 |
| Javier Baez (ChC - SS,2B) |
Offense: MEX's team is led by prime slugger OF Giancarlo Stanton, who if not for a gruesome facial injury likely would have been the NL MVP last season. All-Star SS Troy Tulowitzki was also on pace to be NL MVP before a hip injury ended his season early while fellow teammate OF Carlos Gonzalez's season was also cut short by a knee injury though both have superstar ability. Former-MVPs OF Ryan Braun and 1B Joey Votto both were never 100% last season and it showed though another former-MVP in 1B Justin Morneau had a rejuvenated season on way to the 2014 NL batting title. AL Champion catcher Salvador Perez was a Top 10 player at his position, backup Alcides Escobar was the 5th best shortstop in the game, and OF Lorenzo Cain had a breakout campaign. Veteran 3B Aramis Ramirez at age 36 remains a productive player when active while his heir apparent 3B Nick Castellanos will need to improve before taking the reigns. Cuban OF Rusney Castillo remains an intriguing but unproven asset and the inconsistent yet talented 2B/SS Javier Baez could be a bust or boom player. Prospects SS Carlos Correa is recovering from a broken leg but remains a phenom and OF Josh Bell possess attractive power potential. While this group of bats is very capable, they have failed to stay healthy when it matters. With the volatility of Baez, adding a reliable 2B would be advantageous though one never knows when of MEX's stars will go down.
Pitching: The pitching staff of MEX is led by former Cy Young award winner Felix Hernandez who at age 28 has a lot more bullets in the gun. Fellow Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke remains very productive while starter Jared Weaver remains a worthy #1. The electric arms of Yordano Ventura Carlos Martinez, though not the biggest guys, should both be members of their respective rotations while lefty Alex Wood should also be in the rotation as well as off his innings limit this season. 2014 Rule-5 pick Lance Lynn was a smart keeper last season and MEX is hoping Clay Buchholtz can repeat past performances as he is just a year removed from being an All-Star. Hurler Yovani Gallardo finds himself on a new team which may influence his stats somewhat while prospects Robert Stephenson and Alex Reyes work on their crafts in the minors for likely the majority of the season. Closer Neftali Feliz should be good to go in the 9th inning though reliever Francisco Rodriguez has yet to sign with a team, either to setup or close, and him getting closing duties is paramount. There is a lot to like regarding MEX starters and the gamble on Buchholtz seems worth the cost. The real weakness in this staff looks to be its lack of closers which will need to be remedied.
Draft: While there are not a ton of holes here, there are some including the lack of proven closers as well as depth at second base. This does not mean that these issues will be addressed in the draft but if potential candidates fall they may get scooped up.
No comments:
Post a Comment