The 2004 season looks to be a very promising one for the BlueClaws.  This is the first season where the hitting is being talked about more than the pitching.  

Leading the BlueClaws is manager P.J. Forbes.  Forbes’ own career ended with the Cubs in spring training last year due to a back injury.  Forbes had a cup of coffee with the Orioles in 1998 and the Phillies in 2001.  When Forbes played for the Red Barons from 2000-2002 he hit .305.  This is his first managing and coaching position. 

The pitching coach is Tom Filer.  Filer previously worked with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.  He played with four different major league teams and was 22-17 lifetime. 

The hitting coach is Eric Richardson.  This is Richardson’s first year as a coach.  While playing for Hickory, a Chicago White Sox farm team, in 1993, Richardson stole 42 bases. 

While First Energy Park is known as a pitchers park, this year’s team is looking to change that. The last BlueClaw to hit well here was Ryan Howard in 2002. 
 
Coming off a great spring training is outfielder Jake Blalock.  In one spring training game, Blalock was just a single away from hitting for the cycle.  He also blasted a grand slam in one of the final spring training games.  Blalock, who’s brother Hank plays for the Texas Rangers, hit some balls to the warning track during the first workout in Lakewood Monday night. 

Shortstop Carlos Rodriguez is back for his second year with the BlueClaws, also had a great spring training.  He had many multi-hit games and showed great defense.  It looks like he has matured since he was suspended six weeks last season for undisclosed reasons. 

Andy Jarvis, first base, who is built like Jim Thome, looked very impressive during BP Monday night, getting many to the warning track.  Jarvis hit .305 at home for the BlueClaws last season.   

Outfielder Javon Moran also hopes to prove that First Energy Park can be a hitters park.  While in Batavia last season, he hit .350 at home and had 22 multi-hit games.  In his debut 6/29 he went 4-5. 

Outfielder Michael Bourn hopes to add more stolen bases to his resume.  While in Batavia, he stole 23-28 bases.  Baseball Amercia ranked him 7th on their Top Prospects list.
The pitching is quite a different story from last season.  There is no Cole Hamels to regale.  We will get solid pitching all around.  Righty Matt Sweeney, who was moved between starting and relieving last season, looks to be a powerful starter this season.  The New Jersey native had a 2.79 ERA in 13 apperances last year for the BlueClaws. 

Lefty Dan Hodges held right-handers to a .164 avg. while with Lakewood last season.  He also held all hitters to a .132 avg. with runners on base and 13 of his 14 appearances were scoreless. 

Right-handed pitcher Justin Libey had a .053 Era at home in Batavia last season. 

Maximo Reyes, a right handed reliever, who missed last season due to elbow surgery looks to come back strong.  In 2002, while with the Gulf Coast League he had 1 earned run in 25.2 innings pitched.  He was the Rolaids Relief Man for July that year.  He also held the opposition to a .135 average and in August he had 10.2 strikeouts in 9 innings. 

With the potential hitting and pitching, Lakewood looks to be a great all around team.