Every year, I get antsy trying to gauge who'll likely play for each team. (It helps me determine where I'll go on those four- and five-day weekends during the long summer months.) Dayton hasn't had a good team in what feels like forever, and this season might just be a good one. There are a ton of 40- 45 guys who've put up good enough numbers to be sleepers, but aren't scouting report darlings. It'll be really interesting to see how the two Rookie League teams fit into one Midwest League team.
Catcher
Eric Yang
Luke Berryhill
Justin Gomez
Comment: Yang looking particularly promising in Billings, while Berryhill has both pedigree (Dad was Damon) and pop. Gomez hit well and complements Yang's RH stick with a lefty swing of his own. Look for Berryhill to stay in Extended.
First Base
Jose Tello
Comment: Nondescript suspect burst out a bit in Rookie League in 2019. Showed decent pop (over .200 when combined) and has always shown affinity for patience and hit tool. Can catch too, and may be part of the three-headed monster with Yang and Gomez. Or Berryhill. Lots of catchers to choose from.
Second Base
Tyler Callihan
Comment: Probably the best prospect on a team filled with 40-45 gamers. Callihan's bat is supposed to be special. He was drafted high enough to skip through the Rookie Leagues. League average-ish production across both leagues will need to bump up as he plays every day. Might end up a corner OF or 3B.
Third Base
Quincy McAfee
Lucas Seminati
Comment: This could be Rece Hinds' spot, but he only played three games last year and is just out of high school. Carlos Ruiz handled the Pioneer League adequately enough to put up a 76 wRC+. He's still young, so I'm guessing he also lands in Extended Spring Training. The 3B spot goes, then, to either Callihan, Seminati, or McAfee. Seminati played mostly 1B in Billings in favor of Ruiz, but he could switch back. Rylan Thomas may also get some reps. McAfee can also play 2B and SS.
Shortstop
Ivan Johnson
Comment: Hit well enough to be interesting in Greeneville. Still relatively youthful at 20. Will need to prove it every step of the way, but 2019 was a good start. Might move to 2B, but will be given every opportunity to prove himself as a SS.
Left Field
AJ Bumpass
Comment: Old for his level, but fun to root for. Hometown kid who played relatively well last year. Old for level, but a 119 wRC+ will likely get him more time and a starting gig in Dayton.
Center Field
Allan Cerda
Comment: Heard good things from scouting reports. Will be interesting to follow. Big-time power and patience, but is the hit tool good enough? Might be a Drew Stubbs type, and that's outstanding as a 19-year-old.
Right Field
TJ Hopkins
Quin Cotton
Comment: Another older prospect who hit well enough to get an extended look in Dayton. Quin Cotton is another who'll play a lot as either an OF or a DH. At this point, Hopkins, Cotton, and Bumpass are interchangeable and will all play about equally, IMO. Nate Scantlin might also factor in, though he's a year younger.
Starting Rotation
Miguel Medrano
Graham Ashcraft
Tyler Garbee
Jose Salvador
Jacob Heatherly
Comment: Medrano had a very good season in Billings. Heatherly has talent but was injured early last year. (He may not be ready at the start of the season.) The rest of the group is from Greeneville, who struck everybody out, limited walks, and still found a way to lose almost every game.