Valencia Stars 2032 Season Preview

[Joshua Biddle]

Valencia Stars 2032 Season Preview

2031 Season Record: 68-94 (.420), 7th Place
672 Runs Scored, 825 Runs Allowed

Notable Additions:

2B/LF Tom Cosenza (Rule 5 Draft via Calgary) - .313/.392/.444, 66 R, 22 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 17 SB in 342 ABs at AAA
RHP Enrique Zaragoza (Rule 5 Draft via Edmonton) – 2-5, 39 saves in 42 attempts, 2.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 67 strikeouts in 63 IP (60 appearances)

Notable Losses:

RHP Fernando Pena (free agent) – 4-1, 2.96 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 30 Ks in 54.2 IP
SS Pablo “Tubby” Sato (trade) - .283/.313/.387, 75 R, 27 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 39 SB in 635 ABs
CF Arthur Bates (demoted) - .208/.244/.319, 57 R, 14 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 23 SB in 414 ABs


The Valencia Stars 2031 campaign was quite forgettable, struggling to a last place finish in the Frick League Pacific Division with a 68-94 record and extending their unfortunate streak of losing seasons to eight straight. The team traded their star shortstop Pablo “Tubby” Sato in an offseason trade, signaling the continuation of a painstaking rebuilding process that has plagued the team for years; however, the return was strong in the form of three prospects who all could factor heavily into the long-term prognosis of the ball club. The loss of Soto weakens the infield defense.

The offense, however, does have some bright spots. DH Ricardo Guzman performed admirably as a run producer with strong on-base ability, slashing .263/.379/.509 with 79 runs scored, 34 home runs, and 84 RBIs. 2B Harlan W. “Snow Job” Moore hit an impressive .352/.389/.448 with 44 runs scored, 19 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, 26 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 45 attempts and may slide over to shortstop full-time with Soto’s departure. LF Edgar “Scooter” Leon hit .308/.360/.380 with 35 runs scored, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 30 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 30 attempts. The team will likely need an increase in offensive production at multiple positions in their lineup, specifically catcher, first base, third base, and in the outfield. It appears as though personnel at catcher, first base, and third base will be the same in 2032, though new blood in the outfield has been brought in via the Rule 5 Draft (2B/OF Tom Cosenza) and the Stars’ minor league system (LF Vincente Sánchez, CF Manuel Pérez, RF Marcos Lambaría). Cosenza proved to be a solid contact hitter with good speed on the basepaths last season in Triple-A; Sanchez showed solid power potential in Triple-A, though he may prove to be a liability in the field; Perez, the biggest surprise of making the roster, makes the jump from A-level ball where he hit poorly, but provides speed and defensive versatility by playing excellent defense and the outfield and good defense at third base; and Lambaria also provides speed and excellent defense in the outfield.

The only real shakeup for the pitching personnel was the acquisition of Enrique Zaragoza in the Rule-5 Draft. Ace Mauro Flores is a star; the remainder of the rotation can be described as question marks with potential and some past success. The rotation will likely need to improve upon last year’s performance – a 4.73 team ERA – to maintain the same win total as last season given there could be a slight loss in offensive production. The Stars have some solid bullpen arms, some who had a poor 2031 season, and some wildcards, which could result in an up-and-down year.

It appears like it will be another tough season in Valencia as the team continues to rebuild, but an infusion of some young talent could help spark a better record than last year. But with the talent in the division, it’s hard to predict that any improvement will be enough to get out of the basement in the Frick League Pacific Division.

Prediction: 74-88, 7th place in the FL Pacific.

[aaronweiner]

Oh, this record is way too high. This is not a good team.

[allenr]

There is no way Edmonton beats them overall by end of season. We suck donkey balls.

[usnspecialist]

hopefully he can build something around flores, shame to see an arm like that waste away on a team like this.