Coal Bin: Spring Training Preview

[Tyler]

by Patrick Bailey, Charleston Gazette

February 10, 2009

CHARLESTON, WV – After blowing a wild card berth in the final week of the 2008 season, the Coal Sox were busy traders in the offseason, looking to return to the Dixie with a vengeance. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the expected starters for the 2009 Coal Sox, with special emphasis placed on positions up for grabs in Spring Training.

(all stats are from 2008)

PITCHERS

Starting Rotation

Mathys Crete, 26, RHP (11-2, 2.38 ERA) – Crete broke out in a big way last year, his first full season as a starter after working as a swing man for Bakersfield. His endurance leaves much to be desired, but even if he can only go five or six innings, the other team sure isn’t going to score. The unquestioned ace.

Hamilton Cole, 26, RHP (13-8, 2.96 ERA) – Cole has almost the exact same skill set as Crete, with slightly fewer strikeouts and a little more endurance. Just now entering his prime, the Coal Sox are hoping he can knock another half-point off of his ERA.

Rocky Reed, 28, RHP (11-7, 3.70 ERA) – If the Coal Sox are going to contend, Rocky Reed needs to bounce back from a disappointing 2008. Nearly all of his stats declined from the previous year, despite a lower BABIP.

Alfredo Pinto, 34, RHP (13-10, 4.86 ERA) – Acquired in the offseason from the Calzones, Pinto will enter Spring Training as the tentative #4 starter based on his experience, but he is by no means guaranteed a spot in the rotation to open the season. He’ll need to show the Coal Sox that he can sustain the occasional flashes of “average” that he’s shown in the past.

Jorge Hernandez, 29, RHP (9-6, 3.91 ERA) – The Sox are taking a flier on the veteran from Cuba. As the only candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation with significant big-league experience, he’s the favorite going into spring training. But like all of the contenders, he’ll have to prove to the Sox that he’s worth keeping around come April.

Craig Rogers, 23, RHP (AAA numbers: 8-13, 2.91 ERA) – The former Connecticut farmhand finds himself in the mix for a big-league rotation slot based on his consecutive years of solid to excellent performance at AAA. Although he has little left to prove in the minors, the Coal Sox are nervous that his slow fastball and minimal off-speed offerings may not translate well to the bigs.

Other candidates for the final rotation spot include Harumi Yamamoto (AAA), Alejandro Melendez (AAA), and Mike Eldridge (AAA).

BULLPEN

The following players are virtually guaranteed spots in the ’09 pen: Phil Mathis, Jose Ferrer, Hector Nieves, Terry Farmer, and Ken Cates. The following players are competing for the final two spots.

Guillermo Lopez, 24, RHP (1 SV, 2.56 ERA) – If Lopez shows in Spring Training that he’s fully recovered from surgery to correct a torn labrum suffered last July, his old bullpen spot is his. It’s as simple as that – he’s an elite pitching prospect.

Artie Herman, 26, RHP (0 SV, 7.42 ERA) – Herman was acquired off of waivers from Kalamazoo during the postseason. Although he performed poorly in limited time last season, the Coal Sox scouts love his stuff and think he still has room to develop.

Steve Davis, 33, RHP (8 SV, 4.93 ERA) – Although he spent all of last year in the majors, Steve Davis is in serious danger of losing his roster spot after a dismal season. Out of options, the veteran will likely be either traded or released unless he proves he still has the stuff to be a trustworthy arm.

Whit Andrews, 23, RHP (0 SV, 4.46 ERA) – Andrews was a winter meetings acquisition from Tempe. His youth and endurance make him attractive as a long reliever and spot starter. The Coal Sox are crazy about his attitude and potential leadership abilities – but he may still be a year away.

Dominic “Tempo” Belanger, 22, RHP (no stats) – Enter the unknown. This intriguing Canadian power-pitching righty was signed as an amateur free agent in the winter. Based on his previous workouts, the Coal Sox think he is ready for AAA. A strong spring training, however, could see him upset some of the veterans and claim a place on the major league roster.

POSITION PLAYERS

Starters

Ching-hsia Chin, 24, C (.261/.326/.404) – Making a triumphant return to Charleston, Chin’s second go-round with the Coal Sox promises to be infinitely more productive than the first. As the starting catcher for the Borealis last season, he displayed the batting skills which the Coal Sox originally felt he could never develop. Happily proven wrong, West Virginia is counting on their young catcher to continue developing and post strong numbers as the replacement for departed star Rob Wright.

Alberto Benitez, 34, 1B (.320/.376/.464) – Is Benitez one of the most under-rated players in PEBA? This reporter thinks so. He’ll look to continue to do what he does best this year – drive the ball to the gaps with authority. He’s almost a lock to match last season’s total of 53 doubles.

Tom Kirkland, 28, 2B (.298/.378/.492) – Ladies and gentlemen, here is the reason that the Ruben Cruz trade was not the highway robbery it was made out to be. Although his defense leaves something to be desired, Kirkland is West Virginia’s ideal hitter – more walks than strikeouts, and lots and lots of doubles (56 last season).

Glen Harris, 23, 3B (.262/.311/.411) – As a 22-year old, Harris posted a VORP of 17.9. In December, the Coal Sox bought out all three of his arbitration years for a cool three million dollars. That extension has the potential to rival the Kirkland deal in absurd team-friendly value.

George Riley, 29, SS (.292/.407/.398) – Riley’s 2008 season was a disappointment. That gives you an idea of what this superstar shortstop is capable of producing. As one of the Sox’s franchise players and a veteran, manager Armando Zamora would like to see Riley display more leadership. As far as his on-field performance is concerned, it’s difficult to seriously complain. He can walk like nobody’s business (114 last year).

Jon Wood, 27, LF (.314/.421/.475) – Injuries cut short what was clearly Wood’s breakout season. In 2009 he’ll look to stay healthy and lead the Sox to the Dixie title, all while using his charm and good looks to help sell out the newly-expanded Allegheny Field.

Jeff Patterson, 30, CF (.253/.377/.434) – In his two PEBA seasons, Patterson has proven that he is capable of doing two things: posting Royal Raker caliber numbers, and getting his head split open. Fractured Skull Dude is a huge gamble for West Virginia, as he cost them starter Ralph Dean and chewed up most of their potential free agent cash. If he can’t return to form, he may not be safe anywhere in Appalachia.

Bernardo Marin, 34, RF (.304/.377/.473) – If it’s not already apparent, GM Tyler Babcock went on a superstar spree this offseason. Another former Nutmegger, Marin looks to fill the hole left by Will Thomas’s departure at the deadline last year. He’ll also add a little speed to an otherwise lead-footed offense.

Utility Players

Robun Fujimoto, 34, C (.258/.292/.326) – Believe it or not, he’s an upgrade over last year’s backup Victor Salgardo. If he shows his performance against lefties in 2008 wasn’t a fluke, he’ll earn himself a spot in a platoon with Chin.

Pancho Martinez, 30, IF (.226/.257/.301) – Ignore the offensive numbers. The Coal Sox don’t pay Martinez to hit. They pay him to play All-Leather defense at all four infield positions, and he’ll do that. Effortlessly.

Wilbur O’Billry, 26, OF (AAA numbers: .258/.357/.357) – O’Billry has the inside track to supplant Zi-Xing Chen as the utility outfielder thanks to his superior range and moderately superior offensive skills.

Joji Takeuchi, 27, IF (AAA numbers: .272/.327/.338) – The Coal Sox need another bench player, and if they can’t find one in the free agent market the position is likely to go to Takeuchi, although it would be a stretch to say he’s earned it. He’s already peaked, and his offensive numbers aren’t that good even for AAA. His defense, though, just might let him stick.

[Tyler]

EDITOR'S NOTE: I am never writing an article with this many links. Ever. Again. This took more time to link than it did to write. So be sure to check out the homepage version!

[John]

You know what I find helpful with the links? Two things: One, copy/paste them directly from the player's HTML page (that has the advantage of preserving any special characters in their names. Two, put the links to all the key players and personnel from your organization into a Word document, arranged in alphabetical order. Then when you need to use them for an article you can really quickly open up that document and copy/paste them over into the new article. Works like a charm and saves a ton of time!