The Eve of ’44, in the batters box
Not a lot of changes in the batting line-up and in the field, just as on the mound. A few little tweaks and the infield takes a spot away from the outfield and should injury strike at that thin outfield corps we might well see some early shuffling around between Albuquerque and Wichita.
The Infield
Jason Bowen is still without doubt the main man behind the plate, backup catcher John Todd is a clubhouse leader but still lacks the skills with the bat. It’ll be another year looking over his shoulder as Brian Best has now reached Albuquerque. Duane Whitley Jr will once more be commanding at first base, but he’s in the last year of his contract and it’s doubtful whether Aviators will have the cash to renew. The franchise are still looking though for a decent back-up to him. Another year, another second baseman, this year it’s the turn of Rule 5 pick Jorge Reyes, a solid defender with a solid batting average last year in Las Vegas. His double-play partner could be new too, last year’s SS Kinara Cobley will still be around after a mediocre year, but will start as back-up to FA signing Mario Rodriguez. He’s a plus defender all round the place but is more known as a second baseman. Aviators will try him as a Shortstop to start with. Back at third base once more with be Jim Gouzzie, his third year at the hot corner, he’ll have to buck his ideas up though after a relatively poor 2043.
The back-ups aren’t much of a bunch if you stare hard at them. Javier Bultron hit below .200 in his first year in Wichita, his main selling point being reasonable at both First & Third. Clive Timberlake will be in his third year in Wichita without ever being able to use his bat to any real effect, is expected to take defensive innings at First & Second.
The Outfield & DH
The Aviators outfield will be patrolled by the same three again, Juan Hernandez in left, Luis Maldonado in right and Jorge Rincon in the centre. Juan is a solid defender in Left but really needs to get back on track with his bat, last season’s .203 isn’t really what we were looking for. Luis is not the player he once was but is still a solid player with the bat and in the field. Jorge was back to his best all round in 2043 and he needs to maintain that this year. Aviators are very thin on the ground to start with in backup outfielders, in fact Wichita are only carrying Hector Garza as a true outfield backup, he is fairly competent all across the outfield. Also listed as a “back-up” is Matt Chambers, he had 2042 in Wichita as a 1B/DH but now this year he is being carried mainly as a backup left fielder. He is pretty handy with his bat and is about as useful in left field as he is anywhere else. The DH role will initially be given to Guillaume Martin, he had his BBA cup of coffee there at the end of 2043 and performed well in his nine games. A good spring earned him the full time role and Chambers will get some AB’s there too.