Rockers Roster Roundup: 3/4/2020

Michael Russell

Michael Russell has been re-signed by the Rockers for 2020. Last year, Russell was added to the High Point roster just before the All-Star break. By the end of the season, Russell had filled holes at shortstop, second base, and third base to help the Rocker’s late-season push. Michael finished 2019 with a .287/.354/.380 slash in 291 plate appearances. Russell’s positional flexibility could keep him in the Rockers lineup most nights, but could also make him ripe for a mid-season contract purchase if he continues producing as he did in 2019.

Projections: 360 PA, 39 Runs Created, 4 HR, .705 OPS, 2.0 WAR (MLB Equiv. David Bote)

High-end Projections: 405 PA, 49 Runs Created, 6 HR, .755 OPS, 2.6 WAR

Low-end Projections: 345 PA, 36 Runs Created, 3 HR, .665 OPS, 1.7 WAR

Logan Moore

According to High Point manager Jamie Keefe, the team has signed their “Number one target this off-season,” catcher Logan Moore. The Rockers grabbed Logan in the New Britain Bees expansion draft this fall and officially signed him this past week. Keefe continued, “Watching this guy run his staff last year in New Britain was special. He is outstanding behind the plate, reading hitters, controlling the running game, and he’s a left-handed bat that produced 15 homers and drove in 66.” Logan projects as High Point’s starting catcher in 2020, ahead of Stuart Levy. Though Moore is not projected to top a .220/.305/.360 season offensively, his aforementioned efforts behind the plate will make him a valuable contributor.

Mike Carp

Mike Carp (not to be confused with Mike Trout…I’m sure he loves that joke) has been signed by the High Point Rockers after being selected in the New Britain Bees Dispersal Draft this fall. Mike has spent 6 seasons (2009-2014) in the Majors with Seattle, Boston, and Texas and is hoping to turn his time in the ALPB into a comeback. Last season, Carp batted .260/.333/.395 in 225 plate appearances with the Bees. Mike projects as league average at both first base and outfield, but might see a bump in production if getting regular at-bats helps him find a rhythm.

Darren Ford

2019 Rockers outfielder Lew Ford may have already been signed by the Ducks, but Darren Ford has now signed on to fill the void in High Point. High Point first acquired rights to Darren through the New Britain Bees Dispersal Draft this fall. Besides stealing bases on 86 of 109 attempts over the past two seasons in New Britain, Ford also hit well last season (.265/.343/.363) while flashing the leather in the outfield (1 error in 267 chances). With Quincy Latimore in left, Darren Ford projects to be the everyday center fielder for the Rockers in 2020. However, our projections aren’t sold on Ford’s potential offensive production this season.