Coming Attractions: Troy

A look at the 2008 Troy Haymakers (again?)...
The Lineup:
After two bockbuster trades this off-season, the Haymakers' lineup will have a different look in 2008. Gone are the two speedsters at the top of the lineup last season in Carl Crawford and Ichiro Suzuki, and a slugging secondbaseman in Chase Utley. In are the super-slugger Matt Holliday, the power hitting-slick fielding Andrew Jones, useful outfield bat Andre Ethier and scrappy middle infielders David Eckstein and Mark Ellis. Returning to the lineup are corner infielders Conor Jackson, Aubrey Huff, and Chad Tracy, catcher Ronny Paulino and outfielder Vernon Wells.
"I'm excited about the upcoming season," said firstbaseman Conor Jackson, "We have a solid foundation here to build a competitive franchise for years to come. The point is to build on our success from last season." The second season for the Haymakers should be an interesting one, and there are some questions. Mainly, are there enough bats to compete this season? Although Vernon Wells and Andre Jones are gold-glove caliber fielders, they both are set to have down seasons. Plus Chad Tracy will be out half the season with an injury. There is a lot of speculation about production with Jackson and Aubrey Huff at the corners; their projected OPS of .780 for Huff and .833 for Jackson are well under the NASBL league average at those positions.
Here's a look at the 2008 Haymakers lineup by position:
C: Ronnie Paulino
1B: Conor Jackson/Chad Tracy
2B: Mark Ellis
3B: Aubrey Huff/Chad Tracy
SS: David Eckstein
OF: Matt Holliday
OF: Andrew Jones
OF: Vernon Wells


Rotation and Bull-pen:
The recent addition of Jered Weaver is all the buzz at camp this spring, and has the front of the Haymakers rotation looking solid as they try to rebound from a starter ERA of over 5.50 last season. The loss of BJ Ryan to injury and Matt Capps in the Weaver trade hurts the depth of the pen, but Brian Fuentes and Huston Street are a solid lefty-righty combo and should continue to be successful. "We both had really great seasons last year," said set-up man Fuentes, "And we should continue to dominate. Kerry is back for us and should be able to give us a few quality innings. I won't go out and say we are the team to beat this season, but we will be solid." The main question in the pitching staff will be if there will be enough depth for 2008. The Haymakers are going into the draft with only seven pitchers, and as it stands Scott Olsen will be the 4th starter.
Here's a look at the Haymakers 2008 pitching staff:
1. Fausto Carmona
2. Brad Penny
3. Jered Weaver
4. Scott Olsen
5. The Ball Boy ???
Set-up: Brian Fuentes
Closer: Huston Street