Projecting the Rosters: Pitching Wrap

Yesterday, I took a look at several pitchers throughout the organization. After the trades, there is not much separating many of these guys from each other. I'll go through and project the A Ball rosters and make any revisions to account for guys left out. To start, here are the rest of the pitchers who could see themselves in full season ball.

• Rick Porcello: Apparently this kid is pretty good. I've heard conflicting reports as to whether he ends up in Lakeland or West Michigan. The polish that scouts see and the Tigers' tendency to keep their stud pitchers in the warm weather tells me Porcello will be in Lakeland's rotation.
• Josh Rainwater: A meddling A-ball swing man, I probably should have included Rainwater yesterday as a long shot for Erie's staff. He may need a strong spring to stay in the organization.
• Matt Righter: Went back and forth between Erie and Lakeland last year in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. Not much of a prospect, but could find him self as a swing man in Lakeland.
• Santo Franco: The Dominican reliever put up nice K rates in rookie ball last year. He may make a push for West Michigan's bullpen.
• Jay Sborz: It's been five years since he and Sleeth were taken 1-2 in the draft, a draft that is now truly a disaster. Needs a strong Spring to remain in the organization.
• Orlando Perdomo: West Michigan's closer in 2006, had a set back from his Tommy John Surgery. I'm not going to pencil him into any full season staff just yet.
• Ramon Garcia: Broke down after 75 strong innings in West Michigan two years ago. He was unable to return to form last year. As with Perdomo, until healthy, I'm going to assume Extended Spring Training.
• Justin Miller: A local boy picked up as an extra lefthanded arm down the stretch last year. I'll assume EST unless there is a need for a lefty reliever in Lakeland.
• Chris Homer: The one time Erie closer spent his time in rookie ball last season rehabbing from shoulder surgery. He seems likely to be cut.
• Collin Mahoney: There was a time when Mahoney was a hard throwing "Closer of the future." When he was unable to throw strikes in A ball, that label died. I'm guessing he is shown the door unless he can instill hope he can walk less than 12 guys per nine innings.
• Santo Mieses: Held his own in the GCL bullpen. Could be a candidate for West Michigan.
• Dario Carvajal: Pitched well in a duel role in the GCL last season. Could join West Michigan's staff.
• Wilton Garcia: As with the previous two guys, pitched well in his first season stateside last year. If the late season promotion to Oneonta is any clue, Garcia seems destined for West Michigan's bullpen.
• Adriano Santos: This will be his fifth season stateside, and he has yet to make much of a mark. May need a strong spring to keep his career alive.
• Luis Gil: The one time middle infielder's transformation to pitching got off to a great start three years ago, but injuries proved it was too much. He could crack a staff if he's healthy this Spring, but it doesn't seem like a guarantee.
• Phil Napolitan: Now 26, and yet to graduate past Grand Rapids. As an organizational favorite, he could stick around, but I doubt it.
• Zach Piccola: Fell out of favor after being taken in the 9th round in 2006. He had problems throwing strikes. I'm not sure where he'll be or if he'll break camp with the organization.
• Kelvin Cedano: His first season stateside was a successful one that saw him crack West Michigan's bullpen. I'm going to assume he starts there this year.
• Mark Brackman: The latest in the workhorse groundball types. I see him in West Michigan's rotation this year.
• Jon Kibler: Kibler impressed some folks last year in the summer leagues and performed well in his professional debut. I've got him pegged for West Michgian's rotation.
• Sean Finefrock: May crack West Michigan's rotation if there is room.
• Brandon Johnson: Also may make it to Grand Rapids if roster space allows.
• Manny Miguelez: Drafted as a raw lefty, seems to be a good choice for West Michigan's rotation.
• Noah Krol: Probably West Michigan's closer, but could be the beneficiary if Jensen is pushed to Erie.
• Erik Chricton: Another solid reliever from last year's Oneonta squad. I see him in West Michigan this year.
• Paul Hammond: A lefty organizational soldier. It's hard to tell if he will be anywhere.
• Rudy Darrow: Seems to have a shot at West Michigan's pen.
• Richard Zumaya: Has impressed some folks, and could start off in West Michigan.
• Aaron Fuhrman: Probably needs a year in Oneonta before reaching West Michigan.
• Brandon Hamilton: Should crack West Michigan with a strong Spring.
• Luke Putkonen: Out for the first part of the year, will start in extended Spring Training.

That should make everybody who has a shot at full season ball. That leaves the A Ball pitching staffs looking like:

Lakeland
SP:
Duane Below
Angel Castro
Charlie Furbush
Jonah Nickerson
Rick Porcello

RP:
Brett Jensen
Casey Fien
Alfredo Figaro
Ed Clelland
Josh Rainwater
Marcelo Perez
Gabriel Benitez

West Michigan
SP:
Mark Brackman
Brandon Hamilton
Brandon Johnson
Jon Kibler
Guillermo Moscoso

RP:
Noah Krol
Eric Cricton
Kelvin Cedano
Eleazar Aponte
Wilton Garcia
Lauren Gagnier
Zach Piccola

Cut:
Jon Connolly
Luis Gil
Paul Hammond
Chris Homer
Jeremy Johnson
Collin Mahoney
Anastacio Martinez
Orber Moreno
Matt O'Brien
Ian Ostlund
Matt Righter
Adriano Santos
Jay Sborz
Derek Witt
Sendy Vasquez

EST:
Dario Carvajal
Rudy Darrow
Sean Finefrock
Santo Franco
Aaron Fuhrman
Ramon Garcia
Matt Hoffman
Santo Mieses
Justin Miller
Richard Zumaya

DL:
Erik Averill
Casey Crosby
P.J. Finigan
Paul Nardozzi
Gary Perinar
Orlando Perdomo
Luke Putkonen
Brayan Villareal
Joel Zumaya

The Cut list is pretty generous. As soon as injuries and other unforeseen circumstances strike, there will be room for guys like Connolly, Johnson, and Martinez in Erie and Toledo. I'll look through the catchers next, while updating the pitching projections over the course of the preseason.