Bay City Black Knights

Projected Line-Up

Bay City Black Knights
Owner: Steve Spoulos
Joined:  2001
Park: Edison International 
         Field

Rotation 
1. R. Ortiz 
2. D. Burba 
3. S. Karl 
4. J. Schmidt 
5. J. Jiminez/J. Parque

Closer 
B. Simas/J. Isringhausen 

Line-Up
1. R. Velarde 2B 
2. B. Ausmus C
3. C. Floyd LF
4. J. Jaha DH
5. G. Anderson CF
6. M. Ordonez RF
7. T. Martinez 1B
8. N. Perez SS
9. J. Valentin 3B




Bill Simas and Jason 
Isringhausen should
battle for the Raiders 
closer role. 

     It's the year 2000 and there are a lot of questions 
surrounding the Raiders and this upcoming season. Will 
Tino Martinez bounce back, who gets to play LF and will 
the Raiders be a factor in the tight Al East? 

Rotation

     At first glance names like Burba, Karl, Ortiz, Schmidt, 
Jiminez, and Parque don't get you too excited, but when you 
look deeper at their stats two things are evident. They 
will walk a good number of hitters but they can be more 
effective than you think.
     The rotation is led by the budding start to be Ortiz, 
and the veteran leadership of Burba. Although having a 
quiet season last year Schmidt is a very solid starter. 
The bottom half of the rotation could make or break the 
Raiders. Karl was hit hard and often in '99 and must improve 
if the Raiders are to remain in the divisional race. Parque 
like Karl needs to pitch better or he may be the odd man 
out. Parque and Jiminez will battle for the fifth spot in 
the rotation with the early edge given to Jiminez (barring 
a horrible spring).

Bullpen

     The bullpen will be the key to a good or bad season for 
Greenville. Going into the season it looks like the closer 
job will be split by Simas and Isringhausen. Both can be 
affective but they walk a lot of batters too. Closer is an 
area that needs definite improvement. 
     Looking at the rest of the bullpen they all have one 
thin in common. They all like to burn the edges of the 
plate. When they are on their game it results in outs and 
K's but most of the time it results in their good share of 
walks. Nunez (a cuban-defector), is the most valuable arm 
in the pen. He can set-up vs. righties, start some games, 
and even mop-up if needed. At 25, he has some promising 
years ahead of him as he attempts to blossom into a 
starter.
     The rest of the bullpen is average at best. Highlighted 
with Miceli, Beltran, and Medina, the common theme again is 
the control issue. If they can throw strikes they will 
produce, if not there will a lot of free bases and 4 hour 
games for Greenville Raider ticket holders.

Catching

     One of the strengths that the Raiders possess is their 
catching. Dan Wilson and Brad Ausmus are great defensively 
and although Ausmus has the stronger arm, Wilson can throw 
out his share of baserunners.  Their only faults is that 
they both lack HR pop. Wilson mysteriously lost his power, 
but if he gets in the groove he can boost Greenville's 
already strong catching situation.

Infield

     Very solid infield overall, a bit on the old side, but 
still very solid. Tino Martinez goes into the year with the 
1B job as he has a solid glove. If he can hit for average 
and power he will drive in a lot of runs, resulting in wins 
for the Raiders. John Jaha can play first if needed but will 
provide a huge bat in the spot of DH, he was perhaps the 
best off-season move by the Raiders.
     The middle infield is a strength for the Raiders. At 
36 Velarde has put up career numbers but if he slumps the 
often injured Vina can step in and not hurt the Raiders too 
much. If Fernando can stay healthy Velarde or Vina could be 
dealt. Shortstop is sewn up by the young and talented Neifi 
Perez. He possesses a decent glove and good speed and 
although doesn't hit for a lot of power, he can hit for 
average. 
     The hot corner is an area of concern. Can Valentin, 
who has been a bit of a dissapointment, put together a year 
where he remains healthy and raises his average to decent 
levels? Merloni is the main backup along with Arias. Both 
have very good fielding abilities but are a little light 
in the hitting department. Greg Colbrunn offers some pop 
off the bench in a pich-hitting role.

Outfield

	Raiders outfield looks like this...Magglio Ordonez 
in RF, Garrett Anderson in CF, and Floyd and company in 
LF. Anderson has a strong arm, a great glove, can hit for 
average and fairly decent power. Ordonez in RF also 
possesses a good arm, has decent power and speed, and can 
be considered on the verge of superstardom. The main 
question is Floyd in LF, he will get hurt and Ramirez (who 
won't see a lot of abs in Cleveland anytime soon), and Todd 
Dunwoody (who is in an already crowded OF in KC), may not 
have enough AB's to finish the season. Floyd is strong but 
the Raiders need to acquire a decent backup to him.     

 
Brad Ausmus is not only has 
a strong arm but can call
a great game from behind 
the plate as well.

PRESSURE PLAYER

If Greenville is to compete
in 2000, John Jaha needs 
to put up big numbers in 
the DH spot. 

Magglio could be a future
superstar. Can he have 
another superstar like
season?