Springfield has been minor league Shangri La. With an already intact rabid fan base, the team hasn’t disappointed by winning the Texas League North Division in both halves of last season. After putting together a remarkable season under first year manager Ron “Pop” Warner, the team looks to prolong its winning ways with a restocked rotation and an imposing infield.
Guesstimated lineup:
LF-Jon Jay
C-Bryan Anderson
3B-Allen Craig
1B-Mark Hamilton
DH-Mark Shorey
SS-Tyler Greene
2B-Jose Martinez
RF-Luke Gorsett
CF-Shane Robinson
It’s not real easy to peg the lineup for Springfield, so this is my best guess. The infield I’m fairly confident of. This offense looks to be boom or bust, and I think they will be hard pressed to match their league leading mark of 5.09 runs per game last year. Jay hopes to recover from a lost 2007. Bryan Anderson tired in the 2nd half, I look for him to be in form to begin with a bang. I’m interested in seeing how he responds to the extension of Molina; it could be a motivator. Allen Craig hit 21 homers in a ballpark that stifles HRs’ by 12%. Hammons Field on the other hand has 8% more homers flying out of the yard then your average park. He’s the favorite to be the organizational player of the year in that environment. Then again, I thought that Hammons would help Mark Hamilton would transform him into the Hulk after his homer tear at Palm Beach last season, instead AA pitchers exploited his weakness for breaking stuff. It’s a pivotal year for him. Speaking of pivotal seasons, Tyler Greene should be fully recovered from his knee issues. Jose Martinez I would presume would move over for Greene next season, it’ll be interesting to see if he can repeat his success at AA. Having Greene and Martinez up the middle will be a boon for the pitchers. Gorsett and Robinson aren’t really all that appealing to me, and CF could see a carousel of players at that spot. Shorey is to some extent a sleeper for me; he has some power.
Guesstimated rotation:
Jaime Garcia
Clayton Mortensen
Adam Ottavino
P.J. Walters
Stuart Pomeranz
Where the strength of last year’s squad was in putting up runs, the strength of Springfield’s ’08 team looks to be in preventing them. Jaime Garcia looks to build upon his success last year, optimistically all rested and ready to go. He needs to work on his control and mixing his pitches this year. Camp darling Clayton Mortensen swiftly ascends to the AA rotation with high expectations. He’s the favorite to be the system’s Pitcher of the Year. Adam Ottavino has finally been unleashed to be himself. I’m very interested at what clip he strikes batters out, and I wonder about his command at that level. P.J. Walters looks to prove that he’s not just a low minors ace. And Stuart Pomeranz is coming back from a lost season. Should be interesting.
And whither Cory Rauschenberger? Where does he fit? Rotation? Bullpen? AAA? AA?
Guesstimated bullpen:
Luke Gregerson
Matt Scherer
Nick Webber
Zachary Zuercher
Kris Honel
Joe Rogers
The bullpen was a huge part of Springfield’s success last season. Jason Motte picked up right where Chris Perez left off, and now both will likely be in AAA this season. Enter Luke Gregerson, sinker/slider extraordinaire. Outside of that, you see some repeats in Nick Webber, the former 2nd round sinker-balling pick who just doesn’t miss bats. Matt Scherer throws a nice splitter and is just a year removed from a 5.3 K/BB rate at A+. Former ChiSox 1st rounder Kris Honel is looking to get his mechanics in order, a year away from TJ surgery.
The rotation has ample intrigue, but the offense and bullpen might undermine the starter’s efforts. Warner seems to get the best out of his players, winning the FSL championship in 2005 and coming close to winning the TSL championship last year.
Filed under: team previews
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
I think Tyler Norrick will be put in the pen in springfield this year.
I was looking at your preview here, trying to figure out where all of the relievers fit, and I’ve come to a conclusion: this organisation has way too damned many relievers.
They need to start about two more farm teams just to have room for all of them.
Come to think of it, I think I see the logic here. Considering the big league club’s direction the last year or two, maybe they’re planning on converting all of these guys into starters in the majors. I’ve got you pegged, Dave Duncan. Indeed I do.
Are you putting Mortensen in Springfield starting day 1, or do you think he just moves up quickly and spends the bulk of his time there?
We are set up for some massive trades once they decide who is gonna be around on the big league club mid year.
Extra starters, relievers, pitching prospects.
Butt load of Outfielders.
Can’t wait to see what Mo pieces together.
Man alive, actually seeing these names on rosters is giving me a different feeling for our system than I’ve had over the off season. As we all know Colby’s the only blue chipper but these rosters are absolutely packed with interesting prospects. For those of us who love to follow the day to day happenings with the farm clubs it’s really been a dreary century so far but this season could be the start of a whole lot of fun. We shouldn’t be looking too bad in the low minors either and a potentially good draft on the way. It should help to take the sting out of a tough season for the parent club.