[rink23]

Like most seasons, the 2032 campaign arrives for the St. Louis River Walkers with expectations to be among the best teams in the Midwest Baseball League.
They were certainly that in 2031, going 97-65 to make the playoffs by winning the National League South Division for the second consecutive season and the third time in four years.
The Walkers postseason life was short, being eliminated in four games in the National League Championship Series by North Division and eventual World Series champion Twin Cities.
The Snow Cats would drop just the one postseason game, sweeping defending champion Cleveland in the World Series.
There was plenty to be positive about.
From an awards perspective, Angel Tiburcio earned his third NL Cy Young award while Jean Carmona was a gold glover at shortstop for the fourth time.
The offense was much better than it was in 2030, and the pitching was among the league’s best. But as a whole, the Walkers were not better than Twin Cities when it counted most in October.
Of course, there will be some changes.
Gone are third baseman Jordan Groshans, who led the team in home runs (43) and RBIs (106) and right fielder Steve Rossi, who batted .288 with 32 homers and 94 RBIs.
A team with five left-handed hitters in its everyday lineup, including Rossi, St. Louis management wanted to find some balance. It hopes to have done that by adding right-handed right fielder Alex Greene in a trade with Peoria.
A dependable defender, Matt Fulton has been brought in to play third base. He also hit for a .309 average last season for Indianapolis. Groshans led all-third baseman in errors in 2031 with 20.
The pitching rotation will be the same – Tiburcio, Izzy San Juan, Jesse McNaboe, Kaneo Kawamoto and Zack Hunsicker – although McNaboe will jump into the No. 3 spot after an impressive rookie campaign.
Ernesto Barbosa will once again anchor which should be among the top bullpen’s in the league. Former closer Josh Forgy was acquired in a trade with Louisville to add depth from the left-side.
Departures
3B – Jordan Groshans, 32, B-R, T-R, 151 G, .257 BA, 43 HRs, 106 RBIs; Still a free agent.
Groshans enjoyed a career season at the plate for the Walkers, unfortunately he was at his worst defensively leading all third basemen with 20 errors. His demand for a five-year contract, at the age of 32 when he may no longer be able to play his position, was deemed not advisable.
RF – Steve Rossi, 29, B-L, T-L, 151 G, .288 BA, 32 HRs, 94 RBIs; Traded to Cincinnati
All Rossi did was contribute since be acquired from Kansas City in a mid-season trade in 2030. But the Walkers needed to find some balance to their offense – and upon learning right-handed hitting Peoria right fielder Alex Greene was available in a trade – the decision to move Rossi became clear. He did exactly what was asked of him by the Walkers, but when it came down to deciding between LF Jose Ramirez, CF Jose Segura and Rossi. It was clear he was the one with the least upside.
OF – Heston Kjerstad, 33, B-S, T-R, 115 G, .238 BA, 9 HRs, 27 RBIs; Still a free agent
The veteran Kjerstad did exactly what was expected of him in his lone season in a St. Louis’ uniform. Provide a consistent bat off the bench.
OF – Steve Kowal, 25, B-S, T-R, 20 G, .264 BA, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs; Traded to Louisville
A young slugger who has shown a lot of promise in the minors, Kowal displayed the ability to hit in the majors as well in his short time with the Walkers. Not a good defender, he was traded to Louisville in the deal to land Josh Forgy.
RP – Elian Acosta, 32, B-L, T-L, 62 G, 4-3, 3 Svs., 3.29 ERA, 52.0 IP; Traded to Louisville
His only season in St. Louis, Acosta pitched fairly will in 2031 for the Walkers. It was just believed adding Forgy would be an upgrade in the same role and Acosta was part of the cost.
SP – Lenyn Crisp, 24, B-R, T-R, 12 G, 3-3, 7.00 ERA, 54.0 IP; Traded to Peoria
Part of the deal to land Alex Greene from the Rivermen. Crisp made 12 starts for St. Louis in 2031, and frankly was not very good. But in 2030, when he got a similar opportunity, he had gone 4-1 with a 3.82 ERA in six starts, so the potential is there. At Memphis, in 2031, Crisp had gone 7-4 with a 3.16 ERA in 20 starts.
SP/RP – Ron Peterson, 26, B-L, T-L, 2-2, 8.94 ERA, 10 G, 23.1 IP; Traded to Indianapolis
Once one of the top starting pitching prospects in the game, Peterson’s inability to master his control – and avoid giving up home runs – led to his departure from the Walkers, In 20 MBL games over 30 seasons, Peterson allowed 16 home runs and owned an ERA of 5.92. His ineffectiveness, seemed to follow him to the minors in 2031, where he was 6-8 with a 3.62 ERA for Memphis, allowing 21 homers in 119 innings. His stuff (80 rating) is great, but the rest is too much of a question mark to depend upon in the majors.

Newcomers
RF – Alex Greene, 30, B-R, T-R, 157 G, .265 BA, 26 HRs, 74 RBIs; Trade with Peoria
The Walkers were perfectly content with Ross in right field, but when the opportunity to acquire Greene arose – allowing them to balance out a left-handed heavy hitting lineup – it was impossible to pass up. Greene is a two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a much better defender than Rossi. He will be a free agent after the 2032 season.
3B – Matt Fulton, 32, B-R, T-R, 154 G, .309 BA, 11 HRs, 74 RBIs; Trade with Indianapolis
A 2031 Gold Glove winner at his position, that alone should make him an upgrade over Groshans who had an awful year in the field. He won’t hit for the power, but should hit for a much better average.
OF/1B – Jae-Hong Chang, 29, B-R, T-R, 156 G, .214 BA, 21 HRs, 65 RBIs; Trade with Cincinnati
Acquired in the Steve Rossi deal, Chang is a hitter with power who can play adequate defense at first base and in the outfield corner positions. The guys in the corners, Greene and Jose Ramirez, probably will not sit a lot, so Chang will get the bulk of his starts at first base.
1B/3B – Jovan Gill, 30, B-L, T-R, 145 G, .234 BA, 17 HRs, 63 RBIs; Signed as free agent
Signed late in spring training, after spending the 2031 season with Ann Arbor, Gill will be looked at as a power bat off the bench who can supply better than average defense at the infield corners.
RP – Josh Forgy, 27, B-L, T-L, 7-8, 24 Svs., 4.63 ERA, 65 G, 72.0 IP; Trade with Louisville
The Walkers were looking for a bit of an upgrade in the left-side of the pen and hopes Forgy can fill that role. He doesn’t throw hard, topping out at 94, but St. Louis has always been a team that plays solid defense which should play to his strength.
Batting order
2B – Daniel Becerra, 31, B-R, T-R, 116 G, .297 BA, 20 HRs, 69 RBIs
After missing all of April and part of May with an oblique strain, Becerra emerged as one of the Walkers best players once he got on to the field. He was a sparkplug from either the lead-off for No. 2 spot in the batting order and may have won a Gold Glove, if he had played a full season.
LF – Jose Ramirez, 28, B-L, T-L, 120 G, .268 BA, 33 HRs, 82 RBIs
Injuries once again cut into what could have been a very impressive season for Ramirez. He hit for power and a decent average and is a good defender. A full season, could result in MVP-type numbers for the 28-year-old.
RF – Alex Greene (see above)
CF – Jose Segura, 26, B-L, T-R, 102 G, .228 BA, 32 HRs, 87 RBIs
Segura was very much in the MVP conversation when he suffered a partially torn labrum which kept him out for six weeks on June 28. Although, he contributed at the plate upon his return his average did see a massive dip. Free agency is approaching, and with him having had long-term injuries two seasons in a row the Walkers need to decide if they want to commit to him long term.
C – Jared Thomas, 31, B-L, T-R, 96 G, .291 BA, 12 HRs, 54 RBIs
Like Segura, Thomas saw a long injury – six weeks with a torn abdominal muscle suffered on June 26 – derail what could have been a very impressive campaign. He did finish with the best full-season batting average of his career. Defensively, he’s just middle of the pack and gives up a lot of stolen bases.
SS – Jean Carmona, 32, B-S, T-R, 137 G, .259 BA, 16 HRs, 58 RBIs
The now four-time Gold Glove winner had his best season at the plate since 2028.His biggest difference-maker continues with the glove, but also is beginning to show the traits of a clutch hitter.
1B – Rick Scott, 27, B-L, T-L, 151 G, .253 BA, 36 HRs, 82 RBIs
The scout’s do not seem to like Scott, but all he has done for a season-plus is provide a power bat in the bottom-third of the Walkers’ batting order. He also gets on base at a decent clip, having owned a .352 on-base percentage in 2031.
3B – Matt Fulton (see above)
Reserves
IF -- Thairo Estrada – 36, B-R, T-R, 102 G, 254 BA, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs
It seems like every season, the Walkers let Estrada drift off into free agency only to re-sign him in the offseason. The 2032 campaign will be Estrada’s fifth with the Walkers. His ability to play above-average defense at second, short and third is a big reason he continues to return.
OF – Nathaniel Dixon, 25, B-L, T-L, 136 G, .259 BA, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs
An adequate outfielder at all three positions, Dixon also carries a dangerous bat from the left-side off the bench. With Ramirez and Segura both being a bit injury-prone, should again see his share of starts after getting 70 starts a year ago.
C – Ricky Liriano, 28, B-R, T-R, .73 G, .238 BA, 8 HRs, 30 RBIs
A good defender, Liriano has the perfect backup to Thomas. Also supplies a little bit of pop in rare pinch-hitting situations.
Starting rotation
Angel Tiburcio, 31, B-R, T-R, 10-9, 2.88 ERA, 33 G, 215.2 IP
He’s certainly had more wins in a season, but Tiburcio was certainly good enough to earn his third NL Cy Young award after a campaign where he led the league in inning’s pitched (215.2), strike outs (269) and WHIP (0.96). His 2031 inning’s total was the highest of his career, and he’s coming up on free agency, so the Walkers have some tough decisions to make regarding their ace.
Izzy San Juan, 33, B-L, T-L, 13-8, 4.00 ERA, 32 G, 184.2 IP
It was a rough season for San Juan, until he picked it up going down the stretch to help the Walkers win another NL South Division title. The Walkers have an option on his contract next season, so he at least needs to equal his performance of 2031.
Jesse McNaboe, 23, B-R, T-R, 11-6, 4.08 ERA, 21 G, 117.0 IP
The young right-hander could turn out to be the next ace of the Walkers, after a 2031 campaign which saw him pitch better as the campaign went along. St. Louis, however, would like to see him improve on his strikeout-to-walk which was just 1.7
Kaneo Kawamoto, 34, B-L, T-L, 12-6, 3.14 ERA, 25 G, 160.2 IP
In three-plus seasons in St. Louis, Kawamoto had missed just one start because of injury until being sidelined by shoulder injury on August 26 which derailed what was looking to be another outstanding campaign. The veteran lefty says he’s back and healthy, but will have to pitch well to return in 2033.
Zach Hunsicker, 32, B-R, T-R, 13-7, 5.03 ERA, 32 G, 186.0 IP
His stats were not impressive, but Hunsicker still found a way to win 13 games. He’ll be in the rotation until he does not deserve it anymore, the team can opt out on his 2033 contract, or someone in the minors shows he might be the better option.
Bullpen
CL – Ernesto Barbosa, 29, B-R, T-R, 6-1, 28 Svs., 1.59 ERA, 43 G, 39.2 IP
There may not be a better closer in the game, it’s just in 2031 Barbosa didn’t get many chances as,, for some reason, the Walkers didn’t play many close games winning or losing. His stuff seems as good as ever. If the door needs to be closed in the ninth inning, Barbosa will be the one asked to slam it.
RHP – Josh Grissom, 32, B-R, T-R, 6-1, 0 Svs., 2.22 ERA, 26 G, 28.1 IP
Acquired in a trade deadline deal with Columbus, Grissom was impressive down the stretch for the Walkers in August and September. He combined with Barbosa and Cory Tiller to give St. Louis probably the best right-side of the bullpen in the game.
RHP – Cory Tiller, 30, B-R, T-R, 5-2 2 Svs., 2.39 ERA, 58 G, 52.2 IP
Tiller rebounded from a non-so stellar 2030 season to be one of the better right-handed set-up relievers in the NL.
RHP – Andres Hernandez, 26, B-L, T-R, 1-5, 1 Sv., 5.30 ERA, 67 G, 71.1 IP
Hernandez’ first season with the Walkers, could have gone better but the 26-year-old has so much potential it’s tough not to give him another shot especially with such depth in the relief corps.
LHP – Josh Forgy (see above)
LHP --- Ricky Cisneros, 27, B-L, T-L, 4-3, 5 Svs., 3.81 ERA, 59 G, 75.2 IP
Loaded with potential, Cisneros has filled a number of roles for St. Louis over the past five seasons but his 2031 campaign may have been his best. He boasted his best K/9 (12.9) and WHIP (1.20)( of his career. He may only get better if assigned to a consistent role.
LHP – Yeison Santos, 30, B-L, T-L, 3-4, 4 Svs., 4.10 ERA, 62 G, 58.0 IP
Santos took a step back from his 2030 season, but still was a reliable left-handed reliever. His role may need to be reassessed but Santos remains a player deserving to be on the roster.
LHP – Nick Ruffalo, 24, B-L, T-L, 0-0, 0 Svs., 4.70 ERA, 11 G, 7.2 IP
The closer most of last season for AAA Memphis (he saved 29 games 5-6 with a 2.14 ERA in 52 games), Ruffalo will get a chance to see what he can do against major-league hitters, He didn’t fare well during a coffee cup with St. Louis in 2031, but who knows how he’ll do the second-time around.

Top Prospect
SP – Rich Hass. 26. B-R, T-R, 14-6, 2.71 ERA, 25 G, 152.2 IP, with AAA Memphis
Received the opportunity in spring training to earn a spot in the rotation only to lose out to Zach Hunsicker for the No. 5 spot. The 2031 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year, he will be the first one to get the call should one of the Walkers starters falter or get injured. Hass did make two starts in 2030 for the Walkers, going 1-1 with a 5.47 ERA.
OF – Ben Thompson, 22, B-L, T-L, .211 BA, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, 51 G, with St. Louis
Thompson got a mid-summer callup to the majors and started out like a house afire before fading down the stretch. He still seems to have the potential to be a star – Thompson hit .315 with 12 homers and 88 RBIs in 95 games for the Redbirds – the parent club just needs to decide what it wants to do with him due to their influx of outfield talent.
1B – Nick Shaw, 23, .270 BA, 16 HRs, 83 RBIs, 136 G with Memphis
Shaw has yet to take an at-bat in a major-league game, but some are ready to pencil him as Rick Scott’s replacement at first base what his inevitable slide begins. I like Scott, he bats seventh but still hit home runs and gets on base, but if he falters. Shaw may get his chance to show what he can do against the best.