An All-Ivy player during all three seasons he played at Dartmouth, Santomauro hit .372 with eight home runs, 40 RBI and 13 doubles this season, while ranking among the league’s top 10 in eight separate offensive categories to earn the Player of the Year award.

“It’s exciting,” he said while in the Cyclones dugout before the game. “I told my parents not to come tonight because I haven’t been activated yet. I can’t wait to get started.”

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

Ike Davis- .270 BA, 15 HR and 75 RBI combined with Savannah and St. Lucie. Contrary to what many think, I don’t see Davis making his major league debut until sometime in 2010, most likely in August or September. His swing still has a few kinks in it and I think spending some time in A-Ball before heading up to High-A will help him address those concerns. When I spoke to Savannah manager Edgar Alfonzo after the instructional leagues were over this past Fall, he believed Davis had come a long way. Rather than push him through the system quickly, I think the Mets, who still have Carlos Delgado at first, will make sure Davis matures into the extra base hitter and slick fielder he’s supposed to be. I see that process beginning this season.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis- .300, six HR, 60 RBI, 30 SB with St. Lucie. Notice the higher batting average than last season? That’s because Nieuwenhuis has the tools to be an excellent professional outfielder and I believe this is the season that he begins to show it. If he can cut down on his strikeout totals from last season as well, he’ll be able to produce even more and may even warrant a call up to Double-A.

Josh Satin- .285 18 HR 59 RBI with Savannah. Eventually showing the tools of a solid second baseman last season, I think Satin would have shown a lot more if the Cyclones made the playoffs. Patient at the plate with a great approach, Satin will make a full-season team out of Spring training and begin to show some promise.

Jordan Abruzzo- .295 14 HR 55 RBI with St. Lucie and B-Mets. Not only is Abruzzo a great catcher that has the skills and attitude to manage a pitching staff at any level of professional baseball, he’s an extremely clutch hitter. While he’d secure himself a spot in Double-A right now if he could hit for more power, I think that after about 30 games this season, you’ll see him in Binghamton where he’ll earn his stripes and show why the fans at Brooklyn loved him so much. Good defensive catchers that can switch hit for power don’t grow on trees and Abruzzo can do it all. This will be the season, unless injuries slow him down, that he shows what he is truly capable of.

Photo by Ron Hatcher.

Last week, I shared my thoughts on a trio of pitchers I thought would provide some interesting stories for the new season.

Here are my best bets as far as infielders go.

Reese Havens- Spending all of that time injured in Brooklyn last season didn’t diminish his star power one bit if you ask me. In the limited time he was there, he showed he can be a more than a solid gap to gap hitter and can even thrive in the leadoff spot if given a chance. The only question is, what position will he play? For that reason alone, I think this upcoming season will be an interesting one for him.

Wilmer Flores- There’s no way I could have had this list and not put him on it. Simply put, the kid is built like a god and is only 17. He’s got quick hands and even though he’s shown a lack of composure against off-speed pitches, he in no way, shape or form is a Pedro Cerrano [the dude from “Major League” that needed the power of VooDoo to hit a curveball] clone. Unless he gets injured, I expect a more than solid season from the kid, hopefully in Brooklyn, where I can keep my eyes on him.

Emmanuel Garcia- This guy really showed me something when he was here a few summers ago. However since then, he’s been average at best. Nonetheless, I really think he’s due for a good season in 09. Good pitch recognition skills and excellent speed don’t run on trees and luckily, Garcia has both.

On another note, I just want to say that I would have really liked to put two other players on this list, but I feel that for their own reasons, may be too tough to judge. One is Ike Davis, who in spite of playing excellent defensively all season in Brooklyn last season, just never put it together with his bat. Before I saw him play, I heard a few people comparing him to someone like Derek Lee, but for my money, I see him in more of a Sean Casey, Lyle Overbay or Sid Bream [old reference, I apologize to some of my younger readers] role in the bigs. Rather than being a 30 homer and 100 RBI guy, I see him as a 15-80, .275 type of player that may eventually be shifted to the outfield if the team can find a slugging first baseman once he gets to the bigs. Nothing wrong with that if you ask me, it’s just not what the Mets ordered when they saw him on the draft menu last season.

The other player is Zach Lutz, who I feel that when healthy, is a top 10 prospect in this system. The only problem is getting him healthy and if he’ll ever really have that chance to show how talented he really is. If he does, you heard it here first: lock up your daughters and watch out; this kid has the goods.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

At 23 years of age and only one year of pro baseball under his belt, Suire is someone fans may see back again next year as well, as he tries to move up the long ladder of the organization. Who knows, looking into next season, he could be someone Brooklyn fans grow attached to quite quickly. A 35th round pick in the 2008 draft, Suire has already shown the drive and moxie to make himself more than just a filler prospect.

Chatting with DemBrooklynBums.com the day he was called up Suire was excited to make the jump to Single-A and was more than happy to talk about his game.

DemBrooklynBums.com: How do you feel being in Brooklyn?

Kyle Suire: It feels good every time you get called up, but to be here in Brooklyn and help this team win their division, or even a championship is really exciting. While I’m here, I’m going to everything I can to help this team win.

DBB:To be frank, you were hitting the crap out of the ball in Kingsport. What do you think you bring to this team?

Suire:I play the game hard. I’m a gamer. I give it everything I got. I look out for my teammates and I’m always there when they need me. I’m here to be a part of this team. That’s what I offer.

DBB:Do you compare yourself to anyone at the major league level?

Suire: No. You can’t really do that if you want to be successful. Those guys are at a different level. All I can do is go out there and do my best when I’m on the field and just be myself. That’s all I can do.

DBB:Do you consider yourself more of a power hitter or a contact guy?

Suire: I would say I’m more of a gap to gap hitter, but everyone in a while I get lucky and take a ball deep.

DBB:What about your play on defense?

Suire:I’m kind of banged up now with my hamstring and my range isn’t what it’s supposed to be, but I’m feeling better every day. When I’m healthy, I think I’m solid on defense. I’m very dependable.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

As well, the post proceeding this one will be the final portion of my interview with Hector Berrios, which too will discuss the Brooklyn bullpen.

Enjoy!

Jimmy Johnson- No one expected this guy to be half as good as he eventually turned out to be. A solid assortment of pitches, combined with pinpoint command made him the king of the ‘Clones bullpen. How he’ll fare at higher levels is hard to determine, but you have to like the way he’s pitched in clutch situations this season. Things like that you just can’t teach.

Final Grade-A+

Roy Merritt- Much like Johnson, Merritt exceeded expectations and showed remarkable poise out of the pen. That, combined with a slider, with movement that can only be compared to a Frisbee, Merritt figures to be a pitcher worth watching next season. Considering the fact that he was drafted by the Cardinals in 2005 as a center fielder, it’s amazing how far he’s come in such a short time.

Final Grade-A+

Stephen Clyne- The guy has a great assortment of pitches, a great makeup and had very solid numbers in Brooklyn. However, numbers can be somewhat deceiving, as he lost most of his closing duties to Yury Santana by the end of the season. Work on his mechanics can solve some of his control problems [13 walks in 22.1 innings] and with all the natural talent the guy has, I still expect him to project as a major league reliever in the next few years.

Final Grade- B

Wendy Rosa- The Mets organization was worried about Rosa’s control at the beginning of the season and considering the fact that he didn’t make a full-season team, his stock was definitely in limbo. His 23 walks in 31 innings were a bit scary, but his 48 strikeouts may be a sign of better things to come.

Final Grade- B

Yury Santana- Very similar to Clyne, Santana’s numbers don’t tell the whole story. Blazing fastball and good slider aside, Santana had serious problems at times this season and wasn’t dependable in crucial situations. His age [26] may be a hindrance as well, making him expendable come draft time when the organization is restocked with young arms. For the time being however, Santana remains an interesting guy to watch.

Final Grade- B+

Mattias Carrillo- Despite a huge lack of playing time, Carrillo was extremely solid as a middle reliever. However, like Clyne and Rosa, his control is questionable and he needs to start developing his other pitches. Otherwise, he’ll be nothing more than a decent minor league reliever.

Final Grade- B

Erik Turgeon- A converted infielder from Uconn, Turgeon made serious strides this season and began to develop his off-speed pitches. Still a long way to go in his development, Turgeon’s live fastball, excellent control, eagerness to learn and team-first mentality could play a huge part in his overall development. Much like Merritt and Johnson as well, not many expected a solid season from the youngster. Chances are however, he’ll continue to surprise people over the next few years.

Final Grade- A-

Jeff Kaplan- After losing his spot in the rotation and battling arm fatigue, Kaplan became a commodity out of the bullpen. He’s got a great repertoire and is even better at maintaining control on the mound, which in my mind, make him someone who can definitely survive at higher levels. Add in a laid back personality and a few months to rest his tired arm and I think 2009 may be the best season of his young career.

Final Grade- B+

Jim Fuller- Someone who looked very solid, had great numbers, but didn’t pitch enough to really establish himself. Because of that, he may find himself in Brooklyn next season, but considering his college numbers and how well he fared at Keyspan Park in limited duty, he’s a guy that can easily be penned into the starting rotation in Savannah next season.

Final Grade- B+

Photos by Ron Hatcher.

DemBrooklynBums.com: You were hitting very well down in Kingsport, can you tell us a little about your game?

Dock Doyle: I started off a little slow this summer, I guess it was the transition from college ball and the metal bats to the pros and wood. It just took some time. Now I’m here in Brooklyn and ready to experience the game with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

DBB: To give the fans at home a better idea of what kind of player you are, is there a player at the major league level that you try and emulate?

Doyle: I like watching guys like Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek catch. Mets fans may not like that though.

DBB: What do you take more pride in, calling a game, or hitting?

Doyle: I’m a hitter, I love to hit. I enjoy being behind the plate and helping pitchers and I really like to lead as much as I can when I’m out there, but hitting is definitely my favorite part of the game.

DBB: Has the organization told you what to expect as far as playing time is concerned? Do you have any expectations?

Doyle: I don’t know, I haven’t heard anything from anyone, so I’m just going to enjoy the rest of my summer and see where it takes me.

DBB: Josh Satin and John Servidio spent some time in Kingsport earlier in the season, did you hang out with them at all? Do you know any of the other guys?

Doyle: They were there for a few nights and we went out to dinner a few times. They were a lot of fun to be around. Erik Turgeon was my roommate down there to and I know Seth Williams from when he was there. I haven’t met most of the other guys though.

Link-

Box Score to last night’s 5-4 Cyclones Win.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr. and Jim Dolan

As a matter of fact, he was younger than many of the players that currently play in the borough today with the Mets Single-A affiliate, the Cyclones.

Despite his rural upbringing, Erskine quickly found a home in Brooklyn and carved out a successful 12-year, 122-win tenure with the Dodgers, helping them win the World Series in 1955, where he went 11-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 194 innings of work. A few years later in 1957, he and his teammates were shipped off to Los Angeles, where he played the final two years of his All-Star career, but it was never the same for hard-throwing righty, as he won only four games in his final two seasons.

During his time in Brooklyn, the borough became his second home and his second family, the players he shared a clubhouse with in Ebbets Field for ten years, slowly left the team once they got to Los Angeles via trade or retirement.

“The Brooklyn team that I came up with in 1948, basically stayed together until 1958,” said Erskine. “It wasn’t until we moved to Los Angeles that they started making changes. On our off days, the whole team would go on picnics together and our children were raised together. In the Ebbets Field clubhouse, before every game, Roy Campanella would stand up and say ‘The same team that won yesterday is the same team that’s going to win today,’ He put that in our minds and we knew that’s what we had to do.”

Coming back to Brooklyn on Aug.17 to have his number 17 honored by the Cyclones, Erskine, now 81, was thrilled to be back where his major league career began over 60 years ago.

The Brooklyn fans turned out for the occasion as well, as a standing-room only crowd of nearly 8,000 filled with many of whom grew up watching Erskine hand-cuff hitters as children, stood and watched their childhood idol talk about his playing days in Brooklyn.

“Even with all the World Series experience and playing on all those great teams, I think this is probably the cream on the top of everything,” Erskine, who had a street named after him in Brooklyn in 2002, said. “To be back on Brooklyn soil after all these years and in a ballpark in Brooklyn is very meaningful to me. It’s almost like a fantasy.”

Spending time with some of the Cyclones before the game started, the two-time author shared some of his knowledge of the game with them as well. Considering them “his grandchildren,” Erskine was happy to give advice to the youngsters and “continue the bloodline of Brooklyn baseball.”

“There are two things we don’t know about life,” he said. “One is when we are going to die, which is a good thing. The other thing is we never know what we can really accomplish in life if everything went right and we push ourselves as hard as we can. Look at me, I got more out of this skinny little body because I played on a great team and no one tried to change who I was. You have to believe who you are is better than something you read about or something you’ve seen somewhere else.”

Looking back on his career, Erskine couldn’t help but smile when remembering how he felt when he first found out he was coming to Brooklyn.

Originally worried that he’d have a hard time adjusting to life in the borough after growing up in Anderson, Indiana, Erskine was surprised at how accommodating the place really was.

“I was a skinny kid from Indiana, who could throw hard. But to be picked out of the Midwestern culture and placed in a big city like Brooklyn was unbelievable,” Erskine, who also threw two no-hitters during his career, said. “Only to find out that Bay Ridge, Brooklyn was exactly like my hometown. I knew the barber and the butcher and everyone knew me. If I pitched a good game, I’d come home from Ebbets Field and be in the middle of a street party, with balloons in the trees and the whole nine yards. It was amazing.”

Like all good things in life though, Erskine’s playing days had to come to an end, as arm troubles plagued an otherwise solid major league career.

Ironically however, his playing days also played a big part in his life after baseball as well, as his natural abilities as a leader played a big part in his future success as a college coach at Anderson College, where he won four championships in 12 years and several successful business ventures in his home state of Indiana.

Because of that, Erskine has no regrets and is grateful for the opportunities playing in Brooklyn has afforded him.

“It would be unreal for me to say there was something I didn’t get to do,” he said with a smile. “I stayed in the big leagues for 12 years and even though I didn’t get into Cooperstown, how many guys have a street named after them in Brooklyn? I guess a lot of people in the safety department are still Dodgers fans. How could you wish for anything other than that?”

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr., Ron Hatcher and Jim Dolan

Enjoy!

BTW, expect something similar tomorrow on Eddie Kunz!

DemBrooklynBums.com: Heading into the offseason, what do you need to work on the most to be ready for next season and what will you be doing to work on it?

Daniel Murphy: First, I’m heading down to the instructional league to heal up a little bit more and keep on working; heal my knee and arm up and put myself in a situation where I come back bigger, stronger and faster so I can come into spring training and really help the organization.

DBB: What would you say is your biggest strength as a ball player? What do you bring to the field and to your team?

Murphy: Hitting. I think I also help in the clubhouse because I’m a happy go lucky kind of guy and I keep things light. Things can get pretty tense around a baseball team, so I think my attitude helps my teammates. When it’s time to play, we play, but when it’s time to have fun, we have fun too.

DBB: What did you think of your season this year? How do you think it went for you?

Murphy: I tore my PCL and strained my hamstring three weeks after my college season ended, so there are still things that I can’t do that I usually do, like read a ball hit to third or get an extra base on a base hit. If I’m struggling, I like to lay down a bunt from time to time and I can’t do that right now either. I played a little in the Gulf Coast League and Kingsport this year, I’m just trying to prepare myself for the future at this point and help my team anyway I can.

DBB: To give our fans a better idea of the type of player you are, who would you compare your game to at the Major League level and why?

Murphy: Growing up, I was a huge Tony Gwynn fan, I loved watching him hit. Some people compare me to Pete Rose because of the way I get down at the plate and because I hustle. He hits the ball a little better than I do though [laughing]. I just try and play the game as hard as I can, but I’m a little hampered right now, so I’m doing the best I can with what I have.

Notes-

New Podcast is up on I-Tunes as well, featuring an interview I did with Murphy on June 29. I didn’t think I was going to use the audio originally, but I still wanted to talk to him considering I remembered him from 2006 and how well he’s been doing. Happy I did now. Enjoy!

Click here to listen and download the interview on I-Tunes!

or stream it on the web here!

Photo by Ron Hatcher