With the September call-ups just around the corner and the playoff picture for Valencia being non-existent, some of the locals are buzzing about the potential new faces to be seen at Dunn Field for the month of September.
Long time fan Haywood Jablome was one fan to be excited as he stated, "I would not be surprised if Greathouse brought up half of the AAA franchise this year!"
It would not be surprising if the Valencia brass brought up the maximum number of players this September as the 2063 lineup will likely be full of new players.
Players who are almost assuredly to be added include:
LF Bill Nesbitt OVR - 50 POT - 50 CON 6 POW - 7 EYE- 5
The former first-round pick of the 2061 draft is on the verge of finishing his first full season in AAA and the results have been good. The 22 year-old has hit for a .384 average with a .433 on-base percentage to go along with 27 home runs. His 5.2 WAR to date this season has shown he has nothing else to prove in the minors.
CF Santiago Dieguez OVR - 55 POT - 55 CON 5 POW - 7 EYE- 6
The first round draft pick of this past 2062 draft had a short stint in AA where he went .321/.429 before being moved up to AAA. At 20 years of age, Santiago's AAA numbers did not set the world on fire at .258/.376 with 6 homers in 163 at bats, but it is still good enough to see what he can do in Valencia. Santiago did see a slight decrease in his overall rating from 60 down to 55. Let's hope that trend does not continue.
RF Ismael Ramirez OVR - 45 POT - 55 CON 6 POW - 7 EYE- 6
Considered to be somewhat of a find in the 2060 draft in the 7th round, Ismael is not quite as filled out as the other two but still has similar potential. The 22 year-old took advantage of his first AAA season as he went for an average of .344 with a .422 on-base percentage and 27 home runs. The front office feels that the time is now to see what he can do in the majors in preparation for next spring.
1B Gabriel Bacaloglu OVR - 50 POT - 70 CON 6 POW - 8 EYE- 6
Another 7th round darling, this time from the 2059 draft, the 23 year-old switch hitter played almost half the season in AA hitting only .284 but with an on-base percentage of .423. Once moved up to AAA, Gabriel has produced at a .328/.398 clip adding in 11 home runs in 235 at bats.
RP Dave Furman OVR - 55 POT - 75 STUFF 11 MOV - 7 CON- 6
The first pitcher on this list and the first player on the list to be acquired via trade, Dave came to Valencia from the Hawaii farm system in exchange for Carlos Schumann. The 22 year-old has double digit potential in both his fastball and cutter while also having a curve ball and a sinker. His 7/8 rating on home runs allowed shows that he can keep the ball in the park. After a short stint in AA, Dave has recorded 20 saves while striking out 43 batters in 41 innings on his way to producing a 1.94 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Furman is the frontrunner for closer duties in 2063.
