2011 Seattle Monarchs Season Preview

The Seattle Monarchs eagerly look forward to the 2011 season, believing that they go in as the favorites to win the Cecil Cup and become the second team to win three straight titles. The following is a brief look at the team, its goals and aspirations for the season, and how the Mighty Monarchs were formed.

Starting Pitching:

The starting rotation is led by five-star studs Chad Nelligan (2009 trade from Hickory) and Christopher Hester (2004 3rd round pick). Nelligan is the defending Outstanding Pitcher of the Year with his second sub-2.00 ERA in the last three years and both Nelligan and Hester are coming off 23-6 seasons. The third starter is Isidro Frau (2008 trade from Danville), who has a combined 3.11 ERA over his two seasons. The fourth starter is the returning Albert Garcia (2011 free agent), who is 38 but has posted an ERA under 3.00 for seven consecutive years. The fifth starter will be Isaac Diehl (2009 trade from Covington), who went 14-4 with a 3.65 ERA last year. The spot starter will once again be Kevin Stephens (38th round pick in inaugural draft), who had a bad 2010 campaign but still sports a career 3.76 ERA.

The minor leagues feature several prospects destined for major league rotations. Joseph Macaluso (2007 2nd round pick), slated for the Monarchs' rotation before Garcia was signed, is expected to make his major league debut this year and will be the fifth starter in the majors if Garcia slips. Allen Reuter (2011 trade from Walla Walla) is the #19 prospect and is coming on fast. Roger Painter (2011 4th round pick) leads a group of three other top 100 prospects that includes Jaime Cruz (2011 2nd round pick) and Josue Folch (2010 3rd round pick). Hopefully, at least one of them will take a step forward.

Relief Pitching:

Seattle's relief corps, which was likely the strongest in the league last year, is in the a state of flux. Seattle lost mainstay Mark Deschamp in the offseason deal that brought in Reuter and, more recently, closer Samuel Contreras to a season-ending injury. But the Monarchs will simply reload, tapping into their minor league system for replacements.

At the back of the bullpen, Timothy Vallejo (2003 5th round pick) will return to closing duties. Vallejo, one of the best left-handed relievers in the game, had been the primary set-up man the last three years. He has amassed a 44-24 career record, with 83 saves and a 2.54 ERA. Willie Sewell (29th round pick in inaugural draft) becomes the primary set-up man, coming off an 8-3, 1.72 ERA campaign in 2010.

Beyond Vallejo and Sewell, the bullpen will feature a group of talented arms in a shifting array of roles. Peter Bird (2008 trade from Walla Walla) is the veteran of the group, having been moved from the starting rotation during the off season. Merlin Bohon (2005 trade from River Cities) and Wesley Elton (2006 4th round pick), both highly touted prospects, will break camp with the team and be given the opportunity to shine. Michael Toyoharu (2011 Rule 5 draft) is one of the top relief prospects and appeared to take significant steps forward during spring training.

In the minors, Harry Johnson (2009 4th round pick) has seen his ERA inflated during his brief career by unusually high BABIP but will be the first to join the majors should one of the existing arms falter. Seattle also features an array of young arms with potential, such as closer Jeff Flory (2011 7th round pick).

Infield:

The infield starters are clearly set for the 2011 campaign. Three-time Outstanding Batter of the Year Gregory Mudge (19th round pick in inaugural draft) returns at first base, coming off his finest season. Three young stars join him in the infield. Two-time Slick Fielder Francis Amrmendariz (2008 1st round pick) holds down second base and hit a career high 14 home runs last season. Carmelo "The Gimp" Deleon (2009 trade from New York) returns at shortstop with his career .862 OPS. Eugene Alustiza (2008 1st round pick) is expected to break out as the best third baseman in the league this year, featuring a high batting average, incredible patience, and developing power at the tender age of 21.

The infield bench is a bit weaker than in prior years, due to the retirement of new manager John Willer and the offseason trade of Charles Novotny. Cristobal Santoyo (2010 Rule 5 draft pick) will back up Deleon at shortstop and George Wilde (AAA player created in 2004) will back up Alustiza and Armendariz.

Waiting in the wings is 5-star prospect George "Terminator" Labarre (2010 1st round pick), who is expected to spend the year in AAA Tacoma. Infielder Bill Bivens (2006 2nd round pick) will be in AA Olympia.

Solid catcher Waylon Blassingame (2008 trade from Danville) will be the usual starter, spotted by Alvin Medina (2011 trade from Hickory). Stud prospect Alberto "Nitro" Granado (2010 1st round pick) is developing quickly and is expected to spend the 2011 campaign in AAA Tacoma.

Outfield:

The Monarchs' outfield is overflowing with talent. The starters to begin the season will be Sean Arant (2009 trade from Los Angeles), who set a league record by scoring 140 runs last year; Armando "Rimfire" Cedeno (2008 trade from Danville), a 20-year-old career .326 hitter who will be getting his first opening day start; and David Kerry (2011 trade from Danville), who has a combined OPS of over .900 for the last three years. Arant will lead off and Kerry is expected to hit clean-up.

Backing up at all three outfield spots and first base is Lonnie Machen (45th round pick in inaugural draft), who is a career .319 hitter with a .383 OBP and is just one year removed from a .917 OPS in 2009. The fifth outfielder will be Freddie Villacorta (2003 3rd round pick), who has not yet been able to translate his AAA success to the majors.

In the minor leagues, superstar-in-waiting Mohammed "Bingo" Stelly (2009 trade from Covington) will at least start the year in AAA. How long he waits is anyone's guess, as he demonstrated significant improvement in Spring Training. The only other top 100 prospect roaming Seattle's minor league outfields is Bill Elder (2011 1st round pick).

The Monarchs should, barring further significant injuries, win over 105 games again this season and expect to await the Zotti League champion in the Cecil Cup.