Here is my last report card of the offseason, detailing of course, the catcher’s that played in Brooklyn this season.

Jordan Abruzzo- The team’s leader in the clubhouse and the calming factor behind the plate. Simply put, Abruzzo didn’t have to be in Brooklyn. He hit over .300 in St. Lucie and Savannah and is excellent at managing a staff. While it was obvious he wasn’t exactly thrilled to be in Brooklyn, he played his heart out and was a driving force in their success. Struggling at times, Abruzzo eventually proved why he was so successful at higher levels and even flashing some serious power from both sides of the plate as well. Combined with his other stops in the organization, Abruzzo hit .290 with 14 homers, 131 hits and 59 RBI in 122 games and 451 at-bats. Next season, he’s a guy that I see starting in High-A and ending up in Double-A. When it’s all said and done, he’s got the drive and tenacity to be a success wherever he plays. Now in winter ball with the Honolulu Sharks, it’s obvious this kid wants to play in the bigs.

Final Grade- A

Luis Alen- Another guy with a ton of desire, but unlike Abruzzo, his bat never materialized and was forced to deal with a variety of injuries. Making stops in New Orleans and St. Lucie by season’s end, Alen is someone that will benefit immensely from time off to heal. Nevertheless, his solid game-calling abilities aside, Alen wasn’t very impressive in Brooklyn this season.

Final Grade- D

Caesar Cordido- He was a pleasant surprise after being called up from Kingsport last season and while his defense was especially solid most of the season, his bat was often sporadic. He did hit .320 over his last 10 games to somewhat solidify his presence in the organization, but I truly believe that Cordido is someone that has to start everyday to see what he’s truly capable of. 74 at bats is just not enough for him. He’s pushing 24 and needs more playing time.

Final Grade B-

Ralph Henriquez- Another guy that needed more playing time. Much like Abruzzo though, Henriquez showed some pop from both sides of the plate, but never got enough of an opportunity. Traded for Josh Appell before the season started, many saw Henriquez, a former second round pick, as the team’s starting catcher this season. That obviously didn’t happen. However, after leaving Brooklyn, he hit .273 with Savannah, but in the end, only accumulated 95 AB’s by the end of the season. If this guy is going to move up in the organization, that’s going to have to change fast.

Final Grade- D+

Photos by Ron Hatcher

Sean Williams- When he was called up earlier in the season, Williams seemed lost in the shuffle and was over-matched at the plate. However, after the All-Star break, Williams was a different a player and showed solid contact to all fields. His defensive ability was far from those of his counterparts, but his solid work ethic and grit, combined with his ability at the plate make him an interesting prospect to watch.

Grade- B-

Will Vogl- Before being released in July, Vogl was serving as the team’s fifth outfielder and despite not getting much playing time, was solid on defense and produced at the plate when he had to. Getting on in years, the former St. John’s star lost his starting spot and never seemed to recover from a late August slump in 2007. A good clubhouse guy and a hard-nosed player, Vogl may be able to catch on somewhere else if he can bounce back.

Grade- D

Sean Ratliff- The team’s right fielder for most of the season, Ratliff moved to center field and showed he had the range, speed and arm to be a great outfielder at any level he plays at. Nonetheless, great defense all season long is one thing, but a ton of strikeouts hurt his overall stock. He did develop some power as the season went along however, which was definitely encouraging, but he still has a long way to go offensively before he can be a legitimate blue-chip prospect.

Grade- C+

John Servidio- Leading the team in RBI most of the season, Servidio was a leader in the locker room and on the field. That doesn’t mean his play was exemplary however, as his play at the plate was mediocre. In spite of that though, his defense was extremely solid and combined with Ratliff and Nieuwenhuis, gave the Cyclones one of the best defensive outfields in the NY-Penn League. However, a hand injury ended his season prematurely, limiting his offensive production.

Grade- C+

Kirk Nieuwenhuis- Easily the Clones best offensive player, Nieuwenhuis was also something to behold on defense as well, making spectacular plays at both center and right field. Offensively consistent most of the season, Nieuwenhuis really started to come into his own after the all-star break and there it was he solidified his role as a catalyst at the plate and someone the tam could really depend on. His strikeout totals were a bit alarming, but considering the fact that he tied the team’s single season record with 79 hits, you’d be out of your mind to ask for any more from the youngster.

Grade- A

Photos by Ron Hatcher.

Drafted by the Mets in the fifth round of this year’s draft, catcher Charles “Dock” Doyle was called up to Brooklyn last week after hitting .308 with 20 RBI in only 41 games with Kingsport. With Ralph Henriquez’s simultaneous promotion to Savannah, Doyle knows he has more of an opportunity to playing down the stretch than most think. With the team’s problems at the plate this season as well, the chances of seeing him in action over the last few weeks of the season are even higher. Chatting before the the Clones took on the Spinners this past weekend, Doyle talks about some of his not so new teammates and his approach to the game.

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

Hitting .368 with a .547 On-Base Percentage at Kingsport this season, outfielder Seth Williams has already been called up twice to Brooklyn in 2008. In spite of his success in rookie ball and opportunities to garner playing time this season at Keyspan Park however, the 22-year-old has struggled in the NY-Penn League, hitting just .130 in eight games. Nevertheless, he feels confident he’ll get a few more chances to show what he’s made of before the season’s through. Chatting with DemBrooklynBums.com before the Cyclones took on the Staten Island Yankees on August 4, the chatty and confident Williams spoke about his game and playing in Brooklyn.

DemBrooklynBums.com: Most of the fans at Keyspan Park haven’t seen much of you this season. Knowing that, can you tell us a little about your game?

Seth Williams: Well, I’m a good defensive outfielder that has a big passion and love for this game. I’m not a real power hitter, more of a gap hitter with above average speed who likes to put the ball into play. I also love to win and I work real hard. In this kind of environment though, it’s not hard to get pumped up for a game. I’m loving it here. It’s really nice.

DBB: What’s so different about Brooklyn when compared to Kingsport?

Williams: When you think Minor Leagues, you think of really old stadiums with no one there. Kingsport is in the middle of nowhere and you get maybe a couple of hundred fans a night. You come here and it’s like the biggest stages and you have a lot of support. It helps a lot. In Kingsport, it’s harder to get locked in because there’s no nobody there. Here, there’s so much fan support and that makes it so much easier.

DBB: You said you pride yourself on being a good defensive outfielder. Is there someone at the Major League level that you try and emulate on the field?

Williams: That’s a tough question, but I’d have to say someone like Torii Hunter, who gives his all out there every night and isn’t scared of the fences and never gives up on the ball.

DBB: So you’re not scared of running into the wall for a ball either ?

Williams: No, but I’m happy it’s padded. That’s definitely a plus.

DBB: This outfield is kind of crowded now with guys like yourself and John Servidio playing reserve roles while Eric Campbell plays left field and Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Sean Ratliff sharing right field and center field duties. Where do you see yourself fitting in?

Williams: I was up here earlier in the season and I really liked it; I thought I fit in well here. I know I have to hit more though and I know I can. I’m just really enjoying the experience. I’m really happy to be here and looking to get a few more rips at the plate.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr. and Ron Hatcher

By the way guys, I sincerely apologize for posting two Q & A’s in a row, but just like the Mets Single-A Affiliate I write about everyday, I needed a break too!

With star players Reese Havens, Zach Lutz and Ike Davis all nursing injuries, the Brooklyn Cyclones
knew they needed proper reinforcements to stay in the playoff hunt.

Enter 2007 Cyclones infielder and fan favorite JR Voyles.

Nicknamed J-RBI last season after hitting .387 with two home runs and 13 RBI through his first nine games last season, Voyles was a crucial member of the Brooklyn offense before injuring his hamstring and enduring a nasty bean ball to the head that limited his production to just three homers and 29 RBI in 49 games.

Healthy in 2008, some considered him a sleeper prospect with a future as a utility man at higher levels in the organization.

However, before coming to Brooklyn this season, Voyles was struggling in limited duty with the St. Lucie Mets, hitting .216 with only four homers and in 41 games.

“There were some older guys in St. Lucie and the organization felt it would be good if I came back,” said Voyles. “I know what my job is here and I’m looking forward to getting more ABs and producing.”

With three homers and seven RBI in only 11 games with Brooklyn this season, Voyles has given the offense a much needed lift and has gone from a seldom used utility man to a pivotal member of a team fighting for a playoff spot.

Some players may look at a demotion such as Voyles’ as a detriment one when assessing their future success, but the 24-year-old is focused on making the most of his opportunity to get more playing time and helping a team with the fan base like the Cyclones succeed.

“I love playing here and I love the atmosphere,” said Voyles. “I was a little frustrated after my first game [where he went 0-4], but I’m starting to get comfortable and I’m happy I’m helping the team win.”

The coaching staff in Brooklyn couldn’t agree more and loves the versatility and extra base power Voyles has shown in his second stint in Coney Island. Three games out of first place as on Sunday afternoon, the Cyclones staff know that production from players like Voyles is extremely important.

“He’s a guy that can do a lot of things for us,” said Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo. “He can play second base and third and has power. He knows what it’s like playing here and I know he’s capable of producing here.”

Link-

Box Score to last night’s 5-3 Cyclone win

Photos by Ron Hatcher.