Oahu Glorious Wonder 2011 Outlook

Oahu will be rebuilding this year… sorta. I say sorta because, the hitting lineup is its usual robust self ( although not as good as last year) but the pitching faces some… hahahahahaha… challenges.

The Wonders finished a glorious 96-66 to win the Vander Wal division in 2010. However, due to Cody Ross's ninth inning game five winning home run, they were knocked out of playoffs in the division championship series by Edgewater. Sadly, Oahu fans were denied their showdown versus Washington and a possible trip to the World Series.

It's possible that the Wonders may limp into the playoffs this year but it's unlikely they'll be a top contender for the Hello Kitty Cup in 2011. During last year's pennant drive, GM Jim Froelick was a buyer and he traded away draft picks in rounds 2,5,7 and 10 to bolster the team for a run at the Cup. After the season, Froelick traded away his 3rd rounder along with SP Ricky Romero to acquire 2B Martin Prado thereby solidifying his infield (hopefully for the long term). The 4th round pick was forfeited due to overusage— Ouch!

So, it's no small wonder that the pitching staff has a few holes in it. Tom Gorzelanny, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez lead the staff and none of them have more than 185 IPs to offer. After that, it's all downhill as the Wonders will have to depend on the likes of Sean O'Sullivan, Dave Bush, Jeremy Bonderman and Mitch Talbot.

Things aren't much better in the bullpen. Jonathan Papelbon's still the closer but it's unlikely he will be as effective as he was in 2010. Tim Stauffer should be one of the league's ace setup guys. D. J. Carrasco and Phil Coke should also have good years as specialists versus righties and lefties. Jason Berken will provide long relief (aka "mop-up") on the eleven man staff. However, as the season wears on and the Wonders are forced to dip into their minor league system for reinforcements, the bullpen is sure to become weaker and weaker.

By September, Oahu fans may be watching nine innings of, at best, mediocre pitching. Will team management again mortgage the team's future in order to compete? Should be interesting to watch this season unfold.

Certainly, the Wonders have no lack of offense. With the exception of CF and C, the Wonders are solid at every position.

Oahu cut C Rod Barajas toward the end of the 2010 campaign to bring on more hitting in September. This move now looks like a huge mistake. Last year's starter, Pablo Sandoval no longer plays the position. Jason Kendall will replace Barajas on the roster. but not in terms of production against right handed pitchers. Nick Hundley will platoon with Kendall and should do well versus lefties. Neither player is a plus defensively. Overall though, the Wonders are hurting behind the plate.

In CF, perennial star Denard Span has suffered substantial a fall-off both offensively and defensively. He'll probably see action only against selected lefty starters. Ryan Spilborghs, who has been a reliable role player in the past two years will see most of the action in CF. Unfortunately Spilborghs, a strong hitter versus righties, offers below average defense and that could spell disaster for Oahu's already beleaguered pitchers.

Things look better at the other positions. At 1B, Prince Fielder, who tied Nassua's Mark Reynolds for the TBA league lead with 52 HRs, will once again terrorize Lenny Harris League pitchers. Shelly Duncan will back up Fielder and see some action versus lefties. Martin Prado will anchor 2B providing both strong defense and reliable hitting. Hanley Ramirez is top shelf hitting talent at SS. His "brother by another mother" Alexei Ramirez will make a fine late inning defensive replacement. First round pick Neil Walker will spend most of the season at 3B while Pablo Sandoval, last year's phenom, will provide some late inning defense and pinch hitting.

Carlos Quentin (LF) and Delmon Young (RF) will lend power to the corner outfield positions. Lastings Milledge will platoon with Quentin against lefties. None of these guys offer much in the way of defense, Quentin and Milledge possessing below average range. GM/Manager Jim Froelick will have his hands full trying to convince his pitching staff to persevere in the face of the onslaught of cheap singles and minor league doubles this leaky outfield will likely allow.

So, it's the usual all hit, no field, and substandard pitching that Oahu fans have come to expect. Will the Wonders make the playoffs this year? It could happen. As is, the team is possibly the fourth best behind Washington, Reno and Brighton in the LHL. Undoubtedly though, Edgewater, Aberdeen, Old Bridge and Oregon will have a say in where the Wonders end up.