The Loons went 67-73, which placed them sixth in the Midwest League's Eastern Division. The team was led by hitters like O'Koyea Dickson, Scott Schebler and Joe Winker and pitchers Arismendy Ozoria, Jarret Martin and Raydel Sanchez.
The 2013 squad should get a nice boost -- most of it coming from Pioneer League Ogden. This is my projected Loons' roster, which is sure to be wrong in some places.
Projected roster
Catchers (2)
Tyler Ogle
Eric Smith
Justin Boudreaux
Bladimir Franco
Paul Hoenecke
Delvis Morales
Corey Seager
Kevin Taylor
Outfielders (5)
Noel Cuevas
Malcolm Holland
Devin Shines
Pat Stover
Jesus Valdez
Starting pitchers (5)
Ralston Cash (if healthy)
Lindsey Caughel
Jharel Cotton
Carlos Frias
Jake Hermsen
Relief pitchers (7)
Victor Araujo
Daniel Coulombe
Gregg Downing
Sawil Gonzalez
Scott Griggs
Owen Jones
Craig Stem
The biggest name projected above is Seager, who figures to be the every day shortstop for the Loons. The Dodgers would be wise to challenge one of their best prospects to a great pitchers' league. He should be the No. 3 hitter for Great Lakes.
Valdez was good for the Raptors last season and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the Midwest League. He'll likely split time between right field and first base.
Smith, like Seager and Valdez before him, was good with Ogden and could be a middle-of-the-order guy for the Loons.
My lineup
Holland CF
Cuevas LF
Seager SS
Valdez 1B/DH
Stover RF
Smith C
Hoenecke DH/1B
Franco 3B
Boudreaux 2B
I can guarantee it won't be like this, but that's how I'd do it.
As for pitching, if a guy like Ross Stripling is sent to High-A Rancho Cucamonga, the rotation could be a little thin.
Cash is a returning player who didn't finish the 2012 season. If he's healthy to start the season, he could be the Loons' Opening Day starter. Frias is also a returning player who split time between Great Lakes and Ogden in 2012.
Cotton and Caughel are sleepers who enjoyed success in the Pioneer League. Hermsen is the lone projected left-handed starter on my Loons squad.
The bullpen could be strong with guys like Coulumbe, Jones, Gonzalez and Griggs. Griggs would likely get first crack at closing for the Loons.
Photo credits
Seager: Courtesy of Perfect Game
Cuevas: mwlguide, Flickr
What are the chances the Dodgers get aggressive with Zach Bird and put him on this roster?
ReplyDeleteThat'd be really aggressive to start the season. I could see him getting there sometime in 2013, but not to start.
ReplyDeleteSo does that mean the odgen rotation might consist of Sulbaran, Martinez, Bird and Barlow? Thats an intriguing rotation.
ReplyDeleteCould be. Think all but Barlow are assured of going there. Barlow is coming off TJ surgery, so the team could choose to take it slow with him.
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