The Platypi: Rotation and Bullpen

The Platypi have made a few moves since SMB 2 to address their abysmal bullpen, releasing Jemma Yago and Donk Oh to sign Remmington Sharp and specialist opener Chance Lotterbury while moving Rufus Zumar to the bullpen with opportunities to spot start.  While we have yet to see the rest of the teams in their division the Platypi come across on paper as a team to beat with tremendous bullpen flexibility to cover rotation injuries and extra inning marathons.  They have also made batting practice a priority for pitchers and all the Platypi starters are able to hit above the Mendoza line, giving them an interesting ace in the hole in their non-DH conference.

The SMB 2 Platypi for comparison:

Rotation:

Lefty Ace pitcher Ace Von Acesson leads the rotation with a 5 pitch arsenal featuring a 2 seam fastball with a sharp slider and a curveball that falls off the table.  With above average control he can live in the black, control counts, and wipe out opposing hitters.  Still young at 22 years old, Ace has taken over the Platypi rotation while pitching in the challenging epic division against the Beewolves, Wideloads, and Grapplers.  There's a lot of pressure on the young ace and so far he's risen to it with great regular season stats.  It remains to be seen if he can maintain that success in the post-season, however.

Right hander Skooby Tubrek has been a pleasant surprise for the Platypi, defying career projections to rise from last to second in the rotation.  Just mellowing into his prime at 32 years old, Tubrek features a 4 pitch fastball/curve/changeup toolbox that he throws with surgical precision.  Though he doesn't have great stuff in the classic sense, he's effectively able to change speeds and hit spots to reach the results he wants and is a quality start machine, keeping his composure in any situation.

The final dedicated starter right handed Rusty Nozzle rounds out the group at 3.  Nozzle features average stuff and control but a good 4 pitch arsenal that can frustrate opposing pitchers if he's able to mix it up.  However, an over-reliance on breaking pitches means a patient lineup will be able to work him and drive up pitch count quickly.  Still a little time to develop at 31 but unless he's able to pull a Tubrek he's probably reached his ceiling.  Still you'll reliably get 5 innings.

Long Relievers/Spot Starters:
Rufus Zumar is a deadeyed right hander who has made the transition from a dedicated rotation starter to working out of the pen when needed, massively increasing his value to the franchise.  Retaining his 5 pitch arsenal with a low 90's fastball, he exercises above average break and pinpoint control on his curve/slider/forkball combination that is devastating late in the count.  Zumar can effectively start or take over in the middle innings and will give quality AB's as well with a solid contact rating.

Chance Lotterbury is a journeyman left hander looking to close out his career on a high note with the Platypi.  A limited fastball/slider/changeup arsenal with good control but low rated pitches, Lotterbury has made his name as a LOOGY (left handed one out guy) but is hoping to expand his toolset into middle inning relief or opening bullpen games.  Against a left handed heavy lineup he could effectively open the game before handing it over to Zumar but at his age and skillset is going to be most effective matching up against the back end of an order or closing out a blowout win.  Not an arm to lean on in big games but could give a few effective innings while saving the arms you should be relying on.

Bullpen and Closer:

With the addition of Lefty Remmington Sharp what used to be a cupcake bullpen has become a tough hill to climb in late innings.  Even with their insistence on sticking with Walt Huckster at closer, Sharp is capable of coming out any inning and shutting down opposing lineups with pinpoint accuracy and a wipeout slider for his strikeout pitch.  How they use Sharp will ultimately determine if this team lives or dies in the postseason, but the prospect of facing Acesson, Zumar, and Sharp in a game 7 will strike terror into any lineup.

Hugh Jacobs has been retained as a right handed prospect.  Only 21 years old, he doesn't throw hard but what he throws falls off the end of the table when it hits the plate and with his ability to mix speeds he is either going to end up with a lot of whiffs or a lot of walks.  Needs to build his still sub-par control before he'll be an effective set up man, but at his age the sky's the limit.  Amazing potential in this kid if the team holds on to him, and he can contribute right now.

Walt Huckster has been retained as the hapless right handed Closer in spite of his past struggles.  It's hard to say if the Platypi truly believe in his potential at the position, but at 28 years old it's unlikely Huckster is ever going to grow into the expectations they have for him.  Throwing a fastball/curve/change combo, lack of movement leaves him hanging a lot of changeups and curveballs while roughly average control will have him throwing that low to mid-90's fastball over the plate way more than a closer should be.  If he threw harder and with more break this could be a closer pitch selection but at this point in his career it's unlikely Huckster will ever be more than a huckster.  Hopefully the Platypi see the light and relegate him to middle relief before the season is on the line.

With their insistence on Walt Huckster at closer he's going to become the Mariano Riviera of blown saves.  The Platypi have two better bullpen options in prospect Hugh Jacobs and all star Remmington Sharp.  There's no shame in closer by committee and with their clear priority on improving bullpen flexibility in signing free agents for the new season, the refusal to demote Huckster is a real head scratcher.