74 LIBERTY REVIEW: #10 LANCASTER REDS

 

LANCASTER REDS 
EASTERN DIVISION 
RIVERFRONT STADIUM 
FRANCHISE RECORD 89-127
PLAYOFF RECORD  0-0 
JUSTIN LUDWIG  68-94 

74 RANKINGS 
Hitting 10
Pitching 11 
Defense 2 

ROSTER 

HITTING 

Auerbach if  B
Bradford of  A
Concepcion ss  C+
Grich 2b  A 
Grote  c  D
Lahoud of A 
McRae  of AA 
Miller of C
Morales Je of C+
Phillips if F
Rettenmund of D+
Santo 3b F
Sims c F
Spencer 1b C 

PITCHING 

Aker D
Baney C-
Cuellar B-
Foucault B+
Garber C 
Garland B-
Gibson C 
Hargan B-
Lange C
McNally C 
Miller. B. B-
Rooker B
Segui C+


NOTES 

Dave Concepcion walked away with a 49 dollar 3 year contract with a team option for year 4. 

While the amount of the contract is controversial, there are several reasons to justify Ludwig's investment.  First, a 5/9/1 defensive slash line at the shortstop position.  Second, a 119 OPS+ average against RH pitchers.  Third, 41 steals turns alot of singles into doubles. Fourth, a 5 BR makes him a great lead off hitter.  Finally, there was a low supply of quality shortstops in the 74 auction. All of these reasons makes Concepcion a MVP candidate in 74. 

Concepcion leads a defense ranked 2nd in the league.  Up to this point in my league reviews, this is  the first scouting review where I can say a team can field players with at least a 4 range rating at every position not to mention several low error ratings.   

 All Stars Hal McRae, Billy Williams and Bobby Grich will terrify opponents. Lahoud, Bradford and Auerbach also know how to swing a bat but Ludwig will have to use them judicially given limited ABs or potential injury concerns. 

The rotation of Cuellar, McNally, Garland, Rooker and Gibson is solid enough but the bullpen could be the Achilles heel during the season.  

With Flour City and Long Island in a rebuilding mode, the door is open for the Reds to finish 2nd in this division. 

PREDICTION:  2ND in the EAST