[Westheim]

2072 PORTLAND RACCOONS – Opening Day Roster (first set in parenthesis shows 2071 stats, second set career stats; players with an * are off season acquisitions;

SP Nick Walla, 31, B:R, T:R (14-9, 2.94 ERA | 81-82, 3.45 ERA) – Walla has five good pitches, but seems to be losing some velocity, which is mildly terrifying. He came close to ERA titles in 2068 and 2071 but both times faded late. Never had a real wipeout pitch in his arsenal, but has had good control for many years now.
SP Aldomiro Campion *, 29, B:L, T:R (14-13, 3.52 ERA | 34-34, 3.62 ERA) – acquired from the Miners, the late bloomer has had some fine seasons despite having only slightly more career starts than the significantly younger Jimmy Wharton. Quite the curveball to distract from a rather pedestrian 91mph fastball. Second Brazilian to suit up for the Raccoons after Daniel Bullock.
SP Jimmy Wharton, 25, B:L, T:L (15-9, 3.44 ERA | 32-26, 4.01 ERA) – the former #4 pick has fully arrived after two-and-a-half years in Portland, although he’s much like Walla with good control and without a pitch to erase batters in two-strike counts. Maybe he can challenge for an ERA title soon, too?
SP Tony Gaytan, 28, B:R, T:R (11-12, 3.76 ERA | 54-77, 4.04 ERA) – “Bombs Away!” Gaytan stayed away from his career-high of 36 homers in the last two seasons, but the strikeouts have also come down. At least he’s usually doing a good job with eating innings… Some research might be required, but Gaytan might be the only Raccoons starter ever to pitch six seasons with the team and post a losing record in every single one of them.
SP Vinny Morales, 30, B:S, T:R (9-4, 4.17 ERA | 37-35, 3.89 ERA) – returned from the list of busted prospects as a midseason replacement in 2068 and suddenly managed to pitch competently at the major league level, even though his strikeouts were rather few and far between. Decent control, but tends to give up dingers and doesn’t have a lot of stamina. Hardly ever produces excitement, but did get his first career shutout in 123 starts last season.

MR Todd Sullivan, 25, B:R, T:R (2-3, 3.38 ERA | 5-3, 2.83 ERA) – young right-hander with three good pitches (but short stamina) that had his career ruined with a July trade to the Coons when the Stars took on Jerry Morejon and Carlos Fumero last season. Got demoted to AAA for a while last year and wouldn’t have made the roster if the Raccoons hadn’t traded some relievers for Phil LeVan late in the offseason.
MR Ron Rismiller, 24, B:R, T:R (3-1, 4.35 ERA, 1 SV | 3-1, 4.35 ERA, 1 SV) – the Raccoons took him as Rule 5 pick last year while he was recovering from a torn labrum and missed the first months of the season. Offered no reasons to return him to the Pacifics after being activated, even though there are a few command kinks that could be worked out. Blasts it 98 and has a slicing curveball.
SP/MR Gabriel Rios, 30, B:L, T:L (4-11, 4.16 ERA | 30-34, 3.74 ERA, 4 SV) – despite having three very good pitches and a crappy changeup, Rios washed out of the rotation again halfway through last season and is back to being a sharp bullpen asset; there are worse names to be called, but he’s fairly expensive now for a sharp bullpen asset.
MR Cameron Jackson, 26, B:R, T:R (2-1, 3.45 ERA | 4-4, 3.17 ERA, 1 SV) – fine right-hander with a vicious curveball that we acquired from the Thunder last July.
SU Jason Holzmeister, 27, B:S, T:R (4-3, 2.56 ERA | 13-9, 3.26 ERA) – somehow we’re taking a guy as a setup pitcher that last year had written about him. “not sure why we keep going back to this former Rule 5 pick that can only hold onto a job when the only other options are to shoot him in the knee or send him back to the Falcons”; maybe it’s the 10.2 K/9 he suddenly unfurled last season, which had not been in his career trajectory up to that point.
SU Ricky McMahan, 30, B:L, T:L (7-1, 2.79 ERA, 3 SV | 25-17, 3.34 ERA, 14 SV) – steady work from this left-hander who shook off his awful control issues a few years ago and is now usually not a reason for concern and got a new 3-year contract to hang around a bit longer.
CL Pedro Valentin, 32, B:S, T:R (6-4, 3.20 ERA, 30 SV | 32-23, 2.68 ERA, 170 SV) – one-time CL leader in saves that goes into his fifth season as the Critters ninth-inning door slammer, although the door slammed in his face more than once last year in wicked meltdowns. He brings a GORGEOUS curveball and a 96mph heater.

C Gabe Rivas, 28, B:L, T:R (.293, 4 HR, 47 RBI | .291, 17 HR, 123 RBI) – was acquired from the Warriors before the 2071 season; fine defensive catcher with only token exposure to the major leagues in ’70 after two full campaigns as a backup catcher. Doesn’t walk or hit for power, so even hitting .300 might not be enough to get to a 100 OPS+ for him (95 in ’71).
C Sam Brown, 26, B:L, T:R (.267, 1 HR, 28 RBI | .250, 1 HR, 41 RBI) – not terrible for a backup, and drawing quite a few walks, although his lack of speed means there’s nothing to do with that since you can’t just bat him at the top of the lineup like that. Gave Rivas a run for his money at times last year, and he is cordially invited to keep doing that.

1B Josh Woodley, 24, B:L, T:L (,247, 5 HR, 23 RBI | .247, 5 HR, 23 RBI) – to be honest, for being just 23 and never having played in AAA before, this Rule 5 pick didn’t do that badly last year. Getting only 166 at-bats behind Alejandro Olivares he never got into much of a stride despite an early highlight of a walkoff home run on Opening Day, and didn’t hit that many afterwards. Figures to have an edge over Danny Huckaby right now, but there’s no reason why we wouldn’t reverse that decision at a later point.
2B/SS/3B Adam Yocum, 31, B:R, T:R (.325, 2 HR, 71 RBI | .327, 11 HR, 600 RBI) – the elite singles slapper and OBP personality was a real force at the top of the lineup, stirring for 40 stolen bases and 4.8 WAR and missed just one game by manager’s decision to rest people in September. Quite an energetic duo at the top with Humphries (although they were a combined 66 years old already).
2B/3B/SS/CF John Katzman, 27, B:R, T:R (.304, 17 HR, 65 RBI | .290, 79 HR, 465 RBI) – Katz had a hot first half of 2071, but then got hurt and slumped towards the end of the year, and was invisible in the ill-fated CLCS against the Aces. Nevertheless he’s still signed for four years on a rather team-friendly contract, although it looks like he’s stuck at his worst position going forwards.
3B/2B/SS/LF Edgar Gonzales *, 28, B:R, T:R (.286, 9 HR, 46 RBI | .276, 51 HR, 385 RBI) – the only notable free agent signing of the offseason brings in more variety on the infield and more speed on the basepaths, although he’s rarely hit much above league average. The Raccoons hope for some stability at third base from the 4-year contract given to him.
2B/SS/3B Brian McFarland, 23, B:R, T:R (.241, 0 HR, 11 RBI | .241, 0 HR, 11 RBI) – very fine defensive middle infielder that didn’t hit anything across 166 at-bats, but the funds for upgrades just aren’t there for this team.
RF/3B/CF/2B/SS Nick Luebbert, 27, B:S, T:R (.182, 2 HR, 17 RBI | .182, 2 HR, 17 RBI) – the third and least impressive of the three Rule 5ers the cat dragged in during the winter of 2070-71, Luebbert never hit much and was a -0.3 WAR player, but he’s also a super utility that can plug many holes that might open during a game. That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t like to find an upgrade...

LF/RF Steve Humphries, 35, B:R, T:R (.260, 15 HR, 70 RBI | .275, 93 HR, 598 RBI) – after the Raccoons shoveled $36M into the oven to sign the former Titans outfielder as free agent, for which the 5-time Gold Glover rewarded them with countless injuries and missing 110 games in total in his first year in 2070, Humph managed to stay on the field in ’71 and drew a staggering 146 walks and scored 108 runs. Now we hope he can keep his body together for a few more seasons, because he’s still signed through his age 37 season…
LF/RF/CF Jack Hamel, 24, B:R, T:R (.296, 7 HR, 22 RBI | .274, 7 HR, 22 RBI) – between this former #5 pick’s 2069 cup of coffee and his half-season induced as injury replacement in 2071 was a banishment as far from the majors as Ham Lake, and quite a few temptations to waive him off the 40-man roster. Hit fairly well in the 179 at-bats he had last year, and now only has Tyler Wharton’s shoes to fill, although Phil LeVan would also get regular starts in centerfield.
LF/RF/CF Phil LeVan *, 30, B:L, T:L (.260, 9 HR, 62 RBI | .266, 50 HR, 302 RBI) – acquired from the Blue Sox, this terrific base stealer can expect semi-regular starts in centerfield, and might take Hamel’s job away entirely, depending on how fortunes develop. Not much going on in terms of extra-base hits, but he’s one of the guys that can make extra bases out of a single by stealing second.
RF/1B/LF Victor David Morales *, 32, B:S, T:R (.271, 18 HR, 80 RBI | .271, 94 HR, 428 RBI) – defensively challenged starting rightfielder, Morales can out-hit his limitations in glove use with the stick, and he still steals bases at a decent rate. Hit 18 homers three times in the last five seasons, encompassing most of his career as he was a late bloomer that only became a regular at age 26.
LF/RF George van Otterdijk, 27, B:R, T:R (.273, 8 HR, 36 RBI | .268, 27 HR, 122 RBI) – here’s a secret: we still don’t really know what to do with this Dutch Antillean corner outfielder, who plays shoddy defense, doesn’t hit a lot, and frankly doesn’t even smell… well… he smells a bit like a wet otter would smell.

On disabled list: Nobody.

Otherwise unavailable: Nobody.

Other roster movement:
SP Val Centeno, 25, B:S, T:R (4-2, 4.79 ERA | 6-9, 6.00 ERA) – waived and DFA’ed; there were really high hopes for this right-hander signed as July IFA from Venezuela, but a thrashed elbow in ’69 led to 12 months on the shelf, and when he came back in 2070 he was bluntly garbage – even in AAA. 2071 was not that tragic… but still tragic.
SP Jaquan Riggs, 22, B:R, T:R (0-0, 4.85 ERA | 0-0, 4.85 ERA) – optioned to AAA; supplemental-rounder with four pitches and control issues that made two spot starts last season, including on Closing Day.
MR Noah Newhard, 23, B:R, T:R (1-1, 5.40 ERA | 1-1, 5.40 ERA) – optioned to AAA; another supplemental-rounder that made a few cup-of-coffee appearances last season and was mostly awful (11 BB in 11.2 IP), but he can fire it at 100mph, so he’s not going in the bin yet.
C/1B Tony Spink, 32, B:R, T:R (.231, 0 HR, 0 RBI | .171, 1 HR, 6 RBI) – optioned to AAA; scrappy catcher not shining in any capacity that served as third backstop last September.
1B Danny Huckaby, 23, B:L, T:L (.278, 2 HR, 5 RBI | .222, 2 HR, 9 RBI) – optioned to AAA; only got a September call-up in a crowded first-base battle. It looks like Woodley has an edge in power and defense over him, so Huckaby was sent to AAA to trim the roster.
LF/RF/CF/SS/2B Jesus Morentin, 25, B:R, T:R (.196, 0 HR, 10 RBI | .196, 0 HR, 10 RBI) – optioned to AAA; strong defensive outfielder with some options as backup infielder, who unfortunately didn’t hit a lick in several call-ups in 2071.
LF/CF Jesus Guerrero, 25, B:R, T:R (.294, 2 HR, 10 RBI | .253, 3 HR, 15 RBI) – optioned to AAA; might have won a job as fifth outfielder until we swung the late trade for Phil LeVan, although it’s hard to read anything into what he can do over a full season given his terrible 2070 cameo, his fine 2071 appearances, and the rather mediocre scouting report.

Everybody not mentioned by now has already been waived, reassigned, or reported to the authorities this offseason.

OPENING DAY LINEUP:

Vs. RHP: LF Humphries – 2B Yocum – SS Katzman – RF V.D. Morales – C Rivas – 3B Gonzales – CF Hamel (LeVan) – 1B Woodley – P
(Vs. LHP: LF Humphries – 2B Yocum – SS Katzman – RF V.D. Morales – 3B Gonzales – C Rivas – CF Hamel – 1B Woodley – P)

The era of righty-leaning lineups continues in Portland, although some pains were suffered to at least get a balanced bench together. Due to the nature of our catchers, there’s always at least one lefty bat on the bench, although maybe don’t use it in the sixth inning. The lineups *look* a bit softer than last season, but Tyler Wharton didn’t hit that much after all in the cleanup spot.

OFF SEASON CHANGES:

Why even look at the offseason WAR gains? Last year the Raccoons were ranked 21st in the category, shedding 5.1 WAR, but then ended up gaining *19* games in the standings.

This year we’re on the other end of the table, gaining +4.1 WAR, ranking fifth overall, so say hello to another 74-88 season? The Raccoons only added four players to the major league roster, and only one free agent in Edgar Gonzales (+2.8), while losing over 5 WAR on departed free agents, most of that for Alejandro Olivares (-3.1). The three trades all brought in some points: Aldomiro Campion was worth +2.5, V.D. Morales still +2.3, and LeVan at least 1.6;

Top 5: Titans (+11.1), Buffaloes (+6.8), Knights (+6.2), Canadiens (+4.2), Raccoons (+4.1)
Bottom 5: Crusaders (-3.8), Wolves (-4.8), Stars (-5.1), Loggers (-8.6), Aces (-8.7)

The only missing CL North team were the Indians, who ranked 13th with -0.7 WAR.

PREDICTION TIME:

The Coons went 92-70, 19 games up from 2070, after I predicted 90 losses. They won the division by ten games (also thanks to the Titans’ impressive collapse), and I hadn’t been a believer.

Am I believing now? Sorta. We got better in some regards, but the budget crisis hampered efforts to make even bigger improvements, like f.e. finding an upgrade over Vinny Morales. Managing to trade for Campion is already a major victory.

If the key players can stay off the DL (which has been an issue these last few seasons), then the team should compete for the division again. Humph might be a bigger factor in there than most leadoff men, given that he was on base *all the time* last year, instead of missing 2/3 of the season. The Titans and Elks (!) have geared up in many departments, although Boston also shed some longtime assets like Eddie Marcotte. There will be competition for sure and you’ll have to win at least 90 games to be in the race. This team is surely able to win about 94 games – but a 2070 cavalcade of injuries could derail it all.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

Last season the Raccoons had a spectacular array of high-ranking prospects with no fewer than *17* ranked prospects, even though most of them were in the low minors or even the international complex at the time. The only prospect removed from that list through service time limitations ended up being #62 Ron Rismiller, who had to be on the major league roster as Rule 5er, so that one was a given anyway. The other 16 ranked prospects all stayed in the organization even through this offseason… but that was also due to the fact that the team couldn’t *afford* to trade free assets for ones that cost money.

Four other prospects dropped out of the top 200 on performance, the former #82 Isaac Bishop, #150 Ramon Mata, #163 Phil Christensen, and #195 Roberto Pena.

Now the amazing part: the Raccoons had EVEN MORE RANKED PROSPECTS this year! Up to 18 ranked boys, and still first in the farm rankings!

7th (-1) – AA CL Dan McPartland, 20 – 2070 supplemental round pick by Raccoons
13th (new) – AA SP Andrew Speed, 23 – 2071 first-round pick by Raccoons
19th (new) – AA UT Ronaldo Rivera, 22 – 2071 November IFA signing by Raccoons
23rd (+2) – AAA INF Omar Vigil, 21 – 2067 scouting discovery by Raccoons
27th (+103) – AAA CL Noah Newhard, 23 – 2068 supplemental round pick by Raccoons
35th (+80) – AAA SP Crispino D’Urso, 22 – 2065 July IFA signing by Raccoons
38th (+7) – A SP Jose Espino, 18 – 2070 July IFA signing by Raccoons
41st (-7) – AA SP Jalen McCorkle, 22 – 2070 first-round pick by Raccoons
44th (new) – A SP Alex Betancourt, 19 – 2069 July IFA signing by Raccoons

53rd (+56) – AA SP Roberto Martinez, 19 – 2068 July IFA signing by Raccoons
57th (-16) – AA SP Tony Trinidad, 19 – 2068 July IFA signing by Raccoons
89th (new) – A C Ricardo Moreno, 18 – 2070 July IFA signing by Raccoons
94th (-70) – A SS/3B Danny Reyes, 20 – 2067 scouting discovery by Raccoons

118th (-10) – AA INF/LF/CF Rob Robinson, 21 – 2069 fourth-round pick by Raccoons
121st (new) – A SP Eddie Moreno, 20 – 2068 scouting discovery by Raccoons
136th (new) – A OF Scott Singleton, 20 – 2068 July IFA signing by Raccoons
140th (-64) – AA MR Phil Beck, 21 – 2069 supplemental round pick by Stars, acquired with Todd Sullivan, Roberto Pena for Carlos Fumero and Jerry Morejon by Raccoons
152nd (-72) – AA 2B/SS Ismael Tenorio, 21 – 2067 scouting discovery by Raccoons

Such riches! And no clue how to turn it into the fumble of the century yet!

Our top 50 prospects went up from six to NINE, and the top 100 prospects from ten to *thirteen*. A pair of deranked prospects, Ramon Mata and Roberto Pena, AAA infielders that might come into play soon in Portland, completed the franchise top 20.

Finally, the top 10 overall prospects this year are:

#1 (+6) – SFB A INF Chris Sandidge, 21
#2 (+1) – SAL ML OF/1B Nelson Aguilar, 21
#3 (-2) – TOP AAA CL Brent Shaw, 21
#4 (+13) – IND AAA CL Matt Dore, 22
#5 (new) – TOP AAA SP Bob Taylor, 22

#6 (new) – CHA AA SP Dave Pokorski, 23
#7 (-1) – POR AA CL Dan McPartland, 20
#8 (-3) – MIL AA LF Josh Field, 20
#9 (+9) – DEN AAA 1B Clement Bussotti, 24
#10 (+39) – TIJ A SP/CL Jorge Galindo, 20

Bob Taylor had been the #2 pick in the 2071 amateur draft, with Dave Pokorski six spots behind in #8.

Five top 10 prospects from last year were no longer in that elusive club accordingly.

Last year’s #4, Thunder RF/CF/INF Jay Moore, played 66 games in the majors, hitting just .225 with four homers and accordingly was sent back to AAA Anaheim to start the season…! Similarly, #8 DEN 1B Jon Marrero played in 45 games with the Gold Sox, batted .235 with five homers, and now was back to start the season with AAA Chula Vista. They were of course no longer eligible.

Blue Sox SS Dan Mammen, the former #10 prospect, also made his major league debut despite starting the season in AA, but hit nothing (.122 with one homer) in 26 games and was also sent back to AAA Unity now. However, he had only been on the roster for 36 days, and thus was still showing up five spots down as the #15 prospect.

A deep plunge was suffered by the 2070 #1 draft pick and 2071 #2 prospect, Buffos SP Andy Knight, who tumbled down several staircases to #69 in the rankings after a mediocre single-A season and not getting promoted to AA for the new season either. Finally, the old #9 DAL INF Carlos Saldana moved up to AAA for this season, but at age 24 sagged 21 spots to #30.

Next: first pitch.