28-yr-old lefty Duane Coutts technically finished the year in the rotation but I wanted to just cover those that had made more than 10 starts there, Duane just missed the cut. After spending five years with Des Moines he moved over to Wichita and spend most of the year in Albuquerque (24 starts, 8-7, 4.92 ERA), called up in August he made eight of his nine outings as a starter going 2-5 with a 4.10 ERA. He made three Quality Starts and in 48 IP he allowed 46 hits & 22 runs, nine balls disappeared over the fences.
Future Prospects With two more arbitration years at an estimated $1m, we will probably pick up at least the first year. He’s got a decent forkball & changeup and money’s tight to bring in anything better.
35-yr-old Abe Colbert, Jr (2-10) is another of the ex-Sluggers hanging around. He spent a year over in Las Vegas last year before coming back to us. He made eight starts in his 26 outings, winning just one of them. A great knuckleball, which might make him a valuable piece on a good team, but not much else. He completed six of nine save opportunities, walked 30 batters in 65 IP while striking out 66, two of his eight starts were quality starts and owned a 1.66 WHIP. His FIP- was an almost respectable 105 with at least a positive 0.4 WAR.
Future Prospects Two player options owed at $8m each. He could be a keeper, he doesn’t absolutely kill you, but on the other hand the $8m a year could probably buy you two bullpen arms just as good if not better.
34-yr-old lefty Doug Clement (3-5, 2 SV) An average LHP over from Louisville. Pitched 118 innings in 55 outings, he walked 31 while striking out 71. An 88 FIP- and a 1.2 WAR marks him as one of the better arms in a lacklustre bullpen.
Future Prospects Owed $1.1m for 2042 he will be in the bullpen again, lefties that can but up 1.2 WAR are fairly valuable to Wichita at this stage.
29-yr-old lefty Roberto Sanchez A reliable innings eater who pitched 84 innings in 48 outings in 2041. He struck out 64 while only walking 14, he had a 3.21 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 1.6 WAR, probably making him the star of the bullpen.
Future Prospects unfortunately Roberto is out of contract and despite being the best in the ‘pen will be walking in the off season as we haven’t a dime to meet his demands.
28-yr-old James Robinson (7-5, 5.42 ERA) In his second year in Wichita was a mainstay in the bullpen, made six starts in 54 outings. Gave up 150 hits and 92 ER in 152 IP. Struck out 140 batters and was a bit higher on walks (74) and home runs allowed (25) than he would have liked. Blew his only save opportunity, but a FIP- of 105 and WAR of 0.5 means he’s been a good option to have down in the ‘pen.
Future Prospects Will be in the bullpen next year at a pretty decent price of $1.2m
32-yr-old Tony Alomar (4-5, 20 SV) Fourth year in the BBA with Wichita and, unusually for an Aviators pitcher, picked up an August Pitcher of the Month Award. Three top-notch pitches knows just where he can locate them, if only he had some movement on them, he would be in the top 10 of BBA relievers. If he had stamina as well, he would be a top, top starter in the BBA. As it is, he’s a top choice for the back end of the Wichita bullpen. He had 22 save opportunities in 2041 and only blew one, his overall stats were a bit down on 2040’s figures, but that was probably more due to Wichita’s overall collapse. He struck out 57 batters in 59 IP while walking just 16. A WHIP of 1.13 and a FIP- of 97 just confirms him a one of the Aviators top arms in the ‘pen.
Future Prospects Three more arbitration years will definitely see him as the bullpen anchor for that time.
22-yr-old Sancho Torres (2-1, 1 SV) Sancho was an 11th overall Rule 5 pick from Hawaii in 2041, he only made 23 outings this season as a result of losing over a year to a torn elbow flexor suffered in July 2040. In the 54 innings he did pitch he gave up 55 hits and 32 runs. He also walked 14 batters while striking out 32. Probably has a role as a lefty specialist after lefties hit .179 off him and righties .315.
Future Prospects Five more years of control will see him becoming a bullpen mainstay. If only he could improve his slider and circle change he could possibly be an outside bet for a top swing man, but even without that he’ll be feared by lefties