Thursday, August 25, 2011

Season 15 Previews: Louisville Woodies

Last season the Woodies finished only two games back of the Riverdogs. Can they take the next step and beat them out for the division title this season?

Louisville Woodies

Last season: 87-75 (2nd in NL South, missed playoffs)
Offense: 4th in NL
Pitching: 10th in NL

Key additions: 2B Bart O'Hallaran (trade-Anaheim)
Key losses: None


Analysis: Anyone who watched Louisville play last season realized that power is not this team's problem. They nearly slugged their way to a division title last season, as 3 players (OF Bob Stewart, SS Mariano Terrero, and 1B Clayton Olson) each hit more than 40 homers and drove in more than 100 runs- 3 more guys hit at least 25. They outhomered every other NL team and outhomered all but one AL team. On the flipside they stole the fewest bases (CF Rich Porter had 19 of the teams 26 steals), so some diversity might help, but look for more Home Run Derby in Louisville.

The pitching staff is solid if unspectacular. Dan Bernard and Miguel Castilla are a solid top of the rotation and 22-year-old Julian Cerda looked fairly good in his rookie year. The bullpen is led by talented arms in Rey Jung and Craig Pratt


Outlook: They'll be in the playoff mix, and they could slug their way to a division title if Huntington falters. They're not outstanding, but I don't see Huntington as outstanding, either.

No comments: