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PITCHING STAFF
I think my biggest strength is at the top of my staff. (That’s what he said) Carlton, Pateshall and Villazon are all legit #1 or #2 starters. Beyond them there are question marks this year. Last year, I had question marks all over the rotation to start the year and the bullpen was far from flawless. It worked out okay for me in the end, wouldn’t ya say? The bullpen is strong and will get a boost from a return from the Disabled List in late Spring a potential call-up that could take the BLB by storm.
STARTING ROTATION
SP– Martin Carlton – Age: 33 - This time last year, Carlton was a former closer trying to adjust to the role of middle relief. This year, he is the staff ace of the defending champs.
SP – Carl Pateshall – Age: 35 – This time last year, the “Pitbull” was pitching for the Dallas Snappers. This year, he looks to continue his ride that he started last year. He was 7-1 as a Bat, with a 1.79 ERA. In the playoffs, he boasted a 1.93 ERA.
SP – Cristofor Villazon – Age: 33 – This time last year, Villazon was on the disabled list, recovering from off-season surgery. This year, Villazon is going to be counted upon to stay healthy. Last year, in 25 starts, he struck out 117 batters and walked just 18.
SP– Joe Rodriguez – Age: 31 – This time last year, Rodriguez was the #2 SP on the staff. This year, Rodriguez might not stick in the rotation very long. After ¾ of a great season, had an ERA right around 3.00, Rodriguez hit a wall during the home stretch. He pitched himself right out of the rotation. My scout still thinks he has it left in his tank and he is my only left starter. If he struggles, he might pitch just based on match-ups.
SP – Wes Emerson – Age: 27 – This time last year, Emerson was getting ready to start his 5th straight season in Double-A with the Mojave Mavericks. This year, as a Rule V draft choice, he will be pitching for a big league club for the first time in his career. We like to give opportunity to undervalued pitchers who can benefit from pitching in this park, with this defense and team around them.
SP – D.T. Fitts – Age: 35 – This time last year, Fitts was on the Dallas Snappers roster, where he ended up pitching only 31 innings with a 7.47 ERA. This year, he is looking for find the touch he had when he last pitched in the IL, with California in 1986. He finished that year with a 3.03 ERA, 199 IP and a 11-6 record. If he still has that skill in him, Washington will find it.
BULLPEN
MR – PJ Brooks – Age: 24 – My #1 MR last season. This year, he wants to start. Orginaly I had planned on moving him to the rotation but after the additions in the Rule V and Free-Agency, I decided to hold off for now.
MR – Cristian Ramirez – Age: 26 – One of few lefties on the squad. I think Ramirez, like Brooks, has the talent, stamina and pitches to be a starter, but lucky for me, he hasn’t figured that out yet. He pitched in 71 games last season and posted a 2.55 ERA.
MR – Caleb “Tigger” Alston – Age: 27 – In two brief BLB stints, Alston has a 2.87 ERA in 37.2 innings. He is probably the most likely reliever to struggle (12/11 BB/K last year) but he will make the team initially.
SU – Grant Lewis – Age: 37 – Yes, yes, it is true. Arguably the best closer in D.C. history is changing positions. Lewis will be the #1 setup man this year and obviously the backup closer if needed. He had an average year by his numbers in ’88 and will be a free-agent at season’s end. As long as he remains happy, he should flourish in his new role.
SU – Takejiro Ito – Age: 24 – The lefty setup specialist. Two years in the bigs. 100 innings. 2.96 ERA.
CL – Joe Alveraz – Age: 32 - Acquired in the trade with Philly that sent Pete Summers packing, Alveraz will be the new closer. Last year in Philly, he had 38 saves, 2.27 ERA and WHIP at .88, very impressive. Definitely an upgrade over Lewis.
MINORS
P – Ivan Garcia – Age: 20 – The #5 prospect in all of the BLB is playing in Triple-A this season. Formerly a closer, the Bats are going to try him as a starter. He has a ways to go on his control, but if he can figure it out, he might be on the staff sooner than later. And yes…that’s what she said.
DISABLED
RP - River Matthews – Age: 25 – Had Matthews not got hurt at the end of last season he may have been the closer to start 1988. Oh how injuries change things. Matthews should return at the end of May and will resume his role as setup. Hopefully he can bounce back from the long layoff.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Right now. Everything considered. I think this team is significantly better than the team I fielded in Spring Training of ’88. That’s saying a lot. But, I don’t see this team, right now, as better than the team at the end of ’88. I made call-ups, trades and had injured players return later in the year that made the difference. As far as a starting point, I couldn’t be happier with the club. The position players all have defined roles and as long as Robbins adapts to 1B and Grounds to 3B, this might be the deepest lineup I have ever had.
Of course, changes will happen throughout the year. Trades. Injuries. Old players falling off. New players coming up. But I think my team is plenty deep enough to go through those bumps in the road and the end goal will not change. This team is built to win the title.
***
LINK
I think my biggest strength is at the top of my staff. (That’s what he said) Carlton, Pateshall and Villazon are all legit #1 or #2 starters. Beyond them there are question marks this year. Last year, I had question marks all over the rotation to start the year and the bullpen was far from flawless. It worked out okay for me in the end, wouldn’t ya say? The bullpen is strong and will get a boost from a return from the Disabled List in late Spring a potential call-up that could take the BLB by storm.
STARTING ROTATION
SP– Martin Carlton – Age: 33 - This time last year, Carlton was a former closer trying to adjust to the role of middle relief. This year, he is the staff ace of the defending champs.
SP – Carl Pateshall – Age: 35 – This time last year, the “Pitbull” was pitching for the Dallas Snappers. This year, he looks to continue his ride that he started last year. He was 7-1 as a Bat, with a 1.79 ERA. In the playoffs, he boasted a 1.93 ERA.
SP – Cristofor Villazon – Age: 33 – This time last year, Villazon was on the disabled list, recovering from off-season surgery. This year, Villazon is going to be counted upon to stay healthy. Last year, in 25 starts, he struck out 117 batters and walked just 18.
SP– Joe Rodriguez – Age: 31 – This time last year, Rodriguez was the #2 SP on the staff. This year, Rodriguez might not stick in the rotation very long. After ¾ of a great season, had an ERA right around 3.00, Rodriguez hit a wall during the home stretch. He pitched himself right out of the rotation. My scout still thinks he has it left in his tank and he is my only left starter. If he struggles, he might pitch just based on match-ups.
SP – Wes Emerson – Age: 27 – This time last year, Emerson was getting ready to start his 5th straight season in Double-A with the Mojave Mavericks. This year, as a Rule V draft choice, he will be pitching for a big league club for the first time in his career. We like to give opportunity to undervalued pitchers who can benefit from pitching in this park, with this defense and team around them.
SP – D.T. Fitts – Age: 35 – This time last year, Fitts was on the Dallas Snappers roster, where he ended up pitching only 31 innings with a 7.47 ERA. This year, he is looking for find the touch he had when he last pitched in the IL, with California in 1986. He finished that year with a 3.03 ERA, 199 IP and a 11-6 record. If he still has that skill in him, Washington will find it.
BULLPEN
MR – PJ Brooks – Age: 24 – My #1 MR last season. This year, he wants to start. Orginaly I had planned on moving him to the rotation but after the additions in the Rule V and Free-Agency, I decided to hold off for now.
MR – Cristian Ramirez – Age: 26 – One of few lefties on the squad. I think Ramirez, like Brooks, has the talent, stamina and pitches to be a starter, but lucky for me, he hasn’t figured that out yet. He pitched in 71 games last season and posted a 2.55 ERA.
MR – Caleb “Tigger” Alston – Age: 27 – In two brief BLB stints, Alston has a 2.87 ERA in 37.2 innings. He is probably the most likely reliever to struggle (12/11 BB/K last year) but he will make the team initially.
SU – Grant Lewis – Age: 37 – Yes, yes, it is true. Arguably the best closer in D.C. history is changing positions. Lewis will be the #1 setup man this year and obviously the backup closer if needed. He had an average year by his numbers in ’88 and will be a free-agent at season’s end. As long as he remains happy, he should flourish in his new role.
SU – Takejiro Ito – Age: 24 – The lefty setup specialist. Two years in the bigs. 100 innings. 2.96 ERA.
CL – Joe Alveraz – Age: 32 - Acquired in the trade with Philly that sent Pete Summers packing, Alveraz will be the new closer. Last year in Philly, he had 38 saves, 2.27 ERA and WHIP at .88, very impressive. Definitely an upgrade over Lewis.
MINORS
P – Ivan Garcia – Age: 20 – The #5 prospect in all of the BLB is playing in Triple-A this season. Formerly a closer, the Bats are going to try him as a starter. He has a ways to go on his control, but if he can figure it out, he might be on the staff sooner than later. And yes…that’s what she said.
DISABLED
RP - River Matthews – Age: 25 – Had Matthews not got hurt at the end of last season he may have been the closer to start 1988. Oh how injuries change things. Matthews should return at the end of May and will resume his role as setup. Hopefully he can bounce back from the long layoff.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Right now. Everything considered. I think this team is significantly better than the team I fielded in Spring Training of ’88. That’s saying a lot. But, I don’t see this team, right now, as better than the team at the end of ’88. I made call-ups, trades and had injured players return later in the year that made the difference. As far as a starting point, I couldn’t be happier with the club. The position players all have defined roles and as long as Robbins adapts to 1B and Grounds to 3B, this might be the deepest lineup I have ever had.
Of course, changes will happen throughout the year. Trades. Injuries. Old players falling off. New players coming up. But I think my team is plenty deep enough to go through those bumps in the road and the end goal will not change. This team is built to win the title.
***
LINK
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