35.11. After the Dust Has Cleared: Position Players

[agrudez]

After 8 FA signings, 2 trades and 2 Rule 5 pickups (that we plan to keep of the 4 selected), it seems as if Huntsville's offseason is finally done with reports surfacing that indicate the team is content on heaving into the 2035 season with their current roster. As such, let's do a quick preview of what fans might expect from the remodeled lineup and bench.

C - Guerrero and Adams (platoon)
Not much has changed here from last season with Guerrero staying on as the team's primary backstop within a platoon. For his part, he was on a near 2 WAR pace over a full season last year thanks to a .769 OPS against RHP and one of the league's better arms behind the plate, so there some reason to be excited about seeing what he can do with more ABs - even if the team has all but admitted that they were actively trying to replace him this offseason and failed. On the short side of the platoon, Adams represents a cosmic upgrade over De La Garza and also sports a ++arm behind the plate - making this arguably one of the best tandems in the league from a SB prevention standpoint (which, with how prevalent that was last season around the league, feels like an important note).

1B - Gaona
This spot will be all Gaona's as potentially the only everyday RHer in the lineup (there will be some platoons against LHP, though - as stated above). He has been a consistent +bat over his first 3 seasons in the majors and has taken the JL Zimmer twice already as well.

2B - Guzman
It would be wholly unreasonable to expect Guzman to repeat his 6 WAR 2034 season, but he is still a clear star in this league and his transition to 2B will do wonders for the positive impact he can make with his glove.

3B - Wilfer
Since coming to Huntsville, Wilfer has been the picture of consistency - posting .83, .837 and .83 OPS' the past 3 seasons as a Phantom. We have no reason to expect anything less from the veteran and - like Guzman - his transition to a lower in demand defensive spot will be a boon for his overall value as he continues to find his rhythm at the hot corner.

SS - Sullivan and Becker (platoon)
The options that allowed the team to push Guzman and Wilfer into more appropriate defensive positions with dual '9' ratings at SS (thanks to both having '9' IF range). For his part, Sullivan has been serviceable with the bat throughout his young career thus far - managing a .646 OPS in California Caverns. No doubt he is excited to try his luck in the Huntsville launching pad. And Becker, while uninspiring, is exactly the type of partner he needs - having posted .714 and .707 OPS' the past 2 seasons.

LF - Hall
Despite a rocky rookie season, it is tough to not be excited about his bat in the lineup everyday - especially as one of the few LHBs that aren't borderline unplayable against LHP. His defense with only '5' OF range will leave a bit to be desired, but if he's hitting 35 HRs I think we'll manage.

CF - Sandcastle and Condeixera (platoon)
The 39 year old superstar needs no introduction - and Huntsville couldn't be happier to have him in the fold. For the start of the season, the team has indicated that they will try to work Condeixera in as a platoon to give the aging vet a rest now and then, but the hook will be short if his bat can't be at least reasonable enough to allow his glove to provide its value.

RF - Parrish
Signed alongside Sandcastle, Parrish will be slated to start in RF after .755 and .785 OPS' the past 2 seasons prior. Rumors have been flying that management is trying to find a RH platoon partner for him; however, that the team is also content to let him play through it if nothing materializes. At the least, he is a switch-hitter that won't be victimized by a Southpaw's +split vs. LHBs.

DH - Klein and Everhart (platoon)
Huntsville management is reportedly very excited to see what Klein can do in a full season in their park with his 8/9/8 CON/GAP/POW vs. RHP. Everhart provides a solid, if uninspiring, option to let him avoid the tough lefties, too.

Bench
With how many platoons we are planning to deploy, that already brings our position player count to 13. Management has usually been keen on keeping a shorter bullpen (so 10-11 pitchers total), though, so that opens up quite a few spots on the bench. Of course, Condex and Becker (CF and SS platoons respectively) already double as the team's utility OFer and IFer respectively, so need is also low for additional bench pieces. Unless he can find himself a trade, Templeman would certainly need a place on the ML roster after his near 2 WAR campaign in 2034 - though finding playing time will be difficult for the youngster. Hinojosa profiles as a solid cheap option to back up 1B and DH (though Everhart already does that, Hinjosa could better step in as the LH side of a platoon should Klein or Gaona get injured). Beyond that, though, it's likely that the other primary options for these roles (Perkins, Torres, Navarro and Salars) would be better served heading to AAA so they can actually get playing time.

[ae37jr]

Not a bad lineup at all and defense will be much improved. With the way you have started from scratch, Huntsville almost looks like a 3rd expansion team. And I mean that in a good way.

[Lane]

Was surprised to see Becker go so quickly.

[Ted]

This is worlds better than last year's offering. Nice work.

[RonCo]

I like the move of Wilfer to 3b.

[agrudez]

I like the move of Wilfer to 3b.

I don't know if its a feature of v18, but he learned the position really quickly, too. 0 to 4 in 30 something games. I imagine by the end of spring training he'll be a 6 or 7.