On a Higher Plane 2035.11...Expansion Draft news Hitters

[felipe]

Spending 18 of your 35 expansion picks, doesn't leave a hell of a lot left for position players, but the Wichita Aviators are confident that they got it right with the picks they made.

Eight infielders were chosen;

Twenty-five year old shortstop and team captain, Kaoru Kouda, leads the charge for the Aviators. He will provide a solid defence up the middle, and while he doesn't shine at any of the batting disciplines, he has no weaknesses either. A good season for him is a +5 WAR, 15 homeruns, 15 steals, and a .750 OPS.

Twenty-one year old sophomore, Juan Perez, was drafted from Twin Cities with the intention of parking him at first base in Wichita. Perez has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Twin Cities farm system, compiling a mere 287 at-bats in AA before being promoted to the Show midway through the season. His .770 big league OPS must be due to inexperience, as he was crushing AA ball to the tune of a 1.332 OPS. He hit 46 homeruns with 142 RBIs across three different levels in 2034.

Twenty year old, Jose Vazquez, will be entering his first BBA season, and will be battling Perez for the first base spot in Wichita. Vazquez hit 39 homeruns with 101 RBIs across AAA and the Winter league with a 1.000 OPS.

Second base will probably be manned by twenty year old, Ricardo Tavares from the Hawaii organisation. Tavares has only played a single game in A ball, the rest of his experience coming well below even that low level. But he looks an excellent defender, and a guy that can handle the bat.

Twenty-eight year old Grant Montoya, is pencilled in to handle second base if spring training proves that Tavares requires some more minor league seasoning. Montoya was miscast as a noodle armed shortstop for Edmonton in 2034, but proved an excellent defender for Vancouver over two seasons at second base. Getting out of the Frick Pacific may do wondrous things for Montoya, as he has hit quite well at the AAA level. Thirty steals are not out of the question for Montoya, and he may play shortstop against tough lefties for Kouda.

Third base would seem to be the home of former Montreal utility man, twenty-five year old Jesus Mojica. Mojica hit very well in the minors, and has a career .815 OPS in the BBA in 429 at bats, spread out over parts of three seasons filling in at third base, and right and left fields. He has a rifle for an arm, and should provide league average defence at the hot corner.

Nineteen year old, Carlos Guerrero, from Atlantic city is chomping at the bit for a big league role if Mojica should falter. Guerrero would seem to have it all, except for limited experience in the infield. He has spent several seasons in the Atlantic City organisation trying to learn to play second base. Wichita will try to make a third baseman out of the young stud.

Twenty-six year old, Garrett Barnett, was plucked from Madison and will ikely fill the same utility role that he filled for the Wolves. Barnett is a light hitting infielder, but hits well enough to not be a complete black hole in the lineup and fields well enough to not be a gaping hole in the Aviators defence. Barnett's usage is expected to be limited.

Three catchers were selected

Twenty six year old, career New Orleans backup, Marcus Forryan will be given a chance to claim the starting catcher spot for the Aviators. Forryan has not hit for much in three seasons of backup work, but has proved his usefulness in handling a pitching staff.

Twenty four year old, Paco Diaz, has spent the last two seasons playing part time with Valencia, where he has impressed with neither the bat or his glove. Paco would seem to have the potential for plus defence and 20 homerun pop, but has yet to show it in the majors. He will vie with Forryna for the starting role.

Twenty one year old, Anibal Garcia, was plucked from Nashville, and he seems to be ready for the majors with his bat; but he will need seasoning in the minors to develop his glove and pitching staff handling capabilities.

Six outfielders were selected

Twenty-four year old, Alvin Dickinson, a four year BBA veteran, will be handed center-field duties for the Aviators. Dickinson has never really put it together yet. He would appear to be a league average centerfielder, but he hasn't been yet. He would also appear to be a league average batter, but he hasn't done that yet either. This will likely be his last chance to prove himself worthy of a BBA starting position, as he just doesn't hit well enough to be a starting corner outfielder.

Twenty-seven year old, Chet Gabriel, had the most BBA at bats in 2034 out of all the Aviator's selections with 476 for Rockville. He hit .788 out of a corner outfield position with only nine homeruns. He is the Aviators best choice for rightfield.

Twenty-eight year old, Felix Duarte, proved he could swing the bat for Edmonton in 2031 and 2032, but has done very little since. He is a life time .750 OPS with a poor defensive record. He has some pop against righties, but badly needs a caddy to play against lefties and perform late inning defensive duties for him.

Twenty three year old, Jack Bullock is a right fielder that has only ever played left field. He got in his first BBA action with Des Moines in 2034, and provided a .760 OPS. He would appear to need a full season in AAA to learn right field, before joining the Aviators. He would seem to be a nice match to correspond with Duarte.

Twenty two year old, Bob Hernandez, rreeceived half a season of AAA ball with the Nashville organisation in 2034 and performed very well. He's got decent speed and can hit lefties, and he can play a decent outfield defence.

Twenty four year old, Maher Haws, was selected from Seattle, with what I can only assume was a case of mistaken identity. He's really not very good.

Basically, Wichita sits with a decent and non descript infield and catchers, and a poor outfield. They really lack some star power...and outfielders.