Thursday, August 25, 2011

Season 15 Previews: Boise Drifters

Last season's San Francisco Sabercats picked up and moved to potato country. Will they fare better in Idaho?

Boise Drifters

Last season: 66-96 (3rd in NL West, missed playoffs)
Offense: 15th in NL
Pitching: 12th in NL

Key additions: SS Amp Palmer (FA-Salt Lake City), P Billy Spencer (FA-Oakland), Dan Young (FA-Chicago), P Don Wang (FA-Helena)
Key losses: P Turner Darr (FA-Cheyenne), C Steven O'Malley (FA-Cheyenne), P Ivan Webster (FA-Huntington)


Analysis: They'll have to be better on offense this season just by the addition of Palmer. They lacked a bat of his caliber last season, as the burden fell on aging veterans RF William Bolling and SS Ryan Hamill to produce. LF Kevin Lawson has a lot of potential, but they'll need more to compete with the Shakers.

The pitching could be more of a question mark as it was last season. Darr and Webster had subpar (in Darr's case, very subpar) seasons, but they provided innings. That leaves Louie Bolivar and Damion Mays as the only two established pitchers (both have career records under .500, by the way). Joseph Woo could get a shot at some point. Leon Dunn was solid as the closer, although he had few chances to close games.


Outlook: The Palmer signing was a bold stroke, but I'm not sure if it leads to anything. They won't be unwatchable, but they'll struggle.

No comments: