A Flock Of Bluebirds 2040.4- Meet The Team: Position Player Group

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A Flock Of Bluebirds 2040.4- Meet The Team: Position Player Group
February 26, 2040

After an offseason of change, Spring Training is finally here and fans of the newly named Nashville Bluebirds are fired up to see their team take shape. New GM Matt Rectenwald didn't make huge changes to the former Goats, actually coming out and saying "he can see the plan and kinda likes it". Instead, he's chosen to take the core players and work around them in an effort to move the team past mediocrity with a clear goal of making the playoffs this year.

It's time to meet the team: position player group edition!

Catchers
Sure Fire Locks: NONE
Near Locks: Kyle Baker
Trying to Get In The Door: Teegan Nyland
Breaking In The Back Door (NRI): Gabriel Santana

The Bluebirds are seemingly rolling the dice by giving Baker every opportunity to make a big leap from Class A ball to the big leagues as the starter. Nyland is the nominal backup at this time, with Santana serving as a camp catcher, but the Bluebirds could still be looking to upgrade this position.

Infielders
Sure Fire Locks: Mario Deortez (1B), 2B/SS Tu-Fu Yong, Joey Newhouse (3B/1B), Antonio Cruz (SS/IF)
Near Locks: Sam Wade (3B/2B), Francisco Otero (SS)
Trying to Get In The Door: Sixto Mejia (1B/OF), Manny Rodriguez (IF), Ernesto German (2B/OF)
Breaking In The Back Door (NRI): Lou Ashley (1B), Ernesto Souza (1B), Domingo Ramirez (2B/IF), Javier Bultron (3B/1B), Tony Frost (3B)

Here's what we know for sure. Yong will start every day, probably at second base this year with Otero being given the opportunity to earn the strong side of a platoon at shortstop with Cruz. Newhouse will start every day, also, likely to be playing third base against RHP and first base against LHP. Deortez, at this point, is looking like he'll be playing a lot less. While he could still be an everyday player, the Bluebirds will give Mejia and uber prospect Souza a chance to earn a job against righties. Wade is looking like a utility option along with Cruz, and he'll probably play third base against lefties. If the Bluebirds keep another infielder, Rodriguez has as good a chance as anyone to earn it given his 40 man status. German was also added to the 40 man in the offseason, and he'll learn second base this year in the minors. Ramirez was a part of the big club last year but is likely headed to AAA. Bultron will get some exposure in camp as will other top prospect Frost, but both will be in the minors to open the year.

Outfielders
Sure Fire Locks: Justin Jackson (LF), Abdelwahabe Kumade (RF), Kidane Ata (CF/SP?/RP?), Henry Rectenberg (DH/CO)
Near Locks: Pepe Rocha (OF)
Trying to Get In The Door: Jose Gonzalez (CF), Aurelio Lopez (LF), Frank Underwood (CO), Toby Peck (CO), Manuel Freyta (CF), Nacho Mendez (RF), Ryo Rin (CF)
Breaking In The Back Door: None

This is certainly a stacked group. Jackson/Ata/Kamade is as good as any group in the BBA. Rectenberg was added as just about everyone in the world expected, and he's going to be the DH against righties. Rocha was a nice addition in the Rule 5 Draft and he's a virtual lock to make the team. Now comes the fun part. While Mendez and Rin are here to get a taste of the big league life and are ticketed to the minors, each of the other four has a legitimate chance to make the big league roster. Lopez looks like the best best as the Bluebirds like him as a pinch hitting bat. Peck and Underwood were both Rule 5 casualties from Mexico City who are lefty corner bats with options. The veteran Freyta could have a chance if defense is a need.