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In an effort to size up the Colonials' first round opponent, the California Kodiaks, we've decided to break down the team section by section in advance of the Divisional Series set to begin this week.
CATCHER - "Broken Wings" (Mr. Mister) - With the injury to Sebastian Turcotte, the Kodiaks come into this series set to rely on Wes Fitzpatrick behind the dish. While certainly a serviceable defensive option, he's a free swingers who leaves a lot to be desired at the plate versus behind it.
FIRST BASE - "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond) - Ismael Reyes comes over from the Tobs and gives Cali a legit run producer and power bat at the bottom of the lineup. Not going to dazzle you with his glove and he's never beat out a grounder in his life, but his consistency and experience are a plus.
SECOND BASE - "Stuck With You" (Huey Lewis & The News) - Quietly the glue that holds the "grizz" together is young 2B Todd Burley. He could stand to take a few more pitches, but his high average and outstanding glove make him perhaps the most underrated player on a stacked team.
SHORTSTOP - "Can't Buy Me Love" (The Beatles) - Dani Trujillo is one of the best middle infielders in the league and should have been on everyone's must have list when Pittsburgh dealt him in 1998. While his resume is outstanding, his numbers dipped noticeably this season after an early hip injury, though some have speculated that you should not overlook the timing of his contract extension with his shift in effort.
THIRD BASE - "Pop Goes The Weasel" (3rd Base) - Joey Kelch has been on the shortlist for a few seasons as an up-and-coming power hitter in this league. Unfortunately, his power numbers seem to have moved in the wrong direction this year. He'll have lots of opportunities to drive guys in and needs to capitalize in this series.
OUTFIELD - "You're The Best" (Joe Esposito) - Fujii, Betts and Marshburn not only make up arguably the best OF in the BLB, they probably are also the most potent 1-2-3 in the league today. The only thing higher than their potential and their output is their combined $40.0 paycheck. These guys should enjoy hitting at Colonial Park and Virginia would be wise to try to scrape together a few lefties to slow them down.
STARTING PITCHING - "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) - The pitching in California is kind of the silent partner mostly because, frankly, they present the Kodiaks with their largest hole. If there is a chink in the armor, it's the very average staff. Hard to call any of them an ACE right now, but money has to be on Norm Sutton to lead the team into the playoffs as the go-to arm. He's red hot and will likely be asked to match-up against Virginia's top guys.
BULLPEN - "In Too Deep" (Genesis) - If the Starters can't close the door on opponents, the Kodiaks lean on a bullpen not necessarily built to shut teams down. There is some talent there including Closer Robert Menedez, but overall you can touch up this group. Don't be shocked to see a patient Colonial team attempt to drag them out into the deep water.
OVERALL - "California Love" (2Pac) - This is the 5th team the California franchise has put in the playoffs and it's by far their best - INCLUDING the 1987 team that won it all. This may be the perfect storm season for them. Their race with the Bulldogs and a tough first round matchup kind of make them the team that "no one is talking about" in the IL. It will be a tough road, but California has the talent to burn through the playoffs like a wildfire.
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CATCHER - "Broken Wings" (Mr. Mister) - With the injury to Sebastian Turcotte, the Kodiaks come into this series set to rely on Wes Fitzpatrick behind the dish. While certainly a serviceable defensive option, he's a free swingers who leaves a lot to be desired at the plate versus behind it.
FIRST BASE - "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond) - Ismael Reyes comes over from the Tobs and gives Cali a legit run producer and power bat at the bottom of the lineup. Not going to dazzle you with his glove and he's never beat out a grounder in his life, but his consistency and experience are a plus.
SECOND BASE - "Stuck With You" (Huey Lewis & The News) - Quietly the glue that holds the "grizz" together is young 2B Todd Burley. He could stand to take a few more pitches, but his high average and outstanding glove make him perhaps the most underrated player on a stacked team.
SHORTSTOP - "Can't Buy Me Love" (The Beatles) - Dani Trujillo is one of the best middle infielders in the league and should have been on everyone's must have list when Pittsburgh dealt him in 1998. While his resume is outstanding, his numbers dipped noticeably this season after an early hip injury, though some have speculated that you should not overlook the timing of his contract extension with his shift in effort.
THIRD BASE - "Pop Goes The Weasel" (3rd Base) - Joey Kelch has been on the shortlist for a few seasons as an up-and-coming power hitter in this league. Unfortunately, his power numbers seem to have moved in the wrong direction this year. He'll have lots of opportunities to drive guys in and needs to capitalize in this series.
OUTFIELD - "You're The Best" (Joe Esposito) - Fujii, Betts and Marshburn not only make up arguably the best OF in the BLB, they probably are also the most potent 1-2-3 in the league today. The only thing higher than their potential and their output is their combined $40.0 paycheck. These guys should enjoy hitting at Colonial Park and Virginia would be wise to try to scrape together a few lefties to slow them down.
STARTING PITCHING - "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) - The pitching in California is kind of the silent partner mostly because, frankly, they present the Kodiaks with their largest hole. If there is a chink in the armor, it's the very average staff. Hard to call any of them an ACE right now, but money has to be on Norm Sutton to lead the team into the playoffs as the go-to arm. He's red hot and will likely be asked to match-up against Virginia's top guys.
BULLPEN - "In Too Deep" (Genesis) - If the Starters can't close the door on opponents, the Kodiaks lean on a bullpen not necessarily built to shut teams down. There is some talent there including Closer Robert Menedez, but overall you can touch up this group. Don't be shocked to see a patient Colonial team attempt to drag them out into the deep water.
OVERALL - "California Love" (2Pac) - This is the 5th team the California franchise has put in the playoffs and it's by far their best - INCLUDING the 1987 team that won it all. This may be the perfect storm season for them. Their race with the Bulldogs and a tough first round matchup kind of make them the team that "no one is talking about" in the IL. It will be a tough road, but California has the talent to burn through the playoffs like a wildfire.
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