2012 Seattle Monarchs Season Preview

Yes, yet another in the continuing installment of Seattle Monarchs season previews. As three-time defending champion, the Monarchs made only a few tweaks this offseason and will largely be running out the same core as last year's playoff squad.

Starting Pitching

The front of the rotation is unchanged. The big three of Nelligan, Hester, and Placencia (acquired midseason in 2011 in a costly trade) return. Izzie Frau also comes back as the #4 starter. The new man on the block is prospect Joseph Macaluso who steps into the rotation as the fifth starter. The 3.5* prospect with great endurance made three starts at the tail end of last year and will get the chance to hold down the job full time. If Macaluso stumbles, swingman Allen "Roto" Reuter will take over.

Relief Pitching

Again, the same core returns. Tim Vallejo will be the closer and again will be set up by Willie Sewell, Merlin Bohon, and Wesley Elton. Since the team was all right-handed outside closer Vallejo, the Monarchs picked up lefty Guadelupe Rodriguez from Danville in an offseason trade.

Infield

Again, many of the same faces return. Waylon Blassingame will be the primary man behind the plate, Greg Mudge will hold down first base, Carmelo "The Gimp" Deleon will man shortstop, and Eugene Alustiza will hold down the hot corner. The only new starter is Danny Lorenzen, acquired in an offseason trade with New York, who takes over at second base. The primary reserve will again be Cristobal Santoyo, who worked at second during spring training and now can play second, short, and third. Stanley Raabe, acquired from Covington/Cleveland during the midseason last year, will back up at first and platoon with Blassingame at catcher.

The other two infield reserves are presently expected to be catcher Alvin Medina and another middle infielder--either veteran George Wilde or failed prospect Marvin Cardoza. However, those seats likely are only being kept warm for star prospects catcher Albert "Nitro" Granado and second baseman George "Terminator" Labarre.

Outfield

Four of the five outfielders are unchanged from last year, including the three starters. Armando "Rimfire" Cedeno, Sean Arant, and David Kerry will again take the field in left, center, and right respectively. The primary backup at all three positions, and at first base, will again be Lonnie Machen. Machen, a 3* player, hit .378 with a .968 OPS last season. (And yet, nobody was interested in trading for him this offseason. I still don't understand that.) As a fifth outfielder, the primary pinch-hitter from the right side, and pinch runner extraordinaire, Seattle welcomes long-time adversary Michael Fay to the organization. Michael tormented Monarch pitchers for the last ten years from Saskatoon, so it's nice to have him on our side for once.

I recognize that several Adams League teams are significantly strengthened, compared to last year. It's not going to be a 125-win stroll again for the Monarchs, but the organization remains optimistic and will try to wipe the smirk off Michael's face by becoming the second SDMB OOTP team to win four consecutive titles.