Your 1997 Projected Lineup

[Carlos]

Since we all don't really write much anymore, we've lost some of the little things that those articles brought out in each of us. One of those things that I enjoyed reading (and writing, when I actually kept to promises) was the projected lineup for the new season.

Of course, most of us are still waiting for Free Agency, OOTP 12 and last minute AAA (or for the very aggressive, AA) promotions. That being said, it's not like many of you haven't already started thinking ahead.

So, what's your projected lineup as of right now? Who do you hope to promote and compete for a starting spot? Which young player are you pushing to the 3rd or cleanup spot in 1997? Will a veteran find himself in a new spot in the infield or batting lower than expected?

Write this as you like. I'll chime in with my own projections.

[funclown]

I do love the articles and wished I could do a better job in this area.

Sadly, every single story I would write would just turn into some porn story.(Yes even this post Carlos)

[Jimmy]

I do love the articles and wished I could do a better job in this area.

Sadly, every single story I would write would just turn into some porn story.(Yes even this post Carlos)

Honesty is sometimes over-valued.

[umd]

Starting Rotation:
1-Raul Gonzalez
2-Chuck Lindsey
3-J.J. Garcia
4-R. Guzman (re-sign)
5-Ricky Rangel
6-Brad Hayes/Tony Marrero/Ukessun Kayra

Bullpen:
Mac Aaron
Bart Rodriguez
Anibel Valencia
Cisco Martinez/Tony Marrero/Ukessun Kayra
Hector Anaya
B.T. Ching
Tim Godron

Position Players:
C-D. Brown/R. Rodriguez or FA
1B-D. Castor
2B-C. Durham
SS-R. Carbajal
3B-W. Hawkins
LF-A. Sau
CF-P. Stewart
RF-A. Hernandez
utility IF-J. Newlin
utility OF-D. Corfield

Line-up:
1-Stewart CF
2-Durham 2B
3-Sau LF
4-Hernandez RF
5-Castor 1B
6-Carbajal SS
7-Hawkins 3B
8-Doug Brown C/Free Agent C
9-Free Agent DH

Pending Free Agents/Options:
SS-N. George SP-R. Guzman IF-J. Newlin 1B/C-R. Valencia OF-L.Wallace

Needs:
*We'll need a starting caliber bat for 5th OF/DH and a C/DH.
*Maybe a more well rounded utility IF in FA or I'll give Efrain Garcia a shot in ST and see if he can hold the position as a defensive middle IF.

We'll get compensation if some combination of George, Newlin, Guzman or Valencia (possibly Wallace too) walk, so that gives us some picks if they get picked up. There's guys that can replace them if they do. I think Rangel is ready to be the #4 in Guzman's place if he wants too much cash.

Other than that, we're in pretty good shape for 1997.

[Carlos]

It's really not that hard.

Denver's Projected Lineup.
2B Clint Johnston
CF Harris Vreke
DH Chad Sinclair
RF Pancho Alvarez
1B Chad Melson
LF Dana Scott
3B Victor Garcia
SS Cy Gray
C Pepe Gonzalez


Not exactly a good lineup but it should improve the team defense and keep the team young.

Lots of holes in there. Would prefer to have a better hitting 1B or 3B, but Victor Garcia has at the very least posted a 101 OPS+ the past two seasons. Defensively, he's average at 3B and plays the position better than the other infield positions. Chad Melson has been below average at 3B his first two seasons, but in a short sample size, has a Range Factor at 1B that would at least put him in the argument of middle-of-the-pack defensive first basemen.

Frank Tufts can play 1B, but can also play several other positions well enough to serve as a super-utility player. His struggles in the second half of 1996 seems to enforce this belief that he may not be ready to play every day. Despite not actually being a starter in each of the last two seaons, Tufts has played in 305 games and has averaged 569 at-bats. He's provided others in the infield with rest, but has been largely ignored in his own need for the same.

Clint Johnston is a two-time DWI winning shortstop, but with the promotion of Cy Gray, Johnston's weak arm might work better at 2B. Gray is rated 8-8-7-7 in the infield with an 8 at short and third.

Chad Sinclair is a very good left fielder. However, he has suffered two injuries while making defensive plays. To save him from himself and keep his power bat in the lineup, he's being moved to DH. Dana Scott is also an above-average defensive LF and can handle the position.

Vreke holds the CF spot mainly for defense though his bat is worse than questionable. This is one area Denver will continue to look to upgrade.

Also missing is Angelo Rodriguez who walked 79 times in 138 games in 1996.

[Carlos]

Line-up:
1-Stewart CF
2-Durham 2B
3-Sau LF
4-Hernandez RF
5-Castor 1B
6-Carbajal SS
7-Hawkins 3B
8-Doug Brown C/Free Agent C
9-Free Agent DH

Pending Free Agents/Options:
SS-N. George SP-R. Guzman IF-J. Newlin 1B/C-R. Valencia OF-L.Wallace

Needs:
*We'll need a starting caliber bat for 5th OF/DH and a C/DH.
*Maybe a more well rounded utility IF in FA or I'll give Efrain Garcia a shot in ST and see if he can hold the position as a defensive middle IF.


Other than that, we're in pretty good shape for 1997.

Durham really returned to form last year. Scary good. Not a lot of 2B that deserve a $100 MM contract.

Another reason I wanted to see this was to find guys like Abelando Hernandez. Never noticed him before. 8th round pick turns into that? Luckily his injuries aren't of the severe type (broken finger, sprained knee), so he should continue to be a big bat in the cleanup spot.

I'm curious to know what prompted you to hit Hawkins second in the playoffs when he hit 8th for most of the year?

[umd]

Durham really returned to form last year. Scary good. Not a lot of 2B that deserve a $100 MM contract.

If I could find another everyday starting caliber 2B/LF I would bat Durham and Sau in the DH spots more often.

Another reason I wanted to see this was to find guys like Abelando Hernandez. Never noticed him before. 8th round pick turns into that? Luckily his injuries aren't of the severe type (broken finger, sprained knee), so he should continue to be a big bat in the cleanup spot.

One of the most under-rated players in the league I think. Guy is an OBP machine.

I'm curious to know what prompted you to hit Hawkins second in the playoffs when he hit 8th for most of the year?

Injuries. Too many injuries for that playoff series. No Durham, Sau or Stewart.

[Jistic]

Same as last year, with roughly the same win totals.

[Clay]

Virginia Colonials Lineup
8 Guys who will win the 97 Brewmaster's

Starting Rotation
See Above

Bench/BP
Yep... what I said earlier

[Pat]

1. Bowers CF
2. Abbott 3B
3. Burton RF
4. Murdock C
5. Brady LF
6. Walker 1B
7. Nolan SS
8. Knowlton/Kelly 2B

***

Gone is Tyrone Abbott, who likely will leave via Free-Agency. Also missing is Michio Nago, who can't stay healthy and might be cut. I have infield depth, with Pete Phelps and Mal Wood, but the backup OFs remain a question mark. Will Hector Reyna be brought back? Will Toby Day make the BLB squad?

[Delandis]

For now I say:

Bornstein CF
Gomez RF
Trujillo SS
Knight LF
Castaneda 3B
Kubota 1B
Foster C
Antell 2B

Now this will probably change during free agency, especially since we expect to have somewhere in the ballpark of 25-30M to spend in FA after Phillips Field renovations.

[liquidcrash]

C Eron Deleon
1B Ismael Reyes
2B Adrian Romero
3B Masaoki Matsumoto
SS ???
LF Jose Guzman
CF Pat Faulkner
RF Al Hamilton

Yep, the 1997 Tobs are going to look a lot like the 1996 Tobs. Practically everyone important is signed on, a couple of spots might open in the bullpen and we (as always) need a shortstop.

In the rotation, that'll probably be about the same. Depending on how OOTP 12 treats him, Raul Reyes might become a fulltime starter and I'll look to make a move, but we'll see how that works.

[Jake]

Do I have to?

C Hector Gonzalez
1B Colt Guinane/RHP Platoon FA
2B Antonio Torres
3B Dusty Campbell
SS Wally Eden (Unless a FA appears out of nowhere)
LF Rub Martinez
CF F Tetradze
RF Hugh Gentry
DH Free Agent

Rotation

Chip Snow
Marv Metcalf
Ivan Martinez
Orlan Coronda (ugh)
Othenio Hainidi (uggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh)

Definitely need an FA there.

[Jimmy]

Lineup
Toiguchi
O'Hegarty
Travis
Brown
Morris
Simmons
Adams
Dunlap
Grahamn

Rotation
Torres
Webster
Ocampo
Warren
Robinson
McQueen/Lewis

Provided we see some positive developent happen for our young kids, this will be our roster for the next 3-5 years. Except for O'Hegarty, unforunately he is getting a little long in the tooth.

[Lintyfresh85]

Lineup vs. RHP

CF - Marlon Dixon
RF - Sonny Marshburn
1B - Joe Lopez
C - Anibal Calderon
LF - Willie Quick
3B - Joey Kelch
2B - Todd Burley
SS - Roger Willis

Lineup vs. LHP

3B - Ron Pillsbury
RF - Sonny Marshburn
2B - Todd Burley
C - Anibal Calderon
1B - Joe Lopez
LF - Zuo-qian Zhang
CF - Jerry Buck
SS - Roger Willis


Bench

C - Sebastien Turcotte
IF - Artie Griffin
IF - Kelch/Pillsbury
OF - Buck/Dixon/Quick/Zhang