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Carolina Tobs Season Review
Final Record- 88-75- 1 GB in Bock
What Went Right
-The second half of the season. After the All-Star Break, we played as well as any team in the league. Our pitching started shutting teams down and our lineup got on track. Unfortunately we dug too deep of a hole and couldn’t quite make it in the playoffs.
-The pitching staff was as good as I could have hoped. We finished 4th in the IL in team ERA, 3rd in starters’ ERA. Our rotation of Parongao, Gates, Delclos and Castre was very solid 1-4. When Tim Nathan was on the team, our starting rotation was stout 1-5.
-Frank Hamlet filled in admirably for Vincent Nino. He’ll never put up the numbers his predecessor did, but Hamlet belted 22 HRs and drove in 104 runs. If it weren’t for a late season slide his numbers would have been considerably better. His lower contract gives us much more flexibility than Nino’s $20 million would.
-Angelo Opio was outstanding. .302/.362/.499 with 25 HRs and 106 RBI. He became a star player for us stepping out of the shadow of Nino and carried our lineup. He made a strong case for picking up his $11 million option next season.
What Went Wrong
-The first half of the season. We were absolutely dreadful until the All-Star Break, bottoming out at 34-49, 11.5 games back in the Division. It really cost us given how hot we finished the year. Without our awful start, I think we could have been a contender in the IL.
-Matt Rogers. I don’t want to say he was completely terrible, but he picked some awful times to let in runs. He saved 42 games, but blew 5 and had a 1-10 record, including a blown save and loss in our one game playoff. We’re used to Casimiro Cabezas in Carolina, where a one run lead seems secure. Rogers did have a .339 BABIP, so he may have been a victim of some bad luck. But he just may not be cut out to close games.
-5th Starter Jack Cashan. This only became an issue after dealing Nathan. Cashan had done an admirable job filling our last starting spot, but his run is at an end. 5-7, 5.47 ERA, 1.87 WHIP will get his ticket punched out of Carolina.
-The back of the lineup. I wasn’t expecting all-star stuff out of guys like Tarcena, Gallegos, Lefebre, and the rest, but they just killed us at times. Taracena was an outright failure who we were happy to dump on California at the deadline. Gallegos wasn’t any kind of stopgap at 3B and Lefebre regressed this season.
1988 Outlook
We head into 1988 hoping to keep our string of 10 consecutive winning seasons alive and I believe we are in position to do that. Notable players who will probably be on their way out of Carolina include Dan Hogan, Herb Lefebre, Rodger Gallegos and Ted Jackson. Hogan managed to lead in the IL in both runs scored and strikeouts from his leadoff spot, but I feel his skills are regressing and he will not be worth the $9 million price tag. Jackson was very good before getting injured, but he too carries too steep of a price for us to pick up. Lefebre wants to test free agency and Gallegos is terrible. As mentioned, Jack Cashan will also be looking unsuccessfully for work as a BLB free agent.
Rotation
Ezequiel Parongao- A consistent ace. This may be Parongao’s last season in Carolina, but he’s still got the skills to lead the rotation.
Shawn Gates- Just 23 years old, Gates has now pitched two very good years in the BLB, with a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 59 career starts. If we gave him some run support, he could be an all-star.
Tajo Delclos- I don’t expect him to match the numbers he put up in 1987, but Delclos will still be a very solid middle of the rotation starter.
Hector Castre- I’ve talked this guy up plenty of times, but I’m very high on his potential and he showed glimpses of why he may be our future ace as a rookie. If he can pitch like he did down the stretch, look out.
5th starter- ??? Hector Perez, who came from Philadelphia in return for Tim Nathan could be ready for this spot. He’s currently #68 in the BA Top 100.
Lineup:
C- Nevada Guizan- Great defensive catcher with some power. Not going to be a big-time hitter but he runs into a few here and there (21 HRs in 87). We may also look for an upgrade if it is available.
1B- Frank Hamlet
2B- ??? Lefebre is gone and clearly we need to find someone. Jimmy Joy could also move over to this position but a middle infielder is at the top of our wish list.
SS- Jimmy Joy- Had a bounce back season and at 26 years old, can still hold down this position for many years in Carolina.
3B- Micah Beauregard?- Gallegos is gone (thankfully). Beauregard did a decent job in his place, but may be better served in a bench role.
OF- Angelo Opio
OF- Chicho Ochoa
OF- ??- Dan Hogan and Joel Russell are both gone, leaving us in need of some pop from the outfield. AA OF Pepe Rodriguez is an intriguing option but I’m not sure he’ll be ready next season. He’s definitely got some power though. We’re in the market for an outfielder.
We should have some money to spend and have two first round picks to work with, so hopefully the lineup will add a couple big-time bats this offseason.
Final Record- 88-75- 1 GB in Bock
What Went Right
-The second half of the season. After the All-Star Break, we played as well as any team in the league. Our pitching started shutting teams down and our lineup got on track. Unfortunately we dug too deep of a hole and couldn’t quite make it in the playoffs.
-The pitching staff was as good as I could have hoped. We finished 4th in the IL in team ERA, 3rd in starters’ ERA. Our rotation of Parongao, Gates, Delclos and Castre was very solid 1-4. When Tim Nathan was on the team, our starting rotation was stout 1-5.
-Frank Hamlet filled in admirably for Vincent Nino. He’ll never put up the numbers his predecessor did, but Hamlet belted 22 HRs and drove in 104 runs. If it weren’t for a late season slide his numbers would have been considerably better. His lower contract gives us much more flexibility than Nino’s $20 million would.
-Angelo Opio was outstanding. .302/.362/.499 with 25 HRs and 106 RBI. He became a star player for us stepping out of the shadow of Nino and carried our lineup. He made a strong case for picking up his $11 million option next season.
What Went Wrong
-The first half of the season. We were absolutely dreadful until the All-Star Break, bottoming out at 34-49, 11.5 games back in the Division. It really cost us given how hot we finished the year. Without our awful start, I think we could have been a contender in the IL.
-Matt Rogers. I don’t want to say he was completely terrible, but he picked some awful times to let in runs. He saved 42 games, but blew 5 and had a 1-10 record, including a blown save and loss in our one game playoff. We’re used to Casimiro Cabezas in Carolina, where a one run lead seems secure. Rogers did have a .339 BABIP, so he may have been a victim of some bad luck. But he just may not be cut out to close games.
-5th Starter Jack Cashan. This only became an issue after dealing Nathan. Cashan had done an admirable job filling our last starting spot, but his run is at an end. 5-7, 5.47 ERA, 1.87 WHIP will get his ticket punched out of Carolina.
-The back of the lineup. I wasn’t expecting all-star stuff out of guys like Tarcena, Gallegos, Lefebre, and the rest, but they just killed us at times. Taracena was an outright failure who we were happy to dump on California at the deadline. Gallegos wasn’t any kind of stopgap at 3B and Lefebre regressed this season.
1988 Outlook
We head into 1988 hoping to keep our string of 10 consecutive winning seasons alive and I believe we are in position to do that. Notable players who will probably be on their way out of Carolina include Dan Hogan, Herb Lefebre, Rodger Gallegos and Ted Jackson. Hogan managed to lead in the IL in both runs scored and strikeouts from his leadoff spot, but I feel his skills are regressing and he will not be worth the $9 million price tag. Jackson was very good before getting injured, but he too carries too steep of a price for us to pick up. Lefebre wants to test free agency and Gallegos is terrible. As mentioned, Jack Cashan will also be looking unsuccessfully for work as a BLB free agent.
Rotation
Ezequiel Parongao- A consistent ace. This may be Parongao’s last season in Carolina, but he’s still got the skills to lead the rotation.
Shawn Gates- Just 23 years old, Gates has now pitched two very good years in the BLB, with a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 59 career starts. If we gave him some run support, he could be an all-star.
Tajo Delclos- I don’t expect him to match the numbers he put up in 1987, but Delclos will still be a very solid middle of the rotation starter.
Hector Castre- I’ve talked this guy up plenty of times, but I’m very high on his potential and he showed glimpses of why he may be our future ace as a rookie. If he can pitch like he did down the stretch, look out.
5th starter- ??? Hector Perez, who came from Philadelphia in return for Tim Nathan could be ready for this spot. He’s currently #68 in the BA Top 100.
Lineup:
C- Nevada Guizan- Great defensive catcher with some power. Not going to be a big-time hitter but he runs into a few here and there (21 HRs in 87). We may also look for an upgrade if it is available.
1B- Frank Hamlet
2B- ??? Lefebre is gone and clearly we need to find someone. Jimmy Joy could also move over to this position but a middle infielder is at the top of our wish list.
SS- Jimmy Joy- Had a bounce back season and at 26 years old, can still hold down this position for many years in Carolina.
3B- Micah Beauregard?- Gallegos is gone (thankfully). Beauregard did a decent job in his place, but may be better served in a bench role.
OF- Angelo Opio
OF- Chicho Ochoa
OF- ??- Dan Hogan and Joel Russell are both gone, leaving us in need of some pop from the outfield. AA OF Pepe Rodriguez is an intriguing option but I’m not sure he’ll be ready next season. He’s definitely got some power though. We’re in the market for an outfielder.
We should have some money to spend and have two first round picks to work with, so hopefully the lineup will add a couple big-time bats this offseason.