Tropical Tidbits: 39.03 - Preseason Primer - Pitching Staff

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Tropical Tidbits: 39.03 - Preseason Primer - Pitching Staff

Post by udlb58 » Sat Jun 29, 2019 2:32 pm

Well, in tradition of doing these about every 3 years....

Rotation[/b]
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Locked In: Zhi-xin Chien, Taisuke Suzuki
In the Mix: Juan Jose Fuentes, Kelile Chimanga, Raúl Gerela
Outside Looking In: Pepe Castillo, Bernardino Bertoletti, Chang-ho Kim, Jacques Côté

Chien and Suzuki aren't the same 1-2 as Behner and Soliz a year ago, but to be fair, Soliz is no longer Soliz eihther and Behner is the highest paid pitcher in the BBA this year with a guaranteed 2nd year that will make him the 2nd highest paid pitcher in 2040 (possibly highest if Flores opts out and gets less than $23m in the 1st year of his new contract). Chien shouldn't be a number 1, but he is a solid arm who I think could be better if he is asked to go shorter in games. In the future, he could be a good mid-rotation starter but this year he will probably struggle whenever he comes up against good teams. Suzuki is someone I've had my eye on for awhile. As a lefty who can top 200 innings and control the running game, I really like his addition. Like Chien, he would benefit from a step down in the rotation, but he'll have to live at the top for now.

When Baez fell apart in the 2nd half last year, Fuentes came in and locked down the bottom of the rotation. He keeps the ball in the park, but he's pretty non-descript after that. Chimanga has bounced between the BBA and AAA the last three years, but he's a lefty that should put up a sub-4.50 ERA in most seasons, which is good enough at the bottom of a rotation. Just 2 years ago, Gerela looked like a future #1/2 pitcher. He had put up an average of over 3 WAR the three previous seasons and looked primed to be the #2 behind Behner last year. But, he has fallen to pieces after signing his extension and was even dropped from the rotation last year. He could slot in as the #5, but he'll need to produce a sub 4.50 FIP if he is going to keep his job again this year.

Signed to a minor league deal, the 34 year old Castillo will look to prove himself in Gotham and break into the rotation. He's a long shot at this point, but he is left handed, so you never know. Bertoletti has been decent in AAA the last couple of years, but he's basically Gerela without the track record and name value. Kim and Côté are older prospects that need to get it figured out soon if they don't want to be passed by younger players.

Bullpen
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Locked In: Peter Grady, Donald Harris, Gonzalo Mercado
In the Mix: Lorenzo Montalvo, Marcos Villegas, Andino Bianchi, Will Franklin
Outside Looking In: Allain Jolivet, Carlos Vázquez, David Sterrenburg, Norberto Chávez, Fernando Guerrero

Possibly the most valuable reliever the last 2-3 years, the Canes hope Grady can continue his dominance and durability; the team's success rides on both. I'm a huge fan of Donald Harris, and if it weren't for Grady, he would be the player our bullpen relied upon like Grady. Still, he's an overpowering righty with the ability to switch to the rotation if things get that bad. Still can't believe he lasted till the 8th round (he's seen virtually no bump as a reliever, his bump came in the addition of a viable 3rd pitch, but it hasn't been enough to make him an effective starter), and he could find his way back into the rotation if we can't find 5 others to hold it down there. Rookie Gonzalo Mercado brings about as much hype as a relief prospect can. He doesn't have the stamina of Grady/Harris/Montalvo/Villegas, but he could be one of the top lefty relievers in the league in the next few years.

Montalvo has never lived up to his potential, but that doesn't mean he can't be a solid middle reliever. Old Piano Legs has been a frustrating starting pitcher for years, but I think he can be an effective bridge middle reliever capable of pitching the 1-2 innings to get games from the starter to our dominant back 3. He could also spot start in the event of injuries. I love me a lefty specialist and Bianchi fits the bill. Hopefully he can shut down lefties over 20-ish innings this year. Franklin was a good reliever in Vancouver early in his career and up-n-down with TC after that. He didn't get a shot in Montreal last year, but I think he can still do a job in a low pressure role.

Jolivet and Vazquez are 'meh' lefties that could find a role in the majors this year, but neither are likely to get much work here unless there are injuries. Sterrenburg and Chavez are one-trick ponies (Sterrenburg doesn't walk many, Chavez keeps the ball in the park) that will really need to impress in AAA to get any shot. Guerrero is just 19, but he is already impressing in AA and just needs to improve his K-rate to find a spot in the bullpen. That is still probably a year away, but he is on to watch.
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