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.