Highlands Ranch Roughriders

Highlands Ranch Roughriders
Owner: Mark Perkins
Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium
AKA: 

Projected Line-Up

Rotation 
1. S. Hitchcock
2. P. Byrd
3. R. Helling
4. T. Ritchie
5. R. Person

Closer 
M. Petkovsek

Line-Up
1. A. Martin LF
2. M. McLemore 2B
3. B. Gilkey/
   M. Martinez RF
4. D. Segui 1B
5. E. Norton 3B
6. T. Goodwin CF
7. D. Fletcher/
   M. DiFelice C
8. K. Stocker/   
   A. Ledesma SS

Kerry Wood was 
snatched from the
Gnats in the 
expansion draft.
He's out for the 
year but could be a 
factor in 2001.

Al Martin will
be the top man in 
the OF. Will he 
be up for the
challenge.

     The RoughRiders was part of the GSBL's first ever 
expansion. This team made some great selections during the
expansion draft. But dont expect them to compete this 
season, as we will see there are a lot of holes in this 
freshman line-up.

Rotation

     The newest member of GSBL focused on starting pitching 
during the expansion draft, and the future looks golden. HRR 
built a decent today, and a better tomorrow. Vets Hitchcock 
and Helling head the staff, with Paul Byrd, Todd Ritchie, 
and Robert Person rounding it out nicely. This staff won't 
put HRR over the top this year, but we wouldn't expect that 
of an expansion club. Instead, this rotation is a bridge to 
the promised land of the next generation Roughriders, Rick 
Ankiel and Kerry Wood. Indeed, a 2001 rotation of Ankiel, 
Wood, and any of the present three could position HRR for 
comeback of the year. The Roughriders lack rotation depth 
this season, but we like what we see up ahead. 

Bullpen

     The pen has no one truly special, but has bits and 
pieces which add up nicely. Mark Petkovsek, while a little 
older than the typical closer, brings it well in the late 
innings. A supporting staff of Allen Watson, Mike Stanton, 
Jeff Nelson, Ricky Bottalico and Dave Veres give the Riders 
some options to work with in the middle innings, and BJ 
Ryan may be the closer of the future.

Catching

     Fletcher is a solid veteran who knows how to handle 
pitchers and call a good game. He can also still hold his
own at the plate and can still put up 15 to 20 HR's if given
400 AB's. Houston will be the full-time back-up to Fletcher.
He posesses a light bat and a weak arm, he his also not known
to call a good game. The team will suffer when Tyler is forced
to be behind the plate to give Fletcher a rest. The Riders are 
hopeful that Wiki Gonzalez can step into more of a frontline 
role by next season.

Infield

     Highlands Ranch has assembled a workhorse infield. 
Unspectacular in every way, but gets the job done. David 
Segui provides a good bat at 1B, while Mark McLemore is 
Mr. Dependable at 2B. Ed Norton is the unsung solution 
at 3B, and Kevin Stocker, Aaron Ledesma, and Andy Fox 
will man shortstop. Fox can also fill in at 3B, supersub 
Ledesma covers the whole infield, and Ramon Martinez will 
see time at 1B, 2B, and 3B. Adam Kennedy will get a look 
at 2B this season as well. This could foreshadow a move 
by McLemore to the outfield (to replace a might-be-dealt 
Al Martin?). We expect the Riders to move D'Angelo Jimenez 
in a deal, potentially with Al Martin, in return for some 
much-needed power.

Outfield

     Goodwin, Martin, Gilkey and Martinez probably 
wouldn't cut it on many rosters, but with the focus on 
pitching and the infield, there had to be a cost somewhere, 
and here it is. The offense and defense are both below 
average from this group, although Manny Martinez possesses 
a strong arm. We expect the Riders to complete a deal or 
two by the deadline in order to shore up the outfield, 
probably to acquire one or two outfielders with better 
power and defense. The cost will probably come from the 
infield and pitching depth, although one or more 
outfielders could also be dealt.

PRESSURE PLAYER

Rick Helling could be the 
key of the staff. It will
be up to him to help mold
young arms in Ankiel and
Wood.