[Griever20]

Your 2022 Montreal Expos:

Starting Pitching

RHSP Sam Griffin(28, 2.5*) 9-11 3.97 119K 33GS 188IP 4.0WAR // 43-45 4.12 438K 171G/100GS 688.1IP 11.9WAR (career)
The 2x All-Star was our best starter in 2021 and really has been a fan favorite for his hard work and dedicaton. He is a control artist by trait, generating a lot of groundballs by hitting the perfect pitch despite little speed on his sinker. Our scouting department thinks he is only a tad bit better than replacement level and that 2021 was a career year, but he collected 10.3WAR in the last three years as mostly a starter. Acquired in the 9th round, 263rd overall in the 2014 draft.

RHSP Dan Hinton(22, 4/5*) 4-0 1.93 38K 7GS 1.7WAR) // 4-6 4.47 82K 17GS 1.9WAR(career) #9 SP
An extreme groundballer with mid 90’s zip on his sinking fastball, and a good slider and changeup with a still developing curveball, the biggest question is not if he can dominate, but if he can stay healthy, having only stared a total of 26 games in the last two years. His seven starts in 2021 were dynamite, so please light a candle. On minimum contract, first rounder in 2017. Opening day starter in 2022.

RHSP Juan Miranda(24, 2.5/3*) 11-8 3.94 131K 31G/27GS 2.8 WAR AAA // DNP (career)
A right handed arm that is well liked by our scouting department, Miranda can go deep into games with his strong curveball, but tends to be average in every thing else. Average control and movement, and average to above average pitches with a 93-95mph fastball. We still hope for a solid debut season from the kid. 4th round selection in the 2016 draft.

LHSP Roland Morris(23, 2.5*) 3-9 5.58 97K 101.2IP 18GS 1.2WAR (AAA) // DNP (career)
Morris is Aaron McCreery’s favorite and both Dave G. and I were surprised when our manager insisted in having him on the opening day roster. The 23-year old has a strong 96-98mph heater with a good slider and three more solid pitches, but has a weakness when it comes to controlling his pitches. The personality portraited by the lefty is not exactly blue collar, but he is a lefty starter, something we haven’t seen last year. 15th rounder in 2017.

RHSP Austin Roy(24, 3.5/4*) 8-17 4.69 172K 199.2IP 33GS 1.2WAR // 35-42 3.93 573K 607IP 99GS 13.0WAR (career)
A 2x All-Star, similar to Sam Griffin, Roy on the one had struggled in 2021 and was not able to replicate the WL leading 2.98ERA from 2020, on the other hand, the scouting reports citing a great assortment of pitches including a newly developed cutter, above average movement and control, and a good clubhouse personality make him an attractive asset. He signed a 6y/$71M contract this winter and was acquired in June 2021 in the Vinny Roman deal.

Relief Pitching:

RHRP Kevin Cowden(22, 3*) 3-7 32SV 4.09 65K 50.2IP 52G -0.3WAR (AAA) // DNP (career)
Have I mentioned that Aaron McCreery better got his evaluations right? Kevin Cowden is slated to be the fireballing, 99-101mph fastball throwing closer of this bunch at age 22… with his 3.9BB/9. Control is an issue, and some say he lacks the eccentricity of a closer, but the stuff IS really good… I would’ve chosen somebody else as closer tho. Acquired in December 2020 from Calgary.

RHRP Melvin Hernandez(30, 3*) 3-0 1SV 4.59 55K 49IP 50G 1.1WAR (SJ) // 9-11 10SV 4.36 252K 199G 212.2IP 2.7WAR (career)
At age 30, the righty that spent his whole career with the San Jose Killer Whales was demoted to become a Rule 5 draftee… sad for him. Yet, our scouting department sees a strong fastball with a good sinking fastball in him, and they love his clubhouse presence, describing him as a bullpen leader with a good work ethic and someone that generates great respect from his teammates. He now ‘only’ has to show performance on the field.

LHRP Joe Herzer(24, 3*) 3-3 27SV 2.85 67K 60IP 47G 1.9WAR AA // DNP (career)
The other kid from the minors, Joe Herzer was the AA closer in 2021 by destroying hitters with a devastating slider and a sinking fastball. Groundballs are his weapon of choice, and apart from a little work on his control, he is pretty much a finished product. McCreery has him penciled in as 7th inning setup man, and similar to Cowden… we hope this works out.

LHRP John Mannino(22, 2.5*) 2-1 0.89 18K 20.1IP 17G 0.6WAR (NY/MON) // 2-1 0.89 18K 20.1IP 17G 0.6WAR (career)
Mannino was a gamble in August 2021 when we claimed him off waivers from the New York Mets and did not allow a run in 12.2IP with us last season. Expecting that for 2022 would be a strech, but nevertheless, his 98-100mph fastball and a good curveball have worked last season, and he still has room for some growth. Not a stud pitcher, but he beat out Rich Nelson and Bill Costa for the second lefty job.

RHRP Glen McKeen(22, 2.5*) 3-1 1SV 3.19 36K 42.1IP 38G 0.7WAR (DEN/MON) // 3-1 1SV 3.19 36K 42.1IP 38G 0.7WAR (career)
Another waiver wire claim, McKeen was let go by the Denver Seahawks and ended up with a 3.08ERA with us in 34 games. At age 22, he still has a long career in front of him (hopefully), but consistent success depends on him making the final steps of development on his fastball and changeup. He is a clever, adaptable kid, so we are confident that he can be a solid part of our bullpen for this year and maybe beyond.

RHRP Ryan Rasbach(30, 2.5*) 6-7 30SV 3.43 85K 60.1IP 56G -0.3WAR // 21-28 136SV 3.18 435K 273G 291.1IP 8.3WAR (Career)
If one wants to be unfair, you could say, he got the 3y/12.3M deal, pitched a -0.3WAR closer season in 2021, and then got out of shape. Aaron McCreery took him away from the closer role as his fastball lost a lot of zip and with his control and movement not being more than average (at best), Rasbach went from closer to random dude in our bullpen. Minor league free agent signing in 2016.

RHRP Adam Rudolph(23, 3*) 3-3 4SV 3.59 84K 77.2IP 49G 0.0WAR // 3-4 4SV 3.92 98K 58G 87.1IP 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 while he only has two pitches, he can pitch multiple innings, tho 77.2IP last season was a bit… too much. He would’ve been my pick as a closer, but I’m not the manager, he is the 8th inning man instead. Acquired via trade from Toronto in 2017.

RHRP Freddy Silva(25, 2.5*) 2-3 1SV 5.01 71K 70IP 55G 0.8WAR // 2-3 1SV 5.01 71K 70IP 55G 0.8WAR (career)
Punished with a .372BABIP, Silva was better than his ERA last season and, similar to Adam Rudolph, worked a lot of solid innings in 2021. After a little stint in the minors, Silva picked up his ERA and can be strong with his pinpoint control and four solid pitches. Drafted in the 11th round of the 2015 draft, 321st overall.

Catcher

C Kyle Barr(25, 2.5*) .248/.302/.361 10HR 46RBI 109G 0.5WAR (AAA) // DNP (career)
Having won the job in spring over Jordan Chavis, Kyle Barr will be our backup catcher for 2022. A good defensive catcher without a flashy bat, he is nothing too special, and we had a lot of those catchers around. Nothing to see here, move on. Acquired via trade from Jacksonville Patriots in December 2021.

C Kevin Craddock(25, 2.5*) .205/.282/.319 3HR 14RBI 66G 0.1WAR // .205/.282/.319 3HR 14RBI 66G 15R 43H 0.1WAR (career)
Craddock was part of an unusual number of catchers we tried behind the plate in 2021, and his defence would’ve been his calling card… but a 5.03CERA makes this doubtful. He won the job on McCreery’s gut feeling and Dave G.’s scouting ratings… but we are not impressed. 16th rounder in 2017.

Infield

1B Dave Grochowski(23, 2.5/3.5*) .262/.335/.410 14HR 57RBI 125G 2.8WAR AA // DNP (career)
Yep. He beat out Dan Cook for the every day job in spring and that surprised everyone. A strong contact hitter that can avoid a strikeout, his power potential is around 55, so he won’t be a 30HR hitter, but should be productive nonetheless. Defensively, Grochowski should be solid and we wanted another left-handed batter in. Still, poor Cody Kerzner lost his job because of him and Ferguson. 9th rounder in 2017.

1B Cody Kerzner(27, 2.5/3*) .244/.306/.426 20HR 65RBI 129G 0.9WAR (VAN/MON) // .258/.315/.430 20HR 65RBIs 75R 149H 190G 0.9WAR (career)
Cody Kerzner provided a big spark for the first month of his stay here, but his bat cooled off quite a bit over the course of the season. Still, 20HR in 118 games is nothing to sniff at, but McCreery decided to bench him against everything else but right-handers. That he failed his offseason routine may just be his downfall, as this was his last chance. Claimed off waivers from Vancouver in May 2021.

2B Robby Weltzer(25, 2.5*) .217/.254/.310 5HR 26RBI 72G 0.0WAR // .233/.275/.336 11HR 63RBI 65R 138H 165G 1.0WAR (career)
A glove first second baseman that can play all positions in the infield with quality defense, his bat is lacking real oompf, and we have seen that in 2021. His 2020 was better than 2021, but we decided to go with the idea of defence first, hitting second in the middle infield. Acquired via trade from Los Angeles in June 2021.

3B/SS Orlando Gonzalez(27, 2.5*) .254/.306/.425 11HR 37RBI 89G 1.3WAR // .245/.299/.417 13HR 45RBI 114G 49R 91H 1.4WAR (career)
Coming over as a backup infielder in the 2020 offseason, Gonzalez was a surprise splash in 2021 with more power than expected and some solid hitting, yet still below league average. With him going down with a hamstring strain during spring training, he was not able to compete for a job in spring, and lost it to Kazemd. Acquired via trade from Cincinnati in November 2020.

3B Mitku Kazemd(22, 2.5*) .248/.289/.389 6HR 26RBI 71G 1.4WAR A // .200/.333/.200 0HR 1RBI 1R 3H 5G -0.1WAR (career)
Batting .346 in spring training, the young kid won a job he didn’t know he competed for as he expected to be a backup infielder at best. A solid defender that has a 60 grade potential contact bat, Kazemd is a tireless worker that lacks a third real skill to become something special, but could be a solid piece for the next years. Acquired via trade from Kansas City in December 2021.

SS Jose Robles(27, 2.5*) .218/.269/.351 13HR 52RBI 150G 0.8WAR // .220/.269/.337 24HR 88RBI 90R 229H 316G 1.7WAR (career)
Love him or hate him. There is nothing in between. One the one hand, he hits .218, then he hits 13 home runs somehow, then he plays elite defence. I still think he is not going to last forever in the majors as his bat is just a bit too light, but he gets another crack for 2022. Minor league free agent signed in 2017.

Outfield

LF/RF Ignacio Benavides(25, 3*) .317/.388/.455 3HR 17RBI 33G 0.7WAR // .317/.388/.455 3HR 17RBI 13R 32G 33G 0.7WAR (career)
We made a great deal last offseason here. Benavides came up late last season and was mainly used against left-handed hitters… with great effect. A good contact hitter that can steal a base, he lacks a good throwing arm to become a great defender, and another boost to become a great hitter. We have had a lot of those around last season, so we stay tuned how he performs as a regular. Acquired via trade from Cincinnati in November 2020.

LF/RF Karl Ferguson(27, 2.5/3*) .260/.312/.440 22HR 78RBI 151G 0.5WAR // .270/.347/.79 81HR 250RBI 238R 449H 452G 6.2WAR (career)
After an abysmal 2020, 2021 was better, but not great. His 5.5WAR season in 2019 may have been his career year that netted him an All-Star nomination and the Rookie of the Year Award. McCreery demoted him to the DH slot as his defence in the outfield is suboptimal for our standards, but he is a homegrown guy signed for 5y/$25.4M and we want to give him a chance to show his bat. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, 15th overall.

RF Ian Messer(26, 2.5*) .268/.321/.398 12HR 50RBI 130G 0.9WAR // .276/.333/.428 23HR 103RBI 101R 231H 240G 3.6WAR (career)
Last season, we hoped for Messer to be the big offseason acquisition that could hit .290 with good defence. His 2021 was nothing like that as he underperformed for most of the year and never made the next big step. Yet, we will trust him to patrol right field again in 2021… but this has to work. Acquired via trade from Boston in the 2020 offseason.

CF Vicente Rodriguez(24, 2.5*) .275/.302/.368 1HR 22RBI 129G 2.0WAR // .275/.302/.368 1HR 22RBI 59R 148H 129G 2.0WAR (career)
Elite speed on the basepaths and in the outfield, Rodriguez was a revelation in 2021, playing great defence as we hoped, while batting for a solid clip and scoring some runs for us, as well as stealing 10 bases in 2021. His batting eye and power is below average, and that he has not succeeded in his offseason training is a disappointment. Drafted in the 14th round of the 2016 draft, 430th overall.

CF Brian Schill(27, 2*) .225/.266/.431 7HR 29RBI 50G 0.4WAR// .242/.284/.434 43HR 138RBI 129R 254H 304G 4.3WAR (career)
A 28 home run season in 2020 was clearly a fluke as our scouting department predicted a year ago, but Schill was a solid backup with us in 2021 and there was little competition for the outfield backup job with center field capabilities. Minor league free agent signing.

Dan Hinton(R, 4-0 1.93) - Joel Gaspar(L, 1-1 5.82) as we open up 2022 with the New York Mets!