Plugging last year’s holes

February 28, 2008 by Jason Guarente

Jutt Hileman (LNP photo)

There are six weeks left until the start of spring training and we still haven’t learned a lot about this season’s Barnstormers. The team has yet to sign a starting position player who wasn’t part of last year’s team.

Is this cause for concern? Not at all. Actually, it’s a sign that Keith Lupton and Von Hayes understand what the team needs to do in order to make improvements.

At this point, the Barnstormers have three starting position players under contract: C Lance Burkhart, LF Dominick Ambrosini and 2B Mike Woods. A fourth, CF Jutt Hileman, is also expected to return.

Lupton and Hayes have looked at last year’s club and used the most valuable pieces as building blocks for 2008. Burkhart and Hileman fill key defensive positions and provide reliable production. Burkhart can be expected to post an OPS in the .850-.900 range and Hileman will produce in the .800-.850 range. Both will provide strong defense. Both have been All-Stars.

Ambrosini represents a left-handed bat that can provide both a high batting average – which was sorely lacking last season – and power. In a 140-game season, he should hit around 25 home runs. Woods offers a nice mixture of speed and power at the top of the lineup. He looks like he’ll be the leadoff man – and he could be the best top-of-the-order hitter since Reggie Taylor in 2006.

Let’s look at the numbers of the four players:

WOODS:

AMBROSINI:

BURKHART:

HILEMAN:

All four players can be counted on to provide 15-homer output (at least) with an on-base percentage greater than .350. That’s a really good foundation for an offense. The only two above-average offensive players missing from last year’s team are SS Danny Gonzalez and 1B Jeremy Todd.

This is where the Barnstormers can take an important step forward. Most of the positions they need to fill – first base, third base, right field and designated hitter – are offensive-heavy spots. If they can find upgrades for guys like 3B Steve Van Note, RF Chris Van Rossum and C/DH Russ Cleveland, the offense will be dramatically better. Instead of Hileman and Burkhart batting fourth and fifth, they can bat sixth and seventh. The lineup becomes deeper and more dangerous.

The Barnstormers are waiting to fill most of these pivotal offensive positions with players who are currently in camp with affiliated clubs. This is something the team failed to do last season when its roster was essentially in place by the first week in March. Manager Frank Klebe’s decision to make 2007 a championship reunion backfired in a big way.

The Barnstormers have been looking for big bats to replace Taylor and Jose Ortiz ever since they celebrated their 2006 title. Will they find them? It’s too soon to tell. But the fact that they’re waiting shows they’re taking the right approach to fixing last year’s problems. It shows less of a reliance on journeymen indy leaguers and a greater desire for players coming directly from big-league organizations.

That, more than anything, is a reason to be optimistic about the summer ahead.

Posted in Atlantic League, Lancaster Barnstormers, Pennsylvania, Sports, baseball, minor leagues | 37 Comments

37 Responses to “Plugging last year’s holes”

on February 28, 2008 at 2:00 pm1 Phil the Boomer

Jason,
I think that is exactly what the Barnstormers are trying to do, Wait until they can get some affiliated position Players. Sounds like a great idea. We definely need some starting pitchers with some Major league experence. So far they are making all the right moves. What a difference a year makes!
on February 28, 2008 at 2:30 pm2 Booby

I agree 150%. I’m psyched!!!! Is it April yet?????
on February 28, 2008 at 2:40 pm3 Jason Guarente

Phil,

Three-fifths of the rotation is set: Parker, Nannini and McClaskey. They have a pretty good idea who the fourth starter will be (although he hasn’t officially signed). So they’re in pretty good shape with starters at this point. No former big leaguers, but guys with good track records.
on February 28, 2008 at 2:50 pm4 maize & blue

Guess I missed the Parker signing. That’s a definite or a maybe.
on February 28, 2008 at 2:55 pm5 anonymous

Yeah…when was the Parker signing announced? Nothing on here about it. Also I hear our closer is just about “announcible” ?
on February 28, 2008 at 3:13 pm6 Jason Guarente

Parker hasn’t been announced. But the plan since January has been for him to anchor the rotation — unless he gets an affiliated offer. I’ve mentioned that several times on here.
on February 28, 2008 at 3:51 pm7 maize & blue

It would be great to have Zack back. Parker finished the season like Josh started it. Lights out. Jason, you seem pretty confident Parker will be back. So I assume at the present time he has not been signed by an affiliated team for spring training.
BTW GO BLUE! How bout that 4 to 4 tie with the Mets. With Wright and Reyes both in the line up. Was hoping they would lite Wagner up, but it didn’t happen.
on February 28, 2008 at 8:39 pm8 Mark

Speaking of returning team anchors, any word on whether or not Dave Collins will be back on the radio again this year?
on February 28, 2008 at 8:57 pm9 radicalstormerfan

My magic 8 ball says Yes for Dave returning
on February 29, 2008 at 12:32 am10 Phil the Boomer

Jason,
Are you sure that Zach Parker will sign with the Barnstormers.
If my memory serves my right. We had Reggie Taylor almost sighed up last year. Then long Island pulled the rug out from underneath us. I can see that happening again with Zach. I would hate to see that happen.
I would turn in my Season Tickets!
on February 29, 2008 at 7:14 am11 PTBNL

If Syd can send some of her famous baked goods to Parker that just might seal the deal. Come on Syd, get baking!
on February 29, 2008 at 9:12 am12 radicalstormerfan

I know his favorite recipe…. I’ll get right on it !!!!!
Come On Zack.. I can smell the cookies… sign the contract
on February 29, 2008 at 9:32 am13 Ultimate Barnstormers Fan

Rad:

Maybe the Booster Club should do a cookbook and include all of the Barnstormers’, past and present, favorite recipies. You can add some of the front office’s and coaches favorites as well as Jason’s. I smell a best seller!
on February 29, 2008 at 9:55 am14 Jason Guarente

Phil,

I’m not sure about anything in the Atlantic League. Guys change their minds all the time. This is a presumption based on what I’ve been told throughout the winter. I wouldn’t have mentioned it unless I thought it would happen.
on February 29, 2008 at 11:10 am15 radicalstormerfan

That’s a great idea Ultimate, Althought the biggest part of the book would be dessert section
Big D and cattyj could do the nutritional consulting.
on February 29, 2008 at 1:02 pm16 Phil the Boomer

If we can get one or two Starters who have been in the “Show” or have been in the Atlantic League for awhile we would at least Have a chance to get in the Playoff or maybe another Championship. I don’t Beleive we could have won the Atlantic League Championship if we didn’t have a player like Denny Harringer to lead the way. The Barnstormers need someone to be a leader and take charge on and off the field. That is something the Barnstormers didn’t have in the year of 2007.
on February 29, 2008 at 3:11 pm17 Mr Barnstormer

I’ll do it….. I’ll be their leader.
on February 29, 2008 at 4:55 pm18 Jason Guarente

Don’t forget the bullpen. That was the real strength of the pitching staff in 2006. Other than Peeples and perhaps Forbes, we have yet to see how the Barnstormers will address this area. Last year’s bullpen was a disaster and it served as a reminder not to overlook that part of building a team.
on March 1, 2008 at 5:43 pm19 dadTB

Things are certainly shaping up. I’m pleased that Lance Burkhart, Dominick Ambrosini, Jutt Hileman, and Mike Woods are teamed up once again. Ross in the bullpen is a definite plus.

Keep it coming, boys!

LBBBC Player Liaison Committee Meeting tomorrow @ 1:00 p.m. with Club House Manager regarding feeding da boyz! Maybe we can get the players to slip us a recipe or two for that LBBBC Cookbook 2008 Edition.
on March 1, 2008 at 7:33 pm20 Phil the Boomer

Your right,Jason. Maybe the Stormers could steal Danny Graves from Long Island. Wouldn’t that be great! Paybacks are hell.
on March 1, 2008 at 7:36 pm21 Manheim Schrute

You can have Graves.
on March 1, 2008 at 8:31 pm22 Booby

Please…keep Graves outta Lancaster…good grief. He’s NOT what we need.
on March 1, 2008 at 9:57 pm23 Phil the Boomer

Over and Out.
Everyone is an Expert.
Bye,Bye! I’m out of here,
on March 2, 2008 at 6:31 am24 Barney Stormer

From 2/11/08 What’s Going On …..

“CHARLIE WEATHERBY: Weatherby is unsigned at the moment. He had a minor procedure done on his shoulder during the offseason and the Barnstormers invited him to Lancaster for a physical earlier this month. The team was pleased with the results. Weatherby could became an option at closer for the Barnstormers, although he is reportedly receiving interest from the Phillies as well.”

I haven’t seen anything about him being at Clearwater. Any updates?
on March 2, 2008 at 9:40 am25 Booby

Oh my. Isn’t anyone but “The Boomer” entitled to an opinion???
on March 2, 2008 at 10:45 am26 anonymous

Charlie is NOT in clearwater trust me!
on March 2, 2008 at 11:36 am27 Jason Guarente

Danny Graves was a good pitcher in the Atlantic League last year. I’m not sure why people would put him down. The Barnstormers have their sights set on another former big leaguer as a possible closer. He’s much MUCH lower profile than Graves, however. We’ll see if it happens.

Weatherby is still unsigned last I heard.
on March 2, 2008 at 4:45 pm28 dopeydawn

Glad to see Jutt will be back once again with the guys!!!! Can’t wait to see who else will be back!!
on March 2, 2008 at 6:44 pm29 Booby

Sorry Jason, I wasn’t impressed with Graves last year.
on March 2, 2008 at 11:53 pm30 Phil the Boomer

Jason,
Can you tell me how many blown saves Danny Graves, R.D. Spiehs and Derrick DePreist had last year? I always wondered who was better.
on March 3, 2008 at 10:29 am31 Barney Stormer

In regards to #27, I hope it isn’t Jose Mesa!!!
on March 3, 2008 at 10:48 am32 Jason Guarente

Phil,

Howe doesn’t keep blown saves as an official stat. If you look at the other key numbers: ERA, WHIP, strikeout rate, DePriest was better than both Spiehs and Graves. And it wasn’t even close.
on March 3, 2008 at 11:05 am33 maize & blue

Yea, if the Barnstormers had more save situations Derrick’s numbers may have been even more impressive.
on March 3, 2008 at 12:15 pm34 radicalstormerfan

DePriest is just the BEST !!!
on March 3, 2008 at 1:24 pm35 Phil the Boomer

I Agreee!!!!!!!
on March 3, 2008 at 2:36 pm36 Ultimate Barnstormers Fan

Rad:

Was there ever a player you did not like? You don’t have to name names LOL
on March 3, 2008 at 4:47 pm37 radicalstormerfan

I plead the 5th !!!!!