If I remember correctly, Bailey, Gonzalez, Valiquette, and Terrell Young were all high school pitchers drafted high that year. Always thought it was a good test case for drafting high school arms. All have stayed healthy. None, however, seem like a sure bet to be a good major league pitcher. Obviously Bailey is a top tier talent.
Bailey is at AAA, the other three are still at A ball.
Still, they are all around 22 years old and could emerge.
Thoughts?
I remember being super into Young after watching his draft video. He's finally pitching decent at dayton, but I'll go ahead and say I expected a little more of him 4 years ago.
The first 2 are headcases the last 2 are raw projects. They are about where I suspected. Though I would like Young and Val to turn it up a notch and move up to Sarasota.
Gonzo probably never will be anything. He makes Homer Bailey look like a serious student of the game.
Of course we know about Homer. He needs to turn on the engine.
Young is one I've kinda followed the last few years, I've always liked his arm and hoped for him to put it together, and he's looked good every time I've seen him in Dayton this year. I just watched from the box earlier this week and he was real sharp, 8 Ks in 3 IP against Lansing, kept the hitters off-balance with no problems at all. I've been waiting on his promotion to Sarasota as well, and think it should happen before too long. Valiquette's still just 21, and they finally resigned to putting him in the pen, so he might start taking off and progressing soon. Hopefully.
After Bailey, I like Valiquette best. He's started to K some guys this year and he's lefty. Looks like a reliever all the way at this point.
In his last 11 innings Valiquette had 19 Ks, 2 walks and 2 ER while keeping the ball between 93-95. From the radio broadcasting it also looks like his breaking ball and offspeed are working well.
In Billings last year he had the best ERA and WHIP of the league until he was promoted to Dayton.
Yes, it looks like he is in his place in relief and he is taking off!
Wish him a promotion to Sarasota.
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