2037-11: Talons Season Preview: Outfield/DH

[jiminyhopkins]

Next up is the outfield and DH situation for the Talons.

LF Jean-Luc Lacaze (6/6/7/7/5 Talents)
Perennial fan favorite Lacaze is still a defensive and base stealing machine, and does more than his part to prop up ticket sales. Though he doesn't get much playing time against lefties, he still represents an overall value despite his salary. Last season, he was worth 2 wins in 370 AB, while recording a 37:3 stolen base ratio and a positive zone rating.

CF Weaver Ripley (6/6/10/7/3 Talents)
Weaver Ripley is the prohibitive Rookie of the Year favorite in the JL. His eye popping defensive ratings, blazing speed, and prodigious power bat mean that he can pretty much do anything he wants at 20 years old, except, of course, "pop the top on a cold one." He recorded a .920 OPS and a 139 wRC+ during his 24 game callup last September, and quickly became known for his work ethic and no-nonsense attitude. Hopefully when he is finally able to enjoy that ice cold beer he's been craving, it will be in celebration of the first award in a long career ahead.

RF Thad Meyer (8/10/7/5/9 Talents)
What is this guy, chopped liver?? Thad was used to being the Talons' center field phenom, Being worth 9 WAR over his first two full seasons and taking home a Puckett award as well. But it's Ripley's time now, and with Thad moving over to Right, it allows Ortiz to DH and vastly improves the Talons outfield defense. Meyer was a quick study in RF, rapidly gaining an 8 rating there in an incredible 21 games. The Lacaze-Ripley-Meyer trio could quickly become one of the better outfield units in the entire BBA.

DH Bartolo Ortiz (8/9/10/6/8 Talents)
Now that he is out of right field, Ortiz's bat can take center stage and allow him to put up some incredible numbers. Just one case in point: the preseason predictions page already has him slated for 52 home runs, 131 RBI, and a .310/.388/.641 slash line. Bartolo's 5.3 WAR last season might just become the new normal for the most powerful hitter in the JL.

Bench:

Sergio Cordova (6/7/8/6/6 Talents) was brought in for his leadership qualities, and the ability to platoon in LF with Lacaze,
Domenic Wyatt (5/6/9/8/2 Talents) is capable of playing any outfield position, and still has a powerful bat and good speed.

[usnspecialist]

Yrrigs the Mad over in SA might have a thing or two to say about the ROY race.

[jiminyhopkins]

Should be a great season for both!

[Ted]

I'll get myself on record as the idiot taking the under on Ripley. I just don't like low con, low avk righties. He's talented enough that he'll be a solid CF no matter what, but I think some people see him as a potential superstar and I'm not sure he won't struggle with contact too much to be consistent.

[RonCo]

It's going to be fun to watch what Ripley does.