Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

GM: Ben Teague

Moderator: cheekimonk

jleddy
Ex-GM
Posts: 3216
Joined: Mon May 27, 2019 5:46 pm
Location: Long Beach, CA
Has thanked: 3377 times
Been thanked: 1174 times

Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by jleddy » Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:42 am

Image In the first of a multiple-part series leading up to the start of the 2042 season, "Position Battles Royale" will examine multiple players vying to make the Boise Spuds 27-man roster, either within the starting line-up or the active roster as a reserve/platoon. Kicking off the series is the competition at first base.

The Spuds have four first-baggers on the 40-man roster: popular incumbent veteran Yunosuke Terada, and a trio of prospects in José Hernández, Pepe Madrid, and Miguel Angel Perales.

LAST YEAR BY THE NUMBERS (AGE IS 2042 OPENING DAY)
NAMEAGEBATSLEVELAVG/OBP/SLGHRSBOPS+WARSCOUTING GRADES
Yunosuke Terada28RBBA.241/.366/.407184930.55(5) / 5(5) / 9(9) / 9(9) / 4(4)
José Hernández24RAA.260/.344/.5371901311.56(6) / 7(7) / 8(8) / 5(5) / 5(5)
Pepe Madrid21LAAA.320/.400/.5442431345.26(7) / 9(9) / 5(7) / 6(6) / 5(5)
Miguel Angel Perales23RAAA.281/.350/.6361201400.97(7) / 7(7) / 7(7) / 4(4) / 6(6)
OUTLOOK
Terada is the second-longest tenured member of Boise behind the lone remaining original Spud, catcher José Rivera. With a Zimmer and Puckett Award to his name, along with two All-Star Game appearances, Terada has failed to build on his career since his 2038 breakout. After a career-worst 2040 (.210/.317/.420), Terada improved his approach at the plate last year, bumping his average and on-base percentage to more palatable levels. Unfortunately, despite an 8-grade home run skill, Godzilla's slugging slumped to a career-low .407. In the second-half of last year, manager Millard Davis chose to bench Terada against most right-handed pitchers, a scenario likely to repeat in 2042. Still blessed with a fanastic eye and glove, Terada's place as a starter isn't in question as the season approaches, however he'll likely continue to be a short side platoon partner at first base. Madrid, 21, earned a cup of coffee with Boise in September, hitting just .125/.300/.188 in 21 plate appearances, but his breakout season in Triple-A is what has fans and Boise coaches excited. Along with an OPS over .940, Madrid knocked in 115 runs and scored 104 himself. While scouts have never been high on Madrid's glove, he was one of the best defenders in AAA at first base last year, sporting a +12.2 Zone Rating and 1.111 Efficiency. With Terada's platoon-mate from last season gone (Drew Hair), Madrid's left-handed bat makes him a natural fit to start against right-handed pitchers. Perales joined the Boise organization last April when claimed on waivers from Yellow Springs. Perales spent most of the season as a right-handed designated hitter, although his glove is league-average if asked to play in the field. Perales, 23, has spent the last three years in Triple-A and will likely be the Alpines starter at DH but could be called upon as an injury replacement. Hernández, despite measuring in at 6'8", has yet to find his power stroke, but is still a prospect with room to grow, no pun intended. It appears he's fully baked in terms of scouting grades, so Boise hopes a breakout is on the horizon. As a right-handed hitter, Hernández's path to the majors is likely as Terada's replacement or designated hitter, but until then, he'll find plenty of at-bats in Triple-A as the starting 1B. Terada finds himself in a contract year, so both his career, as well as Hernández's, while likely be sorted out based on their respective production in 2042.

VERDICT
Terada's popularity, respect among his teammates, and salary defaults him as the starting first baseman against southpaw pitchers, however with the taste of the postseason still fresh in their mouths, and with Perales and Hernández eager to make the show, Boise will have Terada on a short leash. Don't be shocked if Boise makes a in-season change if he can't find his production from the past. Madrid's big 2041 has earned him a serious look as Terada's (or one of the other righty hitters') platoon mate. One thing to keep in mind is, at the time of press, there are several veteran first basemen still on the open market. Boise has just enough salary cap space to add an another bat, if so inclined, so all four highlighted first-baggers are likely not resting on their laurels quite yet.
"My $#!? doesn't work in the playoffs." - Billy Beane Joe Lederer

User avatar
HoosierVic
Ex-GM
Posts: 3106
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 472 times
Been thanked: 1020 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by HoosierVic » Mon Mar 23, 2020 7:52 am

Pepe Madrid? Sure, that’s his real name. Sounds like a witness protection alias to me ...

User avatar
shoeless.db
BBA GM
Posts: 2317
Joined: Wed May 29, 2019 10:25 pm
Has thanked: 1823 times
Been thanked: 1090 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by shoeless.db » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:13 am

HoosierVic wrote:
Mon Mar 23, 2020 7:52 am
Pepe Madrid? Sure, that’s his real name. Sounds like a witness protection alias to me ...
I wish my name was Pepe Madrid.
Sacramento Mad Popes (unretired)
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- BBA Champion 2053
-- Pacific Champs 2040, 2042, 2043, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2051, 2053, 2054
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.

User avatar
recte44
GB: Commissioner
Posts: 43001
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:14 pm
Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 1608 times
Contact:

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by recte44 » Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:04 am

Terada is Mr. Boise.

jleddy
Ex-GM
Posts: 3216
Joined: Mon May 27, 2019 5:46 pm
Location: Long Beach, CA
Has thanked: 3377 times
Been thanked: 1174 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by jleddy » Tue Mar 24, 2020 1:47 pm

recte44 wrote:
Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:04 am
Terada is Mr. Boise.
He's going to be Mr. Pack-Your-Bags if he doesn't perform this season.
"My $#!? doesn't work in the playoffs." - Billy Beane Joe Lederer

User avatar
RonCo
GB: JL Frontier Division Director
Posts: 19815
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2015 10:48 pm
Has thanked: 1982 times
Been thanked: 2901 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by RonCo » Wed Mar 25, 2020 12:56 am

I'm thinking Perales is eventually the guy. Not awesome, but steady.
GM: Bikini Krill
Nothing Matters But the Pacific Pennant
Roster

User avatar
HoosierVic
Ex-GM
Posts: 3106
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 472 times
Been thanked: 1020 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by HoosierVic » Wed Mar 25, 2020 10:04 am

Pepe Madrid über alles!

jleddy
Ex-GM
Posts: 3216
Joined: Mon May 27, 2019 5:46 pm
Location: Long Beach, CA
Has thanked: 3377 times
Been thanked: 1174 times

Re: Tater Talk: 2042.011 – Position Battles Royale: 1B

Post by jleddy » Wed Mar 25, 2020 4:37 pm

HoosierVic wrote:
Wed Mar 25, 2020 10:04 am
Pepe Madrid über alles!
Welp, I'll be listening to Dead Kennedys the rest of the afternoon now.
"My $#!? doesn't work in the playoffs." - Billy Beane Joe Lederer

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “Boise Spuds”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests