Off Topic
TRADE BRINGS POSSIBLE BIG FISH
December 1, 2064: Marshall Islands – In Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, an aged and weather-beaten fisherman brings home a big catch, only to see it ... well, I'll not spoil the ending any further for those who haven't read it. It's a classic for a reason.
Today the Bikini Krill announced they had gone fishing and made a deal that netted Luis Zavala out of Mexico City waters. Zavala is a 23-year-old big-fish of an infielder with immense offensive upside, but who (at 23) has yet to convince scouts that that big upside is going to actually arrive. He’s a RHB that lists at second base, but projects most likely to first base.
The price was reliver Tom Cripps (23) and last season’s first round pick, Class-SA’s third baseman Luis Cortéz. A hard-throwing lefty who has dominated hitters at every level he’s been at, Cripps was thought to be BBA-ready, and was expected to be given a shot. He carries an elite fastball and slider, with a sidecar splitter. He was in the heavy mix of bullpen hopefuls, however, and competition was going to be fierce. Given the numbers game in Bikini, the deal makes some sense.
One suspects Cripps will open in Mexico City.
Cortez, drafted out of Army, debuted in Port au Prince with 15 homers and a solid .301/.407/.553 slash. He’s got development to get through, but optimism exists.
High Reward Comes With High Risk
Will The Full Zavala
Make Landfall?The obvious wildcard in this deal is the eventual result of Zavala’s development over the next season or two. He was named the league’s #17 prospect a week ago, so it’s clear that if the Krill’s staff can push the right buttons that unleash the kid’s full potential, he’ll be a force in the league for some time. Alas, the gap between Zavala’s current skillset and the one certain scouts still see is somewhat of a chasm. And the clock is running short.
“I like a good challenge,” said manager Kate Fiscus 2.0. “We’ll take a good look at Luis in camp this spring, and see if we can’t coach him up. I can’t wait to get my hands on him.
There’s some question if he might be given a slot at the team’s development center on Pain Island in order to improve his defensive acumen, but most of the team seems to think his chances of progressing far enough to play a BBA-level second base are slim enough that it might be better to convert him to first base, and not spend the resource.
“I’m excited for the new opportunity,” Zavala said. “I’ll show up and do my best.”
December 1, 2064: Marshall Islands – In Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea, Santiago, an aged and weather-beaten fisherman brings home a big catch, only to see it ... well, I'll not spoil the ending any further for those who haven't read it. It's a classic for a reason.
Today the Bikini Krill announced they had gone fishing and made a deal that netted Luis Zavala out of Mexico City waters. Zavala is a 23-year-old big-fish of an infielder with immense offensive upside, but who (at 23) has yet to convince scouts that that big upside is going to actually arrive. He’s a RHB that lists at second base, but projects most likely to first base.
The price was reliver Tom Cripps (23) and last season’s first round pick, Class-SA’s third baseman Luis Cortéz. A hard-throwing lefty who has dominated hitters at every level he’s been at, Cripps was thought to be BBA-ready, and was expected to be given a shot. He carries an elite fastball and slider, with a sidecar splitter. He was in the heavy mix of bullpen hopefuls, however, and competition was going to be fierce. Given the numbers game in Bikini, the deal makes some sense.
One suspects Cripps will open in Mexico City.
Cortez, drafted out of Army, debuted in Port au Prince with 15 homers and a solid .301/.407/.553 slash. He’s got development to get through, but optimism exists.
High Reward Comes With High Risk
Will The Full Zavala
Make Landfall?
“I like a good challenge,” said manager Kate Fiscus 2.0. “We’ll take a good look at Luis in camp this spring, and see if we can’t coach him up. I can’t wait to get my hands on him.
There’s some question if he might be given a slot at the team’s development center on Pain Island in order to improve his defensive acumen, but most of the team seems to think his chances of progressing far enough to play a BBA-level second base are slim enough that it might be better to convert him to first base, and not spend the resource.
“I’m excited for the new opportunity,” Zavala said. “I’ll show up and do my best.”
