WHIV 2036.7- Hustlers 2036 Spring Training Outlook

[recte44]

Hustlers 2036 Spring Training Outlook
February 26, 2036

As the Las Vegas Hustlers enter the 2036 season and go to Spring Training with the ultimate goal of getting back to the postseason, there are more Opening Day roster spots up for grabs than this reporter can remember in recent history. Let's take a look at the Hustlers' Spring Training Roster and how the battles line up as GM Matt Rectenwald tries to build his 27 man roster.

Pitching Staff (12-13 spots available)

Locks (7):
SP Hyun-sik Chang (8/7/8 Ratings)
SP Gerardo Fajardo (7/7/8 Ratings)
SP Chin Kim (9/6/7 Ratings)
CL Shawn Huber (10/7/7 Ratings)
RP Augate Balun (10/7/7 Ratings)
RP Tony Medine (10/7/7 Ratings)

Print their jerseys, these seven hurlers have already made the team barring unforseen circumstances. Chang, Fajardo and Kim will anchor the rotation while Huber, Balun and Medine are the "Big Three" of the Hustlers' bullpen.

Good Bets (4):
SP Hao Kun (8/6/7 Ratings)
SP Jesus Lopez (9/6/8 Ratings)
SP Floyd Carter (6/6/9 Ratings)
RP Maximo Trevino (9/8/6 Ratings)

Kun is ticketed for a rotation spot, and given his late season performance for Vegas last year he seems entrenched barring collapse. The Hustlers hope that Lopez will finally harness his premium talent into results this year, and he has a leg up on the knuckleballing veteran Carter for the final rotation spot. The loser of the competition figures to be in the bullpen regardless. Trevino was a big part of the bullpen last year in his Rule 5 season, and figures to be a part of it in 2036 as well.

Battling (6):
RP Ruben Vargas (7/6/7 Ratings)
RP Alistair Grieves (9/6/8 Ratings)
RP Manuel Orozco (8/7/6 Ratings)
RP Alphonse Salvarini
RP Powell Canning (7/7/7 Ratings)
RP Corey Jackson (9/6/5 Ratings)

Vargas served as the Hustlers' LOOGY last year and performed well. He'll try to hang onto that role in the Spring. Grieves was converted full time to a reliever in the offseason, and has no options remaining so he does have an advantage in the battle. Jackson is also out of options, but faces an uphill battle to make the team. Canning peformed well in a September audition for the Hustlers but has options remaining so he might be the victim of a numbers game. Orozco is in his first big league camp with a true chance to make a difference at some point this season, but seems destined for AAA. Keep an eye on Salvarini, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training who could put himself on the radar with a big Spring.

Spring Training Exposure (6):
RP Javier Garcia (9/6/5 Ratings)
SP Alvin Chartrand (8/7/4 Ratings)
RP Wayne Jackson (7/7/6 Ratings)
RP Joey Flannery (6/6/8 Ratings)
RP Masahiko Nemoto (7/7/6 Ratings)
RP Alfonso Archuleta (6/7/6 Ratings)

Flannery got a taste of the bigs last September, but still needs development in the minors. Garcia was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and could be an interesting arm to watch. Chartrand was the Hustlers' top prospect, but control issues are beginning to pop up. Jackson is a 19 year old who has flown through the Vegas system. Nemoto and Archuleta are also non-roster invitees who might have a chance to contribute down the road.

Position Players (14-15 spots available)

Locks (8):
C Hank Brewer (8/7/7/7/7 Ratings)
1B Gervasio Ridder (8/8/7/6/8 Ratings)
2B Quant Kouros (9/8/2/6/10 Ratings)
3B Antonio Baca (7/8/7/5/7 Ratings)
SS Antonio Cruz (7/8/6/5/7 Ratings)
CF Juan Sweetworld (7/7/5/4/9 Ratings)
RF Jayden Harsnett (6/7/7/9/5 Ratings)
DH Henry Rectenberg (8/7/7/7/7 Ratings)

These are the Hustlers' core offensive players, and no surprise here that all eight of these players already have a locker set up in the home clubhouse of The Casino by Moe Fugger back in Vegas.

Good Bets (2):
3B Kazuo Yamamoto (5/5/7/7/6 Ratings)
SS Kagehisa Echi (6/6/3/4/9 Ratings)

Both of these Japanese natives have a leg up on roster spots based on their production late last season. Yamamoto figures to play in a time share with Baca at the hot corner, while Echi would share time at shortstop with Cruz.

Battles (17):
C Robinson Lopez (5/5/8/4/6 Ratings)
C Benjamin Clark (6/7/5/4/9 Ratings)
C Jeffery Warren (7/6/3/4/9 Ratings)
2B Alberto Benitez (7/7/6/2/8 Ratings)
UT Ricardo Serna (5/5/4/7/8 Ratings)
UT Felix Avila (5/4/5/8/7 Ratings)
UT Carlos Torres (5/4/4/6/6 Ratings)
UT Miguel Rodriguez (5/5/2/7/7 Ratings)
UT Michel Lambert (6/7/2/3/8 Ratings)
2B Jeaic Dalyell (7/7/1/3/9 Ratings)
OF Albie Racist (7/8/8/5/5 Ratings)
OF Brian Bender (7/6/7/6/6 Ratings)
OF Yoriyuki Kawashima (6/7/5/3/6 Ratings)
OF Hector Gomez (7/7/7/4/6 Ratings)
OF Antonio Cortez (7/7/6/4/7 Ratings)
OF Travis Lara (6/6/6/6/6 Ratings)

Breaking this down a bit more, the first three are battling for the role of backup catcher. Warren and Clark are on the 40-man roster, with Clark having minor league options left. However, Lopez could win the job with his superior defense and power. Let's say the utility players are fighting for two spots, and the outfielders for another two (assuming 13 pitchers make the roster). Benitez and Dalyell are at a disadvantage due to their lack of versatility, but a case could be made for either as well. Torres did establish himself last year as a decent utility player, so he's in the lead for a spot. Avila will need to prove himself as his stint with the Hustlers last season was unimpressive. Lambert shines in defensive ability, versatiity and speed...but can he hit? Rodriguez is one to keep an eye on after an impressive Florida Prospect League campaign, and the lefty swinging Serna is an interesting up-and-comer as well. In the outfield, it would be an upset to see Gomez and Cortez not make the club and ultimately platoon with each other in left field. That would leave Bender as the odd man out to start the season, just as he was last year. Kawashima has options remaining so he's likely going to AAA. Lara is back with the Hustlers organization after bombing with Yellow Springs last year...has his attitude changed at all? Racist would figure primarily as a bench bat and his hopes may hang on the decision of how many pitchers the Hustlers will carry.

Spring Training Exposure (3):
C Luis Valdes (6/7/4/3/6 Ratings)
1B Akinori Oshima (7/7/6/5/7 Ratings)
3B Ron Dumont (7/7/6/4/7 Ratings)

The Hustlers signed Valdes as a minor league free agent this offseason and want to take a peek at him. Oshima and Dumont are both prospects who don't figure to play a big role this season, but will in the not-so-distant future. With Ridder having a Contract Opt-Out decision to make after this season, their time may be coming quickly.