Your 2015 Biloxi Shuckers

[Mass Haas]

Rawlings, Minors announce Gold Glovers

Nine players honored for defensive excellence at their positions

Minor League Baseball

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/8/4/152062184/cuts/orlando_arcia_960_8dwva3x5_tbmfh3wx.jpg

 

Top Brewers prospect Orlando Arcia had a .978 fielding percentage in 123 games at shortstop for Biloxi. (Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com)

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America -- 2015 Southern League Top 20 Prospects

 

Orlando Arcia #3, Jorge Lopez #7

 

Baseball America -- Southern League Top 20 Prospects Chat

 

Matt (Queens, NY): Did Tyrone Taylor's stock fall any this year, in your opinion? Which other Shuckers were considered for the list? Thanks for chatting.

 

Matt Eddy: I looked most closely at the Biloxi OF trio of LF Victor Roache, CF Tyrone Taylor and RF Michael Reed, probably favoring Reed the most in the bunch. Taylor didn’t hit much this year, but it was a true development year for him, and he’ll certainly return to the SL in 2016. He overhauled his stance this year, going from a spread-out setup to a more upright one intended to generate more power. It didn’t really pay off this year, but he can still defend and throw and make contact, so his floor remains extra OF. Reed is interesting for his on-base skills, but he might not have the HR power or contact ability to make it as a regular.

 

Ben (Iowa): Adrian Houser's walk rates went from very bad to very good after the trade to Milwaukee. Are advancements he made in sustainable?

 

Matt Eddy: One scout brought up Biloxi RHP Adrian Houser specifically. He didn’t spend much time in the SL because he was Astros property for most of 2015. Houser falls in and out of his delivery and that affects his control. However, he has been clocked as high as 98 mph and has flashed a plus breaking ball and good-enough changeup. This is a good speculative play by the Brewers.

 

Ben (Iowa): Josh Hader had a strikeout rate north of 30% for Biloxi. Has his secondary stuff made enough advancements that he could be a starter long term or does he project more a reliever?

 

Matt Eddy: Biloxi LHP Josh Hader can dial his FB up to 96 mph from a low slot that batters aren’t used to seeing. Reports on his breaking ball are not optimistic, however, making him a better bullpen candidate than starter option.

 

***

 

And as discussed in our Lopez thread --

 

David (Ponte Vedra Bch, Fl): Did any of your sources directly compare Jorge Lopez and Jose Berrios and if so, why did they rate one over the other?

 

Matt Eddy: Sure, comparing and contrasting Jorge Lopez and Jose Berrios was a major focal point for me because they’re the top two righthanders in the SL. Every source indicated that Lopez has a higher ceiling because of a stronger breaking ball, more prototypical starter build and a tick better velocity. They’re both going to be qualify major league starting pitchers, and Berrios does offer a few other advantages, such as an outstanding changeup and incredible mound presence (both accurate).

 

Eric Rodriguez (Puerto Rico): Jorge Lopez top 100 prospect?

 

Matt Eddy: Yes, definitely.

 

***

 

Baseball America -- Southern League In A Box

[Mass Haas]

By the way, Brett Phillips was #8 on the AA Texas League list.

 

Jim (TX): My absolute two favorite prospects being a Astros fan is A.J. Reed (and was Brett Phillips) very sad he was traded. I see both these two getting the call up next season. Probably A.J. a little quicker as he is older but I understand through rumor that Phillips is going to Japan to represent the U.S. in November (IBAF) which should give him some great experience. Do you see these two getting to the show by middle of next year?

 

Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Hi Jim. Very possible. I think it’s not out of the question for Reed to contend for the first-base job out of spring training, given his production and the need for some consistency there. I think Phillips, just given the power drop when he got to the Southern League, will need to show he can hit consistently at that level before he’s considered for a major league promotion. He’s more likely a late-year callup.

[Mass Haas]

Bernie Pleskoff of MLB.com -- Scouting Report: Orlando Arcia

 

***

 

Year of firsts continues as Shuckers are nominated for four MiLBY awards

 

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - It was a year of firsts for professional baseball in Biloxi. Those firsts continue after the season, as the team has been nominated for four "MiLBY" Awards.

 

It began with an unprecedented 54 game road trip. The Biloxi Shuckers' success on that road trip propelled them to a first half South Championship. That road trip success, combined with the Shuckers' post-season accomplishments, has put them in the running for "Best Team."

 

After spending the better part of two months on the road, the Shuckers returned home to MGM Park to play the first of many games in Biloxi. The first night in their home park, the Shuckers found the magic that they'd used on the road, and recorded their first win in storybook fashion with a come from behind victory in a 14 inning game. In return, the game was nominated for "Game of the Year".

 

The success of the Shuckers' inaugural season couldn't have happened without some top class play from some high rated prospects. Outfielder Brett Phillips, a top 40 prospect in Major League Baseball and 2nd ranked Brewers prospect, showed his ability to continually get on base with several multi-hit games after joining the club at the major league trade deadline.

 

Phillips has been nominated for "Top Offensive Player" and "Breakout Prospect."

 

Also nominated for "Breakout Prospect" is shortstop Orlando Arcia, who was the anchor of the Biloxi Shuckers offense, as well as defensive standout. Arcia, who is the Brewers top prospect, a top ten short stop prospect, and ranked 12th overall among minor league talent, had his best professional season with 8 home runs, 69 RBI, and a .307 AVG. Arcia also led the way on defense on his way to a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove award.

 

If you'd like to vote for the Shuckers in any of these categories, just follow this link. You can vote as many times as you'd like. Voting ends October 27th.

[Mass Haas]

Miller Park Prospects -- 2015 Biloxi Shuckers Season Review

[Mass Haas]

Via Chris Mehring and the Rattlers' site: The Interrogation Room: Damien Magnifico

[Mass Haas]

Buck Rogers resigns as Biloxi Shuckers General Manager

 

Best wishes to Buck from all of us here at Brewerfan.

[Mass Haas]

Just as MiLB.com did, the ultimate team honor lands in Biloxi, via Baseball America.

[CheezWizHed]

Buck Rogers resigns as Biloxi Shuckers General Manager

 

Best wishes to Buck from all of us here at Brewerfan.

 

So "resigns" means he leaves and "re-signs" means he comes back, right? English language sucks.

[Mass Haas]

Via the West Central Tribune in Willmar, Minnesota

 

New 40-man roster RHP Jacob Barnes made a special "thank you host family" trip; very classy move by the native Floridian.