[Griever20]

Your 2021 Montreal Expos:

Starting Pitching

RHSP Dan Hinton(21, 4/5*) 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR) // 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR(career) – IL 4 weeks shoulder inflammation
An extreme groundballer with mid 90’s zip on his sinking fastball, and a good slider and changeup with a still developing curveball, he improved his control and movement extremely in the last months and became a NMLB level ace, albeit riding the IL right now. Drafted 21st overall in 2017.

RHSP Sam Griffin(27, 3*) 8-13 4.60 97K 35G/20GS 133IP 3.0WAR // 34-34 4.17 319K 138G/67GS 500.1IP 8.7WAR (career)
A 2019 EL All-Star as a starter, he got moved between pen and rotation a lot the last years. He is a control artist by trait, generating a lot of groundballs by hitting the perfect pitch despite little speed on his sinker. Acquired in the 9th round, 263rd overall in the 2014 draft. Opening day starter in 2021.

RHSP Victor Lopez(26, 2.5*) 1-2 4.40 3GS 14K 0.0WAR // 1-2 4.08 4G/3GS 17K 17.2IP 0.0WAR (career)
He has a strong ++ fastball and a good cutter, but the circle change he uses tends to not create enough speed difference to make it not hittable. He was parked in AAA (8-1 4.13 146K 2.5WAR) and also is controllable, but nothing special. Signed as a minor league free agent in 2017.

RHSP Jon Marquardt(23, 2.5*) 1-6 5.04 51K 13HGS 0.2WAR // 1-6 5.04 51K 13HGS 0.2WAR (career)
A Rule 5 Draftee from the Boston Aeros last winter, he lost the first half of the season due to shoulder inflammation and was not great in the second half. His main pitch is a mid-90’s fastball with some junky offspeed stuff, but some solid control. Young, but already fragile and with 45/80 Stamina not the biggest workhorse in our staff, but we will give him a chance until Hinton returns.

RHSP Danny Sandoval(23, 2.5*) 1-4 3.48 52K 8GS 41.1IP 0.9WAR AA // DNP (career)
Another Rule 5 draftee, the righty has electric stuff with a ++ fastball, slider, curveball and forkball, but control issues are his nemesis. We want to give him a shot, but with a spring ERA of 11.42, excitement is limited.

LHSP Bill Smith(24, 3*) 11-13 4.85 213K 33GS 2.5WAR // 13-15 4.69 251K 41GS 230.1IP 3.1WAR (career)
A 12th rounder in 2015, the teamgrown lefty features a 95-97mph fastball with a plus plus splitter and a decent curve, sinker and a waste pitch changeup. Stuff is definitely above average, but the main concern with him is not the ability to pitch good, it is to stay on the field. With his offseason work, he isn’t fragile anymore and could be a good contributor for us, or a good trade chip.

Relief Pitching:

RHRP Chris Ball(22, 2.5/3*) 1-1 2.14 18K 5G/3GS 21IP 0.5WAR S A // DNP (career)
Our scouting department better got that one right. We promoted him up from S A as our scouts say he is throwing 94-96 with a strong changeup an a mediocre slider, and some control problems. Nothing flashy, can be used as a spot starter. Acquired via trade from Philadelphia in 2018.

LHRP Dusty Leone(24, 3*) 1-4 4SV 4.87 58 57.1IP 0.6WAR // 6-20 17SV 4.47 189K 169G 177IP 2.9WAR (career)
One of the better lefties in the league, and a luxus we may not be willing to afford for long. Throws a fastball and a changeup with groundball tendency and does so with a sub 4 FIP. Has eaten 50+ innings every season since 2018 for us with at least 0.6WAR. 2nd round pick, 48th overall in the 2015 draft.

LHRP Rich Nelson(25, 2.5*) 8-12 3.39 148K 27GS 162IP 3.6WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Used as a starter in AAA, Nelson was one of two possible lefties for our pen, and got the job on the cheap due to the Costa injury. Throwing a ++ knuckle curve as a main pitch with a lot of junk, Nelson is nothing special and is more or less here to eat some innings. 16th round pick in the 2014 draft, 473rd overall.

RHRP Andy Pelletier(25, 2.5*) 3-2 3SV 5.71 15K 17.1IP 0.3WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Pelletier is not the typical fireballer you would expect, but throws 93-95 with a lot of movement and a lot of groundballs generated. His stuff is nothing special but he has a deep assortment of breaking balls and offspeed stuff to choose from. Acquired via trade from Boston in 2020.

RHCL Ryan Rasbach(29, 4*) 4-4 25SV 3.52 82K 52G 61.1IP 2.0WAR // 15-21 106SV 3.12 350K 217G 231.0IP 8.6WAR (Career)
We have our very own 2x All-Star! A great fastball with one of the best curveballs in all of baseball, Rasbach lacks one thing to be an absolute elite close… control. He never got below 4.0BB/9 in four NMLB seasons. Extended for a cheap $$$ until the end of 2023, he will be around for a while or land us a nice prospect. Signed on a minor league contract in 2016.

RHRP Adam Rudolph(22, 2.5*) 0-1 6.52 14K 9G 9.2IP 0.1WAR // 0-1 6.52 14K 9G 9.2IP 0.1WAR (career)
Rudolph has a cannon for an arm, firing a 98-100mph cutter with a strong curveball over the plate… mostly. He is an extremely hard worker and should be able to work himself into this bullpen, with his only drawback being the danger of a longball. Acquired via trade from Toronto in 2017.

RHRP Sam Rush(25, 2.5*) 3-6 5.24 107K 50G/11GS 113.1IP 0.3WAR // 7-7 4.76 188K 93G/12GS 193.0IP 0.5WAR (career)
Rush is in his third season with us, and even got some workout as a starter in 2020. His stuff is great with 96-98 fastball and cutter, and a changeup to change speed. A true breaking ball is what he lacks tho to become elite. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2014 draft, 173rd overall.

RHRP Freddy Silva(24, 2.5*) 0-0 5.56 10K 10G 11.1IP -0.5WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Moved through our minor league system last season with rapid pace, Silva is working off pinpoint control with a strong fastball and decent breaking stuff to get hitters out… hopefully. His body has betrayed him more often than not the last years, but we hope he can stay healthy for most of the season. Drafted in the 11th round of the 2015 draft, 321st overall.

Catcher

C Kevin Craddock(24, 2.5*) .265/.375/.323 1HR 12RBI 46G 1.9WAR S A // DNP (career)
Another player that got on the NMLB roster due to Dave G.’s love. An average batter with a bit of upside on the home run department and a 60 rated defensive catcher, Craddock is our backup catcher, nothing more than that. Acquired in the 16th round in the 2017 draft, 483rd overall.

C Steve Fitch(29, 2.5*) .281/.327/.367 1HR 9RBI 41G 0.5WAR // .259/.306/.427 65HR 229RBI 191R 445H 488G 7.6WAR (career)
Part of the 2015 World Series winning squad, Fitch was able to cash in a career season in 2017 into a 5y/$43M contract that will pay him $11.8M in 2021 and 2022. The problem is, he is not a 3+ Win player with the bat. Still, he will start for his solid defensive ratings and to not generate unhappiness on the roster. Acquired in the 8th round in the 2010 draft, 243rd overall.

Infield

1B Dan Cook(27, 2.5*) .268/.347/.427 6HR 35RBI 76G 1.3WAR AAA // .185/.246/.298 2HR 8RBI 12R 23H -0.6WAR (career)
Being a switch-hitting 1B, Cook got the job on the back of that fact. He has amassed 1.3+WAR in each of his three AAA seasons 2018-2020 and only got a callup once. A well rounded hitter with no reals strength, he will get some time to shine, but we got options in AAA . Acquired in the 12th round in the 2011 draft, 365th overall.

1B Alfonso Flores(28, 2*) .156/.206/.289 7HR 23RBI 67G -2.3WAR // .248/.301/.460 157HR 482RBIs 376R 751H 783G 2.6WAR (career)
His power is his calling card at a 60 grade, but the 2017 EL All-Star and 2015 World Series winner is not the batter he used to be, but wasn’t movable with his $8.9M contract for 2021 & 2022. With his defence also not special, the DH slot is his. International free agent signing in 2009.

2B David Quiros(25, 2.5*) .196/.294/.294 1HR 12RBI 31G -0.5WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Our left-handed platoon part for second base, we hope that his 50 grade contact bat with loads of gap power, and decent speed on the basepaths will be productive for us. He also is an above average defender at second base, but also another rookie in our team. Acquired from Vancouver in the 2020 offseason.

2B Franklin Reyes(26, 2.5*) .278/.329/.462 6HR 41RBI 54G 1.2WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Our right-handed platoon part for second base, his bat is a bit more well-rounded than Quiros, but he lacks speed to steal a base. Defensively, he is a match for his partner, and can play short and 3B as a backup when not in use. Acquired from Jacksonville in the 2020 offseason.

3B Vince Roman(33, 3.5*) .266/.348/.483 30HR 90RBI 149G 4.2WAR// .260/.330/.454 258HR 979RBI 816R 1494H 1495G 39.1WAR (career)
A 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger and 1x Gold Glover, we hope that he can stay productive for a while and match his 2020 numbers. Obviously by his Gold Glove, he is a great defender at 3B and is another solid power bat with a 60 rating, AND he is durable and plays 145 games every season. May be a trade chip at the 2021 deadline, but that depends on the returns… Free agent signing in the 2019 offseason.

SS Jose Robles(27, 2.5*) .248/.297/.333 2HR 13RBI 49G 0.5WAR // .223/.269/.323 11HR 36RBI 51R 120H 166G 0.9WAR (career)
A defensive minded shortstop that hasn’t hit much through a 166 game NMLB career, he hope that he can get the batting average up a bit while continue to work as a vacuum cleaner at shortstop for a full season. Lacks an additional tool to be an elite player as he does not have the speed to steal bases. Minor league free agent signed in 2017.

Outfield

LF/RF Karl Ferguson(26, 3*) .234/.320/.418 23HR 61RBI 137G -0.5WAR// .276/.365/.500 59HR 172RBI 169R 298H 3041G 5.7WAR (career)
Had an off-year in 2020 but an All-Star nomination and a Rookie of of the Year Award in 2019 indicate there is more in this one than -0.5WAR for a season. A right-handed hitter that can hit for some good power(.559 SLG in 2019), he is better suited to left-field defensively than in right field, which is why we moved him over. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, 15th overall.

RF Ian Messer(25, 2.5/3*) .285/.347/.467 11HR 53RBI 110G 2.7WAR // .285/.347/.467 11HR 53RBI 41R 105H 110G 2.7WAR (career)
A strong left-handed contact bat with a cannon of an arm, Messer should be an impact bat for us that we hope can hit .290 with some addons while locking down right field on the defensive end. He missed out on the Rookie of the Year last season, but we hope for a 2.7WAR repeat season. Acquired via trade from Boston in the 2020 offseason.

LF/RF Brian Oatley(27, 2.5*) .220/.287/.387 7HR 16RBI 43G -0.3WAR // .233/.296/.427 11HR 24RBI 24R 48H 62G -0,3WAR (career)
Our right-handed part of the right-field platoon, Oatley has a knack for putting wood on the ball and avoiding the strikeout while hitting for some power. He is nothing special, but his bat is a bit stronger against LHP than Messer’s. Acquired via trade in the 2020 offseason.

CF Vicente Rodriguez(23, 2.5*) .196/.196/.232 0HR 5RBI 15G -0.3WAR A // DNP (career)
Elite speed on the basepaths and in the outfield, Rodriguez has some room for growth with the bat but could become a strong leadoff hitter that can beat out a single, and make solid contract to get on. Drafted in the 14th round of the 2016 draft, 430th overall.

CF Brian Schill(26, 2*) .247/.285/.472 28HR 64RBI 149G 2.7WAR// .245/.287/.435 36HR 109RBI 109R 218H 254G 4.0WAR (career)
Those 28 home runs certainly weren’t in the scouing report as he more projects as a doubles hitter, but somehow, some doubles found the fence. The truth is somewhere between 2020 and his 2019 slashline (.244/.291/.382 8HR), but as someone that can play all three outfield positions and especially center field, he will stay with us. Dave G. keeps whispering in my ear that he is not legit tho… Minor league free agent signing.

Sam Griffin(R, 8-13 4.60) - Hugh Kieninger(R, 9-14 4.60) as we open up 2021 with the Philadelphia Grizzlies