2011 Buffalo Bison Preview

[bigmike13]

The Buffalo Bison are working hard to bring the magic back to War Memorial Stadium. Since their last playoff appearance in 2007, the Bison have gone through some radical changes and are currently on the upswing in their rebuilding project. After making a 12 game improvement from 2009, a similar jump would be a welcome sight for Bison fans.

Key Additions: LF Douggie Backhouse, 2B Donald Noboru
Key Departures:1B Thomas Davis

OFFENSE:
C Ernest Watts – At 23 yrs old, Watts is one of the youngest starting catchers in the league, but you wouldn't know it by his play. After batting.370 in limited action last season for Buffalo, it was a forgone conclusion that Watts would be this seasons starter at catcher. Blessed with great defensive skills, Watts could be looked at as the next superstar Catcher in MBBA.

1B Gerald Mason/Dave Quinn- Mason has been a part time player for the last 2 seasons but is more than capable of being the starter at 1B. Mason struggled last season with his role but much is expected of him this season. Dave Quinn takes over at 1st base against lefties when Mason bounces to 3B and this is definitely risky move for the Bison as Quinn has a total of 33 Major League AB’s up to this point. A hard worker let’s hope Quinn can handle the added pressure. The platoon will only be in effect until Greg Sharp comes off the DL.

2B Donald Noboru/Nolan Jackson – Noboru is one of the Bison big acquisitions this off season. The longtime Las Vegas Hustler signed a 4 year contract with the Bison and gives Buffalo a huge veteran presence on their team. The 6 time All Star is a career .331 hitter has seen is speed and range decrease over the years but one things for sure, if he gets to it he catches it. Jackson played 147 games for Buffalo last season splitting time between SS and 2B. A first rate defensive infielder, Jackson more than held his own batting .270 with 6 HR’s and 53 RBI’s last season.

3B Bobby Hines – The veteran 3B is entering his 10th Season as a Bison. Getting up in age, Hines saw his playing time cut drastically last season and still batted .299 with 31 RBI’s. Hines in only starting against RHB and will probably go back to being a bench player when 1B Greg Sharp comes off the DL and allows Gerald Mason to return to the hot corner full time.

SS Arturo Martinez – Martinez has been one of the steadier Shortstops in the league for the last 4 seasons. A career .287 hitter but with 170 HR’s from the SS position shows just how valuable he is to this Buffalo team. As long as Martinez stays healthy the middle of the Bison defense should continue to be an asset .

RF Carlin Adie – Last season’s big acquisition showed little problem with transitioning from the EBA. Adie ended last season batting .292 with 31 HR’s and 87 RBI’s and was rewarded with his 1st MBBA All Star selection. Adie has the makings of an All Star for many years to come.

CF Boyd Beauford – “Two Step” Beauford is going into his 3rd season with the Bison and has been lauded by his coaches and teammates for his unselfish play. Last season’s .296 AVG and 59 RBI’s fall into line with what the scouts say should be his norm. Beauford is in a platoon currently with former Winnipeg teammate Manny Avila. Avila is up due to the injuries in the OF but sure looks to have a bright future for Buffalo.

LF Salvador Hernandez – What does a guy have to do. Hernandez bats .316 with 7 HR’s and 74 RBI’s in 2008 and gets selected to the ALL Star game. Then he hits .354 with 9 HR’s and 67 RBI’s and gets left at home. All the guy does is hit, and hit well. His current ML career stats are .339 AVG w/34 HR’s, 246 RBI’s and 66 SB’s in 5 seasons. Hernandez is the catalyst for this Bison club and has the ability to carry this team if need be. Unfortunately, Hernandez was recently lost to a torn back muscle and will miss the next 3 months. A Platoon of Brandon Howard and Orlando Mercado will be used until a better solution can be implemented.

DH Douggie Backhouse - This seasons big acquisition is former EBA star Douggie Backhouse. Backhouse has yet to play for the Bison and is still 3 weeks away from returning from a high ankle sprain. Much is expected from Backhouse.

ROTATION:
Nathan “Gobbler” Molnar – Nathan does not fall under your typical Ace status, but he seems to be the best that Buffalo has at this point. Molnar was an 11 game winner in 2010 and while his ERA was on the high side, he kept the Bison in every game he pitched.

Doug Hayes – The heavy ground ball pitcher has been somewhat of an enigma. Hayes has good movement and control but his BABIP is at a .338 Average over 6 seasons. Hayes was a 12 game winner last season and is considered one of the team leaders.

Pat Hughes – The crafty veteran was a waiver wire pick up from Montreal last season and bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen most of the year. Hughes ended 2010 with a 4-7 record and 5.14 ERA

Rene Moncada – Another crafty veteran, Moncada enters his 16th season in the major leagues. While Rene has not seen his best stuff in quite a while, he is still capable of making people swing and miss. Moncada struggled last season for the Bison going 5-14 with a 6.11 ERA.

Nick O’Rourke – O’Rourke is a highly respected on this team and all the young players really look up to him. O’Rourke has bounced between Winnipeg and Buffalo for the better part of 3 seasons. Nick tries hard and gives everything he has on every pitch

BULLPEN:
CL Faro Camal – Camal swaps places with last season’s closer Armando Gomez. Gomez had 26 Saves last season but ended the year with a 6.04 ERA. Camal will be looked at to work the ninth in as efficient a manner as possible but league sources expect the Closer position for Buffalo to be a fluid one.

Armando Gomez, Richard Wasson, Jim Bagnall, Marc Beaudry , and Larry Davis round out the Bison bullpen.

Buffalo has assembled a quality offensive team but they can only go as far as their pitching staff will take them. Trying to restock the farm system has been a major priority for Buffalo. Injuries and an aging pitching staff will keep Buffalo from seeing the better half of .500 again this year.

Prediction: 72-90, 4th place FL Atlantic

[mrbornac]

Thank you! Your predictions look right on the money to me! Excellent write up!