They aren't the stars, but they'll do for now

Sporting News, The, August 22, 1994 by Peter Pascarelli

Minor league baseball is the only show in town for the time being. And for those who really need a baseball fix, it would make sense to try and see those teams with the most interesting prospects.

One place to visit could be the Orioles' Double-A Bowie (Md.) BaySox (Eastern), who have a number of blue-chippers including outfielders Alex Ochoa (.298, 11 homers, 64 RBIs through Saturday) and Curtis Goodwin (.280, 85 runs, 34 RBIs, 49 steals) and reliever Armando Benitez (7-3, 3.66 ERA, 13 saves). Benitez was one of several young players returned from the majors in the final days in order to avoid being rendered inactive by the strike.

The Triple-A Nashville Sounds (American Association) are an extension of the pitching depth in the White Sox organization. Top prospects include James Baldwin (10-5, 3.65 ERA), Rodney Bolton (7-5, 2.56), Isidro Marquez (3-3, 2.92), Scott Ruffcorn (13-2, 2.53) and Steve Schrenk (13-5, 3.51). Fans of pitching might also visit the Double-A Binghamton (N.Y.) Mets (Eastern), who have a wave of exciting prospects.

For Rookie League fans, try the Burlington (N.C.) Indians, who have four hitters batting .330 or better and some hard-throwing young pitchers, including 1994 first-round draft pick Jared Wright, the son of former major leaguer Clyde Wright.

Houston's Triple-A Tucson team (Pacific Coast) has future major leaguers such as Phil Nevin (.267, 9 homers, 68 RBIs), Brian Hunter (.372, 6 homers, 35 RBIs) and Chris Hatcher (.281, 11 homers, 61 RBIs). Then travel to Albuquerque to see Dodgers outfield prospects Billy Ashley (.353, 31 homers, 93 RBIs) and Todd Hollandsworth (.286, 14 homers, 73 RBIs). Or move to San Antonio to see interesting Dodgers pitching prospects Chan Ho Park (4-6, 3.57 ERA), recently back from shoulder troubles, and Darren Dreifort (3-0, 6 games (all starts), 1.61 ERA).

Yankees fans looking for their future shortstop can go to Columbus, O., to see Derek Jeter, who moved up August 1 from Double A and was hitting .302 with a homer and 8 RBIs in his first 13 games for the Triple-A Clippers (International). Or try your luck in Las Vegas (Pacific Coast) and watch Padres Triple-A prospects Ray McDavid (.276, 13 homers, 49 RBIs) and Mel Nieves (.307, 19 homers, 71 RBIs).

In every minor league stadium is at least one future major leaguer, a young player learning his craft before coming to the majors and being part of the next baseball strike.

Thinking ahead

There will be many stories written in the coming days about how quiet things are around major league offices. But Colorado is an example of an organization that will try and make the best of a bad situation. The Rockies won't let the strike deter them from continuing to build their two-year old franchise.

General Manager Bob Gehard, assistant G.M. Walt Jocketty, Manager Don Baylor and his coaching staff will fan out through the minor leagues to watch not only all the Rockies' farm clubs but also to assess talent in other organizations.

"We're going to try and get a head start on the offseason," Gebhard says. "We'll look at our minor league players who we have to think about protecting on the 40-man roster, and we're also going to start looking over the six-year free-agent people who we might be interested in signing.

"Now that we have some time, we're going to try to stay one step ahead of things."

In an effort to save money, many clubs are considering not fielding teams in the instructional league and withholding players from the Arizona and Hawaii fall leagues in order to save money. However, that's not the case with the Rockies.

"All our plans are full speed ahead," Gebhard says. "We simply are not going to cut back our baseball operations. We're trying to catch up with 26 established clubs and we can't afford to cut back."

Pending moves

Baseball officials say it is legal to make trades during a strike. No one expects clubs to deal until they know if there will be a season to finish, but a number of clubs appear ready to do something if and when the labor mess is settled.

Cleveland seems certain to seek a veteran starting pitcher for its stretch run, especially after releasing Jack Morris. Another factor is the Indians' reluctance to trust a young pitcher for several key starts in the final weeks. The Indians were talking seriously to St. Louis about Bob Tewksbury before the strike. They also inquired about the Phillies' Danny Jackson and Cubs reliever Randy Myers. Those three players can be free agents after this season.

With injuries weakening their starting rotation, the Reds also were hunting for a veteran starter.

The key date is August 31. Any player acquired after that would not be eligible for the postseason and thus not likely worth the price. And if the strike isn't settled or isn't close to being settled by then, it is unlikely any deals would happen, especially for players who can be free agents.

Around the bases

The strike might have come at a good time for Houston, which had just lost Jeff Bagwell because of a broken bone in his left hand. But it's hard to consider it a good time when you're just out of the wild-card picture, as are the Astros.... Speculation over free agents is on the back burner, but early speculation has Kevin Mitchell going to the Giants, where he would play first base and be affordable. San Francisco will be out from under the large contracts of eligible free agents Willie McGee and Bud Black. ... Tewksbury, a New England native and a friend of Roger Clemens, may be of interest to Boston, which could fit him in nicely as a solid No. 3 starter behind Clemens and Aaron Sele. The Red Sox also have interest in Cardinals first baseman Gregg Jefferies, who would be moved to left in Fenway Park. Jefferies has credited his success in St. Louis largely because of his move to a permanent position (first).