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2009 Team Preview
Here's a bit I've been doing for a couple years now, so I will continue it.
The Majors are coming off a disappointing year last year after finishing last place in their division and squeezing into the last spot in the playoffs. Although their sweep of the 3rd place Giants in the playoffs was a positive, the Majors still felt the season was a step backwards. This season will see some new additions to the roster, in hopes the Majors can get past that 2nd Round of the Playoffs for the first time.
* Coaches incomplete
The Players
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J.P. Anderson #24 Pos. CF
This will be J.P.'s 6th season as a part of the Majors. Overall, last season was not a good one for JP. For someone else, it may have been suffice, but the expectations on JP are much higher than others. And maybe that is part of the problem, the pressure. While JP put up some good numbers on the stat sheet, those stats got injected by one spectacular weekend against the now defunct Bloor Jays. His defense was also suspect, but he was also injured and had to miss games due to another ailing injury. The Majors medical staff will work to get JP healthy for this upcoming season, his health seems to dictate which JP we get. Lets hope its the healthy one.
Career Highs: .400 avg, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 46 R, 17 SB, 23 BB
Last Season: .312 avg, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 8 R, 1 SB, 6 BB
Achievements: 2004 MVP, 2008 Co-Comeback Player of the Year
MLB Comparison: Manny Ramirez
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Andrew Dutra #19 Pos. 2B/C
Dutra returns for another stint with the club. Andrew has been a part of the Select program for a long time along side Ryan and Simon. In fact was the hero of a City Championship game, in which the 4 of them all played, where he hit a Solo Home Run to break a 0 - 0 tie leading the Cawthra A's in beating their Rivals the Bengals 1 - 0. That rivalry continues into the OSBA. Recent years have seen Andrew's power numbers wither, and this coming seasons new wood bat rule might totally kill it. Last year was not a Dutra year offensively. In fact it was his worse by far as a Major, marking the first time he didn't hit .300. Where as last year, Andrew may have been trying to find his power stroke, this season he may just have to work on his stroke in general. His On Base Percentage was outstanding for someone with a .200 avg. Let's see if he can bat .300 again with the OBP.
Career Highs: .357 Avg, 25 R, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 7 HBP, 9 SB, 13 BB*
Last Season: .200 Avg, 10 R, 1 D, 4 RBI, 13 BB, 4 SB, .353 OBP
MLB Comparison: Mark Ellis
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Kyle Gerrard #27 Pos. RF
Kyle Gerrard. I might just end the preview with that. Kyle has huge potential but also has a huge part of his brain missing. Or so it would seem. Kyle was his consistent self at the plate last year batting .300 yet again, and had .443 OBP. He was also his consistent self in the field as well. Making several silly mental errors, or just "Wow, how did he f**k that up" type plays. Most of these errors happened in his so called first position which was the outfield. The Majors plugged Kyle at catcher last year where hes never played before and it showed. But there are no complaints, he was doing his best.... Expect a .300 average from Gerrard again, and maybe some power to return.
Career Highs: .338 Avg, 1 HR, 10 2B, 3 3B, 12 SB, 26 RBI
Last Season: .304 Avg, 9 R, 5 2B, 6 RBI, 13 BB, 2 SB
MLB Comparison: Randy Winn
MLB Pitching Comparison: Josh Towers
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Simon Lahay #30 Pos. OF
Simon is one of the original players on the team. His numbers have been continually heading in the southern direction lately, but he was probably the only consistent outfielder last year in terms of health and fielding last season. If Simon can improve his OBP this coming season, look for him to score a lot of runs, and hopefully steal a lot of bases.
Career Highs: .426 Avg, 32 R, 22 SB, 11 RBI
Last Season: .230 Avg, 10 R, 6 RBI, 3 SB, 8 BB, 10 K
Achievements: 2008 West Co-Comeback Player of the Year
MLB Comparison: Juan Pierre
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Chris Maloney #99 Pos. 2B
Chris is entering his 3rd season with the Majors after a bit of a step back in his sophomore year. Chris saw his average drop about 100 points from 2 years ago, but the way everyone else was hitting last year, the Coaching Staff aren't too worried about it. Look for Maloney to bat .300 again.
Career Highs: .364 avg, 16 R, 28 H, 6 RBI, 5 SB
Last Season: .254 avg, 10 R, 17 H, 3 RBI, 11 BB
MLB Comparison: Rance Mulliniks
MLB Pitching Comparison: Brandon Donnelly
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Ryan McNeil #44 Pos. Coach/Spare
Ryan had his best season last year, but this year will be leaning towards his coaching duties a lot more than playing. Don't look for him to be on the field much if at all.
Career Highs: .298 Avg, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 15 R, 6 SB
Last Season: .298 avg, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 2 SB
MLB Comparison: Richie Sexson
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Joey Pileggi #91 Pos. 3B/C/P
Joey Pileggi bounced back big time last year after a disappointing 2007 campaign. So well in fact, he won the MVP award for the team. His offense improved, (70 points higher in avg.) and his pitching returned to where it was 2 years ago. The Majors are still looking to find a #1 catcher to save him from having to catch, but Joey is very good behind the plate. In a playoff game with Forest Glen last year, Joey through out 2 runners in the heavy rain, leading the Majors to a tight victory. Expect more MVP numbers from Joey this season.
Career Highs: .400 Avg, 30 R, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 5 3B, 13 SB
Last Season: .392 avg, 15 R, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 3 SB
Achievements: 2006 MVP, 2008 MVP, 2 Time All-Star, 2008 West Cy Young Nominee
MLB Comparison: David Wright
MLB Pitching Comparison: AJ Burnett
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Josh Pileggi #34 Pos. P/SS
Josh took a bit of a step back last season offensively. That can be attributed to having to miss games for work. Even with that dip, he was still one of the best hitters on the team, maybe only behind his little brother Joey. What he didn't do was take a step back in pitching. Josh pitched well yet again. Where his win-loss total may be deceiving is in lack of run support and defense. Not much to say about Josh other than he is an all-star in this league without a doubt.
Career Highs: .444, 5 HR, 32 R, 22 RBI, 12 2B, 14 SB
Last Season: .302 avg, 2 HR, 12 R, 14 RBI, 3 SB
Achievements: 2007 MVP
MLB Comparison: Robin Yount
MLB Pitching Comparison: Josh Beckett
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Paul Roth #12 Pos. P/3B
Paul Roth will return again this season. Paul was a steady .400 hitter throughout his Majors career until last season. I don't know if he was trying to hard, or swinging out of his shoes too often but Roth's numbers were way down last season. To be exact, his average was down 192 points from the year before. On the plus side, Paul pitched very well last year, and will be in the regular rotation this year. Hopefully his hitting is where everyone expects it this season.
Career Highs: .521 Avg, 4 HR, 27 R, 30 RBI, 7 SB
Last Season: .232 avg, 3 HR, 6 R, 6 RBI, 1 2B, 14 K
MLB Comparison: Matt Holliday
MLB Pitching Comparison: Dave Bush
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Adam Sawoszczuk #23 Pos. LF/P
Adam will be returning again for his 4th season. Last season saw zero improvement in Adam's offense. He batted under .200 for the 2nd straight season leading to some concern from the Coaching Staff. What was also a bit alarming was his control on the mound. For Adam to be effective pitching, he needs to be throwing strikes. This is a big year for Adam. This year we find out if hes washed up? Or is he going to bounce back. Should be interesting....
Career Highs: .430 Avg, 33 R, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 16 BB
Last Season: .175 avg, 7 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 10 BB, 16 K
Achievements: 2005 MVP
MLB Comparison: Russell Branyan
MLB Pitching Comparison: Jon Garland
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Dan Taormina #4 Pos. SS
Danny will be entering his 3rd season as a Major and his 4th season as an OSBA player. Danny again had another good year at lead-off for the team. He might not have a lot of power, or make it look pretty, but Dan gets it done. For a 2nd straight year, he had a .400 OBP, and reached 9 SB, leading the team by 5 in that catagory. His defense was steady, showing great range and consistency, Expect nothing less from Danny this season.
Career Highs: .297 avg, 21 R, 9 RBI, 9 SB, 19 BB, .447 OBP
Last Season: .288 avg, 21 R, 9 RBI, 9 SB, .447 OBP
Achievements: 3-Time All-Star
MLB Comparison: Michael Young
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Michael Taormina #8 Pos. 3B
Mike Completed his first tenure with the Majors in 2008. I wouldn't say it was a good year but I wouldn't say it was terrible either. Considering it was his first time playing in a few years, it was more of a retooling year for Mike. The one thats going to be examined by the Staff is this one coming. Mike shows signs of power, and the ability to hit to the opposite field. With patience, he could be a very important piece for the Majors.
Last Season: .224 avg, 9 R, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 4 SB
MLB Comparison: Aaron Hill
The Coaching Staff
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Bruce Cooper #9 Head Coach
Bruce Cooper enters his 4th year coaching the Majors Junior/Senior team. A long time Coach and Executive for the organization, Bruce and his easy going style make for a good atmosphere in the dugout. Bruce tends to stress a strong will to win and to be classy on the field. Now that Bruce is eligable to play, don't be surprised to see Bruce hitting the diamond this season....
Career Highs: 14 - 4 Single Season, 37 - 24 - 2 Career
MLB Comparison: Sparky Anderson
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Al Dutra - Assistant Coach
The Elder Dutra makes a triumphant return to coaching the boys after a 3 year lay off. Al always manages to keep a relaxed, unnerved dugout with his humor which has clearly passed on to his son Andrew. A good coach, when it comes down to the nitty gritty, you will hear it from Al if your not performing up to par.
MLB Comparison: Don Zimmer
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Eva Sawoszczuk - Manager
Eva returns after a year off, although she did help out with the team on occasion last season. Eva has been instrumental in the fundraising success that the Majors have had. As well has managing for the Majors, Eva will probably be seen game in and game out on the Majors sideline keeping the boys on their toes.
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