Minor league relievers are a dime a dozen. They often come out of nowhere (Dennis Dove, anyone?) and disappear into the annuls of MiLB just as quickly. This past year Pete Parise was a name many were touting and that was profiled here as well. After a 2010 injury, Parise has a more difficult road to trod with statistical doppleganger Chuckie Fick having a productive season and players like Eduardo Sanchez not slowing down at all. Another example of how tenuous a player’s grasp on the “next guy up” can be in relief.
What follows is a quick guide to minor league relievers whose name you’ll likely hear bandied about during Spring Training.
Player 2010 Level Repertoire Projects As ETA Comments Adam Reifer AA/AAA Fastball/Slider Setup 2012 Too hittable at times; mid-90s velocity Blake King AA Fastball/Slider Middle Relief 2013 Significant command issues; lots of movement on pitches Chuckie Fick AAA Sinker/Slider Fringy Relief 2012 High GB rates; Brad Thompson clone Eduardo Sanchez AA/AAA Fastball/Slider Setup/Closer 2011 Slight frame; upper-90s velocity; some sink to fastball Fernando Salas AAA/MLB Fastball/Curveball/Changeup Middle Relief 2011 Not overpowering; good control/command Franscico Samuel AA/AAA Fastball/Slider Middle Relief/Setup 2012 Electric stuff; upper-90s velocity; inconsistent mechanics Ramon Delgado A+/AA/AFL Fastball/Slider/Changeup Fringy Relief 2013 Erratic when fatigued; Not ideal for long relief
Obviously Eduardo Sanchez is unlikely to walk on as a setup man or closer so that projection includes growth at the majors as well. ETA is a tricky guess at best, especially with Tony LaRussa’s bullpens.
Original Story:
http://www.futureredbirds.net/2010/11...
