2033 St. Louis River Walkers: And the saga continues

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MBL news: March 23 -- Spring training standing and leaders after Week 3

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Walkers news: March 23 -- Spring training statistics

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Walkers news: March 24 -- Spring training - St. Louis 2, Peoria 1, 12-8

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Walkers news: March 25 -- St. Louis 5, Kansas City 4, 13-8

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Walkers news: March 26 -- Spring training - St. Louis 6, Twin Cities 3, 13-8

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MBL news: March 27 -- United States downs Mexico for World Cup title; Walkers' Shaw named MVP

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Walkers news: March 27 -- Spring training -- St. Louis 8, Springfield 4, 14-8

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Walkers news: March 29 -- Spring training -- St. Louis 4, Quad City 1, 16-9

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Walkers news: March 30 -- Spring training -- Des Moines 3, St. Louis 2, 16-10

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MBL news: March 30 -- Spring training -- Week 4 standings and leaders

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Walkers news: March 30 -- Spring training -- Week 4 team individual statistics

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Walkers news: March 31 -- Spring training -- St. Louis 4, Chicago 2, 17-10

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The St. Louis River Walkers have learned that closer Bobby Westerman will miss the first five weeks of the season, after he suffered a herniated disc while pitching in a 4-2 win over Chicago on March 31
The Walkers acquired Westerman, 27, just before the trade deadline last season, and the right-hander shined down the stretch converting all 15 of his save opportunities while going 1-1 overall with a 0.98 ERA n 18 games.
Right-hander Nick Strother will likely be moved into the closer's role.
The 31-year-old served as the Walkers closer in 2035 until Westerman's arrival.
Overall, Strother pitched in 55 games going 4-2 with 18 saves and a 3.19 ERA.

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Walkers news: April 1 -- Player Development Report

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Walkers news: April 1 -- Spring training -- St. Louis 3, Madison 2, 18-10

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Walkers news: April 2 -- Spring training - St. Louis 3, Milwaukee 0, 19-10

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Walkers news: April 3 -- Spring training - Green Bay 5, St. Louis 1, 19-11

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MBL news: April 3 -- Spring training -- Final standings and leaders

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Walkers news: April 3 -- Spring training -- Final individual statistics

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2035 season: 89-73, 2nd, 3 GB Cedar Rapids
2036 prediction: 85-77, 3rd, 5 GB Cedar Rapids
Manager/General Manager: Mike Renkes, 19th season, 1,613-1,304, .552 Pct., 7 playoff qualifiers; 5 World series qualifiers, World Series titles in 2018 and 2025.
2035 Award winners: NL Rookie of the Year: Bob Saavadera; NL Silver Slugger 1B: NL Nick Shaw; Gold Glove 1B: Nick Shaw.
2035 season summary: The River Walkers either held the lead or were right on the heels of the Cedar Rapids Grapplers through the first four months of the season.
In fact, an incredible 20-3 run through the month of July had the Walkers sitting 7.5 games in front of the Grapplers with 57 games remaining.
But as good as St. Louis was in July, it almost was as bad in August going 11-18 to fall 3.5-games behind Cedar Rapids.
A 5-2 win at Chicago had the Walkers within a half-game of game of the Grapplers early in the month, but they would never catch them as Cedar Rapids’ advantage primarily fluctuated from three to six games the remainder of the season.
While not making the postseason was a disappointment, the 89-73 finish was a big improvement on the sub-500 performances of the previous two years.

Departures
OF – Jose Ramirez, 32 – 141 G, .224 BA, 15 HRs, 61 RBIs; Unsigned free agent; Remains unsigned.
2B – Daniel Becerra, 35 – 102 G, .263 BA, 5 HRs, 26 RBIs; Unsigned free agent; Remains unsigned
SS – Aaron Nixon, 34 -- 141 G, .248 BA, 5 HRs, 41 RBIs; Unsigned free agent; Remains unsigned
LHP – Zachary Stella, 35-- 59 G, 4-1, 2 Svs., 4.07 ERA, 55.1 IP, 64 Ks; Unsigned free agent; Signed with Madison
LHP – Oscar Martinez, 31 -- 45, 2-1, 0 Svs., 5.40 ERA, 46.2 IP, 47 Ks; Unsigned free agent; Signed with Madison

Newcomers
2B – Marcos Francis, 31 – 156 G, .253 BA, 18 HRs, 76 RBIs, .743 OPS.; Signed from Rockford as free agent
INF – Alfredo Gomez, 26 – 96 G, .184 BA, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs, .517 OPS; Trade with Louisville
OF – Yan C. Dixon, 33 – 88 G, .276 BA, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs, .770 OPS; Minor league signing
LHP – Armando Cintron, 33 – 6 G, 0-0, 2 SVs., 6.23 ERA, 4.1 IP, 8 Ks; Signed from Green Bay as free agent

Starting rotation
RHP -- Jesse McNaboe, 27 - 34 G, 17-5, 3.73 ERA, 207.1 IP, 149 Ks, 1.32 WHIP
McNaboe occasionally has some ugly innings, but he has more outings where he is one of the best pitchers in the game. He almost always throws a ton of innings – his 207.1 in 2035 topped the league – and he owns a career mark of 70-40 since making the jump to the majors in 2029.
RHP -- Jake McDonald, 29 - 33 G/32 GS, 15-12, 3.39 ERA, 202.0 IP, 179 Ks, 1.27 WHIP
Acquired from Ann Arbor prior to the 2035 season, McDonald put together one of the best campaigns of any pitcher in the NL. He topped 200 innings, with 202.0, for the third straight year. He also led all starters with a 6.0 WAR.
LHP -- Shane Drogo, 30 - - 32 G, 9-13, 4.22 ERA, 185.1 IP, 150 Ks, 1.32 WHIP
Although he had a better campaign than his initial season in St. Louis, when he went 3-10 with a 6.47 ERA, Drogo again had his share of struggles in 2035. He did more than double his innings total – going from 89 to 185.1 –and saw his WHIP drop from 1.74 to 1.32.
RHP – Xavier Wigfall, 27 – 9 G, 1-4, 6.80 ERA, 45.0 IP, 42 Ks, 1.49 WHIP
Wigfall did not take the mound until July because of off-season Tommy John surgery. And when he joined the Walkers rotation in July, he was not good at all. He did pitch better in spring training. Hoping his struggles were due to the injury layoff, St. Louis still hopes Wigfall can become a top of the rotation starter.
RHP – Edward Kunselman, 32 – 32 G/31 GS, 12-8, 4.09 ERA, 178.1 IP, 138 Ks, 1.21 WHIP
Acquired in a trade with Toledo before the 2035 season, Kunselman proved better than expected for pitcher who was just in his second season as a full-time major league starter. He ate up innings (178.1) and was good enough to turn in 15 quality starts.

Relief pitchers
RHP – Nick Strother, 31 – 55 G, 4-2, 18 Svs., 3.19 ERA, 53.2 IP, 70 Ks, 1.23 WHIP
Acquired before the 2034 season from Toledo to be the team’s closer, Strother held down that role until the Walkers traded for Bobby Westerman in late July. Strother converted 18 of 22 save opportunities. He will open the 2036 season as the closer, with Westerman opening the season in the injured list because of a back injury.
RHP – Scott Rissler, 30 – 78 G, 7-4, 1 Sv., 3.13 ERA, 77.2 IP, 86 Ks, 1.29 WHIP
In his third season with the Walkers, Rissler pitched in a career-high 78 games in 2035. While his number across the board saw a slight uptick, the 30-year-old remains a reliable arm out of the bullpen.
RHP – Chris Eason, 28 -- 12 G, 0-1, 0 Svs., 7.11 ERA, 12.2 IP, 12 Ks, 1.58 WHIP
Due to injuries Eason will get the chance to start the season in the majors. He received a couple of callups in 2035, and did not fare well. If Eason struggles this time, he could be out of chances.
RHP – Ryan Marzella, 30 – 39 G/12 Gs, 9-6, 17 Svs., 2.57 ERA, 108.2 IP, 118 Ks, 0.92 WHIP – All games at AAA Memphis
Like Eason, Marzella will get the chance to pitch in the majors. If he struggles, this could be his last opportunity. Marzella did have a good season at AAA Memphis in 2035, serving both as a starter and the closer for the PCL champion Redbirds.
LHP – Armando Cintron, 33 – 6 G, 0-0, 2 Svs., 6.23 ERA, 4.1 IP, 8 Ks, 2.31 WHIP
Signed as a free agent after spending last season in Green Bay, Cintron missed almost all of the 2035 campaign with a torn labrum. Cintron, who has been in the majors since 2027, owns a career record of 28-33 with 206 saves and a 2.61 ERA in 403 games.
LHP – Nick Ruffalo, 28 – 60 G, 3-1, 4 Svs., 3.00 ERA, 60.0 IP, 75 Ks, 1.18 WHIP
Ruffalo continued to provide a solid left-handed arm out of the bullpen for St. Louis in 2035. His WHIP (1.18) was the highest of his career, still it was among the lowest for left-handers.
LHP – Greg Sones, 27 – 56 G, 7-1 4 Svs., 3.69 ERA, 46.1 IP, 59 Ks, 1.25 WHIP
Sones first full-season in the majors was an impressive one going 7-1 with four saves. He allowed just 0.6 home runs per nine innings, while striking out 11.5 in the same span.
LHP – Ron Cox, 24 – 6 G, 0-0, 0 Svs., 3.18 ERA, 5.2 IP, 9 Ks, 0.88 WHIP
A starter at AAA Memphis for much of the season, where he was 14-5 with a 2.74 ERA in 29 games/23 starts, Cox was added to the Walkers bullpen for the September stretch run. Due to a lack of movement in his pitches, Cox may be better utilized as a reliever in the majors. The Walkers want to see how he fares over a full season before deciding to keep him in the ‘pen or return him to the rotation.

Catchers
St. – Jackson Miller, 34 – 88 G, .265 BA, 7 HRs, 45 RBIs, .768 OPS
Various Injuries forced Miller to miss more than seven weeks of action, but when he did play Miller probably ranked among the best catchers in the National League. Not only is he good hitter, due to his ability to make contact, but few handle a pitching staff better than the 34-year-old.
BU – Zach Wenman, 27 – 89 G, .339 BA, 2 HRs, 38 RBIs, .781 OPS
St. Louis wasn’t really sure what it had when it decided to make Wenman its primary backup catcher in 2035, but what the Walkers learned is he’s a guy who can hit. Wenman batted over .360 much of the summer, which was important with starter Jackson Miller missing significant time with injury, before fading in the final weeks. He also proved adept at handling the talented River Walkers’ pitching staff.

Infielder
1B – Nick Shaw 27 – 151 G, .335 BA, 31 HRs, 123 RBIs, .967 OPS
After Shaw’s 2035 season, the Walkers now know they have one of the elite players in the game. His 123 RBIs topped the National League. He also won his Silver Slugger and Gold Glove at first base.
2B – Marcos Francis, 32 – 156 G, .253 BA, 18 HRs, 76 RBIs, .743 OPS
A two-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2034 World Series when he was with Grand Rapids, St. Louis signed Francis away from Rockford as a free agent in the offseason. While his offensive numbers dipped with the Lightning, Francis remained one of the elite defensive second baseman in the game. He also rarely misses a contest, having played at least 155 games each of the past four seasons.
SS – Abdul-Nasser Bin Amr 25 – 101 G, .324 BA, 4 HRs, 42 RBIs, .793 OPS; Split between AAA Memphis and AA Springfield
The Walkers have always liked what they’ve seen from Bin Amr defensively as he made his way through the minors, but when he put up impressive numbers at the plate between Springfield (AA) and Memphis (2035), they decided to give him a shot in spring training. He made the most of it, hitting .283 in 27 games to earn the chance to start on Opening Day.
3B Bob Saavedra, 24 – 153 G, .336 BA, 14 HRs, 90 RBIs, .850 OPS
One of the best stories of the 2035. Not favorably looked upon by the scouts, all Saavedra did was produce throughout the minors until he earned the River Walkers starting job at third base in spring training of 2035. He went on to become a unanimous NL Rookie of the Year selection, while topping the league with his 220 hits and 655 at-bats as the team’s lead-off hitter.
UT – Chris Duncan, 33 – 88 G, .256 BA, 4 HRs, 22 RBIs, .639 OPS
Back for his third season in St. Louis, Duncan provides depth at second and third base as well as shortstop.
UT – Alfredo Gomez, 26 – 96 G, .184 BA, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs, .517 OPS; Acquired from Louisville in trade
Like Duncan, Gomez’s strength is his ability to provide quality defense at first base, second base and shortstop. Unlike Duncan, who bats from the right side, Gomez hits from the left.

Outfielders
RF – Manuel Coke, 23 – 126 G, .293 BA, 22 HRs, 74 RBIs, .930 OPS
If Saavedra had not been the NL Rookie of the Year, it would have been Coke who finished second in the voting. Despite not being called up until mid-May, Coke still managed to hit 22 homers and drove in 74 runs. Looks to be a middle of the order bat for years to come for the Walkers.
CF – Jose Segura, 30 – 128 G, .192 BA, 24 HRs, 79 RBIs, .687 OPS
Coming into July of 2035, Segura was hitting .258 with 19 homers and 52 RBIs. Not long after, the Walkers gave him a contract extension covering three seasons and $50 million (the third season feature a team buyout). From there, Segura tanked hitting just five home runs and driving in 27 over the final 80 games of the season. Segura will have to get back close to his form of the early part of the season for St. Louis to be successful. There also are a couple of players in Memphis, who could take his place.
LF – Hector Tavarez, 26 – 65 G, .203 BA, 10 HRs, 23 RBIs, .651 OPS
This will be the third time Tavarez, once the top-rated hitting prospect in the MBL, has been given an opportunity to win a starting job. If he doesn’t do it this time, it could be his last as far as it comes with the River Walkers. Although, his final numbers do not impress, he did have a solid final two weeks of the regular season for St. Louis.
OF – Nathaniel Dixon, 29 – 126 G, .230 BA, 9 HRs, 37 RBIs, .683 OPS
Dixon has become a mainstay off the bench for the Walkers, as he is entering his sixth season as the team’s primary backup outfielder. Dixon’s stats were not his best in 2035, but his ability to be a plus defender at all three positions make him a valuable commodity.
OF – Yan C. Dixon, 33 – 88 G, .276 BA, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs, 770 OPS; w/Columbus, signed as free agent
Like the other Dixon, the Walkers like Yan’s ability to play above average defense in left and center. He also brings some pop at the plate, while batting from the right-side compared to Nathaniel hitting from the left.

Others to watch
SP – Kevin Hrdlicka 24 – 29 G/29 GS, 14-4, 3.12 ERA, 158.2 IP. 200 Ks, 1.28 WHIP
The right-hander would have earned a rotation spot with many teams, but with Hrdlicka the Walkers figured it would be better to start the season in the minors to work on his control (35 rating). He did make two starts in St. Louis in 2035 – going 0-2 with a 3.86 – and was very impressive in five spring training starts, going 0-1 with a 1.55 ERA.
OF – Mark Waterson, 23 – 131 G, .270 BA, 31 HRs, 82 RBIs, .871 OPS; Split between AAA Memphis and AA Springfield
A strong showing in spring training, where he hit .240 with nine homers and nine RBIs in 29 games, put Waterson in the running to make the team out of camp. For now, he’ll have to wait and see how Tavarez and Segura fare to see when he’ll get his next shot at the majors.
3B – Mark Herman, 23 – 131 G, .275 BA, 18 HRs, 81 RBIs, .940 OPS
While Saavedra will be hard to dislodge at third base, Herman shows the Walkers have solid depth at the position with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2034 draft.

Injured
Cl – Bobby Westerman 27 – 18 G, 1-1, 15 Svs., 0.98 ERA, 18.1 IP. 21 Ks, 0.71 ERA; Acquired from Madison at trade deadline
Westerman played a huge role in helping the River Walkers stay in the race post All-Star break converting all 15 of his save opportunities. He then decided to re-sign with St. Louis as a free agent in the offseason. Unfortunately, he will miss at least the first four weeks after suffering a herniated disc in spring training.
RP – Angel Tiburcio, 31 – 47 G, 2-1, 3 Svs., 4.54 ERA, 67.1 IP, 47 Ks., 1.26 WHIP
It appears Tiburcio’s career is probably over. A three-time Cy Young winner for the River Walkers, the veteran right-hander suffered a torn rotator cuff in the offseason and is expected to miss the entire season. Unable to make the cut as a starter, Tiburcio spent the 2035 season in the St. Louis bullpen and probably performed better than expected. With a team option on the final year of his five-year $87.5 million dollar contract, there is no doubt Tiburcio will be cut from the Walkers’ roster.

Consensus
This team should contend.
Most of the players are back from last season's 2035 team, which won 89 games and there appears to be an upgrade at second base in Marcos Francis.
Nick Shaw is elite at first base. Bob Saavedra put together a historical rookie season at third.
Right fielder Manuel Coke was the second-best rookie in the National League.
The pitching staff was probably the National League best.
The starters go deep into games.
The relievers don't blow many leads, and Westerman was elite as a closer after joining the team at the trade deadline.
There will be someone concern in the opening weeks, with Westerman out with an injury, as another right-handed reliever may need to be acquired.
The keys, along with health, will probably be in center field and left, with Jose Segura and Hector Tavarez.
Segura was once an All-Star, and seemed to be playing that way again in 2035 before tanking after he received his contract extension.
Tavarez was once among the MBL's top hitting prospects, and has destroyed pitching all through the minors.
That hasn't translated in the majors.
He has to change that.
This team should win 90 to 95 games, if that is good enough to win the National League South remains to be seen.