Colonial Living: 1990 Season Preview – Offense

[Clay]

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Fans in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:state> are still pinching themselves after the team finally broke through in 1989. After a heartbreaking end to the ’88 season where they missed the post-season after a one-game playoff to the Windy City Playboys, the Colonials won their first Stout Division title and played two nip and tuck seven game series before succumbing to the IL Champion California Kodiaks. Now, on the eve of Spring Training, the payroll and expectations are high for an IL Pennant in 1990. In this two-part series we’ll take a look at what BLB fans can expect out of this year’s Colonial squad.
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THE STARTERS<o:p></o:p>
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C – Rod Phillips (’89: .261/.343/.392/.736 – 42 2B – 76 RBI) – On a short-list of the top Rule V pick-ups in recent BLB history, Phillips came in as a rookie in ’88 and stole the everyday backstop role from a legit Glove Wizard. The switch hitting Phillips took a small step back in ’89, but started to show great versatility at both the top and bottom of the impressive Colonials’ lineup.
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1B – Vincent Nino (’89: .302/.364/.498/.862 – 21 HR – 97 RBI) – The former IL Stout Slugger and quietly one of the most accomplished hitters in league history was well on his way to one of his best seasons before a broken kneecap ended Nino’s season after only 127 games. Still rehabbing near his home in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state>, Nino will not join the Colonials till after Spring Training. The Colonials and the slugger have elected to void his 1991 Mutual Option making this a contract year for the now 34 year old 5-time Glove Wizard winner.
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2B – Joshua Poling (’89: .257/.337/.393/.730 – 9 HR – 38 RBI) – Though speculation has Poling being actively shopped during the off-season, the three-time IL All-Star second bagger re-upped with the Colonials this off-season on a two year deal. Poling suffered a season ending back injury in July which ended his season and his chance to play in his first post-season. Healthy and looking to rally, Poling will move to the bottom of the Colonial lineup until he can show that his power stroke was no affected by his surgery.

SS – Dale O’Hegarty (’89: .310/.423/.457/.880 – 117 R – 50 2B) – The Captain of Virginia and arguably one of the best leadoff hitters in the Modern Era of the BLB, O’Hegarty’s 1989 season was the best of his career despite receiving very little credit. After 5 straight All-Star appearances, he was left off the 1989 roster despite setting career highs in nearly every offensive category. Turning 30 in 1990 and entering what many consider the prime of his career, many experts think O’Hegarty should be on the watch list to break Cesaro Campoveroe’s single season Runs record (144) batting in front of Hall of Famers like Woodbury, Nino and Gremades.
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3B – Yoritoki Maeda (’89: .250/.344/.426/.770 – 16 HR – 83 RBI) – Despite the very public hatred displayed by a certain rival Stout Owner, Maeda may have been the reason that Virginia claimed their first division title. Slated to play 1B exclusively in ’89, Maeda ended up spending 80 games filling in for his injured teammates at second and third while riding a second half surge to turn in career highs nearly across the board. The 24 year old Maeda will start ’90 at 3B allowing veteran Vincent Nino to take the more relaxing role of everyday 1B. Colonial Head Scout Shiferaw Yasini has publicly called for Maeda’s breakout season in 1990.
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LF – Everardo Gremades (’89: .342/.484/.533/1.016 – 23 HR – 100 RBI) – His jump to the Colonials just before the All-Star break cost the former DL Stout Slugger his chance at winning another award despite putting up eye-popping numbers in both leagues this year. In fact, in his 84 games in the IL, he put up an amazing line of .333/.507/.534/1.041. With a full-season at Colonial Park, some scout think that #2 can put up a .500+ OBP for the entire season shattering the single-season record that he set this season. What people will be watching closely, however, is the 32 year old sluggers move to a full-time corner outfield position. Limited range from the All-Star packed Colonial infield made Gremades the only logical candidate to make the jump to LF.
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CF – Danny Nelson/Florian Toselli (’89: Nelson 30 HR – 90 RBI – Toselli 48 2B – 95 R) – How do you reward two guys who outperformed all expectations in everyday roles in ’89? By demoting them to a platoon in 1990. Toselli’s table-setting ability and Danny Nelson’s power would be a huge benefit on most team’s daily lineup, unfortunately, where do you put them on this team? The two will share CF duties situationally with “Little Italy” expected to get about 60% of the starts. The Organization loves both players, but many believe that if the team finds the need to add another arm at or before the deadline, Toselli will be a likely piece in any deal.
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RF – Mel “Doorbell” Woodbury (’89: .324/.410/.624/1.034 – 39 HR – 140 RBI) – The 1989 season brought Mel Woodbury his 2^nd consecutive IL Stout Slugger Award, a return to the playoffs, a move to RF and Glove Wizard Award to go with it. Unfortunately it ended with a sub-par playoff performance leaving “Doorbell” hungry to lead his team on another run. Woodbury starts his third season with the Colonials with expectations higher than the team has ever had. Their success will likely hinge on where he can take them.
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THE BENCH<o:p></o:p>
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Alberto Hernando (C/1B) – Rock solid defense behind the dish when Phillips needs a blow. This will likely be the two-time Glove Wizard’s last season in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:state>.
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Cristian Martinez (IF) – Lefty 2B who can get himself on base in a pinch.
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Doug MacPherson (IF) – MacPherson will back-up the left side of the infield and provide one of the few right-handed bats on the bench.
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Artie Rhodes (OF) – Solid defense and world class speed, <st1:place w:st="on">Rhodes</st1:place> provides an extra left-handed bat on the bench.
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Yan van den Adel (OF) – Pinch Runner and late inning defense.
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ON DECK<o:p></o:p>
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Hector Chavez (2B) – Baseball America’s #30 prospect will start the season in the Horizon League (Detroit), but will likely be lock as a September call-up. Chavez, the 16 overall pick in 1986, is the Colonials next great infield prospect and should allow the Colonials to save money in the immediate future when the decision to bring back Vincent Nino and Joshua Poling comes up over the next two seasons. The 22 year old beanpole Texan needs to develop his eye and power a little more in AAA this year, but his speed and defense seem already ready to take the next step.

[BradZ]

No longer concerned about the pre-ST writeup jinx? You had fairly strong feelings about that last season.

Your team is stacked, there's no doubt about it. It's a virtual All-Star team. A few of the key pieces are aging, so the window is now for sure. I was glad to see Toselli get a legit shot last season and produce like he belongs. Sucks for him that he'll have to split time, but it's tough to get everyone on the field.

[Clay]

No longer concerned about the pre-ST writeup jinx? You had fairly strong feelings about that last season.

Your team is stacked, there's no doubt about it. It's a virtual All-Star team. A few of the key pieces are aging, so the window is now for sure. I was glad to see Toselli get a legit shot last season and produce like he belongs. Sucks for him that he'll have to split time, but it's tough to get everyone on the field.

Injuries are inevitable. Toselli will get to play more than Nelson, plus, with the assumption that I will move or lose an infielder to injury, that would allow Gremades to move back to the IF and Toselli to play everyday.

I do agree the my team is aging fast, but I think my first window is about 2 more seasons offensively. On the pitching side, I think this rotation will last through this offensive window AND the next one that will include Maeda, Chavez, Daly and a few others I like like Ruiz.

I still believe in the jinx, but it was more of a timing thing. I wanted to write two pieces and I have a bunch of commitments over the next 5 days.

[Lintyfresh85]

You are screwing yourself by putting Gremades in the OF.

[Ryan]

You are screwing yourself by putting Gremades in the OF.

He's gonna make Manny look like Tori Hunter out there.

[Clay]

You are screwing yourself by putting Gremades in the OF.

It's an experiment. I think he can play it. But, there's a lot of things that COULD happen. If Poling doesn't come back 100%, Maeda goes to 2B, Nino to 3B and Gremades to 1B. Any injury to the IF brings him back as well, however, I think he can play LF. Time will tell.

[BradZ]

It's an experiment. I think he can play it. But, there's a lot of things that COULD happen. If Poling doesn't come back 100%, Maeda goes to 2B, Nino to 3B and Gremades to 1B. Any injury to the IF brings him back as well, however, I think he can play LF. Time will tell.

I'm with you. I think he can play LF as well. I kicked the idea around last year when I was doing due dilligence before the deadline. IF I would have had enough to make the deal, I would have put him in LF too. Is it optimal? No, but he can do it.

[Clay]

He's basically a 4-4-4 in the OF, just has no seasoning. Am I exposing him to more injuries? Perhaps. But I think he can field the position.

[Carlos]

The Colonials and the slugger have elected to void his 1991 Mutual Option making this a contract year for the now 34 year old 5-time Glove Wizard winner.

I believe they are called DWIs.

It might not be official, but writers across the BLB have been trying to make a push for it.

[Lintyfresh85]

Do I get a royalty check for usage of DWI?

[Clay]

Do I get a royalty check for usage of DWI?

Only if you start paying for all of the stuff of mine that you steal.

[Lintyfresh85]

Your work is so genius that it belongs to the world; not you.

I'm just doing my best to spread it.

[Clay]

Your work is so genius that it belongs to the world; not you.

I'm just doing my best to spread it.

That's what she said.