Curveball2 lives close to Charleston and attends many of their games. Some of you might remember Curveball2 broke the story of the promotion of Marcum, Roberts and James to Dunedin back in June. Curveball2 has recorded his impressions of the first half of Charleston's season. If you have questions ask, and hopefully Curveball2 will answer them.
This team broke out of the box with a 20-5 record and then coasted to the first half championship. It got a little tight at the end, with Lexington and Hickory making a charge, but the Cats got the wins when they needed them. It was great for the fans because the last 3 years we have had dreadful teams, with very few real prospects. The theory around here is that since we are getting a new ballpark next year the Blue Jays sent us a better team. Most of these players were at Auburn last year where they had a great season.
Catchers
Robinson Diaz: Did most of the catching in the first half. Hit around .250, not much power. Seems to hit a lot of flares that drop between the infielders and outfielders. Good throwing arm. Doesn’t walk much, but rarely strikes out (15k in 240ab). Swings at the first pitch a lot. He is still very young. Always gives maximum effort. Some of the pitchers have communication trouble with him as he speaks very little English.
Joey Reiman: Hits in streaks. Unknown quality as a catcher. DH’s a lot. Very hard worker. Might be a sleeper as a hitter.
Joey Wolfe: only 73 AB. Had a .178 avg.
Infielders
Clint Johnston: First base. Hit cleanup most of the year. Very solid first half with power and walks. Decent fielder. Good hitter in this league but will be 27 in July.
Ryan Roberts: Second Base. Hit .400 most of April but tailed off. Still a terrific first half. A real soldier, battles pitchers. Great eye at the plate (55BB in 225 AB). Thirteen Home runs in a park that doesn’t give up a lot of homers. Called up to Dunedin. Looks like a prospect at this point.
Juan Peralta: Shortstop. Unremarkable half. Very smooth fielder, hitting is spotty. Seems to have good range.
Eric Arnold: Third Base. Hit .270 but not much power. Decent fielder. 55K in 196AB.
Willie Rivera: SS,3B,2B. Very slick fielder. Can really pick it, he just can’t hit.
Brian Patrick: infield,outfield. Solid player at many positions, can even pitch if necessary. He is going to have to hit a lot more to move up though. Might be our best outfielder even though he doesn’t play there much.
Outfielders
Mike Galloway: Right Field. The first month of the season I thought he was the best hitter on the team, but has really fallen off since then. Horrible May. 67K in 204 AB. Plays hard.
David Smith: Center Field. Started very slowly, but finished hot. .288avg, 8HR, 42RBI, 32 walks, 62K in 226 AB. Plays a decent center field but is probably too slow to continue playing there. Would be better suited as a left fielder. Gives maximum effort on defense. This team as a whole is the slowest team I have ever seen. 21 SB, and 19 CS.
Christian Snavely: Left Field. This left handed swinger really looks like a baseball player, 6’3”, 200 lbs and a great looking swing. Showed some power, and draws walks, but needs to make more contact (59K in 153AB). I have heard the Jays have asked him to hit more home runs. With his swing and size, I think he could develop more power. Maybe that is why he struck out so much because he was more of a contact hitter in college.
Morrin Davis: Only 95AB. .179 AVG.
Starting Pitchers
Shaun Marcum: Outstanding first half. Excellent K/W ratio 83/16. Has handled conversion from relief pitcher to starter very well. Deserved his promotion to Dunedin. Very business-like on the mound, get’s the ball back from the catcher and is ready to go.
Justin James: Also had outstanding first half. Great breaking ball resulted in 83K in 78 innings. Also good K/W ratio 83/24. Promoted to Dunedin. I like his chances at this point.
Tom Mastny: It’s like a repeat of Marcum and James statistics. Great K/W ratio, only 66 hits in 76 innings. It is easy to see how this team won the first half just by looking at these three starting pitchers. He probably deserved a promotion, with Marcum and James, but they could not take them all and Mastny was odd man out.
Danny Core: Started slowly but really came on lately. 61/23 K/W ratio. This team just didn’t give up many walks.
Ramon Mora: floundered from decent to bad and was released.
Relief Pitchers
Davis Romero: Young, small (5ft 10 in, 140 lbs) lefty that can really pitch. Only gave up 30 hits in 51 innings, with a K/W ratio of 53/12. Blue Jays can’t seem to decide whether to start him or use him in relief. He has gone back and forth this season, pitches well doing either. Only 21 years old, perhaps that is why he hasn’t been promoted yet. Seems very mature on the mound. Definitely a prospect at this point. He has a good fastball for a “little guy”.
Felix Romero: His 3rd year in Charleston. 24 years old. Was a closer a couple of years ago, but seems better suited to a setup man or long reliever. Has pitched extremely well this year, 65K in 46 innings. 14 walks allowed. The last two years his numbers have been better as the season went on. A great guy on and off the field. Deserves a chance at a higher level. Gets lots of strike outs on his change up.
Joaquin Canizal: Used mostly in long relief. Did his job very well. 5-1 record with 2.82 ERA. It will be interesting to see if he can continue in second half. I have doubts.
Brad Esaray: Left-handed reliever. 26BB in 36IP, 42 hits. Well liked by teammates. Needs to start pitching better NOW. 25 years old.
Mark Sopko: Used mostly as setup man. Started season great, fell into inconsistent phase. Battles on the mound.
Marcus Sandoval: Back in Charleston for second year. Walks have killed him, 22BB in 27IP. Only 18 hits allowed. Can’t see much in future for him, (now released).
Brian Reed: Closer. Almost untouchable. Has great slider but may use it too much, he got a lot of check swing strikes. His numbers speak for themselves, 26IP, 1 earned run, 17 hits, 5 walks and 28 K. Promoted to Dunedin. It will be interesting to see how he does in high A. If hitters lay off his slider when it is out of the strike zone, he will have to make adjustments.
Thanks to curveball2 for an interesting insight into the Charleston roster.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040712094135999