Additions to the 2007 Stratogists Rookie Review
By Mike SanClemente - Managing Editor
10/29/2006
The Rookie Review, published a week ago, received a few comments from some astute customers.
One common question was, where is Rich Hill? Indeed, Hill was carded last year so we did not cover him this season. He didn’t have a great card in 2005, after 23.2 innings and a 9.13 ERA, so he was likely passed over in smaller leagues. However, if we were to cover him this year, his profile would look something like...
Rich Hill
- Age in July 2007: 27
- 99 IP
- 1.23 WHIP
LHP-starter (one relief appearance in 17 G but no saves)
Current card: A bit of a backwards righty (much better whip, much worse HR/IP), should have a good card with just 83 hits allowed in 99 innings to go alongside his 1.23 WHIP.
Current card grade: B-
Future prognosis: The bad: Hill isn’t young, and has had control problems at different stops in the minors and majors. The good: young-arm-killer Dusty Baker is no longer managing the Cubs; Hill has one of the best curveballs you’ll ever see; and he posted a 0.83 WHIP and 3 HRA in 100 innings at AAA this year. Did I mention his 1.23 WHIP in 99 innings with the Cubs? He might not get much better, but there’s nothing wrong with that. While he’s not quite among the upper crust this year, he would make a nice pickup for a contender.
Future grade: B (too old for an A)
In addition, a few customers have mentioned that Florida hurler Scott Olsen isn’t in the Review. To be precise, yes he is…..except I mean last year’s Rookie Review! Minor league guru Mike Gullo, who formerly ran TheMinorsFirst.com, covered Olsen a year ago in our Review after he posted 20.1 innings (almost as many as Rich Hill) in 2005.
Scott Olsen
- Age in July 2007: 22
- 181 IP
- 1.30 WHIP
LHP-starter
Current card: Destroys lefties with a 0.85 WHIP, which unfortunately leaves him with a 1.45 WHIP and moderate homerun trouble vs righties. However, that’s a lot of innings, and a solid if unspectacular card.
Current card grade: B+
Future prognosis: A season like this, at such a young age, makes you consider Olsen right after the Big Three of Verlander, Liriano and Jered Weaver. He baffles hitters with a plus slider to go along with a 90 to 95 mph fastball, and has a strong strikeout history in the minors.
Future grade: A-