#22 Drew Pomeranz

Colorado Rockies

DOB: 11/22/1988

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2012

Pomeranz was the centerpiece of the deal that brought Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, and we at The Sombrero thought the move was a win for the Rox in large part due to Pomeranz’ stuff and projectability.  Unfortunately, Colorado rushed him up to make four starts late in the year after 20 across three Minor League stops and none above Double-A.

He wasn’t awful in his Big League starts, but he did post an ERA above 5.00 with below average command and no real ability to miss bats.  However, he will only be 23 in 2012 and should return to the Colorado rotation with something to prove and a strong Minor League career to call on for a confidence boost.  The 6-foot-5 lefty fanned 119 Minor League batters in 2011 with only 38 walks and an sub-2.00 ERA in just over 100 innings.  Despite lacking any Triple-A experience, we don’t really think he has anything to prove in the Minors, and he certainly has enough in his plus fastball and double-plus curve to learn the intricacies of his changeup on the fly at the Major League level.

It could be Pomeranz’ third plus or better offering, but it never really has to be.  Pomeranz was the top collegiate arm in his draft class (2010) coming out of Mississippi, and his frame, stuff, and handedness all suggest that he will be front line in Colorado for years.

Bottom 1: Nelson Cruz struck out swinging against Ubaldo Jimenez

Bottom 3: Cruz called out on strikes against Jimenez

Bottom 5: Cruz struck out swinging against Jimenez

Bottom 7: Cruz flied out to center against Joe Smith

Bottom 9: Cruz called out on strikes against Chris Perez

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: Cruz collected his first golden sombrero of the 2011 season in the Rangers 8-7, 11-inning win against the Tribe last Friday.  He fanned in each at-bat against Ubaldo and was one of two players not to record a hit – Endy Chavez the other.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 86

Bottom 1: Jordan Schafer called out strikes against Ubaldo Jimenez

Bottom 3: Schafer struck out swinging against Jimenez

Bottom 5: Schafer struck out swinging against Jimenez

Bottom 7: Schafer struck out swinging against Rafael Betancourt

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: And once again another sombrero from a leadoff hitter. This is getting ridiculous.  Also, if you have some free time, be sure to do a google search for ‘Jordan Schafer tattoos.’ Dude loves his ink.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 61

It is that time of the year for owners to come to grips with the reality of their team.  Your guys have either performed at or above the level you expected when drafting them, or have fallen short of reaching your expectations.  But even if you might have flopped on draft day, chances are you have at least a couple of guys on your roster that other owners would love to have.  If you only have a couple guys worthwhile on your roster, it’s probably time to make some moves and expand.  Turn your one stud into a couple of players that allow you to upgrade at multiple positions.  If you are an owner that currently has a hard time fitting everybody into the lineup on a daily basis, it is time to consolidate and bring in that one stud that will help ensure your team reamins in the top tier of your league.  If you refuse to make a move now, you might find yourself dwelling in the cellar for the rest of the season, and that makes for a miserable summer.

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It has been altogether too long since I have written for the Sombrero, and with the news of pitchers and catchers reporting on Monday morning, I knew that this amateur writer needed to report very soon as well.  It has been a terribly long offseason, and with a potential trip to Phoenix for Spring Training only a few weeks away, the thrill of a coming baseball season has gripped me once again.

I certainly hope that I’ll be chronicling another triumphant Pioneer run to the finals of the Midwest Conference tournament, adding to my “Four Ballparks” series, and once again extolling Ubaldo Jimenez’s virtues after ten wins and a 0.78 ERA in the season’s first two months. But for now, I’ll settle for a commentary on some of the offseason’s biggest headlines.  They may be old news, but I will begin by evaluating big offseason moves from the two franchises nearest and dearest to my heart.

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