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Team Profile
Season Summary
- First Half: 37-35 (.514), 3rd place, 6.0 behind
- Second Half: 34-34 (.500), 4h place, 9.0 behind
- Pitching: 71-69, 4.19, 1 CG, 9 shutouts, 37 saves, 991 Ks
- Hitting: .261, 695 runs, 89 HR, 207 steals
- April: 11-10 (.524)
- May: 15-15 (.500)
- June: 13-14 (.481)
- July: 13-16 (.448)
- August: 13-13 (.500)
- September: 6-1 (.857)
- Best Player on the Team: First Baseman Gary Coffee
- Best Starting Pitcher: Kris Wilson (3.53, 10-5, 117.1 IP, 74 Ks)
- Bullpen Stopper: no bullpen stopper
- Best Strikeout Pitcher: Aaron Carter
- Control Pitcher: Kris Wilson
- Best Hitter: Juan LeBron (.251, 17 HR, 84 RBI; 18 steals) or Gary Coffee (.284, 8 HR, 44 RBI)
- Highest BA: Gary Coffee (.284)
- Home Run Leader: Juan LeBron (17)
- Best Baserunners: Micah Williams (33 steals)
- Best Batting Eye: Joe Caruso
July Profile
This year's Luggies aren't really very good, but they've got some interesting players. They run a lot, a couple players have good power, and there are three fine pitchers in the rotation.
First baseman Gary Coffee played in Lansing two summers back, and had a forgettable season. He returned to Lansing in mid-summer; I'm sure he doesn't want to be here, but he's putting on a real offensive show. Outfielder Juan LeBron, a wonderful athlete, is the team's most talented player, though. Third baseman Joe Caruso contributes daily. The mound corps is better than their numbers show, because Lansing's ballpark works against them; that noted, Kris Wilson's been absolutely incredible, while Edwin Gonzalez and Justin Pederson are starring in other rotation slots. Relief is by committee, with the usual poor results.
One more to watch: Shortstop Steve Medrano made the All-Star team with his glove.
June Profile
The Lugnuts lost their best player, Geofrey Tomlinson, and their best pitcher, Lance Carter, to the Royals' midseason player shuffle; they're still adjusting to those changes. Some fine players remain. This is a speedy team with serious power; both talents are distributed throughout the batting order.
Edwin Gonzalez is a terrific pitcher, and Justin Pederson is very good. Outfielder Juan LeBron's among the very best MWL talents. Second baseman Joe Caruso's nearly the most difficult MWL player to strike out, and has been hitting well. First baseman Gary Coffee, who's returned to Lansing from the Carolina league, was likely the MWL's best hitter in June.
May Profile
Lansing's offense has two or three stars, lots of stolen bases, and a bunch of role players. The pitching staff is better than its stats show, largely because Olds Park makes most pitchers look bad.
Goefrey Tomlinson is delightful and may be the best prospect in this league. He's flanked in the outfield by Juan LeBron, who's finally playing somewhere near his talent and billing, and Vic Radcliff, who's a solid outfielder. Lance Carter's probably the best talent on the pitching staff, though all the starters have been pitching well. Reliever Steve Maas has also pitched well, but his stat line suggests he's been pretty lucky.
April Profile
The Luggies are a potentially excellent squad; they've got solid pitching and some brilliant offensive players. Keep an eye on the baserunner: This team runs!
Pre-Season Profile
Manager
Manager Bob Herold has managed in the minors for 6 years, mainly in short-season leagues. 1998 will be his second Lansing year. Complete games are rare (probably a Kansas City dictate), as are intentional passes; his running game is fairly conventional.
Where they played last season
Lansing's team is based on the 1997 Spokane Indians, with a lot of pieces added from other teams.
Team League W/L Place Hitters Pitchers
(Teams)
Wilmington Carolina (A) 62-78 8(8) 1 0
Lansing Midwest (A) 69-68 6(14) 5 2
Spokane Northwest (A) 45-31 2(8) 7 5
Royals Gulf Coast (R) 36-24 3(15) 1 4
One player was in another organization last summer, and two played for independent teams. One was injured and did not play. No 1998 Lugnut performed above Class A in 1997. Three players appeared for more than one of these teams and are counted twice in the table.
This information is based on the opening-day roster.
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Oldest Player:
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Youngest Player:
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Average Team Age:
- Pitchers: 21.5
- Position Players: 21.5
- Team Average: 21.5
First Round Draftee
- Juan LeBron (1995; 19th pick)
- Matt Smith (1994; 16th pick; on disabled list)
Honors
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Jeremy Affeldt
- Baseball America Royals Prospects Report: #14 prospect
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Lance Carter
- 1998 Midwest League All-Star Game selection
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Juan LeBron
- Baseball America best Mets Prospects: #8 prospect (after trade....)
- Baseball America best Royals Prospects: #8 prospect
- Baseball America 1998 Post Season MWL Prospects: Number 10
- 1998 Midwest League Post-Season All-Star Outfielder
- Baseball America Best Tools: best outfield arm
- Midwest League Hitter of the Week for June 7-13
- 1998 Midwest League All-Star Game selection
- Midwest League Hitter of the Week for April 19-25
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Steve Medrano
- Baseball America best Royals Prospects: best infield arm
- Baseball America Best Tools: best infield arm
- 1998 Midwest League All-Star Game selection
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Justin Pederson
- 1998 Midwest League All-Star Game selection
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Dan Reichert
- Baseball America best Royals Prospects: #6 prospect, best breaking ball
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Goefrey Tomlinson
- Baseball America best Royals Prospects: #11 prospect
- Howe SportsData Emerging Prospect
- 1998 Midwest League All-Star Game selection
- 1997 Northwest League: batting champion and on base percentage leader
- Baseball America Royals Prospects Report: #4 prospect, fastest baserunner
- Baseball America 1997 Royals Draft Analysis: best pro debut, fastest baserunner, best athlete, best pure hitter
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Dave Willis
- Baseball America 1997 Royals Draft Analysis: best raw power
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