Some outstanding Rookies – Part 3
This season has seen some outstanding performances by some of the new breed of players. Using the ABL’s definition of *’Rookie’ we have taken a closer look at some of the young players who attracted attention this season.
Matt Roxburgh. SMP Images
Roxburgh, in his rookie season, hit .283/.333/.396 with 3HR, 3 doubles and 16 RBI over his 28 games this year. He ended the season even better than he started, batting .414/.514/.690 over his last 10 games and finished the year on a 6 game hitting streak.
Older than most rookies, the 25-year-old Roxburgh was representing his club ball team in a Brisbane All-Stars game against the Bandits prior to the beginning of the ABL season, and put on a show impressive enough for manager Kevin Jordan to add him to the Bandits’ lineup. Obviously a good call by Kevin.
Aaron Sookee. SMP Images
Sookee was signed by the Angels after his appearances in the 2009 U18 National Championships in Perth. In 2010 he appeared in 14 games with the Angels’ Rookie League team for a W1-2 and a 4.60ERA and in 2011 he had an almost identical season, throwing in 14 games for W3-3 and a 4.63ERA.
He had a less than impressive introduction to the ABL last season when he appeared in 4 games but did pick up a win but also a 24.92ERA. Not too much should be read into that number of course as ERA’s can jump all over the place in such a small number of games. However, this year he has appeared out of the pen in 7 games for a season ERA of 5.40. Whilst again not too much should be made of such a high ERA what is encouraging is that in 3 of his games he threw scoreless innings, twice against the hard hitting Cavalry and once against Adelaide. Scouts comment on his smooth delivery and steady personality so provided he can bring that ERA down a little you can expect to see a lot more of him in the future.
Jacob Younis. SMP Images
Younis was signed as a 16yr old by the Twins veteran scout Howie Norsetter in 2010 but had to remain in Australia to finish his HSC and attended the MLBAAP on the Gold Coast. He has represented both NSW and Australia at the Junior Level, principally as a short stop.
In his 1st season with the Twins in Rookie Ball he hit .219 in 105 ABs. This season for the Blue Sox he played in 37 games for 131 ABs and has gone .252/.319/290. That’s a lot of game time for a Rookie so the Blue Sox clearly think he has the talent to develop into a 1st class infielder.
*Rookies must be Australian Residents and have had less than 50ABs or 8 pitching appearances in previous Australian senior national competitions (Claxton Shield or ABL) and/or the Senior National Team (WBC, Olympic Games, World Cup events only).
