HISTORY 2004
The Rebel Softball were far more active in adding veterans than most teams with similar records. The result is a highly volatile bunch that could be decent or could again challenge for a starting role.
The newly look 2004 Rebels attracted two key free agents, both All-Stars, infielder Seth Smole and outfielder Jason Palmer. Smole and Palmer were accustomed to winning. These veterans joined an emerging young powerhouse featuring Ricardo Mitchell, Rick Garza, Nestor Toro, and third basemen Kevin Lowery.
The 2004 version of the Rebels was not as remarkable as its predecessor due to the departure of several veterans. Notably last year’s MVP shortstop Brad Jensen (.600 average, 90 Hits, 92 Runs, 71 RBIs, 1.047 SLG) and Rookie of the Year first basemen Ryan Borre (.580 average, 83 Hits, 68 Runs). Off the field, uncertainty also surrounded the team. On May 27th while on vacation Ricardo Mitchell season ended in a car accident.
But the Rebels were still returning most of their lineup they trotted out from last season, when they ranked 8th in park-adjusted offense. There would seem to be room for internal growth due to the youth of Ross Jensen (19), Zach Smole (21), Dylan Florio and James Gillespie (18), and Ryan Pilotte (23). Last season, Smole was only one of the five to post an OPS+ above 1.000. Pilotte made strides with his plate discipline, however, which bodes well for him moving forward. Florio and Gillespie are both former top prospects who haven't succeeded as expected in the majors.
Infielder Seth Smole attendance started to declined significantly,
a questionable sign for someone who isn't considered a team player. The Rebels turned down trade overtures from at least one contender at the deadline, suggesting they still believe in his ability to turn into a middle-of-the-order bat. Jeremiah Johnson was ineffective in his sophomore season, struggling against competitive pitching and stronger defensive teams. There's no sense giving up on him yet, though another like last will put his future in doubt.
Chris Minor and Steve Guarini have missed both of the past two seasons; and Scott Wilson has made all of nine appearances in the same time-frame. Each has a history of success in Lake County, making it conceivable they’ll play again. The risks here are such though that it's hard to count on any or all of them returning back into the rotation any time soon.
Error Bars:
As mentioned throughout the above section, the Rebels are a volatile bunch. Softball Prospectus and FanGraphs each have the Rebels winning around 30 games. Yet if the batting order stays healthy and some of the young hitters mature, it's possible the Rebels could find themselves in the Lake County’s small middle class, competing for a championship spot.
Possible doesn't equal likely, however, and that's why the Rebels continually finish near the middle to the top of the league.
Still, it's probably fair to write that no team has a wider range of potential outcomes than the Rebels do.
Frustration:
With all the summer struggles along with poor fielding, lack of clutch hitting, career injury’s (1), disable list injury (4) and suspended players the 2004 season proved to be a disappointing one for the franchise, as it finished with a 13-7 record that placed them third on Thursday Nights, ( 20 and 20 over-all summer league records). Rick Garza, Jason Palmer and Kevin Lowery again provided highlights, with the efforts of Jonathan Schumacher, Joey Ratliff, Nestor Toro and Jeff Wilson
Novelty Act:
There's plenty to keep an eye on with this Rebels squad, but one player who we didn't touch on much that could make their season even more interesting is infielder Ralph Lozano. Lozano is a known quantity as a right-handed slugger signed as an unrestricted free agent with Rebels Organization on Friday night, October 1st. at 11:58 p.m. two minutes before the free-agency deadline.
The Rebels are permitting him to experiment as a two-way player, thanks in part to his strong showing in mop-up appearances. It's possible -- maybe even likely -- that at some point in the near future he's going to be on the big-league roster as a hitter and pitcher.
Lozano collected his first home run on Tuesday October 12th against ImPact softball club at Belvidere North.
There's no telling how it'll go for Lozano, but that's pretty cool.
The team finishes Fall League with a 14 - 4 record, and took second place.