That's What Cheesehead: 37.09 - Wolves Outfield Preview

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That's What Cheesehead: 37.09 - Wolves Outfield Preview

Post by 7teen » Wed Dec 05, 2018 10:09 am

With time constraints on my own writing right now, I figure it to be a better use of my time to just preview my own team than to try and dive into someone else's. So I'll break my team down into parts by previewing the Outfield, Infield, and pitching staff in separate spurts. Yeah, it's a manipulation of the points system but does make the TN easier to read when it's a shorter blurb than a massive lengthy article.

LeftField
23 year old rookie John Garcia (7/6/9/7/6 Ratings) is likely to see the bulk of the starts this season in leftfield for the Wolves. The club expects to use a heavy platoon rotation this season, but with most starters being RH it is likely Garcia sees most of the action. Not known for his glove, the Wolves are excited to see if this former 15th round pick is ready for the big lights of the BBA. He shows some major pop in his bat despite some struggles as a September call-up last season. With Madison finishing dead last in homeruns last season in the Frick, Garcia may help boost the club's standing in that department Jose Serrano (6/8/8/5/6 Ratings) is a possible option as a starter against LH pitching but he'll most likely see time as a DH assuming he makes the squad coming out of spring. HE still has a little room to grow and with the team being short on roster spots, it isn't a sure thing he makes the squad right out of the gate this year Both of these guys are likely just keeping the LF spot warm until last year's first round pick Andrew Torres (8/8/5/5/7 Ratings) is ready. Torres, though not on the 40-man roster, was a spring training invite this season just to give the Madison fans a little taste of the future.

Centerfield
The last two Diamond Glove Award winners are likely to split some time in CF this season. The decision may cost both a chance at the award this season but for now that appears to be the route the Wolves are leaning.
Jose Carlos Moreno (6/8/7/5/6 Ratings) will get the start against RH pitching as a lefty bat. Moreno provides a little more pop in his bat as 4 of his 5 big league seasons have produced double digit homerun totals. His 15 a season ago was second most on the team. After a solid rookie season, Niccolo Machiavelli (7/6/3/6/7 Ratings) took a step back last season. Part of that was due to injuries as he was sidelined on 3 separate occasions with injuries. That allowed Moreno to get more playing tie and stick as the everyday CF for most of the season. Machiavelli played in just 80 games and didn't produce well at the dish. With the Wolves looking more for offense this season, both of these guys will split in CF for now. If the team shifts to a defensive look, you could see one of these guys shift over to LF where both are just as good as they are in CF. This is also a potential option the team will look into against lefty pitching. While Moreno is considerably better against RHP than lefties, the club doesn't have a ready option against lefties right now in LF.

Rightfield
Despite hitting over .300 for the 9th consecutive season, it was a disappointing 2036 for Steve Dempsey (9/9/2/4/9 Ratings). He finished the season as a level replacement player with a 0.0 WAR and failed to accumulate 200 hits for the first time since 2027. Granted, his chances were ended with a sprained thumb he suffered in late August that forced him to miss the rest of the season and fall 44 hits shy of the mark. As he turns 31, Dempsey is beginning the back end of his career but it's a career that still has plenty of time left and could see him continue to climb the leaderboards in total hits, doubles, and stolen bases. Three categories that could see him retire in the top 10 in assuming last year was just a hiccup and not the start of the norm. What will hurt Dempsey is the fact the Wolves have John Dundee (7/9/6/4/7 Ratings) ready as a platoon option against lefty pitching and an option as a defensive replacement. Dempsey's defense has never been great and it is likely what has prevented him from getting more publicity around the league as it has killed his overall WAR output. With Dundee ready to take some playing time now in RF, Dempsey's counting stats may take a slight hit and further remove him from any league discussion. If Dempsey is hot though, Dundee is also a viable option in LF as a platoon option as well which would force Machiavelli or Moreno to the bench on those nights.

Overall Assessment
The Wolves have a variety of options as to how to play their OF this season. The offensive approach will see Garcia and Dempsey in the corners a lot. The team can also use a defensive approach and use Machiavelli and Moreno in CF and LF with Dundee patrolling RF. The Wolves like the potential of the versatility the core 5 guys (Garcia, Machiavelli, Moreno, Dempsey, Dundee) provide as well as having the flexibility to play a wait and see approach with Torres and Serrano if need be.

The biggest keys facing the outfield this season will be:
1. Can Torres provide offensive punch in LF?
2. Can Dempsey rebound from a "down" 2036 season?
3. How will health and platoon play a role?
4. Can the CF defense make up for a lack of defense from the corners if the club goes with an offensive first approach?

All questions that will soon be answered as the Wolves prepare to take the field and regain control of the Heartland!
Chris Wilson

LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95

Madison Wolves 99-2039
JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
JL WC: 12
JL: 01, 04, 09, 12
FL Heartland: 32
FL WC: 31, 33
BBA Champs: 04, 09

Portland Lumberjacks 2040-
FL Pacific: 50
FL WC: 49, 51
FL Champs: 49, 51

Vic Caleca TN of the Year 2046

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