This is the first of two articles where we’ll comment on
players who appeared on Opening Day rosters, but for one reason
or another were omitted from the book. The remainder will appear
in an article early next week.
HITTERS
Gary Bennett C Bats R Age 27 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Scran-WB Int 282 60 10 1 6 23 20 22 1 0 222 .213 .272 .319 .203 21 1996 Philadel NL 16 4 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 12 .250 .333 .250 .211 1 1997 Pawtuckt Int 223 40 4 1 3 15 8 9 1 1 184 .179 .231 .247 .146 8 1998 Scran-WB Int 282 64 8 0 8 19 20 25 0 0 218 .227 .276 .340 .210 22 68-C 101 1998 Philadel NL 31 9 0 0 0 5 4 3 0 0 22 .290 .389 .290 .254 4 1999 Philadel NL 273 63 8 0 7 23 25 30 0 0 210 .231 .291 .337 .224 25
Nine-year organizational veteran who set a career-high in
slugging percentage last year at .426, three full years after he
first reached AAA. Bennett is only on the roster due to the
injuries to Tom Prince and Bobby Estalella, so his long-term
outlook is measured in weeks, not years.
David Doster 2B/3B Bats R Age 28 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Scran-WB Int 318 68 9 0 6 23 22 21 5 2 252 .214 .267 .299 .194 21 87-2B 89 1996 Philadel NL 105 28 5 0 2 8 10 11 0 0 77 .267 .319 .371 .240 11 20-2B 101 1997 Scran-WB Int 408 116 20 0 13 23 43 52 4 4 296 .284 .323 .429 .256 49 33-3B 68 73-2B 94 1998 Scran-WB Int 577 140 25 2 12 41 56 51 15 5 442 .243 .293 .355 .227 54 134-3B 102 1999 Philadel NL 492 129 22 1 14 33 61 64 12 4 367 .262 .309 .396 .252 58
The year’s best Opening Day surprise. Doster was removed from
the 40-man roster last year, and the organization’s infatuation
with Marlon Anderson meant that Doster was blocked at both of his
positions. That said, he’s an outstanding utility infield
candidate with some pop and a good batting eye. In a fair and
just world, Doster would have started at 2b for the Phils last
year, instead of the Mark Lewis formerly known as a baseball
player. Instead, Doster returned to AAA for the third straight
season, and while the frustration clearly brought his performance
down, he may have earned notice with a career-high 23 steals in
29 attempts.
Guillermo Garcia C Bats R Age 27 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Chattang Sou 202 56 6 0 5 8 17 22 2 2 148 .277 .305 .381 .234 20 1996 Indianap AA 47 11 2 0 0 2 3 2 0 0 36 .234 .265 .277 .178 2 1997 Chattang Sou 72 15 2 0 2 6 4 6 0 0 57 .208 .269 .319 .200 5 1997 Indianap AA 151 34 2 0 7 8 10 15 0 2 119 .225 .264 .377 .212 12 1998 Indianap Int 331 73 11 0 13 17 22 31 0 1 259 .221 .259 .372 .211 26 89-C 102 1998 Cincnnti NL 36 7 2 0 2 2 2 4 0 0 29 .194 .237 .417 .216 3 1999 Florida NL 306 72 9 1 13 14 26 40 0 1 235 .235 .269 .399 .232 30
See this week’s Transaction Analysis for some choice comments
on the roster-hopping excitement of Guillermo Garcia.
Jesse Garcia 2B Bats R Age 25 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 High Des Cal 445 83 11 2 6 40 28 22 11 4 366 .187 .254 .261 .175 23 132-2B 100 1997 Bowie Eas 438 90 11 1 4 30 23 22 5 5 353 .205 .256 .263 .170 21 124-2B 101 1998 Bowie Eas 257 62 9 1 1 28 28 18 8 2 197 .241 .316 .296 .222 23 78-2B 97 1998 Rochestr Int 159 43 5 3 0 5 14 12 5 4 120 .270 .293 .340 .216 13 43-2B 111 1999 Baltimor AL 421 95 13 1 4 30 38 32 9 5 331 .226 .277 .290 .198 29
A slick-fielding, no-hit second baseman, we left him out of
the book because he had clearly been passed by Jerry Hairston on
the Oriole depth chart. But he caught Ray Miller’s eye with a few
dazzling plays in the field, and the O’s decided to let Garcia
sit on the bench as a backup 2B while DeShields recuperates and
Hairston plays in Rochester. While we’d rather see Hairston, it
does make more sense to waste an option on Garcia.
Scarborough Green OF Bats R Age 25 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 St Pete Fla 145 41 3 1 1 18 20 13 7 6 110 .283 .362 .338 .249 17 1996 Arkansas Tex 299 50 4 1 3 34 20 10 15 5 254 .167 .252 .217 .165 14 1997 Arkansas Tex 246 63 9 2 2 29 29 22 7 3 186 .256 .335 .333 .240 26 73-OF 109 1997 Louisvil AA 208 50 9 1 3 21 23 17 9 6 164 .240 .310 .337 .227 20 51-OF 120 1997 St Louis NL 31 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 28 .097 .152 .097 **** -1 1998 Arkansas Tex 73 21 0 0 2 4 9 7 5 1 53 .288 .325 .370 .252 8 1998 Memphis PCL 80 13 3 0 0 8 2 2 1 3 70 .162 .239 .200 .122 2 1999 Texas AL 298 72 10 1 4 29 38 28 12 7 233 .242 .309 .322 .217 26
In a clash of offensive titans, Green beat out Milt Cuyler for
the Rangers’ fifth outfielder job. We don’t think anybody
imagines he’s going to hit; his main role on the team will be as
a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement. He will
fill that role well enough — the defensive part, at least — but
that still leaves the question of whether you want a good-field-no-hit
outfielder using up one of your 25 roster spots.
Edwards Guzman IF Bats L Age 22 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 San Jose Cal 367 84 14 3 1 28 26 24 1 3 286 .229 .284 .292 .195 24 105-3B 104 1997 Shrevprt Tex 374 92 11 2 3 28 30 29 2 1 283 .246 .299 .310 .212 29 109-3B 87 1998 Fresno PCL 316 85 10 0 8 22 29 35 1 0 231 .269 .317 .377 .241 33 74-3B 89 1999 San Fran NL 335 90 12 1 7 22 35 43 1 1 246 .269 .314 .373 .244 36
Technically not on the OD roster, Guzman was called up on
Opening Day when Bill Mueller broke his toe and went on the DL.
Guzman is only 22 years old, and could conceivably hit enough to
become a major-league regular 3B in the future. For now, though,
he is merely holding a roster spot until Mueller’s return.
Tim Hyers PH Bats L Age 27 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Toledo Int 432 99 12 4 6 38 37 34 5 1 334 .229 .291 .317 .213 35 26-OF 86 88-1B 100 1996 Detroit AL 26 2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 24 .077 .200 .077 **** -1 1997 Toledo Int 427 109 16 2 10 33 39 45 1 2 320 .255 .309 .372 .235 43 113-1B 112 1998 Charlott Int 295 67 13 1 5 22 21 24 0 2 230 .227 .281 .329 .207 22 38-OF 86 40-1B 89 1999 Florida NL 337 79 15 1 6 29 33 36 1 1 259 .234 .295 .338 .228 32
Made the team as the 25th man after beating out Ryan Jackson.
That seems like an odd decision, in that it cost them Jackson (snagged
on waivers by the Mariners). Neither player is particularly
special in the first place, so it isn’t really a big deal. Hyers
has been touted for years for a pretty line-drive stroke, and he’s
been jerked around as a Rule 5 pick (by the Padres out of the
Jays’ organization back in 1994). Non-prospect, roster filler.
Jon Shave IF Bats R Age 31 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Oklahoma AA 415 94 13 1 5 38 34 29 7 5 326 .227 .291 .299 .205 31 33-3B 84 60-2B 94 1997 SaltLake PCL 375 89 12 1 5 29 30 29 4 4 290 .237 .292 .315 .209 29 22-3B 101 22-SS 98 1998 SaltLake PCL 301 73 10 1 2 28 27 22 5 6 234 .243 .307 .302 .212 24 55-2B 94 1998 Minnesot AL 39 9 3 0 1 4 4 4 1 2 32 .231 .302 .385 .227 4 1999 Texas AL 348 88 13 1 4 31 39 36 4 5 265 .253 .314 .330 .217 29
Inexplicably won the Rangers’ second utility infielder spot
over Scott Sheldon. Here – we kid you not – are the reasons for
the choice, according to the Dallas Morning News: (1) in the last
9 games before the Rangers broke camp, Shave went 6-for-16 while
Sheldon went 1-for-12, (2) "Sheldon also struck out 19 times,
which doesn’t make him a good pinch-hitting candidate." So
it’s important for pinch-hitters to ground out rather than strike
out? Why, because double plays are exciting? And we’re sure the
Rangers won’t miss the pinch hit doubles and home runs that Shave
won’t be hitting.
Chris Singleton OF Bats L Age 26 Year Team Lge AB H DB TP HR BB R RBI SB CS Out BA OBA SA EQA EQR Defense 1996 Shrevprt Tex 494 130 23 4 5 23 51 41 20 8 372 .263 .296 .356 .228 46 121-OF 93 1997 Shrevprt Tex 453 119 15 4 8 17 42 41 17 8 342 .263 .289 .366 .227 42 117-OF 98 1998 Columbus Int 407 86 12 6 4 21 25 24 6 2 323 .211 .250 .300 .184 23 116-OF 103 1999 ChiSox AL 406 97 13 4 7 19 41 39 11 4 313 .239 .273 .342 .217 34
Non-prospect. He may end up logging lots of service time this
year while playing very little. Chances are good that he won’t be
demoted even after Brian Simmons’ lacerated hand heels up,
because he’s left-handed and can run, and because he has no
future to waste getting stale on a major league bench.
PITCHERS
Rheal Cormier Throws L Age 32 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1996 Montreal NL 164.0 172 71 16 39 91 3.90 9 9 9.44 0.88 2.14 4.99 0.93 3.79 1997 Montreal NL 1.3 4 3 1 1 0 20.25 0 0 27.00 6.75 6.75 0.00 0.00 27.00 1998 Akron Eas 8.7 20 8 3 2 4 8.31 0 1 20.77 3.12 2.08 4.15 0.30 13.50
Lost all of 1998 to injury, then Duquette scooped him up as
one of his patented rehab projects. This is his second stint with
the Bosox – he originally went from Boston to Montreal in the Wil
Cordero trade. Will work as the designated lefty in the pen. If
he posts even a modest success in 1999, it will be enough to keep
Cormier employed in the big leagues for the next decade in a Tony
Fossas kind of role.
Miguel Deltoro Throws R Age 27 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1996 *** Mex 40.7 62 35 4 36 29 7.75 1 4 13.72 0.89 7.97 6.42 0.28 8.63 1997 MxCyRdDv Mex 33.3 29 23 2 34 31 6.21 1 3 7.83 0.54 9.18 8.37 0.73 5.13 1998 MxCyRdDv Mex 84.3 101 48 5 42 56 5.12 3 6 10.78 0.53 4.48 5.98 0.55 5.02
Skinny righthander Miguel del Toro comes from the Mexican
League, and his hot spring earned him a job in Dusty Baker’s deep
and oft-used bullpen. The entertaining but always unreliable
Candlestick Park speed gun has clocked del Toro at speeds ranging
from 94 to 44 MPH, which suggests Miguel will do well with his
off-speed pitches. Hasn’t pitched particularly well since the
season started, giving up longballs, walking too many batters,
and letting baserunners steal with abandon. Which puts him below
John Johnstone on the Giants’ bullpen ladder, but gives him a
chance to aspire to become Julian Tavarez.
Kip Gross Throws R Age 34
Returns to the majors for the first time since 1993, having
spent the intervening years in Japan. He led his Japanese league
in wins in 1996 and 1997, but missed much of 1998 with an arm
injury. Capable of starting, but given the depth of starters in
Boston, he will work primarily out of the bullpen.
Brett Hinchliffe Throws R Age 24 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1996 Lancastr Cal 163.0 194 87 19 59 100 4.80 7 11 10.71 1.05 3.26 5.52 0.66 5.08 1997 Memphis Sou 139.3 182 77 20 42 84 4.97 6 9 11.76 1.29 2.71 5.43 0.69 5.68 1998 Lancastr Cal 16.3 11 6 2 6 16 3.31 1 1 6.06 1.10 3.31 8.82 2.91 2.76 1998 Tacoma PCL 156.0 141 71 21 85 82 4.10 8 9 8.13 1.21 4.90 4.73 0.42 4.44
One of five rookies to scale Peoria’s imposing Mt. Piniella
this spring. Maybe John Krakauer should write a book about their
harrowing experiences after the season. A lanky, loqacious lad,
Hinchliffe saw a big drop in his H/9 last season neutralized to a
large degree by a similar increase in his walk rate. A better
choice for the Mariner’s long relief / spot starter role than Mac
Suzuki–but Suzuki is out of options so Hinchliffe will get to
enjoy the the scenic forty minute commutes to Tacoma.
Josias Manzanillo Throws R Age 31 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1997 Memphis Sou 2.7 2 1 1 0 4 3.38 0 0 6.75 3.38 0.00 13.50****** 3.37 1997 New Orln AmA 13.3 21 8 3 6 9 5.40 0 1 14.18 2.03 4.05 6.08 0.48 8.77 1997 Tacoma PCL 12.7 18 9 4 7 12 6.39 0 1 12.79 2.84 4.97 8.53 0.86 9.24 1997 Seattle AL 19.3 19 10 3 15 18 4.66 1 1 8.84 1.40 6.98 8.38 0.85 6.05 1998 Durham Int 83.3 104 55 12 28 49 5.94 3 6 11.23 1.30 3.02 5.29 0.62 5.51 1998 Norfolk Int 78.0 83 31 4 30 58 3.58 5 4 9.58 0.46 3.46 6.69 1.01 3.92
Perhaps best known for the unfortunate body part he used to
stop a line drive two years ago, Manzanillo was a bizarre choice
of bullpen fodder when the Mets chose to return Octavio Dotel to
AAA. Breaking Dotel in Earl Weaver-style – while waiting for
Yoshii or Hersheiser to implode – would have made significantly
more sense, but the Mets wanted the veteran in the pen instead of
the rookie, regardless of whether that was the best option for
the team. Manzanillo’s a barely adequate middle reliever, but the
Mets hardly need to waste a roster spot on another circus
sideshow to make Turk Wendell feel more at home.
Scott Sauerbeck Throws L Age 27 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1996 St Lucie Fla 91.0 140 50 2 35 42 4.95 4 6 13.85 0.20 3.46 4.15 0.27 6.03 1996 Binghmtn Eas 44.0 62 28 4 13 22 5.73 2 3 12.68 0.82 2.66 4.50 0.45 5.73 1997 Binghmtn Eas 125.3 174 92 13 52 62 6.61 4 10 12.49 0.93 3.73 4.45 0.32 6.18 1997 Norfolk Int 5.0 4 2 0 4 3 3.60 1 0 7.20 0.00 7.20 5.40 0.42 3.60 1998 Norfolk Int 161.0 191 74 8 65 97 4.14 9 9 10.68 0.45 3.63 5.42 0.57 4.58
The Pirates deserve some praise for using the Rule 5 draft in
a novel, useful manner: taking a AAA player whose organization
didn’t need him, but who is still ready for a shot in the majors.
Sauerbeck is a soft-tossing lefty with a good breaking pitch and
an adequate change, but whose fastball is rather hittable. He
made fools of the Cubs’ lineup on the season’s first Saturday,
and while that’s not particularly hard (and he did retire Sosa
twice), a second time through the lineup probably would cause him
pain.
Jeff Wallace Throws L Age 23 Year Team Lge IP H ER HR BB K ERA W L H/9 HR/9 BB/9 K/9 KWH PERA 1996 Lansing Mid 117.3 189 90 15 69 60 6.90 3 10 14.50 1.15 5.29 4.60 0.21 8.28 1997 Lynchbrg Car 16.0 12 3 0 10 9 1.69 2 0 6.75 0.00 5.63 5.06 0.51 2.81 1997 Carolina Sou 43.0 47 32 3 34 31 6.70 1 4 9.84 0.63 7.12 6.49 0.45 5.65 1997 Pittsbrg NL 12.7 7 1 0 8 13 0.71 1 0 4.97 0.00 5.68 9.24 2.26 2.13
Omitted after he missed 1998 due to reconstructive elbow
surgery; his return to form this spring was quite a surprise.
Before the injury, he was a left-handed reliever who threw a hard,
moving fastball but who had struggled with command and control;
now, he’s a left-handed reliever who threw a hard, moving
fastball but who struggles with command and control. If
Christiansen closes or co-closes, Wallace becomes the #1 LH setup
man; a slight improvement in skills would make him devastating
against lefties.
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