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1990 Recap
78-84; missed playoffs
4.07 ERA
.240 average
Optimal Lineup
1. CF John Fehilly - R
2. 2B Jack Dynes - S
3. 3B Jermaine Ednams - L
4. 1B Raul De Jesus - L
5. RF Ruben Martin - R
6. C Tauro Hidrogo - R
7. LF Pat Stephens - R
8. SS Ollie MacGruder - R
9. Pitcher
Maybe instead of being called “optimal” it might be better to list this as “adequate.” Another year in Batavia, another year with a lineup that will struggle to produce a lot of runs. Ideally, John Fehilly will rebound after an injury plagued ’90 season. If he can regain his ’89 form, (.305 average, .362 OBP, 14 steals) the entire lineup will benefit. Behind him is the switch-hitting slick-gloved Jack Dynes. Last year the 35-year-old set a career high in OBP (.351) and is a great two-hole hitter with a solid eye and doesn’t strikeout a lot. Behind him is one of the best young hitters in all of the BLB, Jermaine Ednams. The lefty has a career .320 average, .835 OPS, in 279 games over two years. For the Muckdogs to take the next step as a franchise, Ednams will have to lead the way. In the clean-up spot, is De Jesus. After two years of a .300+ average, the third year pro slumped to a .260 finish in ’90. There will be a lot of pressure on the soon to be 25-year-old to bounce back. “Cool Papa” slides into the #5 hole, hopefully producing similar RBI numbers to what he was capable of in the minors, (271 RBI in Triple-A career). Hitting sixth is catcher Hidrogo, who had his two best career back-to-back seasons in ’89 and ’90. At the bottom of the lineup, Pat Stephens and Ollie MacGruder are both looking to improve on rookie seasons where they hit sub .250.
Projected Rotation
1. Nakazo Sasaki - L
2. Nathan Athey - R
3. Orlan Coronda – L
4. Doug Little – R
5. Zander Walters – L
Sasaki, or as his friends call him “Chuckwagon” had his worst season in the BLB in ’90. After years of a sub 4.00 ERA, Sasaki battled through a 4.29 ERA season. Expectations remain high for the one true gem of the staff. Behind him are long-time Muckdog vets, Athey and Coronda, both ironically, had a 4.17 ERA. In the fourth spot is recently acquired Doug Little, formerly of Pawtucket and Philadelphia. The 27-year-old had a 3.54 ERA in his 17 starts for the Muckdogs and could move up to the #2 spot before long. Rounding out the back-end is Walters, who spent parts of ’90 in the pen. While his Triple-A numbers suggest he should be able to lower that career 4.73 ERA, regardless, to get an above .500 winning percentage for Batavia (12-10 career) shows he at least goes out and competes.
Spring Training Position Battle
#5 SP: Zander Walters vs. Pete Hudder
Hudder, acquired in a trade with Maine last year, saw action in 17 games with Batavia but only four starts. Both are in their mid-20s. Both are lefties. Both had 4.50+ ERAs in ’90. Hudder is making roughly $2,000,000 this year while Zander is getting the veteran’s minimum of $280k. Sometimes, salary dictates playing time, but I think Zander will win the job.
Prospect Watch
SP Curt Tanner
Tanner, formerly the 86th best prospect in the BLB, isn’t likely to receive a Spring Training invite after splitting time at Double-A and Triple-A last season, but he might deserve it. Originally drafted by the Guides organization, Tanner has elite intangibles for a youngster and the 22-year-old’s fastball tops out in the mid-90s. He has the skills to beat out Hudder or Walters for the 5th spot, but the Muckdogs are unlikely to rush him.
Season projection
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Ednams and De Jesus have all the pressure to produce runs and “Chuckwagon” is under equal pressure to regain form, but there is at least security in the pen. Lead by all-world closer Ken Bayer, the Muckdogs staff has a bullpen which will keep the games very close. However, I still think the franchise is a season or two away from making noise in this division. I don’t see this group finishing in the top half of the Porter, unfortunately.
1990 Recap
78-84; missed playoffs
4.07 ERA
.240 average
Optimal Lineup
1. CF John Fehilly - R
2. 2B Jack Dynes - S
3. 3B Jermaine Ednams - L
4. 1B Raul De Jesus - L
5. RF Ruben Martin - R
6. C Tauro Hidrogo - R
7. LF Pat Stephens - R
8. SS Ollie MacGruder - R
9. Pitcher
Maybe instead of being called “optimal” it might be better to list this as “adequate.” Another year in Batavia, another year with a lineup that will struggle to produce a lot of runs. Ideally, John Fehilly will rebound after an injury plagued ’90 season. If he can regain his ’89 form, (.305 average, .362 OBP, 14 steals) the entire lineup will benefit. Behind him is the switch-hitting slick-gloved Jack Dynes. Last year the 35-year-old set a career high in OBP (.351) and is a great two-hole hitter with a solid eye and doesn’t strikeout a lot. Behind him is one of the best young hitters in all of the BLB, Jermaine Ednams. The lefty has a career .320 average, .835 OPS, in 279 games over two years. For the Muckdogs to take the next step as a franchise, Ednams will have to lead the way. In the clean-up spot, is De Jesus. After two years of a .300+ average, the third year pro slumped to a .260 finish in ’90. There will be a lot of pressure on the soon to be 25-year-old to bounce back. “Cool Papa” slides into the #5 hole, hopefully producing similar RBI numbers to what he was capable of in the minors, (271 RBI in Triple-A career). Hitting sixth is catcher Hidrogo, who had his two best career back-to-back seasons in ’89 and ’90. At the bottom of the lineup, Pat Stephens and Ollie MacGruder are both looking to improve on rookie seasons where they hit sub .250.
Projected Rotation
1. Nakazo Sasaki - L
2. Nathan Athey - R
3. Orlan Coronda – L
4. Doug Little – R
5. Zander Walters – L
Sasaki, or as his friends call him “Chuckwagon” had his worst season in the BLB in ’90. After years of a sub 4.00 ERA, Sasaki battled through a 4.29 ERA season. Expectations remain high for the one true gem of the staff. Behind him are long-time Muckdog vets, Athey and Coronda, both ironically, had a 4.17 ERA. In the fourth spot is recently acquired Doug Little, formerly of Pawtucket and Philadelphia. The 27-year-old had a 3.54 ERA in his 17 starts for the Muckdogs and could move up to the #2 spot before long. Rounding out the back-end is Walters, who spent parts of ’90 in the pen. While his Triple-A numbers suggest he should be able to lower that career 4.73 ERA, regardless, to get an above .500 winning percentage for Batavia (12-10 career) shows he at least goes out and competes.
Spring Training Position Battle
#5 SP: Zander Walters vs. Pete Hudder
Hudder, acquired in a trade with Maine last year, saw action in 17 games with Batavia but only four starts. Both are in their mid-20s. Both are lefties. Both had 4.50+ ERAs in ’90. Hudder is making roughly $2,000,000 this year while Zander is getting the veteran’s minimum of $280k. Sometimes, salary dictates playing time, but I think Zander will win the job.
Prospect Watch
SP Curt Tanner
Tanner, formerly the 86th best prospect in the BLB, isn’t likely to receive a Spring Training invite after splitting time at Double-A and Triple-A last season, but he might deserve it. Originally drafted by the Guides organization, Tanner has elite intangibles for a youngster and the 22-year-old’s fastball tops out in the mid-90s. He has the skills to beat out Hudder or Walters for the 5th spot, but the Muckdogs are unlikely to rush him.
Season projection
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Ednams and De Jesus have all the pressure to produce runs and “Chuckwagon” is under equal pressure to regain form, but there is at least security in the pen. Lead by all-world closer Ken Bayer, the Muckdogs staff has a bullpen which will keep the games very close. However, I still think the franchise is a season or two away from making noise in this division. I don’t see this group finishing in the top half of the Porter, unfortunately.
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