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.