1995 Omaha Barnstormers Preview

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Over the course of the franchise existense, the Omaha Barnstormers have sustained relative success under an assortment of General Managers. Situated in one of the more competitive divisions of the MBBA, the Johnson League Midwest has been by each of it's members over the existense, but no more than by Omaha. But as of late, the magic just hasn't been there. So what will happen in 1995, all under new management and coaching staff?

Well one thing made clear from early reports is that there will be no hasty moves of prospects above their current abilities to push them along. So, the easiest place to start breaking things down is the current roster.

PITCHING
The clear front of the line starter here is SP Russell Vanness although he is in just his third year in the bigs at only 22. Questions loom if he can lead a rotation and where his support will come from. Southpaw Butch Henry will have to be one of those guys as he comes over from Des Moines. Another arm that has had a rough road in Omaha, except for a bright spot last season, floating between the bullpen and doing some spot starts is Luigi Nolasco. Down in the bullpen, there is a lot of inexperience and raw talent. Two complete rookies are slated currently, MR Constantine Chuniakias and MR Fred McDowell, as well as a pitcher who has been in the league for five seasons, but only pitched an average of 26 innings per season. All that said, the bullpen will close with a bang. CL Santiago Colon is one of the best in the business and has shown the ability to get the job done.

OFFENSE
One big key to start off with is that for the length of the season the Barnstormers' offense will be without 2B Kevin Greene as he completes his rehab stint on the DL. So Omaha will have to make due with what they have elsewhere, much of which relies on strengths of platoons. Some of the steady bats include Michael Malkowski in leftfield, Pat Listach at short, Daron McNair in the outfield and Jason Wortman splits time between first and outfield. Overall the lineup looks strong but has an overriding weakness of their sense of the strikezone. This will lead to low OBP and will be tough driving runs ultimately for the Barnstormers. To go with that, as previously mentioned, their major offensive power threat is out of action, so that solution may have to come from somewhere else. But that will be up to management if they seek a trade or look to the free agent market so soon.

SUMMARY
Offensively this team has not changed much of its' face from 1994, injuries notwithstanding. It's the pitching side of things that have been overhauled and will reallydetermine how this team will go. With the relative inexperience, it may not go very well. With the current roster in place, Omaha will slip a little bit in their record from the past season seeing a 72-90 record.