Trail Droppings 2041-7 Calgary's IFA Pitchers

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Calgary’s IFA Pitchers

In a previous article we have looked at Calgary’s IFA outfield, now it’s time to look at the pitching staff. Six of the team’s hurlers were signed as IFA’s even more than the team’s 5 IFA hitters. While most were not recruited by Calgary and were rather acquired by trade, they still represent the majority of the team’s starting rotation and much of the bullpen.

The first player to come to the BBA was reliever Juan Sanchez who was signed out of Nicaragua by Calgary in 2024. He was only 14 when he signed and he spent the next decade in the minors before finally reaching Calgary as a 25 year old starting pitcher. He threw 29 starts in 2036, but his 8-12 record, 110 walks and 110 strikeouts ended that experiment. The team moved him to the bullpen where he has spent the last 4 seasons. His control has continued to hinder him and he is limited to being a right handed specialist. This will be his last year in Calgary.

Carlos Rodriguez was signed out of Chile by Madrid (of the EBA) in 2027. He was taken by Edmonton in the expansion draft the next year and progressed until missing a year due to an elbow injury. As his velocity increased he lost some of his control, which is the only reason to explain Edmonton leaving him available for the 2033 Rule 5 Draft when he was selected by Calgary in the 3rd round. Which means every team had a couple of shots at him and didn’t pick him.

Rodriguez pitched 73 games in relief for the team in 2034 posting a 3.94 ERA, but a 1.85 WHIP. He spent most of the next 2 years in AAA working on his pitches and then joined the Calgary rotation in 2037 going 10-7, 3.46 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Calgary has used him as both a starter and a reliever since. He has averaged over 11 K’s per 9 during his BBA career, topped 200 K’s twice and may again this year. The team may let him walk in free agency this year, or he could get a last minute extension. Pretty decent Rule 5 pickup.

The next IFA hurler is the recently acquired Perre Legrand who was signed out of France by Las Vegas in 2029. He broke into the majors as a starter with Vegas in 2033 as a 21 year old. After 2 outstanding seasons there he was traded to Long Beach for Jimmy Greenwood. Ironically the Hustlers then traded Greenwood to Calgary part way through the season. Seven seasons in Long Beach came to an end weeks ago when the Pioneers traded for Legrand. Surprisingly he has never been an all star despite 7 seasons with double digit wins, a career 3.78 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Maybe he can make up for that with a Landis this year.

Yoshitoshi Ota was signed out of Japan by Carolina (Rockville) in 2032 and was traded to Atlantic City in the Dan Cannon deal. In 2039, after 3 mediocre seasons with the Gamblers, he was sold to Calgary for $7.9 million. The cash strapped Atlantic City team needed the money and the Pioneers thought he could be converted into a good bullpen arm. Since then he has been steady but not spectacular and is a free agent after next season. The team has tried to sign him to a 3 year extension, but he has resisted and it looks like he wants to test the market after next season.

Quintiliano Rodeia was a signed out of Venezuela by Omaha in 2035 and was dealt to Calgary the next year. He was named the #42 prospect in the BBA in 2037 and moved up 10 spots to #32, then #25 and finally #24 in 2040. For a time it looked like he could be a dual threat as an outfielder and hit .259 during 270 minor league games. However, the Pioneers have chosen to limit him to the mound and not take addition injury risk with the rookie. In 17 games this year he is 8-4 and holding his spot in the rotation.

A major scouting find, Carlos Granados was signed out of Mexico by Calgary in 2035 the same year the team signed Mao. He had 8/7/10 potential when signed and looked like a future ace. A torn rotator cuff in 2038 put him out of commission for 17 months and he is not the same pitcher he was before the injury. With Calgary he failed as a starter and has struggled in the bullpen, particularly giving up too many homers. The team hopes with some time, he may bounce back, but he will never be the pitcher he could have been.

So 5 batters and 6 hitters on the Pioneers that came into the league the IFA route. Three of the teams starting pitchers, the whole outfield and one of the best 1B in the game. That is why this team always goes into the IFA signing period looking for the diamonds in the rough.