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The 1988 Brewmasters Champs headed into the off-season with little to no wiggle room financially. Without pulling a Florida Marlins (oh no! A real life, future reference!? SGN might crash! Time space continuum!) and blowing the whole team up after a title, the Bats moved two of their highest paid players in SP Russ McEvoy and 1B Eddie O’Fallon. Other trades were also made with one goal in mind. Cut costs, get better if possible and get younger.
STARTERS
C – Mike Murdock – Age: 25 – Murdock is the future face of the franchise. Already established as a defensive stud, Murdock had a career year hitting in ’88. Hard for almost anyone to improve on 100+ RBI and .300+ average, but Murdock isn’t just anyone.
1B – Dave Robbins – Age: 34 - The old man is changing positions. Never the best outfielder, Robbins can now relax and play a little first base and get late inning defensive relief. Last year Robbins hit 94 RBI and scored 80 runs in 132 games. If he can stay healthier by playing 1B, I could easily see a repeat performance.
2B – Robert Abbot – Age: 25 – In his first 260 games, Abbot has 360 hits. My scout still thinks he has room to grow as a hitter. He also has a very slick glove and can steal 40+. The leadoff hitter for the Bats is hoping to make his second consecutive All-Star appearance.
3B – R.A. Grounds – Age: 30 – What? Third? Has he ever played there? Not really no. But, he started at 2B, later moved to SS and this season we are going to need him to play 3B in ’89. He will have late inning defensive relief but I think his bat outweighs any negative he will have in the field. Grounds is a free-agent at years end and how he adapts to his new position has a direct correlation with him being brought back in 1990.
SS – Jose Sanchez – Age: 35 – The former Maine great who was traded for another former Maine great in Eddie O’Fallon. Sanchez is a free-agent at season’s end and hopefully is motivated for another contract. Not only does his bat provide major benefits he might be one of the best defensive shortstops the BLB has ever seen. To ease the transition to the new league, with new teammates, coaches, etc., the Bats may hit him in the 8th whole. No pressure. Come play that defense you are famous for and do your thing at the plate when your name is called.
LF – Miguel Angel Padilla – Age: 23 – Still gets me every year how young this guy is. This will be his fifth full season in the BLB. Injuries and high expectations left a sour taste in MAP-fans mouths after his phenomenal ’87. I don’t know if he will ever hit like that again but I do expect improvements on his ’88 numbers.
CF – Larry Fitzsymons – Age: 26 – One of the biggest reasons to trade O’Fallon was money, but the biggest reason was Larry Fitzsymons. With 1B vacant, Robbins moves from OF to fill the void allowing Fitz to start where he belongs. Never been a full-time starter, the Bats are very excited to see what he can do with the opportunity.
RF – Micho Nago – Age: 25 – What can I say about Nago that hasn’t already been said? Great player. Great attitude. Can hit leadoff, second or third. Can play all over the OF….as long as he stays healthy.
BENCH
C – Pepe Hernandez – Age: 25 – A former top 100 prospect and AAA Glove Wizard Award winner. Last year, his first in the BLB, as the backup, he hit .268 with a .696 OPS. He still has room to grow as a hitter and you love having such a good defender available off the bench.
OF – Carlos Bamentos – Age: 29 – He wants to start and probably deserves too based on ability. Probably won’t get that opportunity unless there is a major injury but the #4 OF usually gets quality at-bats. Bamentos can defend, run and hit for power. Last year he hit .241 with a .702 OPS including 10 HRs in a reserve role.
INF – Brody Whiteley – Age: 30 – Before the O’Fallon-Sanchez trade was finalized, Whiteley was schedule to be the 3B starter for the first time since ’84. He was a young player then, now more reasoned, with a more defined role. Bench bat and defensive replacement.
OF – Emmitt Stearnes – Age: 25 – Not certain he will be on the roster after ST but he will be on the BLB club throughout the season. A decent defender who wouldn’t be a bad #9 hitter on a DL club. Has a lot of speed. 31 SB in 88 Triple-A games last year.
INF – Mark Steward – Age: 27 – The only free-agent hitter the Bats signed. Formerly of the Kodiaks, Steward is a shell of his former self, and still just 27. No longer a 30+ HR threat, Steward is now a defensive stalwart of the bench (great at 2B, 3B and SS) and should provide a little pop as a pinch hitter.
INF – Bob Burleson – Age: 28 – Not sure what to make of Burleson. My scout loves his hitting ratings. He is a solid defender at 2B and 1B. But last year, mostly used as the #1 pinch-hitter off the bench, he was abysmal. In 217 at bats, he hit just .171. If he struggles in Spring Training, he could be sent down and/or waived.
MINORS
SS – Clint Johnston – Age: 20 – On the fast track to the BLB level, Johnston was a surprise to not be invited to Spring Training. Instead, the Bats will leave him at the Triple-A level to see if he can make the transition from SS to 3B, where the Bats are currently trying Grounds at. A top 50 prospect. Bright future for this kid and no need to rush. He hit .292 last year in Triple-A, with 39 steals in 118 games.
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STARTERS
C – Mike Murdock – Age: 25 – Murdock is the future face of the franchise. Already established as a defensive stud, Murdock had a career year hitting in ’88. Hard for almost anyone to improve on 100+ RBI and .300+ average, but Murdock isn’t just anyone.
1B – Dave Robbins – Age: 34 - The old man is changing positions. Never the best outfielder, Robbins can now relax and play a little first base and get late inning defensive relief. Last year Robbins hit 94 RBI and scored 80 runs in 132 games. If he can stay healthier by playing 1B, I could easily see a repeat performance.
2B – Robert Abbot – Age: 25 – In his first 260 games, Abbot has 360 hits. My scout still thinks he has room to grow as a hitter. He also has a very slick glove and can steal 40+. The leadoff hitter for the Bats is hoping to make his second consecutive All-Star appearance.
3B – R.A. Grounds – Age: 30 – What? Third? Has he ever played there? Not really no. But, he started at 2B, later moved to SS and this season we are going to need him to play 3B in ’89. He will have late inning defensive relief but I think his bat outweighs any negative he will have in the field. Grounds is a free-agent at years end and how he adapts to his new position has a direct correlation with him being brought back in 1990.
SS – Jose Sanchez – Age: 35 – The former Maine great who was traded for another former Maine great in Eddie O’Fallon. Sanchez is a free-agent at season’s end and hopefully is motivated for another contract. Not only does his bat provide major benefits he might be one of the best defensive shortstops the BLB has ever seen. To ease the transition to the new league, with new teammates, coaches, etc., the Bats may hit him in the 8th whole. No pressure. Come play that defense you are famous for and do your thing at the plate when your name is called.
LF – Miguel Angel Padilla – Age: 23 – Still gets me every year how young this guy is. This will be his fifth full season in the BLB. Injuries and high expectations left a sour taste in MAP-fans mouths after his phenomenal ’87. I don’t know if he will ever hit like that again but I do expect improvements on his ’88 numbers.
CF – Larry Fitzsymons – Age: 26 – One of the biggest reasons to trade O’Fallon was money, but the biggest reason was Larry Fitzsymons. With 1B vacant, Robbins moves from OF to fill the void allowing Fitz to start where he belongs. Never been a full-time starter, the Bats are very excited to see what he can do with the opportunity.
RF – Micho Nago – Age: 25 – What can I say about Nago that hasn’t already been said? Great player. Great attitude. Can hit leadoff, second or third. Can play all over the OF….as long as he stays healthy.
BENCH
C – Pepe Hernandez – Age: 25 – A former top 100 prospect and AAA Glove Wizard Award winner. Last year, his first in the BLB, as the backup, he hit .268 with a .696 OPS. He still has room to grow as a hitter and you love having such a good defender available off the bench.
OF – Carlos Bamentos – Age: 29 – He wants to start and probably deserves too based on ability. Probably won’t get that opportunity unless there is a major injury but the #4 OF usually gets quality at-bats. Bamentos can defend, run and hit for power. Last year he hit .241 with a .702 OPS including 10 HRs in a reserve role.
INF – Brody Whiteley – Age: 30 – Before the O’Fallon-Sanchez trade was finalized, Whiteley was schedule to be the 3B starter for the first time since ’84. He was a young player then, now more reasoned, with a more defined role. Bench bat and defensive replacement.
OF – Emmitt Stearnes – Age: 25 – Not certain he will be on the roster after ST but he will be on the BLB club throughout the season. A decent defender who wouldn’t be a bad #9 hitter on a DL club. Has a lot of speed. 31 SB in 88 Triple-A games last year.
INF – Mark Steward – Age: 27 – The only free-agent hitter the Bats signed. Formerly of the Kodiaks, Steward is a shell of his former self, and still just 27. No longer a 30+ HR threat, Steward is now a defensive stalwart of the bench (great at 2B, 3B and SS) and should provide a little pop as a pinch hitter.
INF – Bob Burleson – Age: 28 – Not sure what to make of Burleson. My scout loves his hitting ratings. He is a solid defender at 2B and 1B. But last year, mostly used as the #1 pinch-hitter off the bench, he was abysmal. In 217 at bats, he hit just .171. If he struggles in Spring Training, he could be sent down and/or waived.
MINORS
SS – Clint Johnston – Age: 20 – On the fast track to the BLB level, Johnston was a surprise to not be invited to Spring Training. Instead, the Bats will leave him at the Triple-A level to see if he can make the transition from SS to 3B, where the Bats are currently trying Grounds at. A top 50 prospect. Bright future for this kid and no need to rush. He hit .292 last year in Triple-A, with 39 steals in 118 games.
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LINK
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