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The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 1:09 am
by MikeB
Does New Owner Have an Issue with Korean Junkballer?


Local pundits have hailed General Manager Mike Best for bringing back reliable reliever Seon-Keun Yi at $5.2 million less than last season. San Juan had declined to pick up Yi’s $8 million option at the end of the season but the 34-year old received little interest in free agency. When contacted by Best in February, Yi’s agent asked for just $3.8 million over two years.

However, the move has not gone over quite so well with new owner Myron Beardsall. In his first meeting with Best after purchasing the Coqui Nov. 13, Beardsall demanded Best “dump” the “overpaid veteran.”

It seemed harsh at the time since Yi has been a savior at times for the bullpen. In a setup role the past two seasons, Yi has posted an e.r.a. of 2.92 and 2.25, allowing just 96 hits in 136 innings. Despite being a junkballer and his velocity rarely hitting 90, he also collected 138 strikeouts.

But at the time not much was thought of the new owner’s disparaging remarks since Best had no plans to renew Yi anyway. The $8 million, particularly in that it would have triggered a second year at that price tag, didn’t make fiscal sense for a team struggling financially. But sources say Beardsall isn’t pleased at having Yi back at the reduced amount either.

The assessment has had several trying to find a link between owner and player. Beardsall, who hails from El Paso, Texas, is believed to have been a fan of the team from its Rio Grande Valley days. In Yi’s only season with Rio Grande, the South Korean native was a promising starter, going 3-3 with a 3.32 e.r.a. in ten starts before tearing his rotator cuff in late May. It is not known what Yi did in his spare time the rest of that year in Texas.

As for Yi, in what some are suggesting is related to him being paid less, he came down with a case of shoulder tendinitis and missed all but the first few days of spring training only to be set to go as the season begins. While Yi has performed on game days, he has had a prior reputation for taking it lightly the rest of the time.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 3:47 pm
by MikeB
Coqui Show Promise After Two Weeks


Sandwiched around six straight losses to San Antonio, San Juan has looked promising out of the gate, taking three of four from the Scottish and sweeping the Bureaucrats. The Coqui lead the league in OBP (.357) and are third in both batting average and runs scored. They also lead the league in sacrifice bunts (11) and, although 16-for-24 on stolen bases isn’t anything special, the aggressiveness on the basepaths has mostly paid off.

In stark contrast from last year, it is the pitching that has let the team down thus far. Four of the team’s seven losses have come in the ninth inning or later and the bullpen is 0-4 with two blown saves. Nobody is pushing the panic button yet just as no one is placing bets the offense will continue.

For now though, it looks as if heavy platooning could pay off. At third, Bob Vollmer is .294, .368 versus lefties and Jack Speed .300, .391 against righties. In the outfield, Francisco Torres is .302, .423 against righties and Michael Drew is .300, .364 versus lefties. Left-handed hitter Ed Lee (2-5, 1 HR after just being called up) and switch-hitting Shane Reynolds (.333, .462) are also warranting more playing time while starting left fielder Flint Butler is nursing a sprained ankle.

FROM THE MINORS: Pitcher Juan Santana, who has shown flashes of brilliance at times and been forgotten at others, is now making a case to be called up sooner rather than later. Winter ball seems to have paid off for the former 2017 fourth-rounder. In his first two starts at Santo Domingo (AAA) he has given up just one run while striking out 18. He has walked just one batter in nearly 15 innings, which had not previously been a strength for him.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 6:59 pm
by MikeB
Coqui Stock Up On Pitching on First Day of Draft


San Juan was busy the first day of the draft with 11 picks in three rounds. The Coqui took all college players, eight of them pitchers.
"It's just the way the draft fell," said General Manager Mike Best. "We have the room for the hurlers at both A and SA-ball and hopefully they will terrorize hitters for the next few years as they move through the minors."

FIRST ROUND

11) RHP Ray Medrano
One of just two four star players in the draft according to Coqui Scouting, Medrano has gone 21-4 1.67 as a starter in his college career at Minnesota (USCBA). Despite being considered a more sure thing at the next level as a reliever, he does have great stamina and willingness to work with coaches and likely will make it through the minors in the starting rotation.

24) 1B Brendon Robertson
As a four-year starter at Michigan (USCBA), Robertson put together .313, .385, .539 numbers. He bested those averages his senior year despite being a target for pitchers, leading the USCBA with 15 hit-by-pitches.

29) RHP Keith Dupree
With three picks in the first round plus a supplemental, the Coqui were able to take a flyer on Dupree, who is lost for the season with a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament, another way of saying his elbow is screwed up. Dupree, who already has four decent pitches, entered the season as a five-star prospect. He had an 1.83 e.r.a. as a starter over his collegiate career with Cincinnati (USCBA) but posted just an 8-8 mark.

S-5) RHP Robby Parker
Robby "Tag" Parker climbed up the draft boards late becoming a starter his senior year at Rutgers (USCBA), posting a 1.18 e.r.a. in 13 starts and being named to the all-star team. He has a solid fastball and forkball but scouts project his changeup will be his setup pitch. He also has just started to throw a curveball that shows promise.

SECOND ROUND

14) SS Bill Navarro
Navarro will be extremely hard for the Coqui to sign but the good news is they can roll this pick to next season. Navarro, who hadn't shown much previously, bloomed his senior season at South Florida (USCBA), hitting .282 with seven home runs and showed ability in the clutch with three walk-off hits. While there are questions whether his hitting will translate as a pro, his speed and defense is big league already.

15) RHP Barney Stone
While scouts see Stone cementing himself a starting role at the next level, he rarely pitched deep into games at Washington State (USCBA). Still he went 9-5 as a starter his last two seasons and posted a 2.68 e.r.a. overall. He throws 95-97 mph but needs to improve his control (3.0 BB/9).

20) 2B Manuel Alvarado
With most top positions players off the board at this point, the Coqui felt Alvarado had enough going for him to be taken in the 2nd round, not the least of which he should be easy to sign. Alvarado has above average speed and glove, hit .281 as a four-year starter at the University of Sydney (ICOL) and slugged .434. Word is he also shuts out the stress in the clutch.

24) RHP Troy Hall
Hall went 15-12 with a 2.76 e.r.a. at as starter at Louisville (USCBA), striking out 10.0 per game and walking 2.2. Opponents slugged just .299 against him. Not much to dislike stat-wise.

THIRD ROUND

13) LHP Joey Hazen
San Juan continued to build its pitching staff of the future, taking Joey Hazen, a 23-year old one-year player at Arizona State (USCBA). Hazen made the most of that year, posting a 1.48 e.r.a. in a swingman role. Opponents hit just .152 against him as he struck out 73 in 48 innings. Has five pitches in his repertoire but might need to consolidate and become a reliever.

15) LHP Juan Gonzáles
"Lindo" went 3-3, 2.87 after being moved into a starter role his senior year at Northwestern (USCBA) but, despite having three pitchers, may not have the stamina to start games at the next level. He compiled 36 saves his first three collegiate seasons and was a two-time all-star out the pen as an underclassmen. Hitters slugged .438 against him in a poor junior season however.

32) C-1B Zier Geerdinkck
San Juan is projecting Geerdinkck as a catcher despite not having played there in college and believe he can at least be average behind the plate. Otherwise his offense is promising; .284, .356, .431 in three years at Nihon University (ICOL). He also gives speed at an unexpected position, having stole 21 bases in 26 attempts.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:04 pm
by MikeB
Coqui Turn to Position Players in Day Two


With its 15 picks on the second day of the 2027 draft, San Juan opted for 13 position players and just two pitchers.

FOURTH ROUND

8. OF Alberto Moran
Scout projections are all over the map for the 23-year old from power to whether he has a good eye or not but Moran is a smart player who should improve. While he was OSA's 14th ranked position player in the USCBA at the time of the draft, his offensive numbers in college were merely average. A gun of an arm means he will likely settle in right field.

18. OF Leland Powell
Projections for Powell were not high coming into 2027 but he improved considerably his junior year at Stanford, hitting .297 with a .335 OBP. He also has good speed and range in the outfield. As a 12-year old, Powell reportedly spent his 2017 winter vacation in Puerto Rico with a relative who was affiliated with the champion Aguadilla Roadrunners (SJWL-PR WL).

FIFTH ROUND

8. IF-OF Nick Kennedy
"The Fly" can play seven positions but none of them at a major league level. He has good speed (41 of 50 SBs in high school and college) but thus far has struggled with the bat. He was only a .240s hitter in both high school and college but showed a good eye at the plate at both levels.

18. SS Tom Molina
A good glove man with questionable hitting skills, he did represent Stanford at the 2027 USCBA all-star game and went 3-for-5 with two doubles.


SIXTH ROUND

8. SS Adam Alvarez
Another player who broke out his senior year, Alvarez went .282, .384 at Penn State (USCBA) after previously struggling at the plate. Good speed but his lack of big league range may push him to either third base or outfield at the next level.

18. SS Norogumi Saito
Although he flashed a good bat his first two years of college, Saito didn't start until his junior year this season at Arizona (USCBA). He showed he could keep it up as a regular hitting .313, .351, .464. He has blazing speed and good clubhouse leadership. He is a sure fielder with a great arm but his range will be poor even for third base, which likely hindered his scouting rating.

SEVENTH ROUND

8. C Brad Rice
Unimpressed with most of the catchers in the draft, the Coqui reached for a couple unknowns the second day, the first being Rice. Although scouts see him as above average defensively, he was only used as a DH at West Virginia (USCBA) and only sparingly, hitting .320, .393 in just 29 plate appearences.

EIGHTH ROUND

8. 3B Max Lindley
A team leader with a strong work ethic got Lindley selected. He did hold his own in an injury plagued career at Waseda (ICOL), going .267, .329. In high school, he was well above average at .280, .366 including an all-star season as a senior hitting .318.

NINTH ROUND

8. C Dave Washington
Washington had a banner year as a pinch hitter at Washington State (.455, .571, .682) but scouts believe he can be an above average defensive catcher. He saw little action behind the plate in college, however, with Will Carroll (who went in the second round) holding down the spot for the Palouse Knights.

TENTH ROUND

8. OF Wayne Wallace
The first high schooler taken by San Juan in the draft, Wallace (.189 career) is mostly a projection at this point. He did slug 17 home runs in 513 high school at bats though including a couple grand slams his senior year.

ELEVENTH ROUND

8. IF Will Weeks
The second high schooler taken by San Juan, Weeks has a good eye at the plate and should be serviceable glove man at the next level. Hit hitting is a work in progress (.193 high school career). Like Wallace he will likely be sitting for at least a season in SA-ball as he learns from older players.

TWELTH ROUND

8. IF Ramon Ruiz
Over a five-year college career, Ruiz hit just .245, .322 but plays hard and is a coach's dream at practice. Defensively he could fill in throughout the infield if needed.

THIRTEENTH ROUND

8. RHP Manuel Romero
Romero will likely earn a shot despite the crowded field of draftees coming in. While OSA rates him higher at 2.5 stars, he didn't show it on the mound at Keio University (ICOL) posting a 4.01 e.r.a. over 33 starts. But if he continues to keep his walks and opponent slugging percentage down he should be serviceable in the minor leagues.


FOURTEENTH ROUND

8. RHP Curtis Martin
Martin is another OSA 2.5 star prospect but was hit a lot harder at East Carolina (USCBA) with a 6.02 e.r.a. helped by 4.2 BB/9 and 1.2 HR/9. Mostly picked on a whim to see if he improves.

FIFTEENTH Round

8. 2B Mitchell Redelius
Redelius has big league range in the infield, although more likely to make it as a second baseman than a utility guy. He was a light hitter at Hosei University (ICOL) at .258, .318 but stole 30 bases in 31 attempts.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:38 am
by MikeB
950K Veteran Drew Outperforming Stars Thus Far

While the Coqui maintain their customary second place in the Trans Atlantic Division, fans aren’t buying into it this season. Attendance is down nearly 6% and revenue down over 8%. The team is in already certain to lose money this season – $8 million at the moment – and reserve funds are barely holding up.

Leading the way in fan disappointments are former all-star catcher Jesús Negrette (.219, .301, .316); Dean Walden, the Platinum Stick winner last year in centerfield (.254, .279, .373) and starting pitcher Atílio Gaivo (3-4, 7.01).

On the bright side, the ever reliable and inexpensive Michael Drew is in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak, batting .320 for the season. And the long search for a third baseman may be over, the problem solved by a platoon of Jack Speed (.274, .367, .404 vs. righties) and Bob Vollmer (.310, .362, .494 vs. lefties). Thirty-two year old rookie Shane Reynolds has also been a pleasant surprise (.279, .314, .414).

FROM THE MINORS: Fourth round pick Alberto Moran made headlines twice his first week, earning a promotion to A-ball. Moran went 5-for-6 in his pro debut with Homer (SA) and three days later hit a walk-off grand slam.

The most impressive prospect though has been 20-year old Bryan Scott, who held his own at age 19 playing A ball for Kingston last year but this season has emerged as the team’s ace at 7-1, 1.63. Downgraded by scouts for his subpar fastball, the former fifth-round picks has nonetheless stymied opponents this season (.192, .273., .263 against him). He simply doesn’t rely on the strikeout. In fact, over his pro career he has issued 141 walks while striking out just 97.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 11:21 am
by MikeB
Can’t Hit, Can’t Pitch, Can’t Field


Notes from the team devoid of hitting, pitching and fielding:

-Attendance has plummeted to just over 41,000 at PRTC Stadium. The team should be transferring some of its unspent draft money soon but it looks as if the team could finish in the red this season.

-Nothing new that the Coqui can’t hit but the pitching has joined the mediocrity. San Juan’s starters rank 11th in the league and its bullpen 12th. No surprise the defense is also at an all-time worst as well since the team moved to the island. Closer Otis Pearson (21 saves) and starter Tatsui Kouno (8-7, 3.08) are the only bright spots this season.

-Success of the team’s smallball strategy remains a mystery as the front office seems to be unable to compile play by play to evaluate the effort. The team is only third in stolen bases but largely because they can’t get people on base to begin with.

-Veteran 34-year old reliever Shawn Marshall’s career may have come to an end with a torn labrum sidelining him for 2027. Marshall, who is in the final year of his contract, has gone 37-31 in his PEBA career with 131 saves and a 3.04 e.r.a.

FROM THE MINORS: First round draft picks Ray Medrano (0.64 e.r.a.) and Robbie Parker (2.92) have both begun their pro careers 2-0 at Kingston (A). Meanwhile the 48-20 Suns are getting signs of life from catcher Michael Carlson (.292, .366., .444), who slugged .655 in college but until recently had been underwhelming as a pro. Centerfielder Caspar Gray (.297, .462, .474, 26 SB) has also been stellar.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:36 pm
by MikeB
In a Change, Coqui Offense Up, Pitching Down
The much maligned San Juan offense has quietly slipped into 5th place in runs scored in the Imperial League. That is despite being seventh in batting average (.248), sixth in OPB (.317), 10th in home runs (69) and ninth in slugging percentage (.368). It is a sign that the team’s aggressive base running may be paying dividends. The Coqui are second in steals (125) led by Jack Speed (21-for-22) and Francisco Torres (21-for-23). Neither are among league leaders and no other individuals are among or even close to showing up among league leaders in other offensive categories.

The top of the lineup has been solid with Flint Butler (.376 OBP) once again consistently holding down the leadoff spot, although he has lost a step speed-wise, and Michael Drew (.285, .336) batting behind him. Jesus Negrete (.500+ slugging the last two months) and Dean Walden (.366 in July) follow with Shigekazu Shimuzu (team leading 32 extra base hits) alternating in the cleanup spot versus lefthanders.

Unfortunately with much the same personnel, the team’s e.r.a. has jumped from last season’s 3.39 to 4.53. The pitching staff hasn’t had a team e.r.a. higher than 3.63 in its four previous seasons.

FROM THE MINORS: First round picks in June, Robby Parker (5-0, 2.59) and Ray Medrano (5-1, 0.78) continue to impress in A ball. Medrano has allowed just 21 hits in his six starts and opposing batters are .139, .193, .185 against him.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2018 2:09 pm
by MikeB
Prospects Haven't Filled Holes in San Juan
While the Coqui have had mixed success (but mostly bad) with veteran free agents since moving to San Juan, the prospect pool hasn’t produced any better.

Upon moving to Puerto Rico for the 2024 season, the new regime taking over at midseason, there was reason for optimism. 23-year old Dean Walden was coming off a rookie year where he hit .303, and reliever Otis Pearson, a former first rounder, had made the cut in spring training. The team also had three first rounders, two second rounders, a big-time bonus baby and a smaller one, all at the AAA level.

While Walden and Pearson would stick, only five of the other seven have made the majors and none would be considered a key player on their teams at this point.

The five who have made the big leagues are all pitchers. Naoki Hayashi, a 2020 1st rounder, has been an average starting pitcher who, since been shipped out for picks and prospects, and has been demoted to AAA by Shin Sheiki. Luis Reyes (former 1st round supplemental by Florida) and 2022 2nd rounder Mito Nomura have mainly lived at the back of the bullpen. And Jose Gomez, who once signed a $21.6 million bonus with Duluth, is 6-11, 3.72 in four years as a reliever and only notched his first save last week.

There is also Dan Field, a 2020 2nd rounder that was shipped off for draft picks after struggling to find the plate in San Juan. He has been a solid reliever for Aurora this season but at age 28 has not yet elevated himself into a key role.

Those who have yet to make it include utility man Antonio Correa, the 11th overall pick by Fargo in 2021, who after two substandard seasons at Santo Domingo (AAA) is now merely a defensive replacement scraping to hold onto a job. Outfielder Juan Ayala was one who couldn’t hold that job. A highly rated international player from the Dominican League, Ayala was a .240 singles hitter his last two seasons at Santo Domingo and was waived. However, at age 26 he is now showing promise in the West Virginia organization, hitting .309 this year in AAA.

The coaching staff at Santo Domingo has been a stellar group before this season so one can’t blame the coaches on prospects falling off.

The current management took over after the 2024 draft and sent the first rounder that year, Victor Andres, to Shin Sheiki as part of the deal for Richard Kelly who saw his batting average drop 60 points with San Juan and fizzled out of the league at age 30. The second rounder that year, pitcher Steve Jackson, had impressive showings in the lower minors, but at 24 he has failed to stick at the AA level. Third round pick Senichi Kaneko, a lefty starter, has fared a little better (17-15, 4.30 in AA) but will miss this season and next with a torn UCL.

The team has also had a couple rule 5 pickups that flamed out. Ed Lee (picked up by then Rio Grande) and Chris Jensen have been inconsistent in AAA and worse in the PEBA and it appear their shots at the bigs may be closing.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:43 pm
by MikeB
Far Away in Alaska, a Glimpse of Hope for San Juan

The performance of the 2027 draft class at Homer (SA) is making it a little easier for front office employees in San Juan to go to work each day. While the pitching exploits of the class have been noted in this space before, the hitters taken later in the draft have also been turning heads.

Fifteenth-round pick Mitchell Redelius (.319, .460) and 12th-rounder Ramón Ruíz (.311, 435, .490) won hotly contested second and third base jobs at Homer early in the season holding off several contenders, including last year's disappointing 3rd-rounder Chris Owens, who is without a role on the 35-man roster and on the verge of being cut.

Catchers Brad Rice (.258, .347) and Dave Washington (.297, .365), taken in the 7th and 9th rounds respectively, are getting plenty of at-bats as is 6th round 3B-DH Noragumi Saito (.317, 380).

Utility playersNick Kennedy (.294, .363) and Tom Molina (.351, .400), both taken in the 5th round, shined when given a chance in the outfield when injuries struck. Kennedy has since won the rightfield job while Molina, a better glove man in the infield, is still forced to battle with others for playing time as the Wallbangers are deep around the diamond.

Less of a surprise is first baseman Brendon Robertson, who was taken in the first round. Although out of action for six weeks with an injury, Robertson hit .315, .453, .552 in the first 25 games and returns to action this week as Homer prepares a run for a wild card berth. His return sends Washington back behind the plate, where Rice and the team's best catcher, Sung-hwan Chon have been splitting time. Chon, a five-year veteran whose pro career began at 17, is having a breakout year hitting .385 with a .539 OBP in 180 at bats.

Thanks, only in part, to the rookies, Homer is comfortably in first in the league in hits, on-base percentage, slugging and runs scored. Several other hitters have also emerged this season including 3B-DH Stephen Reid (.333, .481) and shortstops Ed Humphries (.296, .333) and Pedro "Chopsticks" Cardona (.274, .404). Hitting coach Gabriel Negrón is widely expected to get an extension soon.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 2:28 pm
by MikeB
San Juan Lost Nearly $30 million in 2027

Despite cuts in player and coaching salaries, scouting and player development costs, San Juan will lose a whopping $29,750,373 this season. The culprit is the ticket gate where a $44 million projection instead came in at just half of last year, $22 million, as fans stopped going to games as the 102-loss season dragged on.

The Coqui had cut $26 million off the player payroll from last season and projections were for the team to finish in the black this year, even as of early June when the team spent $13,420,000 on draft bonuses, which is where the remainder of the losses resulted from. Season ticket sales were down just 3.4% when the season started, not a serious concern at the time considering the team was entering rebuilding mode.

New owner, Myron Beardsall, who purchased the team during the offseason, is said to still be happy to own a baseball team and those close to him say he has not shown any concern yet. This is despite him believed to be mainly interested in what a big league club can do for his personal fortune.

An independent analyst who talked off the record to the Daily Jumper said San Juan is a tough market to succeed in. Two years ago despite attempts to buy an advertising campaign (which the league deemed unnecessary) and the signing of two popular free agents, Jesús Negrete and Alexander O'Neill, the team by its own observations never reached 85 out of 100 on the Fan Interest index. It has since plummeted to 59.

The Coqui had only $10 million in reserves so it will enter the offseason $19.7 million in debt.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:51 am
by MikeB
Two Kingston Players Honored by Coqui

Perhaps it is no surprise that both of San Juan’s minor league players of the year emerged from Kingston (A), which went 88-40 this season.

Although he only had 13 starts after being drafted 11th overall in June, 21-year old righty Ray Medrano (8-2, 1.16) would have won the Minor League Pitcher of the Year had he been eligible. Instead his younger Kingston teammate Jorge Pagan, a 19-year old lefty, claimed the honor after going 12-3, 3.14, in 24 starts. While opponents hit just .152, .216, .208 against Medrano, who was named to the NAFTA All-Star team and collected a playoff series MVP, hitters also struggled against Pagan, who was more than respectable at .198, .278, .340

The San Juan organization's Minor League Hitter of the Year turned out to be a surprise. A 7th round pick in 2021 by Okinawa, Manual Gonzalez was rushed to AA ball by the Shisa while still a teenager. He was released in 2025 when he failed to show much at that level. This season with Kingston, the 24-year old Gonzalez emerged as a NAFTA all-star finishing second in the Amber Waves League in batting average (.295) and fourth in on-base percentage (.349) and slugging percentage (.468). He hit 21 home runs and stole a league-leading 18 bases without being caught. A capable second baseman, Gonzalez was moved to first and finished in the top five in the league in nine fielding categories.

Re: The Daily Jumper 2027

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:06 am
by MikeB
No news today