2009 Baltimore Monarchs Preview

[bigmike13]

As the Monty Brewster World Baseball Association begins its 15 season, understanding that the Baltimore Monarchshave made the playoffs in ten of those seasons lets you know just how successful they have been as a franchise, and that success isn't expected to stop now.

Key Additions: Ryan Savaikie, Senan Bartone
Key Departures: None

OFFENSE:
C Ralph Butt – The 2 time All Star catcher battled the injury bug last year landing on the DL twice and missing a little over 5 months of the season. A full season behind the dish from the career .301 hitter would make a potent Baltimore lineup even better.

1B Stephen Lubin- Lubin followed up an All Star season in 2007 with an even better All Star season in 2008. Career highs in HR’s, RBI’s and Runs gave testament to Lubin excellent .336 BA. Lubin is considered a centerpiece of the Monarchs lineup.

2B Jeff Mueller – The 3 year extension Baltimore gave Mueller in 2007 has already paid dividends, but will be postponed in 2009 as Mueller has landed on the 60 day DL after tearing his hamstring early in spring training. Mueller is still roughly 7 weeks away from returning to the lineup.

3B Dale Bunker – Superstar 3B Dale Bunker is yet another potent weapon in the Monarchs lineup. In his third season with the club he did everything but hit for the cycle…wait, he even hit for the cycle. Coming off a monster season of .361 AVG, 42 HR’s, 153 RBI’s it will be interesting to see how he follows up.

SS Dirk Spencer/Ryan Savaikie - It looks as if SS will be a platoon between last year’s starter Spencer and FA signee Savaikie. Both appear to be decent hitters with Savaikie having more pop but Spencer is easily the better fielder. We will keep an eye on the splits.

LF Daniel Labrie – The stalwart of the team has to be Labrie. The 11 time All Star was rewarded with a 3 year contract extension last season that should help Labrie retire as a Monarch. The heart and soul of the team is not expected to slow down at all.

CF Rod Roberts – The 2008 MBBA JL Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove Award winner is an absolute machine in CF. He covers more ground than Scott’s Fertilizer. The career .277 hitter was locked up by Baltimore with a 5 year extension and keeping this well rounded hitter was a priority for GM Verhoeven.

RF Mike Roberts – The “other” Roberts in the outfield, no relation, is Mike and at 24 is the youngest member of the Monarchs lineup. In limited playing time, this “youngster” only hit .358 with 4 HR and 33 runs scored in only 169 AB’s. This kid is obviously the next big hitter in Baltimore.

ROTATION:
James Endres – The staff Ace was obtained from Carolina back in a 2006 trade and has been a very reliable pitcher. Endres struggled last year giving up the gopher ball and saw his ERA balloon to 5.66. A bounce back is expected from the guy who won 16 games in 2007.

Jeffrey Baeza- Another 2006 acquisition is Baeza. Ewasily the #2 starter in Baltimore Baeza finished up last year with a 13-7 record and a decent 4.43 ERA. The same steady play is what is counted on for 2009.

Yin-xiang Yi – Yi carries a 10-10 record and 4.25 ERA from 2008 and gives Baltimore a “Big Three” that can be counted on to keep them in every game. While he may not have the accolades of Endres and Baeza, he is no less important to the success of this year’s Monarch team

Rick Cushing - 2008 saw the 35 yr old pitcher hit a milestone as he recorded his 2500 Career Strikeout, he also pitched his 6th career Shutout and was rewarded with a 2 year contract extension. A repeat of 2008’s 10-7 record with 151 K’s in 171 innings will do nicely from the 4th spot in the rotation.

Senan Bartone – Newcomer is expected to have a leg up on the competition for the 5th rotation spot, but there are a barrel full of candidates that could grab the spot in the spring. The 5th spot will be one to watch for Baltimore fans.

BULLPEN:
CL Enrique Reyna -Reyna will once again take over duties as Closer after shutting the door 38 times last season. One of the steadier closers in the league should continue with the status quo again in 2009.
Laddy Charleston, Todd McKeever, Roy Kitt, Roy Paul, Maynard Gnass, Jeremy Crume, and Sean Jones make up the Monarchs relief corp and are expected to have another solid season.

The Monarchs are once again expected to put up somewhere in the neighborhood of 90 wins and return to the playoffs. Barring injuries this is one of the safest bets in the MBBA.

[nverhoev]

Awesome read.

I've always liked to have a blend of young/old and try to stay competitive year in and year out as opposed to rebuild/ go for it all cycles.

I certainly hope we're a safe bet for 90 wins !

[trmmilwwi]

Bunker is a stud.... how did 20 teams pass on him again?! lol..