Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Tornadoes have suffered through consecutive last-place finishes but look to be much improved going into the 2014 season.  The rotation is as strong and talented as any rotation at any time in the San Antonio Calzones de Laredo minor league system.  The bullpen is nearly as talented.  Offensively, the team is not nearly as talented as the pitching staff, but the experience level of the holdovers from last season and the additions of table-setters like Sergio Moya and Carson Holder should improve the run production.

ROTATION

Katai Ishikawa – R – 21 – Ishikawa will be beginning his third season of A-ball despite the fact that he is 21 years old.  A huge right-hander, his velocity has improved and he is hitting 95 MPH on the gun this spring.  Katai missed a month of the season last year with recurring back spasms but was the best pitcher on the staff when he did take the mound.  In addition to an electric arm, he pitches intelligently and mixes in a devastating circle change.  In 16 starts last season, he was 7-5 with a 2.96 ERA, punching out 103 batters in 97.1 IP while allowing just 6 HR.  The 40 BB were a bit on the high side, so he needs some work on the control.  He now has 156 IP under his belt in two seasons of A-ball.  The Calzones would like for him to put in at least 85 IP at A-ball this season and show some improvement in his control before a possible mid-season promotion to AA.

Sergio Ramírez – R – 21 – just like Ishikawa, Ramírez is entering his third season of A-ball at the young age of 21.  Ramírez does not have the electric arm that Ishikawa possesses; in spite of his huge size, he relies more on pinpoint control.  Ramírez is a step below Ishikawa in the pecking order but could be in line for a promotion to AA if an opening arises.  The Calzones would like him to put in at least another 60 IP at the A-ball level and see some sign of improvement in his rather lackluster numbers from last season (2-7, 4.95 ERA).  As a pitcher in his third season at Hi-A, he should show improvement.

Luis Rodríguez – R – 23 – Statistically, Rodriguez has been a disappointment to this point in his young professional career.  He was also very much a tough luck pitcher last season, often in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He finished the year with a 2-12, 5.27 ERA mark in his first season at A-ball, pitching 114.1 innings.  The tall right-hander, a former 1^st round pick, has terrific stamina and will work deep into games.  He only hits 94 MPH on the gun, but he has a changeup that can keep hitters off balance.  Entering his second season of A-ball and 3^rd season of pro ball, a big step forward is expected from Luis.  In an ideal world, Rodriguez puts in a second full season at Hi-A, but if the need arises, he might be third in line for a promotion to AA.  In a worst case scenario, the Calzones would like to see Rodriguez put in at least 90 innings before any promotion.

José Patino – L – 20 – The #3 overall pick two seasons ago, the very talented Patino is rumored to be the key prospect involved in trade talks with Charleston that revolve around SP Wesley Scott.  The Calzones have been very careful with Patino, limiting him to just 123.2 IP over two seasons at Short Season-A.  Last season, Patino was 6-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 80 IP.  Patino can hit 99 MPH on the gun and has the potential to be a dominating southpaw.  Barring a trade, the Calzones have Patino slated for about 120 innings at A-ball this season, with a repeat of the level next season likely as well.

Ryan Lee – R – 20 – A 3^rd round pick two seasons ago, Lee is not as highly touted as Patino or Rodriguez, but his velocity is creeping into the mid 90s and he shows the potential to someday be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.  He has only worked 101.2 innings in his first two seasons of pro ball, and his workload will again be monitored carefully this season.  In an ideal world, he works only about 100 innings this season and repeats A-ball next year.  To that end, he could occasionally be skipped in the rotation or bumped to the bullpen.

John Becker – L – 19 – Becker is another 3^rd round pick from the 2012 draft making his A-ball debut.  Becker missed most of his first pro season because of Tommy John surgery but appears to have recovered nicely and is as strong as ever.  His 3.65 FIP last season was nearly two runs lower than his 5.61 ERA.  Overall, he pitched quite well in his limited 67.1 innings, striking out 70 while walking just 20.  The Lakewood, NJ native only hits the low 90s on the gun but has a wicked changeup.  He has the stamina to work deep into games.  The Calzones envision him as possible future #2 in a PEBA rotation.  The team will continue to be careful with his arm; he is likely to top out around 100 innings, much like Ryan Lee.

BULLPEN

Mike May – L – 20 – May split last season between Short Season and A-ball, and his ugly numbers at Hi-A reflect the fact that he was clearly rushed.  May has been up to 96 MPH on the gun this season.  He has always been very good at getting the groundball.  May will enter the season as the Tornadoes’ primary middle reliever.  The Calzones see May as a possible future hard-throwing lefty specialist, but he still has some work to do on his control.  Obviously, Tornadoes fans are hopeful that he will post better results than he did last season.

Alberto González – R – 21 – A hard-thrower who can hit 96 MPH on the gun, Alberto holds irunners well for a right-hander and could eventually find a spot in a swingman role in the PEBA.  He had an exceptional first year of pro ball at Short Season-A Taku last season.  The Calzones hope to see him make the jump to A-ball successfully and continue his growth.  He should be a featured reliever in the middle innings with a chance at some occasional spot starts.

Bob Glenn – L – 20 – Another southpaw starter working in the pen to start the season, Glenn is popping the mitt at 95 MPH this spring.  With barely 100 pro innings under his belt at pro, Glenn has a long way to go in his development.  He was quite effective in 62 innings at Taku last season, finishing with a 5-2 mark and 3.05 ERA, striking out 60 while walking just 14.  Glenn should be a solid option out of the bullpen, but his eventual home will be in the rotation.  The Calzones still believe this former 2012 7^th round pick has a chance to someday work his way into the back of a PEBA rotation.  His ability to get the punch-out has him penciled in as the Tornadoes primary left-handed setup man.

Aurelio Aguilar – R – 21 – Aguilar had a terrific pro debut at Taku last season, posting a 2-2 record and 1.47 ERA with 13 saves.  He punched out 29 while walking 7 and allowing just 1 HR in 30.2 IP.  He lights up the radar gun at 98 MPH.  Aguilar will begin the season as the Tornadoes’ primary right-handed setup man.

Steve Ellis – R – 19 – Ellis has saved 40 games in two pro seasons.  Ellis can hit 94 MPH on the gun, which isn’t especially overpowering, but he pitches smartly and works hard to be as good as he can be.  Despite his young age, Ellis spent most of last season at A-ball.  Continued success in his second season at the level should earn him a promotion to AA next year.  While he is closing at the minor league level, his likely future at the PEBA level is as a setup man.

Juan Ávila – L – 20 – this southpaw is down to his last chance to show something.  He was a complete disaster last year, and he is likely to lose his spot to 22-year-old Remi Ruggioni, a hard-throwing right-hander from Italy who should be in Calzones’ camp next week.  For now, Ávila is the mop-up guy, but look for a rapid change to Ruggioni as soon as the ink is dry on his contract.

POSITION PLAYERS

Jeff Richard – C – 21 – R – A 2012 2^nd round pick, Richard is entering his 3^rd pro season, and parts of each of his first two seasons were at Drumright.  He is being given the starting job behind the dish on a full-time basis.  A fantastic defensive catcher, Richard has thrown out more than 50% of the runners trying to steal against him at the minor league level.  His bat has been a bit slow to come around, but the Calzones are confident in Richard’s ability to make progress this season.

José Gonzáles – C – 22 – R – A 2010 7^th round pick and five-year pro, Gonzáles is another fine defensive catcher whose bat has been slow to adapt.  Gonzáles will caddy for Richard this season.

Jason MacTear – 1B – 21 – R – A 2011 6^th round pick, MacTear was used sparingly in his first two years of pro ball.  Handed the full time 1B job last year, MacTear responded by batting .284 with 17 doubles and 16 stolen bags in 384 at bats.  His power has yet to materialize, but scouts think that as MacTear progresses, he should develop well above-average power.  He already possesses excellent speed and could someday be a formidable power/speed force at a corner infield position.  He is also better than average with the glove.  Starting a second full season at A-ball, the Calzones hope to see MacTear start growing into his power potential.

Salvador Aybar – 1B – 23 – L – A former 15^th round pick by Gloucester, Aybar has already been released by two organizations in his short professional career.  Rushed to AA to fill a hole for the Calzones late last year despite just 171 at bats in the low minors, Aybar thrived in 30 games at AA Monterey, batting .339 with a .402 OBP and smacking 11 2B and 4 HR in just 30 games.  He has been demoted to A-ball to start the season because of a numbers game at the upper levels of the organization but should soon return to AA.  For now, he is expected to be a formidable presence in the middle of the Tornadoes’ lineup.

Carson Holder – 2B – 20 – R – The gritty Holder exploded in his third season at Taku, batting .305 and posting a .431 OBP.  Holder has an exceptional eye at the plate, as evidenced by his 65 BB in 83 games last season.  A good glove man with great range and a cannon for an arm, he does have occasional mental lapses in the field.  He lacks in true power despite 6 HR last season and he rarely runs, but his solid on base skills and slick D give him a chance to have a role in the PEBA someday.  He will be the everyday second baseman for the Tornadoes this season.

Allen Chandler – 3B – 21 – R – A promising power hitter, Chandler combined for 13 HR and 72 RBI last season in 440 AB.  His OBP improved greatly as the season went along – .360 after the trade to San Antonio from West Virginia.  He lacks speed and has some holes in his swing, but he won’t clog the bases and he has excellent power potential.  Chandler plays passable defense at 3B.  Very close to being ready for AA, Chandler should pick up about another 225 AB at A-ball before a midseason promotion to AA Monterey.  To begin the season, he is the Tornadoes’ starting 3B and gives the team a fairly formidable combination in the middle of the lineup along with MacTear and Aybar.

Randy Blake – SS – 25 – S – A washed-out former 2^nd round pick, Blake is being utilized at A-ball for his veteran leadership until a more talented option can be found.  Expect to see Blake in a utility role for the most part.

Dae-hwan Kim – SS – 24 – R – A good glove man with speed, Kim is a singles hitter with limited value to a PEBA lineup.  Eventually, he might find a utility role at a higher level.  For the moment, he is being utilized as an organizational soldier and will be the starting shortstop for Drumright.

Warren Turner – LF – 20 – L – Turner was excellent in his second pro season since being drafted by the Trendsetters in the 2^nd round of the 2012 draft.  Last season, Turner batted .302 with 29 doubles and 6 HR in 315 at bats.  The one knock on him was the 10 caught stealing against just eight successful attempts, so he needs some work on the base-running.  Turner has all the tools to be successful.  From all accounts, he is the man-crush of the Calzones front office.

Sergio Moya – CF – 21 – R – A gritty overachiever, Moya exploded in his 3^rd year at Short Season Taku last season, batting .293 with a .403 OBP, 11 HR and 12 SB.  Moya is a solid defensive outfielder whose only knock is an average arm.  Despite the 11 HR last season, Moya is not seen to be a future power threat; his game will revolve around a solid ability to work the count and his speed on the bases.  Slated to open the season as the Tornadoes’ centerfielder and leadoff hitter.

Patrick Desbians – RF – 23 – R – A former 2012 10^th round pick by Gloucester and later released by the Fisherman, Desbians signed a minor league deal with San Antonio.  While he’s a rather plodding outfielder, he does show some speed on the base paths.  Whether he ever hits for average or power is another matter.  At this point, Desbians is more suspect than prospect, but the Calzones have committed to giving him some at bats this season.  Considering his advanced age, he needs to make an impression now or he will quickly get passed by.

Lance Miller – CF – 23 – R – Miller is a former 2012 10^th round pick by Aurora who was signed as a minor league free agent.  Miller outperformed the scouting reports in limited at bats last season and will get one more chance to show the Calzones he can become a player.  At this point more suspect than prospect, his .289 average and 5 HR in just 159 AB last year convinced the Calzones to keep him around just a bit longer.  Expect to see him splitting time in the outfield with Desbians.

Jesús Gonzáles – CF – 22 – R – Gonzáles is a former 2012 12^th round pick of Kalamazoo.  He had a decent first season of pro ball at Ketchikan but was later released by the Badgers.  Gonzáles spent all of six at bats in the Aurora organization before being released again last season.  Gonzáles does not scout exceptionally well; in fact, his scouting reports are rather bland.  2012 was the only year where he was given significant playing time.  He will get worked into the rotation with Miller and Desbians to see if any of the three can emerge as worthy of keeping around beyond this season.

There is a lot of hope for this Tornadoes team.  The rotation is potentially as deep and talented as there is at the minor league level.  The bullpen is more talented than in years past.  The offense could be okay with Moya and Holder setting the table for the big bats of Turner, Chandler, MacTear and Aybar.  Guys like Kim and Blake bring some veteran stability to the team.  Drumright won’t be an offensive juggernaut, but they will be capable run-scorers.  This Tornadoes team is a lot more experienced than many of the past few seasons.  The Calzones’ minor league system has stabilized to the point where players are now getting multiple seasons at a level when needed.

The team will obviously go as far as the pitching carries them.  Ishikawa, Ramírez and Rodriguez are all experienced.  Becker, Patino and Lee are all getting their first shot at the level.  All are young but very talented.  How quickly the kids make the transition to A-ball will tell a lot about how far the Tornadoes can go this season.