WHIV 2061.5- Checking The Locks: Relief Pitchers

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (3):
Alejandro Chavez (8STU, 6MOV, 7CON, 6PBABIP, 7HRR)- Surprised the Hustlers signed another closer instead of a top line starting pitcher when they already have Stone? Don't be. The Hustlers' bullpen was their bugaboo for most of last year, and they weren't going to let it happen again. Chavez probably finishes most games for them.

Todd Stone (6STU, 7MOV, 9CON, 7PBABIP, 7HRR)- And that frees up Stone to become a stopper. What is yet to be determined is if he will embrace that role or be ticked off that he's not the "closer".

Augusto Dominguez (9STU, 6MOV, 6CON, 7PBABIP, 5HRR)- Dominguez hasn't proven himself as a BBA stud yet, but he will have every chance to do so this year.

Near Locks (2):
Ramon "Phenom" Gonzalez (6/6/7)- Unless he's traded, he's a part of the bullpen. Certainly, he'd rather be starting. That said, he was much better in relief last year.

Perry Wallace (8STU, 5MOV, 4CON, 6PBABIP, 5HRR)- Welcome to the world of elite LOOGY's, Perry. Your full time conversion to reliever this offseason has made you just that. A stud LOOGY.

Trying To Break In (8):
Ron Madden (6STU, 5MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 5HRR)- At 27 years old, it doesn't look like he's ever going to amount to much at the big league level, and he's probably fighting more for his spot on the 40-man roster than anything else.

Sébastien Allard (5STU, 5MOV, 5CON, 5PBABIP, 6HRR)- Only 25 years old, but everything we just said about Madden applies to Allard as well.

Michael Baumschlager (5STU, 6MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 7HRR)- He certainly didn't blow anyone away in his first BBA action last year, but he didn't completely embarrass himself either. He has a BBA future. He also has three option years left. So, there's that.

Faqih bin Nasser (5STU, 6MOV, 5CON, 5PBABIP, 7HRR)- Out of option years. At 27 years old, it's now or never. Is he actually good enough to be a BBA pitcher? It's debatable.

Mike Emrick (5STU, 6MOV, 6CON, 6PBABIP, 6HRR)- One option year left. When he's been up, he's been effective. Is it sustainable? Magic 8 ball says "check back later".

Rafael Gonzalez (5STU, 5MOV, 6CON, 5PBABIP, 5HRR)- This kid is pretty interesting. Fastball at 98-100 mph, mixed with a plus slider. Good endurance for a reliever. Tough against righties. Has yet to appear at the BBA level. Big spring for him with his new organization.

Mauro Rojas (6STU, 6MOV, 6CON, 6PBABIP, 6HRR)- Despite his heroic starts in the playoffs last year, the Hustlers remain of the opinion that he's best served as a reliever. The rare righty who is, on paper, tougher against lefties.

Chong-xian Shen (6STU, 6MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 6HRR)- This guy was a godsend last year. Is he just an older, greedier, less loyal, lazier, dumber version of Rafael Gonzalez, though?

Breaking In The Back Door (5):
Jose Martinez (5STU, 6MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 7HRR)- Management loves this kid and really thinks he'll be a good starting pitcher, though scouts seem to think the bullpen might be his future. He has plenty of time to determine his own future.

Felipe Cummings (5STU, 5MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 5HRR)- No player improved their future this offseason more than Cummings. More movement? Check. More control? Check. A better secondary pitch (splitter)? Check. Maybe Cummings is the dark horse to make this team the hard way.

Bailey Greenway (5STU, 4MOV, 5CON, 6PBABIP, 2HRR)- Nowhere near ready for the BBA. Just giving him some face time with the big boys.

Theophilus Markoullides (5STU, 6MOV, 6CON, 5PBABIP, 6HRR)- He's invited to camp because....why not?

[BaseClogger]

Rafael Gonzalez is listed twice. Thinking the first one is wrong since I doubt a 4 stamina guy with two pitches wishes he were starting…

[recte44]

Rafael Gonzalez is listed twice. Thinking the first one is wrong since I doubt a 4 stamina guy with two pitches wishes he were starting…

fixed, supposed to be Ramon Gonzalez

[BaseClogger]

Rafael Gonzalez is listed twice. Thinking the first one is wrong since I doubt a 4 stamina guy with two pitches wishes he were starting…

fixed, supposed to be Ramon Gonzalez

I should have known Phenom was missing!

[recte44]

March 7, 2061:
Sebastien Allard, Ron Madden optioned to Milwaukee (AAA).
Mike Emrick placed on 60-day injured list.
Bailey Greenway reassigned to minor league camp.