AAABA THREAD(THOUGHT ID CREATE A NEW ONE)

[tomtucker1971]

Just though I would create a new AAABA post thread, because the older one is kind of hard to get to the new material. Someone posted a question about what they thought was going to happen this summer, let me try and give you the best preview available..and if their needs to be corrections please correct!


PROJECTED STANDINGS

1. Martellas
2. Delweld
3. Roxberry Creamery
4. Berkley Hills Renegades
5. Principle Development

I picked Martellas to finish first simply because I feel this year, their pitching will be able to challenge Delwelds pitching, but in all honesty, either of these teams could finish first (which is huge, since the National Tournament is taking two teams, and the regular season league winner, gets an automatic bid to the tourney). Martellas rotation is very deep with Pelekanos, Wahl, Dixon (pitcher from Derry, going to Penn State Main), Ferre, and Gehret (who was released by the Renegades, and is a 20 year old with lots of exp.) They also added Chase Dykstra from Somerset, Clint White, and Pat Gully. Offensively they should be deep as well, with Levisuer, Watkins, Rasky, but no Colin Harrington. Harrington is red-shirting at UVA and apparently is going to the Valley League, but it's not official yet. I like this Martellas team, alot.

I slated Delweld to finish second only because I think they are heading for a down year, how, do you ask? They had a legit shot to win the tournament last year, but the cards didn't align for them. Plus they lost their motivating second baseman, Nick Barbera, who was 20. Their pitching is just as deep if not deeper than Martellas with Smith, Skoner, Novotny, and Reighard. Big off-season additions of Legath, Urban and the Tyler Garrone (type Tyler Garrone in on youtube...and watch with delight) could keep them at the head of the pack. George Roberts is the question mark, though it was reported early on here that he was going to the Valley League, he hasn't been removed from Delweld's website, and he hasn't gotten alot of at-bats at college so far, so maybe the best bet for him, would be to play another summer at home. I do think Delweld's lineup isn't as deep as Martellas, because I still have questions about Westover hitting anything but an inside fastball at 80mph, but if he finally hits the way he can, you can forget about their lineup questions.

I have The Roxberry Creamery at the number 3 spot for a couple of reasons, they gutted most of their roster from last year, they have a new manager, and they have focused most of their recruiting in the Westmoreland County area (settle down, kids from Cambria County are just as good), so they have a different look and feel to them as they enter this season. Nate Antone is a great player, but sometimes he can toe the line of "Nate liking Nate" more than anyone, but still a good hearted kid. I saw a roster of the Creamery's kids early in the year, but I can't remember any of the names, and Dave hasn't update his site recently, so my prediction of them being third, is without any names!

Berkley Hills Renegades are picked by me to finish fourth this season. They are led my new Manager Doug McNulty (who took over Highland Bulldogs last year, midway thru the season). This team has alot of question marks. They have a very good number 1 starter in Jon Fees, but after that, their is alot to be desired with their pitching staff. I know they signed some young pitchers in Johnny Jones, and Jordan Britcher, but I don't think they are going to be ready to give quality starts this season. Chase Wallace from United is kind of the X-factor, kid throws decently hard, but has had control problems, but if he can bridge the middle inning gap, they might be ok. Offensively, they also have some questions. Returning are Bowser, Kastelic, and Gray, but most of this team offensively, is brand new. Patrick Hall is redshirted at UPJ, Brett Marabito is a young 17 year old from Laurel Valley, Dan Raanieri from Latrobe is young, Ebersole from UPJ is new to the league, along with Cody Swope and Jordan Saylor from god's country. I just don't know about this team, that's why I have them 4th.

Principle Development will be at the back of the pack. It might be time for Great Owner Charlie Brazil to call it quits. They signed alot of middle of the road legion players and it could be a long year for Principle. Their one bright spot is Matt Donaldson, a gritty player who captivated the hearts of many that watched him last season, as being a great hustle player, who put up very good numbers with wood. It's a shame from day one, that Matt will be auditioning for one of the two teams that get into the tournament.


I feel I have provided a decent summary of the league, but please tell me your thoughts. In no way am I biased to any of the teams, I love the league, and love great summer baseball. Go Royals!

[letsgoferndale]

I like how you broke down each team.. Seems like the only team you didnt no much about was the Cream.. Does anyone have a good understanding about them at all?

Your projected standings seem reasonable.. I don't has as much in depth player analysis as you.. I'm curious what opinions everyone has

[Jtwnbaseballguy]

Lots of good info here, but I'm not sure how you can place the Creamery third based on no information after their team basically imploded in the last few weeks last season. I understand they brought in a lot of Westmoreland kids, but they'll need to show me something before I'd put them anywhere but fifth.
Also, you overlooked Kaltenbaugh for the Renegades. I think he won four five games for them last year. Also, Rievel is back to give them a lefthanded presence and I heard they also picked up a kid from Point Park that throws hard. Some UPJ kids told me Fees has been in the low 90s this spring. Not sure why I haven't seen his name in the UPJ summaries unless he redshirted. Anyway, I think Renegades should be slotted at 3.
A couple omissions:
> No mention of Carbaugh for Delweld? They're bringing him along slowly but he looked to me late last year like he's ready to be a factor this year. Personally, I think Westover will bounce back with a big year. We'll see.
> Just my opinion, but I think Gehret will be much more of a factor for Martella's than Ferre.
> I'll be very interested to see how Urban and Dixon fare with the much-tighter AAABA strike zones.

[tomtucker1971]

Yea good points Jtownbaseballguy...

-I don't know about Gehret because he's not on a college team anywhere, so he's basically got to be throwing at home on his own...kids who aren't on college teams don't throw on their own..it doesn't happen.


-Carbaugh was a flash in the pan in my opinion last year. His first year he didn't dedicate himself, last year he started the year not dedicating himself, then he did dedicate himself, so would the real Bobby Carbaugh please stand up.

-Dixon and Urban won't be affected by the strike zones, but I see Dixon as having a better year as a pitcher than Urban because Dixon will most likely start, as opposed to Urban who will likely relieve...but have an affect on the league as a hitter/position player.

-Fees is in-eligible at UPJ, that's why he's not pitching...the Renegades also added Matt Macghee from Central Mountain...he's the backup catcher at UPJ, supposedly very good.

-Not so sure about Rievel...I've watched A.J. for a long time, and when something goes wrong it's never his fault, always an excuse, kind of like Ben Legath and Austin Urban (even though they are getting a little bit better channeling their emotions), plus AJ just recently punched a fire extinguisher after a basketball game...not real smart.

-The pitcher from Point Park Is Ryan Loutzenhizer, his era currently at Point Park is very, very, very, high, who knows what their going to get from him.



Also, was just informed by a source whose close to Denny Altimore that the first Saturday of AAABA games will be played at Blair County BallPark, I guess for something different, and because the league had a good amount of money left in the account to give the kids a treat by playing in Altoona.

[business]

Great piece and alot of info about the new pickups. I hope everyone gets to see the kid from Kiski. I don't understand your theory about Roberts. He has been hurt and thus the reason he isn't playing the past few weeks. Colin redshirted, so which would make me think the exact opposite and that he might benefit from playing in the AAABA this year. Should be a good season, but great artricle.

[tomtucker1971]

You were questioning if Roberts should come back...he's only gonna get about 100 at bats if he's luck at Kent...so he should go to a summer league where he get's at bats and plays everyday...hes' not gonna be someone in the Valley League that raises eyes...George is good for this area...but nothing special amongst other D-1 Players.




Harrington is more of a guy that should be in AAABA next season. No offense to Colin, but he's a roster filler at UVA. Hes undersized, has a decent arm, and decent speed, at the D-1 level...he's nothing special. Being close to Colin, he thinks he's alot better than what he is, so he thinks he's getting drafted after his red shirt- sophmore year, it aint happening. He's a great small school western pa player, but he doesn't project. His hands are average, his speed is average at the pro level, and he doesn't hit bombs in bp or games against any good competition, he ain't projectable... If he was durable maybe he'd have a shot, but if he had a papercut he'd sit out. His manager Chris Pfeil knows how to evaluate good talent and from what he tells me, Harrington is nothing. Remember he has had, Pichler, Petrowsky,Watkins, Mcnulty, Mechling, and the other Watkins...SAMMY!

[letsgoferndale]

What new players are you excited to see? I saw you mentioned about Garrone and his youtube clips.. I guess he is the favorite for Rookie of the YR for most..

I see alot of new names in AAABA this year..

[Ballcrusher]

The Roxberry Creamery move there web page to eteamz.com/roxberrycreamery ....you can see there roster there

[Ballcrusher]

As for the Blair County Ball Park games it was voted down so no games there this year. What a disappointment as many of the players wanted to play there.

[Crimson09Crazy]

Harsh Tom Tucker, I bet if i ask Digger he would not say Colin is nothing. You must not know him all that well.


George is coming back to Johnstown.
Colin is playing in the Valley League.


Dude he plays on the third ranked team in the country that returned every starter. Hard to call him a roster filler when he had no chance to get any sort of consistent playing time. Also in position change could factor in as welll.

You say size is a problem? 5-10 pushing 190 isnt too small.
Speed.....average? hahaha
Hands average? Did you watch him play defense last year?


I mean Colin's a good friend of mine, but I know he is a good baseball player.

George had a rough year this year, but he's also a very very good player. He probably needs to come back work on his game. He can do some good things out at Kent. Don't write off kids in their Freshmen season.