1987 Season Previews

[Andrew]

Lineup
3B - Charlie MacCabe
C - Kyoden Kubota
DH - Tom Tilbrook
1B - Eddie O'Fallon
2B - Neto Bermeo
CF - Joe Iliquez
LF - Don McGuire
SS - Clarence Evans
RF - Will Porter

Definitely a weaker lineup than 1986 with the losses of Cuevas and Caballero in the OF. We are thrilled to bring O'Fallon back though since he has been one of our most consistent performers for years. I'm hoping Don McGuire can contribute immediately since our OF depth is pretty thin.

Bench
C - Donovan Cowden
IF - Will Park
IF - Bobby Broome
OF - Jose Arenivar
OF - Ron O'Dea

Not much contribution here but Cowden, Park and O'Dea are all solid fielders. Arenivar and O'Dea can both hit the ball out if they can make contact. Our bench could get some help from the minors because our scouts think 3B Hector Hernandez and IF Shumkichi Kiyomizu are both close to BLB ready.

Rotation

SP - Gil O'Moore
SP - Teagan Corrigan
SP - Tino Suarez
SP - Jerome Middlebrooks
SP - Clint Waits/Pete Hudder

Trading Dealba weakened the rotation but this group is still one of the strongest in the BLB. Very few teams can match a front line of O'Moore, Corrigan and Suarez. Middlebrooks isn't spectacular but has had some success in the past. Waits will battle with prospect Pete Hudder for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Bullpen
RP - Arthur Pereira
RP - Pedro Carretie
RP - Manny Vasquez
RP - Noburo Kouda
RP - Eddy Jeffrey
CL - Hernando Ortiz

The bullpen is a huge unknown heading into 1987. We lost our two best relievers in Wayne van Slyke and Eddie Taylor to free agency. Hernando Ortiz will move into the closers role. Our scouts love Pereira and Vasquez but we'll be asking a lot by expecting both to make the jump to the BLB.

Summary
The starting rotation will continue to be our biggest strength and if we get some contributions from the youngsters we'll be in good shape. Obviously not nearly as strong as last year's 114 win team but I still think we will be in playoff contention this year.

[Whale]

Lineup
LF - Tony Rajanna
CF - Frank Donegan
2B - Amato Albors
C - HrfdW Castro
DH - Jesse Burchette
LF - Marv Snyder
1B - Tom Schmitz
3B - Pedro Maes
SS - Manny Rivera

Not sure what to expect out of the lineup this season. No real big aquisitions to speak of, and almost what we had last season. Difference will be if Donegan can actually stay healthy for a season, and if new SS Manny Rivera, just up from AAA, will perform up to expectations.

Bench
C - Artie Ward
IF - Tavio Arismendi
IF - Constantino Valentin
OF - Ed Andrew
OF - Joe McKnight

Happy to get MacKnight onto my bench for relatively cheap considering all the injuries we have in the OF. Ward is a solid prospect and I'll feel a lot better about his bat in the lineup over what I've had in previous seasons. My IF's are not expected to do very much, and might still need an upgrade in that position.

Rotation

SP - Anselmo Mapalo
SP - Chuck Lindsey
SP - Jeff Flynn
SP - Broderick Joyce
SP - Elijah Combs/Miguel Recalde
DL - Jack Curry

Starting pitching was better than expected last season. This year, Mapalo has Lindsay to pack a pretty nice 1/2 punch. Flynn is still good, and we added Joyce, a veteran who is probably good for 10 wins at least. The other guys are all young but seen as good. Curry looks to be scouted a little worse than he was before the SEI, so we'll see. Overall pretty happy.

Bullpen
RP - Coen Nuijs
RP - Nathan Perceval
RP - Anibal Rivera
RP - Todd Stockton
RP - Takanibu Maeno
RP - Julian McAchounich
CL - Bobby Sizer

One of the best bullpens in the league last season, and they should only get better since they're a year older yet the same staff. I expect them to hold most leads, and help out when the SP has a rough day. Will be happy with this group for years.

Summary
Overall fan interest is at an all time high, just finished a 90 win season, added a few thousand seats, and have a "real" budget around 90m, which is much higher than the normal 50m we've been operating with. Looking for good things, and hopefully around the same wins as last season. Maybe can fight with Maine this season since the team is a bit weaker....and Clay will be doing SIMs.

[BradZ]

Lineup
2B – Desi Rochs
3B – Juan Coera
CF – Mel Woodbury
C - Jerry Fortin
LF – Greg Josey
1B – Jim Newlin
RF – Dave Ibison
SS – Geoff Scott

A stronger lineup from top to bottom than last year’s due to the addition of Jerry Fortin which immediately turns a true weakness into an offensive strength at Catcher. Both Josey and Newlin are entering their true offensive prime years (both turned 27 in September). We are hopeful that Dave Ibison can continue the BLB success he has had in his young career and that SS Geoff Scott avoids any sophomore slump and continues to grow his game.

Bench
C – Harry Endsley
IF – Ron Detwiler
IF – Sammy Gaines
OF – Paul Moffett


Not expecting much production off the bench this year. Endsley provides a decent defensive backup at Catcher and should be able to spell Fortin on a regular basis. Rule Fiver Sammy Gaines is an excellent defender around the infield and will fill the utility IF role.

Rotation

SP – Joe Aurillo
SP – Ben Irvin
SP – Nathan MacOwl
SP – Bill Gillespie
SP – Dave Sievewright

Once again Bluto will be expected to anchor the Freedom rotation. Aurillo had a nice bounce back year after missing almost the entire 1985 season with an injury. Both Irvin and MacOwl are coming off of solid campaigns and along with Aurillo form a nice top 3. Gillespie is expected to eat innings and keep us in ball games. Sievewright will hold down the #5 spot to start the season and the offense will need to show up on those days.

Bullpen
RP – Trevor Broomfield
RP – Cristian Correa
RP – Merlin Thompson
RP – Quin Billegas
RP – Ricardo Mojera
RP – Jesus Taborga
CL – Joe Alveraz

The bullpen is essentially intact from the previous season. No real additions or losses to the unit. CL Joe Alveraz is being counted on to produce another solid season as the anchor of the bullpen.

Summary
Fan interest is at a high in Philadelphia and we are in “Win Now!” mode. The core group of offensive players (Woodbury, Newlin, and Josey) are all in their primes while an aging group of veterans with good track records (Rochs, Coera and Fortin) are being counted on to produce as well. The key to the season is going to be health. There’s not a lot of depth on the roster, but the overall strength of the lineup should allow us to cover for less significant injuries of the short variety. Any lingering or SEI’s would be a significant hurdle. We fully expect to contend in the wide open Porter Division.

[Lintyfresh85]

Lineup
CF - François Dupuis
2B - Mark Steward
1B - Robby Shannon
C - Joe Lavadie
RF - Jose Compres
3B - Alberto Grandon
LF - Owen Gilbertson
SS - Lucio Mendez

Exact same line up for except for the switch to Gilbertson in LF. I'll miss Farelo's .370 OBP, and 17 assist, but I think Gilbertson will provide more power and a higher OPS. I really need Grandon to rebound after a terrible second half. With everyone maturing a year I think we have a good shot at being competitive in the Porter once again.

Bench
C - Eric Robinson
IF - Orlin Ariago
IF - Blanco Escandell
IF - Tom Morris
OF - Galterio Tibaldi
OF - Joe Viret
OF - Willie Hopkins

The bench will make for a very interesting bunch this year. Robinson is a strict defensive catcher who put a wonderful CERA last year. Played against LHP at the end of the year and he wasn't a half bad back up. Plus he's an 8 leadership. Escandell was my 'major' free agency signing this year. He'll be the true utility guy that gets 2-3 starts a week. Morris and Ariago are strict defensive backups. Tibaldi who I signed from Maine this year will be a upgrade as a back up CF while Viret returns to California as a pinch hitter with speed off the bench. Finally, Hopkins is my pinch runner. He ended up with nine steals last season and was a big help in late inning contest.

Rotation

SP - Oswaldo Escarcaga
SP - Victoro Díaz
SP - D.T. Fitts
SP - Mack McMurdo
SP - Joe Lopez

I bring back my entire rotation in 1987. Looking at the names most people will probably be scratching their heads as to how I compete, but these no names can, and do pitch pretty damn good. I get a big boost a couple weeks into the season as Joe Toapanta comes back off the DL. I don't know where he'll fit on the roster, but I'll make a place for him.

Bullpen
RP - Wayne Smith
RP - Jake Fredrick
RP - Joe Negron
SU - Julián Rodríguez
CL - Román Magueu

Just as my starting staff, I'll be bringing everyone back in the pen. We're a bit short handed with Bing-de She on the DL. When he returns, he'll slide into either middle relief or SU as last years injury sapped his ratings and he no longer projects as a closer. Negron may not last long this year if he pulls the same type of crap he pulled after being traded for last year. 8 homers in 21 innings is not acceptable.

Summary

Can we repeat in the Porter? Only time will tell. This is virtually the same team save a couple of bench bats. The real fun will be in June/July when Conan Wilkerson gets promoted to the rotation to pair with Díaz as a true 1/2 punch for the future.

1987 predicted record: 81-81

[Clay]

Lineup
Dale O'Hegarty - SS
Tom Zimerman - 2B
Vincent Nino - 1B
Joshua Poling - 3B
José Llombart - RF
Danny Nelson - LF
Xalbador Medine - CF
Alberto Hernando - C

Overall the Colonials should be starting 1987 with their best lineup on paper. As optimisic as we were going into '86, the view of '87 looks even brighter. Nino should replace any expected output from Harcourt. O'Hegarty and Poling are now entering their prime and full potential. Zimerman was a late FA pick-up and is the presumed winner of the starting 2B spot. Cristian Martinez played really well in '86, but if far more suited for the utility role, but Zimerman will be a on a quick trigger. Llombart has been an overall dissappointment in VA, but the contract year could wake him up.

Bench
C - Unknown
IF - Cristian Martinez
IF - Pepe Gonzalez
OF - Ted von Wenckstern
OF - Jerry Tracy

There are a lot of question marks with the 4th and 5th OF spot. Yan Van Adel still can't hit a bit, but may be the best pinch runner in BLB history. Might be tough not to bring him up as the 5th OF. Florian Tosselli and Artie Rhodes are both in AAA and very close to ready. I move up by one (especially Rhodes) could change everything and push Medine to the bench.

Rotation
Joe Arredondo (R)
Nate Magness (L)
Jeff Franklin (L)
Delmar Oyos (R)
Elieis Vizcarra (R)

The Colonials are very seriously considering a 6-man rotation to start the season. Vizcarra will have to do a lot to stay in the rotation, but he wants to start and we're willing to give him a few looks. Kang, Arrendondo and Oyos are all in contract years and will hopefully respond. We'll look to lock up Arrendondo sooner than later, but Kang could be moved. I think Franklin pays dividends this season. Former #2 overall pick Pancho 'Ironfist' Herrera wants to come up and pitch in this rotation. We'll keep him down as long as we can, but he will be the first call-up.

EDIT: Yeong-suk Kang was moved to Syracuse for picks. This leaves Virginia with either a more locked in 5-man OR the ability to bring up Herrera after ST for the #3 spot.

Bullpen
Tim Pardue - MR
Jayson McQueen - MR
Artie Montgomery - MR
Iván Pérez - MR
George McSwain - SU
Vernon Simmonds - Closer

The 'pen is a blend of All-Stars and total unknowns, yet will likely be the reason we make a run or not. Simmonds is a stud and we think he'll dominate in our park. McSwain had an All-Star level '86 and was
reward with a new contract and the full-time Set-up role. Our scouts LOVE Jayson McQueen and think he'll be an elite arm someday. Pardue needs to show us something.

Summary
I don't believe any Owner in the history of the BLB has over-valued his team the way I know that I can. This team was around .500 last year after getting exactly 1 ab from our best player. Nino is an obvious upgrade over anyone else that would have started this season in the IF including Top 100 prospect Yortoki Maeda. Simmonds should be a lockdown Closer. Zimerman is a good safety net if Martinez' season was smoke and mirrors. Going into the season with 6 SP's and the #3 Overall Prospect knocking on the door makes me feel more secure on the mound than I ever have going into the season.

My prediction is somewhere around 90 wins.... meaningful games in September... Wildcard Race.

[Pat]

Lineup
CF - Michio Nago
2B - R.A. Grounds
1B - Joe Sierra
RF - Dave Robbins (Trade)
C - Mike Murdock
LF - Miguel Angel Padilla
3B - Pete Summers
SS - Jack Dynes

Really excited for the lineup this year. Losing Nago to injury last year really killed my teams ability to score runs. Mike Murdock now has a season under his belt and will hopefully start hitting like his top potential has promised. The same goes for Padilla. If Dave Robbins can stay healthy as well, I fully expect 35+ homers. If Joe Sierra can bounce back from a poor 1986, this might be the best lineup I have ever had. Only hitter I am not 100% confident is Jack Dynes, and he received a ton of money in arbitration, is arguably the best defensive SS in the BLB and he switch-hits. I'll take it.

Bench
C - Alan Starr (FA)
IF - Brody Whiteley
IF - Bob Burleson
OF - Larry Fitzsymons
OF - Carlos Bamentos

I'm obviously biased, but I think all five of these guys could probably start on a few teams. Starr is old, but is a decent fielder, switch hitting and played really well for Baltimore recently. Whiteley is a great fielder at 3B and SS, and has proven he can be adequate with the bat, especially vs. LH pitching. He could platoon with Summers at 3B. Burleson is rated really well, hit well in AAA, will be a PH mostly. Fitzsymons was a top 100 prospect and a starter last season but with the addition of Robbins, he will be the #4. Great option to have off the bench, switch hitting, slick fielder and speed. Bamentos played in 138 games last year, only getting 93 ABs. He is a defensive replacement and pinch running specialist. Scored 29 runs!

Rotation
SP - Russ McEvoy (FA)
SP - Joe Chavarraga
SP - Romano Gonzalez
SP - Cristofor Villazon
SP - Joe Rodriguez
SP - Joe Zazueto

Same rotation as last year, but with a new ace at the top. McEvoy I think will flourish in my park with my defense behind him. I'm not 100% sold on the 6-man rotation idea, but I'm sure one of them will get hurt during the year. Plus, Chavarraga and Gonzalez are likely to be let go at seasons end because of age, so they could fall off this year. And I'm sure Zazueto will have a tough time following up his New Brew award-winning season.

Bullpen
RP - Chad Williams
RP - Christian Ramirez
RP - River Mathews
RP - Zoilo Lambarria
RP - PJ Brooks (Rookie)
CL - Grant Lewis

My pen might be the best in the BLB. They were last season, and with majority of them under 25, I expect them to be even better this season. If anyone is going to struggle, which I'm sure one will, they can be sent to AAA with no sweat because I have three or four guys who are BLB ready there.

Summary
The lineup is strong. The bench is deep. The bullpen is top notch. The starting rotation is above average. If Robbins stays healthy, if Sierra bounces back, if Gonzalez and Chav have some left in the tank, I could field the best team in the IL. But, those are four big ifs.

I have to be the favorite in the Stout but I would not be shocked if Virginia or Wilmington took it down to the final day of the season. I'm pretty confident that this team is easily playoff bound. Probably won't top the 109 wins we put up in route to the 1983 Brewmaster's Championship, but I think 100 wins is well within reach.

[Matt]

1984: 65-97
1985: 80-82
1986: 79-83

Lineup
CF John Fehilly
3B Gabriel Huxham (FA)
LF Steve Bing
1B Keith Uchiyama (Trade)
SS Felipe Miladelaroca
C Tauro Hidrogo
2B Wilton McClear
RF Roy Sizer

Once again another patch up lineup for the Muckdogs. Last season there were some disappointments (Roy Sizer) and some players who exceeded expectations (John Fehilly). Batavia has always lacked power and traded for 1B Uchiyama who they hope will bring some pop to the lineup.

Bench
IF Quintin Bargenquast (FA)
1B Joe Rayneri
IF Ferris Slocombe
OF Roy Gilbert
C Rafeal Ramos (FA)

Not much to look at here. Rayneri played well at 1B last year but is now regulated to the bench and hopefully can add some power as a pinch hitter. Ramos is FA pickup with a minor league contract. He hasn't played in the BLB since '84 where he only had 9 AB's.

Rotation
Nakazo Sasaki
Chet Stephens
Orlan Coronda
Nathan Athey
Eric Reese

Last years strength has suddenly become a worry when top prospect and #1 starter Chet Stephens had a rough off season, causing many to label him a bust. Was he rushed? Did he suffer an off season injury? Are the baseball gods just punishing Batavia? Hopefully the rest of the staff can play just as well as they did last season, anchoring the #1 pitching staff in the IL.

Bullpen

MR Ken Bayer
MR Ken Ketcham
MR Adam Goings
MR Jeronimo DeLacy
MR Black Verano
CL Roger Simonds

Bayer is the young gun at 22 years old and is one of the best relievers in the league. The only problem is that he wants to be a closer? Will last years award winning CL Roger Simonds be on the trade block soon...only time will tell. Goings played well in AAA the last two seasons and is going to get his shot in the BLB.

Summary

Batavia once again has a strong pitching staff but lacks on the offensive side of the ball. They have a few prospects coming up in the ranks but those guys are a few seasons away from playing. For the time being this former expansion team looks to finish under .500 again.