Light wind - 2059.7 - May it be over now?

[forcarrying]

The Brisas have had a 10-13 May thus far, not panic worthy but nonetheless feels like a blow for a team hungry for play off baseball. They find themselves three games out of a wildcard spot and 7 games away from the division lead. After 50 games neither are too big of an issue but fans are beginning to get restless. May has seen big bats like Isacco Agletti hit just a .640 OPS despite having a .999 in April. The starting pitching now has the 8th best ERA in the GBC, despite improving slowly, and the bullpen has the 6th. Even the excitement of getting big offseason signing Geaney Fay back from injury was shortlived as he has only a .544 OPS through his first 18 games.

So, what is going to be done about this mess? Well, it's baseball so, not a lot. We all know what these bats can do, one change has been made with Alejandro Gonzales coming in to be the left-handed part of the first base platoon. Zhi-gang Jung was the player who had to make way. He was batting 0.312 but with little power and few walks leading to Williamson feeling he was a tad one-dimensional - especially as a guy who can only play first. He is expected to be picked up on Waivers (as he had no option years left) and we wish him all the best until the Brisas see him again...

On Gonzales though, he was a minor league signing this offseason. At 32 this will be his first taste of major league action but having batted .344/.452/.459 in 73 PA thus far he has deserved his shot. He's your typical first baseman with good power and a good eye, making up for his at times underwhelming contact skills (up until this year that is). The switch back to a traditional first baseman, instead of Jung, will give rule five signing Frank Fillinger a chance to see more reps in a new position. He's a similar player to Gonzales with more power but lacks contact ability more. He has speed on his side, defense, and age. If Gonzales cools off then expect him to come in ASAP, I'd even expect them to split time over the next week or so just to see how both react to playing at the highest level.

On the pitching side of things, Ostoja Omeragic is back in Buenos Aires. He started 30 times last year for a 4.48 ERA and has a 2.51 ERA through 10 starts in AAA. He will likely go into a long relief role, with the idea being he is the next man into the rotation. He replaces David bin Adnan in the bullpen. Adnan is expected to pass through waivers due to his lofty salary but he is a quality option for any team in need of bullpen support.

Don't expect this to be the last changes you see this year, this is a minor league system packed with quality at first base and in the corners so changes will continue to happen, and this is with a fairly clear IL. For now though, the Brisas will look to climb back into a wildcard spot. Well, if all goes to plan anyway...

[Jwalk100]

Pitching is letting the offense down.