Baltimore Bulletin 2008-2 Prospects and such

[nverhoev]

As the league gets closer to the playoffs the Baltimore Monarchs find themselves back on top of the JL Atlantic and are looking to get back to the playoffs after a one year absence. This Baltimore team is a lot like previous years: plenty of scoring. The team currently ranks first in runs scored and 17th in runs against. The fans in Baltimore like scoring and they see plenty of it at Monarchs games. Pitching has been a disappointment in 2008. After posting above league average team pitching stats in 2007 for the first time in many years the team has taken a step back in 2008. Fortunately the team has a handful of pitching projects showing promise at AAA Washington (currently 80-41). David Lewis, one of those prospects, has been called up to the MBWBA in place of injured reliever Roy Kitt.

The Monarchs outfield has seen some new faces in 2008. Darby Burnett(third round pick in 2002), thought to be a key piece for the future, has had a terrible first full season at the top level and was recently (mercifully?) demoted down to AAA to regroup. The team thought he might grow into the power potential scouts see in him. Hopefully a couple months at AAA Washington will help him figure it out for a fresh start in 2009. Antonio Dominguez(2nd round pick in 2003) was called up after the early season DFA of Gerardo Cuittia. Dominguez gave the team better positional flexibility and improved defence on a defensively challenged team. Dominguez has basically been a replacement player since his call up. Although we think that he has a bit more promise than he’s shown so far Dominguez is probably more of a bench player than a full time starter. Mike Roberts(2nd round pick in 2007) was called in place of Burnetts demotion. In his short time up Roberts has been red hot. Roberts plays good corner outfield defense and adds a bit of speed to the team. His future might be in a starters position and we’ll give him the opportunity to earn that role.

The team has been happy with the development of these prospects and many others in the organization. It’s these young, cheap, and flexible depth players that will be the future of the team. The third placeranking of the teams prospects signals brighter times ahead in the future.

[recte44]

Lewis' link is broken.

[nverhoev]

Lewis' link is broken.

Repaired

[agrudez]

Lewis and Roberts were two of the more exciting "unknown" (to me at least) rookies I found doing my RotY feature. Like I said, if either can maintain their current absurd pace then it'll be impossible to keep them out of the award discussion - even despite their shortened seasons.