The Pork N Beans enter season 10 with high expectations. After winning their 6th division title in a row in season 9, but again failing to progress past the 1st round of the playoffs management decided to address their biggest weakness – starting pitching. Veterans Britt Swindell and Russell Spence from the Deuce Droppers (fightin’ armadillos) were added at the expense of two solid pitching prospects. The additions of Swindell and Spence should improve upon the teams mediocre starting pitching. The PnBs also added veteran 2B Jim Edmonds. The real question is will this be enough to surpass the NLs elite teams like the Reds, Cubs and Swingers.
C - Max Lima - Last seasons gold glove winning catcher is back. Minor injuries last season limited him to 437 ABs, but he still managed to hit 33 HRs, and 99 RBIs. His pitch calling is weak and he struggles against RH pitchers, but he still one of the better catchers in the NL.
1B - Zoltan Mercedes - Last seasons MVP. He hopes to add a 2nd MVP title this season.
2B - David Colin and Raymond Neal - Colin and Neal are expected to platoon at 2B with Colin getting the majority of the ABs against RH pitchers, and Neal against LH pitchers. Colin is a little better defensively and little more consistent at the plate. Neal has great speed.
SS - Vernon Rooney - One the NLs top SS. Solid defensively and at the plate.
3B - Jim Edmonds -
LF - Junior Bocachica - In his 1st full season in the majors Junior hit 34 HRs and 103 RBIs. Hopefully he can improve upon that in season 10.
CF - David Colin and Pedro Fernandez - Colin and Fernandez are expected to split time in CF. Fernandez was on fire in the early part of last season, but really cooled off as the season progressed. Colin will shift to CF against RH pitchers. Last season he dealt with some minor injuries and a slow start. When Fernandez started struggling at the plate around the midpoint of last season he took over in CF.
RF - David Guardado - Guarardo was horrible last season. After seeing dramatic improvements in season 8, Guarardo struggled in season 9. Hopefully he can return to his season 8 form.
Bench:
Vince Fyhrie - Backup catcher who only plays when fatigue necessitates that
Maximo Starr - Power hitter who strikes out too much. He should see some time at 3B, and RF.
Slash Kroeger - Every day player last season who will be used in a utility role this season.
Starting Pitchers:
- Bubba Rose - Not really the teams ace but management is loyal to Bubba since he was the teams 1st draft pick. Won his first pitcher of the week award last season. Expect 15 wins, with an era around 4.
- Britt Swindell - Won his 3rd, and most likely final CY Young last season. Hopefully he can adjust to the NL.
- Russell Spence - Struggled a bit last season. Still he was better than most of the PnBs starters last season.
- Gary Wyatt - Won his first pitcher of the week last season. Solid in the regular season, horrible in the playoffs.
- Michael Ming - Managements hopes that Ming will be anything more than a mediocre pitcher are beginning to diminish. He did show some potential over the 2nd half of last season though.
Bullpen:
Long Reliever A - Max White - Forced to start a few games last season due to the PnBs pathetic rotation. Solid out of the pen.
Long Reliever B - Aaron Ohka - Way over paid. Ohka was forced to start a few games last season due to the PnBs pathetic rotation. Solid out of the pen.
Setup A - Willard Farley - One of the leagues best setup men.
Setup B - Heath O'Brien - Gets the job done. Started off last season 7 – 0 before cooling off.
Setup B - Joey Henderson - Poor stamina and durability limits him to about 40 innings a season.
Setup B - Rick Dickson - Called up late last season. Pitched extremely well in AAA in seasons 8 and 9. Poor durability limits his innings.
Setup B - Groucho Rogers - He pitched extremely well in AAA and the majors last season.
Closer - Dan Stearns - He should be one of the NLs top closers this season.
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