The Ybor City Spuds had their best showing in last month's Florida Prospect League since their debut season in 2035. The Spuds went 20-8, the third best record in the league but missed the playoffs by just one game. In 2035, the Spuds also went 20-8 but did make postseason play. Ybor City's performance was a welcome change after two straight seasons going 13-15."This wasn't the most talented team we've had here," said manager Orval Ryals. "But they really came together and played as a unit. This league really helps prospects get to know their teammates and the hope is they continue to grow in the system until their ready for the big leagues."
The Spuds had several impressive performances over the course of the season:
Pat Alexander, C
After mixed results between Single- and Double-A in 2041, Alexander showed promise during the Florida Prospect League. The mustached backstop held his own at the plate (103 OPS+) while stealing six bases without getting caught. Defensively, base runners didn't fare as well, as Alexander threw out 41.2% of would-be stealers (fourth best in the league), to go along with a sub-4.00 CERA. At the very least, Alexander is expected to be the back-up for Boise in 2043 but until then, he will see the lion's share of starts behind the plate in Weymouth (AA) to start the year.
Mark Brown, 1B
Brown, 22, finished in the top five in RBI (33) and sacrifice flies (3), slashing .378/.434/.663. Brown's stellar play comes off of a disappointing 2041 regular season in which he hit only .228 with an OPS+ of just 74. Brown, known more for his glove, hopes to carry his performance into 2042, where he is expected to return to Tulsa (A) as the starting first baseman.
Mitch Freemann, SP
Freemann, a second-round selection in last year's draft, tied for the second-most wins in the Florida Prospect League with 5. The 6'4 righty had an ERA of 4.15 but his WHIP (1.13) and K/BB ratio (4.7) are signs of what the organization hopes to come. You can expect to see Freemann and his 101 MPH fastball in Weymouth (AA) for most of the year, with an eye on possibly reaching Boise by late-2043.
Craig Gregory, SS
Gregory, 22, finished the FPL with the sixth-highest Win Probability Added (1.71) thanks to a slash line of .333/.436/.591 while holding his own at shortstop, as well as getting work in at second and first base. Gregory, a second-round pick in 2041 like Freemann, has the makings of an above-average utility infielder in the majors but will be slotted in as the starting shortstop next season in Tulsa (A).
Ian Horswill, RP
After a breakout 2041 in which the Canadian swingman went 3-2 with one save in 51.1 IP (2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) across two levels, Horswill continued to outperform expectations in his first taste of FPL action. Horswill, the cousin of Phoenix Talons reliever Nate Horswill, made eight appearances out of the Ybor City bullpen, saving two games in as many opportunities, while finishing with four holds, tied for third-best in the league. The 2040 sixth-rounder with the killer change-up will be asked to fill the role as spot-starter and multi-inning reliever for Tulsa (A) next spring.
Alexandre Larga, SP
Larga, 21, frustrated hitters all season long during the FLP, holding them to the third-lowest batting average (.179) and fourth-lowest BABIP (.216), all while making five quality starts out of six total. Thanks to his defense and crafty pitching, the Brazilian went 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. A fourth-round pick in this past draft, Larga spent his entire first professional season in Tulsa (A), where he'll be the staff ace once again for the start of 2042.
Ramón Miranda, CF
Miranda has come on strong in recent years since being drafted in the thirteenth-round back in 2038. Still just 21 years old, Miranda's overall play for Ybor City was worth 1.7 WAR, ninth-best in the league. During FPL play, Miranda had a 1.037 OPS and ranked fifth among all centerfielders with a 2.7 Zone Rating. Coming off of a regular season that saw him hit a career-high 26 HR for Weymouth, Miranda will likely find himself in Salt Lake City (AAA) at some point in 2042 with hopes of becoming future fourth outfielder with above-average defense, excellent speed and solid left-handed bat.
José Rodríguez, 2B
After a more-than-disappointing first season of professional ball, Rodríguez lived up to his 2041 first-round hype by hitting .390, ninth-best in the FPL. With an OPS of 1.024 and fine glove work at second base in December, Boise's front office will hope to see the teenager breakout next season, likely in Tulsa (A).
