The Russelville Rockets finished their Rookie Club regular season with a 45-23 record. That record was good enough for the second-most wins in the Spike Nolan League and to claim the Big Country Division crown five games ahead second place Charlottesville. Unfortunately the Rockets lost the series in 7 games.
With that being said this edition of the season in review will focus on the middle infielders.
There were five middle infielders on the roster at the close of the 2063 season. One player was added through IFA:
Kjeld Blom 209 AB .297/.366 15 HR 47 RBI 1 SB 1.8 WAR
Kjeld was signed prior to the 2062 season with a $1M signing bonus. In his second season with the rookie club, the 18 year-old hit well from the #2 spot while paying well above average with his glove at shortstop. While his contact rating of 2 (compared to a potential of 8) and a power rating of 2 (compared to a potential of 6), Kjeld provided considerable power at shortstop with 15 homers while batting .297/.366. Look for Kjeld to be moved up to the Short Season a squad next year.
Two other players were added as a result of trades during last year's Firesale:
Carlos Greene 129 AB .279/.388 4 HR 13 RBI 3 SB 0.6 WAR
Carlos was acquired from Montreal in the same trade that brought two of the outfielders on the Rookie club among others. Carlos exhibits the range and arm to get grounders up the middle and turn them into outs but is prone to commit errors on some of the more routine plays. The 19 year-old hit for a decent average but showed patience at the plate while gaining 20 free passes in 152 plate appearances. While he is still filling out his ratings (current rating of 20 with a potential of 50), the locals would not be surprised to see Carlos with the Saturn club at the S.A. level next spring.
Rafael Mendez 156 AB .256/.366 7 HR 23 RBI 2 SB 0.8 WAR
Rafael was one of the four players that came to Valencia from Twin Cities in exchange for Miller Shed. Rafael also coaxed his way into his fair share of walks with 26 in 186 plate appearances. Like Greene he can cover a fair amount f ground up the middle as a second baseman but closer to average as a shortstop. Mendez' 2064 future is on the fence between staying in Russelville one more year or moving up.
Two more players were added via the 2063 draft
Rich Holley 132 AB .273/.358 2 HR 12 RBI 1 SB -0.8 WAR
Drafted in the 16th round of this year's draft, this 19 year-old held his own at the plate in his first year. Although he has above average range, his lack of arm strength and power may be enough to prevent him from progressing.
William Ivory 57 AB .211/.318 1 HR 10 RBI 3 SB -0.3 WAR
Selected in the 13th round of this year's draft, William struggled at the plate. At 20 years old, William may not be able to make the cut even at the rookie level next season barring some major development over the off-season.
