Kaapstad Kricketers

Team Info
Owner: Brian Myers
Joined: 1999
Park: Bank One 
      Ballpark

Franchise History
NL Central
Texas Armadillos 
(1998)
AL East
Kaapstaad Kricketers 
(1999-Present) 

Team History
Regular Season
2000 113-49 (1st)
1999 91-71 (3rd) 
1998 60-102 (3rd)

Post Season
2000 12-6
(World Series Champs)
 
Projected Line-Up

Rotation 
1. B. Radke
2. J. Lieber
3. G. Rusch
4. C. Smith
5. B. Tollberg

Closer 
P. Shuey

Line-Up
1. D. Jeter SS
2. B. Abreu RF
3. R. Hidalgo CF
4. E. Burks DH
5. T. Hundley/
   J. Lopez C
6. T. Fryman 3B
7. J. Olerud 1B
8. J. Offerman 2B
9. J. Payton LF










Radke needs to
have a good
year if the
Kricketers are
to repeat.







Shuey is a solid
releiver. His stats
say he can be a
closer, but can
he take the every
day pressure?

     Two things have been evident ever since Brian Myers 
stepped in  to take over the 60-102 franchise in 1999, he isn't 
afraid to make a trade, and he wants the team to be 
contenders every season. Under the tutelage of Myers, the 
team won 30 more games in '99, and then improved again 
by  winning 113 games and capturing the GSBL World 
Series title in 2000. One look at the team and you know they 
will be able to compete. The problem is when you have 
reached the top, everyone wants to take you down. The
competetion in the AL East is tougher this year which won't 
make it an easy task to repeat in 2001.

Rotation
     Going into spring training the #1 spot in the rotation 
seems to be up for grabs between Jon Lieber and Brad Radke. 
Radke should get the nod as he has the better stuff of the two. 
Brad is younger and by letting him be the "Ace" of the staff will 
help mature as a pitcher. Radke is a very consistent guy as well, 
you know what you are getting when he goes out there. His 
fastball only tops out at 91 mph but looks faster because of the 
great command he has over his breaking pitches. With the 
line-up Kaapstad puts in front of him, expect a 12-15 win 
season easily.
    Lieber who could very well be the ace tends to pitch well at 
the begginning of the year and then peter off later into the 
season. At age 31 he should be peaking for a pitcher. Year after 
year Jon shows he can get righties out, its those darn lefties he 
struggles against. He lacks a good out pitch vs lefties while his 
slider usually baffles the righties. In the 2 spot, where we think 
suits him best, expect at least a 12 win season.
      The middle of the rotation best suits the quiet gem of the 
pitching staff, Glendon Rusch. He is a finesse left-hander who 
has the ability to strikeout batters when necessary. Its taken him a 
few years to gain the type of command needed for the finesse 
game but we think this season he's ready to step up. Being a left 
hander should keep him in the rotation all season even if he 
struggles. Rusch is beginning to realize his potential and don't be 
surprise if he goes out and wins 15 games.
     The 4th and 5th spots are taken by a couple of rookies. These 
are not your ordinary rookies though, an odd couple of sorts. Chuck 
Smith the elder, and Brian Tollberg the youngster. Smith reminds 
us a little of Rick Reed and its not often a man of 30 yrs of age gets 
a shot at the big time. He kicked around in the Northern League 
and even had a few stints in Taiwan. He has great stuff and never 
seems to lose his control for more than an inning. he could be the 
surprise of the staff in 2001.
     Brian Tollberg should start the season in the 5th spot. Tollberg 
has experienced elbow problms while in the minor leagues, so he 
is considered a bit of a minor risk. What managers like about him is 
that he throws strikes. He likes to go after hitters and is constantly 
ahead in the count. The Kricketers may have him on a pitch count 
in order to restrict any over use strain on his elbow. If he falters 
Kaapstad will probably send him to the minors for more seasoning.
     Down on the farm Kaapstad has a decent mix of veterans and 
youth. In fact the depth on the farm at the starter position is 
impressive. Players like Harnisch, Hitchcock, and Petkovsek are good 
veterans who can come in and start whenever needed, and be 
effective. They are also a little trade bait for other teams to grab. 
The youth is very impressive as well, Jeremy Powell and Paxton 
Crawford have huge upsides to them. Odalis Perez is a great prospect 
but is lost for the season as the 22 year old is having Tommy John 
Surgery. Jin Ho Cho shouldn't make a splash with the big club either 
as the kricketers want him to get a full season of work at AAA.
     Overall the rotation is pretty solid. Kaapstad doesnt really have 
that power guy you fear but they do have consistency throughout the
rotation as well as depth. This depth will most likely be used to 
aquire help in other areas or future draft picks. The question remains 
can this staff lead them back to the Championship? well we will see 
but we all know if they begin to falter the Kricketers will not 
hestitate to make any deal to improve things.

Grade: B+

Bullpen
     The Kricketers posess a very interesting bullpen. They have guys 
who get the job done but are in no means flashy or even well known.
This could be the where Kaapstad will make a deal to upgrade the 
bullpen in certain areas, possibly for a more true closer.
     Paul Shuey is expected to be the closer out of spring training. 
Paul isn't flashy but he knows how to pitch, and pitch well is what he 
does. We don't expect him to get the regular type of save and may 
be used to come in and kill any potential harmfull situations. 
Shuey's main problem is his reoccurring leg injuries. Hopefully he 
can stay off of the DL this season.
      Middle relief is definately a non-issue for Kaapstad. Hippolito 
Pichardo, Rod Beck, Jason Christianson, Anthony Telford and Felix 
Heredia. Beck will be used mainly has the righty set-up man, and 
Felix Heredia will handle most of the lefty vs. lefty match-ups. 
Christiansen will be used mostly inlong relief but can be used as a 
set-up man vs. lefties when needed. Telford and Pichardo will log
most of the middle relief innings and the occasional stint as righty
set-up men.
     The bullpen is fairly deep with players like Slusarski, Crawford, 
King, Petkovsek, Cairncross, Powell, and Sean DePaula beginning 
the season in the minor leagues. Some of which are capable to help
out the big club in minor roles, but none could step in and fully 
replace someone. Expect a trade this season to bolster the bullpen, 
especially at the closer position.
     Overall the bullpen is not a huge concern. The big hole is present 
at the closer position. Kaapstad knows that Shuey will probably spend 
time on the Disabled List again this season, with his nagging leg 
ailments, and therfore will be actively pursuing for a solution. 

Grade: B+ 

Catching

     Javy Lopez is expected to be the veryday starter at catcher with
Todd Hundley getting  an occasional start and sharing back-up 
duties with Hector Ortiz. Lopez is very solid offensively but needs
to improve on the defensive side. He needs to improve his arm
strength as well as his throwing technique as every year he is 
victimized by runners on the basepaths. 
     Todd Hundley is a guy that the Kricketers will probably deal after
aquiring Ellis Burks for the DH role.  He may be a tough sell as 
although he is a decent power type hitter, he doens't possess a strong 
arm, and his aging knees are always a concern for long DL stints. But
he could start on some GSBL teams, so look for him to be moved.
     If Hundley is dealt Ortiz will gain more playing time. He's a decent 
back-up with a better arm than Todd or Javy but his defense is not as
good as theirs. In any deal one would have to beleive that a another 
catcher would be part of the deal which would affect the amount Ortiz
would get to play.

Grade: B+

Infield
     Kaapstad could agruably have one of the best if not the best 
infields in the GSBL. The Kricketers have assembled a very
offensive minded infield with the likes of Jeter, Fryman, Offerman,
and Olerud.
    Up the middle the "Franchise" Derek Jeter will provide the team
with his above avg fielding, solid bat, and ability to get on base and
steal. A future league MVP and more than likely, if he stays healthy,
a future Hall of Famer. He needs to improve his defense as he tends
to rush himself when turning the double play. Although we don't 
think any player on the Kricketers is "untouchable" we could argue
that this guy should be.
    Second base is manned by Jose Offerman. Offerman's offense has 
never been a problem but his defense at the 2B position can be 
suspect at times. Offerman has a knee problem which probably needs 
surgery eventually. The team needs him to play so expect his 
numbers to be lower than what we are used to from him. This could 
be a position where Kaapstad could make a deal but it seems the 
league has a bit of a shortage on decent 2B man.      
     John Olerud is the best defensive player in the Kricketers 
infield. He provides a great glove at first and can scoop out the 
worst of throws out of the dirt. At the plate he is a solid hit to all 
fields type of batter. This always makes him a tough out even 
when the count isn't in his favor. His power isnt all that 
spectatcular but he is very capable of 20 HRs and 90+ RBI's. 
     Travis Fryman is begginning to peak at the ripe old age of 
32. He is coming off of major knee surgery that was done 
immediately after the season ended. Rehab in the offseason 
has gone well and we think its time for Fryman to have a 
breakout year. He's not a great defensive player but his 
potential 30 HR and 100+ RBI potential more than makes 
up for it.
     The Kricketers bench is made up of solid role players like 
Craig Grebeck, Greg Colbrunn, and Enrique Wilson. All of 
which are capable of being solid contributers from off the 
bench. Grebeck could see alot of time at 2B if Offerman's 
knee become too much for him to play. On the farm there 
isnt much depth in the infield with Chris Clapinski, and Chris 
Richard. Clapinski is strictly a platoon/utility guy while 
Richard could eventually take over for Olerud in 2-3 
seasons.
     Overall the infield is very impressive offensively, but lacks
a strong defense. But when you score as many runs as this 
infield will, those extra errors should not prevent you from
winning.

Grade: A-

Outfield
     Much like the Anola Attack's outfield, the Kaapstad Kriketers
outfield is one to drool over. Emerging stars Jay Payton in left,
Richard Hildalgo in center, and Bobby Abreu in right. Ellis 
Burks will be the full-time DH but may occasionally get a start
in right. 
     Jay Payton is a dynamic left fielder. he has a very good arm,
a decent glove, and decent speed. At 27 he is still learning the 
ins and outs of the demanding GSBL season. He has a line
drive type swing which allows him to hit the ball to all fields.
He has decent speed but has been known to caught stealing
quite a bit in the minors. If he can learn the art of the stolen
base he will be an even more effective player than he 
already is.
     Centerfield will be patrolled by the 24 year old Richard 
Hildalgo. The upside of Hildalgo is huge, as many scouts
have compared him to a Sammy Sosa type of player. Last
season his plate discipline wasn't very good, the team is
hoping this is the season he lives up to the hype. He 
posesses good speed which allows him to cover alot of
ground on defense. Learning to hit in front of Ellis Burks
should give him many good pitches to swing at. Kaapstad
is hoping for a breakout season for this young potential
superstar.
     Bobby Abreu is turning into a solid everyday rightfielder.
Abreu has an impressive combination of on-base and power
skills and is turning into a very solid #3 type hitter. Bobby's
one fault are those southpaws. He seems to struggle with
them and until he solves them he cant be considered as the
superstar he is touted to become. Abreu is sneaky fast which
allows him tobe a rather effective base stealer. he has a solid
arm and is great defensively. This year may be the year he 
solves those lefties and claims his superstar status.
     Kaapstad went out and aquired themselves a fantastic
Designated Hitter in Ellis Burks. He can play the field if 
needed but his powerful bat is what is feared by any
opponent. Being DH will help his ailing knees and will
allow him to get more AB's. Burks has power to all fields
and should be able to splash a few HR's into the pool in
right center.
     Bruce Aven and Henry Rodriguez may just be some
insurance against any big time injuries. Aven is a player
that has never lived up to the hype, but could step in 
and provide some emergence time in the outfield. The
one they call O'Henry is a solid left handed bat and may 
also see some time at DH, especially if Burks knees act 
up on him. HRod tends to be dealt alot and could be 
involved in any deal to grab a closer. If they don't move 
him he will provide some good power off the bench in 
any pinch hitting situations.
     Overall the outfield is superb. One of the strongest,
and perhaps the strongest in the American League. It
has power speed and depth. Kaapstad can rest easy
with the exciting  trio they put out in the field every 
game.
 
Grade: A+

Mixing a curve 
with a cut 
fastball he
can have nasty 
stuff. Rusch is 
the young lefty
all GSBL teams
would love to 
have.

















Jeter has been
an awesome 
presence at SS.
He brings his "A"
game to the park
every day, and 
never takes a play
or an at bat off. 
We think he could 
be a 25-25 man 
this season.










PRESSURE PLAYER



Bobby is one of
the most 
versatile and 
productive 
players in the 
GSBL. The
pressure will be
on this 27 year
old to lead the
Kricketers to 
back to back
titles.

















It has been
said that
Hidalgo has
Sammy Sosa
type talent. 
This could be 
the season he
could breakout.
He has no real
pressure from
management,
they just want
him to go out
and "bring it".