By Javaris Jamar Javarison-Lamar | JavarisJamarJavarison-Lamar@3Wolves.net
Madison - Wolves release final 27 man roster.
With the final 27 man roster set, I'm publishing my review of the Wolves' 27 Man 2042 Opening Day Roster
It's spring time 2042, the league is celebrating its 70th season, financially things look great for the owners, and the league just signed another CBA. Which means we are assured another 20 years of uninterrupted baseball in the BBA. Your 2041 Wolves continued to show improvement under GM Mike Simon, ownership is pleased with the growth of the team and the progress of its young nucleus. The 2042 opener is scheduled for April 2nd vs the Hawaii Tropics at home. Tentative starter for Hawaii looks to be Maxime Manceau and for your Madison Wolves, Yorikane Miyamoto gets the nod.
Here is your opening day 27-man roster for your 2042 Wolves
Rotation:
SP - #16 - Yorikane Miyamoto - The 22yo righty stepped into the #1 starter role last year when Juan Trujillo went down in game #1 after only 6 innings. Miyamoto filled in nicely throwing 221 innings. Let’s see what the kid can do when he’s been given the #1 role.
SP - #30 - Martín Torres - At 32yo the eldest statesmen on the Wolves staff, signed in the offseason as a FA from Boise. The Wolves hope he can bring some stability and innings to the Wolves starting staff.
SP - #21 - Han-lee Kim - The 28yo righty claimed off waivers by the previous GM from Omaha, Kim was sent back to the minors for the majority of the year last season (AA & AAA). He did get called up late in the year and P 13 innings for the Wolves. Was it enough to merit a #3 spot in the rotation? Apparently, PC Desjardins thinks so.
SP - #39 - Jonathan Merritt - Speaking of “Merits” – the 23 yo lefty Jon Merritt was claimed in the Rule 5 draft this off-season from division rival Des Moines. This kid has steamrolled his way through the Des Moines minors in 3 years going from Short A to the BBA. Let’s see if this kid lives up to his pre-season prognostications.
SP - #26 - António Rodríguez - At 21yo this lefty is another player who pitched for South Bend last season. This Pitcher from the 2038 draft class has finally made his way up to the bigs. His rise through the minors is almost as impressive as Merritt’s, going form A to the BBA in 2 seasons.
HC Yves and PC Desjardins are looking for this staff to improve on the dreadful starters ERA of north of 6.00 last season. The only thing that kept this team close was the Bullpen’s lower ERA and the team’s potent offense. When asked about his starting rotation’s execution in 2041? PC Desjardins replied “I’m in favor of it.”
BullPen
RP - #98 - José García – At 23, this righty coming over from a trade with Vegas in 2040 that sent Dayrlmple away, Garcia has worked his way through the Wolves MiLB to earn a spot on the starting 27 in 2042.
RP - #73 - Santiago Pérez- At 29yo this rightly is another Rule 5 pick in 2041. This time plucked from the Blazers organization Perez constantly bounced back and forth between MTL and AAA last season. "I think a change of scenery will do him some good." said Wolves PC Desjardins.
RP - #1 - Keith Short - At 21 this rightly was the Wolves first round (10th overall) pick from the 2039 draft, has finally made it to his first opening day roster. He did appear in some spot duty last season but that was cut short with in injury. He's coming off an 8-month shoulder injury that required surgery, the Wolves hope he can start to live up to potential.
RP - #2 - Mario Villarreal - The “FNG” or “Ol’ Man” as his fellow teammates call him. Villarreal a 32yo player signed to a MilB contract in the offseason has seen his time around the BBA (9 years). He pitched well enough to earn a spot in the Wolves bullpen rotation.
RP - #33 - Jeff Whitney - Another player singed as a MiLB FA from the previous GM a 27yo righty, Whitney is playing in his contract season, putting up 113 IP last season and has a 12-4 record since being signed by the club. He needs to play like a man inspired this year to get that big payday he hopes will be coming.
RP - #50 - Jaime Herrera - Yet another player with a Edmonton connection that came along in the #NoMons trade finally makes his way to an opening day roster BBA. This 24yo rightly bounced back and forth between AAA and the BBA since being acquired. If that Change up progresses as advertised, this could be a nice addition to the bullpen this year.
RP - #5 - Lorenzo Solís - Acquired in a trade with Chicago back in 2035, 25yo rightly Solis has spent the last 3 seasons in the Wolves bullpen, the last 2 being full-time. He’s done enough to survive the recent staff turnover by new GM Simon. Of that trade for C Luis Berrera, he is the only one left with Madison. He’s gotten the nickname of “Rasputin” from his teammates.
CL - #32 - Raphael Castagna - Castagna was supposed to be part of the “Dream Team” of back end reliever/setup/closers tandem with Bellachor. However things changed quickly for this 22yo lefty when the team lost last years All-Star closer Bellachor for 4-months due to an injury. To quote Mike Tyson HC Yves said “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth.” Let’s hope he can hold down the fort until Barracas returns sometime after the All-Star break.
Opening Day Lineup
C - #8 - John Hale - At 27, Hale was signed to an extension before the start of the 2042 season, this acquisition from Omaha continues to pay dividends behind the plate. He is well-liked in the clubhouse and provides continuity for this staff that has had some turnover.
1B - #3 - Natanael Barral - The 25yo Barral has held down the starting 1B spot for 6 years in Madison, the 25yo was recently signed to another extension that will keep him in Madison for at least through the 2046 season.
2B - #29 - David Guerra- At 23yo and perhaps the biggest (under the radar) FA signing for the Wolves this offseason was that of Guerra. With the departure of 2B Antonio Cruz in 2041, the Wolves needed to find a solid defensive player for 2B. They did so in Guerra, ink-ing him to a 4 year deal signing him away from the Jimmies. [i"]His career 8.9 ZR at 2B in his 4 BBA seasons in Charm City was something that really lead us to him."[/i] GM Simon said.
3B - #9 - Ross Quicker- The 25yo Quicker is another one of Madison players they extended in the off-season. Quicker has held down the 3B spot since 2036 for the Wolves. "He been a really dependable player for us," Yves said, "logging over 130 games for us each season he’s been with us."
SS - #15 - Salvador Allende - The 21yo is a player the Wolves acquired from the 2038 draft. Salvador has locked down the starting SS role for Madison since being called up in 2040. In his first full season at SS last year he logged a career high 768 plate appearances leading off for the team last season, and he will look to so again in 2042.
LF - #99 - Andrew Torres - Another 1st round pick for the Wolves back in 2036, the 25yo Torres has held down the starting LF spot since being called up in 2037. The 6 foot 6 lefty continues to put up the numbers Madison ownership has hoped posting a .316 / .377 / .513 slash over his 5 seasons with Madison.
CF - #24 - Declan Hounsell - The 21yo Hounsell exceeded everyone’s expectations last season making the jump from AA to the BBA. He’s back again for his 2nd season in the BBA holding down the CF spot for the Wolves. Acquired in the trade with Vegas as part of GM Simon’s first move as GM, let’s hope he avoids a “Sophomore Slump”.
RF - #23 - Manobu Shimizu - Another 2038 draft pick, the 21yo star RF lead the Wolves in almost every offensive category last season. "Not making the All-Star game last season will only lead to me to improve on my stats!" said Manobu via his interpreter. Lets hope that fire plays out well for the team.
DH - #7 - José Hernández - At 21yo, the backup 2B (starting DH) for Madison is another player who made the jump with fellow roomie Hounsell from AA to the BBA last season. "He’s got a good bat and can fill in for us at 2B when Guerra needs a rest." Yves said.
Bench
C - #14 - Manny Martínez - At 31yo, this scouting discovery of the Wolves back in 2028, Martinez has been with the organization ever since. “I’m here for days Hale needs a break.” Manny said. GM Simon said of Manny “He’s not going to give us the same offensive capabilities that Hale does, but he’s a great glove behind the plate and he can continue to work with these kids when he’s out there. He’s been with this organization for a long time and he sets a good example for these younger players on how to prepare for a game. I see coaching in his future after he decides to hang up the cleats.”
1B - #34 - Willie Carter - The 28yo FA signed to a MiLB contract in the offseason and was ecstatic to hear he made the final cut of 27. Rumor has it he shipped his pants! He’s been with Des Moines for his entire career. "He’s a great option for us as a defensive substation at 1B when needed (4x diamond glove winner), or a bat off the bench," said Yves. "It gives up options if we need them."
SS - #64 - Pedro Gómez - The 30yo offseason FA signing from Phoenix gives the team some much needed depth and versatility at every IF position. "He’s a great asset to have on your roster. It’s a long season, and we will need to count on Pedro to help us throughout the entire year." said GM Simon. "He’s a great addition to our club, if I didn't think so I wouldn't have signed him."
SS - #10 - Mauro Soto - A second round pick by the Wolves in 2036, the 23yo Soto is another versatile player like Gomez who can play any IF position when asked. He will make his first career opening day roster in 2042, playing split between Madison and South Bend last season.
RF - #31 - Pedro Martínez - Another one of GMs Simon's FA signings this off-season. Last year playing with Wichita can play multiple positions well. Appearing in 82 games for Wichita last season he is well aware of his role with this team. "His 3.6 WAR last season and his career WAR of 14.3 in RF for the Aviators is something that will provide us with providing a much-needed defensive improvement to help our pitching staff in 2042." Said Yves.
