2010 Preview: Stockton Ports

2009 Recap
Standings- 61-79, 5th out of 5 in CAL North
Team Runs- 638, 9th out of 10
Team ERA- 4.15, 3rd out of 10

Statistical Leaders:
BA (min. 200 AB)- Steve Kleen, .342
R- Jermaine Mitchell, 63
HR- Grant Desme, 20
RBI- Todd Johnson, 54
SB- Michael Richard, 24
OPS (min. 200 AB)- Grant Desme, 1.054

W- Carlos Hernandez, 9
ERA (min. 50 IP)- Justin Friend, 2.87
IP- Scott Hodsdon, 127.2
K- Craig Italiano, 119
WHIP (min. 50 IP)- Derrick Gordon, 1.20
S- Mickey Storey, 9

Despite strong pitching and good seasons from position players like Grant Desme, Steve Kleen and Jemile Weeks, Stockton finished last in the North Division. However, none of those guys played the entire season with the team, and the highest OPS among players with over 100 games was just .707. They didn't have much power, struck out a lot and made very little contact, so the lineup failed to support one of the league's best pitching teams. Overall, the team had a lot of roster turnover during the season, so many of the players that had good partial seasons spent parts of the year at other levels.

Likely key departures
OF Grant Desme
1B Steve Kleen
C Yusuf Carter
P Derrick Gordon
SP Pedro Figueroa

Potential Baseball America top 10 prospects
3. SS Grant Green

Other potential additions and returnees
2B Connor Crumbliss
3B Mike Spina
SS Dusty Coleman
SP Kenny Smalley
SP Mathieu LeBlanc-Porter
RP Jamie Richmond

It's a bit difficult to tell who's going to be starting where in the Oakland organization because they tend to promote players very aggressively and challenge them at new levels, so it's possible half of those players are in AA on Opening Day. It looks like Stockton will have the same kind of offense as 2009, which doesn't bode well for their playoff chances. A affiliate Kane County did not hit for much power and struck out a lot, but one feather in their cap is they were able to draw a lot of walks. They should have a solid infield until those players get promoted to AA after a hot start.

Kenny Smalley will likely lead Stockton's rotation in 2010. The Ports should have good pitching again with a staff that showed decent stuff in the Midwest League. The Cougars didn't allow too many hits and had decent strikeout numbers. There should be a holdover or two from last year's team, such as reliever Jamie Richmond who saw some action at the end of the season. Those players will use their experience to improve on their 2009 campaigns and help Stockton reach the playoffs again, one year removed from a league championship.