WHIV 2061.7- Checking The Locks: Infielders

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (5):
Luigi Canavan, 1B/DH (6/5/7/7/5)
Czar "Jimmie Jack" Mamatulin, 1B (5/5/8/6/4)
Randy Wright, 2B (7/6/6/5/7)
Eduard "Tippy" Faktorovich, 3B (7/7/5/4/7)
Jorge Madrid, SS (5/5/2/8/3)

The Hustlers' starting infield and DH seem set for a while here. Their ages, respectively, are: 24, 24, 23, 25, and 22. Canavan, the big Australian, made his way into the Las Vegas plans more and more as the season went on and now seems a big part of their future plans. Mamatulin had another solid year in his second BBA campaign, and turned into a complete stud in the postseason. Wright is arguably the best player on the current roster. Faktorovich was not even a Hustler at this time last year, but now seems to have a strong hold on major playing time at the hot corner. Madrid may not offer much at the dish, where he'll strike out frequently, but offers plus defense at a position where that is very hard to find.

Near Locks (1):
Don Dulaney, 3B/1B/LF (5/6/7/4/5)- Dulaney's playing time dissipated after Faktorovich arrived in Vegas. He still offers a great power bat in reserve, and is versatile enough to play the four corners defensively.

Trying To Break In (3):
Ben MacFeat, "1B"/LF (POT: 5/5/8/8/4)- He has one more option year and he'll need to prove himself at the higher levels of the minor leagues, which he's yet to do. Also, he has no real business playing the outfield, so the team will train him at first base this season.

Jon Bevan, 3B/IF/COF (5/6/4/5/6)- Bevan is now out of options, so he'll have to make the team or....well, the Hustlers will have to figure that out. There's a lot of angst over what to do with him. He's more than a "40" to the Hustlers.

Bharti Senagala, 3B/1B/COF (POT: 5/5/5/6/5)- He projects to be a perfectly fine bench player. He can play third base well, first base and left field nicely, and to some extent he could even play the other infield and outfield positions in a pinch. Has good speed and great intangibles. However, he's now 24 years old and has played all of three games above the Class A level. This is a big, big year for Senagala.

Breaking In The Back Door (4):
Kilipaki "Don't touch my drums!" Iugini (5/5/4/6/7)- Decent utility infielder with plenty of BBA experience, signed to a minor league deal. Also runs very well. Off to Milwaukee (AAA) unless something goes horribly wrong. What's the story with the drums??? That's what inquiring minds to know. If you have any information about said drums, please contact us.

Dave Offredi, 2B/IF (5/6/4/5/6)- The shine is off Offredi a bit since last year. He lost his 40-man spot and scouts don't see him as quite the player they thought he might be. He was nothing more than a deep bench guy anyway. Now, he's probably become one of those unsung organizational soldiers.

Armando Diaz, 3B/IF (POT: 6/5/5/4/7)- What really is the difference between scouts giving a guy a "6" rating vs a "7" rating. It's probably not as drastic as we perceive it, but in the case of the Hustlers' #1 pick from last season, the loss of one point of contact potential raises at least "surface" concern.

Kang-xi Kong, SS/IF (5/5/5/5/7)- So he's more of a second baseman than a shortstop, but in this current BBA, he's good enough to play shortstop at least in the minors and if needed, to serve as a big league utility dude.

[recte44]

March 7, 2060:
Armando Diaz assigned to minor league camp.
Jon Bevan, Dave Offredi designated for assignment.
Ben MacFeat optioned to Milwaukee (AAA).

[BaseClogger]

Is Bevan on waivers then?

[recte44]

Is Bevan on waivers then?

yup, he lumped. Not nearly as appealing as a 5/6/3/5/6 guy.