players currently competing for spots in the bullpen:This is a series that I have stolen from the Jackrabbits, where we will evaluate each position leading into and during the early stages of Spring Training. Only players currently on the 40 man roster will be included in this series as prospects will be looked at in upcoming weeks. This is the last and final piece of our eleven position series that will be posted. In this final part, we will take a look at the bullpen Omaha will trot out.
Spike Wagner
Armando Rasquilha
Horiuchi Sasaki
Guomez Berge
Ken Spencer
Astika Ramadhin
Maximo Trevino
David Rivas
Pavel Bure Jr
Jose Canales
Wow, talk about a traffic jam. That is 10 members of the organization all fighting to secure a spot in the Omaha bullpen that many thought was the downfall of the club last season. Of those 10 members, only 6 of them were a part of the team last season as Omaha as the club was aggressive in finding relievers over the off-season.
Let’s start at the top:
Wagner: Wagner is a 50/50 chance right now. He is out of minor league options so the team would need to pass him through waivers in order to move him down to the minor leagues. His 4 movement does not fair well in Omaha, but could do okay in other parks.
Rasquilha was acquired from Wichita and with no options remaining is a shoe in for a spot in the bullpen. Rasquilha is very good against right handed batters.
Sasaki more than likely will make it despite a rough season last year. He is out of options as well, further pushing the teams hand on this.
Berge was a rule 5 pick from Las Vegas and all indications are the club plans to keep him as they have not sent him back yet. Look for Berge to take a spot in the bullpen.
Spencer is a solid left handed pitcher, who does struggle against right handed batters. Look for Spencer to retain his spot in the bullpen and focus mainly on getting left handed batters out at the plate.
Ramadhin, like Radquilha was acquired in the Wichita trade so is likely guaranteed a spot in the bullpen. The opposite of Radquilha however, Ramadhin excels against lefties at the plate.
Trevino is the most likely to get sent down to AAA Lincoln to work on his skills. He had a 5.40 ERA last season and struggled at getting batters out as well as limiting his walks as showcased by his walks being more than his batters struck out.
Rivas is going to get another shot in the setup role this year. He had a rough 2037 after a very showing in both 2035 and 2036. His poor showing in 2037 very well was inflated by some poor fielding in Omaha and by some bad luck as his BABIP rose substantially last season.
Bure Jr was just signed to a 3 year deal and figures to mentor Rivas in the setup role. Bure had a solid 2037 season spread among 3 teams but did struggle a bit with walks, as he always has.
Canales is without a doubt the closer. He resigned with the club, and has been the clubs finisher since 2033 accumulating 215 saves in those 5 seasons. Along with an ERA around 3 and a WHIP of 1.10.
The bullpen could be fluid throughout the year, but more than likely the front office will not devote 15 roster spots to the pitching staff. Somebody will have to go. Our best bets are Trevino & Berge.
