bama45
03-21-2002, 07:34 PM
Will or can San Diego be the Cinderella team of the 2002 Major League baseball season? Yes they can. They certainly have the talent. But they are playing in a tough division. The NL West. They first have to get past the defending World Champs, the Arizona Dimaondbacks, then the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the run producing Colorado Rockies.
San Diego has all the pieces, but can they make them all fit to create the puzzle? First baseman Phil Nevin and outfielder Ryan Klesko are one of the league's best 3-4 combination. Klesko had his finiest season in 2001. He hit 30 homeruns and drove in 113 runs. He batted .286. Nevin hit 41 homeruns with 126 RBI's. Nevin is capable of hitting 60 or more homeruns. He seems to get better with each season.
D'Angelo Jimenez will probably start at second base. He has the potential to be a good lead-off man. Outfielder Mark Kotsay is an exciting player. He's only 26 and he batted .291 for the Padres in 2001. Left fielder Bubba Trammell showed he can hit and hit with power. He's 6-2 220 pounds and knock the stew out of the ball. He had 92 RBI's last season.
The Padres have two aging veteran on their team that can contribute. I'm talking about Ron Gant and Ray Lankford. Gant can still knock them over the fence. Both can really give good advice to the younger players and be an asset to the team.
Minor league star Sean Burroughs will take over at third. He could be a great one. The Padres are hoping Burroughs can put up some big numbers and provide good defense.
Wiki Gonzalez will do the catching. He was injured part of 2001 and needs to stay healthy to help his team. Shortstop Ramon Vasquez will play shortstop. He batted .300 while playing for Tacoma(AAA) He also hit 10 homeruns and drove in 79 runs.
San Diego's starting pitching is what will make or break the team. Pitcher Kevin Jarvis only allowed 2.3 walks per nine innings in 2001. He was 12-11 with an ERA of 4.79. He needs to improve that ERA. Bobby Jones is not afraid to pitch even when he is losing. He went 8-19 last season, but could turn that around to 19-8. He's 32 years old and a big boy at 6-4 225. Brett Tomko will hopefully improve too. He did well with Tacoma last season. He went 10-6. Pitcher Brian Lawrence is 25 and has great potential. Minor leaguer Dennis Tankersley is said to be a good one. Has a good sinking fastball and slider.
Closer Trevor Hoffman has the bullpen under control. He had 43 saves in 2001. He's their monster.
Bruce Bochy is still the manager and a good one. This team will definitely compete for the division title in 2002, but I feel it will be 2003 before they have a real chance of making it to the World Series.
In closing I believe the Padres can win between 85 and 90 games this year. Maybe even 95. Keep your eye on this team. They may amaze you.
__________________
Keith Thronson
San Diego has all the pieces, but can they make them all fit to create the puzzle? First baseman Phil Nevin and outfielder Ryan Klesko are one of the league's best 3-4 combination. Klesko had his finiest season in 2001. He hit 30 homeruns and drove in 113 runs. He batted .286. Nevin hit 41 homeruns with 126 RBI's. Nevin is capable of hitting 60 or more homeruns. He seems to get better with each season.
D'Angelo Jimenez will probably start at second base. He has the potential to be a good lead-off man. Outfielder Mark Kotsay is an exciting player. He's only 26 and he batted .291 for the Padres in 2001. Left fielder Bubba Trammell showed he can hit and hit with power. He's 6-2 220 pounds and knock the stew out of the ball. He had 92 RBI's last season.
The Padres have two aging veteran on their team that can contribute. I'm talking about Ron Gant and Ray Lankford. Gant can still knock them over the fence. Both can really give good advice to the younger players and be an asset to the team.
Minor league star Sean Burroughs will take over at third. He could be a great one. The Padres are hoping Burroughs can put up some big numbers and provide good defense.
Wiki Gonzalez will do the catching. He was injured part of 2001 and needs to stay healthy to help his team. Shortstop Ramon Vasquez will play shortstop. He batted .300 while playing for Tacoma(AAA) He also hit 10 homeruns and drove in 79 runs.
San Diego's starting pitching is what will make or break the team. Pitcher Kevin Jarvis only allowed 2.3 walks per nine innings in 2001. He was 12-11 with an ERA of 4.79. He needs to improve that ERA. Bobby Jones is not afraid to pitch even when he is losing. He went 8-19 last season, but could turn that around to 19-8. He's 32 years old and a big boy at 6-4 225. Brett Tomko will hopefully improve too. He did well with Tacoma last season. He went 10-6. Pitcher Brian Lawrence is 25 and has great potential. Minor leaguer Dennis Tankersley is said to be a good one. Has a good sinking fastball and slider.
Closer Trevor Hoffman has the bullpen under control. He had 43 saves in 2001. He's their monster.
Bruce Bochy is still the manager and a good one. This team will definitely compete for the division title in 2002, but I feel it will be 2003 before they have a real chance of making it to the World Series.
In closing I believe the Padres can win between 85 and 90 games this year. Maybe even 95. Keep your eye on this team. They may amaze you.
__________________
Keith Thronson