Midwest League 1997

Beloit Snappers

This page is a profile of the 1997 Beloit Snappers, a Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and a member of the Midwest League. The profile was first published in early April and was revised periodically; this final revision was completed in early September.

All statistics quoted on this page are through the end of the season.

Beloit, Wisconsin; affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Manager: Luis Salazar (#3)
Coaches: Jaime Garcia (#19) (Pitching), John Mallee (#11)

High Attendance: 3,895 (July 5)
Low Attendance: 410 (April 14)
Average Attendance: 1,311
1996 Season Average: 1,149

Post-Season Wrapup

The Snappers were an average team for this league until the All-Star break; after midseason their play deteriorated and they played lackluster baseball.

The offense wasn't a lot of help. It hit for decent average and had some power, but the team didn't score runs. Part of the problem was reckless baserunning; nearly half of the team's steal attempts failed. DH Jamie Lopiccolo had a very good season, and outfielder Dave Elliott played well here but spent part of the summer in Stockton. Elliott and third baseman Josh Klimek have some power; Elliott and fellow outfielder Tony Peters have basepath speed.

The Snappers had an unremarkable pitching staff. These guys pitch all right, but there's no real standout on the staff. Until he was promoted, the team's best pitcher was starter Brian Passini. Righty John O'Reilly had a solid season handling mixed assignments, and righty reliever Roberto Paredes was reliable. Righty starter Allen Levrault has talent, though his results didn't reflect his efforts. No other pitcher seems worth remarking.

Team Leaders

• Best Player on the Team: Designated Hitter Jamie Lopiccolo

• Pitching: 60-73 (.451), 4.50, 5 CG, 5 Shutouts, 21 saves, 947 Ks
• Hitting: .261, 619 runs, 90 HR, 95 SB
• First Half: 32-32 (.500), 2nd (Tie), 5.5 behind
• Second Half: 28-41 (.406), 5th, 9.5 behind
• After August 1: 11-17 (.393)

• Best Starting Pitcher: John O'Reilly (3.64, 9-2, 101 IP, 106 Ks)
• Bullpen Stopper: Roberto Paredes (2.86, 5-4, 15 saves, 50 IP, 49 Ks)
• Best Strikeout Pitcher: John O'Reilly (106 Ks in 101 innings)
• Best Control Pitcher: Brian Passini (116 Ks, 35 BB in 123 innings)
• Best Hitter: Jamie Lopiccolo (.332, 72 runs, 27 doubles, 17 homers, 80 RBI, 5 steals)
• Highest BA: Jamie Lopiccolo (.332)
• Home Run Leader: Jamie Lopiccolo (17)
• Best Baserunner: Tony Peters (21 steals, 6 triples)

July Evaluation

The Snappers have decent hitting, but the pitching leaves a lot to be desired. Outfielder David Elliott is a fine, all-around player who's spent most of the season in Stockton, while DH Jamie Lopiccolo has posted some fine numbers this summer. Outfielder Tony Peters is a fine baserunner. Now that Brian Passini's been promoted, the only notable pitcher is closer Roberto Paredes.

June Evaluation

The Snappers don't do anything exceptional; they're about as average a team as you can find in this league. There's nothing they do particularly well; neither are there any particularly weak areas of performance. Southpaw pitcher Brian Passini had an excellent June, and reliever Roberto Paredes has been quite effective.

May Evaluation

This is a good hitting team, although Macalutas is the only star now that Elliott's gotten his well-deserved promotion. The hitters are remarkably patient at the plate and rarely strike out. The Snappers' pitching staff is consistently mediocre.

April Evaluation

Considered as a team, there's nothing remarkable about the Snappers. They're performing at a level near the league's average. Dave Elliott's been putting on quite a show, though.

Where they played last season

The heart of this team was the Pioneer League's champion at Helena last summer; there's also a healthy dose from Pioneer League rival Ogden. The remaining players were mainly Snappers last season. This pitching staff is young, and untested.

Team           League         W/L   Place(Teams)  Hitters Pitchers
Stockton       California     79-61     3(10)       0       0
Beloit         Midwest        69-67    6T(14)       4       0
Helena         Pioneer        43-29     2(8)        5       7
Ogden          Pioneer        42-30     3(8)        4       4

No one is counted twice; the Brewers don't often move players. One player was playing in another organization last season.

• Oldest Player:
  • Jamie Lopiccolo (OF), born 5-18-73 (24)
• Youngest Player:
  • Jose Garcia (P), born 4-29-78 (19)
• Average Team Age:
  This information is based on early-season rosters.
  • Pitchers: 21.7
  • Position Players: 21.3
  • Team Average: 21.5

• First Round Draftee:
  • none

• Baseball America Snappers Prospects (Post-Season)
  • Jose Garcia (#9, best breaking ball)
• All-Star Game, June 17, Lansing
  • Allen Levrault (P)

• Jeff Alfano
  • May 27: 4 RBI
• Larry Barnes
  • May 26: 6.0 shutout innings
• Joshua Bishop
  • July 24: 8 shutout innings, 2 hits
  • August 19: 4 hit complete game
• Dave Elliott
  • April 9: homer, double
  • May 4: 2 home runs, 5 RBI
  • July 27: double, homer
  • July 30: 4 for 5
• Adam Faurot
  • April 24: double, triple
• Jose Garcia
  • April 27: 7 innings, no runs, 1 hit
  • August 2: complete game win
  • August 13: 6.0 shutout innings, 3 hits (G2)
• Josh Klimek
  • April 25: double, homer
  • April 29: 12 game hitting streak
  • May 29: homer, triple
• Jamie Lopiccolo
  • May 18: 4 RBI
  • May 27: 4 RBI
  • May 31: 2 homers
  • July 13: 2 homers
  • August 1: double, triple
  • August 10: double, homer
  • August 11: 4 walks
  • August 26: double, 2 homers
• John O'Reilly
  • August 22: 9 shutout innings (no decision)
• Brian Passini
  • June 29: complete game victory
• Tony Peters
  • May 11: double, homer, 6 RBI
  • June 7: homer, triple
• Greg Schaub
  • May 11: 4 hits
  • June 26: homer, double
• Chris Walther
  • May 11: 4 hits
  • July 31: 4 for 6
• Jason Washam
  • May 12: 2 home runs
  • June 14: double, triple, homer, 4 RBI
• Mike Wetmore
  • June 23: double, home run
  • July 12: 4 for 4