Hops pre-season PR
March 11, 2018
April 4, 2035
As the 2035 season dawns, the Hops are guardedly optimistic.
The 2034 campaign featured a ten game improvement, up to 67 wins, so a similar
improvement might mean a brush with .500. A lot of changes are in store for the
upcoming season, while some featured stars remain.
First, a fond farewell to Nadir Rivzi and Jorge Moreno, two
aging stars who are still awaiting a team to sign them. A spring training trade
brings two young Rule 5 pitchers to the roster, Gohta Yamashiro and Jimmy
Shumaker, along with their new first baseman, Camden Mansel, a proven ABL
slugger. Waived just this week are four pitchers with pro experience, Bob
Fleury, Gerardo Vela, Rolando Teves and Roberto Mejia.
Amad Kuram moves into the starting lineup at catcher, also
coming over in trade, and in the same deal, Rico Madrigal, the infielder, makes
the Opening Day roster.
ROTATION:
Francisco Zuñiga, is the newly christened ace, after eleven
starts at the end of a forgettable season. Hopefully his injury woes are behind
him. Behind him are veteran, Robinson Pedercini (pictured), then three
southpaws, Jim Phillips, Nick Henneberry and Pedro Alejo. Henneberry hasn’t
been a regular starter since 2031 in AA. Like Henneberry, Alejo’s repertoire
features a devastating changeup.
BULLPEN:
Mitzusuku Koyama had twenty decisions, 10-10, to go with 28
saves, so he’s the closer. Satoshi Yamada makes his big league debut in a setup
role along with Kawanari Uchida, also a rookie with three big-league innings.
Jeff Hodge is the lone veteran lefty in the pen, though he’s only 28. The
aforementioned two Rule 5 kids round out the relievers.
CATCHER:
Amad Kuram is a great backstop, but is perhaps well past his
prime as a hitter. Addy de Zeeuw is still going to get a lot of playing time.
Ron Marshall waits in the wings.
INFIELD:
Mansel has 172 career dingers, and brings a veteran presence
to the team. He’s backed up by the mad Romanian, Alexandru Curticapeanu, who
bashed 21 homers in ’34. Ross Bullmore, Madrigal, and veteran, Akira Kato,
Manuel Rios and Gerardo Rosa are the choices in the middle infield. An-yi Bian
is the All-Star third baseman, and biggest star of this crew. Motoki Hayakawa
is out of options as a corner infielder.
OUTFIELD:
The strength of the team is the dynamic duo of Robbie
Colwill and Martin Arias. Jejomar Butardo will try to get another decent year
in his eleventh big-league campaign. Tobias Zieler made the team out of spring
training after two cups of coffee, and may let his bat do some serious talking.
OUTLOOK:
.500 is the goal, while keeping eyes open to continue to
make improvements. Names like Landon Carmichael, Salvatore Marraquin, Jimmy
Wynn and Mario Yescas could see time as position players, while pitchers, Jon
Bender, Ids Haasjes, and Ryuichi Akiyama, a former number one choice, are
moving up in the minors.
