2000 Season Preview: Seattle Storm

[cheekimonk]

Seattle Storm2000 Season Preview

After finishing 8 games back in the Frick League's Pacific Division, one might have expected a lot of changes for the Seattle Storm in the offseason. This is true, at least, in the pitching department where the Storm finished next to last in the league with a 4.83 ERA. But the only change, and one barely of note, was the departure of OF Don Robinson to free agency (Robinson being a player who only saw the field in 56 games for the Storm in 1999). The strategy could be balanced, though, by the fact that hit a whopping .291 for the year and led the Frick League in that category along with runs scored.

Starting Rotation
At the top of the rotation, the Storm return 1999 All-Star (with Omaha) Russell Vanness. But Vanness was not tabbed as the opening day starter. That distinction goes to 24-year-old Joshua Noble. Noble will be looking to improve on his 1999 campaign when he delivered 4.36 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 27 starts. The rest of the rotation will be a mix of 27-year-old Bjorn Nepal, 30-year-old Dave Walter, and 31-year-old Lenard Barbosa. Walter is the only left-hander in the rotation, and Noble and Barbosa the only hurlers to turn in sub-4.50 ERAs in 1999 (aside from Vanness). Scott Piippo and Dick Spivey will start the year in the bullpen but could side into a starter's slot should one of the top 5 falter.

Grade: C-
All of the pitchers mentioned above grade out well and should, on paper, be solid options, but - aside from Vanness - they just haven't performed at the major league level yet. The Storm need ratings to become results if they want to avoid relying on their offense as they did in 1999.

Bullpen
In addition to Piippo and Spivey, Seattle will have Dr. Kenneth Noisewater to rely on in middle relief. The closer role was won this spring by Jeff Matthews (4 saves in 31 appearances in 1999) who wrested the role from Juan Sevilla. However, Seattle might make a move to improve the closer spot before the season starts or soon after. Also of note is that Noisewater is on a short leash after posting an ERA above 6.00 along with a 1.67 WHIP in 1999.

Grade: D
It's hard to project a lot of success for this group. The addition of a solid closer would help things tremendously and it would be surprising if 23-year-old prospect V.M. Smith doesn't see some time on the hill at the major league level.

Catchers
Tony Carter is entrenched as the starter here after contributing a .323/.372/.496 stat line in 1999. He's an top-level defensive backstop who registered 434 ABs last year. Backup catcher Jean-Claude India can and will play all over the field. He has the talent to improve drastically on his numbers from last year...too much talent to be a .229 hitter.

Grade: B+

Infield
Could the best infield in the game be found in Seattle? Depends on who you ask but it has to be at least in the top 3. First baseman Jacinto Merino, Jr. (.343/.401/.595, 47 HRs, 140 RBI) is one of the best players in the game right now, second baseman Mack Randall is a surefire .275/30HR hitter, and shortstop Raulo Mora hit at a .323 clip in 1999. Third base may be the only hole, defensively and offensively, but it's hard to pull too many accolades from the right side of this diamond.

Grade: A

Outfield
How about a .409 OBP and 70 SBs from your leadoff hitter? That's what Seattle got last year from CF Armando Santos and the kid has the potential to add some power as he matures. Lon Hoch is sub-par defensively, but added a .327/.388/.470 year in 1999. Will Simmons struggles a bit at the plate but has speed to burn, and Christian Martorell is your prototypical defensive sub with superb ratings at every outfield position.

Grade: B

2000 Prediction: Seattle rode their offensive production to an 83-win season in 1999, but there are a few positions outside of the superstars where players overachieved a bit. As for pitching, it's hard to see much improvement in 2000. Vanness is the kind of pitcher to keep the team out of losing streaks but only if one or two others step it up. There may be some improvement, but not the drastic kind needed after 1999...and not the kind to get to 90 wins. 87-75; 3rd in FL Pacific.

[LambeauLeap]

Vanness, if he truly doesn't sign, is going to get big cash in the offseason next year.

[jumpmancol]

Spot on review...couldn't agree more. Hoping the talent equalizes a bit this year as last year there were a lot of guys playing over their heads, but even more playing well below their abilities. Should be an interesting season to watch. Vanness is the wild-card at this point, and his contract situation definitely played a part in him getting beat out in Spring Training.

[Fat Nige]

A lot of Omaha boys making it on the Storm, I really thought Dr Ken would make it after his Triple A showing but year after year I gave him a shot in spring training and he just couldn't make the step up