Trail Droppings 2037-7 Spring Training Battles - Bench

[indiansfan]

Spring Training Battles - Bench

With the starting job worked out and the backup catcher situation set, it is now time to take a look at who will have a spot on the Pioneers bench. The team will have 5-6 spots available, probably 5

3B - Tony Franco (6/6/7/3/8 Ratings) - He is a lock. He will platoon and serve as an injury sub

UT - Bilbo Baggins (6/8/1/6/7 Ratings) - He will be the main utility man

1B - Dan Leonard (7/5/3/6/9 Ratings) - Leonard will be the backup 1B and a pinch hitter. The team didn’t trade for him to cut him

1B/OF - Mauro Garcia (7/6/8/6/6 Ratings) - He will be the platoon against LHP to complement Santiago Sanchez (7/8/7/6/8 Ratings). He had such a great Spring (.308 BA, 1.024 OPS, 5 HR) that he might play more than that.

So there will be room for 1 or 2 of these guys

OF - Rafael Solis (7/9/8/6/5 Ratings) - Solis is a boomer. The guy just flat out hits. This Spring he hit 4 HR and had a .962 OPS. He has done everything he can to make the team. If he had a better glove he’d be a lock.

OF - Jose Cota (6/7/4/4/7 Ratings) - He has made the team before as a defensive sub. However he produced with the bat last year as well. This Spring he was lights out, .354 BA, 1.091 OPS, 3 HR, 5 Doubles, what else can the guy do? He may have a leg up on Solis.

OF - Francisco Medina (6/9/8/6/5 Ratings) - We have talked about him in a previous article, but it looks like he goes down to AAA unless Santiago is dealt.

1B - Lenny Cockram (8/8/1/2/10 Ratings) - Chances are looking slim for Cockram. He hit .333 and worked on his defense, but it doesn’t look like he has a spot in Calgary unless someone gets hurt.

1B/DH - Henry Jones III (8/7/8/4/6 Ratings) - The heir apparent to Rupert Grant (8/5/10/6/4 Ratings), he has had 2 outstanding years at AAA. He had a solid, but unspectacular Spring, although he struck out way too much. While he should be in the BBA it doesn’t look like there is a spot for him. However, if anyone gets hurt in Calgary he will get his shot.