Ancestors Added in 1956:
Albert "Postzegel" Esselink, 1B, Milwaukee Braves
Despite his young age, Esselink has impressive hitting abilities. The Braves see him as a future .330 hitter, and his ability to make contact is already so well developed that he could start his pro career at AA Atlanta. The Braves also signed two other 1B prospects in Jonnie Schooley and Donnie Rounds. Both of them display more power than Esselink, but most scouts believe that only Schooley has much of a chance at a considerable major league career. The problem is where they each fit into the team's future plans. None of them are gifted defensively and they each have poor arms. Esselink could play RF, but more than likely, one or two of these players will become trade bait. With the rumor mill pointing to a trade of future HOF 1B Ken Chaucer (35), a player like Esselink could find himself in the majors soon. However, the team already has yet another talented 1B prospect in the majors - David "Lumberjack" Lawrence, who looks like the heir apparent to Chaucer's job. But he can never fill Chaucer's shoes, which is another reason why Esselink could see the big leagues in a few short years.
Alfred "Al Dandy" Danzig, SP, Chicago White Sox
In their quest to rebuild, the White Sox landed yet another talented young pitcher. Danzig throws hard and has good control. He gives up the occaisional HR and duration could one day be a concern. However, he is young and has a ways to go yet, so there is no telling what could become of him. He begins the season at Single-A Waterloo, but if he lives up to his perceived abilities, he will someday be part of a mighty rotation in ChiTown.
Lucien "Lulu" Arbour, CF, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox were excited to sign the speedy Arbour out of college in Quebec. He struggles defensively, but he is fast and there are no doubts about his hitting abilities. He makes great contact and could develop into a 25 HR, 80 BB hitter. He should begin the season at AA Montgomery, but expect a quick promotion to AAA and possibly a callup to the majors. Boston desperately needs a quality OF on their roster. After being acquired in a spring trade with Brooklyn, RF Jack Caufield (whose twin brother Simon also plays for AA Montgomery) should join Arbour in the big leagues soon.
Desmond "Diamond" Booker, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been trying to fill the SS position ever since now-manager Ted Stuart left the club. After Branimir Gljivica flamed out, the Phils looked hard for another talented middle infielder. They found one in Booker, whose brother Asa plays for AAA Syracuse and should be up with the Phillies this year. Desmond is great with the glove and he projects as a .300 hitter. He has a decent eye but little power. However, its the defense and contact that Philly coveted, and they think they got their man. At age 22, he should begin his career at Single-A Reidsville, but a quick callup to AA is likely.
Henry "Gato" Cruz, C, Milwaukee Braves
After signing with Baltimore, Cruz was traded at the end of spring training to the Braves for outfield prospect Pete Pugliese. "Gato" plays incredible defense and has a cannon for an arm. He looks to be a good hitter as well, but he is expected to play all year at Single-A Jacksonville. If he could develop ever so slightly in the hitting category, he could be in the majors next year with that defense of his. I think most teams would live with a .190-hitting catcher with those skills. However, Milwaukee will likely stand pat with their current also-rans behind the plate and be relatively patient with Cruz. After all, 29-year-old backstop Joe Manzano plays some darn good defense himself.
Brett Evans, 2B, Brooklyn Dodgers
The Dodgers have long been pleased with the defense of Ed Impens Jr at second, but he is 27 and a career .206 hitter. He hit a career high .239 last season, and Brooklyn thinks they have finally found his eventual replacement in Evans. Evans is adequate defensively, but he is not up to Impens' standards with the glove. However, he is a far superior hitting talent with the potential to be a batting champ someday. He has good plate discipline and makes good contact. He will begin the season at Single-A Elmira, but a promotion to AA is likely later in the year.
Howard "Huck" Burley, RF/1B, Kansas City Athletics
The A's are loaded with outfield talent, so Burley is expected to concentrate on 1B in the minors. However, the A's also have a 28-year-old first baseman by the name of Charlton Brown who has hit 90 HR's over the past two seasons. Many scouts say Brown has the most power they have ever seen, rivaling even the great Oscar Vancini. In other words, Burley's chances of playing in the majors with the A's could be slim, barring a trade or injury to someone above him. However, he
is 10 years younger than Brown, so he could eventually move in to replace him. Just as likely are the chances that he could be dealt to another team. Regardless of where he eventually ends up, Huck will start this season at Single-A Lancaster. His homerun power is his biggest asset, and he projects as a .270 hitter with 30 HR potential.
Stephen Sit, SS, Washington Senators
Sit, a native of Hong Kong, is a gifted natural athlete. He has plenty of speed and plays remarkable defense at either 2B or SS. He has only average offensive abilities, but if all the offensive talent in Washington's farm system pans out, Sit won't need to do much with the bat. With his defensive abilities and speed, he should almost certainly walk into a major league roster spot someday soon. As for this year, he will attempt to adjust to a new culture while playing ball at Single-A Rock Hill.