2018 Season Preview

Apologies for not participating as much last season.
Between house hunting, buying, moving, packing & unpacking, life has been a tad crazy!

So, in review of last season, something was amiss.
The Bombers were hovering around 500 (40-41) at the end of June; and then the wheels came off!
The top 2 SP's for the Bombers John Martin and Jason Adams were both challenging for the ERA title at that time and both at one point were leading the league.  When they slipped, so did the Bombers.

The only saving grace was that San Francisco took off and never looked back - and even if we finished 500 we still would have been close to 20 GB in the standings!

This year, again, big things are expected, but will the players step up and do their part?

STARTING PITCHING -
John Martin is a fixture and has been named the Opening Day Starter.
Aaron Harris has had a phenomenal spring and has gone 2-0 w/ 1.69 ERA
Dave Nicholson, who has had an up and down career, seems to have found himself.  A notorious slow starter has come out of the gate pitching very well and secured a spot in the rotation.
The #4 & 5 slots are a toss up between Jason Adams, Cecil Gibbons and Lorenzo Soto.  Rumors swirling in SC were that Gibbons was asked about a demotion to AAA (he has one option remaining) and stormed out of GM Gary Altman's office.  Adams still has options remaining, so there is some wiggle room.

BULLPEN -
Again, significant work was put into the bullpen this off season, but still remains the Achilles Heel of SC.
9 relievers still in camp, 7 spots to be had.
Gary Payne finds himself the Closer once again.
Cal Henry, after a phenomenal 2016 season, a major statistical step back last season.
Stephen Douglas, a former Rule V acquisition, has really pitched well this ST and has earned his roster spot.
Will Bartlett, a current Rule V acquisition, and has pitched as expected when selected this past December and the scouting department feels he is ready (12 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
Jim Dorsey and Mike Hamilton.  Both have tons of potential, but performance has been lacking.  Based on others performances - they could either make the team or find themselves waived.
Jose Parra, ROOKIE, is almost fully developed and looks like he'll have a very long career, but has struggled a little this spring against ABL hitters.
Matt Murphy & Jeremy Fisher - two SP's who've been relegated to the BP because of a numbers game in the rotation.  However, Fisher will be given a start in one of the last 4 ST games.  Rumors swirling say that if he has a good game it could spring board him back to the rotation.

CATCHING -
Leon Oditon has had an adequate spring and will remain the Starter.
Morgan Cairnes, not getting much respect in his rankings continues to outperform expectations and might find an increased roll this season if Oditon doesn't get over the "blues".

INFIELD -
1B - Byron Bryant and Mark Buchanan will split duties this season.  Buchanan has swung the bat well this spring and has earned some playing time somewhere.  Bryant, a major acquisition last season from Nottinghamshire (now Brooklyn) struggled to adjust in the South.  We're hoping that like Oditon, he comes out of the gate like his normal self to knocking everyone on base!
Rosas and Woods will return as the DP combo.  Woods has had an excellent spring and Rosas is looking also looking to return to his 2016 form.  A lot of it was chalked up to a sophomore slump, but has started slow this spring.
3B it appears that Gerald Pugh has regained his starting role over Hartman.  Barring any injuries to an infielder, Hartman will play everyday at AAA and be ready in case of the inevitable ABL Injury Bug.
Which leaves Fernando Guzman, 1B, sitting on the bench and being a defensive replacement.

OUTFIELD -
Everyone is excited about the showing that rookie Lowell Anderson has shown this spring.  4 HR, 12 RBI and a 1.029 OPS.  It's being announced that the 2015 1st Rd Pick (#6 overall) has made the squad and will be starting in RF.
Stephen Jackson, had a phenomenal year last year, even with sustaining multiple injuries, and appears to have returned to form.  With the added depth in the SC OF, Jackson will be rested a bit more to see if we can nurse him to a season without a DL appearance.
Bernardo Cisneros will be manning CF and has had a great spring, hitting 359 and an OB of 405.  He's projected to be at the top of the Bomber order to give opportunities to Bryant and Rosas to ring up some major RBI totals.
Orlando Bustamante will find himself in a reduced roll this season.  Mark Buchanan will get some of his playing time.
Roy O'Quinn, who has shown lots of promise finds himself on the bubble of breaking camp with the big club.
Dave Evans appears headed to AAA and possibly Leland Ray as well.  Each has one option available.

After making the 2016 Playoffs, everyone associated with South Carolina was disappointed with the 2017 campaign.  We're hoping that we can continue the growth that was shown in 2016, otherwise, some major changes are in store for this squad!