Slug This...The Hopkins Era 2007 2.16…Ocala

[felipe]

“GM! There you are!”shouts Slugger owner Robert Elliott as he chases a tall figure walking swiftly away from him, down the Locust Grove office corridors.

“oh…Hi, Bob.”answers the tall tanned man as he turns and faces his dimunitive owner.

“Where have you been?! I haven’t heard hide nor hair of you in two months!”

“Ah, you know, kids are out of school, it felt like a good time for a family vacation.”

“It’s the middle of the season!”

“Yeah…but would you watch stay here and watch this team? It’s hot down here. Besides, I only work for you, you don’t own me.”

“Wha…listen here…ah…umm…ohhhhh…ok…I guess you’re right…listen…How was your trip?”

“Well, for starters, I found Ocala.”

“You did! That’s great. I wasn’t sure it existed. I thought that maybe Sawyer was just collecting my cheques sitting in his backyard”

‘Yeah, actually, it’s pretty big…there’s about 300,000 people in the immediate area, AND it’s located beside a kick-ass water park!”

“That’s awesome! Maybe I’ll take a trip there! Go to the water park, catch a couple of games, check up on Silky and the boys…”

“Yeah…about that…the season's over...and...it’s in Florida…”

“Ohhh….ehh…hmmm…yeah, don’t think I’ll be going.”

“I know…I’ve been trying to wash the stink off for days…anyways, I went out there to check out our young pitchers…and to see what Silky and Mario thought of them.”

“And…”

‘Well…Gustav Arlt, our supplemental pick last year, 31st overall? He’s made the progression nicely from rookie ball last year…I think he’s defintely ready to go up to AA ball next season.”

“Ok…that’s great! What about our big first round pick this year? Zach Bauer?”

“Yeah…Zach started slowly, but he’s been improving every time out…I don’t know…it depends on his progress this winter…he may have to stay in A ball to start next season. His stats aren’t bad, but he never did get a win…I’d like to see him dominate before moving him on.”

“Well…that sucks…”

“It’s not all bad…I’m sure he’ll be ready mid-season 2009 for AA ball...with Brian Bright.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah…Bright was impressive in Ocala…a little more seasoning and I think our second round pick can go places.”

“That’s awesome.”

“The best part about the trip was finding out about a high school student you guys took a flyer on in the 13th round back in 2005. Alfonso Lopez has been steadily improving every year. He’ll probably spend all of next year in Ocala, but if he keeps stepping it up, like he’s been doing, we could have a future major leaguer on our hands…he’s still only 22 years old.”

“That’s what I like to hear…I guess Silky and Mario are doing a good job.”

“Yeah, I’d say so…we have a couple of other guys down there that are starting to put things together and have outside chances at becoming something. Closer Phil Thomas has a chance; he’s gotta be our AA closer next season and we’ll see about moving him up to AAA if he does well. He keeps exceeding expectations, and if he continues to do so, he’s got a shot…but he is getting a little long in the tooth…”

“What? Thomas? Seriously?”

“Seriously…he’s been coming on slowly, and next year will be huge for him…but Silky and Mario like what they’re seeing. They’re also very high on Jesus Souza. He was coming out of the pen this year for Ocala, but the guys really want to see what he does with a full year of starting at A ball. He has an outside shot, but you never know…”

“Well…what you’re telling me is a lot better than what I’ve been reading in Baseball America! I find it hard to look past the 57-63 record!”

“Well….our problems are on the other side of the ball. The guys left in Ocala just don’t look very promising. Star center-field prospect, Daniel Paz, was brutal this year. We’re gonna have to bump him up to AA next year and see what he does...he’s not getting any younger, or apparently, better. Miguel Salas will have to go up to AA too…he was learning second base this year and he’s still young…but he may have hit his ceiling. And all the other guys? Well…they’re young at least, so you never know.”

“Hey GM – where do think you're going?”

“Gotta get to my office, see how my hot tub is doing…”

[agrudez]

This interaction was far too cordial... has your owner increased his "Asian massage" fund allocation?

[felipe]

You're right...must liven things up next time

[jpoppe0219]

Still a very unique way to write team news Awesome