Colonels Retool for Season 3

Louisville (HBD) -- The Louisville Colonels are sporting a bit of a different look in their attempt to defend their Season 2 world championship. L'ville fans will notice a bit less gray in the team's collective muzzle, and a bit more of a youthful spring to their overall step. Gone are over-30's veterans Brian Washington and Bob Scutaro, who were allowed to enter the free agency market and signed with Boston and Salt Lake City, respectively. Coming in for season three are several outstanding young players, including Les Cloud, Julian Julio, Erick Shannon, Glenallen Clontz, and Alberto Rodriguez. Here's a rundown of the team, by position:

Catcher
Team MVP Brent Hinske is the starter. One of the best pitch-callers in the league, and a lock for 30+ homers in a season. The team also has several outstanding catching prospects, such as Nicky Barry, Dave Sampson, and Corey Hunt in the minors.

First Base
Lefty slugger Dallas Howard returns and will play everyday against RSPs, platooning with newcomer Henry Klaus, who is expected to hammer the ball to all fields against the LSPs. Team management expects Klaus to be a big upgrade over what team had in seasons one and two.

Second Base
Slugger Brett Russell, who hit 71 homers in Doubleday's first two seasons, is the everyday second sacker. Russell has power from both sides of the plate.

Shortstop
Gold Glove centerfielder Alex Ogawa returns to his natural position of SS, taking over for the departed Brian Washington. "He's a potential Gold Glover at any position on the field," said Colonels' G.M. Ralph Bedwell. "Expect a boatload of plus plays from Alex once again."

Third Base
Former starter Steven Wood is still a valuable part of the team, but the starting 3B job has been taken by slugging rookie Albert Rodriguez. "30+ homers from Big Al? That's a lock," said Bedwell.

Left Field
Bruce Griffin was re-signed, but has been moved to a backup role. Taking over is rookie Les Cloud, who hit .350 with 45 homers in the minors last season and then helped the Colonels to the WS title with 3 homers and a .381 AVG in five games during the major league playoffs. Team officials expect Cloud to be a Rookie of the Year contender.

Center Field
Lefty slugger Julian Julio moves into the CF slot vacated by the move of Ogawa back to SS. "Julian has been tremendous ever since we traded for him," said Bedwell. "He needed a season in AAA, and now he's ready to be a star centerfielder in the major leagues." Julio had a monster season in AAA, whacking 55 homers and driving in 161 runs. He then proved his major league chops with five homers and a .361 AVG in the major league playoffs.

Right Field
Star switch-hitter Ted Mercedes returns. Mercedes hits for both average and power.

Bench
A strong bench has been one of the keys to the Colonels' success, and they're loaded again on the pine. Supersub Ray Purcell, who could be a star player almost anywhere else, heads the list. Purcell can play any position except C and SS, and boasts a .402 OBP and 37 homers in 711 Doubleday ABs. Steven Wood, a two-year starter at 3B, is next off the bench, filling in at any corner position and also 2B. Bruce Griffin adds lefty pop off the bench in a pinch-hit role, while also occasionally filling in for Cloud in LF. Newcomer Chet Ramsey, one of the top defensive players in the world and able to play any position on the field, rounds it out.

Starting Pitching
The Colonels are blessed with more good SP than there are slots in the rotation. Season two mainstays Brett Raymond, Bono Stone, Brad Sprague, and Glenn Benson all return, as does Matthew Brown. Two outstanding newcomers are also itching to get into the SP mix, namely star rookie Glenallen Clontz, and Errick Shannon, the team's prize new acquisition who came over in the Pedro Bennett trade. "We might even be able to shop a good SP on the trade market for prospects," said Bedwell. "There's always a strong market for good starting pitching."

Bullpen
Whoever is left out of the starting rotation should be outstanding in the long relief roles. The Colonels also boast some fine setup men in Josias Lima, Jerry Brantley, Rusty Peavy, and Mike Randall. Returning for his third season is aging but still sprightly closer-deluxe Gabe Buerhle, whose career record with Louisville is 63-of-69 saves with a 1.65 ERA.