2000 Team Preview (Position Players)

[bschr682]

Here are your 2000 California Crusaders (position players)

Key Offseason Departures: 3B Carl Tawk

Key Offseason Arrivals: none

Catchers

Oscar Mazzarella (29)– Mazzarella is starting his 3rd season as the Crusaders number 1 backstop. Last season he put in a fine season hitting .276 with 31 HR and 110 RBI.

Montes Mendosa (25)– Mendosa is the backup catcher. Hit .291 last year in 86 AB's.

First Base

Clement Troutt (31)– Troutt platoons at 1st base starting against LHP. Last season he only hit .258 but he did hit 15 HR and had 55 RBI.

Anthony McHugh (25)– McHugh platoons at 1st base against RHP. Last season he hit .306 but with very little power only hitting 4 HR.

Second Base

Bernard Maselli (25)– Maselli regressed a tiny bit with his average dropping freom .352 to .320 and still not a lot of power hitting only 8 HR.

Third Base

Jason Grass (29)– Grass had a decent season playing out of position at SS last year. He hit .262 with 15 HR and 62 RBI.

Shortstop

Kevin Stocker (30)– Stocker played some decent ball at SS last season after being signed due to a CEI to the former SS. He only hit .244 but played some great D.

Utility Infielders

Peter Montserrat (29)- Signed as insurance in case Stocker really starts to stink. He plays incredible D which will serve the team well.

Left Field

Kelly Benson (28)– Very little power but the guy can flat out rake. Hit .347 last year and seems to have responded very well to the switch from RF to LF where he plays better D.

Center Field

Ryan Sittler (26)– Sittler was having a great season last year til injury derailed it. He lumped pretty badly afterwards as well and it looks like his superstar days are over. Still he should be a serviceable bat and his CF defense is great.

Right Field

Sadahura Oh Jr (30)- Oh Jr is a great defensive RF that shows flashes of brilliance at the plate. He was traded multiple times last season and hopefully some long term stability will encourage him to not slump so much.

Backup Outfielders

Jeff Langenhan (29)– Langenhan is a plus defender at either corner. He is a pretty decent backup OF.

Sam Jones (27)– Had a fantastic rookie season hitting .308. Can play pretty decent at LF but Benson has quite a chokehold on that position. Look for Jones or Benson to be moved this season some time.

[scottsdale_joe]

Good luck in our tough division.

[bschr682]

well if i can avoid the insanely long injury list i had last season then i am not that worried. However with the way sittler lumped and maselli took a step back i'm worried i missed my chance last season.

[EchoesIE]

I would hardly call someone who hit .320, had more runs than ever in his career and a OBP of .380+ a step back. It's not .350, granted, but .320 isn't something to scuff at.

[bschr682]

he lumped in the offseason i meant. Yes last year he was great. this year i'd be impressed if he's near .300.

[cramsey51]

Stocker had a CEI? What is doing playing then?

[bschr682]

sorry for the confusion. my starting SS last year was Chris Hartley. He got the CEI and i picked up Stocker to fill in until Orm is ready to roll.

[KCCardinalFan]

I'm not sure how much more ready Orm is going to get, he looks pretty good to me!

[cramsey51]

I'm not sure how much more ready Orm is going to get, he looks pretty good to me!

I don't think he will ever be ready...just ship him back to Buffalo

[bschr682]

hes ready im just waiting to call him up so i can avoid getting super 2'd

[KCCardinalFan]

hes ready im just waiting to call him up so i can avoid getting super 2'd