The inaugural 2000 season of the Millennium League has come and gone. Baltimore scratched thier way to a Continental Division crown and a spot in the Expansion League playoffs. Unfortunately, their playoff stay was short lived as they were swept by the eventual World Champion Colorado Briar Jumpers in four short games in the Divisional Round. The season was not a complete loss though. In addition to the division crown, first-baseman Todd Helton won the Expansion League Most Valuable Player Award. All-in-all, a very rewarding and successful first season.
Several roster moves and a draft later and the Stouts are ready to hit the field running in 2001. Gone are lineup regulars Lance Berkman, Bill Mueller and Adrian Brown. Dispatched from the pitching staff are Kirk Rueter, Andy Pettitte, Armando Benitez, Antonio Osuna and LaTroy Hawkins. In their place are players that promise to have Baltimore poised to make a serious run at not only another Continental Division crown, but at the World Series title as well.
So without any further adieu, let's take a look at how the lineup and pitching staff shapes up for the 2001 season. |
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CATCHER
Last season's second round pick is back behind the plate for 2001. After three trips to the Disabled List in 2000 which saw him miss a combined 114 games, Pudge is looking to make more of an impact this season (
NOTE: Rodriguez went down with an injury again in 2001 in the fourth game of the season which will see him miss 59 days of action). Pudge has the highest WAR rating at 5.0 of any catcher in 2001 despite missing 50 games of action. He's an A+ fielder with a -3 arm. His "F" durability is definitely a concern.
Fick is back in the fold for his second season as backup catcher on key left-handed bat off the bench. 2001 is arguably Fick's best season in his ten year MLB career. He compiled a .816 OPS and 2.4 WAR ratings, both career highs. He's especially good against RHP, going .280/.338/.836 with A power. He's terrible defensively though, earning a D rating in the field with a +4 arm and F rating handling pitchers. His value is obviously at the plate and not behind it. Hopefully his bat will make up for his extreme defensive deficiencies.
In an effort to improve the lineup against LHP and provide an upgrade to Fick's defense behind the plate, Gonzalez was brought over in an off-season trade. He is deadly against southpaws, compiling a .345/.406/.672 triple slash for a 1.078 OPS. He is limited to only 58 ABs, but team's don't throw many lefties out against the Stouts anyway. He's decent enough in the field with a B rating and -1 arm. Combining Wiki with IRod and Fick give the Stouts one of the best triumvirates behind the plate in the MBL.
INFIELD
Announcing your 2000 MBL Expansion League MVP, Todd Helton!!!! This guy had a phenomenal campaign last year en route to his MVP honor. Played in all 162 games, batted .383 with 66 doubles, 48 homers and a remarkable 166 runs scored and 172 RBI. 2001 promises to be a good year as well as he went .336/.432/.685 triple slash for a 1.116 OPS. Helton also excels with the glove, garnering an A/100 fielding rating. He's the cornerstone of the franchise and is locked into the #3 spot in the batting order.
Providing stellar defense from 2B again in 2001, Fernando Vina brings solid offensive production to the table as well against both RHP and LHP. A Gold Glove winner in '01, Vina is rated A/80/-5 defensively, giving the Stouts two "A" rated guys on the right side of the infield. Vina batted .303 with a .357 OBP. He also belted a career high nine homers. Another valuable asset he brings to the table is his "A" rated bunting ability. He also is adept at the hit-and-run, carrying the wonderful A-1B H&R rating.
In THE blockbuster deal of the off-season, Baltimore acquired the services of arguably the best player in baseball over the next few seasons. A-Rod won the MVP award in 2003, 2005 and 2007 while finishing second in 2002. In 2001, all he does is hit .318 with 52 HRs and a 1.021 OPS. He's also very good in the field with a B+/75/-5 rating, giving the Stouts a terrific defensive double-play combo. Pairing him with Helton, both "A" durable players, in the middle of the lineup gives the team a lethal one-two punch and one of the most potent lineups in the entire MBL. Opponents beware!
Young is another off-season acquisition who came along in the ARod deal and was brought in to replace the departed Bill Mueller. Not to be confused defensively with Brooks Robinson, Young will nonetheless man the hot corner for the Stouts against RHP despite his D/5 defensive rating. Against RHP, he compiled a nice line of .311/.367/.520 with "B" power. He also provides insurance in LF in case Rondell White misses any time due to injury. He's also a switch hitter who can pinch hit off the bench against and occasional LHP if necessary.
Graffanino is another guy brought to the team in the ARod deal. He will be the other half of the 3B platoon against LHP, at least for the 47 ABs he limited to be used. Again, not many teams throw LHP against the Stouts. He'll likely start 12-15 games. He hit LHP to the tune of .319/.418/.468. He's no slouch against RHP either, going .296/.345/.378 against them in 98 limited ABs. A great utility guy, he backs up all four IF positions as well as LF and carries a B/30 rating at 3B. He's also a protect candidate as he is very useful for the next four or five seasons.
Baltimore traded up in the draft this year into the 3rd round to acquire Lamb. At the time, he was slated to be the everyday 3B, but then the trade that brought Young materialized and has pushed Lamb into more of a reserve role. But he will still get his ABs. If Young is forced to move to the OF for any reason, Lamb takes over the hot corner against RHP. He will also play some against LHP if/when Graffanino runs out of ABs. He's still a very valuable piece off the bench, hitting over .300 against both LH and RH pitching.
A fan favorite from 2000, Geoff Blum returns to the Baltimore lineup in 2001, although in more of a reserve role than what he played last season. Blum backs up all four IF positions, and can play LF as well. He's just a super solid utility type player who has a shot to crack the lineup if/when Graffanino runs out of ABs against LHP. It will be him or Lamb depending on the splits of the opposing starting pitcher. Blum is also in line to be protected for the 2002 season in which he compiled a solid .807 OPS overall, .862 against RHP with a .390 OBP.
Guerrero is another guy brought to town in the off-season with an eye on 3B. He is killer against RHP, going .383/396/.447 in 94 limited ABs. He's also another guy who can play all the IF positions and LF as well. He'll likely spend the first part of the season in the minors, waiting to see if anyone gets injured. He'll be ready to get plugged right in when the time comes. If not, he could be used as trade bait down the road for somebody looking for a late season upgrade at any of the IF positions.
Here is a guy in the final year of a pretty decent 11 year career. The Stouts grabbed him with their final draft pick in the 11th round. And although he is AB limited and making his swan song, he's actually a very serviceable player in 2001. Sprague can play C, 1B, 3B, LF and RF. The fact he logged time behind the plate makes him attractive in case of injury to IRod. And while he is limited to only 66 ABs against LHP and only 28 vs RHP, he does carry .378 and .364 OBP against each. He's no Johnny Bench behind the dish, but he's no worse than Robert Fick!
OUTFIELD
Rondell White is back for another season in Baltimore black and orange. He's set to be the LF platoon against RHP in 2001. White is a bit of an oddity in that although he bats from the right side, he hits RHP better than lefties. He'll bring a .317/.388/.557 triple slash line to the plate this year with "A" power. He's decent in the field with a B/65 fielding rating, although his +3 arm leaves much to be desired. White is "D" durable, which is a concern, but Dmitri Young is poised to move off the hot corner to fill in if White goes down with an injury.
One of the original Bash Brothers was brought to Baltimore in the off-season to handle the LF platoon against LHP. And bash is what Canseco does against southpaws in 2001 to the tune of a .273/.395/.697 triple slash and 1.092 OPS. Needless to say that carries an "A" power rating for the slugger. Never known for his glove, he actually is quite average in the field in 2001 with a C/50/0 rating. He'll also provide a power bat off the bench against RHP. Canseco will basically serve in the Alberte Belle role from 2000. Big, big bat against LHP.
Cruz comes to town via a late off-season trade which saw beloved Lance Berkman leave Baltimore. In his place is Cruz, who will never reach the offensive output of the departed Berkman, but turns it on with his defensive alility in coming years. In 2001 he is a servicable C/80/0 in CF. At the plate, he belted 34 HR in 2001 and provides some pop from both sides of the plate, with "A" power rating from both. He's also fast. As in 8/5/7 baserunning/lead/steal fast. Him and Vina will be a good duo at the bottom of the Stouts order.
Walker returns to man RF for the Stouts in 2001 after a 2000 season which was marred by injury and only saw him play in 87 games in a Baltimore uniform. This season promises to be a better one for the strong armed Canadian. Walker is "B" durable, so hopefully he can avoid any extended time on the DL this year. He also had a MONSTER year in 2001. Check out these numbers - .350 AVG, .449 OBP and a .662 SLG for a 1.111 OPS. Great in the field with a B+/70 rating and -2 arm. Walker is going to try and bring home a second consecutive Expansion League MVP award to Baltimore in '01.
The acquisition of Hollandsworth shortly after the draft concluded this year could be a head scratcher to some. But he may very well hold the key to postseason success in Baltimore this year. This guy absolutely killed RHP in 2001. If you like Walker's numbers above, then check out Hollandsworth against righties - .408 AVG, .448 OBP and a .735 SLG for a crisp 1.182 OPS. Granted, he's limited to only 100 ABs, but those could be the difference in a few games this year. And come the playoffs, if Baltimore makes them, he will be a tough out for sure.
Clark was drafted by Baltimore in the 10th round of this year's draft to provide outfield depth and a quality bat on the bench. He will be called upon to be a primary pinch-hitter against both left and right-handed pitching. For the 2001 season, he had an overall OBP of .373. Against LHP, he got on base at a stellar .396 clip. Clark is also a "6" rated baserunner, with "B" range in both corner OF positions. He probably won't start many games if any at all, but he will be a valuable member of the bench for sure.
STARTING PITCHING
Chan Ho Park -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parkch01.shtml
Park returns to Baltimore in 2001 as their top rated starting pitcher. He was stellar for the Stouts in 2000, going 13-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 180 Ks in 173 innings of work spanning 24 starts. His acquisition early in the season was critical in the team's playoff push last year. This year he looks to be the Opening Day starter and the ace of the staff. Park earned his only All-Star game appearance in 2001, going 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA. He's JAM rated on his card and is also adept at keeping baserunners at bay with an A/-2 hold rating.
Kevin Brown -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brownke01.shtml
Brown was brought to town in a deal that saw Andy Pettitte leave Baltimore for Cleveland. The big right-hander had a great 2001 season when he was healthy, going 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 19 starts. That's the issue with Brown though, his durability. Rated an "F", the Stouts season could very well hinge on how many games Brown is able to pitch in 2001 (
NOTE: Brown was injured in his third start and is slated to miss 29 days of action). When he does take to the hill, he is wicked against right-handed batters, containing them to just a .184/.246/.246 triple slash against.
Rick Reed -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reedri01.shtml
A late season acquisition in 2000, Reed returns to the Baltimore rotation in 2001 and will be looked upon to be a steady presence in the heart of the rotation. In 2000, Reed came over and had 11 starts with very mixed results. The Baltimore brass is counting on him to do much better this season, and they have every reason to believe he can. An All-Star in 2001, he's an innings eater who doesn't allow a ton of baserunners, carrying an "off" rating and allowing only 31 BBs in over 200 IPs.
Roy Oswalt -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oswalro01.shtml
There are several key players on the Baltimore 30-man roster in 2001 (IRod, Hollandsworth, Brown). But none may be more important than this guy. Oswalt came over in a trade with Atlanta which saw fan favorite Lance Berkman leave town. Feelings were mixed at the time of the deal, but Oswalt brings a top of the rotation arm to a club in desperate need of such a player. Oswalt was selected with the 3rd overall pick in this year's draft, behind only Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suziki. If he can compete for ROY honors with those two then the Stouts should be sitting pretty come playoff time.
Brandon Lyon -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lyonbr01.shtml
Baltimore traded up in the draft into the 3rd round to select Lyon, who was brought in to be the team's 5th starter and insurance in case Kevin Brown goes down with an injury. Lyon is no Cy Young, but he does have very decent splits in the 2001 season, going .289/.336/.406 against left-handed batters and .239/.267/.440 against righties. His OPS against numbers are slightly better against both righty and lefty hitters than Rick Reed's. Lyon is basically a one year rental player though as he is terrible in 2002, and then uncarded in the 2004 set.
Jamey Wright -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighja01.shtml
Wright returns to Baltimore in 2001, albeit in a much different role than a year ago. In 2000, Wright was a trusted member of the Stouts rotation after coming over from the New York Rippers in a mid-season trade. In 11 starts, he went 5-1 with a 4.33 ERA. This season he will likely start the year down on the farm in Indianapolis, waiting in the wings as insurance against an injury to one of the team's top-5 starters. Wright is not terrible in 2001, but his .841 OPS against right-handed batters is a bit worrisome. He may be dealt to a team looking for a rotation arm at some point during the season.
Paul Wilson -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsopa02.shtml
Wilson is a guy on the staff who will most likely spend most of his time out of the bullpen, but has the ability to make a spot start here and there throughout the course of the season. He was brought over in an off-season deal with the New York Rippers. Wilson is like Jamey Wright except he fares well against right-handed batters and is not so good against lefties, allowing them a .833 OPS against. If you could somehow combine the two of them into one, you would have the makings of a very good starter. As it is, Wilson will provide long relief out of the pen with the occasional spot start.
BULLPEN
CL Kazuhiro Sasaki -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sasakka01.shtml
Sasaki was brought to town to do one thing and that's close games. The Rookie-of-the-Year in 2000, he is primed to have another solid season at the back end of games in 2001. An All-Star that year, he saved 45 games with a 3.24 ERA. His card is JAM/OFF rated which is what you're looking for in the 9th inning. Sasaki only pitched four years in MLB. His first he was ROY, the next two an All-Star. After his fourth season, he returned to Japan, citing a desire to be with his family. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, however, he actually was pressured to leave due to his "indiscreet philandering." Lol.
SU1 Jeff Nelson -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nelsoje01.shtml
Nelson returns to the Stouts in 2001 to do exactly what he did in 2000, and that's to pitch the 8th inning and get the game to the closer in the 9th. And he is very adept at doing just that. In 2001, the only All-Star season in his very successful 15-year career, his splits against both right and left-handed batters are phenomenal. Against lefties, his splits are .167/.316/.218. He's almost unhittable versus right-handed batters, posting a triple slash of .119/.284/.189 against. Baltimore has built their pitching staff around their bullpen, and Nelson is a vital, if not THE most important pitcher they have in the pen.
SU2 Felix Rodriguez -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrife01.shtml
If Nelson is the most important pitcher in the Baltimore bullpen, then Rodriguez is a close second. Whereas Nelson will be counted on most days to man the 8th inning with a lead, Rodriguez will be called upon to handle the duties in the 7th. 2001 was the best season Rodriguez had as a pro, and he had a very successful 11-year career. In' 01, he ended the year with an insane 1.68 ERA in 80 innings of work. He's one of those strange pitchers who throws right-handed, but gives left-handed batters fits. His .150/.246/.221 slash line against lefties will attest to that.
LHS Rich Rodriguez -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriri02.shtml
Rodriguez was drafted in the 8th round by Baltimore to do one thing and one thing only - get left-handed batters out. As the only left-handed reliever in the Stouts bullpen, he will be counted on to do just that. His splits in 2001 say he should be able to handle his duties just fine, as he held left-handed batters to a .189/.247/.257 triple slash against. He will hopefully not have to face many right-handed batters as they crushed him to the tune of a .927 OPS against. His season ending appearances to IP ratio will likely be something like 60 games, 40 IP.
LR Jim Brower -
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/broweji01.shtml
Brower was brought over in an off-season trade to help solidify the Baltimore bullpen. Here is a guy who really could be quite valuable. He has very decent splits in 2001, especially against right-handed batters, holding them to a .228 BA and .713 OPS against. He has the ability to start if necessary. Brower is basically a guy who can be brought into a game if the SP fails, and can keep the team within striking distance. He's an innings-eater out of the bullpen, and every team needs one of them.
And there you have it, the 2001 Baltimore Stouts 30-man roster. The season promises to be an exciting one. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out!!
