2008 Scouting Report

Clinton LumberKings

May Profile

Clinton spotted Kane County an early lead in the standings, then claimed the top spot when the Cougars faltered. This team has some weaknesses, but it's an outstanding team. If the Rangers leave this lineup intact, they'll be difficult to beat. This is a fun team for the Clinton fans.

1B Ian Gac was easily the MWL's best player in April; if he doesn't move up, he'll be the guy everyone else has to chase in the MVP contest. Without him, the L'Kings would still be running Mitchell Moreland (also 1B), Timothy Smith (OF), Jose Felix (C), and Christian Santana (OF) out there every day; that's a formidable crew.

I already called someone else the MWL's best April pitcher, but starter Kennil Gomez has a reasonable claim to the title. Ryan Tatusko and Derek Holland have collectively started seven strong outings, though they've only one win between them; Neftali Feliz and Jorge Quintero have been more successful, and are pitching well. The bullpen's unusually strong; Ryan Turner may be the best in this lot, but there are few weak spots.

This page will be revised in early June.

Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics are through April 30.

Season Summary

• First Half (through April 30): 18-5, .783 (first place, 2.0 ahead)
• Pitching: 2.79, 18-5, 7 saves, 3 holds, no complete games, 187 strikeouts
• Hitting: .284, 131 runs, 18 HR, 22 steals (71% success)
• Defense: 24 errors (1.04 per game)
• April: 18-5 (.783)

• Position Players used: 13
• Pitchers used: 15
• Pitchers per game: 3.17

Leading Players

• Best Player on the Team: First Baseman Ian Gac or Starting Pitcher Kennil Gomez

• Best Starting Pitcher: Kennil Gomez (1.55, 4-0, 23 strikeouts)
• Bullpen Stopper: no bullpen stopper
• Strikeout Pitchers: Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Fabio Castillo, Daniel Sattler, Evan Reed, Josh Lueke
• Control Pitchers: Kennil Lopez, Adalerto Flores, Evan Reed, Josh Lueke,

• Best Hitter: Ian Gac (.395, 9 HR, 24 RBI)
• Home Run Leader: Ian Gac (9)
• High Batting Average: Ian Gac (.395), Mitchell Moreland (.357), Timothy Smith (.342), Jose Felix (.333)
• High On Base Percentage: Ian Gac (.485)
• High Slugging Percentage: Ian Gac (.802), Mitchell Moreland (.476), Timothy Smith (.494), Christian Santana (.466)
• Notable Baserunners: Timothy Smith, Renny Osuna, Matthew Lawson, David Paisano
• Notable Batting Eye: none

Pre-Season Profile

These guys have a chance to be a strong team. Ian Gac will bring some power, at least until they move him; Cristian Santana and Miguel Alfonzo seem to be good toolsy types. While the pitching staff doesn't seem to have an overpowering star, Derek Holland will be excellent, and there's probably enough talent here to build a staff. Should be an interesting year.

Manager

In his first two managerial seasons, Mike Micucci's proven to be unusually unwilling to issue intentional walks, and nearly as unwilling to call on his batters to bunt.

First Round Draft Selections

• none

Team Age Information

• Average Team Age: 21.6
• Pitchers: 21.6
• Hitters: 21.6

• Oldest Player on the Team: Jason Hart (9/5/1977)
• Youngest Player on the Team: Engel Beltre (11/1/1989)

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.

Clinton's 2008 team is much like last summer's Spokane Indians, though they've been reinforced from many places.

Team        League             W/L    Place    Hitters Pitchers
                                     (Teams)
Bakersfield California (A+)    57/83  9(10)       0      1
Clinton     Midwest (A)        70/67  7(14)       2      3
Spokane     Northwest (A-)     33/42  7(8)        9      7
Rangers     Arizona (R)        22/34  8(9)        4      4

Seven of these players appeared at two levels last season, and one appeared at three; they are counted more than once in this table. One player has a previous history in another organization, though he didn't play professionally last year; another played in the Mexican League; still another (Jason Hart) seems to have spent last year on the DL, though he played for briefly the big league club in 2002. Three of the new LumberKings were assigned to the Dominican Summer League last summer.