Another year, another draft for the Beavers. Many believed the Beavers would be set back a slight bit this year, they were right. The Islanders flew out of the gates leading the division for a few weeks, but since Boston has found their gear and taken the lead. So Beavers fans look to the future.
Since Cal Rhodes was signed as a comp 'B' pick the Beavers lost their low 1st round pick, but still recieved a 1st round supp pick instead. With that pick the Beavers decided to take SP Boboy "Divine" Ambay. Divine, since joining Barry's Bay has thrown some gems. Game one - CG, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB and 8 K getting the win, in his second game he tossed 7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB and 6 K, again getting the win. Ambay, who the Beavers scouts are high on is expected to learn another pitch this coming year.
In the 2nd round the Beavers took SP Jeff Catron, who like "Divine", will begin his year in A-ball. Catron has just signed his entry contract, look for him to as well learn a 3rd pitch.
In retrospect to last year's draft. SP Robert Reeves has been nothing short of stellar. After 11 starts in single A Barry's Bay last year, going 5-4 with a 3.29 ERA, Reeves started this year off with a "BANG" in A-ball, showing that A-ball is not a challenge posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 52 K. He immediately recieved a promotion to double A Balzac, where in 18 games he has gone 11-5 with a 4.47 ERA, only 8 HR against, 1.43 WHIP and a .243 OAVG. Sure his ERA is high, but he's still 20, with a winning record as well. As long as Reeves continues to develop like he is, he will be a force on the big club.
In other news, the Beavers are still waiting for SP Carlos Bamber to return from the DL, scout Flint Matthews hopes Bamber can recover and pitch well in single A Barry's Bay to gain his form back.
Monday 30 July 2012
Monday 19 March 2012
Beavers Draft In Review
The Beavers had a decent draft by managements view.
"We felt we were weak in the SP spec department, so we went out and drafted as many good ones as we could," a drunk GM Aaron Blank told reporters the day after the draft.
"We liked sohf ahgweonfvnb hghjs////?????????????"
Ah fuck it, he's drunk, here's what the scout thinks.
The 35th overall pick was SP Robert Reeves. Look for Reeves to (hopefully sign) go to single A affiliate Barry's Bay and start his Beavers career there, with only 2 pitches, both good, look for Reeves to develop a third breaking pitch the next few years in the minor system.
Next with the 49th overall pick, the Beavers took SP Luis Silva. Very different pitcher than Reeves, Silva has 2 breaking pitches compared to Reeves fast and change. Silva is def a GB pitcher which plays well into the Beavers favour with a stellar defense. Look for Silva to also learn a 3rd pitch.
52nd overall was SP Raul Flores, who doesn't have as high a ceiling as the first 2 do, but still has tools to make him a good candidate for a 5th spot in the roto.
The 65th pick brought SP Ricardo Sanchez. Look for Sanchez to make the transition to the bullpen immediately due to his low stamina. His history of a starter should help his ability to close out games. Not to mention his 3 pitches already (Rodrigo Ramon anyone?)
Fast forward to the 135th pick overall where the Baffin Island Beavers finally decided to take a position player in SS Manuel Rios. Hailing from California, Rios has no intelligence whatsoever, but works like a friggen mule. Rios is exceptional on the defensive end but will need to work on his bat if he can make it to the show. Many defensive specialists have worked their way up to the Beavers glorious Beaver Dam, but can Rios do it?
These draftees can hopefully mean the beginning of another great Beaver era in say...3 years.
"We felt we were weak in the SP spec department, so we went out and drafted as many good ones as we could," a drunk GM Aaron Blank told reporters the day after the draft.
"We liked sohf ahgweonfvnb hghjs////?????????????"
Ah fuck it, he's drunk, here's what the scout thinks.
The 35th overall pick was SP Robert Reeves. Look for Reeves to (hopefully sign) go to single A affiliate Barry's Bay and start his Beavers career there, with only 2 pitches, both good, look for Reeves to develop a third breaking pitch the next few years in the minor system.
Next with the 49th overall pick, the Beavers took SP Luis Silva. Very different pitcher than Reeves, Silva has 2 breaking pitches compared to Reeves fast and change. Silva is def a GB pitcher which plays well into the Beavers favour with a stellar defense. Look for Silva to also learn a 3rd pitch.
52nd overall was SP Raul Flores, who doesn't have as high a ceiling as the first 2 do, but still has tools to make him a good candidate for a 5th spot in the roto.
The 65th pick brought SP Ricardo Sanchez. Look for Sanchez to make the transition to the bullpen immediately due to his low stamina. His history of a starter should help his ability to close out games. Not to mention his 3 pitches already (Rodrigo Ramon anyone?)
Fast forward to the 135th pick overall where the Baffin Island Beavers finally decided to take a position player in SS Manuel Rios. Hailing from California, Rios has no intelligence whatsoever, but works like a friggen mule. Rios is exceptional on the defensive end but will need to work on his bat if he can make it to the show. Many defensive specialists have worked their way up to the Beavers glorious Beaver Dam, but can Rios do it?
These draftees can hopefully mean the beginning of another great Beaver era in say...3 years.
And The Beaver Hat Goes To...
Every month the Beavers have one exceptional hitter. This month it was OF Jose Figueroa.
After being acquired from division foe New York Knights last year in a deal involving Harvey Phillips, the Beavers thought they had found the backup OF they sought after.
That didn't work out too well, Figgy struggled with the big club only managing a .220 AVG and .314 OBP. He was sent down to AAA Waba to work on some things.
In Waba he did okay, in 58 games hit .301 with a .375 OBP, not bad.
Figgy struggled in ST, losing the one available OF spot and one backup role on the island. So being sent to AAA wasn't a bad idea.
He was electric for the Waba Ducks, managing a .349 AVG, .410 OBP and a6 SB's. Figgy earned his promotion to the big club when Lee Brouthers couldn't hack it up there.
Since being called up Jose has lit up the BSA up, posting a .375 AVG, .423 OBP and 3 SB in 22 games.
In July he has been exceptionally hot with a near .400 AVG at .396, a .423 OBP.
That tops the AVG and OBP category for the Beavers in the month of July, thus earning Figgy the 'Beaver Hat'
After being acquired from division foe New York Knights last year in a deal involving Harvey Phillips, the Beavers thought they had found the backup OF they sought after.
That didn't work out too well, Figgy struggled with the big club only managing a .220 AVG and .314 OBP. He was sent down to AAA Waba to work on some things.
In Waba he did okay, in 58 games hit .301 with a .375 OBP, not bad.
Figgy struggled in ST, losing the one available OF spot and one backup role on the island. So being sent to AAA wasn't a bad idea.
He was electric for the Waba Ducks, managing a .349 AVG, .410 OBP and a6 SB's. Figgy earned his promotion to the big club when Lee Brouthers couldn't hack it up there.
Since being called up Jose has lit up the BSA up, posting a .375 AVG, .423 OBP and 3 SB in 22 games.
In July he has been exceptionally hot with a near .400 AVG at .396, a .423 OBP.
That tops the AVG and OBP category for the Beavers in the month of July, thus earning Figgy the 'Beaver Hat'
Monday 12 March 2012
Rehab Works, well maybe not AA...
Ever since Nam-cheol Chong came to the island in the deal that sent former MVP Luke Pittman packing, Beaver fans anticipated seeing him pitch at the Beaver Dam. He was thought to put up astonishing numbers in the Great White North only to have his elbow inflame and cause him to miss 3 months.
Fast forward to now, where Chong has put in 3 minor league rehab starts in Waba. His first outing was good, especially since coming off the DL.
VS Zanesville Chong went 7 innings, allowing 9 hits, 3 earned runs while striking out 5.
His next start was better where he faced the Charlotte Jackals, going 7 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned run and striking out 4.
His latest start manager Momoru Kato thought Chnog was ready to go the full game. He did, pitching a CG, not without struggles though, allowing 11 hits and 5 ER, although Chong did K 11.
"We feel his stamina is there, he's worked hard to get back to ML form. We don't look too much into ER yet, we feel that most hits in AAA will be turned into outs at the 'zoo-sized' Beaver Dam." GM Aaron Blank stated as he plopped onto a picnic table outside of the Zoo...err I mean the Beaver Dam.
As for the 'Fastest man alve' Damien Yates, his rehab stint in AAA is okay. In his first 9 games down on the farm, Yates has his swing, hitting a very nice .353, OBP of .450 and 5 steals. So far very good, until he sprained his elbow, setting him back another 3 weeks. Ugghhh
Fast forward to now, where Chong has put in 3 minor league rehab starts in Waba. His first outing was good, especially since coming off the DL.
VS Zanesville Chong went 7 innings, allowing 9 hits, 3 earned runs while striking out 5.
His next start was better where he faced the Charlotte Jackals, going 7 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned run and striking out 4.
His latest start manager Momoru Kato thought Chnog was ready to go the full game. He did, pitching a CG, not without struggles though, allowing 11 hits and 5 ER, although Chong did K 11.
"We feel his stamina is there, he's worked hard to get back to ML form. We don't look too much into ER yet, we feel that most hits in AAA will be turned into outs at the 'zoo-sized' Beaver Dam." GM Aaron Blank stated as he plopped onto a picnic table outside of the Zoo...err I mean the Beaver Dam.
As for the 'Fastest man alve' Damien Yates, his rehab stint in AAA is okay. In his first 9 games down on the farm, Yates has his swing, hitting a very nice .353, OBP of .450 and 5 steals. So far very good, until he sprained his elbow, setting him back another 3 weeks. Ugghhh
Monday 5 March 2012
Shopping Is Fun When You're On The Island
June was a month of activity for GM Aaron Blank and the Baffin Island Beavers organization. The offseason saw players brought in to improve this teams dynamic. Sadly, those players flopped.
The flurry of trades started on May 31, when Madison and Baffin Island agreed on a deal to send Waba Duck favourite SP Bobby Dunlap to the Bombers for RF Gabriel Santana. Dunlap was thought by many to see the tundra in Baffin for a long period of time, but just never adjusted to it.
Asked about the reasoning behind the deal Aaron Blank stated this,"When the Madison organization approached us about a 5th SP, we though this would be an opportunity for Bobby to find his own, sadly he just couldn't here on the island. So maybe he'll find it in Wisconson."
Santana still young at 18, and still has yet to take the field as a member of AA affiliate Balzac Rams due to his injury.
The second deal was rather a huge splash. Jason Jackson, who was brought in to solidify the IF, just couldn't find his footing on the tundra in Baffin Island, he commited too many errors at 18 and couldn't find his stroke either, hitting a miserable .220. Jackson along with minor leaguers 1B Rob Moore, SP Brett Dwyer, MR Kyoshi Asano and MR Emilio Cordero were sent packing to *the* O-R-L for fellow Canadian Rodger Hinton and mop-up man Brandon Barrett.
That deal totally solidified the rotation for the Beavers. If all goes well and everyone can stay healthy, expect to rotation to be deadly-looking like this:
Jimmy Sanders
J-Rod
Nam-cheol Chong
Harvey Phillips/K-Tak
Rodger Hinton
Or if everyone stays hot, the team may need to go to a 6-man rotation. Mind you none of these names are as recognizable as the names in LA or Hendersonville, you should get used to them. They'll be around for a while.
With Jackson moved from the Island and Marcos Mesa still struggling to find his magic from the last two years. There was a hole left on the corner position. So GM Aaron Blank turned to a familiar team for The Douching Beaver, Joe Henderson. The Beaver and D-Bags agreed to terms on a deal that would send 3B Pedro Hernandez to the Bags for minor-league IF Xin Zhang and OF Jerry Kennedy. Hernandez has tremendous speed, which the Beavers like, and also gets to play alongside his former Trout Slayer teammate Joe Henderson.
In two other deals, still pending Commish approval the Beavers will solve the recent problems at the back-end of the bullpen. Before Marcos Dominguez tore his labrum he blew a few too many games. So the team addressed that by acquiring two very viable options.
The first is CL Rodrigo Ramon, who will be brought over along with OF Bob Hicks in exchange for SP Nick "I don't know how to pitch in the BSA ML" Reed and 2B Pepe Gonzales. Ramon, who pitched very well in the TOR/OKL minor league system, never got the chance at ML yet, due to too many very good arms. May get the chance at a premium position on the Island. Only time will tell.
The second in CL Eric Turner, who was acquired earlier today from Maui for SP Arturo Munoz. Turner has been solid for the Maui organization, had the best year in AA last year seeing his ERA at a good low 0.97 with 17 saves. The Beaver organization looks forward to having Turner develop more with the Waba Ducks before he takes the big stage in Iqaluit.
On a lighter note, Nam-cheol Chong was activated from the DL and sent on rehab assignment to AAA Waba to work on his recovery, stay tuned for updates.
The flurry of trades started on May 31, when Madison and Baffin Island agreed on a deal to send Waba Duck favourite SP Bobby Dunlap to the Bombers for RF Gabriel Santana. Dunlap was thought by many to see the tundra in Baffin for a long period of time, but just never adjusted to it.
Asked about the reasoning behind the deal Aaron Blank stated this,"When the Madison organization approached us about a 5th SP, we though this would be an opportunity for Bobby to find his own, sadly he just couldn't here on the island. So maybe he'll find it in Wisconson."
Santana still young at 18, and still has yet to take the field as a member of AA affiliate Balzac Rams due to his injury.
The second deal was rather a huge splash. Jason Jackson, who was brought in to solidify the IF, just couldn't find his footing on the tundra in Baffin Island, he commited too many errors at 18 and couldn't find his stroke either, hitting a miserable .220. Jackson along with minor leaguers 1B Rob Moore, SP Brett Dwyer, MR Kyoshi Asano and MR Emilio Cordero were sent packing to *the* O-R-L for fellow Canadian Rodger Hinton and mop-up man Brandon Barrett.
That deal totally solidified the rotation for the Beavers. If all goes well and everyone can stay healthy, expect to rotation to be deadly-looking like this:
Jimmy Sanders
J-Rod
Nam-cheol Chong
Harvey Phillips/K-Tak
Rodger Hinton
Or if everyone stays hot, the team may need to go to a 6-man rotation. Mind you none of these names are as recognizable as the names in LA or Hendersonville, you should get used to them. They'll be around for a while.
With Jackson moved from the Island and Marcos Mesa still struggling to find his magic from the last two years. There was a hole left on the corner position. So GM Aaron Blank turned to a familiar team for The Douching Beaver, Joe Henderson. The Beaver and D-Bags agreed to terms on a deal that would send 3B Pedro Hernandez to the Bags for minor-league IF Xin Zhang and OF Jerry Kennedy. Hernandez has tremendous speed, which the Beavers like, and also gets to play alongside his former Trout Slayer teammate Joe Henderson.
In two other deals, still pending Commish approval the Beavers will solve the recent problems at the back-end of the bullpen. Before Marcos Dominguez tore his labrum he blew a few too many games. So the team addressed that by acquiring two very viable options.
The first is CL Rodrigo Ramon, who will be brought over along with OF Bob Hicks in exchange for SP Nick "I don't know how to pitch in the BSA ML" Reed and 2B Pepe Gonzales. Ramon, who pitched very well in the TOR/OKL minor league system, never got the chance at ML yet, due to too many very good arms. May get the chance at a premium position on the Island. Only time will tell.
The second in CL Eric Turner, who was acquired earlier today from Maui for SP Arturo Munoz. Turner has been solid for the Maui organization, had the best year in AA last year seeing his ERA at a good low 0.97 with 17 saves. The Beaver organization looks forward to having Turner develop more with the Waba Ducks before he takes the big stage in Iqaluit.
On a lighter note, Nam-cheol Chong was activated from the DL and sent on rehab assignment to AAA Waba to work on his recovery, stay tuned for updates.
Beavers Continue Roll Towards October
Many people wrote the Beavers off this year, saying they'd miss the playoffs. Stating that last year this team 'overacheived'. Nobody told the Beavers.
Well into June, the Beavers find themselves one of the hottest teams in the BSA right meow. Sitting with a record of 45-32, good enough to hold 2nd place in the East, and 4 up in the Wildcard for the all-important playoff spot.
Mind you these Beavers have had their struggles, while crushing LHP to lead them to a 19-4 record against the southpaws, RHP has been a kryptonite for this team, only at 26-28.
"After last years' collapse against the Hitmen, front-loaded with LHP, we looked at our team and determined we needed to address that issue." Aaron Blank told reporters, "we brought in new bats and old ones are mashing LHP, Kelly's slamming them at a .369 clip, Howlin' Mad Murdock at .370 with 6 dingers, hell even Big Z is killing at a .310 clip with 3 jacks vs LHP. With most guys contributing, this Beaver team is Legen - wait for it - darily overacheiving."
The Beavers also show no quit, many times coming from behind to force extra-innings, as seen in the Hitmen series. This leads the Beavers to an astounding 16-3 record in one-run games. Speed has a lot to do with this, after all these guys lead all the BSA in SB's with 115.
The pitching has also come around, 4 out of the 5 starters are all on hot-streaks and lead the NL SP's ERA with 3.10 and 3rd overalll at 3.30. Not bad at all.
To make the critics happy defence is also a huge part of playing in Baffin, after all, the field is frozen tundra and the size of a zoo. Which leads the pitchers BABIP to be an astonishingly low .254 with original Beaver Jimmy Sanders leading the way with a .216 BABIP.
Look out for these hot Beavers, they may take your city by storm.
Well into June, the Beavers find themselves one of the hottest teams in the BSA right meow. Sitting with a record of 45-32, good enough to hold 2nd place in the East, and 4 up in the Wildcard for the all-important playoff spot.
Mind you these Beavers have had their struggles, while crushing LHP to lead them to a 19-4 record against the southpaws, RHP has been a kryptonite for this team, only at 26-28.
"After last years' collapse against the Hitmen, front-loaded with LHP, we looked at our team and determined we needed to address that issue." Aaron Blank told reporters, "we brought in new bats and old ones are mashing LHP, Kelly's slamming them at a .369 clip, Howlin' Mad Murdock at .370 with 6 dingers, hell even Big Z is killing at a .310 clip with 3 jacks vs LHP. With most guys contributing, this Beaver team is Legen - wait for it - darily overacheiving."
The Beavers also show no quit, many times coming from behind to force extra-innings, as seen in the Hitmen series. This leads the Beavers to an astounding 16-3 record in one-run games. Speed has a lot to do with this, after all these guys lead all the BSA in SB's with 115.
The pitching has also come around, 4 out of the 5 starters are all on hot-streaks and lead the NL SP's ERA with 3.10 and 3rd overalll at 3.30. Not bad at all.
To make the critics happy defence is also a huge part of playing in Baffin, after all, the field is frozen tundra and the size of a zoo. Which leads the pitchers BABIP to be an astonishingly low .254 with original Beaver Jimmy Sanders leading the way with a .216 BABIP.
Look out for these hot Beavers, they may take your city by storm.
Saturday 25 February 2012
Spotlight on "The Polish Prince"
"Kocham żeby grać dla takiej wielkiej organizacji," is what SP Teos Kovel was exclaimed as he was interviewed by a reporter for the Warsaw Times. (Translated, it means 'I love playing for such a great organization!')
Kovel's career didn't start as easy as it did for his American, Canadian, Mexican, Carribean or Japanese teammates. He was born into poverty in Klodzko, Poland to his father who was a potato farmer and a homemaker mother. His younger years were spent in the potato field harvesting by hand with his father and older brothers, but it wasn't always hard work. The boys would sometimes play a very basic version of what we call baseball in North America.
Teos would harvest a rotton potato every now and again and challenge his brothers to hit it with the hoe they used to harvest the potatoes. They never could. This continued until a scout from Duke was vacationing in the area and noticed these kids in the field.
"The one Polack just had a wicked arm, nothing I had ever seen before in Eastern Europe, the epitomy of raw talent," scout Macsimillion Johnson told reporters. "I had to get this kid to America to harness his talent."
With that, Teos was on the next flight to the U.S. to give himself a better life.
His college career never got off the ground, his lowest ERA was in his freshman year where he went 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA.
He was drafted in 2010, in the 6th round by the Long Beach Havens. He appeared in 5 games with a 14.73 ERA. The next year was also a struggle for the Potato Farmer, going 10-12 with a 5.10 in Nantucket. He was then released that year and signed a minor league deal in January 2012 with the Pocatello organization.
This was a rebound year for Teos, he started the year in A-ball, going 6-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts which earned him a promotion to AA-ball where in 18 starts he went 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA.
In 2012 Teos appeared in 3 games before being released, he would never pitch again in 2013. Teos returned home, thinking he was a failure. He continued to farm with his father until he recieved a call from Canada.
Aaron Blank, GM of the world-renowned Baffin Island Beavers called and wanted Teos to return to baseball as a member of this storied franchise.
"Ja było więcej niż pobudzany robić to! (I was more than excited to do it)" Teos explained. It was like a dream come true to him.
"As many of you may not know, I am of Polish descent myself, so whenever I see raw talent like this from the old country, I just have to do something about it. With Teos, it was simple, he was a SP and we needed more in our minors. It just breaks my heart sometimes when these kids don't get a chance to make something of their life, so I do all that I can. We are even working something out with Teos to run baseball recruitment camps over there, although that is quite a ways from happeneing. But we're working on it.
Teos immediately made it to the rotation in AA Balzac with the Rams.
Teos is undefeated in his 12 starts going 9-0 with a 2.77 ERA 43 BB and 94 K.
"Teos has been awesome for this staff, he does anything he can to win, but he's also a prankster," explains manager Willis French
Kovel will continue to pitch in AA and hone his talents there, but a promotion may be in order. Although Teos isn't looking too far into the future. He knows his time could be limited so he is just happy to throw from the mound 60' 6" away from home plate.
Kovel's career didn't start as easy as it did for his American, Canadian, Mexican, Carribean or Japanese teammates. He was born into poverty in Klodzko, Poland to his father who was a potato farmer and a homemaker mother. His younger years were spent in the potato field harvesting by hand with his father and older brothers, but it wasn't always hard work. The boys would sometimes play a very basic version of what we call baseball in North America.
Teos would harvest a rotton potato every now and again and challenge his brothers to hit it with the hoe they used to harvest the potatoes. They never could. This continued until a scout from Duke was vacationing in the area and noticed these kids in the field.
"The one Polack just had a wicked arm, nothing I had ever seen before in Eastern Europe, the epitomy of raw talent," scout Macsimillion Johnson told reporters. "I had to get this kid to America to harness his talent."
With that, Teos was on the next flight to the U.S. to give himself a better life.
His college career never got off the ground, his lowest ERA was in his freshman year where he went 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA.
He was drafted in 2010, in the 6th round by the Long Beach Havens. He appeared in 5 games with a 14.73 ERA. The next year was also a struggle for the Potato Farmer, going 10-12 with a 5.10 in Nantucket. He was then released that year and signed a minor league deal in January 2012 with the Pocatello organization.
This was a rebound year for Teos, he started the year in A-ball, going 6-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts which earned him a promotion to AA-ball where in 18 starts he went 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA.
In 2012 Teos appeared in 3 games before being released, he would never pitch again in 2013. Teos returned home, thinking he was a failure. He continued to farm with his father until he recieved a call from Canada.
Aaron Blank, GM of the world-renowned Baffin Island Beavers called and wanted Teos to return to baseball as a member of this storied franchise.
"Ja było więcej niż pobudzany robić to! (I was more than excited to do it)" Teos explained. It was like a dream come true to him.
"As many of you may not know, I am of Polish descent myself, so whenever I see raw talent like this from the old country, I just have to do something about it. With Teos, it was simple, he was a SP and we needed more in our minors. It just breaks my heart sometimes when these kids don't get a chance to make something of their life, so I do all that I can. We are even working something out with Teos to run baseball recruitment camps over there, although that is quite a ways from happeneing. But we're working on it.
Teos immediately made it to the rotation in AA Balzac with the Rams.
Teos is undefeated in his 12 starts going 9-0 with a 2.77 ERA 43 BB and 94 K.
"Teos has been awesome for this staff, he does anything he can to win, but he's also a prankster," explains manager Willis French
Kovel will continue to pitch in AA and hone his talents there, but a promotion may be in order. Although Teos isn't looking too far into the future. He knows his time could be limited so he is just happy to throw from the mound 60' 6" away from home plate.
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