H'ville, Tn (AP) - Once again the Hendersonville Hitmen headed into the off-season with a disappointed 1st rd loss (Los Angeles Bruins). The playoffs came at the wrong time as the Hitmen were very banged up and pitching staff were ridding a month long cold streak.
Owner/GM Travis Hays was very upset with how the starting rotation performed all year, especially the 3-5 spots.
"Heading into 2012 I thought we had the best rotation in the league," commented Hays to local media. "But it quickly became evident that it was going to be a LONG season with the rotation and eventually it really hurt us in the playoffs."
So once again Hays headed into the off-season with some tough decisions. Normally when he's unhappy with a player they don't last long in the organization. So with that in mind Hays went shopping for an upgrade at SP and did just that.
The rotation underwent some changes in the off-season as two of the front offices favorite SP Nam-cheol Chong and Mal Windham were traded away while SP Jerry Burgess was acquired in a trade. Burgess is slotted to be the #4 SP this season. Meanwhile the pen, setup role and closer stay the same from last season.
The 2013 Hendersonville Hitmen Pitching Staff
1. Scott Hill
2. Walter Bamber
3. Art Ellis
4. Jerry Burgess
5. Carlos Arévalo
Scott Hill is still the best SP in the game winning the Boardman Award for the 3rd straight year. Last year Bamber set a BSA record with 25 wins and had a very sharp ST. Art Ellis is coming off his worst season as a Hitman, but still managed to get 15 wins and finished 3rd (241) in K's in the ML. Newly acquired Burgess went 10-11 with a 3.89 ERA and finished 2nd in K's (196) in the TL last year. Late last season former Hitmen Arevalo came back to H'ville and just wants to forget his entire experience in Quebec. Arevalo finished 2nd in Boardman in 2010 and is coming over a great ST.
CL Martin Griffin
Griffin is coming off a career high and a BSA best 45 saves last year. Griffen is the All-Time leader in saves and is entering a contract season. The seasoned vet has another stellar ST and looks to be one of the leagues best CL's
SU Tommy Smith
The Smith-Griffin bridge in the 8th in 9th has been the most dominate combo in the league for 3 straight years. Smith had a 2.03 ERA, 114 K's to only 23 BBs last season in 88.2 innings with a 11.6 K/9.
MR1 Alfredo González
MR2 Oliver Donahue
MR3 Kolfe Were
MR4 Ghidewon Hassan
It's no secret that Hays LOVES a strong bullpen! Every season Hays has made a deal to bring in a dominating arm for his pen. This year's MR core is by far the best he has assembled. A-Gon is simply lights out and could be the CL in waiting. In ST he pitched 27.2 innings, 0.33 ERA, 34 Ks, 6 BB, .110 opp avg. and a 0.58 WHIP. Donahue was just as impressive with 1.45 ERA, 23/3 K/BB, .176 opp avg and a 0.80 WHIP in 18.2 innings. Were and Hassan are two dominate K pitchers also, but have their weakness. Were will give up the most hits and HRs while Hassan might have the most potential off all the MR guys, but has yet to be able to put it all together. Could this be the year?
ST PR2
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