ST: Games 1-8
The Red Crescents weren’t really expecting much from the opening segment of Spring Training given that they were fielding the youngsters & hopefuls. The did however win three out of the first eight games, two in overtime and only really suffering one blowout. Young 18-yr-old Kononae Walakino who will start 2048 in Santiago’s AA rotation, didn’t get a start, but he had two outings pitching 3.1 innings and allowing just a hit, a run and three walks while striking out two. 23-yr-old Uberto Casale who will join Kononae in Santiago did get a couple of starts, pitching eight innings allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four batters. Another good performance was by 24-yr-old Reginald Maher who spent last year in Santiago, he got two outings from the bullpen pitching two innings and allowing three hits while striking out three as well. One pitcher not doing well and could be on his way out is Juan Rodriguez. Riyadh had so much hopes for him in 2047, but he led UMEBA with 19 losses. He’s off to a bad start again, not quite reaching eight IP in his two starts while allowing eight hits, nine runs and three homers. He was tagged with one loss and will have to improve or face being released before the end of camp.
21-yr-old Ivan Gulledge has shown some improvement with his bat as well, not always known for his hitting, he has hit .312 after seven outings as well as his first homer of spring. New boy Diesel “All-Star” Dave got into seven games as the third catcher on the early depth chart, hit .429 and his first homer as a Red Crescent. Rule 5 pick Umar Mutemi has been showing why Riyadh took a punt on him, he too has his first homer and has driven in four runs.
Now for the next stretch of camp there’s a few demotions back to South Guam and Santiago, and the addition of a few players including a pair of 32-yr-old pitchers, Arturo Rivera & Peter Dickerson, who because of our new found wealth have been invited on minor league contracts which become guaranteed major league deals if they’re added to the 40-man within 30 days of the season’s start.