ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 6, 1997 TAG: 9704070133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BASEBALL
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN
One of the most nerve-racking days of spring training for Colorado Rockies minor leaguers was the day they were given their first assignments for the upcoming season.
Some players made the jump to the next level of classification, some didn't. Some, like former Avalanche infielder Chan Mayber, got upset they weren't promoted and decided to retire. Others, like current Salem right fielder Chad Gambill, took the news well and set out to play his way to Class AA New Haven and beyond.
``We had a lot of guys with their bottom lips hanging out, but you have that all the time,'' Avalanche manager Bill ``Moose'' McGuire recalled.
The Rockies saw more of that this year than ever before. And that's a good thing.
Baseball America says the Rockies have the seventh-most talented system in the majors. That's one spot behind superpower Atlanta and 19 ahead of Baltimore and owner Peter Angelos, whose avaricious ways toward free agency have done malicious things to the Orioles' minor league system. A little side note for all of those who wanted to dump the agreement with Pittsburgh so there could be some real players in Salem: The Pirates are No.1.
After only five drafts, the Rockies' farm system is aging nicely. Much of that can be attributed to the fact they have signed their first 13 picks in each of those drafts. No other major league team is close.
``I think it has matured,'' said Dick Balderson, Colorado's player personnel director.
Gone are the days when guys bat .220 but still rise through the system because they have a warm body and know how to rake a pitcher's mound. Gone are the days (much to the pleasure of Mr. Kelvin Bowles) when a top-rated but completely raw prospect like Derrick Gibson will leapfrog Salem for AA after playing one pro season.
Gibson was Colorado's top prospect after slaughtering the ball and stealing beaucoup bases at low-A Asheville in 1995. Because of a dearth of depth in the system, he was pushed to New Haven prior to last season where he barely hit his weight, 250, and stole just three bases.
``We know we rushed some kids,'' said Balderson. ``Some have responded favorably, some haven't.''
Gambill is one of a few guys who fits in that first category. He hit .296 in Salem last season and has bat speed to die for. McGuire said if anybody had a beef about not making the jump to AA, it was Gambill.
``I asked him would you rather go up there and split time and struggle, or wait and go up there and be an everyday player?'' McGuire said. ``If he has a good year, I don't think he'll be here long.''
And when he goes, he'll have earned it.
AROUND THE HORN: There may not be a better buy in the Roanoke Valley. You can get Salem Buccaneers fitted hats and pre-game worn batting jerseys for five bucks apiece at the stadium gift shop. A word to the wise: Scarf 'em up. off the bat of third baseman Clint Bryant.
Former Salem reliever Jeff Sobkoviak and shortstop Brett Elam were traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks last week for future considerations. Right-handed pitching is the deepest position in the Rockies' system. ... Remember to sing Happy Birthday to catcher Ben Petrick at Monday's game against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The youngest Avalanche turns 20.
Baseball America lists Virginia Tech junior right-handed pitcher Denny Wagner as the No.20 overall college prospect in Major League Baseball's June draft. Wagner is 5-2 with a 4.47 earned run average for the Hokies and has 58 strikeouts in 56.3 innings pitched. ... The Detroit Tigers don't want to rush former UVa star pitcher and U.S. Olympic ace Seth Greisinger to the bigs, but they may not have much choice. Tigers general manager Randy Smith and wife Erin put this message on their answering machine during spring training in Florida: ``Hi, you've reached Randy and Erin Smith. We're not here, but if you have any pitching, we'll get back to you as soon as we can.''
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB