43 report for Spring Training camp (2038-5)

[Fat Nige]

February 2038

As we approach the start of the 2038 Spring Training Louisville have announced that they will have 43 in camp at the start, the 38 that are on the 40-man roster as well as five non-roster invitees from within the organisation.

Non-Roster Invitees[/i]

SP Leo Minter

26-yr-old Leo was a third-round draft pick of Madison’s in 2029. He split 2037 between Double-A & Triple-A but came to the attention of Sluggers when he pitched a six-hit shutout against Louisville Fire in July. When the Wolves released him, we were able to snap him up with a $5,000 signing bonus. With the state of our pitching he will come to camp with as much chance as anyone else. Betting: 11/8 to break camp with Louisville.

RP Jorge Luna

25-yr-old Jorge was a fourth-round pick of Jacksonville in 2029 and arrived with Louisville in a trade in 2031. He’s had the last five years in Triple-A Missouri compiling a 10-10 record with 19 saves and a 3.76 ERA. In 234 AAA IP he has struck out 192 batters, walked 131 with a 1.41 WHIP. Could find it difficult to stick as he has three options left, he might well lose out to someone who is out of options. Betting: 15/2

SS Jose Vela

26-yr-old Jose was a seventh-round pick of Atlantic City in 2028, he made 688 BBA appearances for them between 2032 and last season. After only making 50 appearances in 2037 and hitting just .135 he was released at the end of the season. We were able to snap him up on a minor league contract and he is odds on to collect a minimum BBA contract deal at the end of camp. With plus+ speed and defence at second, third and short he fits the needs of the team to find someone to back up O’Brien and Tavares. Betting: 2 / 5 on

2B Antonio Cruz

23-yr-old Antonio was a 2031 14th round pick of Calgary and was a makeweight in the 2034 trade that brought George Anderson V to Louisville. After splitting 2037 between Double-A and Triple-A he was selected in the Rule V draft by Wichita but returned almost straight away. He has three option years left so will really have to shine to edge out Vela for a bench spot with Tavares virtually having the starting 2B role locked up. Betting: 25/1

C Bill Peterson

26-yr-old Bill, a 2029 seventh-round pick of Brooklyn, was claimed off waivers from them in September 2036. He has 55 BBA outings spread over 2034 & 2036 and spent 2037 in Triple-A making 74 appearances. His invite to camp mainly comes from the need of Sluggers to have three catchers in camp and he probably will have to work really hard to edge out Torres from the back-up role. Betting: 35/1


Although Sluggers will have 21 pitchers in Camp chasing 13 or 14 slots the outsiders in the reckoning will have to perform as the word is that the successful ones are already virtually penciled in. One thing that could change that is injuries and the possible move of Kevin Morale, but most analysts would be really surprised if that happened before the end of spring. As for the starting position roles, most are locked up at the moment, the slightest doubt is in the outfield roles, particularly in centre where Sluggers don’t really have a commending option. The main hope of the rest is to secure one of the four to six bench spots available