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UngratefulDead · 06-14-2004, 02:40 AM

Lineup

The Riverboat's lineup, while aging, is in much better shape then their rotation. The only worry is their injury prone outfield. If the lineup stays healthy, the offense should have little to worry about in 2004. As per pitchers, however, there are very few position player prospects in the organization.

Catcher
This is one of the more worrisome positions, I'm thinking I may just let Salinas start for this year and hope that Rippeon will be ready by 2005.

Clayton Straker- The starting catcher for 2003 was a big dissapointment, batting only .204-.257-.320, and, even worse, only throwing out 11 of 88 runners. His days on the active
roster may be numbered.

Baltasar Salinas- The backup for Straker didn't surprise with the bat going .230-.282-.314, but did throw out 14 of 39 baserunners and swipe 7 bags. I'm inclined to start him, but he still hasn't proved he can hit major league pitching.

(AA) Thomas "Deuce" Rippeon- The Riverboat's best overall prospect, Rippeon has posted solid numbers in the minors while showing good power potential. The only worry is that his arm isn't
much of an improvement over Straker's. I'm hoping he'll make AAA early in the season and be able to start in 2005. This may be too much to ask for, as the high school phenom is only 19 years old.

First Baseman
Perhaps the strongest position in the Riverboat organization, I foresee no difficulties here as long as Labounty remains with the club.

Leroy Lebounty- The Louisiana native has done outstandingly with the club. He won the MVP in 2002 and nearly broke the single season home run record of 60 with 57. The perennial All-Star has clubbed 40 or more longballs for the past three seasons, and, other than a dissapointing .267 last year, normally hits at around a .300 or better clip. He is only 34, and may make the Hall of Fame if he continues playing at his current level. He is also an outstanding fielder, winning 5 Gold Gloves at first base.

Second Basemen
Last years midseason trade for Alvaro Martinez was a bit of a flop, as his .344 average wasn't enough to get the Riverboats to the playoffs. Since it's unlikely Baton Rouge will make any attempts to resign him the job returns to Dale Hoffman.

Dale Hoffman- The starting second baseman for many years with the Riverboats returns to his usual position after signing a 3 year contract for about $1.8 million a year. Before slumping and being replaced last season he had posted 20-30 taters and 80-100 RBIs a season while hitting at a .270 clip.

Third Baseman
The hot corner is still up for grabs as the Riverboats have had trouble finding a consistant starter at third. Barring any free agent signings the position will probably go to Santo Aguilar who hit well at AAA last year. At 31 years old he is no longer considered a prospect, but has never had more than 100 major league at-bats in a season and has shown the capacity to hit balls out of the park, even with a reputation for swinging at the resin bag.

Shortstop
Another position with a strong but aging player in it. I may have to concentrate my draft on position players as much as pitching.

Jed "Graveyard" Badillo- The 37 year old New Mexico Native has been a fan favorite in Lousiana, but probably doesn't have more than a few seasons left in him. He posts solid HR numbers and hits for a good average, in addition to being an excellent fielder with 2 Gold Gloves in a very competitive position.

Outfield
I'm not sure whether I should worry about this position or not. The players are all quality,but past their prime and injury prone. I'm thinking that I should pick up a young outfielder and try to trade away one of my current ones.

LF Daniel Frisbie- A Hall of Fame career is beginning to wind down for legendary slugger Daniel Frisbie. Even at the age of 38 Frisbie still has it and should be good for a .290 average and 30 home runs. The only worry is his health, and his steadily climbing strikeout totals over the past few seasons.

OF Roberto Lopez- This 35 year old has never earned a starting job, but has been valuable off the bench as a pinch hitter and can play any of the outfield positions, albeit rather poorly. He should be a solid fourth outfielder, something important considering the ages of the other three.

CF Nicanar "Mr. Miracle" Vargas- The 38 year old centerfielder is slipping, and probably only has one or two more years left in him. Hopefully he'll be able to improve on last year's uncharacteristic .239-.327-.386.

RF Joe Blevin- The starting right fielder for 8 years should be around for a few more. He is the youngest starting outfielder at 36 and has posted solid batting numbers for his entire career. Even better, he is an outstanding fielder and has one the last three Gold Gloves in right field.

Okay, so, all in all, I think the lineup should win more games than it does, it just needs some quality pitching. My only worry is the age of the players, and I'm considering trading away Daniel Frisbie for some young blood. I'll probably sign a third baseman in case Aguilar doesn't work out, but my free agent money and draft picks will concentrate more on pitching.

So, there you have it, the Baton Rouge Riverboats going into the 2003 off-season. Comments, suggestions?

06-14-2004, 02:40 AM	#3
UngratefulDead Banned Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,415	Lineup The Riverboat's lineup, while aging, is in much better shape then their rotation. The only worry is their injury prone outfield. If the lineup stays healthy, the offense should have little to worry about in 2004. As per pitchers, however, there are very few position player prospects in the organization. Catcher This is one of the more worrisome positions, I'm thinking I may just let Salinas start for this year and hope that Rippeon will be ready by 2005. Clayton Straker- The starting catcher for 2003 was a big dissapointment, batting only .204-.257-.320, and, even worse, only throwing out 11 of 88 runners. His days on the active roster may be numbered. Baltasar Salinas- The backup for Straker didn't surprise with the bat going .230-.282-.314, but did throw out 14 of 39 baserunners and swipe 7 bags. I'm inclined to start him, but he still hasn't proved he can hit major league pitching. (AA) Thomas "Deuce" Rippeon- The Riverboat's best overall prospect, Rippeon has posted solid numbers in the minors while showing good power potential. The only worry is that his arm isn't much of an improvement over Straker's. I'm hoping he'll make AAA early in the season and be able to start in 2005. This may be too much to ask for, as the high school phenom is only 19 years old. First Baseman Perhaps the strongest position in the Riverboat organization, I foresee no difficulties here as long as Labounty remains with the club. Leroy Lebounty- The Louisiana native has done outstandingly with the club. He won the MVP in 2002 and nearly broke the single season home run record of 60 with 57. The perennial All-Star has clubbed 40 or more longballs for the past three seasons, and, other than a dissapointing .267 last year, normally hits at around a .300 or better clip. He is only 34, and may make the Hall of Fame if he continues playing at his current level. He is also an outstanding fielder, winning 5 Gold Gloves at first base. Second Basemen Last years midseason trade for Alvaro Martinez was a bit of a flop, as his .344 average wasn't enough to get the Riverboats to the playoffs. Since it's unlikely Baton Rouge will make any attempts to resign him the job returns to Dale Hoffman. Dale Hoffman- The starting second baseman for many years with the Riverboats returns to his usual position after signing a 3 year contract for about $1.8 million a year. Before slumping and being replaced last season he had posted 20-30 taters and 80-100 RBIs a season while hitting at a .270 clip. Third Baseman The hot corner is still up for grabs as the Riverboats have had trouble finding a consistant starter at third. Barring any free agent signings the position will probably go to Santo Aguilar who hit well at AAA last year. At 31 years old he is no longer considered a prospect, but has never had more than 100 major league at-bats in a season and has shown the capacity to hit balls out of the park, even with a reputation for swinging at the resin bag. Shortstop Another position with a strong but aging player in it. I may have to concentrate my draft on position players as much as pitching. Jed "Graveyard" Badillo- The 37 year old New Mexico Native has been a fan favorite in Lousiana, but probably doesn't have more than a few seasons left in him. He posts solid HR numbers and hits for a good average, in addition to being an excellent fielder with 2 Gold Gloves in a very competitive position. Outfield I'm not sure whether I should worry about this position or not. The players are all quality,but past their prime and injury prone. I'm thinking that I should pick up a young outfielder and try to trade away one of my current ones. LF Daniel Frisbie- A Hall of Fame career is beginning to wind down for legendary slugger Daniel Frisbie. Even at the age of 38 Frisbie still has it and should be good for a .290 average and 30 home runs. The only worry is his health, and his steadily climbing strikeout totals over the past few seasons. OF Roberto Lopez- This 35 year old has never earned a starting job, but has been valuable off the bench as a pinch hitter and can play any of the outfield positions, albeit rather poorly. He should be a solid fourth outfielder, something important considering the ages of the other three. CF Nicanar "Mr. Miracle" Vargas- The 38 year old centerfielder is slipping, and probably only has one or two more years left in him. Hopefully he'll be able to improve on last year's uncharacteristic .239-.327-.386. RF Joe Blevin- The starting right fielder for 8 years should be around for a few more. He is the youngest starting outfielder at 36 and has posted solid batting numbers for his entire career. Even better, he is an outstanding fielder and has one the last three Gold Gloves in right field. Okay, so, all in all, I think the lineup should win more games than it does, it just needs some quality pitching. My only worry is the age of the players, and I'm considering trading away Daniel Frisbie for some young blood. I'll probably sign a third baseman in case Aguilar doesn't work out, but my free agent money and draft picks will concentrate more on pitching. So, there you have it, the Baton Rouge Riverboats going into the 2003 off-season. Comments, suggestions?