WHIV 2059.7- Checking The Locks: Outfielders

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks ():
Chris Hall, (DH/LF), L/L- The Hustlers big power hitting lefty will play against RHP only, and mostly at DH. He didn't completely embarrass himself in left field last season when needed.

Mike Cox, (CF), R/R- A premier defensive center fielder who can hit a little. Might have been an overpay but the Hustlers have needed this position solved since Kidane Ata moved off of it.

Tom Rudge, (RF), R/R- Brought back on the $11M team option for 2059. His second half was great offensively last year and he won another Zimmer in right field. If everything breaks right, he should reach his 3000th hit this season.

Near Locks (2):
Kidane Ata, (LF), R/R- Now 42 years old, Ata was brought back at a bargain contract to serve as a reserve outfielder. Break Glass In Case Of Emergency. Just like last season.

Pedro Huerta, (LF), L/L- Vegas needed another 38 year old dude to fill this spot, right? Sacrificing some defense to get his speed/gap combo bat in the lineup is a gamble.

Trying To Break In (4):
Tankut Saltik, (LF/RF/1B), R/R- At 25 years old, is it going to happen for the Turkish phenom? Seems like he'll probably start out at Milwaukee (AAA) again, but is closer to the BBA than ever before.

Jen-khan Zhai, (LF/DH), R/R- The Hustlers added him to the 40-man roster over the winter with Saltik's situation in mind. Zhai could be a righty bat at the big league level until Saltik is ready.

Tom Trevelyan, (CF/C/1B/CO), R/R- Probably belongs more in the backup catcher discussion, but he's getting his most playing time in center field this spring. Ticketed for the minors.

Rodrigo Cabrera, (LF/RF), R?R- Vegas didn't want to lose him in the Rule 5 so he was protected. There's problems with Cabrera as a prospect. Lack of power. Lack of speed. So-so defense. The Hustlers still aren't sure what to make of him.

Breaking In The Back Door (3):
Spartak Paschenkov, (LF/RF), L/L- He's a nice guy to have in Triple-A.

Bharti Senagala, (LF/RF/3B), R/R- Like Saltik he's been slow to develop as an international scouting find. He's only 22 compared to Saltik's 25, so the Hustlers thought perhaps a Spring invite would help to jumpstart his development.

Roberto Hampton, (CF/OF/2B), S/R- A nice, fine center field prospect with speed and good defense. Will make a heck of a fifth outfielder if he doesn't end up being a starting center fielder at some point.

[BaseClogger]

Did you have Saltik train power in the dev lab?

[recte44]

I tried something with him, there was no improvement.