WHIV 2058.11- Checking the Locks: Outfielders

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (4):

Keith Jahnke, L/L- Really nice rookie season for Jahnke last year. Looks to be a fixture in one of the outfield corners for years to come.

Murad Abdul-Alim, L/L- Seems solidified as the starting center fielder against right-handed pitching now after a solid 2057 campaign. The Hustlers locked him up to an affordable extension.

Tom Rudge, R/R- The offseason drama of him being a Hustler, not being a Hustler, and being a Hustler again after all is in the rearview mirror. Ready to rake. Still shooting for career goals like 3000 hits (probably 2059), 400 homers (2058), 1600 runs (2058), 1000 walks (2059) and 500 steals (maybe this year?) among others. He'll tell you his only goal is another Monty ring.

Chris Hall, L/L- He regressed a little last year from his rookie season in power production, but still put up an .843 OPS which is just fine. Slated to DH against RHP as usual, unless he gets traded.

Near Locks (3):

Kenny Qasim, R/R- Followed up his breakout (though a small sample) of 2056 with a real emergence in 2057 as a platoon player and valuable bat. OBP machine. Defense is fine in both outfield corners. His career BBA numbers now in 375 at-bats: .336/.410/.456/.866, 129 OPS+, 130 wRC+, 2.7 WAR.

Kidane Ata, R/R- Not only is Ata, age 41, a Hustlers legend, but in the second half of last year he was damn good. 1.1 WAR at age 40- that's the balls, folks.

Roosevelt Davis, L/L- Davis is out of option years, so barring a trade, he's making the team. Finally delivered at the BBA level in the last month of the 2057 season, filling in for Tom Rudge. Funny to say "finally" about a 22 year old.

Trying To Break In (1):

Tankut Saltik, R/R- If he's going to reach his potential, this is a pivotal season. He's already 24 years old. Seems like he's been such a slow grind. He'll start at Reno (AA) this year and the Hustlers want to see him start dominating that level. It's time... if he is going to be on the big club by 2059.

Breaking In The Back Door (2):

Don McKinney, R/R- Prior to the Ata signing it looked like McKinney had a sure path to a roster spot. Instead, he'll be waiting for the call in Milwaukee.

Kosho Kondo, R/R- Lost to Sacremento in the Rule 5 draft, returned two weeks later. Kondo is a big power guy when (if?) he hits the ball. Good defender. Milwaukee depth.

[BaseClogger]

I assume you're only going to carry about six outfielders so something will have to give.

Starting to think it's not going to happen with Saltik.

[recte44]

I'll carry the seven outfielders, because Hall is not really an outfielder.