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rleb · 05-14-2022, 11:56 PM

Episode 14 - GAME DAY - May 15th - Spring Training #9 - vs Bathurst Pirates

Golden Sails Announce 22 of 25 Players for their Opening Day Roster

John Clark
ABL Times
May 15th 2022

As Spring Training nears it's conclusion, the Shediac Golden Sails GM Jacques Vienneau announced the 'initial list' of 22 players that will be playing for the Golden Sails on opening day.

Most of the list was unsurprising, but there were a few eyebrow-raising inclusions (and omissions). The team opted for five starters during spring training instead of the traditional six. Today, all five starting pitchers from Spring Training were named, which solidified the idea that the team had planned to stick with Hart, Poirier, LeBlanc, Febbo and Blackwell as the team's starting rotation all along. Most of the big names in the bullpen also made it through, such as van Domelen, Thomsen and Goguen. However, many were surprised by the early inclusion of pitching prospect Pat Brown, who turns 22 today. If Brown does play, he becomes the youngest Golden Sail player since 2013, and the third-youngest in team history.

Pat Brown

With only two catchers on the spring roster, it was an almost foregone conclusion that both Mathieu Cormier and David Calhoun would make the squad. Will Kendall was also included on the list as the team's DH.

Meanwhile, lots of fans had asked on social media whether popular local veteran Jacques Wade would make the cut. To their relief, Wade was included in the list. For position players, it appears the main battle is now for the final infield and outfield positions.

In the infield, the battle will be between 3B Sam Conder and 2B Troy Straka. Conder is the more versatile player, able to play 2B, 3B and SS and most agree is better defensively, but he has struggled mightily at the plate over the last two seasons. He batted only .153 in 2020 and .170 in 2021. Even so far in spring training, he has only achieved a .158 average. Meanwhile, Straka is primarily a second-baseman and is expected to be the better player offensively, but he has been a worrying 0-for-17 with 2 walks in spring training, to give him a .000 average. We will have to see whether Conder or Straka gets the nod in the upcoming days.

The final outfielder spot is between the veteran Kevin Gramm, and rookie Jason Martin. Unlike the slightly more even fight in the infield, most fans and media expect 28-year-old Gramm to get the nod. Kevin Gramm is a speedy outfielder that can leg out doubles all day long, and has a decent outfield arm. His slow start to spring training is the likely cause of his omission, but the spot likely has his name on it. Meanwhile, Jason Martin is much younger, being only 23 years old, and has played in only 2 ABL games in his career so far. He does have potential and is reasonably matched with Gramm at the plate, but his .188 average in Spring ball, his lack of experience and lack of running speed means he is expected to start his summer with AAA Cap-Pelé.

As for the battle to make the bullpen, four pitchers will likely fight for one open spot. Many were surprised that veteran Colin Lohmeier didn't make the cut yet, but the general consensus is that this is a way for GM Vienneau to give Lohmeier a bit of a kick in the pants to give him an extra bit of motivation (whether it's wanted or not). Given he has a $77,000 contract, and signed until 2024, it's unlikely they will demote him. This means that for George Crabbe, Jay Leclerc and Gilles Valentin, this is their 'unofficial' notice that they will start their season with the AAA Cap-Pelé Cubs as well, but are able to gain a bit more experience in the final two Spring games.

Colin Lohmeier

Here is the full list of confirmed players :
--
C Mathieu Cormier
C David Calhoun
1B Ronnie Capello
1B Jacques Wade
DH Will Kendall
2B Jay Dillow
3B Garth Liston
SS Nathan Lallement
LF John Perry
CF Trent Hall
RF Dennis Buratti
SP Austin Hart
SP Remi Poirier
SP Reg LeBlanc
SP Joe Febbo
SP Davis Blackwell
RP Pat Brown
RP Jonathan Kragh
RP Christian Goguen
RP Sandy Grass
CL Billy Thomsen
CL Ken van Domelen

Players not yet included :
--
2B Troy Straka
3B Sam Conder
LF Kevin Gramm
RF Jason Martin
RP Jay Leclerc
RP George Crabbe
RP Colin Lohmeier
RP Gilles Valentin

Pitching for the Golden Sails today is sinkerballer Joe Febbo.

On the mound for the Bathurst Pirates today is the "Quiet Killer", 26-year-old Bryan Rainville. He is not flashy or the life of the party, but his curveball and slider is getting harder to hit every year.

The game starts at 1pm local / 12pm Eastern!

(click on the image below for the video)

05-14-2022, 11:56 PM	#15
rleb Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 311	Episode 14 - GAME DAY - May 15th - Spring Training #9 - vs Bathurst Pirates Golden Sails Announce 22 of 25 Players for their Opening Day Roster John Clark ABL Times May 15th 2022 As Spring Training nears it's conclusion, the Shediac Golden Sails GM Jacques Vienneau announced the 'initial list' of 22 players that will be playing for the Golden Sails on opening day. Most of the list was unsurprising, but there were a few eyebrow-raising inclusions (and omissions). The team opted for five starters during spring training instead of the traditional six. Today, all five starting pitchers from Spring Training were named, which solidified the idea that the team had planned to stick with Hart, Poirier, LeBlanc, Febbo and Blackwell as the team's starting rotation all along. Most of the big names in the bullpen also made it through, such as van Domelen, Thomsen and Goguen. However, many were surprised by the early inclusion of pitching prospect Pat Brown, who turns 22 today. If Brown does play, he becomes the youngest Golden Sail player since 2013, and the third-youngest in team history. Pat Brown With only two catchers on the spring roster, it was an almost foregone conclusion that both Mathieu Cormier and David Calhoun would make the squad. Will Kendall was also included on the list as the team's DH. Meanwhile, lots of fans had asked on social media whether popular local veteran Jacques Wade would make the cut. To their relief, Wade was included in the list. For position players, it appears the main battle is now for the final infield and outfield positions. In the infield, the battle will be between 3B Sam Conder and 2B Troy Straka. Conder is the more versatile player, able to play 2B, 3B and SS and most agree is better defensively, but he has struggled mightily at the plate over the last two seasons. He batted only .153 in 2020 and .170 in 2021. Even so far in spring training, he has only achieved a .158 average. Meanwhile, Straka is primarily a second-baseman and is expected to be the better player offensively, but he has been a worrying 0-for-17 with 2 walks in spring training, to give him a .000 average. We will have to see whether Conder or Straka gets the nod in the upcoming days. The final outfielder spot is between the veteran Kevin Gramm, and rookie Jason Martin. Unlike the slightly more even fight in the infield, most fans and media expect 28-year-old Gramm to get the nod. Kevin Gramm is a speedy outfielder that can leg out doubles all day long, and has a decent outfield arm. His slow start to spring training is the likely cause of his omission, but the spot likely has his name on it. Meanwhile, Jason Martin is much younger, being only 23 years old, and has played in only 2 ABL games in his career so far. He does have potential and is reasonably matched with Gramm at the plate, but his .188 average in Spring ball, his lack of experience and lack of running speed means he is expected to start his summer with AAA Cap-Pelé. As for the battle to make the bullpen, four pitchers will likely fight for one open spot. Many were surprised that veteran Colin Lohmeier didn't make the cut yet, but the general consensus is that this is a way for GM Vienneau to give Lohmeier a bit of a kick in the pants to give him an extra bit of motivation (whether it's wanted or not). Given he has a $77,000 contract, and signed until 2024, it's unlikely they will demote him. This means that for George Crabbe, Jay Leclerc and Gilles Valentin, this is their 'unofficial' notice that they will start their season with the AAA Cap-Pelé Cubs as well, but are able to gain a bit more experience in the final two Spring games. Colin Lohmeier Here is the full list of confirmed players : -- C Mathieu Cormier C David Calhoun 1B Ronnie Capello 1B Jacques Wade DH Will Kendall 2B Jay Dillow 3B Garth Liston SS Nathan Lallement LF John Perry CF Trent Hall RF Dennis Buratti SP Austin Hart SP Remi Poirier SP Reg LeBlanc SP Joe Febbo SP Davis Blackwell RP Pat Brown RP Jonathan Kragh RP Christian Goguen RP Sandy Grass CL Billy Thomsen CL Ken van Domelen Players not yet included : -- 2B Troy Straka 3B Sam Conder LF Kevin Gramm RF Jason Martin RP Jay Leclerc RP George Crabbe RP Colin Lohmeier RP Gilles Valentin Pitching for the Golden Sails today is sinkerballer Joe Febbo. On the mound for the Bathurst Pirates today is the "Quiet Killer", 26-year-old Bryan Rainville. He is not flashy or the life of the party, but his curveball and slider is getting harder to hit every year. The game starts at 1pm local / 12pm Eastern! (click on the image below for the video) __________________ Former GM, New Orleans Trendsetters PEBABaseball.com Pro Baseball in Atlantic Canada? Yup! Follow the fictional Atlantic Baseball League! goldensailsbaseball.ca Watch on YouTube! Last edited by rleb; 05-15-2022 at 12:35 AM.