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SPORTS IVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1995
SECTION B
'Hawks reserve infielder revels in new role
Kansas sophomore Joe DeMarco steals second base in a game earlier this season against Oklahoma State. DeMarco has responded well since becoming the starting shortstop in late March, batting .298 with 24 stolen bases.
Joe DeMarco plays 'solid' at shortstop
By Tom Erickson Kansan sportswriter
Joe DeMarco's baseball career at Kansas has been filled with several surprises.
DeMarco played in a reserve role as a freshman last year, mostly at designated hitter and second base. The Tamarac, Fla., native saw action in 29 games, started 13 of them and posted a batting average of .254. Respectable numbers for a first-year player.
DeMarco began this season as a back-up infielder behind senior Dan Rude at shortstop and junior Josh Kliner at second base. But when injuries to the pitching staff forced Rude out of the infield and into the rotation, DeMarco was called on to take the job.
Now the sophomore has been placed into an everyday starting role — something both he and Kansas coach Dave Bingham didn't anticipate at the beginning of the season.
"He's had a real solid year," Bingham said. "His opportunities were very limited last season. We didn't expect he would be thrust into that role, but he has made enough good plays to stay there."
Moving to shortstop was a big change for DeMarco, who had played at second base for virtually his entire career.
Going into this season he had made only one start at shortstop.
"Most of my time last fall was at second base, and I
thought this spring would be the same," he said. "It's hard making the adjustment, although I did play there last summer a bit."
lineup was made in late March, DeMarco has been aggressive both at the plate and in the field.
Since the move to the starting
The adjustment to shortstop has caused him to commit 22 errors, however.
He has a .298 batting average and has stolen 24 bases in 28 attempts.
"I think I'm getting more confidence every day," he said. "Playing
Joe DeMarco Kansas shortstop
every day has given me the chance to improve my game.
Even though DeMarco has cashed in this season with a starting job, it isn't enough to heal the wounds of a 16-29 season, he said.
"The positive part is getting the chance to play and get experience."
"It's been a disappointing year," DeMarc said. "Personal statistics are the last of my concerns. I would rather do my best and win more games. I do think that I'm doing pretty well for my age and experience."
Many expected Kansas to fight for the Big Eight Conference tournament championship, but now the team's focus is on winning enough games to get there.
"I can deal with losing," he said.
"But it is hard to deal with it when you have a team capable of playing a lot better than it."
With DeMarco, Kilner and sophomore first baseman Justin Headley returning for the Jayhawks next season, the future looks a bit better.
"We're hoping that those guys and Joe will continue to progress," Bingham said. "Joe has done the things we've asked him to, and he should get better."
DeMarco said solidifying key positions for next year will help the team improve on 1995.
"In baseball, you have to be solid up the middle," he said.
DeMarco said that Kansas' solid middle infield, along with Headley at first and Isaac Byrd in center field, will make a good basis for next season.
Getting the double-play combination working better with Kliner should also help.
Predictions accompany start of American League
Yankees, White Sox and Athletics picked to win it all in their divisions
By BEN WALKER
AP Baseball Writer
A division-by-division look at the American League and the lowdown on each projected division champion:
EAST
1. New York Yankees
The best team in the AL got even better by adding Jack McDowell, John Wetland and Tony Fernandez. The result should be a first-place finish that finally allows Don Mattingly to play in the postseason in his 14th year.
Mobowell, a former Cy Young winner, came in a trade with the Chicago White Sox; Wetteland, who may show up as baseball's best reliever now that he'll get more TV exposure, came in a deal with Montreal; Fernandez grew disgruntled in Cincinnati and signed with New York.
They will join AL batting champion Paul O'Neill (.359, 21 HRs, 83 RBI), Wade Boggs (.342, 433 on-base), Mike Stanley (.300, 17 HRs) and Mattingly (.304) on a talented and deep team
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Baltimore Orioles
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Detroit Tigers
CENTRAL
1. Chicago White Sox
Frank Thomas, looking more and more like another Ted Williams, and a strong rotation should be enough to offset a couple of key losses.
Thomas (.353, 38 HRs, 101 RBI) led the league in slugging, on-base percentage and home-run ratio. His bid to become the first player ever to win three straight MVP awards could be affected by the person hitting behind him; Julio France (.319, 98 RBI) made sure opponents did not pitch around Thomas, but he left for Japan. Now the job falls to Chris Sabo (.256 for Baltimore).
The Sox lost former Cy Young winner Jack McDowell and signed Jimmab (9-8. 4.55 ERA with the Yankees), who might flourish without so much pressure to be a No.1 starter.
Baltimore Otolites
1984: 634, 29. Manager; Phil Regan.
1985: 634, 29. Additionist; P.Kevin Brown.
28 Bret Barber Barr, P.Doug Jones, P.Jesse Orosco, C Matt Kows, OF Kevin BF, Jeff Huson, Projected Lineup: Brad Anderson LF, Jeff Hammonds RF, Rafael Palmire BI, Cal Ripken HS, Harold Baines DH, Chris Holmes C, Leo Gomez BF, Bret Barber GF, Kevin Griffin W, Thelwine Mike Muskina, Ben McDonald T, Kevin Brown, Doug Jones (relief).
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Milwaukee Brewers
A team-by-team look at the AL
WEST
With Dave Stewart, Mike Gallego and Rick Honeycutt back in Oakland, the A's have reassembled the part of the team that reached the World Series in the 1988-90 seasons. With a healthy Mark McGwire and Rickey Henderson, manager Tony La Russa's team could return to the post-season.
1. Oakland Athletics
McGwire, one of baseball's most productive hitters when he's well, has missed 202 of Oakland's last 267 regular-season games because of heel and back injuries. He did not play until the final week of the exhibition season.
Henderson played in only 87 games. He stole 22 bases, raising his career-best total to 1.117.
Boston Red Box
1994: d-54-01. Key员: Kevin Karnady
Key Additions: OJ Fose
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
Ruben Sierra (23 HRs, 92 RBI) was mentioned in trade talk
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Texas Rangers
3. Seattle Mariners
4. California Angels
Canseco, OF, Mark Whiten, M, Mike Macfairane, P, Zane Smith, P, Derek Liliquist, P.赖绍Center, P. Erk Hanson, P. Alejandro Belinda, B, Luís Alifea, F, Terry Shumpert, OTroy O'Leary, C Bill Hasselman, Projected List: Luis Aloia Clase, BJ. JohnValentin SS, Jose Canseco DH, MO Vaughn 1B, Mark Witheen WR, Mike Greenwell LF, Mike Witheen WR, Mike Greenwell LF, Tim Pitchers: Roger Clemens, Seale, Zane Shell, Ken Ryan (relief).
1984: 5342, 6. Manager: Sparry Anderson (17th season) Key Additions: OF Chad Curtis, C jacket Tackett; Projected Lineup: Chard Curis CF, Chris Gomer 2B, Travys Friman 3B, Cecliel Reeler 1B, Alan Trammel 1B, Juan Samuel DB, Rudy Pemberton F, Danny
Detroit Tigera
MAJOR baseball preview
Bautista HF, John Raftery C. Top Pitchers: Mike Moores, John Doherty, David Wells,
New York Yankees
1994: 70.43, 1st. Manager; Buck Showalter (fourth season) Key Additions; P Jack McDowell, P John Wetteland, SS Tony Fernandez, P Scott Bankhead, FD Dion James, P Jose Hesket. Projected Lineup: Luis Poison LP, Wade Bugs SB, Pael O'Neil RF, Randy Goulder, P David Soto, Bernie Williams CF, Misty Stanley C, Tony Fernandez BP, Pat Kelly 2B, Top Pitchers: Jimmy Key, Jack McDowell, Melissa Perez, Wjohn Wetterland (relief).
See ALLINEUPS, Page 2B.
Atlanta pitchers are tops, team could win East title
Cincinnati may dominate Central Division;LA may take everything in West
By CHRIS SHERIDAN AP Sports Writer
EAST
A division-by-division look at the National League and the lowdown on each projected division champion:
Start with the best four-man rotation in either league (Greg Maddox, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Steve Avery), add in a key missing ingredient in a speedy leadoff man (Marquis Grissom), throw in a middle-of-the-order hitting line of Fred McGriff (318, 34 HRs, 94 RBI), Dave Justice (313, 19 HRs, 59 RBI) and Ryan Klesko (278, 17 HRs, 47 RBI) and you have a powerhouse team capable of winning 100 games, even in a 144-game season.
1. Atlanta Braves
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Montreal Expos
3. Florida Marlins
4. New York Mets
5. Philadelphia Phillies
CENTRAL
1. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds led their division all but eight days last season, and their main competition (Houston) is decidedly weaker this year.
As much of a lock for the division title as the Braves are in the East.
The lineup has speed and power and hits for average, led by Deion Sanders (283, 38 SBs), Barry Larkin (21, 26 SBs), Hal Moris (335 10 HRs, 78 RBI) Breo Bounge (320,
Jose Rijo (9-6 3.08 ERA) John Smiley (11-10, 3.86) and Pete Schourek (7-2, 4.09) anchor a rotation that is the team's primary weak spot.
12 HRs, 68 RBI and Reggie Sanders (263, 17 HRs, 62 RBI, 21 SBs). Ron Gant, trying to comeback from a broken leg, will try to replace Kevin Mitchell (left for Japan) as the cleanup hitter.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Houston Astros
Catcher Benito Santiago gives a the defense boost.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
They'll have to replace Orel Hershisier and Kevin Gross, two longtime Dodgers ousted in a youth movement. Reliever Pedro Osuna could supplant Todd Worrell as the closer, and Billy Ashley (345, 37 HRs, 105 RBI at Triple-A last season) has just a couple of at-bats too many to qualify for becoming the team's fourth consecutive rookie of the year. The loss of Brett Butler could be a costly one if 1994 rookie of the year Raul Mondesi has a hard time adjusting to center field.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Chicago Cubs
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:
2. Colorado Rockies
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
WEST
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The front office hasn't been so excited about a pitching staff since the mid-1960s. The so-called "United Nations" staff of Tom Candiotti (U.S.), Ramon Martinez and Pedro Astacio (Dominican Republic), Hideo Nomo (Japan) and Ismael Valdes (Mexico) is mostly young and definitely talented, as is Chan Ho Park (South Korea).
A team-by-team look at the NL
Florida Martins
Atlanta Braves
EAST
84:B46, 2nd. Manager: Bobby Cox (sixth season) Key Additions: OF Marquis Grissom, DF Dwight Smith. Projected Lineup: Marquis Grissom CF, Jeff Bleuer SS, Chiper Jones 38, Fred McGriff 1B, David Justice RF, Ryan Kieson LF, Lavier Lopez P, Mark Lemire M, Greg Magnud XP Top Pitchers: Greg Magnud, Tim Glavine, Steve Avey, John Smooth, Greg McMichael (relief).
1994: 51,64, 5th. Manager: Rene Lachemann (third season) Key Additions: P John Burkett, P Bobby Witt, B3 Terry Penndet.
Montreal Expos
1994: 58th, 3rd. Manager: Dallas Green
New York Mets
1994: 74-40, lt. Manager; Felipe Alou (fourth season) Key Additions; OF Roberto Kelty, OF Tony Torcasco, P Luis Aquino, Projected Lineup; Roberto Kelly CPI, Mike Lanakos; Tony Tarcasso LF, Molesi Alon AF, RF; Tomás Rojas CJ, Cortez罗德罗 SS, Sebany Berry SB, Jef Ferrasso SJ, Pitchers; Jef Ferrasso, Pedro Martinez, Kirk Rueter, Muel Rosales (roler).
OF Andre Dawson. Picture Lineup; Quilio Veras 2B, Chuck Curr FG, Gary Sheffield RF, Joffine Conn LF, Terry Pendleton GB, Greg Coburn 1B, Charles Johnson C, Kurt Abbott SS, John Burkett P. Top Pitches; John Burkett, Bobby Witt, Bryan (Healey) rearkt.
(third season) Key Additions: FO Brett Butter, Pear Petschian, P Doug Henry, IF Bill Spiers, P Bias Minor, OF Carl Everett, P Jerry Dipo. Projected Lineup: Butler Brett COP, Jose Vizcaino SB, Jeff Kent 2B, Boby Bonilla SB, Riro Croba BR, David Seul LF, Todd Hundley C, Carver Erik RF, Bret Sahagen P. Top Pitchers: Bret Sabhergan, Bobby Jones, Pearsich, John Franco (relief).
Philadelphia Phillies
1984: 54-61, 4th. Manager; Jim Fresgi
(fifth season) Key Additions: I/O of Gregg J
ferries, SB Chunke Hoyes, OF Dave Gallagher,
Buffalo, OF Michael Garrison, Butter,
Butter, OF Varsano, P Garvey. Harris. Pro
See NLLINEUPS, Page 2B.
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