Slayers Ready for Opening Day
via Alynda Silvane, Dryad Reporter
MINAS MORGUL - With opening day's games just around the corner, the Slayers will probably get some early looks at Sabino Valdez, their Rule 5 selection. Sabino hasn't made good on his very solid projections, although he's close in the realm of movement. It will be interesting to see how he performs. Last year's success, Ufrat Deathskull, is in AA where scouts feel he belongs. Last season, Deathskull started off 6-0 before slowing down later in the season. Still a repeat of Deathskull's 9-7 record would be more than acceptable from Valdez.
The team's first ever Rule 5 pick, Denema Earora is still trying to find her way, but she has blossomed into a pitcher that has the skills. Last season was a step in the right direction for her. Denema got the HR allowed down while also showing a better BB/K ratio and far fewer hits allowed. She will play primarily in relief although could be asked to spot start.
The pitching staff will be glad to have Niara Smoothflower back, and she's again the closer. Last year's best replacement was Vrsidush "Juggs" Stonejuggler - this year he will begin as 5th starter. His first start will be the first in his career. They will also welcome Smaugorn "Foghorn" Shegorn, formerly of the franchise formerly known as the Cheese. He will begin his Minas Morgul life in the bullpen, although he has the stamina to go as a starter.
Rookie Gemina Velenda will get a chance to show what she can do. She had some appearances last year, but she's since reached 10 in stuff and has started improving her control and movement.
The rotation is largely the same: Elensar, Elvawen, Arborna, and Belil-Gariand make up the front 4. Only Stonejuggler is different.
Offensively, the team made some changes as well. Foxburr has been demoted to part-time player at 3B for the present as Tina Legal has shot up over the spring in her ratings. She'll be granted 3B for that and her better defense. Should Tina hold strong, Foxburr's future with the Slayers could be in doubt. Last season, Tina had a very impressive season, batting .310 and posting a .876 OPS. Just about every major stat was a career best for her in a role that grew from part time to full time last season.
Another part of the Foxburr benching is Tanta Chubb's sudden increase. She seems to have a whole new attitude and work ethic. On paper, she's a similiar player to Myrtai Elvywyn, the team's slugging 1B - definitely too talented to not get another chance to hold down 2B. Chubb's defense also improved after the team's offseason season training program. This displaced Tina from 2B and moved her to 3B.
Fandir and Sandyman will hold down the catcher's spot once again, probably splitting time about evenly, much like last year. Both players thrived with that arrangement - both catchers posting a career best seasons.
SS will be held by Ghoulslobberer again this year. He was fine at the plate with a .378 OBP, more than acceptable, and he was one of the players invited for special training in his defense. He and Chubb are both "7" in range at their positions, and if need be, he can play 3B with decent ability as well. Why mention 3B? Because "Fireflower" is in AAA already - at 19. She won't be brought up any time soon in all likelihood, but if she does start improving and becoming more and more like a big league hitter...
The outfield centers around Lumtina again. It looked for a while last season that her legs wouldn't hold up, but she pulled it together and posted a fine season. The Slayers will call upon her to do more of the same. Should she falter, the team has precious few choices to fall back on. Marquis Smith has the talent, but is taking a painfully long time to develop.
Imrilron will handle LF, which goes without saying. He'll be in the center of the lineup once again. Ghoulgobbler will have to make do on the bench, and he could be potent in that role if he can get his mind in the game. RF is a question mark. Gorund would like a chance there, but Ettinripper has better defense and has proven his ability to hit, being a steady .300+ hitter since arriving. Drogo Gamwich is another possible RF, but could use some more time to work on his eye at the plate.
It should be a very tough fight. The Slayers will bring offense to the table in all likelihood. The pitching staff should be more stable now that their two anchors in the bullpen are healthy and there's some potential help around them. Minas Morgul's bench should be strong too with players like Foxburr, Ghoulgobbler and the loser(s) of the RF battle, and whoever isn't starting at catcher - all of whom should be solid or better hitters.
It will fall to the pitching staff to protect those runs and keep games as close as possible. Can Arborna repeat her rookie success? Will Earalad and Smoothflower be the same after their injuries? Can Belil-Gariand be the anchor in the center of the rotation once again?
A lot of questions and some very important answers have yet to be found. Let the games begin.
Posted at June 20, 2005 08:00 AM | more from Minas Morgul