2016 Slimedog Team Preview

Hisashi Iwakuma (Sea - SP)

Summary:  If Slimedog (SD) can stay healthy and all of his once ailing potential stars recovery and stay healthy, SD could once again enter contention.  Adding some MLB contributors while continuing to prepare for the future should this team up for the success now now or in the future. 

Offense:  SD's offense features two likely first rounds talents in the phenomenal Mike Trout (LAA - OF) and the dynamic Manny Machado (Bal - 3B).  The next rounds of bats aren't quite as potent but are just a notch below with Freddie Freeman (Atl - 1B) and Justin Upton (Det - OF) capable of All-Star seasons.  Speaking of All-Stars, 2014 standout Michael Brantley (Cle - OF), who's 2015 season is likely his norm, is capable is repeating last season while Jonathan Schopp (Bal - 2B) and Christian Yelich (Mia - OF) are actually more talented than they have shown.  Sophomores Corey Seager (LAD - SS) and Orlando Arcia (Mil - SS) look to improve on their late season call-ups and remain two valuable young shortstops going forward.  Former-LSU alum DJ LeMahieu (Col - 2B) has the body and frame to hit for more power though he currently does everything else well including playing a premium position.  On the farm, SD has arguably the best 3B prospect in baseball in Renato Nunez (Oak - 3B), Vladimir Guerrero's slugging nephew Gabby Guerrero (Ari - OF) and Rockies shortstop Rosell Herrera (Col - SS), who has remained stagnant in A+ ball.  Adding Matt Wieters (Bal - C) was a nice boon addition in the Rule-5 draft that figures to stick.  While this offense isn't necessarily deep in some spots, it is most impressive in other areas.  Adding some MLB depth at some power positions, especially as it waits on Nunez to mature, would be logical moves. 

Pitching:  So...fun fact.  Of the 15 pitchers on SD's staff, 8 of them have either had Tommy John surgery or are currently recovering from said surgery.  In addition, prospect Hunter Harvey (Bal - SP) probably still needs the elbow surgery and 2015 import Masahiro Tanaka (NYY - SP), who had a nice 2015, had some burn spurs removed removed from his elbow this Fall.  Still, this year is the should catch the majority of SD's on the upswing of their recovery with many predicted to thrive.  Going along with SD's talented bats are its volatile but potent of arms led by Jose Fernandez (Mia - SP), who pre-injury was one of the best starters in baseball, Stephen Strasburg (Was - SP), who had a great 2015 season averaging 11 K/IP, and Mike Moore (TB - SP), who came back last year from TJ and will be looking for better this season.  Post-season dynamo Steven Martz (NYM - SP) and ROY candidate Lance McCullers (Hou - RP) will be amazing if they can bring forth their same effort and Hisashi Iwakuma (Sea - SP) is one of the more underrated arms in the majors.  Help could also be on the way with Alex Cobb (TB - SP), who should return in may, and Dylan Bundy (Bal - SP), still a fine prospect and could still be the best arm in the minors when healthy.  Prospect arms waiting in the wings round out wit Jameson Taillon (Pit - SP), looking forward to a 2016 season after recovering from injury, Braden Shipley (Ari - SP), a 2013 1st RD draft pick along with Lucas Giolito (Was - SP) and Julio Urias (LAD - SP), both of which are Top 10 young pitching arms in the minors.  Being void of relievers does not bode well for Slimedog if it wants to compete so adding a closer or two could go a long way.  Still, this is an impressive young group of hurlers. 

Draft:  Armed with the 5th overall selection, SD might looks towards the present over the future in order to compete.  Picking a good closer on a good team might be an logical avenue making Santiago Casilla (SF - RP) and his 38 saves a nice choice or potentially selecting potential star Brad Boxberger (TB - RP) might be a worthwhile gamble.  If this team goes young, then AJ Reed (Hou - 1B) could be a nice young power option. 

Prediction:
RD 1: Santiago Casilla (SF - RP) - On a good team and likely the best closer available 
RD 2: Jake McGee (Col - RP) - Should be a nice closer with some good K potential 
RD 3: Adam Lind (Sea - 1B) - Would provide a nice veteran bat to spell 1B and utility spots
RD 4: Matt Wieters (Bal - C) - R5 Keeper
RD 5: Gabby Guerrero (Ari - OF) - Keeper
RD 6: Runato Nunez (Oak - 3B) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Daz Cameron (Hou - OF) - 1st RD talent that many have forgotten, nice pedigree
RD 2: Triston McKenzie (Cle - SP) - Big projectable frame capable of reaching the top of a rotation
RD 3: Dae-ho Lee (Sea - 1B) - Not in Yahoo database, could be a fast rise to majors based on Korean numbers