9-News: 37.015 – Three Heralded Rookies Break Camp

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9-News: 37.015 – Three Heralded Rookies Break Camp

Post by RonCo » Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:45 am

The Yellow Springs Nine pared their roster to the league-mandated 27 today, leaving three rookies on the list that may raise eyebrows. “When you’ve got 70 guys going different directions, it can get a little hairy,” said assistant GM Phillip Watson. “It’s an exciting time, though.”

Mostly it was exciting for three rookies.

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Starting Pitcher Ernesto Ramos has been on the team’s radar screen for some time. His spring was on and off, but ended on an upward note, leading the team to decide now was the time to pull the rip cord and start the 22-year-old’s clock. The young man from Cuba carries a dominating fastball and change-up combination, and throws a circle change that’s “good enough,” per pitching coach Dan Walker. He dominated hitters at AA last year, and will make the jump straight to the majors, joining fellow sensation Carlos Valle.

“We think we have two bright superstars in the making,” Phillips said. “It’s going to be fun to turn out and watch these guys. We hope they can turn into the next edition of Crash and Dogface."

Of course, it may help to have Dogface still on the roster.

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Also making the jump from AA to the majors is outfielder Andy McKinney. The left-handed batter was drafted in 2035’s second round, and developed up rapidly. The team’s scout project him as a solid enough hitter who should be capable enough in the field. He’s 21, however, and no one expected him to break camp with the team, not the least of which was McKinney himself, who, as legend has it, was sitting on the bus to Indianapolis when he was told he’d stuck. “I’ve been thrown off busses before,” he told a beat reporter, “but never for such a great reason. McKinney is expected to start in a right-field platoon.

The move meant fellow prospect Jose Machado was sent back to Indianapolis. While most insiders thought he would be the kid heading north, the Nine thought it best to send him back to work on his stroke. Machado’s bat hasn’t yet exhibited that power, so this move could make sense—though Machado is already the superior defender.

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Finally, the Nine decided it was time for third baseman Alejandro Rodriguez to show his mettle. Rodriguez turned 21 this winter, but has been in the organization since being drafted with their #1 pick in 2033. He’s a solid glove at third, and has shown he ca hit pretty much everywhere he’s been, including Indianapolis, where he blasted 27 homers and got on base at a .355 clip.

While he's played shortstop at times in the minors, Rodriguez is likely to platoon at third with Rob Thomas against left-handed pitching, and act as Thomas’s defensive replacement in the late innings.

McNEILL TO START ON DL

News comes that Lucas McNeill has been placed on the disabled list as he rehabs his sprained ankle. Some suspect that either McKinney or Rodriguez would have been left off the active roster if he’d been healthy.

Regardless, the announcement continues the transition of the team from the configuration that made it one of the most successful regular season teams in the league over the past decade into something new. Most pundits are suggesting that the transition will bring hard times for the team before better. But for better or for worse, it’s an exciting time to be a Nine fan.
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