2008 Scouting Report

Lansing Lugnuts

May Profile

Lansing's offense is at or near the top of the league in nearly every category except home runs; the pitchers are perhaps a bit better than league average. (That comment ignores the ballpark bias; Olds Park is probably the MWL's best hitting environment.) All in all, those are the ingredients for a successful season.

The Luggies are running a formidable offense out there every night. Catchers C.J. Ebarb and Jonathan Jaspe, infielders Kevin Ahrens, Justin Jackson and Raul Barron, 1B/DH Manny Rodriguez, and outfielders Moises Sierra and Darin Mastroianni are the core of a lineup without serious weak spots. And those guys put on a defensive show; this is the MWL's best defense.

Kyle Ginley was the league's best starter in April, and Nate Starner's had some bad luck despite pitching well. The other starters have been, at best, adequate. Although no one is performing as the team's designated closer, Cody Crowell, Randy Boone, and (especially) Edgar Estanga pretty much shut the other team down when they take the mound.

This page will be revised in early June.

Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics are through April 30.

Season Summary

• First Half (through April 30): 14-11, .560 (2nd place tie, 1.0 behind)
• Pitching: 3.47, 14-11, 3 saves, 3 holds, no complete games, 194 strikeouts
• Hitting: .285, 126 runs, 12 HR, 26 steals (76% success)
• Defense: 18 errors (.72 per game)
• April: 14-11 (.560)

• Position Players used: 15
• Pitchers used: 12
• Pitchers per game: 2.96

Leading Players

• Best Player on the Team: Shortstop Justin Jackson

• Best Starting Pitcher: Kyle Ginley (0.89, 4-0, 30 strikeouts)
• Bullpen Stopper: no bullpen stopper
• Strikeout Pitchers: Brad Mills, Alan Farina
• Control Pitchers: Kyle Ginley, Nate Starner, Brad Mills, Edgar Estanga, Cody Crowell

• Best Hitter: Manny Rodriguez (.421, 3 HR, 22 RBI)
• Home Run Leader: Yohermyn Chavez (3)
• High Batting Average: Manny Rodriguez (.421), Raul Barron (.385), Johnathan Jaspe (.341), Justin Jackson (.323), Moises Sierra (.310)
• High On Base Percentage: Manny Rodriguez (.436), Justin Jackson (.425)
• High Slugging Percentage: Manny Rodriguez (.671), Raul Barron (.492), Jonathan Jaspe (.512), Justin Jackson (.516)
• Notable Baserunners: Raul Barron, Justin Jackson, Kevin Ahrens, Darin Mastroianni
• Notable Batting Eye: none

Pre-Season Profile

Lansing looks to have a strong team this summer. The pitching staff throws strikes, though it displays other weaknesses; the hitters bring lots of power to the plate, though they look to be weak on the basepaths. That age differential--the average pitcher's a year and a half older than the average hitter--is certainly interesting.

Manager

In his Gulf Coast season, Clayton McCullough was a conservative manager. His baserunners didn't run often, but their success rate was unusually high.

First Round Draft Selection

• Kevin Ahrens, 2007 (21st selection)

Team Age Information

• Average Team Age: 21.9
• Pitchers: 22.7
• Hitters: 21.3

• Oldest Player on the Team: C.J. Ebarb (6/11/1983)
• Youngest Player on the Team: Michael McDade (5/8/1989)

The average player in the Midwest League this season is 21.9 years old. This information is based on opening day rosters as published on MILB.com and will not be updated.

Where they played last season

This summary is based on the team's opening day roster and will not be revised to reflect roster changes.

The 2008 Luggies mostly played at either Auburn or in the GCL last summer, with a solid core of holdovers. All three teams were pretty successful.

Team         League              W/L   Place    Hitters Pitchers
                                      (Teams)
Dunedin      Florida State (A+) 72/68  5(12)       0       1
Lansing      Midwest (A)        78/61  4(14)       4       4
Auburn       New York-Penn (A-) 47/29  3(14)       5       6
Blue Jays    Gulf Coast (R)     36/24  4(16)       7       2

There was some movement in the Jays' system; three of these players appeared on two of these teams, and another played at three levels in the organization. Two members of this team have never played professionally.