The roster today is beyond any expectations I had even a year ago. It happened fast and I don't think there's any fluke in this. We worked hard this winter and end camp with 10 guys who we could take “north” as starters. Our AAA rotation is going to be stacked, as is the rest of that squad.
STARTING PITCHING
One new name. Ramirez opening day followed by Jeff Chase, Luis Anguiano, Tim Agresta and Jace Camp.
The means our Alamogordo rotation will be Luis Samvdio, Chad Willoughby, Jon Naclerio, Kody Pollock and Leith Southorn. 5 26 or younger starters and all talented.
BULLPEN
Made a decision late in camp to go north with 11 instead of 12. We feel good about the rotation and the ability to get deeper into games.
Long man will be Jorge Longoria, Mendoza and Turner will be the middle guys with Sam Ginn and Jake Grab setting up Ernesto Galindo.
Jake had an outstanding spring, much to everyone's relief and that allowed some moving around of pieces.
Our AAA pen is deep as well and we leave camp with our pitching, organization wide, in what I think is a great place.
Here's the opening day lineups and ya, there are som surprises. Bobby Trumble blew everyone away on both sides of the game this spring. He was outstanding defensively and he lead the entire ABA in stolen bases. Ismael Saldana shocked the world by destroying all kinds of pitching.
Ernesto Rodelo had a great spring and as you can see the 13 position players allow for almost a perfect split/platoon in some cases.
Max Ramirez hit .250 this spring, not a real hard .250 either. However his defensive game is at a level we will manage that.TJ Rand was the 'victim' of Ismael's great spring.
Mike Haupt did what Mike Haupt does. There were some rumblings late in camp about a clubhouse dust up but nothing came of it.
Word is out that the baseballs are not going to be wound as tight this year and that that will have an enormous impact on offensive as well as pitching stats.
If this model is anywhere near close it's true. I am a bit stunned at what amounts to a 4 game improvement. We were projected at 81-81 last season and just 85-77 this year. Given that we won 90 and added the games best young hitter and some quality arms that implies much of last year was a fluke to the “experts'.
Not without a ton of work but we are rated as BBA's #1 minor league system.
3 teenagers on this list. Just how I like it, first 5 spots are starting pitchers!