[PilotMan]

LA has a new manager, and he's not impressive.


Bryan Bennett isthe new head of the team. He last managed in the minors 10 years ago. He's a nice guy, conventional manager. But most importantly, he's cheap. His 115k a year salary has to be one of the cheapest in baseball. Can you tell our owner loves profits over winning? Hate that guy.


PITCHERS


Starters


Andy Pettitte, LHP, 3rd season, 22y/o
10-5, 3.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 128 ERA+


The ace of the staff? Maybe? Would love to see him all season and not be hurt. May still need more seasoning, but promising.


Ismael Valdez, RHP, 3rd season, 21y/o
1-2, 5.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 79 ERA+


Coming off of a shoulder injury that saw him miss almost all the the season. The former 2nd round pick is ready to make an impact.


Chris Holt, RHP, 3rd season, 23y/o
11-16, 3.67 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 109 ERA+


Ate a lot of innings last season, the former first round pick had good numbers, and we all want to see him repeat those numbers with some offense.


Terrell Berthau, RHP, 2nd season, 23y/o
16-10, 2S, 3.91 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 102 ERA+


Split time between the pen and starting, and pitched rather well for a guy who once was a 29th round selection.


Paul Wilson, RHP, Rookie, 22y/o
3-4, 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 86 ERA+


Came up late in the year, he's a 3rd round pick, and the Dodgers 13th ranked prospect in the organization.


Bullpen


Lee Tunnell, RHP, 6th season, 34y/o
Out of baseball


Unbelievably made the team after being out of baseball last season and having last pitched in the majors in 1988 with the Red Sox.


Kevin Richards, RHP, 9th season, 36y/o
3-3, 4S, 6.41 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 69 ERA+


Last year played for the Braves and Brewers. LA is his 7th team. Going to be 37, but is a great guy in the dugout.


Zane Smith, LHP, 11th season, 34y/o
3-3, 3S, 4.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 111 ERA+


Two-time all star with the Braves. Has transitioned to the bullpen, but can still start if needed. Pitched for both the Mariners and the Rockies last year.


Edward Lindsey, LHP, 11th season, 35y/o
0-1, 2.63 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 149 ERA+


Two-time all start with the Mets. Has been wrecked with injuries through most of his career. Pitched for LA in '93. Still solid when he's healthy.


Pat Rapp, RHP, 4th season, 27y/o
6-17, 4.78 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 84 ERA+


Still a starter in his mind, he's lost out to start the season. 97 starts in the past 3 seasons.


Jose Cleto, RHP, 5th season, 26y/o
2-8, 23S, 2.97 ERA, 1.26 ERA, 135 ERA+


Injuries are still a major concern for him. Arm and shoulder problems were the issue last season. Still hits triple digits on the speed gun.


Rick Aguilera, RHP, 10th season, 33y/o
4-4, 28S, 3.02 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 135 ERA+


Big time free agent get. Two-time all star with the Angels and Phillies. Reliever oft the Year in with the Astros in '93.


BATTERS


Catchers


BJ Surhoff, 9th season, 30y/o
.209/5/29 .594 OPS


Former first round draft pick returns home. He's a reliable catcher and utility man now. But never made it through a year playing more than 138 games.


Mark Leonard, 8th season, 30y/o
.215/8/37 .655 OPS


Journeyman catcher and utility player joins after a year starting for the Blue Jays.


First Base


Fred McGriff,, 10th season, 31y/o
.263/41/121 .852 OPS


Three time All Star, Two time Silver Slugger, MVP Winner. Literally carried the offense last season. Lead the NL in homeruns and RBI's. Four years plus a team option left on his contract.


Larry Sutton, 2nd season, 24y/o
.259/2/8 .700 OPS


In his last option season, Sutton makes the team as a pinch hitter and reserve. Former 3rd round draft pick.


Second Base


Craig Biggio, 9th season, 29y/o
.294/17/90 .877 OPS


Four time All Star, Three time Silver Slugger (2 at C, 1 at 2B). The second big FA signing for LA this season. Signed a long 7-year deal, but can opt out after two years.


Jeff Patzke, Rookie, 21y/o
.271/2/10 .773 OPS


Makes the big jump from "A" ball to the majors. Former 2nd round pick. Dodgers 10th ranked prospect. Good defensive infielder.


Short Stop


Jose Vizcaino, 3rd season, 27y/o
.279/0/34 .685 OPS


Should have started last season, but missed a ton of time with an injury. Will get another shot this season,will help out on defense,but can he hit?


Third Base


Charlie Montoyo, 5th season, 29y/o
.210/3/41 .595 OPS


Started last year, but arguably one of the weakest spots on the team. Right now, he's just a placeholder for Scott Rolen.


Outfield


Rickey Henderson, 17th season, 36y/o
.230/7/36 .688 OPS


Coming off the worst season of his career. He's still under contract for another two years. Four time Gold Glove, Five time All Star, two time Silver Slugger. Still starting in left.


Darren Lewis, 5th season, 27y/o
.258/4/34 55 SB .686 OPS


He's been a reliable starter for LA in center. Still holding onto the job. Little injuries have been chipping away at him every year.


Bobby Abreu, 2nd season, 21y/o
.263/10/51 28 SB, .815 OPS


Coming off a great rookie season, he looks like the real deal for LA. Still missed 30 games with injuries. Former first round pick.


Carl Everett, 4th season, 23y/o
.266/6/25 .755 OPS


You have to wonder if he will supplant Henderson in left sooner rather than later. He's clearly got starting level talent, but for now, he comes off the bench.


Bill Masse, 3rd season, 28y/o
.273/0/6 .815 OPS


He's been up and down over 5 years with LA. He's out of option years, but this is probably his last shot to make a ML career. Above average runner and fielder, but guys like him in the clubhouse.




Top Prospects


Note: LA is regarded as the top farm system in the Majors. I guess losing all these years has paid off in one way.


1. Chris Carpenter, 19
#8 ML Prospect
5-7, 2.24 ERA, 101 IP 0.97 WHIP in Rookie and Class A
Starts in Low A


2. Scott Rolen, 19
#9 ML Prospect
.362/16/96 1.033 OPS in Rookie and Class A
MVP in Class A California League
Starts in AA


3. Richard Hidalgo, 19
#14 ML Prospect
.320/6/48 .846 OPS in Class A
Starts in Class A


4. Carlos Beltran, 17
#52 ML Prospect
First Round Draft pick (10th Overall 1994)
Starts in Rookie Ball


5. Raul Rodarte, 24
#53 ML Prospect
.275/11/66 .780 OPS in Class AA
Former first round pick, top catching prospect, running out of time, but now utility prospect. You can make a good argument he should be starting over Montoyo.
Starts in AAA


6. Sean Estes, 22
#79 ML Prospect
2-3, 3.02, 53 IP 1.23 WHIP in Class A
Starts in AAA
Could be primed to debut this season.


7. John Thompson, 21
#94 ML Prospect
12-4, 2.58 ERA 163 IP, 1.12 WHIP in Class A and AA
Starts in AAA


8. Brett Tomko, 21
#99 ML Prospect
Second Round Draft Pick (49th Overall 1994)
Starts in AA


9. Pedro Valdes, 21
#115 ML Prospect
.308/4/55 .736 OPS in Class A
Starts in AAA


10. Jeff Patzke, 21
#125 ML Prospect
.271/2/10 .773 in Class A
Starts in the Majors




Believe it or not. The preseason guides have LA penned as the NL West Pennant winners this season. Projected record is 86-76. After years of just terrible baseball, the team is still only 17th in league player payroll, but they have some young talent, and some aging talent. If these guys show up, good things might just happen. Something for a fan to look forward to in a long season of watching games at least.