Baseball America recently published its indy league postseason awards. Two Atlantic League players, Newark’s Javier Colina and Bridgeport’s Jesse Hoorelbeke, were named 
first team all stars. Three others, including the Barnstormers’ Derrick DePriest, were chosen for the second team.
The magazine also listed the Top 10 prospects from all across independent baseball. Guess how many Atlantic Leaguers made that list?
Zero.
Prospect status is tied to age as much as talent. Considering the AL’s place as indy ball’s land of veterans, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it was completely overlooked. It does raise an interesting question: Is it time for the Atlantic League to get younger?
The knee-jerk reaction is no. We’ve heard the arguments dozens of times before. Young players fail at this level. They’re not experienced enough to hang in there against ex-big leaguers and former Triple-A standouts. At times I’ve been guilty of buying into this theory, both in print and in conversation. After watching more games and thinking about it longer, I’m not sure it’s completely true.
The Barnstormers took an early stab at building a roster around youth. Lancaster’s inaugural team consisted of four starting pitchers who had never played above A ball and were 25 or younger. Here are the numbers from that experiment …
Scott Patterson … 4-2, 4.76 ERA in 29 games
Joe Dooley … 8-5, 4.98 ERA in 21 games
Matt Scheuing … 6-6, 5.29 ERA in 26 games
Ross Peeples … 6-9, 5.14 ERA in 22 games
Those stats appear to reinforce the theory that youth fails in the Atlantic League. Looking back two years later, maybe that’s not the case. Those numbers aren’t much different than the ones posted by veterans such as Brian Whitaker, Cam Smith, Rob Henkel and Enemencio Pacheco. Maybe the failed youth movement was simply proof that it’s really difficult to pitch at cozy Clipper Magazine Stadium.
What’s most interesting about that list is Patterson, who is probably the best prospect to ever wear a Barnstormers uniform. If then-manager Tom Herr wasn’t willing to gamble on Patterson, who had toiled for three seasons in the Frontier League, the righthander likely never would have been signed by the Yankees.
The point is that if you take a chance, sometimes you’ll be rewarded. Other indy leagues, such as the Northern and Can-Am, have veteran designations. Teams are limited to a certain number of experienced players. Perhaps the Atlantic League should have a rookie designation, meaning each team must have three players who are 24 or younger or have no more than two years of pro experience. This would have a few benefits …
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*Young players cost less and they would allow teams to balance their payrolls. They would also be taking the roster spot of some veterans who don’t belong in the league in the first place.
*It would give overlooked talents a chance to play against the best competition independent ball has to offer.
*It would bring some much-needed energy and enthusiasm to the league and the clubhouses.
*It would create fascinating matchups. For example: Can the 23-year-old first-year player get the former big-league All-Star out in a key spot?
Some teams, notably the Long Island Ducks, would cringe at the thought of being obligated to carry some young players – many of whom will struggle in this trial by fire. But a rookie requirement would bring roughly 25 youngsters into a league that often feels stale, especially in the latter stages of the regular season. Plus, if two or three of those young players turn out to be prospects, it would be a huge boost for the reputation of the Atlantic League.
Interesting thoughts. I went over the roster that was still on the 2007 BS website and figured that the average age on the Barnstormers was 29 years old (28.96) with the youngest being 25 years old (Jon Hunton) and the oldest at 37 years old (Chris Brock).
In the article about the “10 Top Prospects”, it appeared that the average age ran about 23 years old. A few of their ages weren’t listed.
That would be a 6 year difference in the prospects and the average age on the Lancaster Barnstormers. Significant difference, I would say.
However, after reviewing the above arguments for younger players in the Atlantic League, I don’t necessarily agree with them all, especially the third one about bringing energy and enthusiasm into the league and clubhouse. Granted, younger men may often be eager, but that’s not a guarantee at all.
Yes, you may get them on a cheaper contract, but cheaper doesn’t translate into a good game on the field. I’ve seen cheap and in the long run, most times, you get what you pay for.
I am sure that there are plenty “diamonds in the rough” out there.
Jason,
Great observations. I think I am on your bandwagon.
The presence of a few younger players, whose ages can be proven, would also give coaches the ability to showcase their talents. Tom Herr did a nice job managing Lancaster to the championship but just about anyone could tell you that he wouldn’t do well with younger kids in the A ball since he never meshed well with the youngsters at Hempfield. The fact is, Tom is more suited for double or triple A. If Lancaster had a team with few young and raw arms, we’d really be able to see someone like Rick Wise work his magic.
The AL is getting older and older and your idea is in the best interest of the league.
There are obvious negatives to having a rookie requirement. Some players might be overmatched and the level of play could dip (although that’s not certain). Still, it would be a way to infuse some youth into the league and I think that’s a good thing. When the South Georgia Peanuts are sending more players into affiliated ball than the Barnstormers, it should make the league reconsider its approach.
Also …
Here’s a neat article by the Intell’s Kevin Freeman about Gene Garber and the 1977 Phillies. I’m sure Barney Stormer remembers.
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/211029
I read this article in the Intel this morning. Black Friday was a terrible day for Gene Garber and the Phillies. I liked Bill Giles comment about breaks… so true.
I actually was at the game. This was also the game that Burt Hooten lost his cool and the fans started booing him. It was awesome as the noise got louder and louder he couldn’t find the strike zone. He eventually was pulled from the game. I sat in the last row of the 700 level by the right field foul pole. Comcast did an interview earlier this year with Davy Lopes and he said even though he’s a Phillie now he was still safe! By the way the Saturday game was played in conditions as bad as last Sunday’s Rockies game (I was there too). I still remember Bowie Kuhn sitting there in a suit and tie like it was a sunny afternoon. It was great to read about it again. Oh well, wait till next year …..
Inflation note:
Ticket for the 1977 NLCS was $9.00
Ticket for the 2007 NLCS (which I couldn’t use) $75.00
Yu have to remember $9.00 was a lot of money for a 20 year old college kid. We could drive over to NJ (for you youngsters, back in the day the drinking age was 18 in NJ and 21 in PA) and get a case of 16 oz Schmidts for that!
Is the statement, “When the South Georgia Peanuts are sending more players into affiliated ball than the Barnstormers….” an indication of their manager?
Another way to accomplish this (in a way) would be to limit the amount of seasons that a player can play in the Atlantic League.
If the goal truly is to get these guys back to affiliated baseball, and the most frequent complaint that Joe Klein gets is that affiliated teams see a lot of the same guys on team rosters every year, it would seem to make some sense.
The “goal” is to make money and the AL owners are doing just that with their current business plan. They are making lots and lots of money.
If given the choice, the Atlantic League would go OLDER. Reggie Taylor type players need to get back to at the very least the upper minor leagues and will not get that chance by succeeding against young players with no resume.
It does Reggie more good to hit a home run off a 84 mph fastball from a guy that has extensive big league/AAA time than a home run off a 91 mph fastball from a young, no name career indy-leaguer (although for some reason I tend to like these types:). Thats the whole point of the league, to get Reggie back in the big leagues. Scott Patterson is a great story, but is not neccessarily what the AL is trying ot do..
The AL has built a great brand in the ultimate niche market. Going younger would basically go against the largely successful business model they are following. Would it make the clubhouse more fun? Bring more energy to the field? Lower team salary? Perhaps…but it’s never a good idea to insert changes into a successful model unless outside forces dictate that change (such as TOO many egotistical veterans that refuse to sign autographs, alienating fans, or trying to hit opponents in the head with their bats). Hmmm, maybe it IS time to go younger after all!
Always best to let the market drive the business.
Older players know this is a lopsided effort on their part.
Like Taylor, [and Herr] they’ll make their decisions to help their personal agenda. But they bring some recognition to the League.
Younger players will either make the grade or bounce up and down for several years. If they become long-term, it’s the individual teams fault, not the League. And the results will show up eventually , as with Barnstormers this past year.
Problem seems to remain with the player procurement or perhaps the available pool of talent.
Otherwise business is good, and hopefully play will be also.
But to expect championship play year after year is unrealistic.
To expect a good product [play] is not.
Is the any substance testing in the AL? Sure think it would help in the roid rages. Hmmm.. when is Offerman court date, anyway???
On the age topic, I like the mix up of ages, The older guys can give pointers to the youngin’s and the youger boy have the energy to get all over the field ie:Jutt & Bowers .
And plus, it’s kinda nice to see a player walk in to the Clipp and you say.. Hey, I saw you play in Philly / New York or what ever MLB team he was with.
The substance testing is a joke. Unfortunately steroids are present throughout the league and recreational drugs are very present.
Jason,
Could the Atlantic League develop some sort of a farm or minor league teams of younger players to bring up and down during a season? This would be a way to develop these players over a season.Just a thought.
SAF, you keep trotting that out there, but never have anything to back it up but your say so.
I think telling the Atlantic League they have to have so many “rookies” is like telling George Steinbrenner who he can hire as manager. It is their ball and they can do what they like with it (like Steinbrenner does.)
I dont think the Atlantic League wants to be a feeder group for the rookie league or single A ball by having many young players. What will be the next rule?? That these young guys have to play at least 2 innings every game? I am not for it.
I thought WE were the farm team for the rest of the BASA teams last year!!!!!
I believe we use the Frontier League as sort of AL farm system. We have signed players from there and have sent players back.
That was a good one Packmule! (Comment #16)
Fausto,
A. Pete Rose Jr.
B. Current Lancaster players with recent drug arrests… it’s all free online.
C I have extensive contacts in affiliated baseball and have knowledge, on more than one occasion, of AL players, who we wanted to sign, asking not to be signed for another week or two so that certain things could get out of their system. I couldn’t lie about this.
D. I have female friends in Lancaster and York who have “partied” with AL players (not necessarily B’Stormers and Rev players).
E. Players sign in the morning and play in the evening…. drug test could NOT be done in this time.
F. Just walk up to one of the teams’ athletic trainers and tell them you have a ‘care package’ for one of the players…. and they don’t even question you….in fact, they get ‘tipped’.
Sorry Fausto, it is what it is.
On #19 E.
Yes, a drug test can be done at any time. The player can walk into the testing facility on Butler Ave and give a sample on a moments notice… unless they are unwilling. But the facilities are always ready. Granted the test results won’t be available for a week or two but there is no excuse for not being tested.. other than you may have positive result.
That was my point….. The AL doesn’t know an A sample from a B sample.
they do have at home drug test kits that you get the results with in minutes. So it can do done.
SAF
??? kinda confusing me.. It’s not the league that does the test, it’s the medical facility that does it all. The AL would handle the naughty boys that test positive.
Kelley, do those kits test for everything or just pot & Coke? Or, Can you buy a broad spectrum test kit?
The “League” doesn’t always do them and the “League” doesn’t require the test results to be returned before the player appears in a game. Furthermore, the “appeals process” is different for different players.
The home test kits do not test for steroids. The problem with home test kits are they are easily fooled. I do not think the league would worry about pot heads, does not effect your level of play, unless you get high before a game. If palyear on the stormers were doing roids we have a problem, they sure did notplay as if they were enhanced. I was upset that Pete Jr was allowed back in after his jail term. What an embarassment!
How did we get on the steroid topic?How are we expecting Independent Leagues to control drug testing when Major League Baseball has zero control on this issue?
we can talk about ball still being played – go Sox!
True, True.
Steroids have always been in the league. Do you think Ozzie Canseco was clean when he hit an AL record 48 homers and drove in an AL record 129 in 2000?
I actually think he has already admitted he was juiced while in the Atlantic League.
Steve,
Welcome to the board.
Re: Farm system
I’ve always thought the independent leagues should use each other as a farm system. They do that to some extent, but there should be an agreement that if an Atlantic League team is shorthanded, it can acquire a pitcher from the Can-Am or Frontier League for a 10-day loan (or something along those lines). That way you won’t have teams playing with incomplete rosters.