[rink23]

The 2030 campaign for the St. Louis River Walkers was one which featured a lackluster start, and a red-hit finish which ended just one victory short of a third World Series title.
For the first three-and-a-half months, the Walkers simply could not hit, with a team batting average which hovered under .220 going into the All-Star break.
The only thing which bailed them out was its pitching staff, as St. Louis went into the break 45-45.
But in mid-July something clicked.
Maybe it was the team’s hitters finally buying into the philosophy of hitting coach Bobby Segal, who had replaced incumbent Wendell McGee after the team got off to an 8-10.
Or maybe it was simply the decision to install left fielder Jose Ramirez at the top of the batting order.
No matter what it was, it worked.

The Walkers went 48-24 after the break (going 19-10 in August and 20-7 in September) to finish the season 93-69 and win the National League South Division by two games over Springfield.
Ramirez, acquired from Rockford before the season, may have been the NL’s best player in the second half.
He had struggled getting pitches to hit before the All-Star break – hitting just .211 with 16 homers and 40 RBIs.
But sitting atop the order in the second half, he checked in at clip which saw his batting average rise to .262 along with 30 homers and 55 RBIs.
Also stepping it up after the break, was rookie first baseman/outfielder Rick Scott, who hit .251 with 21 homers and 48 RBIs over the final 72 games.
Meanwhile, center fielder Jose Segura, who had enjoyed a big first half, slowed a little but still hit 15 homers and drove in 43.

On the mound Izzy San Juan and Kwan Kawamoto finished season which saw them win 17 and 15 games, respectively.
Zach Hunsicker went 8-4 with a 3.26 ERA after being acquired in a trade with Louisville on July 12.
Ace Angel Tiburcio suffered a sub-par season after back-to-back Cy Youngs, going 6-9 with a 3.57 ERA before suffering a season-ending torn labrum on August 17.
Led by two-time NL reliever of the year Ernesto Barbosa, the St. Louis bullpen ranked among the best in baseball the entire season.
In the postseason, the Walkers needed just four games to dispose of Twin Cities in the NL championship series.
They followed that with road wins in Games 1 and 2 against Cleveland in the World Series.
That pattern of the road team continued for four more games, until Game 7 when Cleveland scratched out a 2-1 win. A two-run homer from Tony Jackson off Hunsicker in the bottom of the seventh giving the Juke Box Heroes the championship.
Much of the same cast will be back in 2031.
The biggest new addition is second baseman Daniel Becerra, acquired in a trade with Springfield.
However, Becerra will be out until at least mid-May after suffering an oblique injury in spring training.
Tiburcio enjoyed a good spring and will be back in the No. 1 spot in the starting rotation.
The bullpen will be minus long-time lefty Jake Brentz, who suffered a season-ending elbow injury in late September and then retired in the offseason.
Also gone is left-hander Jose Alvarado and right-hander Travis Krogman.
Looking to fill their roles are righty Andres Hernandez and left-handers Elian Acosta and Ron Peterson.
Peterson ranks among the highest-touted young pitchers in the game, but after missing much of the 2030 season with an elbow injury it was thought best for him to at least begin 2031 in the bullpen.
NO LONGER HERE
1B – Brian Mundell 37, B-R, T-R, 52 G, .298 BA, 9 HRs, 29 RBIs, .909 OPS; Signed with Ann Arbor
Acquired from Fort Wayne via trade in mid-July, Mundell added a much-needed right-handed bat to the bench and occasionally to the lineup. The performance of Scott at first base, lessened the need to bring Mundell back. He also was a captain in the clubhouse.
C – Hayden Jones 41 G, .184 BA, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs, .611 OPS; Still a free agent
The backup to ironman catcher Jared Thomas, Jones was solid defender and called a good game.
IF/OF --- Peter Ahn 32, B-L, T-R, 100 G, .251 BA, 6 HRs, 25 RBIs, .684 OPS; Still a free agent
Brought into help handle the second base job. Ahn did a decent job but struggled with some injuries. The Walkers need additional help from the right-side of the plate, so the decision to trade to Becerra made Ahn expendable.
IF – Alberto Checchinato, 27, B-S, T-R, 20 G, .161 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, .438 OPS; Signed with independent league
An outstanding defender at second, short and third, Checcinato made a couple of stops in St. Louis but never accomplished much at the plate.
OF – Edward Olivares 35, B-R, T-R, 90 G, .194 BA, 11 HRs, 27 RBIs, .646 OPS; Still a free agent
Oliveras spent parts of the past five seasons with the River Walkers batting .230 with 45 homers and 103 RBIs over 378 games. His lack of offense in 2030, along with sub-par defense, made it tough to bring him back.
OF – Alek Thomas 32, B-L, T-L, 117 G, .220 BA, 2 HRs, 20 RBIs, .611 OPS; Traded to Quad City
Thomas did some good things in his time with the Walkers. He first came on board in 2025 before going to Dayton for a season. He then returned for 2027 through 2030. But his numbers saw a significant drop in 2030. For his career in St. Louis, Thomas batted .285 with 33 homers and 236 RBIs in 818 games. The emergence of Nathaniel Dixon at AAA Memphis helped hasten the departure of Thomas.
OF – Andrew Benintendi 36, B-L, T-L, 35 G, .222 BA, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs, .633 OPS; retired
An original River Walker dating back to the formation of the Midwest Baseball League in 2018, Benintendi was released at mid-season when it was evident there was no place for him to play, and he also was no longer defensively viable. In his career with the Walkers, Benintendi batted .290 with 292 homers and 1,026 RBIs in 1,785 games. Benintendi retired at season’s end.
RHP – Travis Krogman 82 G, 7-2, 1 Sv., 2.04 ERA, 88.1 IP, 1.01 WHIP; Signed with Quad City
A tough loss as Krogman has ranked as one of the best right-handed relievers in the league during his three seasons in St. Louis, particularly in 2030. Krogman agreed to a three-year deal with the Thunder worth $23.1 million.
LHP – Jake Brentz 36, B-L, T-L, 50 G, 4-3, 7 Sv., 1.91 ERA, 47.0 IP. 1.17 WHIP; retired
The veteran reliever had quite a run in his eight seasons in St. Louis, winning two NL Reliever of the Year awards and spending the last two as the primary set-up man for closer Ernesto Barbosa. Brentz was enjoying another good season in 2030, only to see it end because of an elbow injury in mid-September. He announced his retirement after the World Series.
LHP – Jose Alvarado 35, B-L, T-L, 44 G, 2-4, 2 Svs., 4.03 ERA, 38.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP; signed with Evansville
Alvarado spent three seasons with the Walkers, primarily as a left-handed specialist and boasting an ERA under 2.65 in 2028 and 2029. Things went a little north in 2030 and the Walkers had what they felt were better options from the left-side in AAA. Alvarado signed a one-year deal with $1.82 million with Evansville.
RHP – David Amador, 35, B-R, T-R, 65 G, 3-1, 5 Svs., 4.48 ERA; 66.1 IP, 1.36 WHIP; Signed with Rockford
Amador was the workhorse that he was advertised to be pitching in 65 games, but the results overall were not that good. He signed a $1.1-milliom deal with Rockford.
Newcomers
2B - -Daniel Becerra 30, B-R, T-R, 119 G, .205 BA, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs; Signed from Springfield as free agent
Becerra is a player whose rankings are impressive but for some reason has never got the chance to play.
St. Louis was hoping to give him that chance, but will have to wait after Becerra suffered an oblique strain in spring training which will likely keep him out until mid-May.
IF – Armondo Morales 25, B-S, T-R, .249 BA, 6 HRs, 44 RBIs (AAA Memphis)
A handful of players who played at Memphis last season were given the chance to compete in spring training for a utility infielder spot. Morales came out the winner, and in more ways than one as he will likely be the Opening Day starter at second base because of Becerra’s injury. Morales did get into three games with the Walkers in 2030.
OF – Heston Kjerstad 32, B-S, T-R, 109 G, .260 BA, 14 HRs 43 RBIs; Free-agent signing from Quad City
Kjerstad split 2030 between Louisville and Quad City, before moving onto St. Louis where he agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Kjerstad is expected to supply some home-run power off the bench and a steady voice in the clubhouse.
C – Ricky Liriano 27, B-R, T-R, 82 G, .269 BA, 12 HRs, 51 RBIs (AAA Memphis and AA Springfield)
The Walkers opted not to go out and bring in a veteran to back up Jared Thomas, instead going in Liriano who has decent grades as a defender and some success at the plate.
RHP – Andres Hernandez 25, B-L, T-R, 66 G, 4-1, 1 Sv., 2.42 ERA, 78.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP; Acquired trade with Cincinnati
The Walkers acquired Hernandez hoping he can fill the right-handed void left in the relief corps by the departure of Travis Krogman. He’s young and is the kind of ground-ball pitcher St. Louis seems to prefer.
LFP – Elian Acosta 31, B-L, T-L, 72 G, 3-6, 21 Svs., 70.2 IP, 4.33 ERA (Louisville and Quad City); Acquired in trade w/Quad City
In a major league career which dates back to 2024, Acosta has racked up 42 saves and made 323 appearances. He has averaged 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings over the course of his career.


Starting pitchers
Angel Tiburcio 30, B-R, T-R, 24 G, 6-9, 3.57 ERA, 141.1 IP, 0.91 WHIP
Coming off back-to-back Cy Young awards, the 2030 campaign was a rough-go for Tiburcio as he struggled to a 6-9 record before seeing his season end due to a partially torn labrum in mid-August. Tiburcio pitched well in spring training and is slated to be the Walkers No. 1 starter as the season opens.
Izzy San Juan 32, B-L, T-L, 17-4, 32 G, 2.95 ERA, 213.2 iP, 1.09 ERA
A free agent signee from Quad City in the 2030 offseason, San Juan made the investment worthwhile by winning a team, and career-high, 17 games. His WHIP also ranked among the lowest in the league
Zack Hunsinger 31, B-R, T-R, 14 G, 8-4, 3.26 ERA, 88.1 IP, 1.32 WHIP; 13-10, 3.72 ERA, 183.2 IP, 1.37 WHIP (total)
Acquired in a mid-July trade with Louisville, Hunsicker won some big games down the stretch for the River Walkers.
Kaneo Kawamoto, 33, B-L, T-L, 32 G, 14-13, 3.66 ERA, 201.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP
The 33-year-old left-hander continued to be a solid contributor and a big-game pitcher for the Walkers. His record since joining the Walkers in 2028 is 35-21 with a 3.65 ERA
Lenyn Crisp 23, B-R, T-R, 4-1, 3.82 ERA, 6 G, 30.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP
Given a shot to start in the latter weeks of the season, Crisp looked good enough to earn a couple of postseason starts. Than when asked to prove himself again during spring training, Crisp was again the best of the lot notching himself into the No. 5 spot in the rotation to start the season.
Relief pitchers
CL – Ernesto Barbosa 28, B-R, T-R, 58 G, 6-0, 32 Svs., 63.2 IP, 0.71 ERA, 0.68 WHIP
Owner of back-to-back NL Reliever of the Year honors, there are not many better than Barbosa. With Jake Brentz, a former dominant closer who has retired, he will likely be asked to carry an even heavier workload.
RHP – Cory Tiller 29, B-R, T-R, 68 G, 0-2, 3 Svs., 3.49 ERA, 59.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP
The 2030 campaign was not Tiller’s best, but he seemed to perform better as the season progressed. With Krogman out of the mix, Tiller will be the No. 1 right-hander before the game gets to Barbosa.
RHP – Zach Evers 26, B-R, T-R, 9 G, 1-0, 0 Svs., 5.40 ERA, 6.2 IP, 1.35 WHIP
A Rule-5 selection who spent all of 2029 in the major and most of 2030 at AAA Memphis, Evers will be asked to be a right-handed specialist as his side-arm delivery causes problems for batters who swing from that side.
LHP – Ricky Cisneros 26, B-L, T-L, 44 G, 5-1, 2 Svs., 4.16 ERA, 80.0 IP, 1.50 WHIP
His numbers don’t reflect it, but his rating do in that he has the best stuff from the left-side in the St. Louis bullpen. That means Cisneros will get first shot at replacing Brentz in the Walkjers’ relief corps.
LHP – Yeison Santos 29, B-L, T-L, 66 G, 3-2, 1 Sv., 2.08 ERA, 65.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP
Santos enjoyed his best major league season in 2030, and if Cisneros doesn’t step up right away, the 29-year-old might quickly supplement him as the Walkers top lefty.
LHP – Ron Peterson 25, B-L, T-L, 6 G, 0-0, 0 Svs., 0.00 ERA, 6.2 IP, 0.60 WHIP
One of the top-rated pitchers in the minor league, Peterson missed much of 2030 with a series of back injuries. With that, the Walkers have decided it might it be best for this to be a bullpen season – especially since Peterson seems to give up a number of homers. Don’t be surprised to see him in the rotation, or in a co-closer’s role by season’s end.
Catcher
Jared Thomas – 30, B-L, T-R, 131 G, .229 BA, 20 HRs, 62 RBIs, 769 OPs
Like the rest of the team, Thomas seemed to step it up at the plate during the season’s second half. He also has become one of the most adept catcher’s in terms of handing a pitching staff. He has played at least 124 games, every season since 2027.

Infielders
1B – Rick Scott 26, B-L, T-L, 69 G, .251 BA, 22 HRs, 52 RBIs, .989 OPS
Given the opportunity for consistent playing time following the trade of Cris Rosario in mid-July, Scott ran with the opportunity belting all but one of his homers after the All-Star break.He did cool in the final weeks of the regular season, and didn’t do much in the postseason, but he did earn the opportunity to be the every-day first baseman in 2030.
SS – Jean Carmona, 31, B-S, T-R, .215 BA, 14 HRs, 40 RBIs, .640 OPS
His offensive numbers took a dramatic fall from 2029 – when he hit .268 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 119 games – but he offsets that with his defense. Carmona has won three straight gold gloves at shortstop. If he can step up his offense, he’ll be among the league’s best at his position.
3B – Jordan Groshans 31, B-R, T-R, 130 G, .215 BA, 24 HRs, 56 RBIs, .690 OPS
Groshans has been a bit of a disappointment since joining the Walkers during the 2029 season. He does hit for power, but his average has been on the decline along with a bevy of strikeouts. However, he is quite the good defender at third base.
UT – Thairo Estrada 35, B-R, T-R, 112 G, .243 BA, 4 HR,s, 33 RBIs, .654 OPS
Estrada’s offensive contributions have slipped over the past two seasons, and the Walkers were ready to let him go. But Becerra’s injury necessitated a need for a versatile infielder and Estrada fills the bill. Wht Estrada’s standing will be after Bererra’s return is uncertain. But he will be given a month-plus to show what he has left in the tank.
UT – Joshua Rivera 32, 22 G, .349 BA 1 HR, 10 RBIs, .829 OPS (Memphis); 50 G, .232 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, .592 OPS (StL)
Again, the loss of Becerra made it necessary to add a multi-positional infielder to the roster. Rivera is considered a plus-defender at second and third.
Outfielders
RF -- Steve Rossi 28, B-L, T-L, 97 G, .327 BA, 23 HRs, 57 RBIs, 1.001 OPS; 132 G, .331 BA, 26 HRs, 66 RBIs, 1.012 OPS (combined)
Acquired in Kansas City in a June 3 trade, Rossi finally got to show what he could when given consistent playing time after being stuck as a reserve with the Monarchs, who are bolstered with talent in the outfield. Rossi has power, he gets on base and was a key reason why the Walkers had such a great second half.
CF – Jose Segura 25, B-L, T-R, 137 G, .243 BA, 46 HRs, 108 RBIs, .907 OPS
Segura has strike out issues – 161 in 137 games – but when he hits the ball things happen. He’s likely on his way to being one of the premier center fielders in the game.
LF – Jose Ramirez 27, B-L, T-L, 151 G, .262 BA, 46 HRs, 95 RBIs, .982 OPS
Acquired in the offseason from Rockford, Ramirez muddled through the first half before being boosted to the lead-off spot for the second half. After the All-Star break, Ramirez was probably the best player in the National League. He seems unhappy because he’s not hitting in the middle of the order. But if he produces from the top spot like he did in 2030, it isn’t going to matter.
OF – Nathaniel Dixon, 24, B-L, T-L, 116 G, .308 BA, 20 HRs, 72 RBIs, .890 OPS (Memphis); 16 G, .206 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, .611 (STL)
Dixon’s performance at Memphis, and ability to be a solid defender at all three outfield spots, made it easy to make him the choice to be the No. 4 outfielder.
Top prospects
OF – Ben Thompson 21 B-L, T-L, 121 G, .278 BA, 9 HRs, 63 RBIs, .832 OPS
The 18th overall selection in the 2027 draft, Thompson has quickly been moving up through the St. Louis minor-league system. A good campaign in 2031, may have him on the verge of making a run at a starting job in 2032.
RHP – Rich Haas 25, B-R, T-R, 31 G. 12-9 (Memphis and Springfield)
Haas pitched well while helping Memphis win the Pacific Coast League title in 2030. He’ll likely get the first shot if any of the five starters get hurt.
LHP – Argenis Batista, 30, B-L, T-L, 50 G, 2-2, 5.34 ERA, 1.36 ERA
Batista began his major league career in the St. Louis rotation, before things began to backslide. He spent from 2027 through 2030 with Green Bay before inking a minor-league deal with the Walkers in the offseason. He’ll get the first call, if the bullpen needs help from the left side.