After failing to hit 100 wins for the first time in 13 years, the So Cal Bruins turn to a new General Manager, Jackson Cornelius. Jackson inherits a strong roster bolstering a deep pitching staff, a strong lineup and some money to spend. Despite having arguably the best player in the NL and a few other excellent bats in the lineup, some holes in the lineup need to be filled if this offense wants to carry this team into the playoffs. A few key players including Schroeder, Richardson, and Valentine will miss opening day as they recover from injuries on the disabled list. Manager Jorge Rivera is confident that he can lead the Bruins to the playoffs for the 15th straight year, and the 18th time in the last 19 years.
The So Cal Bruins opening day roster:
Starting Pitching:
1. Jeffrey King – He was the best pitcher on the team last year, and will claim the #1 spot in the rotation this year. It has been reported that Baffins would trade all 4 of his minor league teams for the King, which speaks volumes to his top 5 value in the league. The 25 year old finished third in NL Cy Young voting last year, and looks to claim the throne this season.
2. Juan Gonzalez – You know what you’re getting from Juan year in and year out. If he remains consistent, you can expect 200 innings and 15 wins from the 11 year veteran. Gonzalez lives and dies in the strikezone, but the Bruins are hoping he can live there more than he dies.
3. Ramiro Jimenez – The only lefty in the rotation also makes a living with excellent control. Ramiro used to be good for 18 wins a season, but has not had the same success in So Cal. However, Ramiro remains a solid pitcher that can go deep into games.
4. Alejandro Mendez – Mendez rocks some of the best stuff on the Bruins but remains the #4 guy. Even though Mendez has never had an at bat in his career, many fans dislike that Mendez doesn’t always run out grounders. He hopes to win fans back this year with a solid year on the mound.
5. Flint Gray – Beginning his first full season in the BSA, Gray will start as the fifth pitcher for So Cal. Gray really struggled last year after his callup posting a 6.00 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP in 126 innings. Manager Jorge Rivera believes the 26 year will continue to improve and post respectable numbers this year.
Bullpen:
CL: Marty Burgess –The biggest surprise coming into the season is Marty Burgess being listed as the closer. Everybody thought Jerry Good would retain his role as closer after a very good season. With Flint Gray beating Burgess out for the fifth spot in the rotation, the 27 year old will hope to find success in the bullpen to start the season. Jackson trusts Jorge Rivera in this decision.
SU: Jerry Good - Jerry Good will oddly serve as the setup man for Marty Burgess. Good was good as good can get last season with 43 saves and a 2.48 ERA. Good hopes to make his second straight appearance on the all-star team this year.
SU: Masahiko Okada – A decent reliever that was paid too much money. He won’t put up any impressive numbers but won’t get blown out of the water either.
MR: Stanley Inman – Inman would like to serve the team as a starting pitcher but assumed the role of middle relief last year and will serve it again this year. He will eat up a ton of innings and do it effectively. Expect close to 100 innings and a 3.50 ERA.
MR: Tomas Fajardo – Fajardo appears to be on a very short leash this year. It was reported that he was told to pack his stuff and head to AAA, but refused and intimidated GM Cornelius into letting him start the season in the BSA. If he doesn’t bounce back to his form from two seasons ago, expect him to be told to pack his things again.
LR: Keith Swanson – Swanson had an impressive season two years ago with Irvine where he won a championship, but struggled in a long relief role last year with So Cal. Expect a bounce back season from the 33 year old.
LR: Jesus Gonzalez – Gonzalez was successful in a brief stint with So Cal last season and had a strong season in AAA. Expect this 24 year old to earn a bigger role in the bullpen as the season rolls along.
Starting Lineup:
C: Earl Wiggins – The franchise player for So Cal is arguable the best player in the NL, and possibly in the BSA. Wiggins was the NL MVP two seasons ago, and finished second in voting last season. Wiggins is a strong defender behind the plate that dares opponents to run on him. More importantly, Wiggins is an elite hitter, and is expected to start in the 3-hole every game. He’s also an extremely generous man and took a hometown discount contract at $2.8 million a year until 2032. It’s Earl’s world, we are just living in it.
1B: Ethan Marshall – Marshall is an average player with very good speed and baserunning skills from the first base position. If the 28 year old gets off to a slow start, expect other options to be explored.
2B: Jeff Carter – well known for his goal-scoring ability with the local hockey team, the Los Angeles Kings, Carter is also an above average second baseman. A very balanced player that will play every day in the 2-hole and not disappoint.
3B: Morgan Gibbon - The 3-time Platinum Stick Award winner and All-star will start at third base for the Bruins. Gibbon refuses to strike out at the plate and will walk just as much as he strikes out. The 34 year old battles aging, and looks to have yet another successful season.
SS: Jonathan Macvey - Macvey will cover SS for the 2028 season. Despite poor recent seasons, Head Scout Matt Sanders exudes confidence in Macvey’s abilities. Macvey is likely to be replaced before the year is over unless Sanders proves to be correct about Macvey.
LF: Ruben Calderon -The poor fielding LF will be forced to start the year in left field to begin the year until both Cesar Valentine and William Richardson return from injury. The two-time all-star swings a heavy stick that produced a league-leading 47 home runs and 137 RBIs last season. After Richardson and Valentine, Calderon will return to his natural role as a DH.
CF: Jose Antonio Santiago – Last season’s Platinum Stick award winner returns to center field, a position Santiago is not fully comfortable playing. Santiago swings a good stick and will protect Wiggins in the 4-spot every game. He is projected to be the second best hitter this year in the NL. Let’s see if he can live up to the hype.
RF: Phil Smith – The first and only signing in the GM Cornelius-era will start the season in right field until Richardson is healthy to assume in his normal role in right field. Freshly signed, fans are eager to see what he can bring to the team. The above-average fielder and average hitter will likely stay with the team in a bench role throughout the season.
DH: Ron Shelton – The 34 year old veteran has earned the DH role for the start of the season but will likely be sent to Triple-A Las Vegas when Richardson and Valentine return to the team. Don’t expect much production out of the aging Shelton.
Bench:
Juan Valverde (C) – Valverde is an average backup catcher with low upside. Expect spot starts for Valverde throughout the season when Wiggins needs a rest.
Julio Caraballo (1B) – Caraballo is a good Triple-A talent, but has struggled in the BSA. Expect the 31 year old to serve as utility player for So Cal throughout the season that will be shipped back and forth between So Cal and Las Vegas.
Bryan Foster (CF) – Bryan Foster will serve as a bench player for So Cal that will likel be shipped to Las Vegas if he underperforms. He’s an average fielder and an average hitter. Nothing to see here.
Terry White (RF) – White is aver successful triple-A talent that GM Cornelius believes can have a solid year in the BSA if given the opportunity. It is not know whether or not White will receive that opportunity this season after the injured Richarson and Valentine return.
Disabled List:
3 time all star Lawrence Shroeder will likely take over for Macvey at shortstop in a few days when he returns from a bruised knee.
William Richardson’s solid bat will slot into the lineup and he will play right field when he returns in a few days from a sprained ankle.
Cesar Valentine will take over left field responsibilities and will look to continue to produce from the 4 or 5 hole for So Cal. Valentine could win a second straight Platinum Stick if he stays healthy this year. Look out for Cesar Valentine when he faces the Springfield Stars as he looks for vengeance against his former team. The Springfield GM often can’t sleep at night knowing he traded away a talent like Valentine, and Cesar wants it to stay that way.
GM Cornelius likes the season outlook of the So Cal Bruins but has hinted at bolstering the lineup sooner rather than later. Look out for this year’s champion, the So Cal Bruins.
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