WHIV 2057.9- Checking The Locks: Starting Pitchers

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (3):
Mahad "Furball" Einan, RHP (10/8/9, 15-10, 3.63 ERA, 1.20 WHI, 3.7 WAR with EDM and LV)- Einan, 30 years old, is now the unquestioned ace of the Hustlers pitching staff. He's always been solid but Las Vegas brass has viewed him as a #1 since he came out of the GBC. His stats in Vegas after the trade (11 GS, 5-4, 2.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 2.0 WAR) validated that belief.

Mike Alexander, RHP (10/8/7, 13-9, 3.93 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.0 WAR with Valencia)- Alexander, 31, was a major free agent signee by Las Vegas and figures to slot into the middle of the rotation. His durability and consistency throughout his career are just what the Hustlers rotation needed.

Alex Payne, RHP (10/7/7, 13-9, 4.26 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2.6 WAR with LV)- Payne, 30, had a solid season after signing with Las Vegas prior to the 2056 season. The Hustlers love that he's a righty who is actually tougher on lefties, a rarity among pitchers in the league. Solid mid-rotation piece.

Near Locks (3):

Steffan Gimsing, RHP (12/5/8, 11-11, 4.57 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 2.6 WAR with LV)- Gimsing, 30, has the best stuff among Hustlers starting candidates, but his susceptibility to the long ball has hurt him. He's been on the trade block, so that's what puts him in the near lock category.

Ashton Brooks, LHP (10/7/6, 9-5, 3.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 1.8 WAR with LV)- Brooks, 36, was solid as usual before going down with an elbow injury and missing most of the second half of the season. Though he's started the last couple of seasons, he was a swingman before that and may be used in multiple roles, if not dealt.

Bret Harrell, LHP (9/9/7, 9-10, 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 4.2 WAR)- First and foremost, Harrell (24 years old) was ROBBED of the JL Gillstrom Award. That can't be said enough. What exactly was the issue? His losing record? Come on. Harrell was the WAR leader of a 86 win pitching staff that just barely missed the playoffs. He accumulated ONE FULL WAR MORE than the eventual winner, Calgary's Ollie Long (who is a fine player, just wasn't the true best rookie in the JL). And yet, the disrespect continues, and among his own team at that. Harrell isn't a lock? With the signing of Alexander and the comeback of Brooks, he might be the logical choice to start in the bullpen, just like he did last year.


Trying To Break In (0):
None (see relievers)

Breaking In The Back Door (0):
None (see relievers)

Vegas is marking all other pitchers as "relievers" for Spring.

[BaseClogger]

Have to imagine you’ll want to go into the season with these six as injury insurance.

[recte44]

Yeah, probably, but I'm super tight to the cap and losing Brooks salary could make a big difference.

[Lane]

Harrell really was robbed. Hell of a rookie season.

[trmmilwwi]

Payne fared well in his first season with the Hustlers. I'll be watching how he does again.