Kentucky Thoroughbreds 2037 season preview

[Thoroughbreds]

Manager Paul Conner has been a mainstay in Kentucky for a long time. 11 seasons and 8 playoff appearances is an excellent track record, but could patience be wearing thin among the Kentucky management group. Those 8 playoff appearances have yielded zero championships and even though last season Kentucky won a franchise best 112 games, they lost for the 2nd consecutive year in the wild card series to London. Pressure is mounting on Connor for something more than just a token playoff appearance. The Thoroughbreds have made some changes and added to the core in hope to further increase Connor's chances at playoff success.

Catcher
Before last season Antonio Mesegue had never hit above .238 or had an on base percentage above .300. All that changed in 2036 and at the age of 30 Mesegue hit .336 with a .404 OBP and a WAR of 5.9. He made the all star starting lineup and was one of the most valuable catchers in the entire league. While some regression is expected and it might be extremely optimistic to expect those type of numbers again - Mesegue will be an extremely important piece in the Kentucky lineup. Mesegue is also strong defensively and a leader in the clubhouse.

First Base
The shiny new toy in Kentucky's lineup is Antonio Santos . Kentucky signed the 33 year old to a 6 year deal worth over 136 million dollar deal this offseason and he will be expected to put up big numbers in an already potent offensive lineup. Santos hit 49 homers last season and has hit 86 over the past couple of years with Florida. Santos may not hit for a high average but his power and ability to get on base should more than make up for that. The big change for Santos this season will be the transition from 3b to 1b, but based on early results that doesn't look like it will be much of a problem for him. Santos is currently 9th among active players in career homers.

Second Base
Another person facing a potential position change is Juan Carlos Cruz. Cruz spent last year at 3b, but it looks like Kanai Aliimalu has won a spot on the roster and will push Cruz to second base. Cruz had a solid season last year hitting .297 and stealing 43 bases. Cruz should get pushed for his starting role by former 1st round pick Dale Spencer. Spencer is not as polished offensively as Cruz but the coaching staff prefers his defensive abilities. With all the offence in this lineup it could be that Paul Connor opts to give Spencer his fair share of playing time.

Third Base
After his impressive showing at the end of last season and his strong spring training, 24 year old Kanai Aliimalu has the inside track to be the team's opening day third baseman. Allimalu was a 2nd round pick in 2031 and has methodically worked his way through the organization. Injuries open the door for him late last year and he took advantage hitting .305 with 11 homers in just 49 appearances. Allimalu is solid defensively as well. He hits right handed pitching much better than left handers, so he may end up being more of a platoon player. Against lefties don't be surprised if Cruz slides back to 3b and Spencer gets the start at 2b.

Shortstop
The other shiny new toy in Kentucky's lineup is their new shortstop is Dr. Evil Naimo Honma . The 31 year old Honma is a 5 time all star who has spent the past 4 seasons with Duluth. Honma is one of the better defensive shortstops in the league and he should be an upgrade for the Thoroughbreds. Over his career Honma has a WAR total of 49.8 and he also has a bit of pop with 200 homers overall.

Left Field
Antonio Canseco will be patrolling the outfield for his 7 straight season for the Thoroughbreds. Power wise the former International Free Agent had a bit of a down year last season but he still managed to drive in 107 runs, which was a career high for him. Canseco is an above average left fielder defensively. With top prospect Robert Hayes, former 1st round pick Kyle Ferguson and recently acquired Yataro Takaki all looking like they are close to ready to play, one wonders if Canseco might be on the trading block sometime this season.

Centerfield
Pedro Bermudez is going to be one of the team's most important players this season. Last season he took a large step to becoming the star he has always been projected to be. Now at age 24 he will be hitting near the top of the order and looking to build off of his first full season in the PEBA. Bermudez is a 5 tool player and has the talent to be one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game.

Right Field
Shu-de Mu looked to be all but gone at the end of last season, but he played so well the team felt they had no choice but to resign him. He inked a contract for the next 6 years worth more than 20 million per season. He joins both Santos and Honma who are also on 6 year deals. Mu hit at the top of the order last season and one would think he will be there again. His .408 OBP and 41 stolen bases really set the table for the guys behind him.

Designated Hitter
For the third straight season the Canadian Rocky Kowalski drove in more than 100 runs. He played 70 games at first last season but with the addition of Santos, Kowalski will not see as much time in the field. Kowalski hits right handed pitching must better than lefties so he may she some limited playing time vs southpaws. Either way expect a similar line of .270, 30 homers and 100 RBI from him this season.

Predicted Batting Order RH/LH
1. RF - Mu
2. CF - Bermudez
3. 1b - Santos
4. DH - Kowalski
5. LF - Canseco/Ferguson
6. C - Mesegue
7. 3b - Aliimalu/Cruz
8. SS - Honma
9. 2b - Cruz/Spencer

Starting Pitching
Luis Jiminez will be the team's opening day starter. He led the IL in ERA last season and was their starting pitcher in the All-star game. He only gave up 3 home runs in over 200 innings last season. That will be tough to replicate, but at 26 years old Jiminez is just entering his prime so another strong season is expected.

Rory Soutar has the best pure stuff on the team. After spending a year as the team's closer in 2035, he returned to the rotation and went 17-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 2036. He struck out 203 batters last year and tied for third in the IL with 22 quality starts. Similar numbers are predicted for Soutar again this year.

Ju-Hyung Park went 17-5 last season, but much of that was a product of great run support. He was solid with a 3.15 Era and a WHIP of 1.31 but not spectacular. He is 32 years old and still has 4 years left on his big contract. Kentucky would be happy if he could post the same type of season this year.

The 23 year old Valke Petiet made the opening day roster last season, but struggled and was sent back down. He came up late in the season and pitched better. The former first round pick has a great curveball and fastball and the Thoroughbred faithful are hoping that he can turn into a top end starter.

Jose Mora is a bit of a wildcard in the rotation. He had a great 2035, going 16-6 with a 3.28 ERA, but he injured himself in spring training last year and spent almost the entire year on the injured list. He came back late in the season and went 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 4 starts. With a arsenal of 6 quality pitches including a knuckle curve, Mora has the potential to be one of the best 5th starters in the league.

Bullpen
If there is a weakness to this Kentucky team it maybe the bullpen depth. At age 34, Matt Brown returns as the team's closer. Brown had a decent year last year going 8-7 with 43 saves and a 3.27 ERA. He has 333 saves in his career. Kunisada Yasuda has been brilliant in the setup role, posting a WHIP under 1.00 in the last 3 seasons. Yasuda wants a position in the rotation, but the team feels he is too valuable in his current role. In his first full season Esteban Benitez went 4-2 with a 1.86 ERA. He and Yasuda will be counted on in most of the high leverage situations. Nelson Alvarado and Ramiro Perez will fill the middle relief roles while Brian Gutierrez and Shigenobu Taguchi will take care of the long relief and any spot starts that are needed.

Once again, Kentucky will most likely be looking up at Florida, but they should have enough talent to secure one of the wild card spots again.