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GM_CheatSheets · 02-05-2017, 07:06 PM

The Expos finished spring training with a 13-15 record.

C Dillard was the best performing hitter of the spring and SP Richards the best performing pitcher.

My owner's expectation for the season is to stay close to an even record. The OOTP Preseason Prediction is for a 78-84 record, finishing third in the NL East. This is actually a bit worse than I expected as I think this team should finish over .500, especially with what I think is a solid 1-4 in the rotation.

RF Kirilloff, despite posting a 0.1 WAR last year, comes in as the #3 projected hitter in the NL. His projected line is 618 AB, 24 HR, 103 RBI, 5 SB, .293 AVG, .378 OBP, and .489 SLG. None of my pitchers made the projected NL top 10.

Below is a preview of my team. Again, any ratings mentioned follow this scale: overall and potential 20-80 and all other ratings 1-20.

Starting Pitcher - It shouldn't be very surprising that this is the most promising rotation I've put together yet. Montes De Oca leads the staff now and for the foreseeable future. The only lefty in the rotation, Newcomb, slots in second. He is followed by Kapriellian and Richards. Paddack will start in the number five spot, but Smith and Burke (both closed last year as rotation members, could cycle through this slot if he struggles).

Bullpen - My relief corps returns most of the same players with Burdi ascending to the closer role this year. I'm expecting more dominance from the bullpen, especially considering that the rotation should cover more innings. I'm especially impressed with the balance as the relief corps consists of both right-handed and left-handed power arms.

Catcher - Dillard returns for his third season and is expected to be one of the top offensive or at least power hitters on the team. He is also a strong, but not exceptional defender. Rule 5 pick Rodriguez will start as the backup catcher. He has great defense and an average to sightly above average bat.

First Base - Franco returns as the starting first baseman after leading the team in HR and winning a gold glove last year. He can also shift over to 3B if needed.

Second Base - Massey returns as the starter and I hope that he builds on his strong end to last season, which looked much more like his 2023 season in which he was the best hitter on my team.

Third Base - Mendoza, my top overall hitter last year, returns as the starter. We will see if he can match his output again this year. Enright will again serve as the backup. Enright had a strong 2023 before disappointing last year, but he could win some playing time if he starts well or if Mendoza struggles.

Shortstop - Cruz, last year's backup will start the season at shortstop as last year's starter, Devine, is currently on the DL for 2 weeks. Cruz has blazing speed and great defense, but will be replaced as soon as Devine returns. Last year Devine was a plus defender with a below average bat. Before I traded for Devine, he was an average to above average hitter, so we will see what happens this year. Regardless, this is the spot that could use an upgrade the most.

Left Field - Recent trade acquisition Case will start in LF and should progress into a plus defender. Offensively he relies on his outstanding eye to get on base and stealing ability to make things happen on the bases. Boissiere and Vizcaino return as backup outfielders with somewhat similar profiles to Case. This could very well turn into a rotation of sorts, but not a strict platoon as Case is a switch hitter and Boissiere and Vizcaino both lefties.

Center Field - Reese is the starting center fielder after acquiring him at the trade deadline last year. He should bat 8th or 9th, but is among the best defenders in the game. Last year, I believe he had a zone rating of +8 in CF.

Right Field - Kirilloff returns as a starter, though this year in right as opposed to left field. He struggled greatly in batting average last year, but projects to be one of the better hitters in the league this year. I'm surprised by this projection, but am glad I decided to hold on to him instead of trading him away for a lesser rated, but higher performing player during the offseason.

Overall, there is a lot to like about this team, even if there is nothing that shouts superstar or dominance. I feel as if there is more depth this year than last, though shortstop is not only thin but poor overall. When this team is clicking it should be hard to beat, but it's also likely that this team will have to overcome some of the same inconsistency of my previous two teams.

Next up, another look at the top prospects in my organization...

02-05-2017, 07:06 PM	#49
GM_CheatSheets Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 171	2025 Spring Training & Season Expectations The Expos finished spring training with a 13-15 record. C Dillard was the best performing hitter of the spring and SP Richards the best performing pitcher. My owner's expectation for the season is to stay close to an even record. The OOTP Preseason Prediction is for a 78-84 record, finishing third in the NL East. This is actually a bit worse than I expected as I think this team should finish over .500, especially with what I think is a solid 1-4 in the rotation. RF Kirilloff, despite posting a 0.1 WAR last year, comes in as the #3 projected hitter in the NL. His projected line is 618 AB, 24 HR, 103 RBI, 5 SB, .293 AVG, .378 OBP, and .489 SLG. None of my pitchers made the projected NL top 10. Below is a preview of my team. Again, any ratings mentioned follow this scale: overall and potential 20-80 and all other ratings 1-20. Starting Pitcher - It shouldn't be very surprising that this is the most promising rotation I've put together yet. Montes De Oca leads the staff now and for the foreseeable future. The only lefty in the rotation, Newcomb, slots in second. He is followed by Kapriellian and Richards. Paddack will start in the number five spot, but Smith and Burke (both closed last year as rotation members, could cycle through this slot if he struggles). Bullpen - My relief corps returns most of the same players with Burdi ascending to the closer role this year. I'm expecting more dominance from the bullpen, especially considering that the rotation should cover more innings. I'm especially impressed with the balance as the relief corps consists of both right-handed and left-handed power arms. Catcher - Dillard returns for his third season and is expected to be one of the top offensive or at least power hitters on the team. He is also a strong, but not exceptional defender. Rule 5 pick Rodriguez will start as the backup catcher. He has great defense and an average to sightly above average bat. First Base - Franco returns as the starting first baseman after leading the team in HR and winning a gold glove last year. He can also shift over to 3B if needed. Second Base - Massey returns as the starter and I hope that he builds on his strong end to last season, which looked much more like his 2023 season in which he was the best hitter on my team. Third Base - Mendoza, my top overall hitter last year, returns as the starter. We will see if he can match his output again this year. Enright will again serve as the backup. Enright had a strong 2023 before disappointing last year, but he could win some playing time if he starts well or if Mendoza struggles. Shortstop - Cruz, last year's backup will start the season at shortstop as last year's starter, Devine, is currently on the DL for 2 weeks. Cruz has blazing speed and great defense, but will be replaced as soon as Devine returns. Last year Devine was a plus defender with a below average bat. Before I traded for Devine, he was an average to above average hitter, so we will see what happens this year. Regardless, this is the spot that could use an upgrade the most. Left Field - Recent trade acquisition Case will start in LF and should progress into a plus defender. Offensively he relies on his outstanding eye to get on base and stealing ability to make things happen on the bases. Boissiere and Vizcaino return as backup outfielders with somewhat similar profiles to Case. This could very well turn into a rotation of sorts, but not a strict platoon as Case is a switch hitter and Boissiere and Vizcaino both lefties. Center Field - Reese is the starting center fielder after acquiring him at the trade deadline last year. He should bat 8th or 9th, but is among the best defenders in the game. Last year, I believe he had a zone rating of +8 in CF. Right Field - Kirilloff returns as a starter, though this year in right as opposed to left field. He struggled greatly in batting average last year, but projects to be one of the better hitters in the league this year. I'm surprised by this projection, but am glad I decided to hold on to him instead of trading him away for a lesser rated, but higher performing player during the offseason. Overall, there is a lot to like about this team, even if there is nothing that shouts superstar or dominance. I feel as if there is more depth this year than last, though shortstop is not only thin but poor overall. When this team is clicking it should be hard to beat, but it's also likely that this team will have to overcome some of the same inconsistency of my previous two teams. Next up, another look at the top prospects in my organization...