With yesterday’s signing of Dewon Brazelton to a minor league contract, it got me thinking a little bit about the rotations of 2008. Who’s going to fit, and where? Here are my off the cuff chicken scratches on a notepad I did while I’m bored at work:
Memphis:
Hawksworth
Parisi
Boggs
Brazelton
Rauschenberger/Haberer? (Haberer is Rule 5 eligible, and unlikely to be taken.)
Springfield:
Jaime Garcia
Walters
Ottavino
Norrick
Pomeranz (Rule 5 eligible, also an unlikely candidate to be drafted.)
Palm Beach:
Mortensen
Herron
Furnish
Todd
McCormick
Quad Cities:
I’m thinking with all the young players coming up, it’s back to the piggyback:
Kopp/Garceau
Hooker/Blazek
Andres Rosales/Blake King
Carlos Gonzalez/Reynier Gonzalez
Am I missing something here? Ah, yes. Where do Brandon Dickson and Elvis Hernandez fit? Where does Eddie Degerman belong? What about Thomas Eager? Should Rauschenberger be moved to the bullpen? The same question could also apply to Haberer and King. Is there room for Kenny Maiques in any rotation? And what to make of the implode-able Gary Daley? And surely Nick Additon and JD Stambaugh deserve a look in the QC rotation as well. I’m sure there are other questions I haven’t even thought of yet. The Hot Stove and Rule 5 may make the picture a little clearer, or maybe even a little blurrier. The only answer will be told by time, but you have to admit it’s quite the conundrum. Thoughts? Ideas?
Filed under: 2008 rosters
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
If you have any hope for the future of this organization, you have to like the looks of that 2008 Springfield rotation (and to be fair the Memphis rotation as well).
Its sure getting crowded down on the farm (nice complaint to have for once).
I’m big on the idea of both McClellen and Maiques being ried in the rotation. One could argue that its too cro be even more crowded but if you analyze the bullpen picture it may be even more crowded.
I think the idea of Hooker and Balzaek to QC is way premature. I see them in Batavia. i think think they need more experience and there are plenty of other guys that deserve a shot. I’m not even confident Rosales starts at QC.
A lot of guys possibly getting pushed from starters roles: Dickson, Hernandez, Daniels, Hearne, Deggerman, Daley, possibly Haberer. All probably deserve another shot but there is no room. Some will go to the BP others (my guess is Daniels, Hearne, and maybe Dickson) will look for work elsewhere
On top of the initial crowding, we have some guys who could move fast if they start strong as they are basically repeating. Furnish, McCormack, Garceu, Rauschenberger, (using my list) and possibly Todd, mortenson, and herron just on ability. If they are ready to move up, where will the openings come from?
My picks are
AAA
Parisi
Hawksworth
Boggs
Walters/Garcia
LH (Haberer? but more likley minor league FA)
I’ll cheat here and list Pomeranz as a swing guy who will go to AAA or AA depending on who gets injured!
AA
Rauschenberger
Norrick
Ottavino
Walters/Garcia
McClellen
High A
Mortensen
Furnish
Herron
Maiques
McCormack
A
Todd
Kopp
King
Andersen
Eager
Broderick
Stambaugh
Garceu
Wow, I’m not sure what happened to that sentence above. It should read: “One could argue that its too crowded to have those guys start but if you analyze the bullpen picture it may be even more crowded.”
Woops, forgot Anderson had been released - probably substitute Rosales!
Going off Erik’s list, my thoughts are:
Brazelton needs to be put in the bullpen. Garcia will hopefully start in AAA. Todd is probably ready for PB but I see him in QC. Elvis would then take his place in the PB rotation. While I kind of hope Hooker and Blazek get throw into the fire in QC, I see them going to Batavia.
First comment here…long time reader and addict to FR and Vivaelbirdos. I live 20 minutes from Springfield, and am pumped about the idea of that SR!!! Too bad Colby and Anderson are going up…bad for me good for the STL.
Thanks for all your work Erik and AZ!
I wouldn’t bet on Anderson going up just yet, he is really young for AA. Get your tickets in the beginning of the season though, as I would bet he joins Colby after a couple months.
Everything kinda moves off the Palm Beach rotation. I could easily see Mortensen, Herron, and Furnish getting a bump during the season to make room for the best performers out of the Quad Cities crop. Quad Cities looks like a wild card from this list…
Didn’t the Gonzalez boys tear it up at short season last year?
and parisi and hawksworth have a shot at the major league rotation…
Pomeranz won’t be drafted because of the injury history or the fact that he’ll be on the 40-man?
Went to look him up and didn’t realize how much he’d torn up (in some ways) the AFL.
Never mind the question above. Should have read the other post first!
I have a Andres Rosales mancrush.
How come nobody has been talking about this kid who is coming to camp from Missouri State? Bob Zimmerman is a strong right handed pitcher with a huge frame and dominating speed. He has mid 90’s heat with nasty movement. I am just wondering how come he has not been talked about.