Tropical Tidbits 34.09 - Offseason Primer: Infield

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Tropical Tidbits 34.09 - Offseason Primer: Infield

Post by udlb58 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:06 pm

I feel like dusting off the old preview for the Canes. A year after an improbable run, many of the usual suspects are back, but there are a few key changes.

ImageCatcher
Locked In: None
In the Mix: Paul Scholes, Michael Arroyo, Brandon Bailey
Outside Looking In: Andres Cuevas, Buttdart Jones, Jr, Preston King

Scholsy has been Jacksonville's primary starter for more than a year now and the only thing keeping him from the locked in category is the fact that he'll be splitting time with someone in order to try and keep his 35 year old legs as fresh as possible. He doesn't add anything on offense, but he doesn't need to. He's paid to control the run game, manage the pitching staff on the field, and to be a positive presence in the clubhouse. In a league (and division) that runs as freely as ours, I really think it is key to have a catcher who can suppress the running game. Hopefully Old Man Scholsy has another year or two left in him, but Father Time is undefeated.

Last year's Rule 5 pickup, Arroyo performed admirably in 40 starts last year with 11 HR and a 114 OPS+ with solid defensive numbers. Unfortunately for him, he's best against right-handed pitchers, and so is Scholsy. He'll need a great spring, or an injury to get anywhere close to the plate appearances he had last year. Still, he's only 23 and could still be the answer when Paul Scholes' defense gives up the ghost.

Speaking of Father Time, here's 36 year old Brandon Bailey. The former 14th round pick is a veteran of over 1,000 AAA games (with 988 hits and 203 HR), but he's only played in 9 BBA games. He destroyed AAA last year and did well in his 6 game call-up. The righty has a solid arm and he can still put a charge into the ball. He could finally get a sustained look in the BBA as the right-handed half of a split with Scholes.

Preston King and Buttdart Jones are two defensive-first catchers who can't really hit enough to be relied upon for any length of time. Cuevas is pretty nondescript in every way except the fact that he can play both a solid catcher and the outfield. The three will be battling with Arroyo/Bailey for what playing time they can.


ImageFirst Base
Locked In: Norris Rutledge
In the Mix: Frank Bud
Outside Looking In: Miguel Cuevas

Rutledge is a stud and the definition of a player who's locked in to his position. He has over 80 HR, 200 RBI, 180 R, and 100 SB over the past two years despite missing nearly 60 games. His only weaknesses are the aforementioned injury problems, and his below par defense at first. He has the highest OPS in club history and is one good season from passing Doug Glover for 3rd on the team's all-time HR list.

Frank Bud is a solid, cheap 1B who should be able to do a job in the event of an injury to Rutledge. He'll spend most of his time as a part-time player vRHP, a top PH, and the defensive replacement at 1B. He isn't an all-star by any means, but we're happy he is signed to a reasonable contract for a few seasons.

Five years ago, Miguel Carrasco came in when Rutledge was injured and had a nice run. However, that was five years ago and he can no longer field or make as consistent contact as he used to.


ImageSecond Base
Locked In: None
In the Mix: Luzvimindo Arbizo, Jorge Gonzales, Edgardo Pagan
Outside Looking In: Lorenzo Gallardo

Luzvimindo Arbizo has been a long-time coming. He signed out of the Philippines back when the team was still the Moonshiners in 2026. He made his pro debut in 2030 and has steadily moved through the organization, culminating in a call-up due to injury this past season. Arbizo made the most of his opportunity, hitting .313/.444/.531 in 24 games to close out the season, then became a playoff sensation. Arbizo hit .414/.551/.694 with 3 HR and 10 SB in 15 playoff starts, helping lead the Hurricanes to their 2nd title in 3 years. Obviously we don't expect the same production over the course of a full season, but he is a very similar player to star 2B, Chris Workman. Both have solid power and contact rates with tremendous speed and patience at the plate. Both are also below average defenders at 2nd. Though he will find himself getting pulled for better defensive options late in games, I am hoping Arbizo can add even more punch from 2B than we received from Pagan a year ago.

Speaking of Edgardo Pagan, he is still on the roster and a potential option should Arbizo falter. A year ago, he hit .268/.344/.516 with 26 HR, good enough for a 120 OPS+. The reason he's down here in the mix, instead of locked-in, is that he will be competing for the starting duties at SS with the loss of Lloyd Braun. Overall, he is a better defender than Arbizo and will get plenty of games at 2nd, if he fails to grab the SS role.

Next up is veteran Jorge Gonzales. This veteran just continues to surpass expectations. Though he isn't slated in as a starter anywhere in 2034, it should not surprise anyone if he were to get 300+ AB spread across all infield positions. While also technically competing for the SS job, his range has fallen a bit in the past couple of years and he is much more likely to be the one to take over if Arbizo falters than he is to win the SS job.

You could do worse than Lorenzo Gallardo as your 4th option at 2B. He won't impress with the bat or his feet, but he's solid enough to get through a few games in the event of catastrophic injury.


ImageThird Base
Locked In: David Noboru
In the Mix: Jorge Gonzales, Edgardo Pagan
Outside Looking In: Ryan Savaikie

It is pretty clear who the #1 choice is at third for Jacksonville. David Noboru has quickly established himself as not only one of the top 3B in the BBA, but arguably one of the top 5 all-around offensive players in the BBA. Even in an injury shortened 2033, he put up 6.5 WAR with 46 HR, 107 RBI, 101 R, 81 XBH, and 59 SB. Once again, he was a plus defender at 3B and added a positive defensive line in a few games out in LF. Heck, for fun, he even started twice at SS and was surprisingly not bad. The addition of Alfredo Martinez will move Noboru down to the #2 slot in the lineup, where he will hopefully find even more RBI opportunities.

Jorge Gonzales is a defensive stud at third and probably the best backup third baseman in the league (just don't look at the ratings). Hopefully the old guy still has a good season left in him. Black Jack Pagan can also slot in at 3B if needed.

Six years ago, Ryan Savaikie Jr was the starting third baseman for the Hurricanes. He returned to the org a year ago and though Father Time has not been kind to his quickness, Sushi is still a reasonable 4th choice who could play if everyone got the flu or something.


ImageShortstop
Locked In: None
In the Mix: Jay-hoon Ch'oe, Jorge Gonzales, Edgardo Pagan
Outside Looking In: Ethan Jennings

Let us all pour one out for the departed Lloyd Braun....

Jay-hoon Ch'oe came from Las Vegas as part of the Martinez/Braun trade. He doesn't hit righties particularly well, and hasn't exactly impressed in AAA, but the young guy can play an above average shortstop. If he does stumble out of the gate, last year's 2B duo will be ready to pounce.

On the outside looking in is 2033 5th round pick Ethan Jennings. The 19 year old hit the crap out of the ball down in SA Paraiso last year. He's left handed, is actually a slick fielder, and has a borderline BBA bat. If he can hit AA and AAA pitching this year, he could actually be vying for a 2035 roster spot.
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Re: Tropical Tidbits 33.09 - Offseason Primer: Infield

Post by RonCo » Sat Mar 10, 2018 10:55 am

I like this format. May steal it sometime. :)

What I don't like is Jacksonville stealing my Landis, which is getting wearying.
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