2044.2: Bold Move Bears- Keever Signs, Skips Minors
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 10:54 am
In an positive development for the franchise, the San Fernando Bears have signed their top draft pick (15th overall) Chad Keever to a below slot 2,500,000 deal. That news was not a shock as the team did not sign their 1st rounder last year so they had money to play with. The shocking news came when the team announced that Keever would be skipping the minor leagues entirely and would make his professional debut as a member of the Bears bullpen. To this writers knowledge, this is the first time that anyone has completely skipped the minor leagues. Others such as current San Antonio superstar Pedro Bustamante debuted the same year as they were drafted, but they spent some time in the minors first.
When asked the reasoning for the move and what it portended for Keever's long term future, GM Randy Weigand responded by saying "we are very high on Chad and believe he is ready to contribute to the major league club. We have always been very aggressive in our promotion of prospects and do not want to hold Chad back unnecessarily. That being said, we are cognizant of building his innings slowly, so although we still see him as a starter long term he will work out of the pen this year to manage his workload and hopefully keep him fresh and healthy in October".
A quick check of the Bears roster confirms the statement that the team has been aggressive in their promotion, as 3 draftees currently on the BBA roster (SP Felipe Guevara, SP Bron Cortez and LF Reggie Vargas debuted in their age 20 season and 4 more (1B Tai hoi Wie, SP Kojuro Nishikawa, C Bin Okorafor and SP Al Barton) debuted at that age 21 season. For reference Keever does not turn 23 until December.
When asked the reasoning for the move and what it portended for Keever's long term future, GM Randy Weigand responded by saying "we are very high on Chad and believe he is ready to contribute to the major league club. We have always been very aggressive in our promotion of prospects and do not want to hold Chad back unnecessarily. That being said, we are cognizant of building his innings slowly, so although we still see him as a starter long term he will work out of the pen this year to manage his workload and hopefully keep him fresh and healthy in October".
A quick check of the Bears roster confirms the statement that the team has been aggressive in their promotion, as 3 draftees currently on the BBA roster (SP Felipe Guevara, SP Bron Cortez and LF Reggie Vargas debuted in their age 20 season and 4 more (1B Tai hoi Wie, SP Kojuro Nishikawa, C Bin Okorafor and SP Al Barton) debuted at that age 21 season. For reference Keever does not turn 23 until December.
Probably not with you being eighth in runs allowed.