Bowling Green Looking to Rebuild in 2011
Prior to the 2010 campaign, the Bowling Green Bowlers were predicted to finish in 4th place in the Molitor Division…..and we were very happy to prove that prediction wrong!
If similar results are predicted for 2011, I don’t think there will be too much of an argument this time. Semi-weak offense and poor up-the-middle defense will both conspire to make the pitching work even harder in 2011.
Speaking of pitching: CC Sabathia, Bronson Arroyo, Gavin Floyd, and Phil Hughes (taking Scott Feldman’s spot) form the core of BOW’s starting staff. I am hoping that there is no "core meltdown" here! Expect Brian Duensing, Tommy Hunter, and ageless knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield to rotate through the 5th spot. Rookie Dillon Gee should also see action in at least one segment of the schedule.
Bullpen – There was massive turn-over in the ‘pen. Essentially only one arm remains from last year’s stellar staff and their 3.09 ERA, that of rookie closer Neftali Feliz. Say good-bye to former closer Trevor Hoffman, back-up closer Chad Qualls, LaTroy Hawkins, Tony Sipp, and Fu-Ti Ni.
Ryan Perry (obtained in-exchange for 2B J. Carroll), Ernesto Frieri, Chan-Ho Park, and Jensen Lewis will cover the right side of the bullpen, while the left side will be covered with Duensing, Dan Runzler, and local star Aaron Laffey. Rookies Mike Kohn and PJ Walters probably won’t see much action. In addition to being the lefty specialist, expect Duensing (and Wakefield) to be an “inning-eater”, providing long relief and mop-up duty.
Catcher - Kurt Suzuki will continue to do the bulk of the catching, despite his bat slumping a bit (.242 / 13 / 71) and his throwing arm slipping from a -1 to a 0. Jorge Posada and his +3 arm will only be used as an emergency back-up. Newly-acquired Bobby Wilson will provide some homerun pop versus left-handers.
First Base – It was hoped that Kyle Blanks would be holding down this position full-time in 2011, but that is a topic I’d rather not discuss. Lefty-swinging draft picks Mitch Moreland and Kila Ka’Aihue will combine to cover a portion of the season at first base. It is hoped that Moreland can capitalize on his post-season success with the Rangers and continue to fend-off Chris Davis. Since Ka’Aihue is expected to play regularly with the Royals in 2011, it is hoped that the gaudy OBP / OPS numbers that he collected in the minor leagues will finally arrive. The remainder of the playing time will mostly go to switch-hitting, poor fielding Posada. Expect a cameo appearance from oft-injured, OBP-machine Nick Johnson.
First Base – It was hoped that Kyle Blanks would be holding down this position full-time in 2011, but that is a topic I’d rather not discuss. Lefty-swinging draft picks Mitch Moreland and Kila Ka’Aihue will combine to cover a portion of the season at first base. It is hoped that Moreland can capitalize on his post-season success with the Rangers and continue to fend-off Chris Davis. Since Ka’Aihue is expected to play regularly with the Royals in 2011, it is hoped that the gaudy OBP / OPS numbers that he collected in the minor leagues will finally arrive. The remainder of the playing time will mostly go to switch-hitting, poor fielding Posada. Expect a cameo appearance from oft-injured, OBP-machine Nick Johnson.
Second Base – Kelly Johnson made a nice resurgence in his move from ATL to ARI (.284 / 26 / 71). While his 36 doubles, .369 OBP, and 13 SB are all plusses, his “4” fielding rating is a HUGE minus.
Third Base – Brandon Inge’s defense (3b2e11) is never in-question, but his lack of offense can be tough to take. Expect switch-hitting Jed Lowrie to be using most of his 200 PAs at the hot corner. If I tire of seeing Inge batting near the Mendoza Line, expect to see Mike Lowell to get some playing time.
Short Stop – There were very few great draft options at SS, so Derek Jeter will continue to play everyday for the Bowlers. Despite winning the AL Gold Glove, his reduced range finally caught-up to him in Strat, earning him a “3” range factor……which is tough to take at SS.
Utility Infielder – As mentioned, Jamey Carroll was dealt for bullpen help, so Jed Lowrie will be the back-up all four infield positions. His potent bat, especially against lefty pitching, will be offset by his poor injury rating. Another switch-hitter, Matt Tolbert, will spell Lowrie in-case of injury.
Outfield – BOW’s 3rd draft pick was dealt to obtain Cameron Maybin (.234 / 8 / 28 / 9 SB), hopefully a long-term option in CF. He has yet to produce the great offensive numbers that highlighted his minor league career, but there is hope that the move to the West Coast will do him some good. Reggie Willits will also assist Maybin in covering CF.
Third Base – Brandon Inge’s defense (3b2e11) is never in-question, but his lack of offense can be tough to take. Expect switch-hitting Jed Lowrie to be using most of his 200 PAs at the hot corner. If I tire of seeing Inge batting near the Mendoza Line, expect to see Mike Lowell to get some playing time.
Short Stop – There were very few great draft options at SS, so Derek Jeter will continue to play everyday for the Bowlers. Despite winning the AL Gold Glove, his reduced range finally caught-up to him in Strat, earning him a “3” range factor……which is tough to take at SS.
Utility Infielder – As mentioned, Jamey Carroll was dealt for bullpen help, so Jed Lowrie will be the back-up all four infield positions. His potent bat, especially against lefty pitching, will be offset by his poor injury rating. Another switch-hitter, Matt Tolbert, will spell Lowrie in-case of injury.
Outfield – BOW’s 3rd draft pick was dealt to obtain Cameron Maybin (.234 / 8 / 28 / 9 SB), hopefully a long-term option in CF. He has yet to produce the great offensive numbers that highlighted his minor league career, but there is hope that the move to the West Coast will do him some good. Reggie Willits will also assist Maybin in covering CF.
The aging, but still fast, Scott Podsednik (.297 / 6 / 51 / 35 SB) will hold-down the LF duties and be leading-off. Ryan Ludwick (.251 / 17 / 69) will cover RF. Former regular CF Nate McLouth (.190 / 6 / 24) was protected in-hopes that he will rebound strongly for ATL in 2011. He will mostly be riding the pine this season for BOW, but is semi-usable vs. RHP and could fill the utility OF spot formerly held by Melky Cabrera. Expect McLouth to get some competition from the very speedy Jarred Dyson and solid glove man Jason Repko. Dyson will probably see most of his action as a pinch-runner. Despite his recent spring training injury, expect No. 1 draft pick Domonic Brown to be the starting RF for the Bowlers in 2012, along side Maybin in CF and Blanks in LF.
DH – Jim Thome and his gaudy 1.038 OPS will be holding-down the DH slot vs. RHP. Pat Burrell (.252 / 20 / 64) was scooped-up as a 10th round pick to complement Thome from the right side of the plate, effectively pushing Posada into 1B duty. Although he is OF eligible, don’t expect to see Burrell out there very often with his “5” glove.
DH – Jim Thome and his gaudy 1.038 OPS will be holding-down the DH slot vs. RHP. Pat Burrell (.252 / 20 / 64) was scooped-up as a 10th round pick to complement Thome from the right side of the plate, effectively pushing Posada into 1B duty. Although he is OF eligible, don’t expect to see Burrell out there very often with his “5” glove.
Prognosis: Despite some of the holes in the roster being partially filled through the draft and with trades (1B / CF / bullpen), this is still considered a “rebuilding” year for Bowling Green. Here’s looking to 2012!!
I do like the rebuild thus far, and you've got some pretty solid pieces. Hopefully you'll be able to catch some breaks, since the injury bug seems to be stalling some of your bigger prospects!
ReplyDeleteI concour with Eric. You have some solid pieces in place. If you can shake the injury bug, the rebuild won't be too long.
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