Ghastly Gazette

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2032 (21-25)

25. C Julio Elias - Part of the trade that landed Connor Leith in Niihama in exchange for SS Victor Torres, Elias had a monster season in Rookie league. His outstanding .314/.370/.508 line earned him 3.4 WAR and runner-up honors for the Ghosts minor league hitter of the year award. Projected to be a defense first catcher with a balanced offensive profile, Elias has shown unexpected power at an early age and may have some scouts wondering if his ceiling is higher than first predicted. Elias earns an A+ for his debut season.

24. SP Yajirobei Matsunaga The 8th overall selection and the Ghosts 2nd round pick in the 2031 WIL amateur draft, Matsunaga is another pitcher that doesn't fit the power pitching theme persistent throughout The Ghosts 25. A bit of a soft tosser, Matsunaga's fastball tops out at only 90mph, but is effectively offset by two quality breaking offerings. After starting the season highly effectively in Rookie league, the 20-year-old was quickly promoted to SSA. In 13 starts, he went 6-4, striking out 59 and walking 31. Both now and for the future, Matsunaga looks like an effective starter, but not an ace. If he can somehow increase his velocity, his fastball would become much more dangerous and his ceiling would rise. For now, he's earned a B for solid if unspectacular results.

23. RP Roberto Alicea - The Ghosts 4th selection, also in the second round, of the 2032 amateur draft was an outlier in a number of respects among the Ghosts 2032 draft. Not only is he not a collegiate athlete, he also features relatively low velocity and has some personality concerns. That said, Niihama scouts were floored by his spin rates. They're enamored with his potential if the 18-year-old can even modestly improve his velocity. That excitement aside, Alicea had a terrible professional debut. In 7 appearances, he lasted only 5.2 innings, giving up 10 runs off 14 hits. He walked 4 and struck out 5. There are questions about his preparedness and professionalism and these results certainly do nothing to diminish those concerns. Further questions about his durability have created even more red flags. Still, it was just a few appearances and he's only 18. He has plenty of room to improve on and off the field, but for now he's earned an F.

22. RP Tsuruki Shimizu - The Ghosts third selection and 42nd overall pick in the 2032 amateur draft, Shimizu is a power pitching righty out of Japan. His fastball tops 99mph and is offset by a plus sinker. The Ghosts believe Shimizu can develop into a highly effective late inning reliever, but must learn to improve command. His 18 walks in 31 innings is simply too many, even if he struck out 30 over that same time frame. Shimizu earns a C for overall disappointing results in high-A at age 21.

21. P Bartolo Baca - A starter in college, the former 12th overall selection in the 2031 PEBA amateur draft has been shuttled to the bullpen over concerns that his changeup will not develop into an effective third offering and that he lacks the stamina to run deep into starts. Still, Baca, a critical piece of the trade that sent star slugger Bernardo Gonzalez to the rival Akira, is considered one of the Ghosts most promising young arms. He features a mature 4-seam/sinker combo that should miss a lot of bats as he learns to increase his spin rates. In 2032, he was sent to high-A after struggling in AA with Neo Tokyo. The 22-year-old was able to successfully improve his command while still striking out 7.3 per nine, but suffered a season ending shutdown after trainers noted extensive inflammation in his shoulder. It's hoped that he's able to return in time for Spring Training, where he might even earn an invitation if he's healthy. Baca earns a C- after featuring pedestrian results at high-A and missing the bulk of the season.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2032 (16-20)

20. 1B Gerardo Casillas - The unheralded Casillas is a 6'8", 240 pound beast of a man. A 5th round selection in the 2031 WIL amateur draft out of NY high school Parkersburg South, Casillas is a classic flyball, pull hitting slugger. He's the kind of guy that could hit 40 home runs and strike out 140 times. For now, Casillas is proving to be a more well-rounded player than his projections predict. He slashed .268/.433/.420 and earned a B+ grade overall - high praise for a player with limited expectations.

19. 1B Luis Bautista - Bought from a playoff bound but cash-strapped Kalamazoo organization, Bautista is a left-handed hitter with a better glove and more balanced offensive profile than the power-first Casillas. A former 5th round selection, the 21-year-old Bautista spent 2032 between high-A and SSA. Strikingly, in 259 PAs at SSA, Bautista only managed a .206/.313/.317 line, netting 0.0 WAR. Yet, when promoted to high-A, Bautista came alive in those 129 PAs to the tune of a .327/.403/.575 line. If he could have hit that way all year, he would have easily topped Darius Freeman for hitter of the year. He'll have his chance next season. For now, we'll just have to hope the good Bautista we saw under more challenging conditions is the real Bautista, not the guy who seemingly let boredom affect his performance. Bautista earns a B- for showing a stellar peak but also demonstrating a concerning low.

18. CF Bae Ko - There's little we know about the first international amateur free agent on our list. He signed with Niihama in 2032 out of South Korea, and is reputed to have great, if raw, athleticism, and a decent power stroke. We'll have to wait for his Rookie league debut to see what he's really made of - that could come soon as the Gom lack a natural centerfielder. No grade.

17. 2B Jesus Ortiz - Another IAFA, the 17-year-old out of Mexico is set to compete at 2B with the well-respected and entrenched Alonso Aguilar for the Gom in 2033. Known for a contact-first approach, scouts are in love with his bat speed. The Niihama front office is so enamored with him that they reportedly signed him at $5.1M while already being over the IAFA limit, so it cost them $10.2M in total. Steep price for a kid! No grade.

16. RP Ernest Middleton - Finally, another player we can actually review. Middleton came to Niihama by way of the Evas in a swap for lefty reliever Jonathon Andrews that also netted the Ghosts #8 prospect, Adam Ugurlu. The "Professor" is a native of Parma, Idaho, and spent his time split between high-A and AA in 2032. He features an impressive three pitch arsenal, punctuated by a plus-plus changeup and offset by a 97mph fastball. Well-respected by coaches, Middleton dominated high-A in 12 appearances, striking out 14.4 per nine and ending up with a 1.26 ERA. He continued to pitch well at AA, besting a 3.2 K/BB rate and producing a 2.13 ERA in 25 appearances. Middleton earns an A for his excellence and will likely reach AAA early next season.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2032 (11-15)

15. RP Robin Castano - A middling 2B prospect this time last year, Castano's pitching potential came to light after his trade to Niihama. Since then, his plus-plus fastball and plus slider combo dominated Rookie league. The 18-year-old struggled mightily, though, when pushed to SSA, posting an alarming 2.39 WHIP. It's clear he wasn't ready for that transition, instead being more comfortable in the age-appropriate Rookie league, where he posted a 0.73 WHIP, struck out 10.9 per nine, and walked just 3 batters in 18 appearances. Castano earns a B- for exceeding expectations in Rookie league but struggling so badly in SSA.

14. SS Roberto Bermudez - Traded to Niihama from the Evas in a large and confusing swap, Bermudez debuted in Rookie ball this season and produced a somewhat subpar .257/.328/.322 line (79 OPS+). While his future hopefully lies at SS, Bermudez spent this season learning RF as Jose Koga anchored SS. Bermudez is well-respected by peers and coaches, but didn't excel in any measurable way. He earns a C for subpar results while learning a new position.

13. CF Jose Rivera - The top selection by the Ghosts in the 2031 WIL amateur draft, Rivera is known as a class act teammate and student of the game. His compact swing belies excellent contact skills and his athleticism is apparent in his defense in center and on the basepaths. Rivera started the year in SS-A and struggled a bit (99 OPS+, 1,1 WAR in 187 PAs) before his promotion to high-A, where he performed better (137 OPS+, 2,5 WAR in 250 PAs). He got caught stealing a bit too much (66% success rate), but earned a +4.9 zone rating in center. He hit .288 in high-A and looks poised to start 2033 in AA. Rivera earns a B+ for this solid performance.

12. SP Huibrecht Ubbens - Much has already been written about Ubbens, so put briefly - Ubbens earns an A for his excellent performance at AA (9-3, 2.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, 6.9 K/9 in 16 starts).

11. 2B Alonso Aguilar - The raw 17-year-old arriving from trade via Charleston debuted in Rookie league and reached league average output despite his youth. With 29 XBHs and hitting .304, we're excited to see how he holds up next season. Aguilar earns a B for this solid debut.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2032 (11-15)

10. RP Earl Lucas - The 9th overall selection in the 2032 amateur draft, Lucas is a fireballer that fits an extreme of the apparently preferred mold in Niihama - overpowering velocity and command be damned. Lucas debuted in high-A at age 21, and struck out 12.7 per nine while walking 4.1. That's a ratio his coaches can live with, but his ability to keep his free passes in check will be critical to his development. Lucas earns a B for his 2.86 ERA at high-A, despite a concerning spat in SS-A toward the end of the season, where he posted a 6.75 ERA.

9. SP Anthony MacDonald - Read all about MacDonald's excellent 2032 campaign in his Minor League Pitcher of the Year award post. He earns an A+.

8. 3B Adam Ugurlu - Ugurlu debuted at barely 17, but still hit .287 and earned a 104 OPS+. The Niihama front office loves the power potential in his smooth, natural swing. The first signs of that power are already showing, as the kid that can barely drive legally hit 6 HRs and 17 additional XBHs while slugging .410, often against pitching several key years his senior. The sky is the limit for Adam, and the floor ain't too low either - he earns an A- for his debut.

7. IF/OF Miguel Fernandez - An interesting prospect and another part of the Bernardo Gonzalez trade, Fernandez was shifted from SS to LF due to defensive concerns. He spent 2/3 of his season in SSA, where he performed solidly (124 OPS+), and was promoted to high-A. Like several others, he seemed more comfortable at the more advanced level, and raised his OPS+ to 139. He adapted well to LF, and earns a B for his solid performance at both levels.

6. RF Harold Stowe - The final piece of the Bernardo Gonzalez trade, Stowe is being positioned to take over in RF in Niihama down the road. Despite a first round pedigree, Stowe struggled a bit at both A levels, accumulating a 99 and 97 OPS+ at SSA and A. Not a threat to steal bases, Stowe must rely in his bat, but these results are a bit disappointing. Stowe earns a C for his consistently mediocre output.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2032 (1-5)

5. SP Alonso Hernandez - "Shocker" has been part of the Ghosts organization for 4 seasons now, but debuted this year since the WIL has no minor leagues. He spent most of the season at high-A, where he struggled to find consistency but performed decently overall. He was a late promotion to AA and performed similarly there. There are high hopes for Hernandez, but this season he performed with mediocrity. Still, he was only 21 and competing against much more advanced competition, so that must be accounted for. He earns a C+.

4. 2B Esteban Rodriguez - The supremely talented 19-year-old from Argentina made his way to Niihama by way of a trade with Bakersfield. His mature approach at the plate had him competing at high-A by season's end, despite his youth. After a stretch at SSA (104 OPS+), Rodriguez found his swing at high-A, where he produced a .302/.349/.413 line in 189 PAs. We are very excited to see him develop further. Esteban earns an A- for solid production at an age advanced level.

3. SP Connor Leith - Excitement abound when Niihama selected Connor, the top pitcher on their board (tied with one other), at #4 overall in the 2032 draft. Since debuting in high-A, though, that enthusiasm dampened. Leith pitched solidly enough, but ended his season in disaster as he was shut down with elbow inflammation. With a 1.21 WHIP and 3.06 ERA, it's debatable whether or not Leith will stick in high-A or earn a promotion to AA before next season, but either way, we just hope he's healthy. Leith earns a C+.

2. SP Yuji Yamashita - The top choice in the 2030 WIL draft debuted in high-A and rarely disappointed thereafter. After beating up on high-A competition (1.21 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 2.5 WAR in 8 starts), Yamashita spearheaded the youth movement to AA. There, he met more resistance and experienced some inconsistency, but ultimately performed well. He might have been limited to a B+ if not for his excellence in the postseason, where in 5 starts he earned a 1.55 ERA. Yuji had some down moments, but many more dominant ones, earning an A- on the whole.

1. C Carlos Meija - We end this exercise on an anti-climactic note, given that the #1 prospect in Niihama is a 16-year-old that has yet to debut. Still, the kid is exciting. His offensive profile features no particular weaknesses and several key strengths, notably contact ability and plate discipline. His defense needs work, but if Meija can develop into the player he's projected to be, he'll be a star. No grade.

[Ghosts]

Ghosts Arm Themselves, Solve One Spring Mystery

Niihama, Japan - January 13, 2033

The attrition of the 2032 loser squad is past. In the last two months, the Ghosts went from having two pitchers on the active roster to now having 13. The Rule 5 has come and gone. Now, the Ghosts have even made a bit of a splash in free agency after making a series of tiny ripples. With nearly every roster spot a question mark at the onset of the offseason, the Ghosts have made strides in at least providing a few firm answers while narrowing down a few more.

Key Additions
1. P Edgardo "Sureshot" Trevino - While it's unclear from where Trevino will shoot his shots, we're sure he'll be shooting shots often and with fiery results. His plus-plus fastball tops out where human arms top out, having been clocked at 101 mph. His changeup is a curse upon hitters, and his slider is merely devastating. He has advanced command and will contribute on a grand scale wherever new manager Luke Hall decides to employ him.
2. SP Kyle Tatham - Coming in via trade with Yuma, where Kyle posted 1.8 and 1.5 WAR seasons since 2031, he features a strong three pitch arsenal with mid-range movement and solid control. He's never overwhelmed anyone, but his 3.07 ERA, 1.03 WHIP season in Yuma last year gave the Ghosts reason to pursue. Kyle will open up at the front of the Ghosts rotation and hopefully build on his recent success.
3. SP Jose "Bullfrog" Fernandez - A staple of the rival Evas rotation for the last five season, Hernandez was allowed to walk to free agency after earning over $90M and producing 17.5 WAR during his tenure there. The 36-year-old may still have something in the tank, and will open the season at the front of the Ghosts rotation on a 1 year, $1.7M deal.
4. SS Sang-min O - The 27-year-old shortstop from Korea comes to Niihama by way of Amsterdam and free agency. It took nearly $74M to convince the defensive wizard to come to Niihama instead of making a home in Crystal Lake, and now we will see how much of his paltry historical offensive output was the result of the unforgiving confines of Stadium Urbanus and how much is due to O's limited ability with a bat. Regardless, the Niihama pitching staff will certainly enjoy having the athletic O robbing opposing hitters of rightful hits. For now, we can at least be certain that there is one less available position in Spring Training for the bevvy of infielders currently rostered in Niihama.
5. RF Peter Casey - The second part of the Tatham trade with Yuma, Casey has been more or less a replacement level player over the last several seasons, bouncing back and forth between the majors and AAA. He has yet to live up to the promise of his rookie and sophomore seasons, but the Ghosts apparently want to see if they can coax something more from him. He features an odd combination of electric speed on the basepaths and limited range in the field - perhaps an artifact of a number of back and leg injuries. Casey is something of a flier, but the Ghosts paid a fairly handsome price for him, and so we hope to see something he hasn't shown in years.
6. Every available lefty pitcher earning less than $2M - Since, November, Niihama has acquired Cristian Contreras via trade, Cleve Douglas and Fred Sorley via waivers, and two non-Trevino lefties via the Rule 5 draft. Beyond that, the Ghosts went on a minor shopping spree in the bargain bin section of free agency, offering one year deals to Gustavo Cabrera and Kokei Yamashita. Now the Ghosts have an incredible seven available lefties for their pen. We don't know why, but that seems awfully interesting.

Notable Trends
1. Velocity - As mentioned above, the prevalence of lefty pitchers cannot be overlooked, but also of note are the acquisitions of flamethrower types. Between Park, Coolen, Contreras, Tatham, Hernandez, Cabrera, Yamashita, Trevino, and Otero, the Ghosts now feature 9 pitchers that can reach velocities of at least 96mph and 4 that can touch 99+mph. The only pitcher that can't reach at least 94mph is holdover prospect Takuji Kino.
2. Speed - Not to raise any alarm bell for the physics-initiated by listing speed after velocty, but by speed we mean running speed and quickness, of which the Ghosts have been aggressively stockpiling. Newcomers O and Casey are the highest profile speedster additions, but more abound. Outfielders vying for a roster spot include Kiyomitsu Kobayashi, Daniel Gardner, and Miguel Maldanado - all known for elite level speed. Ditto for infielders Jue Jing, Darius Freeman, Carlos Campos, and Jose Vargas.
3. Leadership - A common refrain from the front office was the pursuit of players known for professionalism and leadership. After the abrupt departure of ex-manager Ivan Maes, the Ghosts seemed determined to not let another clubhouse get away from them. Hopefully part of the plan is to win more, but we certainly don't mind the addition of players with good character.

[Ghosts]

Ghosts Start Spring with Battles Galore

As the Ghosts start their second Spring of the total rebuild, we're fairly certain we know who will take the majority of plate appearances at 1B, SS, and... that's it. It's probably very likely that Peter Casey gets plenty of appearances, with Scott Wiggins and Lorenzo Romero virtually guaranteed at least part time roles as well. If the Ghosts carry 13 pitchers as expected, that leaves 8 of the 13 hitter roster spots up for grabs. Who ends up earning those spots? Are they even on the team yet? Rumors swirl around the potential acquisition of OF Dean Walden, where might he fit into the mix? Let's review some key position battles and see what's likely to come.

Catcher
Until last week, this job looked like Archie Moore's with either 2-way player Takuji Kino taking up the reigns when Moore tired, or perhaps an outside signing or acquisition. It seems now the latter has come into play, as the Ghosts signed both Valentin Madrano out of the LDBI as well as long-time PEBA veteran Miguel Angel Valdez to minor league deals. Both are non-roster invites, and Kino has been unexpectedly optioned to AAA before the start of ST, leaving at least one of the two likely to make the active roster. With Madrano being markedly younger and a righty, with Moore being a rostered lefty, it seems likely the brass is hoping for solid results from the pairing of Moore and Madrano. Valdez, being the more costly and temporary addition to the roster, would serve as insurance in case one of the two failed to meet expectations or an injury arose. Not much is expected from any of the three offensively, but all three are excellent defensive options, so that may tell us something about the Ghosts priorities at this position.

1B - Locked down by Clyde Stinton, barring injury.

2B - This role also appeared locked down, at least in part. Carlos Campos, the speedy, switch-hitting former 1B is likely to land most of the at-bats, but the recent signing of veteran Hai-Liang Choe gives the team another solid option. It's perhaps most likely that a good showing from Choe would earn him either backup or a platoon role, where he could spell both Stinton and Campos against lefties, but a bad showing by Campos could see him back in AAA.

SS - This will be Sang-min O's job for the next several years, but who backs him up is a big question in 2033. The most likely option is Darren Kean, who failed to impress last season, but in whom the front office still holds hope. He's a solid enough player, and a righty, with some versatility. On the other hand, he's slow, he's not that versatile, and he's not hit very well at the PEBA level with a lot of opportunities. Other options include last year's starter Jose Vargas, who despite a 60 OPS+ still posted 0.3 WAR in 408 PAs given his defensive skills and his speed, or the wildly intriguing Jue Jing, who, while looking like a confused stork swinging a bat, looks like Spider-Man on defense and runs the basepaths with demonic speed. He posted a 68 OPS+ in AAA last season and yet still earned 2.7 WAR in 275 PAs. This is a battle worth watching.

3B - This boils down to last year's disappointing starter, Jason Davis, versus last year's minor league hitter of the year, Darius Freeman. If Freeman can overtake the veteran, it will be due to his excellent selectivity at the plate, his speed, and his defense. The issue is his ability to make solid contact, which it turns out is important in baseball. He did well in AA last season, but can he make a huge leap this Spring? A darkhorse candidate could be Darren Kean, if both he and another shortstop impress while Freeman and Davis both disappoint.

LF - An attempt to make sense of the mess that is the Ghosts outfield outlook for 2033 has to start somewhere, so why not here? Righty Scott Wiggins is perhaps the lead candidate to earn this role. The 37-year-old posted a 99 OPS+ last season and appears every bit the league average player that number represents. Another option is Yasuhiko Fujii, whom coaches have praised for hard work, but perhaps the fact that he was cast off from an expansion Tempe organization after posting a 56 OPS+ in 140 PAs last season may speak to his chances. An interesting darkhorse candidate for this spot is aging PEBA legend Gilbert Murray, attempting to return to PEBA at age 39 after a lucrative and productive two year stint the WIL. Does the old man have another season in him? His WIL-leading 155 walks last season might look attractive to a team desperate for base runners.

CF - If the rumors are to be believed, this position, which appeared to be a battle between youngsters Miguel Maldonado and Daniel Gardner, is now a four-way battle also including 27-year-old Lorenzo Romero and 31-year-old Dean Walden. Maldonado and Gardner may have platooned well together as a righty and a lefty, respectively. Now, it seems more likely we'll see lefty Walden, earning $4.8M, pair with another lefty in Romero. A strong showing by Maldonado could certainly see him displace one of the two veteran lefties, especially considering his glove, speed, and positional versatility. The promising Daniel Gardner will likely have to await an injury or a trade to test his mettle at the PEBA level.

RF - Peter Casey, acquired from Yuma, appeared to have this position on lockdown, but among the now very crowded Ghosts outfield, he'll need to earn his position. It's also possible that he earns time at DH considering his fielding difficulties. Former WIL fixture Kiyomitsu Kobayashi is in camp, but would need a minor miracle to convince coaches to offer him a roster spot. Darkhorse candidate Juan Lopez, a 27-year-old NRI from the LDBI, would also need an extremely impressive showing to earn the spot. Overflow from either LF or CF could is more likely to offer Casey true competition.

DH - We have no idea. Hopefully, someone hits so well in ST that the front office is happy to assign to the role, but as of now, we see no bat exciting enough to make a valuable DH.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts Appear Poised to Experiment with Pitching Staff

While likely not so chaotic as the offense from a roster standpoint, the roles amongst the pitching staff are very much a standing question that we hope ST helps sort out. We're fairly certain that former Eva Jose Hernandez will be handed the opening day start, and that Kyle Tatham will start right behind him. We're also fairly certain that Cleve Douglas is the main option at the back end of games. Other than that, every role is a question.

There are 3-5 RHPs and up to 6 LHPs that comprise the rest of the staff invited to ST. Among them, Trevino, Coolen, Otero, and Lopez are Rule 5 picks, meaning they're more likely to earn a role given that they would be otherwise surrendered to their former teams. With most of the others being veteran free agent signings, it's probable that Kino and Marque are destined for the minors unless injuries happen.

With two rotation spots locked down, it's not clear who else will start. Contreras has been bouncing back and forth between the pen and the rotation for years, but has the classic makeup of a starter with three solid offerings and an arm that can last. Coolen has had a similar, if markedly shorter, career path to Contreras. Trevino, thought to be the gem of the Rule 5 draft, has frontline stuff, but may not have the stamina for a starter gig. Cabrera had been a long-time bullpen guy, but has been successfully starting the last two seasons, albeit at the AAA level. Park was given the chance to start last season, but was anything but impressive, earning -0.5 WAR to go alongside his 5.42 ERA in 14 starts. What's worse, he was worse as a Badger bullpen option last season. Hopefully, he settles in once he has a firm role, as scouts are impressed by some of his stuff and he's only 26. Fred Sorley, a former grocery bagger, is no stranger to needing to earn his place and is yet another swingman option.

What's more, first-year manager Luke Hall, a sabermetrician, is hinting at non-traditional roles. We may see something of a more egalitarian, free-for-all type of bullpen, and perhaps even some usage of openers. We probably won't know how Hall will use the arms at his disposal until well into April, and even then, he may completely change his approach. Expect the unexpected this season.

[Ghosts]

Spring Training Update

With just two weeks remaining in Spring Training, several position battles have been settled, while several more rage on. The Ghosts also made a somewhat surprise signing, adding former Evas slugger Garry Charron on a 4 year, $70M deal. He will, emphatically, take one of the outfield spots, further crowding the already overcrowded Spring outfield.

Around the diamond:

At catcher, veteran Miguel Angel Galvez has been optioned to AAA. Two way man Takuji Kino still remains rostered, and has pitched quite well, but his hitting has been dreadful. For now, this position looks to be Austin Moore's with newcomer Valentin Medrano likely landing the backup spot over the likely-headed-to-AAA Kino.

At first, Stinton has done nothing to make anyone think the job isn't his. Recent veteran signee Hai-liang Choe has taken some reps at first and second, and may be in line for the backup position there.

At second, Carlos Campos appears the front runner as Suzuki and Ochoa have been optioned to AAA. This despite Campos's awful Spring at the plate: .154/.214/.484. If this is Campos's spot and Choe makes the roster, expect a healthy dose of each. Interestingly, outfielder Miguel Maldanado has been taking reps here as well and may be a darkhorse candidate to make the roster thusly.

At short, big time signee Sang-min O has the starter's job on lockdown, while the Ghosts continue their deep cuts at the position by waiving and DFA-ing Jose Vargas and Darren Kean just a week after doing the same to Julien Michaud and losing him to San Antonio. It appears Jue Jing will be the primary utility infielder to start the season.

At third, the battle between veteran Jason Davis and rookie Darius Freeman has heated up. Freeman has made some nice plays, but Davis is running away with the job with an .821 OPS so far this Spring.

In left, the battle rages. It appears that the club views Charron as a natural right fielder, and so this battle is between Scott Wiggins, Yasuhiko Fujii, and possibly Dean Walden and Miguel Maldonado as well. Wiggins is the safest bet here, but Fujii has outperformed him in limited at bats. Newcomer Walden is competing mostly at center but could force his way onto the roster here. Maldonado is a longshot given his youth and available options.

In center, Lorenzo Romero is the lead candidate, but if his bat doesn't wake up (.367 OPS in 35 PAs), the Ghosts may exercise an option despite his $3M salary. That would pave the way for Walden, who figures to make the roster even if only as a 4th outfielder. Maldonado is a darkhorse candidate here as well, given his right-handedness and positional flexibility.

Right field appears to belong to Garry Charron for the next several years. This leaves Peter Casey's role in question as he doesn't appear well-suited to field elsewhere. Casey may end up taking most of his PAs as DH this season, because despite his defensive shortcomings, the team loves his offensive potential. It's possible Charron shifts to left and Casey ends up in right, though, if another bat arrives late to take that DH role.

DH is likely Casey's for now, barring injury or additional roster moves.

The next odd men out appear to be Freeman, Maldonado, and Kino. That would bring the roster down to 26 for the start of a brand new season in Niihama. We can't wait to see how this team of not-completely-out-of-their-depth players comes together under new manager Luke Hall. This year should be an absolute joy after last season.

[Ghosts]

Reinforcements Draw Closer to PEBA, Part 1

Niihama, Japan - 25 April, 2033

The Niihama-shi Ghosts announced several promotions for prospects, demonstrating the future is coming for the upstart Ghosts. With an 8-10 record, the Ghosts look like more like a professional baseball team than the 2032 iteration. They rank 20th in the PEBA power rankings, while their farm ranks 5th overall. Several contributors to that ranking advanced via promotion this week, coming one step closer to offering their considerable talents to the major league club.

The Ikari Warriors, runners-up in the 2032 championship, were the beneficiaries of several of the promotions. Outfielders Miguel Fernandez and Harold Stowe, acquired from the rival Akira in the Bernardo Gonzalez trade, advanced to AA alongside Niihama's 2032 minor league pitcher of the year, SP Anthony MacDonald. Fernandez started 2033 in A ball, his fourth season with time at that level. While he started cold this season, he played well enough last year to see if the challenge would inspire better results. Despite spending time there over parts of four seasons, the 21-year-old has only 357 A level plate appearances, in which he has hit .241 with a .325 OBP and .438 slugging percentage. Coaches believe the #93 prospect in PEBA is ready for the next level despite his youth. Stowe, a lefty hitter and right fielder with first round pedigree, has also been good but not great in his A-ball time. With 213 PAs over parts of two seasons, Stowe has a .230/.291/.357 slash amounting to a 98 OPS+. This is less than exhilarating, but the scouting team believes his approach has matured enough to handle AA pitching. Finally, MacDonald, who pitched well in 81 A-level innings last year, has dominated A-level hitters so far this season. He's struck out 22 batters and earned a full 1.0 WAR in two just two starts. He joins a stacked rotation of Ubbens, Yamashita, Holder, and Hernandez. Each player in that rotation has a very realistic shot at playing in the majors within the next two seasons, yet with the lack of an age limit in AA, these youths will be exposed to opponents of all ages. This leap, generally agreed to be the most difficult for young players, will amount to perhaps the greatest challenge of their nascent careers. We're excited to see how they manage.

The AAA Namuko Puckmen also undergo some change today, as LHP Armando Gomez is promoted to PEBA while LHP David Grimwade takes his place on the pitching staff among several other potential future Ghosts in Shohei Murakami, Hubert Jacobs, and Ernest Middleton. These nearly ready prospects will learn their final lessons this season, and perhaps next, from Ghosts Pitching Czar and PEBA legend Dean O'Monahan. Gomez's promotion, and perhaps Takuji Kino's as well, represent the tip of the spear for the rebuilt Ghosts as they look toward a future where they can compete within the perennial powerhouse Rising Sun division.

Outfielders Steffan Myers and Artie Robinson were released to accommodate these moves.

[Ghosts]

Reinforcements Draw Closer to PEBA, Part 2

Niihama, Japan - May 2, 2033

Just a week after a series of promotions brought stark changes to the Ikari Warriors AA roster, another series of moves brings even more prospects a step a closer to Niihama.

Perhaps the biggest move is the promotion of PEBA's #18 prospect, Yuji Yamashita, to AAA. The move comes at the urging of coaches who insist the 23-year-old has nothing more to learn at AA. Yamashita and his four pitch arsenal are slated to start on May 4th against the Brampton Camels.

The Warriors will also lose SP Theo Holder to the IL as he's out for an estimated five weeks with a sprained elbow. Filling those two rotation spots will be #4 overall pick in the 2032 draft, Connor "Tapper" Leith and Yajirobei Matsunaga. Leith is the the #36 prospect in PEBA, a lefty with a promising three pitch arsenal and remarkable velocity out of Scotland. RHP Matsunaga is the Ghosts 2nd round pick in the 2031 WIL amateur draft out of Japan and features a fastball/curveball/slider arsenal that produced excellent results in a short stay at A-ball.

Also joining the Warriors is #9 overall pick in the 2032 amateur draft, 22-year-old Earl Lucas out of Memphis. Lucas's fastball, projected to be one of the best in the world, is a accompanied by a plus-plus slider and not a ton of command. Coaches will be keeping a close eye on his K/BB rate as he progresses.

P Rafael Castro and veteran OF Yang-chen Kao were released to accommodate these promotions.

[Ghosts]

June 2033 Farm Highlights: AAA

With the news that #1 overall selection John MacVurich has signed with Niihama, all draftees from the 2033 amateur draft that were expected to sign have done so. The lone hold out is 1B Daniel Holton, the Ghosts 15th round selection. He's expected to move on the college ranks next season. With much of the AAA, AA, and A seasons already on the books, we review this first portion of the Ghosts farm season for highlights of note.

Namuko Puckmen (AAA) 40-29

The Puckmen were drastically underloaded last season, as the bulk of their roster had to be signed as free agents onto an expansion organization. This year, however, the talent level has been buoyed by graduating talent and additional acquisitions. Promising pitching prospects Yuji Yamashita, Anthony MacDonald, Shohei Murakami, Ernest Middleton, and Armando Gomez have suited up in yellow and sea green (why?). OFs Tyan-yu Tung and Jose Rivera have also graduated to AAA, as has C Nolan McMahon. Tung has hit well in 89 PAs by hitting for average (.296) as well as with patience and power (wOBA .351) while in AAA after demolishing AA pitching (206 OPS+ in 78 PAs). He's angling for another crack at the CF job in Niihama after struggling as a 21-22-year-old Rule 5 draftee in 2032 (35 OPS+ in 311 PAs). Fellow CF and potential platoon pairing Jose Rivera was co-promoted with Tung but has struggled at the plate so far at AAA (74 OPS+ in 60 PAs) largely due to his 1 for 13 results against LHP. C Nolan McMahon, just a season out of Minor League Hitter of the Year consideration, has also struggled somewhat at the AAA level (94 OPS+). Our true highlights, however, come from the young pitchers:

Yuji Yamashita, OSA's #18 prospect, suffered through some poor management decisions in AA and paid a price statistically (4.93 ERA in 7 starts), but to their credit, management saw past those issues and promoted him to AAA regardless. He's pitched well despite missing two weeks with a small injury, earning three consecutive player of the game nods since returning. He's 4 for 5 in quality starts, earning game scores of at least 61 in each of those appearances. His K rate has improved this season, though his walk rate has taken a step back. Yuji developed a splitter over the winter and has used it to help keep the ball in the park. So far he's earned a combined 1.5 WAR and looks on track to debut as soon as 2034.

Anthony MacDonald, a surprise last season, has continued his rapid ascent toward PEBA by earning his second promotion of the season in May. He's been a little inconsistent, but has three player of the game awards at each AA and AAA this season, and his latest three came with game scores of 83, 84, & 87. Two of those games were complete game shutouts while he went 8.1 shutout innings in the last. MacDonald could easily find himself in the Ghosts 2034 rotation having earned 1.7 WAR across three levels of play to date.

Murakami and Middleton look every bit the future of the Ghosts late inning bullpen pairing. Having each started the year at AAA, they have very similar results which are, summarily, dominating. Murakami|Middleton: ERA 1.04|1.19, WHIP 0.69|0.59, K/9 10.4|11.9. The one area they stand apart is that Middleton has displayed more control with a 0.9 BB/9 rate as compared to Murakami's more human-like 2.1. If Murakami doesn't jump into the rotation, these two will make a quality pairing for protecting the Ghosts late inning leads for a long time coming.

[Ghosts]

June 2033 Farm Highlights: AA

Ikari Warriors 36-33
Last year's inaugural season saw the Ikari Warriors lose in the championship, though in losing several top prospects to the Puckmen, have taken a step back in the win/loss columns. There are, however, plenty of individual highlights to date:

SS Miguel Fernandez briefly started the season at A ball before an April promotion to AA. Since then, he's playing the best baseball of his professional career. The 21-year-old is crushing AA pitching to the tune of a 173 OPS+. His slash line of .283/.363/.560 highlights his well-rounded approach. He's also transitioned back to SS after spending last season learning to play in LF. He's still learning the position, but scouts are split on whether he can stay at SS or will need to play in the outfield as he approaches PEBA.

OF Miguel Maldonado has had an unfair career arc to date. After developing a little slower than Hartford would have liked, he was pulled from AA into PEBA via the Rule 5 draft last season and struggled as a result. He posted a 62 OPS+ while playing all over the outfield, and this season has been allowed to further his development at AA. It appears, thankfully, that the time in PEBA at least didn't harm his ability, as he's now hitting .301/.347/.477 for the Warriors. He's just turned 25, and seems to be improving under the tutelage of Ghosts Hitting Czar Kichikawa. Whether he can carve out a role in the future Ghosts lineup is an outstanding question with many variables, but both Miguel and the Niihama front office are very pleased with his 2033 season to date.

RF Harold Stowe has been somewhat underwhelming in his young career thus far. A first round selection of the highly respected Neo Tokyo organization, Stowe debuted in the newly created R level of play in 2030. In two seasons there, he posted 92 and 117 OPS+ scores. The following off-season saw him dealt to Niihama, and he debuted in SS-A for them in 2032. He graduated to A-ball late that season, having posted OPS+ scores of 96 in SS-A and then 98 in A. His 2033 campaign started in A-ball again, where he posted a 105 OPS+ before graduating to AA. There, he continued his okay-but-not-great hitting through May, but for perhaps the first time in his pro career, his play in June has been exhilarating. This month has seen Harold hit .314 while slugging 8 XBHs in just 51 ABs. He struck out just 4 times while amassing a .928 OPS. It may just be a hot streak, but it may also be Harold Stowe starting to realize the potential that has tantalized scouts for years.

The Celestial Jaguar is only 20-years-old. Most of his peers are in Rookie ball, but Esteban Rodriguez is in AA, fending off the pitching of top prospects several years his senior as well as the veteran craftiness of PEBA never-weres and have-beens, some of whom are old enough to be his father. The hard-working 2B, OSA's #23 prospect, is also holding his own. Taking guidance from Kiyomitsu Kichikawa, E-Rod has taken an aggressive tact at the plate, and it's resulted in a .284/.314/.421 slash. His extra work this offseason has seen a stark improvement in his defensive play as well, as coaches rave about his robotic handle while turning two. Rodriguez has been issued a tremendous challenge with his early promotion, but he's not just surviving - he's thriving. The Ghosts are very excited to see what he's capable of as he continues to develop.

SP Alonso Hernandez, sometimes the forgotten prospect behind fellow prized pupil Yuji Yamashita, has yet to reach the highs that Yamashita has reached. The now 22-year-old is young (happy belated, Shocker!) for AA, but is in his second season there. His K/9 and BB/9 have both seen improvement, but he's struggled with the long ball more than in recent history. Coaches chalk this up mostly to bad luck and are generally pleased with his 3.01 ERA, but would like to see him avoid some of the inconsistency that's seen him post game scores below 50 in 7 starts this season. They are quick, however, to point out the young man has dominated at times as well, posting 3 70+ scores and earning four player of the game nods. Additionally, several of those scores came as Hernandez was made to pitch on short rest as the rosters experienced unexpected issues early in the year. Since posting a 1.81 WHIP in April, he's put up 0.91 and 0.94 WHIPs in May and June. Hernandez is on the path to a future in the Ghosts rotation and is expected to debut in 2035.

SP Yajirobei Matsunaga was the Ghosts 2nd round choice in the 2031 WIL draft. He's risen quickly through the ranks after opening the 2032 and 2033 seasons beating up on R-ball and A-ball hitting, before hitters at the next respective level matched his surging skill sets. Since arriving in AA at the age of 20 in May, he's turned 21, posted a 3.21 ERA, and earned 1.0 WAR. Not too shabby. He's facing an uphill battle in the fight for an eventual Niihama rotation spot, but if he continues improving the way he has, he might just force his way into consideration.

RP Earl Lucas, the 9th overall pick in the 2032 amateur draft, has been quietly decimating AA hitting. Opponents are hitting just .156 against the fireballer as he's earned 11 saves across 22 A and AA appearances (just one blown save). The concern with Lucas is his command, and the results so far this season on that department are positive as his BB/9 rate has dropped to a manageable 3.4 while making the jump to AA. If he can improve his control a little more, he'll push Middleton and Murakami for closer duties one day soon.

RP Tsuruki Shimizu was the 42nd pick in the 2032 draft and has been striving to make sure he was worthy of that selection. His promotion to AA happened just before his 22nd birthday, and in 37.1 innings, he's looked a lot like the power-armed groundballer scouts pinned him as. His 0.99 WHIP and 7.7 K/9 rates are solid, especially given his age. Shimizu is on a clear path to Niihama, likely in a middle relief role.

Lowlights:

SP Theo Holder appears to be a victim a circumstance. After being Rule 5 drafted into Niihama's rotation and bullpen, his improvement has hit a brick wall. He can't figure out how to make his circle change work for him, and he's struggled more and more with command as the question plagues him. Holder will be afforded the remainder of the season in AA, at least, to try to figure that out. If he fails, his future may be relegated to the bullpen, where he can hopefully put his 98mph fastball and nasty slider to work.

SP Connor Leith, the #4 overall selection in 2032, has had a rough start to the season. After a complete game shutout in the third start of his A-ball season, Leith was promoted to join the Warriors. Upon his promotion, he promptly saw his ERA skyrocket to 15.43 after his 3rd start. At that point, he'd only retired 14 batters. Since then, however, he's posted three quality starts in five attempts and twice won player of the game nods. His ERA has also plummeted to 4.06 since that May 17th peak.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2033 (21-25)

25. RP Lorenz Bouchard - An expensive IAFA addition in 2032, Bouchard debuted as the closer in Gohueng, earning 17 saves in 31 appearances. This age 18 debut went about as well as could have been hoped: Lorenz struck out 12.9 per 9, walking only 1.8 per 9, and posted an astounding 330 ERA+. His WHIP was just 0.59 (2nd among qualified RPs) and his 2.48 FIP was also 2nd overall. Bouchard earns an A+ for his debut season.

24. SP Yajirobei Matsunaga The 8th overall selection and the Ghosts 2nd round pick in the 2031 WIL amateur draft, Matsunaga was also #24 last year. He made the leap to AA early this season at barely 21, and so while his 99 ERA+ is pedestrian, when placed among a field of AAAA veterans, it's still more than satisfactory. The FO was pleased to see a rise in his K rate (8.9) and a drop in his BB rate (2.2) while at AA. Altogether an impressive season for the reliable youngster. He's earned an A- for solid if unspectacular results.

23. LF Jing-bo Tsu - Another member of the costly 2032 IAFA class, Tsu had an impressive age 17 debut season. He hit .314/.348/.484 and impressed coaches with his approach. He has a little growing to do on the basepaths and in the field, but for his offense alone Tsu earns an A this season.

22. P Bo Nao - A scouting discovery this May, 16-year-old Nao has yet to debut. He features a nice 3 pitch mix but also throws a terrible curve. The reclusive youngster will likely earn a debut this season, but until then no grade is assigned.

21. P Antonio Garcia - A starter in college, the Ghosts 3rd round pick this year debuted at Dawson City (SSA) at age 21 and performed at a high level. In 18 starts, he amassed 3.3 WAR and posted a 167 ERA+. His 11.0 K rate was nice, while his 4.1 BB rate was mildly alarming. Coming out of college, scouts had two concerns: command and HR rate. The latter was well under control, but the former may continue to be an issue. For now, Garcia earns a B+ for performing well at a lower level of competition.

[Ghosts]

The Ghosts 25: Reviewing the Ghosts Top 25 OSA Prospects in 2033 (16-20)

20. P Antony Batticelli - An acquisition from Yuma, for which the Ghosts gave up promising 2032 2nd round pick Roberto Alicea, Batticelli jumped from AAA to ML as part of the transition. While he did an admirable job working with the flailing clubhouse to maintain order in a losing season, Antony struggled in his ML debut. His 6.46 ERA equated to a wretched 51 ERA+. His K rate was disappointing, as was his walk rate (7.2 and 4.2 respectively). He kept the ball in the park well enough, but he'll need to make dramatic improvements to his production if he wants to pitch alongside the coming wave of pitching talent. Antony earns a D for his ML debut season.

19. P Jordan Morgan A 4th round selection by the Ghosts this season, Morgan debuted in Rookie league and struggled mightily. He earned just 0.1 WAR in 13 appearances. He posted a 1.91 WHIP, 83 ERA+, and a shrill 1:1 BB:K ratio. This small sample size, though, is hopefully a mere footnote in an otherwise glorious career. For now, he's earned a D for unspectacular results.

18. RF Torvald Bouwman - The Ghosts 2nd round selection, in 2033, Bouwman is the second consecutive listed 2033 draftee with a disappointing debut. Torvald was handed the RF job in Rookie league, but earned -0.2 WAR with his 72 OPS+. He did manage to hit 10 HRs at age 18 in 367 PAs, but that's about all that can be said for a disappointing start to his pro career. Torvald has earned a D+.

17. 1B Luis Bautista - Purchased from the Badgers for ~$2M last season, Luis made the leap from A to AA about a third of the way through the season. He started to find himself at the higher level of competition, improving his output markedly. His .291/.334/.434 isn't incredible, but it earned him a 130 OPS+ at age 22. Bautista will likely need to find at least one more level of talent to earn a role at the ML level, but for now remains a fringe 1B prospect and earns a B.

16. CF Jose Rivera - The people's champion and former #2 overall selection in the 2031 WIL draft, Rivera has yet to light the world on fire, but still remains an intriguing prospect. His defensive talent is undeniable. His +4.7 zone rating and only 2 errors in 86 starts at CF demonstrate that, yet his bat is still a work in progress, and he doesn't use his speed very effectively. His 118 OPS+ at AA was decent, but when he earned a promotion to AAA he struggled. In 27 games, he slashed .173/.202/.273. It's not very likely he can earn a spot at the ML this season, but 2035 remains a possibility. For now, Rivera earns a C+ after a solid year at AA and a bad debut at AAA.