Ryan Anderson Relief Squad:The Infield

The name itself “Ryan Anderson Relief Squad” leads to the thought that maybe this group of players would all be relievers. Which, of course it’s not. Although there is a thought. Build a team entirely of relievers… Hhhmmm… that would be interesting. Anyways, that’s really the only downside of the name, otherwise it’s a pretty awesome. Glad our 20-something readers took time to vote for it.

The guys I chose are debatable just like anything else but it’s my roster and here are the guys that I have hope that they take steps this coming year. I remember back in 2008 Jon Shields and I had a conversation about Ryan Royster and how high he was on him as a sleeper.

There are guys that post stats or have something that you just kind of scratch your head and say … “Wow… maybe they have it.” Regardless of the scouts saying he has “a hole in his swing” or that the terrible “Greg Halman diseases” (affecting all of those young guys that can pick up a curve ball) or that “his swing won’t produce major league power”.

but with that said let’s take a look at the infielders for the “Ryan Anderson Relief Squad”.

Behind the plate I have Ivan Ramirez.

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What makes Ivan Ramirez apart of the Squad isn’t simply the darth of catching within the minor leagues. Rather it’s the strange occurrence of a 17 year-old within an international league posting more walks than strike outs. There is a reason this young guy is starting to pop up on some radars. This young man holds a very unusual trait within a community that place the most value in hitting and how hard you throw.

Ramirez has yet to come over stateside so there is a lot of information we have yet to find out about him. But be assured that once he lands in Arizona there will be plenty of eyes and ears of scouts all over this young man.

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Starting at First Base is the young man from Massachusetts Scott Savastano.

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Savastano was drafted in the 28th round out of Franklin Pierce University in 2008. All he has done over his near 1000 plate appearances is hit. Whether that was in Clinton or in a short one game cameo in Tacoma where he went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, shortly after being drafted.

Savastano is the typical “I can hit and but I don’t really have a position” guy. The Mariners organization has played him everywhere from shortstop (22 games in high desert) and second base (16 games) to right field (33 games) and even a couple of games behind the plate. He is searching for a position and judging from what I saw back in August he doesn’t have a bad arm and could be used in the outfield. But, he struggles with proper reads and his routes are extremely poor. Again that was in only 33 games in the outfield and only two I saw back in August.

I think it’s possible that he could make the club as a bat first utility player. But at 6’4 and again based off what I saw I don’t think he’s athletic enough to play any infield position outside of the corners and at third base his glove is a liability. At first base everyone is always going to say the same thing “he doesn’t hit for enough power” and it’s sad but true.

Savastano’s 24, 25 in june, so the clock is running on the guy. But, I still have hope that he could possibly one day be a major leaguer. If only as a pinch hitter or 4th outfielder.

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Our starting Second Basemen is another international prospect, Jorge Agudelo.

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Agudelo is one of the fastest guys in the organization. Not only is he fast it translates to the base paths. Leading the (rookie ball) Appalachian League in stolen bases with 24 in 31 attempts. He wasn’t much of a prospect coming into the year as a 21 year-old that spent that last four years in Venezuela not showing any real signs of life. He was promoted to Pulaski and showed great progress.

While at 21, going on to 22, he isn’t a very good prospect he’s someone to watch as he could start off in Clinton and there could also be a hole in High Desert for him if he wants. The strike outs are disconcerting but the amount of triples tied him for second place in the league. When he gets on the bases he’s going to wreak havoc.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him struggle in High Desert or Clinton. I think the Mariners may have him look to take more pitches this season in hopes that he can work more walks than what he has the last few years.

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Third basemen “Vinny” Vincent Catricala

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Catricala is most likely a first basemen long term. But let’s dream for a bit. Maybe he can make some adjustments. The big guy off the island of Hawaii was taken in the 2009 draft in the 10th round by Seattle. Last year he was predominately surrounded with his share of third basemen that  relegated his time to first and left field. But maybe with Mario Martinez having a poor year last year they will have him start off the year in Clinton if only maybe to give Vinny some reps at third.

But forget the glove this kid’s got bat. The strike outs are a bit worrisome but in a pitcher dominated league and he was 4th in doubles, he was 7th in home runs, 15th in batting average and was 5th in total bases. At 21 years-old, the guy has bat.

If he goes to High Desert he’s going to destroy. Repeat with me. DESTROY IT. It’s going to be an Alderaan vs. Death Star moment and he is going to be the Death Star. Boom!

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Last but not least, Shortstop Derek Poppert

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The one guy on this list that is here not for anything he’s produced at the minor league level but what he did at the college level. Drafted in the 30th round he actually dropped from where he was drafted in 2009 (28th by Cincinnati). As a senior he with the University of San Francisco showed solid bat skills hitting .352/.428/.461 in in 219 at bats as a junior and following it as a senior with .308/.375/.458  in 201 at bats.

Playing in a weak conference we’re not sure what exactly what he has in him. But you have to like what he’s been able to show and he’s more than capable to walk with posting 24/14 and 19/16 walk-to-strikeout ratios the last couple of years.

He’s an offensive minded shortstop that most likely moves off to second base. But it should be interesting to see if he does anything this year in Clinton.

So here is how the Ryan Anderson Relief Squad Roster shapes up.

C Ivan Ramirez
1b Scott Savastano
2b Jorge Agudelo
3b Vincent Catricala
ss Derek Poppert

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