Your 2004 Helena Brewers -- Latest, Pioneer League Top 20

[MassBrew]

A bit late, obviously, but a nice article on Olympian LHP Jared Theodorakos here:

 

Lefty on loan eyes history

Ex-Baylor pitcher tries to give Greece its first Olympic baseball win

By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News

 

ATHENS, Greece ? Jared Theodorakos wasn't sure what to expect when he volunteered for what has become America's Team-On-Loan at the Athens Games. But today, the former Baylor Bear will pitch before a packed house, probably trying to keep what passes for the Greek national baseball team out of last place during its first Olympic tournament.

 

"I'll remember this for the rest of my life," said the 6-3, 240-pound left-hander, who looks like Curt Schilling.

 

Greece's baseball federation was only formed in 1997 in the wake of Athens being awarded the '04 Summer Games because the host country competes automatically in team sports. The federation asked Orioles owner Peter Angelos, a Greek-American, to help patch together a team of foreign players of Greek descent to give the country a representative team. The call went out mostly to current and former American minor leaguers.

 

If that wasn't enough of an obstacle when facing some of the world's top amateurs, 44-year-old coach Rob Derksen died of a heart attack in mid-June. And then the team, training at Camden Yards, needed a last-minute financial infusion from Angelos just to pay travel expenses to Greece.

 

Theodorakos was one of the invitees last year, when he was finishing his junior season with Baylor. He was drafted in 2003 by Milwaukee in the 25th round.

 

As a senior at Baylor last season, he was 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 10 starts. Milwaukee saw enough promise to sign him June 2. He was promoted quickly from the Brewers' lowest rookie team to their Helena, Mont., advanced rookie club, then was given leave to play for Greece at the end of June.

 

Theodorakos and the others weren't immediately embraced by their adopted country, which preferred home-grown talent, even if that risked embarrassment between the lines. But at least a short-term love affair began with the opening 11-0 loss to the Netherlands and mushroomed the next night when Theodorakos took the mound.

 

His first start was arguably the high point in Greek baseball history ... given that it pretty much began last weekend. He pitched six strong innings as Greece stayed nose to nose with amateur power Cuba, losing 5-4 before a raucous capacity crowd of about 6,000 at the Olympics' main baseball stadium.

 

"It was the most incredible baseball game I've ever been a part of," said Theodorakis, who is from St. Louis. "It was the most I've ever seen anybody get into it, more than a major league baseball game."

 

Greeks are enthusiastic, if not knowledgeable, about the game. They have been most excited by foul balls (can't take home a soccer ball when it's kicked into the stands) and enjoy the song "YMCA," which is played after the fifth inning, even if they're not entirely familiar with that alphabet.

 

"I was laying in bed that night thinking we very well should have won that game," Theodorakos said. "We made some mistakes. And if I'd thrown a better pitch on a certain pitch, we win that game. We could have taken down the world championship team or the world's best team."

 

Close games have been the best that the Greeks have managed through five of seven first-round outings. They will play Italy today in what probably will be the matchup of the tournament's two weakest teams. And it will follow an 11-6 loss to Australia on Friday, when coach Dusty Rhodes had to drain his bullpen for 5 1/3 innings, trying to get a win that was within reach until the seventh inning.

 

"He's got to give us some innings," Rhodes said of Theodorakos' start against Italy. "If he can come in there and do what he did before, don't try to over-pitch, keep his composure. He has a tendency to get a little emotional. We don't have a lot to back him up."

[MassBrew]

Not much love from Baseball America for the H-Crew as only 2004 3rd round RHP Josh Wahpepah (# 11) earns a spot on the Pioneer League Top 20.

 

As we've noted all season, the Division I college kids like Richardson, Sollman, Festa, and Brady will have to bring the goods at the higher levels before garnering honors of their own.

 

But if you're going to slight the older guys, then you've got to show props for guys like Hasan Rasheed, Alcides Escobar, and Robbie Wooley, right?

 

Apparently not...

 

It didn't appear as though Wahpepah was dominant or anything this summer -- it'd be interesting to read that one blurb on him from the members section -- Colby?

 

2001 12th round LHP Ray Liotta spurned the Brewers and went on to Tulane -- he's # 5.

 

Spew your venom at 1:00 PM Central Wednesday at BA for their Pioneer League chat.

[Two Fisted Slobber]

11. JOSH WAHPEPAH, rhp, Helena Brewers

Age: 20 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 195 B-T: R-R

Drafted/Signed: Brewers '04 (3)

 

One of the top draft-and-follows this spring after the Tigers took him in the 18th round last June, Wahpepah turned down Detroit before getting redrafted in the third round by the Brewers and signing for $400,000. He was tired and had his workload monitored carefully this summer, but the life in his arm was evident.

 

A full-blooded Native American, Wahpepah pitches off a heavy sinker that sat between 88-92 mph in the PL and touched 95 mph during the spring. His slider has the potential to become a plus pitch, while his changeup needs refinement.

 

Wahpepah has a very deceptive delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to pick up his pitches. But scouts aren't crazy about his arm action, wondering if it will prevent him from improving his control and secondary offerings.

[colbyjack]

Since BA loves tools, I thought Charlie Fermaint had a decent chance to make the top 20 list. I am surprised that only one H-Brewer made it, although after looking at that list, it's stocked with talented ballplayers. My 2 favorite '04 draftees (other than Sowers of course) went 1-2, Nelson & DeWitt.

 

And speaking of Nelson, the Padres have got to be looking at his performance and wondering why they ended up with Matt Bush. I still believe they gave away the first overall pick. At least Nelson's talents were worthy of that kind of selection.

 

Liotta had an awesome season, both at Gulf Coast CC and in the Pioneer League. I'm very happy to see him do well, especially since I had the opportunity to tip off Jim Callis of his success earlier this year. Not that it caused him to be drafted in the 2nd round by the White Sox http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

I like that they had their top 10 lists from 5 years ago, as Cristian Guerrero was the #5 prospect while Matt Ford was #10 with the Blue Jays in 1999.

 

And I'll let this profile stand since it's the only one out of 20, otherwise I really discourage people from sharing the subscriber content.

[MassBrew]

And I'll let this profile stand since it's the only one out of 20, otherwise I really discourage people from sharing the subscriber content.

 

Agreed -- it was the only player in this case, so I asked. Guilty.

 

But let's keep that in mind going forward.

[Katuluu]

Agreed -- it was the only player in this case, so I asked. Guilty.

 

But let's keep that in mind going forward.

 

Perhaps we should start a poll on how to sufficiently punish you as punishment?

[MassBrew]

Perhaps we should start a poll on how to sufficiently punish you as punishment?

 

Cute.

 

The Sox EZBoard at Sons of Sam Horn has a separate forum just for polls.

 

Now they know how to run a web site. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[colbyjack]

I wasn't blaming ya MB http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Some Q&A from today's BA chat:

 

Q: Patrick from Milwaukee, WI asks: Thanks as always for taking our questions. Were there any Brewer prospects that just missed the cut? It seems like it's been a long time since the Brewers weren't well represented in the Pioneer League top 20 prospect list. Where do players like Charlie Fermaint, Robbie Wooley, Steve Sollmann, Grant Richardson & Josh Brady fall? I realize the final 3 are older college guys, which definitely hurt their standing when stacked up against younger, more athletic players.

 

A: Alan Matthews: Fermaint really struggled this season after landing in the top 10 of our league prospect rankings in 2003 in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He's young, however, and turns 19 next month so we're not giving up on him. Like a lot of young players, he needs to improve his plate discipline and cut down on his strikeouts. I like Wooley a lot and he just missed the list. He touches 91 mph and really blossomed this summer with his understanding of how to pitch. His slider and changeup need a little work. Righthander Josh Baker was drafted out of Rice and certainly didn't get quite as much attention as he might have elsewhere because he was behind the Owls' big three. He has a nice arm & needs to add consistency, as he misses his spots too often. He was held to 60 or 65 pitches in each of his outings to perserve his arm. He has a good slider and challenges hitters.

 

Q: Jon from Peoria asks: Any chance Steve Sollmann can be a top of the order guy in the majors?

 

A: Alan Matthews: Sollman was the Brewers 10th-round pick in the 2004 draft out of Notre Dame. He is long on skills and grit but short on tools. I don't project him as an everyday big leaguer but he drew comparisons to Marcus Giles for his line-drive stroke and has great leadership qualities as well. He could overachieve his way to a reserve role as a utility player in the majors.

 

Q: Ben from Milwaukee asks: How close were Josh Baker and Robert Wooley to making the list? Will any of Baker, Wooley, and Wahpepah start in high A next year?

 

A: Alan Matthews: Baker was not as close as Wooley but both were in the next 10. I would assume they would both have a chance, especially Baker, to compete for a spot in High Desert's rotation next season but it's more likely they'll open the campaign in Beloit.

 

Plenty of questions from a few Madison folks that seemed to be interested in every other prospect NOT in the Brewers system.

[MassBrew]

colbyjack among other brewerfan faithful in on the chat:

 

Q: Tami from Anaheim, CA asks:

How does the selection process work for the Pioneer League top 20 prospects? and Are there any other prospects who deserve to be mentioned but weren't? Thank you.

 

A: Alan Matthews: As with all of our minor league rankings, position players must have at least one plate appearance per league game scheduled and pitcher must have at least 0.1 of an inning per league game scheduled. Relievers need to have at least 20 appearances at a short-season level like the PL. There were a number of good choices that failed to make the cut. and too many to mention here. Helena's Grant Richardson tore the league up, although he was a senior sign out of Washington State this year. I love Demetrius Banks, a lefty with Great Falls with a power, low-90s fastball and a good hook to go along with it. His teammate, Donny Lucy also drew consideration for the top 20 but barely missed the rankings. He is atheltic and mobile for his size, hanles the bat well and hits tape-measure shots in batting practice. Missoula's Jaen Centeno is a toolsy outfielder with a good arm and plus speed that should be watched and the Osprey boasted a pair of live arms in Don Julio and Emmanuel Duran who could develop into promising pitchers with refinement of their mechanics and secondary stuff.

 

Q: Tami from Anaheim, Ca asks:

How does the selection process work for the Leauge's top 20 prospects? And were there any players that should have been listed that weren't? Thanks

 

A: Alan Matthews: Scroll up for the criteria needed to qualify, as I have already answered this one, but there are a number of good players we had to cut from the top 20. A couple I have not mentioned are Alcides Escobar of Great Falls. (Um, Helena -- MB). He has 6.4 speed in the 60 and could hit for power, an attractive combination. I think a converted guy, Justin Barnes with the Helena Brewers could be a guy to keep an eye on, as well. He played third base last year but was moved to the mound and throws strikes. He worked in and out with no problem, had a good rhythm in his delivery, worked quick, very confident.

 

Q: Kirk from Los Angeles asks:

Why is the Pioneer league so "hitter friendly?" Has it always been that way?

 

A: Alan Matthews: Be careful when evaluating players, especially at the lower level of the minors, based on stats. Many of the Pioneer League cities are in areas of high elevation, making the ball carry well.

 

Full chat session includes this from colbyjack:

 

Q: Patrick from Milwaukee, WI asks:

I know Mr. Simpson touched on this on Monday, but do you feel the Padres took the wrong prep SS with the #1 overall pick? I remember reading in BA that some teams considered Nelson to be the top player available, and after watching him play in the AFLAC game, plus his incredible spring comeback after TJ surgery, it seemed clear that he was the better player. Were the Padres duped into making a hasty decision by going for the local guy? It's one thing to not go for guys like Weaver, Drew & Neimann because of money, but it's almost like they didn't even do their homework.

 

A: Alan Matthews: I touched on this in an earlier question along the same lines. No, I don't think the Padres made a poor pick in Bush under the circumstances and I can assure you they were aware of Chris Nelson and his tool-set. The one thing I think is prudent when voicing opinion on the Padres selection is to remember less than a week before the draft, their ownership began influencing which way they were going, and that put their scouting staff in a tough position.

 

www.baseballamerica.com/t...922am.html

[igor67]

I was going to ask about Alcidies, but I had to teach yesterday. So it was nice to see him mentioned especially without prompting. Clearly he's got some folks interested and I'm even more curious now that it's been hinted that there maybe some power lurking in that teenage frame.