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1990 Recap
86-76; missed playoffs
3.52 ERA
.275 average
Optimal Lineup
1. LF Owen Gilbertson - L
2. 2B Raul Zamora - R
3. 1B Robby Shannon - R
4. C Jared Austin - R
5. RF Jose Compres – L
6. 3B Tad Jackson - R
7. SS Kip Higgins - R
8. CF Willie Hopkins - L
9. Pitcher
For years, the Kodiaks lineup has been fluid. Sometimes, it seems they have monthly auditions for who will bat leadoff. The easiest solution to this problem is by plugging a OBP machine, LF Owen Gilbertson, in the number one spot. Yes, he does strikeout a lot (120+ Ks the past four seasons), and yes he has hit very well in a RBI spot (normally the 5th spot) but his OBP (.375+ the past three seasons combined) projects well at the top of the order. In the two-hole slides a new face, 2B Raul Zamora. Acquired at the deadline last season, Zamora is a perfect fit hitting behind the lefty Gilbertson. Zamora, who bats righty, hit 53 doubles last season and stole 15 bases. He is a great gap-hitter and has stole as many as 35 bases in a single-season, he also hit .350+ during his short time in California last season. Shannon doesn’t have the pop he once had, but he is still the best hitter in the lineup. At the #4 and #5 spots are RBI producers Jared Austin and Jose Compres, both coming off career years. Dropping in the lineup is former leadoff hitter 3B Tad Jackson. His .350 OBP is better suited further down. Finishing out the lineup is Free-Agent acquisition SS Kip Higgins and CF Willie Hopkins, who provides some deadly speed at the bottom of the lineup.
Projected Rotation
1. Conan Wilkerson - R
2. Donato Guardamagni - L
3. Joe Toapanta – R
4. Robby Sears – R
5. Curt Goodwin – R
At the top of the rotation, Wilkerson and Gurdamagni give California a one-two punch that can match anyone in the BLB. In the third spot is former staff ace and mentor to Wilkerson, Joe Toapanta. He enters his 10th season with the ballclub and shows no signs of slowing (17-9 last year). Sears will once again fill the #4 spot where he will be looking to bounce back after going 7-13 (26-18 his two seasons prior). The back-end will be filled by (that’s what she said) Goodwin, who spent half of last season in the pen.
Spring Training Position Battle
Shortstop: Lucio Mendez vs. Kip Higgins
Mendez, the incumbent, originally a throw-in in the Robby Shannon – Mac Avery trade, has been the starter at short since ’85. Since then, he has been arguably the best defensive shortstop in the BLB. In the off-season, the Kodiaks spent roughly $4,000,000, over two years, to bring in Denver flameout Kip Higgins. Also a defensive stalwart, Higgins, just 25 years old and former top 50 prospect, hit sub .200 in ’90 and fell out of favor in Denver. Mendez hit a career worst .207 last year, turns 31 this Spring and the team spent some cash on a younger player. They are clearly sending a message.
Prospect Watch
SP Curt Race
Once rated as high as the #49 prospect in all of the BLB, Race will be invited to Spring Training for the first time to see if he can steal the 5th spot in the rotation away from Goodwin. Race, now rated as the #100 overall prospect, is equipped with six pitches and would give the Kodiaks a second lefty in the rotation. The 24-year-old had an exceptional ’90 season for the Bakersfield Cannons and will likely grab a spot on the 25 man roster, but will he make the rotation?
Season Projection
I think the Kodiaks have the pitching staff and lineup to compete with anyone. Questions definitely remain in the bullpen, where the Kodiaks have gone with a new closer almost as often as a new leadoff man. No more Xi, no more Magueu, no more She, no more Valasque, no more Simonds, etc. In line for saves this year is second-year-man, Hector Sanchez, who hasn’t even turned 22 yet. The Porter is a very tough division top to bottom so it isn’t easy to project with so many good teams. When the dust settles, I think California is playoff bound in ’91 and at this point are favorites to take the divisional crown.
1990 Recap
86-76; missed playoffs
3.52 ERA
.275 average
Optimal Lineup
1. LF Owen Gilbertson - L
2. 2B Raul Zamora - R
3. 1B Robby Shannon - R
4. C Jared Austin - R
5. RF Jose Compres – L
6. 3B Tad Jackson - R
7. SS Kip Higgins - R
8. CF Willie Hopkins - L
9. Pitcher
For years, the Kodiaks lineup has been fluid. Sometimes, it seems they have monthly auditions for who will bat leadoff. The easiest solution to this problem is by plugging a OBP machine, LF Owen Gilbertson, in the number one spot. Yes, he does strikeout a lot (120+ Ks the past four seasons), and yes he has hit very well in a RBI spot (normally the 5th spot) but his OBP (.375+ the past three seasons combined) projects well at the top of the order. In the two-hole slides a new face, 2B Raul Zamora. Acquired at the deadline last season, Zamora is a perfect fit hitting behind the lefty Gilbertson. Zamora, who bats righty, hit 53 doubles last season and stole 15 bases. He is a great gap-hitter and has stole as many as 35 bases in a single-season, he also hit .350+ during his short time in California last season. Shannon doesn’t have the pop he once had, but he is still the best hitter in the lineup. At the #4 and #5 spots are RBI producers Jared Austin and Jose Compres, both coming off career years. Dropping in the lineup is former leadoff hitter 3B Tad Jackson. His .350 OBP is better suited further down. Finishing out the lineup is Free-Agent acquisition SS Kip Higgins and CF Willie Hopkins, who provides some deadly speed at the bottom of the lineup.
Projected Rotation
1. Conan Wilkerson - R
2. Donato Guardamagni - L
3. Joe Toapanta – R
4. Robby Sears – R
5. Curt Goodwin – R
At the top of the rotation, Wilkerson and Gurdamagni give California a one-two punch that can match anyone in the BLB. In the third spot is former staff ace and mentor to Wilkerson, Joe Toapanta. He enters his 10th season with the ballclub and shows no signs of slowing (17-9 last year). Sears will once again fill the #4 spot where he will be looking to bounce back after going 7-13 (26-18 his two seasons prior). The back-end will be filled by (that’s what she said) Goodwin, who spent half of last season in the pen.
Spring Training Position Battle
Shortstop: Lucio Mendez vs. Kip Higgins
Mendez, the incumbent, originally a throw-in in the Robby Shannon – Mac Avery trade, has been the starter at short since ’85. Since then, he has been arguably the best defensive shortstop in the BLB. In the off-season, the Kodiaks spent roughly $4,000,000, over two years, to bring in Denver flameout Kip Higgins. Also a defensive stalwart, Higgins, just 25 years old and former top 50 prospect, hit sub .200 in ’90 and fell out of favor in Denver. Mendez hit a career worst .207 last year, turns 31 this Spring and the team spent some cash on a younger player. They are clearly sending a message.
Prospect Watch
SP Curt Race
Once rated as high as the #49 prospect in all of the BLB, Race will be invited to Spring Training for the first time to see if he can steal the 5th spot in the rotation away from Goodwin. Race, now rated as the #100 overall prospect, is equipped with six pitches and would give the Kodiaks a second lefty in the rotation. The 24-year-old had an exceptional ’90 season for the Bakersfield Cannons and will likely grab a spot on the 25 man roster, but will he make the rotation?
Season Projection
I think the Kodiaks have the pitching staff and lineup to compete with anyone. Questions definitely remain in the bullpen, where the Kodiaks have gone with a new closer almost as often as a new leadoff man. No more Xi, no more Magueu, no more She, no more Valasque, no more Simonds, etc. In line for saves this year is second-year-man, Hector Sanchez, who hasn’t even turned 22 yet. The Porter is a very tough division top to bottom so it isn’t easy to project with so many good teams. When the dust settles, I think California is playoff bound in ’91 and at this point are favorites to take the divisional crown.
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