Slayers set lineups

The Slayers are set for the majors and have released their projected lineups:

Relin Rockmaster, Age 28, 3B
Minto Foxburr, Age 26, LF
Isilborn Imrilron, Age 35, RF
Firbal the Nasty, Age 26, 1B
Tanta Chubb, Age 28, 2B
Petunia Gamgee, Age 26, SS
Marquis Smith, Age 28, CF
Minta Sandyman, Age 28, C

The team is hoping to infuse more speed and OBP into the offense. Defensively, Rockmaster will have to try his hand at 3B, but he can't be much worse than Foxburr was there. Imrilron shifting to RF will be something to watch as well. Still, the Slayers look to feature a young and capable offense. Agnes Fernia will be roaming the field, giving time off to the starters and filling in defensively in RF. K.L. is sticking to his belief that Fernia will get at least 400 AB despite not having a settled position.

While the OBP emphasis has been the big story in Minas Morgul and the added speed of Rockmaster gets a lot of notice, the team actually infused more power as a side effect. Gamgee and Rockmaster give the team two more power hitting infielders, especially in Gamgee - who looks a lot like Tanta Chubb.

Starters:
Galealbo Elvàwen
Ishanna *Seladriel
Kashi Darkleaf
Deneama Eärórà
Quinn Ladygrass

Relievers: (+ denotes closer)
Nark Steelshaper+
Niara Smoothflower
Hagush Eartrembler
Gemina Velenda
Vrsidush Stonejuggler
Sylvania Arborna

The starting rotation was fine last season and should be as capable this season. Denema Earora has found her rhythm on the mound while the team will look for Elvawen and Seladriel to continue leading the rotation. Quinn Ladygrass will get the first shot at the 5th starter spot although if she struggles, Eartrembler or Arborna will be there to try for the spot. The rotation tends to do their damage by limiting hits allowed, and this year's staff should be no different.

The bullpen was inconsistent last season, and it hurt the team in the win-loss column. The team won only 88 games last season, largely because of the bullpen, but they did well enough to still guide the team back to the Return of the King Series.

Still, the talent is there for this group to truely lockdown leads and shut down struggling outings from starters. Steelshaper has all the skills of a shutdown closer while he's supported by a case of well-rounded and courageous pitchers. A weakness in the bullpen has been the lack of true strikeout stuff. They do hold down walks better than the starters, though.

The pitching staff as a whole is relatively young, largely of the same age as the starting lineup. The difference is that the pitchers tend to be more inexperienced, either from injury (Smoothflower), finally getting a chance (Ladygrass) or just lack of oppertunity (pretty much everyone aside from Stonejuggler).

Overall, the Slayers should be contending all season again this year. The team played better down the stretch and in the playoffs last season, more like they should have played during the regular season, but will need better consistency to really make things easier on them.

Posted at June 9, 2006 01:58 PM | more from Minas Morgul