It's time for another edition of projecting the IronPigs Roster, and for a primer on this, here's my previous projection. This year is harder than others, as the Phillies roster has more moving parts than normal.
Anyway, here's where I have it:
Starting Pitching- Crowded:
I'm assuming for a moment that Miguel Gonzalez is here, though maybe Reading is the right spot. I also would probably, after a few more days thought, guess that Jon Pettibone is here too. I think Greg Smith is a lock after his year here last year. I think the loser of the Manship/Buchanan fight is here too. That leaves one spot. I'm going to go with O'Sullivan edging out Bootcheck for now at #5. I think Biddle begins in AA.
Bullpen- Crowded-er:
Aumont, Garcia, Horst, Jimenez, Friend, Simon, and Shreve are my guesses right now, with a lot of "what-if's" to still sort out. I've been a bit surprised by some of the bullpen moves this Spring.
Position Players- Take a Guess:
First off, who makes the big league bench? I'm sticking with a Nieves-Frandsen-Mayberry-Abreu-Galvis pick for today, meaning Ruf and Hernandez get sent back here. They will both occupy spots, probably different spots every day. Ruf will play some first and left, Hernandez some second and all three outfields. My guess is that Cameron Rupp and Koyie Hill are the catchers here, and that's done. I think they keep Cody Overbeck at first, Albert Cartwright for second and third, Ronnie Cedeno to play some short, Maikel Franco to play first and third, and Reid Brignac and Andres Blanco hang on too, if they want, as utility guys. I think they consider Ruf and Hernandez as outfielders for roster purposes, then try to keep Tony Gwynn Jr., Tyson Gillies, and Leandro Castro here.
