The infield is anchored at the corners by hard-hitting Bobby Bo, and sweet swinging J.T. Snow. Both Draft Day snubs, they feel like they have something to prove to this league. CIF Darrin Erstad, OF Paul O'Neil 2B Jeff Kent, and UM Fred McGriff thought their number should have been called Draft Day, and will now let their bats do the talking.
Youth reigns at cather, at Todd Greene will get a chance to prove his worth, along with another youngster, Mike Sweeney. Edgar Renteria, fresh off his World Series performance, is another youngster who will need to shine for this team to be competitive.
The rest of the offense can be summed up in one word, Speed. OF's Brian Hunter Jeremy Burnitz, Al Martin, and Devon White are all dangerous on the base paths, as is MIF Ray Durham. If this team is going to score points, it will most likely be in the stolen base race.
The Unforgiven's pitching is somewhat up in the air. With only 3 relievers on the roster, they will need to contend in the Win's category in order to remain competitive. Shawn Estes, Al Lieter, Carlos Perez, Pedro Astacio, and Francisco Cordova are all basically the number one pitcher for their respective teams. The Unforgiven will need a break out year by one of these pitchers, and constistency from the rest of their staff, (cagey Mets veteran) Bobby Jones, Todd Stottlemeyer, and youngster Matt Morris, to stay in the hunt.
The team expects big things from closer Rick Agilera, as co-owner Matt Milone put it at a press conference earlier, "He is THE man, when it comes to saves. The Twins will be big winners this year, and Rick Aguilera is going to be a crucial part of that." Co-owner Josh Freeman has similar expectations of young closer Armando Benitez of the Orioles, "I'm suprised he slipped thru the draft and into our hands ... all I know it we are happy to have him." Jeff Montgomery, Kansas City's calculating closer, rounds out the relief corp.
Soon the speculation will end, as the season begins ... but for now hope springs eternal, even here in the realm of the Unforgiven.
Return to Team Homepage