The Kraken Release 2001.06

[cheekimonk]

The Kraken Release
June 11, 2001
Charlotte, NC
**********************************

When Kraken GM Ben Teague pulled the trigger on May 1st to bring pitchers Gregorio Gonzalez, Chris Rowe (both from Greenville), Bjorn Nepal from Seattle, and Esequiel Mejia (claimed off waivers from Seattle) to Carolina it was with the intention of bringing some more immediate results. While the goal is results in the next few years, there was going to be some close attention paid to how all of these guys performed in their new digs. Early results were shaky as the team went from allowing 157 runs in April (5.81 runs/game) to 176 in May (6.29 runs/game).

Of course, the new guys can be expected to have an adjustment period in their new digs. Teague also eased some of the sting of being traded by granting extensions to all of the players for at least 1 year (Nepal has so far declined to negotiate a deal beyond this season). But it's also a case of Kraken coaches figuring out the roles that fit these players best right now. To that end, Gregorio Gonzalez was moved from the rotation to the bullpen. In June so far he has responded well allowing no hits, no runs, and only 1 walk in 3 games. This also allowed youngster Lloyd Reece to return to the major league rotation from AAA and he has delivered 1-0 record in 2 June starts.

Not all of the struggles in May were related to the new players, however. Last year's closer Roy Kitt was not stellar in April with a 5.19 ERA and 7 walks issued in 8.2 innings, but he still recorded 6 saves. When the calender flipped to May, however, things got hairy for the 23-year-old as he finished the month with an ERA of 8.10, 2 losses, and only 1 save. At the midpoint of the month, the coaches handed the closer role to Brien Taylor. Taylor has responded with 6 saves in 7 chances. Kitt, meanwhile, has held opposing hitters to a .225 BA in the setup role while delivering a 3.37 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 9 appearances.

News and Notes

- Last year, 3B Larry Sunderland was an all-star and the lone consistent bright spot in the Kraken offense. He has been even better so far this year sitting on a .341/.399/.627 stat line with 18 HR and 53 RBI. A big part of his greater success can probably be attributed to two factors: RF Jack Robbins (.272/.347/.447, 9 HR, 37 RBI) has stayed healthy in the 5th spot of the order providing some degree of protection, and LF Tom Mohler has thrived in the 2nd spot after spending the majority of last year at the leadoff spot out of necessity. Mohler has led the Frick League in hits and singles all season while logging a .364 BA and a .418 OBP to go with 9 stolen bases.

- Another position player having a very good year is 1B Ray Moreno. Carolina's patience in letting Moreno develop in the majors seemed to pay off last year as his batting average jumped from .249 to .287 and his on-base percentage went from .299 to .343. This year it seems Moreno is determined to prove that 2000 was no fluke. Through June 11th, he has a .297 AVG and .360 OBP.