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DD Martin · 03-29-2021, 04:30 PM

Welcome to Lakeland, Florida
Home of the Detroit Dynamo's Spring Training Camp

The Detroit World
Sunday March 15th, 1936
Sports News
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Hope in Spring? Likely Not in 36

We are welcoming 45 players right now to our spring training complex (60 is the max). The 45th player is about to change and when we are done we will likely have 46 in camp. Before we get into the spring battles, there were two deals that went down prior to the first spring game.

Trade - New York Gotham's and Detroit Dynamo's

One teams left overs are sometimes another teams depth pieces. There is little secret that management of the Dynamo's is not enthralled with C Dave Armstrong. The problem is that there really isn't anyone knocking down the door to take his "spot". Maybe that is about to change as we traded our 1936 8th draft pick to the Gothams for the services of C Red Jackson (30). We need a #3 catcher and at a minimum Jackson will fulfill that requirement as he does have 2 option years. Once he arrives into town he will be the 3rd catcher with Jim Kyle and Armstrong.

The Dynamo's are not done likely looking for a catcher as that is one position in the organization that doesn't have much strength or depth to it.

Dynamo's make another move

The Dynamo's brass decided that four Rule 5 pitchers was too many to carry and send back SP Earle Killebrew to the Philadelphia Sailors. Then immediately after that they traded their 1936 9th round draft pick to the Sailors for the rights to Killebrew. Now one might ask why would the Dynamo's do that? The answer is that this way he doesn't have to be stashed on the big league roster and he can continue his development in the minor leagues.

The Dynamo's were not going to send him back but had explored the options with the Sailors who lost him for nothing in the Rule 5 draft. This way the Dynamo's can continue his development in a setting better suited to where he belongs (likely AA) and the Sailors get something out of the deal.

Spring Camp Battles?

When a team only goes 43-111 in the previous season one would hope that there are lots of changes and even battles for jobs in the spring. There will be plenty of those in the highly competitive pitching staff with now four Rule 5 guys taking up the 9 or 10 spots on the roster.

Pitching Staff
# of Spots 9-10
Starting Rotation 5 spots
Locks - Chuck Calvert, Jim Crawford
Rule 5 Guys - George Coleman, Ray Lee, Ben Watkins (injured 1-2 weeks)
Rotation contenders
Bullpen contenders

About the only sure thing that we know barring serious changes (or injury) during spring training is that Jim Crawford,30 (2-6 5.43 with Detroit) will return to the rotation. The team has also announced that Chuck Calvert (32) who has been a RP predominately in the big leagues will get a shot at starting. Who the other 3 starting pitchers might be is up for a lot of debate.

A couple of players that are up and will get week 1 starts in spring training will be Indie League and Minor League draft choices Ray McCarthy (22) and Luis Sandoval (23). While neither is considered likely to break spring camp with the big league team, they will get a taste of the action and I wouldn't be shocked if either are up sooner rather than later. McCarthy has the bigger upside and could be a force in the rotation in the future, the question will be is the future now.

Rule 5 pickup from Cleveland George Coleman will get a shot to start in week 1 as well. Coleman could be the #5 SP or the long man out of the bullpen. During the first week of camp the Dynamo's are only going with a 5 man rotation so they can see McCarthy pitch twice. In week 2 they are expected to add another SP and that arm might be Rule 5 P Ray Lee.

With Chuck Calvert moving to the rotation (for now) that means the team needs to find a new late inning "stopper". Last year saw Calvert, Dan Grossman, Marty Devorce, Duke Brown and the since departed George Johnson all rotate through the role. Surprisingly the early favorite by manager Tom Bray is Jim Simmons who mainly worked in the rotation (not very successfully) after being picked up on a waiver claim.

Other pitchers in camp trying to impress are RP Al Allen (who's days are likely numbered), SP Taylor Collins, Fred Hall, Marty Devorce, Ernie Miller, Donie Scheuermann, Jack Stemm, Jack Wood, Ray Benson, Duke Brown, Phil Hicks.

And then there is the case of 39-year-old Detroit P Andy Holton. Besides being the oldest pitcher in the entire organization, he also has an intriguing story. After all the trades last year with other veteran SP's, Holton was brought up to the big league club after going 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA at AAA Newark. Unfortunately the results in the big leagues in the 2nd half of last season (1-9 with an ERA over 6.00+) didn't make for a glorious return. The win he got last year was just his 2nd career big league win. His first big league win came in (check this) 1921. 14 years in between wins in the majors has got to be some sort of a record. His career big league record in Detroit (who drafted him in 1915) is 2-18. What was Horton doing in between 1921 and June 1935? Mostly pitching at AAA Newark where he has a career mark of 140-166. Holton is probably a long shot to make the team, but he does have a lot of veteran leadership.

This unit is still extremely poor in what will likely makeup this years staff. If they can't find better options then it will be another long year of baseball in Detroit. I wouldn't be shocked if the club continues in its search for re-enforcements to this unit as teams cut down to the opening day roster limits.

Position Players
13-14 spots available
Roster locks
C - Jim Kyle
1B/2B Claude Merrill
RF Howard Moss
CF Jose Serna

Behind C Jim Kyle will be a battle for the backup role. For now that battle will be between C Dave Armstrong and newly acquired C Red Jackson. This position (besides pitching and there is hope on the horizon in pitching) is a weak spot in the organization. There are no sure thing "future of the position" at this time in the system. The team did draft a defensive C in Eddie Miller but he is nowhere near ready. Who will emerge or maybe a better question is who will arrive to claim this required spot on the roster.

First Base - Second Base
Claude Merrill is a lock for this team and the starting lineup. The question is will he be here at 1B or will prospect Bill Moore force his way into the spot this spring. If Moore has a good spring the job will likely be his and that means that Merrill will slide in to take over 2B. Also in camp vying for a spot is 1B Ralph Conner (263/348/717 4-57) but he did not impress in his 119 games (94 starts) last season and is likely ticketed to Newark.

The future of the 1B job in Detroit Red Johnson is up and will likely gets some game action during the first week. He will not make the team straight out of high school but the club wanted to give him a taste of what the majors leagues were like.

If Merrill ends up with the 1B job, then that opens the door back up for competition at 2B. Veteran 2B Paul McLain, 34 (234 last year) was up and down between Newark and the big league team. He is wildly popular in Detroit and with interest so low he might get to keep his job no matter what. Also in camp and going to get a big look is 2B Homer Ray (22). The prospect likely is a future piece to the puzzle but management would likely prefer to see him playing everyday this year in AAA Newark. Team Captain Lynn Gray and Slim Ford are also in camp and provide versatility. It is likely that Ford and SS Slim Bloom are battling for 1 spot on the roster as a backup utility player.

Shortstop
There are 3 players in camp with rookie Tip Harrison (24) joining Slim Bloom and waiver claim pickup John McKinley battling it out. It would take a strong camp for the rookie Harrison, who would probably benefit from a full season at AAA, to make the team. This will be a roster position that is definitely going to be settled by spring performance.

Third Base
Besides rookie "future 3B" Hank Koblenz in camp in much the same way that Red Johnson is. The only other 3B is returning starter Chief Raymond (309/362-780 8-56). The job is likely Raymond's to be the caretaker of unless someone else is brought in to compete for the job.

Outfield
Spots 5-6

We know that RF Howard Moss is a lock in right and we have a pretty good feeling that CF Jose Serna will be patrolling CF. Unless the team finds a trading partner Henry Jones will likely open the season in LF. It is not a terrible starting trio but will not make anyone forget New York's trio of LF Moxie Pidgeon, CF Tom Tayler and RF Mahlon Strong.

The battles will be for the back up roles which will likely be 2 spots. LF Jay Buckingham is up to gain experience but he will be in AAA Newark to start the season. CF Ollie Williams (2nd round pick) is also on the same program as 1B Red Johnson and 3B Hank Koblenz, in that he is just getting a taste this spring but will report to minor league camp in several weeks. The other players vying for backup roles are CF John Cannon (45 stolen bases in AAA), CF Joe Snider (339/378/802 in 165 AB), RF Mickey Tompkins (298/351/790 last year) and Rule 5 pickup Joe Goodwin. With Goodwin in the mix he might cost an infielder a backup job or the veteran (and unhappy) Tompkins his job.

Summary
After going through the team like this it is hard to find 55+ wins in this group. The team is going through a lot of changes and those changes are going to continue this year. Maybe they will get lucky and find a few key pieces to plug in and upgrade but right now whoever is picked 7th in the Federal Association has no worries that this rag-tag bunch is going to threaten them anytime soon.

It might be spring training, but it already appears that the Dynamo's are "on the clock" with the first pick in the 1936 Draft next December.

03-29-2021, 04:30 PM	#39
DD Martin All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 1,029	Welcome to Lakeland, Florida Home of the Detroit Dynamo's Spring Training Camp The Detroit World Sunday March 15th, 1936 Sports News From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat Hope in Spring? Likely Not in 36 We are welcoming 45 players right now to our spring training complex (60 is the max). The 45th player is about to change and when we are done we will likely have 46 in camp. Before we get into the spring battles, there were two deals that went down prior to the first spring game. Trade - New York Gotham's and Detroit Dynamo's One teams left overs are sometimes another teams depth pieces. There is little secret that management of the Dynamo's is not enthralled with C Dave Armstrong. The problem is that there really isn't anyone knocking down the door to take his "spot". Maybe that is about to change as we traded our 1936 8th draft pick to the Gothams for the services of C Red Jackson (30). We need a #3 catcher and at a minimum Jackson will fulfill that requirement as he does have 2 option years. Once he arrives into town he will be the 3rd catcher with Jim Kyle and Armstrong. The Dynamo's are not done likely looking for a catcher as that is one position in the organization that doesn't have much strength or depth to it. Dynamo's make another move The Dynamo's brass decided that four Rule 5 pitchers was too many to carry and send back SP Earle Killebrew to the Philadelphia Sailors. Then immediately after that they traded their 1936 9th round draft pick to the Sailors for the rights to Killebrew. Now one might ask why would the Dynamo's do that? The answer is that this way he doesn't have to be stashed on the big league roster and he can continue his development in the minor leagues. The Dynamo's were not going to send him back but had explored the options with the Sailors who lost him for nothing in the Rule 5 draft. This way the Dynamo's can continue his development in a setting better suited to where he belongs (likely AA) and the Sailors get something out of the deal. Spring Camp Battles? When a team only goes 43-111 in the previous season one would hope that there are lots of changes and even battles for jobs in the spring. There will be plenty of those in the highly competitive pitching staff with now four Rule 5 guys taking up the 9 or 10 spots on the roster. Pitching Staff # of Spots 9-10 Starting Rotation 5 spots Locks - Chuck Calvert, Jim Crawford Rule 5 Guys - George Coleman, Ray Lee, Ben Watkins (injured 1-2 weeks) Rotation contenders Bullpen contenders About the only sure thing that we know barring serious changes (or injury) during spring training is that Jim Crawford,30 (2-6 5.43 with Detroit) will return to the rotation. The team has also announced that Chuck Calvert (32) who has been a RP predominately in the big leagues will get a shot at starting. Who the other 3 starting pitchers might be is up for a lot of debate. A couple of players that are up and will get week 1 starts in spring training will be Indie League and Minor League draft choices Ray McCarthy (22) and Luis Sandoval (23). While neither is considered likely to break spring camp with the big league team, they will get a taste of the action and I wouldn't be shocked if either are up sooner rather than later. McCarthy has the bigger upside and could be a force in the rotation in the future, the question will be is the future now. Rule 5 pickup from Cleveland George Coleman will get a shot to start in week 1 as well. Coleman could be the #5 SP or the long man out of the bullpen. During the first week of camp the Dynamo's are only going with a 5 man rotation so they can see McCarthy pitch twice. In week 2 they are expected to add another SP and that arm might be Rule 5 P Ray Lee. With Chuck Calvert moving to the rotation (for now) that means the team needs to find a new late inning "stopper". Last year saw Calvert, Dan Grossman, Marty Devorce, Duke Brown and the since departed George Johnson all rotate through the role. Surprisingly the early favorite by manager Tom Bray is Jim Simmons who mainly worked in the rotation (not very successfully) after being picked up on a waiver claim. Other pitchers in camp trying to impress are RP Al Allen (who's days are likely numbered), SP Taylor Collins, Fred Hall, Marty Devorce, Ernie Miller, Donie Scheuermann, Jack Stemm, Jack Wood, Ray Benson, Duke Brown, Phil Hicks. And then there is the case of 39-year-old Detroit P Andy Holton. Besides being the oldest pitcher in the entire organization, he also has an intriguing story. After all the trades last year with other veteran SP's, Holton was brought up to the big league club after going 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA at AAA Newark. Unfortunately the results in the big leagues in the 2nd half of last season (1-9 with an ERA over 6.00+) didn't make for a glorious return. The win he got last year was just his 2nd career big league win. His first big league win came in (check this) 1921. 14 years in between wins in the majors has got to be some sort of a record. His career big league record in Detroit (who drafted him in 1915) is 2-18. What was Horton doing in between 1921 and June 1935? Mostly pitching at AAA Newark where he has a career mark of 140-166. Holton is probably a long shot to make the team, but he does have a lot of veteran leadership. This unit is still extremely poor in what will likely makeup this years staff. If they can't find better options then it will be another long year of baseball in Detroit. I wouldn't be shocked if the club continues in its search for re-enforcements to this unit as teams cut down to the opening day roster limits. Position Players 13-14 spots available Roster locks C - Jim Kyle 1B/2B Claude Merrill RF Howard Moss CF Jose Serna Behind C Jim Kyle will be a battle for the backup role. For now that battle will be between C Dave Armstrong and newly acquired C Red Jackson. This position (besides pitching and there is hope on the horizon in pitching) is a weak spot in the organization. There are no sure thing "future of the position" at this time in the system. The team did draft a defensive C in Eddie Miller but he is nowhere near ready. Who will emerge or maybe a better question is who will arrive to claim this required spot on the roster. First Base - Second Base Claude Merrill is a lock for this team and the starting lineup. The question is will he be here at 1B or will prospect Bill Moore force his way into the spot this spring. If Moore has a good spring the job will likely be his and that means that Merrill will slide in to take over 2B. Also in camp vying for a spot is 1B Ralph Conner (263/348/717 4-57) but he did not impress in his 119 games (94 starts) last season and is likely ticketed to Newark. The future of the 1B job in Detroit Red Johnson is up and will likely gets some game action during the first week. He will not make the team straight out of high school but the club wanted to give him a taste of what the majors leagues were like. If Merrill ends up with the 1B job, then that opens the door back up for competition at 2B. Veteran 2B Paul McLain, 34 (234 last year) was up and down between Newark and the big league team. He is wildly popular in Detroit and with interest so low he might get to keep his job no matter what. Also in camp and going to get a big look is 2B Homer Ray (22). The prospect likely is a future piece to the puzzle but management would likely prefer to see him playing everyday this year in AAA Newark. Team Captain Lynn Gray and Slim Ford are also in camp and provide versatility. It is likely that Ford and SS Slim Bloom are battling for 1 spot on the roster as a backup utility player. Shortstop There are 3 players in camp with rookie Tip Harrison (24) joining Slim Bloom and waiver claim pickup John McKinley battling it out. It would take a strong camp for the rookie Harrison, who would probably benefit from a full season at AAA, to make the team. This will be a roster position that is definitely going to be settled by spring performance. Third Base Besides rookie "future 3B" Hank Koblenz in camp in much the same way that Red Johnson is. The only other 3B is returning starter Chief Raymond (309/362-780 8-56). The job is likely Raymond's to be the caretaker of unless someone else is brought in to compete for the job. Outfield Spots 5-6 We know that RF Howard Moss is a lock in right and we have a pretty good feeling that CF Jose Serna will be patrolling CF. Unless the team finds a trading partner Henry Jones will likely open the season in LF. It is not a terrible starting trio but will not make anyone forget New York's trio of LF Moxie Pidgeon, CF Tom Tayler and RF Mahlon Strong. The battles will be for the back up roles which will likely be 2 spots. LF Jay Buckingham is up to gain experience but he will be in AAA Newark to start the season. CF Ollie Williams (2nd round pick) is also on the same program as 1B Red Johnson and 3B Hank Koblenz, in that he is just getting a taste this spring but will report to minor league camp in several weeks. The other players vying for backup roles are CF John Cannon (45 stolen bases in AAA), CF Joe Snider (339/378/802 in 165 AB), RF Mickey Tompkins (298/351/790 last year) and Rule 5 pickup Joe Goodwin. With Goodwin in the mix he might cost an infielder a backup job or the veteran (and unhappy) Tompkins his job. Summary After going through the team like this it is hard to find 55+ wins in this group. The team is going through a lot of changes and those changes are going to continue this year. Maybe they will get lucky and find a few key pieces to plug in and upgrade but right now whoever is picked 7th in the Federal Association has no worries that this rag-tag bunch is going to threaten them anytime soon. It might be spring training, but it already appears that the Dynamo's are "on the clock" with the first pick in the 1936 Draft next December. Last edited by DD Martin; 03-29-2021 at 04:32 PM.