The Outfielders
23-yr-old Juan Hernandez got into 126 games in left field in 2041. He was a solid defensive option, posting a 2.9 ZR and a 1.016 def eff. In his first full year in the BBA, he showed an improvement at the plate too, hitting .244/.299/.414 with an OPS of .713. He hit 13 homers and scored 55 times himself, together with 30 walks and 33 stolen bases he had proved to be a valuable member of the outfield team.
Future Prospects With still one year before Juan hits arbitration for the first time he is a lock to be given plenty of chances to improve at BBA level
24-yr-old Jorge Rincon made 123 appearances in centre field, his best ever tally in his fifth Wichita BBA season. At such a young age he has become a fixture in centre thanks to his plus-plus defence, just four errors and a +9.4 ZR this year. His bat doesn’t really have that pop, three homers in five seasons, but a .266/.366/.344 triple slash line doesn’t embarrass him either. He’s been slowly adding base stealing to his repertoire too, swiping 40 bags in 2041 but he was caught 21 times so the coaching staff will have to work on that. Patience at the plate is also improving with a career high 49 walks being worked in 2041.
Future Prospects Another young gun with three arbie years to go and given that Wichita has no money currently for anything will be a fixture in centre for at least that period.
26-yr-old Pedro Martinez had the most appearances (82) in a confused rightfield picture. He was the best defender (+3.6 ZR) of the five players that logged over 50 innings at the position. In his sixth season at Wichita, he has only played over a 100-games twice (2039 & 40) and 2040’s haul of 13 homers was a career high and only the second time he had reached double-digit homers. Not too shabby with the bat, hitting .285/.355/.466 with an OPS of 821 last year, he likes to stretch out a double to a triple if he can.
Future Prospects In his last arbitration year which probably makes his tenure in Wichita a bit less secure than his fellow outfielders. The Aviators may gamble that his estimate of $3.6m, while not excessive, may well be better used on a minimum salary prospect in these cash-strapped times.
23-yr-old Jose Carlos Flores got into 62 games in right field as well as eight at First an a few in left. His defence was basically replacement level (-0.8) in the outfield but he’s young and has time to improve that. In his third BBA part-season his 83 outing was a career high as was his 11 homers & 33 RBI. A WAR of -1.4 is not too hot either, but as will probably be the mantra of Aviators over the next few years “He’s young and has room to grow”.
Future Prospects Not hitting arbitration until 2043 means that Flores is probably a better cost-effective option than Martinez’s $3.6m, the question is can Wichita afford the drop in defence?
23-yr-old Hector Garza logged 31 outings in centre, a good number as DH and seven in right. Defence in centre field was a disappointing -2.2 ZR and marginally better (+0.5 ZR) in right. He hit better against lefties and but often started against LHP where his averages weren’t too bad. His triple slash was .286/.370/.427 with an OPS of .797 in a total of 63 games during his sophomore season. Fell one shy of ten steals but look for that to improve as GM Laverick’s team often like to run on the base paths.
Future Prospects Again not hitting Arbitration until 2043 will all but guarantee him a spot somewhere on the roster. If Martinez is non-tendered it could be in right, but he would be a useful fourth outfielder.