WHIV 2058.8- Checking The Locks: Relief Pitchers

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (4):

Todd Stone, RHP- Arguably the best closer in the game, and in his free agent season. Plenty of incentive for him to have an amazing year.

Adam Bristcoe, RHP- In the second half of 2057, Bristcoe's usage went up and his results were outstanding. Fantastic stuff, an up and coming pitcher.

Eric Buckson, RHP- Welcome home, Buck! He gives the Hustlers an actual "Rule of Three" situation in their pen for the first time in a while.

Carlton Casson, LHP/DH- Two way player, will be heavily counted on as the top left-hander in the Hustlers pen as well as their top pinch hitter against righties.

Near Locks (0):

None.

Trying To Break In (11):

Kwang-sik An, LHP- Added to the 40-man roster this offseason. Out of options. Started and relieved for Milwaukee (AAA) last year. Depth guy.

Faqih bin Nasser, RHP- 24 year old who was acquired from Twin Cities in the 2055-56 offseason (Alfonso Trinidad deal). Had a solid year as a starter for Reno (AA) last year, added to the 40-man roster. All three options remaining.

Bradley Ottaway, RHP- Re-added to the 40-man in the offseason when pitching depth was light. Has been with the Hustlers system since 2049, organizational soldier who was "rewarded" with a callup to the Hustlers in 2054 (8.44 ERA in three relief outings).

Trey Raynor, LHP- 32 year old was a successful LOOGY and long relief guy with Rockville and Charlotte from 2049-2055. In 2056, Charlotte used him as a starting pitcher all year and he was exposed. This allowed the Hustlers to sign him to a minor league deal last year and he was just okay as a reliever for Milwaukee (AAA). Added to the 40-man roster as depth this offseason but seems likely to be waived back to minors.

Carlos Berrera, RHP- The Hustlers were thrilled to get him from Nashville in a 2055 deadline trade (acquired with Josh Dougherty and Barry Kelly for Frederick Brisset). He pitched decent enough in 2055, was victim of a numbers game in 2056, but then seemingly regressed in 2057. He has one option year remaining.

Rahimat bin Nuri, RHP- Got away from the Tokyo Pearls system as a minor league free agent and the Hustlers quickly snatched him up, and put him on their 40-man roster. Been used as a closer throughout college and the minor leagues. He has a changeup that still needs work, and will ultimately determine if he's a BBA pitcher or just another minor leaguer. 23 years old with three option years, seems destined to go to Reno (AA) to start the BBA leg of his journey.

Phil Franklin, LHP- Rule 5 Draftee from the Nashville Bluebirds. Outstanding minor league numbers, primarily as a starting pitcher. Has a decent chance of making the club with a solid Spring Training.

Juan Garza, RHP- He's going into his final option year. His good points are seemingly overshadowed by lackluster movement, inability to get lefties out, and having a changeup in his arsenal that is so terrible it should never be thrown. Has been used as a starting pitcher in the past. The Hustlers would consider a full-time switch to the bullpen for him, but not as long as he is rated a "5" movement against left-handed batters.

Phillipe Lucas, RHP- Rule 5 Draftee from the Calgary Pioneers. He was a full time starting pitcher for Valencia in 2050, and then a part-timer in 2051. Hasn't pitched at the BBA level ever since. At the AAA level he's been consistently somewhere between solid and good. His intangibles are off the charts, even though his secondary pitchers might not be. Like Franklin, he has a real chance of making the team.

Ajindha Praveen, RHP- Seems like yesterday that Praveen, with Bucharest, was riding high as one of the best GBC starting pitchers. Since coming over to the BBA midway through the 2051 season after being released by Sao Paulo, he's been a vagabond. From Boise to Charm City to San Antonio, to Louisville, to Missouri (AAA), to the Hustlers system at Milwaukee (AAA) and finally back for a brief cup of coffee with the Hustlers last year. BBA career: 19 games, 1 start, 2-5, 1 save, 7.76 ERA, 31.1 IP, 40 H, 6 HRA, 15 BB, 25 K, 1.76 WHIP, -0.1 WAR. Great intangibles, though. And only 31 years old- he was a 13 game winner for Bucharest at age 17!!

Marshall "Smug" Taylor, RHP- Rule 5 pick from the Calgary Pioneers, who had just signed him to a split contract. Former first round pick by Des Moines, failed as a full-time starter (2053-2054), was a decent reliever and spot starter in 2056 (also a dominant 14 game stretch as a SP back in AAA), then last year was trash as a reliever for the Kernels. Why did the Hustlers take him? He's a groundball pitcher, BBA experience, and still only 26 years old. Like the other two Rule 5 guys he has an opportunity here.

Breaking In The Back Door (3):

Adrian Custello, RHP- Seems like a lifetime ago that the Hustlers made an ill-advised trade for three old guys from Nashville, giving up Custello (then a heralded prospect) and Scott Bugbie (another nice prospect). Well, 293 BBA appearances, 240 starts, 94 wins and a blown elbow (2054) later, he's back in Vegas competing for a bullpen job. Really, he's already got an apartment in Milwaukee where he'll pitch for the Choppers.

Nobuhito Kan, RHP- Speaking of one time Nashville star starting pitchers who blew out an elbow, the Hustlers have Kan! Brooklyn employed him as a reliever last year and he was alright. He actually posted positive WAR for the first time since +0.1 in 2053. Control will make or break him. Still has good stuff but the 2049 season (19-4, 2.71 ERA, 210 K) is a distant memory.

Jason Wing, RHP- How is a 25 potential pitcher interesting at all? OOTP low-key loves this guy in weird spots. Like if you look at the Positional Strength charts, they always call him our "Top RP Prospect". And there's also the fact that he is always putting up good numbers. So maybe having five pitches really IS a big advantage. Who knows?

[BaseClogger]

I would be surprised in An can make a Hustler Opening Day bullpen. Seems like your Rule 5 pick has a real shot though.

[recte44]

All three of the Rule 5 picks