Birmingham Bandits: 2000 Preview

[LambeauLeap]

1999 in review:

84-78, 3rd Place, 9 games out of division lead
Team Avg: .256
Team ERA 3.61
Runs Scored/Allowed: 683-653

The Frick Midwest is a tough division, with the standings shuffling on a daily basis. The Bandits finished third, but it's a bit misleading due to the strength of the division and the rat-race that Birmingham is in with Des Moines and Marquette.

1999 Key Players:
RF [url=http://baseballr%20etrospective.com/MBBA/OOTPFiles/lgreports/news/html/players/player_1969.html]Medric Wood[/url]: Hit .307 (.895 OPS) with 105RBI and 95 runs, along with stellar play in RF.
SP Damian Bedgood: Led the team with a 17-9 record and a 3.16 ERA in 33 games (32 starts)
SP Luke Nastay Struck 196 in 180IP and a 1.19WHIP.

Key Losses:
SP Jan Starr (traded to Washington)
1B Hector Fernandez (Free Agency to Greenville)
IF Willie Greene (Free Agency to Long Beach)

Additions:
1B Jack Johnson (From Washington)
3B Rye Kelly (Free Agent)
RP Duane Ward. (From Washington)
C Valentin Martinez (Free Agent)

The Bandits didn't make any major moves in the off-season beyond trading Jan Starr's large contract to Washington for 1B Johnson and RP Ward. Let's try to break down by position:

Catcher:
The Bandits signed Valentin Martinez to replace Pluvius Avis-Albus, but the job seems to be in the hands of young Pat Larkin, Jr.. Larkin hit .342 with an .824 OPS in 100 games last year and it seems he'll go in to the season as the starting catcher. Valentin sat out the '99 season so he'll need time to shake off rust.

First Base:
Birmingham traded Starr for Johnson, and he's a young 24 and has room for growth. We'll see now that camp is breaking if he figures in the Bandits' plans now or later. Free Agent Rye Kelly was signed and may figure here in GM Weiner's plans, along with last year's part-timer John Wright. Youngster Luke Fermoso didn't get much playing time in the spring, and his defense is suspect, but his young bat can't be overlooked. the Bandits may have two young guns in Johnston and Fermoso and may need to find a place for both in 2001.

Second Base:
It looks like Zach Google may get his first shot to hit regularly for a full season since 1997 in Montreal. After coming over in a mid-season deal with Montreal last year he hit .282 with an .804 OPS. With the disappointing Willie Greene gone, it's Google's job to lose.

Third Base:
Another defensive hole of sorts, the job seems to be War Astudillo's to lose. He had a .945 fielding average at third last year in 133 games, but did hit 19HR to go with a .254 average.

Shortstop:
Hank Felicetti is the gold-glove caliber player for the Bandits in the infield, and management has slated him right now to play short in 2000. He's young (25) and has great potential for offensive growth. The team could move Hank to any IF position and not worry about "D" so it gives GM Weiner some wiggle-room to upgrade 2B/3B/SS and move Felicetti around to fit a hole.

Outfield:
Going in to 2000 the Bandits return their starting outfield of Wood, Rocky Framaggio, and Billy Ashley. Ashley hit .271 with 28HR last year and had great defense in LF. Framaggio hit only .233 and was medicore in the CF spot. He's more comfortable playing the corners, but Ashley and Wood have LF and RF secure. Framaggio seems to be set as the CF by default since nobody has really staked a claim to the position to usurp him.

Starting Pitchers:
Bedgood is out for the first 6 weeks of 2000, so the team will have to find ways to win without him. Ron Burgandy came over in a mid-season deal last year, one that worked out well for the Bandits (5-3, 2.04ERA and 1.18WHIP in 14 starts) and he'll try to hold down the fort along with Luke Nastay and Alex Khodorkhovsky. Without the bedgood injury the Bandits were looking to fill the #5 spot. Joe Matson was a hopeful free-agent signing but his spring training hasn't helped his case. John Ericks tried his hand at starting this spring and did not impress. GM Weiner will be looking for help on the waiver wire or free agency, but Angelo Hidalgo will be the #5 once Bedgood returns, and may move up and act as a #4 while Damian recovers.

Relief Pitchers:
The number of relief spots that the Bandits have open is obviously contingent upon the number of hitters they keep on their 25-man roster, but closer Jack May, who spent the last 1/2 of the season on the DL, should be entrenched as closer. Beyond that, there are a number of individuals on staff who contributed in 1999 and could potentially be counted on again in 2000, including newly-acquired Duane Ward. The pen could see returns of Rich Garces, as well as Frank Phelps. Mark Dewey pitched well enough during training camp to warraant a look, but Kevin Drury struggled with control in camp and may be on the bubble. Darrel Dowdle filled in for May when he went down as closer and was adequete, but may be better suited as setup for Jack, and during the spring he pitched lights-out.

Summary:

The Bandits had a rough go in 1999 in a tough division, but it's a new year. Marquette lost their ace for the year and is struggling to find a good rotation. Des Moines is very competitive and owner Mike Lynch does not like second place. New Orleans rounded out the division but could be a move or two away from making it a four-team race.

The Bandits have some offensive issues to tend to and some glaring holes defensively, but nothing that would removing them from being considered a contender. If last year is any indication, one or two moves could make you a division champ (as Marquette can attest to going from 82 to 94 wins). The Bandits are close. if they can get Bedgood back as soon as possible and shore up their infield, they will contend and could win the division.

[LambeauLeap]

Aaron: Not very good at eval'ing other teams so apologies in advance for a pretty sub-par review, but I gave it my 1-2.

BB

[scottsdale_joe]

Aaron: Not very good at eval'ing other teams so apologies in advance for a pretty sub-par review, but I gave it my 1-2.

BB

I thought it was both comprehensive and well written.
Good job.

[jumpmancol]

Agreed...

[aaronweiner]

I'm thinking you overestimated my record by at least five to ten games. Honestly, I had a lot of disappointing results from seemingly better players last year; if they continue to suck I'm toast.

[LambeauLeap]

NOt so sure in our division. Lynch is a wildcard but I think I'm a bit of trouble with my rotation.

[lynchy34]

NOt so sure in our division. Lynch is a wildcard but I think I'm a bit of trouble with my rotation.

I had such a weird season last year and am rolling the dice with largely the same cast of characters. I'm making a move to get a little more offense on the field this year.