#28 WINNIPEG GOLDENEYES : A RESPECTED FRANCHISE REBUILDS

                              WINNIPEG REBUILDS 

FRONT OFFICE 

Nghia Nguyen has led this franchise to 13 playoff appearances in 22 years so there is no doubt he knows how to reach the tournament of randomness.  His managerial skill set will be put to the test once again as he rebuilds this roster. 

ROTATION

Bassitt  656
Irvin C 704
Kikuchi 847
N. Martinez 713
Buehler 726

BULLPEN

Stanek  556
R. Contreras 715
Smeltzer  753
Ty. Rogers 687
Rucker 702
Krehbiel 737
S. Long 593R

LINEUP 

Bart c 660
Solano 1b 724
Schoop 2b 561
Mateo ss  646
Urshela 3b 767
Blackmon of 733
Merrifield of 673
Laureno of 663
N. Velasquez dh 659

BENCH

Gallagher c 600
K. Carpenter of 745
J. Diaz  cr 730
Torkelson 1b 604
B. Thompson of 614


ANALYSIS

Bassitt is a solid #3 but is not met to serve as a staff ace.  Walker Buehler was supposed to fill that role but injuries have ruled out that possibility. His recovery is a major concern for this franchise.  Cole Irvin shows promise, Nick Martinez is a good swingman but Kikuchi looks like he is on the downside of his career.

Stanek is the team closer while  Ty. Rogers holds down the #2 slot in the bullpen.  The rest of the bullpen  average at best but R. Contreras could blossom into a useful pitcher if he can harness his velocity.

The infield is pretty solid with Urshela 767, Mateo 646 and Schoop 561 but Schoop needs to regain his stroke to continue to get any playing time.  Bart 660 and Gallagher 600 is an obvious weak point and the team needs Torkelson to recover from a poor freshman year to hold down the 1B position.  MLB analysts remain high on his hit tool. 

The outfield is in need of an overhaul.  Merrifield, the Swiss army knife for this team, can hold down CF for a year but  Blackmon 733 is on the backside of his career.  The rest of the OF contenders are nothing to write home about.  Carpenter 795 and J. Diaz 730 offer respectable hitting off the bench.

Bottom Line:

Wait till next year for Buehler, Torkelson and Schoop to rebound.  For now,  look for Winnipeg to finish 4th in the NL West.