The Daily Jumper - 2033

[MikeB]

Coqui Preview Part 1

Tickets Sales High as Season Begins

Looking at WAR figures from the season before isn’t the best way to predict the future but according to that measurement San Juan improved the most in the Imperial League by a 4.2 margin.

General Manager Mike Best downplayed that when asked saying, “We don’t look at a general measurement like that. We look at how and where a guy can fit. That said, we do think we improved.”

He may say that personally but his front office has had no hesitation in pushing the narrative to sell tickets, particularly with increased seating at PRTC Stadium this year. And if season tickets continue to sell at the current pace, the diehards will make up more than half of the 56,000 capacity.

Here is a look at how the team shapes up, starting with the outfield. The infield and pitching to follow.

OUTFIELD
There are plenty of outfield options thanks to several off-season moves.

The team’s biggest free agent signee was José Aguilera, a popular-with-the-fans guy who will replace Fudd Martinez in right. Martinez, for three seasons, was the prototype of what the Coqui aim for. He combined on base percentages in the .340s with line drive power and ranked among the league’s top base stealers. Aguilera, who has appeared in three straight all-star games, brings the base stealing and a .293 career batting average but not so much the power, although Martinez’ slugging had dipped last year anyway.

“We are excited about him because we believe he can be an everyday player whereas Fudd struggled against lefties at times,” said General Manager Mike Best.

The team would like to shift Mike Rose (.285, 19 home runs) to DH whenever possible and that will open room for 26-year old Wally Glasser to shine more. Glasser never developed the power scouts thought he might but has been consistent, hitting .287 and stealing 85 bases since being called up in 2030.

Glasser will man center, moving Kelvin McDonald to left full-time. McDonald earned an all-star berth while having the best season of his 11-year career setting career highs in doubles (30), home runs (15), RBI (70), OBP (.348) and stolen bases (34).

While finding himself in the lineup most games last season, McDonald does much of his damage against lefties (.328, .388, .494) so expect the team to give preseason looks to left-handed batters José Cardenas, who hit .353 in a September call-up with West Virginia, and Valentin Nieto, who can steal a base with the best of them, at least when he can finagle a walk to get there. Cardenas is an excellent glove man at all three spots while Nieto is very solid in left or right.

Should the team decide it wants an extra right-handed bat instead, it brought in eight-year veteran John Howe, a low OBP but otherwise solid outfielder who has slugged .486 against lefties in his career. Also in the platoon mix versus lefties is veteran Henry Davis who can play left and right as well as three infield positions.

“We got a few guys this offseason that will give us options and tough lineup choices and that’s a good problem to have,” said Best.

Rose will likely still get spot starts in the field particularly as the other designated hitter, Jorge Pagán (.264, 17 HR), is tough to sit against right handed pitching. There are times though when the two-way Pagán will pick up his pitching glove to start a game so expect Rose to DH then and against most left-handed pitchers. Pagán, who first swung a bat at the AAA level, does not hit against lefties; the team figuring he has enough on his plate as is.

Also in the spring training mix is 25-year old Harry Ritchie, who hit the AAA wall a season after his one famed big league at bat where he doubled and scored the winning run in the PEBA Championship. And 26-year old Todd Davis, who can hit for power, run and field although his rise has been slow in the minors.

[MikeB]

Coqui Preview Part 2

Defense, Versatility Define Infield

The infield conversation begins with shortstop Roberto "Dracula" Salazar, one of the league’s top leadoff hitters who hit a career high .303 in 2032. He is a threat to lead the league in steals…if he can stay healthy. Lack of immortality is his one weakness.

Needing to ensure a fill-in when the injury bug strikes, the Coqui signed veteran Henry Davis to back him up. Davis is an outstanding glove man at three infield spots and can play the outfield as well. He slugged .494 against lefties the past four seasons in West Virginia making him a viable platoon option at second or third as well.

One of those he can split time with is Jose Gonzales, who mans second against right-handed pitching. Gonzales collected an All-Leather Award last year but his .244 batting average, the lowest of his eight-year career, reflected a poor start that lingered into mid-summer. At age 28, the hope in San Juan is that is was just a result of him relaxing too much after signing his first eight-figure deal prior to the season.

Oscar Wetherby, another versatile infielder, has been the platoon option at second. He is a .277, .355, .418 hitter against lefties in his career.

There is also room for both at third base as Harley Schneider often shifts to first, where he is a better fielder at this point in his career. Schneider rapped 32 doubles and 21 home runs last year; not his prime numbers but not slouching either. And at 34 he is still a 20-20 home run-steals guy.

First base could be crowded, however. The biggest battle in the preseason will play out there due to Tracy Young’s solid rookie campaign (.253, .429 slugging). He will be challenged by the man whose job he took, former first rounder Brendon Robertson whose own solid rookie year (.259, .461 slugging) was followed by a disastrous sophomore season. He tore his labrum in April and never recovered, looking terrible at AAA after Young had taken his job.

It is anticipated one of the two will platoon at first with 26-year old Lee Stone, who had 36 doubles and 22 home runs in 521 career at bats with West Virginia. San Juan invested a 2nd and 4th-round pick in Stone and hopes he can duplicate or better those numbers away from Watt Powell Field, maybe the most challenging home run park in the PEBA for right handed hitters. That Stone’s first homer of spring training traveled 427 feet, enough to clear anything but dead center at PRTC Stadium did not go unnoticed by backslappers in the front office.

“Although I don’t think the numbers said we struggled against lefties last year, we had glaring holes in our lineup particularly in terms of power,” said Best. “That’s definitely not the case this year.”

Behind the plate there are no changes after Dan Collins, who refused to negotiate a contract renewal during the season, called the team’s bluff and accepted a qualifying offer. He is joined again by team captain Ju-chan Park. Both are outstanding defensively but fail to bring much offensively, although Park has slugged over .400 for two consecutive years.

[MikeB]

Coqui Preview Part 3

SJ Continues Relying on Draft Picks to Fill Pitching Staff

Starters

San Juan did nothing to improve its pitching staff in the offseason and will roll with the surplus talent it believes it has coming up from AAA. The team sorely lacks an ace, someone who can halt a losing slide, and none of the youngsters are expected to change that.

“There is always an unknown,” said General Manager Mike Best trying to assuage reporters on the situation. “And with a lot of bodies the chance one will emerge increases.”

The team has been pleased with what it has seen so far. Tutsuzan Shimada, at 24, emerged as a starter last year with a 15-8, 3.26 season. No one doubts his stuff but only 48% of his starts were quality and he was tagged for 33 doubles and 20 home runs.

Marcel Osterhaut (6-4, 3.01) also shined last year after being called up midseason and, for a while, was the starter pitching deepest into games. But he’s a true junkballer who relies on smarts and good control.

The team hopes this season it will be 25-year old Eli McKnight’s turn. The former second rounder got his act together and had his best minor league season by far (10-1, 1.41 in AAA) but was not ready for the PEBA (5.40 e.r.a.). He has five big league pitches but, while his control in AAA (1.6 BB/9) showed marked improvement, his bad habits returned at the major league level. He also lacks the stamina to be a top of rotation guy.

The two other starter spots belong to 29-year old Fernando Castro (13-11, 3.36), the likely opening day starter, and Jorge Pagán, who is already a wily veteran at 25. Pagán was 5-2, 2.92 in a swing role last year but is better suited to start so as to hold down the right-handed DH slot other days. Solid out of the pen for the prior two years, he showed he could handle the opening duties for the first time (5 of 7 quality starts).

Also in the mix is veteran Masaru Kouki (8-8, 3.57), who has a reputation of putting together stellar half seasons.

“Kouki is definitely a guy you want in the rotation when he’s throwing well,” says Best. “The key with him is reading the tea leaves.”


Relievers

The bullpen was the pride of the team during its 2031 championship run and the Coqui were able to win games with mere competent starting pitching. That changed last season as leaks sprouted unexpectedly.

At game’s end, the team is set with José Gõmez, the IL’s Shutdown Reliever (9-2, 1.46, 35 saves). Gõmez was often called into pitch in the 8th inning though as the setup men struggled.

Otis Pearson (7-2, 1.96) ultimately had a rebound season after falling to the #4 guy a year before but Gary Walker’s e.r.a. ballooned from 1.87 to 4.63 and Ray Medrano’s from 1.44 to 6.03. Medrano also missed three months with shoulder issues.

Twenty-four year old swingman Jesus Luna (8-7, 3.94) improved out of the pen as the season went on but grew worse as a starter, indicating teams might have locked in on his curveball, the worst of his three pitches. Still, when the lad was on, he was good, indicated by his .625 quality start percentage.

There are several contenders for the final spot on the staff.

António Ávila (42-17, 1.82 in his climb from A to AAA the last three seasons), should get his PEBA debut at some point although the team has him pegged more as a reliever at the next level. The same designation is likely for Juan Ortiz, the AML Reliever of the Year (0.88, 45 saves), and Seong-Chae Somun (11-7, 2.93) if control and movement issues don’t catch up to him in the big leagues.

Keith Dupree and Pete Scammell have become forgotten men as injuries may have finally taken their toll. Dupree (3-5, 4.03), who once looked like he could become that ace, couldn’t even last the first inning some days returning from his second ruptured UCL. Scammell (19-11, 3.01 over his PEBA career) was removed from the 40-man roster in the offseason after a series of ailments. And, if the team needed reminding, both had to leave the same spring training game March 14 with minor ailments.

[MikeB]

Lindo Makes Team; Walker Sent Down

There were surprises in San Juan’s final roster decisions with two players not on the 40-man roster making the squad.

None bigger locally than 6-foot-7 reliever Juan Gonzáles, a 27-year old Puerto Rican who will get his third chance with the big club. “Lindo” had fallen off the radar but surprised the team by allowing just two baserunners, both singles, in 10 2/3rds innings. Included was a perfect three inning stint versus Florida and a one-hit 3 1/3 outing against Arlington.

After the cuts were announced, Gonzales joked with reporters about how he was born to play for the Coqui organization. “We come from the same place,” he smiled. He is from Rio Grande…the city on the Island, not the Texas town.

Another surprise addition was 23-year old hurler Motoki Sakei who had two saves and a couple three-inning scoreless stints among his appearances.

“He had a great spring last year too coming up out of A ball but got sent down and promptly outmatched AA and AAA,” explained General Manager Mike Best. “We felt no need to put him back in line behind some of the same prospects."

The moves come at the expense of pitchers thought to be locks: Gary Walker, Eli McKnight and Juan Ortiz.

For the 28-year old Walker it is a shocking fall after being a top setup man in the 2031 championship run. Until losing focus last year, he had been 15-7, 2.32, 18 saves over three years. But he showed no signs this spring that his 4.63 e.r.a. last year isn’t who he is now.

It was thought McKnight, a former 2nd rounder and winter ball attendee, would make the team based on having nothing left to prove in AAA (10-1, 1.41 last year) but he never looked sharp in his four starts.

Ortiz, the AML reliever of the year in AAA, was rolling along with nine strikeouts and no walks in his first three bullpen outings but struggled in his final two.

The team proved reluctant to waive 27-year old Robby Parker after torn triceps cost him much of last season although his control issues have failed him at the PEBA level and he had already been sent down before the injury.

According to Best, if the team had chosen not to give Parker one more shot it would have kept 25-year old Seong-chae Somun over the aforementioned three. Somun, after striking out half the batters he faced in four relief appearances, got a start the last day of preseason and pitched four hitless innings.

Manager Sergio Manetti admitted the team doesn’t know what to make of Walker but hopes Somun, McKnight and Ortiz prove them wrong quickly.

“The emergence of a few guys shows we are deeper than we thought,” added Best. “The key from here is giving Sergio the ones with the hottest arms.”

Veteran Howe In, Nieto Out

When it comes to batters, Best said the hardest cut was outfielder Valentin Nieto, a high OBP speedster who hit .333 this spring. “Sergio actually sat him down to give some other guys a last look. We both thought we had a place for him,” the GM said.

Veteran free agent John Howe, who gives the team a more needed right-handed bat got the nod instead. Hitting .478 didn’t hurt. Howe had been removed from the 40-man shortly after signing, but insiders say the move was more so the team could delay other tough decisions and he actually was the frontrunner from day one.

Another difficult cut was former Neo-Tokyo catcher Hector Rodriguez who was signed just to add a third backstop for the spring. But he impressed, hitting .350 with three home runs.

“His power was an eye-opener for us,” said Best. “We have a road trip coming up in some hitters parks and I could see calling him back.”

First Base Decided

For a while no one seemed to want the most contested job in camp. However, after starting 3-for-24, Tracy Young finished 7-for-11 with his first home run, a three-run shot, March 30. That sends another 2031 hero, Brendon Robertson, to the minors instead. Robertson also looked hopeless the first half of March and, after a brief flourish, finished the spring 0-for-9.

Young will platoon with Lee Stone who looked like he’d won the job outright until Young started slugging. Stone’s five home runs and 12 RBI led the squad.

Starter Concerns

Manetti shrugged off concerns after probable starters Tetsuzan Shimada and Marcel Ousterhaut were hit hard their final appearance, March 28 versus Kentucky. “Sometimes you have those games where the other team is seeing the ball well and anyone you put out there just gets hammered,” he said. “There is no rhyme or reason to it but we all know what I’m talking about.”

[MikeB]

San Juan Seeing Double

Contrary to the smallball game fans are used to, San Juan jumped out to a 6-0 start thanks to big innings; at the heart of them, the two-bagger as the team hit more than any other in the first week.

Tracy Young tied a team record with three in the same game, two shooting past Charleston rookie third basemen José Castro and another hitting the warning path in dead center.

Lee Stone hit three, all the same trajectory in right center, two dropping in the gap and another hitting the wall.

Roberto Salazar put three down the left field line.

Juan Gonzales and Mike Rose also hit theirs to left while Kelvin McDonald dropped one in right.

Wally Glasser sprayed four throughout the outfield

The first week couldn’t have gone better for San Juan, which needed the jump as the team faces playoff contenders Florida, Havana and Amsterdam for much of the rest of the month.

Leadoff hitter Salazar leads the league in runs (7) and walks (7), including a team record tying four free passes versus San Antonio.

“Anytime you set two team batting records in one week, it’s cause for a big smile,” said General Manager Mike Best.

The GM is also likely smiling that newcomer Stone leads the team in slugging (.643) and free agent signee José Aguilera leads in batting average (.438) and stolen bases (4).

As for pitching, starters collected the W in all but one game, where the Coqui didn’t triumph until the 14th by a 5-3 score. The best outing was Marcel Osterhaut’s complete game one-hitter (a home run in the 4th) while Fernando Castro’s 16 strikeouts to no walks doesn’t even compute in the K/BB leaders.

“Fernando is a very underrated starter for this team,” said new pitching coach Alfredo Velázquez. “Yes, he still gives up the long ball but over time has gone from a flyball pitcher to neutral to what I would now consider a groundballer."

[MikeB]

Bullpen Gets Wake Up Call

Manager Sergio Manetti took responsibility for the rough patch the bullpen went through this week. The team tried to stretch the limits of its flexibility by given seven different guys starts in seven games.

“We thought we could get away with it but, yeah, then we had to dip into the bullpen deeper than we thought and the arms weren’t there,” the manager said.

Manetti believes some of Ray Medrano getting thrashed in three straight games by Havana was due to having to rush him back to the mound the first game when he should have sat a day. The team even started Robby Parker game one and had to bring him back for relief game two.

While Manetti served as the fall guy, General Manager Mike Best wasted no time in sending a couple heads rolling back to Santo Domingo (AAA). Unfortunately for highly-touted Eli McKnight he once again whiffs a shot at the big league by spraining his elbow just as he was in the midst a nine-inning scoreless steak on the mound.


A bouquet of bats
Mike Rose is on a 10-game hit streak, batting .421 over the stretch. It matches Roberto Salazar’s 10-game hit streak to start the season. Wally Glasser is currently on a nine-game streak while Coqui catchers also had a nine-game streak from April 9 to April 19.

Keeping the ball in play
While San Juan continues to stretch its league lead in doubles (43), the long ball, as usual, has been elusive. Expected power hitters Tracy Young (.395) and Lee Stone (.310) are seeing the ball well but have just one apiece. Rose leads the team with three.

Not ready for prime-time yet
San Juan is 0-5 versus division leaders this season and 11-2 against everyone else.

[MikeB]

Castro Emerging As Top of Rotation Starter

Fernando Castro has seized the role of ace that San Juan’s pitching staff sorely needs. The 29-year old righty is 5-0 after seven starts and his 2.15 e.r.a. sits fifth in the IL. His last three wins came after multiple Coqui losses, the last over West Virginia to end a three-game skid.

He’s been a savior considering Masaru Kouki, who has lost three of four, had been the only other consistent starter. And, outside of the Puerto Rican tandem of Gomez (0.92, seven saves) and Juan Gonzales (1.12), everyone in the bullpen has taken turns getting rocked.

“We’ve had loads of streaky pitching in San Juan,” said General Manager Mike Best. “But the thing about Fernando is that he has always been pretty consistent so this is a very good sign.”

Since 2030, Castro is 42-26 and his e.r.a. has dropped every year for four straight years. His lowest prior was still a modest 3.36 though.

He had to work hard against West Virginia, throwing 102 pitches and leaving after six. But he spaced six baserunners en route to scoreless ball. Three were walks, half of his total for the season.

It was his second highest pitch count, topped only by the 117 he threw in a complete game shutout at Charleston. San Juan had dropped two prior in extra innings and the bullpen needed rest making his performance even more clutch.

The knock on the 29-year old righty is that he is one of the biggest culprits in the PEBA at giving up the long ball. And this season six of the 11 runs against him came that way. But of five homers, four were solo shots. The only run off him in the last 21 innings was Manchester's Vito Valkenburg’s shot halfway up the PRTC right field bleachers May 6.

“He’s got a 99 mile-per-hour fastball but he didn’t get to the big leagues throwing it,” one scout told The Daily Jumper. “He had to develop a forkball, which has more motion on it. And it’s his curve he uses to finish batters off.”

Stone Cold
First baseman Lee Stone has just one home run and might soon sit to allow Tracy Young (.341) to play everyday.

Nobody expected the 26-year old to hit for average but he had shown big league power (22 home runs) over two call-ups with West Virginia, playing half his games in spacious Watt Powell Field.

One good sign is he is striking out less and walking more. He has whiffed 11 times but only once in his last 20 at bats.

“He’s getting good wood but a lot of standard fly balls,” said Best. “I think Moto (hitting coach Juichi Matsumoto) has been working some things with him.” Best then chuckled and added, “He had a little too easy time of it in the spring and he probably thought he was going to breakout a star. Kid will come out of this fine.”

Stone had five home runs in the spring, a couple of which were tape measure shots, the distances getting reported in the media. The team had been irritated at they hype. “Breaking into the big leagues is pressure enough,” Best remarked at the time.

Coqui Listless in Field
As of May 10, San Juan leads the IL in errors (28) and has turned the fewest double plays per innings pitched.

“We’re not this bad a fielding team,” said Best. “I know Sergio and Tae-geun are not ones to yell at guys but maybe it’s time to.”

[MikeB]

Management Reportedly Evaluating Coaching Staff

San Juan is failing at gathering momentum. The latest is road sweeps at Arlington and Hartford only to come home to lose two-of-three to New Orleans (and only getting three runs in those three games). The Coqui also lost two-of-three to Charleston earlier when the Statesmen were 4-19.

It’s at PRTC, in front of the largest crowds ever seen at the stadium thanks to added seats, that they are playing their worst ball. The team generated just three runs in those last three games against New Orleans and is now 9-11 at home while 15-9 on the road.

Word is that management is taking a look at the coaching staff. One insider says too much should not be read into it. It’s just the beginning of the conversation and the team might just conclude they do have the right personnel in place.

The Coqui won the PEBA title less than two seasons ago so the aim is high. They know they can get there. There also is the realization that some teams are better. Much better. But San Juan has been merely been above average since the title and management is spending money.

A Rose Is Still a Rose
The belief when Mike Rose’s batting average fell to .285 last year after two years at uber consistent .299 that the 32-year old’s best years might be behind him. The team only upped him for one year in the offseason and has moved him to DH half the time. But Rose is not only hitting .305, he has nine home runs already and seems destined to surpass his career-high of 21. When hitting coach Juchi Matsumoto met with the front office before returning after two years at Santo Domingo (AAA), he reportedly said Rose was one of three players whose swing he thought he could help. Dan Collins, whose .231 average is up from two years of .197, was another.

But there have been other oddities. Power hitter Lee Stone seems to be taking a different approach and so is Tracy Young. Young has only four home runs this year but is hitting a whopping .339. Thirty of his 39 hits have been singles sprayed near equally to all fields.

The team, this week, is swapping Young and Rose in the batting order, allowing its base stealers to be on the move for Young instead, the team preferring power further down.

“Mike (Rose) has been ideal for us in the number three spot for a long time,” said Manager Sergio Manetti. “He’s always had line drive punch and can keep a rally going with a walk but, in terms of power, we want that where the base stealing isn’t needed. Young now seems suitable to be driving in those guys.”

[MikeB]

Coqui Hitting and Running (and Throwing!) As May Closes

A week later and in the midst of almost back-to-back seven-game win streaks, all of a sudden there isn’t much to dislike about San Juan’s season. Multiple sweeps of wild card rivals will silence all critics.

The first five batters in the order are hitting over .300 and the Coqui join West Virginia as the only teams to swipe 100 bases so far. The defense has improved markedly over the last couple weeks and ranks first in defensive efficiency.

Perhaps most unexpected is the performance of the starting pitching, often maligned around the league as the team’s weakest link.

As May comes to a close, four starters rank among the Imperial League leaders. Fernando Castro (7-1) and Masaru Kouki (7-3) are one win off the pace for most victories. Castro (2.16) and Jorge Pagán (2.21) rank fifth and seventh in e.r.a. as well as fourth and sixth in Walks + Hits / IP. Marcel Osterhaut is third in BABIP (.206) and fourth in opponents BA (.198) which contributed to allowing just one run in his last 25 innings.

Meanwhile, Tetsuzan Shimada just threw eight shutout innings versus Hartford and rookie Eli McKnight was almost as impressive against the Harpoon in his 2033 debut, allowing one run and no walks over six innings. His outs: 10 ground balls, six strikeouts, one fly ball and one outfield assist.

The staff trails only Fargo in the PEBA for complete games (6) and only Bakersfield in shutouts (8 tied with Havana).

“It’s the end of May and time to decide what your staff is going to look like, particularly the bullpen,” said GM Mike Best. “We still have some question marks and even some guys at AAA that are knocking but the starting rotation seems set.”

Other unlikely performers thus far:

Utility infielder Oscar Wetherby is slugging .483 and the career platooner has been getting spot starts at third base against right-handed pitching.

Juan “Lindo” Gonzales (1.04 e.r.a.) has not allowed a hit in his last five relief appearances (seven innings).

***

Having opened up a 4 1/2-game lead on the second wild card, the Coqui are in a tier of their own, 1-11 versus division leaders and 30-9 against everyone else.

[MikeB]

Coqui Nab Hurler from Greater San Juan Area
First Day of Draft

FIRST ROUND
1.16 Barry Rodriguez, RHP, Gerogetown
San Juan was excited to land Puerto Rican native Rodriguez, one of the three five-star players in OOTP scouting and among top three on its own board as well. Rodriguez has a fastball that hits 101 mph and a slider that at times is elite but lacks consistency. He had 43 saves in his Stonewalls career and in April had a 10 strikeout performance in four innings against California, throwing just 54 pitches to 15 batters.

S1.3 James McCoy, RHP, Klein-Collins HS
The Coqui went with a high schooler with their second pick, pleased that he was one of nine players in OOTP Scouting who was four stars and up and one of the top 13 on its own scouts board. His fastball, already strong, hits 96 mph but like Rodriguez, will need to improve his slider. Posted a 1.54 e.r.a. with 242 Ks in 193 innings as a starter for the Hellcats but will be a reliever as a pro. As a sophomore finished third in the IF HS Outstanding Pitcher voting and his numbers remained consistent as an upper classman too.

SECOND ROUND
No picks

THIRD ROUND
3.16 Salvadore Robles, RHP, Washington
Robles, who turned 21 in April is undeveloped but has high potential with four pitches. His stuff was good enough to strike out 314 batters while walking just 50 in 240 college innings. The last two seasons his e.r.a. dropped under 3 and was a USCBA all-star in 2032. Might have some long ball issues but could be serviceable if he continues to develop.

FOURTH ROUND
No picks

FIFTH ROUND
5.15 Marvin Ruddle, LHP, Atletico Castille Sociedad Deportiva
Two days before the draft, Ruddle was announced as the ICOL AL Most Outstanding Pitcher after posting a 1.01 e.r.a in nine starts. He has relied on his 97 mph fastball but his curve and changeup show big league promise. Didn’t pitch deep into games and likely will be a reliever as a pro. Said to have a problem giving up the long ball but went from allowing eight as a junior to just one as a senior.

[MikeB]

Coqui Go Local Six More Times on Second Day

FIFTH ROUND
5.15 Marvin Ruddle, LHP, Atletico Castille Sociedad Deportiva
Two days before the draft, Ruddle was announced as the ICOL AL Most Outstanding Pitcher after posting a 1.01 e.r.a in nine starts. He has relied on his 97 mph fastball but his curve and changeup show big league promise. Didn’t pitch deep into games and likely will be a reliever as a pro. Said to have a problem giving up the long ball but went from allowing eight as a junior to just one as a senior.

SIXTH ROUND
6.16 Darrell Barnes, OF, Arizona State
Decent glove with the speed the Coqui like. Late climber after hitting .312 in the USCBA playoffs as the Solar Angels claimed the title.

SEVENTH ROUND
7.15 Stu Groves, OF, De La Salle HS
Another speedy outfielder with great range who can drop a bunt in the small ball game. Outlook will depend on how patient he can be at the plate.

EIGTH ROUND
8.15 Guillermo Salazar, 2B/LF, Notre Dame
Should provide good versatility in the minors with infield/outfield flexibility and speed. Struggled to hit in college though and San Juan scouts had him rated lower than central scouting.

NINTH ROUND
9.16 Arturo Rodriguez, OF, Michigan State
San Juan went close to home with Guaynabo native Rodriguez whose projections are mixed and may rely on whether his heart is in the game. Good speed, Average glove and offensive proections.

TENTH ROUND
10.16 Tony Rodriguez, LHP, South Kamloops HS
Another Puerto Rican native. Might have the stuff to make the majors and should rise to the higher minor levels but control and sub-90 fastball are his weaknesses. Had 31 saves in high school.

ELEVENTH ROUND
11.16 Pablo Pena, OF, UConn
Had a respectable senior season hitting .266, .332. Not much power but decent fielder with above average speed.

TWELFTH ROUND
12.16 Daryl Castillo, LHP, Chatsworth HS
With better movement and a handle on control issues, Chatsworth could make a bid as a middle reliever. Utilizing a solid fastball and biting slider, struck out 105 in 75.2 high school innings.

THIRTEENTH ROUND
13.16 Mauro Ul, LHP, South Caldwell HS
Went 5-3 with 28 saves in high school. His fastball is sub-90 but gets people out. His splitter also has promise.

FOURTEENTH ROUND
14.16 Francisco Davila, C, Seton Hall
Needing another catcher in the mix, the Coqui went local again with Davila, one of the more respectable defensive catchers in the draft being the USCBA Glove Wizard in 2032. The Rio Grande, PR, native has shown the ability to be patient at the plate, posting a .322 OBP for the Rampage last season.

FIFTEENTH ROUND
15.16 Jose Santana, 2B, Villanova
Santana, who also hails from Rio Grande, was a college second basemen but will likely have to move to first as a pro. His main asset is speed. He did bat .256, .336 as a sophomore but was unable to equal that the past two seasons.

SIXTEENTH ROUND
16.16 Billy Evanson, 1B, Lakewood HS
Yet another Puerto Rico native, from Fajardo, Evanson is a swing-for-the-fences 1B/DH. He was an all-star as a freshman, slugging 12 home runs. He hit another 10 the next year but he hit just eight as an upper classman. Struck out 37% of his at bats.

SEVENTHEENTH ROUND
17.16 Dewitt O’Melaghlin,1B/OF, Washington State
Good range as a first baseman and can play some outfield, O’Melaghlin offers a bit of speed and can even lay a bunt. He’s not much of a slugger though. Best asset for getting on base has been the walk.

EIGHTEENTH ROUND
18.16 Carlos Martinez, 2B, Seton Hall
After hitting .252 and slugging .394 as senior, Martinez’ draft stock rose. Unfortunately, he is a mediocre glove man and lacks a position at the next level. Should be a good team leader though. San Juan native.

NINETEENTH ROUND
19.16 Steve McDonald, INF/OF, Marshall
Good position flexibility and speed got McDonald’s name called but he will have to learn to hit, something he struggled at in college.

TWENTIETH ROUND
20.16 Jesse González, 3B, Chuo U.
Gonzalez, the sixth Puerto Rican taken on the day and seventh of the draft, was actually drafted out of Barbe HS in 2030 by the Coqui but never offered a contract. Was being taken again a matter of doubling down on a mistake or does someone in the front office owe someone a favor? Did win a glove wizard honor in high school but was below average in college, can’t hit and has no instincts on the base paths.

[MikeB]

A Shout Out to the Hottest Five

José Gómez - Struck out 10 straight batters over four appearances. Has K’d 12 of 14 in last five appearances. Given up just one baserunner, a single, in six appearances.

Marcel Osterhaut - Second year hurler has won four straight. E.r.a. is 1.00 in last five starts.

Jorge Pagán - Man of unique stats: On the mound has two shutouts (tied for league lead with teammate Fernando Castro) and two holds and, at the plate, eight home runs in 98 at bats.

Fernando Castro - Seems to be getting better. Currently 9-1, 1.85. Has allowed one run in last 28 innings, a home run. Just 11 hits and three walks in those 28.

Oscar Wetherby - Splitting time between second and third, has hit well all season. Now at .291, .355, .515.

[MikeB]

Lineup Still Has Fangs With Dracula Out

Veteran shortstop Henry Davis has picked up the slack in Roberto Salazar’s absence. Since Dracula went down with a foot injury June 12 for three weeks, Davis has hit .414 with three home runs and seven RBI.

San Juan has been fortunate to have faced mostly left-handed pitching during that time, something the team has feasted on. While the team’s everyday players hit lefties well in general, role players like Davis have slugged .596 against southpaws, Oscar Wetherby .458 and John Howe .477.

“The middle of our batting order gets a big boost for sure,” says General Manager Mike Best.

San Juan leads the PEBA with 17 wins against left handed pitching.

Coqui Stay Above .600
The Coqui got the jump on West Virginia hitting three home runs en route to a 6-4 victory in their series opener. They hit two more to go up, 5-1, in the second game but the bullpen couldn’t hold and the Alleghanies persevered, 9-7, and went on to take the series. Still, getting one on the champs made a winning week possible as San Juan then took 3-of-4 from San Antonio.


FROM THE MINORS:
First baseman Brendon Robertson is making a comeback bid with 10 doubles, four triples and nine home runs at Santo Domingo (AAA). Robertson, a promising rookie during the Coqui’s championship run, had trouble recovering from a torn labrum last season.

His chance to get back to the PEBA, however, is thwarted by Tracy Young’s fine season. Young is a contender to start the all-star game at the position for the IL.

[MikeB]

San Juan on Pace for Best Season Ever at the Break

At the all-star break, the Coqui couldn’t ask for more other than wishing Havana was not so good. San Juan is playing .614 ball, 20 games above .500 at 54-34. The team is on pace to break its franchise high of 95 wins and has a 10-game lead on the final playoff spot.

The Coqui have been churning along despite star shortstop Roberto Salazar out for two stints. The first one, Henry Davis stepped in at the position for 13 games and hit .345 with three home runs. The second one (so far), José Aguilera has picked it up at the top of the order hitting .500 and slugging .773 for five games. Salazar is expected back after this week.

“We have guys stepping up when we need to and the locker room is a particular happy place right now,” says GM Mike Best. “It’s nice not to have pressure."

Unfortunately, going forward the team has holes the fill. Two starting pitchers appear lost for the season: veteran Jorge Pagán and rookie Eli McKnight. Pagán (6-5, 2.61) was also the team’s DH against right-handed pitchers and had hit .328 since June 1. He’s also the team’s best home run hitter with one every 15 at bats.

While the bullpen has been looking deeper lately, the loss of Pagán leaves the team with only two reliable starters: Fernando Castro (11-1, 2.35), who has been lights out some days and crafty enough to pull out the win when he is not at his best, and Marcel Osterhout (9-4, 2.58), who is 8-1, 1.70, since May 14. There is no one after them that has been able to install confidence.

Havana Snub for Fernando
The San Juan organization has gone mum on the brouhaha being made in Cuban newspapers about Havana native Castro leading up to the all-star game. Castro is 11-1, 2.35, this season, his best games coming when San Juan needed him most. While he was left off the squad, one starter named has pitched half as many innings, all in relief. Another is 3-9, 3.89.

One insider did say the team plays Havana twice after the break, Castro due to pitch both series, including one at Campos Pelateros, the site of the game, and is hoping the veteran makes his case then.

San Juan will need some kind of help. The only prior meeting the Leones put up 30 runs in three games. Overall, the Coqui are 2-12 versus division leaders and 52-22 against the rest of the league.

[MikeB]

Power Void Emerges Against Righties

Mike Rose’s slump and the loss of Jorge Pagán has left a power hole in San Juan’s lineup against righties. But General Manager Mike Best said he isn’t looking for help.

“Jorge should be back by late September and, while we aren’t likely to see him return to the mound in key situations right away, docs say he should be good to hit.”

Pagán is slugging .503 on the season and since May 28, has batted .333. Doing double duty on the mound, he is 6-5, 2.65, mostly as a starter. With one home run every 15 at bats, he may be the team’s best power hitter. His absence is particularly noticeable since Rose, the team home run leader with 13, hasn’t gone deep since June 14.

On June 22, Rose was hitting .296 but, as of July 16, that has plummeted to .262. The falloff caused him to stagnate in the all-star voting, ultimately leaving him off the team. Rose has always been a consistent hitter, at least for average, and when he began the year seeing the ball better than he ever has, the team was expecting him to remain that way.

Still this is a guy who broke into the PEBA with seven home runs in each of his first seven games and then didn’t hit another for three months (in fact averaging 7 per year for his three seasons). His 13 through the first two-and-a-half months of the season was the best power streak he’s had since that debut week.

When Rose was hitting it was easy for the team to overlook his declining range in left field. Particularly since, sans one error, has made all the routine plays and there are only three balls all season that could have gone either way that he didn’t make according to the team’s stats assessment.

“He’s not going to take hits away but he isn’t hurting us,” one front office inside said.

But now that Pagán is out, the team can shift Rose to DH. Or at least it could if he were hitting. Rose, Kelvin McDonald and Wally Glasser were rotating two outfield slots against righties but Rose rarely was the one sitting. Expect Kelvin McDonald to see even more action in Rose’s place, and Wally Glasser to lock down center every day for a while.

The team has also called up Brendon Robertson, the first basemen the year the Coqui won the title. Robertson has had a long recovery from a torn labrum but appears to have his swing back. Since June 1, he’s hit .304 at Santo Domingo with 8 doubles, 3 triples and 5 home runs.

While mired in a slump, Rose has still given the team something every series. His first run double against Havana broke open a two-run first and led to a 7-5 Coqui victory. Before the break, he had a couple RBI singles in the Scotland series and, before that, he has two singles and three walks for a .500 OBP against London.

The team has no such worries against lefties with a PEBA-leading 21 wins against them.