In this series we will take a look at some of the teams in Plumpy and analyze their future. Including projected starting lineup, rotation, bench and what pieces they may need to acquire.
First up in the series will be the
Portland Killer Whales.
The Killer Whales biased or non biased may very well have the best minor league system of all teams in Plumpy. stacked with top of th erotation SP, back end SP who can become top guys inside Portlands home park, and great position players. So lets start it off with Portlands future starting lineup.
ETA: Season 18 is when the Killer Whales lineup could come full circle.
LineupC -
J.B. Scott - Scott projects to have only average contact and power but that came be over came by his superior eye and ability to hit the ball versus both R and L pitchers. He will hit for a high averag ebut mostly singles are in his future. If Scott even sniffs the stats he piled up in S15 on the way to a dominanting MVP season this comp pick will make everyone who skippe dhim cringe.
Current Level AA
ETA : Season 17
1B -
Bruce Kohlmeier - Kohlmeier is one of the few players that remained with the organization since Irck has taken over a GM some 7 seasons ago. Kohlmeier is a speed contact hitting 1B who gets rave reviews from GM Irck and thats why he has stuck. He is an all around great player and good thigns are expected.
Current Level : ML
2B -
Wascar Nunez - Wascar was the big IFA signing in season 14 by the Killer Whales. Nunez projects to be a good contact hitter with a great eye. Like JB Scott Wascar had a monster year in AA last year and look sto buil don his success. If eh can stay healthy Nunez will be a staple in Portland for years to come.
Current Level : AA
ETA : Season 17
SS -
Tomas Calvo - Tomas Calvo was the big IFA signing of season 15. Calvo projects to be a stud defensive SS with speed to swipe 40 SB a year. Versus lefties Calvo will become a great hitter, but the knock on him is the inability to hit righties. It remains to be seen if he can have any success versus them. GM Irck loves Calvo though, and was not deterred by his VS R.
Current Level : High A
ETA : Season 18
3B - TBD The Killer Whales currently do not have their future 3B. GM Irck has stated that he hopes to bring in a college 3B to be the future, or possibly an IFA who is not far off from the majors.
LF -
Randy Raines - One of the biggest steals in season 13s draft Randy Raines fell to pick 46 in the comp round where the Killer Whales were estatic about the kid. 3 seasons later Portland couldnt be happier wit the development. Raines projects t have great contact, solid power and solid versus lefties and righties. He is no superstar but he will be a good every day COF. Add some speed and a good eye and Raines will have a great career.
Current Level : AAA
ETA : Season 17
CF -
Pete Beckham - Beckham moves from 2B to CF for the Killer Whales where his high contact and speed are being raved about inside the Whales clubhouse. Beckham doesnt have your prototypical CF glove but it hasnt hurt him so far.
Current Level : ML
RF -
Trevor Winn - Winn like Beckham has high contact and speed and like beckham will be looked upon to start the offense and score runs. If the Whales dismal offense ever wants to be a factor Winn needs to hit for a high average like he can.
Current Level : ML
DH -
Damaso Delgado - Already going into his second seasons Damaso delgado is one of the best hitters in baseball. Last seasons ROTY look sto build on his massive year. If he can play in more games than he has previously he is a perrenial MVP candidate even in the extreme pitching park of Portland.
Current Level : ML
PitchingSP -
Del Moya - 1 of 3 big IFA signings of season 13 by the Killer Whales. Moya projects to be a #1 or #2 depending on Vic Pena. Moya projects to have great control, can pitch versus L and R, high velocity, and keeps the ball out of the air. The only knock is that MOya only has 2 quality pitches, although they are ++ projected it remains to be seen if MLers any mor eluck than the MiLers.
Current Level: AAA
ETA : Season 16 (after 21 games) - Season 17
SP -
Vic Pena - The 6th pitcher taken in the S13 draft but arguablly one of the top 3 if not #1 so far. Pena projects to have top not contorl, dominating versus R and great versus L. Pena keeps th eball out of the air and projects to have 3 +++ pitches. Moya and Pena will be fighting for the coveted #1 SP position.
Current Level: AAA
ETA : Season 16 (after 21 games) - Season 17
SP -
Lloyd Brock - Brock was the most recent addition to the stockpile and I mean stockpile of Killer Whale pitching prospects. Like MOya and Pena Brock projects to a #1 or #2 SP. He projects to have high control, great splits dominant versus R, throws hard and keeps it out of the air. PLus he has 2 ++ pitches, and 2 potential + pitches.
Current Level: High A
ETA : Season 18
SP -
Miguel Maranon - Miguel Maranon has been with the Whales for a few seasons now and has impressed. Maranon is great versus R and is still developing versus L. Maranon throws hard but has trouble forcing GB. He has 1 ++ pitch, 1 + and 1 potential + pitch.
Current Level: ML
SP -
Alving Alou - Alving alou in his 2 ML years has had a wild career. His rookie season he only went 9-6 with a 2.83 ERA. Then last seaosn he went 8-18 with a 5.02 ERA including 13 straight losses. Alou is great versus L but only average against R. The way Alou will overcome his Vs R defeciancies is with his 2++ pitches and 3 + pitches, and the ability to keep the ball on the ground.
Current Level: ML
LR -
Mike Dobson - The 18th pick in last seasons draft Dobson could probably be a SP on 80% of the teams in Plumpy but not with the Killer Whales. Dobson projects to have excellent control and is good versus lefties and righties. Dobson throws hard, keeps it down and projects to have 1 ++ and 2 + pitches. Dobson could eventually vie for a spot in the rotation but if the current projected 5 stay on course it is doubtful. Dobson is the first of 4 very good LR the Killer Whales look to have.
Current Level: Low A
ETA: Season 18
LR -
Norman Boyd - Norman Boyd is currently in the Whales rotation but only until the rest of the guys are ready. Boyd posted 12 wins and a 3.90 ERA last season so its not his fault he wil be pumped its the level of talent around him. Boyd has great control, and great versus lefties. Like Alou he lacks versus righties. BOyd ha s1 ++ pitch and 2 +. a fine LR BOyd will make. If he stays with the team. BOyd is being shopped.
Current Level: ML
LR -
Miguel Urbina - The lesser known of the 3 IFA signed during season 3. Urbina projects to have just average control, but good splits, 1 ++ pitch, 2 + pitches, throws hard and of course keeps the ball out of the air.
Current Level: AA
ETA: Season 17
LR -
Ricardo Pineiro - The very first draft pick made by GM Irock was Piniero. Piniero did not come close to what he was projected at coming out of the draft. But he has been a great piece so far. Winning Season 14s ROTY. Piniero is a workhorse with grat control, but only average splits. His ability to keep the ball out of the air and havign 1 ++ pitch and 2+ pitches helps him over come his defeciancy. Piniero ha sa career 3.64 ERA in 2 seasons and will remain in th erotation until Pena and Moya get the call.
Current Level: ML
SU -
Aurelio Santana - The current ML closer Aurelio Santana has excelletn control, but only slightly above average splits which holds him back form becoming an elite closer. He throws hard but has trouble forcing ground balls. He also features one of the single best pitchesin all of Plumpy his fast ball, and then a + pitch in his slider.
Current Level: ML
SU -
Vince Richardson is better control away from beign an elite closer. He has excellent splits, throws hard, keeps it down, and has 1 ++ pitches, and 2 + pitches. Richardson has been a staple in the back end of the Killer Whales pen for the last 5 seasons yet he has not shown the productivity expected due to his wild and erratic pitching.
Current Level: ML
SU -
Alfonso Villano - Villano has good control, and good but not great splits. He has a ++ pitch, and a + pitch and like the majority of Whale pitchers great GBFB ratios. Villano is the type of pitcher who could become great in the killer Whales home park.
Current Level : AAA
ETA : Season 17
CL -
Joshua James - Joshua James features great control, and good splits. like any good closer he throws hard and keeps it down. He features 1 ++ pitch, and 1 + pitch. It remains to be seen if James can hold onto his CL of the future roll.
Current Level : AAA
ETA : Season 16 - 17
There is alot of young talent in the majors and minors for the Killer Whales and if they can all come together sooner rather than later this team will be a formidable opponent for everyone in Plumpy. This concludes the look into the future of the Portland Killer Whales.
