Crow-nicles of a Rookie Phenom

The_Offspring187 · 12-08-2020, 09:07 PM

Crow-nicles of a Rookie Phenom

Vol. 1, Issue 1

Monday May 8th, 2006

My name is Juan Fuentes. I'm a 22 year old shortstop prospect in the Chicago Crows organization. They signed me as an international free agent in 2000 as a 16 year old. I have had a lot of hype behind me and produced as expected at the minor league levels. Last season saw me hit .361/.437/.703 with 15 homeruns and 47 RBI at Triple A Ft. Lauderdale Diesel.

My parent club, the Chicago Crows, ended a 95 year World Series title drought back in 2001. Since the year 2001, Luis Hernandez has been firmly entrenched at the shortstop position for the Crows. Since the Crows signed him as a free agent in 2001, Cris Franco has manned the second base position for the team.

Both men have performed to expectations, contributing to the World Series win in 2001 and the 6 consecutive playoff appearances the Crows have enjoyed in total. Needless to say, I was stuck. Not helping matters in my case (but further cementing the Crows as the team to beat in the Eastern League this decade), Sam de Greef is the wunderkind infield backup of the Crows who can play second, shortstop and third base with plus reviews from scouts and critics alike for his defense.

Tuesday May 9th, 2006

The lights, the sounds, the ambience. The feeling of being in the big city after coming here at 16 years old from San Gregorio de Nigua, a town in the Dominican Republic. I have worked my entire life for this. And to reach the show, especially at 22 years of age, was something beyond my wildest dreams.

I was called up to the Show today. I was pulled into Crows' manager Chris Silvey's office before the game and congratulated, but quickly put in my place as well. He told me not to expect more than a bench role at this point because the team is stacked at 2nd and shortstop, but the organization is ready for me to see big league pitching. I admit it took me down a notch but I took the news in stride and headed to find my locker to get ready for the game. After ruminating on my future in Chicago and what could happen after tonight's game, I head over to check out the lineup card. I am shocked to see I am starting tonight! We are facing Tomas Salinas and the New York Hitmen. I immediately scramble to start checking charts and graphs and consulting with our sabermetrics guy to learn as much as I can about Salinas before the game. Will it pay off? I can only hope.

The National Anthem plays, we take the field at the Crow's Nest in Chicago, and we have a three up, three down top of the first on the defensive side. Now, here we come to bat in the bottom of the first. I'm batting second in the lineup so I make my way to the on-deck circle, practicing my swing as I watch Salinas warm up before he faces Sam de Greef.

De Greef strikes out on three pitches. Not a good start to the game. I can feel the pressure. My nerves aren't the best in the world. They call me "Headcase" for a reason. Salinas takes the mound as I step into the box. "Calm yourself", I think to myself. Salinas first a fastball and I swing at the first pitch, flying out to center field. Frustratedly, I head back to the dugout.

Bottom of the third de Gree leads off again. This time, he draws a walk. This brings me up to bat with a runner on base for the first time in my young career. We currently lead 1-0 off a solo homerun from Crows third baseman, former MVP and stalwart Roy Renouf, a man who has spent his entire big league career in Chicago.

I step in against Salinas again, feeling like I'm ready for him this time, but I am bound and determined to work the count. He starts off with a ball outside the zone. On the 1-0 pitch, I line drive a single to left-center, sending de Greef to second. I have just gotten my first major league hit in my major league debut! Renouf singles after me, loading the bases, before the next 3 batters (catcher Kevin Smith, 1st baseman Koshiro Matsumoto, and supersub Jose Aguilar) all managed to be retired without driving in a run.

In the bottom of the 5th I draw my first base on balls in my career, a 7 pitch at bat that hopefully caught some attention over on the bench. Two pitches later Roy Renouf cranks his second homer of the game, a two run homer to right field.

Bottom of the 6th I fly out, nothing to write home about. In the bottom of the 7th, pitcher Alfredo Torres has entered the game. On a 2-2 count, I rope a double to left center. A 2-5 day at the plate in my debut. Not bad!

Thursday June 1st , 2006

Tonight I hit my first career big league homerun. I hope it's the first of many! The unlucky recipient of my homer was Felipe Hernandez of the Miami Hurricanes. We went on to win the game by a score of 6-4 in Chicago. The roar of the crowd as I rounded the bases after my 431 foot blast to right center was deafening. When I returned to the dugout the guys did the old tried and true and acted like nothing had happened, refusing to acknowledge my first career homer before finally mobbing me in the dugout and celebrating the achievement. Gotta love my teammates.

Friday June 9, 2006

I was sent back down to Triple A. Chris Silvey had already made it clear this wasn't a permanent move and that I was only up to get experience against major league hitting. I got my first taste of it so now it's back to Ft. Lauderdale to hone my skills. I singled and doubled in my first game back at AAA.

Thursday June 22, 2006

I was selected to the NABA Future Stars game. I led off and went 1-4 with a run scored. Not the performance I was hoping for but it was an honor to the considered among the best and brightest stars the game has to offer.

Monday July 10th, 2006

Cris Franco suffered an untimely injury, a strained oblique which will limit his action for the next four weeks, and the Crows have called me back up to The Show. I have been blocked basically all season when I most likely would have broke camp with any other team. But if there's one thing, I am a patient man, and I have awaited my opportunity. Now, it is time to make the most of the opportunity I'm given, as awful as the circumstances are in which I am getting it. I wish Cris Franco a speedy recovery, but here's to making the most of what I'm given.

I tripled in my return to the bigs tonight.

August 4th, 2006

I won my first Player of the Game Award tonight. I went 4 for 5 with a double, a triple, and 2 singles, knocking in a pair of runs en route to our team's 6-5 victory over the Orlando Palms. Coach Silvey came up to me after the post game interview (in which I was of course drenched in Gatorade by some of my more fun-loving Crows teammates) and congratulated me on a good game but also gave me the advice to not rest on my laurels. I will take his advice to heart.

Wednesday August 9th, 2006

I was just sent back to Triple A from my first taste of the show. My line in the Show so far: .290 BA, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 4 stolen bases in 28 games started (48 appearances). I truly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity I was given. The team wants me to get steady at-bats and with Cris Franco back in the fold on the parent club after healing from his injury, it will be hard to get regular at bats in the majors at this point. However, I am ready if the team needs me again in September or even October, as I am playoff roster eligible!

Here's to the future and seeing how far my career takes me!

The_Offspring187 · 12-08-2020, 09:10 PM

http://naba.epizy.com/juanfuentes.html is a currently uploaded BNN page of the player I am doing this dynasty on.

12-08-2020, 09:07 PM	#1
The_Offspring187 Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 483	Crow-nicles of a Rookie Phenom Crow-nicles of a Rookie Phenom Vol. 1, Issue 1 Monday May 8th, 2006 My name is Juan Fuentes. I'm a 22 year old shortstop prospect in the Chicago Crows organization. They signed me as an international free agent in 2000 as a 16 year old. I have had a lot of hype behind me and produced as expected at the minor league levels. Last season saw me hit .361/.437/.703 with 15 homeruns and 47 RBI at Triple A Ft. Lauderdale Diesel. My parent club, the Chicago Crows, ended a 95 year World Series title drought back in 2001. Since the year 2001, Luis Hernandez has been firmly entrenched at the shortstop position for the Crows. Since the Crows signed him as a free agent in 2001, Cris Franco has manned the second base position for the team. Both men have performed to expectations, contributing to the World Series win in 2001 and the 6 consecutive playoff appearances the Crows have enjoyed in total. Needless to say, I was stuck. Not helping matters in my case (but further cementing the Crows as the team to beat in the Eastern League this decade), Sam de Greef is the wunderkind infield backup of the Crows who can play second, shortstop and third base with plus reviews from scouts and critics alike for his defense. Tuesday May 9th, 2006 The lights, the sounds, the ambience. The feeling of being in the big city after coming here at 16 years old from San Gregorio de Nigua, a town in the Dominican Republic. I have worked my entire life for this. And to reach the show, especially at 22 years of age, was something beyond my wildest dreams. I was called up to the Show today. I was pulled into Crows' manager Chris Silvey's office before the game and congratulated, but quickly put in my place as well. He told me not to expect more than a bench role at this point because the team is stacked at 2nd and shortstop, but the organization is ready for me to see big league pitching. I admit it took me down a notch but I took the news in stride and headed to find my locker to get ready for the game. After ruminating on my future in Chicago and what could happen after tonight's game, I head over to check out the lineup card. I am shocked to see I am starting tonight! We are facing Tomas Salinas and the New York Hitmen. I immediately scramble to start checking charts and graphs and consulting with our sabermetrics guy to learn as much as I can about Salinas before the game. Will it pay off? I can only hope. The National Anthem plays, we take the field at the Crow's Nest in Chicago, and we have a three up, three down top of the first on the defensive side. Now, here we come to bat in the bottom of the first. I'm batting second in the lineup so I make my way to the on-deck circle, practicing my swing as I watch Salinas warm up before he faces Sam de Greef. De Greef strikes out on three pitches. Not a good start to the game. I can feel the pressure. My nerves aren't the best in the world. They call me "Headcase" for a reason. Salinas takes the mound as I step into the box. "Calm yourself", I think to myself. Salinas first a fastball and I swing at the first pitch, flying out to center field. Frustratedly, I head back to the dugout. Bottom of the third de Gree leads off again. This time, he draws a walk. This brings me up to bat with a runner on base for the first time in my young career. We currently lead 1-0 off a solo homerun from Crows third baseman, former MVP and stalwart Roy Renouf, a man who has spent his entire big league career in Chicago. I step in against Salinas again, feeling like I'm ready for him this time, but I am bound and determined to work the count. He starts off with a ball outside the zone. On the 1-0 pitch, I line drive a single to left-center, sending de Greef to second. I have just gotten my first major league hit in my major league debut! Renouf singles after me, loading the bases, before the next 3 batters (catcher Kevin Smith, 1st baseman Koshiro Matsumoto, and supersub Jose Aguilar) all managed to be retired without driving in a run. In the bottom of the 5th I draw my first base on balls in my career, a 7 pitch at bat that hopefully caught some attention over on the bench. Two pitches later Roy Renouf cranks his second homer of the game, a two run homer to right field. Bottom of the 6th I fly out, nothing to write home about. In the bottom of the 7th, pitcher Alfredo Torres has entered the game. On a 2-2 count, I rope a double to left center. A 2-5 day at the plate in my debut. Not bad! Thursday June 1st , 2006 Tonight I hit my first career big league homerun. I hope it's the first of many! The unlucky recipient of my homer was Felipe Hernandez of the Miami Hurricanes. We went on to win the game by a score of 6-4 in Chicago. The roar of the crowd as I rounded the bases after my 431 foot blast to right center was deafening. When I returned to the dugout the guys did the old tried and true and acted like nothing had happened, refusing to acknowledge my first career homer before finally mobbing me in the dugout and celebrating the achievement. Gotta love my teammates. Friday June 9, 2006 I was sent back down to Triple A. Chris Silvey had already made it clear this wasn't a permanent move and that I was only up to get experience against major league hitting. I got my first taste of it so now it's back to Ft. Lauderdale to hone my skills. I singled and doubled in my first game back at AAA. Thursday June 22, 2006 I was selected to the NABA Future Stars game. I led off and went 1-4 with a run scored. Not the performance I was hoping for but it was an honor to the considered among the best and brightest stars the game has to offer. Monday July 10th, 2006 Cris Franco suffered an untimely injury, a strained oblique which will limit his action for the next four weeks, and the Crows have called me back up to The Show. I have been blocked basically all season when I most likely would have broke camp with any other team. But if there's one thing, I am a patient man, and I have awaited my opportunity. Now, it is time to make the most of the opportunity I'm given, as awful as the circumstances are in which I am getting it. I wish Cris Franco a speedy recovery, but here's to making the most of what I'm given. I tripled in my return to the bigs tonight. August 4th, 2006 I won my first Player of the Game Award tonight. I went 4 for 5 with a double, a triple, and 2 singles, knocking in a pair of runs en route to our team's 6-5 victory over the Orlando Palms. Coach Silvey came up to me after the post game interview (in which I was of course drenched in Gatorade by some of my more fun-loving Crows teammates) and congratulated me on a good game but also gave me the advice to not rest on my laurels. I will take his advice to heart. Wednesday August 9th, 2006 I was just sent back to Triple A from my first taste of the show. My line in the Show so far: .290 BA, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 4 stolen bases in 28 games started (48 appearances). I truly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity I was given. The team wants me to get steady at-bats and with Cris Franco back in the fold on the parent club after healing from his injury, it will be hard to get regular at bats in the majors at this point. However, I am ready if the team needs me again in September or even October, as I am playoff roster eligible! Here's to the future and seeing how far my career takes me! Last edited by The_Offspring187; 12-08-2020 at 09:16 PM.

12-08-2020, 09:10 PM	#2
The_Offspring187 Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 483	http://naba.epizy.com/juanfuentes.html is a currently uploaded BNN page of the player I am doing this dynasty on.