King Julio?

The Atlanta Braves have promoted their most impressive young prospect, Julio Teheran. The Moabs' fifth round pick in this season's 2010 draft, Teheran has been almost unhittable in low A ball. But with seven starts under his belt, the Braves felt it was past his time to be promoted to high class A ball. He had an ERA of 1.14, 41 K in 35.1 IP. Most impressively, JT surrendered only 23 hits and walked on 10 resulting in a WHIP of .84. Teheran's progressed will be closely monitored by the Brooklyn organization that will dictate when JT will be promoted to Double A Flint.

Free Agents to Compliment

Brooklyn added organizational depth on the first day of free agent signings. Two of the team's seven additions will be on the team's 25 man roster, if they have a good, healthy spring. Lefty Billy Wagner will add strike out potential and consistency along with Francisco Rodriguez in stabilizing a young pen. Many believe that its the organization's hope that Wagner will mentor Jose Mijares, who had rubbed management the wrong way after reporting late to camp after missing a flight. "Well missing a flight is certainly not professional behavior," commented manager Mike Scioscia. "I sat him down to have a quick talk. I got the point, which the media does not need to know. We're good though."

The Moabs added another character guy in Mike Cameron. Although the outfield appears stacked, rumors have it that the team may be shopping Shane Victorino. Another hope is that Cameron will mentor the fantastic rookie, Andrew McCutchen. "Young Cam's game resembles that of Andrew's. Both men have wheels, defensive awareness, power, and ability to hit for strong average," stated GM Caskey.

Filling out the organization's roster is UTL Brandon Inge, C Dioner Navarro, OF Melky Cabrera, and RHPs JJ Putz and Jeremy Accardo. Clearly the Moabs are suited for a serious run at October: "Now we have two backup catchers (Inge and Navarro), utility player (Inge), an outfielder who can play all three positions (Melk man) and two power arms who have low cost but potentially pennant changing rewards in Putz and Accardo."

What doesn't need to be stated is that the team now has the depth to move a package of players to acquire a player to fill a hole in the lineup, bullpen, or rotation.

Draft 2010

The Brooklyn front office came away ecstatic with the results of the draft. The organization came away with a sure-fire ace in Justin Verlander. In exchange for staple Roy Oswalt, catching prospect JP Arencibia, and a couple of eighth round picks, Brooklyn added a frontline pitcher that has a manageable salary over the next few seasons. He will immediately team up with Jon Lester, Scott Baker, James Shields, and Ubaldo Jimenez to form a very talented, young, experienced, rotation.

The Moabs drafted several key members moving forward and added to its organizational depth.
1) Casey Kelly, RHP
2) Sean Rodriguez, 2B/UTL
3) Francisco Liriano, SP
4) Compensated to Frostbite Falls for loss of Liriano
5) Julio Teheran, RHP
6) Jose Iglesias, SS
7) Alex Avila, C
8) Traded to St. Francis
8) Acquired via Worcester (loss of Saltalamacchia) Traded to St. Francis
Comp) Madison Youninger, RHP
Comp) Edward Salcedo, SS/3B

Clearly the organizational scouting spent time on hard throwing, high potential arms and toolsy, but gritty position players. Madison Youninger is described as extremely raw and unique for his powerful arm, good offspeed curve, and good feel despite relative inexperience. The organization is extremely high on Youninger and expect him to be a key in a couple of years. It is likely that the organization will take it slow with him. However, Kelly could impact the roster as early as September or next season, which is amazing considering his age and relative inexperience after giving up shortstop. One reason Kelly gave up playing everyday was Cuban Defector Jose Iglesias, who's glove is absolutely major league ready. He may not hit enough to be everyday BARB leaguer but simply can catch the ball enough to be extremely valuable. Potentially in Triple A Flint, Iglesias' double play partner may be Sean Rodriguez. If Rodriguez does not make the big league Brooklyn squad as a "super sub," his powerful bat should be an asset in Brooklyn soon enough.

Joining Kelly in the Flint rotation will be Julio Teheran. The organization has made it known that they try to avoid drafting Atlanta Braves prospects due to the management's deep feelings for the deep South's club, but Teheran was a Panamanian arm that could not be resisted. He has possibly the highest upside of any arm in the organization and to get him in the fifth round was an absolute steal. Fellow Brave, Edward Salcedo will compete to man the hot corner in Flint, but more likely will be reassigned to Double A Syracuse. He is a young powerful man who is expected to hit for serious power. Scouts have likened him similarly to a young Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez for his lanky frame, quick bat speed from quick wrists and strong hands. Although drafted as a shortstop, he is likely to slide over to play 3B.

Alex Avila is another bulldog character type that will fit nicely in the system. He has tremendous upside after converting to catcher. He will be in competition along with non-roster invitees to be Brian McCann's primary backup. Lastly, the Moabs selected Liriano from the Frostbite organization. Although his stats do not stand out alone, he is a fierce competitor that can be truly filthy. He had a great winter and spring, and his value could not be ignored.

Brooklyn Deals with Los Angeles PF Flyers

The Brooklyn Moabs have acquired flamethrower Daniel Bard (1.2) and 2B Mark Ellis (2.50) in exchange for Lastings Milledge (.4) and Chris Coghlan (1.20).

Ellis was added for salary dump by the PF's. The heart of the deal for the Moabs was getting young stopper Bard, who can hit the high 90s with ease. He has excellent K to BB ratio and will be utilized in the near future. Ellis will provide some help off the bench with Wigginton, Teahen, Upton, Saltalamacchia, and Lowrie. The bench will be versatile and ready to step in if an injury. On the other hand, the deal led to speculation. For instance, Bob Uecker, color man for the organization, has stated that Jeremy Affeldt, Tony Pena, Matt Guerrier, as well as Wigginton and Teahen might need new apartments come deadline time.

On the otherside, Coghlan was a well-thought of member of the team who will be missed. The organization was unsure where he would end up as a regular, which led certain unnamed members of the front office to feel that he was expendable. And for Milledge, who was a throw-in a season ago at the deadline, there is no denying his talent. At this point the Flyers coveted the prospects of Milledge, and the Moabs simply had an excess of young OFs. He presented much upside, but was more than expendable.

Abrupt End to Gonzo-era

The Brooklyn Moabs have announced that the organization needs some changes. Brooklyn is under-.500, which ownership has sought to make a thing of the past. Yet to make matters worse, the Moabs are ten games behind sibling rival Worcester entering game day 37. So changes are justified.

What has changed is the manager. Fredi Gonzalez simply could not get the lineup going in Brooklyn. The pitching has been horrid and inconsistent. "Rarely have I seen my teams lose so many games by double-digits, while only scoring two runs," stated GM Eric Caskey. "The way we are losing isn't customary. In the past, the hitting has been there and its been a struggle to get through middle innings. As it appears, the starting pitching has been pathetic." Roy Oswalt has been anything but an ace. While young lefty hurler Jon Lester has looked good, the club is troubled by the number of walks. Three Moabs rank in the top 10 in walks, Lester, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Chris Volstad. The stat is interesting considering that Jimenez is a spot starter and a fill-in starter for Scott Baker. As a result, Caskey has hinted that Scott Baker, James Shields and Roy Oswalt need to step-up their games if they expect to stay in the rotation.

To replace Gonzalez, the Moabs have hired from outside the organization. Although the contract was expensive, as hinted by management but not disclosed, Mike Scioscia was hired to jumpstart the offense while patching together the pitching staff. Scioscia is known for his small ball approach to a designated hitter's league, which should fit the bill with the Moabs, which have desired to run more to put greater pressure on the defense.

Other changes include shuffling the lineup completely. In an attempt to help the defensive play behind the pitching staff, the organization has announced that Ty Wigginton's contract has been purchased from Triple A Flint Stones. Wigginton will serve a defensive replacement for 3B Miguel Cabrera as well as starting 3B when Howard or Cabrera is at 1B and DH.

Draft Day 2009: A Coup

"Simply a coup," stated GM Eric J. Caskey. "Our draft effort was tremendous. Scouting Director Dan Evans found what the Brooklyn Mobas have lacked as an organization since our BARB Championship that being power relievers." 

With seven of Brooklyn's thirteen selections, the Moabs selected power arms. Justin Masterson was selected with the 19th pick, followed by the 26th B supplemental selection of Ryan Perry. Both figure to aid the bullpen this season with Masterson in competition with Matthew Lindstrom for the primary setup man. But the Moabs did not stop there. In addition to Masterson and Perry, Brooklyn drafted southpaws Daniel Schlereth, Nick Hagadone, Jose Mijares and Jeremy Affeldt. Again, Schlereth, Mijares and Affeldt figure to serve the bullpen prominently. Schlereth and Mijares will open in Triple A Flint and serve as a disastrous one-two punch in the Stone's pen. Hagadone had Tommy John surgery in the off-season; yet, the club deemed fit to select him in the latter rounds. He has made tremendous progress and could be ready at full strength by June. Affeldt will battle Manny Parra to become the primary lefty specialist, however, club insiders have hinted at the fact that Affeldt could do much more. "We see Affeldt getting everyone out. He might start, get lefties out, and also close ballgames. he was a superb selection by Evans and Caskey," stated Manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Brooklyn selected an additional reliever, future closer Joshua Fields. Fields has a rocket for an arm with an absolutely wicked slider. He could be in Brooklyn in September, if not earlier. The team has the highest expectations.

Relievers were not the only position selected by the Moabs. The club's first selection was flamethrower Neftali Feliz. Like Fields, Feliz has a devastating slider. But what makes the slider so devastating is the 100 mph fastball that is thrown with absolute effortless arm action. Although Feliz is not expected to contribue in Brooklyn this season, but is certainly a shining star in the system. Additionally Aaron Poreda was selected as a power lefty starter to help add the system's lack of southpaws. Poreda, who can hit 100 mph with ease, has had issues with his command. For that reason, the organization has discussed the possibility of turning Poreda into a BJ Ryan like closer. But, for the foreseeable future, Poreda will continue as a starter developing his off-speed pitches.

Position players were also selected. Shortstop Jed Lowrie will make the most impact this season. He will start situationally at thirdbase and around the infield, especially to spell the recooperating Chase Utley. Also, the Moabs gave up compensation to acquire speedster Shane Victorino. Victorino will fill in for the departed Jay Bruce (a story for another day). While BJ Upton is on the disabled list following off-season surgery on his shoulder, Victorino will play centerfield and leftfield with Jacoby Ellsbury, Jermaine Dye, Lastings Milledge, and Cameron Maybin all contributing. Lowrie and Victorino were selected among Nick Noonan and Brett Wallace. Both of whom have bright futures with the ballclub but are not expected to contribute this season in BARB. 

Perhaps what GM Caskey is most thrilled about was Evan's efforts behind the plate. Although the team has hardly a weakness behind the plate with All-Star Brian McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the team wanted to add catching depth. "Every championship caliber ballclub has catching depth," stated Caskey, "And if we are meant to be a contender, then we needed to be no different." The team added prospects JP Arencibia and Jason Castro. Although at this stage, neither will contribute to the Moabs this season, Arencibia is far more advanced. He will be the everyday catcher in Flint and should be able to get promoted in September. Castro, on the other hand, whose game resembles that of a lefthanded Russell Martin, will be one of the team's highest ceiling players.

Overall, the Moabs effort addressed the team's lack of depth in the bullpen. It added two potential aces and several potential closers. The hole, known as thirdbase, was also addressed with Jed Lowrie and Brett Wallace. Catching depth is no longer the team's concern. Ultimately, the team's effort will depend on the organizations progression back to the playoffs and in a deep run.