Chicago Hornet 1846 Preview

[chicago_gm]

Hornets Have High Hopes
Youth Takes Over at Several Positions

By Caitlen Sullivan
Chicago Sun Times Sports
March 21, 1846

One year removed from an exciting World Championship as a Nationwide Division Wild Card playoff contender, the Chicago Hornets are setting their sights on a first ever divisional crown. Last year the team again attained Wild Card entry to the post season, but the Hornets have never topped the division in the regular season. There’ll be some changes in place in the lineups as the club moves to rookies at several key posotions.

First Base:
Steve Chowen won the Triple Crown, a Most Valuable Hitter award, and a Silver Glove last year as a first baseman last year, but he’ll revert to his preferred position behind the plate for 1846. Taking over at first will be free agent Eugene Nelson who signed a four-deal with an additional year at his option. Nelson doesn’t match the Hornet mold as a fielding wizard, but he brings some much needed power to the lineup. He’s hit 105 home runs over the past three years.

Second Base:
Veljko Svabic is back for the final year of his contract at second base. He’s free agent eligible at year end if he doesn’t come to terms on a new contract. He’s always been a sold contributor and will likely continue to hit second in the batting order. Dwight Petersen is his prime backup although the versatile Joe Johnson can play about anywhere now that he’s apparently out of a regular job.

Third Base:
Carlos Gonzales, the starter for the past two seasons, was a vacuum cleaner in the field, but he’s gone now and remains an unsigned free agent. Taking over will be 1844 number one draft pick Francisco Meléndez who split last season between A and AAA, hitting over .300 in both places. As good as Gonzalez was in the field, Meléndez may be even better and he has a rocket for an arm. Johnson will be the backup.

Shortstop:
Last year rookie Doug Reynolds and veteran Joe Johnson started the year platooning at shortstop, but by year end Reynolds had won the job full time. He is brilliant in the field and maintained a solid .280 average at the plate. If he has a shortcoming, it’s a lack of home run power. but he gets his share of extra base hits. Johnson will help out at times.

Left Field:
Jacob Hall played center field as a rookie last year, but he’ll shift his tack to left field for the coming year. Another brilliant fielder, he disappointed somewhat ta the plate and hopes to improve on his .264 batting average. It’s expected he will, and he may get a shot at the lead off spot where he can showcase his outstanding speed. Spencer Miller cedes the regular job in left and will be the primary backup in the outfield this year.

Center Field:
Ross Foyt saw action in just 41 games last year after his mid-year call up, but the twenty year old will take over as the starter in center field. He has few peers in the field and he hit .283 in his limited opportunities last year. Miller and the ubiquitous Joe Johnson provide backup.

Right Field:
Mark Powell is back for year four. He very adequate in the field without the flash of Foyt or Hall, and he has improved his average a bit in each of his three seasons (to .289 last year). He too is a threat on the bases and is a legitimate leadoff hitter of Hall doesn’t win that job. Miller and Johnson back up.

Catcher
Robin Whitmire and Travis Sanders remain with the club, but will have to be content with seeing limited action as Steven Chowen picks up the tools of ignorance once again. Chowen will could easily repeat his 1B Silver Glove award at his new (and preferred) position.

Designated Hitter
When playing the other division’s home parks, Spencer Miller will act as the designated hitter. When he does, Joe Johnson will be the sole backup outfielder.

Rotation:
No changes here from the past two seasons. Stopper Bobby Foster is coming off consecutive 20 win seasons; last year he struck out 321 batters, 25 off the league record. Rich Malone won 19 last year and sports a nice new long term contract. Bill Hicks won 15 last year while Artie Richer posted a 12-12 mark despite an impressive 3.26 ERA. Angel Bautista disappointed a bit last year after a fine year in 1844, but he has a solid hold on the number five rotation spot. Jose Gonzalez will be around if he is needed.

Bullpen
Colby Wade remains the anchor of the bullpen in the closer role. He has 123 saves over three seasons. Walt Brown was released, so Pancho Gutierrez and free agent Chris Barraclough will duke it out for the set-up role. Mike Dryden, Al Denton, and Jeremy Bonnet return as excellent middle men.

[Cole]

Nice article... See you at the top of the standings again this year! I think my team tops the 100-win plateau this season.

Also, you called your team the Bulls in the first paragraph!

[chicago_gm]

Freudian slip?
Fixed.
Thanks.