Trail Droppings 2043-11 ST Decisions - Infield

[indiansfan]

ST Decisions - Infield

The Pioneers quietly acquired several infielders toward the end of last season and now is where we find out who gets to play in the big leagues this year. It looks like we have 9 players fighting for 3-4 jobs. Lets take a look.

Locks

1B - Chairman Mao - One of the top 1B in the league, Mao is locked in at 1B.
1B/DH - Tommy Cochran - The “Manager’s Kid” is locked in to get a majority of the DH at bats.
2B/3B - Scott BellScott Bell - The only question is will he be the starting 3B again or move to 2B.

Decisions

The team needs to decide who will start at 2B, 3B, SS and whether they are carrying 1 or 2 utility guys. With a lot of arms in the bullpen and Cochran pushing for an extra outfield bat, the team could open the season with only one bench guy. Making the decision a bit easier, all of these players still have options.

Contestants

Imazighen Kibasila - Last season’s starting SS is the favorite to repeat. However he could be moved to 2B and there is even a chance he could lose his job and start off as the utility guy.

Roberto Puente - This is the guy that could bump Kibasila out of his starting job. However his glove looks weaker and the tradeoff to a better bat may not be worth it. Puente has gotten a lot of action at 2B this year in camp to see if he can make the transition. This combo would be a big defensive improvement from last season.

David Godwin - He has a shot at both the 3B job and a bench spot. The switch hitter would give the team another power bat against righties and he has the glove for 3B. He has gotten a look at 2B this Spring to see if he could at least back it up if needed.

Robinson Trujillo - He’s been on the roster the last 2 seasons, but hasn’t played good enough to guarantee a third. He can play 3B and CF, the team is hoping he can be usable at 2B and SS to make him a true utility option. There is a chance he goes down to AAA to expand his positions, but he just as easily could be with Calgary.

Jack Douglas - The Rule 5 pickup last year, is the prototypical utility guy. Good glove, speed, but limited bat. He is what he is, the only question is will it be in Calgary or Saint Paul. His future probably will be determined by the play of others more so than himself.

Alex Herman - The scouts rave about him, but on paper he looks like a career AA player. He has shown some surprising power the last 2 years and has a legit shot to make the team. In a September call up he had a .500 SLG in 14 games.

Pierre Lemaire - A lefty bat that can run and hit above average. So why isn’t he a lock for Calgary? A better outfielder then he is an infielder, to make the team he needs to show that he can field the infield better than he has so far.

Juan Valverde - Originally expected to be the team’s starting CF last year, instead he spent the whole season in the minors. A great outfield glove, the team is trying to broaden his value by giving him some games in the infield. He goes to AAA unless he wins an outfield spot.

Hector Ojeda - Another power bat that will compete at 3B. He would be the perfect platoon with Godwin if the team went that direction. That would move Bell to 2B. He will have to hit well in camp to win a spot.

Spring Training So Far

Stars - Kibasila .316, Ojeda .286 2 HR
Looking Good - Godwin .273, 1 HR, Lemaire .273
Struggling - Puente .120, Valverde .182, Herman .188
Bye Bye? - Trujillo and Douglas under 10 AB