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Old 07-10-2019, 05:44 AM   #15
rink23
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Walkers news: 2023 St. Louis River Walkers prospectus

Walkers news: 2023 St. Louis River Walkers prospectus
For the third consecutive season, the St. Louis River Walkers fell short of a postseason berth. Their record (86-76) did improve by two wins, but it was nearly enough in a strong National League South Division that featured eventual Midwest League champion Des Moines (96-66). The title was the second in three years for the Harvesters.
The Walkers finished in third place, 10 games in back of Harvesters.
The biggest culprit an underachieving offense that ranked eighth in the National League in batting average (.241 – 8th), home runs (189 – 8th), runs scored (629) and 10th in OPS (.704).
However, with the mandate to keep the team’s payroll under $160 million, it was tough to spend money on big-time free agents. So it will be up to players like left fielder Andrew Benintendi and first baseman Rhys Hoskins to perform like the MVP caliber players they were earlier in their careers.
Meanwhile youngsters like Bo Bichette, who won the NL Silver Slugger at second base in 2022, outfielder Mike Toglia and shortstop Jean Carmona will need to live up to their billing.
And center fielder Byron Buxton needs to start earning that big paycheck ($19M), the team gave him before the 2023 season afterwhich he proceeded to fall flat on his face.
The team made an investment in a new hitting coach Jung-Tang Kung after the All-Star break. It paid off in an initial strong couple of weeks for the offense before it reverted back to its problematic ways.
In the offense, Kung’s rating dipped from average to poor. If the offense doesn’t show some life early, look for a change to be made.
The pitching should again be a strength. For the season, the starting rotations ERA ranked fifth in the NL (3.66) and the bullpen’s was third (3.27).
Kyle Hendricks topped the league with his 21-6 record and Aaron Nola was among the MBL’s top starters despite going 8-10.
Young hurlers Alex Faedo and Argenis Batista both own huge upsides with ERAs of 3.47 and 3.81, respevtively.
Brandon Spagnuolo, meanwhile, also seems to have the arsenal to have success as a No. 5 starter.
The bullpen also should be a strength led by 2022 NL Reliever of the Year Tommy Kahnle and hopefully a lockdown left-hander in newly acquired Jake Brentz.
Some players have departed, with the big ones being outfielders Ender Inciarte and Tyler Esplin and starting pitcher Danny Ure. Catcher Austin Hedges also was allowed to leave as a free agent after an underwhelming campaign.
With the champions (Des Moines) already in the mix, the battle for the NL South Division will be tough, but because of their pitching the Walkers should contend.
It will be all about the bats, contributing how they should that will likely be the deciding factor.
Departures
C – Austin Hedges, 30, R-R, 79 G, .195 BA, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs – Unsigned free agent
Inked before the 2022 season to be a defense-first catcher, Hedges didn’t even do that well in his lone season with the Walkers. He lost his starter’s job to J.T. Realmuto after the All-Star break. When the season was over, it was an easy decision to cut him loose.
OF – Ender Inciarte, 32, L-L, 111 G, .292 BA, 3 HRs, 33 RBIs – Traded to Toledo
With Byron Buxton struggling at the plate, Inciarte was a starter much of the second half and ended up with the team’s best batting average. However, with the mandate to cut payroll, it was decided Inciarte and his $15M salary had to go in deference to giving Buxton a second chance and the emergence of young right fielder Michael Toglia.
OF – Tyler Esplin, 23, L-R, 105 G, .252 BA, 14 HRs, 43 RBIs – Traded to Toledo
Esplin earned a starting job in spring training 2022 and was NL Rookie of the Month for April. But within two months he was back in the minors and didn’t return until September. During that time, Toglia outperformed him in AAA and when both players were in the majors in September. With Toledo unwilling to take on Inciarte’s big contract without additional young talent, one had to go. It was Esplin
RP – Felipe Vazquez, 31, L-L, 72 G, 2-4, 5 Svs., 3.23 ERA, -- Signed with Ann Arbor (AA Chattanooga)
Vazquez turned in a strong season out of the bullpen for the Walkers, but the signing of Jake Brentz as top left-hander pushed him out of the picture as he went into free agency.
SP – Danny Ure, 22, R-R, 5 G, 4 GS, 3-0, 2.17 ERA – Traded to Toledo
Drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft by St. Louis, Ure had shown little progress in his first four minor league seasons coming out of the 2022 campaign with a one-star rating (2-star overall). Ure did pitch well in limited action for the Walkers in September. But it was unlikely he was going to break into the rotation coming out of spring training. Could be a tough loss, but the Mud Hens were not going to take Inciarte without him.
Newcomers
RP – Jake Brentz, 28, L-L, 45 G, 1-3, 2.84 ERA, 20 Svs., 44.1 IP – Signed as a free agent from Fort Worth
Signed to a three-year deal worth $7.29M, Brentz should combine with Brad Hand and eventually the injury Bobby Poyner to give the River Walkers three of the left-handed relievers in the game. He also can close as evidenced by actually having a lower career WHIP against righties (1.27) than lefties (1.27).
C – Jared Thomas, 22, L-R, 109 G, .251 BA, 19 HR, 63 RBIs – Combined AAA and AA stats
One of the top catching prospects in all of the minors, Thomas emerged from a spring training battle with Mike Amditis for the chance to back up Realmuto in the majors. A strong all-around catcher, don’t be shocked if Thomas moves into the No. 1 role at some point during the season.

Returning players
Starting rotation
SP1 – Aaron Nola, 29, R-R, 32 G, 8-10, 2.88 ERA, 206 IP
His record didn’t show it, but Nola continues to be one of the top starting pitchers in the Midwest Baseball League. He doesn’t give up many cheap runs and consistently goes deep into games. If he ever gets any run support, he might start to get the recognition he deserves.
SP2 – Kyle Hendricks, 33, R-R, 33 G, 21-6, 3.06 ERA, 200 IP
No pitcher in the MBL won more games in 2022 and he probably would have won the Cy Young if not for a rough September. (He went 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA). Hopefully, that doesn’t mean age is catching up to him because the Walkers will be looking for another strong campaign from him before his contract expires at the end of the season.

SP3 – Alex Faedo, 27, R-R, 33 G, 8-10, 3.47 ERA, 189.1 IP
One of the highest-regarded young pitchers in the game, Faedo proved he can succeed in the majors in 2022, this season the Walkers are hoping he can continue to make strides toward being an ace as he’ll be expected to probably move into the No. 2 starter role in 2024.
SP4 – Argenis Batista, 22, L-L, 24, 5-11, 3.81 ERA, 139.1 IP
Thrust into the rotation as a 22-year-old, Batista displayed the potential to be a top of the line start over the season’s final four months. He’ll be put in a similar role again and will be counted on to turn his win/loss record around, hopefully with the help of an improved offense.
SP5 – Brendon Spagnuolo, 27, R-R, 20, 7-6, 4.47, 104.2 IP
“Spags” spent much of 2022 bouncing between AAA and the majors. Despite a high ERA, he found a way to win more games than he lost. If he can do that again in 2023 as the team’s No. 5 starter, it will be mission accomplished.


Relief pitchers
CL – Tommy Kahnle, 33, R-R, 44 G, 3-1, 28 Svs., 1.06 ERA, 42.1 IP
Following a sub-par first season with the River Walkers after signing a free-agent contract, Kahnle emerged as perhaps the best reliever in the National League in 2022. He again be counted upon to be an anchor of what should be one of the best bullpens in the league.
RHP – Phil Maton, 30, R-R, 75 G, 7-2, 5 Svs., 3.27 ERA, 63.1 IP
Maton had some ups and downs during 2022 but still ranks among the better right-handed set-up men in the game.
LHP – Brad Hand, 33, L-L, 83 G, 5-1, 2 Svs., 2.00 ERA, 63.0 IP
The acquisition of left-hander Jake Brentz should not lessen the role of Hand, it was more to offset a poor 2022 season for Bobby Poyner, who will move into lefty relief role No. 3. Hand was an All-Star in 2022 for the Walkers and finished second behind Kahnle in voting for NL Relief Pitcher of the Year.
RHP – Reyes Moronta, 30, R-R, 70 Gs, 4-1, 1 Sv., 2.96 ERA, 51.2 IP
Moronta remains a pitcher you want to keep away from high-quality left-handed hitters, but for those who swing from the right side he remains almost unhittable. Especially, when you need a strikeout.
RHP – Eduardo Jimenez, 28, R-R, 65 Gs, 2-3, 4 Svs., 1.70 ERA, 58.1 IP
Claimed on waivers from Rockford late in the 2021 season, Jimenez proved to be a steal for the River Walkers posting a sub-2.00 ERA and a WHIP of 0.89. Look for him to get more high leverage opportunities in 2023.
RHP – John Curtiss, 30, R-R, 78, 3-7, 1 Sv., 4.30 ERA, 73.1 IP
His numbers may not impress, but Curtiss pitched very well following the All-Star break after sporting an ERA near 10.00 over the first three months of the season. He can still take some damage, but when he is on the right-hander is capable of handling hitters from both sides of the plate.
RHP – Bill Warson, 26, R-R, 11 G, 0-1, 1 Sv., 1.98 ERA, 13.2 IP
With Bobby Poyner sidelined with a sore elbow to start the season, the Walkers will open the campaign with just two left-handers in the bullpen. This will give Warson, a first-round pick in 2018 by the Walkers, a chance to start the season in the show. He did quite well in September duty in 2022 after serving as the closer at Memphis where he saved 24 games and boasted an ERA of 2.14.
Starting lineup (In projected batting order)
CF – Byron Buxton, 29, R-R, 147 G, .225 BA, 20 HRs, 51 RBIs
A high-end free agent signing, $19.38M per for seven seasons, Buxton was pretty much a bust in his first season in St. Louis. Although, he did win a Gold Glove for his defense. He’ll get another shot this year and the Walkers would love to see him get on base more, which would make him a good fit at the top of the lineup as he ranks among the best base stealers in the league. Another sub-par season, he may go on the trading block for spare parts.
2B – Bo Bichette, 25, R-R, 151 G, .271 BA, 20 HRs, 62 RBIs
Always a highly-touted prospect, Bichette seems on the right path. He earned River Walkers’ offensive Team MVP In 2022 and also was the winner of the NL Silver Slugger at second base. He’ll start the season batting third, but if Buxton can’t fill the bill up top will likely be moved into the lead-off role.
LF – Andrew Benintendi, 28, L-L, 128 G, .293 BA, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs
In 2019, Benintendi was a 24-year-old National League MVP and consensus best player in the league. Then came three years of regression, although his totals from 2022 are skewed by missing most of September with an injury. If the River Walkers want to do anything this season – Benintendi needs to be more like the player he was in 2019 and 2020. He’s young (28), there is no reason he can’t do it.
1B – Rhys Hoskins, 30, R-R, 153 G, .233 BA, 21 HRs, 64 RBIs
While never an MVP, Hoskins spent a few seasons in the conversation before his offensive numbers fell off a cliff in 2022. His 2021 stats, .272 batting average with 42 homers and 126 RBIs. His 2020 stats, .286, 40 and 128. He didn’t put up half that in 2022. That has to change, or he has to go.
RF – Mike Toglia, 24, S-L, 30 G, .301 BA, 8 HRs, 16 RBIs
Right field appeared to belong to Tyler Esplin for the long term until he slumped after an impressive April. Sent to Memphis, he was outplayed there by Toglia and when both were promoted to the majors in September, it was Toglia who again shined brightest. Thus, Esplin is now in Toledo and Toglia is in right for the Walkers and batting second. At Memphis, Toglia batted .315 with 36 homers and 115 RBIs in 122 games.
3B – Nicky Delmonico, 30, L-R, 154 G, .244 BA, 28 HRs, 83 RBIs
No one around the league seems to respect Delmonico, but all he has done that last four seasons is average 29.75 homers and drive in 83.5 runs per game. Most teams would take that from their No. 6 hitter.
SS – Jean Carmona, 23, S-R, 32 G, .240 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
A late-season callup from Memphis, Carmona impressed enough early to earn himself a chance to win the starting shortstop job in spring training which he was able to pull off. A plus-defender, he’ll be give a couple of months to prove he’s major league ready. At Memphis, he batted .269 in 116 games with 11 homers and 52 RBIs.
C – J.T. Realmuto, 32, R-R, 93 G, .241 BA, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs
Brought back from the 2021 team to backup free-agent signee Austin Hedges, Realmuto ended up being the starter the second half of the season after Hedges tanked. A solid defender, Realmuto was hot and cold offensively but did enough to warrant bringing him back. He’ll be the starter to begin the season, but don’t be surprised if the highly-touted Thomas supplants him in the long run.

Bench players
IF – Christian Arroyo, 27, R-R, 115 G, .268 BA, 5 HRs, 32 RBIs
Valued for his plus defensive skills at second and third base, he also can play shortstop, Arroyo has proven a quality player for the Walkers. His ability to hit for average also has proven a plus.
SS – Andrelton Simmons, 33, R-R, 115 G, .252 BA, 9 HRs, 44 RBIs
The River Walkers looked to deal Simmons in the offseason, but could find no takers so decided to hang on to him. He won’t be the starter, but if Carmona struggles or gets injured it doesn’t hurt to have the game’s best defensive shortstops as a backup plan.
OF – Edmond Americaan, 26, L-L, 26 G, .200 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
With Inciarte dealt midway through spring training, the River Walkers looked to one a handful of young center fielders to step up and fill that void. Americaan emerged from that pack. He is well above average in both center and left field. He also seems to have a bit of pop in his bat, indicated by his nine home runs in 89 games for AAA Memphis. He also batted .290 with 36 RBIs.

Others to watch
C – Mike Amditis, 25, R-R, 10 G, .114 BA, 1 HRs, 2 RBIs
Amditis came in second to Jared Thomas in the fight to be the backup to Realmuto, but like Thomas he has a big upside. He’s a good defender and can swing the bat, at least in AAA where he hit .276 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 91 games in 2022.
LHP – Bobby Poyner, 30, L-L., 78 G, 7-3, 2 Svs., 6.48 ERA, 68.2 IP
A member of the Walkers bullpen since 2020, Poyner had a downright awful season in 2022 where he was a victim of the long ball 18 times in just shy of 69 innings. He did get better as the season went on, but will be a short leash once he returns from an elbow injury that will sideline him for at least the first week of the season.
SP – Rick Porcello, 34, R-R, 25 G, 8-8, 5.31 ERA, 135.2 IP – Korean League
St. Louis inked Porcello in the offseason as insurance should one of their starting pitcher go down. Porcello has worked in Korea the past two seasons and has not fared very well. So the Walkers better hope their starters stay healthy, or they could be in some trouble.
RP – Thad Ward, 26, R-R, 31 G, 1-2, 7 Svs., 2.59 ERA
The right-hander seems ready to take over a bullpen role should any of those in front of him falter.
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