The Round Table (Returns): 2031-32 Offseason Edition

[Apollos]

Following their return to the PEBA, the Knights front office has been busy moving most of the useful parts from their 2031 WIL squad in an effort to build up their organizational depth. Let’s take a look at the most recent returns and how they’ll project as we move into 2032:

SP Javier Jaramillo (received for 2B Logan Malone): Jaramillo is a 19 year old starter who spent 31 at Shin Seiki’s rookie league affiliate, mostly working out of the pen. JJ, as his teammates call him, possesses a three pitch arsenal that figures to give him a shot at a rotation spot in the future, though he’s Been bounced around a bit in his early development. Jaramillo figures to start 32 in Whitehorse competing for a spot in the Explorers rotation. Anticipated debut: 2035

SP Shojiro Goto (also received in the Malone deal): An 18 year old starter who was Shin Seiki’s 1st round pick in 2031, Goto spent the entire 31 season in complex ball. A long, lean right hander Goto is expected to be several years away from contributing to the big club but projects as a mid rotation starter at some point in the future. He specializes in keeping the ball down and cemented his draft status with an impressive senior campaign at Island HS which saw him post a 0.54 ERA across nine starts with a paltry 0.2 HR/9 rate. Anticipated debut: 2036

C Leon Sanchez (received for RP Toshiki Miyata): An IFA out of Venezuela in 2028, Sanchez has shown some surprising pop which may be enough to propel him to the major leagues in the future. A bit on the lean side for a catching prospect, Sanchez is expected to continue building mass as he grows into the position - where he is reported to have skills well in advance of his years - as he starts 32 in Whitehorse. Anticipated debut: 2037

SP John Winters (received in the Miyata deal): A massive starter out of Jackson, Tennessee, Winters has a big arm and throws with violence from his 6’9” frame. His possession of a very projectable three pitch arsenal has many labeling him as a potential future front end starter, but others see him as a reliever. Tempe figures to keep him working from the rotation for the foreseeable future in an effort to get the most out of the prospect, and following his success in short season A last year, looks ready to start 32 I’m Calexico. Anticipated debut: 2034

[Apollos]

The Knights made their biggest move of the 2031 offseason thus far today, acquiring Pitcher Paul Norris from Madison and dealing their ace and workhorse Ben McLaughlin in the process. In return, Tempe received a pair of second round draft picks (from Madison and Aurora) along with highly touted 2B prospect Juan Rincon and Rookie league pitcher Geoffrey Bowman.

Rincon, a 19 year old from the town of Trujillo Alto in Puerto Rico, posted a strong season in 2031 following an injury marred campaign in 2030. A former first round pick, and the 11th player selected overall in the 2030 draft, Rincon performed admirably for his age last season advancing to Madison’s short season A affiliate in Akutan Island, the same league where he figures to debut for the Knights this coming year.

Certainly the draft picks will be helpful as the Knights attempt to build their organization from scratch following the transition to PEBA, but it comes at a significant cost as Norris is scheduled to make $19 million in ‘32 with an $18 million player option for ‘33 that he’s almost certain to pick up. Rumors within the Tempe organization’s front office indicate that the big club, in an effort to cut down on Norris’ whispered lavish travel demands, are seeking to send him to AAA Chandler to start the season as a means of recalibrating his expectations. There are hopes that the harsh treatment may force the early retirement of Norris who is several years removed from PEBA relevance, and was clearly acquired as a salary dump from a Madison club on the upswing.

Neither GM Hazelwood, nor team owner Chris Van Hauter have yet made a statement concerning their plans for Norris, but the rebuild appears to be in full swing in the vale.

[Borealis]

Rumors within the Tempe organization’s front office indicate that the big club, in an effort to cut down on Norris’ whispered lavish travel demands, are seeking to send him to AAA Chandler to start the season as a means of recalibrating his expectations.

Recalibrate - Love it!!!

[Apollos]

Conan Returns!



The Knights have brought the woebegone former PEBA superstar home to the organization as they fill out their minor league staff, hiring Conan McCullough to be the pitching coach in single A Calexico.

McCullough was a member of the 2012 Tempe championship team that captured the Rodriguez Cup against all odds, before being traded away to Charleston as the club was subsequently dismantled. Despite his mere two and a half seasons with the team, McCullough has long been adored by Tempe faithful and was considered one of the club's legends alongside such other pillars as Markus Hancock and Javier Padilla.

McCullough has spent the past several seasons in his home state of Kentucky and was rumored to have been considered for a front office role with the new Knights organization prior to formally signing on to the organization’s coaching staff. In Calexico McCullough will have an important role to play in the development of several of Tempe’s newly acquired pitchers who are expected to shape the future of the club.