Irony Can Be Pretty Ironic Sometimes | Pedro Hozven (#96) | Prospecting (52.05)

[mragland]

Irony Can Be Pretty Ironic Sometimes

04/07/2052

Now we take a look at one of Des Moines' children of the corn, Pedro Hozven. Omaha acquired Mexican national Hozven in the international free agent market back in 2047, paying $6.26M for the privilege. Hozven was a sixteen year-old back in '47, and hung around as a free agent for several months, not signing until August. This left-handed pull hitter has 'future DH' written all over him.

At the time he was signed, Hozven had a future value of 45. Hozven is technically a corner outfield prospect, but is a hitter who provides little to no value defensively.

This is what his official scouting report has to say:

He has a quick bat that handles most fastballs, but off-speed stuff can challenge him. Expect a batting average around .270. He has the power potential of a prototypical home run slugger. He projects to be a patient hitter with good discipline. Hozven is projected to be an above average, everyday big league player.

The Cyclones traded Hozven to Phoenix in '49 in the Pedro Guzmán deal. He began accumulating actual stats when Phoenix put him on their rookie league squad. They were nothing special. That offseason Phoenix traded him to Des Moines, twice. Long story.

Playing for the Des Moines rookie ball team, Hozven put up impressive numbers in '50 and was promoted to Class A Portsmouth last year, where his production was not so great in 156 plate appearances. The Kernels currently have him listed on their Short Season A club, so he's not currently playing.

The most recent scout evaluation has his future value set at 60 with potential ratings of 7/9/8/7/6. Though that contact potential is an 8, depending on the report you choose to look at. He has leaped up in the prospect rankings to #65. He is the #1 position player prospect and #2 overall prospect in the Kernels system. He looks like a legit hitter, but that 3 outfield range and abysmal position ratings at the corners suggest that he's an indifferent fielder at best. He's not dumb, so he could probably figure out how to play a position, he just doesn't appear to give a darn. Speed, also, is not part of his game. The bat is what he brings to the table and he looks to have many extra base hits in his future.

But what I really want to talk about is that sobriquet, 'The Russian Rocket'. As has been stated previously, Hozven is Mexican, and he is slow. Where did that name come from? Did some smart-ass evaluator hang this nickname on a sixteen year-old kid? Does Ootp just pull random nicknames out of a hat? Besides, I thought Pavel Bure was The Russian Rocket.

Sure, 'The Mexican Tortuga' might not have much of a ring to it, but it would at least bear some relation to Hozven's game, and heritage.

[Author's note: I'm using the Top 100 list published on February 26, 2052 in-game for my countdown, though as you can see, players aren't staying in those spots and there is some divergence between the countdown spot and current spot in the Top 100.]