A look ahead to 2032

[LT]

After a strong finish the Steelheads are looking forward to the 2032 season. Here is a quick preview:

Pitching

The starting 5 looks strong, buoyed by the comeback of Zach Anderson. If he cannot go, waiting in the wings is 22 year old Josh Hall and perhaps even 21 year old Cisco De Jesus.

Bob Parker, Eric Prrice and Jim Fish will anchor the rotation with solid young veteran Luis Trujillo in the 4 or 5 spot.

The bullpen will see one change while closer Dan Butler recovers from a torn labrum, Cesar Hernandez is expected to take over the closer role.

Hitting

The lineup is mostly set, featuring strong corner outfielders Jesus Hernandez and David Pegas. Hopefully Shojiro Chouda will carry his hot finish into next year and show dramatic improvement in center field. 21 year old center fielder Mike Roy had a strong season at AAA and may push for playing time in 2032.

The infield features logtime stud Loren Dobson at 2b, likely Mike McKinney at 1b after a great bounce back season and new SS, Lucio Souza who showed well in under 100 at bats. He will battle young Jorge Molina who has risen through the system unnoticed until this past season. At 3B an interesting decision will be tasken between the incumbent, Brad Allen and the future Doug Beynon.

At catcher it appears Archie Copeman will take the lead role with veteran Dan Dixon playing backup and mentor.

[LT]

The following milestones are in sight for Steelhead players in 2032:

Hits
Mike McKinney has 996 hits.

2B
Loren Dobson has 199 doubles.

3B
Loren Dobson has 48 triples.
David Pegas has 47 triples.

SB
Jesus Hernandez has 282 SB.
Loren Dobson has 270 SB.

Wins
Eric Price has 92 wins.

Games
Dan Butler is at 466 games.

[LT]

Idaho narrowly missed the 2031 playoffs with an 86-76 record. The club finished the season on a team 42-20 after starting a pitiful 17-31.

There are some changes to the 2032 edition including the demotion of former #1 overall pick Brad Allen, who suffered a hip injury in 2030 that he has not really recovered from. Additionally, the starting catcher since 2024, Dan Dixon, is now the backup to young Archie Copeman.

Pitching Staff
The pitching staff is mostly intact from 2031. We do see the addition of young Josh Hall, a future starter, who will begin his AFBL career in the bullpen. Additionally after 10 minor league seasons Don Wood is finally a regular in the bullpen. A late season injury to All Star closer Dan Butler will see him on the sidelines until mid-late May, so Cesar Hernandez will close until Dan is back.

Starters are Jim Fish, Eric Price, Bob Parker, Luis Trujillo, and 10 year vet Zach Anderson.

Batters
The batting order features 3 new starters - SS Souza, 3B Molina, C Copeman - they will round out the order. Hoping for bounce back seasons from Hernandez and Dawson at the top of the order. 6 time all star and 2 time silver slugger Loren Dobson and comback player of the year candidate Mike McKinney man the 3 and 4 spots. Young CF Chouda hits fifth, and long time star Pegas hits 6th.

On The Farm
Young players who may see some action in 2032 and Idaho is hopeful that they will be part of the team moving forwards include:

CF: Mike Roy a 2028 second round pick is developing nicely and looks to push Chouda for playing time in CF as early as next year.
LF/1b: Ollie Little as 2028 first round pick is poor defensively, but has hit over .300 at every minor league stop. Looks like a future DH.
1B: Mei Shan Lo: This 20 year old scouting discovery exploded onto the AA scene last year hitting .302-29-123 winning most valuable hitter and defender awards.
3B: Doug Beynon a 2027 first round pick has come along slowly, but has gotten better each year. May push for time in 2032 or more likely 2033.
Starting pitchers De Jesus and Ruggles are on the cusp of contributing to the big league squad.

Good luck to everyone in 2032.

[LT]

Idaho, sitting at 50-45, is having a decent season. Two players made the All Star team, longtime star Loren Dobson made his 7th appearance and rookie SS, Lucio Souza made his first AS game appearance. Injuries and circumstance have created some roster movement just after the AS Break, here is a brief summary.

Longtime starting pitcher Zach Anderson http://www.afblbaseball.com/afbl/reports/news/html/players/player_4241.html has succumbed to another injury and has seen his pitching ratings fall to a level where he is barely major league serviceable. He has been moved to the 60 day DL and his 2032 season, and his career is probably done.

Anderson finishes 138-102 with a 3.53 ERA. He finishes with 20 complete games, 5 shutouts and 33.2 WAR. He is currently Idaho's leader in IP (2150.1), K (1616), Wins (138), Complete Games (20), and several other categories. Drafted in the 3rd round of the powerful 2020 draft, Anderson debuted in the 2021 season. He was the #1 starter for most of the next 7 years, having a career season, 24-5 2.68 ERA in 275 IP in 2027.

An injury to young Jorge Molina is affording 2027 first rounder Doug Beynon an opportunity to man 3B. Beynon has moved through the minor league ranks over the past 4 years and is deserving of a shot in AFBL. Wearing #18, Beynon hit .283 with 16 HR and 13 SB in AAA.

Hard to say if Idaho will buy, sell, or stand pat at the trade deadline as the club is in the mix for a wildcard spot, sitting just 3 games behind.

[LT]

The Steelheads made a deal for 28 year old SP - Dan Collinsworth to help bolster the starting rotation. Seen as a move for now and the future, Idaho parted ways with some young talent to make it all happen.

2031 1st round pitcher Antonio Fererya, Pitcher Ken Mendelson, and SS - Tony Castaneda were sent to New Jersey along with a 2nd round pick in 2032.

Idaho is 5 games back of the wild card spot, let's see if this move can help them make a run to the playoffs...