(Unabashedly ripped off from the Toldeo Mudhens e-newsletter, the Mud-e-Times , but I don't think they would mind me helping their marketing.)
Will the Mud Hens Shine in 2009?
Now that the 2008 World Series has officially closed the book on the baseball season, it's time to start looking ahead to next year! The Mud Hens stand to retain a core of power hitters and top-tier pitching in 2009. We're taking a peek into our crystal ball to see who might be suiting up for the Hens in 2009.Pitching Staff: Mud Hens fans saw many good, young pitchers in Toledo last season - and a few of those arms should return in 2009. Right-handers Eddie Bonine (12-4, 4.15) and Chris Lambert (12-8, 3.50) are expected to be the anchors in the Hens’ 2009 rotation. The bullpen could have lefty Clay Rapada in the set-up role if he doesn't start the year with Detroit. Casey Fien is also on the radar, especially since he’s dominating the Arizona Fall League. Through November 8 Fien had only surrendered one run and had struck out 12 in 11.2 innings. Former first round draft pick Rick Porcello, who enjoyed a successful rookie campaign with Single-A Lakeland (2.66 ERA) could be in the mix, too.Catcher: The catching position could develop to one of the most interesting stories going in to the ’09 season. Catcher Dusty Ryan earned a promotion to the Hens in 2008 after belting 15 home runs at Double-A Erie and continued to produce in Toledo, batting .315 with two more homers and 13 RBI in 20 Triple-A games. Ryan impressed Tigers' skipper Jim Leyland as a September call-up and could land a spot on the big club with a solid spring.Infield: Around the infield, Toledo could potentially see sluggers Michael Hollimon and Jeff Larish. Hollimon is injured (torn labrum) and is not expected back on the diamond until at least June, however. Hollimon hit 15 home runs for Toledo last season - Jeff Larish notched 21. If Larish, (who's playing well in fall ball) starts the year in Detroit it would open the door for infielders Danny Worth and William Rhymes. Both players impressed in Erie. Worth had an on-base percentage of .331 while Rhymes carried a .309 average with the Sea Wolves. A big question mark for 2009 will be what happens with Mud Hens all-time home run king Mike Hessman, who remains on the Tigers' 40-man roster.Outfield: Brent Clevlen may return to the Toledo outfield on 2009, though his tremendous 2008 season with the Hens should earn him serious consideration with Detroit. He hit 22 home runs and drove in a team high 82 runs with a .279 average. Another big contributor from last season, Clete Thomas, could also be back. Thomas started the year with the Tigers, but came to Toledo and made an impact with his 45 RBI and 29 stolen bases. After a breakout season with Erie, Wilkin Ramirez might be poised to take center stage in Toledo; he hit .303 with 19 home runs and 73 RBI as a Hen in 2008. Another Erie standout looking to make the next step is Jeff Frazier. Frazier hit .303 with 55 RBI with the Sea Wolves in 2008.
Now that the 2008 World Series has officially closed the book on the baseball season, it's time to start looking ahead to next year! The Mud Hens stand to retain a core of power hitters and top-tier pitching in 2009. We're taking a peek into our crystal ball to see who might be suiting up for the Hens in 2009.Pitching Staff: Mud Hens fans saw many good, young pitchers in Toledo last season - and a few of those arms should return in 2009. Right-handers Eddie Bonine (12-4, 4.15) and Chris Lambert (12-8, 3.50) are expected to be the anchors in the Hens’ 2009 rotation. The bullpen could have lefty Clay Rapada in the set-up role if he doesn't start the year with Detroit. Casey Fien is also on the radar, especially since he’s dominating the Arizona Fall League. Through November 8 Fien had only surrendered one run and had struck out 12 in 11.2 innings. Former first round draft pick Rick Porcello, who enjoyed a successful rookie campaign with Single-A Lakeland (2.66 ERA) could be in the mix, too.Catcher: The catching position could develop to one of the most interesting stories going in to the ’09 season. Catcher Dusty Ryan earned a promotion to the Hens in 2008 after belting 15 home runs at Double-A Erie and continued to produce in Toledo, batting .315 with two more homers and 13 RBI in 20 Triple-A games. Ryan impressed Tigers' skipper Jim Leyland as a September call-up and could land a spot on the big club with a solid spring.Infield: Around the infield, Toledo could potentially see sluggers Michael Hollimon and Jeff Larish. Hollimon is injured (torn labrum) and is not expected back on the diamond until at least June, however. Hollimon hit 15 home runs for Toledo last season - Jeff Larish notched 21. If Larish, (who's playing well in fall ball) starts the year in Detroit it would open the door for infielders Danny Worth and William Rhymes. Both players impressed in Erie. Worth had an on-base percentage of .331 while Rhymes carried a .309 average with the Sea Wolves. A big question mark for 2009 will be what happens with Mud Hens all-time home run king Mike Hessman, who remains on the Tigers' 40-man roster.Outfield: Brent Clevlen may return to the Toledo outfield on 2009, though his tremendous 2008 season with the Hens should earn him serious consideration with Detroit. He hit 22 home runs and drove in a team high 82 runs with a .279 average. Another big contributor from last season, Clete Thomas, could also be back. Thomas started the year with the Tigers, but came to Toledo and made an impact with his 45 RBI and 29 stolen bases. After a breakout season with Erie, Wilkin Ramirez might be poised to take center stage in Toledo; he hit .303 with 19 home runs and 73 RBI as a Hen in 2008. Another Erie standout looking to make the next step is Jeff Frazier. Frazier hit .303 with 55 RBI with the Sea Wolves in 2008.Phil Leverenz
interesting article. The toughest thing in managing the Mud Hens has to be the instability of the team. The Tigers kept calling up their stars - of course that is the purpose of the minor leagues, but still hard to build a contender. Good article in today's Free Press Featuring Will Ryhmes. We went to three games in Toledo last summer - an intimate ball park. Seats are $9. You can feed a family of four and not go in to debt. All I know is that I watch all of the games on TV, now with no games I rarely watch TV.
ReplyDeleteHow many days till spring training?
Last time I went to a Mud Hens game they still played in charmless Ned Skeldon Stadium, next to the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame.
ReplyDeleteHow would like to be Eddie Bonine or Chris Lambert and see that your team's AAA club is proudly claiming that the two of you "are expected to be the anchors in the Hens’ 2009 rotation." Ouch.
ReplyDeleteYeah, "anchors" at Triple A or sinkers in the bigs?
ReplyDelete