WHIV 2044.9- Promise in the Minor Leagues
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:42 pm
WHIV 2044.9- Promise in the Minor Leagues
July 21, 2044
The Las Vegas Hustlers are hot garbage this year. There is simply no sugar-coating it. Just Wichita stands between the Hustlers and the Johnson League basement. While there are some small victories to be celebrated at the big league level, the bigger picture is always in the minor leagues. The Hustlers don't rank as a top minor league system but under Matt Rectenwald, they rarely have. Let's take a look at the records:
That's right, four out of the five Hustlers affiliates are in first place. The one that isn't is in second place. While the Las Vegas winning percentage is trending towards .400, the minor league percentage is in excess of .600.
The Las Vegas organization prides themselves on finding underappreciated players and seeing them have success. Three players on the current roster are in that category.
Reggie Leeper was a one time top pick with Montreal, but never quite broke through. With a fuzzy catching situation, the Hustlers got him included in the Geestman trade this offseason. It took a while for Leeper to get his chance, but once he did he's been on fire.
Carlos Fernandez is exactly the type of player who wouldn't be on other teams top prospects lists, but with the Hustlers he is. Having just got his call to the big leagues, the second baseman was immediately placed in the leadoff role and capped his first week in the BBA with a three homer game.
For a truly deep dive, take the case of Patrick Cross. He's a nobody from nowhere that previous GM Brett Schroeder picked up from Vancouver for some reason. With nothing else to lose this year, the Hustlers decided to give the eye/avoid K fielding first player a shot at the big leagues. He's been damned impressive (except for his inexpicable -5 ZR).
So who are the next unknowns to get their shot? One to watch from each of the minor league teams:
Lou Bow, LF, Milwaukee (AAA)- This 2041 eight round pick was languishing in Class A ball when new management took over. He's now all the way to AAA (hey, that rhymes) and figures to get a look soon enough.
Jeff Skinner, RHP, Reno (AA)- He was sent back to AA Reno this year to serve as a starter and get more innings in. Skinner profiles as a dependable reliever quite soon.
Jesus Rodriguez, RHP, Pahrump (A)- Third time's a charm for Rodriguez in Class A. He's still just 21 years old and could now move quickly.
Seika Nagano, OF, Kingston (S A)- Forget the stats, he's just 17 years old and straight out of Rockville's international complex. When the Hustlers asked for him in a recent trade, it's rumored that Rockville's reply was succinct. "Who?"
For a special bonus, here's THREE from the Rookie club in Roswell!\
Shigenobu Takeuchi, RHP and Dong-su Yi, RHP are two of the Hustlers recent international signings. At ages 18 and 19, respectively, they are already showing success and promise at this level.
Then there's this year's second round draft choice, Justin Christian. Christian was on no one's radar as a center fielder, which is what he was listed as in the draft pool. He's one heck of a decent lefty pitching prospect, however, and though it cost the Hustlers $5.5 million to get him signed, they think he'll be worth every penny.
July 21, 2044
The Las Vegas Hustlers are hot garbage this year. There is simply no sugar-coating it. Just Wichita stands between the Hustlers and the Johnson League basement. While there are some small victories to be celebrated at the big league level, the bigger picture is always in the minor leagues. The Hustlers don't rank as a top minor league system but under Matt Rectenwald, they rarely have. Let's take a look at the records:
- minor leagues.png (65.54 KiB) Viewed 355 times
The Las Vegas organization prides themselves on finding underappreciated players and seeing them have success. Three players on the current roster are in that category.
Reggie Leeper was a one time top pick with Montreal, but never quite broke through. With a fuzzy catching situation, the Hustlers got him included in the Geestman trade this offseason. It took a while for Leeper to get his chance, but once he did he's been on fire.
Carlos Fernandez is exactly the type of player who wouldn't be on other teams top prospects lists, but with the Hustlers he is. Having just got his call to the big leagues, the second baseman was immediately placed in the leadoff role and capped his first week in the BBA with a three homer game.
For a truly deep dive, take the case of Patrick Cross. He's a nobody from nowhere that previous GM Brett Schroeder picked up from Vancouver for some reason. With nothing else to lose this year, the Hustlers decided to give the eye/avoid K fielding first player a shot at the big leagues. He's been damned impressive (except for his inexpicable -5 ZR).
So who are the next unknowns to get their shot? One to watch from each of the minor league teams:
Lou Bow, LF, Milwaukee (AAA)- This 2041 eight round pick was languishing in Class A ball when new management took over. He's now all the way to AAA (hey, that rhymes) and figures to get a look soon enough.
Jeff Skinner, RHP, Reno (AA)- He was sent back to AA Reno this year to serve as a starter and get more innings in. Skinner profiles as a dependable reliever quite soon.
Jesus Rodriguez, RHP, Pahrump (A)- Third time's a charm for Rodriguez in Class A. He's still just 21 years old and could now move quickly.
Seika Nagano, OF, Kingston (S A)- Forget the stats, he's just 17 years old and straight out of Rockville's international complex. When the Hustlers asked for him in a recent trade, it's rumored that Rockville's reply was succinct. "Who?"
For a special bonus, here's THREE from the Rookie club in Roswell!\
Shigenobu Takeuchi, RHP and Dong-su Yi, RHP are two of the Hustlers recent international signings. At ages 18 and 19, respectively, they are already showing success and promise at this level.
Then there's this year's second round draft choice, Justin Christian. Christian was on no one's radar as a center fielder, which is what he was listed as in the draft pool. He's one heck of a decent lefty pitching prospect, however, and though it cost the Hustlers $5.5 million to get him signed, they think he'll be worth every penny.