KINGS TRIM ROSTER AS SPRING TRAINING REACHES FINAL WEEK
As we head into the final week of spring training the Brooklyn Kings pitching situation suddenly looks much clearer following a combination of demotions, trades and an injury that reduced the number of pitchers remaining in camp to nine. The big news was reliever Al Colby suffered an oblique injury that will sideline the 35 year old until mid-May. It was yet another disappointing setback for the veteran who missed all of last seaon with a torn tendon in his elbow, an injury that was also sustained in spring training.
"I feel bad for Al," said fellow veteran pitcher Bob Scmid. "He was looking good out there and seemed to be ready for a big season."
In addition to Colby the Kings also removed 4 other pitchers from their main camp. Reliever Jack Gunderson, who had replaced Colby as the late innings specialist a year ago, was dealt to Cleveland just days before Colby's injury for a pair of draft picks while Mickey Beavers and Clarence Flanders were both optioned to AAA Rochester. Lefthander Art Harvey may eventually join them in Rochester but not before the 29 year old, who is out of minor league options, clears waivers. There is a chance the Kings will lose Harvey, who was 8-9 at AAA Houston last year and has never played in Brooklyn but after posting a 5.40 era in 11 spring innings it was clear Harvery would not be able to be kept on the major league roster.
Brooklyn still has some decisions to make. The Kings now have 9 pitchers in camp and have yet to declare publically if they are going to carry 8 on the regular season roster, as they normally do, or perhaps go with 9. The Kings hands are somewhat tied as Art Carlson and Joe Blansit, both of whom have had impressive camps thus far, are, like Harvey, out of minor league options. Newcomer Jim Langley, a 23 year old rule V draft pick-up, must also remain on the big league roster otherwise he would have to be returned to the New York Stars. Langley has easily pitched his way on the team, having yet to allow an earned run in 13 innings of spring work.
Veteran free agent invitee Bob Schmid also has done enough to earn a spot. Schmid has made 4 starts and has a 0.56 era and will earn a spot in the rotation barring a total collapse next week. The 35 year old returns to Brooklyn, for whom he went 20-8 and led them to a pennant in 1923, after being released by the New York Gothams.
It has been a very competitive camp that featured a large number of pitchers and the only two that have not lived up to or exceeded expectations unfortunately are the two men tabbed for the top of the starting rotation when camp began. Lefthander Buzz Ham was outstanding a year ago and posted a Continental Association best 2.57 era but he had two very rough starts in spring action. The 26 year old did look better in an inning of relief last week and will get another start to iron out the kinks sometime this week. Meanwhile, former second round pick Bill Dengler, who pitched quite well in half a season with the Kings a year ago, had a nightmare start to his spring by allowing 9 runs in the opening inning of spring action. The 24 year old has settled down in his 3 starts since then but has yet to have a really strong performance. Dengler will likely get two more opportunities this week and how he performs will be the determining factor on whether the Kings carry 8 or 9 pitchers with a rough outing likely sending him back to AAA.
The other pitcher who is on the bubble is Ducky Henry. The Kings did not expect a lot from the 24 year old former waiver wire pickup entering camp after he spent all of last season at AA Knoxville, but after he pitched 16 scoreless innings at a minor league camp with Class A Omaha, he was inivited to the main camp. Henry continued the strong play, allowing no runs and just 2 hits in his first 9 innings at Kings camp which kept him around much longer than expected. He did finally get beat up in his most recent appearances, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits in 3 innings of relief in a win over the Stars yesterday but the opinion of most in camp is he has done enough to warrant a roster spot, especially after the opening created with the injury to Colby.
Here are the spring stats of those still in camp.
Here is an updated projection on the Kings Openind Day pitching staff
Code:
PROJECTED BROOKLYN PITCHING STAFF
STARTER
1- Buzz Ham
2- Topsy Moran
3- Bob Schmid
4- Leon Thompson
5- Jim Langley
BULLPEN
Ducky Henry
Joe Blansit
Art Carlson
ON THE BUBBLE
Bill Dengler
INJURED LIST
Al Colby
Here are the spring batting stats:
The decision to go with either 8 or 9 pitchers on the final 23 man roster will also be influenced by decisions made with position players. Typically Brooklyn has carried 15 position players and 8 pitchers and the Kings came in to camp knowing that might have to change this time around because of the number of pitchers that were out of options. The only position player in that situation is 25 year old outfielder Al Stanton, and Stanton's struggles in spring training (4-for-21) has likely sealed his fate.
With Stanton expected to go through waivers and then reassigned to Rochester if he is not claimed, the Kings are down to 15 position players. If they keep 9 pitchers the odd man out will be one of three rookie players. The Kings have loved what they have seen out of 24 year old 3B Phil Long and 23 year old outfielder Herb Smiddy but those are both positions of extreme depth in Brooklyn. Middle infield depth is more a need but the candidate - 26 year old Henry Middleton - has had a less than impressive camp.
If Middleton had performed just a little better the decision would be clear as Smiddy will have a tough time getting work in a crowded outfield. He can also play first base but that is equally logjammed. If Middleton is sent down the Kings would only have one back up - Rip Agee- to spell starting 2B Willie Jackson and SS Arnold Bower.
The other scenario sees the Kings making yet another deal as 29 year old 1B Lou Garman could be moved for more draft picks. Garman has had a decent camp and hit .309 last year but with young sluggers Lynn Randall, Charlie Powell, Gus Powell and Mike Taylor, when he is not catching, there is not a lot of innings left for Garman to play. If Smiddy sticks the situation gets even more crowded.