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"Who are we?" Lately, that is the one million dollar question that has been kicked around nearly every sports radio show in Baltimore. Bulldogs fans aren't asking that question based on a furry of roster changes during the '88 off-season or a rash of injuries that changes the make up of a team. The question is more fundamental. Fans are wondering 'who are we' philosophically. The 61-year old manager for the Bulldogs, Kip Stokes, feels he has the answer. "We’re a blue-collared, hard working team," said the tenured field manager. Stokes debuted as a manager in the BLB with the 1984 expansion team, the Morgantown Mohawks. After three seasons in Morgantown, Stokes headed 200 miles due east and landed in Baltimore. In his first season as the Bulldogs skipper, Baltimore finished 8 games below .500 and their 3rd straight, sub-.500 finish. In his 2nd season, Stokes has lobbied the front office to make wholesale changes in the coaching staff of the entire organization.
At the BLB level, the Bulldogs have added 10-year coaching veteran, Ivan Hernandez as their new bench coach. Hernandez is a former Dominican Republic baseball player and was the hitting coach for the DR’s 1987 Winter League Champion, Aguilas Cibaenas (Cibaenas Eagles).
Stokes also asked to hire young, Jerry Dennis as the new hitting coach. Dennis is a former Sun-Devil first baseman whose promising career was cut short in his first game in Tempe. Dennis only 38 years old and has only 6 years at the professional level, but Stokes vowed that Dennis’ understanding of swing mechanics and tireless approach to his craft, will pay dividends over the next couple of years.
As for the 1988 roster for the Bulldogs, it is pretty much unchanged. 35-year old infielder, Tomas Cirlos was not extended a renewal and relief pitcher, Mark Pettiford decided to test the cold waters of free agency. The Bulldogs biggest off-season move is likely the recent trade of starting pitcher Frank Esser to Pittsburgh for a 1988 2nd round pick. This trade did free Baltimore from Esser’s large $11.5 million contract. “I wanted to make this move last year, but we had no good deals on the table,” said Dillard.
Spring Training is half-way over and this is who we see surviving to make it to the Bigs.
STARTING ROTATION
Joe Soto
Soto is just a winner. Soto has had two of the most productive seasons of his careers since signing with Baltimore. Soto went 18-8 with 25 quality starts(led the IL in both W and QS) and his 2nd All-Star appearance. I expect the same high quality performance by Soto.
Dylan Lillie
Lillie is coming into his own as a potential ace. Lillie has been in the top 10 in strikeouts over the last five years and has shown the ability to sit-down any batter in the league. A 2.95 ERA last year with 12 wins, look for Lillie to be elected to his 2nd All-Star appearance this year.
Mike Fritsch
Fritsch is the only player currently on the Baltimore roster who was on the Bulldogs very first roster from the BLB’s inaugural year. Call it nostalgia or stupidity Fritsch is being considered for a starting role with Bullldogs after 10 years in a relief role. One thing can not be denied, Fritsch is talented. With a five-pitch repertoire, including fastball clocked at 100 mph, one can only wonder if Fritsch will flame out quickly or be the tough 3rd starter Baltimore has been missing the last 2-3 years.
Bill Faircloth
Faircloth is the type of pitcher that reporters say every year, “this is the year he puts it all together,” but he never does. Faircloth likely has one more half of a season to “put it all together.” Don’t get me wrong, he’s a serviceable backend starter but Baltimore needs him to be more than that. If Faircloth struggles early on, look for a trade and/or potential call-up of 21-year old, Chad Stafford.
Joe Orozco
Baltimore took a chance on Orozco because he seems to do well....as long as he isn’t in Pawtucket. Looking at Petoria Park, it may be a bit friendly for right-handed pullers. He's expected to have a similar season to last year’s in Denver.
STARTERS
Marlon Todd/Tomas Corriveau
OSA really believes Mr. Todd is ready for the big time. After a disaster called his rookie season, we’re hoping Todd can be the missing piece of consistency at catcher for this team. Corriveau serves as a serviceable back up in case Todd still isn’t ready.
(1B) Pat Washington
After last year’s good year, Pat looks to build on that to become a true mainstay of this new era of Baltimore offense. Considered a top ten hitter in this league by a number of scouting associations, With his ability to Pat to hit well against both left and right handed players and therefore, is likely to hit behind Harcourt this year to keep teams honest on the mound. Some Bulldog fans even feel the time is right and he is expected to have a “breakout” year.
(2B) Ivan Garcia
Ivan is finally starting to understand “The Show.” Last year, Garcia was in the top 10 in triples, stolen bases, and strikeouts. If he can become a bit more patient at the plate, Garcia has the potential to be one of the premier lead-off hitters in the IL.
Curt Boyd
Boyd was a lead piece in trade rumors this winter as the talented utility infielder seemed to garner a lot of interest. His ability to play all the infield at an exceptionally high level, makes him very valuable. In the end, however, the Baltimore GM didn’t see enough progress in any of the younger infielders to replace Boyd’s defensive versatility.
(3B) Wilton Harcourt
Harcourt had a rough year in ’87. Having the worst batting average of his career since 1981. The 8-time All-Star was injured last year missing almost 60 games and missed the All-Star game for the 2nd straight year. In spring training, Harcourt did hit .385 with 4 home runs.
(LF) Larry Headington
Headington hit a career best, 31 home runs last year, and despite being mentioned in trade rumors to Philly and Pittsburgh, Headington is still Baltimore starting in the outfield. Considered to be only a power hitter and Baltimore would like Larry to perform more like his ’85 season to remain a consistent starter.
(CF) Mark Mabbett
Not the player he once was, Mabbett has been a staple in the Baltimore lineup for the last 10 years. At 35, Mark doesn’t have all of the speed or power anymore but his intelligence and leadership ability will be crucial to the success of this team.
(RF) Amistad Caballero
Arguably the hottest player during spring training, Caballero needs to have the type of production from his years in Maine. In a park that is tailored to his play style, Caballero should be a guy who hits 25 to 30 bombs this year in Baltimore.
BULLPEN
Middle Relief
Al Fleming
Highly touted prospect out of Texas expected to maybe start in Baltimore. However following this year’s conversion to new game rules in ’88 have Fleming as a young hurler with talent but a third pitch to start games.
Seth Nelson
As Baltimore’s 1st round pick in ’81, Nelson never really hit the full potential that Baltimore expected from him and will likely be used in long relief rolls.
Rafael Randez
Randez went 7-2 last year with a 2.89 ERA while throwing for over 100 inning in relief. Randez earned a $2.2 million dollar contract with that performance and Baltimore may likely lean on Rafael’s consistent play this year as well.
Raul Reyes
Reyes is a reliever who works extremely hard and goes out to win everytime. At 6’6” but only 205 lbs, the tall skinny Cuban kid has a good fastball and slider and has the potential to be very good for years to come.
Cesaro Pena
Pena has decent velocity on his fastball, which does well when accompanying cutter and splitter. Pena had good success throughout the minors and at just 21 years old, the Bulldogs are giving him a chance at the Show.
Setup
Hong-bin Su-Tu
Su-Tu has never has an ERA over 3.75 at any level of his career. Not flashy Hong-bin just gets the job done.
Closer
Brian Hanrahan
”The Giant Killer” is easily one of the top 5 closers of this decade. Baltimore will expect his normal 38-45 saves with a sub 2 ERA.
BOTTOMLINE
With the new upgraded staff, expect Baltimore to play more consistent baseball and have their first winning season in three years.
At the BLB level, the Bulldogs have added 10-year coaching veteran, Ivan Hernandez as their new bench coach. Hernandez is a former Dominican Republic baseball player and was the hitting coach for the DR’s 1987 Winter League Champion, Aguilas Cibaenas (Cibaenas Eagles).
Stokes also asked to hire young, Jerry Dennis as the new hitting coach. Dennis is a former Sun-Devil first baseman whose promising career was cut short in his first game in Tempe. Dennis only 38 years old and has only 6 years at the professional level, but Stokes vowed that Dennis’ understanding of swing mechanics and tireless approach to his craft, will pay dividends over the next couple of years.
As for the 1988 roster for the Bulldogs, it is pretty much unchanged. 35-year old infielder, Tomas Cirlos was not extended a renewal and relief pitcher, Mark Pettiford decided to test the cold waters of free agency. The Bulldogs biggest off-season move is likely the recent trade of starting pitcher Frank Esser to Pittsburgh for a 1988 2nd round pick. This trade did free Baltimore from Esser’s large $11.5 million contract. “I wanted to make this move last year, but we had no good deals on the table,” said Dillard.
Spring Training is half-way over and this is who we see surviving to make it to the Bigs.
STARTING ROTATION
Joe Soto
Soto is just a winner. Soto has had two of the most productive seasons of his careers since signing with Baltimore. Soto went 18-8 with 25 quality starts(led the IL in both W and QS) and his 2nd All-Star appearance. I expect the same high quality performance by Soto.
Dylan Lillie
Lillie is coming into his own as a potential ace. Lillie has been in the top 10 in strikeouts over the last five years and has shown the ability to sit-down any batter in the league. A 2.95 ERA last year with 12 wins, look for Lillie to be elected to his 2nd All-Star appearance this year.
Mike Fritsch
Fritsch is the only player currently on the Baltimore roster who was on the Bulldogs very first roster from the BLB’s inaugural year. Call it nostalgia or stupidity Fritsch is being considered for a starting role with Bullldogs after 10 years in a relief role. One thing can not be denied, Fritsch is talented. With a five-pitch repertoire, including fastball clocked at 100 mph, one can only wonder if Fritsch will flame out quickly or be the tough 3rd starter Baltimore has been missing the last 2-3 years.
Bill Faircloth
Faircloth is the type of pitcher that reporters say every year, “this is the year he puts it all together,” but he never does. Faircloth likely has one more half of a season to “put it all together.” Don’t get me wrong, he’s a serviceable backend starter but Baltimore needs him to be more than that. If Faircloth struggles early on, look for a trade and/or potential call-up of 21-year old, Chad Stafford.
Joe Orozco
Baltimore took a chance on Orozco because he seems to do well....as long as he isn’t in Pawtucket. Looking at Petoria Park, it may be a bit friendly for right-handed pullers. He's expected to have a similar season to last year’s in Denver.
STARTERS
Marlon Todd/Tomas Corriveau
OSA really believes Mr. Todd is ready for the big time. After a disaster called his rookie season, we’re hoping Todd can be the missing piece of consistency at catcher for this team. Corriveau serves as a serviceable back up in case Todd still isn’t ready.
(1B) Pat Washington
After last year’s good year, Pat looks to build on that to become a true mainstay of this new era of Baltimore offense. Considered a top ten hitter in this league by a number of scouting associations, With his ability to Pat to hit well against both left and right handed players and therefore, is likely to hit behind Harcourt this year to keep teams honest on the mound. Some Bulldog fans even feel the time is right and he is expected to have a “breakout” year.
(2B) Ivan Garcia
Ivan is finally starting to understand “The Show.” Last year, Garcia was in the top 10 in triples, stolen bases, and strikeouts. If he can become a bit more patient at the plate, Garcia has the potential to be one of the premier lead-off hitters in the IL.
Curt Boyd
Boyd was a lead piece in trade rumors this winter as the talented utility infielder seemed to garner a lot of interest. His ability to play all the infield at an exceptionally high level, makes him very valuable. In the end, however, the Baltimore GM didn’t see enough progress in any of the younger infielders to replace Boyd’s defensive versatility.
(3B) Wilton Harcourt
Harcourt had a rough year in ’87. Having the worst batting average of his career since 1981. The 8-time All-Star was injured last year missing almost 60 games and missed the All-Star game for the 2nd straight year. In spring training, Harcourt did hit .385 with 4 home runs.
(LF) Larry Headington
Headington hit a career best, 31 home runs last year, and despite being mentioned in trade rumors to Philly and Pittsburgh, Headington is still Baltimore starting in the outfield. Considered to be only a power hitter and Baltimore would like Larry to perform more like his ’85 season to remain a consistent starter.
(CF) Mark Mabbett
Not the player he once was, Mabbett has been a staple in the Baltimore lineup for the last 10 years. At 35, Mark doesn’t have all of the speed or power anymore but his intelligence and leadership ability will be crucial to the success of this team.
(RF) Amistad Caballero
Arguably the hottest player during spring training, Caballero needs to have the type of production from his years in Maine. In a park that is tailored to his play style, Caballero should be a guy who hits 25 to 30 bombs this year in Baltimore.
BULLPEN
Middle Relief
Al Fleming
Highly touted prospect out of Texas expected to maybe start in Baltimore. However following this year’s conversion to new game rules in ’88 have Fleming as a young hurler with talent but a third pitch to start games.
Seth Nelson
As Baltimore’s 1st round pick in ’81, Nelson never really hit the full potential that Baltimore expected from him and will likely be used in long relief rolls.
Rafael Randez
Randez went 7-2 last year with a 2.89 ERA while throwing for over 100 inning in relief. Randez earned a $2.2 million dollar contract with that performance and Baltimore may likely lean on Rafael’s consistent play this year as well.
Raul Reyes
Reyes is a reliever who works extremely hard and goes out to win everytime. At 6’6” but only 205 lbs, the tall skinny Cuban kid has a good fastball and slider and has the potential to be very good for years to come.
Cesaro Pena
Pena has decent velocity on his fastball, which does well when accompanying cutter and splitter. Pena had good success throughout the minors and at just 21 years old, the Bulldogs are giving him a chance at the Show.
Setup
Hong-bin Su-Tu
Su-Tu has never has an ERA over 3.75 at any level of his career. Not flashy Hong-bin just gets the job done.
Closer
Brian Hanrahan
”The Giant Killer” is easily one of the top 5 closers of this decade. Baltimore will expect his normal 38-45 saves with a sub 2 ERA.
BOTTOMLINE
With the new upgraded staff, expect Baltimore to play more consistent baseball and have their first winning season in three years.
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