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.

Mar 3, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; A general view of Florida Auto Exchange Park prior to a spring training baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1B/3B

The Fisher Cats will welcome back K.C. Hobson, who’ll play 1st base, and Andy Fermin, who’ll play 3rd. Depending how things shake out in Buffalo, Andy Burns may start the year back with the Fisher Cats. It is safe to assume that this will be the case since he is currently listed on their roster. With four first baseman on the Bisons roster, we can expect one of them will share AB’s with Hobson.

K.C. Hobson 1st base

The 24 year-old Hobson hit 19HR in 2013 for the Blue Jays High-A ball. He was expected to continue to hit for power in 2014, but regressed. What changed? Hobson strike out increased upon being promoted, his saw a dip in his ISO from .199 to .130, he hit more line drives at Double-A and less fly balls. He hit 11 more line drives in 2014 and 31 less outfield fly balls. In 2015, Hobson will show a good eye at the plate, should hit more home runs but will continue to struggle with his average.

Andy Fermin 3rd

The 25 year-old Florida native never seems to get a full-time gig. The most games he’s played is 59GP in Bluefield in 2011. Maybe 2015 will be his year…maybe not. Fermin will spend most of his time at the hot corner, but can also play 2nd base (17GP in 2014). He owns a 2.62 RF and .936 FPCT at 3rd and 4.56 RF and .985 FPCT at 2nd. Despite hitting 5HR in 38GP, Fermin hits a lot of ground balls. About 45% of contact made by Fermin went for a ground ball. I would love to see what player Fermin would be if he ever received full-time AB’s.

Andy Burns 3rd

I already covered Andy Burns (Bisons Forecasting). If he starts the year with the Fisher Cats, we can expect Burns to start the year off stronger than he did last time. Burns will force his way onto the Bisons roster before too long.

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: 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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