2007 Team by Team Preview - Inmates

Inmates

Starting Pitching:
J.Santana, Smoltz, Bonderman, Zito - One of the top rotations in the league.

Bullpen:
Otsuka, Wheeler, Howry, Ray, B.Thompson, Guardado, Burgos - Deep, useful pen; Otsuka is the best of the group; Guardado and Burgos are both very unbalanced (in fact, the only thing worse that Guardado's right side will be Burgos' left side), but might be worth keeping.

Catcher:
Kendall - no power, but high average and great on base; his arm will not hurt the team this year
Doumit/Buck - if a backup catcher is kept, Doumit is a better option than Buck; Doumit has a 406 onbase vs lhp

Infield:
Howard (1b-4) - scary good, especially on the right side (1.164 OPS); might lose a bit in the clutch, but his hits will mostly be homers and doubles anyway
Huff (1b/3b/rf-4) - very playable vs rhp
C.Jackson (1b-5) - not sure how he earned the 5, but will be balanced and has a high onbase
O.Hudson (2b-1) - 398 onbase vs lhp; won't hurt the team vs rhp
Durham (2b-3) - great vs lhp; okay vs rhp;
Beltre (3b-1) - solid vs lhp, fair vs rhp; loses big in the clutch
Everett (ss-1) - not a good hitter

Outfield:
Bay (lf-3) - solid power and onbase on both sides
Pierre (cf-2) - balanced; great speed; no power; no arm
Taveras (cf-2) - good speed, but not much else
B.Giles (rf-3) - great onbase vs rhp; didn't fare well vs lhp
Mench (lf/rf-4) - can hit lefties a bit

Designated Hitter:
Probably a combination of Conor Jackson and Ray Durham

Uncarded Guys:
None

Draft Status:
Picks 10th (everyone say it together: "the shittiest pick to have"). Has no extra picks.

Outlook:
They're not the slow-pitch softball team of old, but the Inmates' pitching, infield defense, and an offense revolving around Bay and Howard will get them to the post-season. They will battle the Mavs (and undoubtedly the Buckeyes) for the MFD title, but should be the favorite to win it. But then, we've heard that before.

I've reached the halfway point of this team preview, and my break from school is almost over. I'll try to get the next 8 in as quickly as I did the first 8, but I can't make any promises. Next up: Fungoes, Wahoos, and Zaps.