WHIV 2050.3- Checking the Locks

GM: Matt Rectenwald

Moderator: recte44

User avatar
recte44
GB: Commissioner
Posts: 43001
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:14 pm
Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 1608 times
Contact:

WHIV 2050.3- Checking the Locks

Post by recte44 » Thu Mar 03, 2022 2:14 pm

STARTING PITCHERS

Sure Fire Locks (3):
Jay Hodge (RHP)
Martin Ross (RHP)
John Rasmussen III (RHP)

The starting rotation hasn't been as uncertain as this spring in many years. Only three are locks, with Hodge and Ross among the league's best starters, and Rasmussen III an emerging star in his own right.

Near Locks (1):
Nathaniel Davis (LHP)

After a stellar 2048 postseason many thought Davis would take a jump to a secondary ace in 2049. Instead, he lost his rotation spot, was sent to the minors twice, and was kept off the postseason roster. The Hustlers truly need Davis to return to form this year. With Brian King lost to free agency (as of this writing), Las Vegas is looking to Davis as his replacement. That's a huge leap of faith.

Trying To Break In (4):
Jose Bray (RHP)
Javier DeJesus (LHP)
Garth Gunn (LHP)
Miguel Marroquin (RHP)

Realistically, the battle for the #5 starter will be between Bray and Eugenio Asseldonk, the latter of which will be in the bullpen if he doesn't earn this spot. Bray is a prospect in the mold of Rasmussen III and the team has high hopes for him. Asseldonk is a capable and established pitcher, who also happens to be left-handed. DeJesus and Gunn are ticketed for AAA Milwaukee, and the Hustlers aren't sure what they have in Marroquin (or how he got added to the 40-man roster...seriously, I have no recollection of doing this or even how I got this guy).

Breaking In The Back Door (3):
Marcus Olivares (RHP)
Juan Ruiz (RHP)
Javier Reyes (RHP)

If there's a NRI pitcher who has a shot at surprising and making the club, it's probably Olivares. Vegas must determine if he's a starter or reliever long term, but he certainly has a future in the BBA. Ruiz and Reyes are journeymen type who should provide depth in Milwaukee.

RELIEF PITCHERS

Sure Fire Locks (2):
Eric Buckson (RHP)
Eugenio Asseldonk (LHP)

Buckson should be the closer, or the stopper, or the setup man....you get the point. He'll pitch in high leverage situations whenever and wherever he's needed. Asseldonk is also assured of a spot, whether in relief or in the rotation.

Near Locks (5):
Esteban Cruz (RHP)
Wayne Dorsey (RHP)
Shawn Huber (LHP)
Mike Jayne (RHP)
Dominic Thompson (RHP)

No one has stuff like Cruz and Thompson, and that gives them a leg up on most of the others. Dorsey's been here a while, and he always finds a way to be useful. Mike Jayne was sent to the minors to begin last year, then pitched high leverage innings all the way down the stretch and in the playoffs. Welcome back, Shawn Huber. Hope you still have a little something to offer.

Trying To Break In (6):
Can Behramoglu (RHP)- Rule 5 (YS9)
Bob Coutts (LHP)
Dwight Dunn (RHP)
Ron Noftall (RHP)
Anibal Ramirez (RHP)
Ricardo Suarez (LHP)

It's weird to see Ramirez here, given his amazing performance of last year, but his path to the roster looks difficult. He's a likely trade candidate. Coutts made his BBA debut in the Cartwright Cup and should be in the mix throughout the year (or earlier if the Huber reunion doesn't work out). Dunn was signed late in free agency and has an option, so he'll probably start in Milwaukee, and might be a starting pitcher there. Noftall needs more development time in the minors. Suarez has been hanging around a while, but his grasp on a 40 man slot is slipping. The Hustlers really like Behramoglu- but can they carry a Rule 5 guy??? (Editors Note: The answer is no, he's already been returned to Yellow Springs.)

Breaking In The Back Door (2):
Allen McCoy (RHP)
Bob Woodger (RHP)

McCoy has done everything he can, always putting up great numbers. For whatever reason he hasn't been looked at as a prospect. Woodger was removed from the 40 man roster and went unclaimed, and will get a chance to get back on but is likely going to AAA Milwaukee.

CATCHERS
Sure Fire Locks (2):
Calvin Johnson
Reggie Leeper

There is absolutely no drama here at all. Barring injury, Johnson and free agent signee Leeper are the duo. Leeper returns after facing the Hustlers in the Monty Brewster Memorial Series last year.

Near Locks (0):
NONE

Trying To Break In (0):
NONE

Breaking In The Back Door (4):
Jean-Baptiste Bertrand
Jorge Campos
Juan Colon
Etienne Kop

These four will jostle for position on the Milwaukee (AAA) and Reno (AA) rosters. Bertrand is the only youngster here and the furthest away.

INFIELDERS

Sure Fire Locks (4):
Jen-kan Zhai (1B)
Stewart Turton (2B)
Damek Korbel (SS)
Abu Wamukota (3B/1B)

Can't keep everyone with the Salary Cap in the BBA, so Blaine Tyler was traded off to Edmonton (before ultimately landing in Charlotte, which was long rumored). This means the Hustlers will likely play Wamukota at third base most of the time, with Zhai at first base. Turton and Korbel remain one of the best double play combos in the BBA.

Near Locks (1):
Robert Franklin

Overheard during the Monty Series: "Who the hell is Robert Franklin?" Well, he's a decent utility player, defense first, with speed.

Trying To Break In (3):
Juan Carlos Espada
Russ Sandhoff
Don Hattie

Sandhoff has a good shot of not only making the club, but seeing significant time at the hot corner. Hattie is a corner infielder without much power, and Espada is a younger middle infield prospect who is entering a make or break year.

Breaking In The Back Door (9):
Mitchell Cashmore
Bryan Gill
Michael Griffin
Stepan Shabrov
Glenn Woods
Kevin Corbett
Hu Ling
Ernest Peters
Roderick Rodda

Corbett and Ling are just getting their first taste of big league camp. Griffin is a top prospect who will probably get another year in the minors. Then there's the veterans: Shabrov, Peters and Woods are vying for a middle infield/utility role. Cashmore and Gill could make the club as "hitters", and then there's Roderick Rodda. Once upon a time, we had hopes for this young man. Not so much anymore.

OUTFIELDERS

Sure Fire Locks (3):
Jim Ashford
Kidane Ata
Tom Rudge

Could this be the last year of this vaunted outfield? Rudge is a pending free agent and word out of his camp is that he actually cut off negotiations with the team altogether at one point in the offseason. Vegas will also have to monitor Ata as he ages to make sure he's still a viable center fielder.

Near Locks (0):
NONE

Trying To Break In (4):
Scotty Beemeup
Vaughn Thomas
Miguel Rodriguez
Ramon Gabriel

Beemeup is almost guaranteed a spot on the team, as he projects to DH against RHP (he's a righty hitter with a reverse split). Thomas could be a factor as a lefty bat, and then it's down to Rodriguez and Gabriel to vie for a backup OF spot.

Breaking In The Back Door (4):
Derek Brereton
Blake Bell
Ricardo Gonzalez
Oong-cheon Yi

Brereton and Yi get their first look at big league camp, neither is going to make the big club this year. Bell and Gonzalez will battle with Rodriguez and Gabriel for reserve OF spots.

Return to “Las Vegas Hustlers”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests