Meet the 2019 AviatorsLeading off and playing center field...
Crawdad Hicks!
Hicks set a career high with 202 hits last season while tying his career best in triples (10). His 101 walks extended his 100+ walks streak to 6 years, and he scored over 100 runs for the 5th time in 6 seasons. On the down side, the 31-year-old outfielder set the AFBL record for being caught stealing in a season (39 times), undoubtedly a side-effect of the Aviators hit-and-run heavy offense.
Batting second and playing second,
Juan Rodriguez!
Despite missing 2 months of 2018 with an ankle injury, 31-year-old Juan Rodriguez had one of his best seasons at the plate last year. His .294 average and .350 OBP were both career second-bests, and he hit doubles at a higher rate than in any other season (24 in 350 at bats).
Batting third, the first baseman,
Dax Rutherford!
Rutherford, along with Alvin Kane, breathed new life into the Aviators franchise in the middle of last season when they came over from Washington for a ton of picks and prospects. Just 24, NC fans are hoping to see Rutherford at first for a long time. A two-time rookie of the month, Rutherford missed out on the Rookie of the Year thanks to splitting his season between the two leagues, but he finished 7th in FL voting and 3rd in PL voting.
Batting cleanup, the left fielder,
Alvin Kane!
New York to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to Washington to North Carolina. Kane is well-traveled for an All-Star, and his .305-36-121 line from last season was among the best anywhere, but as was the case with Rutherford, his stats were split between the FL and the PL so he didn't have a shot at the best hitter award (winner Derek Anderson hit .274-33-95).
Right fielder
Greg Smith is batting fifth!
Smith, who turns 24 this season, hit a career-high 41 homers last season (and won his 2nd PL HR crown). However, his .254 average and 106 RBI were both career lows. He should have the opportunity to drive in more runs now with Rutherford and Kane in front of him, but he won't have the protection behind him that they do, so he could see his strikeouts climb. Smith moved from LF to RF when Kane was acquired last season, and he actually put up better numbers in 84 games in RF than he did in 69 games in his native LF.
Batting sixth and playing third base,
Jesus Gutierrez!
Gutierrez, 32, failed to reach 20 HR in a season for the first time last year, hitting just 10 in 122 games. His .225 average was well below his career mark of .260. It wasn't all his fault; he missed about 6 1/2 weeks with assorted injuries. Still, when active, he was one of the best defensive 3B in the game, and that will keep him in the lineup even when he struggles at the plate.
Batting seventh, the catcher,
Gravel Rhodes!
Gravel Rhodes, currently the franchise's number 1 prospect, will start the season behind the plate. He will have to hold off Ed Clark, who had solid numbers at the plate last season. We don't know much about Rhodes, other than the fact that he is a fantastic defensive catcher. Scouts like his power, which has not yet reached it's peak, but he looks to be iffy with the bat and the eye.
Batting 8th and playing SS,
Dave O'Toole!
O'Toole hit .304 as a late season call-up last year, but he is not really starting material. But it's okay, he's just filling in for Curds Campos, our all-star SS who is out for the first 2 weeks with an injury. Enjoy it while it lasts, Dave!
