Previewing the Kannapolis Intimidators

Aside from tonight's game (which could be hot), the other games this series look to be problematic weather-wise. Fortunately I was wrong earlier in the week and this is a four game series that ends Monday. Sunday is the worst day for weather, so hopefully Monday will be okay for a potential DH. If I get to any games this series it will be in the later portion as I will stick with college games earlier in the weekend. Attendance subsequently could be hurt by USC having a very important series this weekend against Florida.

Batters

Player	Position	PA	OPS	AVG	HR	RBI	Round Picked	Age	College	Home State/Country
Corey Zangari	1B	97	0.713	0.216	5	14	6	18		Oklahoma
Tyler Sullivan	OF	95	0.841	0.307	1	6	14	23	Pacific	California
Antonio Rodriguez	OF	87	0.526	0.235	0	4	IFA	20		Dominican Republic
Cody Daily	1B	81	0.751	0.273	0	8	NDFA	23	Southern Illinois	Illinois
Landon Lassiter	OF	73	0.896	0.365	0	9	21	22	North Carolina	North Carolina
Seby Zavala	C	68	0.662	0.25	0	6	12	22	San Diego State	California
Zach Fish	Utility	55	0.555	0.18	1	4	11	23	Oklahoma State	Michigan
Micker Adolfo	OF	50	0.465	0.204	0	2	IFA	19		Dominican Republic
Johan Cruz	SS	21	0.563	0.222	0	3	IFA	20		Dominican Republic
Casey Schroeder	C	17	0.602	0.077	1	1	8	22	Coastal Carolina	Ohio
Dante Flores	2B	13	0.795	0.222	0	3	18	23	Southern Cal	California
Cleuluis Rondon	SS	12	0	0	0	1	IFA	22		Venezuela
Daniel Gonzalez	C	4	0	0	0	0	IFA	20		Venezuela
Bradley Strong	SS	0	NA	NA	NA	NA	28	23	Western Carolina	Virginia

Unlike the Fireflies which have had remarkable roster continuity, Kannapolis has had a lot of guys move up and down from High A Winston-Salem. That might be a result of the distance between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem being significantly shorter than that between Columbia and Port St. Lucie. For the most part Kannapolis has decent hitting for average with little power, aside from recent high school pick Corey Zangari who is one of only two high school guys on the Intimidators. Zangari has excellent power as a DH most often but hasn't developed consistency hitting for contact. Casey Schroeder who played for Coastal would be a local player of note except he's injured right now. Bradley Strong who played in the SoCon with Western Carolina got called up just today to make his full-season debut. Kannapolis has two players on their roster from UNC for those who care about that school up there. My dad might find Cody Daily an interesting player of note with his Southern Illinois ties.

Pitchers

Player	IP	W	L	S	ERA	Round Picked	Age	College	Home State/Country
Tanner Banks	25.33	4	0	0	2.13	18	24	Salt Lake CC	Utah
Johnathan Frebis	21.33	2	1	0	4.22	33	23	Middle Tennessee State	Tennessee
Luis Martinez	20.67	0	3	0	4.35	IFA	21		Venezuela
Zach Thompson	17.33	0	2	0	6.23	5	22	UT Arlington	Texas
Ryan Riga	15.33	0	1	0	9.98	13	23	Ohio State	Ohio
Brannon Easterling	15	1	1	1	2.4	20	25	St. Edward's	Texas
Taylore Cherry	13	0	0	1	0.69	32	22	North Carolina	Ohio
Alex Katz	13	0	0	1	3.46	27	21	St. John's	New York
Drew Hasler	12.67	0	2	1	2.13	34	22	Valparaiso	Indiana
Matt Ball	10	0	1	1	7.2	11	21		California
Ryan Hinchley	9.67	1	0	0	7.45	9	23	Illinois-Chicago	Illinois
Jaider Rocha	9.67	0	2	0	0.93	IFA	22		Colombia
Yelmison Peralta	8.67	0	0	0	1.04	IFA	21		Dominican Republic

Not much to say about the pitchers, other than the it seems just like the batters that it's mostly college and Latin America guys. Most of the college players on Kannapolis weren't highly touted, which might explain why they are 8-13. The starters are all somewhat fair while the bullpen has some really good pitchers with some others not so good.