A Flock of Bluebirds 2043.5- Checking the Locks: ALL POSITIONS

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Pitchers (12-13 spots/22 in camp)

Sure Fire Locks (7):
Elliot Buckland
Chin Kim
Hao Kun
Eru Likiliki
Manuel Orozco
Javier Garcia
Lorenzo de' Medici

Buckland, Kim and Likiliki will be three starters for sure. Kun can be used both as a starter and reliever, as can Orozco. Nashville likes to mix and match throughout the season so they are sure to see action in multiple roles. Garcia and de' Medici are the back end of the bullpen, and Nashville hopes it can improve on late inning close decisions this year.

Near Locks (3):
Chris Moran
Ta-heng Hor
Edris Mtume

Moran is very likely to break camp as the #4 starter. Hor should be in a middle relief role, and while Mtume is coming back from a severe injury, his salary gives him an inside track on a bullpen role.

Trying To Break In (4):
Ash Davenport
Gustavo Munoz
Juan Ruiz
Pedro Sanchez

Davenport and Munoz are right in the mix for a bullpen spot. Munoz is back to pitching full time after being a two-way player for several years and the Bluebirds think he can give them some quality innings. Ruiz seems likely to open in Triple-A but will be a factor at some point during the season. Sanchez is on the bottom rungs of the 40-man roster and at age 27 this may be his last shot.

Breaking In The Back Door/NRI (8):
Martin Roman
Armando Castro
Robinson Valdez
Juan Banuelos
Ryan Monger
Israel Villa
Rafael Flores
Yu-bao Tong

Assuming all ten of the Sure-Fire and Near Locks make the roster, that leaves 2-3 spots for the remaining pitchers to fight for. While it might be tempting to bring Ruiz or Roman along quicker than expected, the safe move is to open with Davenport and Munoz filling two roles, and then potentially adding an outside arm or possibly using Tong as a lefty specialist. Castro has opened some eyes as a reliever this spring, with his enormous pitch arsenal being intriguing. Monger has also pitched well early as a reliever. Nashville was relieved to get Flores back after losing him to Omaha in the Rule 5 Draft. Valdez and Banuelos each will get a taste of big league camp but are ticketed for the minors. Villa was an interesting minor league free agent signing who will get a look as a reliever, but is likely headed for minor league camp.

Catchers (2 spots/5 in camp)

Sure Fire Locks:
Alberto Rodriguez

Rodriguez is one of the best catchers in the BBA. No surprise here.

Near Locks:
Ramon Camacho

After spending the whole 2041 season with Nashville as a Rule 5 pick, Camacho spent most of 2042 with AAA Orlando. He's likely to be the RH half of the catching combo again this year.

Trying To Break In:
None

Breaking In The Back Door/NRI:
Teegan Nyland
Jorge Martinez
Zach Ford

Nyland is the organizational soldier. He's like a cockroach as he just won't die. Martinez was a minor league FA signee with an intriguing LH bat. Ford is a ways away but looks like he could be the future righty catcher for Nashville.

Infielders (8-9 spots/16 in camp)

Sure Fire Locks:
Ernesto Sousa
Jesus Yan
Tony Frost
Mike England
Mario Guerrer

Sousa will now play first base against right-handed pitchers with the addition of Guerrer, who will DH against righties. Yan may get a chance to play every day at second base, a rarity in the Nashville Way. Frost is another every day starter as he returns to his natural position of third base this year. England will get a chance to redeem his horrific performance after coming over from Las Vegas last year, and seems likely to play against righties at shortstop.

Near Locks:
Jerome Delage
Nacho Mendez
J.J. McQuade

Delage is the first baseman against lefties, and top bat off the bench against righties. Mendez should figure as the DH against lefties, but if there is a roster crunch he may be sent to Triple-A until said crunch resolves itself. McQuade is the shortstop against lefties.

Trying To Break In:
Julian Rios
Xue-qin Man
Javier Bultron
Kinfu Lugano
Robert Franklin
Orlando Lopez

Rios was a waiver claim last year with a decent lefty bat. The acquisition of Guerrer eliminated any slim chance of him making the roster. Man signed a guaranteed one year contract to be a utility player but it's not too expensive that he could just be cut. Bultron and Franklin figure to be depth in the minors again. Lopez could figure into the Nashville plans as the lefty hitting shortstop if England doesn't stick there. Lugano is one of the more interesting bench candidates in camp, but there doesn't seem to be a clear path for him to make the Opening Day Roster.

Breaking In The Back Door/NRI:
Jesus Rojas
Carl Settignano

Rojas, the wily veteran, is kinda like a "Break Glass In Case Of Emergency" player. Settignano hits lefties better than righties, and given Yan's reverse splits, is getting a "just in case" looksie in camp.

Outfielders (4-5 spots/11 in camp)

Sure Fire Locks:
Gipper Kengos
Kidane Ata
Mark White

Left to right, this is the every day, starting outfield. Seems strange to say that.

Near Locks:
William Wood

Ok, if he suddenly started playing well again, Wood would be the primary right fielder with White playing against LHP. Instead, he may be the ONLY reserve outfielder carried on the roster.

Trying To Break In:
Jose Campos
Anibal Gracia
Toby Peck
Jose Gonzalez
Stephen Lord
Wei-liang Zhao

Gonzalez would figure to have the best shot of being the fifth outfielder if a spot opens for him simply based on his defense and speed. Peck, Lord and Zhao are clinging dearly to 40-man spots. Gracia and Campos may have some impact but not just yet.

Breaking In The Back Door/NRI:
Ryo Rin

Rin might be an interesting fifth outfielder candidate at some point, but his bat is so weak.