23 SIDEARM REVIEW: #19 CHICOS BAIL BONDS

                                 CHICO'S BAIL BONDS TSHIRTS ON SALE


FRONT OFFICE

During his 17 year tenure at the helm. Elan Gilbert and company have made 11 playoff appearances, including 3 trips to the World Series and 2 rings.  Let's take a look at the groceries Gilbert has to cook with in the 23 SSL season.


ROTATION 

Kershaw 556
Luzardo 601
Kirby 693
P. Lopez 700
Kaprielian 735

BULLPEN

Clase 425
Rey. Lopez 564
Graterol 584
Jiminez 609
Strzelenski 632
Acevedo 636
DeJong 679
Pruitt 698


LINEUP

Knizner c 601
Cron 1b 783
Torres 2b 761
Semien ss 733
Stott 3b 653
Kiriloff of 651
Bader of 650
Isbel K. of 603

BENCH

Kelenic of 534
Marte 2b 727
Dalbec cr 652
A. Garcia of 507
K. Isbel of 603
Romine c 435
Mercedes dh 668


ANALYSIS

Kershaw, Luzardo and Kirby are a great trio for the playoffs but injuries will limit their usefulness during the regular season.  Pablo Lopez and Kaprielian ooze with potential.  The bullpen could be the best in the SSL and that's quite a compliment given all the great bullpens in this league.  Nevertheless, I defy anyone to tell me who is a better closer than Clase.  Rey. Lopez and Graterol are excellent and Jiminez, Strezelenski and Acevedo can fill in quite nicely.  Even DeJong and Pruitt are above average long relievers.

Cron, Torres and Semien are solid performers.  It's just too bad the rest of the lineup falls off the cliff.  Granted,  Gilbert needs to find a spot for Marte in the lineup but the outfield options are dreadful. I am sure if we recruited a DOD mole to look at Gilbert's master plan it would show Kelenic and Kiriloff hitting for much better OPS than actually happened and therein lays the problem.  The lack of OF production keeps this team from realizing Gilbert's master plan.

The infield and bullpen are good enough for the playoffs but injuries limit the starting rotation and the young outfielders have to shake off the lack of confidence and realize their potential. For now, look for Chicos to finish 4th in a tough NL Central.