Calzones Corner

[Matt]

Calzones Corner

As the season draws to a close, it would be all too easy to simply dwell on the fact that the Calzones will fail to return the playoffs this year. But this writer will prefer to focus on the positive of the season, and what hope there is for the future. Lost in the shuffle that would seem to be a lost season is the fact that the Calzones are playing their best ball over the last 6 weeks, compiling a 24-13 record in their last 37 games.

Let's take a look at some of the bright spots.

Bright spot #1. 1b Carlos Aquino. After struggling for most of the first four months of his rookie season, including a month long demotion to AAA, Aquino has finally gotten the bat going in the final two months of the season. Since July 26 he has batted at a .313 clip, and is finally showing some signs of the hitter that the Calzones are counting on for the middle part of their batting order for the next several seasons.

Bright spot #2. RP Francis Phillips. With the Calzones shedding salary wherever possible, including dealing away relievers Hector Nieves and Spanky Ortiz, it appeared that holes might form in the bullpen. But with Vazquez stepping up to fill the setup role, and the sudden emergence of Phillips to fill the middle relief role, the holes seemed to fill as quickly as they appeared. Since his late May callup, Phillips is 1-0, 2.45, with 2 saves. With a 95 mph heater and a 6 pitch repertoire that keeps hitters off balance, the lanky Phillips has been a rock in the middle innings. His above average control makes up for the fact that he does have a tendency to give up a long ball once in a while.

Bright spot #3. SP Alberto Semblano. The Calzones have limited Semblano's pitch counts this season in order to keep him from working too deep into games, an area where Semblano seemed to struggle in the past. After struggling through the first 3 months, as did much of the team around him, Semblano has been a solid #2 in the rotation since the 4th of July. He is 10-1 in his last 15 games, 14 of them starts, with a 2.41 era. For the season he is 12-6 3.47, and his incredible control (29 walks against 125 k's in 166 innings) makes the opponents work for everything they get. He is proving to be very much worth the first round draft choice the Calzones gave up to acquire him, and will continue to form a solid top of the rotation along with Kirby Gibson and Jose Morales.

Bright spot #4. C Lorenzo Vega. Giving the veteran catcher more frequent rest than he received in New Jersey last season has paid huge dividends. Despite being on a pace for about 90 fewer at bats this season, Vega should equal his extra base and rbi totals from a year ago, while also hitting for a much higher average (.309 compared to .236 last year), and compiling a VORP nearly triple that of last season. It remains rumored that he is on the trade block as the Calzones continue to attempt to slash payroll, but continued production like Vega has provided this season might make him difficult to deal away.

Bright spot #5. CF Jack Miller. Despite being a free swinger with little plate discipline and a weak on base percentage, “The Ripper” has solidified his hold on the centerfield job with a solid campaign at the plate and in the field. His .277 average and 34 doubles and 14 home runs with 75 rbi are a far cry better than the weak production the Calzones received from the centerfield position a year ago. While the Calzones would love to find a true leadoff hitter and a better table setter for the top of the lineup and move Miller lower in the order as a run producer, for the time being Miller appears to be locked into the 2 hole.

Bright spot #6. 2b Julio Lara. Yet to make his PEBA debut, the recent high school graduate has stormed his way through the minor leagues in a few short months and is rumored to be in the Calzones starting lineup tonight for his major league debut. With the Calzones looking to fill the starting middle infield spots next year, Lara appears to have the inside track on the second base job. Drafted in the 10th round, Lara was considered a free swinger who would be a long term project. But Lara adapted quickly and has shown amazing improvement in his plate discipline, the biggest concern the Calzones had when Lara was drafted. In 2 years of high school ball, Lara walked 8 times while striking out 95 times. But in his quick tour of the lower levels of the Calzones minor league system, Lara has walked 19 times while striking out 33 times, over 275 at bats. Lara spent his first two months at short season Taku, where he compiled a .445 average, a .480 obp, and chipped in 11 doubles, 2 hr, and 22 rbi in 182 at bats. He also picked up two player of the week awards. He was promoted to Drumright (A) in mid August, where he hit .429 with 5 doubles, 1 hr, 10 rbi, a .481 obp, and another player of the week award. After just 14 games at Single A, Lara was promoted to AA Monterey, where he finished the minor league season with a .477 average in 10 games, as well a hr, 11 rbi, and yet another player of the week award. There was much debate amongst the Calzones brain trust as to whether or not to promote the youngster for the final two weeks of September, but in the end it appears the decision has been made to take the gloves off and see what the organization's hottest hitter can do at the major league level.

Heading into the final weeks of the season, several rumors surround the Calzones off season plans. Topping the list of rumors is that the Calzones may be willing to deal their best hitter, Octavio Pexago, though reports also persist that several teams have dropped their interest when told of the asking price. With Pexago eligible for arbitration, the Calzones will reportedly wait until the arbitration award before making a decision on whether or not to deal Pexago.

Several rumors persist involving the Calzones coaching ranks. Pitching coach Steve Moore is reportedly on the way out, with Carlos Garza likely to be promoted from short season Taku to take his place. AAA Joplin manager Manuel Ramos will likely be let go as well, as the Calzones have not been able to reach agreement with the popular manager on a new (?? less expensive??) contract. Taku manager Lee Wilson is also likely working his final games in the Calzones organization. Replacements for both managers are likely to be sought from outside the organization.

Minor league catcher Glenn Wright, an 18 yr old undrafted free agent signed shortly after the draft, is being converted to first base. His bat has lit up the minor leagues since draft day, but his defensive skills behind the plate are less than impressive and the Calzones believe the organization would be better served in the long run by converting Wright to first base where his poor glove work is likely to do less damage.

Tu-an Sima will get the start tonight for the Calzones. With the Calzones looking for a 5th starter for next year, Sima and Sancho Renteria figure to get the first looks for the spot. Renteria has been shut down for the rest of the season due to a sore elbow, but still figures to have the inside track on the 5th starter spot next spring. Sima's future appears to be as a long man out of the bullpen.