Midwest League 1997

Clinton LumberKings

This page is a profile of the 1997 Clinton LumberKings, a Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres and a member of the Midwest League. The profile was first published in early April and was revised periodically; this final revision was completed in early September.

All statistics quoted on this page are through the end of the season.

Clinton, Iowa; affiliated with the San Diego Padres.
Manager: Tom LeVasseur (#2)
Coaches: Darrel Akerfelds (#32) (Pitching), Dan Simonds (#17)

High Attendance: 1,977 (April 24)
Low Attendance: 402 (April 9)
Average Attendance: 781
1996 Season Average: 921

Post-Season Wrapup

Riverview favors pitchers, but not this much: The LumberKings had decent pitching this year, but the hitting was terrible.

The LKings had a one-tool offense: Outfielder Rodney Lindsey's exceptional speed on the bases. Second baseman Brian McClure's extremely patient at the plate, and draws a lot of walks to go with his good but unexceptional stat line, and third baseman Nathan Dunn had a decent offensive season. Unfortunately, almost no one got on base, and almost no one drove in the runners.

The pitching was pretty good, but used a bit strangely. They generally pitched well; their offense let them down. While there's really no single standout, this is a staff that could have performed well in this league.

Team Leaders

• Best Player on the Team: Second Baseman Brian McClure

• Pitching: 65-71 (.478), 3.83, 17 CG, 5 Shutouts, 26 saves, 1042 Ks
• Hitting: .245, 644 runs, 68 HR, 191 SB
• First Half: 33-34 (.493), 2nd, 4.5 behind
• Second Half: 32-37 (.464), 4th, 4.0 behind
• After August 1: 16-13 (.552)

• Best Starting Pitcher: Steve Hoff (2.71, 7-1, 76 IP, 78 Ks)
• Bullpen Stopper: Rodrigo Lopez (3.18, 6-8, 9 saves, 122 IP, 122 Ks)
• Best Strikeout Pitcher: Dave Maurer (43 Ks in 34 innings)
• Best Control Pitcher: Kevin Hite (85 Ks, 11 BB in 87 innings)
• Best Hitter: Brian McClure (.276, 75 runs, 11 triples, 55 RBI, 12 steals)
• Highest BA: Brandon Pernell (.282)
• Home Run Leader: Brandon Pernell (12)
• Best Baserunner: Rodney Lindsey (70 steals, 8 triples)

July Evaluation

The LKings have a solid pitching staff without a real star; the offense is real weak but has excellent speed. Outfielder Rod Lindsey can't hit, but if he gets on base expect him to steal; the rest of the team likes to run, too.

June Evaluation

The Kings' best players have been promoted, leaving the team significantly weaker for the second half-season. Although the LumberKings still possess an average pitching staff for the Midwest League, their hitting is now perhaps the League's worst. They do run extremely well; outfielder Rodney Lindsey is probably the best baserunner in the MWL this season.

May Evaluation

This team's pitching is excellent; the L-Kings are leading the Iowa teams because their opponents can't score against them. They don't walk batters; they try to finish what they start. Steve Hoff and Domingo Guzman are probably the best in a strong staff.

April Evaluation

The L-Kings are an excellent team with very good hitting and pitching. While the hitters aren't notably powerful, they're patient at the plate and run well on the bases.

Where they played last season

This year's LumberKings are a cross between the team which played last summer in Clinton and the Padres' club at Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League; the pitching staff is basically from Idaho Falls. A few played for another Rookie club, in Peoria, Arizona.

Team             League         W/L   Place(Teams)  Hitters Pitchers
Rancho Cucamonga California     69-71     8(10)       0       0
Clinton          Midwest        64-70    10(14)       5       4
Idaho Falls      Pioneer        38-34     4(8)        4       7
Peoria AZ        Arizona        36-20     1(6)        3       2

Several players are counted on two teams. Two played in another system, and one did not play professionally last summer.

• Oldest Player:
  • Dominic Witte (P), born 11-25-73 (23)
• Youngest Player:
  • Matt Halloran (SS), born 3-3-78 (19)
• Average Team Age:
  This information is based on early-season rosters.
  • Pitchers: 21.7
  • Position Players: 21.3
  • Team Average: 21.5

• First Round Draftee:
  • Matt Halloran (SS), 1996

• Baseball America Padres Prospects (Post-Season)
  • Jason Middlebrook (#7)
  • Domingo Guzman (#8)
  • Rodney Lindsey (fastest baserunner)
• Baseball America Mid-Season Highlights
  • Rod Lindsey (MWL's best baserunner, MWL's fastest baserunner)
• All-Star Game, June 17, Lansing
  • Domingo Guzman (P)
  • Steve Hoff (P)
  • Rod Lindsey (OF starter)
  • Brian McClure (2B)
  • Gerald Parent (OF)

• Gordon Amerson
  • April 21: 4 for 5
• Cesarin Carmona
  • July 16: double, homer
• Shane Cronin
  • June 19: 4 for 5
• Nathan Dunn
  • July 18: double, homer
• Domingo Guzman
  • April 27: 3 hit complete game, 11 strikeouts
  • May 13: 3 hit complete game, 11 strikeouts
  • May 25: 3 hit complete game
  • June 1: 10 strikeouts
  • June 6: 4 hit complete game
• Matt Halloran
  • April 17: 4 runs batted in
• Kevin Hite
  • complete game win (7 innings)
• Steve Hoff
  • April 7: 10 strikeouts
  • April 25: 11 strikeouts
• Rodney Lindsey
  • April steals (15) tied for fourth best total in the minors.
  • April 20: 4 runs scored
  • June 15: double, homer
  • July 30: 4 runs batted in
  • August 25: 5 runs batted in (G1, 7 innings)
• Rodrigo Lopez
  • July 29: 11 strikeouts
  • August 25: complete game win, 10 strikeouts (G1, 7 innings)
• Brian McClure
  • 30 game on-base streak through May 11.
  • May 5: 4 RBIs
  • August 8: 4 for 4, double, homer
• Jason Middlebrook
  • July 7: 11 strikeouts
  • August 12: 1 hit shutout (7 innings)
  • August 24: 10 strikeouts
• Pete Paciorek
  • May 4: homer, double
  • July 27: double, 2 triples
• Brandon Pernell
  • June 3: double, home run
  • June 9: double, homer
  • August 19: double, homer
  • August 20: double, homer
• Marcos Sanchez
  • August 22: 4 runs batted in
• Tom Szymborski
  • April 7: 3 hit shutout
  • June 1: 10 strikeouts
• Kevin Walker
  • April 9: shutout
  • May 18: 3 hit complete game