Valencia Stars: FA and Rule 5 draft. 2035 # 1

[leejay56]

The Stars added a few players from the FA Draft and the Rule 5 draft. The goal was to get more depth as there minors are strong but still not enough.

RP Carlos Medina will had more depth as the Stars lost a few relief pitchers to FA. Medina gives the Stars another hard throwing right hander who can hit 97-99 with his fastball. Medina has a career 4.89 ERA with 40 saves and 262 K's in 336 innings.

3B Toshio Taguchi is a 23 year 3B that the Stars feel he is ready to contribute at this level. Taguchi had a solid year at AA last season hitting .294 with 26 homers. Taguchi can play a solid defense with a strong arm for a 3B. Taguchi could start vs LHP and should overall see a lot of playing time. Taguchi is still only 23 and still has room to grow.

3B Derek Lee is another 3B who can start vs lefties and righties, plays a good defense and at 26 already has established himself as
a Leader and has good Work Ethic. Lee like Taguchi will get a chance to start for the Stars. Both because of a rule 5 draft will make and stay on the roster. Lee does have 313 Major League At Bats and has hit .252 11 homers and 43 Rbi's..


SP/MR Bertrand Girault, Girault is a risky pick because of all the injuries he has had and he is only 21 years old. Girault will start the season on the DL for a few months. At 21 the Stars are hoping he can ease his way into a starting roll or worse case just focus on a RP roll. Girault has a live are and hit 98-100 on his fastball, as he has 3 good pitches over all. Girault is a leader in the club house and will give the STARS more depth.

[Ted]

Hmm, didn't see that Taguchi bumped his vsl split. Probably should have protected him. Had a 40 man spot open. Whoops.

[leejay56]

Ted, yes he looked like he got a bump up. at his age hopefully he might develop more..lets see.