As we get ready to start another great season in the SDMB, Cleveland is looking to the future (for we know there is nothing to look for this season). The people of Cleveland knew that in the off-season something big was rolling into town when the Steamers moved from Covington, but they are smart enough to know that this season is going to be ugly.
The fans in Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tennessee are settling in for some great baseball by the home teams.
The Dirty Sanchez (AAA) fans will be looking forward to getting a better look at sure to be super-star 3B John Grondin who was the first pick overall in the 2011 draft. In the 30 games he played in the Mexican Capital city last season he batted .425 with 9 HR and 43 RBI. This season he will be joined by SP Cesar Almendarez who joined the Steamers organization half way through last season with a trade with Los Angeles. These two future stars will anchor this team and should lead them to the top of the standings this season.
The Dutch Ovens (AA) will be lead by their pitching. SP Michael Sanders came out of nowhere last season to pitch in 23 games and amass a 8-7 record in his first season. He will be backed up in the bullpen by Victor Valles who was 8-3 with 9 saves and a 2.88 ERA in 50 appearances. The rest of the team is looking to develop over the season and should break out into one of the best on the AA level.
The Tossed Salads (A) may not lose a game this season. SP Kendrick "Boo" Kaler will see his first action of his pro career after being selected second in the 2012 draft. He will be joined in the rotation by former 1st round pick in 2010 Issac Moore who came over in a trade last season with River Cities and Glen Mitchell who went 7-3 last season with a 3.34 ERA and 106 Ks in 22 games. The lineup will be anchored by LF Charles Sallee who stole 21 bases last season. He will be joined in the OF by Clarence Horta who came to the Steamers from Seattle last season and has had improving stats each of the past few seasons.
While this season may be a wash for the ML team there are a few prospects that will be looking to make a name for themselves in Cleveland. Rule V draftee from Brooklyn MR Oscar Avendano will look to improve on his AAA numbers from last season (1.33 ERA 0.82 WHIP and 44 Ks and only 3 walks in 36 games). Look for SS Carlos Gomez, CF Christopher Pearsall, RF Monte Goss and LF Barry Brooks to strengthen the lineup and maybe put up a few runs and win a few games.
Will the Steamers rival the Sternwheelers and Scorpions for the league lead in the Zotti league defiantly not, but they should win more than the 52 they did last season.
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