2033 St. Louis River Walkers: And the saga continues

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Walkers news: March 23 -- St. Louis 4, Madison 1; Record: 8-14

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Walkers news: March 24 -- Quad City 4, St. Louis 1; Record: 8-15

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Walkers news: March 25 -- Chicago 4, St. Louis 3; Record: 8-16

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The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the rehiring of Christan Colonel as their hitting coach.
Colonel had served as the team's hitting coach between 2035 and 2037.
However, Colonel left the team after the 2037 season due to undisclosed reasons.
He replaces Eric Filia, who St. Louis hired following Colonel departure.
But the team has not seemed to respond to Filia's power-based instruction during spring training.
The team has gone 8-16 through its first 24 games, and their three-best all-around hitters Manuel Coke (.143 BA, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs), Nick Shaw (.170, 1 HR, 5 RBIs) and Mark Herman (.222, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) have performed no where close to the levels they show during the regular season.

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Walkers news: March 27 -- Cedar Rapids 5, St. Louis 4, 10 innings; Record: 9-16

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Walkers news: March 28 -- Peoria 3, St. Louis 2, 14 innings: Record: 9-17

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MBL news: March 28 -- Standings and leaders after Week 4

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Walkers news: March 28 -- Team statistics after Week 4 of spring training

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Walkers news: March 29 -- St. Louis 7, Louisville 2; Record: 9-18

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Walkers news: March 30 -- St. Louis 6, Milwaukee 5, 10 innings; Record: 10-18

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Walkers news: April 1 -- Player Development Report

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Walkers news: April 1 -- Rockford 10, St. Louis 2; Record: 10-20

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MBL news: April 1 -- Final spring training standings and leaders

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Walkers news: April 1 -- Final spring training team statistics

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2037 season: 90-72, 1st place NL South, 11 Quad City; Lost 4-1 toI Indianapolis in World Series
2038 prediction: 77-85, 5th place NL South, 12 GB Cedar Raids.
Manager/General Manager: Mike Renkes, 21st season, 1,709-1,443, .554 Pct., 9 playoff qualifiers; 6 World series qualifiers, World Series titles in 2018 and 2025.
2037 Award winners: Rookie of the Year RHP Ming Xiang.
2037 season summary: The River Walkers opened the season by winning 10 of their first 11 games, and while it proved impossible to maintain that pace cruised to the division title by a commanding 11 games over second-place Quad City.
St. Louis ended the month of April 15-8 and owned a two-game lead over Springfield.
The Walkers did come out of May in second place, a half-game behind Springfield.
But a 15-11 run through the month of June had them back in front by 4.5, and St. Louis never fell out of first-place again.
Their lead was six games at the All-Star break and nine by Sept. 1.
In the National League championship series, the Walkers found themselves matched with a Twin Cities team which had won a league-best 102 games.
But the Walkers took down the Snow Cats in six games, setting the tone with 7-1 and 7-0 in Games 1 and 2 in Minneapolis.
St. Louis clinched the series with a 10-1 rout in Game 6, also in Minneapolis.
The World Series, however, was a different story as the Walkers were no match for a red-hot Indianapolis team, which had swept Cincinnati in the ALCS.
The two teams split the two games in St. Louis to open the series.
The Racers than won three in a row at home to clinch the first World Series title in franchise history.
Departures
SP: Josh McDonald and Jesse McNaboe. RP: Nick Ruffalo, Armando Cintron and Scott Rissler. 2B: Marcos Francis. IF: Chris Duncan. OF: Eddie Estrella.
RHP - Josh McDonald, 31 – 33 G, 33 GS, 10-8, 4.64 ERA, 192 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 146 Ks – Signed six-year deal with Louisville worth $98.4 million
McDonald opted out of the final year of his contract with St. Louis to take a lucrative offer from Louisville. The right-hander had three good seasons with the Walkers, going a combined 39-27 with a 3.84 ERA. But his numbers in 2037, were the worst of his time in St. Louis.
RHP: Jesse McNaboe, 29 -- 31 G, 31 GS, 8-9, 4.72 ERA, 169.2 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 104 Ks; Signed one-year deal worth $1.9 million with Louisville. McNaboe had an impressive four-year run with the Walkers from 2031 to 2035 going 60-39 before suffering a partially torn UCL during the 2036 season. He wasn’t the same when he came back in 2037. His stamina was absent and he no longer was a top of the rotation starter. Right now, he is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for the Sluggers.
2B: Marcos Francis, B-R/T-R, 33 – 148 G, 146 GS, .273 BA, 28 HRs, 78 RBIs, 94 RS, .327 OBP, .483 Slug.; Signed a four-year contract with Des Moines worth $80 million
Francis turned in two All-Star campaigns during his time with the Walkers. But the Walkers decided not to bring him back when he declared he wanted a contract that would pay him $20 million once he had past 35 years old.
IF: Chris Duncan, B-R/T-R. 35 – 30 G, 17 GS, .253 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 Rs, .309 OBP, .320 Slug; Unsigned free agent
Duncan played four seasons for the Walkers as a utility infielder. His age, however, made it easy to decide to move in a different direction.
OF: Eddie Estrella, B-R/T-R, 34 – 108 G, 54 GS, .300 BA, 11 HRs, 38 RBIs, 36 RS, .346 OBP, .483 Slug.: Signed a one-year contract with Detroit worth $1.84 million.
Estrella was a key component as the primary reserve corner outfield in his two seasons with St. Louis. He hit 17 homers and drove in 57 runs in the two campaigns. The Walkers made a bid to bring him back but was outbid by Detroit.
LHP: Nick Ruffalo, 30 – 53 G, 4-7. 2 Svs,, 3 BS, 4.74 ERA, 43.2 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 59 Ks; Signed a three-year contract with Columbus worth $7.6 million.
A mainstay in the St. Louis bullpen since 2032, Ruffalo endured his roughest season in 2037 posting his highest numbers in ERA, WHIP and HR/9 (1.40) by a wide margin in his career.
LHP: Armando Cintron, 35 – 48 G, 3-2, 8 Svs., 1 BS, 44.0 IP,1.14 WHIP, 56 Ks; Signed two-year deal with Cincinnati worth $10.2 million
In a rough season for the St. Louis bullpen, Cintron was probably the bright spot until early July when injuries started to derail him. Cintron went on the injured list four times after July 9, making it hard to bring him back for another season at age 35.
RHP: Scott Rissler, 32 – 75 G, 5-4, 3 Svs., 6 BS, 3.75 ERA, 74.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 84 Ks; Signed a one-year contract worth $2.68 million with Columbus
Like Ruffalo, Rissler had a long tenure with the Walkers and his career went back to the 2029 season. His 2037 season wasn’t bad, but St. Louis could not reach an agreement with him to guarantee his return.

Newcomers
SP: Miguel Cisneros and Danny Burch. 2B : Ryan Wibbenmeyer and Jim Moorman. OF: Wen He. RP: Craig Fritzler, Jesse Gaither and Keith Kirby.
RHP: Miguel Cisneros, 35 – 32 G, 12-8, 4.38 ERA, 171.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 133 Ks; Signed to three-year contract worth $24 million (team option 2040)
Cisneros has gone a combined 25-18 over the last two seasons for Rockford and thrown at least 150 innings every year since 2030.
RHP: Danny Burch, 28 – 22 G, 9-6, 3.25 ERA, 138.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 134 Ks (at AAA Memphis); 2 G, 1-1, 1.29 ERA, 14.0 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 8 Ks (at St. Louis)
A first-round pick in the 2032 draft by Cleveland, St. Louis acquired Burch via trade in 2033, Burch will finally get the chance to go into a season a member of the starting rotation. Before making two good starts with the Walkers in 2037, Burch’s previous attempts to pitch in the majors had not gone well. (He also had a horrible spring training). This will probably be his final chance to show what he can do.
2B – Ryan Wibbenmeyer, B-R/T-R, 29 – 155 G, 144 (GS), .335 BA, 11 HRs, 70 RBIs, 66 RS, .363 OBP, .482 Slug.; Signed a four-year contract worth $68 million (with opt outs)
The Walkers didn’t expect Wibbenmeyer to still be on the market two weeks into a spring training, but when he was they made an offer and it was accepted. Wibbenmeyer is a two-time All-Star who should hit for a high average and run the bases well in front of the team’s power hitters.
IF – Jim Moorman, B-R, T-R, 29 – 110 G, 31 GS, .236 BA, 12 HRs, 31 RBIs, 29 RS, .286 OBP, .482 Slug.; Acquired in trade with Green Bay
Before the Walkers realized Wibbenmeyer was going to be available, they made a move to get Moorman. (LHP Matt Wilson and 1B/3B Luis Salinas were sent to the Mallards). A player with potential who has not gotten many chances to play, for now, Moorman should give the Walkers a solid backup at 2B and 3B.
RHP: Craig Fritzler, 31 – 74 G, 6-3, 39 Svs., 6 BS, 2.39 ERA, 75.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 116 Ks (with Rockford); Signed to a three-year contract worth $29.25 million (Player opt out 2040)
After the trainwreck the Walkers bullpen was in 2037, probably the best way to shore it up was to bring in one of the best in the game to handle the ninth inning. Fritzler is a four-time All-Star and three time selection as NL Relief Pitcher of the Year including in 2037 with Rockford.
LHP: Keith Kirby, 30 – 15 G, 0-4, 5 Svs., 2 BS, 8.16 ERA, 14.1 IP, 1.60 WHIP, 12 Ks (with Cedar Rapids); Two-year contract worth $2.84 million (team opt out 2039)
A broken elbow suffered on May 17 derailed Kirby’s 2037 season, but before that he had put together four consecutive solid seasons for the Grapplers compiling at least 26 saves in each year.
RHP: Jesse Gathier, 34 – 42 G, 1-1, 1 Sv., 0 BS, 6.07 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.54 WHIP, 47 Ks; Two-year deal worth $5.12 million (Team opt out in 2039)
The 2037 season was not a good one for Gaither, but it was not long before that he was one of the more dependable right-handed relief pitchers in the MBL.
Starting rotation
1, Ming Xiang; 2, Kevin Hrdlicka; 3, Xavier Wigfall; 4, Miguel Cisneros (see above); 5, Danny Burch (see above)
RHP: Ming Xiang, 26 – 32 G, 16-6, 3.46 ERA, 200.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 169 Ks
What a find in free agency Xiang proved to be winning the National League Rookie of the Year award and leading the rotation of the NL South Division champs. Xiang pitched deep into games and never seemed to pitch his team out of game.
RHP: Kevin Hrdlicka, 26 – 23 G, 6-5, 4.23 ERA, 125.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 130 Ks
Hrdlicka started the season strong building a 5-0 record. He went into a lull, which saw him fall to 5-5 and earn him a trip to the minors. Recalled in September, he pitched well down the stretch and then had a strong postseason.
RHP: Xavier Wigfall, 29 – 32 G, 10-12, 4.12 ERA, 187.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 171 Ks
Wigfall’s second full year wasn’t as good as his first – when he went 13-10 with a 3.45 ERA – but it was still good enough, Despite the lower record and numbers across the board, is WAR jumped from 2.9 to 4.1

Relief pitchers
CL: Craig Fritzler (see above); RHP: Bobby Westerman; RHP: Brett McVey; RHP: Jesse Gaither (see above); LHP: Greg Sones; LHP: Keith Kirby (see above); LHP: Jose Tapia; LHP: Ron Cox
RHP: Bobby Westerman, 29 -- 55 G, 8-2, 27 Svs., 11 BS, 4.36 ERA, 64.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 83 Ks
Given the opportunity to be the Walkers closer, Westerman produced mixed results. He did compile 27 saves, but he also was burned for an MBL-high 11 blown saves. The biggest issue was probably the 11 home runs allowed in 64 innings. It seems Westerman was eight lights-out or lit up in each outing.
RHP: Brett McVey, 32 -- 67 G, 7-3, 4 Svs., 5 BS, 3.80 ERA, 71.0 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 76 Ks
McVey pitched well enough in the first half to earn a NL All-Star nod. In the second half, it was the opposite as he struggled until his season ended with a shoulder injury on Sept. 9.
LHP: Greg Sones, 29 -- 68 G, 2-4, 3 Svs., 5 BS, 2.53 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 50 Ks
Like most of the Walkers relievers, the second half of the season was a struggle for Sones. When he is on his game, he is a top-notch lefty. That’s what they’ll need from him in 2038.
LHP: Jose Tapia, 34 – 9 G, 0-0, 0 Svs., 0 BS; 4.05 ERA, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
A good spring training, seven games without allowing a run, earned Tapia spot on the varsity. St. Louis acquired Tapia off the waiver wire in late August of 2037. He pitched well enough down the stretch to earn a look in spring training.
LHP – Ron Cox, 26 – 54 G, 5-1, 1 Sv., 3 BS, 4.66 ERA, 65.2 IP, 1.39 WHIP, 83 Ks
After an impressive season for the Wakers out of the pen in 2036, Cox had more than his share of struggles in 2037 seeing his ERA jump from 3.62 to 4.66 and his WHIP rise from 1.05 to 1.39.
Home runs seemed to be his biggest problem allowing 17 in just 65.2 innings.

Catcher
Starter: Jackson Miller; Backup: Zach Wenman
St: Jackson Miller, B-L/T-R, 36 – 115 G, 112 GS, .243 BA, 11 HRs, 41 RBIs, 62 RS, .330 OBP, .349 Slug.
Although they could have opted out, the Walkers decided to bring Miller back for the final year of his contract paying him $18 million. His offensive numbers took a significant dip in 2037 (he hit .297 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs in 2036), but he’s still a threat and ranked among the best all-around catchers in the game. Like in 2037, Miller will likely sit against lefty starters in favor of his backup Zach Wenman.
Backup: Zach Wenman, B-R, T-R, 29 – 57 G, 49 GS, .321 BA, 0 HRs, 28 RBIs, 12 RS, .333 OBP, .367 Slug.
For the fourth consecutive season, Wenman will be the backup catcher for St. Louis. He may not hit for power, but the guy can put the ball in play with a career batting average of .317. Like a year ago, he will get the bulk of the starts against left-handed pitchers.
Infielders
1B: Nick Shaw; 2B: Ryan Wibbenmeyer (see above); SS: Abdul-Nasser bin Amr; 3B: Bob Saavedra; UT: Jim Moorman (see above): UT: Jordan Quinto.
1B: Nick Shaw, B-R/T-R, 29 – 151 G, 146 (GS), .296 BA, 26 HRs, 105 RBIs, 87 RS, .357 OBP, .504 Slug.
Across the board, Shaw’s numbers took a significant drop from his MVP season of 2036. But he remains one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. Just a slight uptick in his offensive production would be huge toward the Walkers chances of making a third straight appearance in the postseason.
SS: Abdul-Nasser bin Amr, B-R/T-R, 27 – 125 G, 123 GS, .265 BA, 6 HRs, 52 RBIs, 48 RS, .304 OBP, .360 Slug.
The 27-year-old has turned in a dependable shortstop, who has come up with some big hits over the past two seasons. The Walkers could have opted for a higher-rated shortstop, albeit much older, but decided to stick with bin Amr at the position.
3B: Bob Saavedra, B-R, T-R, 26 – 149 G, 143 GS, .324 BA, 18 HRs, 70 RBIs, 102 RS, .348 OBP, .474 Slug.
Saaverdra turned in quite a season in 2037 topping the team with his 5.1 WAR. He hits for power, gets on base consistently and is an above-average defender. A great player for the top of the lineup.
UT: Jordan Quinto, B-L, T-R, 34 – 117 G, 33 GS, .285 BA, 0 HRs, 12 RBIs, 25 RS, .364 OBP, .392 Slug
Although he doesn’t get many starts, although he is a plus-defender at second base and shortstop, Quinto’s value proved to be as a solid pinch-hitter from the left side. He doesn’t produce any power but always seems to find a way to get on base.
Outfielders
RF: Manuel Coke: CF: Mark Waterson: LF: Mark Herman; OF: Alex Nunez; OF: Wen He (see above).
RF: Manuel Coke, B-L/T-L, 25: 150 G, 139 GS, .292 BA, 39 HRs, 107 RBIs, 102 RS, .340 OBP, .581 Slug.
In his third full season, Coke is proven to be as consistent as can be. He hit 39 homers for the second consecutive season and his 107 RBIs, was one more than his 2036 total. His .581 slug was the best in the NL. He also scored 102 runs for the second straight year.
CF: Mark Waterson, B-L, T-L, 25: 116 G, 103 GS, .258 BA, 25 HRs, 71 RBIs, 49 RS, .307 OBP, .489 Slug.
Earning an everyday spot in the lineup during May, Waterson provided a productive bat and some nice power in the lower half of the batting order. He finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Ming Xiang. Defense is a concern, and he may need to be moved to left field at some point.
LF: Mark Herman, B-S/T-R, 25: 157 G, 145 GS, .296 BA, 24 HRs, 83 RBIs, 83 RS, .355 OBP, .497 Slug.
Part of the starting lineup since Day 1, Herman flashed the skills that made him a first-round pick in the 2034 draft. His average improved from his rookie season as did his power. The ability to also play first and third increases his value.
OF: Alex Nunez, B-R/T-R, 31: 90 G, 29 GS, .272 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBIs, 15 RS, .320 OBP, .359 Slug (Combined StL and KC)
Acquired in a trade with Kansas City on July 7, Nunez was brought into provide a defensive backup to Waterson in center field. He brought to the table a bit more than that, hitting .333 with a .374 OBP during his time in St. Louis. He also provides depth at first base.
OF: Wen He, B-L, T-L, 27: 3 G, 2 GS, .400 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, .400 OBP, .900 Slug.
A plus defender at either of the corner outfield positions and adequate in center field, the Walkers have decided to give He a shot to see what he can do in the majors. He looked pretty good at Memphis in 2037, hitting .360 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 20 games.
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Walkers news: April 5 -- Coaching staff and misc. information

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MBL new: April 5 -- Preseason predictions on Opening Day

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Record: 1-0, 1st (Tied/w. Springfield); 0.5 GA Kansas City and Cedar Rapids
Ming Xiang started his second season with St. Louis by tossing seven shut-out innings and the bullpen completed the shutout as the River Walkers routed Louisville 7-0 in their season opener at Dodger Stadium.
Xiang (1-0) scattered six hits in his time on the mound. He struck out seven and didn't issue a walk.
Jesse Gaither and Brett McVey both pitched shut-out innings to wrap up the whitewash.
Josh McDonald, who opted out of his contract with the Walkers after the 2037 season, got the start for Louisville.
His former team didn't treat him well scoring at least one run in each of the three innings he pitched.
The Walkers put runs on the board in the first five innings of the contest.
Bob Saavedra scored the game's first run after opening the game and season with a walk from McDonald.
McDonald actually walked the first two batters, Mark Herman also drew a free pass.
Saavedra would score on a wild pitch.
An inning later, St. Louis newcomer Ryan Wibenmeyer led off with a single.
He was removed from the action when Jackson Miller hit into a fielder's choice.
But Miller would score when Saavedra reached on a error by David Morales at third base.
The Walkers doubled their lead in the third.
Manuel Coke led off with a double off McDonald and went to third on a Nick Shaw single.
With Mark Waterson at the plate, McDonald was called for a balk, scoring Coke.
A double by Mark Waterson then scored Shaw.
In the fourth, Saaverdra tripled with one out and scored on a Herman double.
The fifth inning saw Waterson hit a solo homer.
It was now 6-0.
The Walkers' final run came in the ninth.
Coke led off with a single off John Bradley.
A wild pitch moved Coke to second.
Wibbenmeyer collected his first RBI as a Walker with a single.

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Looking to add the final piece to their roster took one day longer than the St. Louis River Walkers had hoped, but they hopefully got it done by acquired left-hander Brad Monroe from the Peoria Rivermen in exchange for right-handed starter Danny Burch, minor league catcher Ethan Hayer and minor league reliever Mark Pendleton.
The Walkers spent much of the offseason looking to add a left-handed starter to what was an all-right-handed rotation.
It wasn't until spring training was drawing to a close that Peoria made Monroe available.
Talks began before spring training ended, but advanced past Opening Day.
Finally, the teams came to an agreement on the players to be involved.
In Monroe, 29, the Walkers acquired the left-handed starter they were looking for.
A member of the NL All-Star team in 2037, he went 10-9 that season with a 3.57 ERA in 32 starts.
Monroe will be a free agent at the end of the 2038 season.
Going to Peoria, are Burch, Hayes and Pendleton.
Burch, a former first-round pick by Cleveland, has flourished in the minors since joining the River Walkers but struggled when called up to the majors.
The 28-year old did turn in two good starts for St. Louis in 2037, but struggled during spring training posting an 11.42 ERA in five starts.
Pendleton, 27, is a left-hander who has an up-and-down career during his time in the minors.
He has pitched in three games with St. Louis but just 1.2 innings with no runs allowed.
Hayes is still a prospect with a long way to go.
The 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2036 draft, Hayes hit .269 with four homers and 52 RBIs in 111 games in the minors last season.

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Record: 1-1, 4th, 1 GB Springfield
Not only did Louisville starting pitcher Jason James work 6.2 scoreless innings, he also hit a two-run home run to help power the Sluggers to a 4-0 win over St. Louis at Dodger Stadium.
James (1-0) allowed four hits during his time on the mound, while striking out seven and not issuing a walk.
He exited the game after allowing a two-out double in the top of the seventh inning to Ryan Wibbenmeyer. James had thrown 110 pitches.
At the plate, James hit his first career homer off River Walkers starting pitcher Kevin Hrdlicka in the bottom of the second.
With a runner on, it made the score 3-0.
Louisville had jumped out in front in the bottom of the first.
Chris Zoltan drew a lead-off walk from Hrdlicka.
Zoltan stole second and scored on a two-out double by Lance Brown.
The Sluggers added an insurance run in the fifth when Mike Courtney homered off Hrdlicka.
Mike Fagan replaced James to end the seventh inning.
He pitched a scoreless eighth and also notched the first out of the ninth before leaving with an undisclosed injury.
Matt Whitmore retired the only two batters he faced to end the game.