2008 Preseason Preview
Feb 19, 2008
Posted by Garrett Nicol
#5 Robert Phair 2B/SS
Rob joined the Bengals last year in hopes of bringing them some stability in the middle infield and some more depth and speed to their offense. Rob helped to stabilize their defense, stealing many sure base hits from the other team. He finished just behind the Burlington Bulls Brad Guy in gold glove votes. Along with his defense, he also added some much needed zip to the offense. Rob had a slow start but turned it up near the end of the season and ended up leading the team in runs scored with 24. He also came through in the clutch when the Bengals needed him most and was a huge reason for the success they had in the playoffs. Most notably hitting a walk off homerun in game one against the Twins. Rob will once again be counted upon to lead the defense on the infield and to provide a spark wherever he may end up in the lineup.
MLB comparison - Homer Bush
Projected Stats - .312, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 SB, 35 Runs scored
#45 Cody Ireland CF/2B
Cody is the heart and soul of the Bengals. The two time OSBA all-star has been on this team for 10 years now and has always lead by example. Last year Cody started the season on a tear going 8 for his first 8 leading the Bengals to two early victories. He cooled off mid-season but regained his swing at the end of the year and in the playoffs hitting 3 post season home runs. Cody has bailed out the Bengals pitchers on many occasions with his electrifying speed and his lack of regard for his own body. The gold glove outfielder should continue to impress in the outfield and shine as one of the top performers in the league.
MLB comparison - Endy Chavez
Projected Stats - .341, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 19 SB, 30 Runs scored
#19 Brandon Hlynsky LF/CF
Brandon is quite possibly the most sure handed fielder on the entire Bengals roster. Often overlooked because he isn’t a flashy player at all, he is the key to the Bengals success in the outfield. Although he doesn’t have the speed that others may have, he makes up for it with his ability to track the ball. At the plate, Brandon is the least patient player to ever live, although he seems to always manage to hit the ball hard. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for with his superb skills on the base paths. Brandon is always near the top of the team in average and is one of the more consistent players. The Bengals will look to Brandon to keep the middle of the order strong and play consistent defense all year.
MLB comparison - Rob Ducey
Projected Stats - .333, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 SB, 13 Runs scored
#24 Garrett Nicol 1B/2B/3B/C
Garrett looks to build upon a solid 2007 season. He lead the team in Games Played (43), At Bats (107), Hits (38) and RBIs (28). He was a consistent force in the Bengals offense. In addition to his consistency at the plate, Garrett played consistent defense at any position he was asked to play (1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C, RF) during the 2007 season due to team injuries. Look for Garrett to provide the Bengals with a key Utility-type role this season. Garrett is also deceivingly quick on his feet. He will put pressure on the defense when we reaches base. Finally, look for Garrett to continue to step up as a leader for the team. While Ryan Rattos and Greg DaCosta got most of the coaching credit, Garrett plays a huge role in the strategy during the course of a game and in specific game situations.
MLB comparison - Cito Gaston
Projected Stats - .320, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 4 SB, 15 Runs scored
#1 Andrew Costley C/RF
Costley joined the Bengals team at the beginning of the 2007 season and immediately made an impact. Over the course of the year he succeeded Nicol as the Bengals number one catcher and provided them with an outstanding arm behind the plate; something they have lacked for the last few seasons. He also provided leadership and some solid offense. Costley contains a lot of speed for a catcher and swings a good bad. Throughout the year he was always able to get the team going when he was called upon, coming up with tons of great plays. He almost single handedly stole one game against the Bulls, throwing out a staggering 4 base runners.
MLB comparison - Benito Santiago
Projected Stats - .298, 2HR, 8 RBI, 9 SB, 15 Runs scored
#42 Roger Du RF/DH
Roger was another first year player on the Bengals roster for the 2007 season. It was his first year back after taking a year off. What Roger brought to the table was a reliable right fielder when he was called upon and a very good bat to add to the bottom of the Bengals order. Roger may be the best contact hitter on the Bengals roster, and he doesn’t hesitate to use all of the field to his advantage. Much like his fellow Asians, Ichiro and Hideki Matsui. Roger will have to continue to swing a good bat to maintain some consistency all the way throughout the Bengals lineup. The Bengals will turn to Roger for his leadership as well. Last year he was one of the main reason that the Bengals energy level remained positive and due to his leadership was appointed a team Captain for the 2008 season.
MLB comparison - Jackie Robinson
Projected Stats - .338, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SB, 9 Runs scored
#21 Ryan Rattos 3B/2B
In his first year as a player/coach, Ryan was named the Coach of the year for the Jenkins division after leading the Bengals to the OSBA finals before coming up just short. On the field Ryan found his calling at third base. A former short stop, third base was a welcomed change for Ryan as he went most of the year without making many errors and provided a strong arm from the hot corner. Look for him to improve even more in 2008. At the plate Ryan had an up and down year, but came through in the clutch on various occasions. Looks for him to continue to drive the ball up the middle and post a solid average next year.
MLB comparison - Scott Brosius
Projected Stats .300, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, 7 Runs scored
#12 Jon Menezes P/INF
Jon was another Bengals rookie last year and may have turned into the biggest off-season acquisition in the entire OSBA. After an average regular season, Jon emerged as the Bengals most valuable player in the post-season. He went on to win a number of games, save a couple and keep an ERA of under two for the playoffs. He also picked it up at the plate, hitting the eventual series clinching homerun against the seventh inning of game 3 against the Twins. He then went on to strike out the side and seal the victory. Jon will be looked at the provide the same dominant pitching that lead the league in strikeouts in the 2007 season and hopefully can do it for the entire season.
MLB comparison - "Wild thing" Mitch Williams
Projected Stats .303, 4 HR 15 RBI, 5 SB, 18 Runs scored
Pitching - 6 wins, 2.45 ERA, 95 K’s
#99 Kevin O’Toole SS/P
Kevin has been a big part of the Bengals team for the past few seasons. He has always been able to log a lot of innings and provide some clutch hits when the Bengals need them most. Last year in the playoffs, Kevin hit a homerun in extra innings to tie the game, a game the Bengals went on to win. Kevin also became the Bengals starting short stop last year and will continue to be relied upon this year to combine with Phair up the middle. Kevin is another hitter who will provide much needed depth and speed at the bottom of the Bengals order. Having a player with the speed Kevin has is a deadly weapon that the Bengals coaching staff will look to use to throw off the other teams pitchers and defense as much as possible.
MLB comparison - Micky Morandini
Projected Stats - .270, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 13 SB, 20 Runs scored
#25 Greg DaCosta 1B
Greg has been a leader at the plate and in the field for the Bengals for a long time. He has always been reliable on defense and will be looked upon by his fellow infielders to scoop a lot more balls this year. At the plate Greg will once again be looked up to produce in the middle of the lineup. His power stats and RBI stats will need to stay where they are if the Bengals hope to achieve the success they had last year in the playoffs. Greg will also be helping Rattos coach again this year and will once again be a leader both on and off the field.
MLB comparison - John Kruk
Projected Stats - .319, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 10 Runs scored
#17 Andrew McDermid P
Andrew was a late addition to the Bengals roster, being added just days before the start of the season. Andrew struggled early in the year trying to regain his form and was eventually injured with an ulnar collateral ligament tear, and was lost for most of the season. Luckily for the Bengals, Andrew returned for the last weekend of the season and proved to be dominant throughout the playoffs. After a two hitter in the final game of the season, Andrew went on to post brilliant numbers in the playoffs and helped lead the Bengals to their first Jenkins Division Championship. Andrew will be a key player if the Bengals hope to repeat as the Jenkins champs.
MLB comparison - Jim Abbott
Projected stats - 6 Wins, 2.89 ERA, 78 K’s
#8 Jon Amendola P/C
Jon is one of the two Bengals rookies who will look to make an immediate impact this year. He brings another strong arm to the table which the Bengals will rely upon to pick up some wins, and hopefully some saves. He will also be looked to to help with the power numbers. At times last year, the Bengals had trouble scoring runs and Jon should make a big impact on that. He is an extra power hitter that will be able to take some of the pressure off DaCosta. Look for Jon to be a leader on this Bengals team, and if he can get hot, other teams could be in some trouble.
MLB comparison - Greg Vaughn
Projected stats .330, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 6 SB, 15 Runs scored
2 Wins, 3.00 ERA, 38 K’s, 8 Saves
#9 Kris Kibsy 1B/P/DH
Kris is the ultimate team player. He will literally do anything to help the team win. Last year Kris kept the team is almost every game he pitched, despite the Bengals not scoring a run for his first three starts. Kris also provides a solid bat off the bench and always provides a battle at the plate, making the opposing pitcher work for every out. In 2008 Kris will provide a solid bat to come off the bench in key situations and he should provide the Bengals with good offense and solid relief pitching whenever he is called upon.
MLB comparison - Turk Wendell / John Rocker
Projected Stats .295, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, 7 Runs scored
2 Wins, 3.25 ERA, 19 K’s, 2 Saves
#7 Francis Pallotta P/1B
Frank has been and always will be one of the biggest leaders this team has ever had. He always comes to play and brings intensity to the mound every time he is there. Francis missed most of the 2007 season but is hoping to be out to most of the games this year. He will be a big addition to this already dangerous lineup and pitching staff. He brings a lively arm, one that lead the OSBA in strikeouts two years ago. If he can get back to that form, the Bengals could be a force to be reckoned with. At the plate Francis brings both power and average. He is the Bengals all-time leader in homeruns and RBI and will look to add to those totals this year.
MLB comparison - Babe Ruth
Projected stats .314, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 3 SB, 11 Runs scored
4 Wins, 3.01 ERA, 60 K’s, 3 Saves
#29 Jeff St. Denis
Jeff is another rookie joining the Bengals, however he will be joining the team a little later in the season. Jeff is a powerful pitcher who will help the Bengals already deep pitching staff. He has played in Niagara for the past few years and will now be looking to make his mark in the OSBA. Look for Jeff to be a dominant pitching that will compliment Menezes and McDermid in the starting rotation and take some strain off of the other arms.
MLB comparison - Jimmy key
Projected stats 3 Wins, 2.00 ERA, 70 K’s, 4 Saves
#16 Jeff Routledge RF/2B/C
Jeff Routledge, better known as JR is a utility player that can always be counted on to play well wherever he may be placed on the field. He can play all over the place, and most likely will be once again in 2008. JR will add strength and depth at the bottom half of a very good Bengals lineup. He brings solid contact and some pretty good pop and will be depended on the clean up and runners left on by the middle of the lineup. JR has also been a leader on this team for a number of years and always bring a good attitude and picks up his teammates all the time.
MLB comparison - Bobby Kielty
Projected Stats .280, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SB, 6 runs scored |
