44.10 2044 Pitching Forecast

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With the departures of Miguel Ramos (Boise), Luis Gracia (Mexico City), and Cisco Morales (Phoenix), the Mad Popes, and more specifically GM Shoeless, are working through their first offseason with multiple openings and questions surrounding their starting rotation. But, with many promising youngsters working their way through various levels of the minors, the hope is this season's shortcomings will soon be remedied.


2044 Starting Staff

#1 Ace Dani Garcia will rightfully fill the #1 starter position. His 3.23 ERA led a strong stable of veteran starters in 2043, and the Popes will rely heavily on Garcia's young arm in 2044.

#2 The other lock for a starting position is young left-hander Eustace Tilley. The 23-year-old was a September call-up for the Popes last season, posting a strong 3.56 ERA and 4.23 FIP in 11 starts.

#3 Veteran left-hander and 2035 Landis champion with the California Crusaders Knud Zeitler will be handed the #3 position on the staff due to his strong track record of success. The Popes will be praying heavily to the OOTP gods for Zeitler, who is classified as wrecked by the Brewster Scouting Consortium, to remain healthy through the year. A strong 2044 season will likely see Zeitler execute his player opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent (please be a comp A... or, hell, even a comp B).

#4 and #5 Well, this is a disaster. Minor league free agents Mark Perkins and Francis Trujillo will get the initial nod to pitch in these spots due to their propensity to induce groundballs, their strong showings in AAA last season, and decent spring trainings. Waiting in the wings for any mishaps are Rule 5 pickup Manuel Ortiz, a guy who should be pitching in the UMEBA in Maxime Manceau, team captain Matt Miller, and any other shlub on the league's waiver wire.


2044 Bullpen

The bullpen is entirely intact from a very strong 2043 which saw the Popes ranked second in the Frick in bullpen ERA. Several within the organization wished to see strong high leverage relievers and former starters Manuel Andres and Marco Vitalle moved to the starting rotation, but the decision was made to leave the pair in the bullpen. The plan is to get both pitchers close to 140 innings this season. 2043 All-Star closer Manuel Cruz will be asked to close out close games again this season. Long relievers Jose Zamora and Shotaro Kawamura will be looked upon to provide solid middle inning relief once again.


On the Horizon

Despite the lack of solid arms in the rotation this season in Sacramento, the Mad Popes are looking forward to several promising youngsters in their minor leagues.

Ready in 2045:
SP Kevin O'Toole -- A solid left-hander with three solid pitches and above average control. A bump could certainly help, but the 2040 first rounder will assuredly be a September call-up and a front-runner for a spot in the 2045 rotation.
SP Marvin Winston -- A high movement right-hander with a bit of development left to go. The 2042 first round pick with an extreme groundball profile should play nicely with the Pope's #1-rated infield defense from a year ago. A sure-fire September call-up.
SP Jim Pollock -- A former 14th round selection in 2042, the bump-happy left-hander was originally drafted as a first baseman out of Houston, TX. The lanky southpaw features four pitches and will likely see a September call-up as well.
RP Aurelio Perez -- A righty bullpen arm, Perez will fall in nicely with an already strong and signed-long-term relief core.

Ready in 2046:
SP James Ward
RP Pedro German


Conclusion

Just get us to 2045 without completely falling apart.

[HoosierVic]

May the spirit of Camacho guide you ... but if he tries to get you on a plane to Bucharest, feign a stomach ailment ...

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May the spirit of Camacho guide you ... but if he tries to get you on a plane to Bucharest, feign a stomach ailment ...

Wait... can Camacho pitch?