Notable Departures:
1B Patrick Strolz (FA)
RP Chung Chan (FA)
RP Vonne Baloloy (FA)
Notable Additions:
RP Adrian Fox
SS Yazeed bin Saleem
SP Greg Shaw
SP Barney Lindsay
It's been a rough time to be a fan of the Outlaws, a team that hasn't made the postseason since 2044 or even seen 80 wins since 2047, GM Tim Meseck definitely has a tall order on his hands bringing this team back to contention. I think this team is gonna surprise a lot of people this season, let's get into it.
Pitching:
Leading off the rotation looks to be youngster George White. The 23-year-old had a solid rookie year going 9-7 with a 4.66 ERA and 3 WAR. I would expect him more of the same from him and his three excellent pitches. Next up is another youngster in Cesar Franco, 24, who will also look to follow up his very good last season. Middle of the order is newly acquired Barney Lindsay. The future hall-of-famer still has some gas left in the tank as shown with Hawaii last year, it's a good signing to help foster the two youngsters ahead of him in the rotation. At the back end we have Jorge Casillas and Greg Shaw. Both are solid starters with Casillas being only 23 as well. All in all this a very solid starting rotation, sure no Nebraska candidates but their is certainly no weak spots either.
In the bullpen we have Steve McFarland set to be the closer. Last season wasn't good for him and he even ended up losing the closing job amid a -1.1 WAR season, but he's seemed to earn another shot at it. Most of the bullpen from last years team is actually returning, with the only new addition being Adrian Fox coming over from Vegas in free agency. He'll be the highlight of a bullpen that did ok last season.
Position Players:
Catching duties are going to be split between Bradford McBearett and Sonny Wadden. Both have averages bats but McBearett is undoubtedly better with the glove. It'll be hard to say if one overcomes the other but this tandem should do fine behind the plate.
At first base we have Michael Schultz. He's a pure power bat that'll belt you 30 homers with a .240 average. His defense at first isn't great but the bat will more than make up for it.
36 year old veteran Lou Tinter will mantle the second base spot. He'll make a good amount of contact with the ball and field pretty good, just don't expect a lot of homers.
At short we have the reliable Julius Lewis. This'll be his tenth season with the team. He won't generate much offensivly, but his diamond glove worthy fielding makes it worth to start him all the games at shortstop.
The other corner will belong to recent 7th overall pick Husnan Baloch. The promising youngster needed just 89 games in A ball to impress management enough to give him a shot in the majors. Hopefully he'll make the transition smoothly.
At left field we have the returning Shoin Yoshida. His elite power belted 36 homers last year and his plus defense means he should have another monster year for the Outlaws. After all, his arbitration numbers depend on it!
Comeback player of the year Hector Cano Jr will be the man in the middle. His elite glove and 30 homeruns last season turned the 35-year-old into one of the feel good stories of the season, and he'll look to continue it here.
#3 prospect George Stickler will make his long awaited debut in right field for the outlaws. The 21 year old looks to be the face of the franchise for the next decade plus, and I think he'll get there. If he reaches the power scouts are raving about, watch out BBA.
At DH we have another tandem of Maimun bin Tayyib and Herkermer Homolka. Homolka will also be making his major league debut as a high end prospect that came over from Twin Cities in the Majid bin Husam trade in 2057. Personally I don't think he's ready for the majors yet but hey, I haven't won anything either so what do I know?
All in all, this is one of the most promising teams in the BBA. They have a surplus of solid young talent with veterans who can still play up to solid stats. I can certainly see them breaking 80 wins this year and maybe even contend for the division. I say they go 87-75, and go to their first trip to the postseason in 18 years.
