Preseason 2039
Hat tip to Edmonton's Chris Robillard who introduced this awesome format.
- 2038 TEAM BATTING LEADERS
Batting Average Quant Kouros .304
On-Base Pct Quant Kouros .399
Slugging Pct Carlos Camacho .493
OPS Quant Kouros .842
wOBA Quant Kouros .359
Games Quant Kouros 158
At-Bats Quant Kouros 629
Runs Quant Kouros 128
Hits Quant Kouros 191
Total Bases Quant Kouros 279
Singles Quant Kouros 127
Doubles Quant Kouros 49
Triples Quant Kouros 6
Home Runs Carlos Camacho 28
RBIs Carlos Camacho 98
Stolen Bases Quant Kouros 68
Caught Stealing Quant Kouros 19
Walks Quant Kouros 82
Strikeouts Carlos Camacho 125
Sure Fire Locks (9):
Antonio Robles (C)
Marcus Forryan (C)
Sancho Castillo (3B)
Miguel Rodriguez (SS)
Quant Kouros (2B)
Henry Rectenberg (RF)
Tom Rudge (CF)
Eliseu Satino (LF/DH)
Carlos Camacho (LF)
Robles is back as the primary catcher, and FA signee Forryan will be his platoon partner. Kouros, Rodriguez and Castillo are the starting infielders from 2B to 3B. The starting outfield is set with Camacho, Rudge and Rectenberg and Satino figures to be the primary DH this year after dabbling at first base last year.
Near Locks (1):
Gervasio Ridder (1B)
Ridder didn't play much in the second half of last year, but after he declined his player opt-out he's back. The Hustlers are going to give him primary playing time against righties at first base to start the year barring something unforeseen.
Trying To Break In (7):
Richard Wishart (1B)
Raul Alilea (2B/1B)
Ron Dumont (1B)
Bart Cluett (UT)
Herve Billy (UT)
Francisco Mendez (CF)
Sadaharu Oh III (OF)
Unlike the pitching staff which is restricted by lack of player options, the position players are quite flexible. In fact, only Wishart and Billy are out of options and neither has a stranglehold on a roster spot. Dumont is a longshot to make the team, and he'll probably be at Milwaukee once again. Alilea did exactly what he was supposed to last season after being called up, and seems to have the inside track on a spot. Billy and Cluett are fighting for a utility role, and Billy probably has the inside track which would allow Cluett to get regular playing time in Milwaukee. Oh III still has one option, so despite the fact that he's clearly a big leaguer, he could go back down if that's what the roster calls for. Mendez is nearly ready, but the Hustlers want to see him produce at the AAA level.
Breaking In The Back Door (NRI) (9):
Craig Jensen (C)
Jimmy Strambi (1B)
Mike England (SS/IF/OF)
Phil Logan (3B/IF)
Otto Altaner (1B)
Desiderius Kirschbaum (LF/RF)
Chad Garrett (OF)
Trdat Kazarov (OF)
Jose Cota (OF)
Again, unlike the out getter NRI's, some of these guys have a real chance at either making the Opening Day Roster or at least contributing throughout the year. First and foremost are two offseason MLC signees in Strambi and Kirschbaum. Strambi has a real chance of beating out Wishart for a roster spot. Kirschbaum could make the team as a pinch hitter. Then there's the prospects. England and Logan are extremely close to the big leagues- it'll be interesting to see how that shakes out. Garrett is ticketed for Milwaukee, as is Altaner who seemingly has been a top prospect for years and is finally beginning to get close to realizing some of his potential. The veteran depth guys are Jensen, Kazarov and Cota. Vegas expects to give Cota some infield work in Milwaukee this year in the hopes of developing him as a utility player.