Spitters 2069 Preview

[DRiccio21]

2068 was a year the Spitters would like to forget. A team that management felt had the talent to compete but never seemingly hit stride and was hit with some horrible luck in one run games, combined with a poor late inning bullpen that blew multiple saves and the dumb coach kept running the same bum out there to the same awful results. On a positive note the Spitters had the second youngest ML roster in the entire league and had some financial flexibility to start to shape this team to compete at a higher level. As we approach 2069, the team has addressed some needs and taken on some higher priced veterans to try to create a team that can compete with Miami in the AL East.

Lets take a look at the squad:


STARTING PITCHING

1) Alfonso Villareal, 28, RHP -- Sneezy had a slight step back from his lights out 2067 but was still very impressive in 2068. As he enters into his prime years the team is mostly hoping for consistency from him as he takes the ball on opening day.
2) Octavio Ortiz, 32, LHP -- Octavio was what we thought he was when we acquired the high priced pitcher last offseason. He took the ball every 5th day and posted 200+ IP at a high level.
3) Ernesto Hernandez, 22, RHP -- Hatch ruptured a disk in his back late in 2068 and will be out until May. While the team expects a full recovery, we won't rush him along and he'll likely see some time in a rehab assignment in AAA. Still expecting high end production from the former #1 prospect in the game. The trajectory of the franchise is likely dependent on his return to form.
4) Alfredo Gutierrez, 36, LHP -- Gutierrez is a name most are familiar with as he's been a high end producer for a long time. As he gets up there in age we expect ups and downs but hoping we can salvage a season of back end of the rotation production from him with glimpses of his old self.
5) Kyeong-eon Mun, 24, RHP/ Shannon Solano 25, RHP -- these two will fight it out for the final spot in the rotation, both have been involved in recent trade talks however and could be on their way to a different city by opening day.

BULLPEN

The pen was a sore subject for Spitters fans in 2068 with countless blown saves. The team acquired 35 year old veteran Millard Carr to secure 9th inning duties this season. Any consistency from the back end of the bullpen will do this team wonders. Other key contributors to the pen will be Jose Salinas, Tom Wiggins and Carlos Lopez.


STARTING LINEUP

1) Lee Robinson, 32, DH -- Robinson comes over with no introduction needed, a true hitting specialist. He's capable of putting up some of the most unique stat lines in the league with power for 20+ hr's, speed for 100 sb's, average/obp for .330/.400. A table setter for the rest of the Spitters sluggers.
2) Steve Cannon, 26, 2b -- The highly coveted Cannon finally saw his full ML debut in 2068 and he showed why he was a top 5 prospect most of his minor league career as he finished second in ROY voting. His power/contact combination is something we expect to continue to show upward trajectory even after posting 28 HR's and an .820 OPS in his first season.
3) Jorge Alvarado, 28, LF -- Alvarado comes over to NE and slides into the 3 spot after being a multiple time platinum stick winner in Alabama and RI. We hope he has a longer stay in NE than he had in his previous two homes.
4) John Becker, 32, 1b -- Becker will take over at 1b for the departing Kel Sampson. Becker who has filled in at 1b admirably in the past has done most of his damage from the DH role. Assuming the transition goes smoothly you can pencil him in for 30ish hr's 100 rbi and an .860+ OPS.
5) David Ryan, 28, RF -- Ryan is another masher in the lineup who has the ability to carry a team on his own but will be asked to just another threat in this potent lineup. 2068 was a bit of an off year but has shown ability to be 30 HR guy in a full slate of games.
6) Scott Hampton, 24, SS -- Hampton slid into his 3b role smoothly but was asked to return to SS after the departure of Shi Fa Song. Hampton was more than willing and continued to play + defense and hit the ball well. At just 23 he hit 28 HR's, growing pains are expected but we hope he continues on his current path.
7) Juan Rosales, 33, 3b -- Rosales is probably the most interesting of the acquisitions for NE this offseason. After being moved to SS, Rosales struggled mightily in his last 2 seasons in MJ. The Spitters saw the former gold glove and platinum stick player as a perfect fit to slide back into his old 3b role. At 33, it is possible father time is catching up to Dog Pound but we hope he has one last run in him.
8) Gyoo Jae Kim, 23, C -- Kim is probably the biggest question mark in the lineup. A former rule 5 acquisition, he showed some pop last year splitting time with 10 hr's in 220 ab's. He has a capable backup in Richard Chambers who will see plenty of AB's.
9) Roberto Herrera, 24, CF -- All world defender who my scout thinks has some upside at the plate but has yet to show it. He provides a special defensive skill that holds a lot of value to the team and as the 9th hitter doesn't have a lot of expectations on him at the plate.

Overall, the Spitters feel they have 6-7 hitters who can be game changing type talents and while improving the offense the team kept the defense at a high level but not quite the exceptional level they were at going into last season. The bench has some former 1st round picks like Mike Hankins, Jorge Arroyo and John Garcia who are praying for injuries so they can fill in and show their talents.

Top prospect Jose Miranda is currently blocked with the excess of young ML OF'ers and will start the year in AAA. He'll be called upon if the team needs a spark later in the year or if an injury pops up in the OF.

Overall the Spitters feel they improved the offense quite a bit headed into 2069. The pitching boasts 3 high quality arms, if they can remain healthy we hope to have the makings of a team that can compete for an AL East crown.

prediction 99-63

[Uuaww]

good team but gonna be rough in a stacked AL...

Also injury...

[Cnasty]

Garbage and will under achieve as always.

[DRiccio21]

will under achieve as always.

no quarrels here... we under achieve like no other.

[ajalves]

is it really underachieving if you consistently do it?

[DRWebs]

Deadly 1-6 in the lineup and finally some consistency in the rotation. I'll go slightly under at 94 wins but a playoff team nonetheless!

[wdoupis]

Love the lineup and Hampton turned out to be a great pickup. Need Ernesto to come back and be the ace but I like this team. Not sure about 99 wins but could see it. I'll go with mid 90s.