2. San Diego Surf Dawgs, 88-74
Key Losses: None
Key Additions: MR Bobby Parnell, C Jeff Burns
Prospect to Watch: C Chase Vallot
Outlook:
The team returns almost everyone from last season.
San Diego did lose several players to free agency, but only players that had disappointed. They lost both their catchers, Yasmani Grandal and Alex Avila, but they each had OPS’ under .550 last season and were paid millions of dollars. San Diego may have landed an upgrade in minor league catcher Jeff Burns, who’s hit well at AAA and at 35 years old is going to be the team’s backup at worst.
Parnell struggled last season, but a BABIP over .400 was mostly to blame. He should be a key set up guy for San Diego this season, and in a division that should have several tight games, that’s important. San Diego really needs a bounce back year from him.
The Surf Dawgs will have a lot of tough decisions to make this off-season, and may even trade one of their upcoming free agents during the season, which could cut into their win total.
Chase Vallot had one of the greatest minor league seasons in baseball history last season, hitting 42 home runs as a catcher between two levels, and posting an OPS over 1.200. He’s likely major league ready right now, but San Diego has decided to give him a little seasoning in AAA first. The kid has never played above A ball, so it’s likely the right decision, but if anyone could make the jump work, it’d be Vallot.