Sanchez Shines! Portland Poaches Pride!

Anibal Sanchez’ AA debut was a resounding success as he pitched four shutout innings vs. the Trenton Thunder this afternoon, sending the Sea Dogs to a 4-0 victory in the series finale. According to the Portland Sea Dogs web site, Sanchez was limited to 53 pitches because he was pitching on three days rest. He was very effective, however, limiting the Thunder to two hits and two walks while striking out six. Thus it would appear that Sanchez is ready to take over where Jon Papelbon left off.

Speaking of promotions, I missed one yesterday, as fireballing Manny Delcarmen was recalled to Pawtucket. Delcarmen had a difficult start to the season as he struggled with his command, walked too many batters and was hit pretty hard. He righted the ship pretty quickly, however, and left Portland having pitched 39 relief innings with a 3.23 ERA (but with 9 UER - his RA was 5.31), 1.31 WHIP, 49 K (11.3/9) and 20 BB (2.5 K/BB). Delcarmen throws heat (topping out at 97 in the games that I've seen) and his success depends upon his control, which has improved recently. When he gets his slow stuff (curve and change) over for strikes, he's devastating. His prospect status was derailed by injuries, but I think that he's back in the mix and is an intriguing player right now.

In the wake of Delcarmen’s departure (and the "inactivation" of Randy Beam, whatever that means), the Sea Dogs poached two pitchers from the Independent Nashua Pride. Joining the team today were lefty Jason Pearson and righty Jim Mann. Pearson is a 29-year-old with 2.2 innings of major league experience (2002 Padres, 2003 Cardinals), who spent most of last season with St. Louis’ AAA club in Memphis, where he had a 4.55 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29.2 IP, striking out 7.9 batters per 9 innings pitched and posting a 2.2:1 K:BB ratio. He finished the year with Florida’s AA team in Carolina, posting good numbers. With Nashua he made 30 relief appearances, with a 6-1 record with 1.69 ERA and 1.06 WHIPin 32 IP. He did allow six unearned runs (his RA was 3.68), and his K/BB ratio wasn’t too hot (5.3 K/9, 1.5 K/BB), but he should be a useful arm out of the recently depleted bullpen.

Jim Mann was serving as Nashua’s closer. In 30 innings he recorded a 1.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while collecting 16 saves. His control was a bit shaky (13 walks), but more than compensated by his 37 strikeouts, an average of 11.1/9 IP. Mann has a bit more major league experience than does Pearson, having thrown 31.2 innings at the top level with the Mets, Astros and Pirates. Now 30 years old, Mann flamed out big time in AAA last season, posting an 8.13 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 62 innings with Nashville (Pirates) and Columbus (Yankees). He seems to have righted the ship this year in reducing the hits allowed and increasing the strikeouts, thus resurrecting his career in Organized baseball.

The signing of these Nashua players is not unusual for the Sea Dogs. There is actually a fair amount of cross-pollination between the two teams. Current Sea Dog Marc Deschenes and recently-released Phil Devey are former Pride members (Prides?), while the Nashua roster features former Dogs Joe Kilburg , Kevin Haverbusch and Colin Young (the enemy of my soul, thank god they didn’t bring him back). Former Portland catcher John Nathans was also with Nashua earlier this season. The Pride also currently employ former Red Sox OF and long-time major leaguer Darren Bragg. The Independent Leagues (Nashua is in the Atlantic League) are populated with former minor leaguers and some big leaguers hoping to get another shot at the Show. I don’t follow them closely, but it is fun to peruse the rosters on occasion.