The Future Never Happened

[Tyler]

Inconsistency, Lack of Development Killed ‘07 Sox Season; What about ’08?

October 13, 2007

by Patrick Bailey, Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, WV - The Coal Sox season was disappointing. And that’s as much time as this writer wants to spend on that subject. You can read our season recap coming out next week if you’re into feeling miserable about your favorite team. Here, on the other hand, I’m going to take a look at the individual performances turned in by the in Sox, and maybe, just maybe, find some hope for the future.

Catcher
Opening Day Starter: Rex Groves (.244-19-80, 4.70 RC/27, 27.9 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Rex Groves
Projected 2008 Starter: Victor Salgardo (.182-3-12, 1.75 RC/27, -0.8 VORP)

You have to keep reminding yourself that Groves was an All-Star, a difficult task watching him play during the final games of the season. His magnificent second-half slump was a thing of beauty. After June the best offensive catcher of the first half hit .215 for the remainder of the season and slugged a measly .325. I suspected Groves failed his business class in college. As his performance fell through the floor his contract demands crashed through the ceiling. Numerous sources report that he’s looking for a 5 year, $75 million deal. With mid-season acquisition Victor Salgardo waiting in the wings, the Sox will let Groves walk.

First Base
Opening Day Starter: Alberto Benitez (.297-1-35, 4.98 RC/27, 14.3 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Michizane Kouki (.288-6-27, 5.21 RC/27, 8.6 VORP) / Jack Price (.185-2-5, 2.25 RC/27, -4.5 VORP)
Projected 2008 Starter: Michizane Kouki / Jack Price

Benitez was one of the offensive stars for the Coal Sox when the season opened, batting a capable leadoff despite a complete lack of speed. Capable of exploiting the gaps in Allegheny Field, Benitez hit 29 doubles in just 98 games with the Sox. Shipped to San Antonio in the Ki-Tong Pei trade, Benitez’s departure left a gaping hole at first base. GM Tyler Babcock immediately plugged this hole with young AAA star Michizane Kouki, plucked from Aurora for struggling starter Artie Tillman, who had been demoted to the pen. Jack Price was brought in from Omaha to fill the right-handed role in a 1B platoon but failed to duplicate his intriguing splits against lefties. The Coal Sox recently bought out Kouki’s arbitration years, and if Price can’t pick up the pace out of the gate in ’08, Kouki will have first base all to himself.

Second Base
Opening Day Starter: Tom Kirkland (.288-3-65, 5.40 RC/27, 31.4 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Tom Kirkland
Projected 2008 Starter: Tom Kirkland

Kirkland is the lone island of stability in the West Virginia infield. At 26, the second baseman signed a 4-year extension in May for a delightfully cheap $5 million per year. The Sox are in love with his extra base ability (he notched 47 doubles and 7 triples). Although his defense can be at best described as average, he’s a great player around which the Coal Sox are building the rest of their infield.

Third Base
Opening Day Starter: Glen Harris (.246-4-42, 3.37 RC/27, 4.2 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Glen Harris
Projected 2008 Starter: Glen Harris

The above is deceptive. Harris, originally slated to be one of the Sox utility infielders, started the season as the regular third baseman due to Miguel Lluea’s injured knee. That knee vexed the Coal Sox all through the spring, as Lluea never lived up to expectations after healing and returning to the everyday lineup. After hitting .177 in May and June, Manager Armando Zamora had had enough and re-installed Harris at the hot corner. Lluea was given the boot and traded to the Nutmeggers at the start of July. Rumor has it speaking his name in the Sox front office will result in a $1,000 fine. The future, though, looks bright. Harris, who was supposed to spend this season soaking up the big-league atmosphere and backing up the regulars, turned in a mediocre season – at age 21. It should be a long, long time before the Sox need to worry about third base again.

Shortstop
Opening Day Starter: Cipriano Carnossi (.251-11-55, 4.22 RC/27, 16.5 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Cipriano Carnossi
Projected 2008 Starter: offseason acquisition

Carnossi turned in a solid season in his final year wearing anthracite grey. He made it clear from the start of the season, though, that he wants to move on to a cleaner environment. Shortstop is the biggest question mark for the Coal Sox this offseason and Babcock’s top priority. Unlike the catching position, where the Sox have to ML-ready prospects (Salgardo and Jeffries), the farm system has no shortstops capable of contributing meaningfully in the majors, as top prospects Castro and Ramirez both struggled mightily this year at AAA and AA, respectively. Look for Babcock to make some moves here.

Left Field
Opening Day Starter: Jon Wood (.299-13-72, 6.34 RC/27, 38.2 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Jon Wood
Projected 2008 Starter: Jon Wood

Wood has officially moved from prospected to star. And his salary is rising to match. 2008 is shaping up to be his last in West Virginia, as the Sox would like to get more power out of the corner outfield spots, especially for the money Wood is likely to demand for an extension. Nonetheless, Wood turned in a fine season, and at 26, should only get better in 2008.

Center Field
Opening Day Starter: Will Thomas (.263-20-85, 4.95 RC/27, 14.1 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Kenny Parker (.197-1-15, 2.84 RC/27, -5.8 VORP) / Joseph Lane (.196-1-27, 1.98 RC/27, -16.9 VORP)
Projected 2008 Starter: anyone but Kenny Parker

Center field is giving shortstop a run for its money in “most miserable outlook for 2008”. The July trade of RF Ki-Tong Pei allowed slugger Will Thomas to shift from center to right, a move the organization was happy to make with Thomas’s declining range and knees. Unfortunately, this shift left a black hole behind. Prospect Jospeh Lane emphatically proved that he is not ready for a full major league season and will begin 2008 down in AAA. That leaves behind the miserable Kenny Parker, with whom GM Babcock reportedly refuses to directly have a conversation, instead opting for telegrams. The Coal Sox have some serious problems in center, as whomever starts in 2008 will need to have the wheels to cover the vast acreage that is the Allegheny Field outfield. Look for a trade or free agent signing. And look for Parker to be traded for the first sentient being offered.

Right Field
Opening Day Starter: Ki-Tong Pei (.249-23-63, 5.17 RC/27, 16.4 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Will Thomas
Projected 2008 Starter: Will Thomas

The Coal Sox couldn’t afford to pay Pei, so they smartly shipped him off at the deadline for prospects. But it still stings that Pei caught on fire in the second half, OPSing .201 better for the Calzones than the Coal Sox. West Virginia needn’t worry about the future in right. Thomas is signed long term, and as long as his knees stay intact, he’s proven his bat deserves a middle-order spot in the lineup.

Designated Hitter:
Opening Day Starter: Orlando Valadez (.296-17-62, 5.69 RC/27, 34.8 VORP)
Season Finale Starter: Orlando Valadez
Projected 2008 Starter: Orlando Valadez

I’ll be honest with you. I have a man-crush on Orlando. Let me tell you another thing – I’m going to punch Jhonny Baseball in the face the next time I see him. For those who aren’t familiar with his treason, he panned the extension Valdez signed (which buys out all of his option years), claiming it was too much money to spend on a leadoff man who only hits singles and can’t steal a base. Well, Jhonny, let me tell you something. Valadez is the MVP of the Coal Sox. That’s right. When Pei left, Valadez arrived. Orlando led the Sox in AVG, SLG, OPS, VORP, RC, games, AB, R, H, TB, 1B, and IBB. That worth $5 million to you, Jhonny? Huh? Huh?

Be sure to stay tuned for next week’s look at the Coal Sox rotation.

[John]

An absolute delight to read. Obviously you've got a very clear picture of where your team is going, something every owner should be developing at this time. Having a plan is critical for success!

It's also worth mentioning the Coal Sox draft pick situation. With the trade slated to occur Monday night, West Virginia will have an extra 1st and 2nd round draft pick. So even more talent should be entering the system come June 7.

[Coqui]

Really entertaining read. I am not a fan of some of the stuff Jhonny Baseball said about my moves either. I thought it was awesome to have him around, where did he go?

[John]

Jhonny recently got a new job and that's been keeping him from writing for us. He's at the top of our waiting list, though, so the next time a spot comes open you just might see him filing the role. Then you can take your angst out on him in trade negotiations.

[Tyler]

Ooooh, good to hear. I can't wait to negotiate with him.