San Antonio Young Guns
A youth movement has taken place in San Antonio, solidifying the foundation of the franchise with a new and exciting core of ballplayer. With the start of the 2043 season barreling closer, the Outlaws could, very easily, start the new season with 1/2 of it's roster 23 years old or less, and almost 3/4 of it no more than 25 years old. The metamorphosis has come about over the last 3-4 season, but has now matured enough to put the Outlaws squarely in playoff and Landis mode. A breakdown of the players and how they came to this moment makes for a very interesting read.
SP Ricardo Rivera - 22 yrs old
It makes sense to start off with the past Steve Nebraska Award winner, SP Ricardo Rivera. Rivera was a 1st round pick, 2nd overall, in the 2037 amateur draft. He made a brief appearance in 2039 with the big club during September call ups and was inserted into the starting rotation permanently in 2040, by that time he had reached #3 prospect in the BBA status. An unfortunate injury robbed him of his sophomore season in 2041, but boy did he come back with a vengeance dominating in 2042 and winning the top honor for a pitcher in the BBA. The future is as bright as it gets.
SP Seitaro Yamamoto - 23 yrs old
Yamamoto was a 7th round pick of the Mexico City Aztecs in the 2036 draft but failed to sign and finished his college career. He was then drafted by the Outlaws in the 8th round of the 2038 draft, #242 overall, and started his professional career. A very mature player, he progressed rather quickly through the organization showing advanced feel on the mound. He was briefly promoted in the 2041 season working almost strictly out of the pen and showing the same unflappable demeanor he was known for. After starting the season at AAA Austin, Yamamoto was brought up to help plug a leaky backend of the rotation for San Antonio and really blossomed. in 15 starts he went 4-6 with a 4.46 ERA, but the biggest asset was his ability to keep his team in every contest. Not sure if he will remain in the rotation but there is a spot on the opening day roster for players such as Seitaro.
SP Juan Calderon - 21 yrs old
Calderon was drafted in the 10th round, 320 overall, of the 2038 draft, and really developed quickly once he got into the strength training program at San Antonio. BY 2042, he had risen to the #98 prospect in the BBA. He hit the bigs last year for the Outlaws, working mainly out of the pen while still getting in 5 emergency starts. Great raw stuff that needs to be harnessed somewhat, it remains to be seen if he can claim a starting spot in 2043 or keep working out of the pen to cleanup his delivery.
C Octavio "Dog House" Moreno - 22 yrs old
With the retirement of HOF Catcher, and Outlaws favorite son, Dexter Sheehan in 2019 the Outlaws have been looking for his successor. Well it looks like the finally found their man in Moreno. Moreno was an International FA signing out of Mexico back in 2037. The scrawny 16 yr took some time to adjust to his new life, but once he got going it was obvious he had the right stuff. Promoted in 2040 and immediately taking over the starting Catcher position, he opened his career with a solid start. He struggled in his Sophomore season but was able to work over the offseason and jump right back to his comfort level in 2042. He was selected to his first All Star game last year and also won the JL Charles Puckett Golden Bat Award at Catcher.
1B Larry Stinson - 21 yrs old
This list would not be complete without the appearance of the newest superstar in San Antonio, 1b Larry Stinson. A 1st round pick, 6th overall, in the 2038 draft Stinson burst onto the scene last year and did not disappoint. After destroying minor league pitching, GM Calvaruso was lambasted for not promoting him in 2041 and was almost crucified, rightfully so, for wanting to start him in AAA again for 2042. It's a good thing he listened to the voices of reason and let Stinson out the gate in 2042. The 2042 JL Joe Gillstrom Newcomer of the Year winner, and the 2042 JL Charles Puckett Golden Bat award winner at 1B has superstar written all over him and should be a force for many years to come.
3B Alfredo Rosas - 22 yrs old
Rosas came to the Outlaws from the infamous 2038 Amateur Draft, being selected in the 2nd round, 45th overall. Rosas started the 2042 season in AAA Austin but was promoted mid way through the 2042 season when the need for more power became necessary for the Outlaws. He started off in a platoon with star 3B Lucio Cuellar but toward the end of the year had begun to grab more and more starts at the hot corner. He is expected to solidify his hold on the 3B job in 2043.
SS Bob Allen - 23 yrs old
You don't expect bench players to make a list like this, but this isn't your average bench player. Allen was selected by the Yellow Springs Nine in the 11th round, 350 overall, of the 2038 Amateur Draft. He was then stolen by the Outlaws in the 2042 Rule 5 Draft being selected 1st overall pick. He remained on the major roster all season and proved himself to be a huge asset. Allen became the Team Captain and really held thing together in the clubhouse all year. He made very positive contributions both offensively and defensively all year and is a Managers dream.
LF Valentin Fitas - 23 yrs old
Fitas was a 2nd round pick, 45th overall, for the Outlaws in the 2037 draft. It didn't take him long to project his dominance in the San Antonio organization and was promoted just 2 years later in 2039. He has been the starting LF for San Antonio from the moment his cleats crossed the chalk and has been one of the more steadying influences on the team.
OF Wayne Morris - 22 yrs old
Morris was a round 2 pick, 56th overall, for the Outlaws in the 2039 draft. He rose rapidly through the organization showing exceptional skill with the bat and adaptability. He was somewhat blocked due to the strong San Antonio outfield, but forced his way into the bigs with his tremendous success against LHP and a dire need from San Antonio for more offense against LHP. He will probably platoon, being in the lineup mainly against LHP n 2043 but he is capable of playing against RHP without a problem.
CF Mennac Shakes - 22 yrs old
Shakes was a 5th round draft pick, 152nd overall, by the San Antonio Outlaws in the 2038 draft. He showed advanced metrics during his time in the San Antonio minor's and a penchant for soaking up instruction. He was promoted to the majors in the 2041 season mainly for his defense, but low and behold his bat came alive. Shakes has become one of the most valuable members of the Outlaws while he patrols the Outfield like a nuclear sub under the Antarctic ice.
RF Pedro Bustamante - 22 yrs old
Bustamante is a BEAST! drafted in the 1st round, #3 overall, in the 2042 Amateur Draft, tells you everything you need to know. Pedro just obliterated AAA pitching in his short minors stint, and would not be denied his dream. He was promoted halfway through the 2042 season and his prolific power was on display from the get go, crushing 15 HR's in only 226 AB's. Solidly entrenched as the starting RF for San Antonio in 2043, it will be fun to watch balls fly out of the park every time he is at the plate.
SP Ruben Vasquez - 20 yrs old
Barring something unfortunate, the next member of the list will become an Outlaw this spring. Ruben Vasquez is on his way to becoming the newest member of the San Antonio rotation with having nothing left to prove in AAA. Vazquez was a 4th round pick, 157th overall, in the 2041 draft and has absolutely exploded. A true #1 looking starter with an devastating Changeup, he is destined for greatness and will form part of an unbelievable gauntlet for BBA Hitters with Rivera, Kondo and Carpenter in 2043.
Yes, the San Antonio Outlaws future is so bright, I gotta wear shades
