2051.2: Bearing Fruit - Rule 5 Roundup

GM: Kurt Imber

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2051.2: Bearing Fruit - Rule 5 Roundup

Post by BaseClogger » Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:36 pm

Faced with a lack of budget space and in the context of perhaps the most talented free agent pool in league history, this past offseason the San Fernando Bears found themselves in the position of not being able to offer any major league contracts. According the newcomer GM Kurt Imber "we had to get creative to infuse our roster with new talent." What followed was an unprecedented seven players being selected by the Bears in the Rule 5 draft. Below is recap of those players after one month of regular season play.

1) OF - Ken Donahue (from Des Moines)

Ken Donahue is a 23 year-old power hitting corner outfielder. The prized jewel of San Fernando's Rule 5 selections, Donahue is now the most highly regarded prospect in their organization. That won't last long, as Donahue made the Opening Day roster and is accruing major league service time. He's not much of a defender, but he does offer the versatility of playing first base. The Bears hope to limit Donahue's exposure by using him strictly as a platoon bat; their lineup is primarily composed of left-handed hitters. So far, he's been useful in that role.

2) P - Fernando Ferretti (from Boise)

A humble, hard-working 21 year-old pitcher who hopes to work out of a starting rotation someday, Fernando Ferretti is a roll-of-the-dice for the Bears. He posseses a mediocre fastball and currently relies on his forkball as his out pitch. Scouts see immense potential in his changeup, but today it is one of four forgettable pitches--beyond the forkball--in his repertoire. The young pitcher remains in the Bears bullpen, where he has a 5.40 ERA on the young season. Bumps in the road should be expected, as to-date Ferretti has allowed more walks than strikeouts.

3) P - Glenn Hawkins (from Nashville)

Similar to Ferretti, Glenn Hawkins is a raw starting pitcher hopeful working out of the Bears bullpen in 2051. The advantage for Hawkins is a harder fastball and more streamlined three pitch mix. Eventually, Hawkins should pair his below-average fastball with a plus slider and plus changeup. Working against Hawkins is his flyball tendencies, a danger for any pitcher calling Chico's Bail Bonds Field home. On the season, Hawkins has a 4.97 ERA but has issued twice as many walks as strikeouts.

4) IF - Hedde Aalbers (from Phoenix)

In an offseason when shortstop defensive specialists were in high-demand, the Bears seemingly panicked and plucked Hedde Aalbers away from Phoenix. A 31 year-old with over 1,000 career BBA plate appearances, Aalbers has never experienced success at the plate and was released right before Opening Day. He has since signed a minor league contract with the Des Moines Kernels organization. Even in AA, he's still not hitting.

5) IF - Shihei Endo (from Nashville)

Shihei Endo made sense on the Bears roster before signing a plethora of minor league contracts with other left-handed first basemen. The 26 year-old had a .847 OPS in half a GBC season, but never played BBA ball until his 1 plate appearance in a 12-1 loss against Nashville on April 4th. Ironically, Endo was then returned to the Bluebirds, who subsequently released him two weeks later.

6) OF - Liben Fathi (from Hawaii)

Liben Fathi got a look during Bears spring camp, but his personality continues to deter Brewster clubs from giving the 28 year-old left-hander a chance in their big league outfields. Fathi was returned to the Tropics before Opening Day; he currently has a .404 OBP for them... in AAA.

7) OF - Maximo Garcia (from Boise)

The Bears brought Maximo Garcia along with them on Opening Day, as his right-handed profile made him a platoon fit in their outfield. The 27 year-old hit .214/.290/.393 across 31 plate appearances before the Bears decided to go in another direction. San Fernando may have been more patient if not for Garcia's complete lack of range in the outfield, making him redundant in the context of top prospect Ken Donahue. Today he sits in DFA purgatory.

BONUS

8) P - Antonio Cruz (from Louisville)


Although not taken by the Bears in the Rule 5 draft, Cruz is bound to those requirements since he was selected by Jacksonville last December. San Fernando claimed him off of waivers in the second week of the season and immediately added him to their bullpen. The 21 year-old pitcher may eventually factor into their rotation, but unlike Ferretti and Hawkins, the scouts view Cruz as a fairly polished pitcher at this stage. Cruz throws a hard, sinking fastball which he offsets with a cutter and a splitter when pitching in relief. There is hope for the changeup down the line, while the knucklecurve is a distant fifth pitch. Through 7 innings, the hard working Cruz has a 5.14 ERA with peripherals to match.
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Re: 2051.2: Bearing Fruit - Rule 5 Roundup

Post by CTBrewCrew » Sun Jul 03, 2022 6:13 pm

Nice write up
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Re: 2051.2: Bearing Fruit - Rule 5 Roundup

Post by ae37jr » Mon Jul 04, 2022 12:30 am

Wow, I considered taking Donahue. Kicking myself now. Bumped a point in contact, power, and eye and is now the number 16 prospect in the BBA. Still not confident he will reach his power potential, but great find none the less.
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