Crawdad Chronicles 60.01 - Rule 5 Pick Abdul-Malik hoping to find long-term success

[JimBob2232]

New Orleans has had a struggle locating players for its SS and 2B spot. One of the shots they took is IF Tareef Abdul-Malik as a rue 5 pick from Nashville.

There is no doubt Abdul-Malik is you and undeveloped. He is just 21 years old. But has potential to be a solid player for the long term. He has a good glove, and solid arm, which combined with his BBA caliber potential at the plate - made him a take. New Orleans intended to stash him on the bench for a year, then send him down to the minor leagues for some more seasoning before hopefully seeing him full time in a couple seasons.

But then...New Orleans struggled to find someone to play middle infield. They let Abdul-Malik try. Having never seen a pitch above Rookie ball, he stepped up to the plate on 7 April against 7 time all star and 3 time Nebraska winner Hector Silva of Charm City. On his second pitch he hit a ground ball to SS Jim Vineyard, a Gold Golve-r the previous season, and somehow managed to reach first base on an error. He later scored his first run of his career. Unfortunatly he continued to fail and prove that he was not ready for the BBA.

He went 0-31 to start his career...but then...soemthing seemed to click. He went on a 6 game hitting streak. Had his first career multiple hit gme against Las Vegas. Since his firs hit, he has gone 11/42 (.262). New Orleans will certainly accept that layer of production.

He is still raw, GM Jim Roberts said. We're very happy with how he has developed at the plate. He has a lot of growth in front of him. But the guy has a great work ethic, very selfless, and wants to put in what it takes to be succesful at this leve.

Its just incredible to be here, Abdul-Malik said. Playing with greats that I grew up watching, like Juan Donestaveez (Abudl Malik was just 4 which Donestavez made his debut) is just incredible. I savor every day and hope to earn my stay here.

New Orleans does too.

[Dington]

I like the kid, but brutal start.

[JimBob2232]

I like the kid, but brutal start.

Ya - going to let him get through this year and send him down to AA or AAA.