Follow The Dukes of the Future

In mid-October, I will be releasing The Gamble- A Dukes Tale online.  The Dukes are a baseball team which has been playing its games within the friendly confines of my cranium for as long as I can remember.  This particular Dukes Tale is set in 1982, the year that a prominent businessman in town made a wager against the Dukes success after back-to-back losing years.

Not surprisingly for a team with consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Dukes make efforts to educate their fans about the brightness of the team's future.  For example, they often focus on prospects who will be, in theory, helping the Dukes win games soon.

Following is an excerpt from the tale, which spotlights the Dukes top 10 prospects as the 1982 season comes to a close.

The Gamble will be available online in October.

On the final homestand of the season, the Dukes gave fans a glimpse of the future on the field with some inspired play.  In addition, to further shine a light on a bright future, the club included an insert in game programs that highlighted the organization’s top 10 prospects. It was exciting to consider what may come of these Dukes of the Future.

#1-  Arden Brady, 22, LHP.  The Dukes acquired this hard-throwing lefty for Mark Van Hekken earlier this season.  Brady and his 99-mph fastball have stepped into the Dukes’ rotation and shown why he should be the club’s ace for years to come.

#2- Spencer Allen, 19, OF.  Allen was unanimously graded as the best player in the June draft.  The Dukes drafted him first over-all and signed him quickly so he could get a half-season of pro ball under his feet.  He started 72 games for the Dukes rookie affiliate in Delray Beach, Florida and hit 27 home runs and displayed a top-notch arm and glove in the field.  Allen will be patrolling the Dukes Stadium outfield with Albert Foote soon.

#3- Tucker Votaw, 22, C.  Votaw was the Dukes first pick in the 1981 draft.  He is rapidly ascending the ladder in the organization.  He finished his first pro season in AA with Beaumont.  Votaw swings a solid bat and his work behind the plate regularly draws favorable comparisons to long-time Dukes backstop Indigo Javier.

#4- Andy Copelin, 22, RHP. The Dukes acquired their closer of the future from the Colts in exchange for Billy Ray Smith in July.  According to scouts, Copelin has one of the best change-ups in the game.  In four seasons in the Colts’ system, Copelin recorded 58 saves in 61 chances.  

#5- Diogenes Chevalier, 20, OF.   The switch-hitting Chevalier is a prototypical lead-off hitter.  He hits for average and has averaged 60 stolen bases a season in the Colts’ system.  Chevalier was also part of the trade that sent Billy Ray Smith to the Colts.

#6- Kunio Tsubota, 21, RHP.  The Dukes signed Tsubota out of Brazil when he was 16.  Tsubota’s parents moved from Japan to Brazil when he was in first grade.  Tsubota throws five pitches effectively.  He spent 1982 at AA Beaumont, winning 16 games.  He could arrive at Dukes Stadium as early as next season.

#7- Todd Howard, 24, LHP.  Howard, a 1979 draft pick, won 13 games as a starter at AAA Santa Fe this season.  He made his “A” League debut as September call-up.

#8- Reid Roberts, 20, 3B.  Roberts was acquired in a trade last season from the Zephyrs.  Displayed power this season with 23 home runs at the Class A level(Edmonton).

#9- Arthur W. Baxter III, 24, LHP.  After missing 1981 with injury, Baxter III put together a solid season this year in Beaumont.  He didn’t miss a start and struck out 150 batters in 140 innings.

#10- Scott “Sparky” Sibernaller, 23, 1B.  A tweaked hamstring in Santa Fe’s season finale is the only thing that kept Sparky from being promoted to the Dukes for September.  Sibernaller was Santa Fe’s team MVP with 104 RBI and a .338 batting average.