Post by Exposgm on Feb 23, 2010 20:50:06 GMT -5
It had been a while since we hadn’t had so many rookies starting in TMBL. This time, there is a boatload of them and they are scattered all over the place. There is also a great quantity of stars in the making, at pretty much all the positions. Despite all of this, none of them is expected to re-write the record book this season. Many will do fine and play an important role in their team’s success. There are enough quality rookies to do a Top 15, though. Once again, keep in mind that the following is based on how these players will fare in their rookie seasons, not beyond.
15 - Bruce Hurst – SP – Cardinals – The 10th overall pick in 1976, Hurst is a tall lefty that makes his debut from the Cardinals rotation this season. The kid has good control and an interesting mix of pitches, but will likely have to go through some early troubles. He will win between 14 and 16 games right away, lose as many or more with an ERA in the high fours. - Final stats - 3-5, 5.35
14 - Dale Berra – SS – Cubs – Picked 7th overall by the Cubs back in 1974, Berra took a while to climb the ladder and to start showing his offensive skills in the minors. The final piece to an incredible infield, Berra will hit for average with the occasional homerun. He’ll either hit for .295 or .260. - .302, 6 HR, 51 RBI
13 - Dickie Thon – SS – Angels – Perhaps Thon could have used more time in the minors, but a shortage of shortstops (hope you had noticed) forced the Angels into using Thon earlier than expected. He’ll be an excellent shortstop, but his rookie year won’t be the one people will remember the most. He’ll still do fine now, better than many SS around the league. - .249, 10 HR, 45 RBI
12 - Scott Brown – RP – Indians – Another 4th round pick by Cleveland in 1974, Brown didn’t have the same kind of success in the minor leagues but still progressed very well on his way to the job of setup man right this season. He throws a solid fastball which he mixes with a good curve and a slider and does have decent control, but the kid will get even better. Even this season he stands a chance at posting good numbers, perhaps even an ERA well below three. - 7-4, 3.10
11 - Terry Kennedy – C – Cardinals – The Twins selected Kennedy in the first round of the 1974 draft, but there was no room for him and so was traded to St. Louis the following season. In 13 games with the Cards last season, the left-handed hitter batted only .212 but blasted 3 homeruns and drove in 8 runs to give an idea of his potential. Expect a much better average from now on, something like .290 for his rookie season with around 15 homeruns and 60 RBI. - .290, 15 HR, 59 RBI
10 - Ryne Sandberg – 2B – Mariners – First overall pick in 1977, Sandberg will complete a middle infield that already counts another #1 pick in SS Cal Ripken. “Rino” batted .255 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in 28 games last September. He’ll do much better from now on. Sandberg is a complete player and his presence in any lineup makes that team instantly better. Expect a .250 average with a dozen homeruns and around 70 RBI and maybe a Gold Glove. - .284, 11 HR, 63 RBI
9 - Lloyd Moseby – CF – Pirates – Picked 8th overall in the 1977 amateur draft, Moseby did extremely well in the minors and now makes his debut as the Pirates starting center fielder. Moseby can do it all. In the minors, he had four consecutive seasons of 20 or more stolen bases. He should hit around .270 with a dozen homeruns and 60 RBI in his first big league campaign. - .234, 12 HR, 48 RBI
8 - Alan Trammell – SS – Royals – How in the world did Trammell wound up still available with the 8th overall pick is a wonder, but the Royals sure are not going to complain about that. Trammell will do it all, and will start doing so right away. He won’t have Ripken’s type of power, but will still get his share of dingers and play solid defense. Expect an average in the .270s with around 10 homeruns and 80 RBI this season for him. - .263, 11 HR, 85 RBI
7 - Oil Can Boyd – SP – Blue Jays – A first round pick by the Blue Jays in their inaugural 1977 season, Boyd started out by going 12-0 in A ball, but it’s been no picnic since. He hasn’t had a winning season in the minors since 1978, allowing his share of homeruns in the process. Still, he twice improved on his change-up. In six starts with the team last year, he went 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA. He begins the current season as the team’s third starter. He has all you can hope from a great pitching prospect: very good control, a lot of endurance, solid stuff, enough to do well perhaps as soon as this season. He may well be the Jays best starter this year. Don’t be surprised if he racks up 15 wins with an ERA very close to three. - 9-13, 5.12
6 - Lance Parrish – C – Yankees – Was it to qualify him for the 1982 Rookie of the Year award that the Yankees kept this star in the minors for so long? The third overall pick in 1974 has been ready for a while now, but had to wait until now to get the starting job. Probably the best catcher to make his debut since Darrell Porter, “Big Wheel” brings tremendous power and awesome glove play. Expect a .260 average with 20 to 25 homeruns and over 90 RBI. - .275, 19 HR, 98 RBI
5 - Rick Manning – CF – Phillies – A second round pick by the Phillies in 1972, Manning took a full decade to reach the majors. In 18 games with Philadelphia last season, he hit a solid .281. He’ll bat leadoff for the Phillies, for which he brings a bit of speed and the ability to hit for a high average. He also possesses excellent defensive skills. Expect a .315 average with 90 runs scored and a dozen steals. - .296, 96 R, 15 SB
4 - Larry Pashnick – SP – Reds – Picked first in the fourth round of the 1974 draft, Pashnick went 1-1 with a 6.88 ERA in four starts last year with the Reds. That will soon be forgotten. Pashnick is an awesome pitching prospect, blessed with an amazing fastball as well as some pinpoint control. He improved on his change this spring, which won’t hurt. This kid could win up to 18 games with an ERA around 3.60. - 14-13, 3.60
3 - Tom Filer – SP – Indians – An early 4th round pick by the Tribe in 1974, Filer may not have been expected to do so well, but his progression went extraordinarily well. He surfed through the minors with great success. In 5 starts with Cleveland last season, he went 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA, but don’t expect the same struggle this season. Filer has exceptional control, as well as a solid repertoire of pitches. Don’t be surprised if he wins between 15 and 20 games with an ERA below 3.50. - 19-7, 2.86
2 - Carlos Diaz – RP – Pirates – The first pick made in the third round of the 1976 draft, Diaz is a hard-throwing lefty that makes his debut as the Pirates closer this season. He did well saving games in AAA for five years and will undoubtedly do the same at the higher level from now on. He relies on an awesome fastball mixed with a very good slider and has good control for a power pitcher. Expect 25 saves, maybe even 30, with an ERA below three. - 11-6. 3.90, 19 SV
1 - Willie McGee – CF – Cubs – The third overall pick in 1976, McGee forced Cubs management to unload longtime fan favorite Amos Otis prior to the start of the season. Much like Otis, McGee will provide Chicago with premium play for years to come. He won’t have as much power as Otis had, but that should be the only difference between them. Expect a .300 average with 25 steals and 95 runs scored, and maybe even a Gold Glove. - .300, 108 R, 20 SB
The Best of the Rest (in no particular order)
Gary Lucas - RP - Tigers - 1-1, 6.00
Phil Huffman - RP - Red Sox - 1-0, 4.73 and now retired
Vance McHenry - 2B - Orioles - .261, 2 HR, 21 RBI
Floyd Chiffer - RP - Orioles - 3-4, 5.94
Teddy Higurea - RP - Orioles - 5-8, 5.94
Mitch Webster - CF - Blue Jays - .245, 10 HR, 69 RBI
Bill Swaggerty - RP - Yankees - 6-4, 2.61
Pete Filson - RP - Twins - 3-4, 4.17, 10 SV
Keefe Cato - SP - Brewers - 13-13, 3.77
Jeff Keener - RP - Brewers - 2-0, 3.86
Kent Hrbek - 1B - Angels - .270, 12 HR, 64 RBI
Don Robinson - RP - Angels - 8-8, 3.30, 13 SV
Tom Veryzer - SS - Rangers - .252, 0 HR, 33 RBI
Mark Huismann - SP - Phillies - 10-13, 4.58
Victor Cruz - RP - Phillies - 2-3, 7.17
Kevin Bass - RF - Mets - .308, 4 HR, 60 RBI
Jack Perconte - 2B - Mets - .230, 1 HR, 40 RBI
Stew Cliburn - RP - Mets - 3-5, 5.09
John Pacella - RP - Expos - 0-3, 3.02
Tony Fossas - RP - Expos - 1-1, 2.71
Manny Castillo - 3B - Cardinals - .333, 0 HR, 64 RBI
Rafael Ramirez - SS - Cardinals - .213, 0 HR, 13 RBI
Craig Eaton - RP - Cardinals - 0-0, 4.07
Fred Howard - RP - Cardinals - 3-4, 3.91
Rick Ownbey - RP - Braves - Did not pitch
Kim Seaman - RP - Reds - 1-0, 1.00
Jeff Jones - RP - Pirates - 3-2, 4.08
Kevin Gross - SP - Cubs - 10-16, 5.15
Chuck Finley - SP - Cubs - 5-7, 5.53
Tony Bernazard - 2B - Dodgers - .226, 3 HR, 37 RBI
Tom Romano - LF - Dodgers - .254, 4 HR, 49 RBI
Kevin Rhomberg - LF - Padres - .317, 11 HR, 71 RBI
Edgar Martinez - 3B - Padres - .255, 9 HR, 50 RBI
Mark Calvert - SP - Padres - 11-14, 4.13
Clay Christiansen - RP - Padres - 3-3, 5.14
Chris Codiroli - RP - Padres - 2-2, 2.66
Roger Mason - RP - Astros - 2-2, 3.54
Daryl Sconiers - 1B - Giants - .308, 15 HR, 75 RBI
15 - Bruce Hurst – SP – Cardinals – The 10th overall pick in 1976, Hurst is a tall lefty that makes his debut from the Cardinals rotation this season. The kid has good control and an interesting mix of pitches, but will likely have to go through some early troubles. He will win between 14 and 16 games right away, lose as many or more with an ERA in the high fours. - Final stats - 3-5, 5.35
14 - Dale Berra – SS – Cubs – Picked 7th overall by the Cubs back in 1974, Berra took a while to climb the ladder and to start showing his offensive skills in the minors. The final piece to an incredible infield, Berra will hit for average with the occasional homerun. He’ll either hit for .295 or .260. - .302, 6 HR, 51 RBI
13 - Dickie Thon – SS – Angels – Perhaps Thon could have used more time in the minors, but a shortage of shortstops (hope you had noticed) forced the Angels into using Thon earlier than expected. He’ll be an excellent shortstop, but his rookie year won’t be the one people will remember the most. He’ll still do fine now, better than many SS around the league. - .249, 10 HR, 45 RBI
12 - Scott Brown – RP – Indians – Another 4th round pick by Cleveland in 1974, Brown didn’t have the same kind of success in the minor leagues but still progressed very well on his way to the job of setup man right this season. He throws a solid fastball which he mixes with a good curve and a slider and does have decent control, but the kid will get even better. Even this season he stands a chance at posting good numbers, perhaps even an ERA well below three. - 7-4, 3.10
11 - Terry Kennedy – C – Cardinals – The Twins selected Kennedy in the first round of the 1974 draft, but there was no room for him and so was traded to St. Louis the following season. In 13 games with the Cards last season, the left-handed hitter batted only .212 but blasted 3 homeruns and drove in 8 runs to give an idea of his potential. Expect a much better average from now on, something like .290 for his rookie season with around 15 homeruns and 60 RBI. - .290, 15 HR, 59 RBI
10 - Ryne Sandberg – 2B – Mariners – First overall pick in 1977, Sandberg will complete a middle infield that already counts another #1 pick in SS Cal Ripken. “Rino” batted .255 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in 28 games last September. He’ll do much better from now on. Sandberg is a complete player and his presence in any lineup makes that team instantly better. Expect a .250 average with a dozen homeruns and around 70 RBI and maybe a Gold Glove. - .284, 11 HR, 63 RBI
9 - Lloyd Moseby – CF – Pirates – Picked 8th overall in the 1977 amateur draft, Moseby did extremely well in the minors and now makes his debut as the Pirates starting center fielder. Moseby can do it all. In the minors, he had four consecutive seasons of 20 or more stolen bases. He should hit around .270 with a dozen homeruns and 60 RBI in his first big league campaign. - .234, 12 HR, 48 RBI
8 - Alan Trammell – SS – Royals – How in the world did Trammell wound up still available with the 8th overall pick is a wonder, but the Royals sure are not going to complain about that. Trammell will do it all, and will start doing so right away. He won’t have Ripken’s type of power, but will still get his share of dingers and play solid defense. Expect an average in the .270s with around 10 homeruns and 80 RBI this season for him. - .263, 11 HR, 85 RBI
7 - Oil Can Boyd – SP – Blue Jays – A first round pick by the Blue Jays in their inaugural 1977 season, Boyd started out by going 12-0 in A ball, but it’s been no picnic since. He hasn’t had a winning season in the minors since 1978, allowing his share of homeruns in the process. Still, he twice improved on his change-up. In six starts with the team last year, he went 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA. He begins the current season as the team’s third starter. He has all you can hope from a great pitching prospect: very good control, a lot of endurance, solid stuff, enough to do well perhaps as soon as this season. He may well be the Jays best starter this year. Don’t be surprised if he racks up 15 wins with an ERA very close to three. - 9-13, 5.12
6 - Lance Parrish – C – Yankees – Was it to qualify him for the 1982 Rookie of the Year award that the Yankees kept this star in the minors for so long? The third overall pick in 1974 has been ready for a while now, but had to wait until now to get the starting job. Probably the best catcher to make his debut since Darrell Porter, “Big Wheel” brings tremendous power and awesome glove play. Expect a .260 average with 20 to 25 homeruns and over 90 RBI. - .275, 19 HR, 98 RBI
5 - Rick Manning – CF – Phillies – A second round pick by the Phillies in 1972, Manning took a full decade to reach the majors. In 18 games with Philadelphia last season, he hit a solid .281. He’ll bat leadoff for the Phillies, for which he brings a bit of speed and the ability to hit for a high average. He also possesses excellent defensive skills. Expect a .315 average with 90 runs scored and a dozen steals. - .296, 96 R, 15 SB
4 - Larry Pashnick – SP – Reds – Picked first in the fourth round of the 1974 draft, Pashnick went 1-1 with a 6.88 ERA in four starts last year with the Reds. That will soon be forgotten. Pashnick is an awesome pitching prospect, blessed with an amazing fastball as well as some pinpoint control. He improved on his change this spring, which won’t hurt. This kid could win up to 18 games with an ERA around 3.60. - 14-13, 3.60
3 - Tom Filer – SP – Indians – An early 4th round pick by the Tribe in 1974, Filer may not have been expected to do so well, but his progression went extraordinarily well. He surfed through the minors with great success. In 5 starts with Cleveland last season, he went 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA, but don’t expect the same struggle this season. Filer has exceptional control, as well as a solid repertoire of pitches. Don’t be surprised if he wins between 15 and 20 games with an ERA below 3.50. - 19-7, 2.86
2 - Carlos Diaz – RP – Pirates – The first pick made in the third round of the 1976 draft, Diaz is a hard-throwing lefty that makes his debut as the Pirates closer this season. He did well saving games in AAA for five years and will undoubtedly do the same at the higher level from now on. He relies on an awesome fastball mixed with a very good slider and has good control for a power pitcher. Expect 25 saves, maybe even 30, with an ERA below three. - 11-6. 3.90, 19 SV
1 - Willie McGee – CF – Cubs – The third overall pick in 1976, McGee forced Cubs management to unload longtime fan favorite Amos Otis prior to the start of the season. Much like Otis, McGee will provide Chicago with premium play for years to come. He won’t have as much power as Otis had, but that should be the only difference between them. Expect a .300 average with 25 steals and 95 runs scored, and maybe even a Gold Glove. - .300, 108 R, 20 SB
The Best of the Rest (in no particular order)
Gary Lucas - RP - Tigers - 1-1, 6.00
Phil Huffman - RP - Red Sox - 1-0, 4.73 and now retired
Vance McHenry - 2B - Orioles - .261, 2 HR, 21 RBI
Floyd Chiffer - RP - Orioles - 3-4, 5.94
Teddy Higurea - RP - Orioles - 5-8, 5.94
Mitch Webster - CF - Blue Jays - .245, 10 HR, 69 RBI
Bill Swaggerty - RP - Yankees - 6-4, 2.61
Pete Filson - RP - Twins - 3-4, 4.17, 10 SV
Keefe Cato - SP - Brewers - 13-13, 3.77
Jeff Keener - RP - Brewers - 2-0, 3.86
Kent Hrbek - 1B - Angels - .270, 12 HR, 64 RBI
Don Robinson - RP - Angels - 8-8, 3.30, 13 SV
Tom Veryzer - SS - Rangers - .252, 0 HR, 33 RBI
Mark Huismann - SP - Phillies - 10-13, 4.58
Victor Cruz - RP - Phillies - 2-3, 7.17
Kevin Bass - RF - Mets - .308, 4 HR, 60 RBI
Jack Perconte - 2B - Mets - .230, 1 HR, 40 RBI
Stew Cliburn - RP - Mets - 3-5, 5.09
John Pacella - RP - Expos - 0-3, 3.02
Tony Fossas - RP - Expos - 1-1, 2.71
Manny Castillo - 3B - Cardinals - .333, 0 HR, 64 RBI
Rafael Ramirez - SS - Cardinals - .213, 0 HR, 13 RBI
Craig Eaton - RP - Cardinals - 0-0, 4.07
Fred Howard - RP - Cardinals - 3-4, 3.91
Rick Ownbey - RP - Braves - Did not pitch
Kim Seaman - RP - Reds - 1-0, 1.00
Jeff Jones - RP - Pirates - 3-2, 4.08
Kevin Gross - SP - Cubs - 10-16, 5.15
Chuck Finley - SP - Cubs - 5-7, 5.53
Tony Bernazard - 2B - Dodgers - .226, 3 HR, 37 RBI
Tom Romano - LF - Dodgers - .254, 4 HR, 49 RBI
Kevin Rhomberg - LF - Padres - .317, 11 HR, 71 RBI
Edgar Martinez - 3B - Padres - .255, 9 HR, 50 RBI
Mark Calvert - SP - Padres - 11-14, 4.13
Clay Christiansen - RP - Padres - 3-3, 5.14
Chris Codiroli - RP - Padres - 2-2, 2.66
Roger Mason - RP - Astros - 2-2, 3.54
Daryl Sconiers - 1B - Giants - .308, 15 HR, 75 RBI