7 May 2063
Boise, Idaho
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by Tony Toney
Stoppers Supplanting Setup GuysGM Ben Teague decided to start the season with a pair of stoppers at the backend of the bullpen, with a closer, as opposed to setup men. The results have been positive but not what Teague expected. Closer Mario Santos has made 8 appearances converting all 4 save opportunities. He's carrying a 0.79 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, and 4.0 K/BB. But he's only thrown 11.1 innings compared to the two stoppers. Manager Mario Contreras has turned to Samir Qasim 16 times and the lefty has tossed 21.0 innings and his counterpart Tim Stops has 12 appearances going 15.0 innings. The question is whether it's even a concern? Qasim has converted 4 of 5 save opportunities and has a 1.29 ERA and 0.81 WHIP. Stop's season has been just a bit tougher with a 3.60 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. The Spuds are also 5-2 in 1-run games. It's something we'll keep an eye on.
Segura Sticks in Majors
Fernando Segura is a well above-average defensive option at second base. At AAA Salt Lake City he posted a stat line of .992 PCT, +11.6 ZR, 1.061 EFF in 2061 and .979, +4.8 ZR, 1.032 EFF in 81 games last year. He also boasted an offensive stat line of .300/.360/.447 (.807 OPS) and .322/.414/.411 (.825 OPS) in 2061 and 2062, respectively. When then Boise 2B Ryan Geauxinue went down with an injury for 3 months in 2062 the team turned to Segura, but the results were miserable. He logged a respectable .987 PCT but a ZR of only -0.8 and a .985 EFF. That's serviceable. But not when you hit .166/.234/.225 with 15 RBI in 57 games. That's dead weight on a lineup that already had soft-hitting players in CF Bob Hills and SS Dan Raymond. Boise tabbed CF Amphibian 'Toad' Johnson to replace Hills and strongly considered making a move for a new option at second base. But the team decided to give Segura a 2nd shot at being a productive part of the lineup like he had been in AAA. He's mostly rewarded that decision. He has converted 98.6% of chances and has a +1.7 WAR with a 1.023 EFF. But the big concern was the bat and he's been much better in the early-going slashing .266/.337/.383 with 5 2B, 2 HR, and 12 RBI. He can be better, as demonstrated at AAA, but that plate production can be relied on much more than his 2062 numbers and it's hoped he'll continue to improve as the season progresses.
Coleman Toes the Line at ML Level
1B William Coleman is a high-regarded prospect at both first base and DH. After he hit .337/.412/.474 at AAA Salt Lake City with 22 doubles, 1 triple, 14 HR, and 73 RBI in 2062. He teed up an easy decision to start him in Boise for this season going .379/.415/.448 in Spring Training. But he's struggled in the early going slashing .212/.270/.394 with just 3 doubles, 3 HRs, and 10 RBI. Teague has decided to give him a longer leash but he really needs to boost his early numbers especially with DH Perry Taylor delivering 13 RBI and .819 OPS starting only versus LHP. It's not clear what he would gain with more time at AAA and he has tremendous upside.