Hockey, Dog Sleds, … and Baseball!

While bitter cold and snowy weather that is typical of a February in Duluth is best suited for hockey, ski slopes, ice skating, dog sled races, curling matches, and other winter activities, some local residents are thinking baseball. Baseball? Yes! The Duluth Warriors trailer, loaded with team equipment is on its way to Scottsdale. Spring training is fast approaching. Soon the words “play ball” will be followed by the crack of the bat and the other sounds of the national pastime. Another Opening Day will soon follow.

Until the action begins, Warriors fans can continue to reflect on the surprising success of the most recent season. Not only did the Warriors capture the Great Lakes Division title, but the team topped the Tempe Apollos in a nail-biter of a first round playoff series before losing to a red-hot Reno Zephyrs squad in the second round. Our team greatly exceeded expectations.

It was a fun team to watch, especially the explosive big four at the top of the lineup:

  • LF Juan Valasquez (101 SB, .820 OPS, 6.3 WAR) – the lead-off threat;
  • DH Bartolo Mora (51 SB, 28 HR, 87 RBI, .765 OPS) – speed and power in the 2 hole;
  • 3B Antonio Herrera (30 HR, 112 RBI, .882 OPS, 6.0 WAR) – the face of the franchise;
  • RF Dave Docherty (33 HR, 88 RBI, .899 OPS, 5.0 WAR) – SL Wunderkind Award winner.

The starting rotation was led by:

The bullpen featured two primary options for late inning situations until July when the team added a premier closer to add depth down the stretch and in upcoming seasons. Late inning responsibilities in close games were primarily reserved for:

  • Shirai Mori (16 saves, 1.96 ERA with Duluth; 33 saves, 1.86 ERA combined in 56 appearances) – the new, shut-down closer
  • Guo-fang Hsi (30 saves, 3.48 ERA in 60 appearances) – closer turned set-up option
  • Melchior Lohse (6-2, 2.61 ERA in 45 appearances) – 0 home runs allowed

The supporting players were adequate, but areas of weakness needed to be addressed in the off-season. So, GM Tim Ackley and the front office personnel set out to upgrade in several areas. They are pleased with the additions and excited about our prospects entering the 2040 season.

Infield defense – The 2039 defensive alignment needed to be improved. After winning an All-Leather Award at 2B in 2038, Noah Hill needed to play SS in 2039 due to the makeup of the roster. This situation was not optimal for either Hill or the Warriors. During the off-season, the Warriors acquired slick-fielding SS Manny Moreno via a free agent signing. Moreno has truly spectacular fielding skills at any infield position. The team is delighted to have Moreno on board. Hill will now return to 2B, his best position.

In addition, during the winter meetings GM Ackley traded for young 1B Benigno Canseco. Canseco also adds outstanding fielding skills to the ball club. He will team with veteran 1B Armando Gandarilla to vastly improve defensive skills at that position. Further, Canseco (age 26) has the potential to eventually take the reins full time from the aging Gandarilla (39).

Finally, GM Ackley signed 2B Vasil Albers, another player with outstanding fielding skills. During spring training, Albers is expected to battle Hill for the starting role. Regardless of who plays, the infield defense should be significantly improved.

The front office team was very fortunate to have landed both Moreno and Albers. The Warriors are pleased to begin the 2040 season with an infield from third to first of Herrera, Moreno, Hill/Albers, and Gandarilla/Canseco. Together, they should have a positive impact on infield defense that pitchers will love.

Starting Rotation – The 2039 rotation consisted of one of the premier, still blossoming starting pitchers in the league, two solid innings eaters, and two weak links. The rotation also was devoid of a left-handed option. GM Ackley was pleased to grab two pitchers in the Rule 5 draft. LHP Yasuoka Seki will upgrade one weak link and RHP Cesar Gonzalez will fill the other. If anyone falters or is injured, young Guido Westerbos appears to be about ready for prime time.

The Warriors are pleased to have improved the rotation, if only minimally. At least, the five should be more reliable as a group. And with three of the five pitchers adept at inducing the ground ball, the improved infield defense should be welcomed by all.

Bullpen – The 2039 bullpen performed well, especially after Mori joined the team. However, the front office brain trust felt that another reliever was needed to provide another quality option. GM Ackley again was pleased with a free agent signing, this one being veteran RHP Manuel Velasquez. The trio of Velasquez, Hsi, and Lohse should provide a solid bridge from the starters to closer Mori.

With four quality options out of the pen and an improved supporting cast, the front office feels good about the ability to hold late inning leads.

Looking Ahead – The Warriors front office team is very pleased with the off-season acquisitions. The infield defense should be much stronger than last season with what should prove to be an outstanding double play combination up the middle and very good gloves at the corners. The starting staff should prove to be stronger through the fifth starter. The bullpen will feature live arms and additional depth. And given other moves the entire active roster will be stronger and younger.

Combine the fresh faces and upgraded talent with the returning core and the Warriors stack up to be a very competitive squad in 2040. Given that division rivals are pushing to compete, the reigning division champs must keep pace. The Warriors feel they did.

So, Warriors Nation, while cold and snow may seem to be never-ending at home players are arriving in the Valley of the Sun to work out at the Scottsdale Stadium sports complex. Soon games will begin to be televised in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And five weeks later the newest edition of the Duluth Warriors will take the field on lush, green grass and under sunny skies. In short, winter will have passed and baseball will be back!

Go Warriors!