The Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League are the Double-A affiliate of the Dodgers. The present affiliation began with the 2009 season and is extended through the 2014 season.

The Lookouts had a bit of a dismal season in 2013 finishing dead last in the ten team league with a 59-80 won-loss record. After finishing the first half with a 35-35 record they fell 21 games under .500 in the second half. The offense was anemic posting a league low .230 team batting average as well as the lowest OBP at .306. They did hit 101 home runs but had only 446 RBI, second lowest in the league. Solo homers were often the order of the day.

Inexplicably the pitching statistics were not much more encouraging. The team ERA of 3.81 ranked seventh in the league while the WHIP of 1.33 ranked even lower at eighth. The Lookouts pitchers did lead the league in strikeouts with 1118. The problem was simply too many hits (1090) and walks (498), both fourth most in the league. With a starting staff of Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Ross Stripling, Andreas Santiago, Duke von Schamann and Garrett Gould it was expected the staff would be dominant.

The Chattanooga Lookouts struggled in 2013 even with an outstanding pitching rotation that including Zach Lee and Ross Stripling. (Photo credit – Tim Evearitt)

Relief pitchers Hector Nelo, Yimi Garca, Onelki Garcia, Kyle Cofield and Michael Thomas were very good in their role as was Jarret Martin after a promotion from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Although save opportunities were infrequent, especially in the second half, Yimi Garcia did record 19 saves while striking out 85 and walking only 14.

Perhaps as a result of the lack of success on the field the Lookouts attendance fell by 23,000 in 2013. Still, 2014 offers new challenges and opportunities.

Although it is probably not a major concern, the player development contract between the Dodgers and Lookouts expires following the upcoming season. Frank Burke, Lookouts owner since 1995 has been attempting to sell the team for the past three years. The stadium – AT&T Field – was built by Burke with private backing only and opened in 2000. In an effort to facilitate a sale to a prospective buyer Burke has donated the stadium to River City Company a private, non-profit company promoting economic development through the creation of great public spaces in downtown Chattanooga and along the riverfront. How fortunate is “little big town” Chattanooga to have a man like Frank Burke in their midst.

River City officials said it is their hope that with a newly updated lease agreement, a potential buyer of the Lookouts would want to stay in Chattanooga and not move the team.

The Lookouts will begin the 2014 season with a revamped coaching staff. Razor Shines takes over the helm as manager having served the past two seasons with the Great Lakes Loons. Scott Radinsky is the new pitching coach moving up from the Ogden Raptors while Shawn Wooten is charged with creating more offense with the Lookouts. He joins the Dodgers farm system having spent the past four years in the San Diego Padres minor league system.

Lookouts fans can also look forward to a revamped lineup in 2014 and can expect the roster to become younger. With Miguel Rojas vying for a roster spot with the Dodgers and Rafael Ynoa having signed a minor league free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies there are middle infield spots waiting to be filled with the Lookouts. Last year’s catcher Matt Wallach is still a free agent. Outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez will turn 27 in May so most likely will play with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2014. First baseman JT Wise, 28 in June, is also a candidate for the Isotopes.

It is expected that several of last year’s Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will move up to the Lookouts this year. It may well be that Scott Schebler(23) and Noel Cuevas (22) will patrol the outfield in Chattanooga in 2014 along with returning Jon Garcia (22) . I also expect Joc Pederson to move up to Albuquerque so he is more major league ready when needed by the Dodgers. Darnell Sweeney (23) will take over the Lookouts second base spot. First baseman O’Koyea Dickson (24) and catcher Pratt Maynard (24) should also start with the Lookouts as well as fellow catcher Chris O’Brien (24).

Dodgers outfield prospect Scott Schebler figures to begin the 2014 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts. Schebler’s 27 home runs in 2013 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes was second most in the Cal League.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Although we should not get too far ahead of ourselves we certainly hope and anticipate that at some point in 2014 Corey Seager (20) may make an appearance with the Lookouts. That of course will depend on how well he adapts to the challenges in the California League.

With the Dodgers unwillingness to send young pitching prospects to the launching pad in Albuquerque, the Lookouts pitching staff may well include some or all of the following; Carlos Frias (24), Garrett Gould (22), Zach Lee (22), Chris Reed (23), Ross Stripling (24), Duke von Schamann (22) and Jarret Martin (24). How can the good folks in Chattanooga not be excited about that?

Jack McGeary (24) a minor league free agent signed by the Dodgers out of the Red Sox organization and Juan Gonzalez (23) a free agent from the Rockies system will join the bull pen. I also expect, or perhaps I should say hope, that Geoff Brown (25) will be promoted from the Great Lakes Loons. Yimi Garcia should close in Albuquerque. It would be a wild guess to pick a closer for the Lookouts in 2014. Possible choices might include Pedro Baez (25), Daniel Coulombe (24), Eric Eadington (25), Juan Noriega (23), Craig Stem (24). I think it is not inconceivable that Chris Reed may become a reliever. Could he become a left-handed closer?

Razor Shines and his staff will have their unique challenges with the Lookouts this year. However, they will also have a new deck with which to play and it appears they might have an ace or two up their sleeves – and perhaps several diamonds. It certainly will be the best game in “little big town” Chattanooga.