Hey, just like those
old baseball cards!!!
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THE OFFICIAL FESH FAN CLUB SEASON PREVIEW!
CATCHERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| Johnny Estrada | Reading (AA) | .295 | 42 | 105 |
12 | 42 |
| Jeremy Salazar | Clearwater (A) | .250 | 18 | 41 |
1 | 25 |
| When the Phillies released Chris Turner, a minor-league veteran, it left
the Barons with few options. However, we will have Johnny Estrada, a highly touted Phillies prospect
to handle most of the catching duties. Salazar spent all year at Clearwater, and right now apaers to be
the only possible backup candidate. However, the Barons could always go out and sign a free agent
veteran. |
FIRST BASE |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| Gene Schall | RED BARONS | .286 | 72 | 123 | 21 |
80 |
| The Red Barons all-time home run leader returns for another year with the club.
Last year, Schall was the veteran presence on the club, leading them to the Governor's Cup Finals.
Expect Schall to handle the lion's share of the duties at first base this year, and maybe even take
a crack at breaking Wendell Magee's single-season HR record of 24. |
SECOND BASE |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| David Newhan | SAN DIEGO | .150 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| | Las Vegas (AAA-Padres) | .254 | 41 | 62 |
5 | 35 |
| | RED BARONS | .253 | 10 | 21 | 3 | 8 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | .167 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Newhan will probably be one of the last training camp cuts for the Phils, and will
end up at SWB as the starting second baseman. Newhan was well-traveled last season, making two stops
in the big leagues. He also had a monster playoff run with the Red Barons. If Marlon Anderson falters
in Philadelphia, I don't think the Phils will hesitate to bring Newhan up. |
SHORTSTOP |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| Nick Punto | Reading (AA) | .254 | 77 | 116 | 5 |
47 |
| Punto isn't quite Jimmy Rollins, but he will be one of the players to keep your eye
on in this, his first AAA season. He brings another speed runner to the basepaths, having stolen 33
bases at Reading last season. His offensive numbers won't match those of Rollins, but his defensive
skills should be more than enough to fill in. |
THIRD BASE |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| Kevin Orie | Omaha (AAA-Royals) | .280 | 30 | 49 |
5 | 23 |
| | Columbus (AAA-Yankees) | .289 | 19 | 43 |
4 | 19 |
| Orie is another proven minor and major league veteran, who can be counted on to
add more meat to the middle part of the Red Barons' batting attack. His defensive capablities can
not be matched by those of Dave Doster, last year's third baseman, but the offensive upgrade will
balance this out. |
UTILITY INFIELDERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| P.J. Forbes | RED BARONS | .275 | 51 | 92 | 2 |
32 |
| Jason Knupfer | Reading (AA) | .269 | 53 | 75 |
4 | 24 |
P.J. Forbes was the veteran guide for the Barons' Governor's Cup Finals run last
season. His work ethic goes above and beyond that of someone who has been in the minors as long as
P.J. has. Whenever one of the starting infielders needs a break, P.J. will be a fine replacement.
Jason Knupfer will probably be our other backup infielder, making his AAA debut. He can play second,
third, or short. His numbers were impressive at Reading last year, and hopefully this will continue
with the Barons. |
STARTING OUTFIELDERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| Jason Michaels | Reading (AA) | .295 | 71 | 129 |
10 | 74 |
| Reggie Taylor | RED BARONS | .275 | 60 | 116 |
15 | 43 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | .091 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Eric Valent | Reading (AA) | .258 | 81 | 121 |
22 | 90 |
| This is an outfield full of prospects... or as I will call it - the MTV Outfield.
The "M" will be our left fielder - Jason Michaels. He was one of the last training camp cuts by the
Phillies this season. Unfortunately, his demotion meant that long time Fesh-fan club friend Barry
Johnson was released. Another typical Phillies lack-of-heart move... but I digress. Michaels will be
a good power bat in the lineup. The "T" is our returning center fielder, Reggie Taylor. He will most
likely return as the leadoff batter, and main speed threat. Reggie had a knack for making the great
defensive plays look easy, and for making the easy defensive plays look hard. The "V" is a new power
addition from Reading - Eric Valent. This outfield could very well combine to hit around 60 to 70
homers this season. |
RESERVE OUTFIELDERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | BA | R | H | HR | RBI |
|---|
| David Francia | Reading (AA) | .290 | 36 | 61 |
3 | 26 |
| | RED BARONS | .291 | 16 | 34 |
2 | 15 |
| Aaron Royster | Reading (AA) | .353 | 19 | 36 |
5 | 15 |
| | RED BARONS | .138 | 3 | 4 |
0 | 2 |
Francia was the maker of one of the greatest Red Baron moments ever. In last season's
final week against Pawtucket, he launched a home run at Lackawanna County Stadium to continue a HUGE
9th inning rally which led to a four-game sweep of the Pawsox. He will probably see time as a DH or as
a replacement outfielder with the club.
Royster will probably be up and down between here and Reading, as there really seems to be no real
place for him to fit in here. If he does, he'll be a reserve outfielder.
ONE OTHER NOTE HERE: Turner Ward is starting the season in Extended Spring Training. He is expected
to come to SWB when he is healthy. |
STARTING PITCHERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | ERA | W | L | SV | SO |
|---|
| David Coggin - R | Clearwater (A) | 2.67 | 2 | 2 |
0 | 26 |
| | Reading (AA) | 4.93 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 30 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | 5.33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| | RED BARONS | 4.34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 27 |
| Brandon Duckworth - R | Reading (AA) | 3.16 | 13 | 7 |
0 | 178 |
| Geoff Geary - R | Reading (AA) | 4.11 | 7 | 6 |
0 | 112 |
| Nelson Figueroa - R | Tuscon (AAA-Diamondbacks) | 2.81 | 9 |
4 | 0 | 78 |
| | ARIZONA | 7.47 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| | RED BARONS | 3.78 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 35 |
| Evan Thomas - R | RED BARONS | 3.53 | 13 | 10 |
0 | 127 |
| Wow -- what a starting rotation!! This is one we have never, and most likely,
will never see again. Our opening day starter figures to be Evan Thomas, the team leader in wins and
strikeouts a year ago. Following him will be Nelson Figueroa, one of the key components of the Curt
Schilling deal last season. He was brilliant in the playoffs, and looks to be a strong candidate for
a callup to the big leagues if something goes wrong there (and it will). Dave Coggin made his way through
all the levels of the system last year, and performed well at each level. His big highlight came
when he beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium fresh from the Reading Phils. The two new faces in the
rotation were outstanding at Reading last year. Duckworth is a highly regarded prospect, and if he
can match his output from last year, nobody will want to face him. Geary is the wildcard 5th man in the
rotation, who will hopefully be able to give the club many quality innings. |
BULLPEN PITCHERS |
| NAME | LAST SEASON | ERA | W | L | SV | SO |
|---|
| Rigo Beltran - L | Colorado Springs (AAA-Rockies) | 5.90 | 6 |
10 | 0 | 95 |
| | COLORADO | 40.50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jason Boyd - R | Clearwater (A) | 2.38 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 12 |
| | RED BARONS | 1.72 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | 6.55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 |
| Thomas Jacquez - L | Reading (AA) | 2.96 | 0 | 3 |
3 | 21 |
| | RED BARONS | 1.98 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 34 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | 11.05 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Doug Nickle - R | Reading (AA) | 2.44 | 8 | 3 |
16 | 58 |
| Clint Sodowsky - R | Akron (AA-Indians) | 5.36 | 2 | 1 |
3 | 39 |
| | Tulsa (AA-Rangers) | 4.82 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| | Oklahoma (AAA-Rangers) | 2.91 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
13 |
| Ed Vosberg - L | Colorado Springs (AAA-Rockies) | 6.86 | 1 |
2 | 2 | 37 |
| | RED BARONS | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | PHILADELPHIA | 4.13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| The bullpen brings a lot of new faces to the mound for the Barons this year. As
mentioned earlier, Barry Johnson was released today (April 1st) which puts a damper on the opening
of the season for Fesh Club members. As it stands, the bullpen consists of three lefties and three
righties. Jason Boyd, Doug Nickle, and Clint Sodowsky will handle the right-handed duties, while
Rigo Beltran, Thomas Jacquez, and Ed Vosberg are the lefties. Nickle figures to be the big closer,
although he is untested yet at the AAA level. He wont make Barons fans forget last year's team of
Kirk Bullinger and Steve Schrenk, but he will be a great closer in time. |
THE DAY THE CHEERING STOPPED...
Sean Fesh Traded to Colorado
Sean Fesh was more than just a ballplayer to the people of
the Scranton Area. He was a hero, an idol, not to mention
someone that we all could identify with, and most of all
a good friend. His following was the largest of any Red
Baron in history, spanning over an entire season and a half.
It lives on today thanks to the modern wonder that is the internet.
It's slightly humorous and ironic that the team Fesh was
traded to is a combination of the SkyChiefs and the PawSox hehehe.
Sean, you'll be missed deeply, not just by the immediate fan club
but by all the kids you've touched and anyone who's ever
enjoyed one of our cheers or our taunts. As the Red Baron season winds down,
we wish nothing more than for Sean to get the September call-up
to Colorado. We hope this is the oppurtunity that the Phillies
weren't prepared to give you. Hopefully Sean's return to the PCL will be a success. In Sean's words, "LATER ON!"
You can catch the action and the Feshtival at
The Colorado Springs SkySox Homepage!
Get vaccinated against Meningitis!!!
© 2000 by the Sean Fesh Fan Club.
Webmeister (guy who made this page) - Dave Lefchak |
