Among those invited, the clubs top prospect Wilson Estrada appears to not only be invited, but penciled in to start at first base against right handed pitchers. Ramiro Cheron, who was acquired in the off-season is also penciled in to start behind the plate every other day. With the roster the way it is and Omaha’s past history, it could be a sign of things to come and a clue that Estrada and Cheron are not sent back to Lincoln when the season officially kicks off.
That move would of course risk Estrada being super 2 eligible and also eliminate the extra year of team control for both players if Omaha elected to not send them down for a few weeks to begin the season.
Carlos Silva is another to keep an eye on. With the open rotation spot after the trade of Arrelano, Silva was thought to at least get a look, however, it appears that Silva is going to pitch in middle relief for the spring and Juan Garcia will move into the rotation.
Neither Estrada nor Silva was added to the club 40 man roster, while Cheron was already a member of the 40 man roster.
Also of note, it looks like Raul Luna is getting another shot at closing out games, after a disastrous 2042 that showcased 10 blown saves in 28 opportunities in route to a 6.88 ERA.
Patrick Whitlock, who was another new face, is currently slotted in the setup role as it appears Omaha is abandoning its 3 men “stopper system” it ran with in 2042 as Medine, Rodriguez, and Hayashi all find new roles in the bullpen in the spring.
vs Left-Handed Pitching
It appears against left handed pitching, the club is finally making the right move and letting Starks lead off, and having Monger hit right behind him before getting into the power alley of Ordonez, Marin, Morales, and Diaz. Cheron, Ly, and Montano round out the bottom. Interestingly enough Ly led off against both righties and lefties last season, odd considering his struggles against left handed pitchers. The middle of the order power of Ordonez, Marin, Morales, and Diaz, who average who average 8.5 in power on a 10 scale should place some fear into opposing pitchers. The lineup, similar to last season is very right handed heavy with only Starks and Ly having the ability to hit from the left side of the plate.
vs Right-Handed Pitching
This is where it gets even more interesting if you're a Hawks fan. After the club had basically all right handed batters last season, the off-season was spent bringing in some impact bats who hit left handed. Boy, do they look good on paper. This lineup now could essentially go L,R,L,R all the way to the bottom however it's looking like Andre Ly is going to lead off followed by top prospect Wilson Estrada, who are both left handed. Ordonez will bat third before new outfielder Jaime Geerdinkck bats clean up, another left handed bat. Morales, White go next, alternating sides of the plate before Cheron, Monger, and Montano wrap it up. Notably missing from the lineup against right handed pitching is Jimmy Starks Jr.
Pitching Staff:
