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2005 Montreal Expos Season Preview
Field Players
Regulars & Top Prospects
By James Rath, GM

Notes:
The player's name is immediately followed by his age, then rating. A gold star rating will look like "3.5". A blue star rating will look like "2.5 B".
All rating for hitters are as follows: CONTACT/HR POWER/EYE+PATIENCE followed by Defensive Range(out of 5).
His stats from 2004 are next, following the standard Ave-HR-RBI format, with additional important stats thrown in.

Catchers
Brian Schneider, 28, 2.5
Rate: 52/46/55 (4)
04: .286-9-75 61 R
Schneider had a better than expected 2004. It really was a nice surprise. This year we're not even expecting a repeat. If he slips, that will be workable due to the offensive additions we've made in the off-season. We just need him to keep playing good defense.
Prediction: .265-7-60

Keith Osik, 36, 1.0
Rate: 38/29/58 (4)
04: .256-0-4
Free agent that spent last year in Baltimore. Defensive catcher will spell Schneider every eight or so days. May give way to Closser later in season.
Prediction: .250-1-10

J.D. Closser, 25, 2.5 B
Rate: 51/34/25 (4)
04: AAA: .302-8-31
Will hopefully make the jump to the majors around the All-Star Game. If he has a good spring, could beat out Osik for the backup job, but he still strikes out a ton.
Prediction: .270-3-15

1st Base
Larry Broadway, 24, 4.5 B
Rate: 62/51/40 (3)
04: .327-0-17, 34 H in 29 games after 9/1/4 callup
After an impressive AAA campaign and late season in the NL, looks to continue that success as the starting 1st baseman. He is a very slow runner, cannot throw well, and is only average defensively, but he is convincing many in the organization that he can definately hit. He is already very good getting hits, and his power should develop as he gets more experience.
Prediction: .300-10-80

Ryan Shealy, 25, 3.5 B
Rate: 68/44/24 (2)
04: AAA: .262-14-52 in 106 games.
Very similar player to Broadway, although he doesn't do it as well. A better contact hitter right now, but other areas offensively (power, eye) will keep him as backup.
Prediction: .290-2-35

2nd Base
Jose Vidro, 30, 4.0
Rate: 72/55/45 (4)
04: .322-14-67, 94 R, 56 BB, team MVP
Had a great start to the season, was named to the all-star team, then trailed off a bit in the end. Is the consistency that the Expos are built around. 2004 Gold Glove winner. Team captain.
Prediction: .330-15-60, 100 R, .385 OBP

Josh McKinley, 25, 2.5 B
Rate: 49/38/40 (3)
04: AAA: .289-8-55
Played just over half the minor league season. Could've had 100 R, 100 RBI had he been able to start. Plays second and short, will start in AAA, will be the first player called up if the infield gets injured.
Prediction: (AAA) .285-20-90

3rd Base
Kevin Youkilis, 25, 2.5 B
Rate: 49/27/88 (3)
04: .261-1-10, .346 OBP in 47 games.
Still developing as a hitter, but has a great command of the strike zone. He's the kind of guy that will get on base any way he can. In addition to drawing walks, he will put the ball in play, and not strike out very much. Will not win a gold glove, but won't hurt the team, either.
Prediction: .270-9-70, .365 OBP

Phil Phair, 22, 2.0 B
Rate: 21/13/26 (3)
04: N/A
College draftee, 2nd round. Not likely to imrove to the point to be a major league starter. Probably a career on the bench.
Prediction: (A) .280-5-60

Shortstop
Khalil Greene, 25, 4.0 B
Rate: 58/41/34, (4)
04: .262-5-52
Slick fielder should collect at least a few Gold Gloves in his career. Still improving on his contact, and already has serious gap power. Not likely to improve all that much, but could surprise with bigger numbers later in his career.
Prediction: .270-10-75

J.J. Hardy, 22, 3.0 B
Rate: 44/16/27 (4)
04: AAA: .243-2-4
Only played 28 games in minors last year. Still a few years away, but is developing a very good eye for the ball.
Prediction: (AAA) .275-5-65

Neifi Perez, 31, 1.5
Rate: 53/14/12 (4)
04: .247-4-37
Will be backing up third, short, and second. Plays great defense, and is a blazer, although he doesn't steal well. Puts the ball in play, a useful hit-and-run batter, even if his average won't be high.
Prediction: .250-3-20