Spring Training Recap

By Tomasz Kamien / NewJerseyHitmen.blogspot.com

April 1^st, 2012: Newark, NJ - Well that’s it for spring training folks.  Our Hitmen finished with a record of 9 and 15, good for 6^th in the Pan-Atlantic division.  Although this comes as no surprise after last year’s lack luster performance and the minimal amount of moves made in the offseason this year.  I would warn you not to look too deeply into their weak showing this spring as everyone is still working off the rust.  Eight of the fifteen losses this spring were by two runs or less.  There is a lot to look forward to this coming season as a lot of the youngsters are showing a lot of promise.  Well let’s begin by breaking it down.

Looking at pitching, we will be without starter Miguel Ortíz for the first three weeks of the season with elbow inflammation from an injury that occurred while playing against the New Orleans Trendsetters on the 24^th of March.  He started off the inning allowing a solo shot to catcher John Ray then labored through the next five batters before being pulled.  Miguel had pitched well in his four spring starts and will be missed, although this gives an opportunity to youngsters Gerald Francis and Douglas Bonsink to step in for the mean time.  There are also talks that Evans is impressed with Jersey City starter Javier Pacheco.  At least we know that if there are any injuries the Hitmen have some depth this year.

Closer Cary ‘Checkmate’ Bond has spent the spring working on his control in order to improve upon his amazing 41 save rookie season.  Initial rumors are that Pitching Coach Kumanosuke Nii has talked Manager Tracy Evans into working with an extra man out of the bullpen this season.  Along with the addition of Rule V draftee Lorenzo Herrera we will probably be seeing righty Javier Ortíz get the call up as he has been impressive in his five games of work this spring.

My projected pitching roster to start the season is with Jian 'Déjà vu' Du getting the opening day start again this year.  Followed by veteran and workhorse, Jerry Jones, who lead the team in wins last season with 15.  Youngster Xiong Ci will try to continue his strong 2^nd half of the season this year.  After a dismal 2011, José Rivera will probably be on a short leash this season.  Pitching Coach Nii was not thrilled with his bloated ERA last year.  Finishing off our starters will be either youngster Douglas Bonsink or Gerald Francis, both of whom have pitched well this spring battling for that 5^th spot.  I believe when Ortiz returns we will see him slotted back in the 3 spot with the rest of the rotation getting pushed back a day.  With Rivera’s struggles on the mound last season and this spring, we might end up seeing both Bonsink and Francis this year.

Some big veterans return this year with Saikawa, Schaffner, Benthall, and Ortega back to lead the youngsters in their development.  Short stop Ortega has looked a bit sluggish this offseason and has had some trouble getting back into playing shape.  Manager Tracy Evans was noticeably upset during a couple games and we just might end up seeing Ortega moved to more of a utility back up this year.  New faces Sancho Romero and Ching-hsia Chin have been working hard in order to try and make an impact this year.  Romero will take over the starting left field spot left open by Jesús Rivera who was released at the end of last season. 

Veteran third baseman Dan Schaffner has lost some of his agility in the field and will be moved to the designated hitter role this year allowing for youngsters Lee Kohler or David MacFadden to take his spot on the field.  Pablo ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Sandoval will have a busy year as his play will be under close watch since inheriting the full time first baseman position from Takahiro Yoshida who left in the offseason. 

Veteran Daniel Ríos has been trying to stay vocal this spring as he hopes to get himself some more playing time this year.  The once strong outfielder has been riding the pine the past couple years as he has lost some pop to his bat.  It is good to see the outfielder try and fight for some playing time in his final year of contract as we are more used to hearing about the arguments he has gotten into with Manager Evans and General Manager Michael Czosnyka who has many times plainly stated he does not like having Rios around.  There have also been rumors that recently, as well as even last year, Ríos has been receiving death threats through his email, although authorities have not been able to trace any emails to an account.

With Sandoval moving up to the majors full time this year, fellow slugging first baseman Anthony Hough will be given the reins in Jersey City.  Hough could be back up as soon as the roster expansion if he produces well in the minors as he has shown a lot of promise for the club.

While a 9 and 15 spring might not look bright, I think the club is already in a lot better shape than it was last season and we can expect a few more wins this year.  See you guys at the park on Tuesday as we open up the year with a two game series against the Gloucester Fishermen and their ace Manuel ‘Mayor’ Corona.

Tomasz Kamien is a beat writer for the New Jersey Hitmen.  This story was not subject to the approval of Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance or its clubs.