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Old 04-01-2012, 07:02 PM   #1
chicago_gm
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Chicago Hornet Outlook for 1847



Hornets Add Some Power
Ready to Make Another Run at SLOP Title

By Caitlen Sullivan
Chicago Sun Times Sports
March 21, 1847

Last season the Chicago Hornets got very hot in the second half of the season and stormed to the best record in the SLOP Nationwide League before disappointing themselves and their fans by losing to the surprising Brooklyn Titans in the first round of the playoffs. This year the SLOP has contracted down to a mere eight teams. Milwaukee, Kyoto, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles have disbanded with its best players distributed across the remaining eight teams in a contraction draft. The Hornets are ready for another run at the title and the gloryu that they won in 1844. Let’s review the lineup, highlighting the changes.

First Base:

Eugene Nelson came to the Hornets as a free agent last year. He is somewhat lacking defensively, but he sure added some power to the Hornet lineup. He ended up with 40 home runs, a career high for him, and 131 runs batted in. He’ll be back. Dewitt Peterson is the backup.

Second Base:

Veljko Svabic comes off a banner year in which he hit .331. There is concern that he may start to slow down at age 32, but he’ll be in the lineup on an everyday basis until he proves he cannot do the job anymore. Last year’s regular shortstop, Doug Reynolds, moves to utility duty and will the prime replacement. Petersen can play here as well as at 1B.

Third Base:

Francisco Meléndez is only 21 and still has room to improve on his fine rookie season in which he hit .275. He’s solid defensively at the hot corner. Super versatile Joe Johnson is his prime backup.

Shortstop:

As mentioned, last year’s starter, Doug Reynolds, moves to utility duty. Taking over the starting job will be Clarence McIvor who acquired from Los Angeles in the contraction draft. He’s brilliant defensively at SS as well as at 3B and 2B. He’s only 22 and can improve on his .272 average last season as a Vulcan. Reynolds will be ready when needed.

Left Field:

Jacob Hall hit .287 in the leadoff spot and stole 52 bases last year. He covers left field brilliantly and takes a lot of pressure off the center fielder as well. Mark Powell and Joe Johnson will be the reserves.

Center Field:

Young Ross Foyt did a fine job starting here last year, hitting .282. He’s as good in center as Hall is in left, and he’ll be able to make for a lot of defensive short comings in right field. Powell and Johnson back up.

Right Field:

Mark Powell has been a four year starter here, but he gives way to Johnny Ressano, a contraction draft acquisition from Los Angeles. Ressano will have his defensive liabilities, but he adds a third power bat to the Chicago offense (as indicated by his 32 home runs and 131 RBIs last year). Powell will play some here, but it will be Johnson who will come in the late innings as a defensive substitute.

Catcher

No worries here as four time All Star Steven Chowen will provide all the offense and defense that you could want from a backstop. He’d like to add a Silver Glove to go along with the ones he won at first base before he reverted to catching. Robin Whitmire is gone, but Travis Sanders remains with the club as the backup catcher.

Designated Hitter

When playing the other division’s home parks, Ressano will move to the the designated hitter role while Mark Powell starts in his place in right field.

Rotation:

The major change here is the loss of Angel Bautista who was not offered a new contract and remains a free agent at this time. He slumped to 12-12 last year. Replacing him in the rotation will be Juan Salsa, acquired via the contraction draft from Milwaukee. He had an off year in 1846, but the Hornets expect him to rebound nicely in his new surroundings. He’ll be in three slot.

Ace Bobby Foster is at the top of his game. He racked up a pitching Triple Crown last year, topping the Nationwide in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Rich Malone actually hopes to improve on his 17-12 mark in the number two slot. Artie Richer will be number four. He was 14-8 last season. Bill Hicks will be in the number five spot, and he must improve on his disappointing 9-11 season. Jose Gonzalez hangs on to a roster spot as another starter if necessary, but he will mostly see mop-up duty from the pen.


Bullpen

Colby Wade has 163 saves in four years, and he remains king of the bullpen. He’s in the last year of his contract after accepting his player option for this season (to the relief of the front office). Free agent Mike Todd will be Wade’s new set-up man. He could become the closer next year if Wade doesn’t extend. Pancho Gutierrez, Chris Barraclough, Jeremy Bonnet, and Al Denton round out a very strong pen. Mike Dryden was released after a horrible year.

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