74 LIBERTY PRESEASON REVIEW: #6 SO CAL STINGERS

 SO CAL STINGERS 
WESTERN DIVISION 
THREE RIVERS STADIUM 
ED PERNAL  146-124
FRANCHISE  146-124

PLAYOFF RECORD 
69 World Series Champs 
70  West Division Loss 
72   West Division Loss 

RANKINGS 
Hitting 3 
Pitching 10 
Defense 1 

ROSTER 

HITTING 

J. Alou F+2 
Baylor C4 
Burleson C3 
Cash C+4 
Hendricks D3 
A. Johnson C3 
Kranepool B2 
E. Maddox B+4 
T. Martinez F3 
Je. Morales C+3 
C. May D3 
B. Miller D4 
G. Nettles C4 
M. Perez D4
B. Russell C4 
Sanguillen C3 

PITCHING 

Albury D
Brewer C+
Cram B
Del Canton B 
Downing C+
Ellis B
B. Forsch B-
Hood B-
M. Leon D-
J. Niekro C
J. Palmer C
S. Renko B-


NOTES

Ed Pernal always screws up these reviews 😀  Just when I am ready to compliment him on picking up Mike Jorgenson and his AA5 rating he trades him to the Reds for Jerry Morales.  This should lower his team preseason ranking but I am not changing it because it is too late to count given the trade was made after the league has started playing March games.  That's my story and I am sticking to it. .

Pernal usually picks up the best pitchers in the auction, adds in batters with  high OBP and defensive ratings.  Mike Jorgenson was a prime example until he traded him.  The only motivation for making the trade is Morales is a better value in the 3rd and option years of his contract but Jorgenson is a much better investment for the next 2 years.  Not sure if it is worth paying an extra 5 dollars every year but Ed always has an ace up his sleeve.   Ed Kranepool (B2) is the obvious answer to fill the hole at 1B while Jerry Morales adds solid depth to the outfield. 

Kranepool and Maddox will have to avoid some power outages while the rest of the lineup is filled with solid veterans like Baylor, Burleson, Cash, A. Johnson, Nettles and Bill Russell.  The lineup gives the Stingray pitching staff one of the best defenses in the league.  

Dal Canton, Ellis, Forsch and Al Downing are experienced vets who will hold their own.  Jim Palmer and Joe Niekro look like they are on the downsides of their careers.  Palmer always seemed to benefit as much from his own talent as the great Oriole defenses that backed him up so he may be a dangerous weapon given the SCL defense behind him.  Jim Brewer leads the relief corp but he may be losing a little zip on his fastball so look for Ed to bolster the bullpen with a trade or two. 

It looks like the Stingrays are in a great position to make another trip to the playoffs with the Gotham Knights blocking their way to a Western divisional championship. 

PREDICTION:  2nd in the WEST