As our series of Q&As with Eastern League bloggers and beat writers continues, we check in with Mike Andrews of SoxProspects.comabout the Portland Sea Dogs. Below, Mike tells us his projected Sea Dogs rotation and starting line up, which former major leaguer Junichi Tazawa most resembles, and the one thing he’d do differently if he were running Boston’s farm system.
Can you give us an early guess at the Sea Dogs 2009 line up and rotation?
The starting rotation will likely include Kris Johnson, Adam Mills, Junichi Tazawa, Ryne Lawson, and Travis Beazley. The lineup should include C Mark Wagner, 1B Lars Anderson, 2B Ryan Khoury, 3B Jorge Jimenez, SS Argenis Diaz, LF Zach Daeges, CF Bubba Bell, RF Josh Reddick, and DH Jon Still. Chih-Hsien Chiang will likely get a lot of time at both 2B and LF.
Which likely 2009 Sea Dogs are you most excited to watch?
Lars Anderson, Daniel Bard, and Josh Reddick are three of the top four prospects in the organization. Anderson could be manning 1B for Boston by 2010, Bard looks like a real nice set-up guy, and Reddick can just flat out hit. Junichi Tazawa also really impressed the Sox brass in the spring.
Is there a player on this team who isn’t necessarily a top prospect, but who fans show pull for because of his background or approach to the game?
Bubba Bell is a dirt dog in every sense. He was picked out of Nichols State in the 39th round in 2005 and has had to prove himself every step of the way. After getting scattered playing time in his first two seasons, Bell dominated High-A in 2007, nearly taking home the triple crown in the California League.
He plays the game at full tilt, and that has led to a lot of injuries, which derailed a large part of is 2008 season in Double-A. When he did play, he held his own. Now entering his age 26 year, Bell will likely start the 2009 season in Portland while looking for a quick promotion to Triple-A. He could play a role in Boston’s future plans, especially if he is able to show some flashes of his 2007 form.
Who are some of the other likely Eastern Leaguers who you are excited to see in 2009?
There should be an awesome crop of prospects that will play in the EL at some point this season, including Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Carlos Santana, Beau Mills, Jose Tabata, Brian Matusz, and Rick Porcello.
If a baseball fan from outside the Portland area could only come to one Sea Dogs game this season when should it be and why?
I’d have to say sometime in May this year, for a couple reasons. First, the weather in April leads to a lot of rainouts. Second, the top prospects like Anderson, Bard, Reddick, and Tazawa are all gunning for early promotions, and each could be in Triple-A by Memorial Day. You might even be able to catch a doubleheader in May, because of all of the games that typically need to be made up for from rainouts in April.
Which major league pitcher is most similar to Junichi Tazawa? What should Eastern League fans look for when they watch him pitch this year?
We at SoxProspects.com try to do an “MLB Comp” for each of the top 20 prospects in the system. We actually had a tough time with Tazawa, but ultimately landed on Hideo Nomo. Tazawa mixes in a plus slider, a nice mid-70s curve, and an above average forkball (basically a split-fingered change-up), all with excellent command. His forkball is reminiscent of Nomo’s, as is his ground-breaking status in Japan. (Tazawa asked his home country pro teams to refrain from drafting him in order to allow him to pitch in the United States directly from the amateur ranks.) He also has an unconventional delivery, but it is nothing like Nomo’s tornado-style delivery.
Is there anyone on the likely Salem opening day roster who could have a significant impact on the Sea Dogs by the end of the year? What makes you say that?
Look for Luis Exposito and Yamaico Navarroto be contributors in Portland by the end of 2009. Both have impressed up the ladder in the Sox system, and should be knocking on the Double-A door come mid-season. Additionally, three college pitchers selected in the 2009 draft – Kyle Weiland, Bryan Price and Stephen Fife – could also get a cup of coffee with the Sea Dogs this season.
What your perception of how well the Red Sox have supported their minor league affiliates?
In my opinion, the Sox have set the gold standard for player development, and proved it in 2008, as each of their affiliated finished the season with winning records, and many went to the playoffs. The important thing to note is that the Sox don’t place an emphasis on winning. They emphasize the development of the players. But winning has coming as a result of several years of that philosophy filtering down through the system.
What would you like see them do differently?
I wouldn’t do a whole lot differently, as I think the team does a superb job. However, the one thing I would like to see them do a little more is give their own minor league veterans a chance instead of bringing in major league retreads. I really think players like Jeff Bailey, Chris Carter and Joe Thurstoncould thrive in a major league bench role given a full shot. Unfortunately those players have been relegated to riding the I-95 shuttle between Pawtucket and Boston, only getting temporary shots when the injury bug strikes. On the other hand, if players like that keep accepting that role, than I suppose the team is smart to keep them as insurance policies.
