Yesterday, the Thunderbolts announced a move that sent C J.P. Lowen, OF Ryan Addison, and a player to be named later to the Macon Music of the South Coast League in exchange for RHP Ross Stout. Stout was arguably the best pitcher in the South Coast League in 2007, and for an LS-1 classification, the Thunderbolts stole themselves a Pitcher of the Year candidate. Stout went 11-4 with a 2.38 ERA in his rookie campaign last summer. The players that Windy City gave up, C Lowen and OF Addison, probably weren't in the Thunderbolts plans this year anyway. Lowen is now an LS-1 by Frontier League standards and didn't have the type of year that would make in irreplaceable by a rookie in 2007 (.257, 6 home runs, 37 RBI). OF Addison was a player Windy City had just signed out of Elon College - 2008 will be his first season as a professional. Stout will be an LS-2 in 2009, so don't be surprised if Windy City gives him back to Macon next season as the player to be named in that deal.
Here is how Windy City shapes up as of 2/6/2008:
Key Additions -
RHP Ross Stout - All-Star candidate fits in nicely at the top of the rotation.
CF Phil Grau - Grau didn't have a tremendous year in the American Association last season, hitting .221 with 12 doubles, a home run, 24 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. However, those numbers will go up in the Frontier League as Grau looks to be Windy City's every day center fielder. He also plays very good defense - fielding 1.000 in 2007.
3B Kevin Noles - Kevin Noles had an outstanding rookie season in the South Coast League last summer, hitting .325 with 16 doubles, 2 triples, and 37 RBI to go with a .393 on-base percentage. The cause for concern is his fielding percentage, which was .890 after making 26 errors at 3rd base. With the return of All-Star 3rd basemen Josh Horn and utility-man Amos Ramon to Windy City, my guess is Noles will see most of his playing time at DH.
RHP Stephen Flake - Flake was a dominating pitcher at the NAIA level in 2007 before being signed as a non-drafted fee agent by the Marlins. A victim of the politics of baseball, or so it seems, Flake had a 1.71 ERA in 21 IP with 22 K in rookie ball last summer before being released this off-season.
Key Losses
OF Rob Marconi - Windy City's lead-off man for most of the year last summer, hit .263 with 19 doubles, 9 home runs, a .369 on-base percentage and 24 stolen bases. Marconi was traded to Gary of the Northern League.
OF John McCarthy - McCarthy's offensive numbers aren't flashy, but he was the toughest out in the Frontier League last year, striking out only 20 times in 270 at-bats. He also played extremely tough defense in the outfield, as did Marconi. McCarthy was also sent to Gary.
RHP Billy Phillips - Phillips was a workhorse for Windy City last summer, logging 116 innings with an 8-5 record and 3.09 ERA. Phillips will join Marconi and McCarthy in Gary as well.
RHP Shawn Phillips - Phillips was Windy City's best starter, in my opinion, and was signed by the Florida Marlins at the end of a season that saw him throw 121 innings with a 2.45 ERA and an 8-4 record. Phillips also won the decisive game 5 of the Frontier League Championship Series against Washington.
C J.P. Lowen - It will be interesting to see if the Thunderbolts miss Lowen or not, because while he didn't stand out offensively, he did a very good job handling the best pitching staff in the Frontier League last summer. Several pitchers on that staff had career years, and don't think Lowen didn't at least have a hand in that.
Coaching Staff - The Thunderbolts waved goodbye to the entire coaching staff except one this off-season. Manager Andy Haines took a job with the Florida Marlins, pitching coach Brenden Sagara moved on to the Evansville Otters, and hitting coach Ronnie Deck is now the bullpen catch for the Baltimore Orioles at the big league level.
Key Returners -
The only official announcements on returning players include All-Star 3B Josh Horn, utility infielder and pitcher Amos Ramon, All-Star outfielder Mike Coles, and All-Star pitcher Brock Hunton. However, Windy City has the ability to also bring back the rest of their infield with shortstop Wes Long, second basemen Gilberto Meija, and first basemen Phillip Hawke.
The Thunderbolts also have the ability to bring back the majority of their bullpen, which dominated opposing teams for most of the season.
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