St. Louis, MO - In the first 6 seasons of existence in the CAPB, the St. Louis River Dogs have played a combined 12 games over .500 (487-485), finished 2nd in the NL East three times, and 3rd the other three times while making only one playoff appearance (season 4). As the league enters its seventh season, the fans, players and management in St. Louis are looking for more...and many think they finally have a team that can live up to expectations.
This past offseason, the River Dogs added to a team that finished last season on a 7 game winning streak to finish over .500 (82-80) with a number three starter (Rodney Lee), two setup relievers (Brad Bryant and Goose Washington) and a third basemen (Davey Brokowski). Three September callups also earned themselves spots in season three 1st round draft pick, #5 SP Vinny Cheng (3-1, 1.51 ERA in 6 starts last season), LH reliever Cy Richards (0.78 WHIP and 0.00 ERA in 9 IP) and 2B Ernest Newson, who blistered the ball in his callup last season by going .613/.636/.871 in 33 PA. Richards has been splitting time between St. Louis and the AAA club over the past 6 seasons and already owns a career 4.36 ML ERA in 154 2/3 IP.
Returning SPs Jose Costilla (15-9, 3.24 ERA), Turner Brock (11-5, 4.08) and Andrea Redman (5-14, 5.12) round out the rotation with Lee and Cheng, while former #3 SP Rudy O'Malley (11-6, 3.14 ERA) shifts to the long relief role for St. Louis. Costilla and Brock are legit top end starters, and a return to his pre-season 6 form (18-20, 3.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP in 56 ML starts) would make Redman a formidable #4. The bullpen boasts the arms of Bryant, Washington, O'Malley and Richards, together with holdovers Tommy Brooks (4.75 ERA), Juan Ordonez (4.19 ERA) and Alan Barfield (3.10 ERA), who owns only 7 career ML saves, starts this season as the new closer.
The offense has a distinct new look this season as well. Together with Borkowski and Newson, season 6 acquisitions Jack Malone (SS) and rookie Darren Haynes (1B) each begin their first full seasons in St. Louis. Haynes supplants last season's rookie 1B Albert Johnson, who becomes the 4th OF and backup 1B this season after posting a .271/.340/.438 mark in his initial ML campaign. Sophomore CF Jose Villalona is back and shifts to the leadoff spot this season after hitting 2nd most of last season.
A great balance of young players and experience, St. Louis is hoping that it's belnd of pitching, hitting and defense can carry this team to 88+ wins and a playoff berth.
Here is the lineup and bench (with season 6 stats):
LINEUP:
CF - LH Villalona (.283/.346/.488, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 97 runs, 37 SB)
3B - RH Borkowski (.304/.378/.491, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 14 SB)
RF - RH Diego Duran (.278/.339/.495, 38 HR, 123 RBI, 92 runs)
C - LH Walt Lockwood (.255/.320/.519, 35 HR, 66 RBI)
LF - RH Jose Cairo (.303/.364/.520, 33 HR, 96 RBI)
1B - LH Haynes (.353/.453/.570, 20 HR, 73 RBI in 402 AB)*
SS - RH Malone (.231/.285/.380, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 10 SB)
2B - RH Newson (.301/.383/.423, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 22 SB, 114 runs)*
BENCH:
COF/1B - LH Albert Johnson (.271/.340/.438, 13 HR, 42 RBI, 15 SB)
C - SH Ramon Seung (.272/.316/.401, 6 HR, 19 RBI)
CF - Brian Brown (.220/.274/.254, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 12 SB)
COF - Brandon McMillan (.305/.364/.503, 10 HR, 69 RBI, 16 SB)*
UTIL - Fernando Soriano (.171/.213/.271, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
Here is the pitching staff (with season 6 stats):
ROTATION:
#1 - RH Jose Costilla (15-9, 3.24 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 222 IP, 200 Ks)
#2 - RH Turner Brock (11-8, 4.08 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 180 2/3 IP, 128 Ks)
#3 - RH Rodney Lee (11-9, 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 167 2/3 IP, 129 Ks)
#4 - LH Andrea Redman (5-14, 5.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 153 IP, 117 Ks)
#5 - RH Vinny Cheng (11-9, 2.97 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 145 1/3 IP, 122 Ks)
BULLPEN:
LR - RH Rudy O'Malley (11-6, 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 154 2/3 IP, 128 Ks)*
SU - LH Brad Bryant (6-3, 8 Sv, 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 107 2/3 IP, 92 Ks)
SU - RH Goose Washington (2-6, 2 Sv, 4.08 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 53 IP, 41 Ks)
SU - RH Juan Ordonez (4-2, 2 Sv, 4.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 68 2/3 IP, 43 Ks)
SU - LH Tommy Brooks (3-3, 2 Sv, 4.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 41 2/3 IP, 35 Ks)
CL - RH Alan Barfield (2-3, 3 Sv, 3.10 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 69 2/3 IP, 61 Ks)
LHS - LH Cy Richards (1-5, 26 Sv, 3.74 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 43 1/3 IP, 52 Ks)*
* = Minor league stats
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chicago's Season 7 Preview - Lineup
1. CF - Reagan Linden - .291 Avg, .353 OBP, .545 SLG, .898 OPS, 40 HR, 115 RBI's last year - Not your traditional leadoff man (or CF), he gets on base, and will score a lot of runs as he takes control of the leadoff hole due to a lack of other options. This former SS and 3B should be able to handle CF as Chicago continues to look for a 3B/CF option.
2. 2B - Ralph Gray - .313, .375, .519, .894, 32, 96 - He has a career year last year and Chicago needs him to keep up the production. There is talk of him moving to 3rd in order to make room for a prospect (See below). He is willing to move to the hot corner, however this would greatly weaken the defense at both 2B and 3B.
3. RF - Felipe Mota - .317, .378, .629, 1.007, 49, 128 -Felipe had a career worst season yet still managed an OPS of 1.007, which means even in his off years he is still among the best. He made the All Star team for the 2nd consecutive season and also picked up a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove.
4. 1B - Randy Clemens - .284, .332, .609, .941, 49, 106 - Still only 24, Clemens was able to finally give some protection to Mota. He is one of only 2 lefthanded hitters in the Starting lineup. 40+ HR's are expected once again. Defensively he's solid at 1B but has played some LF and you're asking for trouble to run him out there too often.
5. LF - Julio Marin - .272, .331, .551, .882, 30, 75 - He put up those numbers in less then 400 AB's. This will be his 3rd different season in the majors, but he still has 0 years of ML service time. The HR & RBI's should go up with a full season. He has played some 2B but is not an attractive option there defensively. Still, they are working him out some there in Spring Training in order to gauge whether or not to bring up another Lefthanded power bat from the minors (see below). If they do they will be greatly sacrificing defense for offense which might not be the best of options in Wrigley.
6. SS - Deivi Chavez - A potential difference maker defensively who has the potential to hit some. Would be better suited in the #2 spot, but his durability is a concern so they've dropped him a little lower in the order to save a few AB's.
7. C - Delino Torres - With their young staff management is unconcerned with his offense, and keeps him around due to his stellar handling of the Pitching staff.
8. 3B - Dave Austin - Ideally suited for a utility role, he can play anywhere but C. He sometimes hits enough to justify playing CF, but will be vastly underperforming at 3B. Still he's only in for his defense and could swap with Linden to play CF instead.
On the Farm
LF - Dick Stewart - Their 1st round pick from Season 4 who signed for a record $9.195 M, has shot his way thru the system and is only 21. He will probably start the season in AAA as he only had 80 AB's (plus another 30 in the playoffs) at that level, as well as to put off arbitration for another year. He would fit nicely into the lineup as another LH bat. He's the reason Marin has been playing 2B and Gray 3B. He should see some time before the end of the year, or if an injury pops up.
2. 2B - Ralph Gray - .313, .375, .519, .894, 32, 96 - He has a career year last year and Chicago needs him to keep up the production. There is talk of him moving to 3rd in order to make room for a prospect (See below). He is willing to move to the hot corner, however this would greatly weaken the defense at both 2B and 3B.
3. RF - Felipe Mota - .317, .378, .629, 1.007, 49, 128 -Felipe had a career worst season yet still managed an OPS of 1.007, which means even in his off years he is still among the best. He made the All Star team for the 2nd consecutive season and also picked up a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove.
4. 1B - Randy Clemens - .284, .332, .609, .941, 49, 106 - Still only 24, Clemens was able to finally give some protection to Mota. He is one of only 2 lefthanded hitters in the Starting lineup. 40+ HR's are expected once again. Defensively he's solid at 1B but has played some LF and you're asking for trouble to run him out there too often.
5. LF - Julio Marin - .272, .331, .551, .882, 30, 75 - He put up those numbers in less then 400 AB's. This will be his 3rd different season in the majors, but he still has 0 years of ML service time. The HR & RBI's should go up with a full season. He has played some 2B but is not an attractive option there defensively. Still, they are working him out some there in Spring Training in order to gauge whether or not to bring up another Lefthanded power bat from the minors (see below). If they do they will be greatly sacrificing defense for offense which might not be the best of options in Wrigley.
6. SS - Deivi Chavez - A potential difference maker defensively who has the potential to hit some. Would be better suited in the #2 spot, but his durability is a concern so they've dropped him a little lower in the order to save a few AB's.
7. C - Delino Torres - With their young staff management is unconcerned with his offense, and keeps him around due to his stellar handling of the Pitching staff.
8. 3B - Dave Austin - Ideally suited for a utility role, he can play anywhere but C. He sometimes hits enough to justify playing CF, but will be vastly underperforming at 3B. Still he's only in for his defense and could swap with Linden to play CF instead.
On the Farm
LF - Dick Stewart - Their 1st round pick from Season 4 who signed for a record $9.195 M, has shot his way thru the system and is only 21. He will probably start the season in AAA as he only had 80 AB's (plus another 30 in the playoffs) at that level, as well as to put off arbitration for another year. He would fit nicely into the lineup as another LH bat. He's the reason Marin has been playing 2B and Gray 3B. He should see some time before the end of the year, or if an injury pops up.
Chicago's Season 7 Preview - Pitching
Chicago -
In Season 5 the Gangsters made the leap to the playoffs with 88 wins (+17 from the year before), however last year was a disappointment in falling back to only 84 wins and and falling 5 games short of the playoffs. They're hoping to get back to the playoffs with some improvements from some of the youngsters, as not many offseason changes were made.
Pitching Staff
Rotation
#1 - James Pong - After a much hyped int'l signing and a few minor league seasons he finally had some production to match. In his first full season he went 18-9 (2 CG's), making 32 starts (1 relief appearance) and logging 222 IP's and took control of the rotation and became Chicago's ACE. Whats really scary is that at 22 he still has plenty of room for improvement.
#2 - Louie Valenzuela - Louie set a career high in wins last year going 13-9, and breaking 200 IP's for the 3rd time in 6 years (229.1 IP). He has made a few trips to the DL in his career, but has always managed to take the hill between 28 and 33 times so he can be depended on, although he is now on the wrong side of 30. With a little bit better and fielding he could reach 15 wins this year.
#3 - Bruce Ligtenberg - Big Bruce is the elder statesman of the rotation, and except for a freak season 2 (when current managment was not in control) he has made at least 30 starts each year. Last year he went 9-10 w/ 4.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, and while those aren't spectacular #s on their own one must factor in that he played his home games at Wrigley. He is in his last year of his contract and the Gangsters have made no attempt to sign him beyond this year, and have in fact shopped him on numerous occasions without any luck. They're hoping to get him healthy all year and that playing for potentially his last contract will motivate him and get them 10-15 wins. It should also be noted that he slots into the #3 slot so that they don't have 2 lefties in a row.
#4 - T.J. Byrne - T.J. had an up and down season last year. He went 9-12 w/ 4.20 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 233 IP and took to the hill 34 times. He is not afraid to take the ball, but he definitely tired down the stretch. He was their best starter in the 1st half. He gets pushed back to the 4 slot to break up the 2 lefties, but could easily be the #1 or #2 by the end of the year as he is only 23 and still improving.
#5 - Bonk Matthews - Bonk had dislocated his shoulder last year and was never right, yet still managed to go 10-8 albeit with 4.48 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in only 138 IP. He is only expected to be the #5, and could be pushed out of that role soon from some minor leaugers(see below). However, they'll gladly take the #'s he posted 2 years ago (13-9, 177 IP, 4.41 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) out of the #5 spot.
Bullpen
Joseph Sakamoto - "Sak" has been surprisingly effective the last 2 seasons as the longman, and will remain there unless bumped to Mop up role.
Jose Cervantes - Cervantes was acquired during the playoff run of Season 5 to steady the ship and close out games. He saved 31 games last year, but blew 11 too. They have a lot riding on him returning to form as an elite closer, although they did go out and get a veteran arm to help in case he falters.
Matty Palmeiro - The aformentioned veteran arm, Palmeiro was acquired for a mid level prospect because they were willing to absorb all his salary. He has been amazingly consistent although some are worried this is the year that age (38) catches up to him. Chicago hopes he can hold it off for 1 more year.
Deivi Rosa - Starts the year in the show after pitching solidly in his major league debut last season.
Cesar Baez - Baez pitched well in his first 2 seasons in the majors and fell apart last year, even being farmed out for a while. He's now out of options and Chicago hopes he falls more in line with his career line.
Terrence James - James made his debut last season and pitched well, but it was in only 5.2 Innings. He probably has the shortest leash among all the pitchers and they won't hesitate to expose him to waivers should he not pitch well.
Ivan Rosado - This lefty has been solid yet unspectacular in his Major League career and will once again be moved around the pen and placed into whatever the situation requires of him.
Down on the Farm
Sammy Cedeno - Could be called up if any injuries or ineffectiveness plague the Gangster rotation. Will be 1st called due to being on the 40 Man roster.
Jose Puente - Was breezing thru AA last year until he had surgery. Could see action if he gets back to where he was, but will be given a long time to recover.
Gene Green - The first option should Chicago need a reliever. Has had mixed results in 2 previous stints with the club.
In Season 5 the Gangsters made the leap to the playoffs with 88 wins (+17 from the year before), however last year was a disappointment in falling back to only 84 wins and and falling 5 games short of the playoffs. They're hoping to get back to the playoffs with some improvements from some of the youngsters, as not many offseason changes were made.
Pitching Staff
Rotation
#1 - James Pong - After a much hyped int'l signing and a few minor league seasons he finally had some production to match. In his first full season he went 18-9 (2 CG's), making 32 starts (1 relief appearance) and logging 222 IP's and took control of the rotation and became Chicago's ACE. Whats really scary is that at 22 he still has plenty of room for improvement.
#2 - Louie Valenzuela - Louie set a career high in wins last year going 13-9, and breaking 200 IP's for the 3rd time in 6 years (229.1 IP). He has made a few trips to the DL in his career, but has always managed to take the hill between 28 and 33 times so he can be depended on, although he is now on the wrong side of 30. With a little bit better and fielding he could reach 15 wins this year.
#3 - Bruce Ligtenberg - Big Bruce is the elder statesman of the rotation, and except for a freak season 2 (when current managment was not in control) he has made at least 30 starts each year. Last year he went 9-10 w/ 4.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, and while those aren't spectacular #s on their own one must factor in that he played his home games at Wrigley. He is in his last year of his contract and the Gangsters have made no attempt to sign him beyond this year, and have in fact shopped him on numerous occasions without any luck. They're hoping to get him healthy all year and that playing for potentially his last contract will motivate him and get them 10-15 wins. It should also be noted that he slots into the #3 slot so that they don't have 2 lefties in a row.
#4 - T.J. Byrne - T.J. had an up and down season last year. He went 9-12 w/ 4.20 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 233 IP and took to the hill 34 times. He is not afraid to take the ball, but he definitely tired down the stretch. He was their best starter in the 1st half. He gets pushed back to the 4 slot to break up the 2 lefties, but could easily be the #1 or #2 by the end of the year as he is only 23 and still improving.
#5 - Bonk Matthews - Bonk had dislocated his shoulder last year and was never right, yet still managed to go 10-8 albeit with 4.48 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in only 138 IP. He is only expected to be the #5, and could be pushed out of that role soon from some minor leaugers(see below). However, they'll gladly take the #'s he posted 2 years ago (13-9, 177 IP, 4.41 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) out of the #5 spot.
Bullpen
Joseph Sakamoto - "Sak" has been surprisingly effective the last 2 seasons as the longman, and will remain there unless bumped to Mop up role.
Jose Cervantes - Cervantes was acquired during the playoff run of Season 5 to steady the ship and close out games. He saved 31 games last year, but blew 11 too. They have a lot riding on him returning to form as an elite closer, although they did go out and get a veteran arm to help in case he falters.
Matty Palmeiro - The aformentioned veteran arm, Palmeiro was acquired for a mid level prospect because they were willing to absorb all his salary. He has been amazingly consistent although some are worried this is the year that age (38) catches up to him. Chicago hopes he can hold it off for 1 more year.
Deivi Rosa - Starts the year in the show after pitching solidly in his major league debut last season.
Cesar Baez - Baez pitched well in his first 2 seasons in the majors and fell apart last year, even being farmed out for a while. He's now out of options and Chicago hopes he falls more in line with his career line.
Terrence James - James made his debut last season and pitched well, but it was in only 5.2 Innings. He probably has the shortest leash among all the pitchers and they won't hesitate to expose him to waivers should he not pitch well.
Ivan Rosado - This lefty has been solid yet unspectacular in his Major League career and will once again be moved around the pen and placed into whatever the situation requires of him.
Down on the Farm
Sammy Cedeno - Could be called up if any injuries or ineffectiveness plague the Gangster rotation. Will be 1st called due to being on the 40 Man roster.
Jose Puente - Was breezing thru AA last year until he had surgery. Could see action if he gets back to where he was, but will be given a long time to recover.
Gene Green - The first option should Chicago need a reliever. Has had mixed results in 2 previous stints with the club.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Welcome to Season Seven!
Hello fellow CAPB owners, and welcome to season 7. Thanks to your continued commitment to this league, the Continental Association of Professional Baseball - or CAPB - has enjoyed great success over its first 6 seasons. As we prepare to enter season 7, we welcome 5 new owners into the fray: Erran, huskypride2, tomjames, chrishoiles and keeid12x. The addition of these 5 solid owners once again shows the strength of our world, and the respect which we have built throughout the HBD community with our combined efforts.
The new season also brings a new rule regarding minor league roster management that I wanted to once again bring to everyone's attention. League Rule 4.01 reads as follows:
∙ At the beginning of the minor league regular season, each level (Low A, High A, AA, AAA) is to have no fewer than 23 players on the roster.
∙ Of those 23, at least TWELVE must be pitchers.
∙ Of the 11 position players, their must be AT LEAST ONE of each at: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF and RF.
∙ At the conclusion of the draft (i.e., before the games start), the Rookie League team must have no fewer than 25 players on the roster
∙ Of those 25, at least FOURTEEN must be pitchers.
∙ Of the 11 position players, their must be AT LEAST ONE of each at: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF and RF.
Please read through this (and all) rules to make certain that you have a firm grasp on the guidelines of our world. These are not meant to be restricting upon any single owner in any way, but are in place to again help assure league equality and owner accountability.
That's all for now - good luck in the upcoming season (and go St. Louis!).
The new season also brings a new rule regarding minor league roster management that I wanted to once again bring to everyone's attention. League Rule 4.01 reads as follows:
∙ At the beginning of the minor league regular season, each level (Low A, High A, AA, AAA) is to have no fewer than 23 players on the roster.
∙ Of those 23, at least TWELVE must be pitchers.
∙ Of the 11 position players, their must be AT LEAST ONE of each at: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF and RF.
∙ At the conclusion of the draft (i.e., before the games start), the Rookie League team must have no fewer than 25 players on the roster
∙ Of those 25, at least FOURTEEN must be pitchers.
∙ Of the 11 position players, their must be AT LEAST ONE of each at: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF and RF.
Please read through this (and all) rules to make certain that you have a firm grasp on the guidelines of our world. These are not meant to be restricting upon any single owner in any way, but are in place to again help assure league equality and owner accountability.
That's all for now - good luck in the upcoming season (and go St. Louis!).
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Valenzuela injured; Byrne to Make 1st start
Chicago - Due to tendinitis in his shoulder, Louie Valenzuela has been placed on the 15 Day DL. Taking his spot will be T.J. Byrne .
Byrne had just recently been promoted to AAA where he made 1 start before getting the call due to Valenzuela's injury. GM Donald Key answered some questions as to why Byrne: "It really came down either Byrne or James Pong , who really has pitched very well this year. In the end 2 factors played into the decision. 1, Byrne will be plugged into the rotation without anyone else getting out of line where as Pong pitched last night. And 2, and most importantly in my eyes, Byrne has about 200 more IP's in the minors so we didn't want to rush Pong. We consider them to be about equal but Byrne will have to be added to the 40 man next year anyways so why not let him have it now, where as Pong has all of this year and next before needing to be added. We won't hesitate to bring Pong up however should the need arise. I will say that had this season gone like the last few we might have held both of them back, however, we think we have a real shot at the playoffs and they might just give us our best chance."
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