Forecasting the Fisher Cats 2015 Infielders

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogo.net (http://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/26/u-s-historical-figures-on-sports-logos/new-hampshire-fisher-cats-uncle-sam-logo/)

The Manchester based Double-A team last finished above .500 in 2011, and only three times since the Blue Jays took over the team in 2004. In 2015, the New Hampshire (NH) Fisher Cats finished 22.0 games behind Portland Sea Dogs and tied for second last in the Eastern League with Reading Fightin Phils with a 66-76 record.

Last year’s infield consisted of Jon Berti, Andy Burns, Kevin Nolan, Mike McDade, K.C. Hobson and reserves Jorge Flores and Andy Fermin. Jon Berti won the R. Webster Howard Award for a second year. The group only managed to hit 44 home runs with Andy Burns leading the group with 15.

In the field they committed 81 errors, turned 282 double plays, and an average fielding percentage of .965. Mike McDade was part of 65 double plays and will be the only one from this group not coming back in 2015.

None of these Fisher Cats were drafted higher than the 6th round, with Andy Fermin being selected in the 32nd round of the 2010 draft. Expectations for this group was not high, with the exceptions of Andy Burns, this year’s edition isn’t much different

Let’s get to it.

Mandatory Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NewHampshireFisherCats.PNG

2nd/SS

The Fisher Cats infield situation is cloudy. Jon Berti has nothing left to prove in NH and Munenori Kawasaki, Ramon Santiago, and Ryan Schimpf are all pencilled to start the year with the Bisons. Kevin Nolan finished the year with Buffalo (21 GP) and has played 222 games at Double-A. Depending on what happens with Ryan Goins will directly influence where Nolan lands.

Devon Travis 2nd

The 13th round selection of the Detroit Tigers will be challenging for the Blue Jays everyday 2nd base job this spring. If he’s not successful in his bid to win the 2nd base job, then there is a 50/50 chance that he starts the year in NH. My bet is he starts the year in NH and will quickly move up to Buffalo.

Jorge Flores SS

Flores split time between Dunedin and NH, splitting time at SS and 2nd base in 2014. The 5’5″ native of Mexico is an excellent fielder, showing good range, arm, and glove. He committed 12 errors and had a .951 FPCT at SS in 2014. Flores won’t strike out much (12.2%), but he also doesn’t walk much either (5.0%). He does what you want from a guy that doesn’t have much power, he puts the ball in play. Last year with the Fisher Cats he had a BABIP of .337, he hit line drives at rate of 16.0% and registered 27.6%  outfield flyballs, but when Flores steps to the plate you can expect he will be looking to create something. He hits close to 48.6% of his batted balls into the ground, but only hit into 7 double plays last year.

Jon Berti 2nd

Berti will get everyday at-bats by splitting time in LF and 2nd base. Berti should start the year in Buffalo, but what should happen and what will happen aren’t always the same thing. Berti plays good D, hits and runs well enough to be considered for a roster spot on a major league bench , and show enough plate discipline to enter the conversation as a legitimate prospect. Unfortunately, with Devon Travis now in the mix and lack of excitement around him, Berti seems destined to fill the utility role.

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogos.net (http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/zihqrzo9eghdglv2cu101djgg/New_Hampshire_Fisher_Cats/2011/Cap_Logo)

Catchers

Last year’s starting catcher, A.J. Jimenez, will bestarting the season as the Herd’s starting catcher. That means the Derrick Chung and Sean Ochinko will battle for AB’s this season. Unlike Jimenez, neither Chung or Ochinko have appeared on any top prospect list and both are long in the tooth to be considered as prospects.. Ochinko stock’s been stagnant, last year suspension didn’t help, and Chung has pushed his way up the depth charts with his strong 2014 in Dunedin. It’s possible that Jack Murphy and Ochinko swap positions between Buffalo and NH, but I am betting it’s Ochinko that start the year n NH.

Derrick Chung

Chung appeared slightly over matched in his 47 game audition with the Fisher Cats in 2014.  His K% decreased from 10.0% to 7.7% from Dunedin to NH. He also walk three times less in NH, from 9.5% to 3.3%. Chung is still relatively new behind the plate and has shown promise as a defender…good blocker and strong arm. With A.J. Jimenez in Buffalo, Chung will spend the year in NH.

Sean Ochinko

Ochinko was rusty after coming back for his suspension and only appeared in 24 games last year. 2015 could be Sean’s last chance to prove if he’s destined to be a career MiLB or if he has a chance to reach the major leagues. This will be his 4th year in NH and likely his last. It’s time for Ochinko to capitalize on his solid showing in Arizona this fall.

Mandatory Credit: Ball Park Reviews http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Northeast%20Delta%20Dental%20Stadium&in_city=Manchester&in_state=New%20Hampshire

Long Shots

Christian Lopes 2nd

The 22 year-old Lopes is entering his 4th year of pro ball. He saw his line drive rate drop from 14.1% to 9.6% and his K%, BB%, ISO, BABIP, Ground ball percentage, and Outfield fly ball percentage all increase. In the field, Lopes committed 15 errors, 4.12 RF, and .966 FPCT. Lopes shows a good eye at the plate, doubles power, and good defence. Lopes had an amazing winter in Australia, hitting .371/.421/.581 with 6HR and 24 RBI. Lopes is still young enough to push his way in the realm of top prospect….again.

Emilio Guerrero SS

Guerrero will challenge Jorge Flores for AB’s in NH, but at which position is the real question. Guerrero  played 76 games at short, 20 in CF, and 9 at the hot corner. Most of his time in CF came in the final month of the season. With the Blue Jays OF crop being thin, Guerrero could be converted to CF. Emilio needs to become more selective at the plate (25.2 K% and 5.0 BB%) at 22 years old he’ll need do soon.

Shane Opitz SS

Shane’s biggest issue hasn’t been the opposing teams pitchers, but his injures that have derailed his development. Opitz managed to play in 32 games and hit well in 29 games with the D-Jays. Shane has a good bat and can handle himself in the field. He will likely start the year in Dunedin but depending on where Guerrero plays, Opitz could start the year backing up Flores.

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