[assamarra]

Tuesday 24th March 2020

Today we look at the opening day roster.

Starting Rotation (2019 season stats in parentheses)

RHP Kevin Gausman (3-7, 6.19 ERA with the Braves)
RHP Johnny Cueto (1-2, 5.06 ERA)
RHPJeff Samardzija (11-12, 3.52 ERA)
RHP Andrew Triggs (0-0, 6.75 ERA with the Las Vegas Aviators (AAA/Oakland)
LHP Drew Smyly (4-7, 6.24 ERA combined with Rangers and Phillies)

Bullpen (2019 season stats in parentheses)

RHP Dany Jimenz (7-3 at minor league levels in 2019)
RHP Trevor Cahill (4-9, 5.98 ERA with Angels)
RHP Trevor Gott (0-1, 4.44 ERA)
RHP Nick Vincent (1-4, 4.43 with Phillies and Giants)
RHP Tyler Rogers (0-0, 1.02 ERA)
LHP Tony Watson (2-0, 4.17 ERA)
LHP Sam Selman (0-0, 4.35 ERA)
RHP Logan Webb (2-3, 5.22 ERA)

This looks a motley crew!

Ranked 21st as a rotation, 16th as a bullpen, the saving grace is Webb is ranked at 2nd in positional rankings.

Optimistically I would hope for some bounce back years from the likes of Gausman, Cueto is coming off a season which was cut short in his 4th start of the season, Samardzija will be playing for a new contract next season while Triggs and Smyly would look to get better and get that ERA down to around the 4 mark (hopefully!)

The bullpen is anchored by closer Webb, Cahill will be the long man. The worry is that this bullpen will get loaded up with innings early in the season if the starters cannot get into the 6th inning (or further).

Lineup (2019 season stats in parentheses)

C/SH Tyler Heineman (.273/.273/.636 with the Marlins)
C/RH Buster Posey (.257/.320/.368)
1B/LH Brandon Belt (.234/.339/.403)
2B/RH Wilmer Flores (.317/.361.487 with the Diamondbacks)
2B/RH Donovan Solano (.330/.360/.456)
3B/RH Evan Longoria (.254/.325/.437)
3B/SH Pablo Sandoval (.268/.313/.507)
SS/LH Brandon Crawford (.228/.304/.350)
LF/RH Hunter Pence (.297/.358/.552 with the Rangers)
LF/RH Austin Slater (.238/.333/.417)
CF/LH Steven Duggar (.234/.278/.341)
CF/SH Billy Hamilton (.218/.289/.275 with the Royals and Braves)
RF/LH Mike Yastrzemski (.272/.334/.518)

Again looking at the positional rankings no position stands out, only catcher and centre field rate as average.

With 77 wins last season, my initial thought of improving may have been slightly off!

Next up a review of the farm system before Opening Day on Thursday.