WHIV 2007 Vol. 10- September injuries skew playoff roster

[recte44]

The Las Vegas Hustlers figured setting their post-season roster would be easy. That, of course, was until a late season rash of injuries changed those well-laid plans.

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Thursday, September 13th, 2007
3B Roman Empire was injured while throwing the ball. The Diagnosis: partially torn labrum. He's expected to miss about 6-7 weeks.

Empire wasn't hitting for power (1 HR) since coming over to the Hustlers, but had an ungodly .460 OBP. There's a remote chance he could be back if the Hustlers make the Landis, and this is a HUGE loss. In his absence the Hustlers have turned to waiver wire godsend Kevin Brown at third base. His first couple weeks after being claimed off waiver from Des Moines were excellent, since then his bat has cooled. He does offer power and plus defense at the hot corner. "Wouldn't it be something if we get past Buffalo, and the Kernels get past Long Beach," Brown mused. "I sure would like to show them what they let go."

The real epidemic came during a game against Long Beach on 9/24, when THREE Hustlers went down.

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Monday, September 24th, 2007
1B Lee Seung-Yeop was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: ruptured medial collateral ligament. He's expected to miss about 6 months.
2B Francisco Cruz was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn hamstring. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
CL Paul Hogan was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: shoulder bursitis. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.

Yeop had become the platoon partner for Jason Vanega at 1B. In his absence, the Hustlers tried rookie Ruben Venegas but with the bigger stakes on the line, they'll go with the veteran Billy Ashley at first base against left-handed pitching.

Cruz spent some time in the majors and minors this season, and dominated AAA as expected during his time there. He was expected to pick up some of the slack from the Empire loss, but this scrapped that. The two injuries to Yeop and Cruz opened up two playoff roster spots, which will be filled by young infielders. Clifford Martin is an exceptional defensive middle infielder who saw limited time with the big club this year; Mike Whannell was a surprise choice, as he'll actually be making his major league debut in the postseason. He's mainly on the roster for pinch-running duties.

With Hogan, the likely Gunga Oogalagunga Award winner, lost; the trade deadline pickup of veteran closer Art Messer looks like it could be a season saver. Messer has a 6+ ERA with the Hustlers, but that's a bi-product of bad luck (.427 BABIP).

The Hustlers also decided to go with three catchers rather than 12 pitchers. This meant Jonathan "Tank" Salott was the odd man out, and veteran journeyman Bob Henley made it back to the roster after clearing waivers from the 40-man earlier this season.

The Hustlers matchup with Buffalo should be a good one. Las Vegas depends on superior starting pitching, while Buffalo is more of an offensive juggernaut. History favors the team with better pitching in matchups such as these. If it's a close series, which everyone believes it might be, the loss of Hogan could loom large.

[scottsdale_joe]

totally good analysis.
tough series ahead.

[mrbornac]

I have tried to build balance in Buffalo - that said, this will be a tough series. I lost Wasson early this year, so we are both using 2nd tier relievers - heck, my closer this year should have been my number 3 or 4 starter.

Good write up, I am anxious to see if the Bison will survive to fight another day!