Season Preview: Huntington Heroes

Coming into Season Four of DoubleDay, the Huntington Heroes have a chip on their shoulder. Despite a top five offense and an above average pitching staff, they went home early last season when they missed a postseason berth by one game to Philadelphia and St. Louis. The year before that, their 88 win campaign was enough to get them an early exit when they missed the playoffs via tiebreaker. Many veterans are ready for the team to make the next step and return to the playoffs. Career Hero Rey Sweeney had plenty to say about the team’s lack of late year success.

“It’s been very frustrating for me because I know we’ve got a great mix of guys in this clubhouse. When you have guys like Erv and Benji, you develop these expectations. When you come so close every year, you start to get tense. I think that’s our problem. We just get so caught up in the situation and lose our focus. That being said, I believe we’ve got a better team mindset this year and we know we can win this division.”

Sweeney is the definition of a leader. At age 34, he has the highest lifetime average among active players at .335. While batting fourth in the line up as the designated hitter, Sweeney also take time to work with some of his younger, less experienced teammates. In particular, first year player and new starting Third Baseman Austin McMillan.

“Yeah, I’ve been working with Austin all offseason. That kid has got a beautiful swing and he knows it. But he also realizes that he doesn’t know everything and I guess I’ve been somewhat of a mentor to him. After batting practice, we usually have lunch and talk about things that could be improved, in regards to performance.”

McMillan is hoping to live up to the rookie expectations set last year by phenom Abraham Inge, now of Montreal. This offseason, former Rookie of the Year Inge was shipped to the Shamrocks in return for first baseman Gary Mateo, pitcher Kenny Blair, and stud prospect Brian Shigetoshii. The absence of Inge means the Heroes will likely be looking to platoon newcomers Alberto Nieves and Brad Bush at second base. A similar platoon has paid off in dividends in left field. Even with Inge leaving town, the Heroes looked to have improved their lineup with Mateo and McMillan playing prominent roles. Combine that with the always spectacular play of Erv Hines and it’s likely that Huntington will once again find itself with a top five offense.

One question still remains unanswered for the Heroes: Can they pitch? Huntington fans believe the team has the goods to get it done, but the AL boasts some ferocious lineups and Eble Field isn’t exactly a pitcher’s dream. Returning to the starting rotation will be 24-year-old Odalis Vega, who hopes to breakout in his second full season in the majors. Joining him will be fixture Boots Lesher and newcomers Blair and Neil Presley. That will leave the fifth slot in the rotation up for grabs as several pitchers are competing for the job in spring training.

Another youngster looking to finally see some success at the major league level is relief arm Cory Evans. Evans had much success as a rookie closer for San Francisco, but has since been delegated to set up and long relief roles in very hitter friendly parks. His stock has plummeted since. Huntington might consider moving Evans back into the closer role if it were not for 2 time All-Star closer Chris Champion. When Huntington takes a lead into the ninth, you might as well send your hitters out blindfolded, because they’ll accomplish just as much. Champ is nearly untouchable and would likely have a Fireman award to his name if it wasn’t for fellow AL South closer Ted Collier.

It seems everything is on the up and up in Huntington. The team is excited. Management is excited. Fans are excited. Many believe that this will be the year that the Heroes jump back into the postseason mix. Only one thing is for sure this season. It will be a very hard, proving road through the division and back to the playoffs.