2010 Preview: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

2009 Recap
Standings- 61-79, lost in 5 games to High Desert in Division Finals
Team Runs- 664, 7th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.69, 7th out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Matt Sweeney .299
R- Clay Fuller, 89
HR- Jeremy Moore, 11
RBI- Efren Navarro, 61
SB- Clay Fuller, 30
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Matt Sweeney, .896

W- Alex Torres, 10
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Alex Torres, 2.74
IP- Jayson Miller, 141.1
K- Alex Torres, 124
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Taylor Wilding, 1.18
S- Ismael Carmona, 20

Likely key departures
C Chris Rosenbaum
OF Jeremy Moore
3B Carlos Colmenares
RP Jeremy Haynes
RP Steve Geltz
RP Taylor Wilding

Rancho Cucamonga was the ultimate underdog in 2009. Despite being 18 games under .500, the Quakes managed to make the playoffs thanks to the league's six-team format. They managed to sweep Lake Elsinore in the Division semis and eventually lost to explosive High Desert in the Division Finals, but not before taking the Mavericks to the brink in a 5 game series. They may have been lucky last season, but once they made the playoffs, the Quakes certainly made it count.

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
None to start the season

Potential additions and returnees
2B Alexi Amarista
DH Roberto Lopez
1B Gabe Jacobo
SP Manauarys Correa
SP Manuel Flores
SP Will Smith

It doesn't seem like Rancho Cucamonga is looking at any of the organization's top prospects this year, at least to start the season. However despite not making the playoffs, A affiliate Cedar Rapids turned in a solid 2009, so the Quakes could be receiving some talent. If Rancho Cucamonga is going to score more runs in 2010, it'll likely be done with speed on the bases. Cedar Rapids had a pretty mediocre offense across the board except in stolen bases, where they were led by Tyson Auer, 43, Alexi Amarista, 38 and Matthew Crawford with 24.

Manuel Flores spent a little time with the Quakes in 2009, but his stint was short enough that he'll probably be back to start 2010. The rotation will need to be better in 2010; besides Alex Torres, sent to Tampa Bay for Scott Kazmir, no Quake with more than 10 starts had an ERA better than 4.44, and quite a few were much worse. Cedar Rapids had middle of the pack pitching, but Correa and Smith should be capable of putting up solid 2010 campaigns. The Quakes could use a boost from some of the talent at lower levels in the Angels' organization, but it remains to be seen if they'll be promoted quickly enough to make an impact in this league in the upcoming year.