The Bristol Wicketmen enter the 2024 season as the reigning Belted Deep Baseball champions, fresh off a 106–56 campaign that saw them claim the title in convincing fashion. As they set out to defend their crown, Bristol faces sky-high expectations. Preseason projections peg the Wicketmen at 76.1 total WAR, the second-highest in the league and just a hair behind the rival Montreal Menace’s 76.3 WAR. In the Robinson Division race, Bristol is essentially neck-and-neck with Montreal on paper, suggesting another tight battle for the top spot. The Wicketmen will be aiming for a repeat championship, but even if they falter in the division, they’re firmly in the mix for a wild card berth in what promises to be a competitive season.
Lineup and Offense
Bristol’s lineup remains one of the most fearsome in the league, combining MVP-level talent with impressive depth. At its core is two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will focus exclusively on hitting this year after an elbow injury ended his 2023 pitching duties. Ohtani is projected to put up utterly gaudy numbers as the everyday designated hitter: a .310 batting average with a .390 on-base, 54 home runs, 130 RBI, 59 stolen bases, and a 1.037 OPS. That historic blend of power and speed equates to a team-leading 9.1 WAR– an offensive engine that any lineup would envy.
Flanking Ohtani in the heart of the order are fellow superstars José Ramírez and Bryce Harper, giving the Wicketmen a formidable trio. Ramírez, the perennial All-Star at third base, is coming off another elite season and is projected for a .279 average, 39 homers, 118 RBI, 41 steals, and 6.5 WAR – essentially a 40–40 threat in the middle of the lineup. Harper, meanwhile, has transitioned to first base to accommodate Bristol’s roster needs, and his bat remains as potent as ever: he’s slated for 30 home runs, 87 RBI, a .285/.373/.525 slash line, and about 5.2 WAR as a middle-of-the-order force. This trio of Ohtani, Ramírez, and Harper alone could account for roughly 20 WAR of production, providing Bristol with superstar firepower few teams can match.
Surrounding the big three is a supporting cast loaded with young talent and athleticism. Electric rookie Elly De La Cruz will take over as the starting shortstop and leadoff catalyst. The 22-year-old switch-hitter is projected to showcase his tantalizing blend of speed and power, with 25 home runs, 67 stolen bases, and a .259 average in a full 160-game slate. If those numbers hold, De La Cruz would be worth about 6.4 WAR, an indication of his all-around impact even with some expected growing pains at the plate. At second base, the Wicketmen feature another power/speed threat in Jazz Chisholm Jr. (who slides back to his natural infield position for occasional duty, though he’s slated to play primarily center field). Chisholm brings a left-handed bat with 20–20 potential – projected for 24 homers, 40 steals, and a .256 average– and is worth roughly 4.0 WAR in 147 games. He’ll split time between center field and second as needed, providing flexibility. Brandon Lowe will handle the bulk of starts at second base when Chisholm is roaming the outfield; Lowe offers left-handed pop (21 homers, .473 slugging) in 107 games, though durability is a question. Across the diamond at first, Harper will be the primary starter, but Triston Casas is on hand as a capable platoon/bench option. Casas, a young slugger, is slated to chip in 13 homers over 63 games, and his lefty power bat gives Bristol the option to spell Harper or use Harper in the outfield on occasion.
Behind the plate, the Wicketmen have quietly assembled a strong catching tandem. William Contreras returns as the number one catcher and is expected to provide excellent offense for the position, with a projected .281 average, 23 home runs and 92 RBI. Those numbers would make Contreras one of the most productive catchers in the league (5.4 WAR). Backing him up is former top prospect Francisco Álvarez, who in a secondary role (about 100 games) could slug 11 homers. Álvarez’s development with limited at-bats (1.9 WAR in this projection) will be something to monitor, but together the Contreras-Álvarez duo gives Bristol both offensive punch and youth behind the dish.
In the outfield, Bristol emphasizes speed and versatility. Daulton Varsho and Wyatt Langford are expected to share time in left field, forming an intriguing lefty-righty combination. Varsho, a defensive whiz who can play all three outfield spots, is penciled in for 136 games of action with 18 homers and 10 steals. However, his projected .214 batting average is a point of concern – the Wicketmen will be hoping he can improve on that to justify his everyday role. Langford, one of the organization’s top prospects, looks ready to contribute right away at age 22. In 134 projected games, the rookie brings a solid all-around bat (16 HR, 19 SB, .253 average) worth approximately 2.9 WAR. If Langford hits the ground running, he could force his way into more at-bats and provide a significant boost to the offense. Over in center field, Jazz Chisholm Jr. figures to patrol the grass when he’s not at second base, using his elite athleticism to track down fly balls. Chisholm’s aforementioned offensive contributions (24 HR, 40 SB) make him one of the more dynamic center fielders in the league, though Bristol will need him to stay healthy. Fernando Tatis Jr. rounds out the starting outfield as the right fielder. Tatis remains a superstar talent, but the projections are cautious with him – he’s slated for only 102 games, in which he’d hit 21 homers with a .276 average. Some of that limited playing time might stem from his recent injury history and off-field issues, so the Wicketmen have planned accordingly. When Tatis is out of the lineup, 22-year-old Andy Pages is ready to step in. Pages is projected for 116 games in a part-time role, contributing 13 home runs and a .248 average. While he’s not yet the caliber of Tatis, Pages’ ability to hold his own (1.3 WAR) gives Bristol valuable depth in right field over a long season.
Complementing the starting lineup is a bench filled with versatile pieces and high-upside youngsters. Josh Smith serves as a super-utility player extraordinaire – he’s expected to appear in nearly 149 games all around the field, posting a solid .258 average and 11 steals. Smith’s projected 2.8 WAR in a jack-of-all-trades roleunderscores his importance as a glue guy who can cover multiple positions when injuries strike or matchups call for it. In addition to Smith and the aforementioned Casas, the Wicketmen boast two of the game’s top prospects waiting in the wings: Jackson Holliday and Jasson Domínguez. Holliday (the 19-year-old phenom shortstop) may see about 60 games of action, though projections (.189 average, 0.0 WAR) suggest he might not be a major factor until he gains more experience. Domínguez, recovering from injury, is only expected in a late-season cameo (18 games). Nevertheless, their presence in the organization gives Bristol additional options as the year progresses. Rounding out the bench is outfielder Alex Call, who offers speed and on-base ability in limited opportunities (5 steals and a .425 OBP in just 30 games). All told, Bristol’s offense projects to be deep, dynamic, and incredibly potent – capable of bludgeoning opponents with the long ball or manufacturing runs with speed and situational hitting.
Rotation and Starting Pitching
On the mound, the Wicketmen feature a deep rotation headlined by a bona fide ace. Zack Wheeler returns as the staff anchor and is coming off a championship year in which he solidified himself as one of the league’s top arms. Projections have Wheeler going 16–7 with a sparkling 2.57 ERA over 200 innings, numbers that reflect ace-level dominance and durability. His 5.4 WAR projection leads all Bristol pitchers and gives the team a dependable workhorse every fifth day. With Shohei Ohtani unavailable to pitch in 2024 due to his elbow surgery (a big loss, as Ohtani was both an ace and middle-of-the-order bat), Wheeler’s steady presence atop the rotation becomes even more crucial. The good news for Bristol is that behind Wheeler, they’ve amassed an impressive collection of starters, offering both star power and depth to help fill the Ohtani void.
Fireballing right-hander Hunter Greene is poised to take a leap toward stardom this season. Greene flashed electric stuff last year, and if the projections hold, he’ll translate that into a 2.75 ERA and 3.8 WAR over roughly 150 innings. He’s forecast for a 9–5 record in 26 starts – numbers that would make him one of the better #2 starters in the league, provided he stays healthy. Alongside him, veteran Pablo López brings a more understated but valuable presence. López is tabbed for a team-high 15 wins (15–10 record) across 32 starts , eating up 185 innings with a 4.08 ERA. While his ERA is higher than the top guns’, López’s reliability and 3.2 WAR value make him an ideal mid-rotation stabilizer who can save the bullpen and keep the team in games even on off nights.
Perhaps the biggest X-factor in the rotation is the arrival of rookie Spencer Schwellenbach. Just 23 years old, Schwellenbach is set to make 21 starts in his first taste of the big leagues. The projections are bullish on the young righty: an 8–7 record with a 3.35 ERA over 123+ innings, good for 2.6 WAR. If he comes close to those numbers, Schwellenbach will give Bristol a tremendous boost at the back end and justify the hype that has followed him as a two-way talent turned full-time pitcher. Meanwhile, Freddy Peralta slots in as a proven mid-rotation arm, offering swing-and-miss stuff when he’s on. Peralta is forecast for 32 starts (11–9, 173.2 IP) with a solid 3.68 ERA.
Consistency has sometimes eluded him, but as a fourth or fifth starter he’s a luxury, and his 2.3 WAR projection reflects a very useful contributor. Rounding out this embarrassment of pitching riches is former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, whom Bristol will have at least for part of the season. Interestingly, Cole’s projection is only 17 starts and 95 innings (8–5, 3.41 ERA) , indicating he might miss time – whether due to a late start, injury, or managed workload. Even so, a half-season of Cole (1.8 WAR) could be invaluable down the stretch and in the postseason. Additionally, right-hander Kyle Bradish is on hand as depth; he’s slated for a handful of starts (8 games, 39.1 IP) with a sharp 2.75 ERA. Bradish may begin in a long-relief or spot-start role but can step into the rotation if needed without the team missing a beat. All told, Bristol’s rotation boasts seven viable starting pitchers – a level of depth that should safeguard them against the inevitable injuries or slumps that occur over a long season. Even without Ohtani toeing the rubber, this staff has the talent to be among the league’s best.
Bullpen and Late-Inning Arms
If the rotation’s mantra is depth, the bullpen’s is dominance. The Wicketmen’s relief corps projects as a lights-out unit anchored by one of the game’s elite closers, Emmanuel Clase. Clase is coming off a league-leading 47-save season and is expected to be virtually unhittable yet again – the projections give him a microscopic 0.61 ERA over 74 innings with 47 saves and 2.2 WAR. Armed with a triple-digit cutter, Clase slams the door on opponents and shortens games to eight innings or less. Setting him up are two breakout candidates who could themselves close for many teams. Edwin Uceta, a hard-throwing righty, is slated for a 1.51 ERA in a setup role , albeit in a more limited 41-inning sample. And Hunter Gaddis appears poised to flourish as a multi-inning weapon out of the ‘pen – he’s projected to log nearly 75 innings with a sterling 1.57 ERA, accumulating 1.6 WAR as a high-leverage fireman. If Uceta and Gaddis indeed perform to that level, Bristol will effectively have a three-headed monster at the back of games, allowing manager to mix and match in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings with confidence.
Beyond those top three, the bullpen remains deep with quality options. Veteran reliever Kevin Ginkel and side-armer Ryan Thompson are penciled in for the middle innings and matchup duties. Both are forecast to post ERAs in the low-to-mid 3.00s (around 3.21 for Ginkel, 3.26 for Thompson) while combining for over 130 innings of solid relief work. They bring experience in bridging the gap from starters to closer and can handle occasional save opportunities if needed (Ginkel is credited with 5 saves in the projections). For long relief and spot appearances, Bristol will lean on Kevin Kelly and Jesús Tinoco, a pair of right-handers capable of going multiple frames. Kelly’s projected 2.67 ERA over 70.2 innings and Tinoco’s 3.32 ERA in around 40 innings suggest that even when games go into the late hours or extra innings, the Wicketmen won’t be at a disadvantage. This bullpen as a whole is forecast to deliver an outstanding 9.1 WAR with an aggregate ERA hovering in the low-2.00s– an elite level of relief performance. In tight games, Bristol’s ability to lock down the final three (or more) innings could be the difference in maintaining their edge over division rivals.
Team Strengths
The strengths of this Bristol squad are readily apparent: star power, speed, and pitching depth. Few, if any, teams can boast the kind of star trio that the Wicketmen have in Ohtani, Ramírez, and Harper. All three are legitimate MVP candidates in a given year, and their projected WAR totals (9.1, 6.5, and 5.2 respectively)underscore just how much top-tier talent resides in this lineup. These superstars not only produce in the box score but also bring championship experience and leadership to the clubhouse. Around them, the lineup is stacked with players who possess rare athletic tools. The Wicketmen led the league in steals last year and should do so again: with speedsters like De La Cruz (67 SB projected) and Chisholm (40 SB) wreaking havoc on the bases, Bristol can manufacture runs in bunches and pressure opposing defenses every game. In fact, the lineup features multiple potential 20–20 (HR–SB) performers – Ohtani, Ramírez, De La Cruz, Chisholm, and even Tatis if he stays on the field. This blend of power and speed makes the offense exceptionally well-rounded; they can beat opponents with the long ball or small ball as situations dictate.
Another major strength is the team’s depth, particularly in pitching. The starting rotation is at least seven-deep with quality arms, a luxury in a sport where most teams struggle to find five reliable starters. Bristol’s ability to slot in an experienced ace like Gerrit Cole or a talented rookie like Schwellenbach as needed means they are better insulated against injuries or fatigue than most of their rivals. Moreover, the presence of swingmen like Kelly or a multi-inning reliever like Gaddis means the pitching staff as a whole is highly adaptable. They can opt for bullpen games, handle doubleheaders, or weather a short IL stint for a starter without significantly weakening the team.
On offense, depth is also a plus – the bench includes players (Smith, Langford, Casas) who would likely start on other clubs, and top prospects are available to step in. This organizational strength allows Bristol to play matchups and keep veterans fresh over 162 games. In sum, the Wicketmen’s combination of superstar talent at the top and flexibility and depth throughout the roster positions them extremely well for the grind of the regular season.
Potential Concerns
For all of Bristol’s strengths, there are a few concerns that could threaten to derail their repeat bid if not managed carefully. Foremost is health and injury risk. Several key players come with red flags in this regard. Ohtani’s absence from the pitching mound is already a reality – after his arm injury, the team cannot rely on his innings, placing more burden on the rest of the staff. In the rotation, Gerrit Cole’s projection of just 95 innings (17 starts)hints that he might miss a significant chunk of time; given Cole’s age and workload history, an injury or late start is a real possibility. Hunter Greene, for all his promise, has had some arm issues early in his career, and Bristol will need to watch his innings (he’s never pitched the 150+ frames he’s projected for).
Likewise, Freddy Peralta has dealt with shoulder troubles in the past, which could flare up. In the lineup, durability questions surround players like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. Chisholm has yet to put together a full healthy season, and Tatis – while supremely talented – missed all of 2022 and part of 2023; the fact he’s only slated for 102 games in the projections reflects the uncertainty about his full-season availability. If one or more of these stars land on the injured list for long stretches, the Wicketmen’s depth would be tested in a way it wasn’t during their charmed 2023 run.
Another concern is the reliance on youth and the potential volatility of unproven players. Bristol is banking on very young players in several important roles, which is exciting but not without risk. Elly De La Cruz, for instance, is expected to be a cornerstone from day one, but as a rookie he could endure slumps – his projected .259 batting averagesuggests there may be growing pains even as he contributes in other ways. Similarly, Spencer Schwellenbach in the rotation and Wyatt Langford in the outfield have never faced big-league competition; if they struggle to adjust (or if Langford’s bat isn’t quite ready for everyday at-bats), the team might have to shuffle roles or lean more on veterans like Varsho, whose own hitting inconsistency (e.g. a low .214 average) is a worry.
The bench, while talented, is also youth-heavy – players like Jackson Holliday and Jasson Domínguez are top prospects but may not immediately provide positive value (indeed, both are projected near replacement level in limited action. Relying on rookie contributions can lead to swings in performance; a few underperforming youngsters could create holes in the lineup or rotation that weren’t anticipated in the rosy preseason forecast. Additionally, one area to watch will be how the team handles any regression from outliers in the projections – for example, the bullpen is projected to be historically good (several relievers with sub-2 ERAs). Reliever performance can be fickle year to year, so if someone like Clase or Gaddis is merely “very good” instead of video-game good, the team might lose a few tight games they won last season. These are small margins, but in a tight division race even a slight step back in one area could have an outsized impact.
Season Outlook
Even with a few question marks, the outlook for the 2024 Bristol Wicketmen is overwhelmingly positive. This is a team built to contend, and anything short of a deep playoff run would be a disappointment given the talent on hand. The Robinson Division title will likely come down to Bristol and Montreal in a duel of heavyweights – with only a 0.2 WAR difference separating them in the projections, it’s essentially a toss-up. Fans should buckle in for a pennant race that could go down to the final days of the season. The division isn’t a two-team foregone conclusion either: the Beaconsfield Pathfinders (around 70 WAR projected) lurk as a dangerous spoiler if one of the favorites stumbles. That means the Wicketmen can’t afford to coast; they will need to push for every win to secure the division and avoid the uncertainty of a wild card.
That said, Bristol’s chances of at least grabbing a postseason spot are very strong. If they do end up in a wild card, it would likely be as one of the top wild card teams given their high projected win total, which should offer a favorable matchup. From there, the Wicketmen’s blend of playoff-seasoned veterans and explosive young talent would make them a very tough out in any playoff series. This is a club with few weaknesses and numerous ways to beat an opponent, whether it’s a lights-out start from Wheeler, a barrage of home runs led by Ohtani, or a track meet on the bases ignited by De La Cruz and Chisholm. Repeating as champions is never easy – no team in BDB has done it in recent memory – but the Bristol Wicketmen have positioned themselves as a prime contender to do just that. If the stars stay healthy and the youngsters rise to the occasion, Bristol has a legitimate shot to hoist the trophy once again in 2024, or at the very least, to fight their way through the postseason as a formidable contender. In a tightly packed race at the top, the champs still have the look of a team to beat.