2025 Rome Raiders preview

[trmmilwwi]

ROME RAIDERS
2024 record: 65-97, 4th place in the Eastern Alliance, last overall in the EBA
Previous 3 year record:
2024 65-97
2023 82-80
2022 67-95

Rome is a team in transition. They had a horrible 2024 season finishing 30 games back from Munchen after a decent year in 2023. Their woes were at the mound where their team ERA ballooned back up to 4.50 from 4.17 the year prior.

KEY LOSSES
Starting C Charles Faes (.214, 18, 57)
Reserve OF Louie Smith
SP Robert Jones (11-14, 4.48 ERA)
SP Woody Adams (5-11, 5.37 ERA)
SP Julio Santos claimed via waivers by Amsterdam
RP Carlos gamez was claimed off waivers by Amsterdam
CF Maurizio Lucantoni (.225, 15, 64) was lost to louisville in the Rule 6 draft
3B Keith Young (.269, 40, 103) was lost to Halifax in the Rule 6 draft

EXTENSIONS
Signed SP Hapmet Karabekir (13-11, 4.10 ERA) to a 1 year extension.
Signed CL Ross O’Kieran (6-7, 16 saves, 4.50 ERA) to a 1 year extension.
Signed RP Francisco Carmona (2-5, 2 saves, 3.01 ERA) to a 1 year extension
Signed SP Rodrigio Garcia (6-14, 4.93 ERA) to a 1 year extension

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
Signed SP Carlos Baez (11-12, 3.93 ERA) to a 2 year deal
Signed SP Jack Hanski (8-14, 5.13 ERA)
Signed SP Pablo Sandoval (5-17, 4.64 ERA)
Signed SP Leonardo Santos (6-7, 5.27 ERA)
Signed RP Devos Gebauer (3-6, 2 saves, 3.71 ERA)
Signed RP Virgil Benedittini (2-3, 6.75 ERA with Buffalo)
Signed C Dominique Vizzoni(.244, 11, 40)
Signed 1B Jody Browne (.309, 24, 75)
Signed SS Jesus Hernandez to a 2 year deal
Signed LF Mal Banks (.318, 14, 67)


RULE 5 SIGNINGS
SP Joris Under in the 1st round from Madrid.

RULE 7 SIGNINGS
SP Anastasio Cortez from Louisville
SP Stan davson from Halifax

2024-2025 OFFSEASON
The Team was in full remodel status losing 8 key players from their squad a year ago and bringing in 10 news players that should end up on their major league roster. The key free agents brought in were 1B Jody Browne, who should provide some pop at the plate and veteran leadership in the clubhouse, OF Mal Banks, who can hit for a great average (.297 career avg) and SP’s Baez and Hanski. The team tried numerous other avenues to bring talent in including Rule 5 and Rule 7 drafts. It appears that the new GM will be trying to plug holes in every way possible. Rule 7 additions Cortez and Davson could add value to the remade pitching staff.

2025 OUTLOOK
EXPECTED LINEUPS
SP Jeremy Gaze
SP Hapmet Karabekir
SP Carlos Paez
SP Jack hanski Jr
SP Anastasio Cortez
LR Larry Morgan
LR Riccardo Pistone
MR Devos Gebauer
MR Francisco carmona
SU Gabriel Garza
SU Virgil Benedettini
CL Ross O’Kieran


1. LF Mel Banks(William Howell platoon)
2. 2B Frank DeWit[/utl] / [url= http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... 20177.html]Dale Stephens
3. 3B [url http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... 25391.html]Brieuc Becker[/url]
4. 1B Jody Brown (Ernesto Gonzalez and Albert Tas platoon)
5. RF Maxence Henri
6. C Robert Grenier (Dominic Vizzoni/Jacky Voornevald platoon)
7. CF [url http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... 23952.html]Francisco Diaz[/url]
8. SS Jesus Hernandez
9.

Jeremy Gaze should help the top half of the starting staff perform above their level in 2024 and I expect Karabekir to continue his solid play in his 6th season in Rome as he gets better each and every season. MBBA veteran Hanski could push for a starting spot depending how ST shakes out. The Raiders will have a decent bullpen in the middle innings with newcomers Devos and Benedettini throwing in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings. O’Kieran will hold down the fort at closer and should do ok.

Mel Banks is a great way to lead off the game and should be able to set the stage for a decent amount of runs form the top of the lineup. It will be interesting to see if 1B Browne is able to recreate his usual 25 homers and .300+ average. If so, the RBI’s could be had in droves. He should protect RF Henri a little bit and I expect better numbers from him in RF. Becker at 3B is starting his 3rd year in Rome and has great defense to go with top of the order contact and eye. Expect another 3+ WAR there. Youngster Dewit will play 2B and put in his first full season in the EBA and platoon with fellow youngster Stephens. He could surprise. The catching platoon of Grenier and Vizzoni will frustrate the team as their contact is way below average so Voornevald could be the guy there soon.

Expect Rome to try and trade from a depth position at 1B, 2B and LF to acquire talent at the SS and C positions. Especially if young prospect Bartlae McCree is ready for a mid season callup. Young prospect slugger Jesus Galindo will be fighting for an everyday spot as well and will likely push the veterans out by seasons end.

Should the youngsters step up in many key positions this team could surprise.

Expected record in 2025: 84-78. Much improved!

[danwh]

Thanks Tim. Great write up - personally, I'm not as sure about Mal Banks, but we'll see.

Also - the preseason prediction change in wins seems aggressive. I don't know if there were enough changes to warrant an additional 19W. I'll take 'em though.

[Chey]

As former caretaker, I'll be watching this club fairly closely.