Lady’s Choice: Player Pick for August

September 1st, 2008

Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission.

• UPDATE •

September 01, 2008 — These just-arrived photos from Rick Dykhuizen were too good not to post. You da’ man, Rick! BONUS:Captured on digital film, a glimpse of an honest-to-goodness BeesGal in her favorite habitat. Click on the photo below for a clue.

Photo credit | Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission.

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September 01, 2008 — Apropos for a blog named after an imaginary pitch, this month’s pick names a ballplayer who’s been missing from the Salt Lake Bees roster since August 8th, Sean Rodriguez. What inspired this Lady’s Choice was a remark he made while autographing a group photo of Bees infielders: Freddy Sandoval, Brandon Wood and Sean

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Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

As he looked for an appropriate spot to sign, he suddenly smiled and said, “Hey, there’s our franchise player.” Of course, he was referring to Wood, who’s been in the spotlight ever since The Sporting News named him Minor League Baseball Player of the Year in 2005 and Baseball America named him the #1 Angels prospect in 2006. Despite the good-natured teasing, Sean wasn’t some throwaway pick for the Los Angeles Angels in 2003. He was selected in the 3rd round (90th pick overall), in the same draft as Brandon Wood (1st round, 23rd overall), Reggie Willits (7th round, 210 overall) and Adam Pavkovich (11th round, 330th overall).

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

He stayed a bit incognito through the lower levels of the system, perhaps because it’s been a bit difficult to find a consensus on his tools. John Sickels likes him. Others claim his defensive range is below average. Another site thinks his strikeout percentage is too high. One of the oddest comments I’ve read is his body type does not conform to the prototypical middle infielder.* *“His comps aren`t really helpful as far as conjuring up a mental image–try to think of him as a Ronnie Belliard type. . .he`s sort of squat and not especially athletic, so he`s not a scout`s prospect.” [source: Baseball Prospectus, 2008, viewing requires paid subscription] Huh? Um, . . .if this theory actually holds water, then how on earth did these two oddballs make it past the “physique police” and into the Major Leagues?

Well regardless of appearances, our 6’1″, 215-lb middle infielder has shown a steady glove and surefire arm for the Bees. And goodness gracious, he swings a productive bat.* One my favorite memories from this season was a walk-off-the-plane-pinch-hit home run on July 23rd (time marker 2:43:00) to send the game into extra innings. (Darn if that Nelson Cruz didn’t answer with a solo shot the very next inning, putting the Redhawks ahead for good.)

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

*Of course, I am obligated to point out that Franklin Covey Field is one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the most BA-inflated league in the minors, the Pacific Coast League. As regular readers know and new visitors are about to discover, I don’t fancy myself an armchair GM, virtual scout or any other baseball insider. What gets shared with you readers is what I’ve observed at the ballpark and dug up from working the ‘net. My suggestions or suppositions are simply that—yours truly thinking aloud, in hopes of stimulating a few little grey cells out there. So how about I offer these thoughts to chew on. . . ? I’ll start with a tip of my pink cap to the Angels’ philosophy of developing major leaguers from within their farm system. It means we Triple-A fans get to see firsthand how young ballplayers are prepped for that first dip of their toes into the MLB pool. This long view of athlete development and promotion allows us to track their progress—noting how soon and often players go up, as well as how long they stick.

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

So here’s a fun comparison I put together for the infielder prospects who’ve traveled back and forth to the big leagues this season: Sean, Brandon, Kendry Morales (amateur free agent, 2004) and Matt Brown (10th round, 299th overall). The first thing I noticed is Sean has the most big-league time by a landslide—75 days, and counting. SPACER TEXT

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

This decision to keep Sean in Anaheim over other infield choices is intriguing. The skinny from the Angels’ coaching staff is Sean helps the Angels win ballgames with his proven defensive gifts, despite not having figured out major-league pitching. (At least, not yet!) I can’t help but wonder if Angel’s Manager Mike Scioscia is applying the same strategy he uses for the catching staff, which is to assess the value of a ballplayer based how he contributes to the win column. Take a look at this at-a-glance summary (through August 31st):

SPACER TEXT	POS	DAYS*	GS	BA	W	L	BIRTH DATE
Rodriquez	2B, SS	75	28	.170	19	9	04/26/1985
Wood	SS, 3B	38	22	.167	10	12	03/02/1985
Morales	1B, OF	16	6**	.250	0	6	06/30/1983
Brown	3B, 1B	11	5**	.077	3	2	08/08/1982

*Days on the major-league roster. **Because Morales and Brown have played so few games, these numbers represent total game appearances (G) rather than games started (GS). And here’s what I’ve picked up from watching Sean play. He brings to the game a calm, steady confidence that gives everyone a boost. He’s the kind of team player you love seeing in the lineup, in the dugout and on the field. Watching him play every day without letting up and respond to crunch time without fumbling, it’s hard to imagine he’s only 23 years old (nearly two months younger than Brandon); and even harder to remember this is the first full season he’s spent above the Double-A level.

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

Perhaps Sean’s level-headed attitude can be traced to his baseball roots. His father, Johnny Rodriquez, is hitting coach for the Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins Single-A affiliate). And I believe his deep-seated Christian faith is a factor as well. Sean is quick to voice his gratitude to God as the source of personal inspiration, good fortune and athletic success. Whatever the reason, Sean’s baseball achievements thus far are hardly a joke. The simple fact that he’s started more games in Anaheim this season than the “franchise player” certainly indicates he’s doing something right. Hey, I’m with Sickels. I like this ballplayer. Bye for now!

Entry Filed under: Lady's Choice,Major League Baseball,Minor Leagues,Salt Lake Bees