61.06 Blazers Bolster Pitching Depth with Recent Signings, Waiver Claim

[Bob Breum]

In recent days, Montreal has added seven starting pitchers to its organization. None of these is likely to break camp with the big league club but they provide valuable depth in the upper minors.

Four are relative youngsters that have pitched well in AA but have yet to demonstrate mastery of AAA. These include:

RHP Manny Hernández, age 23. Originally selected in the first round of the 2054 amateur draft by Portland, Hernandez throws a dizzying array of pitches that keeps batters second-guessing. All of his offerings are average, but this is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. If he can improve his control of his fancy repertoire, he could be effective at the back end of a rotation.

RHP Ghumer Angara, age 24. Originally selected in the 20th round of the 2055 amateur draft by Austin nee Edmonton, Montreal recently claimed him off waivers. Despite his modest pedigree, Angara has blossomed into a promising hurler with a plus fastball that sits around 96-98 mph. He supplements this with four other offerings that include a cutter, curveball, changeup, and a circle change, all rating as decent pitches. His repertoire features good movement that helps keep the ball in the park. He projects as a spot starter / long reliever.

RHP Randall Cotton, age 25. Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2052 amateur draft by Mexico City, he is known for his pinpoint control of his four pitches, which include a cutter, slider, curveball, and changeup. He rarely gives up home runs or walks, but it is not clear if his stuff will work at the big league level. He projects as a setup guy in the big leagues.

RHP Abdul-Mujib bin Majdy, age 28. Originally a scouting discovery out of Lebanon by San Antonio, bin Majdy is a groundball pitcher with good movement on his four pitches. His possesses the makings of an elite pitch with his knuckle curve, which is still a work in progress. If he can improve his control, he projects as a setup guy at the next level.

The other three are relative greybeards who all have BBA experience.

RHP Mike Griffin, age 32. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2046 amateur draft by Mexico City, Griffins pitch repertoire includes six pitches, led by a plus fastball that sits near triple digits that forces a high rate of flyballs. Unfortunately, many of these leave the park, despite his plus-plus control. Last season with Long Beach, he worked out of the pen, posting a 4.50 ERA (98 ERA+) in 34 innings pitched.

RHP Sotaro Abe, age 35. Originally a scouting discovery out of Japan by Nashville in 2042, Abes repertoire includes six mostly pedestrian pitches. The last few seasons hes pitched in the GBC. Last year he threw 31 innings out of the pen for Sao Paulo, posting a 2.27 ERA (190 ERA+).

RHP Francis Xavier 'Big Jeff' Pfeffer, age 35. Originally selected in the first round of the 2044 amateur draft by Yellow Springs, Pfeffer throws five pitches with plus movement, but struggles with his command. His best days are likely behind him now; his role going forward is as institutional filler.

[Jwalk100]

Cotton, Majdy and Pfeffer might the best of the bunch with their ability to keep the ball in the park. Good signings.

[recte44]

Off Topic

RHP Mike Griffin, age 32. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2046 amateur draft by Mexico City, Griffins pitch repertoire includes six pitches, led by a plus fastball that sits near triple digits that forces a high rate of flyballs. Unfortunately, many of these leave the park, despite his plus-plus control. Last season with Las Vegas, he worked out of the pen, posting a 4.50 ERA (98 ERA+) in 34 innings pitched.

Griffin was with Long Beach last year, not Las Vegas, btw.

[Bob Breum]

Griffin was with Long Beach last year, not Las Vegas, btw.

Oops! I'll correct it.