2014 was a fun playoff run and left expectations high with ownership and the fans. I am not quite as sold. The Mustangs started hot and got to 18 games over by mid June. That is exactly where they ended up. Combine that with the 162-162 record compiled over the first two years and it shows the Mustangs have been pretty consistently mediocre. Like you'd expect to see on any team, there are a few new faces on the ABL roster but most are returning starters. The biggest loss obviously, is Eric Black. No one in the organization has the skills to even partially fill his shoes as a catalyst at the top of the lineup. His combination of power, speed and ability to get on base will be greatly missed. Crucial defense in center field will suffer as well. The Mustangs did make some moves and improved in some areas, but likely not enough to make up for the loss of Black. For that reason it's hard to see how there won't be a drop in wins.
Catcher:
After spending most of 2014 in AAA, Brewski had a good spring training batting .340 and mixing in a few doubles and a home run. He'll join Randy Gibson and give the Mustangs two stud defensive catchers that love it when teams try to run on them. Not much offensive production expected here.
Infield:
All stars Jeff Wade and Callum Ritchie continue team up for the fourth year as a premier defensive middle infield duo. Wade is the likely candidate to bat lead off even though he is much better suited as the number two batter. I like German Hernandez at first base. He ripped through spring training with an .934 OPS. Third base is a bit interesting. It looks like newly acquired via trade Mashashi Kogawa may get the starting nod despite the organizations intention to let him develop in the minors for one more year. He did manage five home runs in spring during which time last years starter Francisco Morales was putrid. Fernando Garza is in the final year of his contract. He will contribute mostly at DH. Jim Hurst gets the first shot at the utility infielder role. Hopefully the Mustangs can utilize his defense and hide his bat.
Outfield:
Veterans Tommy Harris and Eduardo Gomez will be every day starters. Gomez is in the last year of his contract and Harris has a team option waiting for him. I expect big things as they both play to secure one more big deal before they hang up the cleats. Who will end up with the most starts in center field is anyone's guess. Raymundo Gaias has not played in a major league regular season game since 2012 when he was with Nottinghamshire. He is the odds on favorite and will get to be the man opening day. I like his bat and his range but he has a very unfortunate tendency to misplay and flat out drop fly balls. The heir to the position by all rights should be Daniel Rodriguez but he has not been able to capitalize on the numerous opportunities he has been given to claim it. He will have opportunities again this season. And finally Danny Hardy will be in the mix. Great speed and defense. Too bad he can't hit worth a damn.
Rotation:
The crew that led the TML in all but three pitching categories in 2014 returns intact to pick up where they left off. I don't see any reason not to expect 35 starts and another fantastic season out of Cy Young winner Manual Ruiz. Paul Durden and Scott Wilson all return from very good campaigns last year. Both are only 22 years old and have already established themselves as capable major league starters. Thomas White was injured most of the season but pitched very well when he wasn't. Finally stud Tim Berry will return several weeks into the season to step back into the #2 spot. In the interim, exciting prospect Chris Phillips will get a chance to show what he can do.
Bullpen:
Like the rotation, they are studs and they are back. Elite closer David "Slam" Reynolds should continue to inherit save opportunities from the holds racked up by Barry Johnson, Mal Meade, Antonio Rodriguez and Joe Russell. The last spot goes to Arturo Cruz to handle mop up duties. I am not sure why but the fans just love him.
All in all my personal expectation is a slightly over .500 record. Definitely enough to squash the puny Tornadoes but likely not enough to keep up with Eureka or Las Vegas. There are several exciting prospects moving up through the organization. Most are still two or three years away. That should be enough time for the mistakes of a noob owner to fade and then we can find out what the Mustangs are truly about.
