Monday, September 27, 2010
Samuel Beckett reporting for the Tempe Gazette

The Knights wrapped up their finest season to date, finishing at 84-78.  The team got a whiff of the pennant race and Knights GM Van Hauter stated, “Next year the Knights expect to be in the playoffs.”  Tempe‘s five-year plan is finally coming to fruition and this year will serve as a building block for future success.  The Knights held their own against the toughest competition and feel that they can beat anybody.  The one area Tempe must address is their offense which, while showing signs of life at home, was dreadful on the road.  Van Hauter believes the Knights are one power bat away from making a serious run next year.

Tempe‘s fans enjoyed watching the Knights all year and the Knights hope they can reward their loyalty with a pennant next year.  The club received outstanding play from a variety of players, and this article will break down each player and give analysis as to where they will fit into next year’s team.

Starting Pitching
This was one of Tempe‘s strengths and should continue to be next year as Van Hauter has secured all the starters contractually.  The breakdown of the starters is as follows:

Number 1 Starter Markus Hancock
Hancock was dominating, going 20-5 with an ERA of 1.96.  He also struck out 277 in 248 innings.  He should have won five more decisions but the bullpen failed him.  He is simply the best pitcher in the game and the scary part is that he is only going to get better.
Overall: A+…  because that is as high as I can go.

Number 2 Starter Barney Sharp
Sharp is all set to become the number two starter behind Hancock.  The Knights believe Hancock and Sharp can be like Koufax and Drysdale for years to come.  Sharp struggled when first brought up but from July on he went 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA.  For the year he was 4-8 with a 4.44 ERA.  He still walks too much but the Knights feel that he will lower that total and be a top notch number two starter.
Overall C+

Number 3 Starter Chet Collins
Collins has been with the Knights from the onset and suffered through their 117 loss season 4 years ago.  Collins is a perfect number three and this year he was his reliable self, going 12-12 with a 3.77 ERA.  Collins struggled a bit down the stretch so the Knights might limit his pitch count next year.  Collins is also wrapped up for three more years, and the Knights believe he has a 20-win season in him and that he is due for a career year next year.
Overall: B

Number 4 Starter Dave Cox
Cox was a pleasant surprise for the Knights, going 12-13 with a 3.83 ERA.  He always kept the Knights in the game and was a good innings eater.  Cox is signed through next year and he should give the Knights another solid season.  However, Tempe hopes Cox’s Jekyll and Hyde persona does not appear, as he has never been able to put together two good seasons in a row.
Overall: B

Number 5 Starter Jose Rivera
Rivera only went 2-6 but pitched great at times, and he is a lock for the number 5 spot next year.  Rivera struck out 84 in 78 innings and is improving every year.  The Knights believe he can easily win ten games next year and can be dominating at times.
Overall: C+

The Bullpen
The pen struggled in the early part of the year, but Van Hauter pulled off some deals and improved the squad.  The Knights feel they now have one of the best pens in the league.

Tu-an Sima
Sima had his ups and downs in 2010 and really struggled down the stretch.  However, he still posted a 7-5 mark with a 3.87 ERA.  Van Hauter feels Sima is best suited as a spot starter and long reliever, and that is where he will be next year for the Knights.
Overall: C+

Juan Montés
Montés, like Collins, has been with Tempe from the get-go and has improved every year.  The Knights rewarded his efforts with a two-year contract, so he will be coming out of the pen for the Knights through 2012.  This year was his finest as he appeared in 49 games, posting a 3-2 record with 6 saves.  Montés still gets in trouble because of his control at times (46 walks in 76 innings), but in the second half his control was much improved.
Overall: B

Lorenzo Álvarez
Álvarez came over in midseason and did a great job of shoring up Tempe‘s shaky pen.  In 27 games he went 2-0 and posted a respectable 3.33 ERA.  Álvarez is opting for free agency and the Knights have stated that they will make a run for him.  If not, the Knights will have to roll the dice with Bryant Duncan, who is coming off a back injury.
Overall: B+

Yoshiteru Jouon
Jouon, like Álvarez, came over at midseason and did a solid job.  He went 7-6 with two saves while posting a 3.62 ERA.  The Knights signed him to a two-year contract and he will help anchor a much improved bullpen in 2011.
Overall: B

Gonzalo Flores
Another midseason pickup whom the Knights signed to an extension.  Flores went 5-4 with two saves and a 3.65 ERA.  Flores could also close if Miguel Lozano goes down.  Flores has electric stuff and the Knights feel he will be an All-Star before too long.
Overall: B+

Ramiro Flores
Flores was picked off the scrapheap last year and was a pleasant surprise.  He struggled in the second half last year but still finished with a 4.26 ERA.  The Knights feel he is a perfect situational pitcher, and he can bring the gas a 95 MPH.  Flores has earned another year on the Knights roster and Van Hauter feels he will take full advantage of it.
Overall: C

Closer Miguel Lozano
Lozano still has one year left on his three-year contract and has been everything the Knights hoped he would be and more.  In the second half he was lights out, and he finished the year with 31 saves while posting a 2.63 ERA.  In two years with the Knights, Lozano has posted 56 saves while flying under the radar when great closers are discussed.
Overall: A

Tomorrow I will analyze the offense… stay tuned.