Tag: Gary Sheffield

Season Preview: Miami Cuban Giants

On August 21, 2020

This team is a bit of a conundrum. If all goes well, there is a lot of talent here, but they could also be quite mediocre. A lot depends on whether Eustaquio Pedroso can really emerge as a front-of-the-rotation starter behind Rube Waddell. Aroldis Chapman is lights out in the bullpen, and the offense should be respectable, although it’s hard to find a truly standout talent at this point.

Final Roster

SP: Rube Waddell, Eustaquio Pedroso, Ramon Martinez, Camilo Pascual, Tommy Bridges.
RP: Dontrelle Willis & Don Newcombe; Ed Bauta & Ryota Igarashi; Sandy Conseugra & Bill Landrum; Aroldis Chapman.

C: John Munyan; Charlie Bennett
1B: Joe Adcock
2B: Cookie Rojas; Martin Dihigo
3B: Manny Machado
SS: Robin Yount
LF: Tony Gonzalez & Ryan Braun
CF: Jose Cardenal
RF: Jose Canseco; Alejandro Oms
DH: Yonder Alonso

Notes

As expected, Jose Mendez heads to AAA to try to develop his immense potential … Tommy Bridges and Dontrelle Willis were neck-and-neck for the final rotation slot, with Bridges veteran status giving him the edge over the 24 year old Willis … John Munyan and defensive whiz Charlie Bennett will split the duties at C, with Bennett’s glove edging out Andy Ashby‘s utility as a switch hitter … the final cut was quite complicated: 17 year old Martin Dihigo is a defensive whiz across the spectrum and Alejandro Oms provides that same ability in the OF. But neither really hit all that well, although Oms certainly has the tools to do so. Still, they allow the Cuban Giants such flexibility that keeping them is highly attractive. That makes the choice boil down to Ryan Braun and Willie Kamm. Kamm’s roller coaster of a Spring–from the hottest player in the league to a deathly cold finish–sends him off to the minors … Jose Canseco, Oms, and Yonder Alonso form a platoon trio, with Alonso playing v LHP and Oms v RHP and Canseco moving between RF and DH.

1B Joe Adcock is winding down his career at 38 and SP Tommy Bridges at 36 is no spring chicken. At the other end is Dihigo at 17 and 2 SP–Eustaquio Pedroso and Ramon Martinez–at 21.

Mendez should be the 1st starter recalled from AAA, while Gary Sheffield, Yasiel Puig, and Evan Longoria are also all waiting there for their opportunity. At AA, the brightest lights are a pair of 2B, 18 year old Clete Boyer and 24 year old Tony Taylor.

Getting to 30: Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On August 8, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

#Birmingham Black Barons

Alejandro Pena, Fred Fussell, and Scott Baker have rotation slots nailed down, and Greg Maddux and Vic Willis were sent to AAA. The rest is a muddle with John Clarkson, Jim Whitney, Sam Streeter, Warren Spahn, and Dick Rudolph vying for 3, maybe 4, slots.

Carlos Diaz has struggled as the closer, but he’s still there, with Harley Young and Hoyt Wilhelm working behind him.

Omar Infante has impressed enough to stick around, especially given his defensive versatility. Bob Nieman‘s inability to hit opens up some possibilities for him in LF, and given how little either Troy Tulowitzki or Herman Long have hit, he may see some more time at SS as well.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Smokey Joe Williams, Frank Knauss, and Dick Redding are fighting over the final 2 rotation spots. As a 19 year old, it may make sense for Redding to get some more work at AAA in before a longer stint in the bigs.

The rest of the pen looks set, with the quartet of Terry Forster, Trevor Hildenberger, and Eric Gagne setting up Watty Clark looking to be one of the best in the league.

Despite Pee Wee Reese‘s struggles, he stays as Tommy Corcoran‘s backup at SS. Davey Lopes has burst onto the scene, to the point that Hobe Ferris–the presumptive starter–will head to AAA (while note great defensively, Jackie Robinson, Todd Walker, and Corcoran can all spell Lopes as needed).

Neither John Briggs nor Duke Snider have impressed, but Briggs was worse, and heads to the minors. What’s not clear is if Snider starts the year at CF, or if newcomer Raul Mondesi forces himself into the picture.

#Miami Cuban Giants

With Alex Colome and Dalier Hinojosa sent to AAA, the pitching staff is coming into focus. The remaining competition is between Dontrelle Willis, Don Newcombe, Tommy Bridges, and Jose Mendez for the final starting role and 2 bullpen slots. Mendez is a long shot at this point.

Perhaps as expected, Willie Kamm has cooled off dramatically, moving Manny Machado back into the starting position at 3B. His performance does, however, keep him in camp at the expense of Gary Sheffield, who was quite a disappointment all Spring.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Dizzy Trout has seized the #4 starter slot, leaving the final 3 slots up for grabs. This is all a little controversial, as others have pitched better than Walter Johnson, but the Sea Dogs remain convinced of the 19 year old’s potential, despite a growing sense from fans that he would be better served by starting the year in AAA. Still, the staff have the final say, leaving Ray Fontenot, Bert Blyleven, Mike Cuellar, and Wade Miller in competition, with Pascual Perez and Atlee Hammaker already moved down to the minors.

The good news is the back end of the bullpen is set, with the trio of Elmer Brown, Jim Kern, and Johan Santana looking almost unhittable.

Don Baylor and Kirby Puckett‘s demotions surprised some, but quite a few of Portland’s OFers hit well during the Spring, leaving those 2 out in the cold. On the infield, too many people hit well to make the choices easy. Greg Litton came to camp late, but has hit well and, more importantly, provides some needed defensive flexibility. The choice ended up being unorthodox, as with Marty Cordova being sent to AAA, they lack a true LF on the roster, relying on Kiki Cuyler, Harry Hooper and, yes, Litton there.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

The pitching staff has gotten some astounding performances, led by Cy Falkenberg, James Shields, and Dennis Eckersley. That leaves Eddie Plank, Jim Devlin, Carlos Carrasco, Charlie Root, and Lefty Grove in contention for 2 starting spots and 2 bullpen roles. Grove has struggled with his control, Devlin has been hit pretty hard, and Plank–despite the best WHIP of the bunch–has an ERA over 7.

That’s really all that is up for grabs as the back end of the bullpen, anchored by Rod Beck and Chad Bradford, looks pretty solid.

The position cuts were all a bit surprising: Mark McGwire couldn’t move through the logjam at 1B, Bert Campenaris couldn’t hit enough to warrant keeping his defensive versatility, and Pedro Guerrero was at the bottom of the OF list. The biggest shock was the failure of highly touted 20 year old Jimmie Foxx to earn a roster spot, although he’s expected to return in pretty short order.

This Week In Whirled Baseball: Spring Training Update II

By mknn

On July 27, 2020

In TWIWBL

{ We’re 2/3 through Spring Training–20 games. Some notes from around the league. }

#Chicago American Giants

The bullpen foursome of Ken Sanders, Akinori Otsuka, Koji Uehara, and A.J. Minter have been lights-out for Chicago … Rube Foster had seemed a lock to make the rotation, but got absolutely rocked in his last start, which may put that in doubt … The American Giants have been absolutely crushing the ball, other than at SS, where the 3 contenders (Julio Gotay, Luke Appling, and Chico Carrasquel) have been equally incompetent.

#Detroit Wolverines

23 year old Charlie Gehringer and 20 year old Al Kaline have been totally overmatched this Spring, and look likely to start the year at AAA … at the other end of the scale, 37 year old Tony Phillips was recalled for roster flexibility, and is forcing himself into the conversation for a roster spot … Whitey Wilshere started the Spring as the closer, he’s ending it as a front-of-rotation starter … nobody has claimed the closer slot in his absence: Roberto Hernandez was the most likely, but he’s struggled, leaving people like Mark Dewey and Tom Hughes in the mix.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Dan Quisenberry and Billy Wagner are in the midst of pitching themselves off the roster entirely … Pete Hill‘s struggles (195/233/268) are likely sending the 17 year old to AAA for some seasoning … It’s really not clear where HR Johnson will play, but if you hit 367/457/600, they’ll find a place for you.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Bob Gibson‘s stuff is undeniable. But 15 BB in 17 IP is unacceptable, and may be enough for the 25 year old to start the year at AAA … It was clear at the start of the Spring that the Monarchs were unlikely to carry both Lou Brock and Cool Papa Bell into opening day. With Brock beginning to hit a bit, it looks like the teenage Bell will head to AAA to work on his swing … Salvador Perez and Lew Brown are hammering the ball, and threatening to move Ted Simmons to AAA to start the year.

#Los Angeles Angels

Joe Nathan has yet to give up a run and has 5 saves in 6 ST games, setting up as one of the elite closers in the league … In a league dominated by youth, 34 year old Elmer Valo has an almost guaranteed roster spot for the Angels, slashing 432/580/541. Having an OBP > SLG is usually a bad thing, but if your OBP is close to .600 … At the other end of the scale, Carlos Beltran is 3rd on the team in RBI with 10, despite a slash line of 150/186/350, and may be forced to AAA.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The surprise of the pitching staff has been Eustaquio Pedroso, who has been Miami’s best starting pitcher, despite a rough start recently. Given the struggles of Jose Mendez, Don Newcombe, and Camilo Pascual (all of whom have ERA’s over 7), Pedroso’s potential to help the rotation is important for the Cuban Giants … the shock of the Spring is Willie Kamm, who has seized the 3B job with a 320/414/600 Spring … Kamm’s success has put Gary Sheffield‘s role in doubt, with Sheff managing only a 188/350/281 Spring … When does a .292 BA with 0 walks and 0 extra-base hits earn you a roster spot? When you’re Martin Dihigo and you can play numerous positions at a very high level. Still, a walk or a double once in a while sure would help.

#Ottawa Mounties

Randy Johnson and Old Hoss Radbourn are both prodigious talents. But they both look like some time at AAA may be needed … Freddy Parent (372/386/651) and Alex Rodriguez (375/447/525) are neck and neck in the race to start at SS … Phil Bradley, Terry Puhl, and Steve Garvey were supposed to be on the fringes of the roster; instead the worst of them is Garvey at 421/439/632. It’s not clear how this impacts the roster, but it’s certainly bad news for Brant Alyea, Jackie Jensen, and George Van Haltren, who are all struggling.

#Philadelphia Stars

The pitching surprise of the Spring has been Larry Jackson forcing himself into the rotation … at the other end, Jack Easton, Pete Alexander, and Steve Carlton have had very poor Springs: if at least 2 of those don’t turn it around, it could be a long Summer in Philadelphia … the story of the Spring has to be Scott Rolen‘s 400/457/633 performance threatening to unseat Mike Schmidt at 3B. Schmidt is showing some signs of life, but is only managing a 132/209/316 line so far … With Mickey Doolin‘s injury, the lack of backup talent at SS has been exposed, as the thought of going for a long period with Roger Peckinpaugh, Larry Bowa, or Pat Meares is quite depressing. Luckily, Doolin should be back around the start of the regular season.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Johan Santana has been virtually unhittable as the closer, and Jerry Koosman and Smokey Joe Wood look like a pair of aces for the rotation … The Sea Dogs offense looks to revolve around the 1B/DH pair of Kent Hrbek and Gil Hodges and the surprising Jim Fregosi … The biggest surprise of the Spring has been Walter Johnson‘s struggles. The 19 year old has massive potential, but may need some time at AAA first.

#Wandering House of David

CC Sabathia has been dominant, and looks to be at the front of the rotation along with Nick Altrock … Cap Anson, Dave Altizer, and Gabby Hartnett all look likely to start the season at AAA … The House of David’s 2 best hitters in the Spring have been Ernie Banks (333/378/810), which is no surprise, and Elrod Hendricks (393/438/893), which is a huge shock (and has contributed to the challenge of keeping Hartnett on the roster).

Spring Training Preview: Miami

By mknn

On June 20, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

The final 2 rotation slots are likely to be pulled from Don Newcombe, Ramon Martinez, and Livan Hernandez, but both Jose Mendez and Eustaquio Pedroso have outside shots as well.
- Rube Waddell has been excellent, but neither Camilo Pascual nor Tommy Bridges as good as expected. As such, there are a lot of open slots. Pedroso has seized 1 of them with some great performances, and Mendez has an edge on the other, while Hernandez has been pretty awful.
  - Hernandez has pitched himself back to AAA, while the front of the rotation has solidifed as Waddell, Pedroso, Martinez, and Bridges.
  - That leaves Willis, Pascual, Newcombe, and Mendez competing for the final rotation spot.
In the bullpen, while Aroldis Chapman and Bill Landrum are solid, and Tony Fossas can succeed in a situational role, doubts exist about Dalier Hinojosa and Ed Bauta especially.
- Unfortunately, Fossas, Bauta, and Sandy Consuegra have had a rough go of it. Miami has recalled Ryota Igarashi, Dontrelle Willis, and Alex Colome to help find some bullpen solutions to get to Chapman and Landrum.
  - Both Bauta and Hinjosa have solidified their roster spots, if not their exact roles, while Fossas has moved to AAA. Igarashi could join him, but deserves another couple of appearances.
2B, 3B, and SS are all up for grabs: Cookie Rojas and Paul Molitor are neck-and-neck at 2B; Evan Longoria, Manny Machado, and Gary Sheffield at 3B; and Robin Yount and Chico Fernandez at SS.
- Molitor is on the verge of playing himself out of the league behind Rojas (which would clearly open a role for Dihigo, but he hasn’t hit a lick either). But he’s doing better than Longoria, who is literally hitless so far, at the bottom of a muddled pile at 3B, led by the surprising Willie Kamm.
  - Molitor and Longoria were both sent to AAA to work it out, with Tito Fuentes getting a shot in major league camp.
- Yount has taken control at SS, so there’s that, at least.
In the OF, the talents of Alejandro Oms and Martin Dihigo are undeniable, but there are questions about whether they are ready for the WBL.
- The OF is still crowded, with Jose Cardenal, Ryan Braun, and Eddie Milner all arguing for playing time and Ozzie Canseco being sent to AAA.
  - Oms and Dihigo don’t have to hit much to earn a roster spot due to their versatility and glovework. Milner and Braun, however, are on the bubble.
  - Tony Gonzalez has forced himself into the conversation, and perhaps even into a starting role.
C is now an issue as well, as both John Munyan and Alan Ashby are performing on par with expected starter Charlie Bennett.
- The trio continues to be indistinguishable–if that continues, Bennett will start due to his defense, and a coin flip will pick his backup.
- At 1B, Joe Adcock and Yonder Alonso are pounding the ball, leaving Edwin Encarnacion‘s roster spot in doubt.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Rube Waddell Eustaquio Pedroso	Ramon Martinez Tommy Bridges	Jose Mendez Camilo Pascual Don Newcombe Dontrelle Willis
Middle Relievers			Alex Colome Ed Bauta Sandy Consuegra	Ryota Igarashi
Setup		Dalier Hinojosa Bill Landrum
Closer	Aroldis Chapman
C			Charlie Bennett John Munyan Alan Ashby
1B		Joe Adcock Yonder Alonso		Edwin Encarnacion
2B		Cookie Rojas	Martin Dihigo	Tito Fuentes
3B		Willie Kamm	Manny Machado Gary Sheffield
SS		Robin Yount	Chico Fernandez
OF	Jose Canseco	Jose Cardenal	Tony Gonzalez Tommie Agee Yasiel Puig Sandy Amoros Alejandro Oms	Ryan Braun Eddie Milner