Outlook - The team is awfully thin except for the infield (losing Archie, Gregory and Keone highlighted that), and Shelty and gang have had no time to properly evaluate/develop guys. Anything can happen over a 60-game span while a new staff should help the players take an extra step, and young guys still have some upside to reach, but it has the look of a long season.
Rostering players is a little squirrely this year. The season opens with 30 players on the major league roster, pared to 28 players after two weeks, and finally to 26 players after four weeks. Teams can opt to add a 27th player in the event of a doubleheader, but no twin bills are on the current schedule, though we can expect a couple due to rainouts. They can also carry three guys from the 60-man roster as a taxi squad, one who must be a catcher. They're not eligible to play unless added to the MLB roster and are an insurance policy for gametime personnel moves, with the purpose of eliminating travel hangups and delays. With the 30-man roster in effect, Andrew Susac, an extra catcher, is its sole member for Opening Day. The Altoona squad:
Rule Changes:
There are a pair to watch for - the DH is in place for both leagues, and extra innings will start with a runner on second. Other more minor changes are in place, primarily spacing/avoiding contact tweaks for the safety of the players. The postseason is still in flux, with a debate between 10-team and 16-team playoffs still on the table. Player movement rules (Trades, DFA, 40-Man, etc) were left intact with a little juggling of dates.
Down & Out:
- JT Riddle (stomach strain - 10 Day IL), Luke Maile (finger surgery - out for season), Keone Kela (Covid-19), Gregory Polanco (Covid-19), Blake Cederlind (COVID-19, back in camp), Chris Archer (nerve surgery - out for season), Kevin Kramer (hip surgery - out for season), K'Bryan Hayes (Covid-19, back in camp) and Jameson Taillon (TJ - out for season).
- Edgar Santana (suspended for 80 games)
- Hector Noesi (opted out of season)
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