Baseball Rookies 1992 magazine

68 Pages·1992·13.3 MB·English

by  Harris Publications, Inc.

Vol 2, No 1 »
Baseba 1992
ROOKIKS
C O N T
One Man’s Opinion new ball park in Baltimore can
Who’s a Rookie? .... 4 affect your Fantasy League
The 1992 Rookie Report . 6 picks and swaps. Will Ripken-,
Three Stars Share Title Of Jr. Fall Off; Can Fielder hit 40
homers again?; Is Pendleton
Top Minor-Leaguer
Wohlers. Martinez and Bell all worth picking in 1992? . .. . .44
Musial Was A Natural
named by top publications ... 17
With A Bat
Knoblauch’s Path Mirrors
The 1992 season is the 50th
Minnesota’s Rise
AL Rookie Of The Year made anniversary of Stan Musial’s
rookie season with the St.
jump from double A .......20
Louis Cardinals. He hit .315
Bagwell NL Rookie
with 10 homers and 72 runs
Of The Year
batted in that year to help the
Bagwell blends best elements
Cards upset the favored
of Mattingly, Garvey 24
Brooklyn Dodgers in the race
Rookies Fueled Flag
for the 1942 National League
Drives For ’91 Champions pennant . .. 5: 0
Knoblauch, Leius keyed Twins
Dreams Come True At
push; Hunter, Wohlers, Santon Cleveland Kids Light
boosted Braves ..........28 Beacons In The Fog Fantasy Baseball Camps
It’s a lot of fun and it’s a
Lewis, Thome, Jefferson,
good living for retired Major
Baerga, Belle, Hill and Whiten
Leaguers 50
are the Indians’ youthful
regulars. 32 How Hard Is Hitting?
Hitting a thrown ball is the
Grow Your Own: Astros
hardest skill in sports ......52
Emulate Atlanta’s
Formula Major League Post-
Season Stats 56
Twenty Rookies played for the
Astros in 1991; more are Major League All-Time
on the way! . 36 Leaders 59
Bits ’n Pieces About The Baseball Writers Associa
’92 Rookie Class 40 tion of America Rookie
Awards ...............6 i 0
What To Look For As A
Baseball Writers Associa
ll- s ■*- Fantasy League General
tion of America Rookie
Manager
See which 1991 career sea Team Awards 61
sons will turn into 1992 busts; Rookie Of The Year Award
Analyze how traces and the Voting 1947-1990 61
Stanley R. Harris Publisher, Phyllis Goldstein Publishing Director, Norman MacLean Editor, James Allocca Art Director,
Len Kabatsky Cover Design, Paul Wheeler, Joe Lalaina, Damien Gray Copy Editors, Roy Mosny Production Director,
Richard Fogel Circulation/Marketing Director. Richard Ciotta Single Copy Sales Manager.
Contributing Editor Dan Schlossberg
Baseball Rookies is published annually by Harris Publications, Inc., 1115 Broadway, New York, New York 10010. Single copy price: $2.95 in U.S.A., $3.50 in
Canada. Submissions of manuscripts, illustrations and/or photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publisher assumes
no responsibility for unsolicited material. Copyright 1991 by Harris Publications, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan American Copyright Conven
tions. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A..
One
required to keep rookie status
(Martinez did it over two seasons).
Young, on the other hand,
missed going over the line by two-
Man%thirds of an inning; Hundley and
Livingstone were three at-bats
short of the maximum; and Mitch
ell’s service time before September
1 stopped at 44 days, one short of
the freshman limit.
Mitchell and Atlanta teammate
Mark Wohlers, plus Minnesota’s
Opinion Jarvis Brown, even appeared in
the 1991 World Series but count as
1992 rookies.
That’s because the rookie rule
reads as follows;
‘A player shall be considered a
rookie unless, during a previous
" Who's a Rookie? season or seasons, he has (a)
exceeded 130 at-bats or 50
innings pitched in the major
leagues; or (b) accumulated more
than 45 days on the active roster
of a major league club or clubs
during the period of the 25-player
limit (excluding time in military
service).”
Since the 25-player limit runs
through August 31, players promoted
from the minors in September do
not get service time counted against
their rookie qualifications. They are
subject, however, to rules regarding
at-bats or innings pitched.
Those rules prevent Jose Offer-
man from reeling in rookie status
for the third straight spring. For
Offerman, swallowed alive by the
pressure-cooker of the pennant
race last August, the lost rookie
status is probably good news.
Last spring’s universal favorite for
Rookie of the Year has now
m
flunked three National League
trials and dropped from prospect
C
onfusion reigns. Sports- Catcher Todd Hundley figures to get the to suspect—just two years after
writers, as well as fans, nod as the New York Mets regular receiver Pacific Coast League managers
this year,
often have difficulty deter named him the league’s most
mining who’s a rookie and mathematics will report that Tino exciting player, best baserunner,
who isn’t. Martinez and Bret Barberie are top fastest baserunner, and infielder
Last spring, for example, many rookie candidates, but may ignore with the best throwing arm.
major magazines trumpeted Juan Anthony Young, Todd Hundley, Though Offerman’s star has
Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers as Scott Livingstone, and Keith been tarnished, he’s getting
the pre-season favorite for Ameri Mitchell. another extended audition this
can League Rookie of the Year. The truth is that Martinez and spring. The reason is simple: eco
There was only one trouble: he Barberie lost their 1992 rookie nomics.
wasn’t eligible. status by exceeding 130 big- Rookies and other young
This year, magazines weak in league at-bats—the maximum players with limited big-league
4 l BASEBALL ROOKIES
service time don’t cost as much as
veteran players. While the average Top '92 prospects by position
major-league salary is approach
ing $1 million, the minimum salary
C, Todd Hundley, New York NL Keith Mitchell
remains $100,000.
Dave Nilsson, Milwaukee AL played in the
Consider the fact, for example, World Series
IB. Eric Karros, Los Angeles NL
that World Series heroes Chuck for the Atlanta
John Jaha, Milwaukee AL
Braves, but is
Knoblauch and Scott Leius received 2B. Matt Stairs, Montreal NL still listed as
winning shares of $119,593—nearly Bret Boone, Seattle AL a 1992 rookie.
$20,000 more than their rookie sal SS. Wil Cordero, Montreal NL
Rich Amaral, Seattle AL
aries of 1991.
3B. Gary Cooper, Houston NL
With Kirby Puckett earning $3
Jim Thome, Cleveland AL
million per annum, does that mean OF. Keith Mitchell, Atlanta NL LHR Lance Dickson, Chicago NL
one Kirby Puckett is worth 30 Derek Bell, Toronto AL Arthur Lee Rhodes, Baltimore AL
Chuck Knoblauchs? Or does it OF. Reggie Sanders, Cincinnati NL RHR Pedro Martinez, Los Angeles NL
mean the baseball salary structure Ruben Amaro, California AL Cal Eldred, Milwaukee AL
is so out of whack that teams OF. Tom Goodwin, Los Angeles NL RR Mark Wohlers, Atlanta NL
Luis Mercedes, Baltimore AL Pat Mahomes, Minnesota AL
would rather rely on untested rook
ies than proven veterans?
For some clubs, the answer is The Top 10 Rookies of 1992
obvious.
Three of the four 1991 cellar-
1. Mark Wohlers, Atlanta Braves RHP
dwellers hope an influx of fresh 2. Jim Thome, Cleveland Indians 3B
men will hoist them out of the divi 3. Derek Bell, Toronto Blue Jays OF
4. Wil Cordero, Montreal Expos SS
sional depths. The Houston Astros,
5. Cal Eldred, Milwaukee Brewers RHP
Montreal Expos, and Cleveland
6, Todd Hundley, New York Mets C
Indians can’t afford or attract vet
7 Arthur Lee Rhodes, Baltimore Orioles LHP
eran free-agent talent but may har 8. Reggie Sanders, Cincinnati Reds OF
vest enough home-grown talent to SS Jose Offerman is no 9. Rob Maurer, Texas Rangers IB
make more respectable showings longer a rookie— and may 10. Pedro Martinez, Los Angeles Dodgers RHP
in 1992. be facing a crossroads Honorable Mention: Dave Nilsson, Milwaukee Brewers C;
decision by the Los Kenny Lofton, Houston Astros OF: Gary Disarcina, California
At least they can look forward to Angeles Dodgers after Angels SS; Eric Karros, Los Angeles Dodgers IB; John
the advent of National League failing in a September trial Ramos, New York Yankees C; Milt Hill, Cincinnati Reds RHP
expansion in 1993. The new dubs created when regular SS Jeremy Hernandez, San Diego Padres RHP; Jeff Tackett,
Alfredo Griffin went down Baltimore Orioles C: Matt Stairs, Montreal Expos 2B; Royce
in each division are virtually certain
with an injury. Clayton, San Francisco Grants SS.
to stake a strong claim to last place.
They will be populated primarily
Dan Schlossberg's 1991 Rookie All-Stars
by has-beens and never-will-bes,
but also by rookies reaching for a
C. Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers
rung on the major-league ladder.
1B. Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros
Long before the Colorado Rock
2B. Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota Twins
ies and Florida Marlins join, SS. Bret Barberie, Montreal Expos
increasing the number of clubs to 3B; Scott Leius, Minnesota Twins
28, dozens of rookies will reach OF. Luis Gonzalez, Houston Astros
that rung. Two of them will suc OF. Ray Lankford, St. Louis Cardinals
OF. Phil Plantier, Boston Red Sox
ceed Knoblauch and Jeff Bagwell
DH. Mo Vaughn, Boston Red Sox
as Rookies of the Year and a lucky
LHR Jose Melendez, San Deigo Padres
one or two might even get to play RHR Juan Guzman, Toronto Blue Jays
in the World Series. Knoblauch LHRR Mike Stanton, Atlanta Braves
became a World Series hero when RHRR Mike Timlin, Toronto Blue Jays
he got that chance last fall. Second Team; Brent Mayne. C. Kansas City Royals: Brian
Hunter, 1B, Atlanta Braves: Mickey Morandini, 2B, Philadel Tine Martinez of Miami
Talent sometimes withers under
phia Phillies: Mark Lewis. SS, Cleveland Indians: Leo Gomez, University was blocked by
the glare of the publicity spotlight 3B, Baltimore Orioles: Wes Chamberlain, OF, Philadelphia Alvin Davis and Pete
but the best young athletes often Phillies: Milt Cuyler OF, Detroit Tigers: Mark Whiten, OF, O'Brien at first base for
Cleveland Indians: Chito Martinez, DH, Baltimore Orioles: Seattle. He wound up with
rise to the ocasion.
Chris Hammond, LHR Cincinnati Reds: Mike Mussina, RHR Calgary of the PCL where
The pages that follow document Baltimore Orioles: Jeff Fassero, LHRR Montreal Expos: Doug he hit .326, with 18
the achievements of last year’s Henry, RHRR Milwaukee Brewers. homers and 86 RBI.
rookie stars, as well as an in-depth
look at the new rookie class. n
BASEBALL ROOKIES l 5
if. -
Rookie
Report
w
By Dan Schlossberg Contributing Editor
ith expansion on the horizon and free agency driving salaries beyond the strato
sphere, rookies in both leagues will get more exposure in 1992 than in any previous
big-league season.
The reasons are obvious:
l Clubs get maximum mileage for minimum investment ($100,000) from rookies who realize
that baseball eventually pays its best performers seven-figure salaries.
l Baseball’s Basic Agreement binds rookies to their clubs for six years of service before they
qualify for free agency.
l Teams in both leagues need to audition as many prospects as possible before preparing
their 15-man “protected” lists for the fall expansion draft that will stock the new Colorado Rockies
and Florida Marlins of the National League.
Finding top rookie talent is never simple. In fact, the best freshmen sometimes emerge from
unlikely places. Both of last year’s Rookies of the Year, Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros and
Chuck Knoblauch of the Minnesota Twins, went to spring training as non-roster players trying to
move up from Double-A.
The same scenario could emerge this spring, as teams try to get an extended look at the
minor-leaguers who might be ready to advance.
The teams expected to bank most heavily on rookies are three of the four teams that finished
last (the Astros, Expos, and Indians) and two of the three teams that failed to return to post-season
play (the Reds and Athletics).
Rookie additions have sparked several team turnarounds in recent seasons. Both the 1989
Baltimore Orioles and 1990 Chicago White Sox came within a whisker of going from worst to first
before the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins both did it in 1991. All were fueled by productive
rookie imports.
There may not be a Mickey Mantle or a Nolan Ryan in the 1992 rookie crop but there should
be a number of quality major- leaguers. Here’s look at each team’s prospects:
6 l BASEBALL ROOKIES
campaign if not sooner. Described the ammunition to retool with rook
as Eric Davis with good ham ies and are expected to do just
strings, Kelly offers a rare combi that.
nation of speed, power, and Reggie Sanders, a 24-year-old
defense that his college coach righthanded hitter who can fly, will
compares to Barry Bonds, a open the year as the centerfielder
former Arizona State star. and leadoff man. “He has a quick
Also about a year away are two bat and good speed,’’ said man
other potential stars; slugging first ager Lou Piniella of Sanders. “The
baseman Ryan Klesko and hard only thing he has to do is work on
hitting shortstop Chipper Jones. his throwing.”
Both will start the year at Triple-A Sanders, a converted shortstop,
Richmond. hit only .200 in 40 at-bats with the
Big-league hopefuls for '92 are Reds but earned his promotion
righthanded pitchers Armando with a .315 showing at Double-A
Reynoso and Napoleon Robinson Chattanooga.
and shortstop Vinny Castilla. Teammate Dan Wilson, the best
Robinson was 16-6 with a 2.27 defensive catcher in the Cincinnati
ERA at Double-A Greenville system, might also bypass Triple-A
Mark Wohlers (Southern). if he shows he can hit big-league
CHICAGO—Former University of pitching.
ATLANTA—Mark Wohlers and Arizona star Lance Dickson, a Four pitchers who performed
Keith Mitchell both appeared in the lefthanded starter, averaged a well after September recalls will
World Series but didn’t play strikeout-an-inning in Triple-A also get lengthy spring looks.
enough during the season to lose before suffering a stress fracture of Starter Mo Sanford and relievers
their rookie status. the right foot in June. He made Keith Brown, Steve Foster, and Milt
Wohlers, a 6-4, 210-pound righty three starts for the Cubs two years Hill—all righthanders—have a
reliever who throws blue-darters, ago and should make many more golden opportunity to rescue a
had 34 saves in three stops last in the years to come. staff that posted a 3.83 ERA and
year to win Minor League Player of Also bidding for rotation berths ranked fourth in walks last summer.
the Year honors from USA Today. are lefty Yorkis Perez and righty Foster throws the split-fingered
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox, who Turk Wendell, two 25-year-olds fastball for strikes, while Hill relies
used Wohlers sparingly behind acquired from Atlanta in the
late-season ace Alejandro Pena, Damon Berryhill deal. Perez won a Reggie Sanders
calls him “one of the future great dozen for a weak Richmond team
closers in the game today.” while the wild and wooly Wendell
Mitchell’s claim to fame is his went 11-3 with a 2.56 ERA at
family’s baseball heritage: his Greenville.
second cousin is slugging out The bullpen could get a boost
fielder Kevin Mitchell. from Laddie Renfroe, whose 18
The 5-10, 180-pound outfielder saves led the American Associa
hit .327 in Double-A, .326 in Triple- tion; Scott May, a middle reliever
A, and .318 in limited big-league who worked 57 times at Iowa; or
action last year. In addition to a Julio Strauss, who throws the best
line-drive bat that may eventually split-fingered fastball in the organi
produce 25 home runs a year, zation. All throw righthanded.
Mitchell has enough speed and Third baseman Gary Scott, the
defense to make a serious bid for former Villanova star, is back for
the left field vacancy created by another varsity shot after a disas
Otis Nixon’s drug problems and trous 1991 campaign. He flunked
Lonnie Smith’s World Series gaffe. a Chicago trial, then hit .208 in
Former Arizona State standout Triple-A before breaking his wrist.
Mike Kelly, Atlanta’s first-round But he’s still regarded as the best
amateur draft choice last June, will prospect and best batter in the
almost certainly crash the varsity team’s minor-league system.
outfield by the start of the 1993 CINCINNATI—The Reds have
BASEBALL ROOKIES l 7
f#
League but Eric Karros and Pedro
Martinez may make a more
immediate impact.
Hansen, a fine-fielding third
baseman recalled to Los Angeles
Report
July 12, no longer qualifies as a
rookie (more than 45 days on the
big-league roster), while Hernan
on heat: he fanned seven straight dez figures as little more than a
batters and eight out of nine replacement for departed back-up
during a Triple-A game in July. catcher Gary Carter.
Also bidding to join the varsity is Karros, on the other hand, hit
.316 with 22 homers and 101 RBI
southpaw starter Gino Minutelli,
who had a 1.90 ERA in 13 Triple-A to move ahead of Henry Rodri
starts at Nashville. guez as the everyday player most
HOUSTON—At one time or likely to advance to a varsity spot
in 1992.
another, 20 rookies appeared on
the Astros’ roster in 1991. Some of All Martinez did was go 18-8
with a 2.28 ERA in three minor-
them—notably NL Rookie of the
Year Jeff Bagwell, fellow slugger league stops. The first player to
Luis Gonzalez, and lefty reliever jump three levels in the Dodger
chain since brother Ramon in
Al Osuna—became major contri
butors. 1988, the 5-9, 160-pound right
Gary Cooper
Manager Art Howe hopes to hander could join his sibling in the
strike gold again. His long list of pitcher Ryan Bowen, shortstop Los Angeles rotation this spring.
rookie candidates includes Andujar Cedeno, and outfielders At age 20, Pedro is ripe for pro
motion.
catchers Scooter Tucker, Scott Ser- Karl Rhodes, Mike Simms, and
vais, and Tony Eusebio; third base- Javier Ortiz had not exceeded Also knocking on the Dodger
man Gary Cooper; second minimum rookie qualifications last door are righthanded reliever Mike
baseman Andy Mota; first base- summer. Christopher, control artist Jamie
man Jose Tolentino; centerfielder Houston’s best bet appears to
Eric Karros
Kenny Lofton; and pitchers Chris be Lofton, a one-time University of
Gardner, Jeff Juden, Brian Wil Arizona basketball star who
liams, and Rob Mallicoat. became a Triple-A All-Star before
The list would be even longer if winning MVP honors in the Pacific
Coast League Championship
Kenny Lofton Series.
Lofton, 25, hit .308 with 40 stolen
bases and led Tucson In games,
at-bats, and hits. He had 19 dou
bles, 17 triples, 93 runs scored,
and 50 RBI—even though he
batted leadoff.
Juden, the club’s first-round
choice in the June 1989 amateur
free agent draft, performed well i
two minor-league stops before j
advancing to the Astros. The 6-7,
250-pound righthander reminds
many observers of another tower
ing flamethrower who once wore
Houston colors: J.R. Richard.
LOS ANGELES—Dave Hansen
and Carlos Hernandez made
Baseball America’s list of Top Ten
Prospects from the Pacific Coast
8 l BASEBALL ROOKIES
McAndrew, switch-hitting second second include Todd Haney, who Terry Bross, a pair of hard-throwing
baseman Jose Munoz, and speed hit .312 in Triple-A, and Eastern righthanders, and lefties Blaine
merchant outfielder Tom Goodwin. League MVP Matt Stairs (.333, 30 Beatty and Rich Sauveur. Young
Munoz is a solid .300 hitter who doubles, 10 triples, 13 homers, 78 and Beatty are starters, while Sau
made a smooth conversion from RBI at Harrisburg). Stairs and veur and the 6-9 Bross work in
the outfield to second base last Dave Wainhouse, a rookie right- relief.
summer. handed reliever also hoping to PHILADELPHIA—One year
MONTREAL—Don’t be sur make the Expos, were members of after Mickey Morandini and Wes
prised if the Expos enter the 1992 the 1988 Canadian Olympic team. Chamberlain cracked the varsity
campaign with an all-rookie Outfielders John Vanderwal and lineup, the Phillies may be hard-
double-play combination. Moises Alou, catcher Greg Col- pressed to prune any prized plums
At age 20, Wil Cordero is virtu brunn, and right reliever Doug from their farms.
ally certain to succeed Spike Piatt are also bidding for varsity Rifle-armed shortstop Kim
Owen as the everyday shortstop. A berths in Montreal. Vanderwal, Batiste, who hit .292 with 18 stolen
rifle-armed fielder with outstanding who also plays first, has the best bases at Triple-A Scranton, and
range, Cordero also hits with some chance because- of his strong starting pitcher Andy Ashby, who
lefthanded bat (.293 with 15 split 22 decisions for the same
homers in Triple-A). club, are the best bets. The 6-5,
0 m Alou, son of Montreal coach 180-pound righthander pitched 25
Eelipe Alou, has his father’s gifts straight scoreless innings in Triple-
,;ika but must prove healthy after sitting A but had occasional streaks of
m- n
/ i out most of last year following wildness.
c^
shoulder surgery. Colbrunn has The Philadelphia staff could also
f
4 shaken the elbow tenditinis that get a boost from starter Cliff Brant
plagued him last year but must ley and relievers Toby Borland and
reclaim his reputation as the club’s Bob Ayrault, all righthanders.
catcher of the future. Borland had an 8-3 record, 24
f
$ NEW YORK—The Mets must saves, and 2.70 ERA in Double-A
r think highly of Todd Hundley: they while Ayrault worked 68 times in
m turned down a chance to include Triple-A.
W him in a trade that would have Centerfielder Braulio Castillo,
m
sent Gregg Jefferies to San Diego acquired from the Dodgers in the
for All-Star Benito Santiago. Roger McDowell deal, swung a
Hundley, a switch-hitting receiver hot bat in Triple-A but won’t budge
*
. with power, will fill a major New incumbent Lenny Dykstra. Catcher
York hole if he lives up to his Doug Lindsey is another long-shot
advance notices. The son of to stick.
former NL All-Star Randy Hundley PITTSBURGH—Starting pitcher
has a cannon for a throwing arm. Paul Miller and relievers Joe Ausa-
Two other switch-hitters. Chuck nio, Victor Cole, and Rosario
Carr and Terry McDaniel, are Rodriguez will get long spring
Will Cordero speedy outfielders who will have to looks from manager Jim Leyland.
hit big-league pitching before they Rodriguez already made a posi
authority: he had 11 homers and can advance from Tidewater. Chris tive impression by posting six
52 RBI in Triple-A. Donnels, a third baseman who can saves in 15 1/3 innings during the
“I’ve seen Jose Offerman the last also play second, may be ready 1991 stretch drive while Miller went
couple of years and I’ve seen Juan now after hitting .308 for the Triple- 12-4 at two minor-league stops,
Bell,” said Pat Kelly, who managed A club. sandwiched around a single July
Cordero at Indianapolis. “Bell may Another lefthanded hitter, start against the Atlanta Braves.
have a stronger arm and Offerman Jeremy Burnitz, performed a rare Outfielder Greg Tubbs and short
may be faster but Wil makes great 30/30 feat in the minors but needs stop Carlos Garcia both reached
plays without effort and has much more seasoning: he hit a puny the 30-steal plateau at Triple-A
more pop in his bat than the other .225 at Double-A Williamsport Buffalo and could fill a need for
two.’ (Eastern). speed. Also in the picture are
Candidates to displace disap Pitchers with a chance are lefthanded-hitting outfielders Jeff
pointing Delino DeShields at starter Anthony Young and reliever Schulz, who hit .300 at Buffalo,
BASEBALL ROOKIES l 9
has a lock on the former, com coming off 40-steal seasons in
Double-A.
pleted a 22-homer campaign. And
Mota, one of four Manny Mota If he oan cut his strikeout fre
sons in pro ball, hit .289 with 15 quency, shortstop Jose Valentin, a
stolen bases. switch-hitter with power, could also
Report
Outfielder Kevin Ward finished jump from Wichita to San Diego.
with San Diego after hitting .322 He had 17 homers and 68 RBI-
for Las Vegas but didn’t show rare figures for a middle infielder.
enough power potential to retain a SAN FRANCISCO—After finish
and Scott Bullett, brother of 1988 regular berth. He should stick in a ing a dozen games under .500
U.S. Olympic basketball star Vicky back-up role. and 19 games from the top of the
Bullett. A pair of righthanded pitchers NL West, the Giants are open to all
ST. LOUIS—Royer rhymes with could crack the Padre pitching kinds of talented newcomers.
Boyer, but Cardinal rookie Stan staff. Fireballer Jeremy Hernandez, Shortstop Royce Clayton, out
Royer has yet to prove 'he’s the who almost made the club last fielder Ted Wood, and pitchers
second coming of Ken or Clete, spring, had two saves and a per Johnny Ard, Eric Gunderson, Gil
premier third basemen of another fect ERA in nine September Heredia, Bryan Hickerson, Kevin
era. games with San Diego. And righty McGeehee, Rafael Novoa, and
The 6-3, 195-pound righthanded Frank Seminara did so well at Mike Remlinger will get first dibs
hitter, the first-round draft choice of Wichita (15-10, 3.38) that he might on varsity berths. The Giants need
the Oakland Athletics in 1988, is skip Triple-A. all the pitching help they can get.
about to get his chance. If he suc Other prospects include 23-year- Clayton, the club’s top amateur
ceeds, Todd Zeile could make his old righthander Rafael Valdez, draft choice in 1988, hit .280 with
second shift in as many years— slowed by arm and shoulder prob 36 steals at Double-A Shreveport
this time across the diamond to lems last year; righty reliever Jim before earning promotion to San
first base. Francisco. He'll have to beat out
Lewis; and speed merchant out
Royer had 14 homers and 74 fielders Vince Harris, a switch- Andres Santana, whose rookie
RBI on the Triple-A level and could hitter, and Darrell Sherman, both status soared when he hit .316 with
add punch to a Judy lineup. Out 45 stolen bases for Triple-A Phoe
fielder Lonnie Maclin, a lefthanded Jeremy Hernandez nix. Santana, a switch-hitter, also
hitter with speed, and catcher Ray plays second base but won’t
Stephens could also add offense, budge incumbent Robby
while righty John Grater could Thompson.
stick as an extra bullpen hand Ard won a dozen games in two
after a solid showing in Triple-A. stops and is considered the team’s
Still a year away are southpaw top starting prospect even though
starter Donovan Osborne, the sys Remlinger pitched a shutout in his
tem’s best pitching prospect; 6-4, big-league debut. Heredia had a
185-pound righthanded closer losing record at Phoenix but
John Kelly; and outfielders Paul paced the tough Pacific Coast
Coleman and Brian Jordan. Cole Wt'-. %' League with a 2.82 ERA.
W
man, a centerfielder with power Hickerson pitched well in three
and speed, is 21. stops, including San Francisco,
SAN DIEGO—Centerfielder Will
and has an edge because veteran
Taylor, third baseman Dave Staton, lefthanded reliever Dave Righetti
Iwilted in the summer heat. Gun
and second baseman Jose Mota |
all did so well at Las Vegas last i derson, a starter, is also a
summer that the Padres plan to f southpaw.
give them lengthy auditions.
Taylor led the Pacific Coast
League with 62 stolen bases even
though his .256 batting average BALTIMORE—Scouts insist that
allowed him to reach base much lefthanded starter Arthur Lee
less frequently than his stealing Rhodes, catcher Jeff Tackett, and
competitors. Staton, moved from outfielder Luis Mercedes will join
first to third because Fred McGriff the Orioles this spring.
10 l BASEBALL ROOKIES