Rule 5 Draft Day

[Bobthe4th]

It's hard to see Oberholtzer making the team. Him and Bolsinger are too similar (guys whose value is in their ability to quickly transition to the rotation, but don't have the stuff to profile as very good relievers), but Bolsinger seems to just be a better pitcher. Oberholtzer probably gets through waivers too.

 

Plus Oberholtzer is only on a minor league deal. Makes sense to keep him at AAA and he could be called up when/if there is a place for him.

[RealAccountant]

So right now we have:

 

Osuna

Grilli

Biagini

Loup (only lefty, so close to lock, but does have options)

 

out of options

Bolsinger

Oberholtzer

Schultz

 

remaining options

Campos

Leone

Barnes

Dermody

Girodo

 

Of the out of options guys, Bo Schultz is probably finished here. Bolsinger is probably close to a lock to make the team, as he's a very useful swingman and probably wouldn't make it through waivers. So there will probably be some competition between Sparkman and Oberholtzer for one spot, with Sparkman having more upside, and thus the inside track. So something like:

 

Osuna

Grilli

Biagini

free agent signing

Loup

Bolsinger

Sparkman/Oberholtzer/one of the guys with options only if they other two suck in spring

 

You forgot Gavin Floyd

[Bobthe4th]

I think we're definitely going to add a couple of FA pieces, but with the FO saying that Biagini is gonna remain in the pen and Loup looking like a 'strong' option I think they know the market is tight for us to get relievers.

 

Our starting pitching depth is pretty thin too, no?

 

Is this now confirmed?

[Bobthe4th]

You forgot Gavin Floyd

 

Floyd is a free agent

[BTS]

You forgot Gavin Floyd

 

Unless something happened in the last 5 minutes, no I didn't.

[TwistedLogic]

Sparky could be a sleeper. Monster K/BB numbers, hurt by bad lobsters and BABIP.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa738220&position=P

 

Was going to say that Shatkins might have found another Biagini, but Sparkman's numbers are clearly better than Biagini's minor league numbers across the board. Good Rule 5 pick up.

[Jonn]

I don't see any need to strech out Biagini. Unless we get a terrible injury in Spring Training than you might explore it. We need him in the pen.

[glory]

Biagini is not going to be stretched out? I thought that was the plan.

 

I think Sparkman (if he doesn't look like dog s*** in spring training) and Bolsinger will make the team. Osuna and Grilli are obviously locks. If Biagini is staying in the pen, then he's a lock as well. Loup should win a spot if they don't acquire another lefty in free agency. If they do then he might be on the bubble with options remaining. Really anyone with options will probably be sent down for depth purposes.

[TwistedLogic]

Blue Jays add Glenn Sparkman in Rule 5 Draft

by Keegan Matheson

 

The Toronto Blue Jays have selected pitcher Glenn Sparkman with their first round

selection in the MLB Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning.

 

Sparkman, 24, has been with the Kansas City Royals since being drafted in the 20th

round of the 2013 MLB Draft. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is coming off a Tommy John

surgery in 2015.

 

His numbers after returning from the surgery last year were down, posting a

cumulative 5.22 ERA in the minors and topping out at double-A. Sparkman did

maintain strong control over those 60.1 innings, though, walking just 1.5 batters

per nine and striking out 9.7.

 

The 2014 season stands out as Sparkman’s beacon of potential, where he pitched

at advanced-A Wilmington as a 21-year-old. That year Sparkman made 18 starts

and 11 relief appearances covering 121.0 innings with a very impressive 1.56 ERA.

 

Baseball America ranked Sparkman as the Royals’ No. 17 prospect following that

season, the only time he has been ranked in his minor-league career.

 

FanGraphs had the following to say about Sparkman in early 2016:

 

“He has a lot of deception with his delivery, using a slow-to-fast tempo that is

tough for hitters to time up. The Royals prefer pitchers focusing on one breaking

ball during development, though there is ongoing discussion over whether his

slider or curve is more projectable. He’s not a big power guy but commands his

fastball very well. Assuming he comes back fully healthy, there’s a chance he

turns his deception and command into middle to back-end starter role.”

 

Joe Biagini remains the gold standard of Rule 5 picks in recent Blue Jays’ memory,

though that expectation is a little steep for any minor-league pitchers entering the

organization. With strong command, however, Sparkman could make a dark-horse

run this spring since his strong control doesn’t put him in much self-created trouble.

 

The right-hander throws a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup according to

his FanGraphs report.

[z3r0s]

apparently I'm very focused when I go to the fangraphs page. Looked at his K/9 and BB/9 and said 'hmmm, pretty decent year coming off TJ'. Didn't even noticed the inflated ERA. FIP looks ok too for a guy getting back in the groove.

 

Hopefully we have something

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

So does this mean Pedermo and what's his nut are Still ours now too?

 

Pedermo for the pen?

[Pendleton]

So does this mean Pedermo and what's his nut are Still ours now too?

 

Pedermo for the pen?

 

If the Jays thought he could push for a job this year, they would have protected him.

[Laika]

Assorted scouting reports and notes on Sparky.

 

KILEY MCDANIEL 04/04/2015 -- (45 FV) 13. Glenn Sparkman, RHP Video: Sparkman still has a low profile on the scouting radar after signing for $100,000 in the 20th round out of a Texas JC in 2013. He spent his first full year (age 22) in High-A and performed well enough to jump from the bullpen to the rotation in-season and from an other of note to a legitimate prospect. He sits 90-92 mph that gets on hitters quick and plays up due to his deception. Sparkman is only 6’2/210 but is confident and aggressive with a four pitch mix. His curveball is solid average, his changeup is average and his slider is fringy. Some scouts think Sparkman should throw his off-speed more to develop those pitches further, but he has lots of success with his fastball. He’ll head to Double-A this year and may not spend the whole season there.

 

DAN FARNSWORTH 23/02/2016 -- (45+ FV) Sparkman started a nice follow-up year to his strong 2014 performance with four promising starts in Double-A before going down with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He has a lot of deception with his delivery, using a slow-to-fast tempo that is tough for hitters to time up. The Royals prefer pitchers focusing on one breaking ball during development, though there is ongoing discussion over whether his slider or curve is more projectable. He’s not a big power guy but commands his fastball very well. Assuming he comes back fully healthy, there’s a chance he turns his deception and command into middle to back-end starter role.

 

BP ANNUAL (before 2015) -- Note to 20th-round picks: If you want to get your organization's attention, follow Glenn Sparkman's lead and post a buck-fifty ERA in your full-season debut; it's an open question whether tremendous command of his fringy arsenal can baffle more advanced hitters, but at least he has scouts asking.

 

22 minutes interview with Sparky from Royals fan site - may 2015 -- http://clubhouseconversation.com/2016/05/glenn-sparkman/

 

FOX SPORTS -- 20/01/2015 -- random article about Royals sleeper. Seems like author asked Royals scout(s)

 

A 20th-round pick in the 2013 draft, Sparkman came on strong in 2014 at Class A Wilmington. Sparkman, 22, is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and displays outstanding command to go with a fastball in the 90 to 94-mph range. In 29 games with Wilmington, including 18 starts, he went 8-2 with a 1.56 ERA with an outstanding 0.983 WHIP. He has enough juice in his fastball and secondary stuff to miss bats -- 117 strikeouts in 121 innings. He was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year.

 

Video from 2014 --

 

Tweets from this year:

 

JJ Cooper ✔ @jjcoop36

13) Blue Jays take Royals RHP Glenn Sparkman. Has posted solid #s, avg stuff, but some deception.

 

paul boyd ‏@nwapaulb Aug 19 Springdale, AR

Glenn Sparkman sits San Antonio down 1-2-3 with 2Ks in the first. FB 92-95. Naturals coming up.

 

Ben Poplin ‏@BenPoplin Aug 3

@LexingtonLegend Glenn Sparkman also dealing.

4IP, R, 3H, 0BB, 7K

54 pitches (42 strikes) FB 92-93 #Royals

[RealAccountant]

Floyd is a free agent

 

f*** really

[Pendleton]

After a pair of trades the Padres now have the rights to each of the first three players selected today.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

If the Jays thought he could push for a job this year, they would have protected him.

 

Thanks Money Penny johnny on the spot and a ******* as always too I see!

 

Thanks for your input, you really should get over yourself!

[Pendleton]

Thanks Money Penny johnny on the spot and a ******* as always too I see!

 

Thanks for your input, you really should get over yourself!

 

Lol don't ask questions if you don't want the answer.

 

The Jays left him unprotected, obviously not seeing him as a candidate to pitch in the bigs this year. Every other teams passed on selecting him for the same reason. I think that it goes without saying that he's fairly unlikely to be considered for a big league spot in ST.

[Bobthe4th]

f*** really

 

Yeah, seems a long time ago that Floyd was competing with Sanchez to be our 5th starter!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Lol don't ask questions if you don't want the answer.

 

The Jays left him unprotected, obviously not seeing him as a candidate to pitch in the bigs this year. Every other teams passed on selecting him for the same reason. I think that it goes without saying that he's fairly unlikely to be considered for a big league spot in ST.

 

I ask two questions you only chose one to pump your tires and start a fight, money penny my lil boy!

 

Ps and please show some respect for others who Voted for him in our own BJMB top 15!

 

Also Scouts and Fo's do not always get player evaluations right... But somehow you think you do and are right all the time, money penny!

[BTS]

So BBBB asks a question, gets an honest answer, and then picks a fight. For all the complaining he does about people mistreating him, the guy might be the biggest ******* on the forum.

[Pendleton]

I ask two questions you only chose one to pump your tires and start a fight, money penny my lil boy!

 

Ps and please show some respect for others who Voted for him in our own BJMB top 15!

 

Also Scouts and Fo's do not always get player evaluations right... But somehow you think you do and are right all the time, money penny!

 

Lol you must really hate me if you think correctly answering a question is "pumping my tires". I suggest using the IL if your ego can't handle me providing the answers to your questions.

 

There was no attempt at starting a fight, I'm not the one who needs to get over one's self here.

 

By the way you already asked the first question in the previous rule five thread and I answered for you, retain that s***.

[Brownie19]

Pendleton - did you f*** BBBB's sister or something? jesus he's all over you lately.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Lol you must really hate me if you think correctly answering a question is "pumping my tires". I suggest using the IL if your ego can't handle me providing the answers to your questions.

 

There was no attempt at starting a fight, I'm not the one who needs to get over one's self here.

 

By the way you already asked the first question in the previous rule five thread and I answered for you, retain that s***.

 

Money Penny you know you really are a *******! Perfect puppet boy for the League of Dicks!!!

 

Have a Nice Day! Get over yourself ya knob cobbling Lil f***ing Pick!

[Nabru]

So BBBB asks a question, gets an honest answer, and then picks a fight. For all the complaining he does about people mistreating him, the guy might be the biggest ******* on the forum.

 

Correct. I lurk daily (rarely logged in) and it's annoying reading this shitposting hijacking every thread. He's easily the most narcissistic poster here while knowing s*** all about baseball. Things he asks people to be banned for he's guilty of himself.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Pendleton - did you f*** BBBB's sister or something? jesus he's all over you lately.

 

Nope but he does seem to hang on my every word and want to act the ass only in response and pounce on my every post of late!

 

Mods !!!

[Pendleton]

Pendleton - did you f*** BBBB's sister or something? jesus he's all over you lately.

 

It all goes back to the trade deadline. He suggested moving Tepera and Goins for Boone Logan, and I pointed out that those two have no trade value. He threw a giant two page hissy fit and got banned, and has held a grudge ever since. I think he's hilarious and wouldn't want to see him go anywhere but he's been especially off his rocker lately.

Money Penny you know you really are a *******! Perfect puppet boy for the League of Dicks!!!

 

Have a Nice Day! Get over yourself ya knob cobbling Lil f***ing Pick!

 

There you go bringing up our fantasy league completely out of the blue again, if it means that much to you maybe you could beg to join?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Correct. I lurk daily (rarely logged in) and it's annoying reading this shitposting hijacking every thread. He's easily the most narcissistic poster here while knowing s*** all about baseball. Things he asks people to be banned for he's guilty of himself.

 

You mean the same hijacking of threads that other do all the time on this forum and never get blamed for, two wrongs!

[Angrioter]

Sparkman is here to stay

http://orig06.deviantart.net/0f13/f/2014/018/0/f/sparkman_by_koidrake-d72ooin.jpg

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

It all goes back to the trade deadline. He suggested moving Tepera and Goins for Boone Logan, and I pointed out that those two have no trade value. He threw a giant two page hissy fit and got banned, and has held a grudge ever since. I think he's hilarious and wouldn't want to see him go anywhere but he's been especially off his rocker lately.

 

 

There you go bringing up our fantasy league completely out of the blue again, if it means that much to you maybe you could beg to join?

 

Exactly and maybe you guys could keep your fantasy talk and threads of the main forum pages as well, money penny!

[Pendleton]

Exactly and maybe you guys could keep your fantasy talk and threads of the main forum pages as well, money penny!

 

From the guy who turned a Dexter Fowler thread into the BBBB beer league softball hero stories discussion. Half of your babbling posts have nothing to do with the topic at hand. A lot of them are funny which is why no one cares, but you're the last person who should be preaching about being on topic. Look what you've done to this rule five thread after I simply responded to one of your questions.