2010 Harrisburg Senators preview

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http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/04/2010_harrisburg_senators_previ.html Sens look to put decade-long struggles behind them By GEOFF MORROW, The Patriot-News April 14, 2010, 10:00PM In this version of “24,” there will be no Jack Bauer to save the Senators. It’ll be up to the 24 players on Harrisburg’s roster to return the once-proud minor league franchise, in its 24th season back in the ‘Burg, to the prominence it enjoyed more than a decade ago. When affiliated baseball returned to City Island with the construction of RiverSide Stadium in 1987, nobody truly knew what was in store. But an Eastern League championship in that first season set a precedent, one that was repeated five times: 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. The Harrisburg Senators were a championship-caliber team, whether affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1987-90) or the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (1991-present). Yet, this Class AA squad has suffered a rough start to the millennium. Since winning an unprecedented fourth straight EL title in ‘99, the Senators have enjoyed just three winning seasons and haven’t reached the playoffs since 2002. This year’s version, highlighted by legitimate major league prospects like starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, reliever Drew Storen, shortstop Danny Espinosa and first baseman Chris Marrero, were expected to return the team to the glory. Coinciding with the opening of a completely renovated and top-of-the-line Metro Bank Park, the excitement level surrounding this team has been palpable. The team’s rough first week aside, and with new manager Randy Knorr leading the charge, there exists a hope that the Senators will once again play meaningful baseball come September. Only time will tell if the shackles of recent and forgettable years will finally be removed. A position-by-position breakdown of the team’s opening-day roster follows: CATCHER Both Jhonatan Solano and Sean Rooney spent parts of 2009 with the Senators. Neither has been sensational, but both have been dependable. Solano, Knorr said, will be the primary receiver, starting roughly five times a week. The Colombian got a late start to his career, signing with the Nationals as a 20-year-old in 2005. He proved to be a clutch hitter with the Senators last year before earning a promotion to Class AAA Syracuse, and his development behind the plate will go a long way to determining his future in this organization. Rooney, a switch-hitter, knows his position well and should be a reliable backup. FIRST BASE A first-round pick out of high school in 2006, Chris Marrero’s skills with the bat have rarely been questioned. “He’s always going to hit,” Knorr said. He’s averaged 17 home runs over the past three seasons, which included a late-season dash with the Senators in 2009. And his defense has improved tremendously now that he’s finally been labeled a first baseman. Bill Rhinehart, the Senators’ first baseman for much of the previous two seasons, would be a reliable fill-in if and when Marrero can’t go. SECOND BASE Knorr raves about Michael Martinez, a smallish Dominican sparkplug who struggled here as a utility man last year. Nobody questions Martinez’s desire. He works as hard as anybody and plays with a passion that should be emulated by all in the game. At 27, he’s old for a Class AA player, and at 5-9, he won’t wow anybody with power production. But Martinez knows and loves this game and will provide an honest effort every day. Pedro Lopez, a minor league free agent signee who’s spent time in the big leagues, provides what Knorr describes as “smooth” service when he’s in the starting lineup. THIRD BASE Former Senator Ryan Zimmerman is the Nationals’ third baseman of the present and future, so this is always an interesting position in the organization’s upper levels. Adam Fox, a Pennsylvania native, spent the previous seven seasons as a productive minor leaguer in the Texas Rangers’ system. The 28-year-old, the oldest player on the roster, will have his chance to shine on this stage. He’s been playing at the AA and AAA levels since 2005, so good luck surprising him with anything new. Fox should supply the Senators with veteran leadership and modest production both offensively and defensively. SHORTSTOP While he currently resides on Harrisburg’s 7-day disabled list with a hamstring issue, Danny Espinosa should be and will be one of the team’s everyday stars. A standout at Long Beach State, Espinosa was a third-round pick in 2008 and could one day soon become the Nationals’ regular shortstop. Gifted defensively, his bat was a pleasant surprise at Class A Potomac last year, where he hit 18 home runs and stole 29 bases. The very capable Lopez will spell Espinosa when he can’t go OUTFIELD None of the Senators’ outfielders rank among Baseball America’s Top 30 prospects in the Washington organization, but Leonard Davis, Michael Daniel and Bill Rhinehart have enjoyed those accolades in previous years. Davis, who’s also been a corner outfielder, a third baseman and a second baseman, is developing into a super-utility man with pop and will man center to start this season. Daniel, now at Syracuse but expected to return to Harrisburg soon, is another Knorr fave who’s still figuring himself out as a hitter. Rhinehart has shown flashes in the past, and newcomer Jesus Valdez could develop into a regular contributor. Dan Nelson is another mega-utility guy who can play outfield or infield. STARTING PITCHER Highlighted, of course, by Stephen Strasburg, perhaps the most heralded prospect in baseball history, the five-man rotation could be a strength of this team, Knorr says. Jeff Mandel and Aaron Thompson both rank among the Nationals’ Top 30 prospects, and crafty southpaw Tom Milone probably should have made the list, too. Matt Chico, who first pitched for the Senators in 2006, has been to the big leagues and enjoyed success there, and he continues to work his way back after some injury issues. RELIEF PITCHER Easily the Senators’ most appealing feature, the bullpen has been nothing short of spectacular in the early going. Drew Storen, the Nationals’ closer of the future, has been dominant since he first started slinging in the minor leagues last summer. Right-handers Hassan Pena, Rafael Martin, Adam Carr and Erik Arnesen are supremely talented and reliable, as are lefties Yunior Novoa and Victor Garate. There’s not one guy in this unit who isn’t capable of turning heads and earning promotion to either Class AAA or the big leagues. COACHING Knorr, the former Toronto Blue Jays catcher, has done a lot of winning throughout his baseball career, whether it be as a World Series champion in 1992 and ‘93 or as manager of Carolina League champ Potomac in 2008. Players have sincere respect for Knorr, who decided he needed to return to managing after spending last year as the Nationals’ bullpen coach. Hitting coach Troy Gingrich and pitching coach Randy Tomlin, both former Senators players, return to their posts and are equally respected by the players. Expect this crew to push the team hard while also enjoying themselves on the diamond. Says Knorr of his managerial style: “I like to put guys in good positions to do well. I look for weaknesses on other teams to exploit. I want my guys to play hard and to think for themselves, and I will allow them to make mistakes. Stupidity is a great teaching tool.” -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 124.9.131.51