The 2042 Palm Springs Codgers will have a distinctly new look from the 2041 team. The team moved on from the veteran core at the trade deadline and focused on acquiring young talent and draft picks to remake the roster in search of a core to build around.

Today we look at the pitchers who will battle for a roster spot. A trade is possible before the start of the season. The team will have two familiar faces at the top of the rotation and three new starters behind them. The bullpen is definitely a work in progress and the team added some veterans to add to the returning relievers in hope of find a productive bullpen

Starters:

Locked into the rotation – barring injury the Codgers have three starting pitchers that can be written in with pen. Two are among the best in the league and the third is a reliable veteran that has shown remarkable consistency in this career.

Shigochiyo Yamaguchi – among the best in the league and should be a Golden Arm contender. A power pitcher with elite stuff and control to go with three outstanding pitches in his arsenal. His only peer could be his rotation partner.

Takashi Yamamoto – the 2040 team leader in wins had an off year in in 2041 but seems like a lock to bounce back. Another power arm with great stuff and a four-pitch repertoire, three which are elite swing and miss pitches. He could also challenge for his own Golden Arm award. If Yamaguchi is #1, Yamamoto is #1A.

Juan Jaramillo – acquired in a trade with New Jersey for his consistent, steadying presence in the rotation. He is another hard throwing power arm (see a pattern?) who the team expect to eat innings and keep them in games.

Challengers for the rotation: With the trade of James McCoy Palm Springs has a big hole in their rotation to fill. These seven names are the ones to watch for the final two spots. Some will be shifted to the bullpen while others may start the season in AAA.

Bang-xao Niu – came to the Codgers as a salary dump but has been consistently solid in his career. He adds a lefthander to the rotation and is yet another hard throwing power pitcher with good stuff. One of the two spots in the back end of the rotation is his to lose.

Jordan Morgan – worked out of the back end of the bullpen last season where he picked up 21 saves. Another lefthanded option for the rotation but will likely return to the bullpen unless he stands out in Spring Training.

Devlyn Hale – signed late in free agency to add either depth to the bullpen or to slide into the back end of the rotation. Another hard throwing power pitcher from the right side. Has an elite fastball but gave up a league leading 42 home runs. He will need to return to career norms to have a shot at not only the rotation but the roster.

Pedro Molina –  you could copy/paste Hale’s breakdown here. Throws hard, has an elite fastball but gives up too many homeruns.

Nathan Comyn – needs to regain his 2039 and 2040 form to regain his spot as the fifth pitcher in the rotation. He has a six pitch mix but struggles with stamina. Will likely shift to the bullpen unless he finds a way to pitch deep into games.

Alfonso Montés – the Codgers top pitching prospect who had a very nice debut last season in 42 innings worth of work. Yet another power arm but from the left side.

Yoshiaga Watanabe – a young lefthanded option acquired from Bakersfield late in the season. Doesn’t do anything splashy but if he can keep the ball in the park at the league leading .5 HR/IP rate he will capture a spot in the rotation.

The bullpen: The Codgers bullpen situation could be defined as wide open. There are a few returning arms who will be given every chance to work in high leverage situations and several guys who are looking to make the 40 man roster.

Luke Scott – he either had a breakout or a fluke season in 2041. The team is hoping for the breakout season. The former first round pick has three good pitches but can struggle with control. He kept the walks and homeruns to a minimum and will find a spot if he repeats that.

Rob Rowlingson –  needs to find consistency against lefthanders to match his dominance against righties. He has the stuff to start of his splits were better. He is another power pitcher who offers a different look with his sidearm delivery.

Bertrand Baverstock – the workhorse of the bullpen the last three seasons. Another power arm with two great pitches. Has pitched in every high leverage roll and is expected to again in 2042

Yorikane Kato – a Rule 5 pick who will have to seize a spot in the bullpen. Another power pitching option with three great pitches but will need to keep the ball in the park.

Sergio Meléndres – has performed well in as a long relief inning eater but will start the season on the injured list with a knee issue. He will have to come back pretty strong to keep his spot with the organization.

Bob Miles – a lefthanded option for the bullpen. Two excellent pitches who projects as a potential back of the bullpen arm.

Tringen Presser – there is a lot of love about Presser. Another power arm with five pitches, three of which are very good to elite. Throws from the left side. His movement and ability to keep the ball in the park are the questions, if he can figure that out he could be in the Codgers bullpen for years.

There are a lot of question marks with the 2042 rotation. Who will fill the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation? Can the left-over pieces form a consistent bullpen capable of keeping the team in games? Will the team find their shutdown relievers to protect leads and win games?

With the premium management puts on pitching, will we see any additional moves before or during the season? The pitching staff was once considered the strength of the team, it will have to be if they have any chance for success in 2042.