May 2, 2007  

In the second part of our two-part series, we're taking a look at this year's freshman class. In our last edition, we looked at the rookies from the seven Morris Division squads; this time we're reviewing the seven Hanover Division teams.

Remember to check out Did You Know? for a report on the Jeff Reboulet Perseverance Award, presented annually to the rookie with the most experience in "the minors," aka MLB.

Hoboken Cutters

The Cutters have seven promising rookies, including a keystone combination that could be together for years to come. Hoboken drafted in back-to-back rounds last year SS Hanley Ramirez (8th round, #111 overall) and 2B Ian Kinsler (9th round, #120 overall), stashed them each away on its farm team all of last year, then protected them this off-season. The 23-year-old Ramirez is so far off to the better start, hitting .290 (.784 OPS) with 4 HR, 21 RBI and 5 SB in 183 AB and he has yet to make an error at shortstop this season; the 25-year-old Kinsler is hitting just .240 (.604 OPS) but with 8 2B and 17 R in 121 AB... The Cutters added another rookie infielder in this year's draft, taking 1B/OF Chris Duncan with the seventh pick. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger has been of this year's leading rookie batters, hitting .347 (1.116 OPS) with 9 HR and 30 RBI in 124 AB, and he leads all rookies who qualify in OBP (.423), SLG (.694) and OPS. Unless Ramirez kicks it up another notch, Duncan probably represents the Cutters' best hope for the Listach. Critics may point out that he is in a strict platoon and almost never faces a lefty -- but the same could be said last year of Ryan Howard, who was the ROY... The Cutters also used their third and fourth round picks on rookies, taking Mike Jacobs and Adam Wainwright. Jacobs, the 34th pick overall, is similar to Duncan -- at least on paper. Jacobs also is a 26-year-old lefty power hitting first baseman. But the comparisons end there, as Jacobs is hitting just .248 (.712 OPS) with a miserable 31:6 K:BB ratio... Wainwright, a 25-year-old right-hander taken with the 48th pick, may be destined for the rotation some day. But the Cutters are easing him into the DMBL through a middle relief role, and if you can look past the 7.00 ERA and 9 HR in 27.0 IP, his numbers actually aren't that bad (3 wins, 2 holds, 13 BB, 31 K, 13.7 R/9)... The Cutters are using one rookie in the rotation this year, however: Boof Bonser, who was taken in the 6th round (#76 overall). The 25-year-old right-hander also has given up way too many long balls (16 HR in 56.0 IP!), but otherwise his career is off to a fine start (2-2, 4.82 ERA, 11.6 R/9, 11 BB, 50 K). If Bonser and Wainwright can find a way to keep the ball in the park, either or both could join Duncan as ROY contenders.. The final rookie on the roster is 25-year-old catcher Mike Napoli. The 11th-round pick (#146 overall) is hitting just .250, but is contributing with an .866 OPS in 80 AB... Oh, and before you ask: switch-hitting catcher Josh Bard is not a rookie. The Cutters' second-round pick (#20 overall) played for Harrison in 2004, hitting .303 (.764 OPS) in 208 AB.

Honolulu Sharks

The Sharks are employing five rookies in their bid to go from worst-to-first, including the first overall pick in this year's draft, Jered Weaver. It's hard enough surviving your rookie season as a starter in the DMBL without the added pressure of being the top pick -- witness the struggles of the last two rookie starters to go #1, Zach Duke and Dontrelle Willis. Neither received a single vote in the ROY balloting. But so far, the 24-year-old Weaver is among the leading Listach candidates, going 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA, 9.4 R/9 and 3.5 K:BB ratio. In fact, the right-hander leads the league in ERA, and ranks second -- behind only Philly's Johan Santana -- in R/9... The Sharks also used their second-round pick (#15 overall) on a rookie, 1B Adrian Gonzalez. The 25-year-old lefty is off to a solid start (.305, .791 OPS, 16 2B, 25 RBI)... The Honolulu bullpen has one rookie, 30-year-old Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano, a lefty set-up man taken in the seventh round (#85 overall), is 3-2 with 1 save and a 4.05 ERA, despite a 14.8 R/9 (22 H, 11 BB in 20.0 IP)... Everyone is rooting for Jon Lester, a 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher battling his way back from cancer. The 14th round pick (#183) is rehabbing in Triple-A and has yet to make his first DMBL start... The last rookie on the squad was actually drafted as an ineligible prospect. Japanese import Kenji Johjima was taken in the 7th round (#95 overall) of last year's draft but so far has had a difficult time finding PT in a crowded backstop situation that includes Brian McCann and Jason Kendall. The 31-year-old Johjima has an RBI single in just three plate appearances this season.

Las Vegas Rat Pack

The Rat Pack have nine rookies -- the most in the Hanover Division, and second-most overall behind the Iron Fist (who have 13). Owner Eric Wickstrom has always had a thing for youngsters; last year he had Joe Mauer finishing 6th in the ROY balloting, as well as third-place finisher Jonny Gomes (who started the year with the Pack but was traded to Marietta). This year, the Rat Pack led all teams by protecting three rookies -- Jeremy Hermida, Anthony Reyes and Ryan Zimmerman. The last one, Zimmerman, is regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball; at age 22, he's also the third-youngest rookie this year. Zimmerman came to the Rats by way of the Bushslappers, who drafted him last year in the 6th round (#75 overall). D.C. then traded Zimmerman, along with sophomore starting pitcher Chris Young and veteran outfielder Reggie Sanders, for pitcher Nate Robertson and electrifying outfielder Carl Crawford. Acquiring Sanders didn't help put Vegas over the top last year, but Zimmerman and Young are certainly welcome additions for the squad as it goes through a rebuilding phase. So far this year, Zimmerman is hitting a solid .264 (.736 OPS) with 15 2B and 12 RBI in 162 AB -- good numbers, but probably not good enough to win the Listach... One of the advantages of being a rebuilding team, in fact, is that you can give experience to young players without putting pressure on them to perform at a high level. Hermida, a 23-year-old outfielder taken in the third round (#34 overall) of last year's draft, has played in every game this season despite his struggles at the plate (.227, .541 OPS, 6 BB, 41 K in 150 AB); Reyes, a 25-year-old right-handed starter, has remained in the rotation despite a 7.28 ERA, 16.3 R/9 and 1.7 K:BB ratio. Reyes, taken in the 6th round last year (#80 overall), actually got his career off to a fabulous start (3-0, 2.08 ERA, 8.7 R/9 in 21.2 IP); since then, he's gone 0-5 with an 11.17 ERA and 22.0 R/9!

The Rats didn't have a pick in the first two rounds this year, but then the rookie parade started in force. The team used half of its first eight picks in the draft on rookies. (That includes two rookies -- Willy Aybar and Ricky Nolasco -- who were drafted but subsequently released.) The first player the Pack selected this year, in fact, was 24-year-old rookie third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, taken in the 3rd round (#31 overall). "Double-E" might be considered by some to be a reach pick, especially when you consider the team already had Zimmerman -- who is two years younger and regarded by most scouts as a far better prospect, offensively and defensively. The numbers have borne that out so far, with Encarnacion hitting just .240 (.604 OPS) with 5 BB and 28 Ks in 121 ABs, almost all of them accumulated as a DH vs RHP... The next rookie, drafted in the 4th round (#54 overall), was 25-year-old outfielder Corey Hart. The big slugger is off to a slow start in DMBL, hitting just .207 (.613 OPS) in 58 AB -- though almost half of his 12 hits have been for extra bases (2 2B, 3 HR), a glimpse of his power potential... With their fifth pick in this year's draft, the Rats selected the "Flyin' Hawaiian," Shane Victorino. The 26-year-old, selected in the 6th round (#79 overall), is a human highlight film in the outfield, but so far has been a disaster at the plate. In fact, with a .184 BA and .518 OPS in 169 plate appearances, he just might be the worst every-day player in baseball right now... With their next-to-last pick (#199 overall) in the regular draft, the Rats selected speedy outfielder Chris Duffy. The 27-year-old has had just 5 plate appearances this season, going 2-for-4 with a sac fly, but he's already stolen a base and scored a run... The team's final two rookies were added after the draft. The first was lefty reliever Taylor Tankersley, claimed off waivers from Honolulu on March 20; the second was right-handed reliever Manuel Corpas, signed as a minor-league free agent on April 25. Tankersley, 24, has terrific stuff but no idea where it's going, as evidenced by his 16 walks, 3 wild pitches and 26 strikeouts in just 22.0 innings this year. However, despite a 7.77 ERA and 17.6 R/9, he is 2-for-2 in save opportunities this year, with 2 holds... Corpas, having just joined the team a week ago, has just 3 appearances (2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 4.0 IP).

Matthew's Mighty Men of Marietta

The Mighty Men have just four rookies -- tied with Newark for the fewest in the Hanover Division -- but all of them occupy key roles on this perennial playoff contender. In fact, two of the four have to be considered early Listach favorites, while the other two might factor into the running. First up is a 23-year-old southpaw starting pitcher who was drafted by Las Vegas as an ineligible prospect with the 20th pick in last year's draft, but was then traded to the Mighty Men this off-season. Francisco Liriano came at a steep price -- 25-year-old closer Chris Ray, Marietta's fourth round pick in 2007, and Marietta's first and fourth round picks in 2008 -- but so far he's been one of the most dominant starters in baseball, rookie or not. Liriano is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA, 10.0 R/9, 12.1 K/9 and .667 QS%; he's allowed just 2 HRs in 33.1 IP (0.5 HR/9) and posts a stellar 5.0 K:BB ratio (45 K, 9 BB). What's not to like? Well, he's only made six starts before going down with an elbow injury, a problem that's plagued him throughout his short career. Liriano is expected to come back from the injury this weekend but there are already whispers he'll likely need surgery at the end of the year and could miss all of next season... The Mites took another young left-handed starting pitcher with their first pick in this year's draft, 24-year-old Jeremy Sowers. A southpaw more in the mold of Jimmy Key, Sowers has thus far baffled opposing batters, posting a 2.62 ERA, 10.8 R/9 and .778 QS%. He certainly should have a better record than 4-3, and we'll see if his luck evens out over the rest of the season... With their third pick (#40 overall), Marietta drafted 26-year-old reliever Pat Neshek. The side-arming right-hander has a 3.95 ERA and 11.2 R/9 in 27.1 IP, striking out 30 batters while walking 11... The Mighty Men didn't have a fourth round pick, so they had to wait until the 5th round (#68 overall) to select 29-year-old outfielder Matt Diaz. Despite having almost no power (.391 SLG) and a ridiculous 4 BB to 45 Ks, Diaz has proven to be a line-drive machine for Marietta, hitting .309 in 207 ABs. And even though he has just 2 HRs this season, Diaz ranks 5th on the team in RBIs (27) and in fact leads the team in game-winning hits (5). He also has the league's longest hitting streak (since snapped), at 23 games.

New Jersey Team Buddah

The Buddahs have six rookies, though only half have found enlightenment in the DMBL. The other three are still in Triple-A, where they await their chance to find inner peace. The Wise Fat Men used their first two picks on rookies, starting with flamethrowing reliever Joel Zumaya. The 22-year-old right-hander -- who was born Nov. 9, 1984, making him the youngest rookie in this year's freshman class -- was selected with the 5th pick, and so far he's lived up to that lofty draft status, posting a 1.99 ERA, 10.8 R/9 and an astounding 13.4 K/9 (47 Ks in 31.2 IP), while just walking 12. Zumaya also has stranded all but 3 of 14 inherited runners (.214 IR%), and he leads the league in holds with 10. It's not easy for a set-up man to win a major award, but Zumaya is New Jersey's best chance at a Listach... With their next pick, the Buddahs selected switch-hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera, who is just 3 months older than Zumaya. Cabrera was taken in the second round (#18 overall), a selection some called the worst pick of the draft. He hasn't had the chance to prove his doubters wrong, however, as Cabrera has yet to make his DMBL debut... With the final pick of the 6th round (#84 overall), Jersey picked Yuniesky Betancourt, a 25-year-old shortstop. The team's only rookie batter with any playing time thus far this season, Betancourt actually has played in every game but one, hitting .269 (.673 OPS) with 8 2B and 17 RBI in 156 AB... New Jersey had two picks in the 8th round, and used both on rookies. First up (#102 overall) was Marcus Thames, a 30-year-old outfielder finally eligible for the DMBL four years after his MLB debut. However, batting coach Mel Hall is worried Thames's long swing and all-or-nothing approach at the plate will be exploited by DMBL pitchers, and so far he's been in Triple-A, working on becoming less pull conscious...  Five picks later, the Buddahs drafted Tom Gorzelanny, a 24-year-old left-handed starter. The Gorz has excelled at keeping the ball in the park (just 1 HR in 42.0 IP), but by all other standards, he's not getting it done (1-2, 5.36 ERA, 15.9 R/9, 1.1 K:BB ratio, .333 QS%)...  Andy Phillips, another 30-year-old rookie, has stuck with the team even though he was their second-to-last player drafted (third round of the Supplemental Draft, #233 overall). Phillips is a true cornerman -- eligible at first and third -- but he is still waiting for his first cup of coffee in the DMBL.

Newark Sugar Bears

The Sugar Bears have had a few stand-out rookies over the years -- including 2004's Listach winner, Marcus Giles. But manager Don Mattingly and his staff are known for getting the most out of veteran players, as seen by the resurgence this year of guys like Jim Edmonds, Marlon Anderson and Javier Vazquez. Of the four rookies on the Newark roster this season, two are in Triple-A and the other two are pitching in the relatively sheltered environment of the Sugar Bears' bullpen-by-committee. The first rookie drafted by Newark this year was right-hander Cla Meredith. The 24-year-old submariner just might be a legitimate ROY candidate -- he leads all rookies in saves (7) and save perentage (.778), and he leads all relievers in wins (6). He also has a 2.10 ERA, a 8.9 R/9, 7.5 K:BB ratio and has allowed just 2 HR in 34.1 IP (0.5 HR/9)... At the other end of the spectrum is Ruddy Lugo, the team's garbage man. The 27-year-old rubber-armed right-hander was taken in the 11th round (#154 overall) but has posted a remarkable 0.96 ERA in 21 appearances this year -- despite K:BB ratio of exactly 1 (19 BB, 19 K in 37.2 IP). Despite all the walks, Lugo has proven adept at getting out lefties (.217, .582 OPS) or righties (.162, .548 OPS), and he's also stranded all but 7 of his 26 inherited runners (.269 IR%)... Newark's other two rookies are still toiling in Triple-A: James Shields, a 25-year-old right-hander taken in the 13th round (#182), and Chad Gaudin, a 24-year-old righty signed last week as a minor league free agent.

Sardine City Straphangers

You've got to hand it to the dynamic duo of team owner Greg Calvosa and consigliere Chris Calvosa. The brain trust came up with a plan to build a franchise from the ground up, from the dispersal draft to the regular draft through their free agent signings. They may not be competitive this season, but the franchise is building a solid foundation for a long run in the DMBL. The Calvosas went right to it in the draft, using their nine of their first 10 picks on either rookies or prospects. The first player they drafted -- and the 3rd selection overall -- was 23-year-old rookie starter Cole Hamels. The southpaw is a highly regarded prospect but also injury prone; the Straphangers can afford to be patient with him. So far this season, he's pitched much better than his 1-5 record and 5.02 ERA would suggest (11.9 R/9, 14 BB, 42 K in 43.0 IP), but he'd need his luck to even out and then some to be considered a serious Listach candidate. Next up, taken in the 3rd round (#30 overall), is 24-year-old second baseman Josh Barfield. The son of former Sacramento Seahawks batting coach Jesse Barfield is off to an OK start, hitting .255 (.641 OPS) with 9 2B, 5 SB and 16 R in his first 40 games and playing solid defense.

In the next round (#44 overall), the Sardines took one of the league's most long-awaited prospects in Kevin Youkilis. The 28-year-old corner infielder was drafted three times as a prospect -- as the 248th pick (by Arkansas) in the 2003 draft, the 159th pick (by Hoboken) in the 2004 draft, and the 252nd pick (by Westwood) in the 2005 draft -- before finally becoming eligible this year. "The Greek God of Walks" is neither a god nor a Greek (he's a Romanian Jew), but he does walk -- an astounding 34 times this season in just 44 games. Youkilis has as many walks as teammates Andruw Jones and Gary Matthews Jr., who each have 17. He not only leads all rookies in walks, but he ranks fourth among all batters, behind only David Ortiz, Travis Hafner and Bobby Abreu. And of the four, Youkilis has by far the fewest plate appearances (162). But as a slow-footed corner infielder not known for his glove, Youkilis will likely have to improve his batting average (.260) and slugging percentage (.417) to get noticed next to a slugger like Hoboken's Chris Duncan... In the seventh round (#86 overall), S.C. took Matt Capps, a 23-year-old right-hander. Capps has impeccable control (2 BB, 24 K in 29.0 IP), but also has allowed 44 hits, 19 earned runs and 6 home runs, and he's allowed 8 of his 13 inherited runners to score (.615 IR%). All that adds up to a 5.90 ERA, 14.9 R/9 and .904 OPS allowed, which should be more than enough to make you forget about that dazzling 12:1 K:BB ratio... The Strappers last rookie is starting pitcher Adam Loewen, taken in the 8th round (#104 overall). The 23-year-old lefty could learn a thing or two from Capps about control (32 walks, 4 hit batters, 2 wild pitches in 50.0 IP), but the results have been encouraging, with a 3-3 record, 4.86 ERA and .667 QS%.

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.