SP Sebastien Durand
The European import wasted no time in impressing management in his first big league spring action, posting a 0.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP while striking out 19 in 19.1 IP across 5 starts. Durand begin the season in the #4 starter slot, behind Castillo, Maeda, and Ramos. He put up great numbers in his EBA career, hopefully he can adjust quickly to the MBWBA game and be an effective starter at a bargain price.
SP Atsumori Maeda
Maeda impressed before the spring even started by popping his control from 7 to 8. Huzzah! He posted great spring numbers, putting up a 0.98 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while striking out 13 in 18.1 innings across 5 starts. Maeda looked like a rookie at times in 2021, but posted a solid campaign overall. He'll look to improve in the #2 starter spot behind Castillo in 2022.
RP Julio Ortiz
Ortiz surprised management while pitching in a LOOGY role in the Spring, posting a 1.04 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP while striking out 20 in 17.1 innings. He will continue in the LOOGY role out of the pen to start the season. A hard landing place to be sure for the guy that was acquired as the lefty ace of the future, but if he pitches well this season he'll be an effective LOOGY with 10 stamina. He could appear in 162 games...
RP Luis Ramirez
Ramirez continues to baffle Omaha brass. He was ok as a reliever in 2021. Then, he was moved to the rotation at the end of the season and he was incredible. He pitched out of the pen in spring training to the tune of a 0.71 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 12.2 innings. After all that, he's gonna start the season in the rotation at AAA Halifax. He's only 22 and hopefully getting a ton of innings will let him develop some control.