2010 Calgary Marauders

[trmmilwwi]

2010 Calgary Marauders preview

Key additions;
None
Key losses;
CL Julio Torres – Hawaii via Rule V
C Gustavo Maldanaso – Madison via free agency
1B Johnnie Iraq – Paris (EBA) via free agency
1B Ray Moreno – retired

3 year history;
2007 – 81-81, 3rd place, .268 avg, 4.31 ERA, .311 BABIP
2008 – 86-76, 3rd place, .278 avg, 4.60 ERA, .333 BABIP
2009 – 86-76, 3rd place, .284 avg, 4.55 ERA, .321 BABIP

Calgary has had the unfortunate luck of playing in the same division as Las Vegas and Long Beach and their standings the last 3 years have shown it. Seattle has been on the rebuilding side of things although they are starting to make waves. The Calgary fans have come out in drives since the club has been above .500 (3.5mil a year).

Offense;
The Marauders have a veteran core that is on the dark side of their most productive years. However, they are still above average at the plate with 38 year old future Hall of Famer 3B Jake Urban leading the way (22 HRs, 93 RBIs, .280 avg in 2009). He is supported by a veteran infield of 35 year old SS Tim Miller (7HRs, 75 RBIs, .279 avg in 2009) and 35 year old 2B Benicio Herrera (7 HRs, 58 RBIs, .292 avg in 2009). The only youth is the great prospect Terry Cochran at 1B (32 HRs, 112 RBIs, .314 avg in 2009). Cochran is a future HOFer if he keeps up his pace and he will carry Calgary to another above .500 season. In the outfield we will see 23 year old CF Thad Douglass make his major league debut after being the Marauders 1st round pick, 15th overall, in the 2009 draft. He will have 23 year old LF Alfred Brouthers (22 HRs, 82 RBIs, .242 avg in his first season as a pro) and 28 year old RF Pat Curry (8 HRs, 69 RBIs, .312 avg in 2009) on either side. Behind the plate we will see future star 27 year old Skookum Mason making his start on his first full season in the Monty. As old as the infield is, the outfield and catching positions offer fans great enthusiasm for the future. There are solid pieces in place to make yet another run at the postseason. Expect the trend of higher offensive production and declining defense to continue this season.

Pitching;
Future hall of famer Russell Vanness is the veteran anchor of the Calgary staff. He was acquired by Calgary from Phoenix after he had suffered an elbow injury and was out for 9 months. He had a subpar season (10-8 with a 4.50 ERA) and some question if he will ever be the great pitcher he was once. 36 year old Manuel Mariscal is also coming off a horrible injury after hurting his shoulder and being out for 6 months. He only pitched in 4 games in 2009 but has had success prior (117 career wins and a 4.35 career era). The bottom of the starting staff will have young 25 year old Armando Lopez (16-10, 4.79 ERA), 33 year old Cletus McGriff (12-17, 4.45 ERA) and rookie Steve Thomas who will be a great 5th starter now that he has made the bigs. Veteran closer Paul Stroud will continue his great play in the 9th inning (30 saves, 3.04 ERA in 2009) and will provide a strong finish should the Marauders be up in the 9th.

2010 Expectation;
Las Vegas doesn’t rebuild, they retool. Long Beach has a solid team and Seattle is an up and comer. Calgary isn’t getting any younger and this could be the year they elect to make a push to get into the playoffs. It will be via wild card if they have a chance. They have great veterans in the infield and at key positions on the pitching staff and a handful of young prospects who will wear the green and gold for years to come. Unfortunately I see them maintaining their 3rd place finish and looking from the outside in the playoff hunt due to a subpar 3rd thru 5th starting staff and a below average defense. Expect 82-80, still above .500 but with 3 tough opponents in their division it will be tough sledding.

[agrudez]

Labeling 3rd year 24 year olds as future HoFers? Way to try and jinx the poor guy!

Btw, it is tough to believe Douglas slipped to 15... a definite steal for CGY to start to retool around.

[trmmilwwi]

Labeling 3rd year 24 year olds as future HoFers? Way to try and jinx the poor guy!

Btw, it is tough to believe Douglas slipped to 15... a definite steal for CGY to start to retool around.

The only youth is the great prospect Terry Cochran at 1B (32 HRs, 112 RBIs, .314 avg in 2009). Cochran is a future HOFer if he keeps up his pace and he will carry Calgary to another above .500 season.

A bit of a stretch this early but check the bold type;)

[agrudez]

Labeling 3rd year 24 year olds as future HoFers? Way to try and jinx the poor guy!

Btw, it is tough to believe Douglas slipped to 15... a definite steal for CGY to start to retool around.

The only youth is the great prospect Terry Cochran at 1B (32 HRs, 112 RBIs, .314 avg in 2009). Cochran is a future HOFer if he keeps up his pace and he will carry Calgary to another above .500 season.

A bit of a stretch this early but check the bold type;)

Oh, he's definitely a HoF talent, but thanks to your jinx he is going to be Aguilar'd at some point... hope you feel good about yourself.

[indiansfan]

I agree with most of your assessment. Our goal is the wildcard but that means we need to beat out LV or LB not to mention several tough up and coming teams in the other 2 divisions. The key is to not have 3 starters lump like last year and get more reliable starting pitching. I think we have more depth in the OF this year because I have some AAA guys that could be brought up. Same for SP. Infield is a concern given that they are all only a season or two away from endorsing geritol. Only key guy you left out was 1B Don Goodwin, the team's leading hitter last year. Cochran gets the limelight, but Goodwin has been the mainstay the past 3 seasons. Not a bad 1B/DH tag team. Thomas will be in the rotation some time this year, but he is starting off at AAA again due to a horrific spring.

Thanks for the preview, it was on target.

[trmmilwwi]

Gosh, sorry about missing Goodwin... not sure how that happened. I was very surprised by the young talent coming up, I think there may be a slight blip on the radar once the vets are gone but given a few key prospects you'll be on Vegas's tail again!