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2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:02 am
by Lane
TCHEKANOV TO JOIN ROTATION

August 5, 2028
Santa Fe, NM


Surfers top pitching prospect Danya Tchekanov is expected to arrive in Long Beach ahead of the team's return next week for the series against New Orleans. The promotion is the final step in a series of aggressive promotions that saw the righty progress from A to AA to AAA making no more than 7 starts at any level. In his last stop in Santa Fe, he posted a 3.38 ERA over 6 starts, striking out 32 batters in 32 innings.

Tchekanov is 21 years old and projects to be one of the league's top pitchers someday, with potentials of 9/8/9. Currently the scouts rate him at 8/7/5 indicating that he still has a lot of growth to do, but should have success at the BBA level immediately.

The move indicates that Surfers management is pushing all-in on this season in an attempt to get back to the playoffs. Tchekanov was not yet on the 40 man roster and would not have been Rule 5 eligible until 2040.

As for his stuff, he sits mid-90s and throws a fastball, slider, splitter and changeup. The change is the standout pitch, known to make batters look silly as they swing over the pitch as it dives down and out of the zone. He's also got a show-me knuckle curve, but for the most part he uses his change, slider and splitter to put batters away and is equally effective against lefties and righties.


Foster Waived, Velasco to Pen

In corresponding moves, 36 year old ROOGY Dana Foster was designated for assignment, and Julio Velasco will move into the bullpen, though he is expected to act as an opener for Friday's game at Edmonton. Velasco was selected to move to the pen based on a combination of 2038 performance and expected performance in a relief role. His high-90s velocity with the sidearm delivery will play up out of the bullpen and give the already excellent bullpen one more elite weapon.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:14 am
by RonCo
A bit of a gamble, but you do what to gotta do.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:24 pm
by Lane
Less than ideal, but if he's successful, an extra 1 or 2 wins could make the difference in a playoff spot.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:32 pm
by Ted
You know, by the old ratings that guy is probably 9/7/6, which is a perfectly decent mid rotation option. It's interesting how the lack of being fully developed makes us not promote top prospects, when we bring up lesser players all the time.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:49 pm
by RonCo
The concern I have is not today's performance, but the likelihood of stunting growth into existing ratings.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:52 pm
by RonCo
I admit I don't know how this really works, but everything else being equal I would bring up a slightly lesser but fully developed player before I would bring up a guy who was close in ratings, but had gaps to grow into.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:57 pm
by Ted
RonCo wrote:
Tue May 07, 2019 7:49 pm
The concern I have is not today's performance, but the likelihood of stunting growth into existing ratings.
I kind of figured that. I wonder about this too. I get the "instinct" to keep not fully developed players in the minors. But does that really make sense? The game manual even says that not playing difficult enough opponents hampers development to some degree. I admit not knowing how it works either. However, were I writing a game, I'd not code things such that players develop better by just being in the minors. I'd make it so they develop better by getting playing time, and by having that playing time be against players who challenge the skills they need to develop in.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 8:09 pm
by Lane
Am I correct in assuming that morale can also impact development?

In this case I'm trying to weigh his development while managing his morale and team needs.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 8:10 pm
by Ted
Lane wrote:
Tue May 07, 2019 8:09 pm
Am I correct in assuming that morale can also impact development?

In this case I'm trying to weigh his development while managing his morale and team needs.
Yes. And again, no one really knows how much.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 8:59 pm
by RonCo
Yeah, I don't know. You can find cases that suggest either way. I've brought guy up early when I needed them, but I feel no pressure to hurry if I don't see a real need/value. If he's not essentially developed, I don't see it as service time issue. For example, I'm not keeping Dong-po Thum down for service time. I'm keeping him down because I'm 14+ games up and he's still under-developed. I'll likely call him up in time to put him on the playoff roster--unless I don't ( :) )...and a couple weeks aren't going to do anything at all regarding service time.

Re: 2038.09 - The Long Beach Independent - Top Prospect Promoted

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 9:10 pm
by RonCo
For example I promoted Dimiao Laqui as a very young guy, and his ratings have barely budged since. He's been fairly valuable as a RHB platoon partner most of the time, however.