Expectations
Playoff contention.
Best Case
Gerrit Cole and Pud Galvin pitch as they have and someone, or actually a few someone’s, from the group of Doc Gooden, Elmer Smith, Chuck Finley, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, and Sid Fernandez make good on their immense potential while Mike Trout develops into a true superstar, Carlos Delgado holds off age for another year, and 1st round pick Ichiro Suzuki comes good.
Worst Case
The pitching remains a hot mess, Doug Rader reverts to form, and Delgado, Don Buford, and George Wright all feel the effects of age.
Key Questions
- Who is going to fill out the rotation and the bullpen?
- Will anyone step up at C?
In addition to Suzuki, draft picks Babe Herman, John Lackey, and Bryan Harvey all have a shot at making the team.
Trade Bait
Nothing immediately, but the team could do a rebuild at some point and there are some that could be valuable.
Roster Evaluation
| POS | Elite | Strong | Solid | Meh | Weak | Unknown |
| C | Pierzynski Torborg | |||||
| 1B | Delgado | Lee | ||||
| 2B | Grich | Ellis | ||||
| 3B | Rader | Garvey | ||||
| SS | Wright | |||||
| LF/ RF | Buford Daniels | Suzuki | ||||
| CF | Trout | |||||
| SP | Cole | Anderson Galvin | Gooden | Seaver | ||
| End | Nathan Rodríguez | Teheran | ||||
| RP | DeSclafani Lowry Patterson Smith |
That’s a lot in the unknown column, and with Rader and Delgado both likely to regress … it could be a long California summer.
Talent Ratings
| WBL | Minors | |
| Raw Power | 1B Carlos Delgado | 1B Jack Hannifin |
| Batting Eye | 2B Bobby Grich | OF Jack Gleason |
| Contact | OF Ichiro Suzuki | OF Elmer Valo |
| Running Speed | OF Ichiro Suzuki | OF Billy Hamilton |
| Base Stealing | OF Mike Trout | OF Billy Hamilton |
| IF Defense | 3B Doug Rader | 3B Pedro Álvarez |
| OF Defense | OF Ichiro Suzuki | OF Ender Inciarte |
| Stuff | P Elmer Smith | P Nolan Ryan |
| Control | SP Pud Galvin | P Brian Anderson |
| Velocity | RP Joe Nathan RP Francisco Rodríguez | P Nolan Ryan |
Best In The Minors
| Rank | Age | POS | Name |
| 1 (19) | 25 | P/OF | Elmer Smith |
| 2 (85) | 22 | P | John Lackey |
| 3 (90) | 21 | P | Randy Tate |
| 4 (92) | 21 | IF | Marcus Semien |
| 5 (95) | 23 | P | Joey Lucchesi |
| 6 (141) | 23 | P | Tom Seaver |
| 7 (154) | 22 | P | Esteban Loaiza |
| 8 (157) | 25 | P | Ross Reynolds |
| 9 (178) | 25 | P | Brian Anderson |
| 10 (187) | 22 | OF | Brandon Nimmo |
The lack of top end talent is a serious issue, but the presence of quite a bit of decent pitching is a very significant advantage, especially when considering how underrated some of the prospects are–Mr. Seaver, we’re looking at you.
| Most | Least | |
| Age | P Jose Contreras, 38 | P Blue Moon Odom, 19 |
| Height | P Chuck Finley, 6’6″ P John Lackey, 6’6″ P John O’Donoghue, 6’6″ | OF Albie Pearson, 5’5″ |
| OPS | OF Ned Harris, 1.230(—) | OF Jack Gleason, .545 (—) |
| HR | OF Ned Harris, 58 (—) | OF Albie Pearson, 1 (—) |
| SB | OF Mike Trout, 37 (WBL) | Many with 0 |
| WAR | OF Mike Trout, 6.0 (WBL) | OF Jack Gleason, -2.0 (—) |
| W | Gerrit Cole, 16 (WBL) | Carl Willis, 1 (—) |
| SV | Joe Nathan, 22 (WBL) | |
| ERA | Jose Contreras, 3.04 (—) | Jesse Tannehill, 6.72 (—) |
| WAR | Jose Contreras, 6.5 (—) | Brian Anderson, -0.9 (AAA) |