WHIV 2003 Vol. 5- Opening Day Pitching Staff

[recte44]

The Las Vegas Hustlers set their 2003 Opening Day Roster after the end of Spring Training Games. Let's take a look at the Pitching Staff, which figures to once again be one of the best in the MBBA.

Starting Rotation:
1. Christopher Stoller- 13-3, 2.68 last season. Missed 2 months due to injury. If he can avoid injury, he's a Nebraska Award candidate.

2. Davey Acheson- (19-8, 3.00) Acheson missed his second consecutive 20 game win season by just one. As #2 starters go, he's about as good as you can get.

3. Ken Howell- (11-10, 3.40 combined with WAS and LV) The 42 year old Howell continues to defy age. He was not as sharp after coming over from Washington, and very subpar in the postseason, which worries Las Vegas a bit. If anything goes awry, Howell can certainly be impactful in a bullpen role in what figures to be his last season with the Hustlers.

4. Lorenzo Morales (14-8, 3.08) Morales had his best MBBA campaign and figures to build on it, as he's playing for a big contract extension that the Hustlers, to date, have been hesitant to give him.

5. David Crocker (11-10, 4.03) As I see some of the previews coming out and seeing the likes of Ben Dover and Larry Brew in #5 starter spots, I feel very happy that I have assembled the depth I have. Besides Crocker, who would be much higher on most teams, we have the likes of Tom Sharp, Curt Wilson, and Francis Linares who are all very capable MBBA starters.

Bullpen:

CL. Jonathan Salott 5-5, 18 saves, 3.79) Salott, who suffered through some injury issues in 2002, will face some pressure from emerging rookie Paul Hogan (sent to AAA Milwaukee to start the year). Was well on his way to his best MBBA season besides the injury issues last year, though Hogan may be even better. Either way, the Hustlers are setup to have one of the top 1-2 lefty-righty bullpen tandems in the MBBA for years to come.

SU. Pedro Martinez (2-2, 5 saves, 3.26) Martinez was shopped around this offseason and received some interest, but the Hustlers seem to value him more than the rest of the league. We're happy to have him back for the 2003 season, and he'll be playing for a new deal this season.

SU. Norbert Rich (3-1, 2 saves, 2.59) Rich was one of the MBBA's top rookies, though many scouts still doubt his stuff. He's a perfect fit here if used properly, as he's tough on righties and Martinez is a lefty-killer.

MR. Curt Wilson (1.19 ERA in 23 games after returning from injury). One of the best lefty relievers in the game, he's been around for a long time, still wants to be a starter. And could, but no one ever wants to trade for him. Yet you see the defending MBBA champs starting LARRY BREW. Weird.

MR. Francis Linares (10-8, 8 saves, 4.05) Had a nice season as a utility pitcher for the Hustlers. Valuable enough for us to pay him a substantial contract in arbitration. Would make a fantastic starting pitcher, and the Hustlers wouldn't hesitate to switch him into the rotation if needed.

MR. Ernest Nilson (2-3, 5 saves, 4.97) Las Vegas didn't let his subpar 2002 fool them, he's still one of the most solid middle relievers in the game. For that, he was rewarded to a 3 year contract extension worth $2 million per year.

MR. Timothy Devinney (2-1, 2 saves, 4.42) The lefty, now out of options, makes the team as a LOOGY. If he faces too many righties he'll get knocked around a little.

Final Cuts:
1. Ross Matthews (1-0, 5.74 in 15.2 innings) Matthews, claimed off waivers from Buffalo, was moved from outfielder to pitcher for the Hustlers. Even though he hadn't pitched since college in 1995, he didn't embarrass himself too bad at the major league level. He badly needs to get some innings at the minor league level, and even with that, he's not a top prospect by any means.

2. Francisco Lueras (1-4, 6.18 in 6 starts with AAA Milwaukee) Lueras made the long comeback from a torn flexor tendon to make six starts for Milwaukee at the end of last season. The results weren't great, but it got him back on the mound. This spring, he was nearly unhittable in spring in a relief role. He had the team made except for one thing going against him: he had minor league options while Devinney didn't. Will be in the mix throughout the year when needed.

3. Tom Sharp (9-5, 6 saves, 3.34 for AAA Milwaukee; 8.79 in 14.1 innings for Las Vegas) Sharp, the Hustlers top starting pitching prospect, needs a little more work at the AAA level but is nearly ready to make an impact at the major league level.

4. Paul "Worm" Hogan (3-3, 16 saves, 5.48 for AAA Milwaukee, 3.60 in 10 innings for Las Vegas). The Hustlers can hardly wait to make Hogan a full time part of their bullpen, and almost pulled the trigger on it this spring. However, most scouts agree that Hogan can stand to improve on his control a bit more (10 walks in 10 innings with Las Vegas last season) before he'll become one of the league's elite relievers.

[Al-Hoot]

you sure got a heck of a lot of talent for Madorin

[recte44]

Sure did.