Fargo Dinosaurs News and Notes - Post Winter Meetings 2024

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Fargo Dinosaurs News and Notes - Post Winter Meetings 2024

#1 Post by Dinosaurs »

The Fargo Dinosaurs had a fairly quite winter meetings last week, but did participate in one minor trade with San Antonio. The Dinosaurs traded 1B Jorge Esparza for 23 year old AAA-level relief pitcher Mario Martínez and 20 year old A-level relief pitcher Josh Thornton.

Trade break down:

The 24 year old first-baseman, Esparza was originally a rule 5 pick for the Dinosaurs prior to the 2022 season from the Neo-Tokyo Akira. The Dinosaurs weren't particularly good in 2022, and despite hitting only a paltry .194 batting average and a 49 wRC+ in a limited bench role that season the Dinosaurs kept him on the major league roster throughout and retained his services going forward. He was optioned down to AAA the following season, and last year was able to achieve promotion back to the bigs during the season and performed much better this time around hitting for a 121 wRC+ in 203 plate appearances, mostly in the DH role but also starting 11 games at 1B.

The right-handed batter clobbered left-handed pitching to the tune of a .891 OPS, while struggling against right-handed pitching with only a .648 OPS. Additionally, his .177 ISO and .436 SLG fall in line with scouting reports that Esparza's bat may lack power when compared to his peers at 1b/DH, though he could make up for this decent contact skills and a particularly strong ability to avoid strike outs, which he demonstrated last year with an even 16 walks to 16 strike outs at the ML level.

Coming from San Antonio, AAA pitcher Mario Martínez has pitched his way from college and through the San Antonio minor leagues up to AAA completely as a starting pitcher. But, upon hearing of the trade, Fargo front office personal indicate that they see his PEBA future in the bullpen and will immediately shift him into a relieving role this upcoming season. Martínez flashes a decent splitter along with an already above average fastball. He's failed to really develop his change up which is why Fargo sees him most likely finding success in the bullpen.

20 year old Josh Thornton is the more intriguing reliever of the two though, as the former 2nd round pick possesses a fastball that touches 101 already along with above average movement leading to a ton of ground balls if a batter is lucky enough to put the bat to the ball. The problem for Thornton since being drafted out of high-school has consistently been his control. Last season in A-ball he carried an 11.73 K/9 but also a 4.77 BB/9 rate. Hitters struggle to make contact off of the youngster with both left and right handed batters hitting under .222 off of him, but the walk rate remains a concern and may stand in the way of Thornton making it to the bigs. If he can figure it out he has back end of the bullpen type of stuff and could be a dominant set-up man or possibly a closer.

Commentary:

It was a little bizarre to see a young producing first-baseman like Esparza dealt immediately after a season where he began to show promise and reward the front office for rule 5 drafting and sticking with him back in 2022. I don't believe this trade goes down if it wasn't for the organizational depth Fargo has at the position led by last season's leader in home runs, Carlos Ortega who last season as a 25 year old hit for a 142 wRC+ and is only now entering the prime of his career, and the 4th overall pick from the 2023 draft, AAA 1B Gustavo López, who struck 22 HRs in only 342 plate appearances this past AAA season with a 143 wRC+ and looking near ready for the jump to the bigs.

Thornton and Martinez look as though they could be strong contributors to a major league bullpen if it breaks right for each, and though Thornton is still a ways off, the upside is there, and it is easy to see what could be a 1-2 punch at the back end of the bullpen between the both of them.
Cristian Shofar - GM Fargo Dinosaurs
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Re: Fargo Dinosaurs News and Notes - Post Winter Meetings 20

#2 Post by Sandgnats »

Great Info Cristian.

Great Lakes is the best!
RJ Ermola
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*2024 PEBA Champions*
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