He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

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He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

Post by FuzzyRawley » Mon May 31, 2021 3:43 pm

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Des Moines' Roster Additions

The 2047 season is upon us and well, for Des Moines, its likely that it will resemble 2046, 2045, 2044… and so on. However, maybe this season is the season that this raggedy crew plays close to .500. With a fresh cash injection and some surprise roster call ups, maybe the Kernels have a spitting chance at the middle of the Heartland Division. Of course, its more likely that once the losses start to pile, the team effort will crater like years passed. This year, Des Moines will likely sell a lot of the roster if that’s the case, but with opening day come and gone and the Kernels off to a 3-2 start, lets stay optimistic for a little while.

The first big move came during spring training when GM Webb plucked LF Brett White from the list of still available free agents. White is a popular guy who is expect to add a few more fans to the seats as he is to provide above-replacement value on the diamond. This isn’t a blockbuster deal, $5,900,000 for three years with a team option, but is the sort of value the Kernels are looking for as they attempt to rebalance the books.

The next big moves were to promote SP Deron Alexander and C Dave Butler to the major league squad. Alexander was the 6th overall pick in 2044 and at one point the #29th prospect in the BBA. Unfortunately, he veered from that path during his climb through the system and is now projected to be a mid to back end starter at best. Interestingly enough, this regression coupled with the Anthony DeYoung fiasco, caused the Kernels organization to shell out for some better pitching coaches at the AA and A levels. With high prospects Steven Clayton and Jamie Barber on the farm, GM Webb obviously wants to make sure these prospects get the best attention they can get.

Dave Butler’s promotion was also a bit of a surprise. The 22-year old never played above AA ball, but with the Kernels in need of catching depth and a “what-the-hell-let’s-try-something-different” strategy the time was right to bring up Butler. Butler was the 8th overall pick (chose after Alexander) and will hopefully develop into an above-average Catcher. It was rumoured that Webb considered his rival, C Andy Elmer when picking a back up Catcher, but Butler’s pedigree meant it he got the nod. What happens to Elmer this season will be wholly dependent on Butler’s rookie season.

SP Daniel Camacho debuts this season in the starting rotation after auditioning in the bullpen and filling in the rotation in 2047. Camacho certainly didn’t do anything that turned heads last season, but Webb is hoping that a fresh injection into the starting rotation inches them up the standings.

Rule 5er Rafael Sanchez will split Shortstop with Hal Thorne. Cleary, Webb’s goal at this position is to keep it warm with replacement-level talent until uber prospect SS Felix Parreno makes his debut. Also at Shortstop, perennial minor leaguer Sidney Ballard finally makes the squad. Ballard never made much of an impression in the minors, but his versatility in the middle infield means he’s finally warranted a shot at the majors.

Finally, the biggest non-roster move was the increase of ticket prices to $13. Des Moines has long lacked a stable financial base in which to make targeted acquisitions and coupled with a few bad contracts out there has meant that the Kernels can only improve from within. This has made for an exhausting and confusing go forward plan which was aptly covered in the media guide. Right now, the Kernels are just trying to create a stable business model in hopes that raw draft picks will develop into great players at the same time as the expenses side of the sheet opens up.

The core of the Kernels roster remains pretty much the same as last season. The front office is surely hoping that some of these players finally live up to their potential like 2B Yang, Hugh Mangrouthormone and Anastasio Guillen but with the starting rotation looking like its going to struggle again, the best this team can really hope for is a balanced budget courtesy of an increase in attendance. On the positive side, the Kernels have the first overall pick and some money in the bank to go dumpster diving on the waiver wire. At least that’s an improvement from last season.
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Re: He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

Post by Dington » Mon May 31, 2021 3:48 pm

You plan on keeping Parreno at SS?
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Re: He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

Post by FuzzyRawley » Mon May 31, 2021 4:08 pm

Dington wrote:
Mon May 31, 2021 3:48 pm
You plan on keeping Parreno at SS?
Hoping he develops there, but OF is certainly a possibility if he doesn't improve.
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Re: He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

Post by Dington » Mon May 31, 2021 10:11 pm

FuzzyRawley wrote:
Mon May 31, 2021 4:08 pm
Dington wrote:
Mon May 31, 2021 3:48 pm
You plan on keeping Parreno at SS?
Hoping he develops there, but OF is certainly a possibility if he doesn't improve.
Yeah he seems to be a decent outfielder. Maybe even 2B if he develops a little bit, but SS is a stretch. Great player though.
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Re: He Who Walks Behind the Rows Vol. 6. Ep. 1

Post by 7teen » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:15 am

I personally would like to see Parreno's uniform number switched to 20. "Matchbox" 20
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