The Call-Up: Sims #21-22, 2038
Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 8:09 pm
Is Luis Garcia the poster boy for this new fangled high stuff, good control, good pitches, no movement type that we seem to be seeing so many of? If nothing else the early returns from Garcia have been more than encouraging and Wichita is in desperate need of live arms so he'll get an extended look here.
At 19 years old, just a handful of weeks out of college, meet Tom Rudge- the first position player from the 2038 draft (and second overall) to reach the BBA. The Hustlers knew he was advanced when they drafted him but even they are surprised he ascended this quickly. Fresh out of the draft, straight into one of the most prominent positions (center field) of one of the most storied franchised in the BBA. Go get 'em, kid.
If you've been a loyal reader of this column, you know that I love seeing the underdogs reach the big leagues. As a one-time seventeenth round draft pick, Mike Bragg is a shining example of a diamond in the rough. He's a legit pitcher, too. Great four pitch arsenal though his movement is only average. Shelled in his first BBA start but this kid has a future.
Tim Ray, or "The Green One" as he's known to his teammates, has everything you want from a utility guy with one big exception. Nashville never gave him exposure to third base, left field or right field in the minors despite him having all the skills to do so. With a fringy bat, his speed and defense are his ticket to a long career but somewhere along the line The Plan didn't include gifting him the versatility he was made for.
Hard to ignore the gaudy numbers Yoriyuki Kobayshi has put up in the minors. 2036: 51 homers. 2037: 53 homers. 2038: 40 homers and then called up to the BBA. 189 homers over his six year minor league career. On paper he doesn't look like the beast he's been in the boxscore. And his loud mouth may not be the best fit for most clubhouses. But with the Crusaders first base situation iffy at best, he'll get an opportunity to show what he can do.