Tropic Times (March 1999) Vol II.I

[EchoesIE]

Honolulu, HA -- Spring Training is over. The Tropics posted a respectable 16-8 record, showing that they will continue to be a force in the Johnson League West. Granted, it is only Spring Training...but GM Josh Cornel is confident that the confidence obtained in Spring Training will carry over to the regular season. Here we have a full breakdown of the Tropics, position-by-position (an * represents opening day starter).

Catcher
Robin Larker* - Larker hit an adequate .256 in Spring Training with 3 HR and 14 RBI. Larker is expected to maintain his .250+ average and hit another 30 homeruns, yet the 33 year old is on his last legs (or knees) and might have a slight decline in numbers.
Kevin Bulder - Bulder was an early call up from last season, and didn't perform too bad when he did start behind Larker. Bulder didn't get too many hacks in the Spring, going to the plate only 39 times, yet managed 9 hits (3 of which were doubles). Bulder will continue to back up Larker, and learn the pitchers as best he can while refining his bat.

1st Base
David Smurf* - Smurf was an off and on guy in 1998. While crushing 45 HR and co-leading the team with 112 RBI, Smurf hit a career low .245. Smurf however, came back this Spring. Hitting a fair .286 in 84 At-Bats. Smurf will bat clean-up for the Tropics opening day, hoping his power and his average return to normal career numbers.

2nd Base
George Gutowski* - If his Spring numbers are any signs of things to come, Gutowski could find himself livingin the lap of luxury in Hawaii. Gutowski was a good middle-infielder in 1998, but just couldn't break the barrier between adequate and decent. Gutowski's spring went much better, as he hit a remarkable .360 in 89 AB. Gutowski had 5 more hits than any other player this spring, as well as swiping 7 bases. With Gutowski currently penciled into the 8th slot on opening day, he'll hope to bring a spark to the bottom of the order.

3rd Base
Robb Wells* - Robb Wells had a very good 1998 season, and would probaly have been the recepiant of an off-season extension had not all his work been surpassed by a certain outfielder. Wells hit .288 in 1998, yet was far more productive -- bashing in 26 HR, 83 RBI, 95 Runs and 37 Doubles. Wells continued his good fortune into the Spring, where he went 23-82 (.280 AVG), Wells didn't have many other surprising numbers however, and he can be forgiven, as he came down with the Flu just a week into Spring Training. Wells looks to continue hitting near the .300 mark, while also being a 25/90/90 guy.

Shortstop
Tim McGraw* -- The Tropic's captain had a fantastic 1998 campaign, taking an All-Star game and coming in 3rd in PoTY voting. McGraw can most certainly produce with the best of them, and to his own reckoning, doesn't need (or want to) go 100% during Spring. McGraw still hit .250 with 4 HR and 12 RBI in 80 AB's. McGraw would like to keep his production up and we expect another 20/100/100 year from Captain McGraw.
Robert Cullison -- Cullison is a lanky addition to the Tropics and looks to play more of a utility role than anything. Cullison is a organizational grown prospect who impressed enough people in the spring to keep him on the 25 man roster. Last year in AAA San Luis Obispo, Cullison collected a .287 average, 10 HR, 45 RBI and 51 Runs. This spring, Cullison hit .333 in 27 AB's. Cullison has always been a remarkable student of the game, and GM Josh Cornel hopes Cullison will get a quick understanding of this level and be productive.

Outfield
Mark Gosselaar -- Gosselaar was amazing this spring (before getting hurt). Goselaar hit an amazing .481 in his 52 AB's, hitting 4 HR, and batting in 12. Unfortuantely, Gosselaar hurt himself while batting and will miss the first 2 weeks of the season. When he comes back, look for Gosselaar to play near the top of the order and stretch out alot of singles into doubles. We expect a 15/80/100 year from Mark.
Jorge Abad* -- At age 32, Abad is the oldest Tropic's outfielder to suit up. Abad bounced around the lawn last year, playing all 3 outfield positions, hitting an appropriate .287 in his 202 plate appearances. Abad rejoins the team this year, looking to start at the Left Field slot. Abad was one of the most productive players in Spring Training, hitting .322 with a team high 3 HR and 16 RBI. Abad will hit in the 7th slot, hoping for a 20/80/80 year in 1999.
Clark Devereaux* -- Devereaux has never lived up to his potential, but still finds himself starting in Center Field due to Gosselaar's injury. Devereaux .266 this spring, 9 RBI and a team high 10 BB. Perhaps his good eye and patience with pitches will keep him around (and at the top of the batting order). Otherwise it's not too unlikely Devereaux will find himself playing ball back in California at the AAA level.
Silas Camarena* -- The darling of the Tropics, the fan's favorite and understudy to the Team Captain. Camarena was awarded with a 5 year extension in late August of last year. Camarena had a stellar year in 1998, hitting .318 with 22 HR, 97 RBI, 105 Runs, 58 Doubles, and just 86 Strikeout (the least of any player with 500+ AB's). Camareana had a good Spring to follow it up: .276 AVG, 3 HR, 30 RBI and 4 doubles. Camarena has always been a hardworker and we don't see anything different from Camarena this year, expecting a 25/100+/100+ year from the stud.

Opening Day Lineup
1. Clark Devereaux (CF)
2. Robb Wells (3B)
3. Robin Larker (C)
4. David Smurf (1B)
5. Silas Camarena (LF)
6. Tim McGraw (SS)
7. Jorge Abad (RF)
8. George Gutowski (2B0
9. Pitcher

Starting Pitching
Freddy Bilbao -- Bilbao was off and on in 1998 before missing the last month due to a shoulder injury. He came back ready to go and made 5 starts in Spring Training. Bilbao was good in some areas, horrible in others: 4.60 ERA in 15.7 IP, with a .256 OAVG. Bilabo is the top of the pitching staff for the Tropics and will need a 15+ win season while keeping his ERA low to keep his elite status.
Felix Pan -- Pan was a pickup in the last week of Spring Training and unfortunately didn't get any work in at all. He's a 10 million dollar pickup directly from GM Josh Cornel who hopes to capitalize on Pan's prior success. Pan will be 3rd in the rotation and look for a strong season if he hopes to stay with Hawaii after 1999.
Angel Miranda -- Miranda is sliding into the Starting Rotation after spending 1998 in the Bullpen. Miranda started 3 games, won 2 of them and worked an adequate 12 innings. Miranda is the only southpaw in the starting rotation and looks to keep his starting gig throughout the year.
Dow Jones -- Jones was the major free-agent pickup for the Tropics this last off-season. Jones is expected to start behind Bilbao and become a focal point of the rotation. This Spring, Jones pitched in 4 games, won 1 of them and had an OAVG of .229.
Remington Little -- Little was an enigma in 1998, coming on strong on some starts and then throwing away the game in others. Little will bring up the back of the rotation and also look to solidify his Starting Rotation spot. Little's spring numbers were 18 IP, a 2.5 ERA, 12 K's and an OAVG of just .212

Starting Rotation
1. Freddy Bilbao
2. Dow Jones
3. Angel Miranda
4. Felix Pan
5. Remington Little

Relief Pitching
The Bullpen of the Tropics had the 2nd lowest ERA in the Johnson League this year, with GM Josh Cornel's strong focus on multiple relievers that are decent against certain types of batters, the 8 relievers of the Tropics are all looking to get the most amount of playing time while staying true to their pitching style. The former starting pitcher Steve Cooke was amongst the best this spring, with his ERA of 2.31 in 23 IP. Michael McBean was another star of the Bullpen this Spring, pitching 12 innings, allowing 8 hits against and posting a stupid .83 WHIP and .193 OAVG.

Closer
Leo Lopez -- Lopez is money. No doubts about it, in 1998 Lopez racked up 38 saves (3rd most in JL play) and in the spring his dominance continued, saving each game he came into. Lopez was also plugged into some other games to get his arm ready, his final tally was 15.7 IP, 6 Hits-Against, a WHIP of 0.57, and an OAVG of .120