While a great many things are the same this year it is also true that some retooling and repositioning was called for this off season. Most prominent of these is the plans for restocking the farm system with three first round picks in next year's amateur draft. Here's hoping that next years incoming class will be stronger than this one. How'd that work out for you, Mack?
On to the preview!
Starting Pitching
The city by the rivers returns a dominant starting rotation again this year with a top three of 2 Time Outstanding Pitcher Villatoro, Scull, and Wheeler. Fourth starter John Okane, would be a first starter one most other teams but will scrap for starts. New fifth starter, the free agent signee Albert Garcia, is here for one year and knows it.
Juan Villatoro - 20-4 2.28 0.96 5 stars
Everett Scull - 16-4 2.48 0.96 5 stars
Sherm Wheeler - 17-5 2.44 1.10 4.5 stars
John Okane - 16-9 2.77 1.00 4.5 stars
Albert Garcia - 12-5 3.25 1.17 3.5 stars
Relief Pitching
River Cities again returns the best bullpen in the league (as evaluated by non-partisan Mack Shultz). Strengthened by the acquisition of Mark Deschamps this year and losing Tobias Gutierrez, the teams weakest pitcher of last year, this year's team looks to be every bit as strong as last year.
Deschamp - 5-6 27 SV 3.81 1.29 3.5 stars
Willie Egan - 2-0 1 SV 2.03 1.05 4.5 stars
Larry Dull - 11-3 1 SV 2.61 0.93 4.5 stars
Harold Beeks - 3-4 23 SV 3.90 1.19 5 stars
Jeff Theriault - 10-6 11 SV 3.36 0.94 4.5 stars
John Miller - 4-1 7 SV 2.44 1.33 5 stars
Catching
River Cities catching is finally taking the transition long expected with the promotion of top prospect William Ward to the top job. Ward, nicknamed 'The Warden', is a 4.5 star prospect coming off a .298/.383/.481 year in AAA and is as ready for the job as he'll ever be. Last year's starter Joan Hinkel, is back as a back up and fill in starter as Ward develops.
William Ward (AAA) - .298/.383/.481 19 66 0
Joan Hinkel - .274/.325/.370 7 68 6
Infield
The infield sees the subtraction of last year's surly 2B Timothy Palacio, may he sulk in peace. But that's more than offset by the full time addition of 3B Ronald Quijada. Quijada, combined with record setting arbitration award winner ($10,578,571!) John Hukill (who is truly the greatest SS in the league right now...see below), and second year prospect Gregory Marzano provides the first base reliability. Only the second base position is in flux and a number of players are available to audition for the role.
Gregory Marzano - .299/.410/.485 15 62 1
John Hukill - .325/.445/.650 48 130 25
Ronald Quijada - .263/.391/.423 20 86 48
And, for your edification, a contract and compare, Peppers vs Hukill.
| Stats | ||||
| Player | Age | AVG/OBP/SLG (3YR) | HR RBI SB (3YR) | FLD |
| Hukill | 25 | .291/.431/.576 | 120 324 62 | 2B 6 SS 8 ARM 6 |
| Peppers | 29 | .296/.375/.554 | 109 358 134 | 2B NA SS 7 ARM 9 |
Peppers wins in AVG, RBI, SB, and ARM. Hukill wins in the rate stats and HR. Toss in that he's four years younger and has ALREADY posted an OPS above 1.000 and I think the answer is clear.
Outfield
Once again River Cities goes with it's special '3 men and a baby' Outfield. The top three of Suarez, Callahan, and Valdes are starting and the backup is again Richard Hudock who fills a valuable role by backing up all three OF positions as well as 1B when needed. River Cities is confident that this maturing corps of outfielders will perform up to speed.
Callahan - .322/.375/.485 21 97 2
Suarez - .335/.391/.486 19 92 27
Valdez - .284/.359/.553 39 134 8
That's it, ladies and gentlemen. I'll take that team over most anyone in the world. I'll see you on the field!
Yep, over MOST anyone. I read that as "over anyone who hasn't spanked me in three straight Cecil Cup series."
ReplyDeleteWho could that be?
See you in October, Mack.
ReplyDeleteYou call that a pitching staff? I can SHOW you a pitching staff.
ReplyDelete