WHIV 2045.5- Checking The Locks: Outfield

[recte44]

WHIV 2045.5- Checking The Locks: Outfield

Sure Fire Locks (4):
Jim Ashford (L)
Girolamo L'Archabudelli (L)
Tom Rudge (R)
Mark White (R)

There's not a lot to decide in the Las Vegas outfield. Ashford will be the left fielder this year after playing mostly right field next year. Rudge is slated to move back to center field, where the Hustlers will see if he can hold up. Vegas added Mark White to be their starting right fielder. He should be a huge offensive upgrade over Valverde (see below) and is also a fine defensive right fielder. All of this means that "The Italian" will be back to simply hitting, which is where he belongs. It's also worth mentioning that all four of these guys could potentially play every day, in a departure from standard operating procedure in Las Vegas.

Near Locks (1):
Juan Valverde (R)

Valverde wasn't the worst center field option in the world, but he's far from the best. As a utility player, he's outstanding. Though the Hustlers are leaning towards their big four playing every day, Valverde could factor in as a platoon bat either in the outfield or at third base.

Trying To Break In (1):
Patrick Cross (S)
Cross came to the bigs as an unlikely callup, with his defensive reputation proceeding itself. Despite having all the skills one would look for in a center fielder, the metrics hated his performance (-4.7 ZR in 60 games). He actually held his own for what it was worth offensively, where no one is looking for much from Cross. Can also play second base in a pinch.

Breaking In The Back Door (6)
Antonio Rivera (L)
Carlos Santillan (L)
Hakon van Hulst (L)
Huang-di Chu (L)
Luis Deocampo (S)
Sixto Mejia (L)

"Santillan and the Misfits"? No, it's not a hot new recording act, it's the Las Vegas Hustlers non-roster "outfielders" for 2045. They all have their warts, but also have intrigue. Rivera is a scouts darling offensively, he hasn't been able to translate that to the BBA. He's also a clubhouse disruption. Hakon van Hulst is a premier defensive outfielder, who when he has a bat in his hands makes Patrick Cross look like Charles Puckett. Chu is a hitting first 1B/CO guy who is probably a Quad-A guy. Once upon a time Mejia had an ok year for Recte in Nashville, so it's a favor that he's in camp. Deocampo is perhaps the most interesting of the bunch. Can play all three outfield positions (though you wouldn't want him in center field much, he had a -15.1 ZR in AA ball last year), and an intriguing bat. He was the best player in the Warren Cox League (AA) last year yet was somehow allowed to walk as a minor league free agent by the Seattle organization. Deocampo could be a darkhorse for an unexpected roster bid. Santillan is an underrated prospect who the Hustlers love. He's not quite ready for the big leagues yet, but it won't be much longer before he forces his way up.