Barnstormers begin roster building for 2020
Scott Shuman
The Lancaster Barnstormers re-signed right-handed reliever, Scott Shuman, for their 2020 campaign. This will be Shuman’s 4th season in Lancaster. In his previous 3 seasons with the Barnstormers, Shuman posted a 2.39 ERA and a 1.077 WHIP. Scott projects to keep the momentum going in 2020, and will hopefully increase his innings to anchor Lancaster’s bullpen.
Huascar Brazoban
After a year away from baseball in 2019, right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban returns for his 2nd season in Lancaster. The team and Huascar both hope he can return to his 2018 form. During the 2018 season, Brazoban posted a 1.99 ERA and allowed only 1 home run in 40 and 2/3 innings.
Projection: 40 IP, 1.437 WHIP, 3.13 ERA, 3.2 BB/9, 11.0 K/9
High-end Projection: 41 IP, 1.420 WHIP, 2.83 ERA, 3.4 BB/9, 10.7 K/9
Low-end Projection: 33 IP, 1.528 WHIP, 4.79 ERA, 3.7 BB/9, 10.0 K/9
Dynamic Lefty delivered to Ducks’ bullpen
Felix Carvallo
The Long Island Ducks have added a lefty arm to their bullpen in the form of the 26-year-old, Venezuelan-born, Felix Carvallo. Felix made his first ALPB appearances late in 2019 with Long Island, finding limited success. However, Felix has found success at other levels of professional ball and is projected to bring his ALPB ERA below 4.00 while seeing some frequent usage out of the Long Island bullpen.
Projection: 51 IP, 1.514 WHIP, 3.86 ERA, 4.2 BB/9, 8.6 K/9
High-end Projection: 56 IP, 1.437 WHIP, 3.83 ERA, 3.5 BB/9, 8.8 K/9
Low-end Projection: 42 IP, 1.550 WHIP, 4.01 ERA, 4.5 BB/9, 8.5 K/9
PATRIOTS SIGN THEIR GUNNAR
Gunnar Kines
Based upon name alone, Gunnar Kines is a good signing. Doesn’t “Gunnar” just sound like a guy you want on the mound? Somerset has signed the left-handed starter to take the ball every fifth game after a strong 4th season with the Frontier League’s Schaumburg Boomers (insert out-dated Ok, Boomer joke here). The 26-year-old has also spent time pitching in Australia with the Adelaide Bite, because a Gunnar’s gotta do what a Gunnar’s gotta do. Kines’ 1.019 WHIP in 103 innings during 2019 should translate well to ALPB play. Less than 10% of Kines’ projections show him with a 2020 ERA above 4.00 and 32% of projections indicate the Patriots could see a sub-3.00 ERA from their new young-gunner.
Projection: 101 IP, 1.209 WHIP, 3.87 ERA, 2.4 BB/9, 8.2 K/9
High-end Projection: 118 IP, 1.019 WHIP, 2.44 ERA, 1.9 BB/9, 9.5 K/9
Low-end Projection: 96 IP, 1.304 WHIP, 3.98 ERA, 2.6 BB/9, 7.9 K/9
Blue Crabs continue building 2020 Lineup
Edwin Garcia
Edwin Garcia has been re-signed for his 4th season with the Blue Crabs. During his Blue Crabs career, Garcia has slashed .272/.323/.338, has won 2 consecutive ALPB Gold Gloves (the 1st player in league history to do so), and finished 2019 by hitting .312/.368/.418 in August and September.
Projection: 410 PA, 40 Runs Created, .650 OPS, 3 HR, 2.2 WAR (MLB Equiv. Elvis Andrus)
High-end Projection: 460 PA, 46 Runs Created, .660 OPS, 3 HR, 2.7 WAR
Low-end Projection: 380 PA, 32 Runs Created, .597 OPS, 2 HR, 1.6 WAR
Adrian Nieto
The Blue Crabs have added catcher Adrian Nieto to their roster. Nieto appeared in the majors with the White Sox in 2014 but has struggled since. In 2019, Nieto managed a .269/.336/.392 with the American Association’s Sioux Falls Canaries before being added by the Miami Marlins where he struggled in both single and double-A. Nieto, who doesn’t impress too much behind the plate (base-runners went 14 for 14 against him with Sioux Falls), is projected to split time between catcher and first base. If he can hit toward his higher-end projections, Nieto will be a valuable addition for Southern Maryland.
Projection: 250 PA, 29 Runs Created, .700 OPS, 5 HR, 1.3 WAR (MLB Equiv. Victor Caratini)
High-end Projection: 265 PA, 27 Runs Created, .740 OPS, 6 HR, 1.5 WAR
Low-end Projection: 200 PA, 17 Runs Created, .615 OPS, 3 HR, .5 WAR
A Sweet Find For Sugar Land
Jose A. Ramirez
Sugar Land has signed right-handed reliever, Jose A. Ramirez, in the hopes of riding his comeback campaign to another playoff run in 2020. Ramirez last pitched in the MLB with the Braves in 2018 and has largely been a spectator since then (except for 3 Dominican Winter League innings). The up-side potential for Ramirez is massive, maybe even more so than his high-end projections might indicate. Even while he struggled in his brief time with the Braves in 2018, Ramirez showed he could still miss bats at the MLB level (9.9 K/9). Altogether, this has the makings of a low-risk/high-reward signing for the Skeeters in 2020.
Projection: 60 IP, 1.267 WHIP, 3.02 ERA, 4.2 BB/9, 9.1 K/9
High-end Projection: 62 IP, 1.219 WHIP, 2.44 ERA, 4.0 BB/9, 9.6 K/9
Low-end Projection: 58 IP, 1.336 WHIP, 3.79 ERA, 4.6 BB/9, 8.8 K/9
Indy Ball Nation 