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Pitching Report: June 26
The bats have gone cold lately as Jamestown’s team batting averaged has dipped down to .254 (sixth in the league still). But, the Jammers pitching staff actually was on a decent roll until getting hit hard Monday night.
As reported earlier in the week, Drew Steckenrider was placed on the temporary inactive list. Today, Jamestown activated Blake Logan, a 13th round pick this year. I’m not sure how he’ll be used, but Logan was a starter as a sophomore this season at Eastern Oklahoma State.
Tuesday, June 26 at Auburn
Starter: Ryan Newell. He threw just two innings in his debut last week. Allowed a hit, walked two and let one run score. I’m sure he’ll be extended tonight.
Relievers: Jake Esch went four innings in relief of Newll last time out and hasn’t pitched since. I would expect to see Esch get at least an inning tonight. Closer Nick Wittgren has had three days off (all Jammers losses) and would likely see action tonight if Jamestown is ahead late. Besides that, Miguel Fermin, on two days rest, is likely to go tonight.
Wednesday, June 27 at Auburn
Starter: Matt Milroy or Blake Logan. It’s Milroy’s turn in the rotation, but I just figured he’d be a reliever for these guys. He only threw two innings last time out so there’s no reason to think he’s a fixture in the rotation. Logan, with starting experience, was just activated and should probably get some work soon.
Relievers: Whoever doesn’t start should probably get work anyhow. Brian Ellington and Bryan Berglund probably due for some work as well.
Thursday, June 28 at Batavia
Starter: Helpi Reyes. Reyes has a 5.63 ERA in two starts this year and is the de facto ace. Three innings on Opening Day. Five in his second. Espada will certainly expect at least five from him.
Relievers: They could go anywhere but from a pure schedule standpoint, Jheyson Manzueta might be targeted for Thursday. He threw three innings Sunday and I can’t imagine him going before then. Frankie Reed and Ellington — if not used Tuesday or Wednesday, which is unlikely for both — make sense here too.
Pitching Report: June 21
As I outlined in our all-new Usage Chart, only three pitchers haven’t been used yet in the Jammers first three games this season. Matt Milroy and Drew Steckenrider were both relievers in college last year, so I’d assume Ryan Newell (7th round pick out of Shorter University) will start either tonight or tomorrow.
But, if they don’t go to a 4-man rotation (and I don’t know why they would) the smart money would be on Steckenrider (8th round pick out of Tennessee) being the other starter. Milroy appears to strictly be a one inning guy.
The Jammers used five pitchers Monday, four Tuesday and five Wednesday. Of the starters, only Del Orbe and Hope have gone into the fourth with neither going into the fifth. Bryan Berglund and Miguel Fermin each threw twice on Monday and Wednesday.
What to expect Thursday:
For whatever reason, Jamestown appears settled on not pushing starters too much in their first start. So whoever starts today and tomorrow won’t go more than four innings. As was the case with Reyes on Monday, if either falters, they’ll probably only go three.
So who will we see today? I’ll say Newell will start. I would expect Beau Wright, Jake Esch and Matt Milroy will get work as well. A save situation will likely call for Nick Wittgren. I think we’d all like to see Jheyson Manzueta again and I wouldn’t rule him out for tonight, either. Certainly some combination of those five will work the last five or six innings tonight.
What to expect Friday:
Again, I have no idea who is going to start, but I’ll say Steckenrider. If any of those five I mentioned for Thursday don’t throw (and someone assuredly won’t), they’ll definitely get work Friday. On top of that, Sean Donatello could be in line for an inning or two. I don’t think we’ll see Fermin either day. He’s looked great but two innings Monday, day off Tuesday and two more innings Wednesday deserves at least two days off. Expect him Saturday.
What to expect Saturday:
Back to Opening Day starter Helpi Reyes. Who I think would be stretched out to five innings. After that, who knows at this point.
Breaking down the Jammers roster-Pitchers
It’s far from official, but as the Jammers have begun to arrive in Jamestown for practices Friday and Saturday, here’s my first look at 2012 roster.
Pitchers (13):
Sean Donatello (RHP) — A 21 year old in his second professional season, Donatello spent most of last year in the Gulf Coast League for the GCL Marlins. He posted pretty good numbers at the rookie level, going 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 13 games (four starts). He appeared in one game for Jupiter, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing a run. He started 2012 in Jupiter, though, and struggled. In seven innings, he’s 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. He was sent back down to Jamestown on May 4. Expect him to be in the bullpen.
Brian Ellington (RHP) — Ellington, 21, was a 16th round selection this year from the University of West Florida. He started 11 games for the Argos and went 6-3 with a 4.08 ERA. He had a pretty decent opponents batting average at .241, but it’s hard to project much from Ellington at this point, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a few chances to start. He had Tommy John Surgery in 2007 while in high school.
Jacob Esch (RHP) — He played his college ball at Georgia Tech and was drafted as a second baseman in the 11th round in 2011. He threw just 18.2 innings (11.2 for Jamestown) of professional ball last year and compiled a 3.38 ERA. He showed some potential as a power pitcher, striking out 17. Esch is listed as the opening day starter on the Jammers website, but nothing has been announced yet.
Miguel Fermin (RHP) — Yes, that Miguel Fermin. Now at 27, the former catcher has been forced to renew his career after blowing out his knee last year. Fermin was a NYPL All-Star on the Jammers back in 2008 when he hit .347 with 17 homeruns in 65 games. He was then an all-star for Jupiter in 2009 and 2011, but struggled in two stints for New Orleans. Now that Fermin can’t do much behind the plate, the Marlins have decided to use his right arm on the mound. Will be interesting to see how he’s used, but will almost assuredly be out of the bullpen.
Mason Hope (RHP) — Hope is the highest draft pick amongst the Jammers current pitchers as he was a fifth rounder last year out of Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma. The 19 year old started six games in the Gulf Coast League last year and did pretty well, compiling a 3.29 ERA in 27.1 innings. Hope has a bright future and considering his age, the Marlins are in no rush with this kid. He’ll be in the rotation.
Jheyson Manzueta (RHP) — It will be interesting to see what the Marlins’ plan is with Manzueta. The 22 year old was actually signed back in 2007 and spent his first two years in the Dominican Summer League. Last year was his first year above rookie ball and he struggled in both Jamestown and Greensboro. Combined he was 2-11 with a 6.57 ERA. He started the year in Greensboro, where he started all 20 games he appeared in. When he went back down to Jamestown, he appeared in 10 games, all of which came in relief. Probably not a pattern, but we’ll see where Manzueta gets his innings. I’ll expect the bullpen.
Matt Milroy (RHP) — Drafted in the 11th round, Milroy became the highest pitcher selected out of the University of Illinois since 2001. He worked out the bullpen and averaged almost 11 strikeouts per nine innings, good for ninth in the NCAA. Milroy chose to forgo his senior season at Illinois. He had a 3.88 ERA in 53.1 innings and I would doubt if the Marlins are looking to stretch him out.
Ryan Newell (RHP) — Newell is the highest draft pick from this year on the pitching staff. Drafted in the seventh round out of Shorter University (NAIA program in Rome, Ga.), Newell went 9-4 with a 3.53 ERA as a starter last year and will probably be used as one for Jamestown or perhaps a middle-inning reliever. Newell will turn 21 on Opening Day Monday.
Frankie Reed (LHP) — The 24-year-old lefty will be used in the same role as last year, as a reliever who can strike some guys out. He was drafted out of Cal Poly SLO last year in the 27th round and spent his rookie year between Jamestown and GCL. He struggled as a Jammer, going 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA.
Helpi Reyes (RHP) — Another familiar name, Reyes started 12 games last year for the club and went 1-6 with a 5.37 ERA. Still just 19, Reyes has been in the Marlins organization for three years with each of the last two being a full-time starter. 2012 appears to be a big year for the righthander if he wants to advance through. I’d imagine he would be in the rotation.
Drew Steckenrider (RHP) — An eighth round pick out of Tennessee this year, Steckenrider also has pretty great power potential, but his future is based on his right arm. He struck out 79 batters in 67 innings and held opponents to a .197 batting average. The 6-foot-5 reliever seems ticketed for the bullpen. Decided to forgo his senior season at UT.
Nicholas Wittgren (RHP) — Another high-level college pitcher prospect, Wittgren was a ninth round selection this year from Purdue. He also decided to forgo his senior season and projects as a reliever. Wittgren is another power pitcher, striking out 39 batters in 41 innings, but was the closer for a Boilermaker team that won the Big 10 and hosted an NCAA Regional. He had a 1.76 ERA in 26 games and saved 10.
Beau Wright (RHP) — Wright was a 48th round pick in 2010 out of Orange Coast College, but was a 29th round pick out of high school by the Minnesota Twins in 2009, where he obviously did not sign. He was 2-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 games (six starts) for GCL last year. Wright, 21, will have every opportunity to start games for the club this year.
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