[gehrig38]

It’s been 2 seasons, 324 games. I’ve started to get to know these guys and hopefully so have you. It’s taken some time but the team is starting to feel like it’s mine, and the guys like my players. I thought I’d kick off the 2014 season by introducing the roster, and some of the people and talent in the organization given that the Chicago franchise is now on the map after a shocking post season run last year.

Manager
Jared Smith (61)-Signed a 4 year extension through 2018. Has really adapted to the roster, and rarely, if ever, leaves a starter in too long. Last year bought into the entire roster helping and began to make sure the best 8 defenders were on the field at the right times. He’s always been an outstanding teacher of hitting and an excellent communicator with pitchers. Knows defense well too. Handles all types of players decently. The 2013 CL Manager of the year.
Coaching Staff-Bench Coach- Art McPhun. Telling “McPhunnies” in the clubhouse is an Iron Pig pastime. Art is as country as they come, and as smart as they can be when it comes to being an IBL Bench coach. A manager in waiting the 58 year old has an outstanding reputation for handling players of all ages and types. An outstanding minor league infielder, he’s known as a defensive guru as well. Has been known to talk to the occasional hitter, and the rumor is that his ‘tweak’ of Bill Alexander’s stance two years ago started him on his way. With his contract up (400K), we are currently working on an extension to keep him here as the heir apparent to Jared.
Pitching Coach-Peter Hardin. A grinder. Hard working and committed to his staff, he’s been known to take a swing at any player, or coach, talking smack about ‘his staff’. An outstanding pitching coach who has a good reputation amongst the veterans. His contract (140K) runs out this year. We are working on an extension.
Hitting Coach-John Edgar. The 48 year old was the 1988 Gatorade High School player of the year, and a 1st round pick of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. A car accident on the way to the press conference ended his career before it started. He’s never held a grudge and is known as a ‘lifer’. An outstanding ‘teacher’ of hitting and a guy any player can talk to. Has manager written all over him. His contract (85K) is up this year.
Trainer-Ricco Cotchini. The 56 year old has been around the game for 35 years, working his way up from rookie ball. His daughter Isabella Alejandrez, is married to Chicago ace Alfredo. He’s a legend in the NATA and signed through 2016 (240K)
Head Scout-Martin Cintron. The 47 year old former Mexican League all star has an eye for talent. His focus has always been a players ‘ability’ and what he CAN do now, more so than what folks ‘think’ a kid can do. His philosophy is ‘they are what they are at 21’ and while the players may get better, you generally don’t get too surprised after that. His commitment is to Mr. Marquis and he’s as loyal a man as you’ll find. Singed through 2021.

The Players:
Starting Pitchers (7)
Alfredo Alejandrez (28)-The undisputed ace of the Chicago rotation. 31-18 the past 2 seasons he is what he is, and that’s a 96-98 mph fastball combined with devastating cutter and forkball. He needs to continue working on command, but he’s the guy in this rotation. His only issue is stamina, as he cannot seem to consistently get deep into games. Signed a 4 year 10.12 million dollar extension this winter.
Jeff Bentley (24)-A young left who spent 2013 in AA and AAA over 29 starts going 9-8 4.28 in 168.2 IP with 139 K’s and 65 walks with 165 hits. Taken with the 4th round pick in the 2012 draft out of Wichita State he’s rated the #54 prospect in the IBL. After a decent spring he’ll open as the #4 guy in the Chicago rotation.
Mike Davis (22)-The ‘Wild Card’. 18-8 3.58 two years ago he fell to 4-6 in 24 starts last year battling some injuries. If the 2012 version shows up he could change everything about the team, and season. Signed a 4 year extension this winter for 6.94 million. Starts the season as the #3.
Carlos De La Torre-(24) The 2013 AAA Pitcher of the year (17-5 4.13) the young righty was a September call up and made 3 starts before going down with a strained oblique. Suffered a relapse this spring but is healthy and starts the season as the #5 starter. A 93-95 power guy with a great forkball.
Bill Flowers(27)-A 17-13 record over the past 2 seasons with a 5.27 ERA. Bill is a ‘filler’ for us. Surrendering 347 hits and 95 walks in 280.1 IP he’s been a strain on the pen, and was optioned to AAA Tulsa at the end of camp where he’ll start and be an insurance policy with so many young arms in the IBL rotation.
Ramiro Morales (29) Acquired from Edmonton for IF Chris Dixon at the winter meetings all our scouts loved this guys stuff. He was prone to the walk, and HR, but they felt he was making the adjustments needed. He had a very disappointing spring and underperformed enough to force our hand and option him at the end of camp. He’ll likely be the first arm up in an emergency, but we need his stuff to come back. A reliever in AAA the past 2 years he has 205K’s in 162.1 IP out of the pen.
Mark Williams(25) The lefty went 14-7 4.31 to help propel the 2013 Iron Pigs to the central division title. Is still improving his control but is a 91-93 guy with a good slider and fork. Need more innings from him per start this year. Opens the season in the 2 slot in the rotation.

Relievers (9)
Wil Butler (24) made 33 combined starts between New Hampshire and here going 9-12 4.96 in 190.2 IP. Gave up 212 hits, 93 K’s and 67 BB’s. Our scouts feel his role is in the pen, if that, as they’ve soured on him in the past few months. At best they say he’s an emergency starter, but should stay in the pen. Optioned to AAA Tulsa to work on relieving. Was acquired in a May 2013 deal with NH.
Craig Frank (28) The lefty anchor, and veteran among the setup guys. Two outstanding seasons totaling 131.2 IP 113 hits with 125K’s and 35 walks. Can get lefties and righties out. Signed to a 2 year 1.57 million dollar contract this winter.
Mike Moore (23) Frank’s protégé. Moore, a lefty, threw in 45 games last year after being called up, tossing 59 IP, striking out 47 and walking 26, yielding 52 hits to a 3.97 ERA. The 15th round pick of the 2012 draft, was the #83 prospect in 2012, #57 in 2013. Mike was optioned at the end of spring to continue his progression as the pen is now deeper and can afford for the kids to get more innings in before getting them into the big league pen.
Jose Pacheco (24) The right handed bridge man, Jose bounced back from a 4-3 5.07 2012 to a 8-5 1 SV 2.82 2013. In 67IP last year he allowed 53 hits, while striking out 64 and walking 38.
Randy Pennington (23) The 3rd round pick in 2012 out of Rice, Randy is the late inning lefty option with Frank, and growing into an emergency closer. An upper 90’s fastball combined with his devastating split he went 56 IP last year, striking out 77 and walking 25 to finish 8-2 4.02.
Riley Potts (26) the ‘middle guy’. He’s tossed 155.2 IP in 107 games the past 2 years with 127K’s and 54 walks, giving up 147 hits with a 3.52 ERA. His nickname is “Fragile”…..
Jose Torres (22) Acquired from the Sky Sox in July of ’12 Jose breaks camp to join Pennington and Frank as the LH options out of the pen. He has closer stuff if needed and figures to be a bullpen presence for years to come.
Sib van Bodegraven (26) Ying to Riley Potts Yang. These two righties, with Pacheco, make up the RH trio tasked with getting leads to the closer. He’s thrown 131.2IP in 118 games with a 3.54 ERA the past 2 years, striking out 127 and walking 66.
Ernesto Cruz (28) The 2013 Mariano Rivera Award winner and at the top of anyones list of ‘games best closers. Sporting a .919 save % (79-86) and a 6-3 1.67 ERA combined over the past 2 years, he’s as good as they come. He has 166 K’s and just 19 walks in 134.2 IP, with 104 hits allowed (.214 avg). He’s why managers manage as if the game were 7 innings instead of 9. Signed a 4 year 9.72 million dollar extension this winter.

Catchers:
Eric Hudson (27) A 2013 Gold Glove winner the 26 year old has hit a combined 285/352/378 in 288 games the past 2 seasons. With 54 2B’s, 15 HR’s and 146 RBI’s. He’s thrown out 38.7% of base stealers (improving from 28.2 to 52.8) and cut his PB’s in half (14-7). His 2 year efficiency is 1.036. Signed a 3 year 3.02 million dollar extension this past winter.
Rafael Flores (25) with our starter playing in 288 of 328 games there’s only a need to make sure your backup can catch and throw, and Rafael can do both. He hit 238/333/365 in 32 games and 63 AB’s this year. Was challenged by Cabral this spring but Jose’s defense was enough to get him optioned.
Jose Cabral (24) His AAA slash line of 265/355/531 is promising. He hit 32 HR’s and drove in 90 in 123 games at Tulsa, where he’ll start again this year. Scouts are having issues with the bat projecting and his defense is, at best, average. He’s young enough to surprise, and that’s what we’re hoping. If something were to happen on the roster we’d be fine with him. He hits LH as well, which is a plus.

Infield:
Donald Weaver (29-1B/DH) A below average defender on his best day, his power keeps him in the IBL. He has no position but his 22 HR’s and 73 RBI’s in 125 games make him a rest option at 1st and DH. LHH.
Wes Morgan (25-1B/3B) Can play either position at a high level, and hits left handed. Came off a monster 2012 (256-44-109 in 497 AB’s) to a down 2013 power wise (19-93 in 523 AB’s) but his OBP rose a tick. This is about getting AB’s, which he will, and getting better. Signed a 3 year 4.68 million dollar extension this winter.
Paul Riggs (21-2B/SS) The ‘kid” made the club out of camp. The 16th pick in the 2012 IBL Inaugural draft he was the #16 prospect in 2012, #21 in 2013. He comes into 2014 as the #33. Hit 350/402/517 in AA and 281/335/411 in AAA last year and had a good spring to earn the 2B job. Very little power to speak of but everything else is golden. Will be a premier #2 hitter when he’s matured.
Alejandro Sotolo (23-2B) Had a decent year (359-322-405 in 107 games and 370 AB’s) but his lack of a position other than 2nd is a problem. Being LH on a LH heavy roster doesn’t help either. Had a poor spring and was optioned to AAA Tulsa where he’ll play every day.
Walt Thompson (26-1B/3B) A player who’s stock has plummeted. Hit just 187/250/364 in 37 games last year. If he wasn’t an outstanding defender at both positions he’d likely have been designated. At 26 time is short. He’ll open the season at AAA.
Andrew Martin (23-3B/SS) Acquired from Columbus last year for 3B Sean Parker and MR Jack Durham, his stock has also gone down. In a combined 63 games he’s hit 241/279/328 in 196 AB’s. His ceiling was far higher when we got him , than scouts believe it is today. A good 3B, and tick above average SS, he’ll start the season in AAA.
Ignacio Ferrer (34-2B/3B/SS) The veteran on the club and one of the clubhouse leaders. He’s done a fantastic job as a backup, and as a starter when needed. Playing all three positions as well as anyone in the game, his glove will likely keep him here a few more years. Being RH helps too.
Massimiliano “Massi” Lorenzelli (22-3B/SS) Another right handed bat who can pick it at SS. Acquired, with Will Butler, from NH in May of last year for SS Joreao Tio, MR Bill George, 2B Greg Bartlett and RF Thomas Wise (and #1 picks). In 109 IBL games with 349 AB’s he’s hit 266/304/398 with 33 2B’s a 1 HR.
Melvin Watson (22-2B/3B/SS/OF) Glove man extraordinaire. He plays every position listed as a stud, and the thought when we got him (acquired from Vegas in may of last season for Sergio Lopez and Hector Guzman) was that he would be a RH option for left handed starters, at all those positions. It’s taking long than expected and the shine is off, but he’ll start the season at AAA in hopes the bat continues to improve.
Jean Chartier (20-2B/3B/SS) The ‘Kid”. As gifted a bat as there is. There’s nothing he cannot do at the plate and it’s only just begun. Out most of last year with a bad back problem he’s healthy and ready to go. His ability to play all three positions very well give the lineup great flexibility depending on the starter. In 2012 he hit 275/323/506 with 33 doubles, 14 triples and 22 home runs, stealing 22 bases. He could be one of , if not the only, 40/40 threat in the league. At 20 he’s hopefully in the early stages of a HoF career. Signed to a 4 year 11.76 million dollar extension this winter.

Outfielders (7)
Alfredo Lozano (24-1B/LF/CF/RF) His ability to play 1st was big when Morgan went down. A switch hitter (left side stronger) and 2012 AA Primal League MVP. His bat is spotty, but looks like it could be a decent 5th OF option, and he runs like the wind. His arm is suited best in LF. Hit little in a September call up last year and will start out in AAA Tulsa where he hit 309/388/505 in 95 games last year.
Raul Feliz (19-LF) The 2012 #2 pick (29th overall). Has made a rapid rise in the past 24 months. Tore up AA/AAA pitching but we held off until mid way through last year. Hit 282/351/467 in 85 games with 17 doubles and 13 HR’s, driving in 56. Stole 19-25. Figures to be our everyday LF.
Leo Russell (27-LF/CF) Here for two reasons, he’s right handed and he can play CF. Struggled in 2012 (72G 218/286/378) but went to AAA and might have figured it out. Hit 305/359/610 in 28 games last year after spending most of the year in Tulsa. Our 4th OF.
Hugh Collins (24-LF/CF) 2nd in the Rookie of the Year balloting, Hugh was a HR and 3 SB’s from being a 30/30 guy his rookie year. Went 290/371/524 in 131 games, hitting 27 doubles and 4 triples, and stealing 27-45. He’ll need to cut down the CS but he looks to be our CF and leadoff hitter for years to come.
Bill Alexander (26-LF/RF) The “Franchise”. The Coastal League MVP Bill hit 332-48-139 after a 319-48-147 2012. A switch hitter who doesn’t K (103 career K’s in over 1300 career AB’s) he’s the leader on and off the field, of this team. As he goes, we go. There are some health concerns and that led to more starts at the DH role (which he handled well). In 2012 he’ll continue to play RF and DH, as he’s got one of the better OF arms in the game. Signed a 4 year 16.54 million dollar extension this winter.
Bob Barbour (24-LF/RF) Had thought he and Hugh Collins were on parallel tracks, and that’s clearly not happening right now. He spent the season on the big club (235/277/333 in 94 games, 327 AB’s) but after this spring the organization felt it best he get back to AAA, play every day and regain that fire. He’s a 50+ steal threat and a top of the lineup bat if he can do that.
Ernesto Gutierrez (27-OF) Plays all three positions. "Goot" has an OF arm second only to Alexander, he’ll man RF most of the time and hit in the lower half of the lineup. Had a 211 hit season in 2012, with 44 doubles. Took a step back offensively last year but you wouldn’t know it from the other teams. We’ve gotten in the neighborhood of 30 trade offers, every one of them has this guys name attached. He’s also 47-66 in SB’s the past two seasons. Signed a 2 year 1.84 million dollar extension this winter.
Enrique Franco (27-DH/1B) Sent SP Jack Jackson to Buffalo for this kid, whom our scouts were in love with. His spring training fixed that. Nowhere near the hitter we thought, we’ll get him some AAA at bats to see what he’s about.