2063.10: Rummaging Bears - Starting Pitchers

[BaseClogger]

3/7/2063


How well are our spring campers' picnic baskets secured?

Sure-Fire Locks
SP Alexander Swanson, SP Ielemia Faletose, SP Morris Chapa, SP Jerry Richards, SP Rick Marriott

The five-man rotation is more locked-in than past years, which is ironic since it's the weakest rotation I feel like I've had since 2056. Swanson is the most deserving member of the staff after finishing the 2062 campaign at #23 on Ron's SP ranking list. Faletose finished #137 but his $14M salary cements his place. His lacking control makes him look more like a reliever these days but at least his movement bumped to 8. Chapa was #49 thanks to an unsustainable 3.63 ERA--his 4.64 FIP aligns better with his current ratings. Richards spent a little time in the bullpen due to his 5+ ERA and ranked #173. His ratings seem to be right on the edge of 5-6-7 and I'm hopeful he can pitch closer to his 2062 FIP. Finally, Marriott returns to the rotation after pitching 13 innings in 2062 coming back from injury. He bumped a point of control thanks to a dev lab program.

Near Locks
None

Trying to Break-In
RP Morgan Tomsett, SP Orhan Atil

Entering 2062, Tomsett was our ace and statistically one of the better pitchers in the Frick. Now, after a 5.86 ERA season, he'll be lucky to have a bullpen role and spot start as needed. Atil spent most of 2062 in the Bears' bullpen with a sub-4 ERA and FIP. The left-hander has questionable intangibles so I'm not shy about using his second option this year to hide his bad attitude in AAA.

Breaking in the Back Door
SP Zhuo-cheng Sa, SP Tomas Franco, SP Xavier Vargas, SP Augusto Gonzalez

Sa is running out of time to develop his off-speed pitches and get that stuff up to 5 where I'd be more comfortable starting him in the BBA. Franco will require an emergency to receive starts since he was mediocre in AAA Brooks and has been essentially replacement-level during his time in the majors. Vargas was a little better in AAA and had a couple of good years in Valencia. 21 year-old Gonzalez is the up-and-comer here who should taste AAA first and refine his repertoire before he sees Brewster action.