April 25, 2007  

It may be too early to talk about who is going to win the Pat Listach Rookie of the Year Award, but it's never too early to review this year's crop of rookies.

Remember, a rookie is defined as a player in his first year of DMBL eligibility (for batters, that's 250 MLB plate appearances for non-catchers; 200 MLB plate appearances for catchers; 10 starts for starting pitchers; and 30 games, with at least 10 in relief, for relievers).

There are 148 rookies this season, which is an extraordinary number -- the most we've ever seen since we started doing Rookie Watch way back in 2002! In fact, the previous high was 120 rookies, set in 2004.

There's at least one rookie on every DMBL team this year. The team with the fewest rookies is Carolina, which has just one; two teams have three. The team with the most rookies is Vancouver, with 13; Las Vegas is next, with 8.

In this edition, we'll look at the rookies from the seven Morris Division squads; next time we'll review the rookies from the seven Hanover Division teams.

Also, don't forget to check out Did You Know? for a report on the Jeff Reboulet Perseverance Award, presented annually to the rookie with the most minor league experience before reaching the DMBL.

Arkansas Golden Falcons

The Golden Falcons have three rookies -- catchers Dioner Navarro and Chris Coste and outfielder Nick Markakis. Of the three, Markakis is the best prospect. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter was drafted with the 11th pick overall in this year's draft. He's off to a slow start (.173 BA,  .535 OPS) but is regarded as one of the top young hitters in baseball. Coste, on the other hand, has kicked off his DMBL career in style, hitting .375 (.855 OPS) with 7 2B and 15 RBI in 120 AB. The 34-year-old rookie, drafted in the 5th round (#67 overall), qualifies as a "catcher only," as he had just 213 plate appearances in the MLB last year. Coste's hot start means limited playing time for switch-hitting 23-year-old catcher Dioner Navarro, though he's off to a solid start (.273 BA, .342 OBP in 33 AB). (Interestingly enough, Arkansas's backstop tandem includes the league's second-oldest rookie in Coste and of the league's youngest rookies in Navarro.) Navarro actually was drafted by Vancouver in the 13th round (#181 overall), but was cut in spring training; the Golden Falcons claimed him off waivers. At one time, he was regarded as one of the better catcher prospects in baseball, and in fact was drafted as an ineligible prospect by Newark in the second round of the 2006 supplemental draft.

Carolina Mudcats

The Mudcats have just one rookie, but he's looked good so far. Starting pitcher Clay Hensley has been terrific his first time around the league, going 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA (but a worrisome 14.2 R/9 and 1.4 K:BB ratio). The 27-year-old right-hander was drafted in the third round (#38 overall) of this year's draft.

D.C. Bushslappers

Not only do the Bushslappers have a lot of rookies -- six -- but they also are counting on them in key roles to help make this franchise a contender in just its second year of existence. The youth movement actually started last year, when D.C. drafted an ineligible Jonathan Papelbon in the 4th round (#47 overall). At the time, the 26-year-old righty was regarded as one of the top starting pitcher prospects in baseball; now he's viewed as one of the league's best young closers, as he's off to a great start (4 SV, 2.08 ERA, 10.4 R/9, 15 K in 13.0 IP). D.C. then used its two first-round draft picks on rookie right-handed starters -- Anibal Sanchez and John Maine. The 23-year-old Sanchez, the second overall pick, is 0-5 in his first 7 starts -- despite a 2.55 ERA and 11.0 R/9! Maine, 25, who was drafted with the ninth pick, has been a lot luckier, going 4-1 with a 3.74 ERA, 11.2 R/9 and an impressive 18 BB to 37 K in 45.2 IP. All three hurlers can expected to be Listach candidates, with Papelbon among the early favorites.

D.C. followed the selections of Sanchez and Maine by using its next pick (#17 overall) to select another rookie, utility man Esteban German. So far German has mostly played third base as the right-handed half of a platoon, but he also could play second or outfield. The 29-year-old has been great so far, hitting .298 (.385 OBP) with 4 R and 3 SB in 57 AB... Like the Golden Falcons, the Bushslappers have the unusual situation of two rookies sharing the catching duties. Ronny Paulino, 26, who was taken in the 4th round (#45 overall), is off to a slow start (.237 BA, .537 OPS; 1 extra base hit in 80 AB). But Paulino looks like a slugger compared to 28-year-old Eliezer Alfonzo, who went undrafted but was signed as a free agent. He's hitting just .167 (.4343 OPS) with 14 K and 0 BB in 48 AB.

Hillsborough Hired Hitmen

The Hitmen had the top two vote-getters in last year's Listach balloting with winner Ryan Howard and runner-up Felix Hernandez, and a strong candidate in Robinson Cano. This year the Hitmen have seven rookies, including a pitcher considered by many to be one of the early favorites for this year's award: Justin Verlander. Just as with Howard and Hernandez, Hillsborough GM Brent Campbell displayed his remarkable eye for talent by drafting Verlander a year before he was eligible in the fourth round (#45 overall) of the 2006 draft. The 24-year-old right-hander has so far repaid Campbell's faith, going 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 13.2 R/9 in seven starts (16 BB, 28 K). When it came to this year's draft, Hillsborough actually one-upped the Bushslappers by using their first four picks on rookies: Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton, Josh Willingham and Russell Martin. Saito, this year's oldest rookie, was the sixth pick in the draft. The 37-year-old closer has had mixed success in the DMBL so far -- his ERA is great (2.95), and he's struck out an astounding 33 men against just 6 walks in 18.1 innings pitched. But he's also allowed 25 hits (12.3 H/9), including 10 extra-base hits for a .844 OPS allowed, and has as many blown saves (2) as saves... Broxton, who was taken with the 22nd pick, is a 23-year-old fireballer who still doesn't quite know where the ball is going (27 K, 18 BB, 6 wild pitches in 20.1 IP!) Despite a 6.64 ERA and a 19.5 R/9, the right-handed middle reliever has 2 saves and 5 holds (and no losses or blown saves) in 19 appearances.

Once regarded as a top catching prospect, Willingham's defensive liabilities have forced him to OF/DH. The 28-year-old right-handed hitter, taken with the 25th pick, is being eased into the DMBL in a platoon role (.222/.750 OPS overall; .250, .837 OPS vs. LHP)... Martin, a 24-year-old catcher taken with the 36th pick, has been by far the Hitmen's biggest hit among rookie batters, hitting .273 with 13 2B and 11 RBI in 132 AB. The right-handed Martin is particularly adept at crushing southpaws (.321 BA in 56 AB) and also is solid defensively... After not taking a rookie with either of their two picks in the fourth round, the Hitmen started robbing the cradle again, taking rookies with their next two picks, but so far neither has seen much action. Ian Snell, drafted in the 5th round (#64), is a 25-year-old right-hander who got smacked around in his DMBL debut (5 ER, 6 H, 4 BB in 7.2 IP) but still picked up the win. In the next round, with the 78th pick, they took long-heralded prospect Howie Kendrick, a 23-year-old 1B/2B who has just 2 hits, both doubles, and 4 RBIs in 6 AB this season.

Philadelphia Endzone Animals

The Endzone Animals have seven rookies, but it's an odd mix. Among them is this year's Jeff Reboulet Perseverance Award winner and a pitcher who is finally eligible after being drafted five times in the last six years as an ineligible prospect; they also have  three of this year's youngest rookies -- including one from their keeper list. Right-handed starter Matt Cain, protected after being drafted last year as an ineligible prospect in the third round (#38 overall), was born Oct. 1, 1984, making him the youngest rookie in the Morris Division and second-youngest overall. But so far Cain has looked his age, going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA. In addition, he's had quality starts just twice in seven games this year (.286 QS%). However, there are some signs of better things to come: His R/9 (13.1), K:BB (2.1) and K/9 (7.4) are all better than his record would suggest... Cain is joined in the rotation by another baby-faced rookie, first-round pick Josh Johnson. The fourth overall selection is off to a somewhat better start than Cain -- 2-2 with a 4.10 ERA and a .500 QS% -- though he actually has a higher R/9 (13.2) and worse K:BB (1.5) and K/9 (5.8). The 23-year-old right-hander's secret thus far has been keeping the ball in the park, as he's alowed just 4 HRs in 48.1 IP (0.7 HR/9)... Based on their potential, either starter could easily turn it around and factor into the Listach voting by the end of the year... The Animals also have two rookies in their 'pen, David Aardsma and Jon Rauch. By making the DMBL this year, Aardsma now passes Jim Abbott as the first player listed in alphabetical order. The 13th round pick (#175 overall) has OK numbers (3.18 ERA, 9.5 R/9), though it's unlikely a middle reliever who has appeared in just 4 games over the first quarter and has no wins, saves or holds will be considered in the ROY balloting... It doesn't seem fair that Rauch is on Philadelphia instead of Marietta. The Mighty Men have drafted Rauch five times in the past six years, always as an ineligible prospect, but never protected him. He's finally eligible, but Philly grabbed him in the 7th round (#91 overall). But Rauch hasn't done much to live up to all that advanced billing, as he's allowed 4 ER, 11 H and 4 BB in 10.0 IP this season.

On offense, the Animals have three rookies, though none is a regular in the lineup. The best hitter is 25-year-old outfielder Matt Murton, the first of four consecutive rookies drafted by Philly. The fifth rounder (#63 overall) hasn't played much, but thus far has hit .306 -- albeit an empty .306 (.653 OPS) -- in 49 AB... A round after Murton, the Animals took 23-year-old Jose Lopez (#77 overall), who shares the second base job with veteran Todd Walker. Lopez hasn't done much offensively, hitting .261 (.635 OPS) with 0 BB against 12 K in 88 AB... The final rookie on the squad is this year's Jeff Reboulet Perseverance Award winner. David Ross played four seasons, 169 games and 424 at-bats in the minors, aka MLB, before finally becoming eligible this season. The 30-year-old Ross was taken in the 8th round (#105 overall), a round after Rauch. Ross's job is to destroy lefties and so far he's done it, hitting .263 but with a 1.233 OPS and 3 HR in just 19 AB.

South Boston Gang

South Boston has just three rookies -- tied with Arkansas for the second-fewest -- but they made 'em count, selecting them with their first three picks in this year's draft. Their first selection -- a pick ridiculed by some as the worst pick of the first round -- was second baseman Dan Uggla. Taking him with the 8th pick overall was curious as the Gang had protected two young second basemen in Rickie Weeks and Orlando Hudson, and already had a log jam at the other middle infield spot after protecting shortstops Edgar Renteria and Rafael Furcal. But sources inside the organization said owner Paul Barbosa had sent down an edict that the 27-year-old Uggla should get the starting job, and so far that edict has held firm -- despite Uggla's struggles at the plate (.221, .633 OPS, 11 BB, 39 K in 154 AB). But he has contributed on defense, leading all second basemen in total chances, putouts and double plays... With their second-round pick (#19 overall), the Gang selected southpaw starter Chuck James. He's had mixed success thus far -- he's 4-4 with a 4.18 ERA, 13.3 R/9 and .500 QS%, all acceptable numbers when it comes to evaluating rookie left-handers. But his 26 BB against 31 K in 47.1 IP is worrisome... Saving the best for last, the Gang's third and final rookie is right-handed reliever Brandon League. The 24-year-old third-round pick (#33 overall) appears to be their only shot at the Listach in the early going, as he's off to a solid start (2.84 ERA, 10.9 R/9, 7 BB, 25 K in 38.0 IP). League is 2-0 with 1 save and 3 holds, plus he's tied for the league lead with with 25 appearances so far this year.

Vancouver Iron Fist

Was there a sale on rookies that only the Commissioner knew about? The Iron Fist loaded up with 13 rookies this year, four more than any other team. In fact, the Iron Fist have as many rookies as Arkansas, Carolina, D.C. and South Boston, combined. And that doesn't include Dioner Navarro, Fernando Nieve and Jose Bautista, three rookies who were on the Iron Fist but subsequently released... The Iron Fist drafted two prospects last year who are making their debuts as rookies this season. Even though they share the first base job -- and are in fact roommates on road trips -- it would be hard to find a more mismatched pair. Prince Fielder, a long-heralded prospect, was selected as an ineligible prospect in 2004 and 2005 drafts, then finally held onto last year after the Iron Fist took him in the third round (#40 overall) last year; Conor Jackson was selected 186 picks later, in the second round of the supplemental draft. Fielder is a left-handed pull hitter with an all-or-nothing swing that produces plenty of home runs as well as strikeouts; Jackson is a right-handed line-drive hitter with excellent bat control and plate coverage. Fielder's father is Cecil Fielder, the very first pick in DMBL history as well as the host of Number Crunch; Jackson's father is John M. Jackson, the actor who played Admiral Chegwidden on JAG. Jackson attended UCLA where he was a theater major; Fielder was drafted out of high school in Florida, where he majored in Big Macs... So far this season, their differences are evident in their numbers as well. The 25-year-old Jackson is hitting an impressive .371 (.877 OPS) with 7 2B and 10 RBI in 70 AB; the 23-year-old Fielder is hitting just .186 (.533 OPS) with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 95 AB. Fielder certainly has name recognition and pedigree working for him, but if Jackson keeps hitting like this, there could be a Listach in his future.

With Fielder and Jackson already in the fold, the Iron Fist got busy drafting rookies. Maybe you weren't impressed that D.C. and South Boston each used its first three picks to select rookies. Maybe you shrugged when you heard Hillsborough and Philadelphia used four consecutive picks to take freshmen. But what about Vancouver, which used its first eight picks on rookies in this year's draft? The Commish seems to have a thing for young boys, wouldn't you say?

Starting off the run was 23-year-old first-round pick Scott Olsen, the 13th pick overall. Olsen, a hard-throwing lefty, has split the early going between the DMBL and Triple-A. In four starts with Vancouver, he's 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA, 0 quality starts and 8 HR in just 23.1 IP (3.1 HR/9). On the other hand, he has a 13.1 R/9 and 6 BB against 21 K, so the results haven't been all bad. Maybe his future lies in the bullpen: Against lefties, he's allowed a .143 BA, .360 OPS. while righties have tattooed him to the tune of a .329 BA, 1.081 OPS... The team's secound round pick (#27 overall) was 27-year-old Rich Hill, another left-handed starter. Hill is off to a much better start, going 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA, 10.9 R/9 and 16 BB, 35 K in 38.0 IP... The Iron Fist had traded away their third round pick, but in the fourth came back with 25-year-old Andre Ethier. The left-handed hitter has seen time at all three outfield spots so far this year, hitting .269 with a .595 OPS. So far Ethier appears to be a "reverse platoon" type player, with better splits against lefties (.364, .826 OPS in 33 AB) than righties (.176, .371 OPS in 34 AB)... The Fisters went back to pitching in the fifth round, taking 24-year-old right-handed reliever Wes Littleton (#69 overall). The side-arming Littleton has been a groundball machine this year, inducing 5 double-plays in just 24.0 IP (3.38 ERA, 11.3 R/9, 9 BB, 12 K). He'd be a great setup tandem with Olsen -- Littleton has held righties to a .176 BA, .376 OPS in 54 AB, but lefties have hit .387 with a .997 OPS in 31 AB... Vancouver's sixth round pick was used on Chad Billingsley, a raw 22-year-old right-handed starter who looks like he'll be a project for pitching coach Erik Hanson and "player/coach" Greg Maddux. Billingsley has yet to pitch in the DMBL this season, but in the minors last year, he posted a 3.80 ERA -- along with a 15.3 R/9 and an even K:BB ratio (58 BB, 59 K)... The sixth rookie in a row selected was another pitcher, right-handed reliever Chris Britton (#97 overall). The hard-throwing 24-year-old has looked impressive so far, picking up a win, a save and 4 holds while allowing just 4 BB and 20 K in 21.0 IP (3.00 ERA, 10.3 R/9)... Vancouver went back to offense for its final two selections in its eight-rookie run, taking 27-year-old catcher Gerald Laird with its 8th round pick (#111 overall). Stuck behind 2005 Listach winner Victor Martinez, Laird starts against lefties and is used as a late-inning defensive replacement; so far he's made the most of his limited opportunity, hitting .304 (.928 OPS) with 3 HR and 8 RBI in 46 AB, and he has yet to make an error this season... The Iron Fist used their 9th round pick on another project, speedy outfielder Curtis Granderson. He has yet to play in the DMBL; last year in the minors he hit .260 (.773 OPS) with 8 SB, though he was caught 5 times.

That was it for Vancouver's eight consecutive rookie picks, but that's not all the rookies on their roster. With two picks in the 10th round, the Fisters used the first on reliever Kiko Calero -- who had played in the two previous seasons, making him a grizzled veteran by the standards of this draft -- and then went right back to the youth movement, taking 26-year-old infielder Maicer Izturis with the 139th overall pick. Izturis, who can play third or short, has seen limited action so far, mostly coming off the bench, but he's excelled in that role, going 5-for-9 with a double and 6 runs... The other two rookies on the Iron Fist squad are middle relievers taken near the end of the draft. Brian Sweeney is Vancouver's oldest rookie this season. The 33-year-old right-hander was taken in the 14th round (#195 overall) and hasn't seen much action, picking up a win in 8 appearances (4.50 ERA, 13.5 R/9 in 16.0 IP)... In terms of bang-for-your-buck, Ramon Ramirez might be one of the best buys of the draft. The 254th player selected (5th round, Supplemental Draft), Ramirez has allowed just 3 earned runs and 13 baserunners in 15.0 IP (1.80 ERA, 7.8 R/9, .436 OPS allowed), and has stranded all six of his inherited runners so far this season.

Phil Plantier, one of the top prospects of the last decade, was picked by baseball guru Bill James in 1991 as the player most likely to lead the majors in HRs during the 1990s. In 1994, at age 24, he hit 47 round-trippers with 118 RBIs for the Charleston Chiefs, his first and last DMBL season. He's currently an analyst for Fox Sports Net. Click Here for past articles.