2010 Preview: Modesto Nuts

2009 Recap
Standings- 75-65, lost in 3 games to Bakersfield in Division Semi-Finals
Team Runs- 686, 6th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.02, 2nd out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Charles Blackmon, .307
R- Charles Blackmon, 87
HR- Jay Cox, 12
RBI- Charles Blackmon, 69
SB- Charles Blackmon, 30
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Jason Van Kooten, .854

W- Joey Williamson, 13
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Craig Baker, 2.30
IP- Cory Riordan, 169.2
K- Cory Riordan, 134
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Craig Baker, 1.12
S- Craig Baker, 33

Unlike most teams in the Cal League, the Nuts got it done with pitching in 2009. Only two teams finished with fewer home runs, and only one had a worse OBP. On the flip side, their pitchers were second in ERA and WHIP, mostly due to the staff as a whole having good control and limiting their walks. The Nuts have now lost in the first round in three consecutive years, so if they can improve their hitting in 2010, they could make the playoffs a 4th consecutive year and try to advance.

Likely key departures
OF Scott Beerer
2B Jason Van Kooten
OF Jay Cox
OF Charles Blackmon
SP Cory Riordan
SP Joey Williamson

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
7. OF Tim Wheeler
8. P Rex Brothers

Other potential additions and returnees
1B Mike Zuanich
1B Kiel Roling
C Jordan Pacheco
SP Dan Houston
SP Juan Nicasio
RP Adam Jorgenson

Despite finishing under .500 for the entire season, Colorado A affiliate Asheville still made the SAL playoffs before being swept in the first round. They did it with an offense that finished 4th in runs and 2nd in OPS, so those players should make a smooth transition into the Cal League. Colorado seems to prefer allowing players to spend most of the season if not all of it at one level, so the players listed above should get a lot of time at Modesto. One guy not listed that could be back with the Nuts in 2009 is C Wilin Rosario. He played 58 games with the team in 2009, but the Rockies could feel he's ready for a promotion.

One of the organization's best pitching prospects, Christian Friedrich, also had an effective stint with the Nuts in 2009 that'll likely allow him to start 201 a level higher. Asheville had less than impressive pitching in the SAL, so someone will need to step up if Modesto is going to maintain the standard set in 2009. Rex Brothers didn't start in his 2009 pro debut, but he should be in the rotation which could spark this group of pitchers to perform better. Dan Houston and Juan Nicasio each had solid campaigns last season.

2010 Preview: Lancaster JetHawks

2009 Recap
Standings- 56-84, 5th out of 5 in CAL South
Team Runs- 782, 3rd out of 10
Team ERA- 5.92, 10th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Koby Clemens, .345
R- Jonathan Gaston, 119
HR- Jonathan Gaston, 35
RBI- Koby Clemens, 121
SB- Jack Shuck, 18
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Koby Clemens, 1.055

W- Leandro Cespedes and Christopher Hicks, 9
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Jordan Powell, 4.13
IP- Leandro Cespedes, 131.2
K- Leandro Cespedes, 116
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Fernando Abad, 1.04
S- Fernando Abad, 6

Usually teams that finish 3rd in the league in runs won't come in last place, but that's what happens when the pitching is far worse than everyone else's. Lancaster's 5.92 team ERA was the second worst in the league since 2005, which is as far as milb.com team stats go back. The JetHawks had a number of regular players with an OPS over .9000. They finished 3rd in the league in home runs despite only having four players in double digits. However, their only regular starters for most of the season all had ERA's over 5.00, so the lineup had to dig the team out of holes far too often.

Likely key departures
C Koby Clemens
OF Jonathan Gaston
OF T.J. Steele
1B Matt Weston
SS Marcos Cabral
3B Gabriel Suarez

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
3. SP Jordan Lyles
6. SP Ross Seaton
8. OF Jay Austin

Other potential additions and returnees
OF Steve Brown
2B Andy Simunic
SP Robert Bono
SP Kyle Greenwalt
SP Brad Dydalewicz
P Henry Villar

If Lancaster's offense is going to repeat 2009's numbers, they're going to need someone to step up because A affiliate Lexington just didn't score many runs. They were middle of the pack in home runs but their .304 OBP was terrible and needs to be improved. Last season, Lancaster got a lot of contributions from Independent league players, and they might have to again to keep up with this league's powerful lineups. One player to keep an eye on is prospect Jay Austin. He's one of the organization's top talents, but the results haven't been there yet. Maybe a trip to the Cal League can get him going in the right direction.

Fortunately for the JetHawks, their pitching should improve in 2010. Primarily because it's difficult to be worse, and also because Lexington had a pretty solid rotation that kept the Legends afloat for most of the season. Jordan Lyles and Ross Seaton are two of the organization's top prospects and were both two of the better pitchers in the SAL in 2009. Lexington kept the same rotation intact with the exception of some spot starts, also featuring young arms Kyle Greenwalt, Robert Bono and Brad Dydalewicz. This stability will be important in getting Lancaster back to the playoffs in 2010.

2010 Preview: Lake Elsinore Storm

2009 Recap
Standings- 73-67, lost in 2 games to Rancho Cucamonga in Division Semi-Finals
Team Runs- 723, 4th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.26, 5th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Logan Forsythe, .322
R- Brad Chalk, 95
HR- Matt Clark and James Darnell, 13
RBI- Felix Carrasco, 69
SB- Brad Chalk, 33
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Logan Forsythe, .976

W- Jeremy Hefner, 14
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Cory Luebke, 2.34
IP- Jeremy Hefner and Wynn Pelzer, 150.2
K- Wynn Pelzer, 147
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Cory Luebke, 1.02
S- Bryan Oland, 28

Despite losing in the playoffs as quickly as Cal League rules allow, the Storm put together a solid 2009 with a lineup and pitching staff both finishing in the top half of the league. That kept up a streak of five consecutive playoff appearances and nine appearances in the last ten seasons. Lake Elsinore saw a lot of roster turnover in 2009, so it took an ensemble effort to finish 4th in runs, 2nd in OBP and 5th in OPS. Their pitching staff ranked second in strikeouts thanks to pitchers like Aaron Breit and Corey Kluber averaging more than 9 strikeouts per 9 innings.

Likely key departures
3B James Darnell
1B Matt Clark
OF Brad Chalk
SP Jeremy Hefner
SP Wynn Pelzer
P Aaron Breit

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
2. SP Simon Castro
4. OF Jaff Decker

Other potential additions and returnees
SS Cole Figueroa
SS Drew Cumberland
OF Blake Tekotte
SP Anthony Bass
SP Erik Davis
RP Brad Brach

San Diego's A affiliate Fort Wayne won the Midwest League championship in 2009, so a lot of those players expect to continue the Storm's recent history of success in 2010. They boasted the league's best offense, thanks in large part to a very patient lineup. The TinCaps led the Midwest League in walks by a large amount, thanks to prospects such as Allan Dykstra and Jaff Decker, who walked 104 and 85 times respectively. Fort Wayne did not light the basepaths on fire, but they did feature a couple 20+ steal players in Dan Robertson and Blake Tekotte. Tekotte will also provide a little power.

Teams can't have success in the Midwest League without pitching, and Fort Wayne had plenty in 2009. They were second in the league in ERA and BB while ranking first in WHIP, K and fewest hits allowed. The TinCaps were led by one of the organization's top prospects, Simon Castro, who was invited to big league camp this season. He should be joined in the rotation by Erik Davis and Anthony Bass, who had a cup of coffee with Lake Elsinore in 2009. One of Fort Wayne's strengths was a bullpen that was able to shorten games, so the Storm will be hoping that can carry over into 2010 and make the postseason again.

2010 Preview: Inland Empire 66ers

2009 Recap
Standings- 59-81, 4th out of 5 in CAL South
Team Runs- 662, 8th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.72, 8th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Trayvon Robinson, .306
R- Trayvon Robinson, 82
HR- Scott Van Slyke, 23
RBI- Scott Van Slyke, 100
SB- Trayvon Robinson, 43
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Scott Van Slyke, .907

W- Steve Johnson and Timothy Sexton, 8
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Steve Johnson, 3.82
IP- Timothy Sexton, 157
K- Chris Withrow, 105
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Mario Alvarez, 108
S- Jake McCarter and Marcel Prado, 7

This franchise was renamed for Route 66 in 2003, and since then, Inland Empire has generally had a lot of success. In four years with Seattle, they won two championships and made the playoffs an additional season. The 66ers also made the playoffs in the first two years affiliated with the Dodgers, but the 2009 season produced the team's second worst win total in that span. The offense may not have scored as many runs as their speed, power and team OPS indicated they should have, but even that wouldn't have made up for the pitching being bad no matter how you measure it.

Likely key departures
OF Scott Van Slyke
1B Steven Caseres
DH Elian Herrera
SP Timothy Sexton

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
1. SS Dee Gordon
3. SP Aaron Miller
4. SP Ethan Martin

Other potential additions and returnees
OF Kyle Russell
OF Jerry Sands
C Tony Delmonico
OF Alfredo Silverio
SP Nathan Eovaldi
P Geison Aguasviva

Fortunately for 66ers fans, a turnaround should take place right away with much of the talent that helped Class A affiliate Great Lakes to reach the Midwest League finals, which includes three of the Dodgers' top four prospects. Dee Gordon, son of former ML closer Tom Gordon, should help fill the void of the departed Trayvon Robinson and Elian Herrera, whose 43 and 42 steal seasons helped Inland Empire lead the league in that category. In a league that generally suffocates power, players such as Kyle Russell and Alfredo Silverio were able to produce enough runs to make Great Lakes' lineup one of the league's most productive.

At Baylor, Aaron Miller was a two way player but is now focusing on just pitching after the Dodgers took him 36th overall in the 2009 draft. In some cases, the Dodgers like promoting pitchers aggressively, but Miller's inexperience on the mound should land him with the 66ers to start 2010. He'll be joined by fellow former first round pick Ethan Martin to form a 1-2 duo that has the stuff to strike out a lot of batters. Nathan Eovaldi is another young arm that could be in the Inland Empire rotation, but all of these players could be facing inning limits in 2010 to protect their health. Great Lakes' pitching was middle of the pack in the 2009 season, so many of those guys should advance to improve that unit for the 66ers in 2010.

2010 Preview: High Desert Mavericks

2009 Recap
Standings- 83-57, lost in 3 games to San Jose in Championship
Team Runs- 860, 1st out of 10
Team ERA- 5.02, 9th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Alex Liddi, .345
R- Tyson Gillies, 104
HR- Carlos Peguero, 31
RBI- Joseph Dunigan and Alexi Liddi, 104
SB- Tyson Gillies, 44
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Alex Liddi, 1.005

W- Donald Hume, 17
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Aaron Jensen, 3.20
IP- Donald Hume, 151.2
K- Donald Hume, 117
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Steven Hensley, 1.18
S- Steven Richard, 13

Nothing seems to feed into the Cal League slugfest machine like High Desert, and it showed in 2009. There were two 30 home run hitters, and three regulars in the lineup posted an OPS over .9000. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the pitching ranked near the bottom of the league in most categories despite the presence of highly touted prospects such as Phillippe Aumont. Despite the bad team ERA, the Mavericks still managed to make the championship series, where they lose to a very strong San Jose team.

Likely key departures
3B Alex Liddi
OF Tyson Gillies
1B Joe Dunigan
OF Carlos Peguero
SP Donald Hume
SP Steven Hensley

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
6. SP Michael Pineda
10. INF Mario Martinez

Other potential additions and returnees
DH Kris Sanchez
C Blake Ochoa
1B Scott Savastano
SP Kenn Kasparek
SP Andrew Carraway
RP Jose Jimenez

Unfortunately for High Desert fans, it seems like top prospect Dustin Ackley is expected to start in AA. However, the Mavericks should still receive enough talent to compete for a championship. Seattle's A affiliate, Clinton, plays in the Midwest League which is on the opposite end of the hitter/pitcher spectrum from the Cal League, so hitters that put up average numbers down there will look a lot better at High Desert. In 2009, only three players hit double digit home runs for Clinton, but that is likely to change as many of the same players transition to High A.

In a league dominated by pitching, Clinton's was #1 in 2009. The good thing for High Desert is very few of Clinton's pitchers were promoted to High A during the season, so many of them should start the year in the California League. Andrew Carraway had a strong pro debut as an experienced college pitcher. However, a couple pitchers pitchers that threw some quality innings for Clinton were traded for Jack Wilson in July, so other players will have to step up to fill the void. Kenn Kasparek is another former college pitcher that could be at the front of the Mavericks rotation in 2010.

2010 Preview: Bakersfield Blaze

2009 Recap
Standings- 75-65, lost in 5 games to San Jose in Division Finals
Team Runs- 712, 5th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.35, 6th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Matthew Lawson, .294
R- Joey Butler, 82
HR- Mauro Gomez, 28
RBI- Mauro Gomez, 94
SB- Engel Beltre, 18
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Mauro Gomez, .868

W- Tim Murphy and Tanner Roark, 10
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Ryan Falcon, 2.44
IP- Richard Bleier, 143.2
K- Kennil Gomez, 126
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Ryan Falcon, 1.04
S- Evan Reed, 25

Bakersfield ended a 7 year playoff drought in 2009 before losing to eventual champion San Jose in the semi finals. The Blaze entered the postseason on fire, no pun intended, going 24-10 in August and September followed by a 2-1 mini series win against Modesto. The Bakersfield offense was second in the league in home runs, led by a number of older, experienced players. The pitching was solid compared to the rest of the league despite finishing in the bottom half in team ERA.

Likely key departures
DH Mauro Gomez
2B Matthew Lawson
OF Mike Bianucci
SP Richard Bleier
P Tanner Roark
RP Ryan Falcon

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
4. SP Tanner Scheppers
10. SP Wilmer Font

Other potential additions and returnees
C Doug Hogan
OF Eric Fry
OF Cristian Santana
SP Carlos Pimentel
SP Wilfredo Boscan
RP Cody Eppley

Texas' A affiliate Hickory in the SAL finished with only 63 wins in 2009, but they finished in the middle of the pack in team scoring and pitching, so they might not have been as bad as their record would indicate. However, due to the Rangers' aggressive promoting nature, some of the talent might not last in Bakersfield very long. Players such as Bianucci and Erik Morrison who have posted solid stats will either start in AA Frisco or be there very soon. Outfielder Cristian Santana led Hickory in home runs with 18, and he'll likely see a jump in power at Bakersfield, especially if he can make more contact.

The Blaze have potential for a solid rotation in 2010, anchored by a couple of the organization's top prospects. Tanner Scheppers may not start the season with Bakersfield, but he'll likely arrive early in the season if he doesn't. Scheppers could've been a top 15 pick in the draft a couple years ago, but injuries and a stint in Independent ball caused him to drop to the 44th pick. Other young pitchers such as Font, Pimentel and Boscan should spend the majority of the year if not the whole season in High A.

Why?

Why would someone in Pennsylvania create a blog that covers a minor league several thousand miles away? Why would anyone want to read it? Hopefully I can answer that over the course of the season.

Why the interest in the California League? The slugfest atmosphere is unmatched throughout professional baseball. The Pacific Coast League comes close, but the offensive numbers in the California League beat those. Average hitters appear to be stars, future All-Star pitchers sometimes struggle, and occasionally, 18 runs isn't even enough to keep the opponent within 16.

This blog will follow the teams and players that make up one of the most exciting oddities in sports. It's sure to be a great season.