1992 Washington Bats Season Preview

[Pat]

1991 Recap
100-62; lost in ILCS
3.28 ERA
.268 average

Optimal Lineup

1. 3B Robert Abbott - R
2. CF Michio Nago - L
3. 1B Mike Murdock - R
4. RF Miguel Angel Padilla - R
5. C Tyrone Abbott - R
6. 2B R.A. Grounds - R
7. LF Larry Headington - R
8. SS Clint Johnston - R
9. Pitcher

More of the same, really. Abbott is going to try his best to hold down defensively at third, after splitting time all over the infield last year. He finally learned how to take a walk so I have big expectations for his ’92 season at leadoff. The only question you have with Nago is how many games will he play. Last year would have been his career best had he not missed 30 games. Mike Murdock moves from regular catcher duties to first. Should keep his bat in the lineup more often but he will catch on some occasions. This move was to make room for Abbott, who I’m expecting a bounce-back season after a so-so ’91. MAP had a great Spring but was awful in an injury plagued 1991. Grounds just continues to get better with age and is playing with the motivation of possibly his first ever trip to Free-Agency. A late signing in Larry Headington was supposed to split time in LF with Shaw Barnes but an three month disabled list trip gives “Head” the full-time job. Speaking of injuries, Clint Johnston is back from the dead and I have no idea what to expect.

Key Bench

C/1B Pepe Hernandez
UTL John Fisher
OF Hector Reyna
OF Larry Fitzsymons

Hernandez deserves a starting spot somewhere but as long as he is content with a backup role, he will remain with Washington. Fisher is a wise old veteran who can play all over the infield and take a walk. Fitzsymons has been the #4 OF in D.C. for a number of years and he continues to prove why he can never grasp the starting job. Reyna was acquired in the Rule V draft and earned a spot after a poor Spring Training. He knows he is only on the roster because Barnes is on the DL. He has a few months to prove his worth as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.

Projected Rotation

1. Derrek Tucker - R
2. Joe Toapanta - R
3. Manny Duran – L
4. Raul Jimenez - R
5. Doug Gallagher – L

You don’t have to tell me…I already know. The rotation beyond #1 and #2 is not pretty. Tucker should reach “Ace” status this year. Yes, it cost a decent amount of cash, but Old Joe is worth it. As far as the rest of the gang, saying I was nervous would be an understatement. Duran did OK last year but the kid clearly has control issues. In Spring Training he walked seven and struckout three. Behind him is Raul Jimenez, who I’m sure none of you are familiar with. The 30th overall pick in the ’84 draft is getting his first legitimate shot to be a BLB regular. In the 5th spot is Gallagher, who I took a gamble on in Free-Agency. My scout loves his stuff and movement but that control, again, could be a huge issue.

Bullpen

MR PJ Brooks - R
MR Caleb Alston – R
MR Dave O’Duana - L
MR Julio Lopez – R
SU – River Matthews - R
SU – Cristian Ramirez - L
CL – Joe Alveraz - L
CL – Jerry Chase - R

A few interesting changes in the bullpen. Simonds left in FA, so the closer role goes back to a platoon. Alveraz and Chase are scheduled to get the first duties, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a committee the whole year. O’Duana and Lopez are new faces, even though Lopez was originally drafted by the franchise. Brooks told management he would like to be back in the rotation after bitching for years to be a starter. Go figure.

Prospect Watch

SP Kel Murphy
SP Mal Dorsey

Neither is a top 100 prospect, I don’t have any, but they are my #1 and #2 in my organization and both will be in Triple-A for ’92. Murphy was the 83rd overall pick in ’87 and spent a month in Triple-A last year. Dorsey was the 97th overall pick in the ’88 draft and will be debuting at the highest minor level this Spring. Both, right now, are probably better options then I have at the back-end of the rotation but I’m in no rush.

Season Projection

Last year I didn’t expect to make the playoffs and cruised to a Wild Card. I’m a firm believer that the champ is still the champ until the next one is crowned and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Virginia repeat. A wild card is probably a best case scenario at this point. However, if my team remains healthy, and someone emerges as a solid #3 behind Tucker and Toapanta, D.C. can compete with anyone.



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[Carlos]

The dreaded sophomore slump seems to follow hitters in OOTP. Tyrone Abbott hit everywhere and with less dramatic slides, I think he should definitely return to form. I'm not so sure he's a .331 hitter, though. Might have exceeded himself in his rookie call-up.

Always watching Duran. If he could somehow learn how to throw a pitch over the strike zone, he'd be a good pitcher.

[Pat]

No, I don't see him as the .330+ hitter like I once did. But, I do expect an increase in power. Also, I think he will hit better playing catcher and a little 1B. I don't think he responded well to all the errors he was having at LF and 1B, where he played for majority of the year.

As for Duran...who knows. In his last two Spring starts he gave up only three hits over eight innings. If he could just develop even average control, he'd be a solid #3.