Bobby Beat 2008 v4: Season Preview: Outfielders

[jiminyhopkins]

Washington, DC--

Continuing our 2008 season preview series, this time with outfielders and..... wait for it..... THE DH!!!!!

LEFT FIELD:
The man, the myth, the legend: Jim "Country Justice" Wilson. One of the most feared hitters in the league, Wilson enters his 6th full season of MBBA play after clubbing 230 home runs and driving in 600 over his first 5 campaigns. And to top it off, Wilson continues to increase his batting average, to the tune of a .331 mark in 2007. And while he may not be a .330 hitter going forward (the club has a few other guys who can do that), Wilson anchors a lineup that is once again projected to be one of the most productive in either league. Young speedster Danny Orr backs him up.

CENTER FIELD:
As part of the Allen Stephens trade, veteran star Resurrection Santos brings his impeccable defense and experience to the Bobwhites. No longer the uber-star he was in his 20's, Santos had fallen victim to injuries of late as he bounced around the MBBA the last few seasons. Now, Santos doesn't have to be the star of the show, and he can focus on building upon his .293/20/77 line in 2007 for Marquette, a preformance that may well have ...ahem... resurrected his once HOF worthy career. His defensive skills alone make Washington a measurably better team. Armando Cabrera backs up in CF as well as RF.

RIGHT FIELD:
So, Monty Cunningham, all you have to do is take over for a 50 HR player in right field on one of the best offensive teams in the MBBA. No big deal, right? Actually, it may not be. Ever since he was drafted 7th overall in 2005, Cunningham has been a can't miss prospect, whose above average speed and defense already put him ahead of Stephens, who was slow as a brick and merely average with the glove. Monty could very well go .280/20/80/20 in this, his rookie season, and that would go a long way towards making this offseason's big trade far more palatable for Washington fans.

DESIGNATED HITTER:
Finally we get the DH, and the Bobs trade away their best candidate for the position in Stephens. But options abound here, as power hitting 1B Hank Rayman looks to get most of the at bats, with Shawn MacKeamish filling in. Either way, they will merely be keeping the spot warm for a couple seasons until phenom Bob "The Beast" Ritchie takes over. Ritchie is a born DH who will do nothing but mash. Scouts aren't calling him 'The Next Neil McKinney' for nothing, folks.


Well that was fun, wasn't it? It's awesome to have some of the best hitters in the league. Enjoy that good feeling, Bobwhite fans. Because it won't last long. WARNING: Next we talk about the pitching!!!!11!