Omaha has made the call and announced that Toshikazu Noguchi has lost his job, at least temporarily behind the plate as Angel Garcia, the clubs second round pick in 2040 will take over behind the plate.
It's not the only job lost though, as Jose Montano has also been benched in favor of free agent pick up Alan Williamson.
Garcia, who is getting his first BBA action this season at the age of 22, has struggled at the plate in limited appearances, batting just .196/.246/.485, good for an 88 OPS+, while Naguchi has arguably been even worse with just a .217/.265/.289 triple slash, with the slugging percentage being nearly 200 points lower than Noguchi this season. Noguchi has a 51 OPS at the plate. At just 23 years old, this duo has some time to figure out who gets consistent at bats but it appears the job is open once again.
At shortstop, Jose Montano has been just as bad as he has a .188/.242/.292 triple slash, good for an atrocious 44 OPS+, and a far cry from last season’s line in which he managed a still putrid 79 OPS+ and but least a positive WAR thanks to his glove. That glove can’t save his batting line this season though.
Replacing Montano is Alan Williamson who was signed by the team this off-season as a backup middle infield option should Montano struggle, which he has. Williamson isn’t the savior though. Not only has his defense been spotty at shortstop the past few years, but his bat isn’t much better than Montano’s. Williamson had a few seasons of a really good bat back in the late 2030’s, but since 2041 has managed OPS+ numbersr of just 92,94, and 67, as he dropped off big time last season, watching his batting average drop under the Mendoza line.
Williamson looks like he is going to get the opportunity to stick here but don’t be surprised to see the club look for potential outside help at either of these positions, the two clear positions of weakness and the only two positions with currently negative WAR starters.
Montano/Noguchi both benched in Omaha.(44.22)
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