Major League Predictions
The Giants are once again predicted to be the best of the National League, although without a 100-win season. The division title races are not predicted to be exciting with the Giants (by twelve), the Nationals and the Reds (both by five) predicted to triumph. The wild card race could be more interesting with five teams predicted to finish between 88-83 wins for the three spot. Gianvito Heaton is predicted to have another big season with 50 HR on the cards, while Jorge Ramirez is the surprising top Giant pitcher, his simulated season producing 15 W, a 3.02 ERA, and 195 K. The Giants will take that!
Over in the National League the Royals are predicted to be back on top, the only 100-win team in baseball. They will win the Central by a huge 26 games, while the Blue Jays (11 games) are almost as comfortable in the East. In the West, the Angels and Astros will have a close battle, a three game margin giving the Angels the division. There are only three teams predicted to finish with a winning record behind those division winners so it will be up to the 80-82 Road Warriors to bring some excitement to the Wild Card race.
Opening Day Lineup
There is little to surprise amongst the starters for the Giants, with a fit-again Frank Calleja the only addition to the line up from the post season. However, the back ups have a new look as Beau Wartel (2051 1st round) and Alexis Vargas (2051 Scouting Discovery – the first of the Stewart era) beat out Luis Morales and Juan Mendoza while Mike Moffitt (2055 Trade KC) wins a battle of the rookies over J.J. Zeman (2053 6th round) for the 5th outfielder spot.
Spring Training Final Roster Cuts
Alexis Vargas’ opening day roster spot meant the Giants needed a 40-man spot and Jovaugh McCarron was the odd man out. He was DFA with Giants hopeful of sneaking him through Waivers.
Optioned C Tim Custer to Triple A Sacramento.
Optioned 1B Luis Morales to Triple A Sacramento.
Assigned 2B Jorge Arizmendi from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Placed 3B Alexis Vargas on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Assigned CF J.J. Zeman from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Optioned SS Juan Mendoza to Triple A Sacramento.
2B Jovaugh McCarron was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Opening Day Pitching Battery
Greg Ward is still weeks away from a return from his injury and Andy Frederick will miss the whole season after his post season injury so it’s a new look starting rotation for the Giants. Juan Montoya and Jorge Ramirez are back at the top of the rotation while Amari Pappillon will get a second crack at the big leagues. They are joined by offseason acquisition Kymani Libbett, who has had three years in the big leagues with the Cubs and Blue Jays but only started eight games, and Ha-joon Kim, the 2051 Minor League Free Agent signing, who is now the 78th ranked player in baseball. Both new additions are LHP, adding some variety to the Giants rotation.
In the bullpen, there are fewer shocks as Jon McConnell is the only new face among a group that is somewhat lacking in diversity – Nate Brodt the only LHP amongst the pen.
Spring Training Final Cuts
Like the position players, some 40-man additions were required at the end of Spring Training which necessitated Pete Lamar being DFA. Like McCarron, the Giants hope to sneak him through waivers although his future even if they manage this is somewhat unclear.
Placed SP Kymani Libbett on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Optioned RP Kymani Devezin to Triple A Sacramento.
Optioned RP Jahsiiyah Garza to Triple A Sacramento.
Assigned RP Brad Hylinski from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Assigned RP Juan Cabral from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Assigned RP Mike Leleux from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Optioned RP Pete Lamar to Triple A Sacramento.
Assigned RP Juan Vela from Spring Training camp to Triple A Sacramento.
Placed RP Greg Brinson on the secondary (40-man) roster.
Placed RP Nate Brodt on the secondary (40-man) roster.
SP Pete Lamar was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.