Cyclones 2015 Opening Day Roster & Season Preview

September 6, 2011

4/4/2015: Omaha, NE – With spring training coming to a close, the Omaha Cyclones announced their twenty-five-man roster to the public. The team should still have a formidable offense, and it is evident that they have made a major commitment to improving their defense. This was an area of concern that ownership wanted to address entering 2015.

Pitching, on the other hand, remains mediocre. While several new faces will be seen in the rotation and in the bullpen, the Clones once again failed to secure an ace for the staff or any significant shutdown relievers. Pitching is up in the air.

The main question is whether enough moves were made to propel the Cyclones above their division foes, the Fargo Dinosaurs and the Crystal Lake Sandgnats. At first glance, our answer would be, “No.” However, the season is a long one. Depending on how a few of the new faces perform and the injury complexion of the division, the Cyclones should at least make things interesting in the Great Lakes division.

One positive for the team appears to be their finances. With approximately $85 million on the books for salaries in 2015, GM Jason Warnke has some room should he decided to take on a larger contract or pick up a free agent or two to fill a hole. With virtually no draft picks left, the Cyclones can focus their resources on players that can help them today. That is a luxury that the franchise did not have last year.

At the very least, the team should make a run at setting yet another franchise record for wins in a season. Last season, they set the new mark at 91. Will the roster below help them improve upon this feat?

Starting Lineup

Catcher:Jason Corbett
2014: .257 AVG | .310 OBP | 10 HR
Spring: .317 AVG | .358 OPB | .803 OPS

Jason enters his second season as the full-time catcher for the Cyclones. After a slow start, Corbett came on strong, ending 2014 with a respectable 10.8 VORP. He also threw out just shy of 38% of base runners attempting to steal. Many scouts around the league covet his potential. However, he has yet to live up to the hype.

In past seasons, Warnke has dangled Corbett out as trade bait. Each time, however, management balked when deals came to the table. This could be a blessing in disguise, as Corbett came into spring training leaner and stronger. Apparently, he put in many hours in the cages throughout the off-season. His production this spring was a testament to his hard work.

“I think Jason has an opportunity to break out this season,” commented manager Rafael Navarro. “There is a reason why scouting departments across the league have been high on this kid. He has a real opportunity to be something special. Any improvement at the plate should help us add a few more wins.”

Grade: B-
Could break out and could be a difference-maker – big time!

First Base: Dave Harrell
2014: .360 AVG | .396 OBP | 1.156 OPS (50 AB)
Spring: .180 AVG | .265 OBP | 6 RBI

Hopes were high heading into spring training for the 28-year-old rookie. After impressing everyone with his late season call-up in 2014, many thought that it would be an easy transition to a starting job. However, Dave struggled at the plate all spring, batting less than .200 and striking out once nearly every 4.5 at bats.

On the bright side, having Harrell at first will vastly improve the infield defense by allowing All-Star and franchise player Narahiko Imada to be the team’s designated hitter. Harrell also has shown tremendous raw power at times. In 2014, he belted 21 home runs in 89 games for the Triple-A Lincoln Emancipation. During batting practice, children marvel at some of the shots coming off Harrell’s stick.

Should Harrell continue to struggle at the plate, we may see him return to his reserve role. In this case, Imada would be the likely candidate to replace him on defense, and Steve Harris would likely shift into the DH slot. If Dave impresses, though, it will take the team to the next level.

Grade: Incomplete
Needs a longer evaluation period before a grade is given.

Second Base: George John
2014: .313 AVG | .359 OBP | 29 SB
Spring: .306 AVG | .358 OBP | 4 SB

George John could be one of the Cyclones’ least talked about acquisitions. However, he certainly had a tremendous impact in his first season with Omaha. Signed to a four-year, $20.5 million contract during the 2013-14 off-season, John went on to be one of the most durable players on the team. In 156 games, George posted a 31.2 VORP, playing exceptional defense, to boot.

Many thought that he would be a clubhouse cancer. In fact, this was perhaps why first-year Nutmeggers GM Frank Esselink decided not to offer George an extension. Rumors persisted that John only cared about himself and that winning was secondary.

“I am not sure where those rumors came from,” said Ralph Gunther, teammate and partner in the infield. “The guy is actually funny. We go out for a beer after the game and he has me rolling. You would never know it by how quiet he is on the field.”

The quiet part is true. He rarely talks to the media after games, and he has essentially flown under the radar for the last year. This apparently suits John, who will begin his second season as the starting second baseman in Omaha.

Grade: B
Quietly helping the team win games.

Shortstop: Ben McGinnity
2014: .294 AVG | .358 OBP | 38 SB
Spring: .268 AVG | .391 OBP | 5 SB

McGinnity was given his first shot at substantial playing time last season with the Florida Featherheads due to several injuries in their middle infield. Ben took the opportunity to shine. In 395 at bats, “Jackrabbit” smashed 42 doubles and swiped 38 bases while only being caught six times. He is fearless on the base paths.

This will be the first year where McGinnity knows he is not competing for innings. He was acquired by the Cyclones to upgrade their defense in the middle infield and provide flexibility in the event of injuries to others. McGinnity has already been named the starting shortstop, which will be a major defensive upgrade over last year’s starter, Steve Harris.

“His range is unbelievable,” said Navarro, smiling. “He gets to some shots in the hole, even behind second base, like no one I have ever seen. We are excited about his bat and base-running, but we are even more excited about his defense.”

Jackrabbit’s spring numbers certainly did not turn any heads. However, he has been getting his bat on the ball. He was only fanned three times in 56 at bats, and he reached base nearly 40% of the time. His eye and ability to pilfer bases will likely place him near the top of the batting order come Opening Day.

Grade: B+
Shoring up the defense; helping to manufacture runs.

Third Base: Ralph Gunther
2014: .309 AVG | .375 OBP | .941 OPS
Spring: .254 AVG | .348 OBP | 3 HR

Last season was a coming out party for Gunther. After a sophomore slump, Ralph exploded by putting up All-Star caliber numbers, registering career highs in home runs (38), RBI (120), and doubles (42). He also cut down on his strikeouts and raised his OBP 20 points to a respectable .375. His 63.7 VORP led the entire team, forcing opponents to fear Gunther in the cleanup slot.

Gunther‘s defense and range at the hot corner is also phenomenal. He was a 2013 All-Leather Award winner. With the addition of McGinnity at short, it is hard to imagine anything getting through the left side of the infield.

As usual, Gunther got off to a slow start this spring, although he picked it up in the second half. He is a staple in the middle of the Omaha lineup and will likely continue to bat cleanup behind Imada, which makes Narahiko even more deadly from the three-hole.

Grade: A
It’s tough to imagine improvement over last season, but with more bats behind him, Gunther could explode!

Left Field: Aaron Turner
2014: .247 AVG | .335 OBP | .770 OPS
Spring: .240 AVG | .309 OBP | .709 OPS

The third new face in the Cyclones’ starting lineup will be former Aurora standout outfielder Aaron Turner. Since leaving the Borealis, Turner has spent time on three different teams, with mixed success. The movement has largely been explained by his non-official nickname, “Turn-It-Off Turner”. While scouts love the 33-year-old’s raw ability – he truly is one of those five-tool athletes – they criticize his dedication to the game. It often looks like he is just going through the motions at the plate, and he does not always run out ground balls.

Turner’s acquisition is a risky move by the Cyclones. The chemistry in the locker room is a key ingredient that Warnke and the Clones have been trying to build upon. Turner could potentially upset this balance. On the other hand, if Cyclones staples Imada and Gunther, who are heralded for their hard work, rub off on Aaron, he could have a special year.

Turner replaces Sancho Romero in left field. Romero will be dealt to the Reno Zephrys in a trade announced late last night. This is a major upgrade defensively and has the potential to be a huge addition offensively.

It will be some time before we determine how Turner meshes with the team. The good news is that if the Turner experiment fails, he is only on a one-year deal. He could be dealt to another team mid-season or given his walking papers at year’s end.

Grade: B
A 30-30 season is not out of the question. The question is how dedicated Turner is to the team.

Center Fielder: José Camacho
2014: .252 AVG | .287 OBP | 31 SB (51 games)
Spring: .328 AVG | .371 OBP | .854 OBP

Management salivates when they talk about Camacho’s potential. Here is a guy, still only 27, who can turn every single into a triple with his ability to steal bases. He has shown signs of exploding every spring, and this one has been no different.

So what is the problem? Camacho has yet to play an entire season without experiencing a major injury. Ever since breaking into the big leagues at the age of 23 in 2011, José has failed to play more than 100 games. Over the last two seasons, he has only managed to take the field in 50 and 51 games, respectively. José’s durability is a question mark every pre-season and usually ends in disappointment.

“José has the capacity to break the PEBA stolen base record, no question,” stated Navarro. “Pitchers can’t keep him off the bases, and catchers can’t throw him out! I am dying to see what he can do if he just stays healthy.”

Last season, Camacho stole 31 bases in just 51 games. Despite missing over two-thirds of the season, that was still good enough for 15^th in the league. Look for José to start the season as the leadoff hitter – that is, until he gets hurt.

On the defensive end, Camacho patrols the outfield with precision. While his arm may not gun down runners at home, he is often featured in the highlight reel shagging fly balls that others would let fall in the gap for doubles. He can play all three outfield positions beautifully.

Grade: C-
He is too frail to grade accurately. If he were to play a full season, he would probably be an A-.

Right Field: Keishi Yamasaki
2014: .257 AVG | .297 OBP | .744 OPS
Spring: .234 AVG | .279 OBP | 10 RBI

Yamasaki arrived in Omaha as part of the trade that sent Manuel Gonza̒lez to the New Jersey Hitmen. No one thought he would get the early-season call-up, but he did. Keishi impressed in his rookie season, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 76 runs in just 102 games. He also swiped 18 bases in 23 attempts.

Keishi will likely bat towards the back of the order. His slow start this spring could be a sign of the freshman hangover that so many professional athletes experience. Hopefully, he will get it out of hi system early and go on to a productive 2015.

His one weakness has been his defense. Yamasaki attended Winter Ball this off-season, another example of the hard work and determination he brings from his Japanese heritage. He specifically worked on positioning in right field, as well as game situation fielding. He will probably be the weakest link in the Omaha defense. However, out in right field, it may not matter that much.

Grade: C+
Will Yamasaki flourish or flounder in his second professional season?

Designated Hitter: Narahiko Imada
2014: .315 AVG | .407 OBP | .960 OPS
Spring: .337 AVG | .455 OBP | 1.085 OPS

If this spring is any indication of what only concentrating on hitting (DH) will bring for Imada, than we could be in for quite a treat. Narahiko is coming off arguably his best season. The five-time All-Star bashed 36 home runs, drove in 107 runs, and registered a 62.8 VORP. Imada, who is the face of the Cyclones franchise, benefited greatly by batting ahead of Ralph Gunther last season. He will reap the same benefit this year.

However, unlike past seasons, manager Navarro will slide Imada into the designated hitter role. This decision was made, in part, to extend Narahiko’s productive hitting several more seasons. The other reason for the move was the development of Dave Harrell, who is a much better defender than Imada. That said, do not be surprised if Imada returns to first should Harrell struggle or if Narahiko fails to hit when he is only focusing on the plate.

Needless to say, Imada is going nowhere. He is a fan favorite and is signed through the 2018 season. His 2014 contract extension was the second extension under the tenure of GM Warnke. Imada even gave the franchise a home team discount; he’ll earn only $18 million in his final year.

Grade: A+
Imada is an annual All-Star, future Hall of Famer, and above all, a class act.

Key Reserves

Infield: Steve Harris
2014: .287 AVG | .351 OBP | .847 OPS
Spring: .333 AVG | .348 OBP | .926 OPS

No one questions Steve Harris’s ability to produce at the plate. For the last three seasons, Steve has average 27 home runs. He boasts a .275 career batting average and 115 OPS+. In fact, the Cyclones love his bat so much that they rewarded the middle infielder with a six-year, $23.5 million contract extension back in 2013.

The criticism of Harris is his defense. While he can play every infield position, he is mediocre, at best. Due to some roster issues last season, Steve was forced to play shortstop, one of his weakest positions. While he was serviceable, it was clearly a defensive hole that needed to be addressed.

This season, Harris will be utilized as a super-utility infielder. He will be available should Gunther, McGinnity, John, or Harrell go down to injury. He may even get some at bats at the designated hitter slot should the team need to go back to Imada at first base.

It is unclear how long Harris may remain in a Cyclones uniform. He has a more than reasonable contract and clearly should be playing every day. With the recent acquisition of another shortstop, Eric Peterson, from West Virginia, Harris’s days as a Clone could be numbered.

Outfield: Rory Newman
2014: DNP
Spring: .317 AVG | .348 OBP | .689 OPS

Newman was acquired from division rival Crystal Lake in exchange for MR Gustavo Mercado. Rory has been waiting for an opportunity to make it to the big leagues. However, with a clogged “super system” in Crystal Lake, his development was stunted. It was unlikely he would ever get a chance to step onto Gnat Field.

It appears that all that has changed since he has arrived in Omaha. The 26-year-old shined in spring training, earning one of the reserve outfield slots for Opening Day. It is highly likely that he will be given a chance to platoon with second-year outfielder Keishi Yamasaki, and he’ll most definitely be replacing Yamasaki in late-game situations where defense is needed.

Newman is a bit of an enigma and is largely unproven. However, he has excelled at every level of baseball, capping off the 2014 season in AAA with a .330 average and .877 OPS.

Grade: Incomplete
Champing at the bit to showcase his talent.

Outfield: Alberto Delgado
2014: .234 AVG | .332 OBP | .778 OPS
Spring: .250 AVG | .341 OBP | .980 OPS

Delgado had a chance to play quite a bit over the last two seasons due to injuries to José Camacho and other players. Delgado returns in 2015 for one more season on a nominal contract to back up the center and left field positions.

Alberto has made it known that he is not at all happy with his role on the team. It’s rumored that he has requested a trade. The problem is that there are few teams interested in someone who appears to have all the talent but a bad attitude.

Delgado is yet another Cyclone who can steal a base or two. He also has quite a bat. If given the chance as a starter, Delgado could probably hit 20-25 home runs a season and steal just as many bases. This, coupled with his ability to play all three outfield positions well, is why management has decided to put up with the complaining and keep Alberto as a reserve.

Grade: C-
If he would complain less and play more inspired, the guy could make some noise.

Catcher: Sergio Morán
2014: .210 AVG | .272 OBP | .529 OPS
Spring: .414 AVG | .469 OBP | 1.124 OPS

Morán came into spring this year on a mission, tearing the cover off the ball. After an abysmal season at the plate as a reserve, Sergio worked hard in the off-season to prove that he belongs on a big league roster. While he only had 29 at bats, his swing looked fluid and he appeared to be in game shape already.

Defense is what has kept Sergio in the big leagues. He is one of the better defensive catchers in the game and, with the exception of 2014, has proven that he has it in him to be a part-time player. Do not expect the Cyclones to give him much wiggle room this year, however; he is on the last year of his contract, which is unlikely to be renewed. If Jason Corbett were to go down to a longer-term injury, it is highly unlikely that Morán would be the solution. In that situation, look for Omaha to scramble to improve.

Starting Rotation (2014 Stats)

The starting rotation features two new faces. Well, one is actually a familiar face: António Rivera, who returns for his second run with Omaha. The other “new” face is Alberto Galván, a free agent who signed a two-year, $13 million contract to play for the Cyclones through 2016. Last year, Galván pitched for the Hitmen, who finished first in the Pan-Atlantic division. It is never bad to add a player used to winning.

The rotation rounds out with three returning pitchers: Cortéz and Coronado (dubbed early in 2014 as C+C Exploring Factory), plus Villarreal. Overall, the rotation is nothing spectacular. While all five pitchers have been able to pitch late into games, no one is a standout ace. In short, this is a team with five #3 starters. It could be worse, but unless we see two or three of these guys step up significantly, this is far from playoff pitching.

Grade: C+
Will Warnke go out and get an ace or rely on these mediocrities to make a run?

Bullpen (2014 Stats)

The Cyclones enter the season with seven relievers. Much like the starting rotation, the bullpen is nothing special. It may be slightly above average, but there is no one who couldn’t get lit up at any point in time. In short, the team cannot even always count on their closer, Jesse Powell, to end a game or get out of a sticky situation.

That said, the pen might be slightly improved over the 2014 bunch. Two new faces arrive in Marable and Otero. Rivera, who served as a starter for the team in 2014, will be sent to the pen for mop-up duty and spot starts. Overall, the hope is that the starters can get through the sixth inning and the pen can take it from there.

Grade: B
It looks like an above average bullpen, but nothing extraordinary.

Team Summary

As in the past several seasons, the Omaha Cyclones should be able to produce quite a bit of offense. The long ball will continue to be a common theme in this starting lineup. Gunther, Imada, Harris, Harrell, and even Turner and Yamasaki all have the capacity to hit 20+ home runs. This theme will be accented with the new ability for the team to run. Six of the nine starters (Gunther, Imada, and Corbett being the exceptions) can steal bases in their sleep. This lineup could very easily feature six guys who steal more than 20 bases and a handful that could break 30. It is quite an interesting mix.

What remains to be seen is whether the free agent signings and the recent trades will help propel the Clones to the playoffs. The pitching is still suspect but, from all angles, it does appear that the team should be much better on defense, slightly better on offense, and a tick better on the mound. Perhaps management will make a few more moves to bolster the pitching staff early in the season to make a serious attempt to make the playoffs.

Overall Grade: B+
We still think they are two starting pitchers away from serious contention.