure, but head
ad too the
ties in the Sally
y League e
STACY JO GRANT; BILL MITCHELL

alligator and
Jacksonville the Red Sox
Jumbo Shrimp: connection
This is just more explicitly.
Binghamton cartoonish for
Rumble Ponies:
the sake of being
This is actually an interesting nickname,
cartoonish, with
unconventional and a legitimate local
an oxymoronic
tie, though the lettering and logo
themselves dont work. nickname that is
already boring.
Ba
aseballAm
Am
Amer
meeric
riicca.c
.com
om April
p 721, 2017
10
 Fastball velocity
captivates fans and
scouts alike, and few
pitchers have it like
Michael Kopech.
Acquired from the Red
Sox in the Chris Sale
trade, the White Sox
prospect ranks among
the minors hardest
throwers as he likely
heads for Double-A
Birmingham .
MINORS New brew

New Brewers regime inspires optimism

BY J.J. COOPER

PHOENIX

E
ven in the midst of a snowy Wisconsin winter and the
Green Bay Packers making another NFL playoff run,
David Stearns trips to the grocery store felt like a sum-
mer stroll.
Coming off of a 73-win season and consecutive fourth-
place finishes in the National League Central, the Brewers
have a fired-up fan base.
The enthusiasm when I walk around Milwaukee, even
in the winter when its Packers time, is unbelievable, said
Stearns, the clubs 31-year-old general manager. People stop
me in the grocery store and want to talk Brewers baseball. Its
unbelievable.
Those fans are starting to have more to talk about. The
Brewers rebuild is still in its nascent stages, but after trades
restocked the farm system over the past two years and the
2016 draft netted an impressive talent haul, Milwaukee is
showing signs of hope in a division formidable enough to
quash all optimism.
Optimism has been an intermittent emotion for Brewers
fans through the years. The franchises 47-year history is
largely bereft of memorable moments.
The Robin Yount-Paul Molitor clubs averaged 86 wins per
year over the six seasons from 1978 to 1983. They won an
American League pennant in 1982 and also made the playoffs
the year before.
Then came the Ryan Braun-Prince Fielder clubs that twice
won 90 games and qualified for the postseason in 2008 and
2011, the season they recorded a franchise-record 96 wins.
As far as playoff appearances, division titles or simply
breaking through to the national consciousness, thats it for
the Brewers. They arent even famous for their futility, like
the division-rival Cubs, who went 108 years between World
Series titles, or the Pirates, who weathered a record 20 straight
losing seasons.
This is the challenge Stearns and his front office face. Can
they build a winner in a city where winning has never become
a habit? Can they build a winner in the smallest metropolitan
market in the major leagues?
We understand we have a fan base that is starving for
championship-caliber baseball, Stearns said. We understand
how special it will be when we get there and how long-lasting
those memories will be.
We recognize the challenge of competing given the (rev- Josh Hader ranked fourth in the minors last
enue) constraints we have. Thats OK, we signed up for this. year with 161 strikeouts and could bring his

LARRY GOREN
We all understand that baseball isnt a level playing field from act to Milwaukee this season
market to market. We accept that. It energizes us. Our goal is
to overcome those obstacles.
I T S G E T T I N G B E T T E R

T
he Brewers still have plenty of work to do, despite hav-
ing a system stocked with prospects. The organization BA Grades, in our Prospect Handbook, help
assess each prospects overall potential (on
checks in at No. 8 on this years talent rankings thanks the 20-80 scale) while balancing that poten-
to a system that is both top-heavy and bottom-heavy. tial with a risk grade that ranges from low to
At some point this year, Triple-A Colorado Springs could extreme. For example, a prospect with a BA
be home to outfielder Lewis Brinson, lefthander Josh Hader Grade of 50/High is considered to have a ceil-
and righthander Luis Ortiz, the Brewers top three prospects. ing of an average player, albeit with a high
A strong 2016 draft class should provide a boost at the lower risk of reaching that potential. The Brewers
levels, where first-rounder Corey Ray and second-rounder system today has many more prospects 12
Lucas Erceg could be ready for high Class A Carolina. who fit that description (12) than they
did three years ago (five). This is a sign of
The system is especially deep in outfielders and power
progress.
arms, and some prospects who struggled last year have signifi-
cant rebound potential. In particular, outfielder Brett Phillips, Prospects with
BA Grades better
catcher Jacob Nottingham and righthander Jorge Lopez will than 50/High
attempt to erase bad memories from Double-A Biloxi. 6
The Brewers have six Top 100 Prospects this year. They had
five total from 2011 to 2014. As an added benefit, this years
5 5
JOHN WILLIAMSON

prospect class has Brinson, Hader, Ortiz and righthander

Brandon Woodruff, all of who could reach Milwaukee. That Prospects with 3 3
all-star upside
would give the Brewers an infusion of young talent to supple- (BA Grade of 60 or
ment a roster that benefitted from savvy work around the higher)
margins in 2016. er, on waivers from the White Sox in October 2015, in what Lewis Brinson hit 0 0
In addition to higher draft position and more bonus-pool was Stearns first transaction. The previous regime claimed .382/.387/.618 in 23
money to spend on amateur talent, a rebuilding team has utilityman Hernan Perez, who stole 34 bases last year. games after being
other advantages it can seize. One example is waiver-wire pri- Additionally, the Brewers picked up second baseman acquired from the 2014 2015 2016 2017
ority, which is based on a teams current record, so that teams Jonathan Villar, center fielder Keon Broxton and righthander Rangers last year.
in the basement get first crack at waived players. Losing teams Zach Davies in low-cost trades. Somethings definite- Explained another way: the Brewers No.
also are free to speculate on talented young players that other Given a chance to play regularly in 2016, Villar had a ly brewing here, he 27 prospect this yearCanadian prep
teams have given up on. breakthrough season, stealing an NL-best 62 bases, while said about his excite- outfielder Demi Orimoloyewould have
Milwaukee has succeeded on these fronts. They claimed Broxton showed enough to earn a larger role in 2017. Davies ment for the Brewers ranked about No. 9 in 2014.
righthander Junior Guerra, the projected Opening Day start- went 11-7, 3.97 and projects as this years No. 2 starter. future

BaseballAmerica.com April 721, 2017

12
 The Trades That (Re)Built The Brewers
The Brewers turned over the keys to general manager David Stearns in September
Cease headlines Cubs pitching push
2015 and in his first year on the job he executed a number of high-profile trades and
selected quick-moving college bats Corey Ray and Lucas Erceg early in the 2016 draft. BY J.J. COOPER
Here are the two most bountiful trades executed by Stearns and his predecessor
Doug Melvin in 2015 and 2016 that buttressed the Brewers big league team and PHOENIX
enhanced the organizations prospect inventory.
The Cubs proved last year that you can
build a World Series champion with a
CARLOS GOMEZ, OF JOSH
HADER, LHP complete lack of homegrown pitchers.
Age: 29 No. 2 prospect While Chicagos World Series lineup
included homegrown stars Kris Bryant,
Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber, its pitch-
ADRIAN ing staff was assembled from other teams.
TRADED FOR

HOUSER, RHP
Double-A Free agents, trade acquisitions and even
a Rule 5 draft pick filled out the majors
best pitching staff as measured by ERA.
DOMINGO But pitchers signed and developed by the
SANTANA, RHP
Projected right elder Cubs were almost completely absent.
Scanning the upper levels of Chicagos
farm system shows that this trend wont
AND BRETT change dramatically in 2017 or 2018. But
MIKE FIERS, RHP PHILLIPS, OF
there is hope lower down in the system.
No. 12 prospect
Age: 30 What once was a system stacked with
hitters now stands out most for its young
pitchers. At Class A or lower, the Cubs this
year will have righthanders Dylan Cease,
JONATHAN LUCROY, C Oscar de la Cruz, Jose Albertos, Thomas
Age: 30 Hatch, Erling Moreno and Bailey Clark plus
LEWIS lefthanders Jose Paulino, Justin Steele and
BRINSON, OF Bryan Hudson.
No. 1 prospect Its been in the making, Cubs farm
TRADED FOR

director Jaron Madison said. The intention

LUIS has been to add to our pitching depth
ORTIZ, RHP
No. 3 prospect
through the draft and through all trades.
Now those guys are starting to bloom.
The Cubs drafted pitchers with 13 of
RYAN their first 14 draft picks in last years draft,
CORDELL, OF
when they didnt have a first- or second-
No. 18 prospect
AND round pick. Two of the top three interna-

BILL MITCHELL
JEREMY JEFFRESS, RHP tional bonuses signed were also pitchers.
Age: 29 History shows that position players are
the best bet high in the draft, Madison
said of the Cubs run of first-round picks Lower-level pitchers like Dylan Cease will be key for the Cubs developing pitching pipeline

T
he Brewers have worked the margins well, but the mar- from 2012 to 2015 that included Albert
gins wont get them to their fifth playoff appearance. Almora, Bryant, Schwarber and Ian Happ. throwing his changeup. His curveball is R A I S I N G A R M S A F T E R B AT S
Thats where the trades come in. Now that we are picking No. 30, hope- erratic at times, as is the case with many
The Brewers projected Triple-A club is an assemblage of fully for the rest of the decade, well kind young pitchers. But he has much less to The Cubs draw praise for a homegrown lineup core, but
some of the best prospects in the system. Theres center fielder of look and see how things map out now. work on than he once did. they received fewer than 2 percent of total innings in
Brinson, acquired from the Rangers last year in the Jonathan Things are different when you are picking It finally feels like Im on the other 2016 by pitchers originally signed by the organization.
Lucroy deal. Hes flanked in right field by Ryan Cordell, who 30th. side of the hill. I have all the basics down,
was part of the same trade. In left field is Phillips, acquired Cease said. I have a good base, and now TRADE FREE AGENT
from the Astros in the 2015 trade that sent Carlos Gomez Leading The Charge I can go out, have fun and keep building
743
(50.9%)
638
(43.7%)
to Houston. Hader, the systems top pitching prospect, also If the Cubs are going to become pro- on it. (Before surgery) I didnt have a great
came to Milwaukee in that trade. ducers of pitching, Cease is the best bet to fundamental base under me. I didnt have
Of the systems six Top 100 Prospects, four were acquired in lead the way. He and the Cubs have had to anything to go back to if I needed to make
trades, including Brinson, Hader, Ortiz and second baseman be patient, though. A 2014 preseason high an adjustment. I had to figure it out every 2016 Cubs
Isan Diaz, whom Stearns acquired from the Diamondbacks school All-American, Cease went down day. Source of
when he traded Jean Segura. early in his senior season at Milton (Ga.) Now, (my delivery is) way looser, way Innings
You know youre going to be a part of the process. It High with an elbow injury that ended up more athletic. I think its a lot better. I dont
excites you, Brinson said. You get more excited for whats to requiring Tommy John surgery. worry about (mechanics and delivery)
come. Somethings definitely brewing here. There are a lot of The Cubs signed him for $1.5 million as anymore. Its about execution now. RULE 5
guys up there and down here (in the minors) who want to get a sixth-round pick. And then they waited. Its not just Cease who gives the Cubs 51
DRAFT (3.5%)
the Brewers back on the map. Its going to be a lot of fun. Cease made it back to the mound in time hope. De la Cruz has a chance for three 16 INTERNATIONAL
The depth of the Brewers system is commendable, but to throw 24 innings in the Rookie-level plus pitches. Everyone in the organiza- (1.1%) 11
what Milwaukee lacks is a cornerstone players to fuel playoff Arizona League in 2015. tion is excited to see what Albertos, an (0.8%)
runs. Theyre still looking for their next Braun or Fielder. Even last year, the Cubs kept Cease 18-year-old Mexican righty, does this year.
For example, the 2016 Cubs received contributions from on a tight leash. He threw 45 innings at He made only one outing last year before
The Cubs received more than one-third of total plate
blue-chip prospects such as Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, short-season Eugene and showed an being shut down with elbow soreness,
appearances by homegrown players in 2016, though
Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez. The 2015 Royals won outstanding fastball at 95-101 mph that but he showed a 94-96 mph fastball, a trade pickups Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell were
the World Series thanks in part to Eric Hosmer and Mike led to 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings. His potentially devastating changeup and has acquired while still prospects.
Moustakas, who ranked Nos. 8 and 9 on the Top 100 control, changeup and the consistency of mixed in two breaking balls in the past.
Prospects in 2011. Wil Myers ranked No. 10 that year, and his breaking ball all need work, but it was Moreno, like Cease, is ready for full- TRADE FREE AGENT
1855 2048
Kansas City turned him into Wade Davis. a strong sign of whats to come. season ball after recovering from Tommy (31.3%) (34.5%)
Milwaukee doesnt have a top-25 prospect this year, though Now as Cease readies to head to low John surgery. Hudson is the kind of big,
its possible that Ray or second-round steal Erceg will get Class A South Bend, he gets to work like tall (hes 6-foot-8), athletic lefty teams
there one day. The Brewers also pick ninth in the 2017 draft a normal pitcher, not one rehabbing from dream of finding. After having a dearth of
2016
and have a supplemental first-round pick, giving them a injury. pitching prospects in the past, the Cubs
Cubs Source
chance to stock up again. I feel like a real ballplayer now, Cease this year will have to push pitchers or Of Plate
With the amount of young talent we have on our major said, where I can now do the same stuff hold some back because there just arent Appearances
league roster and the amount of young talent at the high as everyone else. If I want to work on my enough innings to go around.
levels of the minor leagues, were understanding this could be breaking ball or my changeup in my side We try to balance it out, Madison
the year we take a significant step forward, Stearns said. It sessions, Im not limited by my rehab said, but pitching is definitely going to
may not be. If its not, thats OK and well reassess where we schedule. Its my first real opportunity to take over as the most exciting part of our
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
are as an organization. But as we sit here in spring training, expand and grow how I want to. organization in the minor leagues as these 1471 561
our goal is to begin to take that step now. Cease still slows his arm at times when lower-level guys progress. (24.8%) (9.5%)

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

13
MINORS Bright future
Phillies expect payo from patient rebuild
The Phillies lack a franchise player on the farm, but prospects such as catcher Jorge Alfaro (left) and shortstop J.P. Crawford could be middle-of-the-diamond stars
BY JIM SALISBURY
CLEARWATER, FLA.
A
walk through the Phillies minor
league complex on a March game day
offers evidence that the organizations
rebuild is advancing.
Card collectors and autograph hounds are
everywhere. Have Sharpie, please sign!
It wasnt this way a few years ago. The
Phillies great run from 2007 through 2011
included five National League East titles,
two pennants and a World Series title, but it
ended with an airbag-deploying thud.
In subsequent years the Phillies lacked the
stock of prospects to stay in the fast lane.
You didnt need a Top 10 Prospects list to tell
you that the organization lacked prospects.
You could tell by the lack of collectors at the
minor league complex, because they want
autographs that will be worth big coin down
the road.
The Phillies decided to stop patching what
remained of the 2008 World Series winners
and embark on a full rebuild in 2015. The
organization is in better shape three years
later, thanks to improved drafting, fruitful
trades and a notable international signings.
One of the things weve worked hard to
doand this predates meis acquire as
many talented young players as we can, gen-
eral manager Matt Klentak said. We know
the inevitable is going to happensomebody
will get hurt or not perform as well as you
thought.
But theres also going to be a player who
turns out to be a full grade better than you
thought. Hopefully there will be multiple
players like that. Its not an exact science. We
know that. Our position is to have as many
of them as we can and take our chances on
volume.
Klentak came aboard in October 2015
after the team bottomed out with 99 losses.
Moving into his second season, he is pleased
with the progress but knows there is still
work to do to build a sustained winner.
I understand this is a passionate town and
a passionate fan base that wants to win, he
said, but it doesnt happen overnight. Were
taking steps to get to where we want to go,
and were pleased with where we stand.
Klentak, 36, holds an economics degree
from Dartmouth, so its pretty safe to say
he doesnt count autograph collectors at the
minor league complex as a legitimate indica-
tor of progress.
14
T
he Phillies improved by eight wins in
2016 and ended the season with the
second-youngest roster in the majors
at a shade under 27 years old.
The club added 11 prospects to its 40-man
roster in November. No other team added
more than eight.
Two years after posting the lowest farm
system winning percentage (.435), count-
ing domestic affiliates only, and sending no
teams to the playoffs, Phillies farm clubs had
the best domestic mark in baseball (.595)
and four made the playoffs in 2016.
Among that group was a prospect-studded
Double-A Reading team that, led by power
hitters Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins,
won 89 games, second-most in the minors.
The prospect-laden Rookie-level Gulf Coast
League team went 43-15 behind the con-
tributions of center fielder Mickey Moniak,
the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, and
righthander Sixto Sanchez, an eye-popping
prospect who has drawn comparisons with
the Cardinals Carlos Martinez.
The Phillies did not win in the minors in
2016 with veteran clubs. All of their domes-
tic teams were younger than league average.
Klentak is trying to build a club that con-
trols the strike zone on both sides of the
ball, and the concept is being drilled into
minor leaguers. Pitchers must throw strikes
to advance, while hitters must grind out at-
bats, get on base and not chase excessively.
Progress in this area is evident. Phillies
pitchers ranked best in the minors with just
2.87 walks per nine innings and 11th with
8.02 strikeouts per nine. Offensively, the
organizations walk rate among full-season
teams improved from 7.3 to 8 percent and
isolated power soared from .112 to .139.
Much of that power came from Cozens,
a hulking right fielder who led the minors
with 40 homers, and Hoskins, a first base-
man who hit 38 homers. That pair will move
to Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season and be
part of a club that will put a legitimate pros-
pect at every position except third base.
We feel very strongly about the level of
position prospects at our higher levels, club
president Andy MacPhail said. Virtually
every position at Triple-A will be manned by
someone who we believe has a major league
future, and thats rare. Often youre signing
minor league free agents to fill.
The Lehigh Valley rotation could also
be staffed completely with young pitch-
ers. Candidates include Zach Eflin, Jake
BaseballAmerica.com
The Trades That
(Re)Built The Phillies
The Phillies kicked the tires on a rebuild at the 2012 trade deadline
when then-general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. traded Hunter Pence
and Shane Victorino for prospects Tommy Joseph, Ethan Martin and
others. Amaro continued dealing Phillies stars of yore, such as Cole
Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Jonathan Papelbon, until
his termination after the 2015 season. At that point incoming GM
Matt Klentak took up the charge by trading closer Ken Giles and
then selecting Southern California preps Mickey Moniak and Kevin
Gowdy with the clubs top two picks in the 2016 draft.
JULY 31, 2015
Phillies trade with Rangers
COLE HAMELS JAKE DIEKMAN
LHP LHP
Age: 31 Age: 28
PHOTOS BY CLIFF WELCH
Thompson, Alec Asher, Nick Pivetta, Ben
Lively and Mark Appel. Each of those right-
handers arrived in a trade that has coincided TRADED FOR
with the rebuildEflin for Jimmy Rollins, JORGE NICK JERAD
Lively for Marlon Byrd, Pivetta for Jonathan ALFARO WILLIAMS EICKHOFF
Papelbon, and Thompson and Asher as part C OF RHP
No. 3 prospect No. 4 prospect No. 3 starter
of the package received from the Rangers for
Cole Hamels. All of those trades were made JAKE ALEC
THOMPSON ASHER
by former GM Ruben Amaro Jr.. RHP RHP
Triple-A rotation Triple-A rotation
T
he Hamels deal already has pushed
the rebuild forward. Righthander
Jerad Eickhoff, who probably ranked DEC. 12, 2015
fourth among prospects in the deal at the Phillies trade with Astros
time, led the big league staff in starts (33),
innings (197.1) and ERA (3.65) last season. KEN GILES JONATHAN
The other players in that deal, particularly RHP ARAUZ, SS
Thompson, catcher Jorge Alfaro and out- Age:
g 25 Age: 17
fielder Nick Williams, are a big reason the
farm system has jumped from the bottom
third to the top third over the past two years.
Klentaks first big deal sent young closer
Ken Giles to the Astros for power-armed
righty Vince Velasquez, already a member of
the big league rotation, the enigmatic Appel
ARAUZ PHOTY BY MIKE JANES; ALL OTHERS COURTESY MLB
and strike-throwing righty Tom Eshelman.
A few years ago, the Phillies had trouble
finding enough arms to get through TRADED FOR
September. Their improved rotation depth, VINCE MARK TOM
which started with the drafting of first- VELASQUEZ APPEL ESHELMAN
RHP RHP RHP
rounder Aaron Nola in 2014, is the most No. 5 starter No. 20 prospect No. 25 prospect
tangible sign of progress in the rebuild. HAROLD BRETT
Dusty Wathan, who will manage Lehigh ARAUZ OBERHOLTZER
Valley after five seasons at Reading, sees the RHP LHP
progress. Low Class A Lost on waivers
A couple of years back we sat in meetings
and said, How are we going to get five guys
to start at Lehigh Valley? he said. Now we The building of a nucleus in Philadelphia,
have to figure out how were going to get all which has already started with Rule 5 out-
these guys innings. fielder Odubel Herrera, second baseman
From Alfaro, shortstop J.P. Crawford and Cesar Hernandez, third baseman Maikel
center fielder Roman Quinn at Triple-A, to Franco and starters Eickhoff, Nola and
second baseman Scott Kingery at Double-A, Velasquez, could coincide with a group of
to Moniak and Sanchez at low Class A megastars who will hit the free-agent market
Lakewood, the Phillies have a deep stock of after the 2018 season. With a deep-pocketed
middle-of-the-diamond players. ownership group that has already proven it
will spend, the Phillies are nicely positioned
W
hile the Phillies have volume, they to take a big leap forward.
lack a surefire franchise player, such Those owners remain committed to build-
as Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa or ing from the bottom up.
Manny Machado. The Phillies dont have The only option for me is winning,
that guy, but maybe one will develop. Or said John Middleton, the teams billionaire
maybe they will use some of their prospect managing partner. But we need to build
depth to acquire one of those guys in a trade. this the right way. We need to be patient. If
Alternately, the organization could use one you look at the teams that are willing to stay
of its other strengthsmoneyto find its the course and do it the right way, they get
franchise changer. rewardedand thats what we need to do.
April 721, 2017
 Talk of the town PROSPECT PULSE

Padres young talent

shines on back elds
BY J.J. COOPER
PEORIA, ARIZ.
Padres fans are going to have to be patient.
The big league team this year could be a
disaster. The San Diego rotation is the last ref-
uge for veterans such as Jered Weaver, trying
to get one more big league shot. The lineup
features Wil Myers, some promising rookies
and a whole lot of questions.
The Padres are a better bet for the No. 1
overall pick in the 2018 draft than they are for
a .500 record in 2017.
But far away from San Diego, the Padres
have a whole lot of impatient prospects.
On the minor league back fields this spring,
the organization has assembled an experi-
ment thats never been attempted before. The
Padres spent more on international amateurs
in the past year (roughly $80 million includ-
ing overage penalties) than they will spend on
their big league roster in 2017. Add in the
$13.4 million San Diego spent in the draft
and that total dwarfs the projected major
league payroll of roughly $60 millionmore
than $30 million of which goes to players
like Matt Kemp, James Shields and Melvin
Upton, who are no longer on the roster.
The spending spree just might pay off.
Jordy Barley, the fastest and twitchiest of the
signees, plays a lot of second base even though
his arm seems far too powerful to end up on
the right side of the infield.
We keep telling them there are three types
of competition that they have to face every
single day, Padres field coordinator Luis
Ortiz said. One is that personal competition.
What do I have to do to get better today?
Then there is internal competition. Hey,
theres only one shortstop who plays every day
in the big leagues and there are seven here (in
the minors). And the third one is external
competitionfacing the other team. Thats
the one everyone gets up for, but if the other
two arent present, the external competition
wont happen.
The competition in Peoria has been intense,
especially when no other team is invited to
stop by.
They face better pitching when they face
each other, Ortiz said. Usually a normal
intrasquad game is really boring and the guys
dont want to do that. Here the competition
is amazing.
In addition to the four teen shortstops,
the Padres have promising lefthanded power
in outfielder Tirso Ornelas, a center fielder
in Jeisson Rosario and a backstop in catcher

Scouts seeing the Padres youngsters this spring
have raved about their combination of tools
and advanced skills. They look much more
advanced than typical 16- or 17-year-olds.
Field Of Teens
For even the top international prospects,
the path from July 2 to prominence is sup-
posed to be a long one.
But 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Luis
Almanzar isnt taking it slow. He saw signifi-
cant time with the Padres high Class A group
at spring training, where he played against
players three, four and five years older than
himand he has looked like one of the better
players in those games.
Almanazar has played with the high Class
A club because Gabriel Arias, a fellow July 2
signee from last summer, is playing shortstop
for the low Class A club. With Arias playing
shortstop, fellow shortstop Justin Lopez slides
over to third base, even though he has out-
standing hands and excellent infield actions.
Alison Quintero at minor league camp.
They came to us as very advanced baseball
players, Padres farm director Sam Geaney
said. A lot of what was attractive is they can
come quickly.
It would be an aggressive move to send an
international signee to a U.S. complex league
in his first pro season. The Padres realized
by the end of the instructional league last
year that they would need two Rookie-level
Arizona League clubs to accommodate all
the prospects who are ready to skip the
Dominican Summer League. With players
like Almanzar, its possible that even the AZL
wont be enough of a challenge.
Having two AZL affiliates also ensures that
all four of the shortstops will be able to see
time at their natural position.
A lot has been made about us having two
teams in the AZL, Geaney said. A lot of that
revolves around the group of position players
we signed. You dont want to move them off
(shortstop) and make decisions when they are
Teen Dominican shortstop Luis Almanzar leads a brigade of young position talent in the Padres system
so young.
Balanced Approach To Pitching
The Padres international spending spree
brought in a bevy of position players. Largely
through the $13.4 million spent in the 2016
draft, the Padres restocked their inventory of
pitchers as well.
Righthanders Anderson Espinoza and Cal
Quantrill and Cuban lefty Adrian Morejon
are all Top 100 Prospects, while 2016 draft-
ees Eric Lauer (first round), Reggie Lawson
(supplemental second) and Mason Thompson
(third) all but guarantee that an excellent arm
will take the hill no matter the day. Recently
signed Cuban lefty Osvaldo Fernandez will
soon join the group.
You always want to have a balance between
guys who are projectable, who down the road
BLL MITCHELL
have a chance to impact the game at the
major league level, and guys who are advanced
for their age, Padres general manager A.J.
Preller said. We have a group where we have
lefthanded bats, shortstops and center fielders.
We have guys who can come out there against
players who are more experienced. Its a credit
to the scouting department.
The Padres will field what appears to be the
thinnest, least talented roster in the majors in
2017. But when it comes to the lower minors,
they will be deeper than anyone else. A lot can
go wrong between the Arizona League and the
majors, and assuredly for a number of these
prospects, something will. But there is hope
for the future in San Diego.
It will just require a lot of patience, even if
the prospects themselves dont seem like the
patient types.

FRANCISCO The seventh edition of the CAPTAINS CATCHER AWARD, PRESENTED BY

MEJIA
PRESENTS ALL-STAR, kicks off with Clevelands Francisco Mejia, who gained fame last season with

THE CLEVELAND
a 50-game hitting streak, the longest in modern minor league history (since 1963). Howev-
er, Mejia is much more than just a hitter. A converted inelder, Mejia has good athleticism

CAPTAINS and excellent arm strength that earns some 70 grades from scouts. Hes become bilingual
but is looking to improve his blocking and receiving with more experience this season. Du-

CATCHERS
rability is his other question as he adds strength to his listed 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame.
2017 CAPTAINS CATCHER AWARD WATCH LIST

AWARD
Player Team PCT G E PB SBA CS PCT
Aramis Garcia San Francisco 1.000 47 0 7 55 21 .381
Joe Hudson Cincinnati .995 66 3 12 72 29 .402
Carson Kelly St. Louis .996 92 3 6 87 27 .310
Reese McGuire Toronto .984 86 10 3 96 35 .365
Francisco Mejia Cleveland .988 87 9 6 69 30 .435
The Captains Catchers Award recognizes the Sean Murphy Oakland .983 21 3 0 25 11 .440
BILL MITCHELL

defensive qualities of minor league catchers. Tomas Nido New York (NL) .987 88 9 9 119 50 .420
Inspired by the catching skills and character of Jason Varitek,
this award is only about catching and who plays the position Will Smith Los Angeles (NL) .994 39 2 2 60 25 .417
to the fullest. The best catchers are detail oriented and driven Garrett Stubbs Houston .997 67 2 10 53 27 .509
to improve their performance behind the plate. Leadership, Jose Trevino Texas .998 100 2 8 98 47 .480
dedication, the ability to call a game, blocking, receiving, and
making plays are the primary qualities sought afterwith the

#MFRA
ultimate goal of protecting home.
MOVE FORWARD RISE ABOVE
April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com
15
World Baseball Classic

True World Champion

Big plays, small ace lead U.S. to Classic crown

BY KYLE GLASER

LOS ANGELES
There was something different about this United
States team. That much was apparent early on.
Its predecessors in the World Baseball Classic had
been characterized largely by passivity, stoicism and,
ultimately, disappointing finishes. Whether it was
their two second-round eliminations or their fourth-
place finish in 2009, one could hardly tell at times
if the U.S. had won or lost a game based on their
players reactions.
With accomplished but famously restrained veter-
ans like Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones and David Wright
leading their teams, the U.S. simply didnt project the
energy or enthusiasm needed to compete in the two
and a half week sprint that is the WBC. That was
especially apparent against the passionate precision
of Japan, the boundless energy of the Dominican
Republic, the underdog drive of the Netherlands or
the prideful joy of Puerto Rico.
And then this team came along. It was younger, a
bit less proven, hungrier than those that came before
it. Before long, the narrative that U.S. players simply
didnt care about the WBC was quickly rendered
incompatible with the current group.
There was Eric Hosmer, pounding his chest and

PHOTOS BY MATT BROWN, GETTY IMAGES

faux-ripping his shirt, a la Superman, after big hits.
There was Adam Jones, leaping and crashing into
walls and letting out roars for all to hear after hed
brought the crowd to its feet. There was Marcus
Stroman, shimmying his shoulders and exuding
his incomparable swag on the mound. There were
unheralded relievers Pat Neshek and Tyler Clippard
and Luke Gregerson, pumping their fists and letting
out exhortations of joy after escaping key jams. There
were Christian Yelich and Andrew McCutchen, flash-
ing giant smiles after every key hit or big play.
This team was different. This team wanted some-
thing. And this team had the potent mix of passion,
desire and talent to channel it into concrete results.
By the time they were done, they had claimed the
World Baseball Classic championship for the United
States for the first time.
The way this team came together and just went
out every night and did anything we can to win, it
was special to be a part of. It was the most fun Ive
ever had playing baseball, said Yelich, the Marlins
25-year-old outfielder. I think we just all had a com-
mon goal when we came here. There was only one
thing on our mind, (which) was to win this thing and
to do whatever we can to win. I think that helped us
come together.
Staying The Course
Things began inauspiciously for Team USA in
the first round in Miami. It labored through a 3-2,
10-inning win against Colombia and blew a five-run
lead in its next contest, a 7-5 loss to the defending
champion Dominicans in front of a raucous, pro-
D.R. crowd.
It was at that point manager Jim Leyland made
a choice. The 72-year-old looked around his locker
room and saw a self-motivated group dissatisfied with
how it had played. Rather than go for a big speech,
Leyland decided to let his team be.
We just kind of stayed the course, Leyland said.
You know, these teams are good. Theres no rah-rah
stuff or anything. Our guys, everybody knows whats
at stake.
The U.S. bashed undermanned Canada 8-0 in
the final game of pool play to punch its ticket to the
second round in San Diego, where the Dominican
Republic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico awaited.
It was in San Diego the U.S. discovered its identity.
It was there it became a team that was going to fight,
was going to play with everything, was going to go
down swinging.
Against Venezuela, the U.S. fell behind 2-1 but
16
Blue Jays righthander
Marcus Stroman (above)
starred for USA Baseball
as a closer during his col-
lege career at Duke, and
he was nearly as good in
the championship game of
the World Baseball Classic.
He carried a no-hitter into
the seventh inning of the
title game against previ-
ously undefeated Puerto
Rico and left with a 7-0
lead. His performance
earned him the MVP
award and led to a cel-
ebratory mosh pit on the
Dodger Stadium mound
(left) as the Americans
reveled in their first WBC
championship
scored three runs in the eighth on dramatic hom- Atmosphere was great. It was huge, right fielder
ers by Jones and Hosmer for the comeback victory. McCutchen said. Crowds were big, crowds were
Team USA trailed 4-0 and 6-3 against Puerto Rico, great, and they were intense. I definitely felt we had
but fought back to make it a 6-5 game with the tying the advantage up here in San Diego.
run on third base. Though they lost, it was another That hit a crescendo against the D.R. In the bot-
emotional comeback effort on display. tom of the seventh, with the U.S. nursing a 4-2 lead,
American fans picked up on it and responded. A Manny Machado hit a long fly ball to center field
sellout crowd packed Petco Park for Team USAs sec- that looked like a home run off the bat. Jones raced
ond-round finale against the Dominican Republic, a back and to his left in center field. He curved slightly
winner-take-all elimination game. Whereas U.S. fans as he approached the 396-foot sign and ran out of
had been outnumbered and drowned out at other room. In one athletic motion, he leaped as high as his
venues, in San Diego they showed up in droves and 31-year-old body would allow, stretched his left arm
didnt stop screaming. The stars and stripes flew, the as high and wide as it would go . . . and made The
U-S-A chants never stopped and the decibel level Catch to rob Machado of the home run.
never dipped below loud. The sellout crowd exploded. Jones contorted his
BaseballAmerica.com April 721, 2017

body in all sorts of celebratory motions. Clippard on
the mound raised his arms and screamed Oh my
God. In that moment, any notion that American
players and fans didnt care about the WBC died a
sudden death.
At the end of the day Im not representing the
Orioles, Cutch aint representing the Pirates, were
not representing the Marlins, were representing the
entire United States, Jones said the night of The
Catch. And that right there is pretty special.
The Grand Finale
Enter Japan, two-time winners of the WBC and
undefeated in this years tournament. It was a team
that was precise, disciplined and motivated, with
anything less than a WBC championship considered
a disappointment in the eyes of their countrymen.
No matter. The U.S. never trailed en route to a
2-1 semifinal victory as games shifted to Dodger
Stadium, playing flawless defense despite a rain-
soaked infield that caused Japan to make two costly
misplays.
And then came the finale. Puerto Rico was the
standard-bearer for the tournament to that point.
With teamwide bleached blond hair, stars such as
Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Yadier Molina,
and infectious energy, Puerto Rico ran roughshod
through the tournament field to a 7-0 record enter-
ing the finals, with a raucous, drum-banging fan base
following them to every city along the way.
The U.S. had one player who could match that
energy and put him on the mound: Stroman, the
irrepressible 5-foot-8 righthander whose motto is
Height Dont Measure Heart and isnt afraid to let
his opponents know he thinks hes better than them.
With the U.S. in the finals for the first time,
Stroman soaked up all the energy and emotion he
could from the crowd of 51,565, and performed like
he was, indeed, the best pitcher in the world.
The 25-year-old took a no-hitter into the seventh
inning and faced the minimum through six. He
shimmied after striking out Enrique Hernandez
to end the third. He snagged a comebacker from
Francisco Lindor in the fourth and flicked it over
to first base like he didnt have a care on earth. He
walked off the mound in the seventh, biting his lip
and nodding his head, letting the whole world know
he had just been untouchable.
It was cocky. It was bold.
It was exactly what was needed to silence Puerto
Ricos dugout and fans, a task no one had accom-
plished before, and in the process robbed the oppo-
nent of its greatest power source. Stroman took it
and made the energy his own, and before long the
U-S-A chants and cheers rained down on him as
he departed with a 7-0 lead to put the U.S. in posi-
tion to win the title, which it did with an 8-0 victory.
There was more emphasis on just winning for
America, said Stroman, who was named tourna-
ment MVP. Obviously, this is our first win. Weve
had a few early exits in the past. So each and every
guy came into this with one goal, and that was to
win it. There was no one who kind of went about it
lackadaisical. Everyone was into every single pitch.
A Complete Unit
The heroes were many for Team USA on its title
run. Hosmer hit .385/.500/.615. Brandon Crawford
slashed .385/.429/.577. Sam Dyson didnt allow a hit
in six scoreless innings of relief. Gregerson converted
three save opportunities without allowing a hit.
Jones, McCutchen, Ian Kinsler and Giancarlo
Stanton all took turns playing offensive standout.
Team USA recorded a 2.25 ERA and .191 opponent
average. Every single player was committed. The
emotions were visible, the performance measurable,
the results undeniable.
The United States is finally World Baseball Classic
champion, and is spreading the gospel to its next
generation of its players.
I dont mean this to sound wrong, but for the
most part, up until this point, the other countries
were probably into this event a little bit more than
the United States, Leyland said. But in talking to
our players, I know theyre going to spread the word.
Ive had some players already tell me this is the great-
est experience of their life.
April 721, 2017
Empty Trip
Despite big league talent, Venezuela stumbles
BY KYLE GLASER
SAN DIEGO
V
enezuela entered the 2017 World Baseball Classic with a legiti-
mate hope of winning the tournament and bringing joy to a
country that so desperately needed it.
The Venezuelans boasted a fearsome lineup with depth and qual-
ity that could be matched only by the Dominican Republic. Felix
Hernandez came back after skipping the 2013 WBC to serve as the ace
of a rotation of accomplished big league veterans. The bullpen had the
desired mix of experienced arms and well regarded prospects most
teams strive for.
All the pieces were in place for Venezuela, and it was not unreason-
able to consider it one of the favorites to win the WBC crown.
Instead, Venezuela was done after the second round, going 2-5 over-
all in the tournament and getting blown out multiple times, culminat-
ing in a humiliating 13-2 loss to Puerto Ricos backups in the final game
of second-round play.
How did it all go so wrong? How did a team with so much talent and
motivation to win perform as poorly as it did?
I dont know what happened, third baseman Yangervis Solarte said.
We have to figure it out the next Classic. We have to figure out every-
thing.
Errors Abound
Injuries played a part in Venezuelas subpar performance. Catcher
Salvador Perez (knee) was lost in the first round after a collision at
home plate, while Martin Prado (hamstring) and Miguel Cabrera (back)
both came up lame after at-bats in the second round and were never
seen again.
But a more significant cause was run prevention. Venezuela allowed
55 runs in seven games. The defense committed eight errors which led
to six unearned runs, including five errors in the second round.
The performance led to criticism of manager Omar Vizquels deci-
sions on defensive alignment and bullpen usage.
Rather than use Solarte or Prado, the teams two natural third base-
men, Vizquel elected to use Rougned Odor and Jose Altuve at third
base even though neither has played the position in the major leagues.
Odor, who also never played third in the minors, committed two criti-
cal errors in a 4-2 loss to the United States to open second-round play.
Altuve, who hadnt played third since he was in Double-A in 2011,
made an error in the finale against Puerto Rico and seemed to misread
balls off the bat in his two second-round games, allowing what should
have been routine ground balls to become singles.
Meanwhile, Prado and Solarte were left to languish in left field, a
position neither had played in years.
BaseballAmerica.com
WORLDS BEST BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
Venezuela manager Omar
Vizquel struggled to get
a handle on his talented
roster and made odd
decisions like playing
second basemen Jose
Altuve (pictured) and
Rougned Odor at third
BILL NICHOLS
Theres nothing we can do about it, Vizquel said. We are trying to
put the players there that got the opportunity to get some runs for us.
I understand that Solarte also has the opportunity, but its the same
case with Hernan Perez . . . So its hard for one guy to get in the lineup
sometimes. I cant really bench Altuve and Odor.
Vizquels explanation left many scratching their heads because
Solarte has a higher batting average, on-base percentage and OPS than
Odor both in his career and last season, in addition to being an experi-
enced third baseman.
Vizquels inclusion of Solarte in the same tier as Pereza career
backup with a .255/.279/.373 slash linefurther contributed to the
perception that Vizquel did not properly evaluate his own players.
That perception grew with Vizquels bullpen usage. In a must-win
game against the Dominican Republic in the second round, Vizquel
went to minor leaguers Jose Castillo and Arcenio Leon, pitching on
back-to-back days, before going to big leaguers Jose Alvarez and
Francisco Rodriguez, decisions that backfired when both Castillo and
Leon allowed runs to put Venezuela in a bigger hole than they started
with.
Vizquel wasnt given many options by a bullpen unit that vastly
underperformed, but his decisions made things even more difficult for
Venezuela.
The players irritation at how everything unfolded was plain for all
to see by the time the team was done. One by one, Venezuelas players
walked out of the Petco Park locker room after their final game against
Puerto Rico, stone-faced and refusing to talk to the media, waving off
requests from both English and Spanish-language outlets.
For the few who did speak, only the questions about returning to
their major league teams were answered with any joviality.
We didnt play the way we expected to be playing, Rodriguez told
assembled reporters. Weve just got to move on now, turn the page,
find a way to learn what we did wrong to fix it in the future.
Whats Next?
Despite being one of the most baseball-rich countries in terms of
talent, Venezuela has gotten past the second round only once in four
WBCs. Its all-time record in the event is 12-12, and its last two showings
have been its worst.
Now, Venezuela must wait four more years to prove it can join the
ranks of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and other similarly tal-
ented squads atop the WBC.
We havent gone to the next level, and I dont know what the solu-
tion is, Vizquel said. We thought we were going to get to the finals.
Obviously, that didnt happen. Other teams came very prepared.
They executed their plan to perfection, and they pitched much better
than us and batted better than us. Simple as that.
17
World Baseball Classic

For The Record Mazel Tov!

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
March 6-22

FIRST ROUND
* Advanced to next round
Retooled Israel makes stirring run
POOL A BY JOHN MANUEL key has to do with the roster makeup. We brought in
Seoul, South Korea
Team W L the 25 guys that we knew wanted to be there.

W
* Israel 3 0 hat they will remember is the ride. These were the guys who were willing to go across
* Netherlands 2 1 They come together for baseball, like the world to play for Israel. All our players and coach-
South Korea 1 2 they have done for so many different teams es were under the same mindset, and when you have
Taiwan 0 3 in their careers, but this time was different. That was that, thats when you start putting together a team,
evident with the giant mensch on a bench doll not just a group of guys who come together for two
POOL B
Tokyo, Japan that became the teams mascot, and the Jew Crew or three days. We had a group of guys who wanted to
Team W L t-shirts that provided light moments to lessen the do whats right.
* Japan 3 0 tension of playing in the World Baseball Classic. Even It worked. Israel tried qualifying for the Classic once
* Cuba 2 1 the Megillah reading in the dugout before batting before, falling in the 2012 qualifier in Jupiter, Fla. That
Australia 1 2 practice to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purimit team was managed by Brad Ausmus, his first experi-
China 0 3 was all new. ence running a club before he became the Tigers

MATT BROWN, GETTY IMAGES

POOL C So was having Team Israelwith a roster full of manager. For this WBC, Team Israel went grass roots,
Miami Americans of Jewish heritagein the WBC. And not with Jerry Weinstein taking the helm.
Team W L only did Israel make the Classics main 16-team draw, The Double-A manager in the Rockies system,
* Dominican Rep. 3 0 after winning a September 2016 qualifier, but the Weinstein is a baseball lifer, the former head coach at
* United States 2 1 Jew Crew also won Pool A in Seoul, taking down Sacramento City College, a veteran of USA Baseballs
Colombia 1 2
host South Korea and going undefeated in the three coaching staffs and a former field coordinator with
Canada 0 3 SECOND ROUND CHAMPIONSHIP games before stunning Cuba to open Pool E. the Dodgers, as well as the author of a book on catch-
ROUND
POOL D POOL E POOL F Losses to the Netherlands (12-2) and host Japan ing.
Jalisco, Mexico Tokyo San Diego SEMIFINALS
Puerto Rico 4, Netherlands 3 (8-3) ended Israels run in the second round. But the Israel assembled an all-star roster to build, manage
Team W L Team W L Team W L
United States 2, Japan 1 hope is that thanks to the exploits of the likes of Sam and coach the team with Weinstein, including ex-big
* Puerto Rico 3 0 * Japan 3 0 * Puerto Rico 3 0
* Venezuela 2 2 * Netherlands 2 1 * United States 2 1 Fuld, Ryan Lavarnway, Jason Marquis and Josh Zeid league pitcher Andrew Lorraine as pitching coach and
FINAL
Mexico 1 2 Israel 1 2 Dominican Rep. 1 2 United States 8, Puerto Rico 0 and the added development money that the team veteran coach and manager Tom Gamboa.
Italy 1 3 Cuba 0 3 Venezuela 0 3 earned for the Israel Baseball Associationthe sport It worked. In the opener against Korea, Israel hung
can grow back home. around despite leaving 14 runners on base and got an
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP: Marcus Stroman, rhp, United States. CYadier Molina, Puerto Rico. 1BEric Hosmer, United States. 2BJavier Ive been part of this since the 2012 qualifier, said RBI infield single in the 10th inning by shortstop Scott
Baez, Puerto Rico. 3BCarlos Correa, Puerto Rico. SSFrancisco Lindor, Puerto Rico. OFWladimir Balentien, Zeid, a righthander who signed as a minor league Burcham (Rockies), backed by three scoreless innings
Netherlands; Gregory Polanco, Dominican Republic; Christian Yelich, United States. DHCarlos Beltran, Puerto Rico. free agent with the Cardinals after the WBC ended. I from Marquis on the front end and Zeid on the back
PKodai Senga, Japan; Marcus Stroman, United States; Josh Zeid, Israel. helped recruit some players for this tournament. They end. Then Israel stunned Taiwan, with Lavarnway and

BaseballAmerica.com April 721, 2017

18
 WORLDS BEST BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

Nate Freiman homering as part of a 20-hit offensive

display in a 15-7 win. Then Zeid got Dutch DH Didi Israel catcher Ryan
Gregorius to roll into a 4-6-3 double play, helping pre- Lavarnway pumps his fist
serve a 4-2 victory that finished the Pool A sweep. after Josh Zeid strikes
Besides being American Jews who were playing for out South Koreas Dae-Ho
Team Israel, we wanted to win, Zeid said. We wanted Lee for the final out of a
the world to know we were not so much a joke, but a 2-1 victory. That was the
group of good baseball players. opener of Pool A, which
I think in Korea, their fan base took us for granted, Israel won behind strong
but not the Korean team. If wed been in that Japan pitching and Lavarnways
environment from the start, with 43,000 people, we MVP performance. He
might have been more overwhelmed. went 5-for-9
Israel wasnt overwhelmed until after its first Pool
E game, a 4-1 win against Cuba, with Marquis pitch-
ing into the sixth and relievers Zach Thornton, Brad
Goldberg and Zeid finishing it off. Zeid got out of a
bases-loaded jam in the eighth and pitched 10 score-
less innings overall in the tournament.
The teams modest pitching depth was exposed
by the Netherlands in a return match in the second
round. The Dutch banged 15 hits in a 12-2 victory.
Then host Japan ended Israels run with an 8-3 victory
in the pool finale.
We are disappointed we lost and will not be mov-
ing on to the next round, Weinsein said, but we lost
to a couple of really good teams.
The reason we lost was not for lack of effort.
CONTRIBUTING: WAYNE GRACZYK

CLASSIC CUTS

PHOTOS BY MATT BROWN, GETTY IMAGES

Q Commissioner Rob Manfred and union head Tony Clark held
a joint press conference before the title game, expressing satisfac-
tion with the tournament and its growth. Manfred likened the
Classics growth to golfs Ryder Cup, while Clark said he expected
greater participation by major league stars at the 2021 event.
Q MLB announced a total unoffical attendance of 1,086,720, the
first time that the Classic has surpassed the 1 million mark.

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

19
PERSPECTIVE Executive survey

Insiders take on minors hottest topics

L
ast year at this time, Baseball America presented our Best of the Minors survey, which
polled minor league executives and broadcasters about the sports superlatives. This
year, were switching it up a bit. Instead of asking for the their take on the best mascot
(Wool E. Bull), the best in-park entertainer (Zooperstars!) or the best major league broad-
caster prospect (Richmonds Jay Burnham), weve asked the same group of people a variety
of questions related to the biggest issues in the minors right now.
This was the offseason of rebranding, so we asked executives which new team nickname
they liked the best and which one they liked the least. We also tried to get a sense of how
they feel about the rebranding trend as a whole. Is it too much? Is it just getting started? And
how does it reflect on the minor leagues overall?
You might also have heard that a Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback
is giving baseball a try more than a decade after he starred in the sport in high school. Hes
starting the season in low Class A, and you can bet there are opinions on his attempts get
to the major leagues.
There are also questions about pace of play and whether the rules enacted in 2015 have
had a positive effect or whether more needs to be done to speed up the game, even in the
minor leagues.
All that and more can be found in this years minor league survey.

WHICH OF THE NEW TEAM NAMES FOR 2017 IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Five new team names are set to debut in 2017 (were discounting the Carolina Leagues
Buies Creek Astros because theyre going to get their official name when they move into their
new park in Fayetteville, N.C., in 2019), and the opinions on them have run the gamut.
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Southern) took the early vote and held off the Down East
Wood Ducks (Carolina) down the stretch.
I think the thing for me is, if youre going to rebrand, you need to own that space, that
word, in your fans minds, one minor league general manager said. They own Jumbo
Shrimp. In the sports world, they own itits theirs. And theres so much that can be done
with that brand, whether youre playing off the size or youre playing off the animal, theres
just a lot you can do with the brand.

MIKE JANES
15.2%
24.2%
Binghamton Rumble P onies
TIM TEBOWS FORAY IN THE MINOR LEAGUES IS _________ FOR BASEBALL
Down East Wood Ducks The results here were split into three camps: Those who like it, those who dont and those who
21.2% Florida Fire Frogs dont have a strong opinion. One answer that came up multiple times was profitable, which
respondents viewed as both good and bad. Some executives believed that their job in the minor
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrim p leagues is to bring in as many fans and sell as much merchandise as possible, while others saw
New Orleans Baby Cake s Tebows signing by the Mets as a pure financial move that dilutes the product. One executive
surveyed referred to the whole phenomenon as an uncouth cash grab.
6.1%
33.3%
OVERALL, WHAT DO YOU
THINK OF THE MINORS
WHICH OF THE NEW TEAM NAMES FOR 2017 IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE? REBRANDING TREND?
On the other end of the spectrum, there are the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Pacific Coast),
which took just 6.1 percent of the vote for favorite new logo but garnered more than half
Obviously, rebranding isnt new
in the minor leagues. Teams are 36.4%
of the votes for least favorite. allowed to change their identities
Its just something about Baby Cakes that doesnt ring a bell, one minor league executive every three seasons, and a great deal
said. It sounds like youre going down a path that you dont want to go down. have taken advantage over the past
decade or so. This years spate of 3.0%
new names and logos took a notice-
able turn toward the wacky, how-
6.0% ever, becoming a polarizing topic 33.3%
among minor league front offices.
18.2% Those surveyed were given four
choices to summarize their opinion,
27.3%
Binghamton Rumble P onies and the winner was: If it makes
money and doesnt offend anybody,
9.1% Down East Wood Ducks its fine with me. Taking second
Florida Fire Frogs place was Its good for Minor
League Baseballs overall brand and
9.1% Jacksonville Jumbo Shrim p shows were all about fun, which
shows the trend has been viewed as
New Orleans Baby Cake s mostly positive. One third of the
57.6% respondents, however, werent as
pleased. One went so far as to pick
the option saying Im embarrassed
to work in the sport now.

BaseballAmerica.com April 721, 2017

20
 BASED ON THE PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULES WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR FANS DO
YOUVE SEEN SO FAR, WHICH BOBBLEHEAD WILL YOU BELIEVE COME TO THE PARK FOR
BE THE BEST OF 2017? THE GAME ITSELF, AS OPPOSED TO
There were many nominees here, including multiple votes THE OVERALL ATMOSPHERE OF A
for Akrons Enrico Pallazzo (as portrayed by Leslie Nielsen in FAMILYFRIENDLY NIGHT OUT?
the movie The Naked Gun) and for Fresnos rendition of 33.3% The worst-kept secret in the minor leagues is
Giants all-star Madison Bumgarner arm-wrestling a grizzly that its not about the baseball at all. The game
bear. The winner, though, was Chattanoogas depiction of
25-49 percent itself is what brings in the fans, but a good
Jackie Mitchell, the woman who pitched for the Lookouts in 0-24 percent chunk of them are there for the atmosphere
an exhibition game in 1931 and struck out Hall of Famers and a cheap night out rather than to concern
50-74 percent
48.5%
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession. themselves with the final score. Some are there
75-100 percent for the game, but others are there for the bobble-
18.2% heads, the mascots, the food and a night away
from the grind of day-to-day life. Nearly half
of respondents said they believe that between
one-quarter and one-half of their nightly crowds
are there mainly for the ballgame. Thirty-three
percent believe that number was even lower,
with between 0-24 percent coming to the park
to root for the home team.

WHICH PROMOTION THAT DEBUTED IN RECENT DO YOU EVER ANTICIPATE

YEARS DO YOU EXPECT TO BECOME A STAPLE IN
THE FUTURE?
With a little bit of thought, we probably could have predict-
ed the winner in this category. As mentioned earlier, minor
league teams are only allowed a full rebrand (and the revenue
boost that comes with it) every three years, and in actuality
they do it far less frequently due to the cost involved.
Theres no limit on one-night switches, however, and
teams have begun taking full advantage. This year alone, the
Reading Fightin Phils (Eastern) will become the Whoopies
(Aug. 7), the Aberdeen IronBirds (New York-Penn) will
become the Steamed Crabs (Aug. 11), the Charlotte Knights
(International) will become the Pitmasters (July 15) and the
Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn) will become the Slices
(Aug. 4).
The idea isnt new. The Bowling Green Hot Rods had a
What Could Have Been night in 2009 when they became
the Cave Shrimp for a day, but the trend has blown up in
recent years, generating new merchandise and the correspond-
ing revenue windfall.
BILL MITCHELL
ADVERTISEMENTS
APPEARING ON MINOR LEAGUE
UNIFORMS?
Though this question was open-ended, the
response was decidedly one-sided. More than 80
percent of those surveyed believed that, yes, there
would be advertisements on minor league uniforms
sometime in the near feature. One executive noted
that the NBAs Boston Celtics and Philadelphia
76ers already have ads for General Electric and
StubHub, respectively, and that baseball probably
isnt far behind.
Its a concept that maybe purists would have
trouble with, and frankly I, myself, would probably
have trouble with, one general manager said, but
I think youre seeing it all around us. Youre seeing it
in Major League Soccer. Youre seeing it in the NBA
and their D-League. At some point, I cant imagine
baseballs going to be the only holdout.

IF YOU BELIEVE PACE OF PLAY IS PROBLEM IN THE MINOR

IS PACE OF PLAY A PROBLEM IN
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL?
This is a hot-button issue these days. Major League Baseball
continues to try new ways to speed up the game in an effort
to keep viewers attention in an age where there are so many
more forms of entertainment vying for attention. This season,
MLB has proposed using international tiebreaker rules (like the
ones you saw in the World Baseball Classic) in the Rookie-level
Arizona and Gulf Coast leagues, and pitch clocks have been in
play at Double-A and Triple-A since 2015 after a dry run in the
2014 Arizona Fall League. Even if fans view a games pace as a
problem, however, executives might not see it that way. As one
said in our survey, Longer games mean more merchandise and
revenue opportunities for clubs. I am all for longer games.
LEAGUES, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOUD SUGGEST TO
SPEED UP GAMES?
Those who do have a problem with long games, however, have a variety of
72.7% solutions to suggest. The idea that came up most often was further restrict-
ing the number of mound visits for each pitcher. That includes visits from
Yes the pitching coach, manager or catcher.
We do not have pitch clocks in (our league), but the number of visits to
No the mound by a pitching coach should be cut down, one executive said. I
understand its about player development, but at some point and time, the
27.3% player needs to either pitch out of the jam or be pulled.
Another idea brought up multiple times was simply enforcing the rules
that prohibit hitters from stepping out of the batters box between pitches.
Broadcasters who were surveyed noted that while the rule was on the books,
it was rarely enforced by minor league umpires.

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

21
ON CAMPUS Fresh start

Injury doesnt scare Crowe

BY MICHAEL LANANNA
COLUMBIA, S.C.
Wil Crowe never suspected anything was
wrong. Even when it happened, and the fibers
in his elbow finally snapped, he felt nothing.
No pain. Just a pop in his joint, like he had
just cracked a knuckle.
The 2015 season had been a struggle for
the South Carolina righthander, then a sopho-
more. The year before, Crowe was a Freshman
All-American, going 8-3, 2.75 and position-
ing himself to be the next great Gamecocks
ace. But on this day, April 10, 2015, he took
the mound in Gainesville, Fla., as a shell of his
freshman self. He was 3-4, 4.91. Though his
ing the bottom of the fourth. With two outs
in the frame, Crowe threw a 3-2 fastball on
the outside corner to Mike Rivera to coax an
inning-ending lineout to third.
Thats when Crowe felt it. The pop.
The next day, Crowe had an MRI and made
the dreaded visit to Dr. James Andrews.
Does any of this hurt?
Again the answer was no. Andrews checked
the MRI a second time. It definitely is torn.
Crowe faced a decision: Try to rehab his
torn ulnar collateral ligament or have Tommy
John surgery. He opted for surgery, and it was
in that moment that he finally felt any sort of
pain at all.
Its not what you want to hear, and it
final stretch of the season and for the entirety
of the following year. For Crowe, who was
preparing to enter his draft year, the timing
couldnt have been worse.
A big-bodied, 6-foot-2, 245-pound right-
hander with a mid-90s fastball and a four-
pitch mix, Crowe likely wouldve been drafted
somewhere in the first two rounds had he
pitched his junior year. Instead, Crowe and
evaluators faced a conundrum last June.
For Crowe, who ultimately fell to the 21st
round to the Indians (who had also drafted
him in the 31st round out of high school),
there were no questions in his mind. He knew
he was the same guy who was a Freshman All-
American in 2015. He had no qualms with

arm had bothered him earlier in the season, he
thought nothing of it. He simply didnt have
his command or the crispness that he had the
season before, and he wasnt sure why.
In this April matchup against Southeastern
Conference rival Florida, Crowe found him-
self scuffling again, his team down, 3-2, enter-
hurts you a lot, Crowe said two years later
while sitting in the Gamecocks trophy room
at Founders Park. And I think the biggest
thing is I couldnt help my team anymore and
I couldnt be with the guys. I was no longer a
part of this.
South Carolina was without its ace for the
Baseball Coaching
returning to South Carolina and proving it.
Ace In The Hole
Crowe knew he wanted to be a Gamecock
the second he stepped on the Founders Park
field. As a high school recruit out of a heavily
stocked Tennessee prep class, Crowe took the
DANNY PARKER
Wil Crowe returned to the mound this season
mound and was in awe of his surroundings.
The stands were empty the day he visited, but
Crowe could just visualize the hordes of rau-
cous fans. He never anticipated hed be sitting
among them.
Even though he didnt pitch in 2016, Crowe
made it a point to not miss a single game. Hed
stream all of the Gamecocks road games from
his phone, and for home games hed sit in the
first row, right behind the dugout, cheering as
loudly as he could. At timesespecially if the

VIDEOS
Gamecocks struggledCrowe would feel a
sense of helplessness.
He handled it probably better than most
would, said junior righthander Clarke
Schmidt, who emerged as South Carolinas

www.ABCAvideos.org Friday starter in Crowes absence. I know it

pays a toll on a lot of people, and emotion-
ally it was a big toll on him, and the way he
handled itfew people can handle it like he
did. And he had to take the load on, and he

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worked hard, and he was always in the train-
ing room and doing extra stuff.
When Crowe announced his return to
school, he instantly elevated South Carolinas
Omaha chances. Along with Schmidt, who
was 3-0, 1.04 in his first four starts this spring,
and sophomore righthander Adam Hill (1-2,
1.54), Crowe belongs to one of the most
formidable weekend rotations in the country.
Going 3-0, 2.73 with 36 strikeouts to 11
walks in 29.2 innings, Crowe has seemingly
returned to his 2015 formand perhaps a
tick or two better. In his March 4 start against
rival Clemson at Fluor Field in Greenville,
Crowes fastball sat comfortably in the 92-94
mph range, touching as high as 97. He com-
manded his curveball, backdooring it to his
arm side, used a low-80s slider as a swing-
and-miss offering, and he went to his mid-80s
changeup often against lefthanded hitters,
coaxing several awkward swings.
Crowe had some anxiety when he got back
on a mound for the first time after the sur-
gerywould his stuff be the same? But he
said he leaned on his faith to help him clear
his head, and he said his fastball feels livelier,
and the confidence in his secondary offerings
has soared, too.
I just told myself, The Lord has given me a
plan, and the Lord has given me this platform
to shine for him. And Hes given me a process,
and if it was in His plan for me to hurt my arm
again, then its going to happen, and I have no
control over that, Crowe said. I told myself
that, and it fired me up. I was instantly able to
throw the curveball and throw the slider. Didnt
worry about the fastball.
Just was letting it rip.
Pain free.
April 721, 2017
Gardner steps up for
retooled Red Raiders
BY TEDDY CAHILL
Led by an experienced, veteran lineup,
Texas Tech won the Big 12 Conference last
season and reached the College World Series
for the second time in three years. Half of last
years regulars are now gone, including All-
American first baseman Eric Gutierrez, leav-
ing a hole in the lineup for new Red Raiders
to step up and fill.
Texas Tech hasnt missed a beat this spring,
however, starting the season 17-4 and ris-
ing to No. 8 in the Top 25 after five week-
ends. Along with senior first baseman Hunter
Hargrove (.329/.387/.553), junior outfielder
Tanner Gardner (.294/.344/.376) has been
at the heart of the Red Raiders new-look
offense.
After leading Texas Tech in batting last
season (.379/.484/.549), Gardner got off to
a slow start this spring. Ten games into the
season, he was hitting .150/.222/.150. He
has since broken out of that slump, and hit
.422/.458/.578 in the next 11 games to raise
his season line to .294/.344/.376.
Gardner said he was confident he would
break out of his slump.
Just play through it has been my mental-
ity, he said. I have a bunch of positive guys
in the locker room that have kept my spirits
up. Its just the grind of the game we play and
the game that we love.
Coach Tim Tadlock said he thought
Gardners start to the season was probably the
oclock at night after a four-hour practice still
getting 100 swings in, Gardner said. It was
extraordinary to watch.
This year, Gardner is working to improve
in several areas of his game. He said he made
improving his arm strength a point of empha-
sis during the offseason.
I think Ive made some good strides in that
department, he said. Im just trying to go
up there and have good at bats, do whatever
I can to help the team win. Thats a really big
thing for me.
Gardner has patrolled center field for the
Red Raiders the last two seasons after playing
some third base and right field as a freshman.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, he is not a
plus runner and doesnt have plus raw power,
limiting his upside in the draft.
But Gardners hitting ability and track
record of success will likely land him some-
where on day two of the draft (rounds 3-10).
No matter how professional teams evaluate
him, Gardner has become a crucial player
for the Red Raiders as they aim to repeat as
Big 12 champions and chase a third trip to
Omaha in the last four years.
I think everybody aspires to have guys that
can separate balls and strikes, that can run,
Tadlock said. You can put him a few places
on the field and go play baseball.
FGCU Reaches New Heights
Florida Gulf Coast was 18-3 through the
first five weeks of the season, the Eagles best

worst stretch of his baseball career. But for
a player with his ability to impact the game
in several ways, it was only a matter of time
before his bat came around.
From the day Tanner set foot on campus,
we thought hed hit in the middle of the
order, Tadlock said. So hes always been able
to hit. Hes really stuck his nose in there and
dug in, not making it all about results, just
making it about winning and playing good
baseball.
Gardner said he learned a lot from playing
with veterans such as Gutierrez, Tyler Neslony
and Stephen Smith. One of the biggest les-
sons he said he learned came from seeing
Gutierrezs work ethic.
Hes up at the cage at what, eight or nine
start since they moved to Division I in 2008.
FGCU also moved up to No. 12 in Baseball
Americas rankings, its best ever.
FGCUs impressive start included a 10-game
winning streak during a stretch of 13 straight
games against teams that played in the NCAA
tournament last season. The Eagles went 11-2
during that stretch, including a 3-0 mark
against Florida and Florida State.
Coach Dave Tollett said the Eagles have
played with confidence, thanks to the leader-
ship their older players have displayed.
They were having a lot of fun, Tollett
said. They were excited about where they
were. Theyre excited about coming to the
park every day. Its a loose group. Theyre fun
to be around and they believe they can win.
Outfielder Tanner Gardner has helped Texas Tech get off to a flying start this season
They believe they can beat anyone.
FGCU went 27-32 last year but reached
the championship game of the Atlantic
Sun Conference tournament, losing 5-4 to
Stetson, falling short of its first-ever Division
I regionals appearance.
Following that loss, Tollett said the return-
ing players have been focused on winning
as many games as they can this spring. The
Eagles had to replace All-America second
baseman Jake Noll, a seventh-round pick of
the Nationals, and brought in a big recruiting
ANDREW WOOLLEY
class heavy on junior college transfers.
Those newcomers are making an immediate
impact. Righthander Kutter Crawford, the
younger brother of Reds prospect Jonathon
Crawford, has been the Eagles best pitcher.
He was 4-0, 1.04 with 38 strikeouts and six
walks in 26 innings.
Shortstop Julio Gonzalez (.365/.427/.553)
leads the team in hitting and has fit well behind
leadoff hitter Matt Reardon (.272/.368/.391),
who tied a program record with eight RBIs in
a win March 11 against Ohio State.

THROUGH MARCH 20

COLLEGE TOP 25 RANKINGS

RK. TEAM 2017
RECORD
LAST
WEEK
PREV.
RANK
RK. TEAM 2017
RECORD
LAST
WEEK
PREV.
RANK
1. Louisville 19-0 4-0 1 14. Florida State 14-7 1-4 2
2. Oregon State 17-1 3-0 4 15. Louisiana-Lafayette 11-6 2-2 14
3. Texas Christian 14-5 2-2 3 16. St. Johns 14-2 2-0 19
4. Louisiana State 17-5 4-1 6 17. Stanford 11-5 0-0 17
5. Cal State Fullerton 14-5 4-0 7 18. Missouri 19-1 4-0 Nr
6. Clemson 16-4 4-1 9 19. Virginia 15-5 2-2 15
7. South Carolina 14-5 3-0 10 20. Baylor 16-4 2-2 16
8. Texas Tech 17-4 3-1 11 21. Oklahoma State 14-6 5-0 23
9. Arizona 15-4 2-2 12 22. Washington 12-6 3-0 25
10. North Carolina 15-5 3-1 13 23. Michigan 15-4 3-1 24
11. Mississippi 14-6 3-1 18 24. Oklahoma 21-3 4-1 Nr
12. Florida Gulf Coast 18-3 4-0 21 25. East Carolina 13-7 1-3 8
13. Florida 13-8 1-3 5
DROPPED OUT: COASTAL CAROLINA (20), TEXAS A&M (22)

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

23
BUSINESS BEAT Heads of the class
Bobbleheads remain kings of minor promos
BY JOSH NORRIS
While major league teams spent March
tuning up for the regular season in Arizona
and Florida, minor league teams were whet-
ting their fans appetites by rolling out their
promotional schedules.
Those slates are usually populated by
things like dollar dog nights, fireworks shows,
appearances from roaming entertainers like
the Zooperstars or the Cowboy Monkey
Rodeo, as well as all sorts of giveaways. But for
the last two decades, one item has always leapt
off the page: bobbleheads.
The ceramic figurines came to prominence
in the minor leagues just after the turn of
the century and have continued to grow and
evolve with the sport. Teams have gotten more
and more creative, and the results are bobble-
heads that quickly go viral on social media
and draw hosts of fans to the ballpark.
Alexander Global Promotions, based in
Bellevue, Wash., is one of the countrys pri-
mary bobblehead makers, and theyve seen
the craze grow firsthand. Since their first
piecea Willie Mays version given out by the
Giants in 1996theyve created more than
50 million bobbleheads and see no signs of
the market slowing down.
Bobbleheads were the first product that
I saw that really made sense to me because I
said, Of course, someones going to want a
24
small version of their favorite player, Todd
Goldenberg, the national sales director for
Alexander Promotions, said. That makes
sense. And they can get it for free for going
to a game. I saw the future of how this could
work.
What he might not have seen, however, is
the series of zany twists and turns the industry
has taken over the years. Minor league promo-
tions are a game of continual one-upmanship,
and the fans get the benefits of new, unique
collectibles every summer. Its not enough
for a team to have a bobblehead of Madison
Bumgarner or Buster Posey; it has to have a
bobblehead of the player doing something
off the wall.
Its basically up to the teams. The teams
get to be creative, Goldenberg said. At first,
they were doing their most popular player,
and then they started doing secondary players
and then they started getting players who got
traded, and then they started doing managers
and mascots, and now theyre to the point
where every minor league team has done
bobbleheads.
There are hundreds of minor league teams
and theyve all done bobblehead dolls, so now
theyre coming up with more creative ideas.
The Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast), a
Giants affiliate from 1998-2014, are offer-
ing bobbles of both Bumgarner and Posey
this season, but with a Fresno twist. Posey
BaseballAmerica.com
Minor league teams everywhere try every year to come up with new, viral versions of bobbleheads
is pictured with Tim Lincecum celebrating a
win, and Bumgarner, a ballyhooed outdoors-
man during his time away from the field, is
depicted arm wrestling against a grizzly bear.
Originally wed discussed maybe put-
ting him in a taco truck like we did with
Tony Kemp, and then someone said, Oh,
we should have him doing something more
Fresno-esque, like arm-wrestling a grizzly
bear, Fresno director of promotions Sam
Hansen said. And that just sort of stuck,
so thats what its going to be: Madison
Bumgarner arm-wrestling a Fresno Grizzly.
Long Time Coming
To get the bobbleheads ready for the season,
however, promotional teams have to start
brainstorming long before Opening Day. On
the first day of last years Winter Meetings,
Goldenberg estimated he and his team had
already completed half of their orders for the
upcoming season.
We need to be talking five, six months
before you need them, he said. The process
starts four months before you need them.
The process, of course, starts with an idea.
A team will pitch what it wants to Goldenberg
and his crew, and the two creative entities
will go back and forth until they have a good
sketch of what theyd like to see in a final
product.
From there, the sketch is sent to Ray
Caracol, Alexander Promotions creative
director, who comes up with the final design
that will go to the factory in China.That pro-
cess takes a month. Then its another month
for the factory to produce the pieces, and a
third month after that for the shipment to
come from overeas, clear customs and arrive
in the United States.
Goldenberg said bridging the communica-
tion gap with the factory was one of the big-
gest challenges of the bobblehead production
process. Its not every day that someone calls
up to discuss and order of 10,000 spring-
loaded statues of a baseball player emerging
from an egg (the Staten Island Yankees 2016
take on Yankees first baseman Greg Bird).
Theres a lot of communication errors
because were speaking English and theyre
speaking Mandarin, but weve figured it out
over the years, Goldenberg said. Weve
figured out a system where everybody under-
stands what were doing.
The Potomac Nationals (Carolina), who set
the Internet ablaze this offseason with their
Bryce Harper Gobbleheadwhich depicts
Washingtons star outfielder as a turkey to
celebrate the halfway mark to Thanksgiving
say their process for coming up with new
ideas is freewheeling and goes on all season
and offseason.
Were really always brainstorming, said
Arthur Bouvier, the teams assistant general
manager and director of stadium operations.
Something random might pop into some-
ones head and well throw out the idea and
it kind of snowballs until we end up having a
promo meeting in the offseason.
Bouvier says the P-Nats keep an informal
log of their ideas and then start to finalize a
list during their promotional meetings. Once
the final list is decided, the team can get to
work rendering images to give to their vendor,
Success Promotions, which can then begin the
process of making the franchises ideas into a
reality.
Ideally, Potomacs ideas will go to Success
Promotions in December in order to accom-
modate the roughly four months required to
turn around the product before the season.
Whats Next?
As the years go by, minor league promo-
tional teams will continue to wrack their
brains every offseason to up the ante and keep
their names in the news and on the top of
trending algorithms everywhere. Coming up
with new ideas for bobbleheads (and all other
promotions) that make waves both locally and
nationally is still job one.
We, as a part of our marketing depart-
ment, have become more like a modern ad
agency, Hansen said. Were doing a lot of
this stuff ourselves and were having focus
groups and were constantly keeping our
fingers on the pulse of everything that is
trending. From trending food to pop culture
references, our marketing department is pretty
savvy, at least with whats going to resonate
with central California . . . Thats our first
priority: We try to see whats going to resonate
here first and weve just been lucky that the
promotions weve put out and resonate well
here can resonate well nationally.
Even with all the innovations in the minor
leagues in the 21st century, no one has found
a way to beat bobbleheads.
People always ask us, whats the next big
thing, and I always say, There is no next big
thing, Goldenberg said. Bobbleheads con-
tinue to be big 20 years later.
April 721, 2017
ORGANIZATION REPORTS AL East
McKinney makes most of opportunity
NEW YORK | Yankees
BY GEORGE KING
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
TAMPA Had the Athletics not taken Billy
McKinney with the 24th pick in the 2013
draft, then the prep outfielder would have
been a Yankees farmhand three years earlier.
The Yankees, who flew the Plano, Texas,
product to Tampa for a workout, were poised
to select McKinney with the 26th pick and
had him rated higher than Notre Dame third
baseman Eric Jagielo, whom they took and
later included in the package they used to pry
Aroldis Chapman from the Reds in 2016.
McKinney moved from the As to the Cubs
near the 2014 trade deadline in a deal that
also sent Addison Russell to Chicago for Jeff
BALTIMORE | Orioles
B Y R O C H K U B AT KO
Wynns Takes Setback In Stride
SARASOTA, FLA. Catcher Austin Wynns finally
made it to big league camp after an ankle
injury he sustained playing winter ball delayed
his arrival.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter finally
gets to see what all the fuss is about.
I can see why so many people like him,
Showalter said after Wynns caught the late
innings of a game against the Twins.
Wynns, 26, played at three levels of the
system last season, including eight games at
Triple-A Norfolk. He hit .287/.336/.416 with
six home runs in 80 games.
The Orioles invited Wynns, drafted in 2013
in the 10th round out of Fresno State, to big
league camp, but they replaced him with
catcher Yermin Mercedes and sent Wynns to
their minor league complex.
Its awesome the first time being (in big
league camp), Wynns said. Yeah, the ankle
injury (shortened my stay), but Im still glad
that Im here to see everybody and see how
they act and stuff like that. I feel blessed.
Wynns must have felt cursed in the
Dominican League, where his chances of
joining the big club early fell apart.
I just did something not smart, he said.
I was on second base, with the bases loaded,
when on a line drive back to the pitcher, I
took one step right and then leaped back with
the same (right) foot . . . It happens. I rolled
it two years ago, too.
As soon as it happened, of course I was
bummed. I was like, First invite and now Im
not going anymore. But Im here now. Here
and 100 percent and ready to go.
Fortunately for Wynns, he was greeted
upon his return by positive scouting reports
from Showalter.
That was awesome, Wynns said. I dont
look at much of those things. I stay away from
all of that, but thats great to hear. Whenever I
get in there, Ill do the best that I can and be
the type of person who I am. And hopefully
he likes it.
BIRD SEED
Q Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez agreed to become a
righthanded pitcher, and the Orioles optioned him to minor
league camp to begin the process. He will DH on the days he
isnt on the mound, but they want him working as a reliever
and most likely will assign him to a Class A affiliate.
Q The Orioles signed 24-year-old first baseman Michael
Katz to a minor league deal. The Mets released him last fall.
26
Samardzija and Jason Hammel.
Last year the Yankees acquired McKinney
from the Cubs along with shortstop Gleyber
Torres, righthander Adam Warren and out-
fielder Rashad Crawford for Chapman.
I came here and they worked me out. I
was aware they liked me, said McKinney, 22.
Its pretty cool this is my third organization,
and it is pretty cool how you end up with this
organization.
Originally, McKinney, who bats lefthanded,
wasnt invited to big league camp, even after
hitting .283 with power in his final 14 games
at Double-A Trenton a year ago.
When outfielders Mason Williams and
Tyler Austin were injured working out before
spring training, the Yankees summoned
McKinney from the minor league complex.
He performed well in big league exhibition
games, going 6-for-15 with two home runs.
McKinney knows all about ill-timed inju-
ries. At the end of the 2015 season, he frac-
BOSTON | Red Sox
BY ALEX SPEIER
Still Searching For Control
FORT MYERS, FLA. Just two years ago, it would
have been difficult to imagine lefthander
Henry Owens being among the first round
of cuts from big league camp.
Yet his performance in the early stages of
the Grapefruit Leaguea 15.95 ERA with 12
walks in just 6.2 inningsmade it clear that
the 24-year-old has work to do.
An offseason of strength gains allowed
the 6-foot-7 Owens to arrive at a solid 230
pounds and had him working with better
velocityhe pitched at 90-94 mph in his
final spring outingthan in recent years.
Nonetheless, inconsistent mechanics, particu-
larly out of the windup, resulted in a return
trip to Triple-A Pawtucket.
To Henrys credit, he didnt mince words,
Red Sox manager John Farrell said. He
knows hes capable of more. He knows he
needs to pitch better. When a player articu-
lates it clearly, it may be the first step toward
making real change and adjustments.
Owens estimated that 10 of his 12 spring
walks came while pitching from the windup.
As such, he started working on a windup that
more closely approximated his delivery out of
the stretch.
If Owens can discover a delivery that per-
mits him to unlock some of the raw materials
still evident in glimpses, he still possesses a
swing-and-miss changeup along with a slider
and curveball that flash the same potential.
A 2011 supplemental first-round pick out
of high school in Huntington Beach, Calif.,
Owens recognizes that the future needs to
become the present.
You wait so long for it to click and it
hasnt happened, Owens said the day before
the Red Sox optioned him, but I know I
have confidence in my abilities. I have confi-
dence in myself that eventually everything is
going to sync up. I just keep that mentality,
that same attitude, and hopefully it happens
sooner rather than later.
I think its just patience. Just being patient
with your own game.
SOX YARNS
QAs the Red Sox reassigned third baseman Rafael Devers
to minor league camp, they emphasized that commitment to
conditioning will be critical for him to remain at third base.
QLefthander Jalen Beeks impressed team officials during
a two-inning outing. He worked at 92-94 mph with a sharp
cutter and a changeup that elicited swings and misses.
BaseballAmerica.com
tured a knee cap by fouling a ball off it.
McKinneys credits his strong finish in
2016, which caught the attention of Yankees
manager Joe Girardi, to quality at-bats and
not a drastic adjustment.
I really didnt change anything, he said.
We worked on the mental aspect of (hitting),
trying to get into a strong, fast position. I
worked with the hitting coaches on the right
mental approach.
YANKEE DOODLES
Q After much talk about how the Yankees would deal
with outfielder Clint Fraziers flowing red hair, the team
instructed the 22-year-old to get a haircut. Girardi deemed
that the hairy issue was becoming a distraction.
QDomingo German, a 24-year-old righthander, impressed
the Yankees in early workouts. He looked healthy after miss-
ing the 2015 season and pitching in 10 games last season
after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees
acquired German and Nathan Eovaldi in 2014 when they
traded Martin Prado and David Phelps to the Marlins.
TAMPA BAY | Rays
BY MARC TOPKIN
Making A Big Impression
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA. Its hard to say how out-
fielder Jake Bauers has made a bigger impres-
sion on the Rays this spring. Is it the powerful
way he has swung the batwhich includes
a pair of mammoth home runsor is it the
mature way he carries himself?
You wouldnt know he was here, first base-
man Logan Morrison said, unless he swung
the bat and it made a really loud noise.
Bauers is just 21 and has not played above
Double-A Montgomery. He is still getting
used to right field after being asked to move
from first base to get more playing time.
None of that has stopped him from being
one of the best stories in big league camp.
Im telling you, man, that dude is unbe-
lievable, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said.
This whole camp hes impressed everyone . . .
I cant wait to see him up on our team, so I
look at that pretty swing. He is fun to watch.
Bauers came to Tampa Bay from the Padres
in December 2014 as part of the three-team,
11-player deal in which the Rays shipped Wil
Myers to the Padres, and then sent two of the
prospects they got back, Trea Turner and Joe
Ross, to the Nationals for Steven Souza.
But getting, and keeping, Bauers was a big
part of that deal.
Our staff had raved about him after seeing
him that season, president of baseball opera-
tions Matt Silverman said. Were thrilled we
were able to acquire him. You dont see many
prettier swings.
Bauers, a 2013 seventh-round pick by the
Padres out of high school in Huntington
Beach, Calif., realizes the Rays want him
to spend more time in the minors. He hit
.274/.370/.420 with 14 homers in 135 games
at Montgomery last year and earned team
MVP honors.
His maturation and ability to handle
the game at a young age is fascinating to
me, farm director Mitch Lukevics said.
Generally thats not the case.
COOL RAYS
QRighthander Taylor Guerrieri sustained one of the odd-
est injuries of the spring when he fell in the bathroom of his
rental home one morning and hit his head on the side of the
bathtub, requiring several stitches.
Q The Rays re-signed 27-year-old outfielder Jason Coats
to a minor league deal in early March after they had released
him on Jan. 30. He had Tommy John surgery shortly after
Tampa Bay claimed him on waivers from the White Sox.
MIKE JANES
Billy McKinney
TORONTO | Blue Jays
BY SHI DAVIDI
Ready For A Power Jolt
DUNEDIN, FLA. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds,
Rowdy Tellez looks every bit the part of the
hulking first-base slugger.
Yet the 22-year-old hasnt made hitting
home runs a priority through his first four
seasons. He prefers to develop himself more
completely at the plate.
I wanted to learn how to hit first and be
the best hitter I can be, because the longer you
play, the more people have an opportunity to
figure out who you are, said Tellez, a 30th-
round selection in 2013 out of Elk Grove
(Calif.) High.
So if I can be the best hitter I can be,
people are going to be worried about me hit-
ting and make more mistakes. Thats when
I have to capitalize, and thats where power
comes into the mix.
The mature outlook, especially given his
age, is one of the reasons the Blue Jays really
believe in Tellez, who hit .297/.387/.530 with
23 home runs in 124 games at Double-A New
Hampshire last season.
Even more impressive than the numbers
is the way he recovered from a rough first
month, when he batted just .164 in 19 games.
A willingness to stick with his approach, even
in the face of struggles at the plate, demon-
strated to the Blue Jays a trust in his skill set
atypical for someone his age.
Tellez will open the year at Triple-A Buffalo.
Ive always had power, Tellez said. Ive
known I have power, but last year is when
I really started to figure it out and I started
becoming much more polished as a hitter.
Knowing what pitches were coming, set-
ting up pitchers and understanding how they
were going to pitch me hepled. Its not about
your swing and your mechanics. Its about
understanding and learning and having a
plan and an approach as to how youre going
to hit.
JAYS CHATTER
Q Despite repeatedly touching 100 mph, righthander
Conner Greene had a rough go in his first two spring out-
ings, allowing seven runs on six hits in two innings. He needs
to harness (his fastball), Blue Jays manager John Gibbons
said, (and) maybe get a little bit better location. They seem
right now to get some pretty good swings off him. Hes got to
tighten up and get more consistency with that breaking ball.
QRighthander Jordan Romano, who impressed last year
at low Class A Lansing, picked up a win for Italy at the World
Baseball Classic in a 10-9 victory against Mexico.
April 721, 2017

Allard steps back to move forward
ATLANTA | Braves
BY BILL BALLEW
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
KISSIMMEE, FLA. Lefthander Kolby Allard dis-
covered that patience is indeed a virtue.
Drafted 14th overall in 2015, the San
Clemente (Calif.) High product battled a
stress reaction in his back that led to minor
surgery. Braves officials also were cautious
while making sure they did not allow Allard
to do too much too soon.
The results in 2016 lived up to expecta-
tions. Allard made his season debut on June 6
at low Class A Rome and ran up a 8.25 ERA
over three starts before a demotion to Rookie-
level Danville, where he thrived.
When I went to Rome, that was the first
MIAMI | Marlins
B Y WA LT E R V I L L A
Life-Changing Event
JUPITER, FLA. John Norwood was in right field
at high Class A Jupiter last season when, as
is his custom, he said hello to the opposing
teams relievers as they warmed up.
In the bullpen was Reds righthander Nick
Howard. He and Norwood talked for only a
second, but it was their first encounter since
June 25, 2014.
Thats when Norwoods life changed for-
ever.
On a 1-0 pitch from Howard, Norwood
turned on a 97 mph fastball and lined a solo
homer to left field, breaking an eighth-inning
tie in the final game of the College World
Series and leading Vanderbilt to a 3-2 win
against Virginia.
It was an unexpected blast from a player
who hit just four homers in three college
seasons. He hit .159 as a freshman and didnt
become a starter until 2014, his junior year.
Norwood, now 24, credits his mother
Paula Burroughs for the quality person he
has become, even as he has navigated tough
situations. For example, he is estranged from
his father Clarence Norwood, a former run-
ning back who played with Dan Marino at
the University of Pittsburgh.
Norwood starred in baseball at his New
Jersey high school, and the Blue Jays made
him a 12th-round pick in 2011. They offered
$800,000, but he decided he wasnt ready for
pro ball, mentally or physically.
Norwood went undrafted in 2014, but the
Marlins, who had money remaining in their
bonus pool, signed Norwood for $275,000,
which is a robust bonus amount for an
undrafted player.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Norwood is
beginning to blossom with the consistent
playing time he didnt get early at Vandy.
He hit 16 homers in 2015 and nine last
season and appears destined for Double-A
Jacksonville this year.
I started a leg kick during the (2014) super
regionals, Norwood said of his power. Ever
since then, its helped my timing.
FISH BITES
Q Reliever Tayron Guerrero, a 6-foot-8 righthander, threw
a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for Colombia at the
World Baseball Classic.
Q Third baseman Brian Anderson, the organizations top
position prospect, played well in the early stages of big
league camp, going 9-for-26 (.346) with a home run.
April 721, 2017
time I had faced live competition in quite a
few months, said Allard, 19. I didnt go (to
Danville) to work on mechanics or a particu-
lar pitch. It was just a matter of getting more
innings . . . That allowed me to get in a groove
and everything started clicking from there.
Allard returned to Rome on July 22 and
proceeded to go 5-1, 2.61 over his final eight
starts. He then tossed 12 shutout innings in
the South Atlantic League playoffs for the
champion R-Braves.
The southpaw found his groove as part of
a talented Rome rotation. Allard joined right-
handers Mike Soroka and Touki Toussaint
and lefty Max Fried, all fellow first-round
picks, which created an internal competition
as well as a tight-knit camaraderie.
I threw the ball pretty well once I got back
to Rome, Allard said. It was also a definite
competitive situation. Everyone wants to go
out there and do just as well or better than
the other guy . . . It was a great atmosphere.
NEW YORK | Mets
BY MIKE PUMA
Rivera Gets Versatile
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. T.J. Rivera is willing to wear
any glove in his bid to break camp on the big
league roster.
The Pacific Coast League batting champion
last year at Triple-A Las Vegas already has
shown he can handle second base and third
base. This spring he is also giving first base a
shot and is looking to increase his reps in the
outfield, where he has played sparingly.
I am doing it just to kind of help my
value, Rivera said.
With David Wright likely headed to the
disabled list with to a right shoulder impinge-
ment, the 28-year-old Rivera could become
the primary backup to Jose Reyes at third
base while dabbling at other positions.
Rivera, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., who
attended Troy and signed with the Mets
as a nondrafted free agent in 2011, hit
.333/.345/.476 in 33 games with the Mets
last year. He made his major league debut
in August and then started at second base
against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner
in the National League Wild Card Game.
Riveras double in the 3-0 defeat was the Mets
only extra-base hit.
Rivera hit .353 in the PCL to edge team-
mate Brandon Nimmo for the batting title.
To get an award like that is pretty cool,
Rivera said, but that is not a players ultimate
goal.
The big question is whether the free-swing-
ing Rivera, who represented Puerto Rico in
the World Baseball Classic, can sustain success
in the major leagues. Last year he swung at
54.8 percent of all pitches, the fourth-highest
average among NL hitters.
And yet, the Mets want Rivera to maintain
the approach that got him to the big leagues.
I dont want (Rivera) to change a lot, Mets
manager Terry Collins said, because you
change a little bit of the aggressiveness some-
times and he all of a sudden starts to struggle.
Thats not what we want.
NEW YORK MINUTES
Q Righthander Marcos Molina caught the attention of
team officials early in spring training. The 22-year-old missed
last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but
returned for the Arizona Fall League.
Q The Mets signed 23-year-old shortstop Danny Hoy to
a minor league contract. He helped lead Princeton to the
Ivy League title last year before playing four games in the
independent Frontier League.
BaseballAmerica.com
NL East ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Allard showed last year his feel for pitching
as well as his ability to work the lower half of
the strike zone. He mixes his low-90s fastball
with a plus curveball, and he made steady
progress with his changeup.
He combined that pitch development with
his first offseason to develop physically.
Ive been sticking with my weightlift-
ing program and doing some yoga to stay
flexible, Allard said. Ive put on about 10
pounds of muscle and Im excited about that.
With the way things are going, I feel like I can
have a very positive 2017 season.
WIGWAM WISPS
Q Outfielder Braxton Davidson reported to camp 20
pounds lighter to increase his flexibility and quickness. The
2014 first-round pick wants to be more aggressive at the
plate to reduce the number of called third strikes.
QSecond baseman Ozzie Albies returned to the field after
breaking his elbow in the Double-A Southern League playoffs
last year. He showed no ill effects from the injury.
PHILADELPHIA | Phillies
BY JIM SALISBURY
Appel Seeks To Take Command
CLEARWATER, FLA. Though the spotlight does not
shine on righthander Mark Appel as brightly
as it once did, he remains a tantalizing curios-
ity in the organization and around baseball.
After being selected No. 1 overall by the
Astros in 2013 and dealt to the Phillies in
December 2015, Appel has been slow to live
up to expectations, and his once-golden pros-
pect label has dulled.
Fully recovered from surgery to remove a
bone spur from his right elbow in June, the
25-year-old Stanford product believes he is
poised to take a leap forward in 2017.
Theres always the hope and dream of get-
ting to the big leagues, but it doesnt happen
overnight, Appel said. Everybody kind of
makes their own opportunity based on how
they play. I know if I go out there and do the
little things that Ive been doing the last eight
or nine months since surgery . . . that Ill be
there in no time.
This is a big season for Appel, who likely
will pitch at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he
made eight starts and recorded a 4.46 ERA
before surgery last season.
Appel believes his command has improved
since the surgery. He spent a month in big
league camp and in nine innings gave up
seven hits and five runs.
Im seeing more quality in his pitches,
Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said.
It looks like hes going forward. Hes not
scattering balls all over. His misses are not as
frequent and not as bad as they were. Im very
pleased where hes at, and he should be too.
McClure said Appels goal for 2017 should
be pitch efficiency. Former Phillies reliever
Larry Andersen also stressed that to Appel
during his time as an instructor in camp.
We had some conversations about the
mentality of pitching, and really just having
confidence and not trying to throw a strike
but knowing youre going to throw a strike,
Appel said. Theres a difference in knowing it
in your head and kind of believing it in every
fiber of your body.
PHILUPS
Q Outfielder Andrew Pullins audition in big league camp
was cut short by an oblique strain.
Q Roy Halladay, the 2010 Cy Young Award winner with the
Phillies, was in camp working with pitchers on the physical
and mental aspects of pitching. He will likely stay on during
the season to work with minor leaguers.
TONY FARLOW
Kolby Allard
WASHINGTON | Nationals
BY LAC Y LUSK
Highest-Drafted Intern
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. While scrolling through
Twitter on his off day as an intern for the
Diamondbacks last June, C.J. Picerni noticed
that he was about to be working for a differ-
ent organization in a more hands-on capacity.
Much to his surprise, Picerni saw that he
had been drafted in the 31st round by the
Nationals. The catcher thought his playing
career was over when his senior season ended
at Division III New York University, but
instead he became the first Violets player to
be selected in a major league draft since 1974.
I had been in the (D-backs) war room on
the first day of the draft, and my boss (assis-
tant of baseball operations Ian Rebhan) told
me to take the next two days off, Picerni said.
Picerni had loved tracking draft-eligible
pitchers usage for the Arizona front office, but
he happily ended his internship and reported
to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He
went just 2-for-8 because of an oblique injury.
This spring, though, Picerni is feeling strong
and not intimidated by catching promising
prospects. After all, in offseason workouts in
his native Southern California, he has trained
with first-round talents Lucas Giolito, Max
Fried and Jack Flaherty, all of whom attend-
ed Harvard-Westlake High in Los Angeles.
Picerni played for two years at California
Lutheran and then transferred to NYU, which
brought back baseball in 2015 after a 41-year
absence. Hes on track to finish his course-
work online and graduate in May with a
degree in sports management.
The only holdup was having to restart
his internship clock. Picerni was required to
complete two internships, and he eventually
did that by marketing for the NYU athletic
department and assisting the executive direc-
tor of the non-profit Professional Baseball
Scouts Foundation in Calabasas, Calif.
I definitely want to work in baseball, said
Picerni, 24. Whether thats in a front office
or in facility management, I couldnt picture
doing anything else.
CAPITAL GAINS
QCatcher Spencer Kieboom, the older brother of Nationals
2016 first-round pick Carter, cleared waivers and was out-
righted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Q The Prince William County, Va., board of county supervi-
sors voted 5-3 to approve a letter of intent to build a new
$35 million ballpark for the high Class A Potomac Nationals,
according to InsideNova.com.
27
ORGANIZATION REPORTS AL Central
Sox wont rush anyone, even Moncada
CHICAGO | White Sox
BY SCOT GREGOR
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
GLENDALE, ARIZ. The White Sox released veteran
Brett Lawrie on March 3, paving the way for
top prospect Yoan Moncada to take over as
the clubs starting second baseman.
That day should come at some point this
season, but Chicago is rebuilding and sees no
point in rushing Moncadaor anyone else
to the major leagues.
Were really not going to have anyone in
Chicago until theyve answered any questions
weve had for them at the minor league level
and we feel theyre ready to succeed, general
manager Rick Hahn said.
Guilty in past seasons of rushing prospects
CLEVELAND | Indians
BY JIM INGRAHAM
Armstrong Shows Maturity
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. Among the Indians internal
candidates, righthander Shawn Armstrong
has the best chance to emerge as a factor in
the big league bullpen in 2017.
The 26-year-old has had brief stints with
Cleveland in each of the past two seasons.
After a strong showing at Triple-A Columbus
in 2016, and some impressive work early in
big league camp this year, Armstrong could
pitch his way onto the Opening Day roster.
Or he could be the next man up should an
injury strike the bullpen.
He came into camp looking like he was
on a mission, and looking like hes really
matured, Indians manager Terry Francona
said.
An 18th-round pick from East Carolina in
2011, Armstrongs maturity and confidence
both got a boost from his strong performance
at Columbus last year.
In 47 relief appearances he recorded a 1.84
ERA, while averaging 13.2 strikeouts and 5.1
walks per nine innings and holding oppo-
nents to a .160 average. Armstrong led all
International League pitchers with at least 40
innings with a strikeout rate of 35.3 percent.
His major developmental hiccups have been
a high walk ratean average of 4.6 per nine
for his careerand controlling his emotions.
I remember two years ago, when he was
first on the (team), he gave up a couple runs
and was beating himself up in the dugout,
Francona said.
But when you see guys taking steps and
going in the right direction, you get excited
about that. You dont want to penalize some-
body for immaturity two years ago. To watch
where Shawn is now, its good to see, because
hes on a good path right now.
That path could lead Armstrong to
Clevelandeventually.
SMOKE SIGNALS
Q Righthander Cody Anderson had Tommy John surgery
in March and will miss the entire season. The 26-year-old
did not appear in a spring game because he was shut down
with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Anderson logged 152 innings for the Indians in 2015 and
2016 and had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow following
last season.
QThe Indians announced three promotions in the scouting
department: Dave Miller to special assignment scout, Chris
Gale to international crosschecker and Trey Hendricks to
international crosschecker.
28
to the majors before they were ready, the
White Sox are now going in the opposite
direction.
That likely means Moncada is going to
open the season at Triple-A Charlotte while
Tyler Saladino and Yolmer (formerly Carlos)
Sanchez hold down second base.
Moncada, one of four prospects the White
Sox acquired in a December trade that sent
ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox, was named
the Minor League Player of the Year in 2016
when he batted .294/.407/.511 with 17 home
runs and 45 stolen bases at high Class A Salem
and Double-A Portland.
Called up by Boston in September,
Moncada struck out in each of his final nine
at-bats. He also played in the Arizona Fall
League for six games before heading home
with a sprained left thumb.
Loaded with self confidence, the 21-year-
old Moncada is in big league camp this spring
and has one primary goal.
DETROIT | Tigers
BY CHRIS IOTT
Selectivity Is On The Menu
LAKELAND, FLA. Dominic Ficociello took a step
backward offensively in 2016, his first season
at Double-A Erie. But the first baseman has
taken one step forward in the mind of Tigers
manager Brad Ausmus, who has seen plenty
of him the past two springs.
He seems to be becoming more selective
at the plate, Ausmus said. Hes not chas-
ing out of the strike zone as often. Hes more
polished.
Hes also a bit bigger. The 24-year-old
Ficociello, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 200
pounds, spent a good amount of time in the
offseason working to add weight. The switch-
hitter went 8-for-37 (.216) with three home
runs and eight RBIs through spring games as
of mid-March.
The three homers Ficociello hit added up to
more than half the total he hit in the Eastern
League last year.
Ficociello, a 12th-round pick in 2013 from
Arkansas, hit .248/.329/.348 with five hom-
ers in 123 games last season. His OPS fell
to .677, which was a substantial drop from
2015, when he recorded a .765 mark at high
Class A Lakeland.
Ficociello took a pass on winter ball to focus
on weight training.
I just wanted to focus on hitting the
weights hard, eating right and giving myself
the best chance to succeed physically,
Ficociello said, before I came in and worked
on the mental stuff with (hitting coach) Lloyd
(McClendon) and Brad and all the hitting
guys.
His hard work paid off early.
Hes a little bigger, Ausmus said. He is
definitely driving the ball more, especially to
the opposite field.
Ficociello is bound for the upper levels of
system and will play first base, third base and
in the corner outfield. Whether he ends up
playing one position or several remains to be
seen.
Hes probably a corner-infield guy, maybe
some outfield, Ausmus said. The more he
hits, the more he plays.
TIGER TALES
Q Righthander Sandy Baez struck out nine and allowed
four hits through seven spring innings. He finished last sea-
son at low Class A West Michigan.
Q Outfielder Mike Gerber had one hit (a single), no walks
and nine strikeouts through 18 spring at-bats.
BaseballAmerica.com
You work with a purpose, and my purpose
is to play in the big leagues and to play in the
big leagues with this team, to make the team
out of spring training, the switch-hitter said.
Moncada wants to break camp with
Chicago, but hes aware of the situation.
I learned that this is a process, said
Moncada, whom the Red Sox signed out of
Cuba in March 2015. I have to make adjust-
ments once I reach the majors. You have to
know what you can do to get better, and thats
where I can learn from experience.
Through 17 spring games Moncada went
13-for-41 (.317) with three homers.
CHILITES
QCatcher Zack Collins was among the first wave of players
reassigned to minor league camp. The No. 10 overall pick
in 2016 is expected to open at high Class A Winston-Salem.
Q The White Sox signed righthander Jake Dunning to a
minor league contract. The reliever appeared in 30 games for
the Giants in 2013 and 2014.
KANSAS CITY | Royals
BY ALAN ESKEW
Puckett Climbs Quickly
SURPRISE, ARIZ. Righthander A.J. Puckett went
from unheralded prospect at Pepperdine to
Royals big league camp within a year.
I was getting ready for college Opening
Day a year ago, Puckett said in the Royals
spring clubhouse, where he was surrounded
by veteran starters Jason Hammel, Danny
Duffy and Ian Kennedy.
Puckett was not considered a premium draft
prospect when his junior season began last
year, but a scoreless streak of 45.2 innings put
him on scouts must-see lists.
Midway through the streak I kind of
started realizing I had a little streak going,
said Puckett, 21. The guys on my team were
starting to give me a hard time, saying they
wanted to face me to break my streak.
The Royals selected Puckett in the second
round, making him their top pick in 2016.
After two perfunctory starts in the Rookie-
level Arizona League, Puckett advanced to low
Class A Lexington, where he went 2-3, 3.66
in 11 starts.
I thought I could have pitched better, but
it was just a fun atmosphere, Puckett said.
It was an eye-opening experience. It was just
going out there and getting the whole new
experience of facing professional ball players.
The indoctrination to minor league life
included a 10-hour bus ride.
In his two wins, which came in his final
three starts, Puckett allowed no runs over 10
innings. He walked 15 and struck out 45 over
58.2 innings at both stops.
I need to command the zone, Puckett
said. Walks always hurt you . . . So you
always want to go out and throw strikes. has a polished changeup that makes his hard
Puckett sits at 91-94 mph and uses both
sides of the plate. He also has a plus changeup.
His curveball is inconsistent and needs to
tighten up for him to develop into an impact
starter.
Puckett will likely open this season at
pitcher-friendly high Class-A Wilmington.
ROYALTIES
Q Righthander Kyle Zimmer was among the Royals
first spring training cuts. They optioned him to Double-A.
The 2012 first-round pick, who has had numerous injuries,
recorded a 7.71 ERA this spring.
Q Righthander Josh Staumont, a 2015 second-round
pick and the systems top prospect, was reassigned to minor
league camp. He allowed one run, struck out three and
walked two over three innings in two appearances.
BILL MITCHELL
Yoan Moncada
MINNESOTA | Twins
BY PHIL MILLER
Jaxs Future Is Up In The Air
FORT MYERS, FLA. The Twins arent sure yet where
righthander Griffin Jax will be assigned.
It could be Fort Myers for extended
spring training. Or it could be Rookie-level
Elizabethton, where Jax pitched in four games
last year after being drafted in the third round.
Or he could be sent to Elgin.
That would be the Air Force base in the
Florida panhandle. That uncertainty repre-
sents the risk the Twins assumed in 2016
when they selected the 22-year-old Jax.
Jax will graduate from the Air Force
Academy in May, and hes not at spring
training because the academy requires him to
complete his degree first.
Even when Jax does report to the Twins, he
owes the U.S. military five years of service,
just like all Air Force cadets. How he fulfills
that obligation, however, isnt certain.
Well see what they decide, vice president
for player personnel Mike Radcliff said. Air
Force laid out a deferral policy before the
draft last year to allow (Jax) to play, then serve
in the reserves during the offseason. But you
never know when things might change.
For Jax, a big change came when his fastball
velocity shot from the mid-80s to the mid-
90s during his senior year of high school in
Greenwood Village, Colo. Drafted by the
Phillies in 2013, Jax chose to go to college
instead.
He blossomed into an all-Mountain West
Conference pitcher at Air Force, where he
recorded a 2.05 ERA in 105 innings as a
junior.
Jax top out at 95 mph, Radcliff said, but he
stuff even more effective. And as a military
graduate, his makeup and maturity obviously
stand out, Radcliff said.
Jax struck out eight with a 4.15 ERA in 8.2
innings in the Appalachian League last year.
Hes starting out a little behind, because
of his obligations, Radcliff said. But if hes
given the chance, our guys think he can climb
pretty quickly.
TWIN KILLINGS
QWith Trevor May out with Tommy John surgery, lefthand-
er Adalberto Mejia was making a case for a rotation spot
with a spring ERA of 0.87 through 10.1 innings.
Q Lefthander Mason Melotakis reported to camp with a
strained right oblique, which prevented him from taking part
in spring games.
April 721, 2017

Trahan hopes learning curve shortens
CINCINNATI | Reds
BY C. TRENT ROSECRANS
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. When shortstop Blake Trahan
got a chance to play in big league camp last
spring, he didnt waste the opportunity. In
13 games he collected nine hits in 21 at-bats.
Through six games this year he went 4-for-9
with a double.
A year ago, Trahans hot start inspired con-
fidence but didnt carry over to high Class A
Daytona. He had just nine hits in his first 20
games and 88 at-bats.
I dont know, said Trahan, 23. Just the with my approach and consistent with my
way baseball played out that season, it was a
big learning curve for me. I just kind of lost
my swing and lost track of the things I was
CHICAGO | Cubs
BY GORDON WITTENMYER
Smooth Move To The Pen?
MESA, ARIZ. Has righthander Pierce Johnson
gone from struggling minor league starter to
the next Wade Davis?
Not yet. But early in spring training, Cubs
manager Joe Maddon made it sound like
thats what could be coming for the first pitch-
er drafted by the organization under president
of baseball operations Theo Epstein.
After a late-season move to the bullpen at
Triple-A Iowa last year, Johnson arrived at big
league camp this spring as a full-time reliever.
Its a different look. Its a different animal
all of a sudden, Maddon said. What he had
done last year once they put him in the pen,
(he showed) the typical uptick (in velocity).
(It was) kind of like a Wade Davis thing.
Davis, the closer whom the Cubs acquired
from the Royals in December for Jorge Soler,
became one of the games best closers once the
Rays moved him to the bullpen.
Ive heard nothing but good stuff out of
the bullpen with (Johnson), Maddon said.
Nothing but good stuff.
Johnson, a 2012 supplemental first-round
pick out of Missouri State, always has thrown
hard with a breaking ball he calls his best
pitch. But command problems plagued him
once he reached Double-A Tennessee in 2014.
I think the conviction factor for me was
the biggest thing, said Johnson, 25. As a
starter I wasnt necessarily timid when I was
throwing, but the conviction wasnt necessar-
ily there for me. So being in the pen, just let-
ting it go as hard as I can and trying to throw
my breaking ballI think I can live off those
two (pitches) and mix in a changeupbut I
really think thats what clicked for me.
About moving to the bullpen, he said it
gives me the freedom to just be myself and
just let my pitches do what they can.
Johnson ran up a 7.75 ERA in 11 starts
last year but recorded 35 strikeouts, 13 walks
and a .176 opponent average in 22.1 relief
innings.
CUBBYHOLE
Q For all the talk of pitching depth, a quiet success story
has developed with the return from shoulder-debridement
surgery of lefthander Zac Rosscup. My expectations are just
to be healthy, he said.
QIan Happ, the 2015 first-round pick, came out swinging
in his first big league camp. He hit .405 through 19 games.
Everybody talks about how everybodys here and the (minor
league) cupboard is bare, Maddon said. Not true.
April 721, 2017
doing.
I just had to go to an emergency approach
and just grind through the season.
He found that swing, though, at the end of
April. From April 22 to May 25, he found his
way on base in 31 straight games.
The ebbs and flows, he said, were a good
learning experience. The 2015 third-round
pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette went off the
board eighth among an historic college short-
stop class that included first-rounders Dansby
Swanson, Alex Bregman, Kevin Newman,
Richie Martin and Kyle Holder.
Swanson and Bregman already have reached
the majors, while Trahan likely will start at
Double-A Pensacola.
I knew for me to excel in this game and
move up the levels, I had to get consistent
mechanics and my swing, Trahan said, and
continue to take more aggressive swings.
I think there were a lot of games I was real
MILWAUKEE | Brewers
BY TOM HAUDRICOURT
A Sensible Switch
PHOENIX Considering the dearth of lefthanded
pitchers in the organization, the Brewers
decided to make one from scratch.
When Nick Ramirez took a step back
offensively last season as a first baseman at
Double-A Biloxi, the Brewers suggested that
he would have a better chance to advance
as a pitcher. It wasnt a crazy notion because
Ramirez also served as the closer at Cal State
Fullerton before Milwaukee made him a
fourth-round pick in 2011.
They mentioned it in July and I started
throwing bullpens, getting back into it, said
Ramirez, 27. When I first started, I looked
like an infielder throwing off the mound. I
hadnt done it in five years.
I wasnt using my lower half. I wasnt using
my body. It was just a slow progression to get
back in shape and let my arm bounce back
and all that stuff.
With some help from Biloxi pitching coach
Chris Hook, Ramirez started to look like
a pitcher again. After the season, he went
to instructional league and pitched in game
situations. He returned home to prepare
for being a two-way player, something the
Brewers havent had since the days of Brooks
Kieschnick in 2003 and 2004.
The early results were encouraging. Ramirez
faced three hitters in an exhibition game
against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and struck out
all three. Next time out against the Rangers,
he whiffed two of three hitters.
Somehow, my pitches got better with the
five-year hiatus, Ramirez said. I dont know
how that happened, but Im happy with how
its going. I feel good out there. I just want to
go out and compete. Its a wonderful oppor-
tunity and Im trying to make the most of it.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Ramirez doesnt
have an overpowering fastball at 90-91 mph,
but he has an effective changeup, a pitch he
managed to keep the feel for despite being off
the mound for so long.
Thats always been my go-to pitch, he
said. Luckily, the feel never left.
MICROBREWS
Q Lefthander Nathan Kirby, who had Tommy John sur-
gery late in 2015 and missed all of last season, returned
to the mound against the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball
Organization in an early spring exhibition.
QCatcher Jacob Nottingham had an upper biceps issue in
big league camp and was sent to minor league camp.
BaseballAmerica.com
NL Central ORGANIZATION REPORTS
uncomfortable in the box, and it was because
Id lost my swing earlier in the season and I
was doing things I wasnt used to doing. So
it felt good to go into this offseason and get
comfortable with some things.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Trahan hit four
home runs in 2016, but he thinks theres more
in his bat.
I wanted to be more athletic in my swing,
and be more violent, too, he said. Im look-
ing to drive the ball more and not just be a
singles hitter, but look to drive the ball into
the gaps more, hit a few more home runs.
RED HOTS
Q With injuries to Anthony DeSclafani and Homer
Bailey, the Reds have opened competition for the rotation
to several prospects, including lefthanders Cody Reed and
Amir Garrett and righthanders Robert Stephenson, Sal
Romano and Rookie Davis.
QWith his hamstring healthy, Davis has shown the 96 mph
fastball he lacked last season.
PITTSBURGH | Pirates
BY JOHN PERROTTO
Eppler Banks on Unique Pitch
BRADENTON, FLA. Tyler Eppler is working on a
new pitch this spring, one with a somewhat
risqu name.
The 24-year-old righthander, who looks
to open the season at Triple-A Indianapolis,
has been learning to master a hybrid that is
part slider and part cutter. Eppler and minor
league pitching coordinator Justin Meccage
jokingly refer to it as the slutter.
Sometimes when we tell other people that,
theyre like, Really? Eppler said. So its
like its our joke. I tell everybody else its a
slider-cutter.
Eppler hopes the pitch can get him to the
big leagues this year after he went 9-10, 3.99
in 27 starts last season at Double-A Altoona.
The Pirates feel Eppler needs an extra pitch
to complement a fastball that sits at 92-94
mph and a plus changeup, especially because
it was hard to distinguish his curveball from
his slider.
Its a hard pitch, an aggressive pitch,
Eppler said. Its got more depth than a
regular cutter would have. I think it will be
more of a miss-the-barrel type pitch, and the
curveball will hopefully be a strikeout, miss-
the-bat pitch.
Eppler has rarely missed the strike zone
during three seasons since being selected in
the sixth round of the 2014 draft from Sam
Houston State. He has issued just 61 walks
in 302.2 innings for an average of just 1.8 per
nine innings.
However, Eppler wants his new pitch to cut
or slide outside the zone occasionally in an
effort to encourage batters to chase.
Ive always been known to throw strikes,
Eppler said. Its kind of a strength and a
weakness. If I let the hitter get comfortable, he
knows a strikes coming and he can sit on it.
Thats something Ive got to change.
Eppler has also changed the grip on his
curveball to mimic that of Cardinals right-
hander Adam Wainwright.
It gives more of a loose feel, and its easier
to rip it now, Eppler said.
PITTBURGERS
QFirst baseman Josh Bell, who had arthroscopic left knee
surgery in January, saw his first spring action on March 6. He
was expected to be ready for the opener April 3 at Boston.
Q The Pirates signed righthander Holden Helmink, the
Diamondbacks 12th-round pick in 2014, out of the indepen-
dent Atlantic League.
CLIFF WELCH
Blake Trahan
ST. LOUIS | Cardinals
BY DERRICK GOOLD
Could Sierra Make The Jump?
JUPITER, FLA. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny
was so fond of what he saw from outfielder
Magneuris Sierra during spring training that
he told the story a few times about how a
coach with another team was even more
impressed.
Hes in (low Class A), Matheny later
said. I have to remind myself that. I have to
remind other people who watched him play
against them this spring.
There are teams out there that could put
him in there and watch him compete. If they
had a kid like thatwho could run like that,
who puts together the kind of at-bats like that
and plays that kind of defenseyou could see
a team saying, Lets push this kid a little bit.
That team now could be the Cardinals.
While Sierra isnt getting outfitted for a spot
as the teams fourth outfielder, the 20-year-old
center field has made his case for an acceler-
ated assignment to start the season.
Sierra, who signed out of the Dominican
Republic in 2012, proved to be one of the best
outfield defenders in big league camp, and
there are scouts who believe his glove is ready
for the top level now. Offensively, he showed
a greater sense of how to use his speedand
how to drive the ball.
The lefthanded-hitting Sierra used spring to
build off his .307/.335/.395 turn at low Class
A Peoria last year. The Cardinals had ear-
marked him to be high Class A Palm Beachs
everyday center fielder.
The traits that could allow him to thrive in
the Florida State League are why the Cardinals
were considering assigning Sierra to Double-A
Springfield. Regardless of where he begins, he
should see Double-A this summer.
Hes a pure joy to watch in the outfield,
Matheny said. I would give him a great
endorsement because I think hes ready for
whatever level. A kid like himyou could see
how that would play at this level at some time
in the not too far future.
REDBIRD CHIRPS
Q Jordan Schafers bid to be a two-way player as a lefty
reliever and outfielder ended with a ligament tear that
required surgery. Schafer had primary repair done on his
left elbow, which is an alternative to Tommy John surgery.
Q Cuban outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia secured his work visa
through Haiti in time to appear in several Grapefruit League
games. He could start at Double-A, Triple-A or extended
spring training.
29
ORGANIZATION REPORTS AL West
Mariners add another strike-thrower
SEATTLE | Mariners
BY BOB DUTTON
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
PEORIA, ARIZ. Even righthander Chase De Jong
says he wont wow you with his stuff. So
what was it about him that prompted the
Mariners to acquire him from the Dodgers in
early March for shortstop Drew Jackson and
righthander Aneurys Zabala?
General manager Jerry Dipoto responded
by comparing De Jong to two other right-
handers in the clubs systemAndrew Moore
and Max Povsewho also typically dont
draw raves from scouts.
We see pitchers differently than, maybe,
your ordinary scout, Dipoto said. All three
(pitchers are) cut from a very similar cloth.
HOUSTON | Astros
BY JAKE KAPLAN
Back On Track
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. A year and a half removed
from his last pitch for Triple-A Fresno, right-
hander Tyson Perez is hoping to pick up
where he left off.
Perez was enjoying the best season of his
career in 2015 before an MRI revealed his
right arm would require Tommy John sur-
gery. On Sept. 23 of that year, a day after
Perez watched his Fresno teammates win the
Triple-A national championship, orthopedic
surgeon and Astros team physician Thomas
Mehlhoff performed the operation.
It was tough, especially 2015, said Perez,
27. I was feeling really good and then to get
injured, especially at the end of the year, it was
really tough. But now that Im healthy and I
feel better than ever, Im just trying to build
on what I did that year.
Perez, a 17th-round pick in 2011 from
Fresno CC, resumed throwing a bit before
spring training last year and got back into
games in August. He pitched one inning in
the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and three
innings at short-season Tri-City.
The Astros rewarded Perez for his persever-
ance and past performance with an invita-
tion to big league camp. He pitched in five
Grapefruit League games before being reas-
signed to minor league camp.
He was on track to come to camp last year
until the injury, Astros manager A.J. Hinch
said. I didnt want to miss the opportunity to
(let him) know that hes still someone weve
been keeping our eyes on. He had a spectacu-
lar 2015 and obviously missed 2016.
Perez, who was drafted by former general
manager Ed Wades regime, complements his
fastball with a cutter and a curveball. He was
a starter earlier in his career before becoming
a full-time reliever in 2014.
Im ready to go, so wherever they want to
send me (is fine), Perez said. Its not like
they need to hold the reins on me or anything.
Im 100 percent ready to go. If I go back to
Fresno for a little bit, hopefully I just start
where I left off in 2015 and well see what
happens from there.
SPACE SHOTS
QThe Astros were playing Tony Kemp primarily at second
base this spring after adding outfielders Josh Reddick,
Carlos Beltran and Nori Aoki in the offseason
QCatcher Garrett Stubbs was limited early in his first big
league camp because of discomfort in his throwing shoulder.
30
We saw Povse throw (recently) at 92-94
(mph) with a pretty good changeup.
Two days prior, it was Moore out there
pitching 91-94 with an excellent changeup
and filling up the strike zone. Polished strike-
throwing means something.
You pile up enough of those guys and
someone is going to wind up being a No. 3
starter. Someone is going to wind up being a
No. 4 starter. Theyre going to wind up being
durable, innings guys.
De Jong is coming off a breakout year at
Double-A Tulsa for the Dodgers, where he
went 14-5, 2.86 in 25 starts and earned the
Texas League pitcher of the year award. The
Blue Jays made him a 2012 second-round
pick out of high school in Long Beach.
Im a flyball pitcher, De Jong said.
Developing a cutter at the halfway point with
(Tulsa pitching coach) Billy Simas helped me
become more of a groundball pitcherbut
I understand (Seattles) Safeco Field is pretty
LOS ANGELES | Angels
BY MIKE DIGIOVANNA
A Fitting Role Model
TEMPE, ARIZ. Shortstop David Fletchers favor-
ite player growing up in Orange County,
Calif., was David Eckstein, so he always has
appreciated being compared with the gritty,
over-achieving shortstop and leadoff man for
the 2002 World Series-champion Angels.
Hes like David Eckstein on extra vita-
mins, farm director Mike Gallego said of
Fletcher last fall.
But there is one comparison to Eckstein
that of a slap hitter with virtually no power
that Fletcher would like to shed this season.
Much of his focus last winter was on strength-
ening his 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame in an
effort to add a little more power and extra-
base hits, he said.
My strength has always been my defense,
said Fletcher, 22. Im trying to improve on
being more productive at the plate.
That Fletcher is in big league camp in
his third pro season is a testament to his
quick development. Undrafted out of Cypress
(Calif.) High, he was a sixth-round pick out
of Loyola Marymount in 2015.
Fletcher spent most of 2016 at high Class
A Inland Empire and the last month at
Double-A Arkansas. He hit .280/.322/.351
with three homers in 98 games.
Fletcher has shown advanced plate disci-
pline, and he has decent speed with 16 stolen
bases in 19 attempts last year.
Defensively, Fletcher has played mostly
shortstop, but he projects as a second base-
man in the big leagues. He has quick feet,
soft hands and good instincts. What he lacks
in arm strength he compensates for with
accuracy.
He has plus range for a second baseman,
and hes a natural shortstop, so he looks
good, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
His tool set is nice. Hes athletic, quick and
hes going to be able to steal a base when its
there. And hes a tough out at the plate. Hes a
good little player.
ANGEL FOOD
Q The Angels reassigned first-round first baseman Matt
Thaiss to minor league camp on March 9, but not before he
went 5-for-11 in 10 games. I think this guys got an incred-
ible future, but lets take one step at a time, Scioscia said.
Lets let him work his way out of A-ball, and well see.
Q Catcher Jack Kruger, a 20th-round pick who signed for
$395,000 last year, also impressed the Angels before being
reassigned to minor league camp.
BaseballAmerica.com
friendly to flyball pitchers.
Dont look for De Jong at Safeco just yet.
Barring injuries in the projected rotation, he
will open the season at Triple-A Tacoma.
Not every guy you get is going to be a
marquee name, Dipoto said. These are guys
who get you through the long season as strike-
throwers who know how to manage at-bats.
One day you look up and Kyle Hendricks
turns into Kyle Hendricks. Every scout in the
world is wearing egg on their face because
sometimes guys like that turn into (something
more).
MARINADE
QThe Tacoma rotation is falling into place with some com-
bination of righthanders De Jong, Chris Heston and Rob
Whalen and lefthander Dillon Overton occupying the first
four spots. All four are offseason acquisitions.
QThe Mariners were willing to trade Drew Jackson because
they believe he is more of a fringe hitter than the .358 hitter
he was at short-season Everett in 2015.
OAKLAND | Athletics
BY CASEY TEFERTILLER
At Home In The Bullpen
MESA, ARIZ. The adrenaline surged through
righthander Kyle Finnegans veins. It may
have only been the third game of spring train-
ing, but in this case the manager and coaching
staff of the Athletics were watching.
Finnegan responded with a shutout ninth
inning for the save in a win against the Giants.
It was definitely exciting, said Finnegan,
25. I had the shaky legs. Thats what I like
to feel on the mound. Looking back, its just
so cool that I was able to face some big league
guys and be around that atmosphere.
He may well have to get used to itthe
atmosphere, that is. The slender 6-foot-2
Finnegan made the move from starting to
relieving last year, and the new role could
make him a contender for a callup this season
After moving up to Double-A Midland last
year, he put together a 2.14 ERA with six
saves in 30 appearances. His fastball touched
97 mph, and he complements it with a slider,
curveball and quality changeup.
At some point you realize that his natural
ability, his aggressiveness and the spike in
velocity all lead to (a bullpen role), farm
director Keith Lieppman said.
A 2013 sixth-round pick from Texas State,
Finnegan made 24 starts in 2015 before mov-
ing to the bullpen for his final four appearanc-
es. He spent the offseason wondering about
his future role before he met with pitching
coordinator Gil Patterson in spring training.
Ive always been the type of player where
I wanted to do whatever the coaches asked
of me, Finnegan said. I always knew that
(relieving) would probably be my end game
to move to the big leagues.
Im a little out of the mold of big league
starters. Im kind of a max-effort guy . . . and
I give everything to every pitch I have.
Listed at 170 pounds, Finnegan also lacks
the prototypical build of a starter. He had
relieved on occasion in college.
It wasnt something completely new to
me, he said. I think thats what made the
transition so easy.
AS ACORNS
Q After a difficult season at Triple-A Nashville last year,
outfielder Matt Olson received hitting suggestions from As
hitting coach Darren Bush during a September callup. He
has shown major improvement this spring, Lieppman said.
QTop prospect Franklin Barreto made a strong impression
in big league camp, going 13-for-27 with a homer.
BILL MITCHELL
Chase De Jong
TEXAS | Rangers
BY JEFF WILSON
A Change Of Pace
SURPRISE, ARIZ. Eddie Gamboa rates as one of
the most intriguingand possibly the most
entertainingnewcomers to the Rangers
spring pitching staff, but not solely because
the 32-year-old righthanders featured pitch is
a knuckleball. But on the mound, its all about
the knuckleball.
In Gamboa, the Rangers have a candidate
to be the change-of-pace reliever they like to
have in their bullpen and a versatile pitcher
who could work multiple innings on consecu-
tive days or make a spot start for them.
With lefthanded reliever Jake Diekman out
and lefty Alex Claudio possibly moving into
a more specialized role than he had last season
as the change-of-pace long man, Gamboa is a
pitcher to watch.
Hes willing to fill multiple roles.
The goal is to be at the big league level,
said Gamboa, the Orioles 21st-round pick in
2008 out of UC Davis. Whatever they need
is what I have prepared for.
The Rangers acquired Gamboa in a cash
transaction with the Rays on Feb. 14, the day
pitchers and catchers reported to camp, and
had watched him toss two scoreless innings
against them in the 2016 season finale.
Gamboa was a September callup by the
Rays and recorded a 1.35 ERA in 13.1 relief
innings. He had produced a 2.68 ERA in 27
games (12 starts) at Triple-A Durham.
The only homer he allowed in 107.1 innings
in 2016 was a Sept. 28 solo shot by White Sox
all-star Todd Frazier.
Gamboa throws his knuckler harder than
most, much like R.A. Dickey, and is capable
of mixing speeds with it. He also tops out at
90 mph with his fastball and throws a cutter.
He can ramp it up and back it off,
Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail said.
Knuckleballers can be really intriguing to
everybodyfrom fans to the pitching coach.
RANGER ROUNDUP
Q The Rangers made lefthander Andrew Faulkner one
of the first pitchers sent out to minor league camp a year
after he made the Opening Day roster. The Rangers hope the
early option to Triple-A Round Rock will help him get more
individual coaching and have him ready for an early callup.
Q Shortstop Michael De Leon, who spent all of last season
at high Class A High Desert, saw regular work in Cactus
League games as a replacement for Rangers regulars. Signed
as a slight 16-year-old international free agent in 2013, he
said that he now weighs 195 pounds.
April 721, 2017

Calhoun aims for total improvement
LOS ANGELES | Dodgers
BY BILL PLUNKETT
For statistics, organization reports,
prospect lists and recent drafts, check out:
baseballamerica.com/t/organization-reports/
GLENDALE, ARIZ. For all the praise his hitting
skills receive, Willie Calhoun draws nearly
equal criticism from scouts for his chunky
build and clunky defense at second base.
So Calhoun has focused on those things
this spring.
Even before reporting to his first big
league camp, the 22-year-old Calhoun was in
Arizona working on a daily basis with Dodgers
strength and conditioning coach Brandon
McDaniel and coach Chris Woodward.
Under McDaniels supervision, Calhoun was
establishing a better workout routine and
working to get his body in better shape.
ARIZONA | Diamondbacks
BY NICK PIECORO
Herrera Has Health In Mind
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. After the way his past two sea-
sons have unfolded, catcher Jose Herrera has
relatively modest goals in mindand thats
understandable.
I just want to be healthy all year, he said.
The 20-year-old Herrera has been limited
to just 60 games the past two seasons. After
fracturing a bone in his foot in 2015, he dealt
with an elbow strain during extended spring
training last year, then broke a bone in his
hand in August that cost him the rest of the
season.
Still, the Diamondbacks have seen flashes
of the potential that compelled them to sign
Herrera for $1 million out of Venezuela in
July 2013. He hit .304/.415/.380 in 79 at-
bats in the Rookie-level Arizona League in
2015 and slashed .277/.351/.438 in 137 at-
bats at Rookie-level Missoula last year.
Since Miguel Montero reached the big
leagues in 2006, the D-backs have struggled
to produce viable, big league-caliber catchers,
despite routinely targeting the position in
the top 10 rounds of the draft. Most notable
is Stryker Trahan, their first-round pick in
2012, who has yet to advance out of Class A.
The club is hopeful Herrera can break the
streak. Not only do they like the tools he
brings both to the plate and behind it, they
also believe in his makeup, citing the fact that
he learned English as evidence of his com-
mitment.
He has one of the best swings we have
in camp, farm director Mike Bell said. Its made his curveball more reliable. Additionally,
a real clean, short swing. His catching and
throwing have been outstandinghis block-
ing, too. I really cant say enough good stuff
about who he is and how hes prepared each
of the last two years. Hes had a couple of
unfortunate setbacks, but hes healthy and
ready to go now.
Herrera likely will open the season at low
Class A Kane County.
SNAKE BITES
Q Middle infielder Ildemaro Vargas was one of the most
impressive young players in big league camp during the first
two weeks of March. Manager Torey Lovullo was particular-
ly impressed with his aggressiveness. Hes playing baseball
without the fear of making mistakes, he said.
Q Lefthander Anthony Banda was another prospect who
impressed in camp. He threw four scoreless innings, with one
walk and five strikeouts, in Cactus League play before being
reassigned to the minor leagues.
April 721, 2017
On the field, Woodward has been working
with Calhoun on his defensive mechanics,
particularly focusing on his footwork and
range at second base.
The whole package is essentially a crash
course in a lot of things, Dodgers man-
ager Dave Roberts said. Roberts didnt play
Calhoun in Cactus League games during
the first two weeks of spring training as an
acknowledgement of all the extra work he was
putting in each day.
He wasnt signed that long ago. He just
ascended through talent, Roberts said of
Calhoun, a 2015 fourth-round pick out of
Yavapai (Ariz.) JC. To be a complete baseball
player is really important and learning to take
care of his body is important. Were hitting
him from all angles and hes really working
hard.
Calhouns talent has carried him up the lad-
der quickly. Last year the 5-foot-8, lefthanded
batter hit .254/.318/.469 in 132 games at
COLORADO | Rockies
BY JACK ETKIN
Pint Refines His Delivery
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. The extensive offseason work
Riley Pint put into his delivery brought
notable results at the outset of spring training.
The hard-throwing righthander spent three
months at the Rockies facility getting ready
for his first spring training. As a result, Pints
delivery was smoother, tighter and more
repeatable while throwing bullpen sessions
and live batting practice before the start of
games.
Its not like there was an extreme head
whack or (he was) consistently trying to over-
throw or looking like he was overthrowing,
farm director Zach Wilson said. There was
definitely some moving parts to it. There was
probably a little more effort than you would
like. It was more gaining some body control
over those long limbs that he has.
Hes learned to keep that delivery more
compact. Hes learned how to really control
the lower half (of his body) more than he ever
has. Hes learned how to stay over the rubber
more consistently.
Pint, 19, is vying for a spot in the low Class
A Asheville rotation. He went 1-5, 5.35 in 11
starts last year at Rookie-level Grand Junction,
where he pitched 37 innings after the Rockies
drafted him in the first round out of high
school in Overland Park, Kan.
Pints fastball sits at 96-99 mph and easily
touches 100. Wilson said Pint would flash
plus secondary pitches in high school, but
now more consistency with his delivery has
Wilson said Pints slider is really starting to
come along, and he has good arm speed with
his changeup.
Hes learning how to pitch now, Wilson
said. Hes starting to understand what it
means to be a pitcher, what it means to work
to the glove side and the arm side, and what it
means to change some eye levels. Hes starting
to gravitate to learning about those things,
and to be aware of that at his age is pretty
impressive.
ROCKY ROADS
Q Lefthander Ben Bowden was sidelined with a left
hamstring strain. The second-round pick last year out of
Vanderbilt went 0-1, 3.04 in 26 games at Asheville.
QRighthander David Hill, progressing steadily after August
surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, will begin the year in
extended spring training. He went 4-4, 4.48 in 14 starts last
season for Asheville.
BaseballAmerica.com
NL West ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Double-A Tulsa. He led the Texas League in
RBIs (88) and total bases (236) while finish-
ing second in home runs (27).
The ever-upbeat Roberts praised Calhouns
work this spring and the progress he made in
his quest to become an adequate defender at
second base.
(Woodward) says he likes his actions,
and there are some things mechanically he
can clean up, Roberts said. The aptitude
is there. The willingness is there. Woody had
him before camp started and said even now
there has been drastic improvement in Willies
defense.
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
Q The Dodgers traded righthander Chase De Jong to
the Mariners for shortstop Drew Jackson and righthander
Aneurys Zabala.
Q Outfielder Henry Ramos suffered a severe groin injury
during an early March Cactus League game and will likely
miss the start of the minor league season.
SAN DIEGO | Padres
BY JEFF SANDERS
Lockett Aims For Rotation
PEORIA, ARIZ. Righthander Walker Locketts
long odds to crack the Opening Day roster
were stretched even longer when the Padres
dipped into the free-agent bargain bin to add
Jered Weaver, Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor
Cahill to the rotation competition.
That doesnt mean the 22-year-old Lockett
isnt asserting his standing in a vastly over-
hauled farm system.
The 2012 fourth-rounder out of high
school in Jacksonville breezed through four
levels last year to land on Triple-A El Pasos
playoff roster, onto the Padres 40-man roster
and into big league camp for the first time.
There, the 6-foot-5 Lockett turned in a pair
of scoreless outings in his first exhibitions in
front of the big league staff.
Its great to see a young guy come up, not
be rattled at all and have the opportunity to
show who he is, Padres manager Andy Green
said. I think he did that very, very well.
The organization had high hopes for
Lockett when they lured him away from a
South Florida commitment with a $393,000
payday in 2012 only to see finger and shoul-
der injuries derail the start of his pro career.
Lockett had pitched just 31.1 innings enter-
ing 2015.
Taking off a year later had everything to do
with blossoming confidence in a sinker he was
able to spot to both sides of the plate. That his
low-three-quarters arm slot created additional
side action made the pitch especially useful in
a hasty introduction to Triple-A hitters late
last summer.
Lockett finished 2016 leading the organiza-
tion in innings (164) and ERA (2.96) across
his stops at all four full-season affiliates.
Momentum is on his side now, and he
knows it. I keep telling everyone that it
sounds so clich that something just clicked
for me last yearbut it did, Lockett said.
FATHER FIGURES
QThe Padres plan on giving second baseman Luis Urias a
look at shortstop at Double-A San Antonio. The 19-year-old
saw action there early in spring training and played the posi-
tion for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Q Padres lefthander Jose Castillo also made his mark in
the WBC, for Venezuela, by retiring big league hitters on
consecutive nights. He gave up a run against the Dominican
Republic but retired Jose Reyes and Welington Castillo
in the process. A night earlier, he struck out all-stars Nolan
Arenado and Christian Yelich of the U.S. team.
BILL MITCHELL
Willie Calhoun
SAN FRANCISCO | Giants
BY STEVE KRONER
Duggar Puts In The Work
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. Though he put together a
solid first pro season in 2015, outfielder
Steven Duggar realized he needed to improve.
There were a few things that we had to
clean up from the offensive side of the game:
bat path, posture and being able to drive balls
to all parts of the field, said Duggar, a 2015
sixth-rounder from Clemson.
After working on those things with farm
director Shane Turner, minor league hitting
instructor Andy Skeels and then-high Class
A San Jose manager Lipso Nava, Duggar
enjoyed a much better second pro season.
The lefthanded batter boosted his slug-
ging percentage from .367 at short-season
Salem-Kezier in 2015 to .448 in 2016 when
he played for both San Jose and Double-A
Richmond. His home-run total increased
from one to 10.
I think hes got a lot of tools, general man-
ager Bobby Evans said. Hes got a plus bat,
a plus arm and defense, and plus speed, so I
think theres a lot to offer.
The Giants liked the 23-year-old Duggars
defense enough to switch him from right
fieldwhere he played almost exclusively in
college and early in his pro careerto center
when he joined Richmond.
The Giants would be excited simply to have
a homegrown player become an everyday out-
fielder. For as much success as the organiza-
tion has had in recent years, its system has not
produced a frontline major league outfielder.
I think were recognizing thats just an area
where weve got to get better, Evans said.
Maybe its bad luck. Maybe its our own
impatience.
The Giants top two picks in the draft last
year were outfielders. They chose Vanderbilts
Bryan Reynolds in the second round and
Samfords Heath Quinn in the third.
At this point, Evans said, were really
hoping that some of the young guys in the
system can emerge.
GIANTICS
Q Giants first base coach Jose Alguacil had surgery on
March 4 after getting hit in the face with a line drive. Alguacil,
the manager at Triple-A Sacramento last season, was expect-
ed to miss about two weeks of on-field work.
Q The Giants optioned hard-throwing righthanded reliever
Ray Black to Sacramento early in spring training. He struck
out 53 hitters in 31.1 innings at Double-A Richmond last
season.
31
 HIGH HEAT NHSI Preview
NHSI quickly builds rich history
USA Baseballs National High School
Invitational, now in its sixth year, has become
the top high school regular-season event in
the country. This years event features 16 of the
countrys top teams, populated with 11 mem-
bers of Baseball Americas Top 100 High School
Prospects.
Records and rankings are through games of
March 19.
American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 8-3 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Shaun
Anderson, rhp (Red Sox); Zack Collins, c (White
Sox); Eric Hosmer, 1b (Royals); Deven Marrero, ss,
(Red Sox)
In American Heritages only previous trip to the
NHSI, the Patriots made it to the seminals. Led by
head coach Bruce Aven, Heritage has one of the
most talented oenses in the country this season.
Senior shortstop Mark Vientos was a rst team
All-American, thanks largely to his explosive bat
speed and power potential. Junior Triston Casas
starred for the 18U national team last summer; he
has arguably the best power of any prep player in
the country. On the mound, senior righthander
Christian Santana (a Florida International sign-
ee), Barry (Fla.) commit Israel Cordero and junior
lefthander Bailey Mantilla lead the way.
Archbishop McCarthy HS, SW Ranches, Fla.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 10-0 (1).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Alex Avila, c
(Tigers); Nick Castellanos, 3b (Tigers); Nick Travieso,
rhp (Reds)
Head coach Rich Bielski has built Archbishop
McCarthy into one of the nations best programs,
with six Florida state Class 6-A championships
in the last seven years, and the 2017 Mavericks
ALYSON BOYER RODE
Huntington Beach (Calif.) High won the 2016 NHSI without Nick Pratto, but will have him in the lineup for 2017 as the Oilers seek to win a repeat championship
32
COMPILED BY HUDSON BELINSKY
may be one of the best teams in program history.
Armed with 13 players who are committed to play
Division I baseball so far, McCarthy is as deep as
high school teams come. The Mavericks have two
of Baseball Americas preseason Top 100 Prospects
in Miami recruits Alex Toral (No. 46) and Joe Perez
(No. 57). On the mound, senior righthanders Daniel
Federman, Johnny Leone and Jose Martinez oer
poise and experience, while Perez has shutdown
ability with a mid-90s fastball and power slider.
Freshman Albert Hernandez can already reach 90
mph with his fastball.
Toral, the leader of the team, is an on-base
machine batting in the middle of the lineup and
hitting for power. Perez also provides a power bat.
Arlington (Tenn.) HS
2017 RECORD RANKING: 6-0 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Brady
Bramlett, rhp (Ole Miss); Taylor Cox, lhp (Padres);
Jonathan Van Eaton, rhp (Angels);
Under head coach Chris Ring, Arlington has
reached the Tennessee 3-A sectional champion-
ships in six of the past seven years, winning a state
championship in 2012 and nishing as the states
runner-up in 2016. Of their 11 losses in 2016, ve
came by one run. On average, the Tigers outscored
their opponents by more than four runs per game.
Arlington has posted an impressive record of 91-23
over the past three seasons.
Ring has at his disposal two-way prospect Tyler
Gentry, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound Alabama recruit,
who will provide veteran leadership in the middle
of the lineup and on the mound. Junior Tate
Kolwyck, a Vanderbilt recruit, is a righthanded-
hitting middle inelder with advanced bat control
and bat-to-ball skills that work well at the top of
the lineup. The Tigers have a third player bound
for college baseball in senior Blake Dallas (Christian
Brothers, Tenn.).
BaseballAmerica.com
Brother Rice HS, Chicago
2017 RECORD RANKING: 0-1 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Jim Adduci,
of (MLB 1983-89); Bob Cummings, c (Giants, 1978
rst-round pick); Pete Mackanin, if (MLB 1973-81;
manager, Phillies)
The reigning Chicago Catholic League cham-
pions are poised for a run in 2017. The Crusaders
went 35-4 in 2016, and they return many of their
key players this season. Leading the way will be
righthander/rst baseman Ryan Kutt. An Illinois
commit, Kutt is a better prospect on the mound,
with a fastball in the low 90s and a breaking ball
that gives hitters ts. Head coach John McCarthy
has another two-way weapon in senior Illinois
State recruit Jack Guzek. On the mound, Guzek has
a fast arm and an imposing 6-foot-4 frame. Hell
also play third base. Up the middle, the Crusaders
have senior Michigan State recruit Ryan King and
junior Indiana commit Sam Jones. Senior catcher
Andy Lopez, a St. Josephs recruit, provides steady
defense behind the plate and can handle the elec-
tric stu of Kutt and Guzek.
Canterbury HS, Fort Myers, Fla.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 9-0 (21).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: N/A
Head coach Frank Turco brings back most of
last years team, which went 31-1 and cruised to
a Florida 3-A state championship. The Crusaders
roster is loaded with Division I recruits, starting
with Clemson recruit Sam Keating, who went 10-0,
0.34 in 2016, and he will once again team up with
Florida Gulf Coast recruit Tyler Shuck and Florida
State recruit Cooper Swanson. All three are strong
two-way players for Canterbury. Swanson is a
quick-twitch athlete who shows promising power
potential and bat speed. In the middle of the
lineup, powerful juniors Danny Cunningham and
PA S T C H A M P I O N S
Teams from California have won all but one of USA
Baseballs first five National High School Invitationals:
Year Champion
2012 Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
2013 Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.
2014 The First Academy, Orlando, Fla.
2015 San Clemente (Calif.) HS
2016 Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
Giovanni DiGiacomo, a Louisiana State recruit, will
pace the Crusaders oense.
Cullman (Ala.) HS
2017 RECORD RANKING: 14-3 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Caleb Clay,
rhp (Red Sox, 2006 supplemental rst-round pick);
Josh Rutledge, ss (Rockies/Red Sox)
Over the past three seasons, Cullman has gone
126-37, nished as Alabamas 6-A state runner-up
twice and won a state championship (in 2015). Led
by head coach Brent Patterson, the Bearcats have
been a consistent power in Alabama, and they
have an elite senior class this season. Lefthander
Jacob Heatherly, the No. 6 prospect in Baseball
Americas preseason rankings, gives Cullman a
chance to win every time he toes the rubber.
Heatherlys fastball has reached the mid 90s and he
has a plus breaking ball. Senior outelder Owen
Lovell oers a unique bat in the middle of the line-
up. The Mississippi State recruit batted .389 and hit
14 home runs as a junior in 2016, while also going
7-0 on the mound. Senior Levi Thomas, a Troy
commit, hit .360 as a junior while posting a 24-to-1
strikeout-to-walk ratio. Seniors Kade Williams and
Carter Bowen are also back on the mound. Williams
went 8-2 in 2016, while Bowen went 3-0.
Dana Hills HS, Dana Point, Calif.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 4-5 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Seth
Etherton, rhp (Southern California/Angels); Tanner
Scheppers, rhp (Fresno State/Rangers)
The Dolphins and head coach Tom Faris have
built an extremely competitive schedule this year.
Dana Hills may be up for the task. On the mound,
senior righthander Hans Crouse is a ery competi-
tor; he turned in a masterful performance for the
18U national team in the gold medal game of last
summers COPABE Pan Am Championships. The
Southern California commit can run his fastball
into the upper 90s and throws a plus breaking
ball. A 6-foot-5 Brigham Young recruit, righthander
Jack Sterner has a physically imposing frame and
a loose arm. Freshman lefthander Dante Jackson
could also compete for the Dolphins right away. In
the lineup, sophomore Zach Waters joins a promis-
ing lineup with seniors Joe DeBaca, Jeremy Ciolek
and Jordan Mathews.
Hamilton HS, Chandler, Ariz.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 9-3-1 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Cody
Bellinger, 1b/of (Dodgers), Eric Farris, 2b/of
(Brewers)
Head coach Mike Woods, at the helm for 19
years, has built Hamilton into a perennial power in
Arizona. Since the school opened in the 1998-99
school year, Hamilton has won ve state cham-
pionships, including one in 2016. The Huskies
have had 18 players drafted and 26 go on to play
Division I baseball. Hamilton is well-rounded in
2017, and Stanford commit Nick Brueser is one of
the best high school hitters in the country, with
ability to drive the ball with authority from gap to
gap. Brueser batted .442 and hit nine home runs
as a junior last season. The Huskies have a strong
senior class around Brueser, with slick-elding
shortstop Drew Swift, strong two-way player Cole
Bellinger (brother of Cody) and outelder Brayden
Merritt, who batted .402 as a junior. Bellinger
tossed four innings in last years state champion-
April 721, 2017
ship game, giving him big-game experience that breaking ball. Denaburg has the stu to compete
should serve him well in the NHSI. against the nations top hitters.

Hough HS, Cornelius, N.C. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS

2017 RECORD RANKING: 5-1 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: N/A
Hough, a school that just opened in 2010, brings
a team from the strong Charlotte baseball scene
to represent the NHSIs host state. In 2016, Hough
went 23-6 and won its 4-A conference. Over the
past three seasons, the Huskies have gone 65-21,
and their senior class this season could allow them
to contend for a 4-A state title in 2017. The ace of
Houghs pitching sta is senior lefthander Nicholas
Swiney, who went 10-1, 0.76 in 2016. Swiney, an
N.C. State signee pitches with an upper-80s fastball
that has touched 91 mph and a quality breaking
ball. Following Swiney, sophomore lefthander J.D.
Brock, a Clemson recruit, will look to build on a
promising freshman year in which he went 3-1,
0.98. Penn State commit Bailey Dees will slide into
the rotation after serving as Houghs closer as a
junior. Seniors Hunter Baker and Carter Williams
can pace the oense and provide quality defense.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 5-1 (22).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Gerrit Cole,
rhp (UCLA/Pirates); Brandon Maurer, rhp (Padres);
Josh Morgan, if/c (Rangers)
Orange Lutheran has a storied tradition, having
been ranked in Baseball Americas Top 25 in six of
the past eight years. Coming o a 22-9 season in
2016, the Lancers have seven returners in their
lineup for 2017, led by senior All-American out-
elder Garrett Mitchell. The UCLA recruit is a ve-
tool talent with an elite combination of power and
speed. Senior shortstop Tristan Hanoian, a Texas
Christian recruit, should also provide veteran lead-
ership in the lineup and on defense. Sophomore
outelder Jasiah Dixon gained valuable experience
with the 15U national team last summer.
Head coach Eric Borba will rely on senior
lefthander Jason Farese, a San Diego commit, to
anchor the rotation. Senior righthander Korey Cirks
could also provide quality innings. In total, the
Lancers have 10 Division I commits.

Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

2017 RECORD RANKING: 6-0 (5).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Collin
Balester, rhp (Tigers), Hank Conger, c (D-backs)
Head coach Benji Medures Oilers are coming o
a 20-11 season that included the 2016 NHSI cham-
pionship. Seniors Hagen Danner and Nick Pratto
both could be selected on the rst day of the
draft. Both starredalong with many Huntington
Beach playersin Californias 2011 Little League
World Series victory and both went on to become
decorated players for the 18U national teams that
Rocky Mountain HS, Fort Collins, Colo.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 0-0 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Andy Burns,
ss (Blue Jays); Marco Gonzales, lhp (Cardinals)
Returning to the NHSI for the second consecu-
tive season, the Lobos will look to build o their
impressive oensive outburst on the nal day of
last years tournament. The Lobos scored an NHSI-
record 17 runs to secure the rst victory of their
2016 season, and would go on to score double-
digit runs in nine of their next 11 games. Head

dominated international competition in 2015 and
2016. The righthanded Danner throws a mid-90s
fastball and tight breaking ball, while also show-
ing consistent game power and advanced feel for
hitting. Some scouts believe the lefthanded Pratto
to be the best pure hitter in this years high school
class. He pitches in the upper 80s to low 90s and
has an outstanding changeup, but did not play
in last years NHSI after transferring in to play for
the Oilers. Promising sophomore Josh Hahn bats
cleanup. Santa Barbara recruit Cory Moore comple-
ments Danner and Pratto in the rotation.
Merritt Island (Fla.) HS
2017 RECORD RANKING: 7-3 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Clint Hurdle,
of (Royals; Rockies/Pirates manager); Taylor Jordan,
rhp (Nationals)
Lead by All-American shortstop Brady
McConnell, the Mustangs are poised for a run in
2017 as they look to build o a strong 20-8 cam-
paign last season. McConnell, a Florida recruit,
oers a blend of speed, defense and pure hitting
ability. He has the potential to be a rst-round
draft pick in June. Head coach Greg Plecki will rely
on McConnell, senior Connor Allen (a Miami com-
mit) and junior Mason Denaburg (a Florida com-
mit) to provide steady oense in the lineup. The
righthanded Denaburg has a high ceiling on the
mound, with a lively low-90s fastball and the abil-
ity to generate late top-to-bottom action on his
coach Scott Bullock returns a promising oense
from last years 19-8 squad, led by seniors Jason
Uhrich, John Sorenson and Spencer Gendreau.
Uhrich batted .438 and lead the team with ve
home runs last season, while Sorenson batted
.400 and Gendreau hit .431. The Lobos will look to
Sorenson, who went 4-3 as a junior, to make the
next step forward in his pitching development. The
Lobos season will just be getting going as NHSI
rolls around.
South Hills HS, West Covina, Calif.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 5-1 (17).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Jason
Giambi, 1b (Athletics/Yankees); Cory Lidle, rhp
(Yankees); Aaron Small, rhp (Blue Jays/Yankees);
In 2016, South Hills was the CIF Southern Section
Division II champion after a magical 26-7 season.
After all that success, the Huskies return most of
their key contributors from last years squad. The
squad is so well-rounded that it isnt clear exactly
who their top prospect is. The Huskies are very
talented defensively, with senior shortstop Jacob
Amaya, a Cal State Fullerton recruit, forming a
double play duo with junior Brandon Dieter, who
is committed to Stanford. Dieter will also play a key
role at the top of the rotation, where he has excel-
lent command and pitchability. Joining Dieter in
the rotation, the Huskies have seniors John Dearth,
a San Diego State commit, and Karlos Morales,
who is committed to Long Beach State. Dearth,
Aptly named Nick Brueser hit .442 with nine home runs last season for Arizona power Hamilton High
who led the team in hitting last year, touches
90 and shows promising command. Morales, a
lefthander, can reach into the low 90s with his
fastball and he shows the ability to hit for both
average and power.
Trinity Christian HS, Jacksonville, Fla.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 7-3 (NR). Demeritte, 2b/3b (Braves); Max Pentecost, c (Blue
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: J.C. Flowers,
of (Florida State); Todd Lott, of (Louisiana-
Lafayette);
Trinity Christian returns to NHSI after going 2-2
in the tournament in 2016. They lost key seniors
(and 2016 draftees) in J.C. Flowers and Todd Lott,
but the Conquerors return two prominent 2017
prospects in righthander A.J. Labas and shortstop
Austin Martin. Labas served as the ace of the sta
as a junior, going 5-0, 1.19. He throws his three-
pitch mix for strikes. Martin, a Vanderbilt recruit,
has quick feet and excellent ineld actions. He
was the No. 34 prospect in Baseball Americas
preseason rankings. Beyond their senior stars, the
Conquerors have plenty of talented underclass-
men. In total, they have seven players committed
to play Division I baseball, and another ve who
will go on to play in junior college. Sophomore
BILL MITCHELL
Dillon Simmons, a Florida State commit, is an
elite two-way player, batting in the four-hole and
touching 92 on the mound.
Winder-Barrow HS, Winder, Ga.
2017 RECORD RANKING: 12-1 (NR).
PROMINENT BASEBALL ALUMNI: Travis
Jays)
Under head coach Brian Smith, the Bulldogs
went 25-7 and reached Georgias 5-A state elite
eight in 2016. In 2017, they bring back a strong
senior class that includes ve players committed
to play college baseball, including three who will
play Division I. Winder-Barrows strength should
be its oense. Vanderbilt commit Pat Demarco is
a high-contact hitter with plus speed, and could
be a signicant on-base threat for the Bulldogs
at NHSI. Hes joined by promising hitters such as
Beau Hanna, a Kennesaw State recruit with power
at the plate, and Will Hardigree, a USC Upstate
commit as a two-way player with an outstanding
arm behind the plate. Seniors Trent Maddox and
Casey Thurmond add to the Bulldogs depth, while
sophomore Zack Smith is a projectable talent com-
mitted to Mississippi.

April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

33
DRAFT DISH Adells long road

Adell works to turn dreams into reality

BY CARLOS COLLAZO

S
cott Adell still remembers the first
moment he realized his son Jo was a
little bit different.
It was around 10 years ago. Scott was at a
business meeting in New Jersey and Jo was
about 8 years old at the time. Jos mother,
Nicole, was with him at one of the surround-
ing Little League fields.
You know, the little boy fields, Scott said.
I dont know what thats called, Pee Wee or
whatever. And it had a fence. And I guess that
fence was 150 feet, it was a small, little fence.
Small to someone like Scott, maybe. After
all, he had been an offensive lineman for
North Carolina State. The New Orleans
Saints took him in the 12th round of the
1992 NFL Draft, and he was used to just get-
ting smacked upside the head by extremely
large defensive players in college and the NFL.
A simple, 150-foot fence wasnt much to
Scott Adell. To an 8-year-old Jo, though, it
was a pretty big deal. But it wasnt more than
he could handle.
I remember I had to excuse myself from
the meeting because it was Jo on the other
line, Scott said. (He had) just hit one out.
And this is coach-pitch. And Nicole gets on
the phone and tells me that theyve never seen

an 8-year-old hit one out of the park before.
He hit one not only out of the park, but
into the road. And so at that point I knew
that this kid wanted to play baseball. I mean,
I knew it from that point forward. There was
no question that he wanted to play baseball.
A few years after Jo conquered the 150-foot
fence, he still had that mindset. Baseball was
his focus. Even with his fathers history with
football, with different middle school and
high school coaches beckoning him to other
sports thanks to his burgeoning athleticism, Jo
was always drawn back to the diamond.
He always gravitated back to wanting to
play baseball, Scott said. Just getting out in
the dirt and getting after it.
It was only after a call from Steve Bernhardt
during Jos sophomore year that Scott truly
began to realize what his son was capable of.
Bernhardt, the executive vice president of
Baseball Factory, was in charge of scouting,
evaluating and selecting the rosters for the
Under Armour All-America Game.
And Jo was getting invited.
(That) was probably the most excited that
Ive ever been for Jo, Scott said. They were
deciding they were going to be bringing a cou-
ple of underclassmen to the Under Armour in
his first time going. . . . We didnt even know
that was a possibility. We didnt have any clue
that that was going to go on.
And thats the point where I made a mental
note. That this kid has got something special,
and if he keeps working he may really get
some opportunities down the road.
The Daily Grind
A typical day for Jo Adell during his senior
year at Ballard High in Louisville goes some-
thing like this:
Wake up and go to class. After getting
most of his classes out of the way during his
freshman, sophomore and junior years, math
and English are his only classeshes a co-op
student. He goes to school until 10 a.m. and
then goes to work out with his strength coach,
Eric Hammer. A normal workout is from
around 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hell grab something to eat during that
time and then head to practice. If he has time,
hell change clothes. If not, its straight to the
34
field, where he meets up with some fellow co-
ops to get some work in before practice.
Well meet up at the field early, Jo said.
Get some bands in, weighted balls, probably
do a long-toss session before practice starts
because we probably wont have time during
the practice schedule to do that.
Practice comes and goes, and if he doesnt
get the swings he is looking for he stays and
gets additional reps.
The day is usually finished around 7 p.m.,
and then Jo repeats the entire process the fol-
lowing day.
Two things have hit home with Jo as
hes worked out with Hammer. The first?
Everything thats done in the weight room
translates on the field later.
Whether its some band work we might
be doing, where were in whatever type of
position, holding the band, thats going to
translate to x, y and z on the field, Jo said. good an athlete in any sport around, but his
And you can really feel it.
The second? The importance of ensuring
he gets into the weight room during the sea-
son. Thats been made easier with Jos smaller
class load but would likely still be happening
without it.
Hes pretty driven right now, Scott said,
to the point at times where I need to tell him
to take a day off: Dude, were not swinging
today. Youre not going to work out. Theres
not going to be anything. If you want to do
something just go downstairs and stretch a
little bit or something, but were not going
to do a whole lot today. Were going to rest
for a day.
Resting isnt how Jo became one of the most
athletic and talented players in this years draft
class, committed to be an outfielder/right-
hander at Louisville, but currently projected
to go high in the first round as a position play-
er. Its not even what Scott himself taught Jo.
(He) really taught me how to grind when
it came to workouts and hitting, pitching,
outfieldwhatever it was, Jo said. And how
to just put my head down and just go for it,
BaseballAmerica.com
Through his hard work, Jo Adell has established himself as one of the top athletes in the 2017 draft class
and know that my dreams can be a reality.
That was the biggest thing he taught me: If
you want it, go out and get it.
Athletes All Around
Bernhardts first impression of Jo Adell was
the impression that most people have when
they see him today.
I guess its the natural (impression),
Bernhardt said. Ultra athletic, quick-twitch.
At the same time, pretty smooth in everything
that he did. It seemed to come pretty easy to
him.
Except that it didnt. Not really. Sure, Jo
has the benefit of inheriting some NFL-
caliber genes, but hes not even the best
athlete in his immediate family. That honor
goes to his sister, who plays softball and track
at Louisville.
As crazy as it sounds, Jo is probably as
older sister Jessica is a monster, Scott said.
Shes probably the most athletic person
thats ever been in this family.
Jo points to how Jessica switched from
playing softball to being a track star, seem-
ingly with ease. Becoming an elite runner
didnt come so easily to Jo.
It was extremely difficult, for a couple of
reasons, Jo said. I used to not always be
built the way Im built. Lucky enough to be
tall with lean muscle, and it wasnt like that
before. As a kid that was (5-foot-6), a little
pudgycouldnt move the way he wanted
to. And that was probably about four years
ago really.
His first 60-yard-dash was clocked in the
7.1-7.2 range as a 14-year-old. He wanted to
get that time down, so he made a game out
of it, tracking his progress and always trying
to beat his last mark. At the same time, he
was growing into his current 6-foot-3 frame
and trying to adapt to his lengthening levers.
It was tough to know how to work those
long, moving parts at the same time, Jo
said. And having to learn what the form is
MIKE JANES
for that. How do you run like a guy thats
6-foot-3? How do I gain the ground? And
how do I be quick at the same time?
Eventually, he figured it out, and his most
recent 60 time was 6.19 seconds, timed at
last years Perfect Game National showcase.
Hes probably faster now, with all the
work hes done in the offseason, Scott said.
But hes doing it at about 210 pounds. So
Im really happy for him . . . (his training is)
really showing some real dividends.
On top of that, Jos 41-inch vertical leap
would put him in the 98th percentile of the
1,706 players who participated in the NBAs
draft combine.
I think he certainly belongs in that con-
versation of the best athletes in this class and
very well may be the best one, Bernhardt
said. Everything that he brings to the table
he uses in game . . . Now the speed plays
defensively and on the bases. He continues
to get stronger and thats in his power now.
His entire game seems to have been elevated
over the last eight-to-10 months.
The draft is approaching quickly and so is
the opportunity that Scott envisioned for his
son back when Jo was invited to the Under
Armour All-America Game. Back when he
knew that Jo might turn into something
special if he put in the work.
And he has been putting in the work. After
all, Jo knows he cant get by on pure natural
ability. His sister Jessica is the only one in the
family who can do that.
Without that back-end work, you cant
carve that into that elite level, without that
constant drive, Scott said. Jos got, my
father used the term, a blue flame in his gut.
It burns really hot because he really wants
to be the best that he can be. And I know
that sounds clich, but when youre chasing
yourself, thats a good place to be.
When youre trying to improve every day
because you want to be better than you were
yesterdaythats the mindset of somebody
whos chasing greatness.
April 721, 2017
 COMPILED BY JOSH NORRIS MINOR LEAGUES

2017 Farm System Directory MILWAUKEE BREWERS

CLASS
Triple-A
Double-A
High A
CLUB LEAGUE
Colorado Springs (PCL)
Biloxi (SL)
Carolina (CAR)
MANAGER
Rick Sweet
Mike Guerrero
Joe Ayrault
COACH
Al LeBoeuf/Ned Yost
S. Guerrero/C. Caufield
D. Joppie/E. Maysonet
PITCHING COACH
Fred Dabney
Chris Hook
David Chavarria
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Low A Wisconsin (MWL) Matt Erickson Hanley Statia Steve Cline
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Rookie Helena (PIO) Nestor Corredor Liu Rodriguez Mark Dewey/Rolando Valles
Triple-A Reno (PCL) Jerry Narron Greg Gross Gil Heredia Rookie Brewers (AZL) Rafael Neda Brenton Del Chiaro Nat Ballenberg
Double-A Jackson (SL) J.R. House Jason Camilli Doug Drabek
High A Visalia (CAL) Shelley Duncan Vince Harrison Je Bajenaru MINNESOTA TWINS
Low A Kane County (MWL) Butch Hobson Jose Amado Rich Sauveur CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER COACH PITCHING COACH
Short-season Hillsboro (NWL) Shawn Roof Franklin Stubbs Mike Parrott Triple-A Rochester (IL) Mike Quade Chad Allen Stu Cliburn
Rookie Missoula (PIO) Mike Benjamin Micah Franklin Shane Loux Double-A Chattanooga (SL) Jake Mauer Unavailable Ivan Arteaga
Rookie Diamondbacks (AZL) Javier Colina Tack Wilson Manny Garcia High A Fort Myers (FSL) Doug Mientkiewicz Steve Singleton Henry Bonilla
Low A Cedar Rapids (MWL) Tommy Watkins Brian Dinkelman J. P Martinez
ATLANTA BRAVES Rookie Elizabethton (APP) Ray Smith Je Reed Luis Ramirez
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Rookie Twins (GCL) Ramon Borrego T. Gardenhire/J. Valentin C. Bello/V. Vasquez
Triple-A Gwinnett (IL) Damon Berryhill John Moses Reid Cornelius
Double-A Mississippi (SL) Luis Salazar Ivan Cruz Derrick Lewis NEW YORK METS
High A Florida (FSL) Paul Runge Carlos Mendez Dennis Lewallyn CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Low A Rome (SAL) Randy Ingle Bobby Moore Dan Meyer Triple-A Las Vegas (PCL) Pedro Lopez Jack Voigt Frank Viola
Rookie Danville (APP) Nestor Perez, Jr. Barbaro Garbey Kanekoa Texeira Double-A Binghamton (EL) Luis Rojas Luis Natera Glenn Abbott
Rookie Braves (GCL) Barrett Kleinknecht Rick Albert Larry McCall High A St. Lucie (FSL) Chad Kreuter Val Pascucci Marc Valdes
Low A Savannah (SAL) Jose Leger Joel Fuentes Jonathan Hurst
BALTIMORE ORIOLES Short-season Brooklyn (NYP) Edgardo Alfonzo Sean Ratli Royce Ring
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Rookie Kingsport (APP) Luis Rivera Ender Chavez Josue Matos
Triple-A Norfolk (IL) Ron Johnson Sean Berry Mike Grin Rookie Mets (GCL) Jose Carreno Yunir Garcia Jeremy Accardo
Double-A Bowie (EL) Gary Kendall Howie Clark Alan Mills
High A Frederick (CL) Keith Bodie Erik Pappas Kennie Steenstra NEW YORK YANKEES
Low A Delmarva (SAL) Ryan Minor Kyle Moore Blaine Beatty CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Short-season Aberdeen (NYP) Luis Pujols Scott Beerer Justin Lord Triple-A Scranton/WB (IL) Al Pedrique P.J. Pilittere Tommy Phelps
Rookie Orioles (GCL) Orlando Gomez M. May/K. Bradshaw Wilson Alvarez Double-A Trenton (EL) Bobby Mitchell Tom Slater Jose Rosado
High A Tampa (FSL) Jay Bell Eric Duncan Tim Norton
BOSTON RED SOX Low A Charleston (SAL) Pat Osborn Ken Joyce Justin Pope
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Short-season Staten Island (NYP) Julio Mosquera Kevin Mahoney Travis Phelps
Triple-A Pawtucket (IL) Kevin Boles Rich Gedman Bob Kipper Rookie Pulaski (APP) Luis Dorante Scott Seabol Gerardo Casadiego
Double-A Portland (EL) Carlos Febles Lee May Jr. Kevin Walker Rookie Yankees I (GCL) Nick Ortiz Ty Hawkins Gabe Luckert
High A Salem (CL) Joe Oliver Nelson Paulino Paul Abbott Rookie Yankees II (GCL) Luis Sojo Francisco Leandro Elvys Quezada
Low A Greenville (SAL) Darren Fenster Wilton Veras Walter Miranda
Short-season Lowell (NYP) Iggy Suarez Nate Spears Lance Carter OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Rookie Red Sox (GCL) Tom Kotchman Junior Zamora Dick Such CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER COACH PITCHING COACH
Triple-A Nashville (PCL) Ryan Christenson Eric Martins Rick Rodriguez
CHICAGO CUBS Double-A Midland (TL) Fran Riordan Brian McArn Don Schulze
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH High A Stockton (CAL) Rick Magnante Tommy Everidge Steve Connelly
Triple-A Iowa (PCL) Marty Pevey D. Wilson/M. Duncan Rod Nichols Low A Beloit (MWL) Scott Steinmann Juan Dilone Unavailable
Double-A Tennessee (SL) Mark Johnson Jacob Cruz Terry Clark Short-season Vermont (NYP) Aaron Nieckula Lloyd Turner Carlos Chavez
High A Myrtle Beach (CL) Buddy Bailey Guillermo Martinez Anderson Tavarez Rookie Athletics (AZL) Webster Garrison Ruben Escalera Gabriel Ozuna
Low A South Bend (MWL) Jimmy Gonzalez Jeremy Farrell Brian Lawrence
Short-season Eugene (NWL) Jesus Feliciano Juan Cabreja David Rosario PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Rookie Cubs (AZL) Carmelo Martinez Osmin Melendez Armando Gabino CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Triple-A Lehigh Valley (IL) Dusty Wathan Sal Rende Dave Lundquist
CHICAGO WHITE SOX Double-A Reading (EL) Greg Legg John Mizerock Steve Schrenk
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH High A Clearwater (FSL) Shawn Williams Rob Ducey Aaron Fultz
Triple-A Charlotte (IL) Mark Grudzielanek Andy Tomberlin Steve McCatty Low A Lakewood (SAL) Marty Malloy Nelson Prada Brian Sweeney
Double-A Birmingham (SL) Julio Vinas Cole Armstrong Jose Bautista Short-season Williamsport (NYP) Pat Borders Tyler Henson Hector Berrios
High A Winston-Salem (CL) Willie Harris Charlie Poe Brian Drahman Rookie Phillies (GCL) Roly deArmas R. DeLima/ C. Hayes Hector Mercado
Low A Kannapolis (SAL) Justin Jirschele Jamie Dismuke Matt Zaleski
Rookie Great Falls (PIO) Tim Esmay Eric Richardson John Ely PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Rookie White Sox (AZL) Ryan Newman Gary Ward Felipe Lira CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Triple-A Indianapolis (IL) Andy Barkett Butch Wynegar Stan Kyles
CINCINNATI REDS Double-A Altoona (EL) Michael Ryan Kevin Riggs Bryan Hickerson
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH High A Bradenton (FSL) Gera Alvarez Keoni De Renne Matt Ford
Triple-A Louisville (IL) Delino DeShields Jody Davis Je Fassero Low A West Virginia (SAL) Wyatt Toregas Ryan Long Tom Signore
Double-A Pensacola (SL) Pat Kelly Gookie Dawkins Danny Darwin Short-season West Virginia (NYP) Brian Esposito Jonathan Prieto Tom Filer
High A Daytona (FSL) Eli Marrero Alex Pelaez Tom Brown Rookie Bristol (APP) Kory DeHaan Unavailable Drew Benes
Low A Dayton (MWL) Luis Bolivar Daryle Ward Derrin Ebert Rookie Pirates (GCL) Bob Herold Austin McClune Elvin Nina
Rookie Billings (PIO) Ray Martinez Orlando Merced Seth Etherton
Rookie Reds (AZL) Jose Nieves Todd Takayoshi Elmer Dessens ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
CLEVELAND INDIANS Triple-A Memphis (PCL) Stubby Clapp Mark Budaska Bryan Eversgerd
CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Double-A Springfield (TL) Johnny Rodriguez Jobel Jimenez Jason Simontacchi
Triple-A Columbus (IL) Chris Tremie Rouglas Odor Steve Karsay High A Palm Beach (FSL) Dann Bilardello Erick Almonte Randy Niemann
Double-A Akron (EL) Mark Budzinski Johnny Narron Tony Arnold Low A Peoria (MWL) Chris Swauger Donnie Ecker Dernier Orozco
High A Lynchburg (CL) Tony Mansolino Kevin Howard Rigo Beltran Short-season State College (NYP) Joe Kruzel Roger LaFrancois Darwin Marrero
Low A Lake County (MWL) Larry Day Justin Toole Jason Blanton Rookie Johnson City (APP) Roberto Espinoza Brandon Allen Cale Johnson
Short-season Mahoning Valley (NYP) Luke Carlin Pete Lauritson Unavailable Rookie Cardinals (GCL) Steve Turco Cody Gabella Giovanni Carrara
Rookie Indians (AZL) Anthony Medrano B. Magallanes/D. Malave Joe Torres
SAN DIEGO PADRES
COLORADO ROCKIES CLASS FARM CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Triple-A El Paso (PCL) Rod Barajas Morgan Burkhart Bronswell Patrick
Triple-A Albuquerque (PCL) Glenallen Hill Darin Everson Mark Brewer Double-A San Antonio (TL) Philip Wellman Lance Burkhart Jimmy Jones
Double-A Hartford (EL) Jerry Weinstein Tim Doherty Dave Burba High A Lake Elsinore (CAL) Edwin Rodriguez Raul Padron Glendon Rusch
High A Lancaster (CAL) Fred Ocasio Derrick May Brandon Emanuel Low A Fort Wayne (MWL) Anthony Contreras Doug Banks Burt Hooton
Low A Asheville (SAL) Warren Schaeffer Paco Martin Ryan Kibler Short-season Tri-City (NWL) Ben Fritz Hunter Mense Josh Spence
Short-season Boise (NWL) Scott Little Mike Devereaux Bob Apodaca Rookie Padres1 (AZL) Michael Collins Vinny Lopez Jackson Quezada
Rookie Grand Junction (PIO) Frank Gonzales Lee Stevens Doug Jones Rookie Padres2 (AZL) Shaun Cole Raul Gonzalez Pete Zamora
DETROIT TIGERS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH CLASS FARM CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Triple-A Toledo(IL) Mike Rojas Brian Harper Je Pico Triple-A Sacramento (PCL) David Brundage Damon Minor Dwight Bernard
Double-A Erie(EL) Lance Parrish Phil Clark Willie Blair Double-A Richmond (EL) Kyle Haines Lipso Nava Steve Kline
High A Lakeland(FSL) Andrew Graham Tim Garland Mark Johnson High A San Jose (CAL) Nestor Rojas Todd Linden Michael Couchee
Low A WestMichigan (MWL) Mike Rabelo Mike Hessman Jorge Cordova Low A Augusta (SAL) Carlos Valderrama Eddie Taubensee Clayton Rapada
Short-season Connecticut(NYP) Gerald Laird Rafael Martinez Ace Adams Short-season Salem-Keizer (NWL) Jolbert Cabrera T. Neal/R. Ward M. Yourkin/J. Cram
Rookie Tigers West (GCL) Rafael Gil Francisco Contreras Mike Alvarez Rookie Giants (AZL) Hector Borg B. Horton/D. Clark M. Rodriguez/G. Dishman
Rookie Tigers East (GCL) Jesus Garces Ramon Zapata Carlos Bohorquez
SEATTLE MARINERS
HOUSTON ASTROS CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Triple-A Tacoma (PCL) Pat Listach David Berg Lance Painter
Triple-A Fresno (PCL) Tony DeFrancesco Darryl Robinson Dyar Miller Double-A Arkansas (TL) Daren Brown Roy Howell Ethan Katz
Double-A Corpus Christi (TL) Rodney Linares Joel Chimelis Dave Borkowski High A Modesto (CAL) Mitch Canham Joe Thurston Pete Woodworth
High A Buies Creek (CAR) Omar Lopez Troy Snitker Chris Holt Low A Clinton (MWL) Pat Shine David Flores Doug Mathis
Low A Quad Cities (SAL) Russ Steinhorn Ben Rosenthal Drew French Short-season Everett (NWL) Jose Moreno Austin Knight Daniellin Acevedo
Short-season Tri-City (NYP) Morgan Ensberg Jeremy Barnes Bill Murphy Rookie Peoria (AZL) Zac Livingston Denny Hocking Yoel Monzon/Moises Hernandez
Rookie Greeneville (APP) Danny Ortega Cesar Cedeno Erick Abreu
Rookie Astros (GCL) Wladimir Sutil Luis Mateo Jose Rada TAMPA BAY RAYS
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
KANSAS CITY ROYALS Triple-A Durham (IL) Jared Sandberg Ozzie Timmons Kyle Snyder
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Double-A Montgomery (SL) Brady Williams Dan Dement R.C. Lichtenstein
Triple-A Omaha (PCL) Brian Poldberg Tommy Gregg Andy Hawkins High A Charlotte (FSL) Michael Johns Manny Castillo Steve Watson
Double-A Northwest Arkansas (TL) Vance Wilson Leon Roberts Steve Luebber Low A Bowling Green (MWL) Reinaldo Ruiz Joe Szekely Bill Moloney
High A Wilmington (CL) Jamie Quirk Abraham Nunez Charlie Corbell Short-season Hudson Valley (NYP) Tim Parenton Alejandro Freire Brian Reith
Low A Lexington (SAL) Scott Thorman Jesus Azuaje Mitch Stetter Rookie Princeton (APP) Danny Sheaffer Wuarnner Rincones Jose Gonzalez
Rookie Idaho Falls (PIO) Justin Gemoll Damon Hollins Je Suppan Rookie Rays (GCL) Jim Morrison Tomas Francisco Marty DeMerritt
Rookie Burlington (APP) Omar Ramirez Andre David Carlos Martinez
Rookie Royals (AZL) Darryl Kennedy Nelson Liriano Mark Davis TEXAS RANGERS
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER COACH PITCHING COACH
LOS ANGELES ANGELS Triple-A Round Rock (PCL) Jason Wood Jim Presley Greg Hibbard
CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH Double-A Frisco (TL) Joe Mikulik Jason Hart Brian Shouse
Triple-A Salt Lake (PCL) Keith Johnson Lou Marson Erik Bennett High A Down East (CL) Howard Johnson Steve Mintz Bobby Rose
Double-A Mobile (SL) Sal Fasano Ryan Barba Buddy Carlyle Low A Hickory (SAL) Spike Owen Kenny Hook Jose Jaimes
High A Inland Empire (CAL) Chad Tracy Brian Betancourt Michael Wuertz Short-season Spokane (NWL) Matt Hagen Joey Seaver Chase Lambin
Low A Burlington (MWL) Adam Melhuse Travis Adair Jairo Cuevas Rookie Rangers (AZL) Matt Siegel H. Lugo/J. Armold S. Manriquez/G. Rodriguez
Rookie Orem (PIO) Tom Nieto, M. Spring/M. Del Campo Michael Burns/Jonathan Van Eaton
Rookie Angels (AZL) David Stapleton Ray Olmedo/Nick Parent John Slusarz/Jordan Oseguera TORONTO BLUE JAYS
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
LOS ANGELES DODGERS Triple-A Bualo (IL) Bobby Meacham Devon White Bob Stanley
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Double-A New Hampshire (EL) Gary Allenson Ronnie Ortegon Vince Horsman
Triple-A Oklahoma City (PCL) Bill Haselman Shawn Wooten Matt Herges
High A Dunedin (FSL) John Schneider Corey Hart Mark Riggins
Double-A Tulsa (TL) Ryan Garko Terrmel Sledge Bill Simas
Low A Lansing (MWL) Cesar Martin Donnie Murphy Willie Collazo
High A Rancho Cucamonga (CAL) Drew Saylor Jay Gibbons Kip Wells
Short-season Vancouver (NWL) Rich Miller Dave Pano Jim Czajkowski
Low A Great Lakes (MWL) Jeremy Rodriguez Jair Fernandez Connor McGuiness
Rookie Bluefield (APP) Dennis Holmberg Carlos Villalobos Antonio Caceres
Rookie Ogden (PIO) Mark Kertenian Unavailable Bobby Cuellar
Rookie Blue Jays (GCL) Luis Hurtado Paul Elliott Unavailable
Rookie Dodgers (AZL) John Shoemaker Aaron Bates G. Sabat/S. Andrade
MIAMI MARLINS WASHINGTON NATIONALS
CLASS CLUB LEAGUE MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH CLASS CLUB MANAGER HITTING COACH PITCHING COACH
Triple-A New Orleans (PCL) Arnie Beyeler Kevin Witt Scott Budner Triple-A Syracuse (IL) Billy Gardner Jr. Brian Daubach Bob Milacki
Double-A Jacksonville (SL) Randy Ready Jesus Merchan Storm Davis Double-A Harrisburg (EL) Matthew LeCroy Brian Rupp Chris Michalak
High A Jupiter (FSL) Kevin Randel Rey Noriega Jeremy Powell High A Potomac (CL) Tripp Keister Luis Ordaz Franklin Bravo
Low A Greensboro (SAL) Todd Pratt Frank Moore Mark DiFelice Low A Hagerstown (SAL) Patrick Anderson Amaury Garcia Sam Narron
Short-season Batavia (NYP) Mike Jacobs Rigoberto Silverio Jason Erickson Short-season Auburn (NYP) Jerad Head Mark Harris Tim Redding
Rookie Marlins (GCL) John Pachot Danny Santin Manny Olivera Rookie Nationals (GCL) Josh Johnson Jorge Mejia Michael Tejera
Rookie Marlins (DSL) Ray Nunez Rony Peralta Jose Duran/Alvin Alcantara
April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com
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 SCOREBOARD

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Signed 1B Alex Wojciechowski. Released

Transactions RHP David Whitehead and C Daniel Garner. Traded OF Joey Curletta to
to cancer. He was 80.
Drew got his start in baseball in 1971 with the Wichita Aeros, an Indians
the country with the arguably the deepest, most talented team in the nation.
The Mavericks boast two players in the preseason high school top 100 in
Mariners for RHP/LHP Pat Venditte. affiliate in the American Association, and earned his first GM title with the first baseman Alex Toral (No. 46) and righthander/corner infielder Joe Perez
Transactions involving minor league players, i.e. those not on 40-man rosters, PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Signed RHP Holden Helmink. Lafayette Drillers in 1975. After working for the San Antonio Brewers in 1976, (No. 57), in addition to 13 current players committed to play collegiately.
covering the period March 4-17. he joined the Orioles-affiliated Red Wings in 1977 and ascended to GM in So is this squad the best that coach Rich Bielskiwho has won six Florida
SAN DIEGO PADRES: Signed RHP Chad Nading. Released LHP Nathan 1979. Three years later, he joined the Madison Muskies of the Midwest League. state championships in the past seven yearshas ever had?
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Signed LHP T.J. McFarland. Released RHPs Foriest. Ive had so many good teams, and we have been blessed to have
Max Duval, Ethan Elias and Johnny Omahen; LHP Alex Gunn, 1B Trevor SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Signed RHP Dylan Rheault. Released LHP Bill Hands, a righthander for four major league teams, died March 9. amazingly talented teams in the past, but this team sure is making their run
Mitsui and OFs Joey Armstrong, Myles Babitt, Jason Heinrich, Logan Alberto Rodriguez. He was 76. for it, Bielski said.
Soole and Stryker Trahan. Hands pitched for the Giants (1965), Cubs (1966-72), Twins (1973-74) and Theyve come really quick out of the gate. Weve already beaten some
SEATTLE MARINERS: Signed SS Joey Wong. Re-signed LHP Brandon Sisk. Rangers (1974-75). He went 111-110 for his career with a 3.35 ERA. pretty good teams this year. They show a lot of good signs that you look for in
ATLANTA BRAVES: Signed RHPs Andres Santiago and Karl Triana and LHPs Traded RHP/LHP Pat Venditte to Phillies for OF Joey Curletta.
Michael Kirkman and Joe Rogers. Released LHP Matt Marksberry and 2B a ball club, like comeback potential and putting games away when we need to
Gerald Chin. TAMPA BAY RAYS: Re-signed OF Jason Coats. and playing together as a team. We have really good chemistry, so Id have to
BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Signed RHPs Andrew Bellatti and Steve Johnson TEXAS RANGERS: Signed RHP Joe Kuzia and LHP Maikol Escalona.
Released RHPs Garrett Brummett, Chris Dula, Kevin Lenik, Matt Milroy,
High School Top 25 say at this point theyre sure making a run at it.
While Bielski certainly thought that it was possible for his team to make
and 1B Michael Katz. Re-signed 1B Pedro Alvarez. it through these first 10 games unscathed, in reality he thought they would
David Perez, Jesus Pirela and John Werner; LHP Tyler Stubbleeld, C This ranking is selected by a poll of representatives from the Baseball Coaches
BOSTON RED SOX: Released RHP Ramses Rosario. probably have a loss by now.
Sherman Lacrus, 1B Tripp Martin and OFs Alexeis Bell, London Lindley, Association and Baseball America. All records through March 19. Not the case.
CHICAGO CUBS: Signed OF Brandon Cummins. Released RHP Maikel Cleto. Connor McKay and Josh Merrigan. No. School W-L Previous McCarthy has wins over strong Florida competition such as North Broward
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Signed RHP Chad Rogers. Re-signed RHP Miguel TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Released RHP Starlyn Suriel, LHPs Nate Abel, 1. Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla. 10-0 3 Prep (Coconut Creek), Westminster Christian (Palmetto Bay), Seacrest Country
Chalas. Released C Jeremy Dowdy. Hunter Barnett and Christian Cox, Cs Justin Atkinson and Seth Conner, 2. Buchanan HS, Clovis, Calif. 10-0 2 Day (Naples) and American Heritage High (Plantation). They have outscored
2B Aaron Attaway and OFs Jake Anderson and Kalik May. 3. Barbe HS, St. Charles, La. 17-2 5
opponents 85-16, including five shutouts.
CINCINNATI REDS: Released RHPs Hawtin Buchanan, Deunte Heath, 4. North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Ga. 15-0 10
WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Signed RHPs Johan Gomez and Alejandro Thats thanks to a special group of pitchers.
Johnny Hellweg, Jake Johnson, Keenan Kish and Jordan Ramsey and 5. Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS 6-0 13
LHP Michael Sullivan. Vallejo and 2B Alian Silva. This is by far the deepest pitching staff that Ive had in my entire high
6. Pinnacle HS, Phoenix 13-1 NR
school coaching career, Bielski said. And its really allowed us to take on
CLEVELAND INDIANS: Signed LHP Daritzon Feliz. 7. Lake Brantley HS, Altamonte Springs, Fla. 13-0 NR
such an insane schedule. We knew that coming in, when (director of baseball
8. Shawnee (Okla.) HS 6-0 15
COLORADO ROCKIES: Released LHP Daniel Koger, C Zach Taylor and OFs operations Alex Fernandez) made the schedule, that we were going to have
9. Oxford (Miss.) HS 12-1 17
Terry McClure and Daniel Suero. Obituaries 10. Chaminade HS, West Hills, Calif. 7-0 NR
deep pitching.
We figured if theres ever a year that we can just load up on every great
DETROIT TIGERS: Released RHP Emanuel Chavez, LHP Joe Rogers, SS 11. Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. 13-1 7
Bob Bruce, a righthander for three big league teams, died March 14. 12. Tampa Jesuit HS 11-1 NR team that we can find, this was the year for us to challenge ourselves and get
Jared Reaves and OF Mike ONeill. us ready for the great teams were going to play this season.
He was 83. 13. Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles 7-1 NR
KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Signed RHP Adrian Alcantara. Bruce made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1959. He was traded 14. Harding Academy, Searcy, Ark. 10-1 25 After Perez, whos already throwing both a mid-90s fastball and a plus
to the Houston Colt .45's in 1962 and was then traded to the Braves in 1967 in 15. Jackson HS, Massillon, Ohio 0-0 16 slider, the Mavericks trot out a plethora of options on the rubber. One of which
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Signed RHP David Perez and Cs Jeremy Dowdy and is righthanded Miami commit Daniel Federman, whos healthy this year after a
a deal that sent Eddie Mathews to the Astros. 16. Walton HS, Marietta, Ga. 14-2 NR
Marlon Marcano. back injury last season, and is throwing 90-92 mph with excellent command
Bruce went 49-71, 3.85 in a nine-year career. In 1964, he went 15-9, 2.76 17. South Hills HS, West Covina, Calif. 5-1 4
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Released RHP Chandler Eden. in his best season. 18. George Ranch HS, Richmond, Texas 17-1 NR of a curveball and changeup, according to Bielski.
19. Malvern (Pa.) Prep HS 0-0 19 On top of a remarkably challenging schedule, a wealth of talent and a pair
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Released RHPs Junior Flores and Emerson Gibbs,
John Gunther, the head coach for Albuquerques Sandia High, died March 20. Basic HS, Henderson, Nev. 4-1 24 of assistant coaches with major league experienceFernandez had a 10-year
C Johel Atencio and 1B Nicol Valderrey.
15. He was 55. 21. Canterbury HS, Fort Myers, Fla. 9-0 NR career with the White Sox and Marlins, while catching coach Nelson Santovenia
MINNESOTA TWINS: Signed RHP David Fischer and LHP Jonny Drozd. Gunther had battled cancer for 15 months, but he kept coaching his team. 22. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS 5-1 21 played for the Expos, White Sox and RoyalsBielski continues to challenge his
That included running team workouts this year, according to the Albuquerque 23. Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif. 6-1 NR players with grueling practices.
NEW YORK METS: Signed RHPs Justin Brantley and Donovan Hand, 2B
Journal. Gunther had coached the Sandia baseball team for six years and led 24. Pope HS, Marietta, Ga. 13-1 NR Our philosophy is we win in our practice days, Bielski said. And our
Leon Byrd and SS Danny Hoy. Released OF Kyle Johnson.
them to two New Mexico state final appearances. 25. Douglass HS, Parkland, Fla. 6-2 1 practice days are insanely tough. We make them work like dogs in practice and
NEW YORK YANKEES: Signed RHPs Joensy Abreu and Ernesto Frieri. then the games are our reward.
Released RHPs Sean Carley, Kyle Halbohn, Cody Hamlin and Tim Holmes; 1B Bob Drew, a 25-year minor league executive best known as general Archbishop McCarthy is the new No. 1 team in the High School Top 25
Kane Sweeney, 2B Josh Gardiner, 3B Dan Fiorito and OF Nathan Mikolas. manager of the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, died March 19 after succumbing after improving to 10-0 while tackling one of the most difficult schedules in CARLOS COLLAZO

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April 721, 2017 BaseballAmerica.com

37
STARKS REALITY Run on runs
RBIs overrated? Dont tell Miggy
LAKELAND, FLA.
Miguel Cabrera
doesnt care if you think
the good old-fashioned
RBI is the most washed-
up, irrelevant stat since
six balls equaled a walk.
In fact, if you think
Jayson that stat is so irrelevant,
Stark the Tigers favorite RBI
machine has a question
Baseball Analyst, for you.
Senior Writer
ESPN.com How are you gonna
score, Miggy asks, if
somebody doesnt drive
in the runs?
The sabermetric answer to that question
is that the RBI is random, that its purely a
function of which hitters are lucky enough to
arrive in the batters box with the most run-
ners on base. And all sorts of data proves thats
truefor most people.
But within the game, even folks who build
teams around that data know it isnt true for
all people. And the counter-argument can
be summed up in four words: Watch Miguel
Cabrera hit.
Lets let the numbers, the people who watch
him daily and, especially, Cabrera himself
explain it:
Playing The Percentage
Which statistic best makes the case that the
numbers you find in Cabreras RBI column
are more than just a by-product of how many
runners are on base when he hits? That would
be OBI%Others Batted In percentage.
Thats a new statistic that tracks the percent-
age of all runners driven in. So can it possibly
be a coincidence that, in nine of the last 11
seasons, Miggy has ranked in the top 12 in
the entire sport?
That means a lot, Cabrera says, when he
hears this powerful factoid, because I can say
this is one of my goals. This is what I want.
I focus on what I can do in this game,
he says. I dont have speed. Im not a guy
who can have a stolen base. I wish I could,
but I cant. So I have to worry about, if I get
a chance to drive in runs and give a guy a
chance to score, he (has to) score.
Miggy Loves Company
It isnt unusual for the best hitters in the
game to have better numbers with runners on
base than they do with the bases empty. But
as ESPN Stats and Infos Paul Hembekides
reports, Cabrera has a significantly bigger gap
with men on, over the course of his career,
than even most historically great run produc-
ers:
Bases Empty Men On
BA .310 .333
OBP .383 .415
Slug pct
OPS
.552
.936
.573
.988
But these numbers come as no shock to
Cabrera. Theyre a product, he says, of an
aggressive approach to those situations. Hes
not interested in taking a walk if he doesnt
get that perfect pitch. Hes looking for ways to
get those runners home, whatever that takes.
If you want to walk me, walk me, he says.
But if I see something close to home plate,
I want to swing. Im the kind of guy who,
if I look inside and they throw me a fastball
outside and its a strike, Im going to swing.
Everything in the strike zone, Im going to
swing. Doesnt matter if its a fastball, change-
up, breaking ball. If its in the strike zone and
its something you like, youve got to swing.
That approach, he says, dates back to 2004,
38
As great a hitter as he is, Miguel Cabrera is even better with runners on base
his first full season in the big leagues. He
decided to pick the brains of the two best
hitters of that time, Barry Bonds and Albert
Pujols.
In 2004, Barry Bonds told me something
that Im never going to forget, Cabrera says.
And Albert Pujols told me, too: Why are you
going to take a pitch when youve got men in
scoring position? Youve got to be aggressive
every time.
But what makes that approach work is
that its controlled aggression. Cabrera says
he takes pride in sizing up every situation.
So if he doesnt need to get a hit to drive in a
run, he couldnt care less about how it affects
his batting average. Hell just slap one to the
right side.
Little Big Man
Jim Leyland managed Cabrera for six years
(2008-13) while he was with Detroit. From
the best seat in Comerica Park, Leyland
gained a fascinating perspective on what
makes Cabrera special.
If you watch Miguel Cabrera, Leyland
says, he swings like a little guy and hits like
a big guy. Most guys swing like a big guy and
hit like a little guy. Hes got a nice smooth
swing. You dont ever, or very rarely, see him
overswing or muscle a ball up.
So how does that style come into play with
runners on base? Cabrera says his only focus is
to find a way to get those runners in. Hes so
uninterested in hitting the long ball in those
spots that his home run ratio actually goes
down with runners in scoring position (one
BaseballAmerica.com
DANNY PARKER
every 23.9 PA) compared to when theres no
one on (one every 19.6). And that, he says, is
the plan.
It depends what you want, he says. Youve
got to always think. RBIs are RBIs. Youve got
to think, well, a ground ball is going to be an
RBI with less than two outs. If Ive got a man
on third base and they play me back, why am
I gonna swing hard? I want to do my same
swing. I want to make sure I put the ball in
play. . . . If you get too big, theres no sense in
swinging like that. If you want to hit a double,
home run, theres no chance youre going to
hit that guy, because theyre going to bring the
best stuff they have.
It Aint Guessing
Only Ty Cobb has driven in more runs for
the Tigers than Al Kaline. So when Kaline
watches his man Miggy wriggle into the box
with men on base, he isnt just watching. Hes
studying. What he sees, Kaline says, is a hitter
who reminds him of Ted Williams.
Hes a very smart baseball player, Kaline
says of Cabrera. Thats what people dont
realize. They think its natural ability. And it
is natural ability. But hes also a very smart
baseball player. He knows what the pitchers
best pitch is. He knows how theyre going to
try to pitch him in a lot of cases. And hitting
is anticipating. I always remember talking
to Ted Williams and I said, Ted, do you
ever guess? And he said, Al, I never guess. I
anticipate.
Listen to Cabrera talk about how he
attempts to control those critical moments
USELESS INFORMATION DEPT.
TRIVIALITY Miguel Cabrera
is one of four
Its only trivial if you
dont know the answer. hitters who have
averaged 100
RBIs a season in
the teens (2010-16). Can you name the
other three?
BOX SCORE OF SPRING: Adam
Wainwright has made 254 regular season
starts in the big leagues. One thing they
all have in common: He has never given
up 10 runs in any of them. But on March
17, against the Mets, he did this: 1 2/3
IP, 7 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 2 WP.
Asked what he took from a game like
that, Wainwright quipped: A pounding.
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Zach Britton faced
112 hitters after the all-star break last year
and allowed one run. So what happened
in his spring debut this year? He faced 7
hittersand allowed two runs. Of course
he did!
Gonzalez)
David Ortiz and (of course!) Adrian
TRIVIALITY ANSWER: Albert Pujols,
and anticipation feels like the perfect word.
Cabrera admits that he often plays mind
games by moving around in the boxsome-
times closer to the plate, sometimes farther
away. He knows the pitcher and catcher are
watching him. So hell try to coax them into
falling into his trap by making them think hes
looking for, say, a ball inside when hes actu-
ally looking away.
Sometimes they see you do that, he says,
and they say, OK, theyre going to shift (their
game plan) and go away. But you know, thats
my pitch. I want you to pitch me away.
They think, he says confidently, that theyre
reading himbut really hes the one read-
ing them. So its not like trying to guess,
Cabrera says. Its like having a plan.
The Meaning Of Numbers
So of all of Cabreras Hall of Fame numbers,
does it surprise anyone that the number he
cherishes most is the one he finds in his RBI
column?
Your average, it can go down or up in a
season, he says. You cant control that. And
home runs? I mean, I always played in big
ballparks. So I dont worry too much about
home runs. But RBIs? I feel a little more
proud of that because if you produce and pro-
duce, I can tell you, then somebody is going
to look for you to have a job.
Hes the last man in baseball you would
expect to be worrying about keeping his job.
But he watched Mark Trumbo and Chris
Carter spend months searching for a team
after hitting more than 40 home runs last
season, and it taught him something.
Baseball is changing right now, he says.
Oh, its changing, all right. But one thing
cant ever change. The team that scores more
wins will go undefeated for the rest of time.
And it takes more than on-base percentage to
make that happen, says the RBI king. It takes
a stat hell never view as irrelevant.
Its always very important to get on base,
Cabrera says. Thats how you score. But how
can you score runs if somebody is not going
to drive you in?
April 721, 2017