Starting Lineup (vs RHP):
1. Rob "Vanilla Ice" Van Winkle, 1B (.293, 19 HR, 76 RBI, 28 SB with LOU/LV). Van Winkle continues to adjust to first base after his range has rapidly faded over the past two seasons. He's still a valuable weapon at the top of the lineup, and signed a team friendly three year extension late last season.
2. Donald "Iron Man" Noboru, SS (.321, 12 HR, 77 RBI, 45 doubles). Noboru not only locked down shortstop as his long term position, but he also agreed on a four year extension worth $38 million to keep him as a Hustler.
3. Benjamin Rivero, RF (.249, 20 HR, 55 RBI in 95 games). 2002 was a lost year for Rivero. First he missed four weeks with a thumb injury, then 4 days with a sore knee, and later 7 weeks with shoulder soreness. Rivero needs to stay healthy for this lineup to be as dominant as the club's pitching staff is.
4. Jake Urban, 3B (.292, 36 HR, 104 RBI, 14 SB). Urban has established himself as the Hustlers top run producer and a fan favorite since coming over from Greenville. This spring, he made all the fans happy when he signed a 8-year contract extension worth a total of $72,000,000 that essentially locks him up as a Hustler for the rest of his career.
5. Brent Gates, 2B (.282, 12 HR, 67 RBI, 33 doubles). After a couple years of trying to move Gates, the Hustlers reversed directions this spring and not only made him the full-time second baseman and #5 hitter, but signed him to a four year contract extension, essentially locking up their starting infield intact for the next 3 seasons, at least.
6. Pio Vallejo, LF (.257, 39 HR, 108 RBI, 30 doubles, 15 SB with WAS/LV). When Rivero was suffering through various injuries last season, the Hustlers recognized they needed more power. No one gives more production for the cost than Vallejo, who will play the next three seasons at the low cost of $3M per year.
7. Jimmy "Super" Slizz, CF (.253, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 21 SB). After the weakest season of his career, Las Vegas looked to move Slizz and failed. Like Gates, the club felt comfortable with their own and decided to keep Slizz in the starting centerfield spot, mainly for his defense. His second straight fantastic postseason performance certainly didn't hurt his cause, either.
8. Roark Dempsey, C (.327, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 30 doubles in 84 games at AAA Milwaukee; .200, 1 HR, 9 RBI in 95 at-bats for Las Vegas). Dempsey, now 26 years old, was the #4, #5 and #6 overall prospect in the MBBA the last three years. His power has yet to develop as the Hustlers hoped it would, but it is now time for him to take this position and run with it. At the worst, he's the best defensive backstop in baseball who could hit .250 with some doubles. If he develops over the next couple years, add 15-20 homers and a .280 average to that defensive ability and you've got a valuable player.
Bench:
1. Desi Stanley, C (.276, 22 HR, 87 RBI, 39.6% caught stealing). Most teams would be happy with a 28 year old Stanley developing as he did last year and stick with him. It's a tough call here between the established Stanley and the "potential" of Dempsey. Certainly the finest available catcher on the trade market, if nothing less.
2. Phillipe LaRouche, IF (.230, 5 HR, 30 RBI in 235 AB's for Las Vegas; .352, 6 HR, 25 RBI in 105 AB's for AAA Milwaukee). The Hustlers have been trying to sneak LaRouche into the starting lineup for the past three seasons. Along the way, we decided that Gates was a better fit for now. Also, having a player of this quality in reserve is important for depth. However, he continues to be unhappy in his role and may find his way onto the trade market.
3. Jay Burns, OF/IF (.250, 8 HR, 39 RBI for LOU/LV). Burns is nothing special, but he's a gamer. He has some pop, and he'll strike out a lot. Can play all three outfield positions, along with first base and second base, so he's a nice bench guy.
4. Jose Oliva, 3B/IF (.339, 5 HR, 10 RBI in 56 at-bats). We were wowed by his explosive production in a pinch hitting role last year. It was a small sample, so expecting a repeat is far-fetched, but he does have nice power off the bench.
5. Jason Stucky, OF (.279, 2 HR, 12 RBI in 129 at-bats). Protection against injury in the outfield corner spots, also rakes lefties. Had some injury issues in 2002.
6. Silvio Garcia, infield (.241, 1 HR, 11 RBI in 79 at-bats). Will see some action against lefties, a bench guy and insurance on insurance.
7. Vince Valiant, OF (.179, 8 HR, 13 RBI in 112 at-bats with NO/LV; .238, 11 HR, 39 RBI in 193 at-bats with AAA Havana). The Hustlers would not hesitate to make Valiant the heir apparent in center field if he could hit over .220 consistently. They still might go that direction if Slizz is injured or non-productive.
Final Cuts:
1. Jorge Sanchez, C (.306 in 33 at-bats with AAA Milwaukee). He hasn't played much since 2000, but showed something in the offseason to be added to the 40-man roster. Now, he'll have to pass through waivers again. Does some MBBA team want a free backup catcher? We'll see.
2. Diego Vargas, 1B (.362 in 116 at-bats for AAA Milwaukee; .386, 5 HR, 46 RBI, 26 doubles in 316 at-bats for AA Reno). The 27 man roster was made for a guy like Vargas. He will never be a full-time player and can't play a position other than first base. So, a 27th slot for him as a pinch hitter is perfect. It wasn't in the cards to break camp, but it's a good bet he'll see time with Las Vegas in the coming years.
3. Jeff Washington, CF (.268 in 56 at-bats with AAA Milwaukee). Made it all the way back from a ruptured MCL to get some late season playing time for Milwaukee. Had a brilliant camp. In a world without Valiant, he would have made the club. However, it doesn't hurt for him to get full playing time in centerfield and try to re-establish himself as the answer post-Slizz.
