2055.03: Black Sox Preview ST Sim #1

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2055.03: Black Sox Preview ST Sim #1

Post by KJChmura » Sun May 28, 2023 7:46 pm

The Chicago Black Sox have invited 52 players to Major League Spring Training in 2055, a list that includes 22 pitchers and 30 positional players. As we are 10 games into Spring Training, here is where the roster sits.

Demotions

Six players have been demoted to minor league camp.

Frank Ostrom (P): Frank struggled in his Spring appearances and is bound for a rotation spot in either Double-A or Triple-A.
Sergio Rojas (P) Sergio is a very young, inexperienced pitcher that arrived at Spring Training with the understanding he would not be making the team. He is newly added to the 40-man roster and is likely going to start the year in Double-A.
Bhupa Thulasidas (C): Catcher is one of the most important positions for Chicago to figure out. Thulasidas is heading to Triple-A to be the backup catcher, but his defense could land him on the major league team at some point this season.
Anangam Goenka (INF) Goenka is rusty after missing much of last year with injury. He is heading to Double-A, where he will be an everyday starter.
Heng-zong Guan (INF): Guan is in a bit of flux right now. There is a high chance he is released by the end of Spring depending how the Major League roster shakes out. Otherwise, he will be depth at Triple-A.
Usama Awad (P) Awad was given a shot to win a rotation spot, but after 2 awful starts he will start the year in Triple-A.

Roster Locks

Pitchers: (11 locked spots, 2-3 open)

Mike Baker
Francisco Ortiz
Felipe Mendez
Brick Pollitt
Bryce Sparks
Jorge Diaz
Leonard Thompson
Dirk Bessi
Mrej Stavnicky
Carlos Moya
William Milligan

Catchers: (1 locked spot, 1-2 open)

Rafael Elias

Infielders: (6 locked spots, 1-2 open)

Rocky Wattson
Matthew Hewat
Jeremy Starks
Hussein bin Fadi
Daryl Tibbett
Anthony Moretti

Outfielders: (4 locked, 1 open spot)

Reed Graham
Cordell Vaughn
Garry Mihalsky
Carlos Garza

Position Battles:

Backup Catcher: Bruce McKinley, Will Bennett and Jarod Webber are the finalists for the backup catcher battle. McKinley has a $5 million dollar guaranteed contract, but he has come into Spring out of shape and his defense is no longer the strength that it once was. Bennett is widely considered the catcher if the future, but may need more time to develop in Triple-A. Webber is the dark horse. He has never been the primary starter in the minors, but has developed into a decent catcher that can provide strong defense.

Infield Spot: The infield spot is a bit interesting because Chicago has not defined roles for the locked players. We know that Starks will be the starting 3B. Hewat is the favorite for starting SS and Tibbett for 2B, but they have not been confirmed. There are some in the organization that believe Ralph Knowles can make the team as either the starting 2B, starting 1B or backup utility. There is also a chance that Rich Moore has a strong 2nd half of Spring and becomes the starting SS or at very least backup infielder. Otherwise, Moore may be sent back to Calgary. Another option is Najm al Din Kamil, who played 41 games in Chicago last year between 2B & SS. Kamil has primarily played outfield this Spring, with plans for him to be a super utility player. Lastly, Jim Fry has been given a chance to earn a role this Spring. Chicago specifically likes Fry’s ability to hit left-handers as they are a primarily left-handed hitting team.

Outfield Spot: This spot on the team is not as much a battle as it is roster makeup. If Chicago carries an additional catcher or infielders, they plan to go into the season with 4 outfielders. If they carry a 5th outfielder, it is likely to be Juan Lizarazo. Lizarazo has been with Chicago for five seasons at the major league level, but has yet to create a permanent spot for himself.

Nick Clark Update:

Nick Clark last pitched in 2053 and is ready to make his return in 2055. In Spring Training 2053, Clark was preparing for his second season in the majors with Chicago. He was coming off a year where he pitched 90.1 innings and established himself as a solid bullpen contributor. A few weeks into Spring and he suffered from Dead Arm Syndrome. Although it only took him away from the game for a few days, it was the sixth time in his career he suffered from Dead Arm.

A little over a month later, he suffered a strained triceps. This injury kept him out for 5 weeks, but by early June he was back in the majors. His return did not last long, however, as he suffered a severe injury on June 23rd and his season ended. Chicago management wasn’t worried as many players have had elbow ligament reconstructive surgery and returned. It wasn’t until a checkup last January that things took a turn for the worse.

As Clark was rehabbing and preparing to start throwing baseballs again, he heard the news that there was a setback and he cannot start a throwing program for 6-8 more months. This effectively ended his 2054 season.

Now, we are near the start of 2055 and Clark has not pitched in nearly 2 years. Internally, there was discussion on whether he should be part of Major League Spring Training. It was ultimately decided that he would not be and needed to rehab in the minors before rejoining the major league team. The plan for Clark is to begin the season in Double-A. To ensure that he receives a consistent workload, Clark will be a member of the rotation and on a strict pitch count. The organization plans to give him 5 starts in Double-A before determining next steps, but there is optimism within the organization that Nick Clark will return to Chicago sometime in 2055.

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Re: 2055.03: Black Sox Preview ST Sim #1

Post by tylertoo » Sun May 28, 2023 7:51 pm

Glad to see Clark back. Hope he returns to form. Two years is a long time away.

Nice preview!
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Re: 2055.03: Black Sox Preview ST Sim #1

Post by BaseClogger » Sun May 28, 2023 8:03 pm

Fun format for a TN I may have to steal.
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Re: 2055.03: Black Sox Preview ST Sim #1

Post by RT60 » Sun May 28, 2023 8:08 pm

I will try not to infringe your copyright when I do your team preview :D

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