April 2, 2011
by Serenity Summers

Today we preview the Florida Featherheads‘ Opening Day roster.  In our first part, we will take a look at Florida‘s position players and its starting batting order.  Last season, Florida featured one of the league’s top offenses.  Its offense is balanced with power and speed.  The biggest question mark for the offense will be consistency.  Was last season a fluke or a sign of things to come?

SS Naoaki Kichida, #5
Naoaki Kichida really blossomed last year as Florida‘s leadoff hitter and shortstop.  Kichida, a first time All-Star last season, wowed fans with his electric legs.  He swiped a league record of 89 bases in 2010.  With a full Featherheads season under his belt, Kichida looks to continue his momentum into 2011.  He had an excellent spring, leading the team in batting average (.419), on-base percentage (.550), runs scored (13) and stolen bases (8).  Kichida is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game and there’s no reason to think he will be otherwise this season.

Defensively, Kichida provides a steady glove at shortstop.  Critics are quick to point out his average arm that prevents him from making the difficult plays deep in the hole.  Despite not always being able to make the immaculate play, Kichida’s value lies in his quick feet and accurate arm that allows him to make all the routine plays.

LF Shimpei Adachi, #2
Last year’s number 3 hitter becomes this year’s number 2 hitter.  Manger Jaime Sánchez has decided to move Shimpei Adachi up a slot in order to take advantage of his base-stealing capabilities.  Adachi is a unique hitter in that he can either serve as a run scorer or run producer.  Playing in modest baseball towns of Omaha and Jacksonville, Adachi’s talents often go by unnoticed.  Adachi possesses the rare combination of speed, power and the ability to make good contact.  Just like Kichida, Shimpei Adachi has found a home in Florida ever since being traded over from Omaha.  Adachi is expected to have another solid All-Star-like season.

In the field, Adachi is a good and capable defender.  He has shown in the past to be versatile enough to play all three outfield positions.  This season, he moves from right field to left field.  With a slightly above-average arm, moving Adachi to left should benefit both the Featherheads and Adachi.

2B Kevin McNeill, #35
Kevin McNeill, last season’s number 2 hitter, flip-flops in the batting order with Adachi this season.  McNeill’s excellent on-base ability made him ideal for the two-hole last season.  Despite that fact, Sánchez has moved him into the three-position in order to take advantage of his slugging ability.  Arguably Florida‘s most dangerous hitter, McNeill exploded onto the scene last season and garnered his first ever All-Star selection.  McNeill is a tough out for any pitcher.  A switch-hitter, McNeill will wait for his pitch and is not afraid to take a walk.  Last season McNeill hit the magical 30/100/100 mark (32 home runs, 102 RBI and 114 runs).  Emerging as one of the best players in the game, McNeill is the type of player that can carry an offense on his back.  This spring McNeill batted .383 with an OPS over 1.000.  If these numbers are indicators of things to come, McNeill could be in for a very monstrous year.

A former shortstop, McNeill has transitioned well as a second baseman.  Known as an offensive player, McNeill’s defense often goes overlooked.  He possesses very good range and a shortstop arm.  His ability to cover ground and his strong arm allow him to make plays that only elite defensive middle infielders can make.  The only knock on McNeill is his focus in the infield.  Sometimes McNeill is a victim of a defensive mental lapse.  McNeill needs to cut down the errors if he wants to be considered an excellent fielder.

1B Tsumemasa Morimoto, #11
Fittingly, the PEBA’s home run king and team captain anchors the cleanup spot.  Tsumemasa Morimoto led the league in home runs and RBI last season.  A multi-time All-Star, Morimoto’s motivation lies in proving the critics wrong.  Despite his accolades and numbers, the so-called experts still write Morimoto off.  He is constantly overshadowed by the likes of Ramón Flores, Kuemon Kiyomizu and last season’s Royal Raker, Octávio Pexego.  Critics and scouts continue to doubt Morimoto’s ability to consistently hit for average.  For some players, a .290 batting average along with 50 home runs and 124 RBI would be considered a career-high season.  One would expect for Morimoto to fall back down to Earth.  At 24 years old, Morimoto is determined to show that last season is the start of trend rather than a fluke.  If Spring Training is any indication, then look out.  Morimoto had a superb spring, batting .356 with an OPS over 1.000.  Morimoto has told reporters that his goal for the season is to prove the doubters wrong.

Surprisingly, Morimoto handles himself well at first base.  He has soft hands and is adept at starting the 3-6-1 double play.  He collected an All-Leather Award back in 2009.

3B Michael Kelly, #14
Michael Kelly arrives in Jacksonville in the deal that sent All-Star Carlos Mostas to Tempe.  Coincidentally, Kelly’s offensive role will be to fill the shoes of the player he was traded for.  Last season, Mostas served as Florida‘s right-handed power bat in a left-handed-dominated lineup.  Hitting fifth and behind Morimoto, Kelly is expected to provide right-handed protection for the Japanese slugger.  Coming off a poor second half last season, Kelly has a lot to prove in his contract year.  Along with it being a contract year, Kelly has a host of new teammates to win over.  When happy and focused, Kelly is arguably the best third baseman in the Imperial League.  You can count on him to hit near .300 with 20 homers and 100 RBI.  Those are premium numbers considering the lack of talent depth at third base in the PEBA.

There’s not much need to discuss Kelly’s glove at the hot corner.  Winning the All-Leather Award every season, Kelly is a flawless vacuum at third base.  Kelly’s masterful third base play is based on his excellent fundamentals.  His hands and footwork are one of the best in all of baseball.  It will be no surprise if another All-Leather Award is waiting for Kelly at the end of the season.

RF Kwang-chih Zhu, #33
Kwang-chih Zhu slides into the sixth slot.  If it were not for the All-Stars in Florida‘s dangerous lineup, Zhu would be garnering much more attention.  At only 23 years of age, Zhu is developing into an offensive machine.  Last season he was second in the league in total bases (346), trailing only his teammate Morimoto for the league leader crown.  Just like McNeill, Zhu achieved 30/100/100 last season (37 home runs, 104 RBI and 107 runs).  Most teams would be ecstatic to have a hitter of Zhu’s caliber in the sixth spot.  Similar to McNeill’s breakout season last year, Zhu is poised for one himself this season.  He has improved each season and has the skills to become Florida best overall hitter.  Signing a recent 3-year deal, Zhu can now focus on baseball matters.

Defensively, Zhu is a mixed bag.  He’s prone to committing an error every now and then.  Conversely, he’s also adept at gunning runners out with his cannon of an arm.  Back in 2007, he threw out 17 runners while patrolling center field for the Featherheads.  His range is great for a player his size.  If Zhu can limit his errors and mishaps, he could be one of the better right fielders in the game.

DH Luis Torres, #46
Finally the moment has arrived.  For years, fans and Florida media personalities raved about the man known as “Digger”.  Luis Torres finally has arrived to the big show.  Still rough around the edges, Florida is confident that Torres is good enough to contribute while learning on the job.  Management had so much faith in Torres that they shipped out All-Star outfielder Carlos Mostas.  Offensively, the sky is the limit for this kid.  Internal scouts love his upside and compare him to Roberto Rodríguez or even Pat Lilly.  The most impressive aspect about Torres is that he consistently shown the ability to raise his game with every minor league promotion.  His batting eye is already way above average.  The power and batting average will come as his body fully develops and gets adjusted to big league pitching.  Luckily for Torres, expectations are low.  Batting seventh and behind several accomplished sluggers, Torres is not expected to be the savior of a franchise.

There’s a reason why Torres is serving as the Featherheads’ designated hitter.  His defense is lacking, to put it kindly.  There is not one part of Torres’ defensive game that stands out.  His arm is weak.  His range and ability to make the consistent play leaves something to be desired.

C Eduardo Carbajal, #26
Eduardo Carbajal occupies the eighth spot.  Last season Carbajal shared time with fellow catcher, Charles Jeffries.  This season Sánchez has already announced that Carbajal will be used more as the primary catcher.  Sánchez cited Carbajal’s veteran experience and defense as the main reason for the decision.  Offensively, the 33-year-old still has some pop in his bat.  His 42 home runs in 2007 may all well be a distant memory these days, but the former LRS All-Star still has some “oomph” in his bat.  Carbajal’s presence also helps to balance out the lineup.  Along with Kelly, Carbajal is Florida other right-handed bat with some pop.  In a contract year, Carbajal will have every opportunity to show there’s still something left in the tank.

Carbajal remains a steady backstop behind the plate.  His arm and signal calling abilities are both excellent.  Last season he threw out 41% of would-be base stealers.  As a full-time starter, Carbajal is an upgrade defensively over Jeffries.

CF Dan Jamison, #19
Batting at the bottom of the order, the speedy Dan Jamison acts as second leadoff hitter in the lineup.  Jamison hopes he can rebound from his sophomore slump after a wonderful rookie season.  Now entering his third year, Florida expects Jamison to be much improved.  Jamison has the skills to be a .300 type hitter.  His speed and ability to spray the ball in the gaps makes Jamison a luxury at the bottom of the order.  Jamison still needs to develop more patience at the plate if he wants to develop into a solid leadoff hitter.  With the presence of Kichida at the top of lineup, Florida has the luxury of grooming Jamison.  Although still young in his career, this is the year the former first rounder needs to distinguish himself as an everyday outfielder rather than a utility outfielder.

Jamison’s greatest asset in the outfield is his legs and ability to cover ground.  The speedster is well versed in all three outfield positions.  His rocket arm makes him an ideal right field candidate.  His superlative range though makes him a natural fit in center.  The only knock on Jamison is that he occasionally can get careless in the outfield.  He’s also prone to airmailing his cutoff man from time to time due to his zealousness to show off that great arm of his.

Bench
Florida’s bench is rather unproven.  This season Florida will carry one catcher, two infielders and an outfielder on their bench.  Backup catcher Charles Jeffries has yet to recapture his 2008 production.  Jeffries’s power numbers are good for a catcher, but his lack of defense and offensive inconsistencies have placed Carbajal ahead of him in the depth chart.

Utility infielder Taisuke Endo is a good role-player.  He has the ability to play all infield positions, and Sánchez is not afraid to pencil Endo into the starting lineup if one of Florida‘s sluggers needs a day off.  Expect Endo to primarily back up the right side of the infield.

Backing up the right side of the infield will be rookie Ricardo Gabriel.  The former Aurora farmhand has shown good progress after joining Florida‘s organization.  Defensively, Gabriel has excellent range and rarely commits errors on the routine plays.  Offensively, Gabriel has some good patience and some pop in the power alleys.  Gabriel could very well be the heir apparent to the third base position if Florida decides not to resign Michael Kelly.

Outfielder Luis López rounds out the bench.  López is an enigma of sorts.  He has yet to show anything much in the big leagues.  However, the tools are obviously there.  In his defense, López has yet to receive any consistent playing time to showcase his skills.  Unfortunately, it is unlikely he will get an opportunity here considering the outfield depth Florida has.  If Torres falters in the designated hitter role, it would not be surprising if López receives an audition at the position.  A platoon may even occur between Torres and López.

Down the Pipeline
Even before a single pitch has been thrown this season, fans can already see the benefits of Florida‘s strong farm system.  Newcomers Luis Torres and Ricardo Gabriel have already made the big league roster.  In 2009, Dan Jamison was the first pioneer of GM Kevin Lewis‘s commitment of relying on internal development.

His former Chesapeake Bay teammate, 1B Ronald Harmon, is not far behind the trail.  Revered as Florida‘s second most talented hitter behind Torres, the former 2009 first round draft pick starts the season down in the “Bay”.  Considering that first base is occupied by team captain Morimoto and the team’s talented offense, it is doubtful Harmon will make an appearance to the big show this season.  For the most part, Harmon has shown he can hit at any level.  Harmon should be ready by 2012 and you can bet management will find a way to get his potent bat into the lineup.