2051.2: Reinforcements

GM: Fred Holmes

Moderator: Rubaboo

User avatar
Rubaboo
BBA GM
Posts: 2183
Joined: Tue May 27, 2014 9:09 pm
Location: Chippewa Falls, WI
Has thanked: 200 times
Been thanked: 319 times

2051.2: Reinforcements

Post by Rubaboo » Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:10 am

Roster expansion is an interesting time on the BBA calendar. Teams that are out of it can call up those top prospects that have been clubbing AAA all season to get a look at them against big league talent. Teams that have already secured their place in the post season can give some players a break and try to go into the October tournament as healthy and ready as they can be. The middle teams have choices to make. If you're in the thick of a closely contested race, calling up that AAAA guy who's been on your 40 man for 2 seasons to see what he has can cost you a shot at the playoffs. Resting your superstar can cost you games. Not calling up those guys and running your top players into the ground down the stretch can have them fatigued or, worse yet, injured heading into the postseason can change the entire trajectory of your season. The decisions on September 1st can be fascinating for those paying attention.

The calendar ticking over to September 2051 finds the Aztecs in a fight with Calgary and Phoenix for supremacy in the JL Frontier. The Aztecs had a half game lead over the Pioneers as of September 1st and had a few players playing through minor knocks. Also relevant to Mexico City decision makers, the schedule. Due to perpetually inclement weather, the Aztecs again have a September slate packed with game days and devoid of rest days. 30 games in 30 days, to be precise. So what to do? Can the Aztecs affort to dilute their talent pool by calling up players who weren't deemed able enough to contribute for the first 5 months of the season with Calgary and Phoenix breathing down their necks? In a word, maybe.

Mexico City essentially ended up bringing in 4 players on roster expansion day, 3 pitchers and one position player. The following players made the trip east from Cabo to Mexico City on September 1st:

SP Arthur Dunn
- Dunn has been a top pitching prospect in the Aztec system since he was drafted 48th overall in 2047. He was picked as a potential top-end reliever before adding a quality Kunckle Curve and moving to the rotation. The 22 year old started the season in AA, dominating over 23 starts before being moved to AAA at the end of July. He started 5 games for Los Cabos and was again, dominant. Despite his inexperience at the top minor league level and not yet being eligible for the Rule 5, the Aztecs promoted Dunn to the 40 man and immediately stuck him in the big league rotation. To say that his first week in the bigs went well would be an understatement. In starts against Charm City and San Antonio, Dunn pitched 14.2 innings, allowing 3 runs and striking out 17 against only 4 walks. If this is an audition for a full-time big league rotation spot in 2052, it's a good one. Expect Dunn to keep starting every 5th or 6th day until the end of September.

RP Richard Lawrence
- Tecnhically not a roster expansion move, I guess, as Lawrence was called up a week before expansion day, but we're counting it. Cast as a starter throughout his minor league career thus far, Lawrence projects as a reliver in the bigs and was inserted into that role upon his arrival. He's made 3 appearances over the first two weeks of his big league career and has been mostly fine. He got dinged in a big loss against San Antonio but has been clean otherwise, allowing a grand total of 2 runs over his first 6 big league innings. Lawrence has the ratings to pitch in the bigs and could be absolutely lethal if he can work on adding some velocity.

Utility Player Daryl Tibbett
- A Rule 5 pickup from Calgary last season, Tibbett impressed in 2050 but was sent down to AAA this season both because he had available options and the team wanted him to get some at bats that he wouldn't have gotten for the big club. He was very solid in Cabo but has failed to re-create his 2050 performance this season in the BBA both in September and during a cameo appearance earlier in the season. Tibbett is a solid utility player and should provide some depth for Mexico City down the stretch.

RP Quincy Bresnahan
- A LOOGY that's been on the big league roster for a good chunk of the season, Bresnahan has found himself to be a bit of a yo-yo, bouncing back and forth between Mexico City and Cabo a number of times this season as the team has moved pieces around. He's back for September and probably beyond. Who doesn't love a good LOOGY?

These four are where the Aztecs have placed their hopes thus far, although team sources indicate that two-time third round pick Campbell Honshorst has impressed the front office with his work in AAA this season and may get a look as well. Much will likely depend on how the race shapes up over the last several weeks.
Fred Holmes
General Manager
Mexico City Aztecs - BBA

BBA Champs - 2052
JL Champs - 2027, 2052
JL MW Champs - 2022, 2023, 2024, 2027
JL Sun Belt Champs - 2035, 2036, 2038
JL Frontier Champs - 2051, 2052
JL Manager of the Year - 2023, 2024, 2026, 2052

User avatar
CTBrewCrew
GB: FL Heartland Division Director
Posts: 5110
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 11:20 am
Location: Milford, CT
Has thanked: 923 times
Been thanked: 1316 times

Re: 2051.2: Reinforcements

Post by CTBrewCrew » Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:50 am

Loogy!

Image
Image

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “Mexico City Aztecs”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests