Since this has appeared two years in a row, it makes sense to review how the 2014 guys did before we identify the next set.
Mario Sanchez, RHP
2013 2-3, 0 SV; 18G, 5GS, 58IP; 2.33 ERA, 1.034 WHIP in the DSL
2014 6-1, 3 SV; 18G, 0GS; 35IP; 4.11 ERA, 1.171 WHIP in the NYPL
Deibi Yrizarri, RHP
2013 5-3, 0 SV; 14G, 13GS, 68IP; 1.99 ERA, 1.103 WHIP in the DSL
2014 1-1, 0 SV, 4G, 0GS, 5⅔ IP; 0.00 ERA, 2.118 WHIP in the NYPL (demoted to GCL)
2-4, 0 SV, 11G, 6GS, 36⅔ IP; 9.08 ERA, 1.827 WHIP in the GCL
Luis Reyes, RHP
2013 5-3, 0 SV; 13G, 13GS, 54┻ IP; 2.82 ERA, 1.067 WHIP in the DSL
0-1, 0 SV; 1G, 1GS, 4IP, 6.75 ERA, 1.500 WHIP in the GCL
2014 0-1, 0 SV, 5G, 5GS, 24IP; 2.62 ERA, 1.042 WHIP in the NYPL (demoted to GCL)
1-4, 0 SV, 9G, 5GS, 36⅔ IP; 4.42 ERA, 1.418 WHIP in the GCL
Luis Torres, RHP
2013 1-3, 0 SV; 13G, 9GS, 53IP; 3.91 ERA, 1.340 WHIP in the DSL
2014 1-2, 0 SV; 12G, 5GS, 35⅔ IP; 2.27 ERA, 1.093 WHIP in the NYPL
1-0, 0 SV; 3G, 2GS, 11⅓ IP; 0.79 ERA, 0.618 WHIP in the GCL (demoted and promoted midseason)
Maximo Valerio
2013 3-4, 0 SV; 14G, 13GS, 63IP; 2.86 ERA, 1.143 WHIP in the DSL
2014 3-0, 0 SV; 16G, 0GS; 31IP; 5.23 ERA, 1.452 WHIP in the GCL
You want volatility? You got it. From a statistical standpoint, just one of these five improved over the previous season, though Sanchez was named an NYPL All-Star and wasn’t the proverbial “at least one per team.” Three of the pitchers began in Auburn and only one returned. None of them “graduated” into the RHP category.
Bear that in mind as we list the 2015 guys…
Joan Baez
POS: RHSP
JULY 1, 2015 AGE: 20
STATS: 4-1, 0SV; 11G, 11GS, 54⅔ IP; 1.15 ERA, 0.915 WHIP in the DSL
1-3, 0SV; 4G, 3GS, 16⅔ IP; 3.78 ERA, 1.260 WHIP in the GCL
It’s pronounced “yo-ahn” and it’s common name in the D.R. Baez dominated in the DSL, pitching five or more innings in eight of 11 starts. In the GCL, he was less of a mystery, but odds are good he’ll get another crack at it.
Steven Fuentes
POS: RHP
JULY 1, 2015 AGE: 18
STATS: 2-3, 0SV; 15G, 9GS, 54⅔ IP; 2.30 ERA, 1.226 WHIP in the DSL
Fuentes led the starters with a 11.1 K/9IP rate (10.6 overall) and had stronger numbers as a starter than a reliever (e.g. 1.55 ERA vs. 4.00) and has begun getting buzz outside this site.
Angher Cespedes
POS: RHRP
JULY 1, 2015 AGE: 20
STATS: 4-0, 9SV; 22G, 17GF, 32IP; 3.94 ERA, 1.156 ERA in the DSL
Cespedes was a GBI unto himself with a high K rate (11.0), Soriano-esque meltdowns, and bases-loaded, nobody-out escapes. He turns 21 in late July so he’s a tad on the old side.
Yonathan Ramirez
POS: LHRP
JULY 1, 2015 AGE: 18
STATS: 3-0, 2SV; 15G, 3GF, 27⅓ IP; 2.63 ERA, 0.915 WHIP in the DSL
Ramirez put up strong nos. across the board, with an eye-popping 4.83 BB:K ratio while still striking out more than a batter per inning (9.5).
Juan Bermudez
POS: RHSP
JULY 1, 2015 AGE: 20
STATS: 5-5, 0SV; 15G, 14GS, 60⅔ IP; 2.08 ERA, 1.055 WHIP in the DSL
“Shorts” was second on the team in IP and tied for the most GS. Four HRs inflated his FIP to 3.55, but his periperals were strong (3.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9).