WHIV 2038.9- Checking The Locks: Infielders

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WHIV 2038.9- Checking The Locks: Infielders

Post by recte44 » Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:08 am

Checking The Locks: Infielders (6-7)
Preseason 2038


Sure Fire Locks:
Gervasio Ridder
Quant Kouros
Antonio Cruz
Miguel Rodriguez

The presumtive starting infield for the Hustlers. Ridder is not the Ridder of old, but still a solid option at first base. Expect him to play less against lefties again this season. Kouros has become even better than the Hustlers imagined offensively, and just about what they figured as a sub-par defensive second baseman. He can slide over to first base against lefties. Cruz's hold on a starting spot is the most precarious of this quartet, as of now he's the starting third baseman against righties but facing competition from several players. He's a big part of the team no matter what role he plays. Rodriguez is one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, and what he contributes as an OBP guy is just enough offensively to not be a black hole at the bottom of the lineup.

Near Locks:
Richard Wishart

Wishart, now out of options, is as near of a lock as they come. His power will make him a valuable platoon player, likely playing every day vs. lefties as the DH.

Trying To Get In The Door:
Ron Dumont
Antonio Baca
Kazuo Yamamoto

Dumont had an eye-opening September for the Hustlers, but his skills are fairly similar to Wishart which probably leads him to Milwaukee (AAA) to start the year. It's been a steady fall for Baca from the third baseman of the future, to a platoon guy, to now having to have a good spring to avoid falling out of the Hustlers plans altogether. Yamamoto will get a chance to earn a job on the roster, and it's not far fetched to think he could earn the heavy half of the third base platoon.

Breaking In The Back Door (NRI):
Sancho Castillo
Bart Cluett
Julian Fernandez
Raul Alilea
Mario Rodriguez
Mike England
Danny Walker

A laundry list of the Hustlers' prospects received Spring Training invitations. The list is highlighted by Castillo, who is inching closer and closer to the big leagues. Alilea is probably the next closest but the club would like to give him more development time in the minors. Fernandez has been an interesting but frustrating prospect as his talents haven't generated equal results. England is arguably the Hustlers top position player spec. He is still a ways away from big league consideration and it is yet to be determined if he's a full time player or a super utility type. The same appies to Walker, who has forced his way into some long term plans. Cluett is a versatile bench type, and Rodriguez (let's call him the "other Rodriguez") gives the Hustlers some middle infield depth in camp.

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