Great Lakes Loons 2019 Version

The Loons kick off their 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 away from home against the Lake County Captains. They play the Captains again on Friday before returning to Midland for a six-game home stand, two against Lake County and four against the South Bend Cubs.

It should not be too difficult to get a better start to the season after the 2018 season in which they went 7-13 in April with six postponements due to inclement weather.

John Shoemaker returns as Loons manager while pitching coach Luis Meza, hitting coach Justin Viele and fourth coach Jason Bourgeois are new to the Loons although Meza and Viele are in their third year as coaches in the Dodgers minor League system.

The Loons continue to play at Dow Diamond which is rated as providing one on the best minor league experiences for fans.

Stadium Journey Review: Dow Diamond is a great minor league ballpark. Everything is set up for fans to have a wonderful time at the game. This is both a large park, and a cozy park. The concourses are wide, and the leg room in the seats is a little better than average. There are two fireplaces found behind the home plate area and two fire pits in the outfield concourse. Both are fantastic for cool summer nights, or downright cold spring night games.

The 2019 roster has not yet been released by the Dodgers, so it is probably folly to try to produce one in advance of the official announcement. One thing we do know is that the Dodgers tend to push their young players along as quickly as possible. It is not unusual for teenagers to play as regulars with the Loons. Secondly, the early spring weather in Midland causes the Dodgers to hold some of their young pitchers back in spring training until the weather warms up. Let’s hope for a warm spring, unlike 2018. Thirdly, with an emphasis on players being versatile and not stuck to one position it is difficult to know who might unexpectedly emerge in a new position to start the upcoming season.

Ten players from last year’s draft class played with the Loons in 2018. – LHP John Rooney (22), 2B Devin Mann (22), LHP Bryan Warzek (22), 3B Luke Heyer (22), OF Josh McLain (22), SS Deacon Liput (22), RHP Stephen Kolek (21), C Hunter Feduccia (21), LHP Austin Drury (21), OF Matt Cogen (23). Josh McLain was the first to arrive in Midland having done so on June 18 following the draft in early June. Do those players move up or remain with the Loons to begin their second year of professional ball? Is the move age dependent, perceived skill dependent, or performance solely dependent? Or, are any of them simply required to fill spots with the Quakes?

Not knowing the answer to those questions it is almost like throwing darts at the dart board covered with names. So, here goes as I see it and for some to be as I hope it to be. That is, what I would do for the opening day roster.

Starting Pitching:

This is not as easy as it seemed yesterday. My personal preferences do get in the way. I agree with AC that Michael Grove, Braydon Fisher and Robinson Ortiz will remain in Phoenix in extended spring training. The weather in Midland may be a factor plus the Dodgers are being careful with these arms. I would put Julian Smith in that class also. I expect at the minor league level there is not as much attention given to a right-left pitching staff balance. However, at some point Grove and Ortiz will join the Loons as left handers.

RHP Zach Willeman (23)
RHP Jose Chacin (22)
RHP Alfredo Tavarez (21)
RHP Jesus Vargas (20)
RHP Orlandy Navarro (19)
RHP Andre Jackson (23)

Relief Pitching:

I am promoting left-handers Bryan Warzek and Austin Drury to the Quakes and I think Warzek will be moved into a starting role. I am also moving right-hander Stephen Kolek to the Quakes as well as underappreciated left-hander Devin Hemmerich. I thought seriously about holding Melvin Jimenez with the Loons as a closer, but he was so lights out once he moved to relief with the Loons that I moved him to Rancho Cucamonga. Plus, he really minded pitching in the cold spring weather in Midland.

RHP Josiah Gray (21)
RHP Drew Finley (22)
RHP Elio Serrano (20)
LHP Justin Bruihl (21)
LHP Jose Hernandez (21)
RHP Nathan Witt (22)

Catchers:

Marco Hernandez and Jair Camargo are not ready yet, so the question is if 21st round 2018 selection Trea Todd is. He had only 68 at bats in 2018 with the Raptors. Hunter Feduccia should move to Rancho Cucamonga as either Steve Berman or Connor Wong should move up to Tulsa. I think that Jordan Procyshen was signed to team up with a young catcher with the Loons. However, maybe that role will once again fall to Garrett Hope.

Ramon Rodriguez (20)
Jordan Procyshen (26)

Infield:

I can see Deacon Liput, Brock Carpenter, Jeter Downs, Luke Heyer headed for the Quakes. I am not so sure about Moises Perez or Devin Mann. I reluctantly kept Mann with the Loons instead of Kenneth Betancourt of Jefrey Souffront, both of whom should join the Loons at some point in the season.

1B Dillon Paulson (21)
3B Miguel Vargas (19)
SS Jacob Amaya (20)
2B Jeremy Arocho (20)
2B/3B Marcus Chiu (22)
2B Devin Mann (22)
3B/1B Justin Yurchak (22)

Outfield:

At age-23 Matt Cogen needs to make a quick impression with the Loons. Starling Heredia remains a mystery.

Matt Cogen (23)
Daniel Robinson (22)
Niko Hulsizer (22)
Starling Heredia (20)