CATCHER:
Zaiul-Haq bin Dhul Faqir
Lawrence Stewart
Last year’s backup catcher, Justin Tucker, will start the year in Richmond. Lawrence will be the team’s primary starter at the position and Rule 5 pick bin Dhul Faqir will get the first opportunity to back him up, partially because Tucker has an option left, and partially because bin Dhul Faqir bats from the left side.
FIRST BASE:
Dallas Dixon
Dixon will start the year as the team’s primary first baseman. The team wants his bat in the lineup but his defense at second leaves something to be desired.
SECOND BASE:
Elvan Masuki
Andy Bishop
Masuki will start most games at second when Robert Menzies is healthy. If the star shortstop gets hurt, Masuki will slide over and Bishop will start at second.
THIRD BASE:
Banger Dan
Tom Bates
Dan will need to be more consistent this year if he wants to keep hold of the hot corner with top prospect Jacquot Natta waiting in the wings at Richmond after his injury late in spring Training. Bates has improved his defense and will provide an experienced backup at the corner infield positions.
SHORTSTOP:
Robert Menzies
Loo Yang
Menzies will start when he is healthy. Yang provides a versatility in the defensive side of things, being able to play multiple positions, and some power off the bench. He hit 4 home runs in the last 9 games of Spring Training.
LEFT FIELD:
Tadataka Yoshikawa
Fuad Demirel
Jorge Trujillo
Yoshikawa will start the year as the every day left fielder. Demirel and Trujillo can step in when needed but will begin the season as a platoon split at DH.
CENTER FIELD:
Victor Frazier
Aurelio Diéguez will join the team when he comes back from the injured list but most games will be started by Frazier, the two time Zimmer Platinum Glove winner.
RIGHT FIELD:
Kyuichi Mori
Mori has spent most of his time with the team as a 4th outfielder. This year, he is being given the opportunity to play every day.
STARTING ROTATION:
Jim Fleming
Little Johnny Rasmussen
Mauro Mendoza
Buwono Mainaky
Josh Clark
CLOSER:
Alejandro Chavez
BULLPEN:
Jim Thompson
Felix Camarco
Rick Clarijs
Ron Christian
Qing-lai Ou-yang
Andres Gonzales
Ben Ruffin
The most interesting name there is Christian. Once considered the number 8 BBA prospect. His star has fallen a bit but he is going to have a chance to show what he is capable of in this year’s bullpen.