2048 Cairo Pharaohs

[jeheinz72]

Welcome to the Team Preview of the 2048 Cairo Pharaohs!

First let's take a look back to see what we're working with from the 2047 season. In 2047, Cairo went 70-92 which isn't good, but as a 2nd year expansion team it was a 17 game bump up from '46. They were 11 games back of Athens for 3rd. Offensively they averaged 4.6 runs per game, good for 4th in the Bancroft. They didn't hit for much power (110 HR) but hit 375 doubles, nearly 50 more than the 2nd most in the Bancroft and their 48 3B was nearly 10 more than 2nd place. On the mound they brought up the rear, allowing 5.4 runs per outing. They struck out just 946 guys, over 100 behind 4th and allowed 197 homers, putting them in an 87-homer hole versus their offense.

Let's take a look at their offense

Catcher: With Diesel Dave departing in Free Agency if will be C Antonio Ruiz, who signed a 2-year deal in the offseason, getting the lionshare of the starts behind the dish. He comes over from Atlantic City in the BBA, and in 610 BBA games he was a solid, mostly backup catcher. He's got some pop, hittin 24 homers in '45 with Long Beach and he's a great receiver for a pitching staff. Returning as the backup backstop will be Ed Cooper. Cooper raked in a cup of coffee with Cairo last year, 1.005 OPS and 1 WAR in just 18 games. His glove leaves a bit to be desired, so he's more of an offense-first catcher.

First Base: Last years 1B, Lawrence Blanchard, is still on the roster but will likely be supplanted by one of the Bancroft Boys, Nacho Mendez. Mendez slammed 37 HR over the last 2 years in 753 ABs with Manama and given that Blanchard was a net-negative, this could be a solid swing for the Pharaohs.

Second Base: Freddy Ayala logged the most starts at 2B last year, but has been shifted to the OF with the signing of David Guerra in the off-season. Guerra was about a 1.5 WAR guy the last years in the BBA, so he should perform well in the UMEBA. He's got a great glove, a bit of pop and 40-SB wheels.

Shortstop: 21-year-old SS Quintin Trewartha returns to man the spot again in 2048. He won the Great Glove award as the position last year but did also ship in 23 doubles with a .263 average. If he can eke up those offensive numbers a bit more, he could be an All-Star at the position. Tyler Shacklady will likely back him up and backup Guerra at 2B. He doesn't hit much but he can field both spots pretty well and has a touch of pop (5 HR in 157 PA)

Third Base: Last year they ran out Francisco Hernandez and he wasn't all that amazing. 21 doubles in 99 games but just a .245 average to pair with average defensive numbers. As such, Ron Ritchie has been brought in to take the spot over. He's a BBA bench vetreran with wheels and a solid glove. Might not hit amazingly, but definitely better than Hernandez.

Left Field: This one is shaping up to be a platoon between last years' starting 2B, Freddy Ayala and another Bancroft Boy, Frank Mahaffey. Mahaffey has immense power, 200 career UMEBA homers in a 5 season run in the league. He strikes out a ton, and doesn't have a great glove, but his bat is worth it for the power potential alone. Ayala hit .310 last year as a 2B and was good for 2.4 WAR, also raking 10 triples. He's got a superior glove and when he doesn't start should be a late inning defensive replacement.

Center Field: Michel Noel was a force to be reckoned with last year, hitting .325 with 49 doubles, 15 triples and 10 homers putting up a 5.7 WAR year with plus-plus defense in centerfield. He even stole 37 bags at over 80% success rate last year for good measure. He returns to the heart of this Cairo order and realistically as he goes, so will the Pharaohs offense.

Right Field: Guillermo Ramirez returns as the starter in RF, with a cannon arm and a power bat from the right side. He smashed 50 doubles last year as a 2nd year man, driving in 81 and knocking 12 HR.

Designated HItter: The hits keep coming as their DH Eliseu Satino will man the DH spot. He hit 60! doubles last year - just when you think you found a guy in the lineup with a lot of doubles, one with even more comes along. He's really all-bat, not much chance he sees any field time but hit .299 with 14 HR and 94 RBI last year with those doubles.


Overall the Pharaoh offense should be a tick more potent this year, if they can replicate production from the guys they have coming back. Newcomers Mendez, Guerra and Ritchie should tick them up to more of an average Bancroft offense, possibly a bit more.

Rotation - Looks to be 6 men battling for the 5 spots heading through Spring Training, with a lot of changes from where they were a year ago. Let's have a look:

- Shea Valance likely gets the Opening Day not. He started just 8 games last year out of his 55 appearances but has a nice 5-pitch repertoire and the fans love him. He put up a 3.86 ERA and a 10-6 record last year.
- Johan Trojka likely follows him after a 12-6, 3.90 ERA season last year, good for nearly 3 WAR. The 6' lefty throws 99 and has a great cutter he plays off of his fastball.
- Drees Geestman was signed for a nice chunk of change in the offseason for he next spot. A veteran of over 200 BBA starts he brings experience and a decent 3 pitch mix to the rotation.
- The 3rd and final Bancroft Boy, Juan Nicto will slide into the 4th spot. He spent 2047 in Mumbai's pen and had a 2.98 ERA. He's another veteran (377 BBA starts) and has a nice power slider.
- The presumptive favorite for the 5th spot is 28-year-old Chase Walter. He's certainly got the tools and a flail-worthy changeup, but he was rotten in the BBA last year. He doesn't walk many and if he can perform in UMEBA he's a great 5th starter.
- The 6th man and wildcard in the mix is 19-year-old Han-i Kim. Kim was the #1 overall pick just 9 months ago, with 15 professional starts to his name. The kid could be ready though, with a nice 4 pitch mix and the ability to keep it on the ground, he has the talent to get outs in UMEBA.

Bullpen - It could be the deathknell for these Pharaohs. Not a ton of talent, but decent depth down there for the team.
- Ramon Sanchez will likely be the closer, signed in the offseason for a 3-year deal. He's got electric stuff, but does give up a lot of flyballs and as such those do tend to leave the park a bit.
- Jorge Fuentes was last years closer, and saved 21 games for the Pharaohs. He's much more effective against righties and might see his usage limited to facing them. He had a 3.88 FIP in '47.
- Fassil Maundu was a Rule 5 pickup and should make the team as a 23-year-old. He can hit triple digits and despite not pitching above AA, should belong in the bigs.
- The top lefty is Robert Hobbs who was great in 2047 with a 2.65 ERA and nearly 9 K/9. He's 32 but if he can get big lefties out, that will help in the late innings immensely.
- Another arm to watch is another Rule 5 pickup, German Evdakov, late of Beirut. He also hasn't thrown above AA but can be a nice swingman with starters endurance and 6 solid pitches to mix in to hitters.
- Past that group it will be a bit of catching lightening in a bottle with the rest of the pen

Overall, the pitching is also improved from '27 for Cairo. I don't think they're going to quite get a Wild Card, but I think they'll be in the mix with Athens and Bucharest all year before fading to just under .500 at about 78 wins.

[scottsdale_joe]

Very well done.
I don't have much to argue about and the prediction seems reasonable although I hope to do better.

[CTBrewCrew]

A lotta detail….nice write up